Guyana Chronicle E- Paper 12 10 2015

BANDITS KILLED THURSDAY DECEMBER 10, 2015

No. 104397

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‘I can’t swear for him’ – mother Stories on pages

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Shot dead: Adgar Blackman The bodies of 21-year-old Adgar Blackman and 22-year-old Sherwaine James called “Tu Pack”, both of Tucville being taken away by police. They were shot dead during an exchange of gunfire with police in South Ruimveldt early Wednesday morning Delano Williams photo)

80 years Granger Neonatal picks for taxi man deaths acting CJ down murder 10

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Public Health Minister Dr George Norton

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‘I can’t swear for him’ GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 10, 2015

– says mother of dead robbery suspect

By Leroy Smith FORTY-Two- year-old Dian Blackman, the mother of dead robbery suspect Edgar Blackman, said that she will not swear for her son as she is never with him 24/7 and was not with him early yesterday morning when bandits who were cornered chose to engage in a shootout with police at Pioneer Lane, South Ruimveldt.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle at her Lot 98 Tucville home yesterday afternoon, the woman said, however, that efforts should have been made by the police to bring her son in alive since she was told that he was not armed at the time he was shot by ranks, but she reiterated that she was not there.

“I never saw him with a weapon, with respect to the shooting this morning [yesterday] I do not know if

Dead bandit 21-year-old Edgar Blackman

he was in any illegal activity when he was shot by the police, I was not there so I do not have any idea,” the woman told this newspaper.

Speaking about her son’s activities, the woman said that he had no children and was up to the time of his death working with one of the sub-contractors executing the

The home in which the other bandit, 22-year-old Sherwaine James lived

clean-up campaign around Georgetown.

Blackman said that she last saw her son on Tuesday while she was leaving for the Georgetown Public Hospital to visit her daughter who recently gave birth. She said further that she did not see him again that day even when she got home in the evening.

This publication was told by the woman that she too works with a sub-contractor in the city clean-up and is stationed at Le Repentir.

Asked how she knew about his death, the mother said that she was at home yesterday morning when one of the young man’s close friends passed by and informed her that there was a shootout in South Ruimveldt and he was told that Edgar had been shot and killed, but that he could not confirm that information.

The woman said that she immediately began ringing her son’s phone but received no answer. She then went to the Georgetown Public Hospital to look for him but he was not there and she turned up at Lyken Funeral Parlour but was unable to find his body. Subsequently, she returned to the hospital where she saw her son’s body in the morgue.

Asked what her son was doing on the road in the wee hours, the woman explained that he would sometimes leave home to visit his girlfriend some distance away.

She then acknowledged that

her son had been picked up by the police recently and held for questioning in relation to a robbery. He was held for the stipulated 72 hours and released without any charges. Asked if she ever noticed her son with a firearm, she responded in the negative.

POLICE HAD NO RIGHT Meanwhile, a brother of Edgar Blackman said that he is not of the view that his brother should have been shot by the police, since he was not carrying a weapon and “he was hiding in a black tank”.

Chris Carroll said: “The police had no right to shoot my brother, he did not shoot, he was in a black tank. I never know him to be involved in any illegal activities.”

Carroll said that unlike his mother, he did see his brother at home late yesterday but the young man left before his mother returned.

He said that his brother was walking out of the house at about 18:00hrs on Tuesday evening wearing a black pants, white jersey, black cap and a pair of slippers.

Meanwhile, when this publication arrived at the lot 6 Tucville Reserve home of 22-year-old Sherwaine James, also known as “2Pac”, the other suspect who was killed in the gunfight with Police, the teary-eyed relatives slammed their gates and refused reporters entry to

their property.

RELATIVES DEFENSIVE The relatives said that they were not willing to speak with the media on the issue and the reporters should approach the home of the persons who claimed that the young men were robbing them. The family also called for the head of the police ranks that shot and killed the suspect, saying that the young man was not involved in any illegal activities.

The relatives called on the police who shot the two young men to come forward and meet the relatives of the two young men and offer some form of explanation as to what really transpired.

