Guyana chronicle e paper 06 24 2017

ACM launches Parliamentary Handbook Page 16

Forensic audits fall short No. 104953

SATUR DAY, JUNE 24, 2017

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‌ Jordan raises concerns; points to shortcomings at AG’s office Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan along with Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma and other officials in front row at the opening of the ICAC conference (Adrian Narine photo)

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Canje floods destroy poultry, cash crops Page 5

Shoplifter Pag nabbed 15 e after baby formula falls from under dress

Brazilian miner robbed of gold President talks up revolution in micro-enterprise Page 9

369 charged for using private cars as taxis Page 13

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 24, 2017

Several areas flooded in Wismar

RESIDENTS of First, Second and Third Alleys located on the Wismar shore, in the mining town of Linden, are battling floodwaters as result of recent heavy rains and high tides.

Residents of the small communities related to the Guyana Chronicle that the floods have been going on for the past week but the heavy rains which occurred on

One section of the flooded area in Wismar

Thursday added to their plight, by raising the water above the levels of bottom flats. Yesterday morning (Thursday) when I woke up water deh up to me ankle in me bedroom, and this morning when I wake up me chair in water, me freezer, everything,” Beverly Craig of Third Alley told the Guyana Chronicle.

“All I see is all me freezer lights gone, me fridge

The flooded yard of a Wismar resident light gone and the whole chair gone, so I just say me whole house done with and I just bath me skin, walk through the rain and went by me friend,” she said. Craig does not know where she and her daughter will lay their heads as the entire house in inundated and said that she has not seen any regional official visiting the communities to render any assistance.

“I still paying Courts for my closet and freezer so I say I gon go into them and see what going on because is done they done with,” she said.

Residents are concerned as to what may have caused the flooding since all of the drains and kokers seem to be working perfectly well and the community has never experienced this level of flooding in the past.

Linden Mayor, Carwyn Holland when contacted on Friday said that he is in Bartica and was just told about the flood and has since requested the Councillor representing the Constituency to pay the residents a visit. Regional Chairman, Renis Morian was also in Georgetown when contacted.

Residents of Re trieve were a few weeks back battling to save their houses which were damaged by a freak storm, while one resident of Richmond Hill entire house had collapsed as a result of the storm. Residents of Coomacka have also e x p e r i e n c e d s e v e re flooding while farmers of West Watooka have been coping with light flooding.

Forensic audits fall short

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 24, 2017

… Jordan raises concerns; points to shortcomings at AG’s office

THE APU+AFC coalition government has hinted that it is dissatisfied with the quality of work put out by some certified accountants recruited to conduct forensic audits after it was elected in May 2015.

Government had commissioned a number of audits following its victory at the polls, but few have led to prosecution of any of the alleged wrongdoers. Speaking at the 35th Annual Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC) which kicked off on Friday at the Marriott Hotel, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, said while there was a clamour to investigate the state of the country’s finances, it was discovered that the audits were done without consideration of the accounting landscape.

“We soon learnt that there were not many forensic accountants within our midst. So, even though we contracted a range of local individual accountants and accounting firms, with specific terms of reference, the work product, in several cases, fell far short of what one expected from a forensic audit,” said Jordan.

The two-day conference gives those professionals the opportunity to discuss issues that affect their individual territories but also look at the various commonalities that can be assessed and corrected.

Jordan explained that the allegations of widespread acts of corruption and unaccountable governance during the former Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) administration warranted the forensic audits.

REVEALING FINDINGS However, the Minister of Finance said despite the shortcomings, the findings were “many, varied and revealing.”

But the inadequacies highlighted by virtue

of the conduct of the forensic audits were not unique to private accountants but also to those within the Auditor General’s Office.

“The findings also reflected shortcomings in our own Auditor General’s office, both systemic and in human capacity.

I do not know whether this problem is peculiar to Guyana or whether

mechanisms against such attacks.”

“In this regard, the adoption of appropriate cyber security must be given the desired prominence, because, like banking, trust remains vital in your relationship with your clients,” said Jordan.

He told the grouping of Caribbean accountants that accountants have many roles to play in the

the true business transactions of their clients and at the level of government; they (accountants) hold the key to the efficient management of public funds, good governance, accountability and transparency.

ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION Stating that Guyana is chosen for the fourth

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, addressing the conference it is observed across the Caribbean accounting family,” said Jordan who requested that the issues be given attention over the next few days of the conference.

TECHNOLOGY Meanwhile, the Finance Minister noted that technology has somewhat transformed the manner in which accountants work and communicate with clients.

As such, he recognised the need to guard against cyber threats and noted that hackers have become more sophisticated. He charged the Region’s accountants to “build adequate and secure defense

development of economies, while noting that a country’s growth rate hinges on the efficiency with which available resources are managed and utilised. “Accounting is all about savings, which is at the heart of economic development and growth.

Certified Accountants also play a pivotal role in strengthening the internal control mechanism employed by businesses and organisations, to ensure efficient and effective operations, and compliance with relevant laws and regulations,” the Finance Minister added.

He stressed that certified accountants are depended upon to provide high quality financial reporting that reflects

time as host country for the event, Jordan reminded that the country is on the cusp of major economic transformation and pointed to the recent major oil discovery by U.S oil giant, ExxonMobil and its partners.

He noted that with the oil company indicating that it will pump US$4B into the recovery of oil, there will be a significant inflow of resources and influx of personnel here.

Given the future, Jordan said the efficient utilisation and management of the revenue from this source and the changes that will arise in our tax and regulatory regimes, will trigger an upsurge in the demand for qualified accountants and allied

fields.

“We will be pursuing a path of economic diversification that is essential to avoiding the so-called “Dutch Disease” and “Resource Curse” that many oil-producing countries have experienced. Our intent is to expand core underdeveloped economic sectors; focus on value-added products; and invest heavily in infrastructure and human development,” the Finance Minister said, stressing that the scale and magnitude of the activities will require the skills of qualified accountants at the level of the government and the private sector.

Jordan noted that the time is ripe for accountants (local and regional) to position themselves to take full advantage of the opportunities that are on the horizon.

CLIMATE CHANGE Speaking of Guyana’s green agenda, the Minister of Finance, who represented President David Granger at the event said, climate change poses severe risks to Small and Medium Enterprises in key sectors, such as tourism, agriculture and services.

He noted that despite the role of the government in the adaptation and mitigation processes, certified accountants have the opportunity to provide assistance to their clients in identifying their vulnerabilities to these changes and help them to build business resilience and competitiveness.

This, Jordan said is critical here as many of the small and medium businesses are susceptible to climate change, which can impact their contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

MONEY LAUNDERING Meanwhile, Jordan disclosed that Guyana recently completed its

first Money Laundering/ Terrorist Financing National Risk Assessment and the findings from that exercise will help policy makers to identify and assess money laundering and terrorist financing threats and vulnerabilities that are relevant to Guyana.

“A key finding that is of relevance to this distinguished group is that the accountancy profession carries a high risk for money laundering in Guyana, a situation that is common to many developed and developing countries.”

As a result, Jordan called on the accountants to let their country’s anti-money laundering laws take precedence over your professional privileges “and ensure that your offices do not facilitate predicate crimes”. The Minister also alluded to the Region’s economies being affected by new regulatory measures imposed on the international financial institutions by global standard setters such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). These regulatory measures he said have resulted in corresponding banks in developed countries severing or reducing their relationships with jurisdictions that are considered high risk. Guyana, Jordan alluded, is working to strengthen its Anti-Money Laundering and Corrupt Financial Transactions (AML/CFT) regime.

Given the new framework and the expansion of the regulatory perimeter, there will be a higher demand for accountancy services. “Accountants are also expected to undertake appropriate Client Due Diligence.

They are called upon to know who their clients are; what are their motives; and what is the nature of their businesses,” the Minister added. The Conference is themed “New Horizons- Charting the Course Together”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 24, 2017

Cuban ambassador decries Trump’s roll back of Obama policy CUBAN Ambassador to Guyana, Julio Cesar Gonzalez Marchante, described US President Donald Trump recent speech and directive as ill-advised, resulting in the rollback of progress achieved over the last two years.

On December 17, 2014, Presidents Raúl Castro and Barack Obama announced the decision to re-establish diplomatic relations and engage in a process towards the normalisation of bilateral relations. However, the Cuban envoy said on June 16, 2017, US President Donald Trump delivered a speech, “full of hostile anti-Cuban rhetoric, reminiscent of the times of open confrontation with our country in a Miami theater.”

Adding that President Trump signed a policy directive titled, “National

Security Presidential Memorandum”, Ambassador Marchante said this provides the elimination of private educational “people-to-people” exchanges and greater control over all travellers to Cuba.

He explained that this will also result in the prohibition of business, trade and financial transactions between US companies and certain Cuban companies linked to the Armed Revolutionary Forces and the intelligence and security services, under the alleged objective of depriving Cuba from income.

The Cuban envoy said the US president justified this policy with alleged concerns over the human rights situation in Cuba and the need to rigorously enforce the US blockade laws, conditioning its lifting, as well as any improvements

Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Julio Cesar Gonzalez Marchante

in US-Cuba bilateral relations to our country’s making changes inherent to its constitutional order.

“Once again, the US Government resorts to coercive methods of the past when it adopts measures aimed at stepping up the blockade, effective since February

1962, which not only causes harm and deprivations to the Cuban people and is the main obstacle to our economic development, but also affects the sovereignty and interests of other countries, which arouses international rejection,” the diplomat said.

He said the measures announced impose additional obstacles to the already very limited opportunities that the US business sector had in order to trade with and invest in Cuba.

“Likewise, those measures restrict even more the right of US citizens to visit our country, which was already limited due to the obligation of using discriminatory licenses, at a moment when the US Congress, echoing the feelings of broad sectors of that society, calls not only for an end to the travel ban, but also for the elimination of the restrictions on the trade with Cuba,” Ambassador Marchante noted.

He emphasised that the measures announced by President Trump run counter to the majority support of the US public opinion, including the Cuban emi-

gration in that country, to the total lifting of the blockade and the establishment of normal relations between Cuba and the United States.

“The US President, who has been once again ill-advised, is taking decisions that favour the political interests of an irrational minority of Cuban origin in the state of Florida which, out of petty motivations, does not give up its intent to punish Cuba and its people for exercising the legitimate and sovereign right of being free and having taken the reins of their own destiny,” he added.

He explained that the Government of Cuba reiterates its will to continue a respectful and cooperative dialogue on topics of mutual interest, as well as the negotiation of outstanding issues with the US Government.

Saturday, June 24th, 2017 - 04:30hrs Sunday, June 25th, 2017 - 05: 30 hrs Monday, June 26th, 2017 - 05:00 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 24, 2017

Canje floods destroy poultry, cash crops

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric FLOODWATERS have affected poultry, cash crops, and rice fields along the East Canje and East Bank Berbice areas.

Residents of New Forest, East Canje on Friday woke up around 05:00h to their surroundings inundated and Parasram Beepat, a farmer, told Guyana Chronicle that he is involved in a pilot project which is aimed at cultivating onions and potatoes.

Though the planting has not begun, the bags of fertilisers and limestone he had stored have all been destroyed as a result of the flood. Similarly, poultry farmer Ishwarant Bishram, was awoken by a telephone call informing him

Poultry farmer Ishwarant Bishram

that his seven and 42-day-old chickens died in the floodwater.

The farmers contend that the flood was not caused solely by heavy rainfall and according to Bishram, when he visited his poultry farm; he observed that the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo) drainage pump was not functioning thereby preventing water from being pumped off the land.

