Guyana chronicle e paper 03 06 2017

Exxon to get oil-production licence … royalty set at 2%, 100,000 Page 15

barrels per day envisaged

Get it right No. 104932

SATURDAY JUNE 3, 2017

–– President tells Jagdeo as he rejects second GECOM list

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

Pages 3&5

“Every member of the list suggested must conform to the criteria and you cannot put on the list, a person who does not conform… I must be given a choice. I don’t believe that the second list gave me the range of choice that the people of Guyana deserve...nothing is ever settled until it is settled right and he has to get it right,” President David Granger.

President David Granger greets Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on his arrival at State House on March 1

Berbice fisherman Gov’t drops charged with murder charges against of reputed wife Kaieteur miners Page 9

Page 8

Shake-up for CANU Page 17

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 3, 2017

Agriculture central to green state –– says president at agri project launch in Region Five

Story and photos

by Clifford Stanley PRESIDENT David Granger said food production is central to the ‘greening’ of Guyana and is a major part of his vision for sustainable development and for advancing the good life for all Guyanese.

He made the statement while delivering an address to persons present at the opening of the Self-Sufficient Agricultural Economic Services Project at the Hugo Chavez centre at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice Friday afternoon.

The project is an initiative of the Ministry of Social Protection and the startup comprises three fish ponds, a number of pens for ducks, fowls and sheep and a greenhouse for production of vegetables.

The collaborators for the project included the Guyana Livestock Development Agency (GLDA), the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Food, Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the St Francis Community Developers (SFCD) of Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne).

It was disclosed that the project also benefited from contributions by members of the private sector in Region Five ( Mahaica /Berbice) and further afield.

The aim of the project is to produce food for the centre and sell the surpluses.

Those present at the opening yesterday included

Social Protection, Minister Amna Ally, several government ministers including Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock; local representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Reuben Robertson; United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, Mikiko Tanaka; Alex Foster of the (SFCD), officers and councillors of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Five and senior agricultural officers and a large gathering of members of the public.

Manisha Wong, a semi-finalist for the Miss Guyana 2017 crown was a special invitee at the event.

It was revealed that her platform for the Miss Guyana 2017 crown would be agriculture and school feeding.

GOOD MODEL In his remarks to the attendees, President Granger hailed the project as a good model for all agencies in Guyana to follow, contending that food production is central to the establishment of a green state.

He said food is life and no food is no life and any initiative to produce more food is laudable.

“I would like to see every house in a yard; every yard with a garden; every garden with trees. I would like us to eat what we grow. We should eat what we produce. For example, if every household in Region Five had one bread fruit tree, we could produce a million kilograms of bread fruit every year. This way we

United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Mikiko Tanaka (centre) cuts the ribbon to launch the project.

Looking on are representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Reuben Robertson (at left) and President David Granger can not only feed ourselves and our children and our families but the entire Caribbean region as well.”

He said also that the project at the Hugo Chavez centre can and should be replicated countrywide “There are some institutions in Guyana which consume enormous amounts of food. It costs $250,000 to feed one prisoner per year.

When you add the prison population, when you add the number of people in hospitals, in the Security Forces,

A section of the gathering at the launch of the Self- Sufficient Agricultural Economic Services Project at the Hugo Chavez Centre

the amount of money to feed all these people adds up to billions of dollars.

“There is no reason why the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) cannot have a model farm like this. Mazaruni Prisons should be sending food to other parts of the country. I would like to encourage other Government agencies to follow this example by setting up productive enterprises to reduce the food bill and private enterprises, as well, to get more involved in food production to help Guyana to become a green state and ensure that Guyanese are well fed and protected from food insecurity.”

Other speakers at the hour-long ceremony to launch the project included Minister Ally and Robertson of the FAO. EXPAND Minister Ally thanked the private sector individuals and others who had contributed to the start up and said the centre intends to expand over time.

She said the Ministry will work arduously for the centre’s sustainability.

“This Ministry will never allow this to grind to a halt or die.”

In his remarks to the gathering, Robertson stressed that the FAO has

supported the project because it regarded it as being at the core of the organisation’s mandate to eliminate hunger, malnutrition and poverty.

“We believe that there is absolutely, no reason why Guyana through good governance, effective public policies and smart partnerships cannot be the first country in the Caribbean to zero hunger and poverty.”

He urged the managers and workers to be accountable at all times.

“Keep proper records; follow the government procedures; this initiative is a business and we must demonstrate best practices.”

He stressed the importance of commitment by all involved and urged the technical agencies such as the NAREI and GLDA to ensure they give timely and effective advice to those involved in the day-to-day running of the project.

The Hugo Chavez Centre for Rehabilitation and Reintegration houses indigent persons who have no fixed place of abode, the less fortunate and homeless who may be in need of medical assessment and treatment and counselling and psychological assistance to enable them to become disciplined and productive members of society.

The duck and fowl pen at the Self-Sufficient Agricultural Economic Services project at Onverwagt

REJECTED

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 3, 2017

Pres Granger finds second GECOM list unacceptable PRESIDENT David Granger has rejected the second list of nominees for the chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), which was submitted by Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, who has since threatened to take legal action if a GECOM chair is unilaterally selected by the President.

In a statement issued to the media on Friday evening, Jagdeo said he received a letter from the President on June 2, informing him that the list of six persons nominated for the post is “unacceptable.”

President Granger back in March had laid out the “qualities that the candidate to be Chairman of the GECOM should possess.

Among the requirements were, inter alia, that the individual must not be an activist of any form (gender, racial, religious, etc); that the person must have no political affiliation; and that the person should have the general characteristics of honesty, integrity, faith-

press no confidence in and denigrate the professional reputations, integrity and competence of Guyanese of high calibre who have rendered sterling contributions to the development of our country and in service to our people; and who have distinguished themselves in their individual endeavours and pursuits,” Jagdeo noted in the statement.

fulness, and diligence.

Jagdeo had submitted the second list to the President on May 2, after his first list of nominees was also rejected in January. In his statement on Friday, Jagdeo attached the President’s letter, which stated that “I have examined the Curricula Vitae of the six persons in light of the criteria defined in my letter to you dated 2017.03.14. I have found the list to be ‘unacceptable’ within the meaning of the Constitution and of those criteria.”

Jagdeo’s second list of nominees included: Jus-

tice of Appeal BS Roy (ret’d); Justice William Ramlal (ret’d); Ms Oneidge Walrond-Allicock, attorney-at-law and a former magistrate; Mr Kashir Khan, attorney-at-law; Ms Nadia Sagar, attorney-at-law and Mr Gerald Gouveia.

According to the Opposition Leader’s statement, the President’s letter does not indicate what next steps, if any, he [the President] requires to be taken.

“The Leader of the Opposition notes with deep concern the cavalier and callous manner in which the President continues to ex-

LEGAL ACTION Jagdeo reiterated that the President is bent on unilaterally selecting a person of his choice in violation of the letter and spirit of Article 161 (2) of the Constitution and the Carter Formula.

As such, the Opposition Leader threatened that there will be consequences if the President chooses to go down this path.

The President’s letter was received a few hours after Jagdeo concluded a press conference, at which he was critical of the President’s overall approach to the GECOM issue. Accord-

President David Granger greeting Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, during a recent meeting

ing to Jagdeo, the absence of a GECOM Chairman is stymying the work of the commission.

“The President has had enough time to deal with this matter…more and more I get the feeling that this delay is just to make it seem as though there is serious consideration of the names just to create a facade,” Jagdeo said. When he had submitted his second list, Jagdeo noted that arriving at the six names was not an easy task, as he had em-

barked upon an elaborate and protracted public and private consultative process which lasted several weeks. He had consulted Madam Justice Desiree Bernard, Madam Justice Claudette Singh (ret’d) SC, Mr Ralph Ramkarran SC, Timothy Jonas and Ronald Burch-Smith, but they all indicated that their current commitments do not permit them to serve in the office of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, at this point in time.

Burglars cart off $3.5M from home of Corentyne vendor TWO persons are in police custody following the burglary of a Manchester Village, East Berbice Corentyne family on Thursday.

The Halleys are counting their losses after burglars relieved their home of $3.5M cash in local and foreign currency.

The incident occurred at the family’s home sometime between 08:30hrs and 14:30hrs on June 1.

Daysha Halley told Guyana Chronicle that she and her husband Dexter Halley sell ground provision and would usually

leave in the morning to go out with their canter trucks and return at the nights.

She explained that their home would be locked and the keys left with their eldest daughter 12 year- old Julita Hally, who attends a nearby Secondary School. After school, Julita would return to the family house, do her chores and take care of her 2 younger siblings aged 10 and 8 until her older brother returns from the Technical Institute at approximately 17:00hrs daily.

The emotional mother said that on Thursday when her

The House that was robbed

daughter returned from school she found the door ajar and upon further investigations noticed the home was ransacked.

“When Julita come home and try fuh open the door with the key the door pitch open she go inside and see the backdoor open and when she go upstairs she see the whole house ransack,” said the woman.

The ground provision vendor said her daughter ran out of the home and started screaming, but waited on the bridge until her brother got home at 17:00 hrs

as she was scared, did not know what to do. The 12 year-old girl did not have a phone to call her parents.

After her brother arrived home, he called their parents who rushed home. Upon arrival, Halley said she ventured inside to find her home completely ransacked and the canister which they have their savings emptied and left on the sofa.

“When my son call he say mommy! Mommy! Come home now something bad happen when I reach home I meet my canister, all documents and all them important papers gone… the canister was locked with two padlocks and them break it open them had to spend long inside the house cause is every corner tumble and they had to make a lot of noise to break it open and still nobody aint hear nothing or see nothing”.

Halley related that some of the money stolen was saved for the purchase of a piece of land for her elder son, while the remainder would have been used to expand her business. The devastated woman called on the Guyana Police Force to conduct a thorough investigation so that

Daysha Halley points to an empty canister on Friday

the perpetrators can be brought to justice. “ I deh doing this work for over 25 years and little, little we save, we started with a donkey cart and flambo light and then we buy a canter and now …all we savings gone”.

The bandits also carted off with 15 pieces of gold jewelry belonging to the family. It is believed that the bandits gained entry to the house by breaking a picket from the fence and then breaking the locks on the door to the lower flat.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday,June 3, 2017

Min Holder joins other agri ministers in Norway to address over-fishing

THE effective implementation of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Port State Measures Agreement requires sound policies and legal and institutional frameworks if countries are to effectively address Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU)

fishing.

This statement was made

by Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder who is representing Guyana at the Port State Measures first meeting of the parties, in Oslo, Norway. The three-day meeting which was held from May 29 to 31, 2017, saw the participation of major decision-makers including various countries’ agriculture ministers. The participants sought to address several pressing issues with over-fishing taking centre stage. Minister Holder was accompanied by Chief Fisheries Officer, Fisheries Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Denzil Roberts.

Minister Holder discussed the future of the fisheries

Agri Minister Noel Holder in conversation with Director-General of the FAO, Dr Jose Graziano da Silva

sector and the implications for Guyana’s fisheries sector.

“Responsibility for yearly catches reaching tens of millions of tonnes and has been over the years, depriving the global fishing economy of several billions of U.S. dollars annually, which was also

discussed during the forum,” the minister said.

According to Minister Holder, IUU fishing remains a global threat. Thus far, the fisheries department has implemented a number of initiatives to address this with the aim of ensuring a more long-term conservation and sustainable use of living marine resources and marine ecosystems.

The Port State Measures which will prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing was approved by the FAO Conference at its 36th session in Rome, November 2009. Since then, there have been a number of inter-governmental collaborations to combat IUU fishing with the Ministry of Agriculture fisheries department recently embarking on a campaign to ensure vessel-monitoring systems are installed on all trawlers.