The bandits yesterday morning were cornered after they had broken into a woman’s home and carried out a robbery, taking away a few items. The Police were informed and raced to the area and while reports suggested that three others got away, the two who were fatally shot had engaged in an exchange of gunfire with the Police.

Police are said to be investigating the matter and are looking for the other suspects who managed to escape.

The police recovered an unlicensed 9mm Luger pistol with 3 matching rounds and an unlicensed .38 revolver with 4 matching rounds and 2 spent shells from the perpetrators.

BANDITS KILLED

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 10, 2015

– police hunting others who escaped dragnet

Many came out praising the police for taking out the bandits. Three houses in the community were robbed last week residents say (Delano Williams photo)

By Rabindra Rooplall QUICK response by neighbours and the police resulted in the saving of lives, while two of four gunmen were not so lucky.

They were shot dead early Wednesday morning in South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The dead bandits were identified as 21-yearold Adgar Blackman and 22-year-old Sherwaine James called “Tu Pack”, both of Tucville, Georgetown. The other two men escaped.

According to the police, at about 04:00 hrs on Wednesday, ranks responded to a report of a robbery in progress at the home of 47-year-old Arlene McLean of Pioneer Lane, South Ruimveldt Park, Four men, three of whom were armed with firearms, had broken into the

home and held up Arlene Mc Lean and her sister Ann Marie Mc Lean and took away cash and a cellphone.

On arrival at the scene the police came under fire from the perpetrators who were leaving the building at the time. The cops returned fire. During the confrontation, two of the men who were pursued by the police ran into a yard at Reliance Place, South Ruimveldt Park, and took cover behind a water tank from where they continued to engage the police.

During the exchange of gunfire they were shot by the police and later pronounced Dead on Arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

The police recovered an unlicensed 9mm. Luger pistol with three matching rounds and an unlicensed .38 revolver with four matching rounds and

two spent shells from the perpetrators.

The police said that the men were from a known gang which is involved in nefarious activities.

According to Assistant Registrar for Exams at the University of Guyana Arlene Mc Lean, the bandits came into her house forcefully through the glass door on the veranda.

“I put up a fight as they were pushing the glass door to come in, I received injuries to my face when one of them came in and pulled out a gun,” she lamented.

RUMMAGED She said money and jewellery were stolen as the four bandits rummaged her house. Two other occupants inside the house were not injured.

In commending the police for catching at least two of the culprits, Mc

The Mayor and City Council last evening ushered in the festive season with a Christmas Tree light-up at the now scenic Merriman’s Mall, Georgetown. Scores of residents came out to witness the occasion in the green and cleaned city (Delano Williams photo)

Lean said the police were very helpful and she gave a statement and submitted a medical report to the station also.

Meanwhile, other reports revealed that neighbours noticed men scaling the fence at 15-16, Reliance Place, South Ruimveldt minutes after 04:00 hrs Wednesday.

They promptly made contact with the police who arrived minutes later. One of the bandits was standing on the roof of a duck pen in the yard while two others were looking for an entrance into the home and another acted as look-out in an alleyway.

At home at the time were 53-year-old Paul Morrison, who is a lecturer at the Government Technical Institute and his three children. Upon the arrival of the police, the bandits began shooting in their direction and back-up arrived swiftly cordoning off the area. However, unconfirmed reports say two of the bandits managed to escape the dragnet set by the police, but two others were left inside the yard where Mr Morrison lived.

CORNERED Cornered, the two bandits released several shots in the air calling for Morrison to open the back door of his house,but to no avail.

As the police closed in, the men desperately began looking around for an escape route, something which was not available at the time. The men took refuge in a black water tank that was on the lower half of a trestle.

“I heard a set of gun shots then the place got quiet,” Morrison told this publication. “After the shooting

Paul Morrison, 53, sweeps the blood stains off of the concrete trestle which once housed the water tank that the bandits hid inside. The Police removed the water tank from the scene (Delano Williams photo)

I went outside and I gave the police a cutlass to cut open the water tank.”

Police retrieved a 9MM and a .38 handgun from the scene.

Cheers of approval echoed after the bodies were removed from Mr Morrison’s yard. Some were shouting words of congratulations to the law-enforcement officers at the scene.