The Guyana Chronicle

Region Six Regional Chairman, David Armogan, just after inspecting affected areas at New Forest, East Canje on Friday

understands that as a result of heavy rainfall and the spring tide, the Canje River has risen and overtopped into the village which resulted in the flooding. Given the circumstances, Bishram hired a tractor and pump to the tune of $4, 000 per hour to drain the floodwater off his land.

By this time, he was only able to save 26 chickens.

Meanwhile, Mahase Rupert called ‘Vicky’, reported that his 200-acres of rice cultivation is also inundated.

He told this newspaper that the two-week-old, second crop will be lost as the drains are blocked with overgrown bushes at his farm.

At Lightown, East Bank Berbice (EBB), cash crop farmer, Carlos Chisolm, opined that if the Crown Canal is cleared, water will recede faster, and crops saved. The farmer, who cultivates over five acres of lands, claimed that he lost many cash crops, including boulanger. This publication was told that a contract for the desilting of canals was awarded by the Regional Administration but the identified contractor lacked the required experience and

equipment to get the job done. Three machines were reportedly sent to aid in the process but none were operational just after noon on Friday.

Another resident, Mohan Sookhoo, of Deutichem, East Bank Berbice said it is normal for the area to be flooded given the clogged canals. Sookhoo revealed that over 1500 rods of drainage was expected to be desilted before the May/ June rainfalls, but since the contract was given, just 500 rods have been completed.

Though the canals are clogged, sluice operator Ravi, (only name given) believes that the rainfall between Thursday night and Friday morning resulted in the flood. He explained that his shift should have concluded at 14:00h Friday but due to the flood, he was required to go overtime to ensure the sluice is open.

Regional Chairman, David Armogan, told reporters, he responded to a complaint of a poultry farmer losing approximately 1, 000 chickens as a result of the flood. “As a result, I decided to visit to see what was happening, I realised that that what has happened is that while there is some rainfall, it is because

A woman, known as Ms Beepat, wades through floodwaters on Friday at New Forest, East Canje, Berbice.

GuySuCo was using a pump to transfer water from one canal to another canal. However, because the level of the Canje Creek, is so high, the water rode over the dam then it flowed into the farmer’s pen which would have resulted in the birds’ death.”

The Regional Chairman said a number of other farmers have recounted a similar fate with many losing ducks, and citrus plants while many households have also been

flooded. “Some people have water as high as 18 inches in their kitchen, and have resulted in the loss of appliances,” he stated.

Armogan noted that while he is saddened by the farmers’ loss, “I do not know who will compensate them for their losses.” The affected farmers have since hired a tractor and pump to get the water off the land. That process is expected to last 24 hours. “I will contact the

Flooded yards at Deutichem, East Bank Berbice

Cash crop farmer, Carlos Chisolm, points to a flooded area on his farm

Regional Executive Officer (REO) to determine whether we can assist to pay for the pump at the cost of $4,000 an hour,” the Regional Chairman said, while disclosing that GuYSuCo had sent a hymac to assist building the dam, but sufficient work has not been done to remedy the situation.

The community of Black Bush Polder was also affected by 12 inches of water in residential areas.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 24, 2017

Society aids police professionalism

RECENTLY, there were several media reports, supported by video, alleging that the authority of the police in Region 10 is being undermined by the Regional Democratic Council. The reported allegation also saw intervention by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, to facilitate discussions between the regional administration and the police to verify the claims.

It was clear that Government’s intervention was to ensure lines of demarcation relating to authority and responsibilities are clear and unambiguous. This editorial has no intent to re-litigate what may have transpired in and around the incident. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it cannot be over-emphasised the importance of the police executing their duties in a professional manner, undisturbed. To the APNU+AFC Government and Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud’s credit, police/community relations are on the upswing.

This may have been influenced by the force being given autonomy and support to carry out its duty to “Serve and Protect”-- unfettered.

There has to be consistency in the work of the police if the institution is to have credibility in society. This consistency is not only required in upholding laws and standard

operating procedures, but also allowing the police the liberty and freedom to do what needs to be done within the established framework. The police cannot be bad when they do not condone a wrong or tardy to appear on the scene; the police are bad when they fail to discharge their duties consistent with their mandate.

The society is emerging from a dark period when the force was undermined and steam-rolled by politicians and the connected. This painstaking work requires support of the citizenry and more so public leadership, elected and appointed. When members of the force feel that their hands are tied and there is no support from their constituents, higher-ups and community, it makes it difficult to do the job. The police should have the freedom to know that they can do what is required, without being questioned or micro-managed.

Where once there was a cadre of officers who were law unto themselves and did the politicians’ biddings, these had hurt the force’s credibility. Memories of Fraser, Merai, former Minister of Home Affairs Ronald Gajraj and death/ phantom squads, jailed drug lord Shaeed “Roger” Khan’s announcement of partnership with the PPP/C Government, the jailbreak, and ensuing mayhem are still etched in the

mind of citizens.

Treatment of the police and its relationship with the community is an ongoing process. Where such relationship is not considered important, it risks immobilising and making once again the impotence of the force to do its job. Crimes, notable serious ones, are declining and this should be across the board. The force is not perfect. As an institution it has miles more to go to gain the masses’ confidence and therefore all efforts must be made to ensure its image is rebuilt and public confidence restored .Where in the past hubris, in the highest offices, permitted efforts and acts in undermining the roles, responsibilities and functions of public institutions, and this Government early signalled its intolerance to continue similar pattern, its desire should be supported.

Too many stray animals on the streets Eid Mubarak Dear Editor THE Mayor and City Council continues to express its concern on the increasing number of animals (horses, cows and pigs) roaming the streets of Georgetown. This is observed particularly in the southern section of the city, where citizens are rearing cows, horses and pigs without the requisite accommodation and sanitary facilities to manage those animals.

Horses are left to stray about on busy roadways, posing not only a hazard to vehicular traffic, but also causing all kinds of public health problems, including facilitating a stench nuisance from their dung, flies and other vermins.

Cows are left to graze on city parapets and, sometimes, roam onto the private properties of neighbours- a situation that is highly unacceptable in these modern times.

Under the law:

“287. A council may prohibit, restrict or regulate the keeping or movement of animals in any part of its council area.

288. (1) A council may establish, erect, maintain and control pounds.

(2) A council pound shall be under the control and superintendence of the council.

(3) There shall be for each council pound a pound-keeper and such deputy or assistant pound-keeper as the council may consider necessary for the efficient control of the pound 289. Any animal to which this section applies which strays on private property may be detained and taken by the owner or occupier of such property, or by any person authorised in writing by such owner or occupier, to a council pound, and for so doing he shall receive from the pound-keeper such sum by way of reward as may be prescribed by by-laws of the council.

290. Any animal to which this section applies which strays on any public road, council road, drainage work vested in the council or other public place may be taken by any member of the Police Force or of a town or rural constabulary, any local government officer or by any authorised in writing by the clerk of the council to a council pound.”

Also, under that same law, at section 294: (1) “Any impounded animal which is not redeemed within one week may be sold.

(2) The pound-keeper shall publish a notice of sale upon a board placed in a conspicuous position near the council pound of all impounded animals which have not been redeemed within a week of impounding for a period of not less than seven days before the sale.”

The council is contemplating recommencing this aspect of its responsibility -- impounding of animals found straying in the streets

of Georgetown. The Chief Constable has been advised to re-establish pounds in the city to address this growing and worrying problem.

In addition, residents of local communities continue to complain to the council’s Public Health Department about the stench and the inconvenience they must suffer as a result of those individuals who are rearing animals in the capital city. A few months ago, council at one of the its Statutory Meetings discussed a plan to register and organise individuals, who are operating horsedrawn carts in the city and to secure space outside of the city limits, to allow them to operate without interfering with the integrity of the city. That plan will be further discussed at a public health meeting fixed for early July, 2017.

Regards Debra Lewis Public Relations Officer Mayor and City Council

to the Muslim Community

THE Indian Action Committee (IAC) is pleased to join with all Guyanese in extending Eid Mubarak to the Muslim community.

The IAC recognises that Eid-Ul-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan in which adherents of Islam are required to exert extreme self-discipline and enhance their compassion for others and, therefore, it is important currently to reflect on these moral values emphasised during this auspicious period. The IAC commends all those Muslims who gathered to pray and break fast at their Masjids over the past month thus, strengthening their commitment to their faith and their covenant with their Creator.

The IAC also recognises

and is saddened by the continued oppression, brutalisation and killings of tens of thousands of believers of Islam around the world in 2017. The IAC, which has always had Muslims in its membership, remains ready to work in partnership with the Muslim community in such works that conform with the three foci of the organisation: educational, cultural, social work.

The IAC calls upon all Guyanese to re-establish lost family values, improve communal relationships and promote peace in the context of social cohesion and national unity.

Eid Mubarak from the IAC Regards Indian Action Committee

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 24, 2017

Anchors of acceptable action

Dear Editor

LIKE the rest of the world, Guyana has been changing as indeed it must to avoid being left behind in the globally competitive environment. In this context, it is easy to lose sight of certain fundamental principles of decent human behaviour and become entrapped in

the proverbial rat race or dog fight for survival of the strongest as the media has been reporting to be the case, especially among various groups of Guyanese leaders.

In this regard, I am reminded of an address given by His Holiness the Aga Khan in Pakistan many years ago, in which

he warned about changing the anchors of acceptable behaviour; I quote the relevant paragraph below: “I have observed in the Western world a deeply changing pattern of human relations. The anchors of moral behaviour appear to have [been] dragged to such depths that they no longer hold firm the ship of

City Hall engineers need help Dear Editor, SOMETHING is fundamentality wrong with the composition of the city council engineering corps. It is impossible for year to year the city continues to flood and absolutely no one at City Hall can produce any data to support the reason for this event.

The whole country is aware of the location of the city but that should never negate the cause for this flooding during the rainy season. This clearly outlines two things: either City Hall lacks the engineering science in its engineers or they simply do not command engineering.

Flooding stems from several causes: record-breaking rainfall, poor maintenance of

drainage infrastructure, poor interpretation of rainfall data and design to suit the existing infrastructure, inadequate storm water management design and analysis, among several other data collection.

Since there is no presentation by the city council from its engineers to outline steps that they’re taking through an engineering approach this problem will persist for a long time. City Council will always be the focal point during rainfall seasons regardless of the stellar engineers at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

That reason is not only for the remit of City Hall for the city itself, but because for years that local organ has been the place of complaint for flood-

ing. Charles Ceres, who was a long-serving engineer in this country for many years and fully command engineering science from his overseas training, should step in to save those engineers from any further embarrassment.

If he needs to work with them closely, let that be or if there is a need for additional engineers with a command of engineering science, then let that also be, but until then City Hall will never be able to improve not only perception, but addressing inundation of the city’s terrain with its current engineering corps not doing real engineering.

Regards Terrell Waveney Roberts

Guyana no longer considered pariah state

Dear Editor,

I was shocked to read in the Kaieteur News on Thursday a letter from Fazal Gafoor that launched a vicious and racist attack against the President David Granger-led Government.

I am a supporter of this Government and I feel offended that anyone could be allowed to describe AFC leaders as “spineless, selfish men”. This band of brave men and women helped to change Guyana for the better. I can find no other proof that AFC leaders must have done something patriotic for Guyana than your own editorial on Thursday (22/6/17) which, in parts say: “The criticism hurled at the leader of the opposition last week in Parliament by the Minister of Natural Resources exposed Mr Bharrat Jagdeo for the kind of leader he was.

