Guyana chronicle e paper 09 06 2017

President Granger’s brother dies Page 3

Dissent over PPC final report No. 105027

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2017

Price: $80 (VAT Inclusive)

… PPP-nominated commissioner wants Min. Lawrence sanctioned

…to submit minority report

Irma threatens

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Sophia youth charged for killing niece

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Sherwin Roberts

City Hall to open ‘new talks’ with garbage contractors Page 19

Hurricane Irma, with winds of 120 miles per hour (mph) was churning its way towards the Leeward Islands on Tuesday with weather officials predicting that the Category 3 storm would move near or over portions of the northern chain of islands Tuesday night and early Wednesday. Hurricane warnings have already gone into effect for Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts-Nevis, Saba, St. Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Saint Barthelemy, while a hurricane watch remains in effect for the British Virgin Islands. U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra.

36,000 girls targeted in HPV campaign

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PSC was ‘politically manipulated’ – Lincoln Lewis Page 20

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

36,000 girls targeted in HPV campaign

By Svetlana Marshall AIMED at “saving this generation of girls from developing cervical cancer in the future,” the Public Health Ministry in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) will roll out a comprehensive Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination Campaign next month, as it forges ahead with plans to immunise approximately 36,000 girls between the ages of nine and 13 across the country.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), the Centers for Dis-

ease Control and Prevention states, explaining that the virus has the potential to develop genital warts and cancer, in particular cervical cancer, among women. In 71 countries across the world, health authorities are fighting back, utilising one of the most effective ways,that is, through the immunisation of young girls and boys using the HPV vaccine.

On Tuesday during a Media Brown Bag Meeting at the PAHO/WHO Country Office, its Country Representative, Dr. William AduKrow, said it is “high time” that Guyana re-initiates the widespread use of the HPV vaccine as he pointed to the

facts surrounding cervical cancer, including its mortality rate.

“Data from WHO clearly identify cervical cancer as the second most common cancer in women of reproductive age group and if there is something that we can use to prevent it, then it is high time that we get on to using it,” Dr. Adu-Krow told the health journalists.

Further alluding to statistical reports produced by PAHO/WHO, the Country Representative pointed out that over 83,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer and almost 36,000 died from the disease in the Region of the Americas, in

Photograph showing the outer layer of the cervix when it is in its normal stage to when it starts to develop cancer.

(Mobieg Photo)

PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow, detailing facts about cervical cancer and the importance of HPV vaccines in the presence of MCH Director, Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton on his right and the DCMO, Dr. Karen Boyle, on his left. (Photo by Delano Williams)

2012. “If this trend continues, the number of deaths in the Americas is projected to increase by 45% by the year 2030,” he warned. Added to that, Dr. Adu-Krow pointed out that cervical cancer mortality rates are three times higher in Latin America and the Caribbean than in North America. However, it must be noted that approximately 70 per cent of cancer cases could be avoided through HPV vaccination of adolescent girls.

Additionally, immuni-

sation using HPV vaccines is more cost-effective than having to treat with cancer which damaging effects not only affect the individual, but the society as a whole.

Director of Maternal Child Health (MCH), Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton, who was also among the panelists who addressed the health journalists, explained that HPV has 150 strains with strains 16 and 18 known for causing cervical cancer. While it is a sexually transmitted disease, Dr. Hamilton noted that a

person can become infected if he or she comes into direct contact with the virus from broken skin from any part of the body. Babies can also be infected during delivery if their mothers are infected.

“On a normal day, you can have the virus, but when there is that broken skin and it attacks the cells, which we call the mother cells,…what HPV does, it goes to that mother cell where everything starts, changes the DNA of that cell, so every other cell that would be formed from that multiplication process is going to be a cancerous cell,” she explained. Once the cancerous cell is developed, it spreads if not detected and treated at an early stage.

However, it takes 15 to 20 years for cervical cancer to develop in women with normal immune systems. It can take only five to 10 years in women with weakened immune systems, such as those with untreated HIV infection.

Symptoms of cervical cancer tend to appear only after the cancer has reached an advanced stage, the MCH Director noted, while pointing out that symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse; back, leg or pelvic pain; fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite; vaginal discomfort or odorous discharge; and swollen legs. Dr. Hamilton stated, however, that not all vaginal bleeding is linked to Turn to page 8

Dissent over PPC final report

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

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… PPP-nominated commissioner wants Min. Lawrence sanctioned … to submit minority report COMMISSIONER of the Public Procurement Commission, Sukrishnalall Pasha, has objected to the findings of the report compiled by the body on the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) $632M drug purchase and has reportedly prepared a minority report to be submitted to the National Assembly.

Prasha, in his 30-page long counter report, argued that the Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence was responsible for the multi-million dollar drug purchase which was done in breach of the procurement laws and should be sanctioned, sources who have seen the report told the Guyana Chronicle. Additionally, he noted that critical information was omitted from the substantive report compiled by the commission which would have impacted the findings.

“I don’t wish to speak on the issue. Whatever I did, it was supposed to be kept with some level of confidentiality,” Prasha told the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday when asked about the matter. He

insisted that the commissioners have sworn to secrecy.

The PPC Chairperson, Carol Corbin, when contacted by the Guyana Chronicle, also declined to speak on the issue.

“I have no comment,” Corbin repeatedly said. However, she explained that there is no room under the Laws of Guyana for a minority report to be submitted by the commissioners, stating clearly that all reports emanating out of the commission must be submitted to the National Assembly by the chair. She said when recess is over, and the National Assembly resumes, the report will be made available to the public.

On Monday, she had told this newspaper that the commission did not recommend sanctions against the errant public officials, noting that decision lies with the Government and those sitting at the helm of the GPHC. Findings have confirmed that the procurement laws were breached, given the fact that the GPHC sought approval from the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) after it had started to receive drugs from sup-

pliers.

Corbin had noted, however, that it was not the commission’s intention to recommend disciplinary action against those who had acted outside of the law. “That was not the purpose of the investigation,” she emphasised.

Based on the Terms of Reference (ToR), the investigation was executed to determine the circumstances under which the emergency drugs were procured. Additionally, it sought to determine whether the GPHC had acted in compliance with Procurement Act Chapter 73:05 in the procurement of emergency pharmaceuticals.

Another key aim of the investigation was to have greater understanding of the Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence’s involvement. Additionally, it was the intention of the PPC to provide a menu of measures that would allow the premier health institution to improve its procurement practices in keeping with the Procurement Act Chapter 73:05. It was in late March that the constitutional body launched an investigation into the purchase in keeping

PPC Commissioner, Sukrishnalall Pasha with its functions as detailed in Article 212 (AA) (1) of the Constitution.

Among those who had appeared before the commission was Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, who argued that she was misled by the GPHC management, which was headed by Allan Johnson at the time.

Months after the Public Health Minister had appeared before the PPC, GPHC, in a statement in July, said that Minister Lawrence was not at fault. The hospital had conducted its own investigation under the watchful eyes of the Board of Directors headed by

Eight Chinese deported

–– for immigration fraud

AFTER being placed on a one-year deportation order, eight Chinese citizens on Tuesday found themselves before the courts again and were again ordered deported, this time for immigration fraud.

The four men and two women appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday and denied the charge when it was read to them with the aid of an interpreter.

Charged and deported are: Aihua Wang; Bin Ye; Jun Qing Ma; Yhong Guo Wu; Xiaohn Zheng; Lin

Hong; Zhengcheng Wong; and Gablin Feng.

Particulars of the charge allege that on September 1, 2017 at Georgetown, they attempted to use a permit which had not been issued by the local immigration authorities, and which they were not entitled to use.

According to reports read in court by Police Prosecutor, Arwin Moore, on August 22, 2017, the defendants came to Guyana illegally, via Suriname through the “backtrack” route at Springlands, Berbice and boarded a minibus there.

When the bus was

stopped at a road block by police at Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice, and the eight accused were asked to produce their passports, it was revealed that they had entered the country illegally.

Moore said when the foreign nationals appeared in the Springlands Magistrates Court on August 24, they were each fined $20,000 and deported back to Suriname, for illegal entry.

On their return to Guyana on August 30, while being processed at the Springlands Immigration Department, it was discovered that they had failed to comply with the deportation order, which was valid for

one year.

In their defence, they told the police that following their deportation to Suriname, they went to the Guyana Consulate and applied for tourist visas Upon investigation, it was discovered that the accused never met with the Guyanese Consul in Suriname, nor did they apply for visitors’ visas.

All eight of them were reportedly arrested by the police at the Sleep-Inn Hotel during a raid on September 1.

They were each fined $70,000, and ordered to be deported when they appeared before Magistrate McLennan on Tuesday.

Attorney-at-Law Kesaundra Alves.

Findings from that investigation had found that while the ultimate decision to purchase, which constitutes a breach of standard operating procedures, was the minister’s, the then Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Allan Johnson should have known better.

The findings have revealed that after a drug shortage was reported at the medical facility, Minister Lawrence met with management and asked that a plan be devised to alleviate the situation.

Subsequently, a plan of action was developed and presented to the minister by the GPHC’s finance director.

That plan of action included determining the availability of drugs from the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO), the Materials Management Unit (MMU), and local suppliers; obtaining quotations from suppliers; sending an evaluation report to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) for approval, followed by the award of tender.

What transpired, however, was that rather than follow the prescribed plan of action to the letter, the then CEO wrote the NPTAB seeking approval for the contracts after the corporation had begun receiving pharmaceuticals from the suppliers.

The suppliers at reference were ANSA McAL, from which was sourced $605M worth of pharmaceuticals; the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC), from which was sourced another $20.8M worth; Health2000 $2.9M; and Chirosyn Discovery $2.1M. Upon learning what had happened, the GPHC board, which conducted the inquiry, said while it was “shocked and disappointed” that the GPHC had breached the law, there was no information to suggest that the minister had given any instructions to bypass any procurement procedures or laws.

According to the board, senior staff of the Finance Department had an “ethical and professional” duty to properly advise the then CEO of what the standard procedure was, since the matter was within their realm of expertise.

“Johnson had been known to trust and depend on his officers to do the right thing, and it is regrettable that they failed him in this instance,” the board had said. However, the board did not exactly exonerate Johnson, stating that the power was within his judgment and signature, and that “he acted recklessly.”

Johnson has since been relieved of his duties.

President Granger’s brother dies THE brother of President David Granger has passed away, the Ministry of the Presidency announced on Tuesday evening.

Dead is Cesare Francis Granger. He passed away at his home at about 15:30hrs Tuesday. He was born the third of eight children to the late Chetwynd and Verleigh Granger on October 4, 1937.

According to the ministry, up until his retirement, Mr. Cesare Francis Granger, fondly known as Frank, served as an Economist at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat. He is survived by his two children and two siblings including the President.

“The Ministers and Staff of the Ministry of the Presidency mourns with His Excellency, President Granger, his wife, First Lady Sandra Granger, the children of Cesare Francis Granger and all relatives and friends.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

US scraps DACA ‘Dreamer’ scheme AN Obama-era scheme to protect young undocumented immigrants is being scrapped, US Attorney-General Jeff Sessions has announced.

No first-time applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme will be acted on after Tuesday, the government confirmed.

However, existing recipients will not be affected for at least six months.

Barack Obama described the decision of the Trump administration as “cruel” and “wrong”, and appealed to Congress.

The scheme protected some 800,000 so-called “Dreamers”, mostly Latin Americans, from deportation.

They were able to apply for work and study permits under a policy which, critics said, amounted to an amnesty for illegal immigrants.

US President Donald Trump took a hard line on immigration while campaigning for office last year, and said he planned to “immediately terminate” DACA if elected.

In a statement after DACA was rescinded, he said, “I do not favour punishing children, most of whom are now adults, for the actions of their parents.

But we must also recognise that we are a nation of opportunity, because we are a nation of laws.”

The Mexican government said, in a statement in Spanish, that it profoundly regretted the scrapping of DACA, and would step up its consular work on behalf of its citizens who are affected.

Those returning to Mexico would be welcomed back “with open arms”, it said.

Police in New York made at least a dozen arrests when protesters rallied in front of Trump Tower, US media report, but there were no reports of clashes.

“There can be no path to principled immigration reform if the executive branch is able to rewrite or nullify federal laws at will,” Mr Trump said.

White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders said later that the president had “wrestled back and forth” with the issue, because he wanted “to make a decision with compassion.”

“But at the same time, you can’t allow emotion to govern, and this has to be something where the law is put in place and it’s something that he would support if Congress puts it before him,” she added.

WHAT IS DACA? The programme protects young illegal immigrants in the US from deportation, and provides temporary permits for work and study.

In order to qualify for DACA, applicants under the age of 30 submitted

Demonstrators on the march in Los Angeles on Tuesday

personal information to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

They had to go through an FBI background check and have a clean criminal record, and either be in school, recently graduated, or have been hon-

ourably discharged from the military.

In exchange, the US government agreed to “defer” any action on their immigration status for a period of two years.

In a stinging attack on the policy

introduced by President Obama, Mr Sessions said: “Such an open-ended circumvention of immigration laws was an unconstitutional exercise of authority by the executive branch.

“The effect of this unilateral executive amnesty among other things contributed to a surge of minors at the southern border that yielded terrible humanitarian consequences.

“It also denied jobs to hundreds of thousands of Americans by allowing those same illegal aliens to take those jobs.

“The nation must set a limit on how many immigrants we admit each year; we cannot admit everyone who would like to come here; it’s just that simple.”

In his statement, President Trump pointed out that his predecessor, Mr Obama, had bypassed Congress to introduce the policy, which was announced in June 2012.

AFFECT ON CURRENT ‘DREAMERS’ No new first-time requests will be acted on after 5 September, DHS Acting Secretary Elaine Duke said in a memo released after Mr Sessions spoke.

However, no existing beneficiaries of the policy will feel any impact for six months, the period of time allotted for Congress to “deliver on appropriate legislative solutions.”

People who have current DACA work authorisation will be able to keep it until it expires, while people whose permits expire in less than six months can renew before October 1 for another full two years.

Amber Pinto, who works for immigrant activist group, United We Dream, was amongst those who gathered outside the White House to demonstrate against the decision on Tuesday.

“I’m undocumented, unafraid, and here to stay,” he said to applause.

“I have the honour to serve as a deportation defence hotline manager for United We Dream, where, every day, my team and I get to hear stories from our communities on how their loved ones are being criminalised by law enforcement and terrorised by immigration agents.”

(BBC)

Protestors gathered outside the US embassy in Mexico City on Tuesday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Mayor threatens to sue

--if Trump deports young Caribbean ‘Dreamers’ NEW YORK, CMC – New York Mayor Bill de Blasio is threatening to take legal action if the Trump administration follows through with reports that it would end the programme under which illegal Caribbean nationals living here and known as “Dreamers” are deported.

“Two hundred miles away in Washington, D.C., something horrible is going to happen. I can’t believe we’re going to await an announcement about who’s going to

take away the right of our young people,” de Blasio said as he addressed the pre-Caribbean Carnival Parade breakfast on Monday.

“It does not matter if they were born in another country,” he added, flanked by his wife, Chirlane McCray, who traces her roots to Barbados and St. Lucia.

“They’re waiting for an announcement that’ll dash their hopes and dreams; many of those are from the Caribbean.

