Guyana chronicle e paper 12 1 2018

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$1M per worker No. 105152

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

… sugar severance package includes access to loans, training

Security summit reviews new strategies

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Page 3

No clearance for Subryanvil e gun range Page 10

High drama as defendant faints in court Page 2

President David Granger along with Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, Attorney General Basil Williams and members of the security services at the summit on Thursday (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

609 passengers in line for refund

… as gov’t moves to tap Dynamic Airways $40M bond

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ExxonMobil moves towards Liza2 development Page 9

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 12, 2018

609 passengers in line for refund … as gov’t initiates process to tap Dynamic Airways $40M Bond

By Svetlana Marshall

THE Public Infrastructure Ministry has initiated the process to access a bond for the sum of US$200,000 as it takes the necessary steps to refund passengers who were affected when Dynamic International Airways ended its operations here last year.

The US$200,000 or GUY$40M was lodged by Dynamic International Airways, LLC, in collaboration with their local handling agent, Roraima Airways Inc. On Thursday, the Public Infrastructure Ministry confirmed that the funds will be used to refund passengers in Guyana who purchased tickets to travel on the airline, provided that they have not been able to use the whole or part of same to travel.

“Roraima Airways Inc. has submitted to the MOPI, a list of six hundred and nine (609) passengers who are eligible for the refund.

The MOPI will publish the names of the eligible passengers in the local press, and details for these individuals to uplift their refunds,” the ministry explained in a press statement on Thursday. The refund for the 604 passengers will amount to just over US$189,000.

It added too that passengers eligible for a refund whose names are not published are asked to contact Roraima Airways Inc. to access same. Additionally, the ministry

is assuring the affected passengers that the ministry is working assiduously to have the process expedited.

Rabindranauth Singh, who had booked with the North Carolina –based air carrier for his son, Christopher Singh to travel in November 2017, said he is pleased that soon, he will be refunded, though it has been more than three months since the airlines closed down here.

Singh recalled that he had purchased a ticket from a travel agency in the city at cost of US$740 for his son to travel with Dynamic Airways in November, 2017. The ticket, he noted, however was purchased a mere three weeks before news broke that the airline was closing down on October 3, 2017.

Left with no other choice than to re-book, Singh said he was forced to purchase another ticket, this time at US$1000, from another airline so that Christopher could have attended his brother’s wedding in November. “I am happy that we will get the money, that is the main thing,” Singh Snr told this newspaper.

Debra Marshall, who had purchased a ticket for her husband Wainwright Marshall, in September, 2017 said she is pleased that soon she will be refunded. Marshall said while her husband was able to travel in September on the ticket, he was unable to return in November as planned because of the clo-

sure of the airline. He returned in December using another carrier. “It was a lot of running around, but I am glad that the money will be paid soon because I can do with it right now,” she said.

The travel agency operating out of Georgetown had booked several passengers to travel with Dynamics before its closure, and many were affected.

She said after months of trying to acquire the necessary answers, a representative from Roraima Airways made contact with the agency and indicated

that refunds will be made before the end of January. In July, 2017 the carrier had announced that it had filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition with the United States Bankruptcy Court. It was the carrier’s intention to continue its operations here but its principals restructured plans did not work out as planned.

The airline noted that its decision to file for bankruptcy protection followed upon litigation matters, resulting from Hajj flights the airline operated in 2014 for Air India.

High drama as defendant faints in court –– as PI into murder of elderly Bourda women begins THE preliminary inquiry into the murders of the two elderly women who were killed during an invasion at their South Road and Albert Street home in October last, started on a high note, when one of the accused fainted in court during a witness testimony.

The alleged mastermind, 23-year-old Christopher Khan, called Imran Khan, and his two accomplices, Steven Andrews (26) and Phillip Suffrien (23), all residents of Albouystown, are before Magistrate Judy Latchman.

During Thursday’s hearing, while Police witness, Troy Henry was in the witness box, Suffrien disrupted the court to profess his innocence, claiming that he is suffering in jail wrongfully.

As Andrews sat quietly in the box with a bible in his hands and tears running down his face, Khan turned to Suffrien and said: “Boy,

just stop and tell these people the truth ‘cause is you hold down these people.”

Before Khan could continue, Suffrien fainted and caused the matter to be adjourned.

As the drama unfolded, relatives and friends of the two murdered pensioners sat quietly in court, reading their bibles, across the way from the relatives of the three accused.

Suffrien, with the aid of police officers, was lifted out of the courtroom to await the arrival of an ambulance which came less than 45 minutes later and carted him away.

The two elderly women were found lying face down in separate bedrooms at their Bourda home on October 3, 2017 with their hands and feet bound and mouths gagged.

According to a relative, the house was ransacked and quite a few items appeared to have been missing.

Reports from the police have since re-

The alleged mastermind, Christopher Khan, called Imran Khan

Steven Andrews

vealed that a door to the upper half of the two-flat building was breached.

Relatives said it was the third time the women had been robbed, with one recalling that during the last incident, the intruders had made off with cellular phones and money.

It was also the second time they had been

Phillip Suffrien

robbed after receiving their monthly pensions.

Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh gave the cause of death of both women asphyxiation due to suffocation Turn to page 3 ►

Sugar severance package

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 12, 2018

EACH retrenched sugar worker is likely to receive around $1M in severance pay and a new roadmap to secure the industry is emerging with President David Granger announcing that his government will be consolidating cultivation at Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt estates, producing 147,000 tonnes annually and protecting the jobs of over 11,000 workers.

President Granger said too that some $2B, representing 50 per cent of the severance pay will be disbursed to all retrenched sugar workers at the end of this month. Weighing in on the issue, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo told the Guyana Chronicle that there was absolutely no doubt in his mind that “our coalition government would ensure that sugar workers receive their severance payment. GuySuCo has no money to meet its obligations and government came to its rescue once again,” the Prime Minister noted.

He said the overall cash payout is in excess of $4B which would be paid out in two lump-sums starting this month end. “It is estimated on average each redundant sugar worker would get as much as $1M, but the cash payout is part of a package, which would also see some workers having access to small loans for small businesses and down the road, retraining for skilled jobs; redeployment to associated jobs in drainage and irrigation, health and community service.”

Mr Nagamootoo said it is his firm view that apart from the humanitarian package, workers would be able to access plots of leased lands from which they could eke out a profitable livelihood

… $1M likely for each sugar worker

… new roadmap emerging for security of industry for themselves and families through other crops and or aquaculture. “I am pleased with the dedicated effort of the Cabinet and President David Granger in particular for having extended engagements, even over the holidays with GuySuCo and the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) to work out a roadmap both in the interest of sugar workers and the reformed new sugar industry.

I am pleased that some 11,000 sugar workers would be retained in the merged estates and that we did everything we could to cushion the impact of retrenchment in the estates that would either be privatized, divested or diversified,” Mr Nagamootoo said.

IT SADDENS ME However, the Prime Minister said “what saddens me is that this nation has to endure so much hurt all because of the mess that the Bharrat Jagdeo administration left the sugar industry in…he left it in a state of bankruptcy.”

The PM told this newspaper that no other single matter has engaged the cabinet so intensely as the plight the sugar industry had been placed with in by the former government. “Cabinet met in several extended emergency sessions over the last 30 months to save the industry and protect the welfare of workers and their families,” he concluded.

In his statement Wednesday President Granger said

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo GuySuCo has been in a state of crisis for over 25 years and government has acted “resolutely and responsibly to protect the livelihood of workers, to preserve the viability of rural communities and prevent the further financial depletion of the country’s treasury.” However, he noted that government, not only his, has struggled to maintain the industry’s viability by engaging international advisory, technical and managerial corporations such as Booker-Tate Ltd., Bosch Projects (PTY) and Global Cane Sugar, between 1992 and 2015; erecting a new factory at Skeldon in the East Berbice-Corentyne Region at a cost of US$ 121M; expending G$48.02B in financial support to the industry since 2011 and G$32B over the past thirty months – at a rate

of about one billion dollars a month.

“This Government cannot sustain the sugar industry in its current state.

It has had to make difficult choices in order to ensure the industry’s viability,” the President said in his message, while noting that several measures were employed, including the convening of a commission of inquiry into the state of the industry in October 2015; publishing a State Paper on the future of the industry in May 2017; creating a ‘Special Purpose Unit’ to manage the reform of the industry in June 2017.

NOT BEING DISMANTLED He reiterated that GuySuCo is not being dismantled and “It is working actively to ameliorate the impact of retrenchment on workers livelihood. Thus far, Government said it has established an Alternative Livelihood Programme (ALP), aimed at providing support by enabling displaced employees to access available opportunities to function in other fields; embarked on the training of employees to work in new operational fields across the industry in places such as the field workshop and providing services.

Additionally, the President noted that his administration has engaged 500 employees from the West and East Demerara Estates with over 100 of them sig-

High drama as defendant ...

From page 2

and manual strangulation, compounded by trauma to the head.

Khan was arrested a few days after the murder by police on the Essequibo Coast, while his two other co-accused were apprehended less than two days after the murder.

The men reportedly told investigators that Khan was the mastermind behind the crime.

They allegedly further confessed that after stealing the items and money, they escaped on foot, taking the booty to Khan’s girlfriend’s home in Albouystown.

Suffrien being helped into the ambulance by paramedics

nalling their willingness to be retrained, in fields such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing, mechanical and electrical works and in small business enterprises.

SLASHING OF BUDGETS Finance Minister Winston Jordan has said that government will have to cut several budgetary programmes to facilitate payment of the severance packages.

Jordan said the administration will ensure all workers get their severance, but noted that it is a case of where the government has to find resources to make the total payment of $5B. “It was a sudden and large amount and we had to find creative ways to do this… we will have to re-examine our 2018 budget which will very well result in cuts to programmes, so as to release money to pay the severances,” he said. This is why the severance is being paid in parts, he said.

On Wednesday, sugar workers who spoke to the Guyana Chronicle, though expressing disappointment that the full payment will not be made at once, said they are thankful that by the end of this month, they will receive 50 per cent of their severance package. Abdullah Rahaman Majeed, 55, of Welfare Street, Canje, said he is pleased that finally they will be paid their severance, but said it would have been better if they had received all at once. “It’s a great relief. It

President David Granger is better than nothing, but I would have preferred to get the lump-sum of cash so that I can invest into something that will be able to sustain my livelihood,” he told this newspaper. Majeed was employed at the Rose Hall Estate as a labourer for the past 35 years and has big plans for the money.

Fifty-year-old Lilowattie Budhai, who had worked as a cook at the Rose Hall Estate for the past eight years, said the announcement brings a sense of relief to the affected sugar workers. But like Majeed, the Coburg Street, Cumberland woman said they should have been paid their benefits all at once. “I only work eight years with the estate so meh ain’t get plenty money to collect and only half meh gon collect won’t do much.

I have a sick husband to take care of and me jobless,” she told this newspaper.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday January 12, 2018

Greater focus on entrepreneurship this year -- says chair of Small Business Council

By Navendra Seoraj THE Small Business Bureau (SBB) will this year implement a National Entrepreneurial Strategy and Policy as it intensifies focus on entrepreneurship.

According to Chairperson of the Small Business Council, Valrie Grant, many local entrepreneurs can be classified as “necessity entrepreneurs”.

This, she said, simply means that they are pushed into entrepreneurship because they have no other alternative. According to Grant, this represents the scarcity of decent wage-labour opportunities in the economy.

The SBB as such intends

to ensure that entrepreneurs are innovative and guided by a national strategy or a direct policy to support entrepreneurship.

“This is something we have been working on since last year and we will continue to work on it this year and we will bring the strategy to fruition this year,” said Grant, adding that they intend to complete it by the third quarter of this year.

Based on research and statistics, SBB was able to conclude that the strategy needs to be inclusive because the Government has an important role to play in ensuring there is an overarching policy to govern how entrepreneurship takes place.

Vice Chairperson of the

Small Business Council Chairperson, Valrie Grant

Small Business Council, Parbatie Khan, expressed similar views, noting that SBB requires a cohesive effort among Government, private sector and small businesses.

“Without a guiding principle, everybody will do

Small Business Council Vice Chairperson, Parbatie Khan

what they want and without any regard… SBB will put together a roadmap to provide a guide to make sure entrepreneurship reaches the grassroots,” Grant explained.

The SBB will work with the private sector and aca-

demic institutions in order to regulate the terms of the policies and incentives of the strategy which will be aligned to the overall national development strategy and other private sector development strategies Grant also said that the council is trying to manage the interaction with other stakeholders in order to create policy synergies that will help to strengthen institutional framework and promote capacity building.

One area she said that needs strengthening is measuring of results. The SBB last year improved its monitoring and evaluation process.

“Because of that we were able to monitor our programmes such as Youth base 592 skills training for youths; in-school programmes and

the recent Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) intervention,” she said.