His failures were broadcast for all to hear. Today, from

all indications, there seems to be a radical change. It seems that some good things are happening in Guyana.

Crime, especially murder is down, the production of rice and gold has increased and the illegal narcotics trade has been set back. Georgetown is now clean; the stench that had hovered over the city during the tenure of the last administration has disappeared. The city streets are joys to ride on. The potholes have disappeared, something that twenty-three years of the previous government failed to achieve.

Today, Guyana is no longer considered a pariah state as it used to be under the last administration. Fear and hopelessness have slowly drifted away and there is confidence and optimism for a bright and prosperous future, especially among youths.

As Guyanese, one of our unique traits is our ability to rise above adversity. We

actually obtained such traits from our leaders who seemingly overcame insurmountable odds in their struggle for independence. Such traits became very useful during the abysmal failure of the last administration to end the sale of illegal drugs and arrest the escalating crime wave that led to the assassination of the former Minister of Agriculture, Sash Sawh, journalist Ron Waddell and more than 450 youths.

Until recently, just before the administration was forced out of office, there were senseless murders, rapes, burglaries and home invasions. In that period, Guyana was a crime-ridden and drug-infested state. Our history has proven we are tough.

Those who preach doom and gloom and damnation need to know that people are embracing hope.”

Regards Earle Hamilton

life. What was once wrong is now simply unconventional, and for the sake of individual freedom must be tolerated. What is tolerated soon becomes accepted.

Contrarily, what was once right is now viewed as outdated, old-fashioned and is often the target of ridicule.”

I thought of bringing this to the attention of my Guy-

anese compatriots, having regard to the distressingly unmannerly, uncouth and unconventional behaviours Guyanese in all strata of our society from manual workers to Members of Parliament, as reported in the daily media.

In our search for solutions to the apparently endemic, backward divisiveness in our society it is incumbent on all of us to hold steadfastly to the anchors of acceptable behaviour and like the Aga Khan,

the Mahatma Gandhi, the Rev Martin Luther King and the indomitable Nelson Mandela have demonstrated over the years all across the world, call upon our own leaders, our own comrades to reflect on the counter-productiveness of finger-pointing and strive to work together in search of cures for our self-inflicted wounds.

Regards Nowrang Persaud

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 24, 2017

President hold talks with NTC, other Indigenous organisations

PRESIDENT David Granger on Thursday met with representatives of a number of Indigenous organisations as discussions continue with regard to the work of the Lands Commission of Inquiry (CoI).

Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Mr. Sydney Allicock were also present at the meeting, while the visiting delegation was led by Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Mr. Joel Fredericks and included President of the National Amerindian Development Foundation, Mr. Ashton Simon; Toshao of Shulinab Village, Mr. Nicholas Fredericks; Toshao of St. Cuthbert’s Mission and NTC Vice-Chairman, Mr. Lennox Shuman; Toshao of Chenapau, Mr. Edward McGarrel;

Seated in front row from left: Toshao of St. Cuthbert’s Mission and NTC Vice-Chairman, Mr. Lennox Shuman; Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Mr. Sydney Allicock; President David Granger; Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon and Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Mr. Joel Fredericks. Standing at the back from left: Manager of the Land Administration Department at the Lands and Surveys Commission, Mr. Marcel Hudson; Toshao of Shulinab Village, Mr. Nicholas Fredericks; Executive Director of the Amerindian People’s Association (APA), Ms. Jean La Rose; Mr. Peter Persaud, of The Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (TAAMOG); Coordinator of the National Amerindian Development Foundation, Ms. Zelita Debedin; President of the National Amerindian Development Foundation, Mr. Ashton Simon; Mr. Colin Klautky, of the Guyana Organisation of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP), and Toshao of Chenapau, Mr. Edward McGarrel Coordinator of the National Amerindian Development Foundation, Ms. Zelita Debedin; Executive Director of the Amerindian People’s Association (APA), Ms. Jean La Rose; Mr. Colin Klautky from the Guyana Organisation of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP) and Mr. Peter Persaud from The Amerindian Action Movement Of Guyana (TAAMOG).

Last week, the President convened a similar meeting with the executive members of the APA including Ms. La Rose and included Mr. Ted Lucas, Mr. Ron James, Mr. Earl Thomas, Mr. Benson Thomas and Ms. Laura George. These engagements are in response to the concerns that have been raised in the public domain following establishment of the commission in March.

At today’s meeting, President Granger explained to the delegation that contrary to the impression that is being cre-

ated, the Administration never intended to set up a commission to deal with Indigenous lands and not involve Indigenous peoples. In fact, that commission’s mandate was to engage with communities in order to examine and make recommendations to resolve issues and uncertainties surrounding the individual, joint or communal ownership of lands and Amerindian land-titling issues. He also spoke of the five-point plan that he proposed to the APA last Wednesday.

This plan includes: a review of all existing agreements and conventions relating to Amerindian lands; a review of the Terms of Reference of the commission; endorsement of the principal of Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC); reconciliation of the positions of the NTC and the Government on the objectives of the Commission of Inquiry and a review of the Amerindian Act. Minister Allicock

described the discussions as a step in the right direction. “It’s about understanding the issues and coming together to discuss the said issues.

That is what is really important here. I think that for too long we have not been communicating the way we should and I look forward for the continuation of this kind of dialogue.”

Meanwhile, the NTC Chairman said that he is pleased to have the opportunity to discuss some issues surrounding the Lands CoI with the Head of State, particularly as it relates to mining and governance.

He added that “I want to say that the NTC had the opportunity to bring these matters to him so that we can see how best these organisations, who represent the Indigenous peoples, can all work together with the Government in addressing some of them.” (Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 24, 2017

South Ruimveldt man sentenced to 18 months for simple larceny

A SOUTH Ruimveldt man was on Friday sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to a simple larceny charge.

The charge stated that on June 20, at Dennis Street, Campbellville, Kel-

vin Grey, 43, of Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, broke and entered the dwelling place of Tamika Jacqui and stole one TCL television valued $80,000 and one Asus table worth $25,000.

Grey admitted to the

charged when it was read to him by Magistrate Sunil Scarce.

Meanwhile, Police persecutor Preston John told the court that Jacqui, a police woman, had secured her house and left for work.

He noted that Grey was

seen by neighbours kicking the complainant’s door until it opened.

The police were alerted and when confronted, Grey dropped a bag with the stolen items and ran.

He was subsequently arrested.

Bandits rob Brazilian miner of gold, ATV A BRAZILIAN miner of the North West District (NWD), who was heading to his dredge, was robbed of his gold and All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) by two masked gun-

men Thursday.

Reports indicate that the two men, armed with a shotgun and a handgun respectively, stopped the 52-year-old Brazilian, who was travelling on

an ATV en-route to his dredge operations, which was 10 minutes away from his camp.

The armed bandits then proceeded to rob the miner of cash, raw gold, jewelry and his

green ATV before making their escape.

The Brazilian was unharmed and no one was arrested as police investigations continue.

Bus driver charged with receiving stolen property A MINI-BUS driver was on Friday charged with receiving stolen property and subsequently placed

on $30,000 bail by Magistrate Sunil Scarce.

The accused, 38 yearold Ander Fordyce denied

the allegation that he on May 17, received from a person(s) a stolen mobile phone belonging to Har-

old Wilson at Stabroek, Georgetown.

The matter was adjourned to July 4, 2017.

Cuban woman charged with conspiracy to commit fraud A CUBAN woman was on Friday placed on $200,000 bail by Magistrate Sunil Scarce after being charged with conspiracy to commit a felony by uttering a forged document.

Twenty-eight-year-old Barbar De Lavera denied the allegation which stated that between February 6, 2017 and June 21, 2017 she conspired with another, to forge one Guyana Immigration service extension of stay stamp on page 7 of her Republic of Cuba passport, bearing passport number J220381.

De Lavera claimed the document was issued by the Central Immigration and Passport Office and denied that on June 21, 2017 at the Central Immigration and Passport Office she committed fraud by uttering to an Immigration officer her passport with one forged service extension of stay stamp on page 7, knowing same to be forged.

Police prosecutor Preston John did not object to bail.

However, her attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat told the court that his client came to Guyana to visit a friend for one month.

He said De Lavera then applied for an extension and was assisted by a compatriot, whom she was asked to pay US$300. Fung-A-Fat argued that his client was unaware that the stamp was forged.

The woman was placed on $100,000 for each charge and the matter adjourned to July 7.

Albouystown man on ganja charge granted bail A 19-YEAR-OLD man was on Friday charged with being in possession of narcotics and placed on $50,000 bail when he appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce.

Zane Harris of Albouystown, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The charge alleges that Harris on June 20, at James Street, Albouystown was found with 7 grams of cannabis.

Harris is to return to court on June 28, 2017.

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Auditors’ headache

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 24, 2017

… new FATF rules require accountants to be whistleblowers against clients

TOP Caribbean diplomat, Sir Ronald Sanders, told a gathering of accountants on Friday that despite their obligations to be loyal to their clients, under the new rules of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), they are also expected to be “whistleblowers” on their clients if they found them to be involved in financial crimes.

Sir Ronald was among the speakers who addressed the opening of the 35th Annual Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC) which kicked off on Friday at the Marriott Hotel. The two-day conference gives those professionals the opportunity to discuss issues that affect their individual territories but also look at the various commonalities that can be assessed and corrected.

Noting that FATF and the OECD Global Forum now require all jurisdictions to identify and name beneficial owners of financial assets, Sir Ron said this has extended to International Business Corporations and companies incorporated in domestic jurisdictions. He said the days of bearer shares

and numbered accounts are gone, except in some states of the United States such as Delaware and Nevada where the practice continues, and to which a great deal of global business has been moved to avoid disclosure. “In the Caribbean, however, our governments have been pushed into enacting legislation on beneficial ownership or face the pain of being black-listed with grave consequences for doing business in the international community.”

HIGH-LEVEL PRINCIPLE According to Sir Ron as part of this process, the FATF has issued “high-level principles and procedures for accountants” to guide them on ‘the riskbased approach to combatting money laundering and terrorist financing’.

“In effect, accountants and lawyers, who have provided services to clients for years, are now required to be ‘gatekeepers’ and, effectively, they are obliged to report on their own clients if they suspect activities such as money laundering, terrorist financing or tax evasion.”

Incidentally, though, he said the US Treasury has not applied anti-money laun-

dering laws to ‘gatekeepers’ and in Canada, courts have repeatedly said that AML/ CTF requirements, such as reporting on clients, violates the attorney-client relationship. “But, in our Caribbean jurisdictions, laws to this effect have already been adopted in some jurisdictions or are in the process of being implemented. So, there is no level playing field in the global community.

But as much as Caribbean jurisdictions complain about the double-standard and hypocrisy of the application of OECD and FATF rules as the Premier of the Cayman Islands and the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man have done, having not fought collectively against this situation from the beginning, they now have to implement the rules or suffer the consequences of black listing and counter measures.”

Sir Ron said in this connection, huge obligations will be placed on accountants to know the business of their clients in far greater detail than ever before, and to exercise extreme caution in providing a range of advice, including: financial and tax advice; creation of corporate vehicles; buying or selling property; performing financial transactions on behalf of

clients; and even providing introduction to financial institutions.

