Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 04 10 2016

Lewis takes charge No. 104694

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

‒ Phillips says GDF in good hands

See stories on page 3 & 13

Change in command: Outgoing GDF Chief-of-staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips, hands over the army’s colours to his successor and new Chief-of- Staff, Brigadier George Lewis, on Monday afternoon

UG to hold Haiti braces “Killer” off on for Hurricane caught tuition hike Matthew in Linden P.7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Guyana open to Tamil investors ‒ Prime Minister tells 3rd World Tamils Economic Conference

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo addressing the 3rd World Tamils Economic Conference in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India on Sunday (Office of the Prime Minister photo)

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo has said that Guyana can benefit from the immense capital and technological, cultural and human resources of the Tamil world, and he has invited Tamil investors to set up establishments here.

The Prime Minister issued this invitation at the 3rd World Tamils Economic Conference in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India on Sunday: “Your Excellency and esteemed participants, I have come here to have an honest conversation with you on how Guyana can share your vision…I want to assure you that you are welcome to invest in Guyana.”

In the global investment perspective, Guyana’s geographic location holds many attractions. Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America, and is the gateway to this vast

continental market. Sitting on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Guyana is a vital link to the Caribbean. Guyana is both a Caribbean state and a South American country.

Foreign investors from as far away as Australia, Russia and China, who are active in our bauxite, gold and forestry sectors, recognise this link.

Mr. Nagamootoo pointed out that besides geography, Guyana also has rich deposits of oil and gas; and by 2020 or sooner, Guyana would start commercial extraction of the black gold.

Guyana, he said, is bigger than the United Kingdom, and some 85 per cent of its land is covered in virgin tropical rainforests. “It is also described as the ‘Land of Many Waters’, with major rivers and falls, with some 70 potential sites being identified for hydro-power generation.

“I invite you to dream

with me; with a youthful population and a 99 per cent literacy rate, abundant energy, large tracts of arable agricultural land and vast water, forestry and mineral natural resources, Guyana could be a profitable hub for investors,” he said.

Indian scientific and technical assistance has already been sourced by Guyana for green and sustainable, economic ventures ranging from hydro, solar, and wind renewable energy; modernisation of rice and sugar cultivation, ICT, electronics, jewellery and furniture manufacturing, food production and aquaculture, among others.

ATTRACTIVE INVESTMENT REGIME “Guyana has an attractive investment regime that includes tax holidays, waivers on industrial inputs, and no-hassle repatriation of profits. These concessions and benefits for investors exist in the mining, tourism, aviation, fisheries, manufacturing, forestry, wood products and ICT sectors. I ask you to surf the

Web for our one-stop agency, GO-INVEST, for details,” the Prime Minister urged the gathering.

He also noted that there are investment opportunities to open up access to new lands for agriculture, industry

and residential occupation.

He told the conference that plans are on the table for a road and rail link from the Guyana Atlantic coast to Brazil, South America’s largest economy.

Brazil shares a border

with Guyana to the south, and the road link could be the highway to the vast South American market.

“Opportunities also exist for the construction of port facilities at our major rivers -- one of which is populated by some 300 islands -- as we prepare for oil and gas production,” the Prime Minister said.

Currently, India is partnering with the Government of Guyana in several infrastructural ventures, including a major highway link and to supply river and sea vessels to access remote parts of the country.

The Prime Minister also noted that, for any serious business, Guyana is a lucrative destination with its young, vibrant, educated, English-speaking population. “It is a haven for profitable call centre operations. Its 4GMT time zone is ideal for working with clients in Western countries. Large operators like Qualfon and Teleperformance use the Guyana base,” he said.

Cops still searching for wash bay shooters POLICE in ‘C’ Division are questioning two persons in relation to the Enmore wash bay drive-by shooting which left three persons nursing gunshot injuries on Friday night last.

Sleuths said the two persons are being detained for ‘questioning purposes’, and are not considered suspects in that incident. The suspects are yet to be arrested, police said.

Taxi driver Ron Robinson has since been discharged from the GPHC, while Tishana Persaud is yet to undergo surgery to remove bullets still lodged in her body. Toby Etwaroo is

also a patient at the GPHC. He was shot in the abdomen.

Police reportedly are still hunting for the suspect(s) who opened fire on the injured from a heavily tinted motor car on Friday night at the “Bless Up” wash bay and chill spot bar at School Street, Hope West, Enmore.

Those injured are 32-year-old taxi driver Ron Robinson, called “The General”, of Bachelor’s Adventure, ECD; Tishana Persaud, 29, of Foulis, Enmore; and 24-year-old wash bay employee Toby Etwaroo, called Kevin, of Lot 226 Hope West, Enmore, ECD. Eyewitnesses told the Guyana Chronicle that at

about 19:30hrs on the day in question, the taxi driver arrived with two women at the wash bay. They were liming when a heavily tinted silver grey car pulled up and an occupant of the said vehicle opened fire indiscriminately at the group.

Etwaroo, who was about to bring chairs for others to sit, was shot in the abdomen.

He, however, ran from the scene and collapsed in front of a neighbour’s house.

The bullet exited his body and was recovered at the spot where he collapsed. It was handed over to the police at Enmore Police Station on Saturday morning.

Lewis takes charge

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

…sworn in as new chief-of-staff of GDF

By Svetlana Marshall GEORGE Allan Lewis was sworn in as the 9th Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) by Commander-in-Chief and President, David Granger, on Monday shortly after being promoted to the rank of Brigadier.

He took the oath of office before the Prime Minister (ag) and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge; Minister of State Joseph Harmon and the outgoing Chief- ofStaff, Mark Phillips, during a simple ceremony at the Officers Mess at Base Camp Ayanganna.

Senior functionaries within the GDF were also present, along with relatives of the new Chief-of-Staff. President Granger, in offering congratulatory remarks, said Brigadier Lewis’ appointment was in accordance with the Defence Act, noting too that he was the most appropriate person for the position.

“The board deliberated, the board discussed and the board decided on the retirement of Brigadier Mark Phillips,” the President said while adding that the “fittest person to be appointed the Chief-of-Staff was Colonel George Allan Lewis.”

He added: “The Board is confident that Brigadier Lewis is the most senior and best qualified officer to perform the functions of the high office of Chief-of-Staff.”

Now in office, Brigadier Lewis has the responsibility to give guidance to the force under the watch of the Defence Board.

“The Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force therefore has an unambigu-

ous mandate within the law to apply his military education, his military expertise and his military experience to protect the citizens and defend the territorial integrity of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in accordance with the Defence Act, under the Authority of the Defence Board and in accordance with the directives of the Minister.”

President Granger also

used the opportunity to offer the Board’s appreciation to the outgoing Chief-of-Staff for his service to the people of Guyana. Brigadier Phillips, who entered office in August 2013, was applauded for his conduct of exercises Greenheart and HomeGUARD. According to the President, the outgoing Chief-of- Staff displayed high levels of administrative preparedness and operational readiness.

In a brief interview with media operatives, Brigadier

Lewis said he had long aspired to be the Chief-of-Staff of the GDF. “As I grew in rank…the thought started crossing my mind and today it has been achieved,” he told reporters shortly after the ceremony ended.

In moving the force forward, Brigadier Lewis said he intends to tackle many challenges facing the GDF. “Our mandate is to provide border defense, (however), we have some challenges there which we definitely have to work on and it may

President David Granger and the outgoing Chief of Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips decorating the new Chief of Staff, Brigadier George Allan Lewis with his new badge of rank at Base Camp Ayanganna (Samuel Maughn photo)

involve some amount of recapitalisation, acquisition of new equipment and so on,” he stated.

However, he noted that these challenges are being discussed and will be solved in conjunction with the Defense Board. “We have identified the issues and we are working to resolve them,” the Chief-of-Staff emphasised.

Brigadier Lewis takes office approximately three months before he reaches the age of retirement. In addition, to his wealth of experience in the army, the Chief-of- Staff in 2003, acquired his Bachelor’s Degree in Public Management from the University of Guyana; Three years later, in 2006 he achieved his Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management from the Central Michigan University.

Additionally, he has received more than six awards, which included the Military Efficiency Medal (Guyana 1993), the 25th Anniversary Medal (Guyana 1990), the United Nations Peace Keeping Medal (United Nations Mission in Haiti 1996), the Military Service Medal (Guyana 2011) and Colaborador Emerito do Exercito Medalla do Pacificador from Brazil in 2011.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Haiti braces for Hurricane Matthew

THE centre of powerful category four Hurricane Matthew was expected to approach southwestern Haiti on Monday night, bringing with it 140 mph winds and torrential rains of 15 to 25 inches, and as much as 40 inches in some areas.

Coastal flooding was already reported in some areas of Haiti and evacuation of residents of vulnerable communities had commenced.

The airports of Port-auPrince and Cap Haitien are closed from Monday at 6:00 hrs until Wednesday at 06:00 hrs. All incoming and outgoing flights have been cancelled.

Jamaicans were warned to expect torrential rainfall from Hurricane Matthew over the next two days, which could exceed 15 inches in the eastern end of the island.

There have been reports of flooding in several areas of the island, which remained under a hurricane warning.

A hurricane warning has been issued by the Bahamas department of meteorology for the central and southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).

Governor of the TCI, Peter Beckingham, on Monday signed an order requiring the evacuation of the remote

Bad weather from the storm has already arrived in parts of Jamaica island of Salt Cay, due to the Tiburon, Haiti, and about 225 westward to the border with risks of flooding and wind miles (360 km) southwest of Haiti.

A tropical storm watch damage caused by Hurricane the capital Port au Prince. was in effect for the DominMatthew, and the potential A hurricane warning was for loss of life and injury to in effect for Jamaica, Haiti, the ican Republic from Puerto persons on the island.

Cuban provinces of Guantana- Plata westward to the border Residents of Salt Cay were mo, Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, with Haiti. Interests elseordered to evacuate immedi- Granma, and Las Tunas, the where in Hispaniola and The ately or in any event by 17:00 southeastern Bahamas, includ- Bahamas should monitor the hrs on Monday. ing the Inaguas, Mayaguana, progress of Matthew.

Matthew was moving toResidents were asked to Acklins, Crooked Island, Long ward the north near 7 mph make their own plans to leave Cay, and Ragged Island, the the island; however, in addi- Central Bahamas, including (11 km/h) and a northward tion to plans by residents, the Long Island, Exuma, Rum Cay, motion at a faster forward speed is expected through Government will be assisting San Salvador, and Cat Island. residents with evacuation by A hurricane watch was in Tuesday night. A turn toboat and airplane. effect for the Cuban province ward the north-northwest is The Government of The of Camaguey, the Turks and forecast on Wednesday. On Bahamas also began evacua- Caicos Islands, the northwest- the forecast track, the centre tions from islands likely to be ern Bahamas, including the of Matthew will approach impacted by the hurricane.

Abacos, Andros Island, Berry southwestern Haiti on MonAccording to the National Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera, day night, move near eastern Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Grand Bahama Island, and Cuba late Tuesday, and move near or over portions of the Miami, at 17:00 hrs EDT on New Providence.

Monday, the eye of Hurricane A tropical storm warning southeastern and central BaMatthew was located about was in effect for the Domini- hamas on Tuesday night and 140 miles (225 km) south of can Republic from Barahona Wednesday.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 140 mph (220 km/h) with higher gusts.

Matthew is a dangerous category 4 hurricane on the Saf-

fir- Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible during the next couple of days, but Matthew is expected to remain a powerful hurricane through Wednesday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles (65 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles (295 km).

Hurricane conditions are expected to first reach Haiti on Monday night, eastern Cuba on Tuesday, the southeastern Bahamas late Tuesday, and the central Bahamas on Wednesday.

