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Linden Mash a big party

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No. 104844

MONDAY MARCH 6, 2017

Price: $80

Several permanent secretaries reassigned (VAT Inclusive)

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––Harmon says move geared at ensuring efficiency, accountability in public service sector

Indian immigration transformed Guyana – President

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A patron gets a ‘henna’ (Indian tattoo) at the mela and cultural show hosted by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Hindus for self-less service) at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, West Coast Demerara, on Sunday (Samuel Maughn photo)

Gov’t mulls new Helping Grave administrative the needy injustice centre –Trotman Page 13

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–– Food for the Poor built 140 houses last year, provided other support

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–– Ramkarran raps Magistrate Bess’ ruling in transgender case

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 6, 2017

Several permanent secretaries reassigned ––Harmon says move geared at ensuring efficiency, accountability in public service sector

STATE Minister, Joseph Harmon, has announced the reassignment of several permanent secretaries, a move he said, is aimed at ensuring efficiency and accountability in the public service sector. The reassignments have affected the Ministries of Agriculture, Education, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Legal Affairs, Public Health and the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport. The minister, who was particularly disappointed with budgeted spending, said that with effect from March 1, 2017, Joylyn Nestor Burrowes has taken up the post of acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, replacing Mr. George Jervis, who along with the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Finance), Ms. Prema Roopnarine have been asked to proceed on leave. Collette Adams will now serve as the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, following

the removal of former Permanent Secretary, Trevor Thomas. Delma Nedd, former permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education will now function as the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, while Alfred King, who was previously permanent secretary of the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, will now serve in the same capacity at the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs. Vibert Welch, who served in the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, has now been moved to the Ministry of Education. Melissa Tucker, the former permanent secretary of the Ministry of Legal Affairs will now function as the permanent secretary at the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport. Former Head of the Works Services Group of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Geoffrey Vaughn has been elevated to the position of perma-

nent secretary for that Ministry, while Marlyn Stephens from the Public Service Commission has now been assigned to the Public/ Police Service Commission as the secretary and Sophia Hunte is now the acting secretary of the Teaching Service Commission. OTHERS REMAIN The permanent secretaries of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Social Protection, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Communities, Ministry of Business, Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Public Service and the Ministry of Public Telecommunications all remain the same. The minister, who made the announcement at the closing ceremony of a threeday retreat and workshop at Splashmins Eco Park for top management employees of ministries, agencies and departments of the Government, said that changes

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, delivering remarks at the closing ceremony of the three-day retreat and workshop

Permanent secretaries and heads of the various departments paying keen attention, as Minister Harmon discussed their responsibilities

in the public service sector are critical to the provision of improved services to citizens. He referenced the performance of the ministries during 2016, where less than 50 per cent of budgetary allocations were spent. “Last year, in our performance as ministries, our public sector infrastructure programme, the completion rate was miserably low. Some claimed that they were new in the work, some weren’t sure what was expected and some were just ambivalent about the consequences of not doing things at the right time. So our performance last year was not good and we have to do better this year. You have to provide a service to the people and the State gives you a budget to do so, but if at the end of the year you can only show 15, 20 or 30 per cent completion, then something is wrong. We will have to make changes,” Minister Harmon said. Directly addressing the

permanent secretaries, who were a part of the workshop, Minister Harmon said that it is expected that they will be able to continue functioning in their new offices, adding that Government will continue to provide training, where necessary to ensure improvements in performance. “When you are a public servant, a permanent secretary, you have the capacity to function in any ministry of the Government because your training is standard. We have invested in training of public servants. We have invested in training at the level of permanent secretaries. We are investing at the level of entrants into the public service and we are investing in training for persons in the middle tier. So we are spending quite a large sum of money in training people; training Guyanese to function at the level that is expected of them. Once you are given that training, much is required,” he said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 6, 2017

Jagdeo extends olive branch to PPP defectors PEOPLE’S Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary,Bharrat Jagdeo,has opened a welcoming arm to disgruntled supporters, saying that their support is critical if the party is to return to power in the 2020 elections. Jagdeo, who is also Opposition Leader, made the overtures on Sunday at the annual wreath laying ceremony at Babu Jaan, in honour of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan, a founding member of the PPP. Addressing the gathering estimated at around 1200, the former President said all are

welcome in the PPP. “We have to be welcoming; a lot of people who left and went to the AFC are all delusional and are coming back,” he said,as former Alliance For Change (AFC) Executive, Dr. Veerasammy Ramayah looked on, much to the amusement of the crowd. Some sections of the media have reported that Dr Ramayah has joined forces with the PPP, but he told Guyana Chronicle that he is independent and will remain “critical of whoever is wrong, be it the Government or the PPP”.

But in the same breath, he indicated that if the policies of the Government do not reflect the interests of the people, he would be inclined to join the PPP since “they have been supportive of the sugar and rice industries which most Berbicians depend on”. Only a few days ago, GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally resigned from the post after being at the helm for 15 years. His resignation came amid a stalemate between the PPP and the Government to select a ‘fit and proper’ person for the top GECOM post.

STREET PROTESTS Jagdeo also told the gathering that if President David Granger unilaterally selects a person of his choice, the PPP will take to the streets and the court. “We in the PPP will not take that sitting, we will have to hit the streets and make sure this does not happen because we will never be able to have a fair and free elections if they install one of their people,” he said. The Head of State, on several occasions, explained that his only interest is ensuring that the person appointed to the post of Chairman meets the requirements as outlined in the Constitution of Guyana. “This position, which has remained unchanged, is a matter of public record..” the President has insisted. Back in mid-January on the Ministry’s television programme, The Public Interest, the President had said that, “I don’t have a candidate in mind. I have a qualification in mind. I want someone who satisfies the Constitutional requirement.” CONSTITUTION CLEAR He further stated however that, “The Constitution is clear that once the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list of persons, who are not unacceptable, I will have to make a choice but I

A section of the gathering at Babu Jaan on Sunday

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo addressing the crowd at Babu Jaan

will choose someone who is acceptable to both sides and who the general public is satisfied with.” The Opposition Leader also criticised the Government’s handling of the economy and sugar, saying that social and economic feasibility studies should be done on the latter before decisions are made to close sugar estates. “Sugar is not a company, it is an industry and no viable decision can be made without being guided by those studies, so this is a political decision, it’s plain and simple,” Jagdeo contended. Former President,Donald Ramotar, who also spoke on sugar, said he feels the industry can be saved. Government last week assured that the welfare of the workers and their families is of primary concern. “The other economic concerns and so on will of course be dealt with but the workers’ interest is at the forefront of whatever policy we’re going to embrace with respect to the sugar industry,” Harmon told reporters at a post-Cabinet media briefing

on Thursday. He said too that the coalition government is expected to present a White Paper in the National Assembly soon, as it relates to the future of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). The issue was discussed extensively at the ministerial conference held on February 28, at State House, when Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, made his presentation. The conclusion of consultations between government, the unions and the opposition on GuySuCo’s future, along with the options advanced by the government and the proposal made by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) will form the basis of the White Paper. Meanwhile, several other executive members of the party who addressed the annual pilgrimage focused their presentations on the life and work of the late Dr Jagan. This year marked 20 years since his passing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 6, 2017

Indian immigration transformed Guyana – President Granger By Ravin Singh THE SHIPMENT of more than 240,000 East Indians to work on sugar plantations in British Guiana during the 19th Century transformed the culture, demography and political economy of this country which now boasts a multi-ethnic status. Deafening silence and

serve the 100th year of the abolition of indentureship in Guyana. In an unorthodox style, the President’s voice faded intermittently. It was largely due to the fact that his speech was passionately delivered, evidenced in his fluctuating tone. What was sure was that many, even children, were reminded and some educat-

in persons”. “It was trafficking in persons… if they did that today they would be charged. It was a cruel phase in our history and the history of the world,” he told the gathering. The historian said like African slaves, the Indians resisted the abuse, brutality, oppression, violence and confinement on the plantations. NEVER FORGET As descendants of these

eventually remain after their indentureship contract had expired. Though the system was cruel and oppressive, he optimistically remarked that indentureship serves as a reminder of the value that needs to be placed on human dignity, human equality and human liberty. But one good which may have come out of the arrangement of indentureship, was Indian immigration, which the President said

President David Granger addressing the gathering

tributed significantly to the development of the country. He offered too that the immigration of this ethnic group transformed other ethnic groups including Africans, Chinese, Portuguese and others,who shared and contributed to its culture. “It transformed the lives of the people who were living here from time immemorial. Today, we enjoy peaceful and friendly relations in Guyana. We are living in an oasis of peace,” he pleasantly remarked. A section of the large gathering at Sunday’s mela and cultural show to mark the 100th year of the abolition of Indian indentureship in Guyana

attentiveness from thousands of Guyanese – predominantly Indians – allowed those words to resonate with much meaning and significance. Perhaps, it was not only what was being said, but rather, who was saying it – President David Granger, a historian. He was at the time addressing a few thousand people who gathered at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora,at a mela and cultural show to ob-

ed for the first time about the “cruel phase” in this country’s history known indentureship. Through this system of indentureship, more than 3.5 million East Indian were exported to tropical colonies in the 19th Century to work on sugar plantations owned and controlled by European empires. This mass exportation, which was similar that that of slavery, was described by the President as “trafficking

immigrants listened attentively, President Granger urged them never to forget how their foreparents were brought here. “We should not forget how we got here. We got here by the blood and sweat of our foreparents,” he said, adding that Indians recreated familiar conditions in British Guiana to ensure survivability. About 70 per cent of Indian immigrants who came to British Guyana would

transformed the culture, demography and the political economy of what used to be British Guiana. The President noted that this group of people would venture into different spheres of life, including business and politics,where they con-

NATIONAL DAY To this end, the headof-state declared that March 12th will be announced as a national day for the observance of the abolition of Indian indentureship in Guyana. In a similar tone, Opposition Member of Parliament Irfaan Ali delivered a fiery speech which called on Indians to ensure they continue

to contribute to the development of what he described as a “collective society”. Ali noted that collective unity also must be achieved, but that this could only happen when there is collective purpose and unity. He also touched on the contributions of Indians in the area of agriculture which he said must always be acknowledged. The show also featured numerous cultural items, many of which were done in the form of song and dance. Contributions were made by the three dominant religious groups in Guyana – Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Several booths showcasing the rich Indian culture were also on display at the event. The curtains were drawn with the beautiful display of fireworks by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF),which also entertained the patrons with a spectacular parachuting exercise.