“We’re not taking this

lying down; we’re going to the courts and fight for the rights of ‘dreamers’.

“We’ll fight in Congress. So, when you march, remember Caribbean immigrants, the ‘dreamers’.”

Late last week, top US executives at a number of companies, business groups and academic institutions collaborated in voicing support for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a five-year-old programme instituted by former US President Barack Obama,

CAL flights affected

by Hurricane Irma CARIBBEAN AIRLINES has advised that due to Hurricane Irma, flights scheduled for today, September 6, have been cancelled.

These include flights: BW 456 from Port-of- Spain to St Maarten originally due for departure from Trinidad at 07.30hrs, and BW 457 from Kingston to St Maarten, due to depart at 14:00hrs.

Irma, a major hurricane, will be heading for the northern Caribbean islands and Bahamas over the next five days.

Hurricane Irma is churning west across the Atlantic,

putting parts of the Caribbean on watch, and prompting warnings for the US mainland to be prepared.

CAL has informed that all affected passengers who would have been travelling today would be permitted to change or cancel their reservations without penalty, subject to the following conditions: Passengers must have a confirmed ticket issued before September 6. Passengers who chose to have their tickets refunded must do so

by September 13.

Passengers who chose to change their reservations

must complete their travel by September 13, unless travel on the original booking was after this date, and travel must be in the same cabin as the original.

CAL has stated that the airline would not be responsible for arrangements, or transportation to or from an alternate airport or hotel/ overnight expenses incurred by affected passengers.

Customers were asked to contact www.caribbean-airlines.com and check their flight status before, or call the Caribbean Airlines call centres for further details. (TrinidadNewsday)

which offers a reprieve from deportation to nearly 800,000 people, including Caribbean nationals, brought to the US as children known as “Dreamers”.

In an open letter, more than 350 executives and other organisation leaders urged Trump and congressional leaders to preserve the programme.

“Dreamers are vital to the future of our companies and our economy.

They are part of why we will continue to have a global competitive advantage,” they said in the letter.

The business executives said that denying “Dreamers” work authorisation could result in the loss of US$460.3B from the US economy, and US$24.6B in Social Security and Medicare tax contributions.

The White House also has faced pressure to end DACA from critics of the

programme who complain that it wasn’t authorised by the US Congress, and is an overreach of executive authority.

President Trump was expected to announce later on Tuesday his deci-

sion regarding the programme.

Congressional Republicans had expected the administration to unveil some version of this stopgap solution on Tuesday.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Celebrating the First Peoples INDIGENOUS Peoples throughout Guyana will this month join hands in celebration of Indigenous Heritage Month 2017, an occasion to reflect on the gains made and to chart a brighter future going forward.

The struggle by indigenous peoples for recognition has been a long and arduous journey, even though they are the country’s first peoples, but with great determination in their pursuits, they have managed to come a long way while still holding on to their traditional ways of life.

Today, Indigenous peoples occupy a more prominent place in society compared to about 30 years ago. Ever since Stephen Campbell became the first indigenous Member of Parliament, several others have followed in his footsteps and from both sides of the political divide.

Notable among them are: Fourth Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock; junior Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister, Valerie Garrido-Lowe; Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton and soon-to-be-appointed Minister of Public Affairs, Dawn Hastings-Williams of the current administration. For the former administration, we had the late junior Education Minister, Dr Desire Fox; former Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett; former Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Campbell-Sukhai; and Yvonne Pearson Fredericks, of the former government; and politicians aside, today, there are indigenous nurses, doctors, community health workers, teachers, law enforcement officers, journalists, athletes, administrators, attorneys-at-law, religious

leaders, and businessmen and women to name a few.

They occupy practically every sphere of national life and by virtue of this, they make valuable contributions to the growth and development of Guyana. Respective governments have over the years recognised the value of this segment of the population and have been working to improve their lives and livelihoods. This has seen this group of people benefitting from a number of state-funded programmes, including the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) geared at equipping indigenous youths with employable skills, the Community Development Project (CDP) and the Amerindian Land Titling Project.

Significant efforts have also been made to preserve the indigenous languages and cultures and to create an environment where indigenous youths can have access to quality education. These initiatives are fashioned at not only enhancing the lives and preserving the cultures of the indigenous population, but to ensure that they enjoy a secure future.

A lot has been done for the first peoples, but there is still a lot more to be done. Generally in Guyana, not much or due attention is paid to the arts and culture and this by extension, will include indigenous arts and culture. In the case of the latter, it is too obvious to go unnoticed. Only during Heritage Month radio stations, including the national radio station, play indigenous songs and host programmes featuring the indigenous cultures.

This is something which should not happen. These

programmes should be regular features on the various radio stations, since it will go a far way in helping to build understanding and appreciation of the indigenous ways of life, especially to coastlanders who have never visited the vast and beautiful interior regions of Guyana.

A more vibrant effort should also be made to promote and market indigenous craft in a bid to create viable and sustainable cottage industries in indigenous communities and to make some indigenous communities major tourist attractions.

Unlike other countries, Guyana is blessed with natural sceneries and it is time it invests in making much out of what it has. The Capoey, Mashabo and Tapacuma lakes, situated in an area known as the tri-lake area on the Essequibo Coast, can be developed into a major tourism destination, but it would require proper marketing and adequate infrastructural investments.

These would include building better roads, guesthouses and other tourism-related facilities. The trilake area is an ideal environment for swimming, boating, kayaking, hiking and fishing, to just name a few leisurely pursuits which European tourists travel the world to enjoy. These can be done without disrupting the indigenous ways of life by placing emphasis on learning about the indigenous cultures and the ways of its peoples in preserving the environment.

PPDI provides clarity on role in electricity sector Dear Editor

I REFER to the editorial of 2nd September 2017. The Management of Power Producers & Distributors Inc. (PPDI) welcomes scrutiny of the electricity sector. We would like to provide clarity to three issues; (a) our role in the electricity sector, (b) our capacity and (c) our projected profitability.

ROLE PPDI is a state-owned enterprise which was established in December 2016 and was contracted to operate and maintain four

Guyana Power & Light Inc. (GPL) owned power plants. These power plants were previously operated and maintained by Wartsila Operations Guyana Inc. (WOGI). PPDI undertook responsibility for 106 of the 174 megawatts of installed power-generation capacity in the Demerara Berbice Interconnected System. Transmission and distribution of electricity is not part of our mandate – the technical boundary of our operations is at the 13.8KV Switch Gear of the power plants. We recognise that for consumers, any disruption of service is unacceptable, but PPDI

can only account for factors under its control.

CAPACITY The editorial suggested a cost-benefit analysis be carried out to ascertain whether PPDI can deliver enough and reliable energy for distribution. In its simplest form, this suggestion can be deconstructed into two aspects – structural and cognitive. A cost-benefit analysis was carried out before the incorporation of PPDI. PPDI’s performance for the eight months thus far is on par with or exceeds WOGI’s, using the established key performance indicators of

the industry. Our contract provides for service rates to GPL below what was projected by its predecessor, resulting in cost savings for the utility. PPDI is developing a website where it will publish these details for anyone to review and, where relevant, comparative data is available, to carry out objective analyses.

The issue of enough generation deals with installed capacity. Under our current arrangement, which is similar to our predecessor, investment in expansion of the nationally available production capacity is the responsibility

of the owners of the plants, i.e., GPL. The management and technical staff of PPDI is highly qualified and we plan to maintain and where possible improve the human resources available to deliver on our mandate.

PROJECTED PROFITABILITY Minister David Patterson, in his charge to the management and staff of PPDI, encouraged us to manage PPDI with true entrepreneurial thrust and gusto. This charge translates to managing the entity with focus on eliminating inefficiencies and excesses and for the

company to be profitable.

Our projected net returns are estimated to be within the range of 8-12% of revenues. Government and the people of Guyana expect stateowned enterprises to be efficient and profitable, and PPDI intends to be one such. The alternative would be to be a burden on the taxpayer, a circumstance no one desires.

Regards Arron Fraser Chief Executive Officer Power Producers and Distributors Inc.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Why criticise the government for obeying the laws Dear editor, KINDLY permit a gentle response to the views expressed by many regarding the Government’s continued non-disclosure of information as it relates to the contract with Exxon Mobile.

First, it must be noted that the Government is acting in accordance with section 4 of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act, Chapter 65:10, which states subject to subsection (2), no information furnished, or information in report submitted, pursuant to this Act by a licensee shall be disclosed to any person who is not a minister, a public officer or an employee of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), except with the consent of the licensee. Section 4(2) states nothing in sub-section (1) shall be deemed to prevent the disclosure of information without the consent of the licensee, where disclosure is made(a) After the licence has ceased to have effect over the land to which information relates; (b) For, or in connection with, the administration of this Act; (c) For the purposes of, or in connection with, any legal proceedings; (d) To any consultant

to the Government or the GGMC for the purpose of facilitating the performance by the consultant of any functions under the consultancy arrangement.; (e) For, or in connection with, the preparation by or on behalf of the state’s statistics, in respect of prospecting or production operations relating to petroleum. (f) For, or in connection with, the determination of any liability of the licensee to make any payments to the state or the Government; (g) For, or in connection with any matter or purpose specified in a petroleum agreement.

Section 4(3) where a licensee is a party to the a petroleum agreement the right of the licensee, his servants or agents to disclose information about prospecting or production operations under the licence shall be subject to any restrictions or limitation in that respect specified in the agreement.

Section 4(4) Any person who discloses information in contravention of this section shall, on summary conviction, be liable to a fine of $70,000 and imprisonment for three years.

Section 4(5) In proceedings on a prosecution for an offence under this section, it shall be sufficient defence if the accused person

proves that the information disclosed, and to which the prosecution relates was, without that disclosure, generally known to the public.

Mr editor, what is worthy of mention is the APNU+AFC Government was not in office when the amendment was made to the Principal Act in 1997, which tripled the fines for the disclosure of information and increased the fines for such.

Was the non-disclosure of information a sacred tenet regarding any contract of this magnitude then?

Has non-disclosure of information according to the laws cited above outlived its usefulness now because of the change in administration? If these questions were to be answered in the affirmative, why criticise the Government who is merely obeying the laws and is not an advocate for an amendment to the laws guiding the government’s conduct. The laws relating to non- disclosure is not unprecedented. In fact, international commercial contracts of this magnitude contain non-disclosure clauses which give parties the flexibility to decide what matters would be disclosed and vice versa.

ue as evident in performances since mid-2015.

2. The RDC Councillor concludes that “nothing ever worked” at Skeldon. Editor, it is Mr. Harbhajan who hosted the press at Skeldon in December 2016 to address the issue of power for the Christmas season. In that press outing, he is quoted as saying in KN edition of 12/04/17: “The Wartsila engines are capable enough and will be able to supply 10 megawatts of power to the national grid. We want to make it clear that there is no problem at the co-gen plant; it is 100 per cent operational.” Now, can this elected official explain how nothing ever worked at Skeldon, yet the engines can supply10 megawatts of power and the cogeneration plant is 100 percent operational?

3. Mr. Harbhajan attributes the downfall of Wales estate to “voodoo crop husbandry.” I urge Mr. Harbhajan to speak with IMC members (Mr. Hanoman & Mr. Bhim) as it was they who had approved this “voodoo crop husbandry policy.” I hope that Mr. Harbhajan is also fully aware that the “voodoo crop husbandry” policy is in full force, causing Blairmont and Uitvlugt cultivations

to be destroyed by rodents over the last 1 ½ years.

4. We are now advised by Mr. Harbhajan that Skeldon should be the model for privatisation. Before moving to Skeldon, this nation was lectured by GuySuCo and Government about the Wales model for diversification.

Can Mr. Harbhajan present this nation with a progress report on Wales diversification? Show us the diversification plan and its achievements along with income and expenditure at Wales since closure of sugar operations in December 2016. Once there is hard evidence to convince the citizenry that the Wales diversification model is yielding profits and jobs, then, consideration can be given to any other model. I urge Mr. Harbhajan to respect the intellect of Guyanese and desist from spewing lies and half-truths on subjects he is not proficient in.

While Mr. Harbhajan is from a different era, he must appreciate a fact that the technological age allows citizens to access information via a few clicks.

Hemp industry will create large-scale employment Dear Editor THE Guyana Hemp Association has called on President Granger to immediately appointment a Cabinet Sub-Committee to look at the massive economic, social, environmental and health benefits Guyana and its people will gain with the establishment of an industrial hemp industry, which will also create large-scale employment at all income levels, create new industries, build our economy and eradicate poverty.

The GHA also calls on the Guyana Government to hold consultations countrywide and also to grant permission to the association to undertake a 100-acre Pilot Project which could be closely monitored by NAREI and other agencies.

‘We are recommending that the trial project could be undertaken at St. Cuthbert’s Mission, the Soesdyke-Linden Highway which has vast tracts of productive lands lying idle and which can be fully utilised. The GHA also calls for the state media to play a more important role

in sensitising Guyanese on the hemp industry.

Australian Company Pledges Assistance The Australian company, Textile and Composite industry PTY Limited has pledged its full support to share their knowledge and long experience in the industrial hemp field with Guyana to ensure successful hemp farming and processing as soon as the barriers are removed for establishment of the industry. The Chief Executive Officer and International Marketing Director Mr Charles B Kovess has indicated to GHA that his company would be willing to contract Guyanese farmers and would-be hemp farmers to grow hemp that will be harvested and processed by the company for global market buyers.

A new executive elected for the GHA A new executive body was elected on Monday, September 4th, 2017 to manage the affairs. These are :Chairman Dr. Turbane Doerga Co-Chairman Michael D. Kirton

Secretary Ms Jennifer Major Treasurer Aaron Gardener Committee members are Winston Felix, Anita Latchee John, Kent Hollingsworth, Lemond Adrain and Cyril Walker.

The GHA continues to meet stakeholders.

Officials the Guyana Hemp Association are continuing their lobbying programme with meetings with stakeholders countrywide. They recently met with a delegation of the St.Cuthbert’s Mission Amerindians council led

by Toshao Lennox Shuman and including Deputy Toshao Foster Simon and Councillors Paul Andrews and Lurlena Shuman, along with Lemond Adrain, Chairman of the Lokono Hemplyne Enterprises. The GHA officials also held discussions with Ms. Nikiko Tanaka, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Guyana.

Regards Guyana Hemp Association

Better training facilities are needed in Region Two Harbhajan must get his facts straight

Dear Editor,

HAVING read an opinion piece from Mr. Gobin Harbhajan (APNU+AFC Regional Democratic Councillor & Former SEI Board Director) in a letter to the press (SN, Aug. 24th, 2017), I am compelled to offer some comments using verifiable facts on the subjects articulated to support privatisation of the industry.

1. If Mr. Harbhajan is au fait with recent history or had lived in Guyana during the period 20092015, he ought to know that the present IMC members of GuySuCo (Mr. Hanoman & Mr. Bhim) functioned as Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of GuySuCo consecutively in the periods 2009 to mid-2010 and mid-2010 to mid-2014. In the period mid-2014 to mid-2015, Mr. Raj Singh was the CEO. Using Mr. Harbhajan’s rationale for the decline of GuySuCo, it follows that theft, squandermania, mismanagement, cronyism, poor investment decisions, etc. are synonymous with Mr. Hanoman and Mr. Bhim.

