Guyana chronicle e paper 05 04 2017

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farming

is Greenidge’s life ► Page

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The Ant Edifices of the Rupununi Savanah ► Page VIII

Never too young IX to give ► Page

Serena and Venus may be tennis excellence personified, but don’t forget Richard

No. 104814

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 5, 2017

Price: $140

(VAT Inclusive)

US$30M to bridge digital divide ► Page

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–– GTT pushes for increased landline rates before liberalisation of telecoms sector

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First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger and Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, join with the Rotaract Club of Georgetown Central, The Giving Hope Foundation and other organizations in releasing 300 balloons into the air to support all persons, especially children, affected by cancer . [Delano Williams photo] see story on centre

$10M water well commissioned in Karrau Page 3

Bank employee dies in accident Page 2

Shabana Ali

Radio for Bartica soon Page 24

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017

Bank employee dies in accident

A 29-year-old mother of one died on Saturday morning after the car she was driving slammed into an electrical pole at Seawell Village, Corentyne, East Berbice.

The accident occurred at approximately 09:00 hrs. According to reports, Shabana Ali, an employee of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Port Mourant branch was on her way to Georgetown to attend a workshop when she reportedly lost control of the car she was driving.

The vehicle, bearing registration number PNN 198, slammed into an electrical pole. The young lady

Shabana Ali

died on the spot. She resided with her family at Lot 7 Ramphal Street, Nigg Corentyne.

The driver side of the car bore the brunt of the impact and according to an eye witness, who was on the scene moments after the accident, it appeared as if the car was “wrapped around the pole.”

“Me ain’t know wah happen but it look like the car slam into the pole and fold in, like if it wrap up round the pole.”

Ali was picked up in an unconscious state, bleeding from her ear and rushed to the New Amsterdam hospital where she was pronounced dead

on arrival. She reportedly died of multiple internal injuries sustained as a result of the impact.

The incident has left investigators and relatives baffled as to what caused the accident as there are no break impressions or any animals in the vicinity at the time of the accident.

Ali’s husband, Vijay Etwaroo is still in a state of shock and could not speak after learning the dreadful news that his wife and mother of their 4- year-old daughter died.

Ali was described as a very jovial person, with a warm personality who had a bright future head of her.

US Embassy prohibits staff from flying with Insel Air … cites safety concerns THE United States Embassy in Curacao is advising US citizens that the embassy has temporarily prohibited staff from flying with Dutch Caribbean carrier Insel Air, citing safety concerns.

And the advisory, which

The car following the accident was issued on Wednesday, February 02, has been extended to embassy officials in Guyana since the Curacao – based carrier operates weekly flights here.

According to a social media post on the Consular Section, US Embassy Georgetown Facebook page, the Consulate General at the US Embassy in Curaçao, adopted the policy following an internal review of safety-related considerations.

“You are receiving this message because Insel Air also flies to Guyana, South America”, the post stated regarding staff at the embassy in Georgetown.

The embassy in Curacao stated that on December 27, 2016, an Insel Air flight bound for Curaçao was forced to land in Colombia due to an inability to pressurize the cabin. Then on January 13, this year, an Insel Air flight bound for Miami, lost cabin pressure and was forced to make an emergency landing.

“The Consulate understands that, in the last six months, four other Insel Air flights have returned to Curaçao after takeoff due to pressurization or electrical problems”, the embassy stated.

It noted that other safety considerations have led Aruban and Curaçao authorities to ground a number of aircraft for further inspection.

According to the report, the policy regarding travel only applies to the official travel of US Consulate Curacao personnel and will be re-evaluated as Insel Air’s safety condition improves.

Last week, Insel Air stated on its website that the Department of Civil Aviation of Aruba (DCA), is conducting routine inspections on 4 of the 8 aircrafts that the entity has in operation. It noted that to have four aircraft inspected simultaneously is not unusual.

Later, in another release, the airline said that the inspections by the Aruban authorities on three of its aircrafts are having a direct impact on its operations noting that it was unsure when the aircrafts will be cleared by the authorities.

The regional airline operates weekly flights between Georgetown and Curacao and Aruba. Since its launching in 2006, Insel Air operation has grown to be one of the leading airlines linking the Caribbean to destinations within North and South America.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017

US$30M to bridge digital divide

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–– GTT pushes for increased landline rates before liberalisation of telecoms sector

By Alva Solomon THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), over the next two years plans to invest US$30M to bridge the digital divide.

This is according to Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Justin Nedd, who was at the time addressing a reception at the Grand Coastal Hotel, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, on Friday.

According to Nedd, GTT has in store several guaran-

tees for 2017, and one of the pillars lies in provision of high speed Internet to homes and businesses.

Since the landing of its $30M cable in 2010, Nedd said Internet services have improved and demands for the service jumped significantly.

And by June this year, he said, Internet services will get even better.

Consumers, he said will experience Internet speed that is “the fastest and most affordable Guyana has ever

seen.”

Noting that the company is well- positioned to support Guyana’s drive to bridge the digital divide, he said as a second guarantee, the company plans to provide faster Internet on the Essequibo Coast, “10 times faster” than what currently obtains.

He said prices for such services are competitive and more affordable when compared to other competitors.

Customer service is also another area the company plans to improve this year.

“The end game is to consistently delight customers,” he said.

Regarding liberalisation of the sector, Nedd noted that late in 2016 and earlier this year, the company has had meaningful and substantial conversations with the Government.

He said as liberalisation nears, the company wishes to ensure that there is a level playing field.

“All we want is to operate by the same rules, same regulations like everybody

else,” he said, noting that he strongly believes that such is not the case at the moment.

Nedd also said that GTT is also working to ensure the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is provided with the requisite information to enable that body to make timely decisions regarding the company’s push for increase in landline rates.

He said dialogue with the authorities has been productive and progressive.

GTT CEO, Justin Nedd

$10M water well commissioned in Karrau

By Navendra Seoraj

OVER 300 residents of Karrau, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), will now be able to access potable water, as their long-awaited wish came through when the Guyana Water Corporation (GWI) commissioned a water well worth $10 million on Saturday.

The villagers cheered and rejoiced as Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, GWI, regional and village officials did the ceremonious cutting of the ribbon to declare the well open for public use.

In the eyes of many, their well might seem meagre, but to the villagers the achievement was deemed historic, given that for as long as the elders of Karrau can remember, their main water supply, a nearby creek, has been contaminated by residue, debris

and even chemicals from constant mining activities in the area.

And though the phe-

Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Seven to derive an alternative solution, which would result in better-

GWI officials testing the new water system [Cullen Bess-Nelson photo] nomenon which burdened the villagers could not be stopped, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Richard Van-West Charles, indicated that GWI worked collaboratively with the Karrau and the

ment for the villagers.

The end result of their combined thoughts was the well which is solar- powered and networked to every household, the school and health centre in the village.

“We are looking to bridge the inequities in the system by ensuring that all regions, including those in the hinterland, receive potable water,” said Dr. Charles.

His notion was reflected in remarks made by Region Seven’s Regional Chairman, Gordon Bradford, who outlined that this is just another step to build a foundation, so that the youngsters can grow in a clean environment.

‘Clean environment’ being words which were forgotten by the villagers, said Karrau’s Toshao, Bertille Thomas.

“Since in the 1980s, we were burdened by contaminated water…and at the end of the day, the same water was used to drink and conduct routine activities,” lamented the Toshao.

But their dream of having clean water is now a reality and persons from every home is expected to make good use

of the new privilege they have at hand.

However, Minister Broomes challenged the Toshao and villagers to keep their word of caring for the new well because, “We often say we don’t have this and don’t have that, so when we get these things we must decide whether we are going to break or build from here.”

And as far as building more goes, the minister pointed out that this is one completed mission, but there is a lot more development needed in order to ensure that citizens enjoy the good life.

WATER SAFETY Dr. Charles followed up by giving the assurance that development is on GWI’s agenda, as he noted, “We are on the move to ensure that development is prevalent, so we are looking at hinterland communities

that do not have access to water and ensuring that they have this necessity… this will be done, but the importance of water safety will not be forgotten, especially in the riverine areas.”

In the process of achieving their goal, he pointed out that they will soon be establishing a Water Quality Department that will conduct regular tests to ensure that the water is not just potable, but safe as well.

Work has already commenced and GWI has been working to ensure that all areas in Region Seven have access to water. Some of the villages such as Kamarang and Riverview have recently benefited from newly developed water systems but the communities, Charles said, will be monitored because the population continues to expand and so the need will be high for the water supply to be equivalent.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017

Trump appeals ajgainst travel ban ruling [BBC] - The US Department of Justice has appealed against the susp e n s i o n o f P re s i d e n t Trump’s travel ban on people from seven mainly Muslim nations.

The move seeks to reverse Friday’s ruling by a federal judge in Washington State. Visa holders from the affected nations have been scrambling to

get flights to the US, fearing they have a slim window to enter America. Mr Trump’s ban last week led to mass protests and confusion at US airports.

Some 60,000 visas have been revoked since Mr Trump’s executive order was issued. Earlier on Saturday Mr Trump called the ruling by Judge James Robart in Seattle “ridicu-

[BBC] - The centrist candidate shaking up the French presidential campaign has vowed to unite the nation and boost ties with Germany in his first big speech.

Emmanuel Macron also promised to boost defence spending when he spoke to a crowd in the eastern city of Lyon.

The former Socialist economy minister set up his own party only last year.

Opinion polls suggest he may face off with the far right’s Marine Le Pen, who is to deliver a keynote speech on Sunday, in the second round of voting.

Her National Front (FN) party began a two-day rally, also in Lyon, to promote its

lous”, vowing to restore the ban.

His ban envisages a 90-day visa suspension for anyone arriving from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. The directive also suspends the US Refugee Admissions Programme for 120 days, and places an indefinite ban on Syrian refugees.

President Trump’s ban has triggered mass protests across America

New star of French politics urges unity

Mr Macron seeks to woo left and right alike Sunday, February 05, 2017 - 11:30 hrs Monday, February 06, 2017 - 13:00 hrs Tuesday, February 07, 2017 - 02:30 hrs - 11:30 hrs Wednesday, February 08, 2017 - 03:00 hrs - 11:30 hrs

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manifesto, which promises to restore French sovereignty over the country’s budget, borders, money and laws.

H o w e v e r, t h e p a r t y dropped a former pledge to restore the death penalty.

The French go to the polls on 23 April in one of the most open races in decades, with the incumbent Socialist President, Francois

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Hollande, declining to stand for a second term.

The candidate of the conservative opposition Republicans, Francois Fillon, was seen as the frontrunner until allegations last month of payments made to his wife for parliamentary work clouded his prospects. “I am not going to say that the left or right is meaningless, that they are the same thing,

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but are these divisions not a hurdle?” he asked.

“I want to reconcile the two Frances that have been growing apart for too long.”

“I want a more European defence, partnerships between France and Germany,” he added.

He also appeared to mock US President Donald Trump’s policy of building a wall with Mexico, likening it to France’s row of fortifications which failed to stop Hitler in 1940.

“I don’t want to build a wall. I can assure you there’s no wall in my programme. Can you remember

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the Maginot Line?”

Odile Ducloux, a 63-year-old retired teacher, told AFP news agency she was attending her first En Marche meeting.

“I used to vote Socialist but my husband has been saying for years that we have to overcome the leftright division and thanks to Emmanuel Macron, I am convinced,” she said.

Opinion polls suggest that either he or Mr Fillon will come second in the first round behind Ms Le Pen before winning the 7 May run-off against her comfortably.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017

Brazil’s ex-first lady Marisa Leticia confirmed dead

[BBC] - BRAZIL’S former first lady Marisa Leticia da Silva has died, ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said. He said Marisa Leticia - who had been earlier pronounced brain-dead - passed away on Friday evening. She was 66.

The funeral service will be held in Sao Paulo on Saturday and her body will then be cremated. She was taken to hospital last week with a brain haemorrhage. Doctors later said her condition was “irreversible”. Her organs will be donated.

“Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his family are sad to confirm the death of Marisa Leticia Lula da Silva,” Lula’s spokesperson said in a statement.

“The former Brazilian president’s wife of 43 years passed away peacefully this evening in Sao Paulo surrounded by her family. “The whole family is absolutely devastated by Marisa’s untimely death and this is a sad day for many people across

Lula said his wife’s death was “a sad day for many people across Brazil” Brazil.”

Regional leaders have sent their condolences to Lula, and there was a minute’s silence in Brazil’s Congress. Marisa Leticia had helped Lula found the Worker’s Party, and the former president said in a Facebook message that she had made

its first flag. Once adored by many in Brazil, Lula ended his second term in 2011 with an 83% approval rating.

He had boosted Brazil’s global profile and overseen rapid economic growth during a commodities boom. But last year Lula and his wife became

ensnared in a far-reaching corruption investigation involving the state oil company, Petrobras. They said the accusations against them were politically motivated and designed to prevent Lula standing for president again in 2018 elections.

Drug lord El Chapo denied spousal visits [BBC] - MEXICAN drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman has complained in court about his conditions of custody in a US jail. Guzman is being held in a maximum security prison in New York after he was extradited last month.

The notorious kingpin escaped twice from prison in Mexico, once in a laundry basket and most recently

through a tunnel in his cell.

His lawyers say he has been denied marital visits and is largely kept in solitary confinement.

The claims arose at a federal court in Brooklyn at a hearing for Guzman, who has pleaded not guilty to charges that he ran the world’s largest drug-trafficking organisation during a decades-long career. He faces life in prison if convicted.

Guzman’s wife Emma Coronel, a 27-year-old former beauty queen and mother of his twins, flew from Mexico to attend the hearing.

His lawyers said it was first time Ms Coronel had seen her husband since his surprise extradition two weeks ago. Guzman, 59, is reportedly on 23-hour lockdown in a special unit of the Manhattan Correctional Center.

“We understand the need

Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman is being held in a maximum security prison in New York

for security but we think it has gone above and beyond,” said Michelle Gelernt, one of his court-appointed lawyers.

District Judge Brian Cogan pointed out that the “history of the defendant is somewhat unusual” - a reference to his past escapes and said the Federal Bureau of Prisons should decide what conditions Guzman faced and who he could see.

Guzman’s Sinaloa cartel allegedly smuggled hundreds of tonnes of cocaine, heroin, marijuana and methamphetamines to the US while waging war with other gangs.

The cartel is accused of carrying out thousands of murders and kidnappings, and bribing officials. Guzman - widely known by his nickname El Chapo, which means “Shorty” - is believed to have amassed a billion-dollar fortune through the drugs trade.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto had initially resisted extraditing him to the US, insisting that he should face justice at home. But after Guzman was recaptured in January 2016, Pena Nieto changed his mind on extradition and ordered officials to speed up the process.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017

Editorial Defending the weak P RESIDENT David Granger back in 2015 had called on the United Nations to help in protecting small states from being bullied by more powerful countries. It was a timely reminder that while much has changed in the world, some problems never go away.