Additionally, he said FATF and OECD Global Forum rules will require governments to adopt and implement legislation that will hold accountants responsible for the actions of their clients that can result in them being charged with facilitating money laundering, terrorist financing and tax evasion by their clients, not only within their own jurisdictions but in cross-border activities. This, Sir Ron said imposes a huge challenge on accountants and auditors. He charged that practitioners must now constantly keep abreast of international, regional and national developments to maintain their clients and develop new ones.

“You will need to be able to adjust your own practices, including the potential needed to invest resources and develop new practice areas for clients, including those in compliance and enforcement.”

HEAVY-HANDED RULES Sir Ron said what is remarkable in all this is that, in the small communities of many Caribbean juris-

Sir Ronald Sanders speaking at the opening of the ICAC’s 35th Annual Conference on Friday. dictions, these heavy-handed rules, devised by the OECD and the FATF, are hardly necessary. He said the size and range of transactions in the Caribbean are not large enough to pose any grave risk to the world’s financial system.

He however, charged accountants and auditors to insist on consultations with their professional bodies and governments prior to meetings of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the OECD Global Forum “so that your views contribute to the positions adopted at decision-making meetings; and urge governments of all Caribbean jurisdictions to establish machinery for joint Caribbean policy positions that can be collectively argued in the G7 bodies.”

He said alliances should also be sought with groups within OECD countries that recognise that imposing onerous and unnecessary rules on small jurisdictions and disadvantaging them by allowing unlevel playing fields to prevail, do not make for a prosperous world or a peaceful one.

Meanwhile, President of the ICAC, Jasmine Davis, in her address to the gathering

mentioned that over the two days they will deliberate on and explore key issues such as disruptive technologies, public financial accountability and prospects for key regional industries. Fresh approaches to strategic business planning will be taken into consideration because there will be the need for jobs in the area of cyber security, said Davis who added that they need to be more proactive in boosting cyber security and making it a priority.

“Finance professionals cannot be ignorant and uninvolved as the rest of the world grapples with its issues that challenge the future and survival of the regional professionals…we are responsible for prioritising the needs of our talent,” she said.

By exchanging information, they will look to tap into the pool of resources that are available so as to find solutions, and upgrade and modernise the systems and processes that drive their operations.

Despite their shortfalls, the ICAC announced that they have managed to implement the public sector accounting standards and establish a public sector financial management committee which is responsible for engaging governments and stakeholders.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 24, 2017

Sophia boy was murdered-autopsy EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Isaiah David Smartt, the Sophia lad who was found dead in a trench earlier this week, died as a result of asphyxiation due to bronchoaspiration and compounded by compression injuries to the neck.

Police said it is a clear indication that Smartt’s death was unnatural and has been ruled a homicide in which

Dead: Isaiah David Smartt detectives will intensify their investigations. So far no arrest has been made.

Commander of ‘A’ Division Marlon Chapman, told the Guyana Chronicle that the investigations will widen and arrests are imminent. The post-mortem was performed

by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh.

After the body of Smartt, of Lot 148 Block ‘E’ Plum Park, Sophia, was found void of marks of violence, relatives had questioned his death since the area he was found was considered too shallow for him to drown because he was an excellent swimmer.

As such, they are asking the police to look deeper into the boy’s death which they believe is of a sacrificial

nature. The F. E. Pollard Primary School student’s lifeless body was found by a relative in a shallow trench which runs along a plot of land next to his sister’s residence, on Tuesday afternoon after a search was launched.

He had gone missing from home since Monday when he left to go visit his sister, who lives a short distance away and would take the same route (short cut) there on a regular basis to go to his father’s residence.

Smartt’s eldest sister, Anisha Williams, told the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday that her sibling went by another sister to visit and he then left to go and visit his father on Monday afternoon.

She explained that another sister was supposed to accompany him but she fell asleep and he went alone and after he left their sister’s house, a short distance away, his movements were unaccounted for. Williams added that her brother’s body was found in a shallow trench in a villager’s yard, and believes that he did not drown since he was an excellent swimmer.

She stated that they do not have problems with anyone in the village and cannot understand how her sibling met his demise, they have their own suspicions. Chapman said Smartt’s body which bore no visible marks of violence was found at about 19:45hrs in approximately two feet of water in a trench.

He related that after the child left his mother’s house alone and did not show up, a search was initiated by relatives who discovered his body and summoned the police.

Rape accused freed A 12-MEMBER jury on Friday found Julius Tejowah not guilty of the rape of a child under the age of 16 years, after hours of deliberation in the Georgetown High Court.

After the verdict was announced, Justice Navindra Singh told Tejowah he was free to go after which he exited the courtroom surrounded by his spouse and other relatives.

At the time of the incident, Tejowah was 20 years and the female child was only 13 years old and resided in the same yard as him, in the county of Demerara.

It was alleged that Tejowah engaged in sexual penetration of a child under 16 years on July 31, 2015. The state was represented by Tuanna Hardy, Tameika Clarke and Seeta Bishundyal while attorney Maxwell McKay represented the accused. The state called eight witnesses to take the stand in the matter which was held in-camera.

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Social Cohesion Ministry working to strengthen capacity at community level OVER the next six months the Ministry of Social Cohesion will be working to develop and strengthen the capacities of community leaders and other stakeholders in Wakenaam, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), and other parts of Guyana, so that they would be better equipped to address matters related to social cohesion.

This was announced by Dr. Norton during a sensitisation session held at the Wakenaam Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) office. “We will be undertaking actions that would contribute to building trust.

Many times we stay in our homes, we do not participate, we do not contribute because of lack of trust [and] we have got to build that whole idea of trust,” the minister said.

Citizens were reminded of the critical role they play in the Government’s social cohesion efforts.

The minister reinforced that unity among the races and understanding of differences are critical to fostering development. The Social Cohesion Strategic plan, the Minister said, is a roadmap being used to guide the Government and citizens in the direction needed to realising a socially cohesive country.

Dr. Norton said that “we have to put this plan into action, we have to work the plan and that is where we are now, in trying to implement that plan that we managed to formulate and this is part of

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton and Technical Officer, Ministry of Social Cohesion, Pamela Nauth are being greeted by two nursery school pupils at the Wakenaam, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) NDC the plan we have in a document. We have a time frame to do this…between now and 2019 we hope that we would be able to implement our plan and achieve goals that we set out.”

Goals, the minister noted, are easily accomplished when all members of the community are involved and render assistance to others when necessary. “By doing this we are able to break down the barriers in our society and of course we would thrive to increase that feeling of security in our communities,” he said, and urged those gathered to practice communication for the resolution of common problems.

Programme Coordinator in the Ministry of Social

Cohesion, Ms. Sharon Patterson dispelled a number of rumours and myths regarding the Ministry of Social Cohesion and the reason for its establishment. She noted that essentially the Social Cohesion Ministry is responsible for “nurturing individual and community relations in order to build a unified Guyana.”

In response to questions posed by persons at the sensitisation session, Patterson explained that social cohesion is built on the principles of respect, participation, inclusion, belonging and legitimacy among others.

The Programme Coordinator said each person must feel as if, “I am entitled to a proper education, benefit from a proper health system [and]

benefit from a proper social system. I must get water; I must have access to all of the facilities; electricity and all of that.” She said that people should not be discriminated against because of differences, whether those differences include race, ethnicity, geographic location, age, gender or culture.

Officials from the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Education, members of the Guyana Police Force, representatives of the Regional and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and the Civil Defence Commission were also present at the event. (Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 24, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 24, 2017

Region Seven contractors prepped to bid for gov’t contracts

CONTRACTORS in Region Seven, Cuyuni Mazaruni, are the latest beneficiaries of the Ministry of Communities procurement and project implementation community workshop, which was launched today at the Leanna’s Kiddies Park.

One of the aims of the workshop is to help guide small contractors in the preparation of project procurement documents. The workshop will also aid in the contractors’ submission of tenders, therefore enabling them to better participate in the procurement process.

Procurement Officer, Ministry of Communities, Michael Blackman defined procurement as a simple or complex transaction between two persons. Blackman noted that there are persons tasked with public spending and that those persons must be accountable. Public Procurement is very structured and guidelines must be followed, he said.

Blackman outlined that the Public Procurement system begins with a social need and depending on the need of the community or the region, through consultation with the citizens, identify projects that will benefit the community.

When the consultation process is completed a budget is presented to the finance minister and after debates the

budgeted funds are approved.

“Once a project is identified, an engineer’s estimate is attached and a tender document is prepared by the Regional Democratic Council.

The tender document is prepared, then there’s invitation to bid, which is advertised publicly, giving all contractors a chance to participate in the process,” Blackman explained.

Blackman stressed that the lowest bidder does not necessarily win the contract, but the bidder who satisfies all the necessary evaluation criteria. The workshops also aim to reduce the number of unresponsive bids, widen the number of contractors, as well as suppliers participating in regional contracts, and critically improve the quality of the work executed.

“The procurement and project implementation community workshop is designed for your empowerment and to provide greater employment at the community level,” the minister told the workshop participants. Special Projects Officer, Ministry of Communities, Naeem Khan highlighted that some of the necessary documents to fulfill the criteria in the procurement system include Guyana Revenue Authority Compliance, National Insurance Scheme and litigation and financial letters. He pointed out that the criteria

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan and tender document are used in all administrative regions.

Khan explained that during the procurement process there are three classifications of projects. Classification one is micro; capable of executing works between the value of $800,000 to $4.99M, classification two is small; capable of executing works between the value of $5M to $9.99M and classification three is medium; capable of executing works between the value of $10M to $14M. Contractors will not be selected for more than two classifications.

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, while delivering brief remarks at the workshop told the gathering that too many contractors, particularly small ones are still ignorant of the process

369 charged for using private cars as taxis POLICE have charged some 369 persons, so far, for the year for using their private cars as taxis and Traffic Chief Superintendent Dion Moore has called on citizens to be cognisant of the dangers.

During an interview with the Department of Public/ Government Information Agency (DPI/GINA) he said that Guyana Police Force (GPF) Traffic Department has charged 369 persons thus far, who used their cars for a purpose other than they are licensed for.

Moore explained that many times when someone calls for a taxi it is only upon arrival of the car that they realise that they are being

picked up by a private car.

“As long as you the member of the public request a taxi and you recognise that it is a private car, you should refuse from entering that car because you are not covered by the insurance and it is a breach” the Traffic Chief stated.

When asked if there is anything that can be done to prohibit taxi services from using private cars, the Traffic Chief responded in the negative. He said that the GPF cannot stop taxi services from having private cars but pointed out that operators will be charged, once they are caught breaking the law.

“We cannot have owners of taxi services to only have

private cars registered, they can have private cars but the use of those cars is what contributes to the offence… you cannot be licensed to operate private and want to carry passengers in your private car, it is an offence and once we recognise that is what you are using it for then we will charge you, once you are caught” Moore explained.

The Traffic Chief reiterates his call for owners of private cars not to use their vehicle for a purpose other than what it is licensed.

He also asks that members of the public desist from utilising such cars as their safety could be at serious risk.

to participate in government funded projects and contracts. This workshop, he said is designed to address this and assist in ensuring that there is greater integrity, transparency, less favoritism and corruption.

Minister Bulkan noted that when public funds are involved certain rules and regulations must be observed, especially since its taxpayers monies. “It is unfair to taxpayers for their money to be spent to benefit people personally and not for its intended cause. We understand that if you’re spending your

own money you have a right to do what you want, but with public funds we must be responsible,” the Minister underlined.

Regional Chairman, Region Seven, Gordon Bradford lauded the event, noting that now there will be less accusations and favouritism, which comes about due to lack of understanding of the procurement and implementation process. He said “It [the workshop] is timely and is vital for the region and speaks to delivering a better service to the residents. The

knowledge is important and will benefit us all.”