However, police encouraged persons to stay in their homes as they combed the area looking for the other bandits.

Meanwhile, Morrison, who is a trained teacher, told this publication that he recognised the “brown skin man” who was shot by police as someone who had trailed him home last Wednesday.

Vividly recalling what happened, Morrison said last Wednesday he was in Gordon Street, Kitty checking on a piece of land that someone was trying to take

away from him using illegal methods.

Recalling the scenario, Morrison said he knew the man was tailing him because he(Morrison) made many turns and detours on his way home and the same man who was shot, was riding a CG motorcycle. He followed him home, stopping to see where he lived Other residents in the area disclosed that for the past week three houses were robbed in the neighbourhood and it was a relief that the bandits were removed.

One woman said around 04:40 hrs, she heard a barrage of bullets then 30 seconds after single shots, “and that is when they kill them, people getting rob too often, is about time some mother sit and talk to their children about finding work and stop robbing people, the government not allowing lawlessness no more, that’s a thing of the past”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday December 10, 2015

California pair ‘plotted before dating’ THE couple behind the San Bernardino attack that killed 14 people were radicalised before they started dating, the director of the FBI has said.

James Comey said Tashfeen Malik and husband Syed Farook spoke of jihad and martyrdom during conversations on an online dating service in late 2013.

The FBI believes the duo were inspired by foreign terrorist organisations, but said the investigation is ongoing.

Last week’s massacre was the deadliest terrorist attack in the US since 9/11.

The couple were both killed in a shoot-out with

Police hours after the attack.

Speaking during a Senate hearing in Washington, Comey characterised the couple as “homegrown violent extremists” and said that precise nature of the foreign influence is still under investigation.

Earlier this week, another FBI official said that there was no evidence uncovered so far to suggest the attack was plotted overseas.

Comey said the investigation “indicates that they were actually radicalised before they started courting or dating each other online,” and noted discussions they had about jihad before their engagement

Farook and Malik were photographed arriving in Chicago from Saudi Arabia in 2014

last year.

Malik moved to the US in July 2014 on a visa designed for fiances, and married Farook - US native - a month later.

The BBC’s Jane O’Brien in Washington says the revelation is significant, as it contradicts earlier suggestions that Malik may have radicalised her husband.

Meanwhile, the investigation has broadened to examine anybody who may have been “involved with assisting them, with supporting them, with equipping them,” the director said.

Over the weekend, police raided the home of Enrique

Marquez, a long-time friend and distant relative of Farook who purchased the two large weapons used during the rampage.

Marquez is being questioned by federal investigators. Media reports say that authorities had trouble finding him after the attack, but later found that he had checked into a mental health facility.

Comey was also chided for not securing the couple’s home, which allowed journalists to enter and produce reports from inside.

The ethics of that reporting was widely debated. (BBC New)

Tanzania President cleans city streets TANZANIA’S new Pres- es Salaam to take part in a ident John Magufuli has public clean-up operation. joined hundreds of resiMagufuli picked up rubdents in the main city Dar bish from the street outside

State House as part of the scheme, which he had ordered to replace Independence Day celebrations.

The move is being seen as symbolic of the President’s promise to tackle corruption, the BBC says.

Thousands of people across Tanzania are reported to have joined the clean-up.

Last month, Magufuli cancelled traditional Independence Day celebrations, which usually include a military parade and concert, saying it would be “shameful” to spend huge sums of money while the country was facing a serious cholera outbreak.

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President Magufuli (pictured) has been nicknamed “The Bulldozer” for his no-nonsense approach

“Let us work together to keep our country, cities, homes and workplaces clean, safe and healthy,” Magufuli told a crowd of surprised onlookers as he picked up rubbish off the street, AFP news agency reports.

“Tanzania has changed - this is a new Tanzania,” one resident told AFP, on a break from cleaning up the city’s public beach.

Since coming to power

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in October, Magufuli, nicknamed “The Bulldozer” for his no-nonsense approach, has announced a range of cost-cutting measures, including a ban on unnecessary foreign travel by government officials.