Unequal economic development brings with it unequal power. And unequal power has been a licence for bullying by stronger states. The United Nations came into being with the expressed objective of making the world community a safer place for all. But the presence of the UN has not deterred some powerful countries from getting their way, especially when it comes to relations with less powerful countries.

Defence of the weak against the strong is a contested political phenomenon. Most powerful western countries reject it as an integral role of government. They argue that to assume such a role is to diminish the freedom of the individual. Such argument assumes a level of equality in society that is virtually non-existent. Equality of opportunity and an equal playing field are not a natural outgrowth of the free market—they have to be engineered.

But engineering in politics and economics flies in the face of the accepted notion of freedom.

It is not surprising, therefore, that, that ideological outlook is transferred to international relations. The very

structure of the UN, whereby powerful countries have an absolute veto is evidence of this thinking. This structural marginalisation of weak countries in the premier international organisation opens up space for bullying of small states by stronger ones.

Venezuela, by virtue of time of independence and a stronger economy, is much more powerful than Guyana. It is a country that has never been shy of using its economic power as a form of hegemony. In so doing, it mimics what is accepted behaviour in international relations.

Small, vulnerable countries such as Guyana are at the mercy of hegemons, global and regional. They lack the economic strength to match the hegemons militarily. Such countries have to depend on the more powerful allies for defence of their territories. Powerful countries rush to the defence of weak countries,only if they deem such countries to be geopolitically strategic or if they have economic interests there. President Granger had called on the UN to take on that task in a serious and systematic way. The issue is whether the UN, as currently constituted, has the will to do so. It all comes down to thinking—do powerful countries believe in a collective duty of the strong to defend the weak?

Venezuela would cease to torment Guyana only if it knows that it would pay a heavy price for so doing.

And its recent action suggests that it does not think it

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

will pay such a price. It has used its economic power to mute some of Guyana’s sister-allies in CARICOM. And it is obviously banking on the belief that the powerful countries would not come to Guyana’s defence, unless they consider our country to be geopolitically strategic. While Venezuela is aware that the USA is perhaps the only powerful country that may have an interest in standing in its way, it knows that the USA is tied up in other parts of the world and may not see defence of Guyana as important to its own interests.

In such circumstances, Guyana was correct to seek support and assistance from all quarters, in particular the UN. In that regard, President Granger’s call for the UN to adhere to the principle of defence of the weak in word and deed is a call for a new International Relations praxis that, if adopted, could serve as a deterrence to wanton aggression by regional hegemons such as Venezuela and in the process, guarantee small states such as Guyana some degree of security.

Parking meters should be rescinded, publicly tendered Dear Editor, I WAS originally only going to focus this letter on the alternative facts spread

by Bharrat Jagdeo’s picayune ‘media empire’ (iNews/TVG/Radio Guyana/ MTV) regarding the riveting fantasy of my fugitive run from the long arms of the law for a deliberately and clearly ironic Facebook status on the parking meter issue and what I believe to be its parallel and its vast superior in scale, the Sanata complex deal, but events of the past few days warrant commentary.

For now, I’d like to assure the dozens of people who expressed concern that I would be incarcerated, that at no point was I ever wanted or contacted by the Guyana Police Force – my office is a little over 150 metres from the Brickdam Police Station and I am often there until very late at night. While the defamatory campaign itself was as laughable as it was actionable, my only action for now is to request that my former schoolmate and clear-

ly former journalist, Guyana Times editor, Tusika Martin, do me the tremendous favour of using a better picture than the one that made her paper’s front page the next time I am featured.

Now on the parking meter issue, what was an initial quagmire of poor public accountability is now perhaps predictably metastasizing into something with potentially dire consequences for social cohesion. On social media, as reflective of the legitimate opinions of a significant number of the Guyanese population, this is increasingly proving a wedge issue with elements of race and class emerging to the forefront.

And what has started as a citizens’ movement is now threatened to be hijacked or co-opted by the key player responsible for the quagmire that is municipal administration of the capital – the People’s Progressive Party – with a forum on parking meters being held at Red House of all places, featuring a presentation by Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan; Bharrrat Jagdeo at a press conference

promising to rescue the city from impending doom, once returned to power; and the Friday protest attended by such seasoned PPP citizens’ rights activists like MP Dr Vindhi Persaud, former Minister Bibi Shadick, and longterm human rights advocate, Jason Abdulla.

And on the other side, we have a handful of pro-parking meter activists with coordinated signs, but no clear leadership and central message, although the crux of their defence of the paid parking system coincided somehow with the core message of the city administration.

For both those in support of and those against the parking meters, I urge that they view the essence of the thing.

What is it at its core? Has there been a precedent to this, and what was our response then and how does it equate to our response now?

We have the elements of inadequate consultation, opacity with regard to contract specifics, a parasitic and inequitable public-private partnership, hazy legality hurriedly and retroactively

installed, and the resulting burden on the state and its citizens. In essence, Smart City Solutions is Queens Atlantic Investments Inc, writ small. It is a significant coincidence that the same day in which the print media reported on the anti-parking meter protest, we find out about massive, hitherto secret sweetheart concessions given out by the previous government, costing the state billions of dollars with little to no obligation owed by those benefiting from those concessions. What again is the essence of the thing?

What is our response?

With regard to the citizen engagement on this latest thing, on the one hand, there is a shrillness and righteousness of some of those who have now discovered the capacity to protest, although there previously existed in essence exact or greater rationale, and they did not. On the other, there is a compromised silence from those who would have protested similar impositions under the previous administration –- indeed there were most likely

several of those involved in the counter protest. Both characteristics are unhelpful.

A quantum of our people have to come to a concept of informed, reasonably exercised participatory citizenship, based on the essence of a particular thing or act, and not clouded by the implicit biases or explicit partisan or tribal self-interest dictating what we should nor should not object to. The citizens of this country need to clear a space free of partisan political, class and ethnic interests and renegotiate the social contract from there. To do otherwise is to perpetuate our historical failure to launch, even at the cusp of a tremendous windfall of national wealth, indeed, one that could cement us into the swamp of civic incapacity in which we currently find ourselves.

That said, for now, the executive at this point has a moral imperative to decisively intervene before the situation breaks down irreversibly. The new Minister of Social Cohesion, in particular, has a chance to actively intercede by first defining the

fissures and then preventing them from further widening.

In closing, to underscore my personal perspective on this issue as first expressed since June of last year, I’d like to offer the words of Vaclav Havel, who said: “The most important thing is that man should be the measure of all structures, including economic structures, and not that man be made to measure for those structures.”

I do not believe that the parking meter system –while not absolutely objectionable –- was made to the measure of the citizens of this country. In its present form it should be rescinded, publicly tendered after publicly available feasibility studies, and then awarded under a pricing structure that reflects first the economic reality that the average client citizen is subject to, and then a reasonable rate of revenue for credible investors and the city administration.

Yours faithfully, RUEL JOHNSON Citizen

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017

Age is just a number Dear Editor, I WISH to support the excellent letter written by Dr David Hinds in KN of 1/2/17, making a strong case against terminating the services of proficient and effective officials on the basis of their age, irrespective of their competencies.

As a long-serving international Human Resource Management professional (and as one who is already past the biblical ‘three score years & 10’ but still gainfully employed, thank God!), I can attest to the fact that age is not necessarily a measure of someone’s ability to perform well. Indeed, there are numerous examples of persons in their 50s and 60s who are already mentally and physically ‘challenged’ if not ‘retired’, while there are others who are decades older but still performing optimally.

The challenge is to assess persons based on objective appraisals of their performance and potential without undue consideration of their dates of birth. This is especially important in our Guyana context, where there is no surfeit of skilled and effective persons and where the dearth of suitable technical and professional persons is likely to become more acute in the coming years.

Why put out some of our skilled and effective Guyanese professionals to pasture on the questionable pretext of age, while retaining even older others who are not necessarily more effective; in any event, there is no proof that they are denying opportunities for younger compatriots!

Regards, NOWRANG PERSAUD

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017 of an SUV for Prime Minister Samuel Hinds. At that time, vehicles from the old fleet were mal-functioning.

Prime Minister Hinds would occasionally rent SUVs for hinterland trips. And, as I was to find out, the security escort cars would wobble as they climbed elevated routes such as the Hope Canal and the Berbice River Bridge. The VIP car in which I was travelling, broke down once at a traffic island in Kitty. A vehicle in the presidential convoy also suffered a similar paralysis.

But no new vehicle was bought for Mr Hinds, as the entire voted sum had been misappropriated, and used to buy vehicles for the then Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh.

OPM requested reinstatement of the hijacked sum in its 2015 budget. It was used to buy an SUV, an escort car and a motor cycle – all for less than $20 million.

OPM returned the excess amount to the Treasury.

For the love of the poor

By Moses V. Nagamootoo SINCE the expose by Finance Minister Winston Jordan that successive post-Jagan Cabinets had voted themselves hefty salary increases and my comments that grabbing the taxpayers’ purse was unconscionable, the Guyana Times has gone into over-drive to direct personal attacks on me.

The intent and gist of the attack are summarised in a letter that Times published on Thursday, February 2, 2017, under the caption: “Nagamootoo’s Cadillac lifestyle in a donkey-cart economy.”

That caption forms part of the propaganda frenzy that has been swirling at this broadsheet since the six-party APNU+AFC Coalition swept into power. Most of what is passed off as news, comments and opinions is tasteless, trash talk.

FALSE ALLEGATIONS I usually ignore the vulgar diatribes, but would rebut false allegations such as that claiming that I have been granted “tax exemptions on unlimited vehicles” in addition to duty-free vehicles as an MP. It is now my turn to respond.

I am not aware that I have been granted duty-free concessions for “unlimited vehicles.” The stipulation granting exemptions for goods, including vehicles, bought by or for the President and Prime Minister has always existed, even under the PPP government! It appears that it was re-inserted or added to the Schedule of

exempt goods, and not made recently, secretly, to benefit only the Prime Minister. This is what the Jagdeoite hordes are falsely and wickedly alleging.

WINDFALL BONUS What I know for sure is that as an MP, I could have applied for duty-free concessions to buy for my personal use a new vehicle once every five years or a re-conditioned one, once every three years.

But I bought only three (3) second-hand or used vehicles over the 20 years that I have served as Minister of Government and Member of Parliament, though I was entitled to buy, duty-free, 7 or 8 such vehicles.

I could have bought, then afterwards sold off the vehicles at the end of the stipulated period. Had I done that, I could have made for myself a windfall bonus of at least $15 million. But I resisted the idea of “unlimited vehicles” which was a vulgar recipe for unjust enrichment. It featured later in the President’s Pension Plan that was engineered by President Bharrat Jagdeo. I was a PPP/MP at that time and had to support the “cabinet decision” though, as I told the media then, that the pension benefits had rattled my soul. When the Coalition took office, the plan was gutted to exclude the uncapped “benefits” and unlimited vehicles for former President Jagdeo.

VOTE MISAPPROPRIATED When I became Prime Minister, I was informed that $23 million had been allocated in 2014 for the purchase

MINISTERIAL ENTITLEMENTS As regards salaries, it is now well known, that in the post-Jagan period, ministerial entitlements had lost their “lean”, grassroots bearings. President Bharrat Jagdeo initiated self-help under which ministers were given 220%, and PPP/C Presidents grabbed 386.5% salary increases during 1998-2014.

During that period, public servants received 164.7% increases, mostly in 5% doses. A huge chunk from that was the 57% which was recommended for 1999-2000 by the Armstrong Arbitration Tribunal, which was grudgingly allowed after a costly and protracted strike.

I hate going back into past transgressions, but when I commented that those presidential and ministerial increases were outrageous and shameful, I only wanted to say that the PPP could not seriously challenge the salary position of the new government. How could these “champions of the poor” allow their President to jack up his monthly salary during 2006-2011 by almost 500%, increasing it from $223,.783 to $1,304,503?

In that period, the minimum wage of the “poor” public servants increased by 37% -- from $26,069 to $35,657 monthly. But within eight months of our Coalition coming into office, the minimum wage for public servants went up from $42,000 to $55,000 – about the same percentage that it went up in five years under President Jagdeo.

GREED AND PERFIDY The enormous love of the “poor” propelled the PPP administration to raise presidential pensions under the then notorious Former Presidents Pension Bill 2014. The formula that had become applicable resulted in Dr Jagdeo and other Presidents each getting a $1,591,.406 pension, monthly. This adds up to a whopping $54,482,616 annually for the Big Three.

I know that this “anti-nagamania” obsession will not go away any time soon, or ever. But for now, let the record state that I have never applied for nor benefitted from any tax remissions on “unlimited vehicles.”

Guyana Times cannot beat out the pension/salary/ corruption curse that still hovers over the pro-Jagdeo PPP which tries to use me as a fig-leaf to cover acts of naked greed and political perfidy. The truth is that they helped themselves enormously, too much and for too long. So I won’t bother to ask why they did what they did. They have a canned answer: “We did it out of love for the poor!”

The columnist, a journalist and author, is the Prime Minister of Guyana.

Expand horizon

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017

–– entrepreneurs urged to embrace ICT in marketing their businesses

By Ravin Singh

As the world advances rapidly, becoming more integrated technologically, Guyanese entrepreneurs are urged to embrace Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

This was the charge of Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, in his speech at the first Digital Wealth Creation Summit on Saturday at the Marriott Hotel.

The event was hosted by the Masterclass Institute.

According to Rosh Khan, Founder/Director of Masterclass Institute, the summit is the brainchild of the institute which is a business training organisation.

It came into being after Khan realised that more Guyanese wanted to leverage opportunities through the Internet but did not know how to.

As a result, the concept of a Digital Summit was arrived at to give people insights on digital profits, and how they could go from “I have an idea” to making that idea a reality online.

“Today is really about walking people through those

Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin urging entrepreneurs to participate more in the digital platform provided to market themselves and their products specific steps; what do you do, what are the tool and resources, and how you get it done,” he said.

According to Minister Gaskin, Guyanese entrepreneurs are not participating in or are not participating enough in online marketing.

He shared his vision for Guyana, which is to see more Guyanese entrepreneurs, tapping into this new marketing tool to market themselves and their businesses.

“I’d like to see young Guyanese integrated more comfortably into the global network; that is, using digital connectivity as a platform for doing business. The ability to communicate online with the entire world is the new reality,” he said.

The minister pointed out that new businesses have evolved, and most of them operate entirely online.

“A whole new range of activities have been born.

Digital technology is certainly driving the global economy. And in combination with entrepreneurship, is brining prosperity to individuals, to businesses and to countries and regions. It has transformed the way we do things and no country will be spared from the advances of modern technology; not even Guyana,” the minister added.