Tropical storm conditions were expected to continue spreading across Haiti on Sunday evening, reach eastern Cuba on Monday night, the southeastern Bahamas early Tuesday, and the central Bahamas Tuesday night, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

Tropical storm conditions were also expected in portions of Jamaica and along the southern coast of the Dominican Republic within the warning area.

Hurricane conditions are possible in the northwestern Bahamas on Thursday, with tropical storm conditions possible on Wednesday.

Hurricane conditions are possible in the hurricane watch areas in Cuba and the Turks and Caicos Islands by Tuesday night with tropical storm conditions possible on Tuesday. (Caribbean News Now)

Tuesday October 04, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Wednesday October 05, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Thursday October 06, 2016 - 05:00 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Damaging to Guyana

By Shauna Jemmott

GOVERNMENT is moving to “nip in the bud” the labelling of Guyana’s Greenheart product by the United Kingdom Environment Agency as unfit for its Government construction due to claims that the local forests is not being sustainably managed.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and forestry agencies at the PSC head office on Monday, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman said the advisory, issued by the UK agency in May last year, can result in widespread damage by the tarnishing of Guyana’s reputation, and must be addressed early.

“Interestingly, it only applies to Greenheart, and it is our intention to nip it before it spreads elsewhere, and to ensure that with respect to Greenheart in particular, we address the problem at the (proverbial) root,” Minister Trotman told reporters.

The UK Environment Agency issued an advisory in the UK in May 2015, giving notice to contractors for Government-funded projects to desist from using Guyana’s Greenheart wood. Guyana is a significant commercial supplier of Greenheart to the UK, exporting an overall value of US$27 million of that commodity to the UK over the last four years.

The advisory issued by the UK agency stated that while Greenheart from Guyana is not currently available from category A - certified timber under a Forest Management Certification such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) – there is also insufficient Category B evidence to prove via documentation and due diligence that there is sustainability in the management of the forests from which the wood is sourced.

This move by the UK agency has created a great impact on the export, logging and forestry industry here, and local stakeholders are calling on the UK agency to withdrawal the advisory it issued.

Minister Trotman said the Government is in solidary with the private sector’s call, and would collaborate in finding a solution to the problem.

“We will link hands together to find a solution, because every problem must have a solution, and we are here to link hands in finding that solution,” he said.

He said Government has already engaged stakeholders and is in the process of developing a plan of action to move forward.

Trotman defended Guyana’s system of verifying the health of its forests, saying that it has been tested, proven,

-- Gov’t moves to remove UK claims that local forests unsustainably managed

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman and Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin were at the press conference on Monday and stands scrutiny, reflecting a standard recognised by Norway and other international supporters of the industry.

PREJUDICIAL ATTACK Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, sees the advisory as a prejudicial attack on Guyana’s forestry industry, and pledges Government’s support to the sector, which contributes significantly to Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“We fully support (the industry’s) position on this, in that the technical note issued by the UK Environmental Agency is prejudicial to the wellbeing of Greenheart… And if Guyana is the only place in the world where Greenheart is found in commercial quantities, then certainly it is prejudicial to Guyana itself,” Minister Gas-

kin said.

While calling Greenheart “more than a local industry”, but a product that “is part of our Guyanese identity”, the minister said the new restriction on its export to the UK has a harmful effect on Greenheart producers, and further consultations at Government and stakeholder levels will determine the most appropriate way to approach the issue.

Chairman of the Guyana Manufacturing Association (GMA) Wood Sector Group, Navendra Chand, has called for a complete withdrawal by the UK agency of the technical note, which has for months placed grievous limitations on Guyana’s export of Greenheart to the UK. “Our recommendation for the next step is to approach this matter in order to have a

complete withdrawal of the technical note, and for fair application of the UK procurement policy,” he declared.

FAR-REACHING IMPACT Highlighting that it can have far-reaching impact, Chand explained that the technical note issued in the UK stated that “a decision has been made that we (the UK) will apply the timber procure-

ment policy rigorously, and that we will only buy timber from legal and sustainable sources. This currently prohibits the purchase of new Greenheart from Guyana, as it does not have sufficient evidence based on the UK Government’s requirement that the forests of origin are sustainably managed.”

Chand told reporters that timber export -- in particular Greenheart -- has skyrocketed over the past four years, with Guyana breaking free into the industry after the economic downturn of 2008.

“In 2012, after recovering from economic downturn internationally… there was some development over a period of time; and in 2012, we started to penetrate the trade market in the UK. And I would say we reached a very fast rate to the highest point, in 2014, of Greenheart trade,” Chand said.

He said that, in 2014, Guyana experienced the highest rate of export, but in 2015 there was “an immediate nose dive” all the way up to August 2016. “That is the level of impact that Greenheart and the trade overall to the UK has been affected.”

He said Greenheart alone accounted for 90 per cent of the overall trade to the UK; and prior to the issuing of the advisory, the value of the Greenheart trade was some

US$3.2M in 2014.

However, it reduced significantly to 1.1 per cent following the decision, resulting in a 65 per cent decline in trade.

The Private Sector and Government will now work collaboratively to break barriers and remove the negative label which has been placed on its forests, restoring its name as one of the best sustained in the tropics.

“But this here is bringing tremendous harm to the image of Guyana, because while they may target a particular species, the main focus here is the forest of origin, (as) they do not believe there is enough evidence to prove sustainable practices. It is directly tarnishing the efforts that Guyana has made so far, and you know that we have been recognised not only under the LCDS (Low Carbon Development Strategy), but under ITTO (International Timber and Trade Organisation) as being one of the best managed forests in the world, in the tropical region.”

He said that with the new restriction, investors are shying away from the industry, and he is displeased that even in determining the sustainability status of Guyana’s forests, the UK agency failed to consult Guyanese stakeholders.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

A travesty of justice

IN the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control), Chapter 35:01 persons caught in possession of and trafficking in narcotics and cultivation of some plants attract the same penalty. This law includes marijuana, cocaine, and other more dangerous substances and ought to be revisited as a matter of urgency.

Its universality in treatment of violators, irrespective of the substance type, presents as unfair and unjust. Today’s science shows that marijuana has medicinal properties capable of treating illnesses such as glaucoma and cancer.

Marijuana is also prescribed by medical practitioners as a treatment. Conversely, drugs such as cocaine are considered to have adverse effects, both short and long term, leading to incidents such as stroke, death and heart attack.

In some parts of the world, including sister Caribbean country Jamaica, certain amount of marijuana is decriminalised. Legitimate use of this drug is also proving to be a significant source of revenue earner; though this ought not to be the principal argument for revisiting the drug being deemed illegal. Given the stated, it is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore continued calls by national, regional and international individual or group for marijuana decriminalisation.

Quite recently a Member of Parliament from the Alliance for Change, a party in the current coalition administration, has taken a bold step in saying he would bring a bill to the National Assembly seeking its decriminalisation.

In the meantime, the nation learnt that a 65-year old woman was sentenced for being in possession of two grams of marijuana. At the same time several persons have been caught and found guilty of being in possession of cocaine, the most recent case in the public domain is that of Barry Dataram, a self-confessed drug lord. He was found guilty by the court for being in possession of 129.230 kilogrammes (284 pounds) of cocaine, and has attracted the same sentencing, i.e. five year, as the person found guilty of being in possession of two grams of marijuana.

Outside of the evident difference in use of marijuana vis a vis cocaine, the economic implications are not the same.

Cocaine, given its market value is considered as status drug used mostly by persons of higher income bracket.

And where violators of the drugs attract the same penalty in the specific category, it not only presents a sense of unreasonableness, but that of seeking to protect or make less severe the penalty for those in the cocaine trade.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Quarrying sector faces downturn Dear Editor:

As the quarrying sector here continues to face a significant downturn, there has been a sizable dent in capital equipment sales on all fronts in Guyana in 2016. Reading the Bank of Guyana Half Year Report for 2016, one finds that the import of “capital goods” decreased by 13.9 percent or US$26.0 million. It matters not which industry we are talking about, the report clearly stated that there was a decrease in the import in the first six months of 2016 for transport machinery, building machinery, agricultural machinery, industrial machinery, mining machinery, and other capital goods.

Any competent economic thinker will tell you that importing new capital goods exposes a nation to the latest technology, which directly improves labour efficiency, which improves productivity, which positively enhances economic growth. Shifting G$1.6 billion dollar worth of stone sales to Suriname from our traditional high-quality stone suppliers has directly exported new jobs opportunity out of Guyana and has curtailed the local quarrying industry’s ability to expand and establish themselves as competitive exporters.

But the core point of this letter has

to be attributed to a comment made by Minister David Patterson, who through his spokesperson said the Surinamese are prepared to supply and deliver the stone landed at the Timehri docks at US$28 per tonne, compared to the local quotes which were around US$36 per tonne at Georgetown. But one of the suppliers hit back by saying our Guyanese quarry products are of a superior quality and they were prepared to adjust the prices downwards based on the volumes. Even if they had to cut their profits, every one of the Guyanese quarry would have done the right thing for Guyana.

This lopsided contract for inferior stones should be squashed and re-tendered with a geographic clause inserted along with a price cap of US$30 for the better quality Guyanese stones. As the local stone supplier said, based on volumes, they can reduce their prices significantly and may even match the price of the Surinamese supplier. So why not give the locals a chance to put up?

But what about national pride? President Granger talks about national pride all the time. Isn’t it President Granger, who spoke about “let us cooperate for Guyana”? But this tender board seems not to be following the President’s wishes. When large national projects like Linden Highway were being implement-

ed under the Father of the PNC, former President Burnham, always ensured that the locals shine. So what is really wrong with the PNC these days? Where is that economic nationalism from the Burnham era?

Being frugal doesn’t mean saving money. If we build that runaway on the cheap stone, we will be putting hundreds of lives at risk. So we may be having these stones cheap now, but it will cost us multiples in the long run with higher safety risk at the airport, lost jobs in the economy and direct stagnation in the quarrying sector. Therefore, we are not being economically efficient by sourcing inferior stones from a foreign country when we have world-class stones at home. It is time some people in the Ministry of Public Infrastructure ‘wizen’ up, or is this what some people are telling me; “A back room contract to benefit the new boys in town?” Is the deal really to buy cheap foreign stones instead of the better quality Guyanese stones and the difference in value will be worked through the contract to share among the new political elite?

Regards Sase Singh, M.Sc. - Finance, ACCA

Ranwell Jordan out of touch with reality Dear Editor, A letter appearing in the letters column of the local newspapers recently purportedly authored by a Ranwell Jordan, a Justice of Peace, heaping praises on the Town Clerk of Georgetown, Royston King for not only being profoundly inhumane, but for showing an appalling disrespect for vendors in the city, particularly those who operate along Robb Street, was not surprising but very disappointing nonetheless.

One must understand that Jordan owes King a debt of gratitude for (King)

awarding him (Jordan) a number of cleaning contracts recently around the city, including in Agricola where Jordan lives, and even before whilst Jordan was a City Councillor within the Georgetown Municipality, a clear conflict of interest and impropriety. Further when Jordan was a Councillor and Mayor he was allowed to have several of his close relatives including sons, daughters, nieces and nephews employed within the Council, an obvious case of nepotism.

Shockingly, he then goes on to propose that the Minister of Communities was disrespectful to King for highlighting the fact that King’s actions were

Further, what is evidently absent in the law as is in dealing with this issue is the absence of latitude of flexibility to dispense with justice in an even-handed manner, or as is said in local parlance, ‘the penalty does not fit the crime.’