The SBB intends to work with the same pace to implement and monitor work planned for 2018, given that their main thrust of its 2018 budget is to create employment; encourage and develop green technology innovation; and introduce more acceleration or incubator services.

“It is necessary to invest in entrepreneurs because they play a crucial role in the development of a vibrant, formal, small and medium size business sector… more small businesses also enhance productivity, growth and can help find practical business solutions to social and environmental challenges, including climate change,” Grant said.

Draft Diaspora Engagement Strategy completed …to be submitted to Cabinet by month end

By Svetlana Marshall THE draft Diaspora Engagement Strategy and Action Plan is currently before the Ministry of For-

eign Affairs having been completed by consultants from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Vice President and Minister of Foreign Af-

fairs, Carl Greenidge has disclosed.

The policy paper will formally guide the administration’s relationship with the diaspora with focus on

three main operational areas–Diaspora Communities, Home Country and IT Social Media.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Chronicle at his South Road, Georgetown Office on Thursday, the Foreign Affairs Minister disclosed that the draft report was submitted to the Ministry’s Diaspora Unit following the completion of another round of consultations funded by the IOM. In 2017, a Cabinet sub-committee was established to finalise the draft Diaspora Engagement Strategy and Action Plan but there were concerns raised that greater consultations needed to be done,

Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge

and it was on this basis that IOM agreed to fund another round of consultation.

“The IOM, which had carried out the study based on recommendations, even on how to sample, agreed

to do another round, that round has been completed.

The consultant has prepared a draft and that draft has come to us,” Minister Turn to page 5

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Grenada to be removed from EU blacklist ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell says Grenada is expected to be removed from the European Union Blacklist by the end of January.

The decision to remove Grenada, one of 17 countries blacklisted by the EU, is expected to follow a meeting of the Financial and Economic Unit of the OECD set for January 23.

On December 5, the Council approved and published conclusions containing an EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions in taxation matters.

It said that Grenada did not sign or ratify the OECD Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance as amended, and did not clearly commit to addressing these issues by December 31, 2018.

However, Prime Minister Mitchell says that in any serious and objective situation, Grenada ought not to have been placed on the list initially, since the country has met all the conditions required.

“On January 23rd the Financial and Economic Unit of the OECD will be meeting after the response from Grenada, and, of course, we pointed out the mistakes that were made,” Mitchell said,

adding that the island will be removed from the list.

“So I think we would have gone through that process successfully.”

The Ministry of Finance had issued a statement saying that Grenada made high- level commitments, complete with timelines, to the EU Code of Conduct group by way of letters on November 17 and 28, 2017.

Grenada’s commitments

were in response to concerns raised by the OECD group regarding meeting all the criteria set up by the EU Council for Transparency and fairness in Taxation, and was well on track to doing so.

Mitchell said it was accepted that the decision was unfair.

“But the specific case of Grenada, we had asked for some communications sent to us so that we would move

and deal with what we are supposed to do,” the Prime Minister said, adding: “And they took a very long time to send it. So, since the blacklist came on, they have sent the information, and we then replied.

And like I said, before the end of the month from indication in correspondent received last week, we expect to be released from that blacklist.”

Draft Diaspora Engagement ...

Greenidge told this newspaper.

He added that the draft Diaspora Engagement Strategy and Action Plan was reviewed by the Ministry’s Diaspora Unit and is currently on his desk. “I have not yet read it,” he posited.

Once reviewed by him, the report will return to Cabinet for an analysis of the recommendations before a decision is made on its implementation. “It has taken into account considerations which may not have been raised in the first round, and additional issues that were raised as a result of that round,” Minister Greenidge explained. The Foreign Affairs Minister anticipates that the draft document will be sent to Cabinet before the end of the month.

During one of the consultative meetings on the draft strategy and action plan last September in New York, IOM Consultant, Arnon Mantver had underscored the importance of having

a sustainable diasporic relationship. Describing the strategy as very practical, Mantver, who had travelled from Israel for the forum, had said there are four key aspects of the strategy that ought to be implemented.

The first of those key aspects, he said, is the strengthening and expansion of the Diaspora Unit in Guyana, which was established back in 2011. “You have to build the centre; a professional centre,” he emphasised.

“Four people alone cannot deal with the diaspora, and to put policies and to analyse realities, and to come up with solutions… So, you need a strong centre.”

Having a strong centre, on the other hand, Mantver said, calls for immediate implementation, which will allow the unit to communicate and collaborate effectively with the diaspora.

Additionally, he said short and long-term youth programmes, should be boosted. Exchange pro-

gramme for youths would allow them to build international ties from an early age, while gaining a wealth of experience, the IOM Consultant had explained.

He also underscored the importance of bringing innovation and creativity to the table that would attract young people into becoming a part of the process. Remittances, in the form of philanthropy, is another area of significant interest, the IOM Consultant had noted. “Remittance is private money,” he said, and there are two

elements: How you spend the private money; you can either waste it or you can use it for self-development of the family, education, improving infrastructure or supplementing basic needs, but remittances also can be allocated for the public good.” While he noted that this has been the trend in places such as Israel and Mexico. He, however, warned against abuse and mismanagement.

In general, he believes that the government, through the unit, should focus on critical areas before branching

Friday, January 12, 2018 - 14:00 & 1:00hrs Saturday, January 13, 2018 - 14:30 & 1:30hrs

off to other areas of concern, warning that resources should not be spread thin.

Last year, Cabinet had a preliminary examination of the draft strategy, and had

From page 4

mandated a number of ministers, including the Ministers of Citizenship, Business and Public Security, to review the proposals with the intention of providing recommendations.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday January 12, 2018

Fixing sugar EVERY Guyanese know that the sugar industry is in trouble and that we had to do something about it was inevitable.

The Caribbean inherited sugar from colonialism; sugar was central to slavery and colonialism. Many Guyanese families were directly and indirectly affected by sugar—‘King Sugar’. Since Independence, we have continued to produce sugar in abundance, but we have never been able to determine its future or its price on the global market. In the meantime, the demand for sugar declined, as new sweeteners emerged and other more economically well-off countries found ways to produce the product at much cheaper prices than we did. In short, we simply couldn’t compete anymore; yet our economy depended a lot on sugar, both as a form of revenue and, critically, as a source of employment for thousands. Increasingly, the Government found itself subsidising the industry.

In a relatively poor economy, this invariably had consequences for the country’s overall economic fortunes. Some experts called for diversification away from sugar, while others touted diversification around sugar. The previous Government invested in modernisation in the form of the US$200 million Skeldon Estate, but that did not solve the problem, as the industry continued to falter. Another important factor for the industry is the linkage between sugar and politics. Given the ethnically polarised manner in which our economy evolved, the majority of the workforce came from one ethnic group.

It meant, therefore, that any decision on what to do with the industry had to take into consideration that politically explosive element.

One major party committed itself to maintaining the status quo at all costs, given the fact that its base is located there, while the other major force had to tip-toe around the problem for fear of being charged with disempowering the base of its rival. We seemed trapped. Upon assuming office in 2015, the condition of the sugar industry was one of the first crises the current Government had to confront. It found the industry bankrupt; there was not enough money to pay salaries. Government responded with the famous bail-out to ensure that workers were not adversely affected, but it also named a new board and set up a Commission of Inquiry. It was clear that the Government intended to tackle the problem head-on.

The sugar union--GAWU--meanwhile, unsuccessfully

sought to mobilise the workers to confront the Government, which it claimed was not honouring its traditional practice of negotiating a new wage package. The latter had said it was awaiting the report of the CoI. After some speculation, the Government made its first move by announcing the closure of Wales Estate. It had been known that that estate was the most vulnerable. It was operating at a tremendous loss. According to the Government, at the time, the estate was working at 50 percent of its capacity, and was slated to lose between 1.6 and 1.9 billion dollars in 2016. Clearly, if one is moving in the direction of rehabilitation, then it made sense starting with the weakest link.

Then in May last year, the administration unveiled its much vaunted State Paper on Sugar, declaring in it that the future of the industry here lies in a smaller sector, with reduced losses and cash deficits, but coupled with a separate and profitable diversified enterprise. Agriculture Minister Noel Holder made it clear then that government’s intention was to focus on the poorly-performing estates and have them shift from sugar to diversification. He then announced that “The proposed courses of action are to amalgamate [merge] Wales Estate with Uitvlugt Estate and reassign its cane to the Uitvlugt factory, since the estate is operating at 50 percent capacity. Sixty percent of its drainage and irrigation infrastructure is in a dilapidated condition. The corporation furthermore seeks to divest itself of the Skeldon Estate. The estates of Albion and Rose Hall are to be amalgamated and the factory at Rose Hall is to be closed.” Holder said GuySuCo would then consist of three estates and three sugar factories. The estates would be Blairmont on the West Bank of Berbice, Albion-Rose Hall in East Berbice and the Uitvlugt-Wales estate in West Demerara. The three estates will be complete with factories and will have cane supplied from all five locations.

True to its plan of reforming the industry, the workers were given their redundancy letters at the end of last year and government is now making a move to pay them their severance package, albeit 50% in the first instance and the other half

by June. Meantime, the opposition and GAWU, determined to confront the administration, are now challenging the legality of the severance. It is no secret that it will cost the administration--not GuySuCo--roughly $5B to pay severance to the 4000

workers. Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, has assured that they would have to find the money and even announced that ministries’ budgets would be slashed to facilitate this. Such measures could not be ignored. We have said here before that Government had to make its case directly to the workers and that it would also have to find a way to ensure that the affected workers continue to earn a livelihood.

We are therefore pleased that President David Granger in his message recommitted his government to protecting the welfare of sugar workers and their families and also announcing that $100M have been earmarked to provide small loans for entrepreneurial activities which could open opportunities for employment after leaving the sugar industry.

He also assured: “The Guyana Sugar Corporation is not being dismantled. It is working actively to ameliorate the impact of retrenchment on workers livelihood. It has established an Alternative Livelihood Programme (ALP), aimed at providing support by enabling displaced employees to access available opportunities to function in other fields; embarked on the training of employees to work in new operational fields across the industry in places such as the field workshop and providing services; engaged 500 employees from the West and East Demerara Estates, with over 100 of them signaling their willingness to be retrained in fields such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing, mechanical and electrical works and in small business enterprises.”

Change is always difficult, especially in the context of a well-entrenched aspect of the political economy; but it’s time that Guyana confronts the problem. Many of our sister CARICOM countries have already bitten the bullet and freed themselves from the shackles of sugar; it is now our turn to do likewise. Good sense has to prevail, we cannot be blinded by the need for political advantage.

This is a national situation that demands a national response that, in the end, can only benefit all of Guyana. If we fix sugar, we could go a long way towards fixing our historically vulnerable economic reality.

Nadir bats for Justice Carl Singh

Dear Editor

I NOTE that after the meeting between the President and the Leader of the Opposition, on the appointment of Justice Benjamin as Chancellor, Minister Harmon is reported to have said that the President was generous to give the Leader of the Opposition a month to do his due diligence.

I was really taken aback by this choice of words, as I knew the Constitution stipulated that the President must get the agreement of the Leader of the Opposition. The President has not been given the authority to make such a decision in his own deliberate judgement. One can only be generous when one has something which he is willing to share with others. If being given a month is an act of generosity, then what would one call the twelve years given to previous Opposition Leaders for their agreements?

Justice Carl Singh, who acted as Chancellor from April 2005 to February 2017, was nominated by both Presidents--Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar. All the then Opposition leaders, including David Granger, never offered their agreement to Justice Singh’s appointment. Clearly, President Jagdeo and President Ramotar were very, very magnanimous in the past. But this has more to it than persons being generous. For me, there is the issue of appointing from what is here; and there is the issue of trust and confidence building measures.

The two Honourable Justices who are currently performing the duties as Chancellor and Chief Justice should be nominated; they have performed and they have the confidence of their peers. In our divided society, trust and confidence building are still paramount. This has been one of the hallmarks of the mantras from the Diplomatic Community and the international

organisations thus, the changes made to the constitution and the elections laws and the billions invested by the last government, in ‘depressed communities programmes’ and ‘social cohesion programmes’.

What was done with the appointment of the Chairman of the elections commission was a serious blow to trust and confidence. I have seen one precipitous act of generosity by this administration and this was the ‘Hamilton Green Pension Act’. Hamilton Green served for seven years as Prime Minister–five of those years were after rigged elections and two were on an extension generously agreed to by the opposition. A person acting for twelve years could not have been an issue of competence. What was done–whatever the reason for non-consenting--was mean to Justice Carl Singh.