NATIONAL ASSETS As a result, he noted that Guyana must ensure that its entrepreneurs are valued and treated as national assets; to be cultivated and motivated to the greatest possible extent.

“Nothing would please me more than to see the emergence of a new breed of entrepreneurs take up the challenges and to enjoy the rewards of growth and success in these export-oriented business activities,” he told the few hundred participants on Saturday.

He also suggested that Guyana’s vision going forward as a nation must be to develop its local industries.

“Guyana is yet to make its mark as a regional economic powerhouse. But Guyana has to become the number one regional source for agro-products; and for gold and gold products and wood and wood products. We also have to become regionally renowned for our unique tourism product. We ourselves, have to create that green paradise we dream of.”

Minister of Public Telecommunication, Cathy Hughes, who also addressed the event, believes that Guyana’s ICT landscape can be transformed.

“We can transform Guyana’s ICT landscape; we will,” she said, adding that this is exactly where the country should be heading, to arrive at the technology driven Guyanese economy that her Ministry is in the process of creating.

KNOWLEDGE-BASED SOCIETY Minister Hughes said that mandate at the Ministry is to create a knowledge-based ICT proficient society, and this involves several steps, including bridging the gap in the quality of education and professional training between the coast and hinterland areas.

Additionally, she noted that it calls for facilitating awareness and training to ensure youths, parents, and grandparents become Internet savvy.

“Until we start to improve the level of connectivity each and every citizen in Guyana has, we’re not going to get anywhere. We also have to encourage and facilitate

Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes speaks of the advancement made in information and communication technology over the last year at the Digital Wealth Creation Summit on Saturday the emergence of new businesses that utilise the numerous facets of the web to produce and market their products and services,” the Telecommunications Minister said.

She also boasted that within the last eight months, the country has been able to jump some of the challenging hurdles which have been created due to advances in technology.

She specifically referenced the fact that persons in the interior are now able to sell their products online.

Several other speakers were also featured on the programme, including Rosh Khan and Geotechvision’s Valarie Grant. The programme was punctuated with interactive activities geared towards providing an opportunity for participants to network.

Several major businesses and agencies collaborated with the institute to support the inaugural summit.

Some of these included the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED), Scotia Bank, the Small Business Bureau with the Ministry of Business, and Metro Office and Computer Supplies, and others.

Some of the participants at Saturday’s Digital Wealth Creation Summit

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017

Outstanding doctor Enid Denbow passes

By Alva Solomon RENOWNED daughter of the soil and one of Guyana’s outstanding medical practitioners, Dr Enid Denbow, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 95.

Dr Denbow, who was conferred with the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH) in October last year by President David Granger, has been admired for her long, dedicated and outstanding service in the field of medicine. She held the distinction of being the first and only female Chief Medical Officer within the Health Ministry for several years.

Born Enid Lucille Wilson to Edwin and Verleigh Wilson on August 3, 1921, she was one of three siblings who resided with her parents at Hadfield Street in the city.

She attended the St Joseph High School and after graduating, she became a pupil nurse at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Her performance saw her earning the highest score nationally on both the nursing and midwifery examinations. At the age of 22 she lost both of her parents but that did not halt her upward mobility.

Later, in 1948 she attended Howard University in Washington D.C and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology. She would then earn a medical degree from Women’s Medical College, Philadelphia in

1955.

Among her academic accomplishments, Dr Denbow earned the prestigious Membership of the Royal College of Physicians, England. She was also awarded a Cardiology Fellowship from the world-renowned John Hopkins University Hospital and she became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. Such was her record that she was considered among the cream of the crop in the medical field in Guyana.

Her stellar academic and professional performance vaulted her to the top of the medical field in Guyana. She is viewed

Dr Denbow was conferred with the Cacique Crown of Honour in 2016 by President David Granger as a light of inspiration for many women. She was the godmother of many.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017

Gov’t exploring one-year concessionary agreement for miners

HAVING met with miners to provide clarity on tax-reporting regulations recently, the Government is currently exploring a renewable one-year concessionary agreement for items, including fuel and equipment.

This is according to Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, who said that with this new regime, miners and mining companies that are in tax compliance are entitled to certain allowances and refunds, which they will receive. He noted too that the administration is committed to ensuring that there is a level playing field when it comes to taxation.

The minister’s comments were made following reported threats by members of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) and the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) to reduce gold declarations and stage mass protests in defiance of the new tax regulations.

It was also reported that the two organisations wrote President David Granger stating that “…on behalf of miners throughout Guyana, we at the GWMO and the GGDMA have been mandated to request an urgent meeting with yourself...” to discuss the new tax regime.

But after meeting with the bodies, Minister Jordan made it clear that government has no agenda against any sector in Guyana.

“We don’t have any agenda out for any sector.

We want to promote these sectors in a responsible and environmentally friendly way. We have said openly that our mission is to reduce taxes, but at the same time we are on a mission to ensure that every sector and every individual in this country pay their fair share of taxes. This is not an exercise to target anyone,” he said.

Gold declaration for 2016 reached a record high of 705,000 ounces at the end of the year. Minister Jordan also expressed the view that, “Somebody is pushing an agenda that seeks to rile up miners without trying to explain the issues to them… When we go down this road saying that the Government does not understand the difficulties in mining, we are getting into realms that suggest that some sectors should be exempted from paying taxes.”

The new tax measures

that were announced in the 2017 budget would see an increase in the Tributors’ Tax from 10 percent to 20 percent and a two percent tax on gross, and would also include a requirement to file income taxes at the end of the year.

Moreover, certain goods and services will now attract the Value Added Tax (VAT). Miners are also mandated to keep up-todate records of all their transactions.

Concessions and taxes According to the Finance Minister, Government has never been averse to considering various concessionary measures for the mining industry and has demonstrated that shortly after taking office with the signing of an agreement with the GGDMA. That agreement grants tax concessions on fuel and a range of equipment and supplies.

Minister Jordan lamented too, that members of those two organisations were quoted in the press as saying that the Government has removed the concessions, when the fact of the matter is that the life of the agreement came to an end.

He said that when the National Assembly was considering the 2017 budget, he met with stakeholders at Parliament Building where they discussed the implementation of a new one-year agreement for 2017 at the end of which miners will have the option to renew.

He noted that a post-budget meeting was also convened in January with the GGDMA, GWMO, small miners and sector ministers, Natural Resources Ministers Raphael Trotman and Simona Broomes.

“At the end of that meeting, we thought we had an understanding and clarifications and on various other issues. I even suggested that we, the Government, together with those organisations, issue a joint press release indicating some of the agreements that were reached. The next morning in the newspapers the GGDMA claimed that the meeting was hijacked by small miners and nothing came out of it. This was patently false,” Minister Jordan stated.

Small miners, he said, were advised to form themselves into syndicates or cooperatives, after they had complained bitterly that they were not benefitting from any of the concessions

that the Government was providing. He reasoned that Government is of the view that this would be a more efficient way of ensuring that small miners are not overlooked.

Heartened that small miners have been resisting the instigators, the Finance Minister noted that the relevant Government agencies must go to the miners directly to sensitise them on the new tax measures, rather than having intermediaries, who are confusing the miners.

This publication recently reported that a group of small miners had issued a statement saying that “Critically, the invitation to small miners to attend the meeting also points to an encouraging official recognition of the legitimacy of the pursuits of small operators in the sector. We applaud, equally, the Ministries of Natural Resources and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for taking this initiative.”

It went on to say that “Small miners will not be oppressed by these measures as the GGDMA, Mr. Christopher Ram and the GWMO tried to make them believe at a previous meeting.”

With regard to objections raised about the filing of income taxes at the end of the year and the increase in the Tributors’ Tax, Minister Jordan explained that at the meeting in January, Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr. Godfrey Statia, explained in great

detail, the benefits of filing and submitting income tax returns.

“Mr. Statia told the gathering there that were the miners to submit their returns, many of them would be entitled to tax refunds, because Tributors’ tax is deducted from your gross income and income tax is deducted from your net income… right now they are not submitting income tax returns and, therefore, they are forced to pay withholding-type taxes.

They do not get the benefit of the personal allowances that are given to people, who file tax returns,” Minister Jordan said.

Meanwhile, in an interview, the Commissioner-General reiterated that the new measures will ensure that all tributors from whom taxes are deducted benefit from their respective allowances and they get their refunds, which he said the GRA is committed to make available within one month of the returns being filed. He said that this would bring them into compliance and will make their tax portfolios consistent with every other taxpayer in the country.

Statia said too that contrary to what is being peddled in the press, the GGDMA was informed of the new tax measures.

“I met with the GGDMA in August when I came on and explained to them, some of the new measures that I would be recommending to the Government and the rationale for recommending them,” he said.

The GGDMA and the GWMO also complained about being burdened with paperwork and the minister informed them that GRA will be setting up a special section to assist miners as much as possible with paperwork.

Miners were given the assurance that even in cases where they do not have TIN certificates, they will not be hassled. The Authority will also ensure that their tax returns are filed.

To support these efforts, it was agreed that a desk will be set up at the Ministry of Natural Resources to specifically help miners with paperwork.

Additionally, the GRA is working on a booklet that will outline in plain terms, requirements under the law and details of certain procedures and the benefits therein. This publication, which will also contain the inputs of the

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Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan GGDMA and small miners, will be made available as a guide to all members of the mining community.

The GGDMA also took issue with the requirement of having to keep proper books and daily records, but the GRA Head advised the group that this was not a new practice, but has been the law since 1988, but which was not strictly adhered to.

“These laws as they entail would not affect 95 percent of the miners; the only persons who these laws would be affecting would be those major gold miners who have not been making all of the declarations to the Guyana Gold Board,” Mr. Statia said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017

Acid victim needs corrective surgery –– relatives appeal for help RELATIVES of Shundel Williamson, 26, who was allegedly doused with acid by her rejected lover, are appealing to the public for help to get her vision fully restored.

Williamson was viciously attacked on January 19, at Lot 16 New Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, and was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital before being transferred to the Burn Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

She is still a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and cannot see clearly as both eyes have been affected.

Her mother, Devi Ramcharit, told the Guyana Chronicle that the family is trying to raise US$10,000 to pay for corrective surgery overseas and will be hosting a take away lunch in that regard.

Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Shea Hands, has come onboard to assist the family.

Relatives said despite the incident, which caused disfigurement, Williamson remains in high spirits and is optimistic that her life will return to normalcy.

On that fateful night, the mother of two had left her 16 New Street home she shared with a girlfriend and was overheard saying that she would be back in a few minutes.

An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the suspect had gone to Williamson’s residence twice before enquiring about the woman.

On the third instance, the suspect allegedly wore a dress and a wig and took a seat on the back stairs leading to the upper flat of the home where Williamson resides.

She was staying at the lower flat with her children and a single parent family.

About 30 minutes after, Williamson was seen entering the yard, when the suspect, armed with a bottle and a bowl, reportedly said, “If I can’t get you then no one can’t,” before throwing the contents on her.

She screamed, and it alerted neighbours, forcing her attacker to escape. But he was subsequently arrested in Linden and brought to the Ancient County, where he made an appearance before Magistrate Marissa Mithelholzer, at the Albion Court.

The matter has been transferred to New Amsterdam Court and is fixed for hearing on February 20.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017

New fee for burying the dead

By Telesha Ramnarine

ADDED to the amount paid to have their deceased relatives interred, individuals must now pay a maintenance fee to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), Chairman of the Finance Committee Oscar Clarke announced on Friday.

He was at the time presenting the 2017 budget estimates to the City Council, where he drew attention to the number of new fees that will have to be implemented to help the municipality with its expenses for the year.

Regarding the cemeteries, Clarke said, “These facilities are vital to our socio-cultural aspects, but more particularly, our public health. For generations, council has been subsidising the operational costs of this facility, because citizens only pay a meagre sum to inter their loved ones; the rest is left to the council.

“However, this year,

2017, council has instituted a maintenance fee to assist with the general good upkeep of the cemeteries managed by the municipality. As a result, in addition

new fee will be, Clarke told this newspaper on Saturday that this is yet to be decided.

Meanwhile, to further rake in revenue, the M&CC has also considered a 10

This is against the background that there are a number of unassessed properties both in terms of construction, expansion and change of use,” observed Clarke.

A section of Le Repentir burial ground, Georgetown to the fee for the space, individuals must now pay a maintenance charge to the Georgetown City Council,” Clarke continued.

Asked how much the

percent increase across the board on property rates.

“It should be noted that there was no increase in the percentage assessment of property rates since 1998.

Because Council is of the view that more revenue can be collected from municipal markets, the entire revenue-collection system for the markets will be com-

puterised to capture all vendors and stallholders who are required to pay fees. In fact, as of this month, Council has decided to implement new fees which will affect salons, barber shops, and other forms of cosmetology.

The municipality has also decided to implement a commercial waste fee to all businesses within the first quarter of the year that is expected to generate approximately $53M for the year.

“Commercial waste-generation has become burdensome to our municipality, since we have seen a rapid increase of such wastes from the business community. The municipality is stretched very thin to remove some 38 tons of commercial waste daily at a cost of $1M per week,” stated Clarke.

Revenue will also be garnered from the controversial parking meter system that was implemented recently, from a hike in container fees to the council, and from efforts to have all

court fines paid over to the M&CC as opposed to the Consolidated Fund, where they are being remitted currently.

Clarke reminded that Georgetown comprises an area of 22 square kilometres, or 15 square miles, with a population estimated at 200,000 people and another 50,000 who visit the city for business and other reasons.

It continues to be a city of 60 wards programmed into 15 constituencies, an estimated 40,000 properties on record, excluding squatter settlements and Sophia.

The City Council maintains 160 miles of roads, 800 miles of concrete and earthen drains, 12 outfall channels and sluices; all parapets, reserves and thoroughfares; bridges, footpaths and sidewalks; municipal markets and parks, maternal and child welfare day care services, the abattoir, among many other municipal services, he pointed out.

Fmr Guyana Ambassador to UN passes on ONE of Guyana’s finest diplomats, Noel Sinclair, has died. According to a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the news of Sinclair’s demise was communicated to the ministry on Saturday.

The ministry noted that Sinclair’s passing represents the end of a career that was spent almost entirely within the diplomatic service, with the brief exception as a Master at Central High School.

Sinclair held rich curriculum vitae. He was educated at

the Central High School and the University of the West Indies (UWI). While at UWI, he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in French and a Diploma in International Relations.

“Even though he returned to Guyana after his studies at the regional university, it seems that the attractions of a newly independent Guyana seeking to find its place in the world of global politics had a compelling fascination for him, a fascination that was to endure for a lifetime,” the release noted.

Later, after joining the newly established Ministry of External Affairs, Ambassador Sinclair quickly became a Third Secretary in the Guyana Embassy in Caracas, a Second Secretary in the Guyana Embassy in Washington from 1969 to 1972, and First Secretary in the High Commission in Lusaka, Zambia, from 1976 to 1979.