Incidentally, these persons have been managing the industry since mid-2015. It is therefore logical to surmise that the decline will contin-

Regards Earle Hamilton

Regards Sookram Persaud

Dear Editor

SPORTS remain an integral element in boosting the fitness, morale and confidence of a wide cross-section of proactive Essequibians.

During the past year, I have witnessed an increase in the number of persons utilising the public road primarily to exercise. Even some recognisable athletes have been reverting to the road as well, since it has been difficult and untenable for them to do otherwise. I’m convinced therefore that much more needs to be done in creating an enabling and conducive training environment in Region Two. Along the Essequibo Coast, there are a number of grounds that have been neglected and destroyed, due to the invasion of stray animals, while others have been abandoned.

This is quite unacceptable and the relevant authorities must become conscious about reversing this ugly situation. I am aware that the Government has been providing financial support in upgrading grounds across the country.

Interestingly though, the mechanisms by which some of these grounds are administered, leaves much to be desired. In one instance, countless loads of sand were thrown on to a ground in Henrietta to combat flooding. While the

idea was commendable, unfortunately the sand was not mixed into the soil and it remained as it was until the thick grass reclaimed its presence. During the period, the ground became useless and still is presently. Similar, unpopular decisions have been unearthed at other facilities too. Another huge space which has been underutilised and which can be transformed into a multi-purpose facility is the Anna Regina Drying Floor.

This is (a)massive concrete-laid area which was built and used primarily by farmers to dry large amounts of paddy. This practice is no longer continuing and the area has deteriorated and became grass-infested. However, the residents within the village and in particular youths have been occupying same to indulge in sporting activities, including cricket and football. Amazingly, it has become an ideal and strategic venue for leisure. It will be to the benefit of the community therefore to have this potential arena developed into a modern sporting spectacle. The Government must see the enormous benefits that can be derived from having such facilities in the region, since the population is becoming increasingly more sports and health conscious, but without the necessary support at present. An appeal is also being made to safeguard the safety of

fitness joggers whose lives and limbs are at risk whenever they occupy the roadways, either early in the mornings or in the evenings.

The road remains narrow amid an increase in the number of vehicles presently, as the threat exists ever potently for accidents, including with animals too. Additionally, raging dogs become quite an enemy too to those who continue to jog. These deterrent factors can be instantly reversed with the implementation of prudent policies that will seek to enhance the worthiness of many useless grounds as well as to recognise the importance of the Region Two population remaining healthy, strong and active in sports. It is indeed with much pride and a sense of glowing satisfaction too that I applaud the appointment of the Honourable Dr. George Norton, Minister of Social Cohesion, who is now responsible for sports. His sporting background, being an administrator along with his countryside groundings, no doubt will lend credence to his appreciation for the coastland and the challenges to have sports prosper in such regions. It is time though, for Region Two to have better training facilities.

Regards Elroy Stephney

8

Caribbean countries brace for hurricane

People living in the path of Hurricane Irma are preparing for the arrival of the most powerful Atlantic storm in a decade.

The category-five hurricane - the highest possible level - has sustained wind speeds reaching 295km/h (185mph).

It is expected to hit the Caribbean Sea’s Leeward islands before moving on to Haiti and Florida. Florida’s Key West area has ordered a mandatory evacuation beginning on Wednesday.

Visitors will be required to leave on Wednesday morning, with residents due to follow in the evening, and the international airport will halt all flights. “We’re emphatically telling people you must evacuate. You cannot afford to stay on an island with a Category 5 hurricane coming at you,” said Martin Senterfitt, the emergency operations centre director in

Monroe County.

Closer to the storm, thousands of people have been evacuated from at-risk areas. Residents have flocked to shops for food, water, and emergency supplies.

Storm surges, life-threatening winds and torrential rainfall are expected along the Leeward Islands. Alison Strand, originally from Staffordshire in the UK, is on the island of Anguilla. She said her family had spent the last several hours fortifying her home on the coast, which “will be the first house hit by the storm”. “Our house is 5m (15ft) above sea level and we’re expecting 8m swells, so we’re just crossing our fingers,” she said. “We are expecting to lose our wooden roof.”

Carolyne Coleby, in Montserrat, said: “Irma is about to hit us full force.”

“I am a goat farmer and have to consider my live-

stock. Last night I moved 20 goats to a backhouse at a hostel I manage which is on slightly higher ground,” she said. “I am hoping the galvanised roof of the backhouse doesn’t fly off.” “I can’t go to the shelter because I can’t leave my animals.” BBC Weather’s Stav Danos said the storm was “extremely dangerous” and expected to maintain its speed and power over the coming days.

The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said Irma was moving at a speed of 24km/h (15mph), and there are hurricane warnings for: ●Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis ●Saba, St Eustatius and Sint Maarten ●Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy ●The British Virgin Islands

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

●The US Virgin Islands ●Puerto Rico, Vieques and Culebra ●Dominican Republic, for the northern region The French island of Guadeloupe is on hurricane watch and Puerto Rico has declared a state of emergency. The NHC warned the storm was “potentially catastrophic”.

Parts of Texas and Louisiana are dealing with the damage done by Hurricane Harvey in late August. But it is not yet clear what impact Hurricane Irma might have on the US mainland.

The mainland has not been hit by two category four hurricanes in one season since the storms were first recorded in 1851. A third tropical storm, Jose, has formed further out in the Atlantic behind Irma, and is expected to become a hurricane later on in the week. (BBC)

Upgrade to St. Ignatius electricity network to commence soon - Port Kaituma upgrade to be completed next week RESIDENTS of St. Ignatius, Region Nine, will soon be experiencing a more efficient electricity distribution service, as a massive upgrade to the network is slated for the community.

This was disclosed by Hinterland Electrification Company Incorporated, Chief Executive Officer Horace Williams, during an exclusive interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI).

According to Williams, the community has been receiving electricity from the Lethem Power Company for a number of years. However, due to the rise in population and households within the community, Williams said that there is need for an upgrade to the network within the community to deliv-

36,000 girls targeted in HPV... cervical cancer. In Guyana, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women with the number of cases increasing. For the period 2003-2012, Dr. Hamilton said four per cent of the cancer was detected in stage one with 96 per cent of all other cancers detected at later stages.

Painting the grim reality of the situation here in Guyana, she pointed out that every year 27 out of every 100,000 women die from cervical cancer, even as she further alluded to the fact that Guyana has approximately 750, 000 people. The numbers, she lamented, are worrying.

“Two-thirds of all these cases was women under the age of 60. The age group that we found most at risk is 1539,” she posited. While there is provision within the health care system for the screening and pap smear of women to detect cancer at an early stage, allowing for treatment, Dr. Hamilton was adamant that the most effective way of preventing cervical cancer is the HPV vaccine. Though HPV also attacks males, there is no diagnostic test in the country for them.

Turning her attention to the countrywide HPV Vaccination Campaign, which is set to commence on October 16, Dr. Hamilton said the HPV Vaccination is nothing new to Guyana, explaining that from 2012-2014, the HPV vaccine was introduced to the country with a donation of 21,600 doses. Vaccines were administered to girls 1113 in Regions Three, Four, Five and Six. The campaign had started on a high note but fell for many reasons.

“One, the girls were mostly in grade six who received the vaccine, which means that some of them would have left their district and their region and so follow-up was difficult…Two, there was a very strong anti-vaccine campaign against the HPV vaccine that would have caused some of the fall out,” the MCH Director explained.

Back then, naysayers had argued that vaccinating the girls at such an early age to prevent a STI was providing them with a licence to have early sexual intercourse, but the health officials objected, noting that a similar argument was advanced when condoms were being given to

Gardasil is the preferred vaccine used by the Public Health Ministry (Mobieg Photo)

adolescents, but research has found that there was no such spike linked to distribution of condoms or the use of the HPV vaccine.

This time around, she said the Public Health Ministry with support from PAHO/ WHO is coming back with a “boom,” fully prepared with

the requisite information.

During this campaign, the target group includes girls 9-13, and while the vaccine can be administered to persons 9 to 26, it is most effective between 9 and 16 years with a second dose required after the first six months,” Dr. Hamilton said. “If you

are above 16, then three doses would be required,” she added. Some 36,000 girls are being targeted. Gardasil is the preferred vaccine used by the Public Health Ministry.

Though HPV is common among males as well, the MCH Director said the focus is on the vulnerable

er a better service to the people.

“What we are doing is upgrading the cables, to transformers etcetera, so as to reduce things like low voltage, reduce system losses within that area, so that the people will receive a better service. So you would not get low voltage as is happening in some cases right now,” Williams explained.

Williams noted that all materials for the upgrading of the network have already been procured and that work is expected to commence shortly. Additionally, he noted that a similar exercise is ongoing in Port Kaituma, Region One, in the One to Three Mile area. The network upgrade in Port Kaituma is slated to be completed within the next week. (DPI)

From Page 2 population, including girls and women. “If we do a very good job and achieve at least 95% of the girls within the age group, it means that the boys within that age group will be automatically protected,” she posited.

With the consent of their parents, girls will be immunised in the schools, at health centres across the country, and even at private health institutions at no cost.

Outreaches are also expected to be conducted in remote areas to ensure the majority of girls within the targeted group are covered.

Dr. Hamilton said the Public Health Ministry is collaborating with the Education Ministry and private health institutions and practitioners to facilitate a successful campaign. Additionally, health personnel in the various regions at all levels are being trained and edified on the HPV vaccine.

The campaign is heavily funded by the Guyana Government with assistance from Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and PAHO/WHO. Some 40, 000 doses of the vaccine have already been secured.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

A beautiful, colourful start –– to a brand new academic year

THE new academic year, which began here in Guyana on Monday, saw children of all ages heading out to school in their brightly coloured uniforms, some for the very first first time, and some ready to start afresh in new classes.

The Guyana Chronicle was on hand to capture the scene in all its many facets, from mothers taking their young ones to the various schools along Woolford Avenue, to children beginning the new day of a new school year by reciting the National Pledge.

Pupils of South Road Nursery reciting the National Pledge before knuckling down to work (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

Disembarking one of the three spanking new 35-seater ‘David G’ buses that were made available to schoolchildren in Georgetown (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

At the New Diamond/Grove Primary School on Monday morning (Photo by Adrian Narine)

Nereids set to return –– with over 12 yachts for Bartica rally

SOME 12 or more cruise yachts will begin arriving in Guyana’s Essequibo River, sailing south from Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago and up Guyana’s coastline from Saint Laurent du Maroni in French Guiana for the 5th International Nereids Rally.

The cruisers, originating from the USA, Canada and Europe, are expected to begin clearing Customs and Immigration on Friday at Bartica and drop anchors to spend the next 10 days offshore from the Hurakabra River Resort in the Essequibo River.

The visitors will be treated to an official luncheon welcome by Minister of Business with responsibility for Tourism, Dominic Gaskin, on Thursday.

According to a release from the organisers, Bartica’s Regional Chairman, Gordon Bradford, will at some point treat the visitors to a day tour of Bartica and the Baracara Falls.

The visit to Bartica will also feature a taste of Guy-

Preparing to welcome Nereids 5 are, from left: Mr Ronald Smith; Ms Whitney Bacchus; Ms Shevon Cobis; Kit and Gem Nascimento; Mr Godfrey Babb; Mr Satesh Basdeo; Lieut. Adrian McLean; Ms Annarie Seecharan; and Ms Obena Anderson ana’s Indigenous culture in recognition of Amerindian Heritage Month.

During their stay in Guyana, the visiting yachtsmen and women will be given the opportunity to visit Guyana’s Kaieteur Falls and other hinterland tourism attractions, and spend a day in the capital, Georgetown.

The Hurakabra River Re-

sort will be organising three day trips to the Essequibo River, the first of which is slated for this coming Sunday.

The others are set for next Saturday and Sunday, and will be held at the resort during the rally, and include a visit to Fort Island and the Dutch Heritage Museum and lunch and games.

The exciting day tours

offer a great opportunity for a guided tour of one of the yachts at anchor.

The Nereids Rally was born as an idea of Italian sailor, David Matelicani, who had retired from business in Australia. In sailing up the Essequibo River in 2011, he met with Kit Nascimento, joint owner of Hurakabra River Resort with his wife

Gem, who, over many years, has been actively involved in working with the government to promote Guyana as a hurricane-free international yachting destination.

Matelicani, who had already started a Marina in Saint Laurent, French Guiana, immediately saw the potential for developing a Marina in the Essequibo River.

Guyana was first featured in the Doyle Cruising Guide, the bible for cruising yachts in the Caribbean, in 2006, as an attractive yachting destination.

In the meantime, Matelicani, with the full support of the Ministry of Tourism in Guyana and the Mayor of Saint Laurent, launched the first rally, sailing from Trinidad & Tobago in September 2013.

Today, the rallies have successfully grown each year to become a feature on Guyana’s tourism calendar.

The rally will depart Guyana on Friday, September 22, for its final destination, via Suriname, at Saint Laurent on the Maroni River in French Guiana for an elaborate welcome by the Mayor of the town, complete with a Trinidad & Tobago steel band.

An Inter-Agency Rally Organising Committee was established under the Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Project to tap local knowledge for biodiversity, poverty reduction policies

THE DARWIN INITIATIVE ; Integrating Traditional Knowledge into National Policy and Practice Project in Guyana was officially launched on Monday at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Bel Air, Georgetown.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock in his remarks said the project will see traditional knowledge being incorporated into biodiversity policy for poverty reduction and a lot of work will be done in the five protected areas of the Kaieteur National Park, Iwokarama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, Konashen District Community-Owned Conservation Area, Shell Beach and the Kanuku Mountains.

Minister Allicock pointed out that without proper and approved recorded documentation, traditional knowledge which is very significant to the Indigenous people will be lost. He lamented the need for a national plan to preserve it, which he is hopeful, will result from this project.

The minister, who himself is Indigenous, noted that Indigenous people have an important connection to land and biodiversity. Therefore, “we see it as an opportune time to come together to protect this knowledge, and once and for all, to have such a policy like the national action plan for traditional knowledge for Guyana.” He further stated

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge (centre), Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock (second right), Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido- Lowe (right) and British High Commissioner to Guyana, His Excellency, Greg Quinn is flanked by representatives of other partners of the Darwin Initiative; Integrating Traditional Knowledge into National Policy and Practice Project

that the knowledge gained from this project will be used to make decisions to protect the history, land forest, biodiversity culture and sustainable livelihood of the 215 indigenous communities.

British High Commissioner to Guyana, His Excellency, Gregg Quinn, gave a brief history of the Darwin Initiative which funds projects in countries that are rich in biodiversity but has limited

financial resources, to meet their objectives.

The British High Commissioner pointed out that the project was launched by the United Kingdom (UK) government at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. He explained that it is funded by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Common Wealth Office. “Since

the start of the initiative in 1992 a total of 1,055 projects have taken place in 159 countries. These have a total cost of about $37.1B; in that period there have been a total of eight projects in Guyana at a cost of about $371M. So about one percent of all Darwin Initiative has come to Guyana,” High Commissioner Quinn explained.

Some of the projects include the greenheart initiative in 1994, influence of selective

logging in 1995, biodiversity and sustainable development of butterfly production from 2006 to 2009, and most recently supporting Indigenous and local organisations to implement part of the convention on biological diversity from 2010-2013.