Regards Manzoor Nadir

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday January 12, 2018

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Displaced sugar workers need to start looking after their interests Dear Editor WHILE retrenched sugar workers have for the most part been aware of the very real possibility that they might be laid off, for those who spent much of their lives on the estates, such a scenario very likely seemed unthinkable. Unfortunately, political interference and mismanagement going back to the terms of PPP administration have borne their unpleasant results.

Now is hardly the time to be political, but sugar workers should recognise that what is unfolding as an economic disaster for their communities and an upheaval of their personal lives was brought about by the PPP administration itself, as it resisted efforts to either transform or close the sugar industry in a manner that allowed sugar workers to receive maximum benefit in terms of severance, simply to maintain their political support from sugar workers.

Even now, the PPP continues to prostitute itself as representing the interests of sugar workers. What has made the situation im-

mensely more difficult was the clearly uncoordinated efforts to deliver timely severance by the coalition administration. This being said, it is suggested now that time should be spent by these workers looking after their best interests. In respect of the part-severance they expect to receive by the end of January, sugar workers should recognise that this money, based on government’s intention of paying the second part in the second half of the year (no date specified), is expected to last for a fairly long time.

They are therefore urged to ensure that they monitor their expenditures wisely.

It is worth reiterating that the business community is encouraged to extend some consideration to displaced sugar workers. Jobs could be offered that involve training in an effort to integrate them into the workforce on a more permanent basis. Potential employers are also encouraged to recognise that they may need to extend some flexibility to sugar workers initially for the first couple of months to allow them to adjust to their new work environment. Some sugar

workers may come on the job with a fair amount of stress, and this has to be considered in ensuring they are ultimately successful at their new jobs.

For sugar workers, the key to getting a job is carrying an upright character and proper attitude. Relations with your new employers should be based on honesty.

Both during job interviews and on the job, being honest allows your employer to understand you a bit more so that they can better gauge your skills and better manage their relationship with you. Hiring and training employees is a time consuming and costly affair, so try to ensure that every effort is made to build a strong and understanding relationship with your employer/supervisor.

In regard to attitude, it is important that a calm and reasonable disposition is always maintained. While circumstances may arise which would normally result in anger, the importance of maintaining control and being reasonable on the job cannot be overstated. This is because becoming angry may result in the other per-

son/employer/supervisor becoming angry also, which can be unproductive and not in the interest of yourself or the company.

Always be willing to do more and lend a helping hand when possible. This allows for more social engagement and gives you an opportunity to learn more about your job and the people around you.

Especially, do not take your problems to work.

Ensure as best as possible that you always focus on giving your best every day and maintain a positive, friendly attitude. Ensure that you understand fully the culture and general attitude within the workplace, and observe whatever rules and regulations are available. Some organizations may have written guidelines for their employees, but there may also be some unwritten ones that also deserve attention.

Going forward, always ensure that your time is well spent. This may include keeping away from political meetings and protests

over circumstances in the sugar industry. The PPP will always try to use sugar workers to grandstand and make a public show to attract attention. They have consistently demonstrated their incapacity at seriously addressing sugar workers’ concerns.

One of the things that sugar workers are encouraged to reflect on is that the leader of their union, Mr. Komal Chand, was a standing member of the PPP’s Central Executive Committee since at least 2008. In this position, how could he ever honestly represent the interest of sugar workers through the years? Sugar workers could also explore avenues for recouping their union dues from GAWU, and consider also approaching the court to have the operations of GAWU stopped on the basis of fraud because its union leader had a conflict of interest, being a member of the PPP’s Central Executive Committee, and so could not exercise his duties to sugar workers in a fair and impartial manner.

Although this claim may be less relevant now, sugar workers should understand the nature of the beast they are dealing with.

All sugar workers have every reason to be proud in spite of what is unfolding in the sugar industry.

Although they have been taken advantage of by successive governments, as evidenced by their depressed welfare, sugar workers can hold their heads high and with dignity, knowing that their labour has generated much foreign currency through the decades which have helped support Guyanese’ way of life. Finally, although PPP supporters are probably having a good laugh at coalition supporters, all Guyanese, particularly those of African descent, can take this opportunity to confirm that the PPP is a liar, by embracing our fallen sugar workers and giving them a place in society, where they rightfully belong.

Regards Craig Sylvester

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Motorcycle bandit caught after Plaisance robbery

PROMPT response by ranks of Sparendaam Police Station has resulted in the arrest of one of two motorcycle bandits who violently attacked and robbed a Plaisance resident of a gold chain valued $ 220,000.

The robbery occurred at Britain Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara Wednesday night.

Police Press Officer, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan said inquires disclosed that the victim who resides at Victoria Road, Plaisance, was on the road conversing with a relative when the suspects approached on a motorcycle.

The pillion rider brandishing a handgun, dismounted and gun-butted the victim to his head, relieved him of his jewellery and quickly rejoined his accomplice, fleeing the scene.

The firearm that was found Ramlakhan said the matter was reported and one of the suspects was arrested shortly after in Plaisance.

“Though he was positively identified by the victim who is a police constable stationed at an interior location, he has denied the allegation. The stolen property has not been recovered or the firearm allegedly used, found.

The accomplice and the motorcycle are being sought as investigations continue,” the police press officer said.

Also on Wednesday night, around 20:15 hrs, police acting on information received, arrested a 23-year-old, unemployed male of Soesdyke, Linden Highway.

An unlicensed Taurus pistol with four live rounds was found in a house at Self Help Square, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown in which the suspect was hiding.

Second suspect held in Craig murder case A SECOND suspect is in police custody as investigations continue into the murder of Purcell Moore, who was killed at Old Road, Craig, East Bank Demerara (EBD), on December 20, 2017.

The suspect, who was apprehended Tuesday, is being investigated as the shooter.

On December 27, 2017, the first suspect, Kelvin Persaud, 21, of 14 Avenue, Diamond, EBD, appeared Dead: Purcell Moore before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court after being charged for murder.

The 40-year-old clothes vendor, Purcell Moore, who returned from Cayenne, French Guiana a few days before, was shot and killed during a robbery.

According to reports, an argument reportedly erupted between the victim and the suspects and it escalated into a scuffle, during which the armed suspect allegedly discharged several rounds.

Moore was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 12, 2018

Chinese Arrival Day 2018

Keep the vibrant culture of your foreparents alive-Min Norton MINISTER of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton has urged Guyanese of Chinese descent to keep the vibrant culture of their foreparents alive as Guyana today celebrates 165 years of Chinese Arrival here.

Below is the full text of Minister Norton’s message: Guyanese across the length and breadth of the country are joining together today to celebrate Chinese Arrival Day. Today marks 165 years since our Chinese brothers and sisters first arrived on these shores on January 12, 1853.

From 1853-1879, a total of 13,541 Chinese, which comprised a diverse group who hailed from different regions, spoke different dialects and embraced different religious and cultural beliefs, from China, were scattered across the counties of Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo. They were among the smallest group of indentured labourers brought to Guyana, and initially comprised only men.

Minister of Social Cohesion Dr. George Norton Later on, a small number of Chinese women were brought to serve as indentured labourers. On completion of their indentureship many of them returned to China or emigrated to different parts of the Caribbean. Of the lot then remained, several of them became astute businessmen and engaged in commercial pursuits, including becoming barbers and tradesmen.

Today, their descendants

form part of the fabric of the Guyanese society and have made significant contributions to nation-building in the academic, sports and entrepreneurial fields. Some of the most distinguished Guyanese of Chinese descent are former Chief Justice, Ian Chang; General Surgeon, Mr. Wallace Lee; Mathematician, Mr. Claude Lee; Entrepreneur, Mr. Stanley Ming and Cricketer Mr. Johnathon Foo. Most notably, the first President of Independent Guyana, the late Arthur Chung, was of Chinese descent.

In addition, Chinese organisations such as the Chinese Sports Club have also made significant contributions to sports in Guyana.

At one time the Club even boasted of having the leading hockey team in Guyana, which claimed victory in all the tournaments that it participated in in 1974. As we observe the second annual Chinese Arrival Day, I want to encourage all of Guyana to take the time to appreciate the contributions made by

Chinese Guyanese. I also want to implore persons who are Guyanese of Chinese descent to be cognisant of your roots and I want to encourage you to keep the vibrant culture of your foreparents alive.

As Minister of Social Cohesion, I have been tasked by His Excellency, President David Granger, to lead the Government’s efforts of creating a unified country. I acknowledge that Social Cohesion is a process that will require input from all Guyanese as achieving solidarity entails fostering respect and appreciation for all cultures and traditions. What we as a Government want to see is Guyanese from all walks of life embracing the immense beauty that is there in our diversity.

Therefore, I encourage each of you to maintain the vibrancy of your own cultures, while you practise respect, foster love and enjoyment of the cultures of your fellow Guyanese.

In 2018, let us endeavour to truly become ‘One People’, living in ‘One Nation’, following ‘One Destiny.’

Clear your lands of overgrowth-CH&PA urges THE Central Housing and Planning Authority is again appealing to owners of unoccupied house lots in housing schemes under its management, to commence building or for those who are unable to do so at this time to clear their lots and surrounding drains of overgrowth.

The agency in a release said it has received numerous complaints from residents living in those communities about security

threats and health hazards they face on a daily basis.

“It is a known fact that unoccupied house lots with large overgrowth are safe havens for criminals. They are also habitats for reptiles and breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which have the potential to spread diseases such as dengue fever.”

On Monday, the agency said it received a complaint from an elderly man in Region 10, who was bitten by a poisonous snake,

which he said emerged from the unoccupied lot next to his property. Referencing Agreements of Sale, Transports, and Certificates of Title, landowners are responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of all drains, reserves, and parapets adjoining the said lot and shall keep all parapets and reserves unencumbered, the CH&PA said.

“Once you are allocated a plot of land by the agency, it is expected that you will

commence construction at the stipulated time as indicated on your Agreement of Sale, Transport or Certificate of Title. Should you be unable to do so, it is only reasonable for you to make arrangements to maintain the land at an acceptable standard until you are ready to commence construction.

It is unreasonable to expect residents to go into their pockets and expend monies to maintain lands they do not own.”

Gunman robs student on Crown Street A 21-YEAR-OLD student of Kitty, Georgetown was robbed by a gunman of his gold jewellery and cash at Crown and New Garden Streets, Alberttown.

Reports indicate that the student and friend went to a food outlet at Camp and Middle Streets at 20:00

hrs and after leaving, they decided to walk east along Middle Street when they noticed a burgundy Toyota Allion motorcar that was parked on the roadway.

As they continue their walk reaching Crown Street, the vehicle appeared again and two occupants were

seen inside.

The student and his friends continued walking and a man exited the vehicle and approached the student, while pulling a handgun from his waist.

The friend immediately ran off and the robber stripped the student of all

his valuables, jumped into the burgundy car and made good his escape.

The student was robbed of two gold bands, one ray-bans shades, and $25,000 cash, among other items. The robbery was reported to the police as investigations continue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 12, 2018

Exxon seeks authorisation for Liza Phase 2

OIL and gas exploration giants, ExxonMobil has announced that it has started the process of developing its potential Liza Phase 2, by submitting an application to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for environmental authorisation.

The company in a statement on its Facebook page on Thursday indicated that it is still planning a potential production concept for Liza Phase 2.

The company indicated that it is considering the initiation of the second phase of the Stabroek Block Liza discovery, the Liza Phase 2 Development, which would serve

as the second oil and gas development project in Guyana.

According to Exxon, the potential concept involves a second floating, production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) and related subsea equipment, umbilical, risers and flow lines.

The proposed development concept is similar to that of Liza Phase 1.

“Approximately 35-40 wells may be drilled at two subsea drill centres, consisting of a combination of producers and injectors to support production of oil, injection of water and reinjection of associated gas,” said the company.

These subsea facilities, as reported, will include various types of equipment, pipelines and hardware.

Exxon explained that the subsea facilities allow the oil from the wells to be gathered and moved to the surface of the ocean for further processing by the FPSO. The FPSO will have an estimated production capacity of approximately

190,000 to 220,000 barrels of oil per day.

ExxonMobil’s Country Director, Rod Henson had said Guyana can profit from as much as US$7B over the first phase of its Liza project.

This figure translates to $1.45 trillion Guyana dollars over the course of the 20-year-long, Phase 1 of the company’s Liza project offshore Guyana.

The projected sums are

based on price projects, Exxon noted. Following the release of the contract with Government, Exxon provided details of the company’s interest in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana.

Exxon projected that over a five-year period, the country stands to benefit from US$1.5B from the Liza project.

Citing the petroleum agreement’s competitive nature as being similar to those the company signed with other countries, Henson told reporters that the potential which the country stands to benefit from can “substantially increase the standard of living in Guyana”.

As he compared the 2016 agreement with the initial agreement the company signed in 1999, Henson said that Exxon agreed to a number of higher and new payments, including the US$18M bonus which Government placed in a designated account in the Bank of Guyana this year.