At the peak of his career, Sinclair was elevated to the post of Permanent Representative to the United Nations in 1979. The ministry noted that

Ambassador Sinclair’s rise in the Foreign Service was based on his understanding of international diplomacy, his capacity for hard work and his ability for productive interpersonal relations.

“And it must be said that his success is all the more noteworthy, because it came at a time when professional achievement occurred against the background of a highly competitive Foreign Service,” the release stated.

It was noted that Sinclair’s work and achieve-

ments at this country’s overseas missions ensured that he would ascend to the highest position of the Foreign Service, that of Director-General, a position that was re-designated from that of Permanent Secretary to bring it in line with the other Foreign Ministries of Latin America.

While in that post, Ambassador Sinclair brought his skills as an administrator and his understanding of the needs and purposes of the Foreign Service the ministry said. In addition, his

NOEL SINCLAIR diplomatic career did not end there, since the Region elected him the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) after recognising his talent and skills.

His character traits included someone who was well spoken, socially sophisticated and according to the ministry, Ambassador Sinclair was as close as one would get to the image of an ideal diplomat for a country like Guyana. His enviable command of English made him a superb drafter of diplomatic documents,which was among his many skills.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended sincere condolences to the immediate family of Ambassador Sinclair, especially his wife and children, his brothers and his sisters.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017

Gov’t will not decide GuySuCo’s future without input from Opposition, Unions

THE Government will review and consider all proposals put forward by the Parliamentary Opposition, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), the Guyana Agricultural and Workers’ Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), to determine the course of action for the future of the

rent week to allow for the organisations to peruse, research and come up with their recommendations, which will be presented on February 17.

According to a release from the Ministry of the Presidency, Minister Ramjattan, admitted that these documents should have been provided ahead of today’s meeting and said Government is working to correct that situation and avoid any such

that we can possibly provide

by Tuesday and they will have days to come up with their proposals. This is not a perennial negotiation. It was not intended to be like that. It is the sharing of information, sharing our proposals but we are not going to do anything until we meet with them and hear their proposals…

That is why we are not going to move into anything of a decision making character Head of the Guyana Agricultural and general Workers’ Union (GAWU), Mr. Komal Chand, making a point to the Government team during the meeting

Members of the Government meeting with members of the Opposition, unions and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) Corporation GuySuCo in the interest of all stakeholders.

That was the reassurance given by Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, when the Government continued its consultations with the stakeholders on Friday at the Ministry of Agriculture. At the meeting, it was decided that the proposals from the stakeholders will be provided

by February 17, 2017, for review and consideration.

During the meeting, requests for additional information and documents on GuySuCo were made by the Opposition and the Unions and the Government has given the assurance that these will be provided in the cur-

delays going forward.

“We are going to share those documents. We have to listen to them because they are major stakeholders and knowing the President and how he dealt with this issue in Cabinet, he would like them to get as much information and to come up with their proposals. We are going to ensure that they can get all

until we hear their proposals,” Minister Ramjattan was quoted as saying in the release.

In 2016, Cabinet took the decision at its last sitting, to have the consultations begin at the soonest possible time to ensure that the best interest of all stakeholders will be considered.

The first meeting was held on December 31, 2016.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017

Cancer 3rd leading cause of death –– greater attention to be paid to screening, diagnosis, treatment and support

By Vishani Ragobeer

CANCER has been identified as the third leading cause of death in Guyana as this country joined others the world over in observance of World Cancer Day Saturday last.

World Cancer Day is a global observance held on February 4, each year.

For the period 2016-2018, a three-year campaign has been launched to raise awareness for everyone to work together to combat this worldwide and multi-faceted disease.

For this three year period, World Cancer Day will be observed each year under the theme: “We can. I can.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO), explains that cancer is a generic term used to define a number of diseases affecting the body

- all caused by the uncontrolled growth of certain cells.

It has also noted that there are more than 100 different types of cancer, each of which requires special diagnosis and treatment.

The WHO estimates that 8.2 million people die each year from some type of cancer which is equivalent to an estimated 13 per cent of all deaths worldwide.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, said cancer is the third leading cause of death in Guyana after cardiovascular diseases and chronic respiratory diseases.

The Public Health Ministry, has recorded some 6,518 new cases of cancer in Guyana between the years 2003-2012.

According to Dr. Shamdeo, in 2010, some 669 can-

cer cases were recorded; in 2011, 692 cases; in 2012, 687 cases; in 2013, 670 cases; in 2014, 694 cases; and in 2015, a staggering 517 cases.

Statistical data about cancer and cancer cases in Guyana for the year 2016 are still in a preliminary state at the Cancer Registry, the Chief Medical Officer said.

These data, he said, play a vital role in informing the Ministry’s response in

impeccable immunisation system of the Ministry is a major effort in the fight against cancer.

Immunisation against certain viral infections can prevent cancer cells from developing.

Immunisation against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is known for causing cervical cancer and Hepatitis B, which is known for causing cancer in the liver, are two such instances where the Ministry’s immunisation system aids in protecting against cancer causing diseases.

ana since its introduction in 2009, said screening involves the application of vinegar to the mouth of the cervix and results are obtained one minute later.

She explained that there are 17 sites across Guyana where persons can go to be checked, and assured that all practitioners abide by the code of confidentiality.

According to her, Guyana is acknowledged as having the highest cure rate of cervical cancer in the Caribbean. The rate is between 90-95%.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud

SCREENING, DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT Dr Persaud said screening and treatment are also thoroughly promoted by the Ministry which also strongly advocates for women aged 18 and onwards to learn how to detect the breast cancer indicator—a lump in the

100 PER CENT PREVENTABLE “Cervical cancer is almost 100 per cent preventable if you access the care early,” she said.

One point stressed by the three medical personnel, is that there is a dire need for early detection so that treatment to combat this life-threatening disease would be able to extend

Institute is further equipped to conduct radiotherapy.

At the GPHC Oncology Unit, diagnosis and treatment is free.

The Beacon Foundation, Rotaract Club of Georgetown Central and the Giving Hope Foundation, are among NGOs which work with the Ministry to provide support for persons with cancer.

Regional health facilities are also used and the Ministry is looking to provide

breast.

They are also urged to take advantage of the quick and free Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) treatment available which screen for cervical cancer.

Males above 40 are also encouraged to have prostate examination at least once a year.

In 2016, reports of breast cancer at the Guyana Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) decreased by 31 per cent, General Medical Officer (GMO) attached to the Oncology Unit of the hospital, Dr Latoya Gooding, said on Saturday at an event to commemorate World Cancer Day. Lorlene Ramsundar, a GPHC medic who has played a key role in the deliverance of VIA screening in Guy-

one’s life span for as long as possible.

Cancer is an incurable disease, but early detection can prevent the spread of the disease and reduce its severity.

The Ministry is working closely with the Cancer Institute in the area of diagnosis, said Dr. Shamdeo, who noted that “We don’t have the full capacity yet and some of the more advanced diagnostics are done overseas.”

However, all imaging required (such as x-Rays, CT scans, MRIs and ultrasounds) are done here, through a company that has been contracted by the Ministry.

The GPHC and the Cancer Institute both are equipped to provide chemotherapy and the Cancer

support for patients in hinterland areas.

As countries the world over celebrate World Cancer Day, the Chief Medical Officer advised that persons should pay attention to healthier diets by eating more wholesome foods, avoid tobacco, too much sugar and do regular checkups.

World Cancer Day was established in Paris on February 4, 2000, by the Paris Charter and adopted at the World Summit against Cancer for the New Millennium.

The Charter aimed at promotion of research for curing as well as preventing the disease, upgrading services provided to the patients and mobilisation of the global community against cancer.

General Medical Officer, Dr Latoya Gooding combating cancer, even as he pointed out the need for a comprehensive system to tackle the prevention, protection and treatment of the disease.

The Ministry of Public Health focuses mainly on prevention and protection, screening, diagnosis, treatment and cancer support.

PREVENTION AND PROTECTION Dr Persaud said the Ministry promotes early diagnosis and treatment, but places much emphasis on enhancing its prevention and protection efforts.

Limiting exposure to mercury, lead, tobacco smoke and alcohol are all areas the Ministry strives to enforce, according to Dr Persaud.

He mentioned that the Ministry is eyeing combating alcohol control by extending the age limit for legal alcohol consumption from 18 to 21 years.

He also posited that the

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017

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Towards a Good Life in a Green Economy

The Amaila Falls Hydropower Report: Part 5

Why not an Independent Power Producer (IPP) Model for the AFHP? IN Part 4, we looked at how to utilise the USD 80m earned payments. We suggested that, given the fact that we believe the USD 80m is money owed to the Government of Guyana (GoG), projects utilizing the USD 80m would include: transferring the USD80m into the Trustee’s Account; Comprehensive Hydropower Update Studies; Making GPL More Efficient and; Solar Farms Investment.

In this final part of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project (AFHP) series, our focus is about situating the AFHP within the broader context of its uncertainties and make an argument that Guyana, as a small developing state, should not be burdened with such costs and that the AFHP, if it is such a doable project, should be recast as a project using the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. For ease of clarity, an IPP is a private utility, which owns its own facilities that generates and sells electric power to other utilities. Let us zero in on some key uncertainties.

UNCERTAINTY SURROUNDING THE INVESTOR OF THE USD80M The AFHP report states thusly, “If admissible, [and] according to guidelines for payments from NICFI, we may suggest some of the USD 80 million presently deposited at IDB being used for project preparation”. Secondly, the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the AFHP Report stated, “As Norway has committed funds to the Project and the assessment, the assessment outcome will also inform the Government of Norway as well as any potential sponsors.” Let us now contrast this statement with what the GoG specified in its LCDS 2013, which reads as follows, “The Government is investing US$80 million as equity in the project – sourced from payments accumulated since 2009 under the Guyana-Norway partnership.”

As we pointed out in Part 3, the USD80m represents earned payments for ecosystem services under the Guyana-Norway Agreement (GNA) and ought not to be sitting in an IDB account. Those funds should have been paid into the Trustee’s (World Bank) account. In that context, it is puzzling, to say the least, that the KoN would lay claims that same USD 80m as funds committed by it, the KoN, and not by the GoG. Further, what specific guidelines would Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) refer to that would allow them to determine that some or all of the USD 80m could be spent on addressing some of the problems with the AFHP? As pointed out in Part 3, such claims and possible actions conflict with the Administration and Financial Agreement between the KoN and the World Bank (The Agreement) that governs the GNA. Suggestions within the AFHP report concerning whether the statutes of the KoN would permit use of the USD 80m deposited in an IDB account is really of no moment, since the USD 80m represents earned payments by the GoG whom, together with the KoN, through the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), determine what projects are prepared and submitted for approval.

UNCERTAINTY SURROUNDING THE ROLE OF IDB IN THE FINANCIAL STRUCTURE We suggest at the outset that there is significant concern about the role of IDB in any future configuration regarding the AFHP in its current structure and any See page 18

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Why not an Independent Power ...

From page 17

realignment to meet the requirements under the GRIF and The Agreement since the IDB became a party outside the provisions under which it could have become a party to a project. Of course, we do believe that the IDB is quite favourable an entity under a different financial structure, one where the possibility of an IPP model is not overlooked. Consider also that “…the Project Company’s debt structure includes lead financing by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and the China Development Bank (CDB)” and that China Rail First Group, the contractor and later replaced sponsor was not recommended by the Consultant’s Report based on serious conflict of interest and corruption issues. In this context, we opine that a raft of other uncertainties would undoubtedly ensue.

UNCERTAINTY SURROUNDING THE COSTS OF THE AFHP The high cost of AFHP, which stood at USD 858.1m and now modified to USD 800.7m is still considered very high, given that the cost per mega watt (Mw) for hydropower varies significantly. According to IRENA, costs can vary from USD 450,000 to USD 6,000,000 p/Mw. In the case of the AFHP, we are looking at a range of USD 74m to USD 990m, and this is without unknown costs relating to technical upgrades to bring the project up to acceptable standards.

It could well run into over USD1.0 billion. Secondly, GoG is also putting equity in the form of the provision of the actual site (Amaila Falls, the Kuribrong River etc,) and this equity should have been quantified and added to the project cost as GoG’s input. In other words, our natural capital contribution was not included.

Thirdly, The China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation (Sinosure) insurance for the AFHP stands at USD 34 m, because political risk is deemed to be high in Guyana. Why not wait until this risk is reduced? Why let that GoG pay for an identified international measured deficiency. The extra cost is not given in the report. It may well be in the hundred of millions of U.S. dollars. Who knows at this point?

Why should a small nation like Guyana be so burdened?

Why not let private capital be invested? These are the obvious questions that one is likely to ask and to which one is entitled to answers.

UNCERTAINTY SURROUNDING POTENTIAL ENERGY OF THE AFHP The AFHP report speaks about uncertainties surrounding future sedimentation and lifespan of the reservoir; size of the reservoir; annual water flows; technical flaws; stability issues; alternative powerhouse siting and geological instability. We believe that these types of uncertainties are likely to lead to doubts surrounding the potential energy that the AFHP can deliver, unless they are all addressed, which will incur unknown financial costs. Once again, who will pay for these technical upgrades?

WHY NOT AN IPP MODEL? We believe that, in the end, more than any thing else, the true economics of a given hydropower scheme will be driven by factors, such as costs, local market, structure of the power-generation pool, grid capacity, grid constraints, the value of providing grid services, and not simply the promised amount of kWh’s generated relative to the investment. In that context, recommendations by the Norconsult Report for reducing the political risk of the AFHP by requiring the GoG and Opposition Party to jointly agree to the AFHP in its current configuration is a virtual dictate to GoG, which serves to increases the political risk to the GoG. We submit that reducing political risk via joint agreement between GoG and the Opposition Party is very unlikely and too unacceptable, given the GoG’s fiscal and political space. Not to mention, there is no such requirement under the Guyana Constitution.

Given these uncertainties, we hold the view that an IPP model is best suited for an AFHP and other types of hydropower project in the future. An IPP, well regulated, could provide cheap power to the Guyanese citizenry over decades to come. In addition, the political and social risk to the GoG would be minimal, the GoG’s equity is still calculable under the natural capital heading, a competitive energy provision environment is a real possibility and the GPL would be able to rent its infrastructure at a profit. I believe we can all agree that one of the energy objectives of the GoG is the provision of cheap and reliable electric power to its citizens. Therefore, who provides this energy should not really rank as a top priority, provided the IPP meets the objective.

Having regard to the above and the instant pressure on Guyana to pursue the AFHP because it is doable, why is it then that the IDB, the KoN or any other government or international firm has not come forward with a proposal to fully fund the AFHP under an IPP model? The GoG should not bear such a large risk for equity of USD 80m in a USD 800m project.