Project Leader, Jay Mistry in noting that the project will take a threefold approach, added that the venture which began in July, 2017 aims to implement traditional knowledge integration, conduct institutional capacity building at community and national level and develop a national action plan for traditional knowledge. It is expected to conclude in 2021.

The project will use a video method similar to that in the COBRA project which was undertaken between 2011 and 2015 to investigate and research in communities on traditional knowledge. “There are also other conventions on biological diversity obligations for traditional knowledge and Indigenous and people. So we hope we can also contribute to some of those obligations…we hope that we can look at how specific issues, to do with Indigenous people, can be worked on in this project and we’ll be working with other partners in Guyana to contribute to Guyana’s green state strategy...”

Mistry underlined. Partners for the project include the Ministry Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),

North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB), South Central Peoples Development Organisation, Royal Holloway University of London, UN World Conservation Monitoring Centre and Cobra Collective.

Denise Fraser, Commissioner at the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), in brief remarks said PAC welcomes the project which comes at an opportune time when it (PAC) is implementing its management plans and striving to strengthen the relationship with the indigenous communities and PAC and promoting sustainable use of Guyana’s resources. Kemraj Parsram, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said the EPA is committed to the collaboration with the other sector agencies in meeting its mandate through this project, and will certainly do its fair share to ensure a successful completion. Vice Chairman of the NRDDB, Michael Williams in lauding the project said the initiative means a lot to his unit and expressed the hope of assistance from the project in the future.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, performing the functions of President, Carl Greenidge; Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan; and Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, were also in attendance at the launch.

(DPI)

Show us the alternatives

…women advocates urge caution against move to ban night security work for single moms

By Zena Henry IT may be a caring gesture to propose no night work for single mothers in the local security industry, but that idea does not sit well with the reality of things, women’s rights activists have indicated.

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, is proposing the eventual elimination of mandatory policy that compels single mothers to work late-night shifts in private security. In a public missive Monday, Scott restated his unrelenting intent, “to minimise in the first instance, and eventually eliminate night work for single mothers within the private security industry.”

Some activists are not buying this, however.

Co-founder of the women and children advocacy group Red Thread, Karen De Souza, told the Guyana Chronicle that the statements being made by the minister sounds good on the surface, but will require a deeper strategy to sincerely address the concerns and well-being of single mothers.

“It is not enough to adequately represent the cause for these single mothers by just saying they should not work at night without first saying the following possibilities that exist.” De Souza offered that along with the minister’s statement, should be those that speak to better

wages, improved public assistance and increased education opportunities for single mothers, as well as other citizens in need of such a service. De Souza declared that advocacy for single mothers would be better served if there is an earnest fight in improving the minimum wage.

Nicole Cole, Commissioner on the Rights of the Child Commission, Women and Gender Equality Commission and a women’s rights advocate, also called on Scott to declare the provision being put in place in light of the support to not have single mothers work the late-night security shift. “Who will support these women who are single moms?” she asked.

Cole, who is a single

mother herself, related that the plight of female security guards has been researched by the social work unit at the University of Guyana and it would be fitting for the labour department to work with researchers and persons experienced in the related area to come up with feasible solutions to the matter. Cole had also given a presentation in relation to the matter when the labour department held public consultations. She said she had proposed that government assist single mothers who work at nights by subsidising night-care services and not to eliminate in total, women working night shifts in the security sector, because it is their right to do so. Cole reiterated that there

exists academic research on the matter and it should be taken into consideration.

The proposition to pursue a paradigm shift in the working arrangements for single mothers on the private security platform was made at a seminar hosted by Minister Scott in August. The minister had first recognised what was described as elderly, and in many cases, vulnerable persons working in the security field and later addressed the danger associated with having women, many being single mothers, working late security shifts, in some cases alone and in desolate locations. Scott has called on the support of his colleagues and other senior government functionaries to take all feasible steps to give

efficacy to the initiative.

These steps, he mentioned, should include contracts for the provision of private security services providing for the exclusion of single mothers from night work.

The labour department has noted however that whatever policies are developed and implemented, they should not run counter to the individual desire of a single mother who may elect to work at nights. In other words, “they should not be structurally compelled to do night work.” The labour department says the proposition offered for single mothers is intended to promote the interest and safety of the family unit.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Divisive politics and the public sphere

By Akola Thompson I NO longer expect much from politicians.

The person, who had excitedly travelled to the Linden highway to vote in an election for the first time, is no longer surprised by the ideas our politicians sow to keep us divided. Whether sexuality, class, race or socio-economic status cause that divide, I am no longer surprised. Not because we have become accustomed to something however, means that we should not call it out when we see it.

After reading Nigel Dharamlall’s comments on the placement of three school buses that have begun operating in Region Four and the racism that seeped out of it in that post, I was torn.

The divisiveness he spreads is nothing new. It is something many of us have become accustomed to, but still, it needed to be addressed. Dharamlall found issue with the fact that two of the three buses were placed in South Georgetown, a “stronghold of the PNCR and dominated by one ethnic group.” The ethnic group to which he refers is Afro-Guyanese and he further states that only APNU+AFC supporters benefit.

What Dharamlall is doing here is further solidifying the idea that the two main political parties are separated by race and that this is acceptable. In the same post he called out NCN reporter Janelle Persaud. It was not long before persons answered his clarion call of racism by giving their own ideas on the stance of afro-descended persons and the perceived things associated with them. None of the statements was called out. If anything, they were encouraged by Dharamlall’s silence.

As a Member of Parliament, Dharamlall is a representative of the people. In their pursuit of power, many politicians forget the reason they are in these positions in the first place.

As a representative, he should be careful not to sow seeds of discord in an already racially tense society. Allowing your supporters to make dangerous and tribal comments without reprimand is encouraging that to continue. It is not surprising for someone who is himself

a participant in the racism that drives our politics.

When he was called out on his rhetoric, Dharamlall likened the label of ‘racist,’ as being an act of ‘playing the victim. He stated that the “fallback mantra,” of racism was always being used when one was criticised for the “discriminatory and divisive policies of the regime that you are currently one of the faces of.” This statement was directed towards Persaud.

The tensions that we have come to know that exists between the black and Indian populace within Guyana, is something that has been historically shaped and honed over the years. When slavery was abolished in the 1830s, Indian indentured workers were brought to Guyana after the planters needed to fill the labour vacuum. Due to their willingness to work for less money than everyone else, this helped to create tensions amongst the Afros and Indians. This tension worked to the advantage of the planters, who had long since known that they needed to divide if they were to counquer.

Racism is structural and is based upon power. Many don’t buy into the argument that they have privilege in their colour or hair.

They don’t buy into it because they feel as if it does not relate to them. They, as far as they know, do not benefit from their race. They are the poor, the ones who work hard for everything they have. They are the ones who have to fetch water and for whom electricity is seen as something only the well-off has. They do not know how they can be privileged, when they have never been given something for this supposed privilege.

Men like Dharamlall are aware of this and the discontent it forms. They prey on this discontent. They make clarion calls for further divides and depict the afro-descended as out to get Indians. Men like Dharamlall tell them things such as, ‘take back the country from them, or ‘don’t trust them.’ Men like Dharamlall try to hide under the guise of fairness and reason, but the thin veils lay bare their blatant hypocrisy.

One thing that he said that struck me as

funny was, and I quote, “The People’s Progressive Party/Civic was never such and will never be such a racist and divisive government as APNU+AFC.” In here, Dharamlall basically admits the rule of the PPP/C administration was racist and divisive. His argument here runs akin to the idea that yes, ‘I might be racist and divisive, but I am not as racist as I perceive these people to be.’

I won’t call Dharamlall a racist; he seems to think the word is unfair and overused. The words I will call him however and the ones

who support the divisive rhetoric of him are: xenophobe, biased, bigoted. I hope the ones who value race over humanity and respect will find favour in one of these words. To sum up my feelings best on the entire debacle, Leroy Nelson said it best when he wrote, “Guyana is a strange place. The very embryo of racial/tribal dominance is speaking about racism.

Then again, the incompetence and arrogance of the current administration will fuel this miasma.”

‘Right the wrongs’ 12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

–– Lincoln Lewis urges Land CoI

VETERAN Trade Unionist Lincoln Lewis last week presented proof of ownership of the villages of Kingelly and Litchfield, West Coast Berbice (WCB) to the Commission of In-

quiry (CoI) into lands here, while calling on the commission to right the wrongs meted out to the villages.

During his presentation, Lewis said he is one of the heirs of Cudjoe McPherson

who purchased the village of Litchfield, which was transported in 1840 and Kingelly, transported in January, 1850.

He applauded the establishment of the commission, while noting that it pres-

ents an opportunity to right wrongs, take a modern approach to land ownership, and to ensure the rightful owners retain possession.

“As advised, my ancestors had a different outlook to land. Consistent with the tradition they brought from Africa to this part of the world, it was the belief that the land belongs to all, to be used for the development of all, and would be treated as such. Time has changed from that principle they lived by and guided the acquisition of land, in this instance, the purchase of plantations, which were converted to villages in the pioneering Village Movement era,” said Lewis.

The trade unionist who hails from the WCB told the commission that though land is treated as wealth, in today’s context it requires identification through documented ownership, be it purchase, inherited or leased.

“The heirs of Cudjoe McPherson in the ownership of Kingelly came through the original transport. This land is bordered by Phoenix on the west and Plantation Brahn on the east, stretching across the northern side of the public road,” Lewis explained, while presenting a copy of

the survey commissioned by McPherson and conducted by Williams Chalmers in 1868, and the transport for the village which shows proof of purchase and ownership.

Lewis emphasized that, the fact that his great-greatgreat-great grandfather did not leave a will for his descendants is a matter of perspective in the era that he lived. “That the absence of such document may have caused others, not of his lineage to think that it is acceptable to claim land they did not purchase nor could have inherited, our submission to this commission is to have this injustice corrected,” he stated.

And according to the trade unionist, economy land can be used for several purposes and remains an indication of wealth or opportunities to engage in similar pursuits.

“It is our hope this notwithstanding, that this commission will seek to right decades of wrong, and the heirs of Cudjoe McPherson can occupy and utilise their land free from interference and having to be subject to constant threats that violence will be visited on them by those who squat and occupy

Trade Unionist Lincoln Lewis this land illegally.

“The heirs of Cudjoe McPherson seek a peaceful resolution to having restored to us what is rightly ours,” Lewis concluded.

Government launched the CoI to address issues related to land allocation, management and titling.

The commission is tasked with examining and making recommendations to resolve all the issues and uncertainties surrounding the individual, joint or commonable ownership of lands acquired by freed Africans, and claims of Amerindian land-titling and other matters relative to land-titling.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

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Sophia youth charged for killing niece

FOUR DAYS after killing his 18-month-old niece over a pair of earrings, Sherwin Roberts on Tuesday appeared before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, charged with murder.

Roberts called ‘Big Head’, was not required to plea to the charge which alleged that on September 1, 2017 at Lot 98 North Sophia, Georgetown, he murdered Ronasha Pilgrim.

Police Prosecutor, Arwin Moore told the court that the post mortem report is still outstanding and the Magistrate adjourned the matter

Dead: Ronasha Pilgrim to September 25, 2017. The Chief Magistrate also ordered that Roberts be placed under the supervision of a probation officer until the completion of the preliminary inquiry (PI).

According to reports, on the day in question, the toddler along with her brothers, aged 10 and 12 years, was left in the house by her father, a security guard, while he went to work. It is

alleged that the accused, her 18-year-old uncle, at about 03:30 hrs the said day, broke a window, and gained entry into the house where he tried

Sherwin Roberts to relieve the child of her earrings.

But in trying to do so, the child started to scream and the man tossed her through a window into the swamped yard. He then hurried away from the area, but not before placing a pile of wood on top of the child, who was submerged in 18 inches of water and slush. When the child was discovered by her father shortly after, she was in a motionless state and was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

The suspect was arrested at his ‘B’ Field Sophia home shortly after the incident. He reportedly confessed to the police at the Prashad Nagar Police Station and explained to ranks that he was “high on weed.”

Body of missing Barima River fisherman found POLICE have recovered the body of Edward O’Neal, 25, a fisherman who went missing in the Barima River after a boat mishap in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

The body which was recovered on Tuesday was taken to the Mabaruma Hospital and is awaiting a post-mortem examination. The Barima River is a tributary of the Orinoco River, entering six kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean. It originates in Guyana and flows for approximately 340 kilometres before entering Venezuela, about 80 kilometres from its mouth Police said initial reports indicate that O’Neal, along with 19-year-old Venezuela-based Guyanese, Kamal Jose, of Aruka River, North West District, were intoxicated when they left the Kumaka landing in a boat powered by a 75hp engine.

It is reported that the boat struck a log and veered into nearby bushes. Jose told police that he then looked around for O’Neal but did not see him.

He called for help and a nearby resident came out with torchlights and they both began searching for O’Neal, but failed to find him.

The resident then took Jose to Mabaruma Hospital where he is recovering from minor injuries.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Banks DIH awards 23 children with bursaries George McDonald, Co-Managing Director and senior Company Executives with the new bursary awardees.

BANKS DIH Limited, on Saturday last presented bursaries to 23 children of employees and shareholders who were successful

at the recent National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

The recipients at the awards ceremony which was held at the com-

pany’s Sports Club at Thirst Park were: Jada Christy Ifill, Eryn Naysa Canterbury, Christina Chisomu Oji, Akia Ruth Moore, Sarah Cynthia

Manbodh, Treshontay Johnson, Pradesh Dass, Trevonna Hollingside, Latanzia Atoya Stewart, Joel Charles, Talianna Belgrave whose parents are employees, and Xavier Pratt, Kaden Conway, Savannah Ariana Pieters, Rasha Ramroop, Daniel Dowdlin, Tinisha Allen, Carlos Dey, Osmond Ward, Jabari Lovell, Jada-Marie Foo, Christina Chindu and Jermaine Jacobs., the children of shareholders.

According to a release, Banks DIH Busi-

ness Development Executive, Ramesh Dookhoo, who delivered the feature address, congratulated and encouraged the awardees to the remain enthusiastic. “You must always try to do your best and even in very difficult situations it must not deter you from being successful,” he urged them.

Meanwhile, Human Resources Manager, Sharon Nelson, reminded the awardees that the Bursary Awards Scheme which has been in ef-

fect for over 40 years, “stands as a testimony to the company’s commitment to its social responsibility that our youths should be encouraged to make full use of the opportunities provided them.”

The bursaries were presented by George McDonald, Co-Managing Director/Marketing Director.

Also present were Andrew Carto, Human Resources Director and other senior executives of the company.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

DEMTOCO records stable half-year profit

IN the face of expressed concerns over the passage of the Tobacco Control Bill 2017 and the effects the new law would have on its sales, the Demerara Tobacco Company (DEMTOCO) has seen a stable profit for the first half of 2017.

An Interim Financial Report published in the September 5th, 2017 edition of the Guyana Chronicle, showed that as of June 30, 2017, the gross profit for the first half of the year was stable when compared to the same period in 2016, despite the attainment of a lower sales

volume.

According to the report, profit before taxation decreased by just 4 percent, primarily as a result of increased overheads and expenditures on marketing activities, to support the company’s sales volume achievement despite the reduced consumer disposable incomes seen in the market. The report stated that the move facilitated the delivery of the promised shareholder value.