“In this way, the agreement reduces the incentives of such vessels to continue to operate, while it also blocks fisheries products derived

from IUU fishing from reaching national and international markets,” Minister Holder stated.

At the first Meeting of the Parties, matters concerning implementation of the agreement were discussed with the intention of streamlining all the necessary actions and measures which will ensure the effective application of the agreement by all concerned states. Participants also addressed the requirements of developing states and associated funding mechanisms.

The agriculture minister reiterated the importance of the fisheries sector to Guyana’s economy and its contribution to foreign exchange earnings, food and nutrition security and rural development.

“This was manifested in Guyana being one of the first 25 countries to accede to this agreement, to enable its entry into force, an indication of how serious we are in the fight against IUU,” Holder reminded.

Agri Minister Noel Holder and Chief Fisheries Officer Denzil Roberts at the conference

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Get it right

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 3, 2017

–– President tells Jagdeo as he rejects second GECOM list

PRESIDENT David Granger said that Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo must submit a list that matches the criteria set out in keeping with Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana for the selection of a ‘fit and proper’ person to fill the post of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The Head of State in an interview with the Press and Publicity Unit of the Ministry of the Presidency on Friday night, made it clear that the list must include six persons, who are all qualified so that the choice is not limited.

“Every member of the list suggested must conform to the criteria and you cannot put on the list, a person who does not conform… I must be given a choice. I don’t believe that the second list gave me the range of choice

that the people of Guyana deserve,” he said.

“Nothing is ever settled until it is settled right and he has to get it right,” the President continued.

Earlier on Friday, Opposition Leader Jagdeo expressed “deep concern” over what he described as a “callous manner in which the President continues to express no confidence in and denigrate the professional reputations, integrity and competence of Guyanese of high calibre…”

He also threatened to take legal action should the president unilaterally choose a GECOM chairman (see story on page 3).

This is the second list that the President has rejected on the grounds that it is not unacceptable and falls short of the constitutional requirements.

The President said he is sure that the leader of the opposi-

tion is capable of coming up with a suitable list.

President Granger said, “I’m prepared to work with the leader of the opposition for as long as it takes to have somebody selected who fits the criteria, satisfies the Constitution and is one that the people of Guyana could be happy with. I’m prepared to work with the leader of the opposition for as long as it takes, but I’m not going to give the people of Guyana the appointment of a person, who is not fit and proper in accordance with the Constitution or criteria, which have been laid out.”

Noting that a chairman needs to be appointed as Local Government Elections (LGE) are imminent and in preparation for General Elections, President Granger said, “The leader of the opposition must do what the Constitution

requires him to do… and he has not done that as yet.”

The second list included Justice of Appeal B.S. Roy (ret’d); Justice William Ramlal (ret’d); Oneidge Walrond-Allicock, attorney-at-law and a former magistrate; Kashir Khan, attorney-at-law; Nadia Sagar, attorney-at-law and businessman, Gerald Gouveia.

After the first list had been rejected on constitutional grounds, the Head of State and Jagdeo had engaged in a period of consultations, with legal representatives from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) meeting with the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, to ensure that there was a clear understanding of the requirements. President Granger then provided clear criteria in anticipation of the submission of a new list.

“We examined the qualifications very closely and in the end it was clear that the list as a whole did not conform to the criteria as laid down in the Constitution or the list of criteria, which was established… I expect that he would go back to the drawing board and produce a list, which conforms to those criteria. I’m quite serious.

It’s an important appointment and I think it must be taken seriously,” The President added.

The first list which was submitted in December 2015 included Major-General (retired) Norman Mc Lean, Attorney and Political Analyst, Christopher Ram, Former Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Ramesh Dookhoo, Peace and Governance Consultant, Lawrence Lachmansingh, Businesswoman, Rhyaan Shah

and Professor Dr James Rose.

Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana says subject to the provisions of paragraph (4), 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.

GBTI donates to Regions Seven, Eight flood victims

THE Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited (GBTI ) on Friday donated a number of items to the flood affected residents of Regions Seven (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni) and Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni).

The items were handed over to representatives of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) located on Thomas Lands, Georgetown by Senior Manager, Administration, Sean Noel.

Noel said that GBTI has always been an entity

that lends a helping hand in these times when it is most needed.

“GBTI sees this donation as a way of exemplifying its Corporate Social Responsibility which can benefit the over 3000 residents who are being affected as result of the recent floods in those regions,” the Bank said in a statement yesterday.

Also representing the Bank were Senior Manager, Finance, Shawn Gurcharran and Public Relations and Marketing Manager, Pamela Binda.

Last month flash floods resulted in residents of several communities in Region Eight, including Waipa, Kanapang, Kopinang, Chiung Mouth, Itabac, Kaibarupaui and Chenapau seeking higher grounds as their homes were inundated. The floods in Region Eight have been described as unprecedented.

Residents of Region Seven suffered a similar fate as heavy rainfall in that region resulted in damage to property.

(L to R)Senior Manager GBTI, Finance, Shawn Gurcharran; Administrative Officer for the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Marvin Chichester; Senior Manager GBTI, Administration, Sean Noel and Public Relations and Marketing Manager GBTI, Pamela Binda.

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Editorial Developing our oil sector

ON Thursday, government announced that it will be granting a production licence to ExxonMobil for production of petroleum to move ahead in 2020. The administration also announced that the licence will place emphasis on Guyanese employment and training, the procurement of goods and services in Guyana, infrastructural soundness and protection of the environment.

Guyanese continue to greet any news of development of our oil find with much anticipation of the potential this resource holds in improving their standards of living. An oil find is always associated with aiding the wealth of a nation and its people, given its price on the world market. Yet this ‘black gold’ if not properly managed can bring hurt to the very people and society where it has been discovered and ought to benefit. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, extraction from the Liza field is expected to commence in 2020 at an initial rate of 100,000 barrels of crude per day in the first phase, with a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel providing the main infrastructural support for the project. The Government and people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will receive a royalty of 2 percent on gross earnings and benefit from 50 percent of the profits from the sale of petroleum once production commences.

Admittedly, Guyana has a paucity of human resources to harness and extract this resource independent of foreign support. This find by Exxon, outside of the country providing the required indigenous framework approval and laws, the exploitation will be at the behest of the brainpower of foreign nationals. Where revenues garnered from oil wealth do not see widespread distribution in employment and economic opportunities for Guyanese, development in social services and infrastructures, the risk of entrenching two societies is

real. A situation can occur-- as evident in some oil- producing countries-- where some areas are relatively more developed and others see the people living in squalor, denied opportunities, left to contend with crumbling infrastructures and the absence of quality social services.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has assured that it and other ministries and agencies are actively pursuing a number of undertakings on the policy, legislative and infrastructural sides to ensure that the country is prepared for the coming oil production. It was instructive that the ministry also said in its statement that “as this ministry, along with others, seeks to develop our oil and gas industry in a sustainable and profitable manner, citizens are encouraged to continue to provide their feedback and recommendations on the new sector when the ministry’s outreaches visit their communities.”

This approach will no doubt boost confidence in citizens and allay fears of secrecy and non-transparency. Oil breeds greed and greed breeds corruption. In the absence of strong structures as in laws and an independent judiciary, and government that is uncompromising on the rule of law, corruption can run rife. Such corruption not only occurs within the industry, but also in the wider society, in the corridors of officialdom, and by the self-serving who mask their intent by presenting concern about caring about the management of the wealth.

President David Granger himself during a meeting with ExxonMobil’s executives in March this year had assured them of his Government’s commitment to the development of Guyana’s oil and gas sector in an atmosphere of transparency and trust, so that the parliamentary Opposition and the people of Guyana are fully involved in the process and views the development of a petroleum industry as one of natural interest and involvement.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday,June 3, 2017

The President said that it is important that there are regular and accurate announcements on matters pertaining to the development of the sector. “We are committed to the norm of transparency…so that we can move forward at a domestic level, not only in an atmosphere of transparency, but trust, so that all Guyana would see this not as a shortterm bonanza; so that Guyanese will see this as a national industry….In this regard, we are walking step by step as the developments take place offshore and the developments in terms of our legislations within our regulatory framework in terms of the passage of information to various stakeholders in Guyana and the diaspora,so that we can create an environment which is stable and secure,” the President had said.

In small developing societies such as ours, it is hard not to find the influencing outlook that attracting foreign investment requires sacrificing preserving the environment and the rights and freedoms of citizens. Exxon is an American multinational oil and gas corporation. The United States and Guyana are signatories to the United Nations’ Climate Change Agreement (2015). Both countries therefore, with the Government of Guyana leading the way, have to ensure extraction, production and distribution are done with the aim of ensuring the committed goal within the agreement of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Another area where partnership can be solidified is that of ensuring the protection of citizens’ rights and freedoms and the environment in accordance with UN declarations.

Where the Government is pursuing a green economy, ensuring the industry adheres to best practices in sustainable development, protection of the environment, and respecting the local workforce will also boost its developmental thrust.

Let’s support efforts to protect our environment Dear Editor

AS the world transitions away from oil and wars cease in oil-rich states, the future profitability of the industry is definitely at risk over the long term.

There are times when

it is better to join the new direction at its inception, rather than go where things are in decline due to hardlearned lessons. We must do our part as responsible world citizens, especially given that we sit in the lungs of the planet at the

mouth of such a large percentage of its usable water.

Money is good, but a good life is better. Tempering of the need to consume and remembering how well we did with little is a great teacher of what is important.

The world has been fighting for a more sustainable change in how we treat the environment and we must have the courage to embrace this change with the help of those who are leading it. There is still time to join in lead-

ing this change and if we are truly committed to helping prevent adverse changes to the Earth’s climate, then a careful and responsible approach to our energy policy should be undertaken. The time for change is now and no

one should want more of the same short-sighted and unjust undertakings that have supported the oil industry during its decline.

Regards, Jamil Changlee

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 3, 2017

The IMC has taken on ‘Project GuySuCo’ with passion, enthusiasm

Dear Editor,

THE Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) would like to respond to a letter written by one Mr Sookram Persaud in the Kaieteur News and in the Guyana Chronicle on 31 May, 2017 and titled ‘Incompetence and confusion stalking GuySuCo’ and ‘Bad move to send Albion’s sugar to the Enmore Packaging Plant.’

Firstly, Mr Persaud is being highly irresponsible and possibly reckless to assert that GuySuCo is placing unhygienic sugar on the local market, particularly since we believe that he understands the system; and secondly, he is being very mischievous in his constant attacks against the management of GuySuCo. The corporation would like to particularly respond to two points in Mr Persaud’s letter. The reference to ‘this decision to send Albion’s sugar to the Enmore Packaging Plant effectively means that GuySuCo is now placing industrial bulk-grade sugar or non-food grade sugar into bags and/or packs for retail sale and thus direct use’ and that ‘the IMC has convinced the government that the dayto-day decisions it is making are best for the citizens, the corporation and the country.’

On the point of industrial bulk sugar being bagged for direct use: it is a fact that the Skeldon, and Albion Estates primarily produce bulk sugar for the export market, Rose

Hall and Uitvlugt Estates produce bulk sugar for the export market as well as bagged sugar for the local market, and Blairmont and Enmore Estates produce sugar for the purpose of bagging and packaging for both local and export markets. This is based on GuySuCo’s internal operational arrangement to allocate or focus its production and targets among estates. This being the case, it means that all six factories do have the capacity at any time to produce the varying qualities required, as in this instance, where the Albion Estate is producing sugar that is being bagged at Enmore Estate because that estate has bagging facilities. The difference between the bagged and packaged sugar is the further drying of the sugar to render it more conducive to packaging.

Does Mr Sookram really believe that GuySuCo would have massive investments such as the Albion factory or any of its factories that would not allow the corporation the flexibility to reallocate production responsibilities and targets whenever it becomes necessary? Now wouldn’t that be incompetence Mr Persaud?