Next week, I shall begin a series that will look at the entire Guyana-Norway Climate Agreement, which includes the GoG-KoN MOU; The Financial and Administration Agreement governing the partnership, the Joint Concept Note and the LCDS. We will begin with the GoG-KoN MOU. SHORT BIO Mr Gary A R Best is a retired Rear Admiral and former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force. He is an Attorney at Law and the Presidential Advisor on the Environment. He is a PhD candidate at the University of the West Indies. He holds a BSc in Nautical Science (Brazil) and Masters Degrees from the University of the West Indies and the University of London. He is also an alumnus of the National Defence University and Harvard Kennedy School. His research areas include, climate change governance, climate change finance, international relations and environmental law.

Comments can be sent to towardsagoodlife@gmail. com

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The Parking Meter Fiasco and the Arrogance of Power –stop being arrogant and ‘rap’ to your people I HAVE been following the parking meter debate with great interest.

We have heard two major justifications for the project. First, there is the argument in favour of revenue-collection for the use of public resources; that for too long citizens have been getting away with not paying for services which people across the world routinely pay for.

The second argument which has popped up this past week has to do with the modernisation of Guyana—bringing the country into the technological cutting-edge. On the face of it, those are very forceful arguments. Who would not want to be on the side of modernisation or would advocate that citizens get a perpetual free ride, especially in a country that is cash-strapped?

But I think those who are opposed to the parking meters are raising larger questions which are equally important. First, they are raising the question of accountability—why not talk this project through with the citizens to get their take on its feasibility? After all, it is their lives that are going to be most affected by this decision. It was our own Arthur Lewis, St Lucia’s Nobel Prize economist,

who defined democracy as the substantive process whereby those who are most affected by a decision should be guaranteed opportunities to influence its determination.

From everything we have learned, the decision to go down the road with this project was taken by a small subset of the City Councillors. So, there was not even proper consultation within the council itself and, more critically, with the wider community. The matter was brought into the open

by Councillor Sherrod Duncan, whose opposition to the project is primarily grounded in the undemocratic manner in which the decision was arrived at.

What Duncan exposed was something that has become a cancer in our political culture. Politicians from our independence to now have shown great disrespect for this aspect of democratic governance and for the citizens at large—it took root under the Burnham-Hoyte government and escalated under the PPP government which followed. The current government came to office with the expressed intention to correct that problem, but from everything we have witnessed thus far, it has settled into that seemingly seductive

mode of governance.

I do not for one moment believe that the city government is acting outside of the larger agenda of the coalition that is in power. The President and the subject minister have hinted that the process must be transparent, that central government would not encourage lawlessness. Yet, there has not been a pause to allow for more inputs from the citizenry. To the contrary, the Council seems to have become much more decisive about its power to implement the project against the will of at least a vocal segment of the community.

It is in this context that Friday’s protest and counter-protest on Regent Street must be seen.

Citizens across the political spectrum took to the streets to make known their opposition to the way the project was handled and to its feasibility in the first place. When authority closes doors to consultation and compromise on important socio-political matters, those affected are left with the only weapon in their hands—protest and resistance.

I refuse to believe that the authorities didn’t see the protest coming—they had to know that there was

going to be some form of demonstrated push-back.

But, in true Guyanese governance-culture, they chose to ignore it. That has been the way of power in Guyana—total disregard for protest, including when it comes from the government’s constituents. After all, those in power always have resort to the force of the State or to loyal enforcers who often act with the protection of the State.

I have been in Guyanese politics long enough to know how menacing it is to show up for a protest and be confronted by the police and government hecklers who are now self-styled counter-protestors. As I watched pictures and videos of the counter-protestors yelling their support of the Council’s actions and hurling insults at the protesters, my mind raced back to the days of old and not so old.

We saw the mayor out there making the case for the project, but not for one moment did she address the central question posed by the demonstrators— have you properly consulted with the people? Instead, she resorted to name calling and otherization, referring to the demonstrators as a few “high-class” people. Others on her side also got into the act of

“othering” the protestors as PPP which is the code for betrayal.

There is larger danger in this development—the arrogance of power. The mayor and her councillors who descend into name-calling are doing so with the full protection and force of the State— they are institutionalising the branding of citizens in negative terms. When government starts to label those who oppose its action as outside of the norm, it is paving the way for the State to act against them.

It is not true that it is only “high-class” citizens who oppose the parking meters and turned out for the protest on Friday—there were many “low-class” people there too. Even if “low-class” people are not directly affected by the parking meters, they are bound to see it as part of the larger package of government impositions.

And what is worse for the governing side, many of the protestors are supporters of the government—some of them openly vowed not to vote for the coalition again.

Are the leaders watching and listening? Sometimes I wonder if they care. Why are you fighting against those who voted you into power? I know citizens are

invariably wary of changes, but that instinct arises from the manner in which change has invariably been shoved down their throats. I have said before if you only sit down and reason with people, a lot of the suspicion would subside. Activists do it every day—we “rap” with people at their level and hear their raw emotions. Why is the City Government and by extension the central Government so hard-ears? Put the project on pause and reason with your people.

I have not dealt with the issue of Corporate Capitalism which is all over this project—the company appears set to make a killing if the thing succeeds. But that is another column by itself.

For now, I plead with the authorities to get off that arrogant trip you are on and “rap” to your people with love and respect— you will need their votes in 2020 and their wisdom and energy to sustain Guyana.

More of Dr. Hinds’ writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics. com. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com

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Hopefully, the United Nations visit this week can help us

AT the invitation of the Government, the United Nations (UN) will have a delegation in Guyana this week to begin consultations on Constitutional Reform.

This frankly may be the only organisation that can save this country and cause our politicians to get down to serious work to weld the nation’s diverse communities into truly achieving our objective to be One People, One Nation, One Destiny. For too long this nation has been held back by those who don’t understand, don’t care to understand, or don’t respect the principles of politics and how government ought to work.

Politics properly practised is about people and people’s development. The principles of governance are established to ensure the people’s welfare is safeguarded and protected by respecting declarations, conventions, charters, constitution, laws and time-honoured principles, which would see the creation of the enabling environment so potentials can be unleashed and dreams and aspirations achieved.

I am strongly convinced,that the venomous reactions to the 1980 Constitution and insistence to overturn and disrespect it, are not driven by knowledge or understanding of how it ought to work, but because of the leadership under which it was realised. A constitution is a nation’s supreme law.

It lays the foundation of the legal parameters of how the nation-state is identified, will be managed, its resources, including its citizens and others it does business with, will be treated.

Articles in a constitution are declarations of intent.

To give meaning to them, requisite laws will have to be enacted by the Parliament.

This is one of the reasons the President is considered part of the Parliament, in that when Bills are passed, the office-holder has a duty to

assent or decline in keeping with the established procedures in the constitution.

Just as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) develops and approves conventions which are ratified by governments of member-states and the UN’s declarations which follow similar protocols, and both thereafter require local laws to give meaning to them, so too is the constitution.

For instance, ILO Conventions No. 87 and 98 guarantee the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining. Guyana ratified these conventions in 1966, which are enshrined in the Constitution at Article 147, and true meaning has been given to them in our Labour Laws. Today, these Labour Laws are treated with contempt and trade unions are denied the right to represent their members’ interests at the workplace, including those workers of the State, where the Government is the employer.

There is a notion that the constitution has to be amended to include a Bill of Rights, copying from the United States’ Bill of Rights.

The UN Human Rights Declaration outlines Articles founded on the principle that all are created equal with inalienable rights, and must be treated with dignity and respect, and in doing so would create the foundation for freedom, justice and peace around the world.

The Constitution at Title 1, outlines: “The Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual,” based on the UN’s declaration. There are also articles on Rights Commissions, some of which are yet to be established, notable of which are the Human Rights Commission and Public Service Appellate Tribunal. Yet our politicians are calling for amendment to include a Bill of Rights, instead of moving to put laws in place to secure the rights and freedoms in the constitution, which are

more expansive than the U.S. There is no denying among the politicians, members of the government and lawmakers,that persons have not read the constitution, neither have they taken the time to understand how such an instrument ought to work.

This brings me to two articles that continue to be ignored and abused and in so doing, are largely responsible for much of our problems. Article 13 is the Principal Political Objective of the political system. It speaks to a system of inclusionary democracy, where individuals and groups will have a say in the management and decision-making processes of the State that impact their well-being. This article was championed by the APNU and AFC when in opposition and made part of their 2015 elections campaign, with the promise that it will form the cornerstone of how they govern.

This year marks 16 years of the existence of Article 13, of which the PPP/C had 14 years in office, and the APNU+AFC two years.

Not one bill has been taken to the National Assembly during the 16 years to give meaning to this declaration.

Having publicly called for it to be respected from the inception, when the APNU and AFC joined the call, while in opposition, it lead to the belief they were equally committed.

Today we see that Article 13 has been trampled upon in several instances. One instance near and dear me is the continued refusal of the Government to honour the request of the federated trade union bodies and private sector to discuss affairs of the State that impact on the well-being of our organisations and the interests we represent.

The other is Article 182, which grants the president immunity in the performance of his duties. No government has moved to create laws

to clarify and outline this declaration, but we continue to witness various forms of misinterpretations and abuses. The nonsensical argument that the president is above the law, despite the fact that the office-holder has sworn to uphold the law, still holds sway and has come to mark and justify the excesses of the holder and the contempt displayed for the people, the management of the State and their

resources.

Article 119A provides for a Parliamentary Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform, which allows for continual review and amendment as necessary.

David Granger headed the committee in the 10th Parliament, but no work was done.

In the 9th Parliament under the leadership of Ralph Ramkarran, the committee was comatose. In this 11th Parliament we do not know

if it has been established.

This article was part of the 2001 amendments.

I am counting on the UN to help us. It is hoped that the diplomacy of language this body employs is not lost on the political leadership in helping them to understand how a constitution works. The Guyana Trades Union Congress is slated to meet with the body and we shall make our presence felt.

Heightened awarenes

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… as Guyana observes World Cancer Day

By Shirley Thomas

FIRST Lady, Mrs Sandra Granger and Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, were among key functionaries leading the call for persons to be screened early for cancer.

The Ministry of Public Health, in commemorating World Cancer Day, Saturday, launched a strong appeal for more persons to join in the campaign to heighten awareness of the high incidence of cancer and deaths. The ministry also emphasised the importance of screening, adding that early detection can have a positive outcome.

This was the high point of the message delivered by Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, at a Balloon Commemoration Ceremony held in the compound of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) in observance of World Cancer Day. “Early intervention can save lives, while in some cases, early treatment can lead to the person being cured,” Minister Lawrence emphasised. The programme, hosted by the

“Giving Hope Foundation & Rotaract Club of Georgetown Central, and headed by Dr Gooding, was also addressed by First Lady, Mrs Sandra Granger, who made a stirring call for persons to seek early screening to determine if they have cancer cells and to take every precaution to avoid falling victim to cancer.

The event also attracted participation and support from the Ministry of Public Health, other Non-Governmental Organizations, cancer survivors and their families and corporate sponsorship from private-sector entities.

Alluding to the tag line ‘We Can! I Can!’ - Minister Lawrence noted that more children under the age of 15 are now being diagnosed with the disease. To this end, she made a poignant call for everyone to become engaged in the fight against cancer by making a pledge and taking action.

“Our position is that everyone can explore either collectively or as individuals, how they can do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer and World

Cancer Day is the time to reflect on what you can do.

Make a pledge and take action.”

She further noted, “On World Cancer Day, we have an opportunity to collectively examine cancer-control strategies that will accelerate progress. The goal for all of us is to ensure fewer people develop cancer; more people are successfully treated and there is a better quality of life for people during treatment and beyond.”

Minister Lawrence commended the initiative of the NGOs, which include the Rotaract Club of Georgetown Central, the Periwinkle, the Club of the Georgetown Academy and others and applauded their involvement in the activities which target paediatric cancer patients.

STEP UP AWARENESS According to Minister Lawrence, the approach of the ministry is to work in collaboration with NGOs and agencies to step up the awareness programme; to extend its outreach to administrative regions; to intensify education programmes on

First Lady, Mrs Sandra Granger (left) and Minister Volda Lawrence proceed to release their balloons to show their support for persons affected by cancer

The First Lady presents a gift to an infant, Omkar Persaud, who was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a cancer that develops in the retina at the back of the eye cancer or paediatric cancer in schools, clinics and health centres.

She affirmed that the ministry will improve access to cancer care in secondary health care facilities, beginning with those in hinterland

regions; move to invest in cancer control and challenge perception about cancer; encourage health checks and early detection; be a driving force in sensitizing all women in society and to encourage those who are

afraid, reluctant or even skeptical about screening and urge them not to delay, but to overcome their fear.

Meanwhile, stressing the importance of early detection, First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger concurred

Little Mieekha Crandon and her mother write the name of a family member who had passed away after being diagnosed with cancer

ss and early detection

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Members of the Rotaract Club of Georgetown Central at the World Cancer Day activities in the GPHC compound on Saturday [Delano Williams photos] with Minister Lawrence and noted that it would be futile to fight cancer if persons are not screened early.

“Unless that approach is taken, we will always be behind in our fight against cancer, which is life-threatening.”

And noting the increase in cases of cancer in children, the First Lady also stressed that parents need to realize that there must be an ongoing programme of check-ups and testing, so that their children can grow healthy.

Concerned that so many children are now being diagnosed with cancer, the First Lady said it is opportune that research be done to determine the causes.

“It is painful to see a child suffer. It is hard enough to see a grown-up [in agony] so much so, a child,” she remarked.

And commenting on cancer in adults, Mrs. Granger observed that all

too often, there are adults who do not get tested or screened for cancer until it is too late.

“Too often we hear of people coming in to the Oncology Unit only to discover they have stage three or stage four cancer, by which time [it is very late]….In stage four cancer, there is nothing much that could be done.”

Cancer is a term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems.

Cancer is not just one disease, but many diseases. Research shows that screening for cervical and colorectal cancers as recommended, helps prevent these diseases by finding precancerous lesions, so they can be treated before they become cancerous.

(CDC).

Minister Volda Lawrence examines the awareness booth set up by her ministry’s chronic disease unit at yesterday’s cervical cancer awareness and screening session held at the Giftland Mall

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Radio for Bartica soon

By Svetlana Marshall

FOR the first time in history, residents in far-flung communities such as Kartabo, Westerbeck and Karrau in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni District, will be able to switch on their radios and receive a live feed disseminating not only national and international content, but local information as well.

This major development

in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), will unfold in May, when the Office of the Prime Minister, through a tripartite partnership, launches the Bartica Radio Station.

The multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art facility is expected to serve the more than 15, 000 residents of Bartica, in addition to the outlying communities not only in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni District, but in Region 10 as well;

such as Goshen and Rivers View which are both close to Bartica.