The hashtag #WhatWouldMagufuliDo, coined after the initial cancellation of festivities last month, has been trending on social media in Tanzania and across

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East Africa, as people come up with their own money-saving initiatives: Last month, Magufuli ordered the cost of a party to inaugurate the new parliament to be slashed from US$100,000 (£66,000) to US$7,000.

He also sacked the head of the main state hospital after finding patients sleeping on the floor during a surprise visit to the facility.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday December 10, 2015

Venezuela opposition boost confirmed VENEZUELAN electoral authorities have confirmed that the opposition has won a key two-thirds majority, enabling it to challenge President Nicolas Maduro.

The opposition said it would work to release jailed opposition leaders and address the country’s economic crisis.

Maduro has announced a Cabinet reshuffle but vowed to veto any amnesty law for jailed politicians.

The election result is the worst for the Socialist movement founded by late leader Hugo Chavez in 1999.

The majority means the Democratic Unity coalition can now make sweeping changes, including calling a possible referendum on Maduro’s leadership.

It also wants the release

President Maduro has announced a cabinet reshuffle of one of its leaders, Leopoldo Lopez, who was given a 13-year prison sentence for inciting violence - a charge critics say was politically

motivated.

But Maduro said he would block any amnesty law.

“The murderers have to

Vincentians vote in historic poll

AFTER weeks of campaigning, Vincentians vote for a new government on Wednesday, as the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) seeks an historic fourth term in office.

A total of 89,527 voters in 15 constituencies are eligible to exercise their franchise across St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The polls will open at 07:00 hrs and close at 17:00hrs.

Some 43 candidates from four political parties will seek to gain the approval of the electorate in an attempt to form the next government.

Both the ULP of Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves and the main opposition New Democratic Party of Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace are fielding a full slate of 15 candidates.

The Democratic Republican Party of Anesia Baptiste and the Green Party led by Ivan O’Neil will field six and seven candidates respectively.

The ULP will be seeking an historic fourth consecutive term against the backdrop of the nation’s first major international airport nearing completion, claimed revolutions in education and housing and prudent fiscal management amidst harsh economic times.

However, the NDP has chided government spending while making promises of its own, including a new hospital, jobs for young people and better infrastructure.

A recent CADRES poll predicts a comfortable victory for the ULP with neither the DRP nor the Green Party making a significant impact.

Electoral missions from CARICOM, OAS and the Commonwealth are observing Wednesday’s poll. (Caribbean News Now)

Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace (L) and Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves

be prosecuted and have to pay,” he said in a televised address.

He said his Socialist Party would hold an “extraordinary congress” to find out what went wrong at the election.

The opposition meanwhile warned of looming

food shortages for Venezuelans.

“We urge the government to stop crying and start working,” Opposition Leader Jesus Torrealba said.

“We’re just a few weeks away from a very serious problem in terms of food,” he added.

The elections were widely seen as a referendum on President Maduro, the handpicked successor of Hugo Chavez, and the governing PSUV’s socialist policies.

The opposition accused Maduro’s party of mismanaging the economy and of squandering the country’s oil wealth.

Venezuela has been hit hard by the continuing low price of oil, its main export.

It also has the continent’s highest inflation rate.

Maduro has blamed the situation on an “economic war” waged by the opposition.

The opposition also ac-

cused the government of increasing authoritarianism.

The election result also gives stronger momentum to the opposition should it wish to call a referendum on Maduro’s future. This could take place only when his presidency reaches its halfway point in April next year.

However, some prominent opposition figures want to give Maduro the opportunity to change policies they blame for the country’s economic crisis. “ I f M a d u r o d o e s n ’t change we’ll have to change the government. But the opposition’s response to the economic crisis right now can’t be more politics,” Henrique Capriles - who lost to Mr Maduro in the 2013 presidential elections - told AP. The next presidential election is due in April 2019. (BBC News)

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams

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

Editorial

‘Black Lives Matter’

All LivesMatter

WITH the advent and proliferation of information communication technologies (ICT), the world is a mere global village. Very little, if anything, happens today -- be it in private or public, in the domestic or foreign sphere -- that persons external to the issue are unaware of. Where media, formal and social, have made the Internet a medium/ source for sharing events, information, ideas and knowledge -- internal or external -- once placed on such domain, it can become one of global proportions, galvanising support in one direction or the other.