The writer further stated that ‘apart from non-food grade sugar being packed, the cost of production will be much higher because of additional transport costs from Albion to Enmore. Is this sound business decision that the corporation often boasts about?’ This obser-

vation by Mr Persaud is accurate; the cost to transport sugar from Albion to Enmore Estate increases the production cost and might not be a sound business decision if GuySuCo were allowed to operate its business with more stability. Nonetheless, this is where the corporation would like to request that Mr Persaud use his excessively keen interest in GuySuCo and the Interim Management Committee (IMC), to provide the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) with some of his sound business advice on how the behaviour of the union towards GuySuCo is impacting negatively on the business of sugar, as in this instance increasing the production cost and reducing much-needed foreign exchange that could be earned, as well as the wages and salaries for our workers who are members of the union.

Mr Persaud also stated that ‘I did warn about incompetence and possible record low production in a previous letter. Low production must be the cause for GuySuCo ending the first crop at Enmore, then twenty-four (24) hours later announcing that it will restart operations’.

Mr Persaud is right again; production at the Enmore Estate is low for the First Crop 2017 and one of the reasons, is the consistently unstable environment that is created

by GAWU. For example, in March, the union encouraged the planters from the East Demerara Estate to refuse

to take up harvesting work at that estate, even though the harvesters’ turnout was 59%. On 23 May, the workers were part of a protest in Enmore that was organised

by GAWU and were also on strike.

Additionally, the East Demerara Estate (EDE) management made a decision to continue the crop on Monday 22 May. However, the workers were encouraged to strike to force management to end the crop, they struck on 23, 24 and 25 May; GuySuCo informed GAWU on the 25 May, that as a result of the strike there will be a shortage of sugar for the local market, hence, there was a meeting with GuySuCo and the workers on the same day, and after they were reminded that the continuation of the crop means regular earnings for the period, an agreement was reached for the workers to resume duties on 26 May, 2017.

During the First Crop of 2017, EDE had 13 strikes with 5,418 man-days lost, resulting in a potential earnings-loss to the striking workers of G$13.6M. Based on the instability at the EDE, the decision was made to divert some of the Albion Estate’s production to ensure that adequate sugar is available for the local market during the out-of-crop period.

As such, the sugar is sent to the Enmore Packaging Plant in one-tonne bags where it is re-bagged in 50 kg bags for local distribution. This is not incompetence Mr Per-

saud, rather, this decision ensures that the corporation remains reliable and credible in fulfilling its commitments, despite having to manage a business with unreasonable partners such as GAWU. These, Mr Persaud, are some of the day-to-day challenges and the level of instability which Estate Management and the IMC have to navigate its way through while still focusing on strategic matters.

Finally, on Mr Persaud’s point on the incompetence of the IMC, GuySuCo has concluded that the writer seems to be employed and has as his responsibility to attack the management of GuySuCo. Judging from the focus of the letters he has been writing, in addition to the most recent ones to which this letter is responding, others were: Guyana Chronicle, May 2, ‘GuySuCo IMC has performed abysmally’; Kaieteur News April 2, ‘The poor performance at GuySuCo continues’; February 17, Kaieteur News ‘Diversification model is either disaster or mismanagement’; 15 February, Guyana Chronicle ‘Someone must be accountable for Skeldon co-generation plant woes’; ‘ 31 January, Kaieteur News ‘This decision by GuySuco boggles the mind’, and 27 January,

2017, Kaieteur News ‘GuySuCo’s team gets salaries no other country would pay’; all of which basically attacked the management.

The management of GuySuCo would like to assure Mr Persaud that while the corporation is faced with numerous challenges, the IMC, various levels of management as well as many employees, have taken on this ‘Project GuySuCo’ with passion, enthusiasm and in a highly intellectual way, in the first instance, to bring order and discipline to the business of sugar and secondly, to find the widest range of solutions to the myriad of challenges relative to its future. One example, the Management Committee recently completed a highly strategic exercise -- A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Treats (SWOT) Analysis which is already proving to be extremely useful in its strategic planning.

Regards Audreyanna Thomas Senior Communications Officer Communications Department Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 3, 2017

Dynamic employs 25 Guyanese

By Shauna Jemmott

DYNAMIC Airlines has enlisted 25 Guyanese flight attendants to serve its various destinations worldwide, even as its local partner Roraima Airways celebrates 25 years in the airline business.

Newly selected flight attendant Kinnia Edmondson, speaking on behalf of the group, said their employment is a dream come through and they are all thankful to Roraima and Dynamic Air for the opportunity they consider once in a lifetime.

“We have all yearned for the career as flight attendants and appreciate the efforts of Roraima through its partnership with Dynamic for making our dream a reality… We will seek to make Guyana and Guyanese proud by taking full advantage of these opportunities by giving our best and by dedicating ourselves to giving the highest levels of customer service to all the passengers we serve,” she said during a press conference at Roraima Duke Lodge, yesterday.

Along with Edmondson, those scheduled to depart Guyana for the US tomorrow to begin training are Abigail Mohabir, Ariel Fiedtkou, Ashley Morgan, Bibi Mohamed, Collis Campbell, Damien Munroe, Deborah Sullivan, Diana Juan, Ereika D’Andrade,

Griselda Persaud, Ishana Shiwratan, Jenneil Carmichael, Josonia Hermonstine, Kevin Culley, Kevin Bhagrat, Lorraine Vandeyar, Maria Stevens, Meenaksha Baljit, Nadia De Costa, Nikita Hintzen, Sasha Gouveia, Satocia Pierre, Juan Nurse and Secon John.

ication and efficiency.

STABILISE PRICES “When Delta Airlines left Guyana many years ago, the ticket prices moved from US$700 to US$1700 for an economy fare… and when Dynamic

the cream of the crop here today… a lot is at stake… you will be ambassadors for Guyana and all your training, all your preparations of your life, this is now the threshold of your own life and you could decide to take full advantage of it or you could decide to waste it,” he

ing on Christmas Day, on your mother’s birthday, on your father’s birthday and your children’s birthday and unfortunately when you choose to be in the travel and tourism business, you work when other people are taking vacations, you work when other people are

Executives of Dynamic Air International and Roraima Airways with the 25 newly recruited flight attendants at Duke Lodge, on Friday. (Photo by Adrian Narine) Roraima Airways Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Captain Gerald Gouveia, sees it as a major investment in Guyana’s human resources.

“The creation of jobs for young Guyanese everyday should be an obsession with every Guyanese leader,” he said.

Gouveia indicated that the new move by Dynamics and Roraima Airways is one which shows that the two companies are committed to serving the Guyana market with ded-

entered this market we were able for the last three and a half years to stabilise those prices, and we are very pleased to contribute to the number of Guyanese living in the diaspora the affordability to come back to Guyana.

People cannot afford to come to Guyana with very high prices and ticket prices are very, very vital for us,” Gouveia noted.

He said the flight attendants have been selected after a long tedious process.

“I believe that we have

told the new batch.

Gouveia said thousands of US dollars have been invested and the new recruits should recognise the opportunity and apply themselves, not taking it for granted.

SERIOUS JOB He said though the job is a glamorous one which allows opportunity for travelling, it calls for serious commitment.

“You have to be working when other people are sleeping, you’ll be work-

travelling to come with their family. You have to leave your families behind and serve the passenger… and you have to take it seriously,” Gouveia said.

Meanwhile, Roraima Chief Operations Officer, Captain Leary Barclay, said the new move by Dynamic International Airways is evidence of its commitment to the Guyanese market.

“Not only by operating the flights and taking our money (but) by tangible commitments to Guyanese professionals… I dare say

no other airline than our former own Guyana Airways has been able to provide this amount of human resource training in what is a highend profession in the airline (industry) than Dynamic Airways has done.”

The company started in 1992 with proprietors Captain Gerry Gouveia and Debbie Gouveia and two other staff. Now the company employs approximately 300 young Guyanese.

“The Roraima/ Dynamic partnership has so far trained 31 flight attendants and these additional 25 will take the total number to 56. These flight attendants will operate the Guyana / New York route and also destinations with China and other destinations in South America as Dynamic International Airways operates a diverse selection of routes around the world,” Barclay said.

Last year Dynamic transported 80,000 passengers in 224 flights on the New York/Georgetown route. In 2017 so far, it has already had 100 flights and moved approximately 35,000 passengers, with a 95 per cent on time departure this year.

Dynamic Chief Pilot, Captain Gary Carlton, said the international airline is committed to serving the Guyana route and charged the new flight attendants to pay keen attention to safety in the airline industry.

The training lasts eight weeks.

Berbice fisherman charged with murder of reputed wife

R AY WAT R A M Mulloo, also called “Curry cow,” the Number 58 Village fisherman who badly beat his reputed wife, Gomattie Ramsingh, who succumbed to her injuries was on Friday charged with murder.

Mulloo appeared before Magistrate Charlyn Artiga at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court to answer the charge.

According to court records Ramsingh, 34, died on May 26 after being badly beaten the day before by her reputed husband. It is alleged that Mulloo beat Ramsingh

Raywatram Mulloo with an iron bar causing her several injuries including a broken pelvis and a fractured spine, which rendered her immobile. The woman died

at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

In a video seen by this publication, Ramsingh told relatives the man had made demands for money to smoke ‘ganja’; a request she denied. It was as a result of her denial that Mulloo reportedly hit her and dragged her down the stairs.

Instead of taking Ramsingh to the hospital immediately, she was locked away in the home by Mulloo until her condition had worsened. The day after she was beaten, the mother

of three was taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital, where she had initially reported to medical staff that she had fallen down the stairway, but later detailed to relatives that her reputed husband was the one who battered her.

She was subsequently referred to the New Amsterdam Hospital and the GPHC where she died. Mulloo and Ramsingh shared a relationship for just over a year and according to relatives, the relationship was marred by constant abuse, as Mulloo is reportedly a drug addict.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 3, 2017

Gov’t drops charges against Kaieteur miners

THE government of Guyana on Friday announced that it will no longer charge the residents of Chenapau Village, Region Eight, who were arrested last Sunday by the Joint Services for illegally mining in the Kaieteur National Park (KNP).

In a statement to the media, the Ministry of Natural Resources said that following meetings between subject Minister Raphael Trotman and officials from his Ministry and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), “it has been decided that as an act of good faith, Government will not prosecute the charges against the more than 20 persons arrested on Sunday May 28, 2017, for mining within the iconic Kaieteur National Park.”

The move by the government follows protests by the Indigenous peoples of Chenapau and objection raised by the National Toshaos Council (NTC) in relation to the arrest of the 20 persons. The miners were to appear before the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court on July 18 for charges to be read to them The NTC in a statement on Tuesday, called on President David Granger to have all charges dropped against the residents of Chenapau and to work with the Indigenous peoples to find a solution to the problems affecting their livelihood.

The body said that the KNP sits on traditional Pat-

amona lands and noted that within the Park’s boundaries lies almost all the traditional hunting, farming and fishing grounds of the Patamonas of the Upper Potaro.

“While the Kaieteur National Park Act makes provision for the Indigenous Peoples Rights to be respected, the very existence of the Park is an infringement on the rights of the Indigenous Peoples,” the NTC said.

However, the Ministry of Natural Resources said the Park has been designated a Protected Area and will remain off limits to mining, forest-harvesting and other related activities. “Further, it has been determined that the pre-1999 boundaries for the Kaieteur National Park will not be restored as some have advocated.”

Chenapau’s Toshao, Edward Mc Garrell, and some members of the said community along with representatives of the NTC and the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA), met Thursday on the invitation of Minister Trotman to voice their concerns.

At that meeting, the Minister committed to raising the concerns of the residents with President Granger, which was subsequently done.