The chairman’s review stated that the company continues to invest in its portfolio brands, including Pall Mall,

Bristol and Dunhill, which it said cater for all consumer segments across the country.

Focus has also been placed on working closely with the retail and wholesale channels to ensure that they continue to invest in all the brands the company produces. In this way, the tobacco company said, it would be supporting the legal tobacco portfolio in the market.

The company said it has noted the passage of the Tobacco Control Bill 2017, reminding that it is not opposed to the regulations and will ensure that the company

is fully compliant, working with its retailers and consumers in similar fashion. And although the Bill has already been signed into law, the company is still appealing to the President for a review by a Sub- Committee to ensure a balanced legislation, which it said not only effectively regulates all players within the industry, but also respects and protects the rights of adult smokers.

While President David Granger has assented to the Tobacco Control Bill 2017, it will take close to a year before it comes into effect.

The new law will prohibit smoking in public spaces and the sale of single cigarettes. The move is aimed at safeguarding non-smokers from the harmful effects of tobacco.

The Head of State assented to the Bill on August 22 this year, less than a month after it was passed in the National Assembly.

During the tabling of and debate over the Bill, DEMTOCO raised concerns that its profits could be affected, as it would give rise to the black market trade of tobacco products and ultimately

affect the revenues of legitimate businesses. The Tobacco Control Act provides for the adoption and implementation of tobacco-control policies in accordance with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

Additionally, it will serve as the legal regulator for administration, inspection and enforcement, while providing legislative protection from exposure to second-hand smoke by eliminating public-smoking.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Key documents on parking meter contract in King’s office

TOWN Clerk Royston King on Tuesday defended Smart City Solutions (SCS) over claims by the team renegotiating the contentious parking meter project that the foreign company refused to provide key documents to aid the team during the consultations.

SCS is the company that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) granted the concession to install parking meters in the city.

In the final report from the renegotiating team, headed by Councillor Malcolm Ferreira, the team said that SCS refused to submit certain necessary documents to the committee unless its members agreed to be bounded by secrecy.

According to the report, the committee requested from SCS certain documents that “under normal circumstances” would be present and available in any business deal to clarify and verify.

“SCS has not refused to provide the necessary documents. SCS has been consulting with their lawyers and in fact, they have provided

those documents and those documents are with the office of the town clerk,” King told the Chronicle on the sidelines of a press conference at City Hall.

“Everybody, all the key players were informed that the town clerk signed the confidentiality note and that the documents were received; the documents were submitted late. All the key players were informed that the documents were submitted,” King added.

He questioned whether it was the renegotiating team that actually said they could not get hold of the documents, or whether it was information garnered during the consultations. “I don’t know that they (the renegotiating committee) are saying that the documents were not submitted; that they (SCS) refused. I don’t know that they’re saying that. I saw something in the report, but I don’t know that’s what they’re saying,” King claimed.

Contacted yesterday, Ferreira told the Chronicle that the report he and his team

submitted to the City Council states “exactly” what transpired. “And I stand by the report. That’s all I’ll say at the moment,” Ferreira said.

Meanwhile, the report said that SCS wanted the team to sign a confidentiality agreement before being allowed to see the relevant documents (feasibility study, business proposal). Given the public nature of the parking meter fiasco, though, the committee said it found it necessary to reject the idea of signing any non-disclosure agreement or to be bound by secrecy.

“The fact that the accountant’s report raised major red flags, it became necessary to ask SCS to provide verifying documents for the initial capital expenditure (proof of investment), as it is alarmingly unfair for council to negotiate any deal without having the true and proper supporting documents to arrive at a business proposal that would be beneficial to all involved,” the report continued.

The company refused to provide proof of investment and was therefore informed

Guyanese businesses, companies invited to Havana International Fair THE largest annual multi-sector trade fair in Cuba, the Havana International Fair (FIHAV), is inviting private sector businesses and companies in Guyana to participate, according to President of the Guyana-Cuba Solidarity Movement (GCSM) Haleem Khan.

The fair will be held from October 30 to November 03, 2017 in Havana, Cuba.

The FIHAV is a multi-sector trade fair with raw materials, foodstuffs, textiles, consumer goods, machinery and equipment, technology and services as its main areas. According to Khan, last year the event welcomed over 1,000 companies from 70 countries with 58 Canadian companies exhibited in that country’s pavilion.

He said that interested participants can register using an official form, the “Contract Request of Participation Form”, which when completed, can be e-mailed to pabexpo1@palco.cu or luisgutierrez@palco.cu or directly at Pabexpo. The deadline is September 15.The

GCSM President, Haleem Khan conditions governing participation can be found on the website http://www.feriahavana.com Alluding to the benefits that can be accrued through participation, Khan said, “Guyanese companies and businesses that participate can maintain visibility and regular contact with their network of customers. Participating at FIHAV re-affirms loyalty and continued interest in the Cuban market, thereby strengthening existing contacts and establishing new ones,” he added.

Another benefit, he said is that Cuba is a country with immense market potential, but competition is rising quickly. “The absence of American competition from many sectors is not expected to last much longer and other countries from South America, Europe, and Asia are aggressively pursuing unique market opportunities.

Participation at FIHAV allows organisations to get their foot in the door and start developing key relationships with Cuban buyers,” he said.

FIHAV is a well-established annual fair since 1983.

It is the most important general trade fair in Cuba and the Caribbean as well as one of the most representative from Latin America.

This year, FIHAV will have a special meaning since it will be taking place during the period when the Republic of Cuba holds the pro tempore presidency of the Community of States of Latin America and the Caribbean, a fact that will be recalled in several ways in its schedule of activities, conferences and seminars.

by the committee that no further discussions will take place unless and until the documents requested are made available, the report disclosed.

Although Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, representatives from the Ministry of Finance, and the independent accountant agreed that SCS should willingly release the documents as requested, as is the norm for due diligence, the report continued that the documents were never presented to the committee and hence no further discussions took place.

While Councillor Ferreira was appointed chairman, other members of the committee were Councillors Noelle Chow-Chee, Carlyle Goring, Tricia Richards, Ivelaw Henry, Roopnarine Persaud and Heston Bostwick.

TRANSPARENCY According to the report, during consultations,

persons expressed the view that the whole process surrounding the deal with SCS lacked transparency. “According to some stakeholders, many parts of the project seemed to be shrouded in secrecy and was not open to full clarification and scrutiny.”

The fees for towing, storage and clamping were said to be “exploitative” and persons relayed a message of feeling victimised, the report mentioned. “Booting seems to have had a nasty negative effect on the psyche of some persons, who willingly expressed such at the consultations and with some calling the act oppressive and even slave-like.” As for the cost, the report said the overwhelming majority of persons consulted expressed the view that the current prices are way too high.

“Comparisons were presented as it relates to our GDP, the economic situation in the country, the salaries of residents and especially

paid-parking as another new burden on the society. Concerns were raised about the high cost for all-day parking, as well as no preferential parking for business owners, customers and delivery vehicles.”

The view was expressed that SCS is a foreign company and as such, the majority of the revenue earned in Guyana will be exported to a foreign country and not used for local development.

“Persons were of the view that Guyanese companies could provide the same or a better service at a cheaper price that’s beneficial to all involved.”

Meanwhile, the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) remains resolute in its call for the complete revocation of the project.

The opportunity will be provided on Thursday for councillors to debate the committee’s report and then to make a final decision on the next step forward.

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Trapped jaguar released into Iwokrama Forest

A JAGUAR trapped by residents of Fair View, Region Nine, was later released into the Iwokrama Forest as that organisation continues its efforts to help preserve the country’s wildlife.

In a release, Iwokrama said last Thursday villagers from Fair View, the only community within the boundaries of the Iwokrama Forest, contacted management regarding a jaguar they had trapped. It was reported that the jaguar was a frequent visitor to the village and was hunting dogs in particular.

The village was understandably fearful as the attacks were becoming increasingly frequent, the agency said. According to the release, Iwokrama immediately contacted the Environmental Protection Agency and the Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission for assistance. A number of other partners were also

engaged for advice including Panthera, Protected Areas Commission and MattHallett (University of Florida), who is currently conducting PhD research on jaguars in Guyana.

The following morning, Friday September 1st, an expert staff team of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission arrived at Fair View and with the assistance of Fair View residents and qualified Iwokrama rangers, were able to secure the animal in a special cage for transfer. They later successfully relocated the animal to another area within the Iwokrama Forest-away from the village of Fair View.

According to Iwokrama, in an effort to monitor the movement and well-being of the trans-located jaguar, rangers will be working with a team from the Rupununi Wildlife Research Unit (led by biologist Meshach Pierre) and students

from the University of Guyana, to set motion-sensored cameras in the immediate vicinity of the release site, as well as the area surrounding Fair View Village.

This effort is part of on-going research between Iwokrama and the University of Florida to collaboratively monitor the impact of sustainable timber-harvesting activities on large mammals within the preserve, with funding provided by the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens.

Research to date indicates that the Iwokrama Forest supports healthy populations of jaguars and their prey; both within areas designated for wilderness preservation and sustainable utilisation.

Although Fair View village exists within the Iwokrama Forest, human-jaguar conflict happens only intermittently; it is generally mitigated by support from Iwokrama, the actions of village leadership and the tolerance of local wildlife by village residents,

The jaguar trapped in the cage

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

The jaguar about to be released into the Iwokrama Forest the release stated.

According to Iwokrama, Panthera is a global organisation that is devoted to the conservation of wild cats and has a Memorandum of Understanding with Iwokrama. Panthera has been conducting research in Guyana since 2011, working along with local scientists and experts.

Most of the work has been done so far in the Rupununi as the savannahs serve as a hotspot for biodiversity and is potentially a crucial area for connecting Guyana’s jaguar populations with those of the Amazon.

Boxing promoter, friend freed of cocaine-trafficking charge BOXING promoter Keith Bazilio, aka ‘Buckiloo,’ and his friend walked out of the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday as freemen after a drug trafficking charge was dismissed against them Bazilio, 65, and Clinton Chase, 66, had the drug trafficking charge dismissed against them after City Magistrate Judy Latchman ruled in favour of a ‘no case submission’ made by the men’s attorneys.

The attorneys in their submission argued that that Custom Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor, Kunyo Sandiford, failed to prove its case against the two defendants.

However, the boxing promoter’s son, Oliver Bazilio, 32, and Shemroy Robertson, 32, who were also jointly charged with the two men, were also on Tuesday, called upon by Magistrate

Latchman to lead their defence in court. It was after she had ruled that a prima facie case was made out against them.

The men are on trial for the charge which alleged that on March 6, they were in possession of 4.734 kilograms (equivalent to 10.4 pounds) of cannabis for trafficking, at 261 Blue Sackie Drive, South Ruimveldt.

During the search of the Ruimveldt home that day, different batches of narcotics were retrieved from a wardrobe in the bedroom, in a stove in the kitchen and on the person of Robertson and Oliver Bazilio.

Oliver Bazilio was also separately charged with being in possession of 10 grammes of cannabis. He also denied this charge.

A separate charge was also read to Robertson, a real estate agent of 101 Mandela Avenue, for the alleged possession of 440 grammes of cannabis for trafficking. He pleaded not guilty. The matters are being heard jointly.

Robertson is presently on $600,000 bail pending trial in the High Court for cocaine possession in another matter.

Man dies in police raid on wrong house

By VICKI BROWN A 61-YEAR-OLD man was shot to death by police while his wife was handcuffed in another room during a drug raid on the wrong house.

Police admitted their mistake, saying faulty information from a drug informant contributed to the death of John Adams Wednesday night. They intended to raid the home next door.

The two officers, 25-year-old Kyle Shedran and 24-year-old Greg Day, were placed on administrative leave with pay.

“They need to get rid of those men, boys with toys,” said Adams’ 70-year-old widow, Loraine.

John Adams was watching television when his wife heard pounding on the door. Police claim they identified themselves and wore police jackets. Loraine Adams said she had no indication the men were police.

“I thought it was a home invasion. I said ‘Baby, get your gun!,” she said, sitting amid friends and relatives gathered at her home to cook and prepare for Sunday’s funeral.

Resident Fired First Police say her husband fired first with a sawed-off shotgun and they responded. He was shot at least three times and died later at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

Loraine Adams said she was handcuffed and thrown to her knees in another room when the shooting began.

“I said, ‘Y’all have got the wrong person, you’ve got the wrong place. What are you looking for?“‘ “We did the best surveillance we could do, and a mistake was made,” Lebanon Police Chief Billy Weeks said.

“It’s a very severe mistake, a costly mistake. It makes us look at our own policies and procedures to make sure this never occurs again.” He said, however, the two policemen were not at fault.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating. NAACP officials said they are monitoring the case.

Adams was black. The two policemen are white.

Family members did not consider race a factor and Weeks agreed, but said the shooting will be “a major setback” for police relations with the black community.

“We know that, we hope to do everything we can to heal it,” Weeks said.

Johnny Crudup, a local NAACP official, said the organization wanted to make sure and would investigate on its own.

Weeks said he has turned the search warrant and all other evidence over to the bureau of investigation and District Attorney General Tommy Thompson.

A command officer must now review all search warrants.`

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

City Hall to open ‘new talks’ with garbage contractors

By Telesha Ramnarine TOWN Clerk Royston King said on Tuesday that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is preparing to re-engage their two main garbage contractors, Puran Brothers Disposal Services and Cevons Waste Management Inc. under new conditions, especially since the contracts are up for review in October.

“We are preparing to re-engage our contractors within another month, to open new talks with them… and to set new conditions so that we can move forward,” King said at a press conference at City Hall. City Hall, through its Solid Waste Management Department, has undertaken to provide garbage collection and disposal throughout Georgetown, with assistance from a few small contractors. But King reported yesterday that the trucks and other equipment belonging to M&CC are very old and have never been subjected to this type of pressure before, especially

since the municipality was depending on the contractors.

“They’re now being put to the test,” King offered, and this, he said, is affecting the way the M&CC is collecting the city’s waste.

However, King said he was very pleased with the Solid Waste Management Department and that although excellence in this type of service has not been achieved, he is satisfied with the effort thus far.

He referred to the constraints facing the municipality at the moment in that while it is receiving $78-80M in revenue each month, at least $50M has to be spent on solid waste alone.

LIMITED CAPACITY According to King, the M&CC is now moving to procure trucks from overseas, so that it can eventually cover 60 percent of garbage collection and divide the remaining 40 percent between contractors.

Bandit shot during robbery attempt charged MARK Griffith, the man who was shot during an attempted robbery on August 29 at the Giftland Mall Access Road junction, was charged with two counts of robbery under arms and was remanded until October 04, 2017.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charges.

Remanded: The 23-year- old of 31 Mark Griffith Sheet Anchor, Canje, Berbice, who escaped death during the botched robbery where his accomplice, Trydon Munroe, was shot dead, was arraigned before Magistrate Seepaul-Ally at Court One of the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Courts on Monday.

The accused was sentenced to two years imprisonment in absentia for armed robbery by a Berbice Magistrate earlier this year. Investigations revealed that on the day of the robbery, a 42-year-old Interior Flight Services Supervisor and her security escort, who was armed with a licensed handgun, went to Ogle Airport in a motor car driven by the supervisor and collected several parcels.