Editorial

President Granger’s Bahamas visit LAST week President David Granger led a Guyana delegation to The Bahamas on a State visit which he referred to as an Economic Mission. The society cannot lose sight that the President is currently serving as the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and his visit came at a time when United States (U.S) President Donald Trump has not only proposed to significantly cut foreign aid but is also focusing on implementing the “America First Policy” by channeling economic programmes and incentives internally. The US is one of CARICOM’s major economic partners. Though some within the region may be inclined to harbour reservation that a shift in focus in dealing with the Caribbean could bring with it repercussions, optimists would see such as creating opportunities to look inward and draw on our abilities in utilising indigenous resources to bolster the region’s development. In life they say, if you are given lemons, make lemonade. The President,in speaking of the region’s possibilities,noted that Bahamas has the capital and a strong tourism industry, while Guyana, Suriname and Belize have resources that can complement the rest of the Caribbean, and when put together, would make the region stronger. None can deny this. The three countries with their large landmass, tropical forests, and savannahs,present dreams for those desirous of engaging in organic agriculture, eco-tourism, and eco-development, which would bring employment and economic opportunities, direct and indirect. These aforementioned areas are yet to be fully explored, or remain unknown, or are yet to be properly marketed. When

their potentials are looked at in the global economy, the only thing that prevents CARICOM member-states from tapping into the various markets would be us. The truth is, for much too long there have been only talks about the region’s potentials but absent is the comparative strides to unleash them. It has also become a practice where it is easier to say why something cannot be done rather than explore avenues how to get it done. Entering new terrain, notwithstanding all the feasibility studies and resources available, making things happen require acting on them and taking that leap of faith that comes with the entrepreneurial, exploratory, and the pioneering spirit. The development of man did not happen overnight, or without risk taking, stepping out on faith, and making mistakes. These are necessary actions in the process of growth and development. And where the people will need to explore, probe, and execute, regional governments,where they do not provide the visionary leadership,will have to create the incentives and enabling environment to allow the people to make it happen. As a Caribbean people we must wonder why in the midst of so much natural resources and intellectual capacity our economies still heavily depend on the primary products inherited from slavery to the colonial era. Something is definitely amiss and the time is past nigh where hindrances to our collective advancement should be pursued, not merely for identification purposes, but more importantly with the goal to correct whatever deficiencies exist. Acknowledgment of potentials without putting the necessary systems in place to realising the benefits that should flow therefrom, our human capital will not only continue flight, but

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 6, 2017

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

our economies would not be able to deliver growth befitting the people’s aspirations, and the stigma of being a people who talk and not act will remain. What President Granger noted about the region and its people’s potentials have been noted for eons. The advantage his presidency and chairmanship of CARICOM brings is that of a freshness to politics, being new to the leadership of political party, parliamentary office, and the Executive. As an outsider looking in he would have had the benefit of wideeye view of the region’s potentials, read analyses by notable figures about CARICOM’s lethargy in delivering on the goals it sets itself, and may have too, now being an insider, placed his pulse on the contributing factors. President Granger’s newness may be just what the CARICOM Heads of Government need to bring fruition to programmes and make full use of agreements. One such is the Economic Partnership Agreement between CARICOM+Dominican Republic (CARIFORUM) and the European Union that allows opportunity to fill the gap that will be created by the U.S’ re-alignment focus.

Lincoln Lewis weighs in on VAT debate

Dear Editor, THE more society listens to Finance Minister Winston Jordan on the issue of taxation, the more it is recognized that his fiscal policies are not grounded in social consciousness. Education and health are fundamental rights, as prescribed by the Guyana Constitution. This means that the State, via the government, is duty bound to provide these services, directly or through support systems. There are social reasons for these services given their importance to enlightenment and wellness in ensuring production and productivity, which are necessary to guarantee the growth and development of the people and the society. It makes sense to ensure citizens are provided opportunity and access throughout their lives, if people are rightly seen and valued as the reason for a nation’s existence. Minister Jordan, who today seeks to tax those for accessing education and

health services, need not forget the guiding principle for the purpose of these services, and where he and his ministerial colleagues had access to free education from nursery to university and health services, having come from humble background, were it not for these, could not have been where they are today. Compassion will inform having gotten through the door, when you look back or down at others, it should be to lend a hand across or up. This is how continuity and development takes place. When in 1926 the Caribbean trade union leaders moved to frame a developmental agenda for the citizens/workers, education and health were considered critical for such, hence the call to make it public. The United Nations (1948), in its Human Rights Declaration, considered both services critical to human dignity and respect, and important to the pursuit of being free from want, hunger, and other social ills. Guyana is a member

of the UN. To tax those who access these services, as against taxing the businesses that provide the services, is not only a violation of a person’s fundamental right to access, but is punitively designed to make it prohibitive and by extension a denial of the rights. Let me make it very clear- in a mixed economy (public, private, and cooperative) services operate at competitive cost (direct and indirect) and allow persons to access same base on choice. The government provides a fully taxed public funded education (nursery to secondary) where all are allowed access. The private sector provides educational services, but at a direct cost borne to the students. I am not sure if the cooperative sector provides this service. But government cannot treat education as a fundamental right, then turn around and charge people for accessing this right, when the State has

via the Constitution, made its access competitive. Those who are providing private education must confirm to the laws governing their business (including paying their taxes). Those who established non-profit schools, the government can require of them, through sensible measures, to shoulder some responsibility in certain areas, as a way of helping to maintain the public good. There are much best practices around the world where treatment of profit and non-profit organisations proving the same services are dealt with. In the meantime those that have been recalcitrant must be pursued by the Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority. I disagree with President Granger’s contention that only because a few private schools registered complaint he will retain the taxes for now. This view is not grounded in what is the purpose of education and its importance to a nation’s development. It would be

helpful to hear Minister of Education, Rupert Roopnarine’s thinking on this issue and he is urged to speak to it. Also, the government needs to advise which other societies are taxing their citizens to access health and education services. The public school system has its deficiencies, which too have to be addressed. I am advised that the private schools are pulling the teachers with higher remuneration packages, there are complaints about teachers going to university and not giving students the needed time, etc. At the same time it cannot be denied that government, as a result of shirking its responsibility, has seen teachers going into their pockets to provide teachings aids and supplies for their classroom. These are concerns and problems that can be fixed and fixing these require meaningful engagement with the providers and executors of education. The government must engage the Guyana Teachers Union

in constructive negotiations. Where Guyana is seeking to strengthen and deepen its foundational principle of social cohesion (One People, One Nation, One Destiny), government has to be mindful of the universal principles that undergird it, which are social inclusion, social capital, and social mobility. What is needed is a tax structure where every citizen pays his/her fair share, and doing this taxes have to be progressive, social consciousness has to inform its conceptualisation, which would factor in protecting fundamental rights and freedoms, and realising the developmental thrust of the society. Taxation as a fiscal tool; absent social consciousness is tantamount to taxation that is designed to deprive and oppress the masses, and by extension retard growth and development. Yours faithfully, Lincoln Lewis

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 6, 2017

Roshan Khan should take a bow and allow progress to continue Dear Mr. Editor,

OVER the weekend as I browsed through the dailies of last week I was attracted by the caption: WELCOME TO THE REGENT STREET HIGHWAY RESTAURANT, a letter written by Roshan Khan and published in the Guyana Chronicle of Friday 24th February. Several things flashed through my mind as I read, including to ask myself why Mr Roshan Khan espoused so much sarcasm in the piece. In the end I concluded that Mr Khan never fails to deliver his brand of what is right and what is wrong. This self-proclaimed moralist first sang praises then in his unique style heaped condemnations. He writes that the service offered is ‘classy’ and of the operator ‘he obviously has high standards’, yet quibbles later that such service providers has ‘no tax obligation and standard to upkeep’. One thing I must thank him for, is that he caused

me to go on Regent Street to visit and enjoy the service of this restaurant. I found the place, located just west of RK Security Service Office on the opposite side of Regent Street. I realized, as described by Mr Khan, the ambiance was indeed a challenge for many of the so- called restaurants/snackette to emulate. Also my suspicion that the venture was black-owned was also true. What I did not expect is that the owner is someone whom I knew for quite a while. To his credit, I must say, Mr Khan did attempt to describe this young black entrepreneuring visionary correctly. To his attempt I’ll add that “the visionary” (Mr Khan’s term) holds a post-graduate degree, but unlike many of his peers, decided not to be an employee, but an employer. In our discussions on the letter, which I asked him about, being mild I would say, the young man is simply taken aback by Mr Khan’s assault on him. He claimed

they had, what he taught were some wonderful interactions. He cannot fathom how Mr Khan came to some of the conclusions he did about his business practices/ outlook for he has a registered business, and never entertained the thought of side-lining his corporate responsibilities towards those he employs, nor to the State. He revealed that after he started operations, Mr Khan approached him and they discussed several things, including renting space within Mr Khan’s building. In their discussions he was forthright with Mr Khan, whom he considered to be in a position to offer him advise on business. In expressed amazement, he wondered if the venom unleashed is because he did not accept Mr Khan’s offer to rent space from him. The rental did not happen simply because Mr Khan’s desire was that no cooking should take place on the premises. A condition which is unacceptable for obviously the visionary has no intention of

operating a snackette, but as indicated in the Chronicle of last week, a Restaurant. It is clear that Mr Khan’s intent was to reduce this visionary’s standards and eventually his share of the market place. One reading Mr Khan’s letter would have the impression that this visionary’s efforts is novel to the city and Guyana. No, it is not. I have been seeing these mobile structures from which food service providers operate for more than two decades in and around Guyana, including Georgetown. Thus I am intrigued as to his motive for making a mountain out of a mole’s hill. What Mr Khan skillfully avoided to mentioning in his piece, is that the visionary satisfies the culinary desires of many of his staff,

yes, those poorly paid RK Guards. It is a known fact that RK Security Service personnel are among the worst treated (in terms of income and conditions of work) in the arena of security services. Thus, as I reflect on his mischievous piece, two possibilities seem to have caused Mr Khan to write. He is peeved that this astute young man did not allow him (Khan) to be in a position to control the growth of this start-up enterprise and that the visionary has awaken in Roshan Khan the idea that he should be in the food business and benefit from the patronage of at least those whom he pays, and who now buy from The Visionary. May I remind Mr Khan and others who feels that the business space of Guyana belongs to them alone that after

the PPP/C Government came to power in 1992, Cheddie Jagan did resist the removal of street vendors, simply because when he first came to Georgetown, many of the owners of stores around town (in 1992) were street vendors. The last administration has had many initiatives such as Women of Worth (WOW), the Small Business Sector loans and other schemes to aid up-and- coming entrepreneurs ventures, which the present administration has recognised and continues to lend support to. Thus, Mr Khan take a bow and allow progress to continue, and remember please do something about your current employment practices. Yours truly, Elton McRae