On Thursday, Director of Public Information, Imran Khan, led a team to Bartica to conduct an onsite visit, and to meet with the regional and local authorities there to discuss the project. He was accompanied by Coordinator for the Community Radio Project and Consultant to the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr Rovin Deodat and As-

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Director of Public Information, Imran Khan and team meeting with Mayor of Bartica Gifford Marshall and his team sistant Production Manager (Studios) of the National Communications Network (NCN), Devon Roberts.

Just before assessing the two proposed sites, the Bartica Resource Centre and the Youth Choice building on Mongrippa Hill, the team met with the Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford; Regional Executive Officer (REO) Roderick Edinboro; and the Regional Information Officer, Cianna Persaud, at the

to determine the necessary renovations and upgrades needed to accommodate the state-of-art-facility, inclusive of a tower.

The technical aspect of the project, he noted, is being spearheaded by Roberts. The physical work or groundwork is expected to commence by March/April.

Dr Deodat, on the other hand, with the help of the local officials, will recruit local persons interested in

Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC) office.

In detailing key aspects of the project, the Director of Public Information explained that the community-oriented radio station will be established via a “three-way partnership” among the Office of the Prime Minister, the executing agency, NCN, which is providing technical support and the region. The region is expected to provide the building to accommodate the radio station, in addition to human resource (broadcasters) and security.

Khan further explained that once the site is identified and agreed upon, an assessment would be made

becoming broadcasters.

The potential broadcasters, when identified, will undergo a rigorous training programme, thereby equipping them with the requisite skills and knowledge needed to produce local content.

SUPPORT In addition to local content, the Director of Public Information noted that the radio station will be supported with content from NCN. “Outside of the local programmes, the station will carry NCN’s content – the national programmes See page 25

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Radio for Bartica ... from page 24

including the news, some of which you get through 98.1 and VoG, but now you will get a stronger signal and a wider reach, once the radio is set up,” he posited.

Dr Deodat, in briefing the regional chairman, noted that the radio station will significantly benefit the people of Bartica and those within a 25-mile reach.

Using the radio station, the project coordinator explained that the RDC and the Bartica Mayor and Town Council, can broadcast public information, while educating the populace of the rich history and culture of the region.

“This is where you showcase the region itself, not merely Bartica, but the wonderful scenes, sites and benefits within this region that contribute to [the] national patrimony,” Dr Deodat said.

He emphasised that the radio station will be a non-partisan and non-conflictual enterprise. He said it should be for development of the region and for the telling of tales by people from this part of the world, and for the reviving of cultural norms that might have been forgotten.

The regional chairman, upon hearing the “good news,” said it is a step in the right direction and will serve the people well. Bradford pointed out that currently, the regional officials would have to either broadcast local information through NCN, or travel to the various communities in order to update these communities on developments within the region.

When established, he said the radio station will play a critical role in keeping residents informed. “It will help us tremendously

The Community Radio Project team along with regional officials assessing the compound of the resource centre to determine the best location for the dish in terms of disseminating information, particularly to the riverine communities,” he told the project

The resource centre, one of the proposed sites for the Bartica Radio Station

team.

FUEL DEVELOPMENT A similar meeting was held at the Town Council with the Mayor Gifford Marshall and Councillors.

Marshall, upon being updated on the project, said it will fuel development in the town and the region.

“Communication, we will all agree, is the fuel of any progressive society.

Without such, democracy can easily be derailed. It allows for consultation, participation and inclusion of programmes and ideas,” he said.

He said unfortunately,

the work of the municipality is significantly hindered due to the lack of effective and constant communication.

“We have long struggled with communicating our vision, programmes and developmental agenda to the people of Bartica.”

However, he noted that with the radio station coming on stream, the Council will be able to effectively communicate with its people.

“The community radio will be a major asset to the people of our town.

It reflects Government’s commitment to the transformation of Bartica. Our social, economic, and developmental landscape will be

boosted,” the mayor noted.

Additionally, he said the local leaders will be better equipped to educate residents of the Council’s green agenda.

“Moreso, schools, NGOs, Government agencies and the religious community, will be in a position to advance their cases through a new form of media.”

In addition to Bartica, community-oriented radio stations will be established in Mahdia, Orealla and Aishalton, for 2017, at a cost of $150M. In 2016, two radio stations were operationalised in Lethem and Mabaruma, at a cost of approximately $50M.

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City building codes under review GUYANA’S current building codes, which had been implemented since 1999, are being reviewed by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS).

GNBS Executive-Director, Candelle Walcott-Bostwick, at a recent press conference at the Sophia Exhibition Complex, said the existing specifications of the old building codes need to be reviewed, as they are out-dated.

“When you look at the codes now for example, persons are thinking of codes with requirements for energy- efficiency, some of the type of materials that are available then, we have newer materials available now, newer technologies, but there is no formal enforcement arm as is required by the building code, as is specified in that standard,” the GNBS head noted Further, Walcott-Bostwick said the Minister of Business, under which the agency falls, will be reviewing the policies GNBS Executive-Director, that are recommended. Candelle Walcott-Bostwick “We have a set of building codes and they are currently being reviewed. The one for septic tanks is just a review of the existing specifications and that committee is currently working on it. So for example, they may be looking at certain areas like the size, the type of materials that are being used and so forth. So it’s just updating what currently exists,” she said.

The GNBS director said some regulatory authorities are available that enforce aspects of the building codes – for example the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), which uses the codes to enforce the parts which are applicable to them – when persons are constructing buildings, as well as the Government Electrical Department which implemented the electrical codes.

“At this moment, those regulators will carry out their enforcement, but the thing is, there is not an enforcement body to oversee all of the building codes,” she said.

However, although there are currently no enforcement arms of these codes, there are penalties for those who refuse to follow the codes that are currently available.

The codes have been up for review for the past two years, however, because of on-going development, the requirements are ever-changing.

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Colours/ Guinness Greatest in the Streets football

Eight teams cut on West Dem opening night

By Stephan Sookram THE Colours/ Guinness Greatest in the Street East and West Bank Demerara football tournament got off to a lively start with eight teams being cut from the tournament on the opening night at Pouderoyen.

The first to go was raiders as they succumbed 2-0 at the hands of Patentia Street Ballers,with Kurt Garnett’s 15th minute strike being followed up by Andre Bernard in the 18th.

In the second game, it took one strike to eliminate Harmony B, as Goed Intent’s Daniel Alves in the 15th minute sealed the deal.

Game three saw an utter

3-0 demolition of Speed Boat by Admiral United.

A crazy mix-up by the defence allowed United to take the lead early through Lexroy Manfield who solidified that lead three minutes later as his team ran rampant. Emanuel Henry in the 11th minute would then put the finishing touches on the game.

In Game 4,E.S.P.N.held their one goal advantage to the end over their Samaroo Dam opponents,thanks to Nicquan Nestor in the 14th.

Bagotstown Warriors needed a penalty shoot-out to beat Young Ballers as they won 1-0 while the same method and result gave Hustlers the win over Bagotstown Ballers.

Future Crane needled Agricola,1-0 through Ashton Hodge in the 13th while DeKinderen Ballers had the same result over the Vege Boyz; their goal coming from Steffen Dickson in the 19th.

In game 9, the Westside Ballers beat Comfort Ballers 2-0 thanks to Dwayne St.Kitts 6th minute and Gideon Payne’s 12th minute strikes.Small Panama went down to Showstoppers 3-0.

Their three goals came from:an own goal in the 7th, Dexroy Adams in the16th and Kayode King in the 20th.

Action resumes on February 7th.

GBL donates baseball equipment to young Queen’s College students

By Vishani Ragobeer

THIRD form students of Queen’s College benefited from a donation of baseball equipment including bats, helmets, balls and protective leg pads from the Guyana Baseball League (GBL) Inc. on Friday.

President of the Baseball League, Robin Singh,highlighted that the school’s Physical Education teacher had reached out to the league

to foster the development of the sport in the School.

“With baseball being a fairly new sport in Guyana, we are making these donations to encourage the growth of the sport in Guyana,” he said.He also highlighted that he, like the Minister of Education,Rupert Roopnarine, is plugging for the development of sports in schools.

The GBL president explained that in addition to Queen’s College, two schools in Berbice have also benefited from such a donation. He also highlighted that in addition to the donation of equipment, the league will be providing training for the sport.

He also highlighted that just last year, a team from Guyana travelled to Canada to play baseball. Now, with the advent of such donations to schools, he says that he is expecting to take a stronger team next year.

Also speaking to the Chronicle Sport, was the

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school’s Physical Education teacher,Osafo Dos Santos.

Dos Santos said, “I reached out to the league for this donation to implement a baseball programme in the school with third form students.” He added too that this donation will be able to foster an “appreciation” for this fairly new sport.

The students asserted that each week, on Wednesdays from 15:00hours to 16:00 hours and on Fridays from 13:00hours to about 14:30 hours, they plan to make full use of the donation. Singh and a coach aligned with the league, Devon Douglas,reassured that they would be visiting during these times to lend their knowledge and support.

The president of the League highlighted that he is willing to sponsor similar initiatives and can be contacted on his email: robinsingh@baseballguyana.com

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39

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017

Chelsea crush Arsenal, Liverpool lose in Premier League

By Ian Chadband

LONDON,(Reuters)-Chelsea moved another step towards regaining the Premier League title with a 3-1 drubbing of Arsenal in the table-topping London derby at Stamford Bridge yesterday as only Tottenham Hotspur maintained their distant pursuit of the leaders.

Antonio Conte’s side moved 12 points clear of Arsenal with a performance decorated by one of the goals of the season, a dazzling individual effort from Eden Hazard starting from near the halfway line.

The 2015 champions’ command at the top of the table was strengthened further with fourth-placed Liverpool falling 13 points adrift after their wretched 2017 continued with a shock 2-0 defeat at resurgent Hull City.

Only second-placed Spurs, the one team to have defeated Chelsea in their last 17 matches in all competitions, appear up for the fight, reducing the gap at the top to nine points with their 1-0 win over Middlesbrough in the day’s late match.

Hull’s win over Liverpool saw them clamber up one place to 18th in the relegation zone while another startling result featured Crystal Palace, who lost 4-0 at home to bottom club Sunderland, with all the goals coming in the first half.

Conte was a satisfied man as he watched Chelsea avenge their worst defeat of the season in September at the Emirates, the 3-0 reverse that prompted him to change their tactical approach.

The Blues have never looked back since and an ear-

ly header from Marcos Alonso, the dazzling second-half solo goal from Hazard and a poor clearance from Petr Cech that allowed Cesc Fabregas to chip into an unguarded net in the dying minutes sealed their revenge.

Hazard’s goal was, by his own admission, “beautiful”. The Belgian picked up the ball just inside his own half, swerved away from Laurent Koscielny, outmuscled Francis Coquelin and turned Koscielny inside out again before beating Cech from close range.

Olivier Giroud earned a stoppage-time consolation goal but a fourth defeat in nine league matches effectively ended Arsenal’s title hopes for another season as they now lie third on 47 points, after 24 games, to Chelsea’s 59.

“It was an important game. I consider Arsenal one

Chelsea’s Gary Cahill and Marcos Alonso celebrates after the game Action Images via Reuters / John Sibley Livepic of the six teams that can fight for the title until the end of the season. To put them 12 points behind is very important for us,” said Conte, after presiding over a 14th home win in 15 games at Stamford Bridge.

“In every session they show me great attitude and great will to fight and win this league.”

Liverpool’s defeat looked to have ended their challenge too as Juergen Klopp’s men succumbed to goals from Hull’s on-loan Senegalese strikers, Alfred N’Diaye and

Oumar Niasse.

It continued a woeful run for the Reds in 2017, who have won just once in their last 10 games, leaving a baffled Klopp to suggest their slump made “no sense”.

Tottenham, though, appear to continue to believe as they stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to 14 games and hit the half-century of points, with Harry Kane’s second-half penalty earning victory in a game they dominated but made heavy weather of sealing at White

Hart Lane.

Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe scored twice in first-half stoppage time as he turned Sam Allardyce’s reunion with his former club into a nightmare, the Palace boss having to watch his side ship three goals in six minutes before the break.

Sunderland remain bottom on 19 points but now have the same tally as Palace, one behind Hull, who are making dramatic strides under new Portuguese boss Marco Silva.

Everton, unbeaten in the league since Christmas, continued their excellent run with Romelu Lukaku scoring four in their helter-skelter 6-3 win over Bournemouth, his first coming after just 30 seconds to equal the fastest in the League this season.

The Belgian international striker is now the league’s leading marksman with 16 goals with Chelsea’s Costa and Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez on 15 and Kane and Defoe on 14 along with Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Eight races billed for Guyana Cup rematch De Villiers steers Proteas Entries close on February 19 to ODI series win

Horse race locally always attracts the country’s best horses as well as thousands of racing fans.

EIGHT races are billed for the Guyana Cup rematch, according to the original programme released by the organisers.

The one-day event is billed for February 26, at the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast, Berbice.

According to the programme, over $7M are up for grabs, with the feature event classified for D2 and Lower animals. The race will gallop over 1800 metres, and will see the winning stable being $1M richer.

It was revealed yesterday that the racing stables for Just Call Me Boss, Princess She is Not, Spit Fire, Jack in My Style, Golden Blue Ecko,

Lady Budapest and Score’s Even, have all singled their intention to be a part of the feature event.

The other events listed on the day’s programme will see an event for horses classified E1 and Lower,West Indies bred non-earners for 2016 and E3 US and Canadian bred none-earners for 2016.

The winning stable in that event will earn $600,000.

There is an event for four-year-old West Indies bred animals, which are classified G3 and Lower, while there are races for horses classified H and Lower, and three-year-old West Indies bred and I1 and Lower horses.

Also there is a race for three-year-old West Indies bred horses and maiden animals, J2 and K class, and animals classified L and Lower.

The event is organised by the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Racing stable in collaboration with the Rising Sun Turf Club.

Entries will be closed on February 19, and according to the organisers,no late entries will be accepted.

Interested persons can contact Fazal Habibulla on 657-7010 or 232-0232, Donald Lawrie on 225-4530, Compton Sancho 602-1567 or Chattergoon Ramnauth on 697-1979. Race time is 12:30hrs.

(REUTERS)-AB de Villiers struck an unbeaten half-century to steer South Africa to a series-winning seven wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the third one-day international at The Wanderers yesterday.

In a game that was delayed for over an hour by a swarm of bees that took up residence on the pitch, South Africa won the toss and sent the tourists in to bat, restricting them to 163 all out in 39.2 overs.

The dominant home side, playing in a changed pink kit in aid of breast cancer awareness, eased to victory with a full 18 overs to spare as De Villiers led the way with 60 from 61 balls.

He put on an unbeaten fourth-wicket stand of 72 with JP Duminy (28) to guide South Africa to an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.

South Africa have now won their last 12 ODIs at home, a record for the country.