Such is the situation that the group Black Lives Matter -- which grew out of African-American concerns for protection of their right to life and an end to treatment dissimilar to that meted out to their white counterparts under the law -- has become a global phenomenon. This evolving concern, whether real or mere perception, that there exists in the USA different treatment for whites vis-a-vis blacks, referred to as ‘white privilege’, has sparked a modern-day revolution to effect change in policies and actions; to topple discriminatory laws; and to see enforcement of laws that would bring about equality in the system.

This activism has moved from the streets, as in the instance of Trayvon Martin of Florida -- the black youth who had been wearing a hoodie and going about his business in a neighbourhood in which it was felt he ought not to be, and he was shot and killed by a white man named George Zimmerman on the pretext that he looked suspicious and that Zimmerman was exercising his right under the state’s ‘Stand your ground law’ -- to university campuses, where young academics are poignantly advancing the argument that there exist deep-seated relations, and that they, as a people, receive a certain treatment, both on campus and in the wider society, because of how they look.

Evidence of police mistreatment and profiling of African-Americans that resulted in deaths -- as revealed from the dashboard camera in police vehicles and citizens’ recording of these and other human rights violations -- remain an angst in the black community. The right to life is sacred, and where a person may have committed an infraction, perceived or real; or regardless of how that person

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday December 10, 2015

Religion is a private matter Dear Editor, WE welcome the government’s initiative to review Christian prayers in public schools. As secularists, we believe that religion is a private matter.

When it comes to educational institutions, it should be a matter of public interest. The Ministry of Education has acknowledged that government needs to uphold secular ideals, given Guyana’s confrontation with pluralism.

Before Guyana’s independence, British colonialism brought Anglican Christianity to our shores.

One of their main interests in colonising the Caribbean and other parts of the world was to spread Christianity as a global religion.

The Ministry of Education has realised that the current institutionalization of prayers in public schools is a relic of our colonial past, and must be rejected since Guyana is not theocratically governed. As such, we support the government’s call to rid colonial relics of our past from our public institutions.

However, there is a problem with the approach the Ministry of Education is taking, and we wish to confront it.

The Ministry proposes to have “Inter-denominational prayers” to replace the currently dominant Christian-themed prayers -- a sort of universal prayer that fits everyone’s religious convictions. It is our understanding that moves

may be despised; it is the responsibility of the court, under the law, to dispense justice.

Black Lives Matter has taken its activism to the political arena, causing politicians to sit up, listen, and act.

Its members have both crashed and attended political rallies, and have demanded that candidates address their concerns, since not only as human beings and citizens, but moreso as a voting bloc, their welfare in the nation’s body politic must be factored in; and this development represents a seriousness through which the issues are being pursued. Presidential candidates have now placed these concerns into their platforms, addressing these matters publicly, making known policy proposals and what systems ought to be put in place to ensure a level playing field for all.

It is not that this group has not attracted condemnation in some quarters and been misunderstood in other quarters, nor is it that there may not be need to improve on their strategies; but when one gets beyond the apparent to look at where this group is coming from, it speaks directly into what we here would say ‘who feels it knows it.’ And this is what must ultimately be of concern if there is desire to improve human relations and secure a harmonious environment.

President Barack Obama, considered the world’s most powerful and influential politician, himself black, weighed in on the matter by saying, “I think everybody understands all lives matter. I think the reason that the organisers used the phrase ‘Black Lives Matter’ was not because they were suggesting nobody else’s lives matter.” He went on to say that the African-American protests and their expressions of concern were not contrived, but were based on a “legitimate issue”, and that “It’s real, and there’s a history behind it, and we have to take it seriously.”

In weighing in on the matter, Obama has not only brought to the public forum a sense of decency and level-headedness in addressing divisive and deep-seated issues, but has, by extension, appealed to the humanness of mankind -- that all are equal, and all should be treated with respect and dignity. This is leadership; for, at the end of the day, if we want to get along, we can only do

to implement this intention have already begun.