Region Seven is the latest region to benefit for the series of workshops. The Ministry of Communities have already conducted a series of procurement and project implementation community workshops designed to build trust and confidence in the regional procurement process in Regions, Two, Three, Four and Six. Similar workshops are slated for the remaining administrative Regions: One, Eight, Nine and Ten. (DPI/GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 24, 2017

Trial continues in NGMC fraud case

By Clestine Juan

THE trial against former General Manager (GM) of the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC), Nizam Hassan and Felecia De Souza-Madramootoo, who are charged with conspiracy to procure money, continued on Friday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

They are accused of paying themselves under false pretence in relation to the approval of payments for low-graded rehabilitation works done on the NGMC building at Robb Street, Georgetown.

Accountant at NGMC, Owen Nestor, continued his testimony on Friday before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan; the evidence-in-chief was led by Police Prosecutor, Arwin Moore. The witness had given evidence earlier in the trial but had to be recalled. During Nestor’s

past testimony, he told the court that in 2009, he included in the NGMC budget $10 million for the rehabilitation of the NGMC building.

According to Nestor, he submitted the budget to the Ministry of Agriculture, which would then submit it to the Ministry of Finance. However, he added that before the budget was submitted to the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture would have held a review budget meeting for all the budgets pertaining to the ministry.

Nestor, while telling the court that no alterations were made to the budget at these meetings in his presence, explained that after it was submitted to the Ministry of Finance, it was then placed in the National Budget.

The accountant during the last hearing, said that in 2010, the Corporation had received approval from the national budget for the re-

habilitation of the building.

Nestor said that he entered the information into the company’s file, and then told Hassan that they had received the $10 million for the rehabilitation.

Nestor told the court that the monies were deposited into the NGMC checking account at Republic Bank. The witness recounted that after the approval of the money, he had informed Hassan that the budgeted funds might not be sufficient for the rehabilitation of the building. However, he said that Hassan told him there were some savings from NGMC, and he would speak with the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Agriculture about getting approval to use those monies.

At Friday’s hearing, Nestor recounted to court the monies paid at different intervals via cheque to Constantine Engineering and Construction Services

Former General Manager of the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC), Nizam Hassan and co-accused Felicia De’Souza-Madramootoo Limited, for the rehabilitation of the building amounting to $10M. The trial will continue on July 6, 2017. A total of 34 witnesses are expected to be called by the prosecutor. In the meantime, Hassan, 50, of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and De Souza-Madramootoo, 34, of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara have each been

released on $250,000 bail.

The duo were instructed to report to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Headquarters, Camp Road, Georgetown and instructed to lodge their passports with the court.

It is alleged that between October 28, 2010 and April 25, 2012, they conspired with each other to commit the offence by

continuously approving payments, which were made to the contractor of the engineering firm, for works that were incompetently and incorrectly done with inferior materials to rehabilitate the NGMC building at Robb and Alexander Streets, Bourda, Georgetown; knowing that such works should not have been approved.

Police making steady dent in reducing road fatalities THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) Traffic Department has revealed a 29.3 per cent decrease in fatal accidents for the year thus far as compared to last year.

According to Traffic Chief, Dion Moore, there are a number of factors which have contributed to the decrease. During an interview with the Department of Public Information/Government Information Agency (DPI/ GINA), Moore noted that one of the main factors in the decrease is the collaborative effort between the GPF and stakeholders. Moore highlighted that, “We [GPF] maximised the use of our breathalyzers and the radar guns; we have patrols both by day and by night. By nights we have specifically ‘car patrolling’, also we have enforced the ‘warrant drives,’ which compels a person who have been issued with a warrant for traffic infringement, to pay that warrant.”

The ‘warrant drives,’ Moore said, is the traffic department’s weekly exercise, which has been a success so far. Moore pointed out that, in the past, persons were reluctant to pay when issued, traffic tickets for breaking the law. The implementation of this initiative, he said allows for persons who were issued with traffic tickets to be monitored and brought to the court if they fail to pay.

However, the Traffic Chief emphasised that despite the decrease, much more needs to be done if Guyana is to achieve the United Nation’s decade of action, which seeks to reduce road fatalities by 50 per cent by 2020. While the current decrease is not close to what needs to be achieved, Moore is optimistic that Guyana will be able to reach its target.

“If we start getting decreases, then there is likelihood, it is very far reaching but we are trying our best

to see how best we can minimise accidents deaths on our roads, we will continue to enforce and educate the members of the public” the Traffic Chief stated.

The Traffic Department, in collaboration with the Guyana National Road Safety Council, plays a critical role in educating the public about road safety. The countrywide ‘White Knight’ campaign and educational talks in schools are some of the many activities rolled out by the Traffic Department to curb road accidents and fatalities.

To date, there have been 45 accidents in 2017, compared to 62 in 2016, 48 deaths in 2017 as compared to 66 in 2016, while one child has been involved in an accident in 2017 compared to four in 2016.

The statistics are recorded from January 1, 2017 to June 20 and January 1, 2016 to June 20, 2017 respectively. (DPI/GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 24, 2017

Shoplifter nabbed after baby formula falls from under dress ONE of two alleged serial shoplifters is in police custody, while the other is being pursued following an incident at GST #3 Supermarket, located at Annandale Market Road, East Coast Demerara, on Thursday night.

The business, formerly Pepsi Supermarket is managed by a Chinese couple who was able to fight off the shoplifters, who fled and left behind the motorcar they arrived in on Thursday night.

Commander of ‘C’ Division Calvin Brutus told the Guyana Chronicle that they are trying to ascertain in whose name the car PTT 8249, a brown Premio is registered to and as such it is lodged with the police.

However, the Guyana Chronicle understands that the car is registered to one Joycelyn Laurie of Laing

The bag which was snatched by the Chinese proprietor Avenue, Georgetown. Bru- alleged shoplifter in custody tus also confirmed that one has been identified as Robert of the three alleged thieves Beckles of 45 Victory Valley, is in custody and efforts are Linden, who is out on bail for being made to apprehend the robbery under arms, simple others, including a woman. larceny and carjacking. He Brutus related that the reportedly got out of jail a

The motorcar PTT 8249, which was abandoned by the three alleged shoplifters at Annandale Public Road on Thursday night

month ago and is known to police in ‘E’ Division and its environs.

The Commander stated that he was picked up by the police patrol at about 20:50hrs on Thursday night, while he was walking aimlessly in Annandale. He reportedly told cops he was heading to Eastville, the neighbouring village and a search of his person unearthed the keys to the motorcar, which they abandoned on the Annandale Public Road.

Beckles claimed he and the others rented the car from a dealer in the city and he had the keys stashed in his boots. Brutus told the Guyana Chronicle that police carried out a search of the car and found other items in it, which include gold-plated watches, sunglasses and a ladies handbag containing baby milk products and a high-end phonics game.

At about 18:15hrs several customers were inside the supermarket shopping when a woman and two men entered and they proceeded to browse through the aisles. It was when a tin of baby milk (Enfagrow) fell out from under the woman’s dress in the supermarket the Chinese proprietor became suspicious and went into his office to review the Digital Video Recorder (DVR) and saw what they were about.

The Chinese man alerted his wife and he confronted

The female Chinese proprietor after she was sprayed with mace by one of the three alleged shoplifters (Michel Outridge photos) the group, after which a scuffle ensued in which he put up a good fight with one of the men. After the shoplifter sprayed mace into the face of the Chinese national and his wife they ran out of the supermarket, but not before he grabbed a bag which contained two jars of marmite.

The Chinese proprietor did not give up and pursued the shoplifters with a piece of wood and was about to throw it on them when they were nearing the getaway the car which was parked nearby

causing them to ran off in different directions. By then shoppers became aware of the incident and they too tried to pursue the group, who fled on foot leaving behind the getaway car after which the police was summoned.

Ranks fanned out via the patrol vehicles and combed the area and observed a man walking in the village and he was questioned and arrested after a search of his person unearthed the keys to the getaway car he abandoned.

CARDI approves $7.5M to combat coconut pests, diseases THE Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute (CARDI) has recently approved a proposal for an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategy, to commence works to increase the level of productivity in Guyana’s coconut industry.

The project is scheduled to commence in July, 2017 and will see improved practices and strategic measures being introduced to tackle coconut pests and diseases plaguing the sector, the Ministry of Agriculture said in a release.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NAREI, Dr. Oudho

Homenauth, indicated that in order for the coconut industry to maximise production, special emphasis must be placed on the methods used from inception of planting.

“In order to maximise coconut production, special emphasis should be placed on the methods used from inception of planting to production stage. One such method is the control of pests and diseases.

The coconut palm is subjected to various attack of pests and diseases including Red Palm Mite, Red Palm Weevil, Scale Insects, Whiteflies, Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle, Coconut Eriophyid Mite, Coconut Mealy Bug and

Coconut Red Ring, just to mention a few.

The effects of these pests and diseases on the coconut palms vary and may result in narcosis, defoliation and in severe infestations; reduction in nut size and malformation of nuts. This further hampers the development of the nuts as they would be unable to reach its fullest potential. This strategy that was developed specifically for Guyana’s situation, is expected to demonstrate a complete reduction in the instances of pests and disease outbreaks which usually result in millions of dollars in damages

to these farms.” Dr. Homenauth said.

Guyana is home to over 25,000 hectares of coconut palms grown in regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10, with an average annual production of 92 million nuts. The coconut industry remains an important source of livelihood for farmers and is ranked as the third most economic crop in the sector.

The project is expected to cost approximately GY $7.5M and will see initial trials being conducted on established farms in the coconut producing regions.

NAREI has developed the IPM strategy to direct-

ly address the issues faced by farmers in the sector.

It focuses on several key stages such as sanitation and monitoring of the plants. Additionally, intercropping will be practiced on established plantations using crops such as pumpkin, beans, cucumber, and other cash crops.

Field trials will be conducted at Mahaica, Wakenaam, and Pomeroon and will be arranged in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) design with three treatments.

Since taking office in 2015, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, has conducted several outreaches to coco-

nut producing regions and met with coconut farmers to discuss their issues, while enquiring about what more can be done to boost the sector. In November 2015, there was an outbreak of Red Palm Mite in many coconut plantations in Region Two which resulted in Minister Holder leading a team to assess the damages suffered.

He subsequently deployed a team of specialists to assist farmers with the infestation. Since then, farmers have reported fewer instances of Red Palm mite infestation and significant improvements in their yields.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 24, 2017

Handbook on parliamentary affairs launched

A PA R L I A M E N TA RY handbook entitled ‘Our House’ was launched on Friday at Parliament Buildings, aimed at informing Guyanese about the functions of Parliament.

The book, which serves as an introduction to the Parliament of Guyana, was prepared by the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM), through tangible support from the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).

President of the ACM, Wesley Gibbings, took time before the formal launching ceremony to explain to members of the media the various components of the book. According to Gibbings, major proponents of the association are promoting freedom of

speech and honing the skills of media workers.

The handbook, though serving as a very informative guide, is only a brief introduction to Guyana’s parliament and parliamentary affairs. It, however, will be able to supply relative information and would assist media personnel too, as they provide coverage of Parliament.

The book will be distributed through educational outreach programmes organised by the staff of the Parliament. Citizens can also uplift free copies from Parliament Building. Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Pierre Giroux, during his brief remarks related, “It [the book] opens a new avenue in understanding the democratic processes [of Parliament].”