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 6, 2017

Gov’t mulls new administrative centre –– Trotman says Georgetown has become too congested, difficult to traverse By Frederick Halley NATURAL Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman has disclosed that Government is mulling the establishment of “a new administrative settlement”, since Georgetown has become too congested and difficult to traverse.

addressing a Toronto-based Guyanese audience at a Stakeholder Engagement Session titled “Guyana Rising From Potential to Prosperity”, which was held at Westmount Event Centre, Toronto, Canada. The session was held primarily to update members of the diaspora on the progress

With expectations soaring in the event of the expected revenues from oil, Trotman said the Government has identified several infrastructural projects, including the construction of the road from Linden to Lethem, building a deep water port at Crab Island, Berbice and at least two hydro power plants.

high span permanent concrete bridges and we are looking at savings for future generations,” Trotman told the audience, which included Guyana’s High Commissioner to Canada, Clarissa Riehl, Go-Invest Chief Executive Officer, Owen Verwey and Deputy Consular General, Candida Daniels. Plans are also in train to introduce programmes to ensuring that ‘every Guyanese, man, woman and child have the best health care, the best opportunity for education and also ensuring that the environment is protected, with the emphasis on a green economy. So a portion of our revenues from oil will be spent on the environment

support and expertise, while expressing appreciation for the assistance that has been forthcoming over the years. He said Government has created legislation for the management of its resources, since it is a lot of money with less than a million people. “The last thing we want to do is squander the opportunity when it comes by and overspending on things we have business in and ensuring we have money for generations to come.” Government, Trotman pointed out, is considering the re-establishment of an alumina plant, which he said was abandoned mainly because of power supply. However, sourcing sufficient energy for the mainte-

troleum scientific institute. “We are hoping to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with that Government later this month, so that we can establish the institute at the University of Guyana. We need to start getting our people trained…” The Government is also seeking linkages with several other institutions, including the University of Manitoba, Canada and technocrats, who are willing to work along with it. Quizzed on contingency plans, in the event of fallen oil prices, minister Trotman said Government intends to use the revenues from oil “to give us the platform into other areas so that we are not reliant on oil only”.

Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, addressing the audience The sea levels have also been constantly rising. Trotman made the disclosure on Saturday, while

of the rich oil find and the potential it has for the future of Guyanese at home and abroad.

“We are thinking and hoping we can bridge all three rivers (Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice) with

A section of the audience. Front row (from right) are Go-Invest CEO, Owen Verwey; Guyana’s High Commissioner to Canada, Clarissa Riehl, and chairman of the proceedings, Tameshwar Lilmohan trust fund, which already exists under the Environment Protection Act,” the minister assured. ALL MUST BENEFIT Trotman said the idea is to “ensure every region of Guyana and every citizen have a direct benefit and it shouldn’t be in the hands of a particular Government or the minister of natural resources to determine who gets what…” Trotman reminded members of the diaspora that Guyana needed their help,

nance of the plant is a major consideration, but the two possibilities are using hydro power or natural gas. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, in the meantime, will be exploring how natural gas from the oil production can be used into local energy consumption, Trotman disclosed. OFFER Trotman also said that Mexico has offered to assist Guyana in setting up a pe-

He said the road from Linden to Lethem, for example will provide volumes of trade. “The Brazilians are anxious to get that road open because northern Brazil is landlocked, so they need access to a seaport urgently, so with the revenue from the oil that guarantees forever trade and earnings from oil. The idea is to get us out of the over reliance on oil. All the money in the world will do nothing if the society keeps eating away at itself,” Trotman said.

Upper Demerara River virtually unnavigable

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 6, 2017

––Councillors fear worst if desiltation works do not start soon

By Venessa Braithwaithe REGION 10 councillors fear the worst for the Upper Demerara River, which has become virtually unnavigable due to siltation. The issue was first brought to the attention of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in January by the residents of Coomacka Mines, and upon visiting the area, the Regional Chairman and other authorities were able to see first-hand, the large volumes of sand and other debris that have been building up on the river. During last Thursday’s Statutory meeting, Councillor Dexter Harding, who is a resident of Coomacka, again raised the matter with the Council, stressing that the river may very well be lost if works are not commenced urgently. “We could lose the Demerara River; we can have it in two parts,” Harding warned, saying that since January, the situation has worsened. Regional Chairman, Renis Morian expressed his disappointment, saying that even

though he invited all the relevant agencies to Coomacka to see for themselves what is happening, nothing has since

ka, where the source of the erosion was discovered. Morian said he believes that the NDIA should take responsi-

had revealed that the situation has been going on for years, but has worsened over the past few weeks with the

The state of the erosion in January, but it has worsened since then been done. “No work has been done; everybody saw the situation and left with an agreement that work has to be done,” Morian told the Guyana Chronicle when asked for a comment. In January, officials from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure all visited Coomac-

bility for the situation and act urgently upon it. He said that the President is expected to pay a visit to the communities up the Demerara River soon, and he would like the situation to be addressed before he gets there. AGE-OLD PROBLEM When the Guyana Chronicle visited Coomacka in early January, residents

onset of the rainy season. The community, which is located some 15 miles from Linden, has a population of approximately 2500 residents, many of whom are Amerindians. The river in their neck of the woods is not only used for transportation purposes, but for domestic and recreational ones as well, such as washing, fishing, swimming, bathing and sourcing drinking water.

Now, with the large volume of aggregates being eroded into the water, thereby covering almost half of its surface, residents are concerned that their livelihoods may very well be affected if the situation continues to worsen. What is even more troubling, they say, is the threat the situation can pose to boats and other modes of transportation traversing the river, especially at nights. AT A DISADVANTAGE And with the sand almost reaching the centre of the river, they say, those commuters who are not aware of the situation will be at a distinct disadvantage. With three titled Amerindian communities further up the river, and scores of farmsteads and small living settlements along the way, river traffic can at times be rather busy, with persons journeying to Linden to either market their farm produce, purchase food or other household necessities, or transact other business.

Regional Chairman Morian, who was on site at the time inspecting the situation, told the Guyana Chronicle that because of the encumbrance, there was an accident some months ago when a boat heading to a village further up the river ran into it. Such was the impact, Morian said, it caused all hands on board the vessel, even the driver who was unaware of the situation, as well as the provisions it was carrying, to go under. Now residents are afraid that the situation might very well repeat itself, with even more dire consequences, if something is not done urgently to address it. Said one resident, “What I’m afraid of is that dem small boat coming in the night would crash, ‘cause most of them don’t use light, and this sand bank getting wider and wider every day. “So, sometimes yuh think yuh on river, and is sand; and yuh coming with the speed and something terrible happen.”

Linden Mash a big party By Vanessa Braithwaite THE mining town of Linden on Sunday came alive, with hundreds of spectators and revellers feting through the streets of Linden, gyrating provocatively to the soca music blasting through the several boom boxes. It was indeed an explosion of iridescent colours, soca music and fete as the revellers dressed in their colourful and creative costumes, portraying the true spirit of Mashramani. The parade was held under this year’s theme “Celebration with dignity, liberty and greater unity.” Residents of Linden, who were joined by curious onlookers, who journeyed from other regions, crowded street corners and pavements along the parade route to get a look at what was in store for the day. Making a special appearance was Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, and junior Education Minister, Nicolette Henry.

A young contingent ‘Mashin’ through the parade route on Sunday Though the day’s activities were threatened by some early showers, this did not stop the revellers of Linden, who were prompt and all decked out in their costumes, waiting for the

go ahead to commence the parade. The revellers wended their way through Republic Avenue, then proceeded onto Independence Avenue, then down Wash-

er Pond road, where they ‘palanced’ their way over to the Wismar shore on the Winifred Gaskin Highway and culminated at the Bayroc Community Centre Ground on the Wisroc

junction, where the after-party started. There were several of bands, including the Ministry of Education band, the Regional Democratic Council, Region 10, the Linden Mayor and Town Council, Region 10 Department of Education, and some Community Development Councils in Region 10. The parade also included the World Access Party Truck and other party trucks, which were crowded with ‘party lovers’ and popular deejays and local soca singers such as “Jomo”, who with their bacchanal, demonstrated Lindeners true love for party and fete. “I really enjoying the Mash man, I feel this is one of the biggest we had, it is a real come back from last year, Linden hype right now,” one spectator said while imbibing and dancing along the route. “Mash come home to Linden cus is here it start, Lindeners need to

remember is here it start and come out and support and they did just so, we fetting till morning,” Sherene James cheerfully commented on the Mashramani parade. The Mashramani Parade and all other Mashramani activities for 2017 were coordinated by the Regional Commemorative Committee. Mashramani has its genesis in the mining town of Linden, which saw the first float parade being held there in 1966 as a celebration of Guyana’s Independence. It was organised by the Jaycees Social Group. The carnival celebration was later patterned after by other towns before becoming a national event and adopting the name Mashramani. It has been customary for Linden to hosts its Mashramani float parade the Sunday after Republic Day. This had been done consecutively since 2006.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 6, 2017