Police said as they were returning to Georgetown via the Railway Embankment, in the vicinity of the Giftland Mall Access Road, a dark-coloured motor car suddenly blocked their path and immediately two males brandishing firearms, exited the vehicle and pounced on them. During the process, the armed escort drew his firearm and discharged several rounds which fatally struck Munroe. The security officer then exited the vehicle and discharged his firearm at the other armed accomplice who was wounded but managed to escape on foot, while the vehicle that brought them sped away.

He later turned up at the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was apprehended by police.

“While we have been paying and building private contractors, improving their capacity, we have neglected our own capacity, so we really have limited capacity to do what we’re doing,” King said. “So we must re-think our operations and build our capacity and so if we hire contractors, they will not be doing the bulk of the work,” he added.

Meanwhile, King had earlier said that the withdrawal of services by the two

contractors has opened up an opportunity for the M&CC to “rethink” its approach to providing this service to the city. “There are a number of approaches we are looking at and have already discussed.

It’s very frightening when contractors can actually withdraw their services at their own whims and fancies and the city is left vulnerable to all kinds of public health and environmental challenges,” said King. “While we know we owe monies to the con-

tractors, we also believe that they have a civic responsibility to ensure the integrity of our environment. Therefore, we were a little disappointed, particularly since we were also talking with them in finding a way forward in terms of paying them,” King said.

The two contractors opted to pull their garbage-collection services from the city due to outstanding balances from the M&CC. King told city councillors in July that

the M&CC was finding it increasingly difficult to honour its financial obligations to the contractors. He said Council has been trying to keep up with current bills, although it has outstanding sums for the years 2015 and 2016.

King said it was “extremely difficult” for the Council to sustain payments to these contractors, because the municipality is being asked to do more with less resources.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

New ticketing system for litter bugs soon

… M&CC also looking to ‘name and shame’

By Telesha Ramnarine

BY the end of October, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) wants to have a ticketing system in place against litter bugs which will attract fines ranging from $25,000 to $100,000, with imprisonment as the consequence of a failure to pay.

Town Clerk Royston King on Tuesday made the announcement at a press conference he called to speak on solid waste management in the city. He said there is a very high level of indiscipline, especially in the business community, regarding littering in Georgetown and hence the new initiative.

“Areas freshly cleaned, if you go back right now, you will see those areas littered all over again. People are littering with gay abundance [sic] except if you put in place stiffer fines, sanctions, and the ticketing system,” King stated.

He held up a draft copy of a by-law that he intends to send to the Council and

to Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan for approval of the ticketing system. “This would allow people caught littering to pay a fine to the Council directly, and almost immediately, so that you

ronment. According to King, the City Constabulary anti-littering squad is working in all local neighbourhoods, particularly in the central business district. “In another two weeks, a group of them

which are to be paid within 72 hours from the time notice is given of the imposition of the fine. Failure to pay attracts an additional fine of $10,000 for every 24 hours payment remains outstand-

believe that because we do not have these penalties and fines in place, people find an incentive to do what they’re doing. It’s unfair to the city, it’s unfair to decent-minded Guyanese and we have to

Town Clerk Royston King with a draft copy of the proposed littering by-laws. (Telesha Ramnarine photo) don’t have to go through the court system.”

He further explained that the new system will accomplish many positives, including providing the Council with resources to manage the city’s waste and working as a deterrent to people who are bent on hurting the envi-

will be armed with cameras so that we can work to find these litter bugs. We want to put in place a programme that is called ‘Name and Shame’ that will be in the media.”

Every person who contravenes the proposed bylaw would be subjected to the above-mentioned fines,

ing. Furthermore, according to the proposed by-law, every person who remains in default of payment for more than 72 hours commits an offence and upon summary conviction, is liable to imprisonment for a period of no less than 24 hours but not exceeding 120 hours. “I

stop it,” King stated.

“This applies to even someone throwing a cigarette butt on the ground to someone throwing a bag away with unwanted stuff.

It applies to everyone found littering,” King clarified.

According to the proposed by-laws, litter means any

solid or liquid material or product such as rubbish, refuse, garbage, paper package, container, bottle, cans, manure, human or animal excrement, the whole or part of an animal carcass, coal, wood, gravel, earth, sawdust, glass, plastic, nails, stables, tacks, scraps or metal, and expended tobacco products. It also refers to the whole or part of any article, raw or processed material, vehicle or machinery of any type.

Regarding empty lots around the city, the by-laws state: “No person shall throw, place leave or deposit litter upon private property without the consent of the owner of the property. Where on any grounds, yard or vacant lot or property there is litter, the owner shall move such litter from the land, so that the land is left in a clean condition.” Furthermore, “No person shall urinate or defecate in the city except in a public washroom or portable or other such facility provided specifically for those purposes.”

PSC was ‘politically manipulated’ –– Lincoln Lewis … slams directive to dismiss disciplinary charges against officers PRESIDENT of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Lincoln Lewis, has berated the Police Service Commission (PSC) for being contradictory and has issued a call for the general public to speak out against the constitutional body.

The life of the commission came to an end on September 3; however, the trade unionist believes that the commission has been “politically manipulated.”

Lewis was addressing the issue surrounding the decision by PSC Chairman Omesh Satyanand, who back in July ordered the

Guyana Police Force (GPF) to dismiss charges recommended by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali– Hack against a number of officers.

The DPP and the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) retired Justice Cecil Kennard had recommended that disciplinary action be instituted against several ranks for various violations. However, the PSC countered those recommendations with a directive that the matters be dismissed.

Speaking on the matter, Lewis said the order speaks to the “thinking of the peo-

ple of the commission and the quality of the thinking of the people of the commission” and added that society should come out against the body.

The PSC is said to be contradictory, since it did the very thing it accused President David Granger of doing. The commission had come out against the Head of State when he ordered it to delay until further notice, the promotion of several senior ranks. The commission had accused the President of impeding the work of the independent body. President Granger had later indicated that he requested the halting

Asst Police Commissioner David Ramnarine of the promotions so as to allow for an investigation to be carried out on some reports his office had received.

Meanwhile, sources said that the PSC might have acted outside its legal remit

with the instruction to the GPF, especially since the DPP had already made its recommendation. However, Assistant Police Commissioner David Ramnarine when contacted on Monday told the Guyana Chronicle that the service commission has over the years pointed the way forward on departmental charges.

“As long as it has pointed in that direction in writing, then the force acts in accordance with that directive,” Ramnarine told this publication.

In the letter sent to the police commissioner, Satyanand listed the officers, their ranks, the nature of the matters, when the incidents occurred and the DPP’s recommendations.

Among the ranks are Senior Superintendent of Police Errol Watts, who was fingered in the alleged theft of fuel; Assistant

Superintendent, Morris Fraser (Neglect of duty); Assistant Superintendent Johan Singh and W/ Inspector Hatty Anthony (four counts of neglect of duty respectively); Inspector Preston John (Neglect of Duty); Inspector Winston Watts ( disobeying a lawful order); W/ Inspector Althea Soloman (Neglect of duty); Inspector Godfrey Playter (Neglect of duty); W/ Inspector Cynthia Kelly (neglect of duty); Assistant Superintendent Chabinauth Singh (Neglect of duty); Inspector Suaj Singh (unlawful exercise of authority); W/ Inspector C. Layne and Inspector P. Persaud (neglect of duty); W/ Inspector Debbie Handy (neglect of duty), and Inspectors M. Grant, P. Persaud and D. Lowe (neglect of duty, absent from duty and late for duty, respectively).

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

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B r a z i l Olympic chief ...

Continued from back page recession on record and public anger at the massive Car Wash scandal.

Jules Boykoff, a professor of political science at Pacific University and author of the 2016 book ‘Power Games: A Political History of the Olympics’, said a lack of oversight of the IOC made it more difficult to root out corruption surrounding the games.

“When you graft the Olympic money shuffle onto the full-throttle ‘Car Wash’ debacle, you have a crucible for corruption,” Boykoff said.

Prosecutors allege that conspirators led by Cabral gave $2 million for the elder Diack’s influential vote and for him to convince other IOC members from Africa to bring the 2016 games to Rio, with Nuzman making connections on both sides.

The French newspaper Le Monde first reported in March on a payment to the Diack family three days before the 2009 IOC vote to choose the host city for the 2016 games.

After the publication of the Le Monde report, the IOC said it had started investigating the allegations and Rio 2016 games spokesman Mario Andrada said the 2009 IOC vote was clean.

Yesterday, Andrada declined to comment. A media representative for the Lausanne, Switzerland-based IOC said the organisation learned about yesterday’s operations in the media and was trying to get more information.

A spokesman for the IOC said the situation is of the highest interest to the body because it seeks “to protect the integrity of the candidature process and to address and sanction any infringements.”

The spokesman underscored that Papa Massata Diack never held any position within the IOC and that his father lost his honorary membership in late 2015.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Gutsy Warner, Handscomb grind out fifties after Lyon’s seven-for

(REUTERS) - David Warner made 88 not out and featured in two significant partnerships to lead Australia’s robust reply to Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 305 in the second and final Test yesterday.

subcontinent.

Peter Handscomb, Warner’s partner in their unbroken 127-run stand, braved Bangladesh’s relentless spin assault and dehydration, to remain not out on 69. His fourth Test fifty included five boundaries.

David Warner and Peter Handscomb add an unbroken 127 for the third wicket to help Australia trim the deficit to 80 at stumps on the second day.

Smarting from their embarrassing defeat inside four days in Dhaka, Australia’s top order fired up to help them reach 225-2 as the tourists, still 80 runs behind, press for a pride-salvaging victory in Chittagong.

Known for his explosive batting, Warner hit only four boundaries in his patient knock as he kept Australia on course for a handy first-innings lead which often clinches Test matches in the

Earlier, Nathan Lyon claimed 7-94, his second-best figures, as Bangladesh added 52 runs to their overnight score of 253-6 before collapsing.

The off-spinner, who had claimed five wickets on Monday, struck with his second delivery of the day, dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim for 68.

Ashton Agar dismissed the other overnight batsman Nasir Hossain for 45 with Matthew Wade, whose

place in the playing XI was in doubt going into the Test, taking a fine catch.

Warner then ran-out Mehidy Hasan before Lyon dismissed Taijul Islam to claim his seventh wicket.

When Australia returned to bat, Mushfiqur took a spectacular diving catch to dismiss Matt Renshaw for four but Warner and Steve Smith raised 93 runs for the second wicket to overcome the loss.

Warner defended resolutely, letting Smith dominate their partnership, before the Australia skipper was bowled through the gate for 58 by spinner Taijul Islam. Smith hit eight boundaries in his fluent

knock.

New man in Handscomb proved an able ally as Warner frustrated Bangladesh with his compact defence, scoring largely through singles and twos.

The heat and humidity took a toll on Handscomb who looked dehydrated and needed medical attention towards the end before resuming to bat.

Rahim wasted a stumping opportunity when Warner, then on 73, charged out to Mehidy Hasan and missed the ball which kept low and hit the stumper’s pad.

Security was tightened around the match after the Australian team bus was hit by a rock on Monday.

BANGLADESH 1st Innings (o/n 253-6) Tamim Iqbal lbw b Lyon 9 Soumya Sarkar lbw b Lyon 33 Imrul Kayes lbw b Lyon 4 Mominul Haque lbw b Lyon 31 Shakib Al Hasan c Wade b Agar 24 Mushfiqur Rahim b Lyon 68 Sabbir Rahman stp. Wade b Lyon 66 Nasir Hossain c Wade b Agar 45 Mehidy Hasan run-out (Warner) 11 Taijul Islam c Smith b Lyon 9 Mustafizur Rahman not out 0 Extras: (b-5) 5 Total: (all out, 113.2 overs) 305 Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-21, 3-70, 4-85, 5-117, 6-222, 7-265, 8-293, 9-296.

Bowling: P. Cummins 22-5-46-0, N. Lyon 36.2-7-94-7, S. O’Keefe

23-0-79-0, A. Agar 23-9-52-2, G. Maxwell 4-0-13-0, H. Cartwright 5-1-16-0.

SCOREBOARD

AUSTRALIA 1st innings M. Renshaw c Rahim b M. Rahman 4 D. Warner not out 88 S. Smith b T. Islam 58 P. Handscomb not out 69 Extras: (b-4, lb-2) 6 Total: (for 2 wickets, 64 overs) 225 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-98.

Bowling: Mehidy Hasan 20-253-0, Mustafizur Rahman 10-045–1, Shakib Al Hasan 15-0-52-0, Taijul Islam 15-1-50-1, Nasir Hossain 1-0-4-0, Mominul Haque 2-0-6-0, Sabbir Rahman 1-0-9-0.

Bangladesh tightens security after rock hits Australian team bus DHAKA, Bangladesh (Reuters) - Security was tightened around the Australian cricket team in Bangladesh yesterday after a bus carrying the team was hit by a rock, which could have been thrown up by another vehicle, Cricket Australia (CA) said yesterday.

The incident happened on Monday as the players were travelling back to their hotel after the first day’s play in the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

“En route back to the hotel last night a window on the Australian team bus was broken. No one was injured in the incident,” CA security manager Sean Carroll said in a statement.

“Team security personnel are currently in discussion with local authorities while they investigate the cause, which is believed to have come from a small rock or stone,” he said.

Carroll said Bangladesh authorities were taking the incident seriously and security had been increased along the route on which the team travels between the ground

and its hotel.

Bangladeshi authorities, however, suggested the incident could have been an accident.

2015 tour of Bangladesh because of security fears in the South Asian nation, and also withdrew from the Under-19 World Cup there last year for

The Australian team bus.

Chittagong division Police Commissioner Mohammad Iqbal Bahar said another vehicle escorting the team bus could have kicked up a loose rock, which hit the bus window.

“We enquired into it yesterday. Construction works are going on along the route and one of the escorting vehicles sent the rock flying into the window of the team bus,” Bahar told Reuters.

Australia postponed their

the same reason.

Bangladesh faces a humanitarian crisis as almost 90 000 Rohingya Muslims flee from violence across the border in Myanmar.

It has also suffered periodic attacks by militants, often against foreigners, liberals and religious minorities. Bangladeshi authorities mostly blame such attacks on local insurgents, although the Islamic State militant group and al Qaeda have claimed

responsibility for some of the deadly attacks carried out over the past few years.

Carroll said just before the second day’s play began in Chittagong yesterday that the Test would go ahead.

“We are comfortable with the response from the Bangladesh authorities and the increased security presence we have been provided in light of the incident,” he said.

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Patriots beat Knight Riders by 38 runs to book place in CPL final

A good bowling display by St Kitts & Nevis Patriots helped them defend 150 against Trinbago Knight Riders in Play Off of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at the Brian Lara Stadium last night to book their place in the Final on Saturday.

The Patriots took early wickets which derailed the Knight Riders innings and continued to make breakthroughs to prevent them gaining any momentum.

(Scores: St Kitts & Nevis Patriots 149-7 (Gayle 54*, King 30, Bravo 4-38) beat Trinbago Knight Riders 111 (Bravo 29, Cottrell 3-17, Hafeez 1-11) by 38 runs).

The Knight Riders chase got off to a disastrous start when Sunil Narine was run out without facing a ball in the first over by a brilliant direct hit from Evin Lewis. Things quickly went from bad to worse when Ben Hilfenhaus had William Perkins caught down the leg side in a wicket maiden.