NiroshanDickwella (74) and UpulTharanga (31) had managed 60 for the first wicket for Sri Lanka as they made a positive start but, once seamerKagisoRabada (2-39) removed the latter, the collapse was on.

Only two other batsmen managed double-figures as Sri Lanka lost 10 wickets for

103 runs to record another low score on what has been a dismal tour with the bat.

The players left the field for more than an hour with Sri Lanka on 117 for four in the 27th over as a swarm of bees descended on the stadium and had the fielders dropping to the floor in panic.

The unwanted guests were finally coaxed away with buckets filled with honey and the match could resume.

Seamer Dwaine Pretorius (3-19), recalled to the side

in the place of all-rounder Wayne Parnell, posted career-best figures in his fourth ODI. Quinton de Kock (eight) failed again with the bat at the top of the home side’s order, but HashimAmla (34) and Faf du Plessis (24) steadied the innings before captain De Villiers compiled his 49th ODI half-century to finish the job.

The next match will be played in Cape Town on Tuesday before the series concludes in Pretoria on Friday.

SCOREBOARD

SRI LANKA Innings N. Dickwella c de Kock b Dw. Pretorius 74 U. Tharanga c Pretorius b Rabada 31 K. Mendis c Amla b Phehlukwayo 4 D. Chandimal c Morris b Phehlukwayo 4 D. de Silva c Amla b Morris 6 A. Gunaratne c Pretorius b Rabada 2 S. Pathirana b Tahir 18 L. Madushanka c du Plessis b Dw. Pretorius 0 S. Lakmal c Behardien b Dw. Pretorius 0 L. Kumara c Rabada b Tahir 5 L. Sandakan not out 0 Extras: (lb-3 w-6) 9 Total:(all out, 39.2 overs) 163 Fall of wickets: 1-60 U. Tharanga, 2-79 K. Mendis, 3-89 D. Chandimal, 4-115 D. de Silva, 5-125 A. Gunaratne, 6-149 N. Dickwella, 7-149 L. Madushanka, 8-155 S. Lakmal, 9-158 S. Pathirana, 10-163 L. Kumara Bowling: K. Rabada 7-0-39-2 (w-1), C. Morris 8-0-38-1 (w-3),

Dw. Pretorius 7-2-19-3, J. Duminy 3-0-17–0, A. Phehlukwayo 5-0-26-2 (w-2), I. Tahir 9.2-221-2.

SOUTH AFRICA Innings Q. de Kock b Kumara 8 H. Amla run out (Pathirana, Madushanka) 34 F. du Plessis c D. de Silva b Madushanka 24 A. de Villiers not out 60 J. Duminy not out 28 Extras: (lb-1 nb-1 w-8) 10 Total: (for 3 wickets, 32 overs) 164 Fall of wickets: 1-23 Q. de Kock, 2-58 F. du Plessis, 3-92 H. Amla Did not bat: F. Behardien, C. Morris, D. Pretorius, A. Phehlukwayo, K. Rabada, I. Tahir Bowling: S. Lakmal 6-1-23-0 (w1) L. Kumara 8-0-49-1 (nb-1 w-5) L. Madushanka 4-0-15-1, L. Sandakan 6-0-33-0 (w-1), S. Pathirana 7-0-35- 0 (w-1) D. de Silva 1-0-8-0

40

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017

Ex-Test umpire Lou Rowan, known for role in John Snow affair, dies at 91 A U S T R A L I A’s o l d e s t former Test umpire Lou Rowan has died, aged 91.

Rowan, remembered for being involved in two of Australia’s most controversial Tests, umpired 26 Test matches and cricket’s first one day international in his eight-year career.

Most notably, he officiated in the controversial 197071 Ashes series in Australia, including the seventh Test at the SCG where England captain Ray Illingworth walked his team from the field after fast bowler John Snow was attacked by a member of the crowd, who came to be known as “the man in the towelling hat”.

At the time, Rowan instructed Illingworth to return his team to the field or face forfeiting the match, before the game continued. Rowan had earlier warned the quick for intimidatory bowling after Australian tailender Terry Jenner had been hit in the head by a Snow bouncer.

It was one of several run-

Australian cricketer Terry Jenner is struck on the head by a ball from John Snow during the controversial Sydney Ashes Test of February 1971. Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty Images “It is not a happy thought ins between Rowan and the English team during the se- that, as an umpire, I might ries, in which no Austra- have been the spark to exlian batsmen were given out plode Anglo-Australian Test lbw in any of the Tests. In cricket relations to smitherhis provocative book The eens,” Rowan wrote. “But I Umpire’s Story, released a have no regrets for my part year after the Snow incident, in the affair; I would act no Rowan claimed that he didn’t differently in similar circumregret his actions on the day. stances now, whether at club

or international cricket level.”

“But cricket had a close shave that day at the SCG, a mighty close one when one considers how easily events far less acrimonious than Ray Illingworth’s had been built into international incidents... I had to act, as I have repeatedly done in my job as a policeman in Brisbane and elsewhere, in the interests of maintaining the peace” Snow fired back in his own 1976 book, Cricket Rebel, devoting an entire chapter to his “bitter rows with Umpire Rowan”, but it wasn’t until 1997 that “the man in the towelling hat” was revealed to be Trevor Guy, a 53-yearold from Sylvania Waters. A 2010 article in the Sydney Morning Herald claimed Guy had indulged in a few drinks on the fateful fay, but denied being “stoned”.

Years earlier, in his third Test, Lou Rowan was also officiating at the bowler’s end when square leg umpire Col Egar no-balled Ian Meckiff for throwing in the 1963-64

series against South Africa.

He later became a voice against alleged chuckers, petitioning for them to be removed from the game.

Away from the game, Rowan worked as a Queensland drug squad detective.

“It is not a happy thought that, as an umpire, I might have been the spark to explode Anglo-Australian Test cricket relations to smithereens,” Rowan wrote. “But I have no regrets for my part in the affair; I would act no differently in similar circumstances now, whether at club or international cricket level.”

“But cricket had a close shave that day at the SCG, a mighty close one when one considers how easily events far less acrimonious than Ray Illingworth’s had been built into international incidents... I had to act, as I have repeatedly done in my job as a policeman in Brisbane and elsewhere, in the interests of maintaining the peace”

Snow fired back in his own 1976 book, Cricket Rebel, devoting an entire chapter to his “bitter rows with Umpire Rowan”, but it wasn’t until 1997 that “the man in the towelling hat” was revealed to be Trevor Guy, a 53-year-old from Sylvania Waters. A 2010 article in the Sydney Morning Herald claimed Guy had indulged in a few drinks on the fateful fay, but denied being “stoned”.

Years earlier, in his third Test, Lou Rowan was also officiating at the bowler’s end when square leg umpire Col Egar no-balled Ian Meckiff for throwing in the 1963-64 series against South Africa. He later became a voice against alleged chuckers, petitioning for them to be removed from the game. Away from the game, Rowan worked as a Queensland drug squad detective (Guardian Sport/AAP)

ENGLAND bowler John Snow is grabbed by a member of the crowd after Australian batsman Terry Jenner had been hit on the head by one of his bouncers during the final Test match of the 1970-71 Ashes in Sydney. Photograph: Central Press/Getty Images

The respective top finishers in the GUMDAC sponsored Badminton tournament display their prizes after the presentation,along with officials.

GUMDAC annual Open Doubles Badminton tournament concludes THE Guyana Badminton Association’s annual GUMDAC Open Doubles tournament concluded last Friday night with the presentation of prizes,which was held at the National Gymnasium.

The tournament was played between February 1 and 3.

The highlight of the evening was the Men’s Doubles finals, where National and Caribbean Champion, Priyanna Ramdhani teamed up with Avinash Odit to compete in the event.

The duo took the top men’s pair of Nicholas Ali

and Jonathan Mangra to a three-setter. They lost the first game: 21-14, but came back to win the second: 2119. However, they lost the third game: 21-13.

In the Open Mixed Doubles finals, Priyanna Ramdhani and Jonathan Mangra defeated Nicholas Ali and Greer Jackson: 21-17, 21-15.

In the Ladies Doubles finals,Priyanna Ramdhani and Greer Jackson defeated Pricilla Moore and Angelica Holder.

Meanwhile, other matches played during the evening

saw Marlon Chung and Ronald Chang Yuen defeating Gokarn Ramdhani and Javid Rahaman: 21-16, 21-19, in the Open Men’s Doubles third place playoffs.

In the Open Ladies Doubles round-robin segment; Priyanna Ramdhani and Greer Jackson defeated Angelica Holder and Pricilla Moore: 21-9, 21-10, while Angelica Holder and Pricilla Moore defeated Ayanna Wickham-Watson and Emelia Ramdhani: 21-17, 21-12, while Ronald Chang Yuen and Pricilla

Moore defeated Avinash Odit and Angelica Holder: 21-13, 17-21, 17-21 in the Open Mixed Doubles third place playoffs.

A release from the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) indicated that plans are on stream for the Mash tournament later this month.

The presentation of prizes was done by GUMDAC Managing Director Mr. Darrell Carpenay,who has been sponsoring the tournament for the last five years.

LABA players have until this afternoon to register for upcoming tournaments CLUBS affiliated to the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) have until this afternoon to register their players for the Under- 23, Malta Supreme Open and 5-A-Side tournaments.

The under-24 tournament bounces off next Saturday at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.

Secretary of LABA,Joseph Chapman,informed that clubs were reminded of the upcoming tournaments, when LABA held its annual general meeting on January 22.

Registration will close

today when the association meets with its executives at 17.00hrs and the clubs at 18.00hrs,at the MSC hard court.

The clubs are Retrieve Raiders, Amelia’s Ward Jets, Victory Valley Royals, Half Mile Bulls, Block 22 Flames, Kwakwani, Christianburg Pistons,formerly known as Wismar Pistons,and Bankers Trust Falcons.

Clubs who fail to have their players registered will not be included in the fixtures for these tournaments, the association said in its release.

41

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017

Athletic Bilbao’s goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz (R) fails to stop a shot from Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (unseen) to score a goal. REUTERS/Albert Gea

Messi collects another record as Barca sink Athletic Bilbao

By Richard Martin BARCELONA,(Reuters)-La Liga champions Barcelona stayed on the heels of leaders Real Madrid by coasting to a 3-0 home win over Athletic Bilbao yesterday as Lionel Messi became the club’s top scorer from free kicks.

Paco Alcacer scored his first league goal since joining from Valencia last year by turning in a pass from Neymar in the 18th minute while Messi whipped in an angled strike in the 40th, his 27th goal from a free kick for Barca.

Aleix Vidal scored the most impressive goal of the game by finishing off an audacious solo run in the 67th minute.

Barca stayed second in the

standings, moving one point behind Real Madrid having played two games more. The leaders were due to visit Celta Vigo on Sunday but the game was postponed after the Balaidos stadium roof was damaged by storms.

Third-placed Sevilla visit Las Palmas today Fernando Torres made the most of a rare start by scoring both goals as Atletico Madrid beat neighbours Leganes 2-0 yesterday.

Torres, who made his debut for Atletico against Leganes back in 2001, looked lively throughout the game.

He could have scored as early as the second minute when he came charging at goal on the counter-attack but his attempted chip missed the target.

He won a penalty in the 14th minute and followed up on the rebound to put the hosts in charge after Antoine Griezmann saw his spot kick repelled by goalkeeper Iago Herrerin.

Torres scored his second goal in the 51st minute, beating the offside trap and latching on to a through ball before calmly lifting it over Herrerin. Atletico are fourth in the standings on 39 points.

Valencia were thrashed 4-0 at home by tiny Eibar, Voro’s side suffering a second straight defeat after their troubles had been temporarily eased by two consecutive wins. Valencia are 16th on 19 points, six above Sporting Gijon who occupy the final spot in the relegation zone.

Eibar move up to seventh on 32 points.

Espanyol are also on 32 points, in eighth position, after winning 1-0 at Malaga, their third consecutive league win.

In Barcelona, coach Luis Enrique made six changes to the team that beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in Wednesday’s King’s Cup semi-final first leg, resting top scorer Luis Suarez, and it looked a risky move as Athletic made a bold start.

Raul Garcia struck the post early on, after Inaki Williams dispossessed Vidal, while Williams headed just beyond the post soon after as Barca again lacked control without injured midfielders Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta.

However, they took the

lead when Neymar cut inside from the left and held off four opponents to serve up the ball for Alcacer to finally score a league goal for Barca in his 11th appearance.

Athletic continued to cause problems but the Catalans doubled their advantage before the break when Messi smashed the ball from the right-hand side of the area straight past Athletic goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz. The goal moved him ahead of Ronald Koeman as the club’s top set-piece specialist with 27 goals from free kicks in all competitions.

Early in the second half, Barca midfielder Rafinha was forced off with a bleeding head after colliding with his goalkeeper Marc-Andre

ter Stegen, while Pique was taken off with a suspected hamstring strain.

Messi was substituted in the 64th minute but the Argentine maestro was soon all smiles as he watched Vidal race towards goal on the counter, flicking the ball over a defender before arrowing the ball into the far corner for the third.

“Athletic are always difficult opponents and although at times we were imprecise it’s been a very positive day for us,” Luis Enrique told reporters.

“If we want to win all three competitions this season we have to use the whole squad and today the players who play less often showed their worth.”

Wismar Pistons renamed Burkina Faso beat Ghana to Christianburg Pistons third in Africa Cup of Nations Wismar Pistons will now be known as Christianburg Pistons as they re-enter as a basketball club with the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) this season, according to secretary Clive Rodney.

Rodney said that considering the fact that players are mainly from the Christian-

burg section of Wismar, it was decided that the club's name be changed to Christianburg Pistons.

This,he said,is more a representation of where most of the players reside and so the decision was taken to have the name-change for the basketball club.

Rodney said that the

next step in ensuring the club remains active was to have the basketball court resurfaced.This was done recently through funds made available through the Regional Democratic Council which had budgeted for the works which include repairs to the backboard.

Burkina Faso were runners-up in the 2013 tournament

Photo shows right, LABA president Lawrence Simon and secretary of Christianburg Pistons,Clive Rodney discussing the way forward for playing basketball at Christianburg

ALAIN Traore’s stunning late free-kick defeated Ghana and sealed third place yesterday in the Africa Cup of Nations for Burkina Faso.

From the right of the 18yard box, Traore hammered a left-footed effort into the top

corner of the net.

It sent Ghana to fourth place for the third time in the past four tournaments Jordan Ayew, Edward Agyemang Badu and Bernard Tekpetey all missed chances for the Black Stars, who were made to pay by

Traore.

It was a measure of consolation for Burkina, who were denied a place in the final by a penalty shootout defeat by Egypt.

Egpyt meet Cameroon in today’s final. (BBC Sport)

42

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017

Victoria to host Limacol double-header this evening ViCTORIA ground will play host to the next round of matches in the 2017 Limacol round-robin knockout football tournament which is in its second round.