Additionally to revisiting modern thinking (socio-economic) and scientific evidence regarding marijuana, the law and its application must also reflect these considerations.

illegal, and without the permission of Council and the fact that the Town Clerk is but an administrator, like any other administrative officer, hired to carry out the decisions of the council. Something has to be wrong with Jordan to have come to such an absurd conclusion.

Does Jordan, who used to go to those very vendors and ask for their votes for the national and local government elections really believe they should have had their livelihoods compromised by King in such an atrocious and evil way?

Does Jordan know that those vendors pay members of the City Constabulary Turn to page 7 ►

There is a need to continue the conversation, including through lens stated above. Guyana would find it hard to operate in isolation of 21st century thinking and scientific evidence. If those within ignore evolving trend there is need to be cautioned that it is only a matter of time before external influences and science will be brought to bear to bring the country into alignment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

UG to hold off on tuition hike VICE Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, has said he would ask his administration to hold off on a five percent hike in tuition following protest actions by students of the institution.

Students picketed the university on Monday. They began their protest action since last Friday, when many took to social media to vent their concerns about the tuition increase.

The Monday morning protest was held in front of the Registrar area, where students proudly held placards, some of which stated “Education is not

Student protesting around the GWLT area

a privilege, it is a right”, “Not a dollar more”, “Not another increase, strike the hike”.

The protesters later held a meeting with the Vice Chancellor (VC) in the George Walcott Lecture Theatre, during which Griffith announced his decision to hold

Students gather in front of registrar, protesting the 5% increase in tuition fee

Prof Rogers was a giant of a Guyanese woman Dear Editor, We read with great sadness of the passing of Professor Doris Rogers. I had the good fortune of many discussions with Professor Rogers on the importance of Art in our Cultural milieu. She was a great believer that had a great understanding of the value and utility of the fine Arts and who made a great contribution to making our society a nicer place where we express our deep feelings through the fine Arts.

It is fortunate that during my discussions with her when she visited our home, she persuaded me to purchase the set of paintings she produced while in Nigeria, including a fascinating painting with Kente clothe.

Her several paintings have greatly enhanced my personal collection and will provide a fond memory of the giant of a Guyanese woman she was.

Regards Hamilton Green

Ranwell Jordan out... every week to have Council clean the area, which they do not? Does Jordan realise how fed up the vendors have become as a result of the constant shaking down by the constables for bribes and harassment by King and company, that they have formed themselves into a union united to protect and promote their common interests, but for which the ‘Mighty King’ fails to recognize or sit and negotiate

with. To make his missive even more bizarre, he then praises the current Mayor for supporting the Town Clerk in his wrongdoings and hopes that she gets another term in office to continue the fine work that she is doing. This must be the joke of the week.

What fine work is he talking about? The corrupt parking meter contract?; her frequent sojourns overseas which are to no benefit to the citizens?; her constant attempts to de-

From page 6

press and miniaturise the Deputy Mayor?; the shipping container tax; the giving of jobs and contracts to her relatives?

It would seem as though Jordan is one of the imprudent proponents of making King and Chase-Green, the King and Queen of Georgetown, in a new monarchial type arrangement.

Regards Sean Moniz

off on the increase. He told the students that he understands why they are angry, and to make them comfortable he has discussed with the administration that the five percent increase will not be in effect until the new academic year, 2017-2018.

In addition to the tuition hike, students raised other concerns. Student Romel Roopnaraine said he is more worried after the meeting than he was before. He noted that the students have been complaining about issues that affect them directly at UG, while the administration has set aside over $250M in a bank account that is not being used, which was gained from students’ facilities fees.

This money, he believes, could have been used to rectify the washroom conditions and to add more fans within buildings; since, only two weeks ago, a female student fainted because of the heat in the place.

Griffith and his team explained how the money collected for facilities fees is being used. The VC promised “that by the end of the academic year students should see some improvements on the campus.”

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Cops still searching for bank robbers

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

“Killer” caught in Linden; gun and ammo found

‒ ammunition, getaway car found FOLLOWING the botched armed robbery outside Demerara Bank Ltd. on Camp Street and South Road, Georgetown, where a team of security guards attached to Professional Guard Service (PGS) came under heavy gunfire from bandits on Sunday night, Managing Director of PGS, Sean Kirkpatrick, said the guards will be rewarded for their act of dedication and bravery on the job.

He said team members would each be presented with monetary awards of a sum he did not want to disclose. He was proud of the team effort and the level of cooperation they displayed on Sunday night.

Kirkpatrick told the Guyana Chronicle that the PGS is Guyana’s elite security service and it has adequate numbers of well-trained and heavily armed guards doing cash deposits and response.

Security guards attached to PGS Cash Deposit Services Unit on Sunday morning engaged gunmen in what was described as an act of bravery.

The team foiled an armed robbery when its members were about to make a de-

posit at Demerara Bank Ltd. on Camp Street and South Road, Georgetown on Sunday night.

Security guard Nicholas De Clou, 30, was shot once in the leg; he has since been discharged from the hospital.

Police, in a statement, reported that three private security guards attached to the Professional Guard Service displayed courage at about 23:45h on Sunday night while on duty. In the process, they received gunshot injuries and were hospitalised in a stable condition.

The security guards -two males and a female -had just collected various amounts of cash for night safe deposits at the Demerara Bank, and while in the process of exiting the armored vehicle, criminal elements in a motor car drove up and opened fire on them, police said.

The security guards adopted tactical positions and returned fire, causing the motor car to speed away. The car has since been recovered in the Durban Backlands area with evidence that it had been involved in an exchange of gunfire.

A quantity of spent shells

and five live rounds of .38 ammunition were recovered at the scene at Demerara Bank, whilst spent shells were found in the motor car at Durban Backlands.

Meanwhile, it was reported that in an effort to locate the suspects, several nightclubs were raided by the police on Sunday morning, and surveillance footage obtained would be enhanced by the police.

The shooting went down when the PGS armoured vehicle arrived at the bank; and as the guards exited, the bandits ordered them to hand over the bag with the money. However, the alert Nicholas De Clou threw the bag containing the money in the vehicle and engaged the bandits in gunfire. He was shot and injured, but the bandits were forced to retreat empty-handed when the PGS team traded bullets with them.

According to reports, the getaway car, a Toyota 212, was observed circling the bank before the shooting incident, and was parked on Croal Street.

Up to press time there were no arrests, but the police probe continues.

The gun and ammunition seized by the police

A SERIAL armed robber was on Monday morning arrested at his home by the police in Linden. The police also recovered an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

He has been identified as Eon Ward, called “Killer,” of Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, who was recently sentenced in absentia to five years' imprisonment for robbery under arms and unlawful possession of firearm and

ammunition.

During the search of his house, ranks found an unlicensed 9mm Ruger semi-automatic pistol with seven matching rounds. Police report that the 25-year-old would be charged for possession of the unlicensed firearm and ammunition before he commences his five-year jail term.

Ward is known to the police in Linden, and they received a tip-off that he

Eon Ward, called “Killer”

had recently returned from Cayenne.

Ward’s father was killed several years ago in a confrontation with the police in Linden, and his son is said to have started his criminal career as a teenager who has served time in prison for similar offences.

Husband and wife accused of fraud

A REPUTED husband and wife were on Monday released on $25,000 bail each by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after being charged with fraud.

John Freeman, 47, and Cleya France, both of Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, were charged jointly with obtaining a quantity of greens valued at $543,000 from Baldeo Jodia with intent to defraud him by falsely

pretending that they would have paid him three times the amount, knowing this claim to be false.

The duo denied the charge, while their lawyer Clyde Forde urged the court to grant his clients reasonable bail, since the two were the parents of six minor children.

The lawyer further pointed out that his clients operate a transport service, and would normally take goods into Port Kaituma.

“The defendants had an agreement to take the greens

into the Port Kaituma area.

However, the truck had engine problems and was stuck on the trail, which caused the produce to spoil,” Forde told the court.

Police Prosecutor Inspector Neville Jeffers made no objection to bail, but pointed out that, when arrested, Freeman admitted that he had sold the produce and taken the money.

Magistrate McLennan has ordered the accused to return to court on October 25.

144 cases for hearing at October session Remand for teen on motorcycle

ONE hundred and forty-four cases, including 54 murders are listed for hearing at the October Criminal Session which opens today at the Demerara Assizes.

Judges assigned to the session are Justices James Bovell-Drakes, Roxanne George and Jo-Ann Barlow.

Justice George is assigned to hear 30 murders, five manslaughters, seven carnal knowledge and 20 rape cases.

Justice Bovell-Drakes is assigned to 11 murders, two manslaughters, 16 carnal knowledge and 20 rape cases, while Justice Barlow is expected to handle 13 murders, three manslaughters, 10 carnal knowledge and 14 rape cases.

Meanwhile, 60 ranks of the Tactical Services Unit and the Police Band will participate in the traditional ceremonial parade to mark the opening of the October Criminal Session in Demerara this

morning.

One of the assigned judges at the session will inspect a Guard of Honour drawn from the TSU and will later take the salute during a marchpast of the parade in South Road, outside of the Court.

Thereafter, the judges will take a short recess in the Chief Justice’s Chamber before retiring to their respective court rooms to begin sittings.

theft charge AN 18-YEAR-OLD teen accused of robbery under arms was remanded to prison on Monday by Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Alfred Prescott of Middle Road, La Penitence, allegedly on September 11, at West Ruimveldt while being armed with a knife, robbed Daquan Clark of a

Jialing motorcycle valued $176,800.

The labourer pleaded not guilty to the charge laid against him and told the court that he is being wrongly charged by the police.

According to Police Prosecutor Simone Payne, the motorcycle was recovered at the home of the defendant and he even admitted to the theft when police

arrested him.

Payne then successfully objected to bail based on the prevalence, penalty and seriousness of the offence. The prosecutor further pointed out that Prescott has pending matters before the courts.

The Magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favor and remanded the teen until October 17.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Remove Rose Hall Estate manager ‒ workers say as strike enters sixth day

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric AS THE Rose Hall Sugar Estate strike enters its sixth day, cane harvesters returned to the streets armed with placards calling for the removal of Estate Manager Eudi Persaud, who once managed the now defunct Wales Estate.

Shouting: “Eudi Persaud must go!”, “EM [estate manager] must go!”, “Estate Management creating problems!”, “We will defend our rights!”, and “Massa days done”, scores of workers journeyed on foot and by bicycles, while some were transported by a 30-seater bus, to the forefront of the Rose Hall Estate factory at East Canje, East Berbice on Monday morning. There they vowed to continue their militancy until dialogue is

held between management and workers.

Workers’ representative Mark Ferreira told reporters it seems as though the estate is under the radar for closure, and he urged the powers that be not to use the workers as a scapegoat.

“We are aware that GuySuCo is in a crisis; but we, the men on the ground, did not put GuySuCo in the state it is in. If they want to implement new rules, then there are ways and means.

And if GuySuCo wants to reduce cost, then let there be a pay cut for the higher hierarchy. Then they will earn for themselves moral authority,” Ferreira said.

He added: “This matter could have been settled the same day the strike was initiated, but it would seem as though this manager is getting directive from someone

on the upper echelon of the industry who is setting us up to close the estate.”

Another workers’ representative, Errol Munroe, said that last Wednesday, after being informed by the Estate Manager that there will no longer be obstacle payments unless all the shared beds -- 12 rods each -- are cleared, workers downed tools and demanded that their various representatives meet with the estate management. However, the estate manager reportedly refused to meet with them.

NO ONE CARES “We have families. No one cares. We have a new CEO, who never came to Rose Hall Estate. We have an Agriculture Manager whom we have never seen.