…and boys will be men

RAISING a child is a very precious and important duty because every day parents are creating experiences and memories for children that will shape them for adulthood and stay with them for a life time. The more positive the input the better;so today here are some tips on how to instil some positive attributes in boys. 1) Boys need the same amount of attention, affection and encouragement as girls. Although as boys grow older they may not welcome public displays of affection. This does not

mean, however, that boys don’t need a hug or gestures of affection at home. 2) Boys are boisterous, (usually) they consistently need time and space to run, jump, climb and let off steam. Of course there are always boys who are the exception to the rule,so don’t worry if your son is quiet and reserved. 3) Boys need positive male role models (usually from the age of 6),whether it’s a Father, Big brother, Uncle, Grandfather or a genuinely friendly neighbour. At this age boys want to identify and relate to a male figure. Someone

they can emulate and trust. This helps them feel secure and builds their self-confidence. 4) Boys should be allowed to express their feelings and label them. E.g. it is alright for a boy to cry, get angry or feel hurt. Once he is feeling better,parents should let him talk through his experience. How did he feel? Frustrated, sad, annoyed, irritated? Surveys show that a leading cause of domestic violence against women is a man’s inability to express and/ or control his feelings. So let boys off-load rather than stifle their feelings

and emotions. Help them to examine them and see them for what they are. 5) Boys need to develop a sense of responsibility,so while they are still young give them chores to do and if you can, give them a pet to care for. As they grow older teach them self-sufficiency. They can wash items of their clothing, make their own snacks or help to prepare the food for cooking. Make sure they clean up their own mess. 6) It is unhealthy to bring up any child in a volatile environment and boys who witness their Fathers beating their Mothers are prone to do the same in their adult relationships,unless there is intervention or a change of circumstances. 7) Praise the positive

things boys do rather than highlight the negative. Try not to nag at them but give them useful information in a positive way. Try not to talk down to or belittle boy children; it is possible to get a point over without insulting them. Parents say things they don’t mean,sometimes out of anger, but children can believe hurtful words and hold on to them for life. 8) Boys need their parents to be involved, or at least show an interest in every aspect of their lives. Their school lives, their sporting lives, their hobbies and their dreams for the future. In every boy there is a ‘Man’ who needs to be nurtured in the right way for his true potential to shine through. 9) Boys find it hard to

stay focused so Parents may have their work cut out keeping their boys on track. By instilling meaningful morals and values and with constant interaction and communication with parents, boy children can develop positive qualities that will help them become well-rounded adults. Boys and girls have similar needs in their early years,but as boys mature there are distinctive areas where parents need to guide them and offer extra support. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child you can ring the CPA hotline 227 0979 or email chilcaregy@gmail.com A Message from the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ministry of Social Protection

Grave injustice

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 6, 2017

–– Ramkarran raps Magistrate Bess’ ruling in transgender case

A DECISION by City Magistrate Dylon Bess to dismiss an assault case against a transgender woman has been described by Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran as a grave injustice. Ramkarran articulated this view in his most recent post on his blog ‘The Conversation Tree’. On several occasions, Magistrate Bess barred Ronnel Trotman known as “Petronella”, from his courtroom because ‘she’ was dressed in female attire. Petronella identifies as a transgender. Bess had told her on several occasions to “dress like a man” when she returns to his courtroom. Cross-dressing is legal in Guyana once not done for “improper purposes”. The matter Bess was examining was an assault against the transgender woman. However, last week, before Bess handed down his decision, he not only blocked the assault victim from his courtroom, but barred members of the public as well. Subsequently, Petronella was informed of the Magistrate’s decision by the defendant, Jamal Johnson, who informed the victim of the ruling which was made in his absence. These developments sparked criticisms in many corners of society and praises in the more conservative sections. Weighing in on the matter, Ramkarran contends: “Magistrate Bess was grievously wrong and a grave injustice was done to Petronella Trotman, who only appeared to have offended the sensibilities of His Worship.” The Senior Counsel said that it appeared that

Magistrate Bess did not believe that the transgender woman was entitled to justice, if she was dressed like a man. He reasoned that the Magistrate may have thought that what he was doing was right and that he

Senior Counsel, Ralph Ramkarran was upholding the law and probably public morality. But with cross-dressing being legal in Guyana, Ramkarran said Petronella committed no wrong. Ramkarran went on to describe the matter as a serious one, which he said should be appealed. “This is no small matter. Petronella’s rights were seriously violated. It is

hoped that the Director of Public Prosecutions will take over this matter, appeal the decision and ensure that justice is done to a law-abiding citizen, who was refused justice for no justifiable reason,” he said. A political and social commentator as well, Ramkarran weighed in on the plight of transgender persons in Guyana, noting that many of them suffer in silence. “What is worse is that most of them, including children and teenagers, have to suffer in silence because they are objects of derision or scorn.” He said that those who pay attention know that the torment and suffering are great and leads in many cases to suicide or attempted suicide, while the authorities pay little attention to these profound social issues. Ramkarran opined that these social issues attract little or no sympathy from officialdom, even in its spare time. He added that ancient laws remain on the statute books, perpetuating an atmosphere of hostility and mockery to

the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community, whose rights remain unaddressed.

He offered that like Petronella, these individuals continue to be assaulted, discriminated against, victimised, de-

rided and scorned for harming no one and doing nothing wrong, and it is time the authorities pay attention.

Petronella (in blue), stands at the door of Magistrate Bess’ court before the door was closed (DemeraraWaves Photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 6, 2017

President plugs return of –– at Ghana’s 60th cottage industry Anniversary celebrations By Navendra Seoraj GUYANA could see the resurgence of a once vibrant cottage industry, following a call Sunday by President Granger for local villages to become more involved in manufacturing. The call comes days after Minister of Finance, Mr Winston Jordan announced that the manufacturing sector only accounts for five per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Speaking at a ceremony at Congress Place to mark Ghana’s 60th Anniversary, President Granger reminded his audience that after local African slaves were emancipated, it was to agriculture that they turned in order to make a living. Those were the days, he said, when families were given two sections of land, one on which to plant and the other to build a home. “During that time, persons produced their own food, and the economy was

based on trade, manufacturing and so forth.” Harking back to what Minister Jordan said at a recent press conference, that with the traditional sectors not performing as well as they should, Guyana would do well to become more involved in manufacturing, President Granger said: “Get into manufacturing; open packaging plants and factories! Villagers can do simple things by planting guava and using them to make jams and jellies; villages today are empty, so the villagers need to get involved in various manufacturing activities.” He made the point that while persons still rely on Georgetown to find work, opportunities for growth and development might very well be knocking right in their very own communities and are being overlooked. He ended by implying that one way of bucking the employment trend is to go back to the land. “People who

produce and sell are superior to those who consume and buy,” the president said. According to the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) on its website, the manufacturing sector has been dedicated to the processing of traditional agricultural products such as rice, sugar, forest products and minerals, basic consumer items, food and beverages, and pharmaceuticals for local consumption. GO-INVEST CALL But while these traditional manufacturing activities remain important, there is a growing interest to expand into value-added, export-oriented manufacturing industries. The website outlines that there is a particular interest in expanding Guyana’s garments and apparel sector to build upon recent successes, and to take advantage of preferential access to foreign apparel markets under preferential trade agreements with

the US, EU, Canada, CARICOM and other bilateral trading partners. In addition to favourable market access for most manufactured products, Guyana provides a number of advantages to investors interested in establishing or expanding manufacturing operations. One which was outlined by Go-Invest is the competitive cost of labour, because Guyana has one of the lowest manufacturing wage rates in the Caribbean and Central America, with a workforce that is highly literate and trainable. Another advantage is what in the industry is called low ‘time-to-market’, meaning that Guyana’s close proximity to the US market gives it a shorter time to market to countries such as China and India. “This advantage is useful for companies wishing to find suppliers to meet their just-in-time delivery requirements,” the website says.

President Granger addressing the gathering at Congress Place (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

President David Granger with some members of the Congress Place gathering

Helping the needy

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 6, 2017

–– Food for the Poor built 140 houses last year, provided other support

FOOD for the Poor Incorporated (FFP) has reported that despite some challenges, it was able to build some 140 houses, including 43 under the New Hope Community Development Proj-

Group and the Woodley Park Farmers Group were also the recipients of 17 shade houses and a variety of tools and agro-processing equipment during the month of June, as part of FFP’s 25th anniversa-

students from five primary schools namely, Watooka, Saint Monica, Mashabo, Enterprise and Uele were fed each school day with a hot, nutritious meal, inclusive of fresh garden salad,

A school child with help from Food For the Poor officials, cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the New Hope Community Development Project ect, Onderneeming, West Coast Berbice, last year. According to the FFP, in its end of year report, the New Hope Community Development Project saw the construction of a community centre with funding from the Joseph Roetheli Lil Red Foundation. The remaining 97 homes were done under FFP’s ongoing housing programme. Some 3325 housing units have been built since the programme commenced in 2004. Aside from housing, the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) also gave assistance to the education, health and agriculture sectors. During last year, a wide variety of school furniture was distributed to schools across the country, including Tucville, Comenius, Clonbrook, Parfaite Harmonie and Moblissa primary schools; and Saint Stanislaus College, Christ Church, Patentia, and North Ruimveldt secondary schools. Members of the Now or Never Farmers Group, The Perth (Central Mahaicony) Farmers Agro- Processing

ry celebrations. The Perth (Central Mahaicony) Farmers Group was the beneficiary of the upgrading and furnishing of the Farmer’s Agro-Processing Centre. Agricultural tools were donated to farmers, farmers groups, cooperative societies and farmers associations. The tools donated included water pumps, rain boots, pick axes, forks, shovels, machetes, files and hoes. The Kirby Community Development Farmers Group, West Bank Berbice, Shieldstown Cattle Farmers Cooperative Society, West Coast Berbice and Women for Change were just some of the farmers that benefited from the donations. Ten families were provided with income-earning opportunities through the Mibicuri Farmers Group Sheep Project, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne. Each family received three ewes, while the group acquired three rams for breeding purposes, FPP said. FEEDING PROGRAMMES It also reported that 431

fruit juice, as well as a serving of fruit. “Care packages (hampers) consisting of food and school supplies, toiletries and footwear were some of the items that were also distributed to the students. It is significant to note that the overall attendance and grades of many students improved markedly during the year. Last year saw the introduction of the Corn Meal Programme, in which hundreds of children from some schools benefited,” the NGO said. Kuru Kuru Primary School Headmistress, Marilyn Williams, said the children were elated on receipt of the nutritious corn meal, which launched their breakfast programme. Currently, there are 12 homes under the Angels of Hope Programme, namely Alpha Children’s Home, Camal International Home, Joshua House Children’s Centre, Saint John’s Bosco Boys Orphanage, Save ‘R’ Kids Children’s Home, Bright Horizon Children’s Home, Bless the Children Home, A Sanctuary Children’s Home, Children of Promise, Ruimveldt Chil-

dren’s Home, Hope Children’s Home and the Hauraruni Home. The 246 children from the 12 homes enjoyed the Angels of Hope Day of Celebration which was observed on August 3, 2016, at the HJ Water World, and FPP said the children anxiously look forward to more days where they are allowed to assemble for interaction and recreation. The Angels of Hope Christmas celebration was held on December 17, 2016, at the St. Francis Community Developers compound. Food, drinks and sweets were provided and the children from the various homes had the opportunity to socialise freely and play games for attractive prizes. They each received a stuffed toy, much to the delight of everyone, the NGO said. It also noted that homes continue to receive monthly support from FFP in the form of food, clothing, personal care and household items and more significantly, the donation of household appliances that were desperately needed for the sustainability of the

two communities to hospitals on the Essequibo Coast. Residents of the area were gratuitous in their praise of FFP and Courts (Guyana) for the much needed help. This donation was part of FFP’s Silver Jubilee Anniversary celebrations. One hundred and fifty-nine containers of rice, beans, canned foods and other assorted items, as well as clothing were distributed to assist thousands of unfortunate citizens across the country. The distribution of items was realised through outreach programs, churches, clubs, groups, schools, committees and other non-governmental organisations. The health sector also received large quantities of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, as well as over-the-counter drugs during 2016, the charitable organisation said. “Examination tables, dental chairs, gloves, pillows, linen, pampers, sleep chairs, cribs, mattresses, liners and laboratory tools among other essentials were distributed to hospitals and health centres countrywide.