“While the Ministry of Natural Resources remains firm in its mandate to protect the national patrimony for future generations, it is not insensitive to the needs of communities, and therefore, the Ministry along with

other Government entities, is prepared to work with the Chenapau and other communities to identify opportunities for benefit-sharing and sustainable livelihoods in the ongoing conservation efforts

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman for the Kaieteur National Park and other protected areas,” the Ministry of Natural Resources stated.

Meanwhile, Commissioner (ag) of the GGMC, Newell Dennison, told Guyana Chronicle yesterday that though the charges have been dropped against the 20 residents from Chenapau, his entity “will continue to be as diligent as it can” to ensure that persons inclined to mine in the area are restricted.

He explained that there is “no silver bullet” to prevent persons from breaking the law and noted that it is a challenge. Notwithstanding the challenge, Dennison made it clear that GGMC

officials will continue its diligence.

He hopes that the public attention given to the matter will serve as a deterrent to those who may think it wise to carry out illegal activities within the National Park.

“I hope they understand that this is a very serious matter and that the government is very serious about this,” said Dennison.

Additionally, Minister of State Joseph Harmon told reporters at a post-cabinet press briefing yesterday, that there will be no exception in the approach taken to those who mine illegally within protected areas. He said his government wants to meet with dredge owners and managers to talk about the matter.

“It is unfortunate the residents of the area are the ones who were arrested and brought out but there are no exceptions,” he said.

“We have a responsibility to ensure illegal miners are removed,” continued Harmon as he demanded that those who are responsible for illegal operations in the Park to come forward.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Guyana Human Rights association (GHRA) and former Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud, agreed with the decision taken by government to arrest and seize the equipment of miners who operated within the KNP. “The GHRA welcomes the recent action to clear the Kaieteur Park of dredges and

illegal mining, in the hope that this is the beginning of a systematic campaign (not a one-off public relations stunt) to force the mining industry to operate within a regime of law and order.

Troubling complaints about mining in the area have been surfacing for some time,” the GHRA stated.

The KNP is the home of the majestic Kaieteur Falls, the largest single-drop waterfall in the world. The park is a protected area and as such all aspects of its bio-diversity have to be maintained.

Both the Kaieteur National Park Act and the regulations under the Mining Act of 2005 expressly forbid mining operations within the Park.

The GHRA applauded the prompt manner in which the law enforcement officials have acted on the matter but noted that the same alacrity is necessary in responding to the allegations made by the miners who were arrested.

“Similar alacrity from the Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is also necessary in response to claims from the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) that some, at least, of those arrested have valid documents. The GHRA is calling for these operations to be carried out in a manner re-assuring to those concerned about the welfare of the affected Amerindian families.”

The Association made it clear that should the investigation reveal that invalid

documents were issued to some of the miners or other irregularities encouraged by GGMC officials, that they too should be the “target of similar condign action by higher authority.

“Lack of transparency in GGMC operations is a constant aggravating feature of illegal mining activity,” the Association said in its statement.

Meanwhile, Persaud on his Facebook page said “it’s important for all to reflect on the intent, spirit and purpose of law that included the Kaieteur National Park as part of the National Protected Areas System.”

The former Minister of Natural Resources said that there was “no contemplation of gold and diamond mining in the Park” and noted that a plan was developed, after consultations, for a widerange of economic activities for the associated/affected population.”

He believes that any attempt at mining in declared protected areas “has always been resisted given its inherent incompatibility with a declared protected area.”

“I recall a move by certain interests to have some type of gold mining in the Iwokrama area which was instantly and outrightly rejected. I encourage all to reflect on the Protected Areas Act and be reminded of its objectives in an effort to have a sober and objective discourse and debate on the matter,” said Persaud.

Guyana recommits to Paris Agreement GUYANA remains committed to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change which it signed on to in 2016 and maintains that Climate change remains a high priority for government.

The Paris Agreement is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which deals with greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance starting in the year 2020.

On Friday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, at post -Cabinet press briefing, reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to the Paris Agreement in comments on the United States withdrawal from that agreement.

Harmon noted that the impact of global warming is already being felt in Guyana, particularly in the hinterland as he referenced the recent

severe flooding which took place in Regions 7 (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni) & 8 (Potaro/ Siparuni) two weeks ago.

“For many people in our hinterland (climate change) is a way of life. They’ve actually come around to understanding that climate change will affect their daily lives and their livelihood.”

In 2015, Guyana was among 195 countries which committed to fighting the effects of climate change and adapt to its effects by signing onto the Paris Agreement under the UNFCCC. Guyana was the 17th country to deposit its instrument of ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

The Paris Agreement has been hailed as providing a historic opportunity for the global community to respond to the challenge of climate change in an appropriate manner. Efforts to

combat climate change and its impacts are of particular importance for low-lying coastal developing states like Guyana.

The early ratification of the Paris Agreement is consistent with the stated commitment of the Government of Guyana to strong action towards the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change.

Meanwhile, Harmon described the withdrawal of the US from the Agreement as “unfortunate” while noting that “the rest of the world is going in a certain direction”.

O n T h u r s d a y, U n i t ed States President Donald Trump announced his country’s withdrawal from the accord. The move by the US President has since raised some concern about financing and Harmon made it clear that the US is a major contributor to many international agree-

ments like the Paris Agreement. However, the Minister is confident that countries can mitigate the impact of this withdrawal. “We believe the force of global push in this regard will see us overcoming the effects of a withdrawal of the United States of America from this process”, Minister Harmon said.

The Minister added that going forward the international community will now have to “regroup and have a fresh look” at their commitments under the Paris Agreement.

In keeping with its pursuit of a low carbon and green growth trajectory of sustainable development, Guyana’s contribution will be especially focused on the preservation and sustainable management of its forests, and increased reliance on renewable sources of energy. (GINA)

Saturday 3- June 2017 –– 12:30 hrs Sunday 4- June 2:00 –– 14:00 hrs Monday 5- June 2:30 –– 14:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 3, 2017

IICA supports flood-affected communities in Regions Seven, Eight

THE Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) on Friday handed over a number of farming equipment and seeds to the Ministry of Agriculture as part of the min-

istry’s efforts to assist flood-affected persons in Regions Seven and Eight.

The presentation was made by IICA’s Country Representative, Wilmot Garnett, in the compound of the Agriculture Ministry.

Accepting the donations on behalf of the Ministry was Permanent Secretary (ag) Joylyn Nestor-Burrowes.

The permanent secretary (ag) thanked IICA for the assistance which she described as timely. She

IICA’s Country Representative, Wilmot Garnett (R), hands over the agricultural items to Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Joylyn Nestor- Burrowes on Friday, at the Ministry of Agriculture.

highlighted IICA’s role in the advancement of agriculture, a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture said.

“We are thankful to IICA for this much-needed donation. IICA was the first partnering organisation to answer the call to collaborate with us to assist persons who were affected by this crisis. These items will assist the persons with getting back to their agricultural practices in order to provide for their families.”

Nestor-Burrowes said.

Meanwhile, Garnett said the organisation saw the need to lend assistance to the affected persons given its continued efforts to support member states in achieving agricultural development and rural well-being.

The donation consist-

ed of fruits and vegetable seeds and other basic gardening tools such as machetes (cutlasses), forks, spades and gardening hoes.

The items will be handed over to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) today

for distribution.

Many farms within Regions Seven and Eight were destroyed as a result of flash floods caused by heavy rainfall approximately two weeks ago.

11-year-old schoolgirl and mother missing AN overseas-based father of an 11-year-old girl is seeking the public’s assistance in locating his daughter and her mother, who have gone missing for approximately three weeks.

Brian Pertab told Guyana Chronicle that his daughter’s mother, 36 year-old Venezuelan national, Veronica Escobar and their daughter Gabriella Pertab have disappeared without a trace, causing him to return to Guyana in search of them.

According to the distraught father, the child and her mother, his reputed wife, resided at his home located at lot 229 D’andrade Street Newtown, Georgetown. He explained that though he lives overseas, he would contact the duo regularly but unfortunately he was unable to reach them after several attempts three weeks ago.

At this point, he contacted Marian Academy, the school his daughter, who had just completed the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) attended. The school informed him that Gabriella had not gone to school for several days.

It was at that point that the man became even more concerned and posted photographs of his reputed wife and daughter on Facebook.

He said too that the child’s dog ‘Snowy’ is also missing.

Out of desperation to find his daughter, a worried Pertab traveled to Guyana on May 30, with the hope of locating Gabriella and her mother, a task which

The missing 11-year-old Gabriella Pertab has proven challenging. “I am hopeful that nothing has happened to them,” the grief-stricken father said as he prayed that the duo is safe.

“I don’t want to think that anything bad has happened to them or that they have just completely vanished,” he stated.

Pertab, who has been fervent in his search for his family, related to the Guyana Chronicle that he visited the Eve Leary Police Station on Friday, where investigations into the matter were ongoing.

He has also made checks with the Central Immigration Office to find out if his reputed wife and daughter left the country.

The devastated father is pleading with those who have information on the whereabouts of his daughter and her mother to contact him on 611-0777/ 231-8676 or report to the nearest police station.

Man remanded for stabbing wife

A MAN was on Friday remanded to prison when he appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly charged with causing grievous bodily harm to his wife.

Jaram Alexander pleaded not guilty to the charged, which stated that on May 30, 2017 in Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded his wife.

Facts presented by Police prosecutor Sanj Singh stated that Alexander abuses his wife regularly and on the day in question he demanded money from her and when she refused to give him, he armed himself with a knife and stabbed her to the left side of her abdomen.

The man allegedly tried to cut her neck with the knife.

The matter was adjourned until June 23.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 3, 2017

No decision on referendum to legalise homosexuality– Harmon clarifies

MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon has made it clear that the issue of a referendum to legalise homosexuality and laws which discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and identity, were not discussed at the level of Cabinet and as such, there is no official position on the matter.

Minister Harmon at a post-cabinet press briefing on Friday, said that “the government did not make an announcement on that matter.” According to the State Minister, “This is not an issue that has been ventilated at Cabinet and Cabinet has made no decision on that matter and so the question of a referendum, when it will occur and all of that…that is really not on the cards.”

When asked for clarification based on what Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge is reported to have said on the issue, the State Minister explained that he (Greenidge) had responded to a requirement for information by an international body, where he noted that a referendum will be the best way to go when it comes to issues of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community.

“And a referendum is the highest level of consultation in any country. But what I am saying to you is that, this is not that the government has taken a decision to have a referendum on LGBT rights.

So this is the position of Cabinet. It is not something which our citizens should be worried about,” Minister Harmon told the media.

The State Minister referenced President David Granger’s last official position on the issue in January 2017, when the Head of State had said that he is prepared to respect the rights of adults who indulge in practices that are not harmful to others.

On his television programme ‘The Public Interest’, the President said: “I would like to feel that there should be some element, first, of respecting the human rights of individuals, and second, at the governmental level, free choice; that

Executive Director of SASOD, Joel Simpson

persons should be able to express their views freely without necessarily sticking

to a party line.”

Here, homosexual acts carry a possible punishment of life imprisonment. Section 352 of the Criminal Law Offences Act, Section 352,

Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge

states: any male person who, in public or private, commits, or is a party to the commission, or procures or attempts to procure the commission, by any male person, of any act of gross indecency with any other male person shall be guilty of a misdemeanour and liable to imprisonment for two years.

Section 353 states: everyone who (a) attempts to commit buggery; or (b) assaults any person with intent to commit buggery; or (c) being a male, indecently assaults any other male person, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for 10 years.

Section 354 and 355 further states that: Everyone who commits buggery… shall be

guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for life.

Meanwhile, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) and its partners are opposed to a referendum on homosexuality in Guyana. Executive Director of SASOD, Joel Simpson, had told a recent news conference that Guyanese deserve basic human rights and the rights of a minority group should not be subject to a popular vote.

“This divisive refer-

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

endum will deepen the marginalisation and isolation of LGBT persons as right-wing groups will undoubtedly heighten their homophobic rhetoric, as is already happening on social media,” he had said.