According to the Ministry’s reasoning, universal prayers could “apply to all religions, rather than to any single denomination”, a move they see as “the only policy” that balances plurality and reinforces Guyana’s integrity as a secular nation. We strongly disagree.

This proposal is counter-intuitive for a number of reasons, but we will highlight two important concerns to consider. Firstly, the term “inter-denominational” is ambiguous.

Guyana consists of three major religions (majority faiths that people subscribe to); and within these major faiths, there are denominations or sects with orthodox

and dissenting views.

For instance, Christianity consists of Anglicanism (majority denomination), Catholicism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christadelphians, and so on. Hinduism consists of Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism.

Islam consists of Sunni (the majority denomination), Shia, and Sufism. There are faiths which are non-theistic, such as Buddhism.

There are also the irreligious -- people who do not subscribe to religion.

By now, you can tell that being “inter-denominational” poses a serious challenge; one that questions whether the government should have an obligation to address theological see Page 7

so when there is respect for the other, and there is equal treatment meted out to the other. And it always helps when the voices of reason add their input to the debate, rather than stay silent.

And as Americans continue to have open, frank and honest conversations on race, racism and race relations; shaping policies, implementing programmes and revisiting laws; what is certain is that, while you cannot legislate the heart, you can legislate behaviours. The USA, in declaring its independence from Britain, established a nation propounding this principle: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

That nation’s constitution enshrines the equality of humankind. And given that these tenets remain self-evident, then attendant laws, policies and programmes will have to be instituted to bring about equality in the system.

And this is the crux of the matter for African-Americans: All lives matter, including ours, and we are taking a stand in ensuring it happens. The race relations struggle in the USA is not only a struggle to maintain the soul of the nation and the principles under which it was founded. It is also testimony of what can be achieved when a stand is taken. Unmistakably, the activism of Black Lives Matter will be replicated in various forms in other societies, since, in this ICT era, this group has set the tone of action to achieve improvement in race relations around the world, including here.

The United Nations, established to bring about world peace after World War II, in giving due recognition to a world order built on Human Rights, adopted and declared on 10th December 1948, in Article 7, that: “All are equal before the law, and are entitled, without any discrimination, to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration, and against any incitement to such discrimination.”

Man will reach for what is so proclaimed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday December 10, 2015

More on the debate on corporal punishment Dear Editor,

I REFER to Mr Malcolm Alves’s letter: “The Debate on Corporal Punishment”, in which he defends its use. That defence has prompted my letter.

I fully support a ban, and respectfully disagree with Mr. Alves. Here are

my reasons: Firstly, Mr. Alves pointed out that 19 states in the USA are currently using corporal punishment, and those are: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South

Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming.

However, these are mostly poor states which lag behind. It is to be remembered that 31 states, mostly affluent ones with disproportionately high levels of college graduates, have banned it. Secondly, the odds are that the re-

Religion is a ...

From Page 6

compatibility in order to come up with an inter-denominational prayer. But how can it be practically possible to mend all of these different ideologies together and package it as a one-size-fits-all prayer?

Doing so is an unrealistic theological project by itself, since monotheistic faiths are incompatible with polytheistic faiths.

Even nontheistic views, such as Buddhism, may have compatibility issues with monotheism and polytheism.

Furthermore, it would seem to neglect -- either inadvertently or intentionally -- minority groups of people, including children, who do not have a religious view. So we think this sort of approach would be very impractical.

Secondly, religious people are assured of constitutional protection, the freedom to practise or manifest one’s religion, and the freedom to be religious. This is further assured under the constitutional principle of freedom of conscience or belief, and to profess those beliefs.

Additionally, the constitutional declaration of freedom of conscience also protects an individual from imposition or indoctrination of conscience against one’s will. Since public institutions are funded by all members of society (religious and irreligious), the government has only one obligation: to meet the demand of inclusivity in the interest of all its stakeholders. And because public

schools are accessible to all children, regardless of religious convictions or belief, the government’s obligation to meet inclusivity is arguably best met with neutrality.