brations were launched on June 3, 2016 with a Day of Reflection at the Police Training Center, Camp Street, Georgetown. This was followed by an anniversary Thanksgiving Church Service at Saint Theresa’s RC Church, Stone Avenue, Campbellville, Georgetown. An exhibition of some of the various items FFP distributes to the poor was held at the Police Officers Mess, Eve Leary on June 8 and 9, 2016, while the organisation’s gala 25th anniversary dinner was held at the Guyana Pegasus Hotel on June 25, 2016. The highlight of the number of fundraising activities held by the Special Events Department to raise funds in order for the organisation to honor its financial obligations was the gala 25th Anniversary Fundraising Dinner, which was hosted at the Pegasus Hotel. That event was addressed by Food for the Poor Inc. Florida, USA Chief Executive Officer, Robin Mahfood, and then Social Protection Minister, Volda Lawrence,

Houses built under the New Hope Community Development Project, Onderneeming, West Coast Berbice homes namely refrigerators, stoves and television sets. WATER AMBULANCE FOR POMEROON VILLAGES In collaboration with Courts (Guyana) Incorporated, which supplied an engine, FPP donated a boat to residents of Saint Monica and Karawab in the Upper Pomeroon River, Region Two. The boat, named “Asha”, is used to speedily transport ailing residents from the

“FFP’s Wheelchair Programme, which was launched in 2015 continued in 2016, where approximately 550 more wheelchairs were distributed to disabled persons across the 10 administrative regions of the country, free of cost. Additionally, four medical outreach programmes were successfully launched and held during the year,” the FPP reported. In June last year, the FFP celebrated 25 years of quality service to the poor and needy with a series of activities. The anniversary cele-

who was also a featured speaker. Corn houses, school raffles, cake sales, a bar-b-que and take away lunches, were among some of the fundraising events held in the various regions to assist the organisation in its efforts to raise needed funds to help the poor. FFP has extended sincerest gratitude to the donors, both local and overseas, for their support, and looks forward to more local support in 2017 and beyond.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 6, 2017

Morian takes PAC to task –– over threat to sanction RDC officials for inefficiency

REGION Ten Chairman, Mr Renis Morian has not taken kindly to an alleged threat by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to sanction Regional Democratic Council (RDC) officials for not executing their jobs effectively. “I take umbrage to the fact that the administration of this Region is being threatened and sanctioned when, for us to execute efficiently and effectively, we need to have the requisite staff as a Regional Democratic Council,” Morian said Thursday. “I will not, as a Chairman presiding over a Council, sit down and allow anybody; anyone of the agencies to sanction officers of this agency, when they are aware we don’t have the tools! “Is World War III gon start in Region 10!” he told members of the RDC at the day’s sitting of regular statutory meeting. The call to sanction, Morian told councillors, was made during a special meeting last Monday to address irregularities highlighted in the Auditor General’s 2015 Report. Morian said that granted that there were indeed some hiccups during 2016 where the execution of works were concerned, but it is unfair to threaten sanctions when everyone know that the RDC is short of critical staffing, and a request is currently with the Public Service Commission to fill those vacancies. He’s not saying that there isn’t room for improvement, Morian said, but those key vacancies need to be filled first before any results can be achieved. “Don’t give me a donkey cart and want ah run like a race cart, and sanctioning me when I ain’t run like a race cart!” he said. FELT THREATENED Morian said that he felt distinctly threatened at last Monday’s meeting when the authorities spoke of sanctioning the Regional Executive Officer, Mr Gavin Clarke and other officers, and stressed that he will not be submitting to any sanctions until the vacancies are filled. The PAC called a meeting with regional officials at the Public Buildings here in the city on Monday to stress the need for accountability so as to prevent fraud, embezzlement and misuse of public funds. Finance Secretary to

the Finance Ministry and PAC Advisor, Dr. Hector Butts said that if explanations were not forthcoming from those responsible or understood, “then decisions will have to be taken to streamline our thinking, or bring heads of agencies or parties in line with what is expected.” He reminded officials at the meeting of the legal consequence of fraud against the State, which carries a fine of $2M and as much as three years in prison. Auditor-General, Mr Deodat Sharma, in highlighting some of the irregularities in the Auditor’s 2015 report, cited appropriation lapses where, at the end of the year, funds are rolled over rather than being transferred to the

appropriate fund. SENT ON LEAVE Back in January 2016, three RDC staff attached to the Region 10 Works Department were sent on administrative leave for alleged fraudulent behaviour. An investigation into the matter was subsequently launched by the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU), after which the three suspects were arrested but released on their own recognisance. Since then, the Works Department has been short of staff, and this has affected the execution of works in Region 10. Meanwhile, there has been no word from SARU in relation to the investigation, and it has been over

a year since the workers are home while being paid. Since their contracts have not been terminated, the RDC cannot hire any officer in their place. Since Region 10 has received their 2017 budgetary allocation of $3.1B and a large volume of infrastructural works are soon to commence, there is fear among residents and RDC Councillors that works may be stymied as a result of this. CALL FOR CLOSURE Taking the foregoing into account, Regional Chairman Morian is now calling on SARU to bring closure to the investigation. “The kind of work that we have to do in the execution of the Plan of Action of Regional

Development (PARD), we need to have four persons and more in place,” Morian said, adding: “What I am aware of is that the information concerning the investigation has been done; the administration had written the Public Service Commission to have a definitive closure in this matter. “We have made our recommendations, but we know the final decision, based on all of the facts, resides with the Public Service Commission, and by and large the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communities.”

Region 10 Chairman Renis Morian

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 6, 2017

Treat the public with more respect –– Harmon urges top Public Service functionaries

MINISTER of State,Joseph Harmon, who has responsibility for the Public Service, has on Sunday called on permanent secretaries, heads and regional executive officers of ministries, departments and regions, to ensure that citizens are treated with more respect and courtesy and are provided with an efficient service. He said Government continues to invest in the development of the public service and the quality of service it is able to provide. The minister, who was at the time addressing participants at a three-day retreat and workshop at the Splashmins Eco Park, hosted by the Department of Public Service and Ministry of the Presidency for upper management staff of agencies, departments, ministries and regional authorities, said that as the training concludes, it is his hope that the knowledge that has been imparted will result in greater efficiency. “This programme must be more than a souvenir because it contains information that encapsulates your roles and mission as permanent secretaries, as regional officers, as heads of departments and heads of commissions. It is my

fervent hope and wish that you leave here with a keen understanding of your role as change agents leading

vice to the Guyanese public. “We are their servants. We are the Public Service. We are not public masters.

purview of the Ministry of the Presidency as the President and the Government have a deep appreci-

This, he said, will ensure that public servants are enabled to deliver in an administratively neutral

Fredrick McWilfred, political assistant to Minister of State; Abena Moore, permanent secretary, Ministry of the Presidency; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Reginald Brotherson, head, Department of Public Service; and Sandra Jones, lead facilitator of the training the way for the establishment of a new culture and work ethic… setting high standards of efficiency and accountability in the delivery of service,” Minister Harmon said. The State Minister told the participants that they must begin to influence their staff to understand that their duties are to serve and deliver a high quality of ser-

We must understand that the people who come to you, come to our offices, are our masters. These are the people you were employed to serve… treat the public with the courtesy and respect that they deserve as the masters of us,” he urged. Minister Harmon also noted that it is not without significance that the Public Service falls within the

ation of the importance of an improved and efficient Public Service. REFORM The retreat, Minister Harmon said, is a part of the process to reform the Public Service and to make it dynamic, relevant, reliable, resourceful and responsive to the needs of the people.

Monday, March 6, 2017- 11:00 hrs Tuesday, March 7, 2017- 12:30 hrs

way and to operate on the basis of integrity, without fear or favour, partiality or prejudice. “I don’t want to know which party you voted for. That isn’t a requirement on your application form. It requires of you, a certain level of integrity, of competence and confidence in the job, which you are going to do. This process of having a fresh look at the Public Service started with the Commission of Inquiry. The Commission made 89 recommendations and set out a menu of measures for fashioning the Public Service. This training is a part of that menu of measures and when you leave here, what you do with this training, when you go back to your ministries and regions is what will determine how we move forward. You are the key to the establishment of this new culture. You are the flag bearers and the ones to set the tones and example,” Minister Harmon said. Meanwhile, head of the department of Public Service, Reginald Brotherson, in an invited comment, said that the three-day training programme was aimed at assisting permanent secretaries and heads of de-

partments to develop confidence and competence to function as change agents, in the interest of improving efficiency and professionalism in the Public Service and to introduce tools, which are pertinent to the development and completion of every Ministry’s, Department’s or Agency’s strategic plan. WANT IMPROVEMENT He said he is hopeful that with this training and other measures, which will be implemented by the department, the Public Service sector can see major improvements in about two years’ time. “The Department of Public Service is the lead Ministry, which manages structures and human resources in the country and with the new training and the new confidence that has been given, our watchword is trust and we expect that managers will be good leaders,” he said. Leslie Wilburg, regional executive officer for the Barima-Waini Region (Region One), in an invited comment, said that the training was informative and will go a long way in improving the lives of the residents in that region. “Well,it has better equipped me to be one of the change agents and to help Guyanese to realise the President’s wish that we all enjoy a good life. It has made me more confident in my role and it has given me enough knowledge which I can impart on my staff so that we can form a team to tackle the activities of the region and make life more comfortable for the residents there,” Wilburg said. The training was attended by all permanent secretaries of the various ministries as well as the regional executive officers from the 10 administrative regions and several other departments and agencies within the ministries. (Ministry of the Presidency release)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 6, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 6, 2017

Aussies edge ahead on tense second day …fifties for Renshaw and Marsh

By Sudipto Ganguly BENGALURU,(Reuters)-Shaun Marsh and Matt Renshaw struck contrasting half-centuries on an engrossing day of cricket to help Australia take a first-innings lead of 48 against India in the second Test at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday. After resuming the second day on 40-0, the touring side reached 237 for six at stumps against India, who were bundled out for 189 in their first innings on Saturday. Wicketkeeper batsman Matthew Wade was unbeaten on 25 with Mitchell Starc 14 not out at the other end. It was an inspired bowling performance from India, who gave away only 197 runs in 90 overs but without much luck. The touring side, who lead the four-match series 1-0 after their 333-run win in the opening test at Pune, lost two wickets in a hardfought morning session against a rejuvenated India but recovered through a 52run stand between Renshaw and Marsh. The left-handed Marsh enjoyed some luck, being handed his first reprieve when he edged paceman Umesh Yadav to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha on 14 but India made the mistake of opting against a review of the umpire’s not-out verdict.