Simpson said instead of strengthening social cohesion and building national unity, the move will further divide the country, causing more stress and “mental health burdens” to local LGBT members.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 3, 2017

FFTP celebrates 26 years of service to Guyana FOOD For The Poor (Guyana) Incorporated (FFTP), the largest charitable non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Guyana, today celebrates 26 years of dedicated service to thousands of families across Guyana.

FFTP commenced operations on June 3, 1991 in Kingston, Georgetown, before moving to 248 Forshaw and Oronoque Streets, Queenstown.

Because of the great need of essential services for the population, it quickly expanded and is presently located at 1999-2002 Blue Mountain Road, Festival City, North Ruimveldt.

Headed by a Board of Directors chaired by Paul Chan-a-Sue, the daily operations are managed by Chief Executive Officer Kent Vincent.

It was previously managed by former Executive Director Leon Davis, who retired in 2012 after 21 years of outstanding service to the organisation.

Through its committed donors, the charity has built more than 3400 housing units since its inception, of which more than 500 homes were constructed as part of a 12-village project. The villages are located in Regions One, Two, Four and Five.

In 2016, the organisation distributed 159 containers of goods inclusive of food, medical equipment and supplies, educational supplies and sporting equipment.

FFTP’s Angels of Hope Programme caters for 244 children from 12 orphanages.

A monthly supply of food, clothing, toiletries and school supplies are donated to the homes and the children are sponsored by donors from the U.S. Children must be under the age of 18 years to be admitted to the programme.

Some 318 children from Mashabo, Enterprise, Sophia and Watooka Primary Schools benefit daily from FFTP’s school feeding programme.

The children enjoy a hot nutritious meal with beverages and fruits. The

parents of the children are also given monthly hampers.

President/CEO of Food For The Poor Incorporated, USA Robin Mahfood in his address to a large gathering in attendance at FFTP’s (Guyana) silver jubilee dinner at the Pegasus Hotel last June said, “We [FFTP] work in schools and orphanages.

Education is one of the easiest ways out of poverty. Without a good education, you’re asking for trouble.”

The organisation’s Wheelchair Programme which was launched in 2015 continued in 2016, when approximately 550 more wheelchairs were distributed to disabled persons across the 10 administrative regions of the country, free of cost.

The entity is also engaged in water, self-sustainable agricultural and animal husbandry projects, to name a few.

Most of the organisation’s funding is derived from donations and fund-raising activities such as cake sales, take-away lunches, corn houses and raffles, among others. One of the main fundraisers is the Annual Schools Raffle.

FFTP would like to thank the donors -- both local and overseas -- for their faithful support over the years and looks forward for more support in the future.

Food for the Poor Inc., Florida, USA, one of the largest international relief and development organisations in the world, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor primarily in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America.

This inter-denominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance.

Over the last 10 years, fund-raising and other administrative costs averaged less than five per cent of expenses; more than 95 per cent of all donations went directly to programmes that help the poor.

Fifth meeting of the Guyana/ Brazil Group set for June 5, 6 CABINET has approved the hosting of the Fifth Meeting of the Guyana/ Brazil Group on Council Cooperation and the Sixth Meeting of the Guyana/ Brazil Frontier Committee.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon told reporters on Friday at the post- Cabinet briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency that the meetings will be held on June 5 and 6, 2017 in Lethem, Region Nine.

Guyana’s delegation will be led by Director- General, Ambassador Audrey Wad-

dell-Jardine.

Harmon said the meetings are aimed at addressing issues relating to “cooperation between communities on the borders between Guyana and Brazil on the areas of health, education, water management, animal and agricultural surveillance, trafficking and violence against women, indigenous issues and public security.”

The Guyana/Brazil Frontier Committee was established on September 14, 2009 with the inaugural signing of a Memorandum of Under-

standing (MoU) between the two countries on the Takutu bridge.

“This mechanism was established to advance the process of integration by nurturing development of the population within the frontier communities,” Minister Harmon recalled.

The Fifth Meeting of the Guyana Brazil Group on Council Cooperation and the Sixth Meeting of the Guyana/Brazil Frontier Committee were last held in Bom Fim, Brazil, in February 2016. (DPI/GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 3, 2017

23 cases completed during Demerara Assizes

GAOL delivery was done on Thursday by Justice Navindra Singh bringing to an end the Demerara April 2017 Criminal Assizes which commenced on April 4, 2017.

The assizes was presided over by Justice Singh and Madam Justice Jo-Ann Barlow and a total of 152 cases were listed to be heard.

According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), 23 matters were disposed of during the Demerara April 2017 Criminal Assizes.

Of these 23 matters, 17 were presented at the Assizes and six matters were nolle prosequi in writing by the DPP. Of these 17 cases that were presented, there were nine guilty pleas, four guilty verdicts, one formal verdict of not guilty, one hung jury and two not guilty verdicts by jury.

Justice Navindra Singh completed 11 matters and of these 11 matters, five of them were for five accused, who were indicted together for the offences of attempt to commit murder of a policeman, discharging loaded firearm with intent, and unlawful possession of ammunition, murder with an alternative attempted murder, setting fire to the High Court building and murder.

Six other cases for the offence of murder were presented before Justice Singh.

In three of these six cases, the accused all pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter and were respectively sentenced to eight, 15 and nine years imprisonment depending on the particular circumstances of each case.

In two other separate trials for the offence of murder, one accused was sentenced to life imprisonment after the jury returned a majority verdict in proportion of 11 guilty to one not guilty for the lesser offence of manslaughter.

While in the other case, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict and the accused was sentenced to 65 years imprisonment.

In another one trial for the offence of murder, the jury returned a majority verdict in proportion of 10 guilty to two not guilty. The accused in this matter will be sentenced on June 12, 2017.

Justice Jo-Ann Barlow completed six matters; one each for the offences of carnal knowledge of girl under 15 years and rape of a child under 16 years.

Three matters were for the offence of murder and one case for the offence of sexual activity with a child under 16 years.

In the one matter for the offence of carnal knowledge

of a girl under 15 years, the accused was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

DID NOT CONTINUE The virtual complainant (VC) in the case for the offence of rape of a child under 16 years went into the witness box and testified that she did not wish to continue with her matter.

Justice Barlow then directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty.

In one of the three murder cases, the accused pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter and was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. In another one case, the jury failed to reach a verdict.

A retrial has to be done for this matter. While the accused in the other one case was acquitted after the jury returned with a unanimous verdict of not guilty for the offence of murder and a majority verdict in proportion of 11 to one not guilty of the lesser offence of manslaughter.

At the same time the Berbice February 2017 Criminal Assizes, which commenced on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 was in progress with Justice James Bovell-Drakes, who first sat from January and closed the October 2016 Assizes and then opened the February Assizes.

Ninety-two cases have been listed to be heard during this Assizes. Of these cases, nine of them received attention during the four months, February to May. Ten matters have been completed by Justice BovellDrakes. Of these 10 matters, three were for the offence of murder, four for rape of a child under 16 years, one for the offence of abduction and two for the offence of attempt to commit murder with alternative counts of wounding with intent and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

During this time, the Essequibo May 2017 Criminal Assizes had commenced on Tuesday, May 6, 2017 before Justice Brassington Reynolds, who sat from April and then opened the May 2017 Criminal Assizes.

Two matters have been presented before Justice Reynolds, one for the offence of rape of a child under 16 years and other for the offence of murder.

Meanwhile, the office of the DPP appeared before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) during May 2017 in the matter of Vishnu Bridgelall v. The State for the offence of Possession of Narcotics for the purpose of Trafficking.

In its decision, the CCJ confirmed the convictions

by the magistrates’ court and the Guyana Court of Appeal, but adjusted the sentences by the magistrate from consecutive to concurrent.

The CCJ also declared that Bridgelall’s constitutional right to a fair hearing within a reasonable time has been breached and therefore stayed the enforcement of the remainder of his prison sentence.

However, The Court ruled that the prisoner must pay his fines of G$254M.

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Exxon to get oil-production licence … royalty set at 2%, 100,000 barrels per day envisaged

THE Government of Guyana is expected to grant a production licence to Esso Exploration and Production (Guyana) Ltd and partners Hess and Nexen.

In a statement, the Ministry of Natural Resources said following reviews of the technical and environmental aspects of the Liza Project-Development Plan that was submitted by Esso Exploration and Production (Guyana) Ltd (EEPGL) in December 2017, the government is expected to grant a production licence to ExxonMobil for production of petroleum to move ahead in 2020. The statement said the licence will place emphasis on Guyanese employment and training, the procurement of goods and services in Guyana, infrastructural soundness and protection of the environment.

According to the government, the production licence is required to be finalised before the developers make their Final Investment Decision (FID) for the project in June 2017.

“Extraction from the Liza field is expected to commence in 2020 at an initial rate of 100,000 barrels of crude per day in the first phase, with a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel providing the main infrastructural support for the project,” the ministry’s release stated.

It added: “The Government and people of the Co-

operative Republic of Guyana will receive a royalty of 2 percent on gross earnings and benefit from 50 percent of the profits from the sale of petroleum once production commences.”

The Ministry of Natural Resources and other ministries and agencies are actively pursuing a number of undertakings on the policy, legislative and infrastructural sides to ensure that the country is prepared for the coming oil production. “As this ministry, along with others, seeks to develop our oil and gas industry in a sustainable and profitable manner, citizens are encouraged to continue to provide their feedback and recommendations on the new sector when the ministry’s outreaches visit their communities. Following consideration by the Cabine, the findings of the various reports will be released,” the statement concluded.

In late March, ExxonMobil had announced a major discovery of oil here at its Snoek well offshore Guyana, confirming some 82 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs. ExxonMobil in a statement had said drilling targeted similar, aged reservoirs as encountered in previous discoveries at Liza and Payara. “The latest discovery at Snoek demonstrates the continued success we have achieved in this technically complex play, which is just part of the significant exploration

province offshore Guyana,” said Steve Greenlee, president of ExxonMobil Exploration Company, in a statement.

According to the statement, ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd commenced drilling of the Snoek well on February 22, 2017 and encountered 82 feet (25 metres) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs. The well was safely drilled to 16,978 feet (5,175 metres) in 5,128 feet (1,563 metres) of water on March 18. The Snoek well is located in the southern portion of the Stabroek Block, approximately five miles (9 km) to the south-east of the 2015 Liza-1 discovery.

Following completion of the Snoek well, the Stena Carron drillship has moved back to the Liza area to drill the Liza-4 well.

“As we continue to evaluate the full potential of the broader Stabroek Block, we are also taking the necessary steps to ensure the safe, cost-efficient and responsible development of this world-class resource, which can provide longterm, sustainable benefits to the people of Guyana,” said Greenlee. The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator and holds 45 percent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 percent interest

Bourda Market vendor granted bail after three months on remand AFTER three months on remand for a drug-trafficking charge, a 32-yearold Bourda Market vendor was on yesterday released on $100,000 bail.

Kellon Albert was granted bail during his second court appearance before city magistrate, Leron Daly, after his attorney Adrian Thompson made an applica-

tion for his client’s pre-trial liberty.

The magistrate released the vendor on $100,000 bail and adjourned the matter to June 23.

Albert denied the charge that he on May 5 at Bourda Market, had seven grams of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Kellon Albert

The Stena Carron operating on the Snoek well where it encountered 82 feet (25 metres) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent interest.

President David Granger during a meeting with ExxonMobil’s executives had assured them of Government’s commitment to the development of Guyana’s oil and gas sector in an atmosphere of transparency and trust, so that the parliamentary Opposition and the people of Guyana are fully involved in the process and views the development of a petroleum

industry as one of natural interest and involvement.

The President said that it is important that there are regular and accurate announcements on matters pertaining to the development of the sector.