Henson said that a new commitment was the increase in rental fees from US$240,000 annually to US$1M which is payable to the country.

In addition, Exxon has committed to paying an annual training fee of US$300,000 a figure which improved from the US$45,000 of the 1999 agreement.

House flattened by garbage fire A LINDENER was made homeless after fire burnt his wooden house to ashes on Thursday afternoon.

The fire on the lot 774 South Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden home started around 13:00hours, and within minutes, it was flattened.

Kennett Alexander, who lived at his house for almost two years, was not at home at the time of the blaze.

Alexander, who was in disbelief, told this newspaper that he lost “everything”.

A resident Brian William, who was assisting others in weeding the yard, said a fire was lit to burn a heap of grass but it spread to the house.

“We light a fire and after we out it down it start back,” said William.

This newspaper understands that the fire also damaged two nearby houses.

The fire service was contacted but by the time firefighters arrived, the house was already gutted. No one was injured.

Magistrate finds courier’s defence implausible

–– sentences, fines her for attempting to smuggle ‘coke’ to the US TWENTY-six-year-old Tiffani Collison was on Thursday sentenced to three years, nine months jail and fined $18.2M for smuggling almost 15 pounds of cocaine in hammocks to the U.S.A. via DHL Shipping last September.

The mother of one of Samaan Street, Guyhoc Park was jailed by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, who found her guilty of committing the act on September 20, 2017 at DHL’s local headquarters on Fifth Street, Alberttown.

Tiffani Collison and her attorney, Stanley Moore

Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU)’s Konyo Sandiford is contending that Collison had used her mother’s identification document to post four hammocks, via DHL on September 20.

On the following day (September 21) the suspicious-looking package was discovered by a CANU rank at the Eugene F Correia International Airport at Ogle, whilst being checked as outgoing cargo.

The hammocks are suspected to have been soaked in liquid cocaine, and were to be delivered to a US address via a Georgetown-based courier service.

A wanted bulletin for Collison’s arrest was issued following the discovery, and four days later she surrendered at CANU headquarters with her lawyer, Stanley Moore.

Collison, in her defence, explained that she’d received the package from a friend in a black-tinted car at a road corner, and taken it to DHL to be shipped to the USA to one Keith Brown.

The chief magistrate, in her ruling, found that the circumstances under which Collison received the parcel is mighty suspicious.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 12, 2018

No clearance for Subryanville gun range … EPA says still reviewing concerns of residents

THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it has not granted Environmental Authorisation for an ‘Indoor Commercial Gun Range at Lot 2 &4 Subryanville, Georgetown.

In a statement coming on the heels of complaints by residents the EPA said contrary to public perception and with reference to an article in the Kaieteur Newspaper of Saturday, January 06, 2018, and a letter in the Stabroek Newspaper, dated Monday, January 08, 2018, the project is still engaging the attention of the EPA and categorically the proposed project has not received an Environmental Authorization.

“The agency advises that the publication of the notice that the project is exempt from an Environ-

mental Impact Assessment (EIA) is not an indication that the project or any other projects are automatically approved. The publication is only one aspect of the Agency’s statutory environmental authorization process,” EPA said.

It added that there are other requirements that the Agency may request of the proposed development before making a decision to approve or reject a project. Public participation and input is a critical and important aspect of this process, EPA asserted.

Giving a background to the issue the EPA said it received on November 07, 2017, an application for Environmental Authorization from Mr Jules Singh, for a proposed Indoor Gun Range Project at 2 & 4, Subryanville, Georgetown.

According to the EPA,

based on the information in the application and other supporting information provided, the agency determined that the project will not significantly affect the environment, and as such, was exempt from requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

“In this regard, the next step in the process, and in keeping with the Environmental Protection Act, Cap. 20:05, and the Environmental Protection Regulations, 2000, the Agency’s decision was published (30 days Public Notice) which provided the opportunity for any person/member of the public who may be affected by this project to lodge an appeal against the Agency’s decision with regard to the project being exempted from an EIA.”

According to the EPA the 30-day Public Notice expired on December 23, 2017. During this time, the Agency received objections and concerns from members of the public on the proposed project.

“These concerns are being reviewed and will be taken into consideration in determining whether or not an Environmental Authorisation will be granted. The Agency will notify those members of the public from whom it received objections, and the developer of its decision regarding the proposed project.”

Last week several residents in a letter to this newspaper questioned the methodology used by the EPA to determine that the project does not require an environmental impact assessment. “The EPA did not indicate its capacity

and methodology to evaluate the proposed design of indoor gun ranges to deal with noise pollution, disposal of any of the hazardous waste, and the security of the weaponry which could cause harm to human life,” the letter writers stated.

According to the residents Subryanville and the neighbouring Fraserville are not commercial zones.

“The infrastructure for drainage is fragile. Roads are narrow and made for residential use. Residents of Subryanville and Fraserville have suffered from flooding resulting from the damage caused by the construction and heavy usage of the infrastructure for commercial use.” Residents said they expect that all of the relevant agencies (Ministry of Communities, Ministry of Public Security, Mayor and City Council, CH&PA) will find or propose suitable alternative venues for the Indoor Gun

Daughter tells of finding mother –– as trial into 2013 dead in backyard ‘Agricola murder’ continues

By Michel Outridge SEVERAL witnesses took to the stand on Thursday, among them the daughter and son-in-law of the deceased, as the trial into the January 31, 2013 murder of Agricola resident, Donna Taylor continues in the Georgetown High Court before Justice James Bovell-Drakes and a 12-member jury.

On trial for the murder is 27-year-old former soldier, Abiola Jacobs, called “Abby”.

Marcelle Collymore, daughter of the 55-year-old deceased, told the court on Thursday morning that she knows the accused, as she was a regular visitor of her parents’ Agricola, East Bank Demerara home, but that she knows her by another name, which is “Chucky”.

Collymore also testified that the accused was the girlfriend of her brother, Bertram Taylor Jr, and that she knew her parents’s house-

guest, Samantha Sabatt.

Collymore recalled that on January 31, 2013 at around 23:30hrs, she was at her Diamond, East Bank Demerara home when she received a telephone call and had a very disturbing conversation with someone.

The nature of that conversation, Collymore said, caused her to relay certain information to her husband, and together they headed for her parents’ home, where they were greeted upon arrival by a neighbour.

Joined by the neighbour, Collymore said she and her husband went first into the yard then the upper flat of her parents’ two-storey house, where she saw a severely injured Sabatt lying on a sofa.

On not finding her mother in the house, Collymore said she went in search of her in the backyard. And that’s where she found her; lying on her back with her hand tied behind her, and a shirt wrapped around her

Abiola Jacobs neck in an apparent attempt to staunch the flow of blood beneath it.

Collymore related that on seeing the state that her mother was in, she went back upstairs for a sheet and helped place her on it so as to make it easy to take her to the front of the yard. Afterwards, she reportedly helped put her mother and Sabatt in a car so they could be taken to the hospital.

She said that the last time

she saw her mother alive was that very day; that she had told her “something”, but that she was otherwise in good health.

Collymore’s husband, Charles, also testified accompanying his wife to her parents’ house in Agricola.

He said, too, that the last time he’d seen his motherin-law alive was at around 17:30hrs the very day, and that she looked normal to him.

According to the police, Taylor’s body was found aback her Agricola home on Friday, January 31, 2013 with her throat slit, and her hands bound behind her.

Cause of death was given as shock and haemorrhage due to the incised wound to her neck, compounded by blunt-force trauma to the head.

The police also said in their report that Sabatt, Taylor’s friend, had been a guest at her home at the time of the incident, and that she was injured when she jumped

from a bedroom window of the two-storey house after realising that her life was in danger.

Sabatt had reportedly travelled to Guyana from the United Kingdom to attend her father’s funeral, and was hiding in a bedroom upstairs when the killers tried to get to her by attempting to break down the bedroom door.

The police also confirmed in their report that Jacobs, of Lot 55 Evan Phillips Park, Agricola, was the girlfriend of the dead woman’s son, but that the young man had reportedly broken off the relationship with her because of her aggressive attitude towards him.

Reports are that the young man was very close to his mother, and because of that, the suspect felt that it was she who had influenced him to end their relationship.

The State is being led

by Mandel Moore in association with Lisa Cave, while the defence attorney is Adrian Thompson.

Range. “We, the residents through our civil agitation actions, have managed to get a written undertaking from the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission, an organisation which knowingly moved into our residential neighbourhood, that they will seek alternative accommodation before the expiry of their lease in 2018. Kindly note we are willing to take all necessary action should the covenants on our transports not be respected.”

The letter was signed by: Aisha Fraites; Bonita Harris; Colin Cholmondely; Damian Fernandes; Elizabeth Deane-Hughes; Eva Rawana-Scott; Faye Clark; George Matthews; Dr Graham Scott; Jocelyne Josiah; Kevin Sears; Lianne Sears; Oncar Ramroop; Patricia Deen; Philip Fernandes; Sabine McIntosh; Sandra Fernandes; Stuart Hughes; Terence Solomon and Vidyaratha Kissoon.

Bandits rob cashier at Bagotstown Mall TWO bandits robbed a cashier at C&F Mall located at Bagotstown Public Road, East Bank Demerara on Thursday of an undisclosed sum of cash.

Reports indicate that the cashier was at the Western Union section located on the upper flat of the two-storey building transacting her business in a caged area when the two bandits went up to her and pointed a gun, demanding she hands over the cash, which she did.

The armed robbers then exited the outlet and ran down the stairway. The cashier raised an alarm and a nearby businessman who is a licensed firearm holder gave chase.

The bandits joined a waiting yellow motor car and the businessman discharged several rounds at the car which drove away on Water Street, Bagotstown.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 12, 2018

Fly Jamaica’s Boeing 676 back in operation

FOLLOWING a number of delays in flight operations, Fly Jamaica Airways has been able to reservice one of its Boeings. The company’s Boeing 767-300ER is now back in operation, having made its way to New York on Thursday.

Airline representatives told the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday that the plane travelled to New York with passengers and that further relief has come to those left stranded as a result of the delays. A statement on the company’s website had said that Fly Jamaica Airways’ aircraft were undergoing scheduled and unscheduled maintenance checks. This affected the company’s ability to adequately facilitate passengers travelling during the peak Christmas and New Year’s period.

Fly Jamaica said it sought the intervention of third party entities, but they too were experiencing difficulty due to adverse weather conditions in the form of harsh and heavy snowfall. Numerous passengers had taken to social media to air their frustration and concerns.

This caused the local aviation body to summon the company on the delays.

Measures such as placing a 24-hour call centre were put in place to offer information and other assistance to passengers.

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority said that the company assured them that its own Boeing 767 would be operational

by Thursday January 11, “to relieve the backlog of passengers left stranded in Guyana and other destinations” Additionally, Fly Jamaica said it was leasing another plane-a Boeing 757--to ease the passengers they had waiting in Kingston and New York. Fly Jamaica is Guyanese owned, but based in Kingston Jamaica. It operates scheduled flights from Guyana to Kingston, Jamaica; Toronto, Canada and New York, USA.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 12, 2018

Farmer injured by falling tree

HENRY Jaccobs, 63, a farmer of Baramita, North West, Region One, remains warded at the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he is being treated for fractured legs and other abrasions, after a tree fell on him two Fridays ago.

The sextagenarian who lives with his wife, Rosa Jardy and one son at their Baramita home, claims he was working on his farm, felling (cutting) a tree to get fire-wood when the tree fell and injured him.

He is unable to say how long he remained in that

position or who rescued him and took him to hospital.

When he regained consciousness, he was on a bed at the Baramita Hospital, North West Region and was later air-dashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital in the city.

Both his legs are in cast, in addition to which, he is fitted with a corset cast around his chest and abdomen and remains immobile.

Jaccobs has no relatives in the city and so, has no personal effects.

He has absolutely noth-

ing. Asked if anyone has ever come to see him, he quietly replied: “Only the nurses and doctors.” Jaccobs expressed gratitude to a nurse in the ward who gave him a large bottle of Tropical Mist drinking water which is all he has and is drinking it sparingly.

The patient would also like to ask Nurse Hilton at the Baramita Hospital to get a message to his grandson, asking him to travel to the city so he can be of help to him for the remainder of his period of hospitalisation.

Unidentified man hospitalised

A YOUNG man of Indian ancestry was Monday admitted to the Male Surgical Ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation in an unconscious state after being involved in a motor vehicular accident in Georgetown.

The man appears to be between ages 28 – 32 and is about 5’ 2” tall.

He is slightly bearded and has thick black eye brows and sports a tattoo on the upper right arm.

He was clad in a red jersey marked

‘D & G Gabanna’ on the front and a pair of black trunks marked ‘FASHIONS’ on both sides.