Marsh was then given out leg before against Umesh on 44 but the 33-year-old successfully overturned the decision on review. In the next over, paceman Ishant Sharma bowled a noball with replays confirming Marsh would have been out lbw if not for the illegal delivery. India’s frustrations were heightened with edges from the batsman falling short of their fielders. Marsh finally departed for 66, caught off Umesh, but not before he had added another 57 with Wade for the sixth wicket. EXCHANGE OF WORDS Earlier, India depended heavily on off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to weave some magic after his Australian counterpart Nathan Lyon picked up eight wickets for 50 on the first day. The world’s top-ranked spinner did provide the breakthrough, spinning one around David Warner’s bat to hit his off-stump. The left-handed opener managed to add 10 runs to his overnight score before being dismissed for 33. The fall of Warner spurred on the Indian side as they came hard at Renshaw and Australia captain Steve Smith, with an exchange of words between opposing players forcing the umpires to intervene to calm the situation. Cheered on by a big Sunday crowd, Ishant’s hostile spell of fast bowling troubled Smith but Austra-

Opener Matt Renshaw hit his second fifty of the series. lia managed to keep India at bay for more than 20 overs with a second-wicket stand of 30. After a 10-over spell by Ashwin, during which he conceded just eight runs for the wicket of Warner, India captain Virat Kohli brought on left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja. He gave India the second success of the morning when Smith was out for eight, getting an inside edge to his pad to be caught by Saha. The 20-year-old Renshaw, who scored 68 in Pune, was dropped by Kohli off Umesh on 29 and went on to complete his third half-century in Tests. Renshaw, who made 60, hit Jadeja for the first six of the match over long-off but was outsmarted two balls later when the bowler got one to spin past the batsman for Saha to complete the stumping. Jadeja grabbed a third

wicket when he dismissed Peter Handscomb for 16 with Ashwin completing a juggling catch at mid-wicket.

SCORECARD

INDIA 1st innings 189 (L. Rahul 90; N. Lyon 8-50) Australia 1st innings (Overnight: 40-0) D. Warner b R. Ashwin 33 M. Renshaw st Saha b Jadeja 60 S. Smith c Saha b Jadeja 8 S. Marsh c Nair b U. Yadav 66 P. Handscomb c R. Ashwin b Jadeja 16 M. Marsh lbw b I. Sharma 0 M. Wade not out 25 M. Starc not out 14 Extras: (b-8 lb-2 nb-5) 15 Total: (for 6 wickets, 106 overs) 237 Fall of wickets: 1-52 D. Warner,2-82 S. Smith,3-134 M. R e n s h a w, 4 - 1 6 0 P. H a n d scomb,5-163 M. Marsh,6-220 S. Marsh To bat: N. Lyon, S. O’Keefe, J. Hazlewood Bowling: I. Sharma 23 - 6 - 39 - 1(nb-3), U. Yadav 24 - 7 - 57 1(nb-1), R. Ashwin 41-10-75-1, R. Jadeja 17-1-49-3, K. Nair 1-0-7-0.

U.S. soccer players must stand for national anthem (The Sports Xchange) - The United States Soccer Federation has instituted a policy that requires players on a national team to “stand respectfully” during national anthems, the New York Times and other media reported on Saturday. The policy was reportedly passed by the federation’s board of directors on Feb. 9 but came to light Saturday. The policy, posted on Twitter by former men’s national team player Stuart Holden, reads: “All persons representing a Federation national team shall stand respectfully during the playing of the national anthems at any event in which the Federation is represented.”

Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. Women’s National Team kneels during the U.S. national anthem. U.S. Soccer director of communications Neil Buethe confirmed the policy in an email to The New York Times. The policy comes after U.S. national player Megan Rapinoe knelt during the

anthem on two occasions last year -- once while representing the national team and the other time while playing for the Seattle Reign of the National Women’s Soccer League.

Tigers claw Police 1-0 for Limacol Trophy

- Winners Connection takes third place WESTERN Tigers cleared all doubts Saturday night as to their resurgence in local football when they tore through the Guyana Police Force 1-0 in the finals of the Limacol Round Robin/Knockout Football tournament on Saturday evening. The Tigers were in no cuddle mood as they employed the smash and grab method to overpower their Georgetown Rivals in front of a large crowd at the GFC ground,Bourda. It took a Collin Nelson strike to put them ahead and while they never looked back, there were a few scares for the eventual winners, the closest of which came when a goal mouth effort was missed entirely. Nonetheless, the coach of the Western Tigers, Calvin ‘Flu man’ Allen says he was confident of winning the title long before the finals. “I knew it from about two weeks ago, really. The effort, the enthusiasm, the team spirit on the training ground; its beautiful. Hubert Pedro, Collin Nelson,

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Devon Millington. Those guys came and made an immediate impact,” the coach added. Discipline and commitment,Allen noted,were the pillars of the Western Tigers team throughout the tournament as they carried out each of their functions with distinction. Allen stated, “It feels damn good to tell the truth; the guys worked hard for it. They gave me everything they had, the extra effort and everything was there and I really appreciate the effort of the guys. Moreso,we had a clean sheet and that’s what we wanted to do tonight.” In the third place playoff, the Winners Connection side won 5-3 on penalties after drawing 2-2 during normal and extra time against Santos. Keon Sears’ 27th minute goal coupled with Cedrick Hunte’s 85th min strike helped Winners cancel out Orin Yarde and Keith Caines 77th min and 85th min strike for the third place trophy. (Stephan Sookram)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 6, 2017

Sammy lifts Peshawar Zalmi to Pakistan Super League title LAHORE, Pakistan, (CMC) – Captain Darren Sammy’s cameo proved critical as his Peshawar Zalmi beat Quetta Gladiator by 58 runs in a final overshadowed by security concerns, to lift the Pakistan Super League title here Sunday.

six off their 20 overs at the Gaddafi Stadium, with opener Kamran Akmal sustaining his good form with 40 and Sammy arriving at the back end to deliver a stroke-filled unbeaten 28, and earn Manof-the-Match honours. In reply, Gladiators never recovered from a dodgy po-

Lahore fans express their delight at cricket’s return to Pakistan. In the first high profile match played here in eight years, Zalmi tallied 148 for

sition of 13 for three in the fifth over and crumbled to 90 all out in the 17th over.

Zimbabwe’s Sean Ervine, drafted in for the final, top-scored with 24 while captain Sarfraz Ahmed chipped in with 22, but they were just two of three players in double figures. Following the final which was played under tight security amidst fears of a terrorist attack, Sammy praised Pakistani superstar Shahid Afridi for influencing his decision to play in the championship game. “To me it’s just more than a game. It first started in the draft. Lala (Afridi) made the big announcement that I would be the captain,” the two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain said. “This trophy means a lot. Lala influenced my decision to come here. I felt tonight I brought a lot of smiles in Lahore and Peshawar. It is an amazing day. We thought with the new ball we did well. If we get 150-160 it would be a good total. We

Darren Sammy soaks up victory adulation from the Lahore crowd in the final Lahore. did get to 148 and our bowl- Luke Wright and Tyman ers have been doing well this Mills all of whom refused to play in the final over tournament. “The Peshawar is not just security fears. Former West Indies and a cricket team, we do a lot for the fans, the foundation. current Trinidad and Tobago Thanks to the PCB, and the all-rounder, Rayad Emrit, PSL. I am glad I came to along with Ervine and South experience the atmosphere African Morne van Wyk, here. Even though Peshawar were drafted in as last mincame out on top, cricket was ute replacements. Sent in, Zalmi were the real winner in Lahore.” Gladiators were with- powered by Akmal who out their main stars, En- put on 42 for the first wickglishmen Kevin Pietersen, et with Englishman Dawid

Malan (17) and a further 40 for the second wicket with West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels, who made 19 from 17 deliveries with two fours and a six. When Zalmi lost five wickets for 30 runs in the space of 40 balls, Sammy arrived to blast a four and three sixes off just 11 balls – in a 36-run, unbroken seventh wicket partnership with Barbados-born England all-rounder, Chris Jordan (8 not out), to give Zalmi momentum late on. Seamer Emrit was the best bowler with three for 31 from his four overs. Gladiators were never in the run chase after losing their first three wickets cheaply and their best stand came between Ervine and Anwar Ali (20), with the pair posting 35 for the sixth wicket. Once the partnership was broken, the last five wickets fell for 18 runs with all-rounder Emrit finishing on six not out.