According to him, the book will be able to foster a greater participation of Guyanese in parliamentary affairs.

The High Commissioner related that the Government of Canada through its foreign policy is willing to provide support to the promotion of development in many areas.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland asserted, “This publication has extraordinary possibilities…It’s an excellent start, because what it allows us is to see this as an opportunity to tell Guyanese and friends of Guyana more about the Parliament of Guyana.”

Dr. Scotland highlighted that the staff of Parliament have begun engaging persons through outreach pro-

Adult and Child-friendly copies of ‘Our House’

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland; Canadian High Commissioner, Pierre Giroux and President of the Association of Caribbean Media Workers, Wesley Gibbings pose with their adult and child-friendly copies of ‘Our House’ [Adrian Narine photos]

grammes in an attempt to ensure that Parliament is no longer a “mysterious place”.

This book now provides a timely opportunity to build on that work, he added.

Published in ‘Our House’ are three sections about Parliament and Government, the rules and processes of parliamentary affairs, and parliamentary sign posts. Each section highlights the functions of the institution and the people associated with it. It provides the nexus between people and Parliament.

The history of the Parliament is also underscored along with notable persons and events associated with the institution. The handbook is also accompanied by a children’s version which seeks to engage children in a similar manner. The children’s version features symbols of nationhood and other

fun illustrations and games, easily able to captivate the young reader.

Furthermore, a website “ourhouse.gy” was also created and it affords anyone the opportunity to download both the adult and child-friendly books electronically and free of cost. On the website there are features in the form of games, quizzes and flashcards, all relating to parliament.

A number of persons contributed to the publication.

Nazima Raghubir and Wesley Gibbings led the editorial team while Johann Earle and Sara Bharrat researched and wrote the book.

Photographs were provided by KeNo George, Adrian Persaud and the Parliament of Guyana. A local company, IntellectStorm, managed the entire layout, design and illustration of the book and website.

GWI working on improving water supply in hinterland THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is currently working in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine to increase residents’ access to potable water.

Recently, the GWI signed an agreement with the Matthews Ridge Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to refurbish two springs, and establish another well to meet the increased demand in the Region One (Barima-Waini) community. The water company’s Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van WestCharles, in a recent interview with the Department of Public

Information/ Government Information Agency (DPI/ GINA) said that the intention is to increase access to quality water amongst the hinterland communities.

In Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), contracts were awarded for the drilling of wells at Four Miles, Bartica and Tasserene. “Bartica is one of those areas in Region Seven which has only been getting water from the surface water, but what we are doing presently, we are exploring a number of ground water supplies and so we are drilling a well in Four Mile,” Dr.

Van-West Charles explained.

The Managing Director said that the contractors have been experiencing some challenges, especially with regards to drilling. He said that, “it’s a challenge because you are confronting rocks, but I had a discussion with a contractor and they’re having a new rig to actually drill through the rocks.” This project is expected to be completed within six weeks.

The GWI is also partnering with the Regional Administration to install a new reservoir in Paramakatoi, Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni). The

reservoir will capture water from the mountains, and then gravity feed to Paramakatoi and several surrounding communities.

Meanwhile, in Region Nine (Upper Takatu -Upper Essequibo), a number of wells are also being dug with support from the Regional Administration and the Brazilian Army. “You may remember last year the issues with respect to the impact of climate change in Region Nine, so it’s one of the regions we are looking at as a priority,” Dr. Van West-Charles explained.

Additionally, the water com-

pany had also been focusing heavily on providing quality water to citizens. Earlier in the year, GWI commissioned a commercial office in Lethem, Region Nine, which is equipped with a laboratory, which conducts regular testing to ensure the water, is safe for consumption. Dr. Van West-Charles said that the GWI is supporting the Ministry of Public Health interventions, to reduce water-borne diseases in the hinterland communities.

The GWI has also installed over 100 filter systems in several hinterland commu-

nities, especially those that were affected by the recent floods in Region Seven and Eight. Life saver jerry cans and four large C2 filters were also provided to the communities of Karamang, Kako and Baracara.

These initiatives are geared towards ensuring equity between the hinterland and coastal regions.

GWI’s efforts has resulted in over 100,000 persons benefitting from infrastructural improvements and improved water service over the past 18 months. (DPI/ GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 24, 2017

President talks up revolution in micro-enterprise

PRESIDENT David Granger said that Guyana is on “the brink of a micro-enterprise revolution.” The Head of State, who was speaking during a recording of the television programme, ‘The Public Interest’, pointed out that people across the country are increasingly producing quality commodities from their homes and in small factories.

The Government of Guyana, through several programmes, is creating an enabling environment for the development of micro enterprises.

“There is an upwelling of micro-enterprises and I think once people go around the country they’re going to see that some of the changes that were introduced over the past two years are taking root,” the President said.

Further, Government is working to gradually develop an enabling environment, for the growth of such small businesses. The creation of three capital towns at Bartica, Lethem and Mabaruma, along with the pre-existing towns, which are intended to be central business hubs, the President envisions, is a key part of the development of this productive business environment for entrepreneurs.

“Part of the reason why we campaigned so long and hard for Local Government Elections is because it would revitalise the neighbourhoods by establishing capital towns in those three areas,” the President said.

Government has reduced the red tape as it relates to starting a local business. To

register a business the intended business-owner would have to do so through the Deeds Registry, located at the Supreme Court Building. An application form would be provided and completed with

number of shares that the Company is authorised to issue, registration of shares, if any, and the number (or minimum/maximum) of directors, among others.

Even as Government

benefit, also, from the Small Business Initiative Fund.

To continue to foster the growth of micro-enterprises, there are mechanisms provided through various agencies and ministries. Recently,

President of the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Deleep Singh, discussing craftwork on display at the Essequibo Agro and Trade Expo with President David Granger, who declared the event open the necessary information.

Once the form is submitted, along with $5,000, it would take approximately seven working days for the information to be processed. For foreign investors, the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-invest) has simplified the process for registering a business, with all the necessary information and registration forms available on its website www.goinvest. gov.gy. Basic required information include the proposed name of the company, the proposed address of the registered office in Guyana, the classes and any maximum

works to increase foreign direct investment, President Granger said efforts are being made to promote value-added goods and services produced at the micro level for exportation. Capacity building is a critical component of this and the Ministry of Business, through the Small Business Bureau (SBB) and the “New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NEWGMC) is facilitating workshops for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, which provide information on improved agro-processing methods. Entrepreneurs can

the Ministry of Communities launched a programme dubbed the Procurement and Project Implementation Community Workshop (PPICW).

This programme is intended to promote greater understanding of the regional procurement process, provide information on standard practices of project implementation and building confidence for increasing participation in the implementation of Public Sector Investment Programmes (PSIP) by small and community-based contractors. The initiative forms part of the Ministry’s response to cries of residents

and contractors of discriminatory practices in the regional procurement system and it aims to reduce the level of non-responsive bids widen the number of contractors and suppliers executing regional contracts and improve the quality of work executed in the regions. It also seeks to ensure greater ownership of the process and product of the projects implemented in communities.

The workshop was first launched in New Amsterdam, and conducted in Anna Regina, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and will be held in all the Capital Towns and communities across the regions. Participants targeted in these workshops include small contractors, community artisans and other service suppliers who may feel excluded from the system.

The PPICW is designed for their empowerment and employment. It is also expected that over time from among these contractors and service providers will come the new generation of reputable and reliable regional and national contractors and service providers. It is expected that this programme would impact positively on local economic empowerment and the quality of life in communities. The PPICWs are not intended to be executed by the Ministry of Communities alone; rather, each regional administration is encouraged to conduct similar workshops for its residents.

Government’s push towards entrepreneurship is also demonstrated in the

establishment of initiatives such as the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) Initiative; the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) Programme; and the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN). These programmes, since their establishment, have sought to equip young people with the requisite skills, knowledge and finance needed to become thriving entrepreneurs. Added to these, the Ministry of Education, in recognition of the high level of unemployment among Guyana’s youth, and the need to promote youth development, has embarked on a youth innovation project, the YIPoG. The project will address in and out-ofschool youth, and is intended to “harness the hidden innovative spirit among young people, by providing timely and affordable interventions and funding to implement their pioneering ideas.” Some $50 Million has been earmarked for the funding aspect of this initiative. The project will support existing initiatives in the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport (DCYS), such as the Youth Entrepreneurship and Skills Training Programme (YEST), the Volunteerism Support Platform (VSP), and the President’s Youth Award Programme Republic of Guyana (PYARG).

The work plans of the YEST, VSP and PYARG programmes will be reorganised to align with the DCYS’ priority of innovation. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Diesel engine expo on today SWISS Machinery will be hosting a ‘One Stop Diesel Engine Exposition’ today at the Georgetown Club on Camp Street, in an effort to provide solutions to the challenges experienced by owners of equipment with diesel engines.

The exposition begins from 10:00hrs to 18:00hrs, where persons will learn how to improve fuel quality for better performance for their diesel machinery, protection of their engine and equipment for maximum savings and reducing downtime for greater production.

The expo is beneficial to those in the areas of mining, agriculture, industrial and forestry. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Swiss Machinery, Harold Beharry, told Guyana Chronicle that the expo will be featuring 19 world renowned products which are specific to diesel engines and persons visiting will also have an opportunity to interface directly with international experts in the field.

Beharry further pointed out that the company will also use the opportunity to introduce three new prod-

ucts to Guyana, including: Clean Air Fleet Filtration, which is a new technology to clean and recycle engine and hydraulic oil; also, Separ Filtration, which is used for cleaner fuel and Seal Saver System to protect hydraulic cylinders seals.

Swiss Machinery is the sole authorised distributor for a number of international brands of diesel parts such as Cummins Engine, Wix Filters, Mahle Original, Garrett, Pro Diesel, Bosch, Delphi, Denso, Zexel, Stanadyne, etc.

The CEO stressed that Swiss Machinery has 40

years of experience and creditability and only distributes high quality products. The company also offers shipping with its own express service, HAB International Inc. (Hab-It).

“We want to bring a new life to a diesel engine, whereby every owner can get the best production out of their machinery,” Beharry told the Guyana Chronicle.

Engineers attached to the Swiss Machinery is also scheduled to make presentations on the Cummins engine brand and Fleetguard filters.

Chief Executive Officer of Swiss Machinery, Harold Beharry

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 24, 2017

Sixteen graduate from GDF seaman course

The participants in the seaman’s course THE Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard Training Division on Wednes-

day graduated a number of ranks following their successful completion of the Leading Rating Seaman Course (LRSC) and the Marine Diesel Engine

Operator Course (MDEOC) respectively.

Sixteen ranks, including four from the Guyana Police Force completed the LRSC, while fourteen com-

pleted the MDEOC. Elroy Allen graduated as Best Student of the MDEOC, while Keith Ferrier won the Best Student Prize for the LRCS.

Section of Kitty market to facilitate vending by July

Kitty Market under rehabilitation THE Mayor and City Council of Georgetown (M&CC) has confirmed that a section of the Kitty market is expected to be completed and opened to vendors by mid-July.

Chief Engineer of the M&CC, Colvern Venture told members of the media that his team is working to finish the southern section of the building so that vendors can reoccupy that section.

“We have had many setbacks due to the lack of funds …this hindered our ability to acquire the requisite materials to finish the market,” said Venture.