But as the saying goes, the tree is cut from the bottom.

GAWU representative Harvey Tombran gesturing on the picket line on Monday

Workers’ representative Mark Ferreira speaking with reporters on Monday

The cane harvesters are the bedrock of the industry and our incomes are the first to be affected. Nothing happens to the manager’s salary. He has several allowances for his blinds (curtains), bus to transport his children to school, and a range of other benefits; but the cane harvester, who is the foundation of the sugar industry, is always disregarded,” Monroe said.

Adding his voice, Dwayne Kesney, another workers’ representative, said he was told that three and a half to five beds fill one punt. However, to achieve the obstacle payment, which represents whatever bush is cleared off the bed, all plots must be cleared.

According to him, such payment was never given under such arrangements.

However, he explained that in cutting the bushes, time loss would result; but if the industry pays the time-

loss money, the workers would also have to receive a sum for time in motion, and as a result, there will no payment for punt weigh.

Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) representative Harvey Tombran said that, from inception, efforts were made to initiate a dialogue between the estate manager, field supervisors and workers’ representatives, but the request was denied.

Mr. Eudi Persaud, he said, was not willing to meet with anyone.

Efforts to solicit a comment from Persaud proved futile.

The strike started last Wednesday after management implemented what cane harvesters say is a new rule which states: “If harvesters do not cut out the amount of shared designated beds, there will be no payment.”

Some 979 workers, rep-

resenting four cane harvesting gangs, who were upset with management’s decision, downed tools, leaving behind approximately 660 punts of cane in the fields.

It resulted in a major loss for the already struggling industry.

GuySuCo, in a press release, has said that if, for any reason, the obstacles impede the harvester from executing his task in a normal manner, he and the supervisory staff concerned would agree to a price based on the quantum of obstacles present.

It should be stressed that extra (obstacles) payments are earned outside of the regular task shared.

The Rose Hall Estate management is holding firmly to an agreed principle that only on completion of the task, or achievement of 2.6 tonnes of cane, would the ‘extras’ agreed be entered for payment.

City Hall workers protest non-payment of salaries ‒ Town Clerk says payroll will be “tidied up” by Wednesday WORKERS of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) on Monday protested the non-payment of their September salaries by the M&CC outside the Ministry of Communities.

President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and the Guyana Labour Union (GLU), Carvil Duncan, who was on the frontline of the protest, said “workers are still unaware of when they will be paid, given that several previous promises went unfulfilled”.

According to him, payments were supposed to be made on or before September 25, 2016, but workers

Protestors gather in front of the Ministry of Communities on Monday

are yet to receive payments.

If the situation is not addressed, Duncan said the workers will continue to take industrial action.

According to Town Clerk, Royston King, some

of the workers were paid and City Hall is working to “tidy up” their payroll by Wednesday.

“This regrettable situation is due to a number of factors, including the in-

tensification of community works in local neighbourhoods, the provision of vital municipal services, the lack of valuation of properties for more than two decades and a substantial amount of out-

standing taxes owed in billions to Council by property owners; The private sector owes billions of dollars to the City,” City Hall said in a release.

In the past, the Council had neglected to provide vital services to local communities, including drainage, roads, bridges, public and environmental health services.

However, the situation has changed with council reaching out to all local communities to ensure health and safety and to fulfill its mandate to deliver a clean, green and healthy city to all Guyanese, City Hall said.

According to the release, at the moment, City Hall is in the process of repairing that vital bridge at Alexander

Street and South Road and the one at Barr Street and Sussex Street, along with associated drainage works.

In addition, Council is doing works in the La Penitence and connecting areas.

Repairs and restorative works to Kitty Market and the Municipal Training Complex, at Water Street, and activities to sustain effective drainage in the Central Business District, Bourda and Lacytown are ongoing, City Hall said.

“As such, the Georgetown Municipality is attempting to strike a good and necessary balance between paying our workers and contractors, and providing vital and critical services to the nation’s capital,” City Hall said.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Gov't to roll out One Laptop Per Teacher project on Wednesday THE Government of Guyana is set to launch the One Laptop per Teacher

initiative, the successor to the One Laptop per Family laptop computer dis-

tribution programme on Wednesday, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications

said on Monday.

The launch ceremony will take place from 10.00 am at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) campus, Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara. October 5th is the date designated by UNESCO as World Teachers’ Day to honour, commemorate and celebrate teachers everywhere, every year.

The Ministry of Public Telecommunications through the eGovernment Agency is collaborating closely with the Ministry of Education on this far-reaching initiative to quickly raise the level of digital literacy country-wide.

The programme involves a detailed roll-out throughout the ten administrative regions, starting immediately following Wednesday’s launch.

This One Laptop per Teacher initiative is driven by the President’s principled position that the government must provide modern research and educational tools to ensure that our children, youth and young professionals receive the most rounded development. This, of course, does not exclude mature adults who are also becoming more familiar with information communica-

tion technologies. This, he believes, must begin with proper tutelage in schools and other educational institutions.

As such, President Granger will present new laptop computers to representatives of the teaching fraternity, and the top performers (one percentile) at the 2015 National Grade Six Assessment. China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Hon. Zhang Limin, has also been invited to speak alongside Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine, and Minister of Public Telecommunications, Mrs Catherine Hughes.

Mother who dumped baby on roadway will know fate today THE PROBATION report on a 35-year-old mother who dumped her baby on a roadway because she did not want the child anymore will today be heard by City Magistrate Faith McGusty.

Jewel Coats of West Ruimveldt Georgetown, who was further remanded pending the report, is charged with wilfully endangering a child on September 20 at West Ruimveldt, in contravention of the Protection of Children Act 2009.

Coats had pleaded guilty to the charge during her initial appearance on September 23. However, when the

magistrate asked the woman why she had left the child on the side of the road, she said she did not want the baby anymore. The mother also detailed her frustrations, and cited problems with the baby’s father.

According to the prosecution, on the day in question, a family member of the accused followed her as she proceeded with the baby through West Ruimveldt. The family member said she saw the mother throw the baby onto the roadway and walk away. A dog approached the infant, and the mother then turned back, picked up the

baby and ran away.

The family member said she ran behind Coats and found her at a corner once again throwing the child on the road. This time she left the baby behind, the prosecutor said. The family member later picked up the child and reported the matter at the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost. Coats was later contacted by police ranks and told of the allegations, and she remained silent.

Today the report will be read by the probation officer, and Magistrate McGusty will pass sentence after.

Credit fraudsters to be sentenced today CITY Magistrate Leron Daly will today hear the probation reports regarding three women found guilty of fraudulently converting in excess of $48M from Telecom Solutions (Guyana) Inc. The women: Melissa Naughton, 39, of Robert Street, Better Hope, ECD; Candacie Marshall, 26, of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown; and Oladara Christian, 28, of Shell Road, Kitty, Georgetown, had in 2011 been charged with the offence.

The charge stated that between June 25, 2008 and November 23, 2009, they conspired together with other

persons to embezzle in excess of $48M in credit from Telecom Solutions Inc. The trio had initially pleaded not guilty and a trial had commenced.

The trio was found guilty by the Magistrate on August 31, 2016 after it was found that the prosecution had proven its case against the women beyond reasonable doubt.

The women’s lawyers -- Adrian Thompson, Ronald Burch-Smith and Everton Singh Lammy -- had requested probation reports on the women. In 2011, the trio worked at the company.

Naughton and Christian were employed as cashiers at the

time, and they were responsible for selling large amounts of Digicel credit via a computerised system. Marshall was the person who allegedly, from time to time, solicited the customers.

The two cashiers had invalidated several transactions which were written off, after which they would revalidate those transactions and sell them to persons and receive the proceeds for themselves.

Police, during their investigation, discovered that the transactions (air time) were sold to persons by the number three accused, but the money was never placed into the company’s account.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Stabroek Market clock set to work again

The historic Stabroek Market clock is expected to work again

AFTER many years of being out of operation, the alarm of the Stabroek Market Clock is set to be heard once again as the US Embassy has approved US$41,000 (GUY$8.2M) for its rehabilitation.

Speaking at a press briefing at City Hall on Monday, US Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway announced

that after making a proposal to affiliates in the US earlier this year, a sum of US$41,000 was approved through the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation for the rehabilitation of the clock.

The Embassy, he said, will work in collaboration with the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to get one

of the first of many projects underway in the coming weeks, given that the fund is already available.

“This project comes at a time when Guyana is celebrating 50 years of Independence, as well as 50 years of diplomatic relations with the US; hence, the initiative will be one to remember since the clock is also located within the heart of the City and is one of Georgetown’s main attractions,” the diplomat said.

Mayor of Georgetown, Patricia Chase-Green said City Hall intends to use the clock as a tourist attraction.

“The alarm of the clock will be heard once again throughout the area and Guyanese will be able to experience what it was like when the clock was active in the past,” noted the Mayor.

According to her, the Stabroek market and the clock were constructed between 1880-1881, and remains one of the oldest structures still in use in the country.

The market covers an area of about 80,000 square feet and houses a wide variety of items for sale.

The market and the prominent clock tower are reminiscent of the Victorian era of Great Britain.

11

Salvager to remove dragga from Mazaruni river THE MARITIME Administration (MARAD) of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has engaged the services of a professional salvager to remove the dredge in the Mazaruni River. The wreckage has been there since June.

Acting Harbour Master, Michael Tallent visited the location of the wreckage on Saturday. He was accompanied by professional salvager, Captain Leroy Benjamin who is expected to provide an assessment report by the middle of this week.

Meanwhile, Crown Mining Company, which owns the grounded ‘dragga’ has made attempts to remove the sunken equipment.

According to Director of the company, Mahendra Persaud initial efforts were futile because of the water

depth at the time of the incident. “When we arrived, the water was about eight feet higher than it is now and we started immediately from the front to seal the compartments. Out of the 34 compartments we managed to seal 27; the (remaining) seven are below the water.

The speed of the water is about 30 miles per hour and at eight feet high you can’t stand there,” Persaud told the Government Information Agency. He said the company will continue with its efforts.

However, Harbor Master, acting, Tallent, told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that much more needs to be done. “I think the owner of the ‘dragga’ is making some efforts, as we can see; I think his efforts are not enough to

clear the channel and that is why we, at the Maritime Administration Department will remove the dragga earliest,” Tallent said.

Benjamin is expected to present his findings and recommendations to the MARAD and works should commence thereafter. There are reports that boats cannot pass due to where the wreckage is located.

The Dragga, owned by Crown Mining of North Road, Georgetown was being relocated from the Mazaruni Mining district to the Essequibo, when it ran aground in June of this year.

A dragger is a mining apparatus like unto a floating building on which is mounted hydraulic and other equipment for extracting gold and diamond from a river’s bed. (GINA)

Jialing launches Christmas promotion AUTOMOBILE Power Products also known as Jialing on Monday launched its Christmas promotion at their Lacytown, Geogetown office under the theme “Let us celebrate Christmas together”.

For the Christmas season, Jialing will be offering in store bargain and discounts on selected items, among other special offers.

All customers who spends $5000 and more will

get a chance to enter into the grand final for a chance to win one JL110-3 trip motorcycle (first prize); one Honda Brush cutter (second prize); and one-year free motorcycle gas ($1500 per month) plus one food hamper (third prize).

Each customer is entitled to one coupon for every $5000 spent. However customers who purchase motorcycles will receive 25 coupons for any model bought during this period.

The closing date for coupons is December 17, while the grand drawing is set for December 19, 2016 at the Jialing office at 217, Oronoque and Charlotte Streets, Lacytown, Georgetown.

According to the Marketing Sales Manager, Romel Richmond, the promotion is being held to give back to customers for their support over the past year.