“We are committed to the norm of transparency…so that we can move forward at a domestic level, not only in an atmosphere of transparency, but trust, so that all Guyana would see this not as a short-term bonanza;

so that Guyanese will see this as a national industry….In this regard, we are walking step by step as the developments take place offshore and the developments in terms of our legislations within our regulatory framework in terms of the passage of information to various stakeholders in Guyana and the diaspora,so that we can create an environment which is stable and secure,” the President said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday,June 3, 2017

Joseph bids farewell to GPF -as he proceeds into pre-retirement leave HEAD of the Presidential Guard and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Brian Joseph, was on Friday morning honoured at a farewell parade organised by the guard. Joseph proceeds into pre-retirement leave.

The farewell parade was attended by President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

In his farewell address, Joseph said that retirement has essentially left him in an unfamiliar limbo since his life, for the past 35 years, has been centred on the Guyana Police Force, which he joined in 1982. Nevertheless, he noted that there are many opportunities yet to be explored in this new phase of his life.

He expressed gratitude to his family, particularly his wife and mother, for their unwavering support over the past years. He also thanked his fellow officers and urged them to continue to strive to uphold the principles of the force.

“Continue to work self-

lessly with zeal and zest for the people of this great nation. Hold your head up because the job you do, [although] sometimes thankless, makes a difference.

Take nothing for granted, because even though the situation may seem calm and under control, you must remain vigilant so that those with nefarious designs do not succeed in their plots,”

he said.

Joseph was first posted to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) to perform duties out of the Water Street Beat Duty Centre in plain clothes. He was then transferred to the Prime Ministerial Guard in 1985, where he served under the late Presidents Hugh Desmond Hoyte and Dr Cheddi Jagan until 1995.

His employment and ex-

perience within the force from 1995 to present was met with a number of successes in command posts spanning ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘D’ and ‘G’ Divisions, but none more successful than his tenure as Traffic Officer between October 2011 and February 2013. During this period, the force recorded the lowest accident figures in almost half of a century in 2012 with 1, 638 accidents and the lowest number of road fatalities in 26 years with 102 deaths that

President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of State, Mr Joseph Harmon pose for a picture with Mr Brian Joseph and his family members

Officers of the Presidential Guard at Durban Park

same year.

Additionally, during his tenure as ‘B’ Division Commander, serious crimes were reduced by almost 50 percent. Mr Joseph also attended a number of training programmes facilitated

by the force at the University of Guyana and in other regional and international jurisdictions including Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, San Salvador and Mexico. (Ministry of the Presidency)

President David Granger stands on the dais for the salute after his arrival at Durban Park

A section of the invitees at Durban Park

Belizean sworn in as CCJ Judge

THE Honourable Justice Denys Arthur Barrow was sworn in as Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Thursday at a ceremony at the Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza, in his home country of Belize.

Justice Barrow was sworn in by His Excellency Sir Colville Young and is the first citizen of Belize to be appointed to the CCJ bench.

He brings to the CCJ bench a forty-year legal career, together with various stints of judicial appointments in judiciaries across the region and membership on a

world-renowned tribunal dealing with international labour and human rights law.

Justice Barrow is a graduate of the University of the West Indies (UWI) with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and received a Legal Education Certificate (LEC) from the Norman Manley Law School. He was admitted to the Belizean bar in 1977 and embarked on a career in private practice. In 1990, Justice Barrow was elevated to Senior Counsel and went on to start his own law firm, “Barrow and Company”.

Justice Barrow’s judicial career included service as

Justice Denys Arthur Barrow

High Court Judge in St. Lucia, Grenada, Belize and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) between 2001 and 2005, Justice of Appeal of the Eastern

Caribbean Supreme Court from 2005 to 2008 and Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of Belize from 2010 to 2012.

For nine years, beginning in 2005, he served annually in Geneva, Switzerland as a member and then rapporteur of the International Labour Organisation’s Committee of Experts responsible for monitoring the application of international conventions on labour and human rights law.

Members of the Committee are selected from across the world from among persons who have distinguished themselves as judges and

professors of law. In 2007, Mr. Justice Barrow was selected by the Belize Bar Association for its prestigious Custos Justitiae Award for excellence in the practice of law.

In 2012, he was awarded the insignia for Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his distinguished service to Belize and the field of law.

Justice Barrow was selected from among applicants from the Caribbean, North America and Eastern Europe. Judges appointed to the CCJ are evaluated on the basis of wide-ranging

criteria that include; experience, high moral character, intellectual and analytical ability, sound judgment, integrity and an understanding of people and society.

Also in attendance at the ceremony was; the Right Honourable Sir Dennis Byron, President of the CCJ; the Honourable Mr. Justice Adrian Saunders, CCJ Judge; the Honourable Mr Justice Kenneth Benjamin, Chief Justice of Belize; Sir Manuel Sosa, President of the Court of Appeal of Belize; and Mr. Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General of Belize.

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Shake-up for CANU MINISTER of State, Joseph Harmon has noted that there will “definitely” be changes in personnel at the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), following the findings of a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into a vessel linked to a massive high-seas drug bust, which ensnared four Guyanese and netted cocaine worth US$71.7M. The State Minister did not want to divulge the findings of the report as he noted that President David Granger still has to peruse the document.

“As far as personnel are concerned, there is definitely going to be some adjustments, some changes in the fight against narcotics architecture; there’s going to be some changes and the report, I believe, is pointing in that direction,” Minister Harmon told a post cabinet media briefing at the Ministry of the

Presidency on Friday.

CANU’s Head, James Singh, was sent on 42 days leave at the end of February after the multi-million dollar drug bust and it is believed

that the outcome of the COI will determine his future with respect to CANU. Minister Harmon yesterday could not confirm or deny if the report recommended that Singh

Brigadier (Retired) Bruce Lovell makes a point to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon as they peruse the Commission of Inquiry Report

be fired. Guyana Chronicle understands that Singh’s contract expires in three years; he is slated to return to work at the end of July.

Harmon, however, noted that as of recent there have been more drug busts in Guyana than overseas.

“You will recognise the increase levels of detection of narcotic operations in Guyana, seizures in Guyana, based on good intelligence and follow up to that intelligence work. We’re no longer hearing that drugs left Guyana and found somewhere else and this is a major change that is taking place.”

The COI was established

by President David Granger on March 31, to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the entry into, the interception, detention and subsequent release of an unnamed private maritime vessel in the sea space of the

Head of CANU, James Singh

territory of Guyana.

The vessel was spotted in Guyana’s waters off the Corentyne coast moving north between February 11 to 14, 2017. While in the vicinity of Shell Beach, it was intercepted by local authorities, and brought into the Waini River and searched.

The Commission was asked to report the findings and recommendations to the President, who is the Head of the National Security Committee. It is believed that this vessel had transferred the large cocaine shipment to the mother vessel which was subsequently seized by the U.S. authorities and found to be carrying over four tonnes of cocaine. Major-General (retired), Michael Atherly has since taken full command of the operations of CANU. Since assuming office, the coalition Government has heightened and intensified efforts to counter narcotics trafficking on land, by air and at sea.

Coastal aerial surveillance and mounted branch border patrols have been reactivated and are done on a regular and continual basis.

GMSA, Trotman hold talks on extractive industry …VAT on forest products, UK ban on greenheart discussed

A TEAM from the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) met with Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman on Thursday to discuss critical issues related to the forestry, mining and oil and gas sectors.

The team headed by GMSA President, Shyam Nokta, included Andre Cummings, chairperson of the Forestry and Wood Products Sub-Sector; Norman McLean, chairman of the Mineral and Related Industries Sub-Sector; Glenis Hodge, chairperson of the Services Sub-Sector; and board member Peter Pompey.

The GMSA team gave recognition to the ongoing process of revising and updating the National Forest Policy and the National Forest Plan and promoting Lesser Used Species, while highlighting critical challenges facing the sector.

The issue of VAT on forest products was raised, where it was pointed out that this is affecting the competitiveness of the wood processing sector. The GMSA reiterated its call for this decision to be revisited with a view to removing the VAT on forest products.

To support its position, an assessment from the industry’s perspective has been prepared by the GMSA

Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, and executive members of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association

and will be put to government. It was also pointed out that the competitiveness of local products is being challenged with imported substitutes and this adds to the challenge facing the local wood processing sector.

The issue of the UK ban on greenheart from Guyana was also raised and while some progress has been made, which allows FSC certified timber to have market access, the GMSA urged that the issue be advanced to completion urgently to allow for a full lifting of

the ban.

In this regard, the GMSA expressed its willingness to provide technical support and be involved in the process to engage the UK Environment Agency. It was pointed out that for several years now the forestry sector has been in decline and there is need for incentives to serve as catalyst to stimulate growth and expansion, particularly in the area of value-added.

REVIEW

Minister Trotman, in acknowledging the issues put forward, outlined government’s commitment to review the issue of VAT on forest products and in moving forward on resolving the issue of the greenheart ban.

He invited the GMSA to submit proposals for support to the wood sector since the Finance Ministry will start consideration for the 2018 National Budget in July 2017.

The GMSA representatives also took the opportunity to discuss the mining

sector, where it was pointed out that diversification in this sector is critical. Norman Mc Lean, chairman of the Mineral and Related Industries Sub-Sector, pointed out that there is need for alternative methods for improved recovery of gold which can also reduce degradation.

Mc Lean, who is also a representative of the Bosai Minerals Group, took the opportunity to apprise the minister of the Manganese Project in the North West of Guyana and the initia-

tives planned, including rehabilitating the road from Port Kaituma to Matthews Ridge.

The oil and gas sector also featured in the discussions, where the GMSA gave recognition to several initiatives being pursued, including the Oil and Gas Local Content Policy. The GMSA members indicated the strong interest of the organisation and its members to learn more of the opportunities for local businesses in the various stages of the development of the oil and gas industry, from exploration to production, and to understand the requirements so businesses can start preparing. In this regard local content was identified as a critical area of focus for the organisation.

Minister Trotman provided an overview of the developments in the oil and gas sector and committed to working with the local private sector. He indicated that his Ministry will facilitate a local content specialist working with the GMSA on local content issues as part of the process of further developing and finalising the local content policy.

In response to a query on local capacity assessment on goods and services, the minister indicated that a gap assessment has been done and will help to guide efforts aimed at supporting readiness of the local private sector.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 3, 2017

Fraud accused released on bail –– attorney says client sickly and needs medical attention

AFTER almost two weeks on remand, the Chairman of Micro Business Developers and Consultant Incorporated, Clinton Alleyne, was on Friday released on $700,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Alleyne, 56, of South Better Hope, East Coast De-

merara, was granted bail on four fraud-related charges totalling over $27.9M. The chairman’s lawyer, Paul Fung-a-Fat, in an application for bail told the court that his client is sickly and could not seek proper medical attention while imprisoned.

As such, with no objection by police prosecutor Arwin Moore, bail was granted the accused to the tune of $700,000 and the matter was adjourned to June 22.

The charges were first read to Alleyne on April 26 before the chief magistrate and he was remanded to pris-

Chairman of Micro Business Developers and Consultant Incorporated, Clinton Alleyne on after denying the charges during that appearance.

The charges allege that Alleyne, between January 31 and February 8, at Sherriff Street, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $516,000 from Samuel Manoo by pretending that he was in a position to grant him a $4M loan.

It was further alleged that Alleyne, between November 3, 2016 and December 29, 2016 at Sherriff Street, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $700,000 from Lorelai Lalchan by pretending that he was in a position to grant a $5M loan to him.

Lastly, it is alleged that Alleyne, between Novem-

ber 4, 2016 and December 9, 2016 at Sherriff Street, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $415,000 from Lorelai Lalchan by falsely pretending that he was in a position to grant a $3.4M loan to him.

Alleyne was released on $100,000 bail on each of the three charges.