The M&CC has received more than 170 applications from citizens who wish to set

up new stalls in the market’s ground floor of which is costing the Council roughly $35M. The market, which has great historical significance and bears much pride for the Kitty community, is to feature a traditional health centre, an office for rates and taxes, and space for the community councillor. “We are also contemplating putting some space for the Councillor’s office at the market; and this is not only at Kitty, but wherever we have municipal buildings, we intend to make space available for councillors working with their local communities,” the Town Clerk, Royston King had said.

According to him, there will be a decentralisation of

Council’s work, as the market will take into account the needs of communities between Cummings Lodge and Kitty.

The upper flat of the market is being remodelled to include a rates and taxes office, as well as a municipal clinic.

The Kitty Market was established in 1882, two years after the Bourda Market had come into being. Like the Bourda Market, Kitty Market is timber-framed.

The 19th century structure had suffered massive deterioration over the years prior to its renovation, causing vendors operating in its environs to lodge numerous complaints with the City Council.

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South Africa level T20 series ANDILE Phehlukwayo delivered a superb final over as South Africa beat England by three runs in a thrilling Twenty20 international at Taunton yesterday.

South Africa made 174 for eight with JJ Smuts contributing 45 and skipper AB de Villiers striking 46 from 30 balls.

England will feel they should have won after being well placed but they struggled in the closing overs.

England opener Jason Roy, who had been struggling for form, led the run chase with a fine 67 before he was given out for ob-

structing the field.

Roy shared a 110-run second-wicket partnership

with Jonny Bairstow (47) but with 29 needed to win off the final three overs,

AB de Villiers smashes 46 off 20 before his bowlers trip up England in the final overs. (Getty Images)

England fell short.

The hosts required 12 from the final over but Phehlukwayo, bowling yorker length outside the off stump, restricted England to singles off the first three balls and debutant Liam Livingstone was run-out after confusion over a second run.

Liam Dawson smashed the penultimate ball for a one-bounce four but the final delivery from the South African seamer beat Dawson and the tourists levelled the three-match series at 1-1.

The deciding match will be played at Cardiff tomorrow.

Six races carded for RSTC with $3M in prize money SIX races are on the card and over $3M in cash and trophies are up for grabs on July 9 when the Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC), in collaboration with the Guyana Women’s Police Association, stages a one-day meet at the club’s facility, West

Coast Berbice.

In the feature event, horses classified `G’ and Lower will battle over one mile for the $300 000 first prize. The second-place finisher will receive $150 000, while the third-placer will earn $75 000.

Other events on the

day’s programme will feature `I’ Class and t h r e e - y e a r- o l d G u y ana-bred horses `K’ Class and Lower, `J1’ and Lower, `L’ and Lower and `L2’ and the Unclassified horses.

Among the top animals already registered for the day’s pro-

gramme are: Settling Star, Appling Harvest, Got to Go, T&T, Cat Messiah, Bird Man, Chelsea, Red Jet, Red Regent, Something Special, Bridal Stone Corner, Party Time, Puppy Tail, Richie Poo, Seven Dust, Little Star and Untruly.

By Stephan Sookram

a round-robin knock-out format where the top four teams in the two groups of six will advance.

The tournament was initially set to kick-off on June 30 but, according to Mendonca, the inclement weather caused the delay. The tentative date is now July 7 with the conclusion being possibly September 9..

Meanwhile, as part of their promotion, free admission has been added for the first game day and it will continue to be the same for women only, throughout the duration of the tournament.

Top Brandz Sales and Marketing Manager Pratima Prashnajeet explained that the beer is promoting its new slogan, “This is living” with Brand Ambassador Jean-Paul Bonse saying that the company is there to promote the community teams Also present was

Georgetown Football Association (GFA) First vice-president Aaron who had high praise for the Petra organization, adding that they will continue to develop the sport locally.

Guyana Football Federation (GFF) president Wayne Forde stated that the body continues to laud associations like Petra, whose mandate falls in line with the federation’s development pathway.

The tournament will feature Guyana Police Force FC, Camptown FC, Santos FC, Pele FC, Georgetown Football Club, Beacons FC, Northern Rangers, Western Tigers, Riddim Squad, Flamingo FC, Black Pearl and East Ville FC. Games have been set for Sunday and Friday at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground Bourda and Tucville.

Petra launches Corona Beer Invitational THE Petra organisation yesterday joined hands with Top Brandz Distributors under their Corona Beer brand for the inaugural Corona Invitational football tournament set to begin next Friday.

The tournament will feature the 12 top teams in the Georgetown region, as they vie for $1M in cash and prizes Co-Director of the organising body Petra, Troy Mendonca, was enthused to have the support of the company for this tournament, saying, “Top Brandz with their Corona brand has come in an integral time to the sport.”

He noted that the company is fulfilling its corporate social responsibility. He explained that the tournament will take

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Teamwork fuelling George strikes gold at SA Seniors Seejattan on July 2

By Tamica Garnett

By Stephan Sookram IN THE Group two thoroughfare the slightest of mistakes can mean the difference between a first- and fifth-place finish, and competitor Shan Seejattan is cognizant of this.

He is especially aware of the upcoming second round of the National Race of Champions which is less than two weeks away.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport, the Honda Civic driver contended that his edge over the competition would be the support and determination of

his team to achieving perfection of his machine.

“My team and I are really determined. The guys have been putting in the work and that I think is what will separate me from the competition come race day, the fact that my team and I are extreme,” said Seejattan He noted that there were difficulties in Round 1, saying, “We had broken engine last race meet and had to borrow a stock engine to race with so we are in process of rebuilding our old engine so we can get to race.”

“Currently, we are work-

ing on the said engine among other fine-tuning details and hopefully we can be ready by Monday and do some testing should all go well,” he added.

He has, however, indicated that come race day, he will be on track by hook or crook.

Competition-wise, he pointed out that the group has a number of machines with drivers who are capable of producing the goods needed for race day.

He added, there are guys like Rameez (Mohamed) and Chet (Singh) who have incredible machines in their corners and I heard that Shairaz (Ro-

shandin) is going to be there so it’s going to be an exciting day of racing.”

His 275 Honda Civic is sponsored by Special Auto, Top Power Racing, Blue Spring Water and Select Auto from Canada.

The event is sponsored by Ansa McAl, Prem’s Electrical, B.M. Soat, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Ready Mix, Special Auto, Japarts, Ticket Master, Palm Court, KGM, MAC Batteries, S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction, L Mahabir and Sons Cambio and Choke Gas Station.

Address change for Butler as NBA hosts draft

Jimmy Butler drives to the basket through the Celtics defense in the first quarter of Game 2 in Boston on April 18, 2017.

(REUTERS) - Beyond the scouting, strategy and suspense of teams trying to select the right player for their slot in the NBA Draft, a spate of trades spiced up the proceedings at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Thursday.

The biggest bombshell sent All-Star guard Jimmy Butler from the Chicago Bulls to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where Butler was reunited with his former coach Tom Thibodeau.

T h e T- Wo l v e s a l s o received draft rights to 16th pick Justin Patton of Creighton, while the Bulls beefed up their roster by getting promising Zach

LaVine, Kris Dunn and the rights to Arizona’s Lauri Markkanen of Finland, the seventh player taken.

A dependable scorer and hard-nosed defender, Butler gives Thibodeau an intriguing complement to the Wolves’ young stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.

The Wolves drafted Arizona’s sharpshooting forward Markkanen for the Bulls, while Chicago took Creighton forward Justin Patton at number 16 for Minnesota, who have gone 13 seasons in a row without reaching the playoffs.

Los Angeles, under new basketball operations chief

Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, paved the way for a return to their ‘Showtime’ flair by trading young point guard D’Angelo Russell and taking dazzling backcourt-man Lonzo Ball of UCLA with the second pick.

The Lakers sent Russell and Russian centre Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets for centre Brook Lopez and the rights to forward Kyle Kuzma, the 27th pick in the draft, out of Utah.

Russell, the second overall choice by the Lakers in the 2015 draft, averaged 15.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and

1.4 steals last season.

Nine-year veteran Lopez posted averages of 20.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 blocks last season while becoming the longest-tenured player in Nets history.

The Lakers also exchanged picks with the Utah Jazz, who made another deal with the Denver Nuggets, while the Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers agreed on a two-for-one swap.

Sacramento sent Portland the 10th pick (forward Zach Collins) for the 15th (forward Justin Jackson) and 20th pick (centre Harry Giles).

NATIONAL men’s 400m record-holder, Winston George stormed the field to win the men’s 400m yesterday on the opening day of competition at the South American Senior Championships being held in Paraguay.

The Olympian completed the quarter-mile in 45.42 seconds, to rule the race and leave Colombia’s Jhon Zapata in second place in a time of 45.77 seconds.

Zapata’s compatriot Herrera Andres took third, clocking 46.02 seconds.

The 45.42 seconds marks a season’s best for George, who only earlier this month clocked 45.49 seconds, qualifying for the event at this year’s IAAF World Championships set for London in August.

However, he’s still yet to make the 20.44 seconds qualifying time in the men’s 200m, with his 20.57 seconds SB just a bit off. Nonetheless, he will have a chance to change his fate today, being scheduled to run the men’s 200m at the Championships, where he will be able to qualify, by making the qualifying mark or winning the race.

The World Championships qualifications rules allow for the gold medallist of the events at the South American Senior Championships to qualify

and participate in the respective events at World Championships, regardless of if they make the qualifying standard in that event.

Also expected to be in today’s men’s 200m, representing Guyana, is Owen Adonis, who yesterday finished fifth in the men’s 100m final.

Jenea McCammon

However, Adonis was still able to celebrate a new personal-best after he clocked 10.57 seconds in the event which was won by Brazil’s De Barros Tenorio in a time of 10.22 seconds.

Guyana’s other representative at the event, Jenea McCammon will be in the women’s 400m hurdles today, after she finished fourth in the 100m hurdles yesterday.

McCammon clocked 13.49 seconds. The event was won by Brazil’s Moraes Dos Santos with a time of 12.86 seconds.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday June 24, 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) Josh Hazlewood-6/52 from 9 overs (AUST) (2) England & Bangladesh Today’s Quiz: (1) Who struck most sixes in ICC Champions Trophy 2017?

(2) Which wicketkeeper effected most dismissals in ICC

Champions Trophy 2017 ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

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A potential for greatness -

CWSS

By Tamica Garnett

onships (SAJC) earlier this month.

SEVENTEEN-year-old But medalling wasn’t Onasha Rogers professed her only achievement at the to have always had a love Junior Championships. for running, but it was only The youth athlete ran the a few years ago that she fastest she’s ever done in her really started to get into it. entire life, clocking a person“Growing up I always al best of 11.71 seconds in loved running; it’s in my the Girls’ 100m, which was blood from my grandfather what landed her the silver straight down to my mom medal at SAJC. and the rest of my family,” Her personal best of

Rogers remarked.

But it was over the last three years she’s been on a steady line of development that peaked in her 2017 season; more specifically with her winning a silver and a relay bronze at the South American Junior Champi-

24.48 seconds in the 200m was achieved just one week prior, at the Independence meet in May. For the 100m silver she finished behind Brazil’s fastest female junior Lorraine Martins, and just behind compatriot Kenisha Phillips.

Onasha Rogers

Since the season started, Roger has been giving Phillips some keen rivalry on the track.

With Phillips going unrivalled since she began to gain fame as Guyana’s leading junior female over the past few years, Rogers has begun to raise a few eyebrows.

This season was also the year that Rogers made her debut as a national athlete, representing Guyana at the CARIFTA Games. Ending with 12.18 seconds in the 100m and 25.14 seconds in the 200m says that the Mackenzie High School student still has some way to go with her development.