The promotion began on Monday.

Suspects in Rio shooting further detained POLICE have been given an extension to further detain two suspects who are persons of interest in the Rio night club shooting on September 26, which left one dead and another nursing gunshot wounds.

Initially, six persons were arrested in connection with the shooting, but four have since been released while a man and a woman remain in custody as inves-

tigation continues.

The September 26 shooting outside the Rio nightclub claimed the life of 19-year-old Ryan Sargeant, called “Harry”, of Lot 25, Layou Street, North Ruimveldt. He was reportedly shot to the head.

Jeffrey Ferrell, 48, was also shot to the neck and shoulder, and has been warded at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).

The shooting took

place outside the Rio entertainment club at about 02:30 hrs. Reports are that a girlfriend of a suspect and another female had a verbal exchange which quickly escalated into a fist fight inside the nightclub. However, the group was asked to ‘take it outside’ when their male partners intervened, and soon a group of men had an exchange of words, and shot were fired.

The Jialing promotional prizes up for grabs this Christmas

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Rohee flays Gov’t over Dataram’s escape

FORMER Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee has criticized Government for the recent escape of convicted drug trafficker Barry Dataram, saying that this should not have happened with all the institutionalised security arrangements in place.

Speaking at a People’s Progressive Party news conference on Monday, Rohee said the escape of Dataram “shows that the security arrangements of the state, which President Granger likes to boast so much about, is a disaster.

“Could you image if this had happened while the PPP/C were in office what would have been the outcry?” he asked.

Rohee then asked who had facilitated Dataram with fake documents. He wanted to know whether the Department of Citizenship was in any way involved.

“Was he escorted out of the country? If so, by whom?

Was a deal cut in exchange for his escape?” Rohee asked.

The PPP General Secretary further asked how did law enforcement come to know that Dataram had crossed the Corentyne River to Suriname, and instead did not go to Brazil or Venezuela?

“How come there is such close cooperation between law enforcement in Guyana and Suriname, yet he was allowed to slip over the border? Did he really slip over the border? And which border did he slip across? Who is

Convicted drug trafficker Barry Dataram in Dataram’s pockets? Who was paid off to ensure that his movements were not closely monitored?” Rohee asked.

His other questions were: “How did he manage to elude Operation Dragnet, which we are told was a great success when in fact it was a big failure? Dataram’s escape alone shows that.

How come he was able to know when and where road blocks were set up, and to avoid them?”

According to Rohee, the entire episode is not only laughable, but is a shame and disgrace; and he asked whether another Commission of Inquiry would be set up to investigate this great escape.

“Mr. Granger proudly proclaims that drug trafficking is the mother of all crimes. It’s strange that Mr. Granger would now tell us this when, according to Stabroek News, he is the ‘most security attuned President the country has ever had, and with his vast experience in the armed services and intelligence gathering.

“I have this to say: If drug trafficking is the mother of all crimes, then Granger’s administration is the father of all excuses,” Rohee declared.

“Harping back to what the APNU+AFC had said of the PPP/C government’s track record in fighting drug trafficking will not solve anything; and in any case, Mr. Granger should move away from speculation and hypothetical propositions about the sources of crime in a Guyana context, and present the statistics and the evidence to justify his assumption.

He hasn’t done so, yet he is bold enough to make these reckless statements,” Rohee declared.

Rohee told the news conference that President Granger had told the nation that: A national anti-narcotics agency has been established; he chairs, every week, a National Security Committee; a DEA Office has been established in Guyana; the National Drug Strategy Master Plan was re-launched.

“Yet,” he said, “with all these institutional arrangements in place, Mr. Dataram was allowed to escape. If Mr. Granger couldn’t stop Dataram from escaping, how will he bring an end to narco-trafficking?” Rohee questioned.

According to Rohee, President Granger has also complained that law enforcement does not have boats, planes, vehicles and ATVs. “Well,” he declared, “what is

PPP MP Clement Rohee stopping the Granger Administration from procuring these items for law enforcement, when, while they were in the Opposition, they pressed for these items to be procured for law enforcement?

However, now that they are in the Government, there is nothing stopping them from buying these items for law enforcement.

“Again, all we are hearing are excuses and more excuses from the father of all excuses,” Rohee declared.

President Granger last week urged members of the local law enforcement community to work with their counterparts in neighbouring countries and to use every possible legitimate avenue to locate and transport Dataram back to Guyana. He said that while he will not lay blame at the feet of any agency or individual, Dataram’s flight from Guyana was something which could have been avoided.

In yesterday’s recording of the Ministry of the Presidency’s weekly television programme The Public In-

President David Granger terest, President Granger told journalists that information suggests that Dataram is not a Guyanese, and he might have absconded using a passport not issued by the Government of Guyana. The President assured the media, though, that the police commissioner has been asked to make every effort to locate the suspect. “…so my information is that he is not travelling on a Guyanese passport.

So after his disappearance -- and we weren’t aware of his disappearance -- we continue to work with our partners in the Caribbean to bring him to justice. If he is in Suriname, as is suspected, the commissioner of police has been instructed to try to ascertain his whereabouts in neighbouring countries.

“But he is not using a Guyana passport, that much we know,” the Head of State said.

Magistrate Judy Latchman last week found the self-confessed drug lord guilty of being in possession

of a quantity of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. In his absence, he was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment and fined Gy$164,268,000. However, the charge was dismissed against his common-law wife Anjanie Boodnarine, as well as Kevin Charran and Trevor Gouveia.

Arrest warrants have been issued for Dataram and Boodnarine, who failed to turned up at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on September 20 and September 23 for their trial.

They have since not been seen or heard from. They were on bail pending the outcome of the case. “ M r. D a t a r a m i s a person of interest. He is a well-known character in Guyana, and I would expect that even though the judicial branch is separate, there should be a greater level of alertness on the part of the magistracy, in the judiciary, in matters like this; and I don’t regard it as a failing on the part of law-enforcement agencies, but it is definitely an error which ought to have been avoided.

“The danger posed in having somebody who is now a convict out there out of the jurisdiction is going to be harmful to our national interest; so I would urge the law-enforcement agencies to alert their counterparts in neighbouring states,” President Granger said.

Local Gov’t Elections case

AG maintains PPP’s challenge flawed …Chief Justice to rule shortly ACTING Chief Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards has said she would soon determine the applications filed by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Member Zulficar Mustapha to quash the appointments made by Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan in six local authorities following the Local Government Elections here in March.

Bulkan had appointed Mabaruma Mayor and chairs of five Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) following ties in those bodies

at the Local Government Elections. Government had said that an offer was made to the Opposition PPP/C to give them the right to elect the senior posts in local authority areas based on the plurality of votes, but this offer was rejected by them.

The PPP subsequently filed for the orders in the High Court on the basis of their contention that the minister had acted contrary to, and in violation of, the Municipal and District Councils Act, Cap. 28:01, and Justice Diana Insanally

g r a n t e d a n i n t e r i m o rder quashing the appointments.

The orders were filed by PPP/C Member of Parliament (MP) Attorney-at-law Anil Nandlall on behalf of fellow MP Zulficar Mustapha. Attorney General Basil Williams had in response noted that the court action filed by the PPP/C, quashing the decision by Bulkan to appoint Mabaruma’s Mayor and the five NDC chairs at Woodlands/ Farm, Woodlands/Bel Air, Malgre Tout/ Meer-Zorgen, Gibraltar-Fyrish and Industry-Plaisance, was a case of misinterpretation of the

law, and he had challenged the orders.

On Monday, the AG and Nandlall went head-to-head in the High Court before Acting Chief Justice Cummings-Edwards. After hearing the positions put by the Attorney General and PPP Member of Parliament, Justice Cummings-Edwards informed them that she had reserved her decision and they would accordingly receive notice when her decision would be publicised.

The Attorney General has nevertheless maintained that the Chief Justice (ag) must first determine whether the court has jurisdiction to

proceed with the matter. He has argued that only through an election petition could such a matter be heard in the High Court, and he has emphasised that the High Court has exclusive jurisdiction to determine questions in dispute from Local Government Elections.

The PPP had, however, not filed an election petition, but a prerogative writ.

The Attorney General also believes that the PPP further erred when they filed the applications through their Executive Member Mustapha. According to him, Mustapha had no “locus standi” or right to bring the actions in

the court. “Because, under the legislation, only a person who is a registered voter or who is a candidate at elections in the specific local authority area, whether as a township or an NDC, only then could you have an applicant challenging or questioning the validity of anything done,” Minister Williams explained.

He is maintaining that the first duty of the Court is to ensure that it has jurisdiction before embarking on a hearing. “It would be a waste of judicial time to hear the entire case (only) to discover that in the first place you had no jurisdiction,” he posited.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Army in good hands

By Alva Solomon

AT APPROXIMATELY 17:20 hrs on Monday, outgoing Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips officially handed over command of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to his successor, newly-promoted Brigadier George Lewis.

Brigadier Phillips, who proceeds on retirement leave today, has put on notice that the military remains in good hands as he called on the nation to view the military as a call to service, rather than an avenue of employment.

The change of command was witnessed by dozens of persons, including President David Granger, acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, among other senior Government officials and members of the Disciplined Services.

Former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds was also in attendance.

In his farewell speech, Brigadier Phillips, who served the GDF for almost 36 years, expressed appreciation to the former Donald Ramotar Government for selecting him to lead the GDF as its 8th Chief of Staff.

Equally, he expressed appreciation to the APNU+AFC Government for expressing confidence in him as he continued serving as leader of the military, post -May 2015.

“This vote of confidence by both major polit-

ical grouping in Guyana I consider a fitting testimony to my earlier commitment and promise to the people of Guyana to let professionalism be my guide on assuming the office of Chief-of-Staff on the 17th of September 2013,” he added.

He said prior to assuming command of the Force, he considered himself well prepared for any leadership position within the GDF, including his last post.

Brigadier Phillips noted that he was “fully aware” of the principle purpose of the Army, which he said is to provide the potential for securing the nation, the freedom of the populace and the promotion of national interests.

He said that this captured clearly what is required of the senior leadership of the Army.

Under his tenure, he said that the Army was vigilant and ready to defend defined aggression on the country’s borders, as well as to support the civilian authorities in protecting national interests. He said his term was also one characterised by increased training activities and a high operational tempo.

He also highlighted the GDF’s role and state of readiness for the May 2015 general elections, as well as Local Government Elections earlier this year.

Brigadier Phillips added that the Army was “busy” with contingency planning and reinforcement exercises to better define aggression on the nation’s borders,

--says outgoing Chief-of-Staff Mark Phillips

Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, George Lewis, shares a word with President David Granger during the change-of-command parade

a point he reiterated as he spoke.

To this end, he called for the immediate acquisition of air and maritime assets to safeguard the country.

He said this will assist in greater “domain awareness” over the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), as well as ensure a faster operational reach into the hinterland and border areas.

As he noted the substantial numbers of recruits in recent years, he said that “attracting, employing, training and retaining good people remain a critical function of the Guyana

The parade commander leads his team during the event on Monday afternoon

Defence Force”.

As the sun set in the distance, Brigadier Phillips expressed appreciation to all officers and ranks who participated in the parade on Monday, as well as his staff who supported him during his

time as leader of the military.

He said he always wanted to end his career with energy and flare, and it happened. He quoted author Robert Greene to this effect and applauded the supporting role of his family mem-

bers, including his wife and children.

Earlier on Monday, President Granger promoted Colonel George Allan Lewis to the rank of Brigadier, before swearing him in as the ninth Chiefof-Staff of the Force.