When seen by this newspaper, he remained fully unconscious; his head was wrapped in bandage and he was being administered with what appeared to be fluid by way of the nostrils.

Based on information received, as at 16:30hrs, his relatives had not yet received word of his involvement in the accident.

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Security summit reviews new strategies

PRESIDENT David Granger on Thursday morning convened a meeting of the National Security Committee to address problems of crime and security, review the security sector’s 2017 performance and to plan programme for 2018.

The meeting was attended by heads of the security agencies: Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and Attorney General, Basil Williams.

Guyana Chronicle was told that the meeting which lasted for well over four hours zeroed in on national intelligence; the prison system and anti-narcotics.

According to a sources part of the review also dealt with the road traffic situation. Thursday’s meeting follows report by Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine that crime is down and Ramjattan tell-

ing the National Assembly Wednesday evening that the security forces have done a commendable job when compared with a number of Caribbean states.

Though tightlipped, the source said it was the single longest security meeting of the coalition since taking office.

“What it shows is the administration consistency in taking a hands-on attitude on all areas of the security sector,” the source added.

Earlier this week the Guyana Chronicle reported that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) solved 77 percent of all murder cases last year, the highest percentage achieved by the police force in years. Ramnarine told a news conference last week that there were 116 reports of murder in 2017 as against 142 in 2016.

The figure represented a decrease of 18 percent, but what was more significant is of the 116 cases of murder, 88 were solved.

“This percentage has been

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 12, 2018

President David Granger sits alongside Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, Attorney General Basil Williams (partly hidden) and a member of the security services very high for the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and for this country for quite a long while and we believe this ranks among the highest solved or clear-up rate anywhere in recent times,” he said.

Speaking about the 11 per cent decrease in serious crimes, the acting Top Cop

said that at the end of the year, the figure was around 10 per cent. He commended his ranks for the extra work they put in during the holidays to achieve a further reduction.” He also expressed concern about the troubling spate of carjackings, with the perpetrators showing a preference

for Toyota Premio and Toyota Allion brands.

According to Ramnarine, the carjackings seem to have some sort of “criminal industrialised concept, with apparent collusion between several players in the criminal enterprise. “ In the first two months of the last quarter of

2017, we saw an increase (in carjackings) which was worrisome. In 2015, there were 41 cases, there were 36 in 2016, and 47 (carjackings) in 2017.

We note of the 47 cases, in 2017, 16 (of the stolen vehicles) were Toyota Premio, and eight were Toyota Allion,” he said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 12, 2018

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A voice for young people Guyana talented teen 2017 Cindyann Khan and her fight against Climate Change

By Tamara Tucker

whatever may happen,” she said.

ON November 5, 2017, the charming and beautiful 19-yearold Cindyann Khan emerged victorious above several other beautiful young women and copped the Miss Talented Teen 2017 title. This was the second pageant for the young beauty, who hails from Enterprise, East Coast Demerara.

Cindyann first took part in the Miss North Georgetown Secondary School Pageant while she was a student at the institution. There, she copped the First Runner-Up title.

It was after competing in that pageant that Cindyann developed an interest in pageantry, she told `The Buzz’ in an interview. The aspiring lawyer stated that this interest revolves around developing not only herself but making a difference in lives of people in her community. "I believe that every good

HER FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE This captivating teen has a compassionate love for nature which led her to use climate change as her platform. “I believe that in the beginning, God created the earth he created us as stewards of it,” she said. “As such, I think we should all try to be a part of the solution and not the problem because climate change is a great threat, it is real and therefore should be one of our top priority.”

With this passion to ensure that we take responsibility in fighting against climate change, Cindyann intends to promote her platform by visiting schools and educating others on ways which they all can fight climate change collectively. Cindyann has been receiving support from organisations such as Simply Royal and she added that the Queens’s Young Leader, Samantha Sheopersaud has also been a major help in making this project a successful one.

The reigning Miss Talented Teen explained that God is her role model and he inspires her daily through his words to be the best version of herself, to use her abilities and capabilities for his glory by loving and helping those around her, nevertheless apart from God, she explained that her parents are her biggest role models as they constantly inspire her and mold her into becoming the person she is.

Cindyann Khan, Miss Guyana Talented Teen 2017

opportunity is a learning experience and every experience will prepare you for what is ahead,” she said. The outspoken teen said that she also found that pageantry gives young women a voice that they can use to influence the youths in a positive way and also show every teenage girl out there that they can be confidently beautiful with a heart that seeks to pursue a passion with a purpose in order to make a difference in their community, country and even in the lives of people. “Pageantry is not all about winning and wearing the crown. It is all about what you do after winning, serving and striving to be the best person you can be to inspire other people to be the best of themselves

YOUTH INVOLVEMENT Cindyann said that it is important for young people to be involved in societal issues or leadership at such a young age because she believes that at that stage in their lives, young people have the energy to combine their skills and capacities in order to make positive contributions to the country. “We are all full of potential, new visions and lots of creativity,” she said.

She also believes that in a world where there are constant distractions, young people can stay focused by seeking advice constantly as well as asking themselves at every moment, ‘Is this necessary?’ “By evaluating everything we do, we may be able to make better choices, stay focused and engaged in that which we are most passionate about,” she said.

Cindyann’s advice to teenagers is to follow their dreams. “Life has a purpose. Your story counts, your voice matters, follow whatever you want to become and pursue and hold on to it because your passion can take you a far way,” she said.

Cindyanna Khan believes young people should be smart and make careful decisions

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 12, 2018

Only passionate musicians make up The Maxx Band – ‘Retro Wednesdays’ now on every week

By Telesha Ramnarine THE MAXX Band in Guyana that was formed last December is well on its way to achieving great heights thanks to the group of young musicians who are all passionate and enthusi- Giftland CEO Roy Beepat astic about their career.

And Chief Executive Officer of the Giftland Mall, Mr. Roy Beepat, whose idea it was to form the band in the first place, is happy that he decided to afford this opportunity to the youngsters.

In fact, he told The Buzz in an invited com-

Vocalist Abel Stokes

One of the persons Beepat asked for help in organising the band was local entertainer Maria Benschop, who mostly works behind the scenes of some of the country’s most popular and loved comedy shows.

“Maxx Band was formed by Mr. Roy Beepat who is the CEO of Giftland Mall. He loves music and it is something that he wanted to do for a long time,” Benschop told The Buzz.

In fact, she related that auditions for the band started since last year and that primarily, young people who were good in the business were selected.

Kelly Valenzuela and Eleazar Thibaud

Chris Gopaul’s dream was to be able to perform on a professional stage

ment that he finds music and sports to be two key areas that Guyana must place more emphasis on; and unless people in certain positions create the opportunities, these areas would not be developed.

Beepat is happy with the work of the band thus far, but pointed out how he sees things improving progressively. “A band is a work in progress and everything won’t happen overnight. But we’re confident that we are on the right track. So watch out!” he said.

Whenever he goes out, he loves to listen to a live band, and this is one of the reasons he thought of bringing the band into being.

Drummer Nicholas Chung

Benschop informed that the band recently started a ‘Retro Night’ which will be featured every Wednesday at the mall; and although the musicians are young, she is confident they will be able to appeal to all in the audience through various genres of music.

While the new band is made up of some new faces, it also features seasoned performers and musicians like Abel Stokes, Daniel DeSouza and Eleazar Thibaud who had originally formed a smaller unit called A.C.E.D. Nicholas Chung from Feed the Flames, Kelly Valenzuela from Venezuela, Trevaun Selman, Stanton Duff who Vocalist Scarlet Singh comes from a

background of musical parents, Catasha Rodrigues, Scarlet Singh, and comedian Chris Gopaul also make up the band.

The decision to join MAXX was an easy one for Abel since he sees it as a way to get people more publicly aware of his talent. Although he prefers to sing his own music, he doesn’t mind doing covers until he is ready to release his songs.

Scarlet, who is currently in medical school,

and is a featured singer at the Princess Casino every weekend, doesn’t necessarily see herself singing as a career but loves the way she can express herself through this medium. She feels that this is the only thing that makes her happy.

Funnyman Chris Gopaul, who is known for his numerous stage performances, is ecstatic about the opportunity since he has been waiting since he was 10 years old to sing on a professional stage.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 12, 2018

The necessary foundation toward cohesion is the shattering of age old political myths I recently attended Dr. Paloma Mohamed’s professional lecture on December 6, titled ‘The Fear Factor, Race, Oil and Reforming Guyana’ at the UG Lecture Theatre. Dr Mohammed touched fervently on the question of Social Cohesion and its tremendous necessity for the betterment of Guyana that needed all of its human resources to carve its niche of survival in a world of obvious difficult changes. Of the other speakers, the Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ivelaw Griffith asserted that the challenge of cohesion should begin at the University and referred to graffiti that needed addressing. The culture of politics has been a crucial influence in the conditioning of our population toward its own narrow wants to the detriment of the national benefit. One of the most intrusive aspects of political mythology is the half-truth of the PNC’s crime of rigged elections, as a mantra conveying subliminal messages of collective ethnic guilt for a crime against an atmosphere of innocent political engagement by another. Even the lazy or clueless editors of media houses comply with this concoction.

Recently on October 23, Stabroek News Ralph Ramkarran was quoted as a reference from that previous Sunday. Then in the Vol. 23 issue No.2 of the Guyana Review, Ralph Ramkarran’s address to the New York Diaspora on October 8, 2017 was published, and the rigging of elections by the PNC was the axis of his address. The fact to all researchers, academics and students that historical references exist in a ‘Timeline’, Ramkarran and the PPP are dishonest in this respect. The fact is that the only legally proven act of elections impropriety was against the PPP in 1998. Ramkarran is a lawyer, he understands that there are no legal grounds since no court has ever pronounced that the PNC has rigged an election, that allows him to say what he is saying, and that he is thus, perpetrating political propaganda as truth. The timeline of our current political culture pre-Independence to 2017 begins in 1948. The first myth to be disbanded is that Forbes Burnham left the PPP because of race. Fact: Forbes Burnham did not leave the PPP because he loved power or craved a race platform. Quote: “In 1954 the executive held a secret meeting to consider the whole question. Both Jagan and Burnham were present at the meeting and it was decided that it would be strategically astute to give way to Burnham as the leader of the party.

Jagan actually agreed with this, but it must be noted that his wife Janet was absent from this meeting...A few weeks later [in November 1954] the executive met again and this time Janet was present and Jagan announced that she would not be accepting the earlier decision. At that stage, we realised that there was no way we could prevent the impasse from getting into the open” Jainarine Singh, Guyana: Democracy Betrayed 1948-1993.

Conclusion: “Confusion was made more confounded when Mr Burnham [with the aid of Dr, Lachhmansingh] split the PPP in 1955. The Robertson commission had recommended a period of “marking time“in this country. After an agonising analysis of the situation they came to the conclusion that as long as the leadership and policies of the PPP continued as they were, there was no way in which any real measure of self-government could be restored to the country.” Ashton Chase,`A History of Trade Unionism in Guyana 1900/61’.

Analysis: The grief directed by the PPP, first began with the physical terror in 1963/64 against the members of the MPCA [Man Power Citizen’s Association] the union that GAWU was struggling to destroy to become the PPP’s union prison of the population that embodied the sugar-workers. Then the reign of terror that Dr, Jagan had admitted to Eric Williams that the PPP are responsible for, against the PNC and United Force constituency see ‘EVENING POST Tuesday, June 23, 1964, how then in 1968 would the same coalition constituencies that defeated the PPP In 1964 allow regardless of differences the political Bogeyman [that lived up to that reputation from 1996 to 2010] to return to power.

This is the only country where a political party had started a civil war and were not held accountable. From the modern world of Nuremburg 1945, the PNC in 1966/7 acted with leniency toward the PPP that came back to haunt us in the troubled times especially under Bharat Jagdeo.

The address that Ralph Ramkarran should have given has to fit into the timeline from the period 1948 to 2015, when in the 1960’s guns were brought by sea from CUBA by the PPP and semi-literate PPP believers.In 1963 delegates attending their Fourth Annual Congress, were fired when Premier Jagan said: “They say that B.G will be another Cuba; Jagan another Castro, but we shall always be loyal to the Cuban revolution...we shall fight them the way the Cubans did.” See The Communist Martyr Makers published by the Trade Union Congress.