This means that public schools should be free from religious or government dictation, and let our afforded constitutional freedoms be practised without coercion or mandatory observances that would impede upon freedom of conscience. Institutions of religious practice (churches, temples and mosques) have the freedom to instill religious doctrines in those who voluntarily desire to have it so by attending these institutions of worship, and quite interestingly, they are free from government dictation.

How, then, do we address this complexity of pluralism? We would like to suggest two possible solutions: (1) A moment of silence without a particular religious preference, or (2) Government neutrality, which implies that government would exclude itself completely from mandating allotted time to pray or observe in the interest of religion. (We feel that this translates to state promotion of religion, and would therefore privilege religion above other worldviews, including non-religious worldviews).

The former suggestion has been implemented in many countries, although we would like to emphasise that it is not the only approach to reconcile reli-

gious pluralism. The latter suggestion has been manifested as a constitutional declaration under the principle of the ‘separation of Church and State’ in countries such as the United States of America, where religious plurality is best recognised and safeguarded under secular principles.

We therefore would like to encourage the Ministry of Education to carefully think through its proposal.

Institutionalised prayers of any form in public schools may be detrimental to the government’s sincere intention of promoting social cohesion in Guyanese society.

It is important to keep in mind that any consideration of inclusion should also extend to children who may not hold religious views, or parents who may not want their children to be coerced by religion through state sanctioned religious practices.

Respecting pluralism means respecting differences, including our diverse worldviews. We believe that plurality in our society is what contributes to our collective Guyanese identity.

Respectfully, FERLIN PEDRO MAHENDRA DORAISAMI NASTASSIA ROMANOVA LISA SHARMA RAUL MOHAN BRITTANNY SINGH DEREK GOMES Guyana Secular Humanist Association

maining 19 states will soon follow.

Why cite such an example to stall a ban that will do a world of good?

Thirdly, college graduates are also likely to be of a higher socio-economic bracket. As such, they understand the injurious consequences of corporal punishment (both mental and physical), and are more likely to axe it. It is no wonder that 31 states have banned it.

Fourthly, it is erroneous to assume that all kids in New York City are wild.

Parents from higher socio-economic brackets in New York or elsewhere are less likely to beat their kids, yet they are not wild.

The fact remains that New York City and the

USA at large have produced most of the leading academics in the world, and those include Nobel Laureates in science, technology, and finance. Wild kids do not become leading academics, but highly disciplined ones do.

Unfortunately, mostly folks belonging to a lower socio-economic background beat their kids, not realizing its negative consequences. They destroy children’s lives.

Fifthly, this country has had five decades of failure, and change is needed. Why stifle change? It is something we voted for.

Sixthly, piles of scientific evidence point to the fact that corporal punishment is indeed bad, and this is not propaganda. Our kids

are hurting. We need to move forward with a ban.

Finally, corporal punishment (a form of operant conditioning) has been traditionally used, but science has taught us that this is bad. Why continue to use it? It just does not make any sense. There are safe, effective, cheap and highly feasible alternatives available, including other types of operant conditioning with a focus on reward/reinforcement schemes rather than whacking.

Reward/ reinforcement schemes have broad appeal, and are particularly suitable for a country like ours, where poverty proliferates.

Sincerely, DR. CECIL DILIP KUMAR

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80 years for taxi man murder

Murdered: Bhomeshwar Sukhdeo

By Michel Outridge A 12-MEMBER jury yesterday found Balram Singh guilty of the murder of taxi driver Bhomeshwar Sukhdeo and will spend the next 80 years behind bars.

While handing down the sentence in a packed courtroom, Justice Navindra Singh told Balram Singh that it was an extremely heinous crime and in his unsworn statement to the court he even called an Assistant Commissioner of Police a liar.

The judge asked him what he had to say.

Balram Singh in response told the High Court, “I didn’t murder anybody, sir.”

Justice Singh started at a base of 60 years and added 10 years for felony and another 10 years for premeditation.

Before arriving at the verdict, the 12-member jury had asked for further directions. And when it was announced, relatives of Bhomeshwar Sukhdeo exhaled in relief and those related to Balram Singh looked at each other in disbelief.