Brigadier Mark Phillips during his final address to the GDF

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

DTL workers protest for higher pay

By Svetlana Marshall

WORKERS of the Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL) and officials of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) on Monday staged a picketing exercise outside that company’s head office in Kingston, Georgetown.

They are calling on the company to engage in good faith negotiations with their union, GAWU. The logging company has not increased the salaries of its workers since 2014.

Bilateral negotiations between the union and the

DTL workers and their union representatives picketing the DTL Head Office in Kingston, Georgetown

company reached a stalemate on November 17, 2015 after the company failed to approve any increase in wages and salaries for its workers.

However, DTL had offered a Christmas bonus of $5,000 to each worker, after informing them that its financial state prevented it from offering a salary increase.

This position was, however, rejected by the workers, and a protest was staged at the company’s Mabura Hill operations on November 19, 2015.

Several long-serving employees of the company on Monday renewed their calls for a salary increase as they stood peacefully in front of the Kingston office. “It affecting all of us, because some of us are below the minimum wage for the Government; so it really affecting us,” Celine Thomas told reporters.

Derrick Toney, another protestor, said it was time the company adheres to their calls. “We out here protesting since last year, 2015, and they still ain’t increasing we salary. When the union reps call him (the General Manager) in, he refused to go, so that’s why we come out here today. He gah go meet with them,” a determined Toney posited.

Though they did not speak to reporters, other workers held placards bearing a number of slogans, including “2016 nearly done and no pay rise since 2014”, “DTL not above the law”, “DTL must engage in good faith bargaining”, “End the foot dragging!”, “Management eye-pass workers”,

“CEO disrespectful to workers union and Ministry”, and “Conclude 2015 negotiations now”.

In a statement issued subsequent to the picketing exercise, GAWU explained that, after the impasse in 2015, the dispute was next subjected to conciliatory services by the Social Protection Ministry, Department of Labour, but DTL has been dragging its feet on the matter.

“On several occasions, the company refused to attend meetings summoned by the conciliator, Francis Carryl. This led to the involvement of Minister Keith Scott of the Ministry of Social Protection, who wrote the company mandating (its personnel) to meet with the union and the Ministry.

Though a few meetings were held, the company remains unmoved, and is unwilling to divulge its financial statements for scrutiny by the parties,” GAWU further e xplained.

According to the union, the workers have grown tired of DTL’s lack of respect for them, their unions and the Social Protection Ministry.

“They maintain that they are deserving of a pay raise for both 2015 and 2016, especially in view of the rising cost of living. They noted that 2016 is nearly through and the company continues to drag its feet, thus their resort to protest,” the union stated.

The workers and the union are maintaining that DTL must return to the bargaining table and favourably resolve the matter.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

India crush Kiwis to regain No.1. Test ranking (REUTERS) - India crushed New Zealand by 178 runs in the second Test yesterday to clinch the three-match series and reclaim top spot in the world rankings from Pakistan.

Chasing 376 for victory, the touring side were bundled out for 197 in fading light on the fourth day at Eden Gardens to give India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

India will return to the top of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings irrespective of the result of the third and final Test in Indore which starts on Saturday.

India’s ambition to regain the top ranking after handing over the honour to arch-rivals Pakistan recently, following a washed-out Test in the West Indies dove-tailed perfectly with the bumper Test season at home.

“With the coming home season we have control of that situation (staying number one),” captain Virat Kohli said at the presentation, referring to the season ahead where India will also host Tests against England, Australia and Bangladesh.

It was an all-round show

trapped leg-before in the first over after lunch by off-spinner Ashwin, who also sent back stand-in skipper Ross Taylor (four) in similar fashion.

Latham concentrated hard to bring up his second half-century of the series and added 49 for the second wicket with

Henry Nicholls (24), who replaced regular captain Kane Williamson in the side.

Nicholls edged Jadeja to slip before Shami picked up two quick wickets by getting the ball to reverse-swing and New Zealand lost seven wickets in the final session.

SCOREBOARD

The Indian players get together after their crushing 178-run win over New Zealand in Kolkaata on the fourth day. from the Indian bowlers with spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja and fast bowler Mohammed Shami picking up three wickets each.

New Zealand opener Tom Latham waged a lone battle,

top-scoring for his side with a dogged 74.

Latham and Martin Guptill (24) survived nervous moments before lunch to give New Zealand a solid start with a series-best opening stand of 55.

Guptill, whose place in the side is under scrutiny after a string of poor scores, was on six when he was given not out following a confident appeal for lbw by Shami.

The right-hander was

INDIA 1st innings 316 (C. Pujara 87, A. Rahane 77, W. Saha 54 n.o.)

NEW ZEALAND 1st innings 204 (B. Kumar 5-48) INDIA 2nd innings (o/n 227-8) M. Vijay c Guptill b Henry 7 S. Dhawan lbw b Boult 17 C. Pujara lbw b Henry 4 V. Kohli lbw b Boult 45 A. Rahane c Boult b Henry 1 Ro. Sharma c Ronchi b Santner 82 R. Ashwin lbw b Santner 5 W. Saha not out 58 R. Jadeja c sub. b Santner 6 B. Kumar c Nicholls b Wagner 23 M. Shami c Latham b Boult 1 Extras: (b-10 lb-1 w-3) 14 Total: (all out, 76.5 overs) 263 Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-24, 3-34, 4-43, 5-91, 6-106, 7-209, 8-215, 9-251.

Bowling: T. Boult 17.5-6-38-3 (w-2, M. Henry 20-2-59-3, N. Wagner 15-

3-45-1 (w-1), J. Patel 8-0-50-0, M. Santner 1-2-60-3.

NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings (Target: 376 runs) T. Latham c Saha b R. Ashwin 74 M. Guptill lbw b R. Ashwin 24 H. Nicholls c Rahane b Jadeja 24 R. Taylor lbw b R. Ashwin 4 L. Ronchi b Jadeja 32 M. Santner lbw b Shami 9 B. Watling b Shami 1 M. Henry c Kohli b Jadeja 18 J. Patel b B. Kumar 2 N. Wagner not out 5 T. Boult c Vijay b Shami 4 Extras:

0 Total: (all out, 81.1 overs) 197 Fall of wickets: 1-55, 2-104, 3-115, 4-141, 5-154, 6-156, 7-175, 8-178, 9-190.

Bowling: B. Kumar 12-4-28-1, M. Shami 18.1-5-46-3, R. Ashwin 316-82-3, Jadeja 20-3-413.

Golden Jaguars intensify preparations

By Ras Wadada

THE Golden Jaguars will hold twice-daily sessions today and tomorrow at the Leonora Stadium as they get ready to depart for Suriname to begin their third-round campaign at the weekend.

The 22-man squad, which comprises 12 foreign-based players, will be cut to 20 tomorrow after the final training session, which takes place under the watchful eyes of head coach Jamal Shabazz and his assistants

Wayne Dover and Andrew Hazel (goalkeeper).

Early yesterday morning US-based midfielders Brandon Beresford and Wayne Creavalle as well as Mexico-based Anani Mohamed arrived in the country to join the squad and in the afternoon, they were involved in a tree-wrapping exercise at Camp and Lamaha Streets in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Chronicle Sport caught up with the trio after the ceremony and got some comments.

Brandon Beresford, who plays for the Rochester Rhinos in the USL, was delighted to once again be a part of the Golden Jaguars and sees the upcoming games as crucial, “It has been a positive mood in the camp since I arrived and I am looking forward to the two games which I think will be the 2 biggest games for me as we are close to qualifying for the Gold Cup. “Although I have scored several times for Guyana at the international level and am

always looking for an opening to score, this is not my primary task now, but definitely if the opportunity presents itself I will take that chance,”, the 24-year-old stated.

Mohamed, who has just signed with Mexican division two side Atalante has also donned the national colours, debuting in 2011 at 19 years and is happy to be back in Guyana for the 3rd time, ”This is a fantastic opportunity, not only for my personal career, but for Guyana’s football. I am happy to finally

reunite with the Golden Jaguars.

“This is definitely the biggest moment of my career which began in the San Francisco Bay area and I must say we are in a good position to qualify for the Gold Cup for the first time. I am truly honoured to be part of the Jaguars again and look forward to the two games, especially the one against the Reggae Boyz.”

First-timer to the Golden Jaguars, Creavalle is a 5-year MLS player with the Philadel-

phia Union and claims he is fulfilling a dream.

“Representing Guyana is something I have always thought about in the past, so being here is like a dream come true. It is a great feeling to be in the country of my Dad’s birth for the first time and I must say I already feel connected. I am eagerly looking forward to the games and hope my experience can add to the team’s performance,” the 26-year-old central midfielder said.

entire team and one of the best coaches we have had and he has done so much in a short period. Everyone knows that, and we were making positives,” stated Bravo.

The multi-talented West Indies allrounder said he was concerned about the impression given to the younger players on the tour. “Without Dwayne Bravo saying anything to the young players, when those guys get there and realise what is going on, their first statement is that their windball team is better organised,” he added.

Bravo said he remains

passionate about the sport but no longer has the desire to play “this type of cricket any more.”

“While my passion remains for the game and the sport, and I am always motivated when I take the field, what about those young players who I want to see come through. I no longer have that energy, that zeal to play a part in this type of cricket, and while I speak for myself, I echo the views of most of my teammates. Guys no longer have that interest anymore and it is sad to say that at the moment.”

The West Indies were swept in the three-match T20 series and suffered losses in the two One-day Internationals played so far.

Bravo said he is concerned about the future of cricket in the region and warned that change has to start at the regional level. “If change comes at the territorial level with the respective cricket boards, there is a chance for improvement.”

He said that change must start with Trinidad and Tobago. “Time has come for change, the entire Caribbean fans, the people of the region, are all hurting, so we as players as well, feel the

hurt, feel very disappointed in the way how cricket is being run in Trinidad and Tobago and by extension in the West Indies.

I honestly do not see anything changing if the current administrators remain and they know why they are doing the things to actually try to remain. At the end of the day, I do not think they have the best interest of cricket, it is all about egos and these kind of things,” remarked Bravo.

them and do not have their interest at heart. He pointed to himself, Keiron Pollard, Sunil Narine and Lendl Simmons.

“It is difficult in those circumstances to encourage these players to want to play in this environment.

There is a strong possibility that the people of Trinidad and Tobago may never get the opportunity to witness any of these players come together and represent Trinidad and Tobago again.

That is a sad situation. People need to open their eyes and make changes,” said Bravo.(Extracted from Trindad Guardian).

Windball cricket better organised than...

From back page

individually the West Indies players were always motivated, the events leading up to the team leaving the Caribbean disturbed the entire momentum of the squad.

“The honest truth is that it is very difficult for a bunch of 15 guys to really switch on when they are leaving for a series and the day of the team travelling they find out that their head coach (Phil Simmons) was fired.

Like which organisation in the world would do things like that? This was a coach that had the support of the

Bravo said there were T&T players who believed that the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board do not support

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

World heavyweight Woods savours mentor role but hopes to play champion Fury is Ryder Cup again now ‘here to stay’

By Larry Fine

CHASKA, Minnesota (Reuters) - Tiger Woods, sidelined from playing for more than a year due to persistent back problems, threw himself into his role as assistant captain on the United States’ Ryder Cup team and loved the experience.

“As a player that has been on these teams, to be on a different side of it, to be on the vice-captaincy side of it has meant so much to me,” Woods told reporters after the U.S. beat Europe for the first time since 2008, clinching a 17-11 triumph at Hazeltine on Sunday.

“To be part of getting to know these 12 guys, and these vice-captains and our captain on a deeper level has

Tyson Fury

(REUTERS) - Britain’s world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury said he was now “here to stay” just hours after announcing his retirement from boxing yesterday.