Lanning’s record ton delivers series win Tottenham and Man City keep up the chase for Australia

AUSTRALIA captain Meg Lanning struck a record tenth century, the most in women’s ODIs, to lead her side to a five-wicket win over New Zealand on Sunday, helping them claim the series 2-1 and maintain their 18year hold on the Rose Bowl Trophy. (Scores:Australia women 273 for 5 (Lanning 104*, Mooney 69, Huddleston 3-44) beat New Zealand women 270 for 9 (Priest 77, Martin 77, Jonassen 3-47, Gardner 3-56) by five wickets Lanning surpassed Charlotte Edwards to top the list for most centuries in women’s ODIs in only her 57th match, struck an unbeaten 104 off 116 balls to help her side chase down 271 with four balls to spare. Lanning, who struck seven fours and a six, capitalised on a reprieve from New Zealand in the 22nd over after replays suggested that Rachel Priest had fumbled a stumping off the bowling of legspinner Amelia Kerr. Lanning went on to bring up her half-century off 62 deliveries and brought up her century off 111 balls in 48th over, with the win in sight. “It’s obviously nice [to get the record] but I’m more glad that we got the win, to be honest,” Lanning said after the match. “I had a pretty quiet series so I felt it was time to contribute and lead the side home. I was keen to finish it off

Meg Lanning hit her tenth ODI century. well and we needed someone to bat long and deep and I put my hand up to do that. It was nice to be able to get there at the end but I thought Mooney helped the top there, Villani and Blackwell certainly made it a lot easy for me to display my natural game.” The Australia captain was well-supported by opener Beth Mooney, who scored a 73-ball 69 and shared a 93run second-wicket partnership. Mooney, who had scores of 100 and 57 in the first two ODIs, was hardly deterred by the early loss of her opening partner, Nicole Bolton, as she played an aggressive innings, striking nine fours and racing to a half-century off 47 balls. Mooney’s run-out in the 20th over brought Ellyse Perry out to bat for her first innings since January 2017 - having returned to the side after a hamstring injury during the Women’s Big Bash League, Perry did not come out to bat in the second ODI after injur-

ing her elbow. Perry, however, was dismissed for 1 by New Zealand medium-pacer Holly Huddleston, who also dismissed Bolton and Elyse Villani to finish with 3 for 44, the best returns for her side in the game. Once Villani fell for 37 off 42 balls, having helped Lanning bring the chase under control, Alex Blackwell (32) and Alyssa Healy (21) stepped up in supporting roles and helped seal the win. Earlier, having been put in to bat, New Zealand began with a 60-run opening partnership before Suzie Bates was dismissed by Amanda-Jade Wellington in the 11th over for 27. Rachel Priest and Katey Martin, who both struck 77, then strung a 97-run partnership for the third wicket, before Martin added another 60 for the fourth wicket with Katie Perkins to take New Zealand to 230. Martin’s 86ball knock included ten fours but her dismissal triggered a slump in the end overs, which saw New Zealand lose six wickets for 38 runs. Spinners Jess Jonassen and Ashleigh Gardner took five of the six wickets to fall in this period as New Zealand finished their innings on 270 for 9. Gardner took 3 for 56, while Jonassen had returns of 3 for 47. Australia won the Rose Bowl for the 23rd time since the inception of the competition in February 1985. New Zealand have won it three times. Sunday’s game was the 100th between the two sides in the competition. (ESPN Cricinfo)

By Martyn Herman

LONDON,(Reuters)-Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City both issued timely reminders to Chelsea that the Premier League title race might not be over with impressive victories on Sunday. After top-six rivals Arsenal and Manchester United dropped points on Saturday, second-placed Tottenham took full advantage as Harry Kane struck twice in a 3-2 home win against Everton. That left Tottenham seven points behind Chelsea who face West Ham United on Monday, while City are a further point behind Tottenham with a game in hand after goals by Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane eased them to a 2-0 win at Sunderland who stay rooted to the bottom of the table. City are three points above fourth-placed Liverpool while Arsenal have slipped out of the top-four after their 3-1 loss at Anfield on Saturday. United are sixth, three points worse off than Liverpool, after drawing with Bournemouth on Saturday. Tottenham, as they did for most of last season when they pursued title winners Leicester City into the closing weeks, look like they are ready to go the distance again. Kane opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a 25-metre rocket shot and doubled his side’s advantage early in the second half -- his 19th league goal of the

Tottenham’s Harry Kane celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images via Reuters / Paul Childs Livepic

season and 14th strike in 12 games in all competitions. Romelu Lukaku, vying for the Premier League’s Golden Boot with Kane, struck his 18th of the season with 10 minutes left before Dele Alli struck for Spurs in stoppage time and Enner Valencia replied immediately for the visitors. Tottenham have now won nine consecutive home Premier League games for the first time while Everton’s nine-match unbeaten run in the league came to an end. “It was a fantastic performance even if we are a little disappointed to concede the goals,” Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino said. “We dominated the game and played with a lot of confidence. “It’s important because now comes the most important period in the season.” City, who have the chance to move second when they

play at home to Stoke City on Wednesday, were in third gear at times against Sunderland but had far too much class. It took them until three minutes before the break to edge ahead. A sweeping move saw David Silva release Raheem Sterling whose cross was dinked home by Aguero. Silva was involved in City’s second -- a perfectly-weighted pass allowing Sane to smash a shot past Jordan Pickford. City have kept five successive away clean sheets in all competitions and have 10 away league wins, although Guardiola was still not totally satisfied. “It was a good victory,” he said. “But we were passing the ball between ourselves in the last 25 minutes. “I don’t like to defend a result and be near our box. It is okay if you’re 3-0 or 4-0 up but not 2-0.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 6, 2017

Queen’s College down St George’s 4-0 in Milo football action QUEEN’s College downed St George’s 4-0 in the final game of yesterday’s round of matches in the Ministry of Public Health/Milo sponsored U-18 schools football tournament at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. The Thomas landsbased side returned to winning ways with a brace from Kevin Wills-47th and 63rd, one from Jonathan

Connelly-45th plus an own goal. Elsewhere, it was a battle between Mae’s secondary and Tutorial high as they played to a 5-3 score line in favour of the former. For the winners, Yevdistir Persaud’s brace in the 23rd and 48th was instrumental in the result with Akeem Hutson (7th), Darshan Persaud (11th) and

Part of the action during Maes 5-3 win over Tutorial during Sunday’s game three of the Milo U-18 Football tournament (Stephan Sookram photo)

Dates change for three Digicel Regional 4-day matches ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies Cricket Board has announced that it has approved a change of dates for three upcoming matches in the Digicel Regional 4-Day Tournament, due to a clash of dates with international fixtures. The sixth round match between Barbados Pride and Leeward Islands Hurricanes will now start a day later, from Saturday, March 11 to Tuesday, March 14 at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. This is due to the staging of the third ONEINDIG One-day International between West Indies and England on Thursday, March 9, at the same venue. Also, the eighth round match between Barbados Pride and Trinidad & Tobago Red Force will be played over a five-day period at Kensington

Oval. The two sides will contest the first three days from Thursday, March 23 to Saturday, March 25, before taking a rest day on Sunday, March 26, to accommodate the first Twenty20 International between West Indies and Pakistan at the same venue, and returning to conclude the match on Monday, March 27. Finally, the ninth round match between Guyana Jaguars and Leeward Islands Hurricanes has now been moved to Friday, April 21 to Monday, April 24, but will still be played at the Guyana National Stadium. This is due to the staging of three One-day Internationals between West Indies and Pakistan on April 7, 9 and 11 at the same venue. A revised schedule of the

matches is below.

REMAINING MATCHES (Start times in brackets) 13

Round 6 – March 10 to

Volcanoes vs Red Force – National Cricket Stadium, Grenada (10 am) Scorpions vs Jaguars – Sabina Park (10 am) Round 6 – March 11 to 14 Pride vs Hurricanes – Kensington Oval, Barbados (10 am) Round 7 – March 17 to 20 Pride vs Volcanoes – Kensington Oval (10 am) Red Force vs Jaguars – Queen’s Park Oval (10 am) Scorpions vs Hurricanes – Sabina Park (3 pm) Round 8 – March 23 to 25 & 27 Pride vs Jaguars – Kensington Oval (10 am)

Round 8 – March 24 to 27 Hurricanes vs Volcanoes – Warner Park (10 am) Red Force vs Scorpions – Queen’s Park Oval (10 am)

***LATE SEASON BREAK*** Round 9 – April 7 to 10 Volcanoes vs Scorpions – Arnos Vale Sports Complex, St. Vincent (10 am) Pride vs Red Force – Kensington Oval (3 pm) Round 9 – April 21 to 24 Jaguars vs Hurricanes – Guyana National Stadium (10 am) Round 10 – April 15 to 18 Jaguars vs Volcanoes – Guyana National Stadium (10 am) Hurricanes vs Red Force – Warner Park (10 am) Pride vs Scorpions – Kensington Oval (10 am)

Bravo free to play in IPL EMBATTLED West Indies batsman Darren Bravo will be free to take part in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) having received clearance from Cricket West Indies (CWI). The 28-year-old is currently suspended from international and regional cricket after an argument with CWI boss Dave Cameron last year. After being selected for the Kolkata Knight Riders two weeks ago it was feared that the player would not be able to take part in the tour-

nament as the body would refuse to sign a Non Objection Certificate (NOC) due to his current suspension. Newly appointed CWI CEO Johnny Graves has, however, been quick to dismiss the suggestion. “We’re not going to be withholding NOCs,” Graves told Espncricinfo. “There’s no future in that.” The website also quoted the CEO as saying that the NOC for Bravo was signed “within five minutes of receiving it.” The player was pulled

Darren Bravo

from the tour of Zimbabwe last year after calling CWI president Dave Cameron an idiot via social media platform Twitter and subsequently refusing to issue an apology. Bravo had taken offence to Cameron’s as-

sertions that he was deservedly given a C grade retainer contract for a lack of performance. The player has not featured for the West Indies since and also missed out on the recent Regional Super50 tournament.

Diego Britton (65th) each scoring a goal. Steve Stanton (26th), Monty Tyrell (48th) and Travis Hercules (56th) were on target for Tutorial. In game two,North Georgetown and School of the Nation played to a goal-less stalemate,while Central High went down 0-2 to Dolphin Secondary with Beres Parkinson (4th) and Levi Vancooten (31st) on the money once each.