But the mantra of the PPP soon faded from the Cuban Revolution and morphed into a “Racial civil war for Political Power” under the slogan ‘apan jaat’ translated in my childhood as many meanings above all PPP and sinister racism, this slogan was plastered across this country, on sea walls, fences and every place opportunistically available and it resonated from the PPP’s violent rush for power. I will not relate the horrible assaults that occurred, nor the equal retaliations, except to say that I interviewed friends and persons who experienced this period as children and adults. No children were not spared, except to say that never must it be concluded that what the PPP unleashed in Guyana between 1961 to 64 was supported by the collective Indo-Guyanese community, because many Afro-Guyanese [and also Indo-Guyanese] were saved, including relatives of mine, from impending death by persons who sat in the midst of the political planners but rejected their intentions. Warning friends and saving lives, those revelations narrowed the guilty ‘Intellectual Authors’ not to any guilty race but to guilty political individuals and their twisted manipulative political ambitions. For a deeper insight to the horrors, I choose not to elaborate on, seek out Eusi Kwayana’s Next Witness- an appeal to world opinion, and get a copy of the DOSSIER compiled by the joint opposition Political Parties Nov 2009.

They constitute the only documented pieces of literature in booklet and bound form that could be collaborated with real events in the context of the twisted nature that was politically unleashed in our modern politics, which Mr Ramkarran cannot dispute have occurred, but choose to purposely conceal, with the intention to deceive and to further the propaganda of innocence to shield the most violent political party to exist in this Nation’s modern history. Should he provide the legal evidence of a rigged election under Burnham he will earn my apology, if not, he should desist from purposely confusing and misguiding another generation.

National cohesion is possible, as long as Guyanese have the courage to confront the propaganda creatures when resurrected and callously contorted to deceive, when that `Timeline’ explored above, should not necessarily intrude on the future as a deceptive political tool of victimhood, but remain material for researchers of history and literature, and not used as fillers in the absence and vacuum of rational and constructive workable ideas that can attend to the needs of all Guyanese.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 12, 2018

New music video from Vanilla Promotes ‘Family’ values

TOMORROW,fans of local soca artiste Vanilla will get an early treat for the New Year in the form of a new music video for her single ‘Family’. The video for the song, which was released last year, will be launched on the National Communications Network (NCN) at 15:30hrs. In an interview with `The Buzz’, Vanilla said that inspiration for the song and its video came after Mashramani 2017. “The experience I had on the road while singing and displaying an individual costume in the Natural Resources Band gives me hands-on experience, one that was different from on top the truck. What made it unforgettable was the memories of the love I received from fans plus winning the Road March [title]. The events of that day and the discussion I had with my writer Mr.[Birchmore] Simon birthed the song ‘Family’,” Vanilla said.

Meanwhile, the songstress continues to work on her album though she admits that she has encountered some challenges due to her busy schedule. “I didn't just want to release an album, it must be an album that will surprise my fans, so I’m not going to rush it anymore. I have learnt that time can be your friend too,” she said. But even while making the most of that time, and even as yet another New Year has come upon us, Vanilla said that there are still grievances that she has with

Vanilla (centre) poses in costume with some young dancers from her new video ‘Family’

regard to the state of the local music industry. “It pains me to talk about the music business in Guyana. Building an industry of any kind takes some form of trust, cooperation and the willingness to work toward common goals. I don’t know

There’s not much going down around the town at the usual spots, though they’re all still opened if you're looking to just pop in on your own. So it’s all going to be quiet at Palm Court, Tower Suites, 704 and Pegasus this weekend. Even up at Giftland things are going to be on the soothing side up at The Strip.

Here are a few events that are still going on this weekend however TODAY Tower Suites Pool Side is the place to be! The Jamaican Afterwork Lime at Tower Suites returns! Enjoy bucket specials on Jamaican Red Stripe Beer and Dragon Stout, along with some fine Jamaican cuisine Fear the deer as Steph faces the Greek Freak! The Warriors take on the Buck tonight, and if you’re wondering where you could go watch it head down to 704 Sports Bar to catch that match in just the right atmosphere.

Fish Fry Friday at the Boneyard is “De place to be”. Let’s lime and eat well! They're located at 5 Duncan St, Bel Air Park.

It’s Latin night at the Vintage Wine Bar and Lounge. Get two Desperados Tequila Beer $1,000 TOMORROW The Vintage Wine Bar and Lounge presents Dinner and Retro Night! Come out and enjoy a nostalgic environment with hits from the 70s and 80s! While indulging in some of the cuisine!

SUNDAY Ladies, it’s your time! Marvellous entertainment presents “Ladies First” at Club Blue Iguana. Enjoy beer specials, and music by a special guest, DJ Anisah, DJ Energy, DJ David, Determine and Stereo Sonic. Ladies free all night.

when that will happen," she said. But, like most artists who are destined to make it by hook or by crook, Vanilla said that she will continue to do her best to aid in contributing to the development of the industry in any way she can.

Vanilla has also racked up quite the reputation on the Mashramani scene over the years, having copped the Road March Queen title multiple times over the years as well as her participation in the Soca Monarch Competition and Mash Fit. This year will be no different. "I am totally looking forward to Mash Fit 2018. I miss all the faces and energy of the people who always attend,” she said. Mash Fit will run until just before Mashramani in February and Vanilla is encouraging persons to come out on Monday-Friday from 17:0hrs hrs at the GCC ground.

“And experience the joys of keeping fit and having fun while doing it cause we will ‘Run Things like one ‘Family’.”

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Federer to open Australia Open title defence against Bedene MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - Roger Federer will open his Australian Open title defence against Slovenian Aljaz Bedene next week, while top seed Rafael Nadal, the losing finalist last year, was paired with Dominican Victor Estrella Burgos at the draw yesterday.

Women’s top seed Simona Halep of Romania faces Australian wildcard Destanee Aiava in the first round, with second seed Caroline Wozniacki starting out against Halep’s compatriot Mihaela Buzarnescu.

Serena Williams will not defend the women’s title having had her first child last year but 2008 champion Maria Sharapova, who failed a drugs test at the tournament in 2016, is back unseeded after a ban and will face Germany’s Tatjana Maria.

Williams’ sister Venus, who lost to her sibling in the final last year, is seeded fourth and the 37-year-old was handed a tricky first encounter against Swiss former world number seven Belinda Bencic, who is 17 years her junior.

Men’s third seed Grigor

Dimitrov will face a qualifier, with Alexander Zverev, ranked fourth, playing Italian Thomas Fabbiano but with 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka, returning

champion Djokovic, seeded 14th after missing the back end of last season with an elbow injury, will take on American lefthander Donald

Switzerland’s Roger Federer holds the Men’s singles trophy as he participates in the official draw ceremony in Melbourne Australia, ahead of the Australian Open tennis tournament. (REUTERS/David Gray)

after surgery, in his section of the draw.

Young gun Zverev had little luck in his first Australian Open draw as a top five seed with either Wawrinka, who plays Ricardas Berankis, or Novak Djokovic potentially standing in his path in the quarter-finals.

Six-time Melbourne Park

Young in his first match with mercurial Frenchman Gael Monfils looming in round two.

Federer also has Milos Raonic, Juan Martin del Potro, David Goffin and Tomas Berdych in his quarter of the draw, while Nadal would appear to have the easier section, although former U.S. Open champion Marin

Cilic looms as a last-eight opponent.

If the draw goes to seeding, Dimitrov would face American Jack Sock in the last eight, with ailing world number five Dominic Thiem, who withdrew from Kooyong because of illness yesterday, taking on Zverev.

Britain’s Andy Murray and Japan’s Kei Nishikori have already withdrawn from the championships and women’s world number three Garbine Muguruza has twice pulled out of tournaments over the last two weeks due to leg cramps and a thigh problem.

The Wimbledon champion is scheduled to take on France’s Jessika Ponchet in the first round, while French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko was paired with veteran Francesca Schiavone and U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens will take on China’s Zhang Shuai.

Australia’s sole men’s seed, Nick Kyrgios, takes on Brazilian Rogerio Dutra Silva and local women’s 18th seed Ashleigh Barty takes on Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.

Stoneman, Vince keep Test spots, Ballance dropped JAMES Vince and Mark Stoneman have retained their places in England’s Test squad for the tour of New Zealand, despite their struggles with the bat in the 4-0 Ashes defeat by Australia.

Batsman Gary Ballance, bowler Jake Ball and all-rounder Tom Curran have been dropped for the two-Test tour in March.

There is a first Test callup for 24-year-old batsman Liam Livingstone, who will captain Lancashire this year.

Bowler Mark Wood is also in the 16-man squad, alongside Ben Stokes.

“With Tom and Jake being part of the Ashes squad and doing pretty well, I was surprised to get the call,” Wood told BBC Sport.

All-rounder Stokes, 26, was arrested in September on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm following an incident in Bristol.

The England and Wales Cricket Board have made

him unavailable to play for England and will not review that stance until a decision has been made on whether to charge him.

James Vince was far from convincing during the Ashes with an average of 26.88.

England face the Black Caps, who are one place ahead of them in the world rankings in fourth, in a day-night Test in Auckland from March 22 to March 26 and then in Christchurch from March 30 to April 3.

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Ballance, 28, played in two of England’s four tour games in Australia, scoring 51, one and 45 not out in three innings. He did not appear in Tests.

Vince averaged 26.88 batting at number three in the Ashes and opener Stoneman averaged 25.77.

“The way Stoneman and Vince played, they do deserve a bit more of a chance,” England coach Trevor Bayliss told the BBC on Tuesday.

“They were playing against one of the best attacks in the world in their home conditions and showed the potential they have.

“They are aware that it’s about performance and scoring enough runs. If, over a period of time, that doesn’t happen and you have to look for someone else, that is the way of the game.”

National selector James Whitaker said Livingstone, who averages 48.75 in firstclass cricket, had been a Southwell 08:40 hrs High Kicker 09:10 hrs Bounderby 09:40 hrs Kommander Kirkup 10:40 hrs The Gtreat Wall 11:10 hrs Tatlisu 11:40 hrs Princess Way Musselburgh 09:00 hrs Heartasia 09:30 hrs Mullaghmurphy Blue 10:00 hrs Rhythm Of Sound

“standout performer” in the recent Lions tour of Australia.

“We are particularly impressed with the way he bats against spin and is equally adept against the seamers,” said Whitaker.

“He is a very talented and tough cricketer who has the ideal qualities and character to be successful in the Test arena.”

Test squad: Joe Root (Yorkshire), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Alastair Cook (Essex), Mason Crane (Hampshire), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Dawid Malan (Middlesex), Craig Overton (Somerset), Ben Stokes (Durham), Mark Stoneman (Surrey), James Vince (Hampshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 12, 2018

AAG, Guyana not ...

Continued from back page

administration of athletics I don’t think has fully grasped what has happened.”

Guyana’s progression actually started in 2016, when Daniel Williams, competing at the 23rd South American Youth Championships in Concordia, Argentina, November 12-13, finished as the only athlete at the games to finish with three medals, having placed third in the 200m (22.11 seconds), second in the 400m (48.57 seconds) and second in the high jump (two metres).

Anfernee Headecker

At the same event, Chantoba Bright leaped 5.94 metres to bring home bronze and Tyrell Peters clocked 10.68 seconds to claim second in the 100m.

Five months later, at the 2017 CARIFTA Games in Curacao, Guyana finished with an unprecedented eight medals overall, which included Compton Caesar’s historic gold in the Boys’ U-20 100m where he crossed the line at a time of 10.46 seconds to claim the ‘blue ribbon event’.

It was the first time in the 45-year-old games that Guyana had won gold in the 100m, and Caesar also went on to win bronze in the 200m.

Natricia Hooper (U-20) and Chantoba Bright’s (U-18) gold medal in the triple jump also highlighted Guyana’s showing at the games, while Claudrice McKoy (bronze 1500m) and Anfernee Headecker (1500m silver) also contributed to Guyana’s outstanding performance.

Claudrice McKoy

Guyana for the first time hosted the 2017 South American U-20 Championships in Athletics, June 3-4, at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, which saw the participation of nine countries in South America.

The Land of Many Waters finished fifth with a total of 25 medals, inclusive of three gold medals, which came from Caesar in the 100m (10.37 seconds), Bright in the long jump (6.30 metres)

and the Girls’ 4x400m relay team (Avon Samuels, Tandika Haynes, Kenisha Phillips and Joanna Archer).

As if that wasn’t enough, Williams then shocked the world when he ran a new Personal Best (46.72 seconds) to place second in the 400m in Nairobi Kenya, to claim Guyana’s first and only medal at the IAAF World U-18 Championships in Athletics (Kadecia Baird won silver at the 2012 IAAF World U20 Championships in Athletics).

Deshanna Skeete also made history when she won gold in the Girls’ 400m in Santiago, Chile, at the South American Youth Games, and Winston George, currently Guyana’s most recognisable senior athlete, won gold in the 400m at the 2017 Senior South American Championships in Athletics.

It was also George’s first gold medal at the major international event in his career.

Looking ahead, Hutson indicated, “What we’re doing now is not trying to contain, but being more prepared to deal with it in 2018 and it’s going to cost a lot of money and they are creditors out there that we still owe and we know that our athletes are going to take us places and the sponsors will come on board.”