“Boxing is the saddest thing I ever took part in, I’m the greatest, and also retired,” Fury said in an expletive-filled rant on Twitter.

A few hours later, however, the 28-year-old revealed he was planning to

carry on fighting.

“Hahahaha u think you will get rid of the GYPSYKING that easy!!! I’m here to stay. #TheGreatest just shows u what the Media are like. Tut tut,” he said.

Fury, WBA and WBO and IBF champion, had been due to defend his titles against Wladimir Klitschko in July but pulled out with an ankle injury.

The fight was rescheduled for this month but postponed again due to an

golf in coming months and ultimately return as a playing member of the U.S. team.

“I would love to do it,” he said about a captaincy. “I would be honoured to do it in the future if asked.

“But from the player standpoint of it, I like playing. I love these guys. I love being out there in the fight with these guys.

“I was just in the fight a different way and had to do my role ... and it was pretty cool.”

Bubba Watson thought having Woods as a fellow vice-captain was a kick.

“I have Tiger’s cell phone number now, yes.

I’m going to text you all the time,” said Watson, drawing laughs from the team and Woods himself.

unspecified medical condition.

Fury has tested positive for cocaine, ESPN reported last week citing a leaked letter sent by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA). Reuters was unable to verify details of the report.

F u r y ’s u n c l e a n d trainer Peter Fury said recently that the boxer was “almost at breaking point” and receiving professional help.

Sharapova doping ban appeal verdict to be given today MARIA Sharapova will find out today if her twoyear doping ban will be overturned, says the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The five-time Grand Slam winner, 29, was banned by the International Tennis Federation after testing positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open.

The Russian, who said she had been taking the drug since 2006 for health problems, appealed against the ban.

She maintains she had “not tried to use a performance-enhancing substance”.

meant so much to me.

“And the relationships that we’ve forged here this week and actually before this week, these are bonds that will last a lifetime.”

Woods, 40, has played in seven Ryder Cups but only in one winning team and has a record of 13 wins, 17 losses and three halves.

Players including Patrick Reed, the top U.S. points earner with 3.5 from five matches, and Brandt Snedeker, a spotless 3-0 in the competition, have praised Woods for his dedication and the help they received from him.

Although enthused by the idea of becoming a future Ryder Cup captain, Woods hopes to make yet another comeback to competitive

Team Europe vice-captain Thomas Bjorn and Team USA vice-captain Tiger Woods on the first hole during the single matches in 41st Ryder Cup Hazeltine National Golf Club. (Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)

Al-Amin Hossain returns to ODI squad for hosts

Maria Sharapova In a statement, CAS said its decision would be announced at 14:00 BST today.

Meldonium became a banned substance on January 1, 2016. (BBC Sport)

BANGLADESH have recalled fast bowler Al-Amin Hossain for the first two of their three one-day internationals against England.

Al-Amin, 26, was dropped for the Tigers’ recent 2-1 ODI series win at home to Afghanistan.

Fellow seamer Taskin Ahmed, who returned to international cricket in September after having his bowling action cleared, has also been included.

Left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain, who made his first one-day appearance in eight years against Afghanistan, has retained his place in the Bangladesh squad.

Mosharraf, 34, finished with figures of 3-24 in the final ODI against Afghanistan, which Bangladesh won by 141 runs.

England take on a Bangladesh Cricket Board Select XI in Fatullah, before moving to Mirpur for the

first and second ODIs, with the third in Chittagong.

Bangladesh ODI squad: Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Mosaddek Hossain, Mahmudullah, Nasir Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkp.), Sabbir Rahman, Shafiul Islam, Mosharraf Hossain, Al-Amin Hossain, Taskin Ahmed. (BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Victoria Park, SCC to clash in SCA Elite final

By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada -The inaugural winners of the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) Elite Division will be crowned on Saturday when Scarborough Cricket Club (SCC) and Victoria Park clash in the 50-over final.

This followed SCC’s victory over Ambassadors Cricket Club and Victoria Park’s crushing of Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) at the Ashtonbee ground on Sunday.

After ruling the roost in the Premiere League for six consecutive years and enduring one of their worst seasons, HACC succumbed to the spin of leftarm spinner Parth Desai and leg-spinner Shailesh Patel and were bundled out for a paltry 87 in 24.3 overs, replying to the challenging 192 for seven made by Victoria Park in the reduced 40-over semi-final.

Bowling in tandem after just one over of pace, the combination spun

webs around the HACC batsmen and from a position of 24 without loss, the six-time Premiere League champions, slipped to an unbelievable 51 for eight with Desai grabbing four for 16 and Patel four for 18 from their respective eight overs.

Number 10 batsman Shiwram Chidanand (22) and former Guyana wicketkeeper (18) added 36 for the eighth wicket before they both departed at 87 as HACC went down by 107 runs.

Earlier, Victoria Park had won the toss and elected to take first strike on a cloudy morning. They were 68 for three in 16 overs when more than an hourlong break meant the game was reduced to 40 overs.

Consistent scores from opener Krunal Patel (40 with five fours and a six), Shailesh Patel (38 with two fours), Anand Erramilli (31 with two fours,) Aashin Patwari (31 with two fours) and Guyana’s Eugene LaFleur (26 not out with a six and a four)

… HACC six-year rule ends in emphatic fashion

HACC president Narchand ‘Archie’ Mohan (centre) hands over a token of appreciation to the newlywed couple, Mr and Mrs Azhad Amidon.

BCCI rejects several key reform recommendations

(REUTERS) - The Indian cricket board (BCCI) has rejected some of the Supreme Court’s key recommendations aimed at administrative reform, a move that could bring sanctions from the country’s highest judicial body.

The Court accepted in July most of the recommendations of the Lodha Committee, a three-member panel it set up to look into the operations of the world’s richest cricket board, which is run by politicians and businessmen and has been criticised for a perceived lack of transparency.

In their report, former Chief Justice of India RM Lodha and two of his colleagues recommended age and tenure restrictions for top officials, as well as banning them from serving successive terms.

The BCCI, after a marathon special general meeting

BCCI president Anurag Thakur on Saturday, said in a state- accepted those recommen- scheduled around the same ment it had adopted “im- dations,” BCCI president time. portant recommendations” Anurag Thakur told reThakur said a detailed made by the committee but porters. report would be sent to The BCCI said it would the Lodha Committee and made no mention of the age and tenure recommendations not be able to provide a submitted to the Supreme nor a “one state/one vote” 15-day gap between the Court, which has scheduled India team’s matches and the next hearing in the case policy.

“Wherever they (mem- the Indian Premier League for tomorrow. bers) find legal challeng- Twenty20 tournament in The Court had earlier es and practical difficul- 2017, as per recommen- said all of the committee’s ties, they have given their dation, as the Champi- recommendations must be viewpoints and have not ons Trophy in England is adopted by the BCCI.

ensured the eventual winners reached a respectable total. Left-arm spinner Imran Kahn claimed three for 29 from eight overs, Farook Hussain two for 27 from five and Zaheer Allard two for 48 from eight.

The other semi-final was a more competitive affair with SCC, who lost to HACC in last year’s Premiere League final, winning by five wickets after being set 191 for victory in their game which was also reduced to 40 overs.

Led by a sparkling 82 from Usman Limbada and 72 from Suhauk Variava, SCC reached the required target in 38.2 overs, losing five wickets in the process.

Limbada struck five sixes and five fours while Variava’s knock included two sixes and two fours.

Skipper Ronald Ramnarine claimed two for 26 from six overs and Amerish Deoraj two for 36 from four.

Ambassadors were earlier bowled out for 190 in 39.5 overs with Sahil Nibber hitting four sixes and five fours in a top score of 76 while Ramnarine chipped in with 25 (two fours).

Meanwhile, it was a bitter-sweet occasion for HACC whose long-standing skipper Hemnarine Chattergoon announced his retirement from the game after indicating at the beginning of the season that it would have been his last. Chattergoon will be further honoured at the club’s upcoming presentation and dinner at a date to be announced.

The club also took the opportunity to honour one of its players, Azhad Amidon, who tied the knot last Friday. Amidon and wife were presented with a token of appreciation by HACC president Narchand ‘Archie’ Mohan on behalf of the members.

Durham lose Test venue status after receiving ECB bailout

(REUTERS) - Durham have been stripped of their status as a Test match venue and relegated to the second division of the English county championship after receiving a £3.8M bailout from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Durham’s Chester-le-Street ground first hosted Test cricket in 2003 and staged a five-day match between England and Sri Lanka this year. It will continue to be eligible as a venue for one-day internationals.

With debts reported at £7.5M the ECB money will allow Durham to meet their operational costs and pay staff wages as well as settle debts.

“We’ve been working with Durham County Cricket Club throughout the year on how best to address their financial issues; we welcome the club’s willingness to review its business model and management structures,” the ECB said in a statement yesterday.

“There is no doubt that a strong, financially robust Durham County Cricket Club has a vital role to play in developing England talent, enriching our domestic competitions and underpinning the wider growth of the game in the north east.”

Durham, who were awarded first-class status in 1992 to become one of 18 teams in the championship, will start next season in the second division with a 48-point penalty and will be subject to a salary cap until 2017.

Hampshire, who finished bottom of the first division last season and were relegated, will now stay in the top tier of the county championship.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

FIFA chief Infantino suggests 48-team World Cup (REUTERS) - FIFA president Gianni Infantino, whose election promises included expanding the World Cup finals to 40 countries, yesterday proposed an even larger tournament involving 48 teams.

However, he suggested that 16 of those teams would go home after just one knockout match, and the remainder of the tournament would be played, as now, with a 32team group stage, followed by a knockout phase.

Infantino, speaking during an event at Bogota’s Sergio Arboleda university, said a final decision would

FIFA president Gianni Infantino

be taken by the FIFA Council in January, Colombian media reported. A FIFA spokesperson confirmed that the reports were accurate.

“These are ideas to find the best solution, we will debate them this month and we will decide everything by 2017,” Infantino was quoted as saying. “They are ideas which we put forward to see which one is the best.”

Infantino said his suggestion was to have a preliminary knockout round involving 32 teams played in the host country, with the 16 winners reaching the group stage. A further 16 seeded

teams would get a bye into the group stage, he said.

“The idea is that 16 teams would qualify directly to the group stage and the other 32 would play in a preliminary phase, in the country where the World Cup is being played - they would play for the remaining 16 places,” he said.

“It means we continue with a normal World Cup for 32 teams, but 48 teams go to the party.

“FIFA’s idea is to develop football in the whole world, and the World Cup is the biggest event there is,” he added.

“It’s more than a competition, it’s a social event.”

Infantino was elected FIFA chief on February 26 to replace Sepp Blatter, who received a six-year ban for ethics violations.

A key point of Infantino’s election platform was to increase the tournament to 40 teams, although critics say this number creates difficulties in finding a suitable and simple format.

Germany coach Joachim Loew said on Sunday that a larger tournament would “dilute” its sporting value, while European clubs have strongly opposed an increase in the number of teams.

NSBF tournament …

Plaisance Academy down defending champions Kwakwani 47-30

By Daniel Haynes ON a day when the U-16 quarter-finals got underway, blowouts, upsets and walkovers were the trend as the Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG), National Schools Basketball Festival closed out its second weekend.

The first game of the day ended as a walkover for Bishops’ High School girls after Berbice High School failed to show up for their rematch. The walkover continued into the first quarterfinal of the day with St. Rose’s High being awarded their game after Bladen Hall only had three players at the start of play.