Entries for Kennard’s Turf Club Phagwah Horse Race Meet closes on Sunday ENTRIES for the Kennard’s Turk Club’s Phagwah Horse Race Meet will close on Sunday,March 12,and race horse owners and trainers are asked to take note and have their animals registered. The event which will be staged at the Kennard’s Turf Club facility, located at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice, is being held in observance of the Hindu festival of Phagwah and eight races will be staged from 13:00hrs. The feature event will be the one mile race and is opened to horses classified `D’ and Lower,and will carry a first prize of $700,000 and a trophy. The second, third and fourth placed finishers will earn $350,000, $175,000 and $88,000 respectively. There are three five-furlong races as well as three six-furlong races. The first five-furlong race is for horses classified `L’ who are non-winners and the winner will receive $100,000, while the second, third and fourth placed finishers will earn $80,000, $25,000 and $13,000 respectively. There will also be a five-furlong race for animals classified `L’ Open with the winner taking home $110,000, while the other top three finishers will earn $55,000, $27,000 and $14,000 respectively. The final five-furlong race which would be the final race of the day is for horses classified `K’ and Lower and the winner of this event will pocket $120,000, while the other top three performers will take home $60,000, $30,000 and $15,000 respectively. CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday March 06, 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) Dennis Amiss-103 (ENG vs AUST, Manchester, 1972) (2) Vanburn Holder-5/50 (WI vs ENG, Birmingham, 1976) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who has played most ODIs for the WI to date? (2) Who has played the most ODIs for ENG to date? ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 6, 2017

Root hits unbeaten 90 as England clinch ODI series (REUTERS)-Joe Root struck an unbeaten 90 as he and Chris Woakes steered England to a four-wicket victory over West Indies in their second one-day international on Sunday. England, who scored 2266, claimed an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. They beat the hosts by 45 runs at the same Vivian Richards Stadium on Friday in the opening encounter. Root played a typically flawless innings to carry England home with 10 balls to spare as he and Woakes stemmed a mid-order slump with an unbroken 102-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Woakes survived being dropped twice to score 68 as England used the brief series to prepare for June’s Champions Trophy. West Indies, who won the toss and chose to bat, never got going on a slow pitch and were

Chris Woakes and Joe Root saw England home, with man-of-the-match Root Unbeaten on 90. dismissed for 225 with 13 balls tributed a slow 42 off 70 balls. left of their 50 overs. Jonathan Carter offered Jason Mohammed, who top scored with 50, featured a brief cameo with 39 off 36 in a 72-run partnership balls but was deceived by a for the fourth wicket with slow ball and lofted a catch off Kraigg Brathwaite, who con- Liam Plunkett, who took 3-32.

England captain Eoin Morgan’s decision to ask Adil Rashid to bowl at the middle order proved to be a clever tactic as he took the wickets of the dangerous Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite. England’s reply got off to a poor start as opener Sam Billings was caught behind for a duck in the first over. Jason Roy might have perished in the next over but survived a lengthy review, given the benefit of the doubt after the Windies were convinced he had nicked one behind. Roy went on to make 52 in a second wicket partnership of 86 with Root before his departure set off a mini collapse with five wickets falling for just 37 runs in 10 overs. But Root kept the runs ticking over steadily as he and Woakes steadied the situation for England with Windies key bowler Shannon Gabriel bowling just three

overs before suffering a side strain. The last match in the

series is being played at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados on Thursday.

SCORECARD

WEST INDIES K Brathwaite st Buttler b MoeenAli 42 E Lewis c Billings b Finn 8 K Powell c & b Finn 9 +S Hope c wkp Buttler b Stokes 16 J Mohammed c Rashid b Plunkett 50 J Carter c Rashid b Plunkett 39 *J Holder c & b Rashid 15 C Brathwaite c Billings b Rashid 23 A Nurse b Plunkett 13 D Bishoo not out 0 S Gabriel run out 1 Extras: (b1, lb2, w6) 9 TOTAL: (all out, 47.5 overs) 225 Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Lewis, 2.4 overs), 2-21 (Powell, 6.3), 3-46 (Hope, 13.3), 4-118 (K Brathwaite, 29.4), 5-159 (Mohammed, 36.2), 6-173 (Carter, 38.5), 7-199 (Holder, 44.1), 8-219 (C Brathwaite, 46.3), 9-224 (Nurse, 47.2), 10-225 (Gabriel, 47.5) Bowling: Finn 8-1-38-2, Woakes 8-1-26-0, Plunkett 7.5-1-323 (w2), Stokes 5-0-29-1 (w1), Rashid 9-0-53-2 (w3), Moeen Ali

10-0-44-1.

ENGLAND J Roy c C Brathwaite b Nurse 52 S Billings c Powell b Gabriel 0 J Root not out 90 *E Morgan lbw b Nurse 7 B Stokes c wkp Hope b Bishoo 1 +J Buttler c wkp Hope b Bishoo 0 Moeen Ali b Nurse 3 C Woakes not out 68 Extras: (lb1, w4) 5 TOTAL: (6 wkts, 48.2 overs) 226 Did not bat: A Rashid, L Plunkett, S Finn. Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Billings, 0.2 overs), 2-87 (Roy, 15), 3-108 (Morgan, 20.1), 4-113 (Stokes, 21.5), 5-117 (Buttler, 23.2), 6-124 (Ali, 25). Bowling: Gabriel 3-0-17-1, Holder 10-0-46-0, C Brathwaite 4-038-0, Bishoo 10-0-43-2 (w3), Nurse 10-0-34-3 (w1), Mohammed 4-0-15-0, K Brathwaite 5.20-22-0, Carter 2-0-10-0.

Surinamese confirmed Agard sounds warning with his for ‘reaction’ Drags first victory of the 2017 season 20th Cheddie Jagan Memorial Cycle Road Race

By Michael Da Silva

SHAQUEL Agard sprung a surprise yesterday when he crossed the finish line in the first leg of the Cheddie Jagan Memorial cycle road race,unchallenged in a time of two hours 06 minutes, 54 seconds. After being sent on their way from New Amsterdam, Berbice,by a People’s Progressive Party executive, the 35 starters stuck together until they raced up the Number 19 Road when Hamza Eastman, Alonzo Ambrose, Agard, Paul DeNobrega, Orville Hinds and Michael Anthony broke from the leading pack and established a sizeable lead on the peloton and maintained that lead all the way to Whim on the downward journey,when Ambrose and Agard jumped the leading pack and opened a hefty lead.With 400 metres remaining to the finish, Agard jumped Ambrose and crossed the finish line unchallenged, while Ambrose was also unchallenged for the second position. There was,however,a bunch sprint for the minor positions and Eastman prevailed over DeNobrega, Hinds and Michael Anthony. Eastman won two primes, while Agard, DeNobrega and Ambrose won one each. In the other categories, Curtis Dey was the first junior to cross the finish line.Junior Niles made a successful defense of the title he won last year, Ian `Dumb Boy’ Jackson was second and Sebourne Fernandes third. In the Mountain Bike category, Shane Bourne was first, Patrick Alphonso second and Julio Melville third. Shenika Teixeira won the

Peter Daby’s Rx7 takes on Shawn Persaud’s Caldina during the last instalmentof Drag racing at the South Dakota Circuit (Mike Gonzalves Photo) By Stephan Sookram

Shaquel Agard is jubilant as he crosses the finish line at Tain, Corentyne, Berbice, to win the 20th edition of the Dr. Cheddie Jagan Cycle Road Race yesterday.

female category while Deance Welch placed second. Before sending them on their way from New Amsterdam, former Director of Sport Neil Kumar welcomed the cyclists who were a part of the event.He also acknowledged the presence of current Director of Sport Christopher Jones and Region 6 Chairman David Armogan.Mr Armogan also welcomed the participants to the Region and urged them to be competitive and to bear in mind that the event is one that is being held to honour Guyana’s first ever

Premier and former President of Guyana, who fought for Guyana’s Independence from the British rulers (England). Unfortunately, Director of Sport,Jones,in his capacity was not given an opportunity to address the participants even though he made the long trip from West Bank Demerara to Berbice. Meanwhile, the second leg of the three-leg event will be held on Sunday over in the West Demerara area and the final leg will be held in Essequibo on March 19.

SURINAME has been confirmed as being a part of the season opening Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) Reaction Drag race meet, billed for March 19th at the South Dakota Circuit. Chronicle Sport has been reliably informed that the Surinamese have confirmed their participation,with final details about the team’s composition to be confirmed in the coming week. This is seen as a major boost for the meet with a host of unfinished business expected to be dealt with come March 19. Several Surinamese

competitors who were here for the last instalment had felt as though they still had points to prove, and should those confirm their readiness, then the local crew must be prepared to face their rivals. Surely, the locals are aware of this and have been preparing their cars with Guyana’s challenge expected to be led by Team Mohammed’s Enterprise GTR Twins. Clocking a fastest-time of 8.4 seconds over the strip, the Surinamese are wary of the threat that the car and its driver poses and surely will have a game plan. The ‘beast’,along with the pair of Toyota Supras

owned by Randel Daby and Annand Ramchand,are expected to take the fight to the Surinamese,along with an assortment of modified machines, including the two Mazda Rx7 of Sanjay Persaud and Peter Daby,as well as the Toyota Caldina of Shawn Persaud. Add that to the host of Toyota Starlets and Alteezas and fans are surely in for a tightly squeezed day of activities. Free runs for the event start at 09:00hrs with Qualifying set for an hour after and Knockout set for 11:00am. Admission is $1000 for Adults and Kids Under- 12 are being charged $500.

Root hits unbeaten 90 as England clinch ODI series See Pag

e 23

- Winners Connection takes third place

Champions! Western Tigers display their Limacol trophy after defeating Police 1-0 in the finals at GFC Ground on Saturday evening (Adrian Narine Photo)

Tigers claw Police 1-0 for Limacol Trophy See story on page 20

Nelson to the rescue! Colin Nelson’s header saved the day for the Western Tigers

‘Flower Power’ Guyana Under-17s win Fair Play Award … Garrett &Ritch make Best XI; GFF Technical Department pleased with progress of squad in Martinique THE “Flour Power” Guyana Under-17 Boys’ National Team won the Fair Play Award at the International Tournoi Paul Chillan in Martinique this weekend, with Jeremy Garrett and Raushan Ritch making the tournament’s select XI after the squad grabbed a memorable win over Haiti. The Guyana Football Federation’s Technical Department had worked with the players on team discipline and behaviour during the squad’s intensive camp preparations for the competition, with a special emphasis on the duties of representing Guyana, on and off the pitch. “This team has been a great advertisement for Guyana and its football this

week, with each player behaving like an ambassador for the country and for the sport,” said GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood. “We have worked hard together on building a squad that is extremely competitive on the field of play, but that also performs with great respect for the rules, the match officials and the opposition. The boys have also behaved impeccably off of the pitch in Martinique.” The Fair Play Award is given to the squad that stands out for its good behaviour and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.

Fruta Conquerors’ versatile defender/midfielder Garrett and full-back Ritch were outstanding througout the tournament, alongside eye-catching displays from US-based Progressive Youths attacking midfielder and captain Joshua Ferreira, Milerock’s goalkeeper Jonathan Copeland and P a i o m a k Wa r r i o r s 14-year-old winger Orvil Daniels. “We couldn’t be more proud of the way this talented Under-17 group of players have behaved and performed over the last couple of weeks, both in Martinique and during their training camp in Berbice,” said GFF President Wayne Forde.

U.S -based Progressive Youths attacking midfielder Joshua Ferreira (U-17 captain) collecting the Fair Play Award at the Tournoi Paul Chillan in Martinique.

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MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017