He was released on $400,000 bail on the charge which alleged that between December 2 and December 13, 2016, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, Alleyne obtained from Jeetendra Ram, of Fantasy Auto Spares, six motor cars valued at $26.3 M. Alleyne paid for

the vehicles using a forged Republic Bank manager’s cheque.

It is alleged that Micro Business Developers and Consultant Incorporated would lure persons by stating that it is a mone- lending institution, which requires persons to make a down payment or percentage of the money they are desirous of acquiring.

The victims are issued a receipt when handing over their down payment and would be asked to return later for their loans.

However, upon their return, they are given “bounced” cheques.

Police probing links in alleged plot to kill President THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) is continuing its investigation into an alleged plot to shoot President David Granger and according to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, detectives are looking at “backward linkages.”

The plot was first reported on in April and while two persons were initially in custody, no one was officially arrested. Harmon told a post cabinet media briefing on Friday at the Ministry of the Presidency, that the investigation is still “live.”

“There have been some other what I call subsidiary investigations that are taking place and some oth- President David Granger ers that will be taking place along the way. We do not take a threat on the life of His Excellency very lightly and therefore every area of concern will be addressed. If they are not a matter of a police investigation, they will be a matter of other investigations which will take place,” He told reporters.

The Minister of State explained that the President’s security team will have to ensure that proper arrangements are in place to safeguard the life of the President and his family.

“Our President is a very popular President. Anywhere he goes, people warmly greet him and hug him, either at home or in the diaspora…therefore it becomes a challenge for the security people to ensure that while our president is embraced by the people in Guyana or the diaspora, that they ensure they put clear security arrangements in place that will protect the President, that will protect his family, protect the Prime Minister, his family, protect the ministers; in fact protect the people of Guyana from extremism,” Harmon said.

In an interview on Nightly News in April, a man who claimed that he was approached to carry out the act spoke of a $7M bounty that was offered him to shoot at President Granger during one of his outreaches. The $7M it was said was offered by a prominent individual.

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BFA/J’s Golden Arrow U-20 Tourney Williams, Savory and Jeffrey doing Guyana Paradise Invaders maul Young proud at Sommerville Series in the USA Strikers 5-0; Hopetown Rangers LOCAL cyclists Andrew Hicks, Geron Williams, Scott Savory and Raynauth Jeffrey kept the Golden Arrowhead fluttering in the United States of America (USA). They placed among the top finishers in the Sommerville Series as well as the Bound Brook Cycling Classic and I Wilol Foundation Tuesday Night Series.

According to reports from the USA, United We Stand cyclist Andrew Hicks placed third at the Bound Brook Criterium which forms part of the Tour of Sommerville Series, while Scott Savory, representing CRCA/Lupus Racing Team, won a bronze medal in the Men’s Open Prom Category ½ of the Bound Brook Cycling Classic that was held in Bound Brook, New Jersey, on May 27.

Team Coco’s Hamza Eastman finished sixth while his teammate Stephano Husbands placed 14th, Paul DeNobrega of Team Evolution was 48th, Horrace Burrowes finished 51st, Paul Burrowes 57th

and Shaqueel Agard 58th.

There were 91 starters but only 74 completed the course.

Savory also placed second in another Category 1/2/3 Circuit race on May 9, Eastman finished seventh and

finish the race.

In the Pro Category 1 event that was held on the same day, Geron Williams (Team Foundation/Continental Cycle Club) placed 19th, while Raynauth Jeffrey (Team Pharmaca Deepsouth)

Scott Savory surrounded by his friends (from left) Enzo Matthews, Geron Williams and Christopher Holder.

Paul Burrowes ended 20th of the 53 starters.

On May 29, Husbands had to settle for 38th in a category 2/3 event that attracted 114 starters, while Enzo Matthews of Continental Cycle Club finished 54th. Christopher Holder of Team Evolution did not

placed 39th. Savory, DeNobrega and Paul Burrowes did not finish that race as a result of an accident.

Savory suffered injuries that resulted in his being admitted to hospital but on his facebook page, he explained what occurred during the race and

thanked all those persons who have been supporting him.

Savory explained, “Wednesday was a tough day, senseless crash in the straight with six laps to go. I can’t remember much other than seeing a guy literally two wheels ahead go sideways.

I had no room to escape and went down hard. Got hit by a few guys and couldn’t feel much in my back and hip.

I’m pretty banged up. After a few X-rays, cat scans, the doctors said I fractured three of my lumbar vertebrae.”

“Walking and all else is difficult and it sucks to think this may be the end of the season and timing couldn’t be worse; but honestly nothing mattered as for about eight hours I was just worried about any spinal injuries. Happy not to be having surgery and that it wasn’t worse.

“To all the other cyclists who crashed, speedy recovery also! I’ll hopefully be back sooner rather than later! Have fun for me in the meantime guys!” Savory said.

Durant the difference between Cavs and Warriors – LeBron James LEBRON James hailed the impact of Kevin Durant after the Golden State Warriors star dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals opener.

Durant led the way with a game-high 38 points as the Warriors drew first blood against reigning champions the Cavaliers, winning 11391 on Thursday.

Prised from the Oklahoma City Thunder in a blockbuster deal during the offseason, 2014 MVP Durant arrived to a team already filled with superstars in Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.

Durant – an eight-time All-Star – took the Warriors to another level in game one at Oracle Arena following a performance that also included eight rebounds, eight assists and an apparent stare down of pop star Rihanna.

Asked what stood out about the Warriors, James told reporters: “KD.” James continued: “You take one of the best teams that we had ever assembled last year, that we saw in the regular season and in the postseason, and then in the offsea-

son you add a high-powered offensive talent like that and a great basketball IQ like that, that’s what stands out.”

“I mean, it’s no ifs, ands,

riors, while Kyrie Irving posted 24 points. Kevin Love put up 15 points and 21 rebounds.

“Just get focused on

cit in last season’s Finals against the Warriors, added “play with energy, play with effort, play with their mind and their bodies and under-

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant dunks in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James during the NBA Finals. (AP)

or buts. It is what it is. We got to figure out how to combat that, which is going to be a tough challenge for us. But that’s what stands out,” James said.

While Durant and Curry soared, James and the Cavs struggled on the road.

James had eight turnovers in a team-high 28-point display against the War-

game two (on Sunday),” James said. “We made a lot of mistakes. There’s nothing that really needs to be said. We know we’re capable of playing a lot better.

We didn’t play as well as we know we’re capable of, so we look forward to the next one.”

James, whose Cavs overturned a 3-1 series defi-

stand what we’re trying to accomplish.

“This is the Finals, and we don’t care about making mistakes, just play as hard as you can and follow the game plan, have your mind in it. And if your mind is fresh and your mind is into it, then a lot of things take care of itself.”

edge Orealla Falcons 3-2

PARADISE Invaders kept their hopes of championships honours alive last Saturday when they mauled Young Strikers 5-0 in a fixture of the Berbice Football Association/J’s Golden Arrow Under-20 tournament at the Scotts School ground, New Amsterdam, Berbice.

In the feature match that day, Hopetown United Rangers edged Orealla falcons 3-2. Hopetown Rangers drew first blood through a well-placed shot from the edge of the 18-yard box by Matthew Doris in the 34th minute and four minutes later, the score-line was further extended as Doris once again found the back of the opposition’s net.

Orealla then cut the deficit in the 40th minute when Cleon Henry sent the ball crashing into Hopetown’s goal.

Minutes into the second session, the Orealla team found the equaliser from the penalty spot after a Hopetown defender handled the ball in the 18-yard box. The kick from the spot was taken by Clevon France and he made no mistake.

Wesley Greenidge then

put the icing on the cake for Hopetown with a 70th minute conversion that gave his team a 3-2 victory.

In the opening encounter, Paradise Invaders made light work of Young Strikers with five first-half goals.

Keon Joseph opened the floodgates in the second minute of play then there was an own goal in the 12th minute.

Shaqueel DeHart then netted a brace in the 23rd and 29th minutes and Shaqueel Small’s 34th minute effort sealed the issue in Paradise Rangers’ favour.

Paradise Rangers with their victory move to the top of the points standings with five points from two matches (one win and one draw), while Cougars have three points from one win in their lone game to date.

New Amsterdam United played one match to date and they were held to a draw and have one point.

Hopetown played two matches to date and won one but lost the other and have three points.

GFF to use St Martin’s tournament as preparation for CONCACAF’s U-15 Championship WITH Guyana set to compete at the August 13-19 Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) U-15 tournament at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Technical Director Ian Greenwood believes the ‘SOUALIGA’ Tournament in St Martin will provide the perfect test for the Junior Golden Jaguars.

Guyana kicked off their participation in the 10-team tournament yesterday against Haiti and will hope to be in the final on Sunday June 4.

The team was selected from the from the GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres (ATC) – East Coast (4); East Bank (1); Georgetown (5); Rupununi (3); Bartica (1); Berbice (1) and one player from Region 1.

Greenwood explained, prior to the team’s departure, that while the tournament in St Martin will serve as preparation for the CONCACAF U-15 tournament, the long-term goal is to enable the development of the players for the senior men’s national team in five years’ time.

Additionally, the Englishman said “engaging in consistent international tourna-

ments and fixtures are vital as we look to instil the national playing philosophy into the players as part of their longterm player development.

Tournaments such as these are also being used as development tools for our coaches too as we look to implement the GFF National Coaching Philosophy.”

Following their creditable showing at the previous international fixture in French Guiana in December 2016, Greenwood is looking for an improvement on the team’s performances and tactical understanding of the game in St Martin.

According to Greenwood, “the U-15s know that with the launch of the ATCs, we are consistently looking to improve and develop the playing squad on a national basis so they will need to be positive, express themselves and wear the badge with pride at all times.”

The squad, which was drawn from 25 players who were encamped from the May 28-31 in New Amsterdam, is headed by Bryan Joseph.

Guyana will next play the USVI and the BVI today and the results from those two matches, coupled with yesterday’s fixture against Haiti will determine the visitors’ position for tomorrow.

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UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Real Madrid look to confirm dynasty status with Juventus standing in the way DYNASTIES are cyclical.

Right up until the 1990s Real Madrid prided themselves on having won more European Cups (six) than any other club. While it is true, their rivals could always snort and cruelly point out that all of that happened “in black and white” - meaning it was a long time ago, belonging to the age of sepia-tone newsreels.

Indeed, 32 years passed between 1966 and 1998 when the club appeared in just one final (1981), which they lost.

But Real Madrid won it three times in the five years between 1998 and 2002. On Saturday, they can make it three in four years, becoming the first back-to-back European champions since Arrigo Sacchi’s legendary Milan side in 1990.

It would be their sixth European crown in the past 19 years, definitely burying those “won it in black and white” jibes. It would mean they will have won it as many times as the clubs who rank second (Milan with seven) and third (take your pick of Bayern, Barcelona and Liverpool each of whom have five) combined.

This won’t just be confirmation of their dynasty; it will be vindication of a certain style of doing business.

It’s a combination of massive spending power (three of the six most expensive players of all-time are in the Real

Madrid squad) and a crystal-clear brand identity that gets maximised and monetised in every market on the planet.

They’re not the only super club playing the global commercial juggernaut game, they just do it better than most.

Standing in their way is a Juventus side who, when it comes to European competition, are playing catch-up, certainly relative to their domestic dominance, which was reaffirmed again last month when they won their sixth straight Serie A title. This will be Juventus’ ninth European Cup final (only Real Madrid, Milan and Bayern Munich have played more) yet they’ve won just two.

One came on one of football’s darkest days, following the 1985 Heysel tragedy that saw 39 supporters die, while the other happened on penalties. Just as Real Madrid have won more finals than anyone, Juventus have lost more than anyone.

It’s not hard to see why a clean, convincing win would mean so much to Italy’s most pedigreed and patrician club.