In the first game of the evening,Riddim Squad will take on Mahaica Determinators in a battle for upward mobility in Group D. Both teams are tied on one point while Police have four points.

The second game of the night will see a group C bat- Flashback: A grove Hi-Tech player carries the ball during their game against tle between Anns Grove and Milerock in Friday night’s encounter of the 2017 Limacol round-robin knock-out Pouderoyen,as both teams football tournament at the GFC ground,Bourda.

look to move up the table as well.Should Anns Grove be the victors on that night then they will move into the second spot, currently being occupied by Santos FC. Group A is currently being led by Winners Connection with four points while fellow Linden Team Milerock with three points assumes advantage over the Grove Hi-Tech team due to a positive goal difference; Northern Rangers are in the cellar Meanwhile, in B group, Western Tigers have assumed a commanding lead

with six points over their nearest competitors Eagles,who are on three, while Uitvlugt and New Amsterdam are yet to score a point.

The winners of the tournament will take home $500 000 and a trophy while the second, third and fourthplaced teams will receive $250 000, $125 000 and $75 000 respectively.

Additionally, the winners of each group will receive $100 000 while the respective finishers will pocket $50 000, $30 000 and $20 000.

(Stephan Sookram)

Ambris helps Volcanoes break losing streak NORTH SOUND, Antigua, (CMC) – Sunil Ambris struck his fourth half-century in five innings as Windward Islands Volcanoes broke their threegame losing skid with a comfortable five-wicket victory over West Indies Under-19s here yesterday.

Chasing an uncomplicated 208 for victory at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, Volcanoes got home in the 41st over with the right-handed Ambris hitting an unbeaten 67.

Opener Johnson Charles hit a typically breezy 41 while Shane Shillingford finished on 25 not out.

Leg-spinner Mikyle Louis left his mark with two

for 45.

Matthew Patrick had earlier top-scored with 45 while fellow opener Shian Brathwaite got 42, as West Indies Under-19s rallied to 207 for nine off 50 overs.

Seamer Kyle Mayers produced a superb spell of four for 38 from his 10 overs and former West Indies off-spinner Shane Shillingford was equally excellent with three for 22 from 10 overs.

Sent in, the Under-19s flourished early on as Patrick and Brathwaite put on an excellent 88 off 91 balls for the first wicket.

The left-handed Patrick faced 91 balls and counted two fours and a six while

Brathwaite hit three fours and two sixes in a 60-ball knock.

Once Brathwaite was bowled by Shillingford in the 23rd over, the Under-19s lost four wickets for 25 runs to slump to 113 for four in the 21st over.

However, a 47-run fifth wicket partnership between Shamar Springer (29) and Kirstan Kallicharan (24) propped up the innings and ensured the Under-19s got beyond 200.

In reply, Charles got Volcanoes off to a brisk start, adding 43 off 44 balls for the first wicket with Tyrone Theophile who made 19.

The right-handed Charles, who stroked five

fours and a six, also put on 33 for the second wicket with Devon Smith (12) before three wickets fell for 30 runs, to leave Volcanoes tentatively placed on 106 for four in the 23rd over.

Ambris then came to his side’s aid, anchoring two partnerships to erase any doubt about the result. He faced 78 balls and counted six fours, putting on 62 for the fifth wicket with Kavem Hodge (19) and another 42 in an unbroken sixth wicket stand with Shillingford.

Gaining a promotion in the order, Shillingford made it count, whacking a four and two sixes in a 16-ball cameo to deflate the Under-19s challenge.

IT was Usain Bolt unlike he has ever been seen before on the track — taking part in a mixed 4x100-metresr relay.

The first edition of the Nitro Athletics series at Lakeside Stadium saw the Bolt All-Stars winning the night, with Australia claiming second in the six-team event yesterday.

Bolt lined up in the second leg of the mixed relay against three other men and two female sprinters — Mariko Nagano from Japan and 16-year-old Riley Day of Australia.

With fellow Jamaican and former world record holder Asafa Powell run-

ning the opening leg for the All-Stars, Bolt was always going to get the baton in first place.

The gap was much bigger by the time Bolt handed off to Jenna Prandini, although Day was also impressive. But Bolt and his team easily won the event.

Bolt, the eight-time Olympic champion, has committed to competing in all three Nitro events over an eight-day period in Melbourne. The meet continues on Feb. 9 and Feb. 11 at the same stadium.

Also in the field are Bolt’s fellow Jamaican sprinter Michael Frater, Rio de Janeiro Olympics

400-meter hurdles champion Kerron Clement and American long jumper and

sprinter Jarrion Lawson.

Teams from Australia, England, China, Japan and

SCOREBOARD

WINDIES UNDER-19s S Brathwaite b Shillingford 42 M Patrick c wkp Ambris b Shillingford 45 B Yadram c and b Sebastien 8 +E Stewart c wkp Ambris b Shillingford 3 S Springer c Sebastien b Mayers 29 K Kallicharan c wkp Ambris b Mayers 24 K Paul c wkp Ambris b Mayers 0 J Bishop c and b Mayers 11 M Louis not out 9 J Spencer b Williams 2 O McCoy not out 12 Extras: (w22) 22 TOTAL: (9 wkts, 50 overs) 207 Fall of wickets: 1-88, 2-99, 3-107, 4-113, 5-160, 6-160, 7-177, 8-186, 9-189.

Bowling: Matthew 5-0-25-0 (w4), Mayers 10-0-38-4 (w1), Williams 9-0-44-1 (w8), Hodge 6-1-38-0,

Shillingford 10-1-22-3, Sebastien 10-0-40-1 (w9).

VOLCANOES J Charles c Bishop b Louis 41 T Theophile b Paul 19 D Smith c Springer b Bishop 12 A Fletcher c wkp Stewart b Louis 13 +S Ambris not out 67 K Hodge c Brathwaite b Patrick 19 S Shillingford not out 25 Extras: (b4, w7, nb3) 14 TOTAL: (5 wkts, 40.2 overs) 210 Did not bat: *L Sebastien, K Mayers, K Williams, M Matthews, Fall of wickets: 1-43, 2-76, 3-82, 4-106, 5-168.

Bowling: McCoy 3-0-22-0 (nb2), Paul 8-0-52-1 (w3, nb1), Bishop 10-1-36-1 (w2), Louis 9.2-0-45-2, Kallicharan 3-0-14-0, Yadram 2-0-14-0, Spencer 3-0-15-0, Patrick 2-0-8-1 (w1).

Points: Volcanoes 4, Under-19s

Bolt in mixed company on first night of Nitro Athletics New Zealand, composed of 12 men and 12 women, are also competing in the meet.

Events include the m i x e d m e d l e y re l a y s , sprints over 60 and 200

meters, the long jump and the elimination mile, where at the end of the first, second and third laps, the lastplace runner is eliminated.

(Sportsmax.com)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday February 05, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Jamal Smith (CCC Marooners) & Reynard Leveridge (Jamaica

Scorpions) (2) 24 sixes Today’s Quiz: (1) Who is the captain of the WI Under 19 team in this season’s

CWI Nagicor Super 50 Competition?

(2) Who is the captain of the ICC Americas team??

Jamaicans Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

43

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 5, 2017

Jaguars face another must-win to stay alive - Careers on the line if performances cannot improve

By Rajiv Bisnauth THE Guyana Jaguars have not played to their full potential, atleast not for the first five games in the current NAGICO Super50 tournament.

Assad Fudadin

Their below-par performances have left them for the second time in three days,in a must-win game today to stay in the hunt for a semifinal spot.

They will match wits and skills with the mighty Barbados Pride at the Three Ws Oval from 09:00hrs.

Leon Johnson’s team is

on 13 points, behind Group B leaders, the Pride,who are on 24,and are in danger of being eliminated at the conclusion of the preliminary round.

Guyana are four points ahead of their most threatening rival, Jamaica Scorpions.However,what is interesting is that the Scorpions have played one less game than the Jaguars. Also the Scorpions have a better net run-rate, +0.116 against the Jaguars, -0.263.

T h e e q u a t i o n n o w, which looks simple on paper, is that the Jaguars need to win the remaining three games and hope for other results to pan out in their favour.

The Jaguars batting, e s p e c i a l l y t h e t o p o rder,has collapsed miserably throughout the tournament, and there has been a huge debate, which leaves the top order nearly pre-decided.

The Jaguars have three

Rajendra Chandrika openers at their disposal:West Indies Test openers, Assad Fudadin and Rajendra Chandrika, along with former West Indies youth captain Shimron Hetmyer, but sadly they all failed to impress, and perhaps lack an insatiable hunger for runs.

Fudadin has 108 runs from five games at an average of 21.60, while Chandrika could only achieve 64 runs from four games at an average of 21.33. Hetmyer has six runs from three matches, at two runs per innings.

Evidently,the batting

statistics represents their inconsistency, which is perhaps the most undependable top order Guyana has produced for a long time.

Hetmyer, 20, is still in the learning process, but Fudadin, 31, and Chandrika, 27, both have played at the highest level, and should have produced better performances.

All-rounder Christopher Barnwell and wicket-keeper batsman Anthony Bramble are two other failures, especially Barnwell who has failed to justify his

Christopher Barnwell

selection.

Both played four of the five games to date, with Barnwell totaling 41 runs from three innings, while Bramble has 37 runs from two innings. Barnwell’s all-round ability has plummeted significantly over the years, and his eleven overs from three games have cost him 54 runs, with only one wicket.

In an invited comment yesterday, an official from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has stated that careers could be on the line if the performances are not improved as the tournament progresses.

Barring the top order failure, veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been the backbone of the Jaguars’ batting line-up. Always reliable throughout his illustrious career, the 42-yearold has an average of 181 in the tournament to date.

He is the only Guyanese to register a hundred.

Apart from Chander-

Anthony Bramble paul, skipper Leon Johnson is the team’s highest run- score, with 206, and the onus will be the duo if the Jaguars is to progress further, since unfortunately, the rest of their batting lacks perseverance and intent.

The bowling ,both pace and spin,have been fairly effective, despite lacking sting on a few occasions.

But for Jaguars, their focus should be on winn i n g t h e i r re m a i n i n g games ,since they cannot control the results of other games.

UDFA/GT Beer champions Silver Shattas ICC agrees in priniciple to financial collect $1M and winners’ trophy changes, Test league

Silver Shattas’ coach Felix Inniss is seen collecting the trophy and cheque from George McDonald N E W U p p e r D e m e rara Football Association (UDFA) GT Beer Christmas football champions,Silver Shattas,were rewarded with the first major title championship prize for winning the 4th annual GT Beer Christmas football championship on New Year’s Night.

Silver Shattas collected a cheque for $1M and the winners’ trophy from Banks DIH Co-Managing Director George McDonald last Friday afternoon.

Felix Inniss,coach of Silver Shattas who lost to Winners Connection in the 2015 tournament, received the laurels from McDonald.

Second placed Eagles United received their runner-up cash incentive of $600,000 and a trophy while third place Botafago took home $300,000.

Former three-time winners Federal Winners Connection, who placed fourth,got $200,000 and a trophy.

THE International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed agreement has been reached in principle regarding “a more equitable distribution of revenues” and a shakeup of international cricket schedules.

It was reported on Friday that ICC executives had agreed, at a board meeting in Dubai, on proposals for a two-year Test league and 13-team league for one-day internationals.

That has now been confirmed in an ICC statement, while world cricket’s governing body also announced yesterday that agreement had been reached in principle regarding constitutional and financial changes - seemingly reducing an imbalance in favour of the ‘Big Three’ nations [India, England and Australia] - and the potential inclusion of new full-member nations.

An ICC media release read: “The broader principles that have been agreed include a revised financial distribution ensuring a more equitable distribution of

revenues, [and] a revised constitution to reflect good governance, expanding and clarifying of the roles and objectives of the ICC to provide leadership in international cricket.

“Further constitutional changes proposed include the potential to include additional full members [Ireland and Afghanistan subject to both meeting membership criteria].

“The ICC Board agreed to work collaboratively on the detail of the constitution and model with a view to final sign-off at the April board meeting and submission to the full ICC Council in June.

In terms of the proposed structural changes, the statement added: “Progress was made around the future structures of bilateral international cricket with a preferred model identified by the member chief executives for all three formats of the sport.

“This framework will now be used to build a more detailed model that incorporates scheduling and accom-

ICC chairman Shashank Manohar modates existing agreements to present to the ICC Board for full consideration in April and includes: - A nine-team Test league run over a two-year cycle - The remaining three Test teams to be guaranteed a consistent and confirmed schedule of Test matches against all other teams - A 13-team ODI league run over a three-year period leading into qualification for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 - A regional T20 competition structure to be developed as a pathway to qualification for the ICC World T20 “A scheduling summit will now be held in March before a detailed proposal is put to the ICC Board in April.”

Jaguars face another must-win

3

age 4

See P

Colours/ Guinness Greatest in the Streets football

Eight teams cut on West Dem opening night

See Story on Page 38

One of the many goals scored on the opening night of the West Demerara Colours/ Guinness Greatest in the Streets football tournament at the Pouderoyen Tarmac (Delano Williams Photo)

FIFA says GFF has the authority to decide Elite League competition

WORLD governing body of football, FIFA, has confirmed that the Guyana Football Federation Inc. (GFF) has the right and authority to decide the composition of its competitions, including the Elite League.

Four clubs have breached their obligations under the 2015 GFF Constitution by boycotting the 2016-2017 Elite League, after the GFF Executive Committee decided to in-

clude a further two teams in the league.

In a letter to the GFF dated 1st February, 2017, FIFA’s General Secretary Fatma Samoura said: “It is within the power of the GFF Executive Committee to change the regulations of the Elite League, including determining the number of participating Clubs, unless there is a binding written agreement between the GFF and the Elite League which would state otherwise - to

FIFA General Secretary, Fatma Samoura

the best of our knowledge, however, such an agreement does not exist.”

FIFA’s confirmation follows a similar move by the regional body CONCACAF. The GFF Executive Committee, elected with a mandate to reform football in Guyana, took the decision to expand the Elite League in order to broaden the geographical reach, commercial potential and competitiveness of the league, and to accelerate the development of football across the country.

In her letter, Samoura referred to Article 36.2.i. of the GFF Constitution, which states that it is within the powers of the GFF Executive Committee to “draw up regulations governing the conditions of participation in and the staging of competitions organised by the Federation, including the playing schedule.”

GBL donates baseball equipment to young Queen’s College students

n tory o See S 38 Page

The third form students pose with their new baseball equipment. Also in photo is president of the Guyana Baseball League, Robin Singh (second right), Queen’s College games’ master, Christopher Barnwell (right), Baseball coach, Devon Douglas (left) and Queen’s College Physical Education teacher, Osafo Dos Santos (second left).