When Colin Munro was caught and bowled off a leading edge from a low full toss bowled

by Sheldon Cottrell the Knight Riders were reeling at 6 for 3 after three overs.

A sparky innings from Denesh Ramdin helped the Knight Riders regain a foothold in the match but he could not capitalise on his start and was caught off a leading edge for 19 in the eighth over. A period of consolidation between Darren Bravo and Dan Christian then saw six runs scored in three overs.

Bravo briefly threatened to get going with a six and a four off Tabraiz Shamsi but a mix-up saw Bravo run out for 29. When Christian was trapped lbw by Mohammad Hafeez in the very next over the Knight Riders were 59 for 6 after 12.2 overs.

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vo did not give up easily, striking three mighty leg side sixes but in the end it was asking far too much of him to dig his team out of a huge hole. Eventually the Knight Riders subsided for 111 with Cottrell’s figures of 3 for 17 the pick of a solid all-round team performance in the field.

After winning the toss the Knight Riders elected to field first, citing the unfamiliarity with a new venue. Against the imposing pairing of Chris Gayle and Lewis the Knight Riders could hardly have hoped for a better start to the Powerplay.

Ronsford Beaton bowled a excellent maiden to Gayle first over—and on another day may well have had him lbw—before only one loose ball in the second over from Javon Searles increased the pressure further.

When Lewis finally looked to cut loose from the fourth ball of the third over he mis-timed a drive high over cover which Christian chased down before completing a stunning sliding catch just inside the rope.

It took some beautifully-timed and well-placed boundaries from Gayle and Mohammad Hafeez to lift the Patriots from 7 for 1 after three overs to 42 for 1 at the end of the Powerplay.

Hafeez’s elegant innings was ended in the very next over when he edged a wider slower ball from Kevon Cooper through to Ramdin.

Through the early middle overs Gayle and Brandon King worked hard to keep the scoreboard moving against the Knight Riders frugal spinners, Sunil Narine and Shadab Khan, with both men hitting excellent and valuable sixes against the turn over the leg side.

It brought the return of pace and Dwayne Bravo for the next wicket - King top-edging a pull shot to fall for a battling 30 off 26 balls leaving the Patriots 90 for 3 after 13.3 overs.

Despite possessing power-hitters Carlos Brathwaite and Mohammad Nabi the Patriots found it difficult to accelerate in the latter stage of the innings with Bravo and Beaton varying their pace regularly and picking up wickets to disrupt any momentum.

It was indicative of the Patriots struggle that Gayle finished not out but only scored 54 runs from 51 balls.

A six off the penultimate ball of the innings took the Patriots to 149, with all seven wickets falling to the pace bowlers.

It was a total that seemed far from insurmountable at the innings break but within three overs of the run-chase the complexion of the match had been transformed.

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

European clubs rule out further changes to Champions League

By Brian Homewood GENEVA, Switzerland (Reuters) - Europe’s biggest clubs do not want any more changes to the Champions League in the next few years, they said yesterday, promising to avoid a repetition of the ‘soap opera’ which surrounded the competition last year.

U E FA l a s t y e a r a n nounced significant changes to the competition for the 2018-21 cycle, rearranging the group-stage slots in favour of the four top-ranked leagues -- in effect Spain, England, Germany and Italy -- at the expense of the smaller ones.

The decision came amid reports that the biggest clubs had held talks over the creation of a so-called

Super League if they did not get their way, and was crit-

they had not been consulted.

Andrea Agnelli, who was

Newly-appointed Chairman of European Club Association (ECA) Andrea Agnelli (R) stands next to outgoing Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge at a news conference after ECA’s General Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland yesterday. (REUTERS/Denis Balibouse)

icised by some of Europe’s smaller leagues who said

appointed chairman of the European Club Association

(ECA) yesterday after KarlHeinz Rummenigge stepped aside, said he did not envisage further changes for the subsequent 2021-24 cycle.

“I am comfortable in stating that the majority is in favour of the Champions League as it is, and also for the 21-24 cycle, and that will give it some stability going forward,” Agnelli, the chairman of Italian champions Juventus, told reporters.

“We are not expecting a soap opera going forward as the Champions League cycle is pretty much set for 2021-24.”

Although Agnelli’s comments may put paid to further talk of a breakaway, they could also frustrate those who were hoping that last year’s changes could be

reversed.

Agnelli said he agreed with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin that the richpoor divide in European football needed to be addressed, although not at the expense of further growth of the biggest clubs.

“We want a competition that is interesting and we want to see games that reach the last minute with the result in the balance,” he said. “Stronger teams becoming stronger is not an issue but there are elements that need to be addressed.”

Agnelli said he was not concerned about possible overspending by clubs in the transfer market during the summer, despite Paris St Germain smashing the record by splashing out 222 million euros (£203.67 million) on

Brazilian forward Neymar.

“If the system is healthy, those transactions are fair.

This year’s numbers just confirmed the growth rate we had for the past seven years,” he said.

He also suggested that UEFA’s break-even rule known as Financial Fair Play needed to be re-written, having achieved its initial goals of cutting overdue bills and overall losses.

“As a manager you should be looking at the balance sheet and value creation in the long term, and not the Profit and Loss statement,” he said.

“The P & L was the perfect tool to address the overdue payables and the overall losses of the system.

Now that has been tackled, what are the best set of rules going forward?”

Joshua relishing heavyweight Stephens beats Sevastova to make US Open semi-finals title defence against Pulev

Anthony Joshua celebrates after winning the fight against Wladimir Klitschko. (Action Images via Reuters/ Andrew Couldridge Livepic)

LONDON, England (Reuters) - World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua said yesterday his mandatory defence against Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev “can’t come soon enough”.

Joshua will return to action for the first time since his epic victory over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium in April when he takes on Pulev in the Principality Stadium on October 28.

“October 28 can’t come soon enough, I have been eager to get back in the ring since Wembley and now we are confirmed and ready,” WBA and IBF belt holder Joshua said in a statement.

“I’ll be locked away focusing on fight number 20 for the next eight weeks. I am excited to experience the atmosphere in a sold-out Principality Stadium and aim to give the fans a spectacular night.”

Pulev will be facing his second world title fight having fought and lost to Klitschko in 2014 and said on Monday he would relish taking on the Briton in front of an expected 80 000 crowd.

“Anthony is a great and dangerous rival but his style fits perfectly with mine,” Pulev said on his Facebook page.

AMERICAN Sloane Stephens won a final-set tie-break to beat Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova and reach her first US Open semi-final.

The 24-year-old, ranked 83rd as she makes her way back from injury, won 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4) in New York.

Stephens played superbly to come back from 3-1 down in the final set, converting her first match point with a brilliant backhand.

She will face compatriot Venus Williams or Petra Kvitova in the last four.

With Madison Keys and Coco Vandeweghe also through to the last eight, there is the prospect of an all-American semi-final line-up.

It is four years since Stephens made the Australian Open semi-finals, but her ranking had plummeted to 957th following an 11-month break with a foot injury.

Sloane Stephens’ only previous Grand Slam semi-final was at the 2013 Australian Open.

Only two months later she

is through to a Grand Slam semi-final and projected to break back into the world’s top 40, at least.

“Oh man, I’m getting tearyeyed,” said Stephens. “I think my coach is probably crying.

“This is just incredible.

When I started my comeback at Wimbledon I could never have dreamed of this happening.

“Making the semi-final of my home Slam, it’s indescribable.”

Stephens got the 24 000 spectators on Arthur Ashe Stadium for the day session animated as though it was a night match with a dramatic win.

She looked to have learnt from Maria Sharapova’s defeat

by Sevastaova in the previous round as she reined in her power and, after a timid opening service game, began to move forward whenever possible.

Sixteen trips to the net and two breaks of serve helped Stephens to the first set, and Sevastova’s hopes appeared further damaged when she had a medical timeout for attention to her leg.

However, the Latvian resumed in more measured fashion, cutting her errors from 18 in the opening set to six as she clinched the second.

Stephens was now struggling on serve, making less than 50% of first serves, and a woeful smash seemed to signal the end as she fell 3-1 behind.

England confirm schedule for India and Australia home series (REUTERS) - England will host world number one Test side India in a five-match Test series for only the second time since 1959, the national cricket board said yesterday as it confirmed the 2018 schedule which also includes series against Pakistan, Australia and Scotland.

England will play seven Tests, nine one-day internationals and four T20Is in 2018 and begin their season on May 24 against Pakistan, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said.

England and Pakistan, who drew 2-2 in the four-Test series last year, face off in Tests at Lord’s and Headingley.

Next up for England is a trip to Edinburgh for an ODI on June 10 where Eoin Morgan’s men face Scotland.

Arch-rivals Australia visit

England for five ODIs and a solitary Twenty20 between June 13 and 27 before the India series begins with three T20s and three ODIs in July.

The attention then shifts to the five-match Test series against Virat Kohli’s men with the first Test beginning at Edgbaston on August 1.

ENGLAND’S 2018 HOME SCHEDULE: Pakistan: Two Tests at Lord’s and Headingley Australia: Five ODIs at The Oval, Cardiff, Trent Bridge, Chester-le-street and Old Trafford; one T20 at Edgbaston.

India: Three T20s at Old Trafford, Cardiff and Bristol; three ODIs at Trent Bridge, Lord’s and Headingley; five Tests at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Trent Bridge, The Rose Bowl and The

Oval.

ENGLAND’S 2018 INTERNATIONAL SUMMER OF CRICKET PAKISTAN Thursday May 24-Monday May 28 - 1st Test, Lord’s Friday June 1-June Tuesday 5 - 2nd Test, Headingley SCOTLAND Sunday June 10 ODI, Edinburgh AUSTRALIA Wednesday June 13 - 1st ODI, The Oval (D/N) Saturday June 16 - 2nd ODI, Cardiff Tuesday June 19 - 3rd ODI, Trent Bridge (D/N) Thursday June 21 - 4th ODI, Riverside (D/N) Sunday June 24 - 5th ODI, Old Trafford

Wedbesday June 27 - T20, Edgbaston (D/N) INDIA Tuesday July 3 - 1st T20, Old Trafford Friday July 6 - 2nd T20, Cardiff Sunday July 8 - 3rd T20, Bristol Thursday July 12 - 1st ODI, Trent Bridge Saturday July 14 - 2nd ODI, Lord’s Tuesday July 17 - ODI, Headingley Wednesday August 1-Sunday August 5 - 1st Test Match, Edgbaston Thursday August 9-Monday August 13 - 2nd Test Match, Lord’s Saturday August 18-Wed August 22 - 3rd Test Match, Trent Bridge Thursday August 30-Monday September 3 - 4th Test Match, Ageas Bowl Friday September 7 - Tuesday September 11-5th Test Match

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Lara ‘embarrassed’ by unsporting West Indies behaviour of old

By George Dobell

BRIAN Lara has implored the top sides in world cricket “to ensure that the integrity of the game is upheld” and admitted there were times he was “truly embarrassed” by the behaviour of the West Indies side he represented.

Lara, delivering the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey lecture at Lord’s, not only called on batsmen to “walk” but suggested the leading sides had a responsibility to “show the way and lead the way” in which the game is played.

And, despite the outstanding record of the West Indies sides of the 1980s and early 1990s, Lara felt they were occasions when the tactics they employed resulted in their “playing the game in a way it should never, ever be played.”

In particular, Lara raised the notorious series against New Zealand in 1980, when Colin Croft shoulder-barged an umpire and Michael Holding kicked over the stumps in frustration, and two series (against Pakistan in 1988 and England in 1990) when he suggested West Indies employed a certain amount of gamesmanship to win at any cost.

“The highest-ranked team in the world has the responsibility to ensure that the integrity of the game is upheld every single

time they play,” Lara said.

“And that the spirit of cricket is with them every time they enter the field.

“I grew up at a time when West Indies dominated the world. For 15 years from 1980, the West Indies never lost a Test series. And just before that, Colin Croft decided he was going to take a piece out of Fred Goodall’s shoulder and ran into him during a Test Match.

Michael Holding decided he was no longer a cricketer, he was a footballer and he kicked a stump. I’m sure the occurrences during that period had a big effect on cricket.”

Michael Holding kicks the stumps in anger. (Getty Images)

Despite it being a period when people in the Caribbean were “accustomed to victory after victory,” Lara suggested it was a time he was “not very proud of”. He confessed to being “embarrassed” when a

Concerned CPL to review Pollard no-ball

KIERON Pollard’s no-ball that denied compatriot Evin Lewis scoring the fastest century in the 2017 Hero CPL on Sunday, is to be reviewed, the tournament organisers said yesterday.

Pollard, the captain of the Barbados Tridents, overstepped and bowled a short ball that sailed over the head of Lewis, who was on 97 from 32 balls as the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots romped to a 10-wicket victory to secure second place in the league.

They faced league leaders Trinbago Knight Riders last night in a match which will determine which team will go directly to the final on Saturday.

The incident has stirred much debate across the region.

Some, including former New Zealand fast bowler Danny Morrison, who was providing commentary on the match, described Pollard’s actions as unsportsmanlike.

“It’s a pretty disappointing way for Pollard to finish the game,” Morrison said.

Cricket statistician and journalist Mazher Arshad de-

series of umpiring decisions helped West Indies overcome Pakistan in 1988. In particular, he felt Viv Richards was fortunate to survive a leg-before appeal against Imran Khan and Jeffrey Dujon fortunate to survive an appeal for a catch off Abdul Qadir.

Lara referred to events in the 1990 series against England as “disturbing” and suggested that seeing his heroes behave in such a manner was “one of the saddest moments in the world”.

“Everyone said England had no chance,” Lara said.

“But they won in Jamaica and, in Trinidad, even after

scribed it as “one of the lowest acts” and “pathetic sportsmanship”.

Others sided with the Barbadian, describing Pollard as ‘competitive’.

CPL has decided to look into the matter.

“The incident at the end of the match between Barbados Tridents and the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots on Sunday, September 3, where the match was ended with a no-ball bowled

by Kieron Pollard is being reviewed by the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL),” the CPL said in a statement.

“The Hero CPL is very concerned by any suggestion that the action of any player can be considered to have brought the game or the league into disrepute. Cricket owes so much of its unique appeal to the spirit in which the game is played and as a cricket tournament the Hero CPL understands the importance of fair play and good sportsmanship.”

The statement did not say what, if any action, would be taken once the matter was reviewed.

rain, had ample time to chase down a small total.

“I had never seen groundsmen and officials fight for Manof-the-Match. They moved lethargic, slow. If there was a wet spot someone went off the field,

they came back with nothing in their hands, they took their time to ensure this game was not going to start any time soon.

ly-fought Test and Rob Bailey was batting with not much time to go for a drawn Test.

He flicked the ball down the

Brian Lara delivers the annual MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey lecture at Lord’s.

“Eventually, it started with a couple of hours to go and England still had time.

We bowled, in one hour, seven overs. It was dark and Graham Gooch had to call his troops from the field and West Indies grabbed a draw.

“This is maybe the most embarrassing moment for me as a young West Indian, watching a West Indies team time-wasting, playing the game in a way it should never, ever be played.

“I was 12th man. I was very, very guilty. I was running out with laces, a banana, water, cough tablets, all sorts of things in that last hour. It was truly embarrassing.