The second quarterfinal of the day featured Mackenzie High having a dominating

performance over St Joseph High. The game finished 7817 with 8 of Mackenzie’s players scoring.

Leading their charge was Yannick Tappin who turned in a double-double with 16 points and 11 steals. Assisting him were Odiame Reece, Denzil Roberts and Rasheed Liverpool, with Reece scoring 8 and Roberts and Liverpool finishing with 6 apiece. For St Joseph Tahir Meusa turned in 6 points for his side.

Marian Academy pulled through to a shaky 4-point win against North Georgetown Secondary in a game ending 16-12. North Georgetown, newcomers to the tournament, were able to hold Marian to 5 points at the half while scor-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Tuesday October 04, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Imad Wasim (PAK) (2) Sarfraz Ahmed (PAK) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many dismissals Pakistani wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed effected in the just-concluded T20 series against the WI? (2) How many dismissals WI wicketkeeper Andre Fletcher effected?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Action in the Plaisance versus Kwakwani encounter. ing 2 of their own. The second half, however, saw many missed chances and missed calls by the referees.

However, Marian was able to pull through, led by Jahleel Young’s 10 points. The national centre stated after the game, “It was a wake-up call.

We need to improve and get

better as we advance in the tournament.”

For North Georgetown Jamol Shepherd scored 8 points in the losing effort, with Raymond Glen adding the remaining 4 points.

In the final game of the night, Plaisance Academy sent home defending champions

Kwakwani Secondary in an upset blowout game 47-30.

From the tip, Plaisance came out with defensive intensity, coupled with good looks at the basket for point conversions.

Kwakwani looked out of sync offensively, failing to convert on most of their shots.

The height and size of the Plai-

sance players proved to be the determining factor in the game as Andrew Johnson poured in 20 points in the effort. He was supported by Shamar Payne and Ismail Chapman who scored 11 and 10 points respectively.

For Kwakwani Secondary, Isaiah David, Isaiah Hintzen finished with 6 points apiece with Kadeem Dover scored 5.

Action continues in the tournament on Friday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The organisers hope there will be no 2-hour delay at the start like the one experienced on Sunday, due to University of Guyana’s basketball practice.

The tournament is sponsored by Digicel, Banks DIH Limited and Beharry Group of Companies.

Johnson, Hope hit half-centuries for West Indies JONATHAN Carter and Miguel Cummins gave a good account of themselves on the opening day of West Indies’ two-day fixture against Emirates Cricket Board XI in Dubai.

The fast-bowling pair picked up seven wickets between them to reduce their opponents to 56 for 7, after the batsmen, led by Shai Hope and Leon Johnson, had scored half-centuries in their total of 249 for 6 declared in 70 overs.

Scores: Emirates Cricket Board XI 56 for 7 (Anwar 23;

Leon Johnson Carter 4-20, Cummins 3-12) trail West Indies 249 for 6 decl. (Hope 59, Johnson 50) by 193 runs.

The West Indians, who

have already lost the T20I and ODI series against Pakistan, had the top six batsmen getting off to starts after they elected to bat. Apart from Hope and Johnson, Roston Chase, who brought up his maiden Test century against India in Jamaica in July, and Jermaine Blackwood retired on 38 and 45 respectively.

An opportunity for some of the fringe players like Johnson, Shane Dowrich and Jonathan Carter, all of whom chipped in with useful contributions, came up as three reg-

ulars in the Test squad - Kraigg Brathwaite, Marlon Samuels and Darren Bravo - are in the midst of the ODI series against Pakistan.

Off-spinner Rohan Mustafa and medium-pacer Amjad Javed picked up one wicket apiece for the Emirates Cricket Board XI. With the bat, only Shaiman Anwar offered any sort of resistance, to end the day unbeaten on 23. He was the only one to reach double figures as five of his teammates did not open their accounts.

(ESPN Cricinfo

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Richard Ishmael, St John’s and Saints top District 11 Inter-School cycling AS the North Georgetown, District 11, completed the cycling component of their Inter-School Championships, Richard Ishmael, St John’s College and St Stanislaus College (Saints) emerged winners of their respective zones, when the competition concluded yesterday at the National Park, Thomas Lands.

Richard Ishmael prevailed with 126 points, to end with a massive lead over Chase Academy in Zone One. Other competitors were from GTI and Queen’s College (QC). Chase ended with 62 points, just ahead of GTI,’s 57 points. QC brought up the rear with 28 points.

Over in Zone Two, St John’s had literally no competition and took a stressfree win with 103 points.

Saints ended with 76 points, some 53 points in front of Brickdam.

Zone Four, comprises

top two spots, respectively, in the 800m.

Low also went on to win the 2000m race, where Saints’ Remar Alexander ended in second place. Ishmael’s Dino Boutere led the 1500m, while QC picked up a second-place finish thanks to Damani Everseley.

Teslon Ward won the 3000m for Ishamel as well, and his schoolmate Kelon Matherson finished second.

Chase Academy’s Nigel Duguid wins the Boys’ Open 2000m yesterday at the District 11 cycling competition. the primary schools of the District and they do not take part in the cycling segment of the competition.

As the day’s competition played out on the National Park circuit, St John’s and Richard Ishmael bagged

big wins in the Boys’ Under-14 category, where St John’s Meshack Roberts and Brandon Low took the

Ali takes straight wins in GCF junior qualifiers tournament WOMEN candidate master Sheriffa Ali ended with the maximum three points after three rounds to top the list of competitors vying in the ongoing Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) National Junior Qualifiers Tournament which began last weekend at the National Resource Centre, Woolford Avenue.

Of the 18 players in the competition, Ali was the only player to have assembled straight wins throughout the weekend. She is closely followed by Saeed Ali and Roberto Neto, who had 2.5 points apiece by the end of play on Sunday.

They are followed by John Wong, Jaden Taylor, Jessica Callender, Joshua Gopaul, Ghasham Allijohn, and Akili Theophil, all having two points each.

Of the remaining players, Asiyah Bacchus, Aravinda Singh, Aleem Baseer, Nellisha Johnson, Waveney Johnson, Kristoff Persaud and Anthony Johnson have all, thus far, secured one point each, while Areefa Budhu and Shivranie Persaud are yet to get out of the starting blocks and gain a point.

After taking a win over

Sheriffa Ali Shivranie Persaud in round one on Saturday, Ali prevailed over Jaden Taylor in the 2nd round, and John Wong in the 3rd round on Sunday.

Other players who also got off to a great start and recorded victories on the opening day of competition were Neto, Saeed, Callender, Wong and Taylor.

On Saturday, Neto was more than Aravinda Singh could handle, while Saeed was Areefa’s first stumbling block that she failed to get past.

Baseer suffered defeat at the hands of Callender. Wong and Taylor triumphed over Anthony Johnson and Akili Theophil, respectively, to take

their first points.

Though Neto and Saeed continued with wins when the competition opened on Sunday with round two, it was in round three when they were pitted against each other that things really got tough.

The two equally-matched opponents had to end up settling for a draw, walking away with 0.5 points each for their efforts. Previously, in round two, Neto had played to a win against Gopaul, while Saeed won against Ghasham.

Rebounding from his opening day loss Theophil bounced back to succeed in his next two matches in the competition, against Shivranie and Aravinda.

Aravinda, Baseer, Nellisha, Waveney, Kristoff and Anthony all finally picked up their first wins in the third round of the competition.

With three of the seven rounds of the tournament already completed, the final four rounds are set for this weekend, October 8-9, at the same location. The fourth and fifth rounds are scheduled for Saturday, while the sixth and final rounds will be played on Sunday.

In the Boys’ Under-16 Saints took several top spots in the Boys’ Under-16 category, with Jeremiah Sampson winning the 800m, Jason Khan the 1500m, and Brandon Chin the 2000m.

Also in the 2000m Saints’ Joshua Sammy took second place.

However, Ishmael’s Orlando Giddings triumphed

in the 1000m, and St John’s Levon Mariano secured the win in the 3000m. Mariano also finished second in the 1000m.

Chase’s Briton John and Nigel Duguid were the best riders of the Boys’ Open category where they traded wins in the 800m and 2000m events.

John dominated in the 800m and Duguid finished second. However, it was Duguid who had the endurance to prevail in the 2000m race, John settling for the second-place position.

For the Girls, St John’s Jahniah Kelvin ruled the Under-16 category, taking the 800m and 2000m wins.

Chase’s Andriska Mickle won the Open 800m race, where she was followed by Kewanna Barker of Ishmael.

Queen’s College, Bishops’ High and Saints continue supremacy at Inter-School Swimming Championships AS the District 11 Inter-School Swimming Championships got underway yesterday at the National Aquatic Centre, Guyana’s premier secondary schools, Queen’s College and St Stanislaus College, along with Westfield Prep Primary all dominated in their respective zones, while Bishops’ High went under against Christ Church.

Gathering 129 points, Queen’s College continued their standing as the authority in swimming for Zone One, finishing ahead of Richard Ishmael with 108 points, and defending their title in the Zone.

In a distant third with 71 points were Chase Academy, while GTI ended with 50 points, and Marian Academy managed 48 points.

Over in Zone Three, St Stanislaus were an unmatched force, raking in 146 points, the only school to hit triple digits, and way ahead of the 50 points taken by St Rose’s for their second-place finish. This followed Saints’ win of the cycling segment of the Inter-School Championships as well.

Also in this Zone Brickdam Secondary took third with 33 points, while St George’s High could only construct a 3-point finish Meanwhile, though QC and Saints were able to defend their titles in their Zones, Bishops’ could not say the same.

The 190 points that Bishops’ finished with fell short, as Christ Church climbed to 202 points to take the win.

Christ Church, conveniently located next door to the Colgrain Swimming Pool facility on Camp Street, had its swimming club working for some time now, and the work is obviously paying off.

In Zone Four, which comprises the primary schools of the District, West Field Prep ruled supreme with 92 points. Winfer Gardens were second in this Zone with 28 points, North Georgetown Primary had 24 points, while Concord Academy and Green Acres ended with 20 points apiece.

Richard Ishmael, St John’s and Saints top District 11 Inter-School cycling (See Story on page 23 )

Golden Jaguars intensify preparations … overseas-based players here and ready

From L to R : Golden Jaguars players Brandon Beresford, Anani Mohammed and Wayne Crevealle. (See story on page 19)

Windball cricket better Hurricane Matthew makes CFU organised than WICB qualifier game in Jamaica impossible ...says disturbed Dwayne Bravo

Dwayne Bravo: “Change must start with T&TCB.”

FORMER West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo said on Saturday that the current players representing the West Indies against Pakistan is a lost group with many believing that windball cricket is better organised than what they are experiencing with the Caribbean team in Dubai.

“I was there in Dubai and basically the players were lost,

the management team was lost, everything just looked like we were school kids again, and the team meetings had no sort of positive inputs or anything like that. It was like we were just there,” an obviously hurt Bravo stated.

Bravo said that while

See page 19

THE Caribbean Cup-qualifying match between Jamaica and Suriname, set for tomorrow at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex in St Andrew, has been postponed, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) announced yesterday.

It is believed that the expected heavy rain and wind and possible damage to infrastructure set to accompany the passing of Hurricane Matthew is the reason for the postponement.

“The Jamaica Football Federation wishes to inform that based on advice from the CFU (Caribbean Football Union), the Caribbean Cup Qualifier - Jamaica versus Suriname - has been postponed,” said the JFF in a release.

The release did not state a rescheduled date for the fixture, but said additional information will be provided in `short order.’

It added that the October 11 fixture between hosts Guyana and Jamaica has so far not been affected. Jamaica are defending CFU champions. (Jamaica Observer)

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2016