On the pitch, at first glance, there’s a clear and convenient theme of attack vs. defence, punctuated by the fact that each has its own version of the ‘BBC’. (Leo) Bonucci, (Andrea) Barzagli and (Giorgio) Chiellini head up a Juve defence that conceded just

three goals in the tournament this year. And (Gareth) Bale, (Karim) Benzema and Cris-

of the expansive, intoxicating Spanish side against the safety-first, conservative

FLASHBACK! Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with the UEFA Champions League trophy after victory over Atletico Madrid.

tiano (Ronaldo) lead a Real Madrid attack that scored 32 times in 12 games thus far.

That’s one narrative and it feeds in to the old trope

Italian team. But, in fact, there is much more here than meets the eye. Real Madrid can beat you many different ways, but they are

particularly devastating on set-pieces and on the counterattack, two tools typical of humbler sides.

In Casemiro, who became a fixture after manager Zinedine Zidane took over 18 months ago, they have a genuine nofrills midfield enforcer.

Meanwhile, Juventus went to another level when coach Max Allegri introduced his ‘5-star’ scheme in mid-season, essentially squeezing all his more gifted attacking players into the lineup at the same time.

Critics said it would unbalance the team, but Allegri believed Juventus needed an additional dimension when pitted against Europe’s elite.

In fact, one of the common threads for both Real and Juventus is humility.

Neither team could get away with such attacking firepower if not for the self-sacrifice of stars donning their hardhats and turning distinctly blue-collar.

Thus Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, two of the finest attacking midfielders in the world, scramble and graft when not in possession, while a centre-forward like Benzema runs himself in to the ground to create space.

The parallels don’t end there. Both managers were attacking midfielders who were greeted by skepticism when they were appointed.

Both have confounded the

critics.

There’s the delicious thicket of subplots too. Zidane himself spent five seasons at Juventus as a player before leaving for Madrid in a world-record deal that stood for eight years, an eternity in football. His fitness coach, Antonio Pintus, Turin-born and bred, was at Juve for six years in the 1990s.

Both were there in Amsterdam on May 20, 1998 when Juventus were defeated in the Champions League final by none other than Real Madrid, when they won their first European Cup ‘in color’.

Dani Alves, long Real Madrid’s nemesis and a three-time Champions League winner at Barcelona, is now driving the flank at Juventus. Where, incidentally, he’ll come up against his Brazil teammate and, in some ways, photo-negative, Madrid’s left-back Marcelo.

All of this will play out in Wales, land of dragons and Celtic lore, and specifically at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, some three miles away from where Bale was born.

It won’t be a fairytale; in this increasingly polarised and globalised sport, it’s all about the blue-bloods and the mega-rich, but it will likely be epic as giants square off for their place in history.

Perhaps a place in Welsh mythology too.

Ansa McAl to host Heineken UEFA Champions League viewing party at Giftland today THOUSANDS of lucky football fans will gather at Giftland Mall Entertainment Strip today for the annual UEFA Champions League viewing party, hosted by Ansa McAl. Spanish Champions Real Madrid will be chasing their 12th title and their third in four years while Juventus, the Italian Serie A giants, are aiming to win their first Champions League trophy since 1996 and their third in the club’s 119-year history.

The UEFA Champions League viewing party, hosted under the title sponsor Heineken, is an event which fuses entertainment and some of the most crazed

Heineken Portfolio Manager, Darshanie Yussuf stands with winner of the Ultimate Heineken Race, O’Neil Powers.

football fans.

Fans will have a chance to, among other things, win prizes before, during and after the game, by participating in several novelty events.

After the cheers and the tears, Trinidad’s world renowned Soca star Kes and his band will entertain.

According to Ansa McAl, Heineken will be the only beer being sold while complimentary food will be available.

Meanwhile, O’Neil Powers proved he was the ultimate Heineken/UEFA fan when he won the grand prize in the launch promotion. He received an all-expense paid

trip to Trinidad to attend the Heineken Champions League Finals party.

At the launch event held last month, six Heineken consumers were chosen to participate in the Ultimate Heineken Race after having to successfully complete a

Heineken/UEFA knowledge test.

Ansa McAl, distributors of Heineken in Guyana, said the brand offered fans the opportunity to win more great prizes along with tickets to the finals viewing party.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday June 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) 15 matches (2) The Oval, London (June 18, 2017) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who were the captains involved in the first game of the ICC

Cham pions Trophy 2017?

(2) Who was declared Man of the Match in Game #1 in the ICC

Champions Trophy 2017?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 3, 2017

South American Youth Championships starts today! … We underestimated the magnitude of work– Hutson

AS the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) looks forward to hosting the biggest meet to ever touch Guyana’s shores, president of the association, Aubrey Hutson, is saying that fans and supporters can expect an excitement-filled day, even as he admits that the event turned out to be more challenging than expected.

Over the past few days, teams and officials from all across South America arrived in Guyana to participate in the South American Youth Championships, which will be held at the Leonora Track and Field Facility.

While teams from Suriname, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, spent the day training at the country’s lone synthetic

track, Hutson and his team were busy putting in some extra work logistically.

“It’s a new experience for us and we’re learning as we go along, but I can assure that fans are going to be thrilled tomorrow (today) with the kind of competition that they are going to see,” Hutson told Chronicle Sport.

Hutson cited lack of personnel as one of the many challenges facing the Organising Committee, while pointing to cutbacks that had to be made because of tight funding.

“You find that the few people who are working really have to double up and work long nights. So it’s taking its toll on us, but our goal is to provide good competition for our fans, and create a nice atmosphere

Chile’s Claudio Romero during his practice session yesterday

for our athletes to compete,” Hutson said.

The AAG president continued. “We underestimated the magnitude of work that

had to be done and as a result of that we are realising that there are a lot of areas that we did not touch on that are showing up now at the late

moment. And having to cover those areas we are really running a little bit ragged, but there’s nothing to be scared about, I think we’ve got it covered.”

“I guess come Sunday night that’s when everyone is going to breathe a sigh of relief that Guyana was able to successfully do this and prove Guyana is a force to be reckoned with in hosting these competitions in Guyana,” Hutson optimistically predicted.

Hutson noted that the language barrier was another challenge, as many of the travelling teams missed crucial deadlines and put an added strain on the organisers’ already limited capacity.

Guyana is the only English-speaking country in

South America. That may have created some problems in the paperwork distributed to the countries who spoke Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch.

However, Hutson said things are looking even better and he believes they are as prepared as they could be.

For the duration of the Games the teams will be housed at the Princess Hotel.

Hutson added, “I am not going to be naïve and say that every Guyanese athlete is going to get a gold medal but it will give them a true opportunity to test their potential and they should use it to the best of their ability and don’t let any defeat be looked at negatively, but instead understand what more they need to get to the top.”

Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire Insurance U-19 Inter-county

GFF opens transfer window June 1 – July 31 Demerara whip Select U-17 to retain title

Man-of-the-match Ronaldo Ali Mohamed collects his trophy from Match Referee Grantley Culbard.

By Rajiv Bisnauth

DEMERARA easily retained the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire Insurance Company Limited-sponsored Under-19 Inter-county one-day title after they effortlessly disposed of the Select Under-17 team by six wickets yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium.

Disciplined bowling, coupled with excellent fielding, ensured the dominant victory for Demerara, as only Kevlon Anderson (38), Sachin Singh (24), Alex Algoo (14) and Kevin Christian (13), offered any fight for the Select Under-17s, after they were asked to bat first.

Bhaskar Yadram was the main destroyer, claiming 4-37, while off-spinner Richie Looknauth had 3-20. Ronaldo Ali-Mohamed claimed

two wickets and Sagar Hetramani the other successful bowler for Demerara.

The Select Under-17 did not set a big target as Demerara bowlers restricted them at 130 in 48.4 overs. Algoo and Singh added 20 for the opening stand before Yadram broke the promising partnership when he had Algoo, caught and bowled.

The Select Under-17 then found themselves in further trouble, with the score on 38 when Junior Sinclair was removed by Looknauth for eight. Looknauth bowled Singh, and also claimed the wicket of Alphius Bookie for one before Hetramani dismissed Christian, to leave the score 86-5.

Yadram then removed Ashmead Nedd and Pradesh Balkishun before Ali-Mohamed dismissed Gevon Schultz, and Anderson.

Yadram wrapped up the

innings with the wicket of Nigel Deodat. The run chase was easy for Demerara, with Ali-Mohamed hitting an unbeaten 53.

Yadram and Raymond Perez added 36 for the first wicket before both batsmen were removed off consecutive balls from Gevon Schultz.

Joshua Persaud (8) and Garvin Boodwah (18) were the other batsmen dismissed but Ramnarine Chatura (18 not out) and Ali-Mohamed ensured victory for Demerara in 32.2 overs.

Bowling for the National Select Under-17, Ashmead Nedd grabbed 2-20 and Schultz 2-31.

The three-day version of the tournament will commence tomorrow at 10:00hrs.

Essequibo will oppose Demerara at Police ground while Berbice will clash with the National Select Under-17 team at Everest.

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) opened its pre-season transfer window June 1 – July 31, enabling the transfer of players from one club to another.

This is the second transfer period of the year and according to the GFF, “clubs are requested to capitalise on the timeframe given to avoid the last-minute transactions, which have become a norm.”

Competitions director of the GFF, Ian Alves, reinforced the need for clubs to engage the process in a timely manner, stating “teams will want to complete the drafting of new players early in order to have a well-oiled unit at the start of the new season. This will facilitate integration of the new players and the building of team cohesion.”

A Domestic Transfer, in order to be considered procedurally correct, must involve the former club, the player, the former regional member association (RMA), the new club, and the new RMA (in the case of a transfer out of the former

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association).

Unless and until all of these entities are informed and involved, and provided that none of these raises any legitimate concerns with the attempted transfer, and as a result refuse to concur or approve the transfer, the transfer is incomplete.

The new club has the recourse of seeking the intervention of the relevant RMA, or subsequently the GFF, if it is of the view that the transfer is being unjustly hindered by the former club or the relevant RMA. The process for the Domes08:40 hrs Epona 09:20 hrs Al Sahem 10:00 hrs Isca 10:35 hrs Out My way English Racing Tips Musselburgh 08:40 hrs Wigan Warrior 09:15 hrs Rebel Assault 09:50 hrs Realtra 10:25 hrs Time To Study 11:00 hrs Desert Dream 11:55 hrs Showdaisy 12:30 hrs Sebastian’s Wish Doncaster 08:55 hrs Mishko 09:30 hrs Juliet Capulet 10:05 hrs Double Spin 10:40 hrs Florenza 11:15 hrs Hermann 12:10 hrs Youmkin

tic Transfer is as follows: The new club confirms the player has an interest in the transfer and, if so, the new club makes contact with the former club to negotiate the transfer agreement If it’s agreed, the new club collects the transfer document from the relevant RMA Each entity involved fills and signs their part namely on the form; player, former club, new club The form is then submitted to the relevant RMA which confirms the authenticity of the involvement of each party Everything being in order, the RMA approves the transfer and gives a copy to the new club If the player is being transferred across RMA, the new club takes its copy of the form to the new RMA so that the player can be registered within that RMA and cleared for participation as a player of that club “It is important to note that the GFF is the RMA for Elite Clubs,” the GFF said in a release.

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Williams, Savory and Jeffrey doing Guyana proud at See Sommerville Series page 29 in the USA

Athletes putting in some extra work yesterday

South American Youth Championships starts today!

See page 31

Ansa McAl to host Heineken UEFA Champions League viewing party at Giftland today See page 30

Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire Insurance U-19 Inter-county

Demerara whip Select U-17 to retain title See Page 31

One of the giant screens erected for Heineken UEFA Champions League’s viewing party at Giftland (Adrian Narine photo)

The winning Demerara team.

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

SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 2017