“They went on to Barbados. It was another keen-

leg side and Jeffrey Dujon dived and collected. The first slip - I’m not going to call his name - ran towards the umpire and signalled. The umpire wasn’t taking him on but he kept going and going and eventually he stuck his finger up and gave Bailey out.

It definitely wasn’t out.

“England sort of lost faith in the game. They lost that Test and the next in Antigua for West Indies to win the series 2-1.

“As a West Indian, I was truly embarrassed. As a young cricketer who looked up to a lot of the individuals in the team, it was one of the saddest moments in the world. For me, I felt the West Indies being the best team in the world needed to play

cricket in a different way.”

Lara also suggested that such gamesmanship actually damaged Caribbean cricket in the long run. The series wins they achieved over Pakistan and England allowed them, Lara claims, to overlook their flaws that might have been addressed had they lost.

“People talk about the Tests series we lost in 1995 as the time we began to spiral,” Lara said. “I felt we started to spiral years before that when the great players were playing.

“And if Pakistan or England got what they deserved in 1988 and 1990, I feel the West Indies officials would have taken a different look into what to do to save West Indies cricket at a time we had senior players who could have guided the younger players to have ensured we were on the right footing. But that didn’t happen.”

Lara also used the lecture to appeal for the introduction of a Boxing Day Test in the Caribbean - “the amount of you guys who could come out to Barbados and Antigua would, I’m sure, fill the stadium,” he said - and congratulated the West Indies side that recently won the Leeds Test.

Quoting a text message he had received from Sachin Tendulkar, Lara referred to it as “a success the entire world needed”.

Windies hearts with Caribbean as Hurricane Irma threatens

LONDON, England (CMC) – West Indies were busy here yesterday preparing for the decisive third Test at Lord’s starting tomorrow, but also anxiously keeping an eye on Hurricane Irma back home in the Caribbean.

The team paused during their preparations on yesterday to reach out to everyone in the path of the powerful tropical cyclone, which was packing winds of over 175 mph and was due to make pass through the northern Leeward Islands late yesterday into early today.

Islands like St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda and Anguilla are bracing for the impact of the tropical system.

“Our fans are in our thoughts and prayers as they prepare for Hurricane Irma,” captain Jason Holder said in a special message.

Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph hails from Antigua.

“Please take all necessary precautions as you prepare for this hurricane. Our love and our wishes go to everybody in the Caribbean as you go through this tough time.”

The touring Windies include one Antiguan in Alzarri Joseph, the 20-yearold fast bowler, and he also sent a message to his fellow countrymen and those on the projected path.

“I’m urging my fellow citizens of Antigua and Bar-

buda and all those in the Leeward Islands as well as

all those in the path of the hurricane to prepare and be ready for whatever comes our way,” he said.

“I’m advising everyone to take every precaution and I hope and pray we get through safely.”

West Indies are chasing a historic series win in England after losing the first Test by an innings and 209 runs inside three days at Edgbaston but rebounding to win the second match by five wickets at Headingley.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday September 06, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel; 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Kamran Akmal & Andre Fletcher (2) Barbados Tridents & St. Kitts/Nevis Patriots (Barbados, Sep

tember 03) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which wicketkeeper has effected most dismissals in Hero CPL

2017 to date?

(2) Who has scored most runs in Hero CPL 2017 to date, with

out hitting a half-century?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 6, 2017

GOA president ‘tight-lipped’ on cost and funding of new headquarters

By Rawle Toney

THE Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) president K.A. Juman-Yassin on Saturday announced the move of the entity’s headquarters from High Street, Georgetown, to Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, calling it “a move that was long overdue”.

they were able to source the funding for the massive structure.

In an article published in a September 16, 2014 Chronicle Sport, Yassin said that the GOA had spent $60M to complete the fencing of the one-acre piece of land and foundation works to the two-storey building that is situated

GOA president K.A. Juman-Yassin taking the media on a walkabout of the headquarters.

However, while Yassin pointed out that the GOA’s having their own home is something their affiliates unilaterally endorsed, the long-serving president was tight-lipped about the estimated total cost and where

adjacent to the Amerindian hostel.

The former Chief Magistrate had told this publication in 2014 that construction of columns and beams as well as the sealing of the top floor had cost in the vicinity of

$30M. Back then, GOA point man said a further $12M will be needed to cover the cost of completing the top floor which will house an auditorium to accommodate approximately 350 persons.

Fast-forward almost three years later, Yassin, when quizzed by this publication about the overall estimated cost, stated “those are difficult questions to answer because it’s difficult to tell you what the total cost will be”.

Speaking in the boardroom of the newly constructed, but incomplete building, Yassin added, “We started this project about six years ago and the only thing we could’ve done was put up a fence, and then as funds come in and as we save, put a bridge and then we started downstairs so I can’t tell you what the final cost will be.”

“What I could say is that; we had a vision, we had a dream and that dream was shared by all the associations, because before we embarked on this project, there was a meeting with all the associations and they all endorsed this is the way we should go. And so this is a project that’s been blessed by the associations generally. It was a dream, it was a challenge,

The GOA headquarters under construction. (Rawle Toney photos)

and we’re seeing that dream coming to effect,” said Yassin.

WHERE IS THE FUNDING COMING FROM? It is no secret that the GOA benefits from International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Olympic Solidarity; an IOC Commission aiming to organise assistance to National Olympic Committees (NOCs), in particular those with the greatest need of it, in order that NOCs may fulfil their responsibilities to the Olympic Movement.

Olympic Solidarity

manages the share of the broadcast rights from the Olympic Games which belongs to the NOCs, and redistributes these funds through programmes offered to all NOCs recognised by the IOC. The Olympic Solidarity fund is, however, assistance given to the GOA through programmes prioritising athlete development, training of coaches and sports administrators, and promoting the Olympic values.

The athletes’ programmes try to ensure that athletes with talent have an equal chance of reaching the Games and

succeeding in the Olympic arena.

“We have been able to save some funds, we were given by the Pan American Sports Organisation (PASO) US$200 000, we were able to get some funds for development from Olympic Solidarity, but that is it. I’m hoping that when we finish here, we will go to some of our business houses as sponsors and they will be able to sponsor the building,” said Yassin.

The GOA new office numbers are 222-6023, 2226024, 222-6028 and 2226029.

Windies coach revels in pundits eating ‘humble pie’ after second Test Crandon’s blitz fires HACC into SCA Elite playoffs

By Ali Martin

SHAI Hope has been tipped to become a “potential great” of the game by the West Indies head coach Stuart Law, with the young batsman having shown staggering self-belief before and during their famous Headingley run chase.

That the series with England is level at 1-1 going into the third Test at Lord’s tomorrow comes down chiefly to Hope’s stellar twin hundreds last week, the second of which, an unbeaten 118, helped chase down 322 for a famous five-wicket win.

Law, who also lambasted those who had criticised his young side, revealed his orders to the players before the final day at Headingley were simply to assess the chances of a win after tea, only for Hope, 23 years old and averaging 18 from 11 Tests before his first-innings 147, to insist otherwise.

“I remember sitting down next to him in the dressing room and saying that the plan is: we’ll bat to tea, see where we are and if we’ve got wickets in hand we’ll work out if we’re going to have a go or not,” recalled Law.

“He looked at me, and I said: ‘What’s wrong with that?’ He looked at me again, shook his head and shrugged his shoulders – and I said: ‘OK, what’s your plan?’ “‘We’re going to win,’ he said. That’s God’s honest truth and he went out and won the game.”

Shai Hope makes history at Headingley.

On how far Hope can progress, Law replied: “I think the fact he wasn’t over the top in his celebrations just means he’s hungry, he’s driven. He doesn’t want to stop where he’s at now – he wants to keep going.

“The challenge for Shai is to stay fit and healthy. If he

does that, with the drive he’s got and the mental toughness and will to work, that will just make him better and better.

He’s pretty good now, but he’s got the potential to go great.”

Law claimed he always had the belief in his players and had some words for his former Essex team-mate Nasser Hussain, following a newspaper column after the fourth day in which the former England captain suggested Jason Holder’s side had flagged due to the demands of Test cricket being less than Twenty20.

“People make assumptions all the time,” said Law. “But he doesn’t know the characters that are inside that dressing room – he doesn’t even know me and I played with him at Essex. Not a lot of these players play T20 cricket anyway. I think it was great we sent a big humble pie to go and chomp on in the commentary box.

“I’ve seen these guys at close quarters. There’s immense confidence there. There was probably a couple that doubted their ability to cope at this level, but I hope those doubts are now well and truly put to bed and they can start flourishing.” (The Guardian)

TORONTO, Canada – Former Guyana and West Indies One-day player Royston Crandon fired Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) into the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) Elite Division playoffs with a brutal innings of 124 against Highland Creek last Sunday at the Ashtonbee ground, Scarborough here.

Needing a victory in the 11th round encounter to ensure a spot in the four-team playoffs, Crandon was in a no-nonsense mood, pulverising the Highland Creek attack in his boundary-studded knock which came off a mere 51 balls and included 12 massive sixes and six fours as HACC romped to an easy 93-run victory.

Winning the toss and opting to take first strike, HACC were struggling at 58 for four after 19 overs in the 50-over affair. An almost two-hour stoppage, occasioned by rain, saw the game being reduced to 30 overs with Crandon on 10 and his partner Abdool ‘Birdy’ Samad on 13.

What followed after the resumption was an absolute carnage, as Crandon and to

a lesser extent Samad (40) tore into the hapless Highland Creek bowlers who had no answer to the onslaught as the two shared a fifth-wicket partnership of 159 in 15 overs.

Royston Crandon following his brutal knock of 124

Samad, a former Canadian national player, smote three sixes and three fours in his knock while Crandon, who also represents Vikings in the Toronto & District League, was eventually dismissed caught at the wicket off Harjeet Brar. Kamil Pooran chipped in with a

quick-fire undefeated 20 with two sixes and two fours.

Highland Creek started out threateningly with current Canadian player Ruvindu Gunasekra smashing a quick 20 (three fours and a six) but once his stumps were disturbed by fast bowler Keyron Fraser, the innings went into decline as they were dismissed for 131 in 26 overs.

Crandon crowned a brilliant all-round performance, claiming three for 23 from his six overs while there were two wickets each for Tyrone Persaud, former Guyana Under-19 player Harrinarine Chattergoon and Bim Bodhoo for 19, 24 and 25 runs respectively.

HACC and Ambassadors are already assured of playoff spots while the remaining two places will be determined on Saturday with defending champions Victoria Park, Scarborough Cricket Club (SCC) and Highland Creek vying for contention.

HACC and Highland Creek will clash at L’Amaroeux while Victoria Park and SCC battle at Ashtonbee in a key fixture. (Frederick Halley)

GOA president ‘tight-lipped’ on cost and funding of new headquarters See Page 35

Brazil Olympic chief brokered $2M bribe to buy Rio Games - Police

By Pedro Fonseca

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Reuters) - Brazilian investigators said yesterday that politicians and the head of the national Olympic committee arranged a $2 million bribe to bring the 2016 games to Rio de Janeiro, despite the city having the worst conditions to host the event.

Police in Rio raided the home of Brazil’s Olympics chief, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, after prosecutors accused him of conspiring with former state Governor Sergio Cabral, already convicted in a separate corruption case, to buy the games.

Nuzman’s lawyer, Sergio Mazzillo, said his client was innocent. Calls to Cabral’s attorney were not returned.

The legacy of South America’s first Olympics, which ended just over a year ago, has been muddied by allegations of graft.

Nearly every infrastructure project connected to the games is under investigation. Prosecutors allege that

major construction firms bribed politicians and others to win contracts worth billions of dollars for the event.

Yesterday’s development drove home the stunning fall from grace of officials who

P ro s e c u t o r F a b i a n a Schneider said at a news conference that what was striking about Rio winning the games was it did so despite being “the worst candidate”.

Carlos Nuzman (second left) arrives at the federal Police headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. (Ricardo Moraes/Reuters) sold the idea that Rio’s Olympics would transform a developing-world city through giant strides in security, infrastructure and environmental improvements.

“The Olympics were used as an enormous trampoline for corruption,” Schneider said, citing billions of dollars spent on construction projects.

Most of the building was

GOA to host Commonwealth Games Federation meeting of the Americas ...22 countries expected for September 22-26 meeting

By Rawle Toney THE Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) will, from September 22 to 26, host the Commonwealth Games Federation’s (CGF) meeting of the Americas in Georgetown.

President of GOA, K. Juman-Yassin, who is also a vice-president of the CGF, an-

Commonwealth Games Federation vice-president K. Juman-Yassin

done by large construction firms now ensnared in Brazil’s sweeping ‘Car Wash’ anti-corruption investigation. The firms have admitted paying massive bribes to politicians and former executives at state-

nounced that representatives of approximately 22 countries are expected in Guyana for the event which will be graced by the presence of CGF’s president Louise Martin.

The full details of the ‘first-of-its-kind-meeting’ to be held in Guyana were not made known, but, according to Yassin, “two officials from Australia will be here to update us about the Commonwealth Games next year in the Gold Coast.”

The 21st (XXI) Commonwealth Games will be held in the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, April 4-15, 2018. It is the fifth time Australia will be hosting the Commonwealth Games.

The Commonwealth Games (known as the British Empire Games 1930– 1950, the British Empire and Commonwealth Games 1954–1966, and British

run companies in return for contracts.

Prosecutors suspect the same arrangement also took place in works for the 2014 World Cup, which Brazil

hosted.

As part of ‘Operation Unfair Play’, a federal judge ordered the seizure of Nuzman’s passport and his questioning about an alleged $2 million bribe to secure the vote of Lamine Diack, former president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Police also served two arrest warrants and conducted search operations as part of the investigation started nine months ago in cooperation with French authorities.

In Paris, prosecutors said the probe had revealed a corruption scheme centred on Papa Massata Diack, the son of Lamine Diack, once an influential member of the IOC now detained in France.

The younger Diack, speaking to Reuters in Senegal, said he was ready to provide proof of his innocence to French investigators if they came to the West African country.

They have no proof,” he said. “They want to justify why they are holding my father in France.”

Turn to page 31

Patriots beat Knight Riders by 38 runs to book place in CPL final

Commonwealth Games from (1970–1974) is an international multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations.

The event was first held in 1930, and, with the exception of 1942 and 1946, which were cancelled due to World War II, has taken place every four years since then.

The most recent Commonwealth Games took place in Glasgow, Scotland in 2014.

Commonwealth Games Federation president Louise Martin

OLYMPIC FALL Rio was announced as the winning city in 2009 at a ceremony in Copenhagen, beating out Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid. The Brazilian city lost the first vote to the Spanish capital but bounced back to win the nomination on a third ballot, by a 66-32 vote.

Brazil’s then-president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, soccer great Pele, Nuzman, Cabral and others celebrated the announcement in the Danish capital by leaping into the air, waving Brazilian flags and weeping.

In Rio, tens of thousands watched the announcement on the sands of Copacabana beach and erupted into an ear-splitting celebration rivalling the free-wheeling town’s Carnival parties.

Brazil, its economy then booming, was on a winning streak. The Olympics were meant to shine a spotlight on the nation as it emerged as a global power, but instead coincided with Brazil’s worst

See Page 32

St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots captain Chris Gayle was named player of the match for his unbeaten 54

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2017