But her coach Moses Pantlitz believes in her potential - a potential that he says he’s seen in her since the day she first joined the Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) athletics club - the same club that produced CARIFTA junior Boys’ 100m gold medallist, Compton Caesar.

“Looking at her age, she had great potential with the right training. (At the beginning) it progressed not the way we were looking for, because at that age they wouldn’t normally come out and train as regularly as you would hope. Sometimes she would just come out two times a week. But I saw the potential in her. It was over the last few years she’s showing a lot of progress.”

Rogers has been with CWSS club since 2011, after deciding to do some more training to develop her performance at Nationals, representing Upper Demerara/

Kwakwani. She first began representing the District as an Under-10 athlete in 2009, when she ran and won the 100m and 200m races.

In 2010 she claimed another gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m. In 2012

Two years later she set the Girls’ Under-16 100m record at 12.2 seconds, but that was later erased by Kenisha Phillips’ 12 seconds in 2015.

It was her consistent performance that drove Rogers

ised my potential and began pushing me to the next level where I entered a club and started training.

When I was 12 years old I travelled to Barbados for a Relay Fair where the exposure taught me a lot

she set her first record 12.40 seconds in the Girls’ Under-14 100m, a record which still stands today.

to committing even more to her potential in athletics.

“After I made Nationals the first year they real-

more about athletics and that’s where I began to take athletics even more seriously,” she recalled.

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GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF)

Extra Time

GFF-NAMILCO THUNDERBOLT FLOUR POWER NATIONAL U17 INTRA-ASSOCIATION TOURNAMENT CONTINUES The GFF-NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National U17 Tournament will continue this weekend with matches in two Regional Member Associations (RMAs), that is, the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) and the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA).

Matches scheduled in the other RMAs have been postponed due to the inclement weather but are listed for next weekend.

This week’s matches follow the commencement

of the tournament on the weekend of the 17th June in the following RMAs – UDFA, Essequibo/Pomeroon FA, Berbice Football Association (BFA) and the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) The nation-wide GFF-NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Intra-Association U-17 Tournament, is a five (5)-year partnership between the GFF and the National Milling Company and is a key component of the Executive Committee's strategic objective in its

youth development thrust.

This new model emphasizes three essential goals: 1. To streamline sponsorship agreements beyond Executive Cycles.

2. To ensure that consistent youth football at all levels are played in each Association throughout the year.

3. To enable the establishment of Academy Training Centers (ATC) in each Association that will facilitate growth and development of Elite Coaches and Elite Players.

SECOND QUARTERLY FITNESS TEST ON TODAY

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) will host the second quarterly referees fitness test today at the National Track and Field Facility, Leonora beginning at 09:00hrs.

This test will see the participation of 30 referees including those from Tier 1 (18) and Tier 2.

The match officials will be tested using the ARIET (Assistant Referee Intermittent Endurance

Test) and the Dynamic Yoyo tests, which will be administered by Lindley Langhorne, Member Association Fitness Instructor.

Head of the GFF’s Refereeing Department, Stanley Lancaster explains the purpose of the tests: “The ARIET was specially designed with Assistant Referees in mind based on the capacities and movements required in the game. The

ARIET test mimics a lot of the movement of the Assistant Referees during the game and the Dynamic Yoyo test evaluates the referee's ability to perform repeat interval runs over a long period of time. It is very applicable in the modern day game and provides assistance to referees to adapt good positions which can greatly improve their decision making.”

Referees go through their paces at the March 2017 fitness test

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES • •

National Women’s U17 Camp 1 – 5th July, 2017

National Men’s U15 Camp – 1 – 5th July, 2017

• GFF-NAMILCO National U-17 Tournament

– see schedule to the left

• GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres (ATC)

– every weekend

PRODUCED BY THE GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF) AND DESIGNED BY THE GUYANA CHRONICLE

For further Information or should you have questions/comments , please contact: General Secretary Guyana Football Federation (GFF) 17 Dadanawa Street, Section “K” Campbelville, Georgetown TEL: +1 592 227 8758 ext. 102 FAX: +1 592 225 2096

e-mail: gff@networksgy.com WEBSITE: www.gffonline.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/GuyanaFootballFederationInc INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/guyana_football_federation_inc/ SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/guyana-football-federation-inc LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/guyana-football-federation-inc TWITTER: @GFF_Inc_

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 24, 2017

MoE holds consultation for draft National Sports Policy AS part of the Guyana Government’s plan to complete a much-needed National Sports Policy, the first in a series of consultations with Sports federations and associations was conducted yesterday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

A draft document would be issued shortly but, the Ministry of Education (MoE) Department of Sport hosted the interface with the objective of engendering feedback into what would ultimately become the National Sports Policy.

The consultations that are scheduled for the various administrative regions over time are primarily a Government initiative that has been high on Minister Nicolette Henry’s agenda since 2016.

Amidst her preamble, the Minister noted that “at the end of the day, we want a policy that will work for Guyana.”

Noting that her expectation was that more representatives of federations and associations would have

been in attendance, Minister Henry related that more than 43 groups were invited to the consultations.

ticipation in the process that will lead to an all-inclusive Sports Policy.

Minister Henry said that

Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry (left) and Deputy Director of Sport Melissa Dow-Richardson at yesterday’s consultation

GHB’s Olympic Day Hockey 5s tournament set for this weekend

THE Guyana Hockey Board will this weekend stage its Olympic Day 5s tournament at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Regent Street, Bourda, Georgetown.

According to a release by the Board, the GHB is inviting other Olympic sport disciplines to participate in learning various fun field hockey skills and to play in field hockey’s newest game format, Hockey 5s.

Each Olympic sport should have a minimum of five persons to participate in each of the following categories: Under-13 Mixed, Under-16 Boys and Girls, Under-19 Boys and Girls, Open Men and Women and Over-35 Mixed.

In 1908, hockey joined the Olympics and in 2016 FIH recognised Olympic Day by organising various hockey

However, there are other opportunities to be had as more consultations are planned to ensure wide par-

programmes in 40 countries across all continents.

Building on this success, this year FIH aims to go even bigger through the support of national associations (NAs).

The objective is to activate as many NAs as possible to organise Hockey 5s events in their countries on or around June 23 As a true “sport for all”, hockey matches perfectly with Olympic Day and the format of Hockey 5s is easy to organise in informal settings.

The aim is to attract new people to share in our love of hockey. The IOC represents all sports and in the spirit of unity, GHB wishes to bring some of the Olympic sportspeople together to celebrate as well as to showcase the fun and to generate interest in our sport.

“a paper on culture was laid in Cabinet and will become a full policy in Guyana by year-end and it is hoped that the same could be done for Sports”.

Further, she encouraged participants to “connect the dots of the announcement that there is a focus on teachers’ intake at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) which is giving priority to those who are interested in Physical Education”.

Melissa Dow-Richardson, Assistant Director of Sport, who is the lead coordinator on the project, said the aim of the consultations is to focus on the fundamental principles of sports in addition to examining critical policy issues in sports. Other areas of focus of the public consultation were: governance, accountability, ensuring a safe and secure environment, discrimination, harassment and athlete development.

Also addressed were subjects such as sports administration, coaching and training,

sports financing, tourism and intellectual property rights.

With regard to the media, specific focus was on their roles and responsibilities in addition to their rights.

The role of the Diaspora as well as the future of sports in Guyana with a focus on garnering suggestions towards a development pathway for ultimate implementation, compliance, monitoring and evaluation as part of the National Sports Policy.

Dow-Richardson in her address said, “When we look at sports we are not operating in isolation. There are over 28 Olympic sport disciplines and in Guyana most have representation and our aim is to develop a policy that takes us to another level.”

From the consultations she advised that her team will take shared values of sports that go beyond gender, age or ethnicity to encourage respect, competition, fair play and discipline as hallmarks of the National Sports Policy.

Downes defends GBTI Men's Singles Title

The winners pose with their spoils following the conclusion of the GBTI open

Once again Anthony Downes proved that he is one of the best players to come out of Guyana by notching his 7th consecutive GBTI Men's Open title with a dominating win over Daniel Lopes in straight sets. The result was a repeat of last year's finals which had a similar score line. Lopes had teamed up with Leyland Leacock the night before to upset Downes and Jason Andrews in the Men's Doubles and revenge would have certainly been on Downes's mind as he wrapped up the match is less than one hour dropping just one game.

Downes has been prominent on the local scene, participating in his first Men's singles final

when he was fourteen and has battled with other top players such as Phillip Squires and Jeremy Miller over the years.

It would be interesting to see how he would have matched up against other former players to come out of Guyana such as Andy Wong, Marvin Jeffrey, Diwani Lewis and Marvin Hinds who all had dominant stints locally. Downes whose game stands above his peers locally has had the opportunity to train periodically with former world rated player Jack Brasington and an exhibition match is being planned for local enthusiasts later in the year. Now 25 years old, Downes is hoping to hone his skills and further his tennis career through playing Future

tournaments internationally and may play his first such tournament in August in Colombia.

Other outstanding performers in the tournament were 16 year old Ladies Champion Afruica Gentle who once again carted off the three open titles Ladies Singles and Doubles and Mixed Doubles, Leyland Leacock who won the Men's 35 Singles and Men's Open Doubles title, Godfrey Lowden with the Men's 45 Singles and Doubles title and 35 Doubles runner-up and Andre Lopes who won the Men's 35 doubles and was runner-up in the Men's 35 Singles. Daniel Lopes also medalled twice taking the runner-up position in the Men's singles and winning

the Men's Doubles title.

In the Junior categories, Jordan Beaton was the winner of the Boy's Singles title, whilst Kalyca Fraser captured the Girl's Singles. There was also a win for newcomer Delon Fraser who edged Surendra Khayyam to win the developmental Novice Medley category.

The presentation ceremony which immediately followed the final match was attended by Acting CEO of GBTI Ms. Shaleeza Shaw and Marketing Manager Pamela Binda. Ms Shaw stressed the importance of their partnership with the Guyana Tennis Association which was renewed 8 years ago.

MoE holds consultation for draft National page See 31 Sports Policy

Petra launches Corona Beer Invitational

George strikes gold at SA Seniors See page 28

See page 26

… 12 Georgetown teams to vie for top spot

Winston George Top Brandz Sales and Marketing Manager Pratima Prashnajeet and Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca hold a replica of the championship trophy in the presence of GFF president Forde (far left), GFA vice-president Aaron Fraser (3rd from right) and with other representatives.

Rain washes out West Indies first ODI

Shan Seejatan’s Honda Civic The flick was a productive shot for Shikhar Dhawan, West Indies v India, 1st ODI, Port-of-Spain, yesterday. (AFP) (REUTERS) - Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane compiled an opening partnership of 132 for India against West Indies before rain washed out the first one-day international in Trinidad yesterday.

India advanced to 199 for three off 39.2 overs before the skies opened over Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.

The match was drawn, but not before the Indian batsmen looked generally comfortable at the crease in the first of a five-match ODI series in the Caribbean.

Dhawan was particularly strong on the leg-side, scoring 87 off 92 balls before departing lbw to leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, while Rahane made 62, caught at mid-on

when he miscued a slower ball from pace bowler Alzarri Joseph.

Virat Kohli (32) and M.S. Dhoni (9) were unbeaten when the weather intervened, while Bishoo, Joseph and captain Jason Holder picked up one wicket each for West Indies.

The second match is on tomorrow at the same venue.

Teamwork fuelling Seejattan on July 2

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See Page 28

SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2017