Deshanna Skeete

“In the very near future, like Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas, where our administration and athletes will be on the same page, the key is investing. We’ve really invested a lot in our athletes and now they’re responding, especially people like Compton (Caesar) who is now transitioning from juniors to seniors,” said Hutson.

Hutson, whose involvement in the sport stretches way before his days as president, insisted that Guyana has never seen this wave of talent, especially competing on the international scene, with the athletes being locally based. He pointed out that “we’ve never had this.

In the recent past, we’ve never had these kind of athletes.

The playing field is changing and we have to get our acts together and talk to our sponsors.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 12, 2018

Rose Hall Town Pepsi U-19s begin 2018 campaign in style

The winning Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under-19 team

THE Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under-19 team began their 2018 campaign in style, whipping the Ramnarine Memorial Cricket Club by 55 runs recently at the Kennard Cricket

Ground.

The match was delayed by early morning rain and was reduced to 30 overs per side. Batting first after winning the toss, Rose Hall Town Pepsi were bowled out

for 174 in 29.5 overs.

National junior cricketers, Junior and Kevin Sinclair, were the principal scorers with 69 and 63 respectively. The talented Kevlon Anderson supported with 18.

Umpire Joseph Simon receives the donation from RHTYSC.

Kevin Sinclair’s innings included four massive sixes and five boundaries while Junior struck six maximums and four boundaries.

Bowling for Ramnarine Memorial, J. Dip-

narine took 3-31 and Amar Ramnarine 3-16.

In reply, the home team was rocked early by hostile pace bowling from Anderson and Joshua Wilson and they were 16-3 at the end of the

fifth over.

E. Mendonca and Rawle Park then featured in partnership of 39 for the fourth wicket before Mendonca was dismissed

by Kevin Sinclair for 18.

Only Park, 20, and

the aggressive Dipnarine with 33 offered any resistance as they were bowled out for 119 off 25.3 overs.

Bowling for Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under-19, Kevin Sinclair completed a fine allround performance by taking three wickets for 18 runs, Kevlon Anderson 2-11 and Keith Simpson 2-13.

Kevin Sinclair was named Man-of-the-Match.

Meanwhile, the team last Friday handed over a financial donation to the Berbice Cricket Umpires Association towards the hosting of their annual social and award ceremony.

The team also handed a trophy and a quantity of educational materials to the president of the Umpires Association, Joseph Simon.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the donations to the umpires were in recognition of their outstanding contributions towards the development of Berbice Cricket.

`Mice’ Cummings remembers playmate Gibbons as a very ‘smart defender’ … Former national player to be laid to rest today FORMER national forward and arguably Botofago’s best football player ever, Nigel ‘Mice’ Cummings, is saddened by the death of former national player Phillip ‘Scholar’ Gibbons, who will be laid to rest today after a funeral service at the Calvary Temple Church in Oronoque Drive, Retrieve Mackenzie, before his remains are interred in the Bamia cemetery on the Linden highway.

Gibbons, 55, died after a brief illness at the Mackenzie

Hospital on January 2.

His buddy friend ‘Mice’ Cummings, now residing in the United States, sent his condolences to the Gibbons family on this sad occasion.

From his base in the U.S. Cummings said: ‘Scholar’ and I grew up together and we started playing soccer at a tender age at the Silvertown battlefield where we played Under-16 and Under-19 first- and second-division football for Botofago FC and then Upper Demerara.”

Cummings noted, “As team members he was our right-back and I loved to play with him because of the love and dedication he had for the game. He was a very smart defender.”

he did visit Gibbons to see how he was doing.

Gibbons, after his playing days were over remained committed to football and served the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) as a referee for many years. He was also up to

beyond the call of duty.

Trim said, “He was one of those guys whom you can count on, to put the interest of the club first, even though he knew the challenges which were ahead of collective decision-making.

He said he was one of a few persons who were always present to assist and get the job done and even through his illness he was still prepared to serve the club.

Kennard’s Memorial directors to set new racing date

UCCA/Roy Baijnauth T20 continues

NUMBER 43 Scorpions and Number 48 Challengers recorded wins when the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA)-sponsored Roy Baijnauth T20 knockout competition continued this week in Berbice.

In their match played at the Number 70 Young Blood ground on the Corentyne Coast, the Number 43 Scorpions made light work of the Number 70 Young Blood, whipping them by seven wickets. Batting first, Number 70 Young Blood were bowled out for 116 in 18 overs with Arjune Persaud 24 and C. Nandkishore (18), the top-scorers.

Bowling for Number 73 Scorpions Farook Drepaul (2-25), Ronald Pottaya (2-28), Marcel Henry (2-21) and Bhajpaul Deen (3-14), ripped through their opponents’ batting. Replying to a decent target, the Scorpions cruised to 123 in just 11.3 overs with Marcel Henry and Pottaya slamming unbeaten 40s.

Over at the Number 69 Red Rose venue, Number 48 Challengers defeated hosts Number 69 Red Rose by a massive 124 runs. Batting first, Number 48 Challengers scored 156 for 4 in their 20 overs thanks to Devin Baldeo (43), Monesh Lalu (41) and Mandrekhar Bhola (39). In the end, Number 69 Red Rose were mowed down for 32 during their chase.

The competition continues over the next four weeks with the 12 teams who have qualified from the previous rounds, preparing to do battle in the next rounds.

on the passing of Gibbons as he remembered the contributions of the former national player not just as a player, but also as a referee.

He was always willing to give his best and always there to do what was necessary to let the game be played on the field.

President of the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC), Avery Trim, also remembers Gibbons who was always willing to serve

Nigel ‘Mice’ Cummings at left with Phillip ‘Scholar’ Gibbons

According to `Mice’ Cummings, Gibbons would before taking a corner kick yell out his name as Gibbons was “right on point in finding my head”.

Cummings said he recalled the time his very good friend “got married and moved from across the Demerara River at Wismar to Mackenzie, but ‘Scholar’ remained a Botofago die-hard and was very pleasant and free-handed.”

Cummings said when he first had knowledge of Gibbons’ sickness they (Botofago FC) did contribute to his eye surgery and while he was at home last year

the time of his passing, treasurer of the Mackenzie Sports Club.

After his years of service to the bauxite industry ended, the former Mackenzie High School student was at one time Town Clerk (ag) with the Mayor and Town Council of Linden.

Cummings remarked, “When I heard the news of his passing, it was a shock to me still. I am still in mourning and he said the former standout Botofago player would be greatly missed.”

President of UDFA, Terrence Mitchell, also weighed in

DIRECTORS of the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club are to meet shortly to decide on new date for its horserace meet which was rescheduled from Boxing Day. Speaking with Chronicle Sport yesterday, Justice Cecil Kennard informed that consistent rainfall over the Christmas period forced the organisers of the event to reschedule the eight-race card after the club’s facility at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice was under water, due to the heavy rainfall.

The former Chancellor of the Judiciary said “at the moment (yesterday) the track is still under water, so the club’s directors will meet on January 21 to decide on a new date for the staging of the activity… but it will definitely have to be next month.”

Kennard also informed that

at the January 21 meeting, the Directors will put together the club’s calendar of events for the remainder of the year.

For more information, racehorse owner and trainers can contact the following persons; Ivan Dipnarine (331-0316), Justice Kennard (623-7609 or 235-4818), Fazal Habibulla (657-7010) or Dennis Deroop (640-6396).

Metro Office and Stationary Supplies will sponsor the $1M first prize money for the feature event.

The feature event is opened to horses classified `B2 and Lower’ over a distance of nine furlongs and to date, most of the country’s top animals have already been registered, including the unbeaten American Bred Vera’s Finally who recently won the feature Guyana Cup event.

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Full field registered for Trophy Stall-sponsored golf season opener A FULL field has already been registered for the Trophy Stall-sponsored Lusignan Golf Club’s (LGC) 2018 season-opener billed for tomorrow at the club’s facility, Lusignan, East Coast Demerara.

The tournament, which has attracted Guyana’s top golfers both male and female, will tee-off at 12:30hrs and will see the golfers compete on a refurbished surface.

Over the past week president of the club, Aleem Hussain, had the fairways spruced up and the trenches surrounding the playing area and those within the playing venue were cleared and dug out, making the fairways free of water and suitable for golf to be played in the month of January.

According to Hussain, through the assistance of MACORP, which provided an excavator to dig the drains, the club within a

Lusignan Golf Club president Aleem Hussain (right) accepts the winners’ and other trophies from Ramesh Sunich, proprietor of Trophy Stall.

matter of one week was able to restore and upgrade the facility, making it playable.

Hussain disclosed that the Managing Director of Trophy Stall, Ramesh Sunich, has over the years been very supportive to the club and he (Hussain) is very grateful.

Sunich, in an invited comment, said he is always ready to assist in whatever way he can, not only the Lusignan Golf Club but on a regular basis many other sports associations and organisations.

“This is one way of giving back,” Sunich said.

Meanwhile, defending ladies’ champion Christine Sukhram, who has won the national championship on eight occasions will be hardpressed by two-time champion Joann Deo. Eight-time men’s champion Avinash Persaud will be defending his title tomorrow also.

Hodge, Mayers put Volcanoes in control ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) – Kavem Hodge was eyeing a second firstclass hundred and Kyle Mayers his first, as both struck unbeaten half-centuries to ensure Windward Islands Volcanoes dominated the opening day of their penultimate round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.

Sent in at the National Stadium here yesterday, Volcanoes recovered from 37 for two to end the rainhit day on 270 for four with Hodge stroking 87 not out and Mayers 73 not out.

Ve t e r a n l e f t - h a n d ed opener Devon Smith chipped in with 46 to take his season aggregate to 945 runs while Roland Cato scored 26.

Unbeaten in their last three outings and looking to end the season strongly, Volcanoes made a dodgy start when they lost a couple of early wickets, as opener Tyrone Theophile (21) and former Test batsman Kirk Edwards (3) went cheaply.

Smith put on 29 for the first wicket with Theophile who struck four fours in his 54-ball knock before departing to a catch at the wicket off St Clair.

The enterprising 30-year-

old St Clair then prised out Edwards but the right-handed Hodge stood firm and anchored two excellent stands, to put Volcanoes in control of the innings.

First, he added 81 with Smith for the third wicket before putting on a further 115 in an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership with Mayers.

Left-arm pacer Daniel St Clair was the best bowler with two for 44.

Smith, entering the match with 899 runs for the season, again looked in good touch in an innings lasting 177 balls and including three fours.

He was approaching his second half-century of the season when he fell to leftarm spinner Khary Pierre, and Cato followed after striking four boundaries in a 50-ball innings and posting 37 for the fourth wicket with Hodge.

In need of stability at 155 for four, Hodge and Mayers combined in a free-scoring stand to put Red Force on the back foot.

Dominican Hodge played confidently, facing 250 deliveries and hitting 10 fours while Barbadian Mayers, an aggressive lefthander, lashed 10 fours and three sixes in an authoritative 64-ball knock.

Mayers, in particular, was severe on anything remotely loose and continued to attack the Red Force bowling well into the dying stages of the day, smashing three boundaries off

off-spinner Bryan Charles in the third over from the close.

Volcanoes entered the round bottom of the sixteam standings on 61.4 points while Red Force lie fourth on 76.8.

Kavem Hodge

SCOREBOARD

VOLCANOES 1st innings D. Smith c Pierre b Charles 46 T. Theophile c wkp. Katwaroo b St Clair 21 K. Edwards c Jangoo b St Clair 3 K. Hodge not out 88 R. Cato c Ramdin b Cariah 26 K. Mayers not out 73 Extras: (lb-9, nb-5) 14 Total: (4 wkts, 100 overs) 270 Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-37, 3-118, 4-155.

Bowling: St Clair 14-5-44-2, Webster 13-4-41-0, Charles 28-8-62-1, Imran Khan 22-4-69-0, Pierre 12-5-16-0, Cariah 11-4-29-1.

RED FORCE – D. Ramdin, A. Jangoo, J. Solozano, E. Nicholson, Imran Khan, Y. Cariah, T. Webster, K. Pierre, S. Katwaroo, D. St Clair, B. Charles.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 12, 2018

TTCB to investigate mix-up in Bravo exclusion PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Trinidad a n d To b a g o C r i c k e t Board (TTCB) president Azim Bassarath has promised to probe the communication breakdown that led to Darren Bravo’s exclusion from the four-day and Super50 setup.

It emerged this week that Bravo, the country’s premier batsman, had been excluded from both Red Force squads, despite indicating his availability to head coach Kelvin Williams

Darren Bravo

“That is a matter for the selectors (but) we don’t like what is being portrayed in the public domain,” Bassarath told the NewsDay. “As a responsible organisation, we will have to do our investigation about what transpired. It’s very unfortunate but unless we find out from the people involved, I cannot say anything.”

Following media reports he had been excluded from both squads, Bravo clarified via social media that he had informed Williams of his availability for the final match of the ongoing Regional FourDay Championship against Guyana Jaguars and the first eight fixtures of the Regional Super50 scheduled to bowl off January 30.

However, convener of selectors Raphick Jumadeen said he was unaware of this development, also indicating that both squads had already been finalised and would not be altered to accommodate Bravo.

Bassarath described the scenario as “unfortunate” and also made it clear the problem was not the fact Bravo had spoken to Williams instead of Jumadeen.

“He could have spoken both to the chairman of selectors and the coach. The coach has a good relationship with the senior players and they love Kelvin … I don’t think it’s a problem about who he spoke to,” Bassarath stressed.

He added: “It is very unfortunate that something like this could have happened. We thought we would have had our best players playing in this (Super50) tournament.”

The development is the latest twist in the saga surrounding Bravo’s career, which has been in turmoil ever since he was sent home in November, 2016 ahead of the Tri-Nations Series in Zimbabwe for his controversial Twitter rant aimed at Cricket West Indies president Dave Cameron.

Bravo has not played for Red Force or West Indies since, even though CWI announced last July that his standoff with the board had ended, and he was now eligible for selection.

The left-hander declined to be considered for selection for the oneday tour of England last September, and has since plied his trade in the Bangladesh Premier League.

Only recently, the 28-year-old said he was still committed to representing West Indies in the future.

Hurricanes 60-4 in reply to Scorpions 197 all out KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – Leeward Islands Hurricanes, replying to Jamaica Scorpions’ first innings of 197, were 60 for four at the close on the opening day of their ninth round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship at Sabina Park here Thursday.

Scores: SCORPIONS 197 (Jermaine Blackwood 81, John Campbell 28, Assad Fudadin 24; Sheno Berridge 4-46, Chaim Holder 3-50, Jeremiah Louis 3-62) HURRICANES 60 for four (Keacy Carty 20 not out; Damion Jacobs 3-41)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 12, 2018

Even spread for GMR&SC 2018 events … Karting events added

Ryan Lue of Jamaica and Jeremy Ten-pow of Guyana congratulate each other during one of the GT Motorsports Grand Prix. The racing calendar 2018 will feature a number of local as well as exchange events.

By Stephan Sookram

THERE will be an even spread of popular racing events when the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s 2018 calendar is released today.

The calendar will feature three instalments of the quarter-mile drag-racing action, three endurance races and three of the marquee circuit-racing events.

According to a source, the

events are to ensure that all racing enthusiasts and competitors get a chance to enjoy at least three of their event types.

According to the source, the endurance meet will also take a model of the circuit event with a yearly championship being awarded at the end of the calendar year.

In addition to those events, the club has incorporated several karting events which are organised by the GT Motorsports in Georgetown.

President of the Club, Rameez Mohamed, noted the plan is to ensure that racing enthusiasts have an event for almost every month of the year.

“What we saw last year is a large number of persons not only competitors, but fans support one particular set of events and we want to encourage maximum support this year.”

“While I cannot release the dates just yet as the committee meets tonight (Thursday

Street and Sport tuner action were the largely contested groups during the last circuit racing event in Guyana.

night), I can safely say that there is an even spread of events to ensure all racing lovers get something out of 2018,” Mohamed added.

Meanwhile a proposed shift in the legs of Caribbean Motor Racing Associations (CMRA) calendar will have to wait until next year.

The body, through its Trinidad representatives, was opting for a shift to make that country the season-opener in March instead

of the usual Jamaica leg but plans were reverted to the original standing following issues.

The JAMWEST Raceway will continue to host the first leg set for mid-May following the hosting of its traditional Easter meet.

Barbados is set to host round three in early September with Guyana hosting the season finale and presentation during the second week of November.

Trinidad and Tobago are the defending country champions with the Riders championship won by Guyana’s Bryce Price, the Group Two title held

by Barbados’ Mark Thompson and Group Three by Trinidad’s Paul Vieira.

The Group Four allwheel-drive title was won last year by Guyana’s Andrew King with the two-wheeldrive end of things carted off for another year by Barbadian Mark Maloney.

Hemraj, Johnson hit half-centuries in Jaguars 184 for five BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Solid batting from Chandrapaul Hemraj and Leon Johnson gave newly-crowned champions Guyana Jaguars a strong start to their top-of-the-table clash with Barbados Pride in the Regional 4-Day Championship yesterday here.

Hemraj hit 90 and Johnson made 56, as the Jaguars reached 184 for five in their first innings at the close, after they were put in to bat on a rain-marred first day of their ninth-round match against Barbados Pride at Kensington Oval.

The left-handed pair shared 148 for the second wicket to give the innings backbone, but three wickets in the final period set them back before a torrent of rain about 25 minutes prior the scheduled close brought an early end to play with Shivnarine Chanderpaul not out on three and Barbados-born, West Indies all-rounder Raymon Reifer not out on one.

Hemraj struck 10 fours and three sixes from 145 balls in just over 3½ hours at the crease and Johnson collected nine boundaries

from 207 balls in a 4½-hour stay.

Play started 40 minutes late, due to a couple damp patches close to the pitch on the eastern side of the ground.

Jaguars, whose victory over Jamaica Scorpions in the previous round confirmed them as champions for a fourth straight season, suffered an early setback, when left-handed opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul was bowled with the second ball of the match from West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach for a duck.

Johnson, the successful Jaguars captain, came to the crease and, for the next 3½ hours, defied a Barbados attack that comprised mainly four fast bowlers including Roach, fellow Windies star Miguel Cummins, Under-19 World Cup-winner Chemar Holder and uncapped Justin Greaves.

They carried Jaguars to 58 for one at lunch, but Hemraj was fortunate.

He was on 12, when gully fielder Roston Chase failed to hold a high chance off Roach.

Second ball after lunch, Roach was again the un-

lucky bowler, when second slip Jonathan Carter muffed a high chance from Johnson, on 25, and first slip Kraigg Brathwaite failed to hold onto the rebound.

Leon Johnson

The two left-handers knuckled down and plundered cheap runs, as Barbados captain Shamarh Brooks strangely employed the off-spin of Chase for nine straight overs after the interval and the tactic of the fast bowlers of bowling short

had limited success with the two batsmen prepared to cut and pull.

Hemraj was the more fluent and reached his 50 from 115 balls, when he turned Chase into short mid-wicket for a single in the second half-hour after lunch, and continued to score freely after reaching the landmark.

He looked set to hit his maiden first-class hundred, when the lanky Holder was brought back for a second spell inside the final halfhour before tea and had him caught down the leg-side by wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich to leave the Jaguars 148 for two.

At tea, Jaguars were 155 for two, and Johnson reached his 50 from 194 balls after the break, when he played a delivery from Holder down at his feet and responded positively to a call from non-striker Vishaul Singh for a single.

In just under an hour’s play either side of a 13-minute stoppage for rain, Jaguars lost the wickets of Singh, Johnson and Anthony Bramble, slipping from 175 for three to 182 for five in the space of 13 deliveries.

Singh miscued a pull at a short-ball from Greaves and was caught at mid-on for 11, Johnson was caught at mid-wicket off Holder trying the same shot and Anthony Bramble was lbw plumb playing across a low full-toss from Roach before rain swept across the ground to force the players off.

Though umpires Johnathan Blades and Patrick Gustard tried for a re-start about half-hour past the scheduled close, the light had faded significantly and the players trekked off again without another ball being delivered.

Jaguars made three changes from the previous match, bringing Tagenarine Chanderpaul, as

well as Sherfane Rutherford and fellow fast-medium bowler Romario Shepherd in to replace Akshaya Persaud, Gudakesh Motie and injured fast bowler Keon Joseph.

Pride has been boosted with the return of Windies stars Brathwaite, Shane Dowrich and Miguel Cummins and the inclusion of Holder in place of Anthony Alleyne, Tevyn Walcott, Kevin Stoute and Hayden Walsh, Jr. Jaguars entered the match with an unassailable 135 points, but have so far gained no batting points, but Pride have gained one bowling point and one pace bowling point to add to their season total of 85.8.

SCOREBOARD

JAGUARS 1st innings T. Chanderpaul b Roach 0 C. Hemraj c wkp. Dowrich b Holder 90 L. Johnson c Brooks b Holder 56 V. Singh c Cummins b Greaves 11 S. Chanderpaul not out

3 A. Bramble lbw b Roach 4 R. Reifer not out 1 Extras: (b-4, lb-3, w-3, nb-9) 19 Total: (5 wkts, 66 overs) 184 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-148, 3-175, 4-177, 5-182.

Bowling: Roach 12-6-22-0, Cummins 11-3-27-0 (nb-3, w-1), Holder 12-2-31-2 (nb-5, w-1), Greaves 11-1-26-1 (w-1), Chase 12-3-32-0, Warrican 8-1-39-0 (nb-1).

t Hemraj, Johnson hi See half-centuries in page 31 Jaguars 184 for five

AAG, Guyana not prepared for success in Athletics - Hutson … Continuous investment needed to facilitate growth

By Rawle Toney FOLLOWING the outstanding performance by Guyana’s junior athletes in track and field, president of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Aubrey Hutson admitted that his administration along with the entire Guyana was caught off-guard.

Hutson made the revelation on NCN’s Vybz 100.1 FM show Sports Vybz, hosted by Rawle Toney, and was responding to the question of the AAG being prepared for Guyana’s continuous rise in the sport, particularly at the youth level in the Caribbean and South America.

“The success in athletics, Guyana is not prepared for it and I must say that the athletes are ahead of us right now and we are basically playing catchup,” said the long-serving AAG president, adding, “We would’ve invested heavily in our programmes and athletics has really made a big leap on us and the From left: Daniel Williams, Chantoba Bright and Campton Caesar

Turn to page 28

Benjamin Sports/Fitness outfits nine FACC cyclists Seven swimmers to participate at inaugural UANA Cup

FACC cyclists strike a pose in their new uniforms.

OWNER of Benjamin Berbice at a simple presen- tion. Roberts said, “This Sports/Fitness and former tation at his business estab- will benefit our cyclists National cyclist, Wilbert lishment Lot 220 Courtland and I hope to see more cyBenjamin, continues to Village Corentyne, Berbice. clists come on board with give back to the sport he Benjamin said, “I hope FACC,”. He went on to say loves. with this donation it can that more support is needed This time the former motivate the guys.” in the area of cycling in the National cycling champion Meanwhile, coach of Ancient County. made a generous donation FACC, Randolph Roberts, Benjamin then emphaof cycling uniforms to nine expressed his gratitude sised, “Fitness is importcyclists of the Flying Ace to Mr Benjamin for mak- ant and persons should Cycling Club (FACC) of ing such a timely dona- adopt a healthy lifestyle.”

GOODWILL Swim Meet gold medallist Leon Seaton is set to lead a group of seven swimmers, scheduled to fly out next Thursday, January 18, to participate in the inaugural American Swimming Union (UANA) Cup, which will be held from January 19 to 21, at the Coral Springs Aquatic Complex, in Coral Springs Florida, USA. Seaton will be swimming in the Boys’ 13-14 category, along with Ejaz Mohammed, Sekhel Tzedeq and Jonathan Sookram.

The team also has Nathan Jackson in the Boys’ 11-12 category, while the two girls on the team are Amber Degoeas and Nikita Peters, both of whom are in the 13-14 age category.

The team will be accompanied by coach Paul Mahaica, while the team manager is Jennel Ramsook.

This will be the first meet of the year for all of the swimmers, as well as the highest level of event in which any of them has ever participated.

The meet is designed for athletes from Central America, South America, and the Carib-

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bean that are in UANA Zones 1 and 2, hence no Americans or Canadians will be a part of the meet, though the meet is being held in America.

It will feature a dual meet

month now, and most recently participated at the Annual VOS End-of-Year Invitational Swim Meet in Suriname, where Seaton landed four gold medals and one bronze. Ramsook is

Swimming gold medallist Leon Seaton between the twelve National optimistic in seeing improveFederation members of CON- ments, if not medals, from the SANAT (Zone 1) and the twen- swimmers. ty-eight National Federation “I expect great performembers of CCCAN (Zone 2), mance from them, especially with athletes scoring points for Leon Seaton, who has been their regional associations. improving nicely. They’re A long course event, the all entering the competition meet features competition in at the bottom of the list so three age groups for junior coach has really been preswimmers, namely the 11-12, paring them, with training in 13-14, and 15-17. There will the mornings and evenings. be only timed finals.

We’re really looking forward The Guyanese swimmers to improvements,” Ramsook have been in training over a said.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018