It was after 15:30 hrs when the jury returned with the guilty verdict after which

Sentenced to 80 years for murder, Balram Singh

Defence Counsel Jermaine Jervis told the court that his client had no prior offences and while imprisoned he had reformed.

He asked for leniency for Singh explaining that his client was a father of two sons and his family had suffered since his incarceration.

Meanwhile, State Prosecutor Narissa Leander told the court that while Balram Singh’s relatives would be able to see him again in prison, the family members and relatives of the deceased would never be able to see him again.

She added that he too was a father of children and his family had endured enough and asked the court to deliver the maximum sentence.

As Balram Singh was led out of the court room to jail his face bore no expression, but he kept his head slightly bowed while glancing at his relatives.

The relatives of Bhomeshwar Sukhdeo said they were satisfied with the sentence. One sister-in-law added that it was like a life sentence for him where he would be unable to get out of jail to do anybody anything for a long time.

They cried as they described Sukhdeo as a won-

derful father and a likable person who did not deserve to meet such a cruel end at the hands of a murderer.

During the trial Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh testified that the cause of death was due to the advanced state of decomposition and the fact that the body was burnt beyond recognition.

He said samples were taken from the body for DNA analysis and the body was identified by the fatherin-law of the deceased.

The State was represented by Narissa Leander in association with Teshanna James-Lake while the defence lawyers were Jermaine Jervis and Clevaun Humphrey.

In her opening statement at the commencement of the trial Leander told the court that the deceased was a taxi driver who was last seen alive on January 19, 2010 after which a search was launched for him and his car.

She added that on January 27, 2010 the car was found at a bodywork shop in Herstelling New Scheme, East Bank Demerara and later the badly burnt body of Bhomeshwar Sukhdeo was discovered at Mocha Arcadia Access Road, also East Bank Demerara.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 10, 2015

20 Cadet Officers promoted to Ensigns

By Ravin Singh HONOURED they felt, 18 of them, neatly dressed in their military attire as they received their new badge of honour after having successfully completed nine months of rigorous training, which awarded them the rank of Ensign.

The afternoon was calm.

The sounds of musical instruments controlled by a faction of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Band enhanced the soft tone of nature’s sounds around the GDF’s Camp Stephenson base at Timehri, EBD. Having previously served as Cadets, 18 of the 20 Ensigns were pinned with their new badge by the Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips, at a short ceremony held at the military base.

Initially, 45 recruits had enrolled for the course, but only 20 had achieved this new rank, since the other 25 had either withdrawn from the course or had failed to meet the minimum requirements for successful completion. Of the 20 ranks, 18 of whom were present at the ceremony, 15 were GDF recruits, two were Belizean, and one was from St. Kitts and Nevis.

They had all endured intense training for nine months, which, according to Phillips, had instilled in them a higher level of disciple, one aimed at building their confidence, character and intellect.

All these skills, he added, are necessary to successfully execute the roles and responsibilities of military personnel, who have little room for error.

The Chief of Staff urged that, as newest leaders, they must discover how ethics and values will aid in carrying out their purpose in military life. And regardless

Dismissed guard now satisfied

By Ariana Gordon SECURITY guard Oodhow Katwaru of Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara (WBD), who had been dismissed without pay from his employment at Aracari Resort at Versailles, WBD, yesterday received all outstanding money owed to him by the management of Aracari Resort.

The 76-year-old also took time to refute allegations that had swirled in the public domain to the effect that

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Simona Broomes, is racial.

In an interview with this publication, Katwaru said the allegations of racism that had been levelled against Broomes are untrue.

“Let me tell you (that) I have been running to this ministry for six months.

Every time I come here, the minister checks on me; she would ask if I am getting through,” he said.

Katwaru explained that for all the times he had vis-

ited the Ministry of Social Protection’s Department of Labour at its Brickdam office, there were always many Indian persons seeking help.

“On every occasion, the minister comes outside, talks to every person and finds out if they are getting through and so on,” he said.

The man said he was surprised when he read statements attributed to the owner of the resort, Sase Shewnarain, to the effect that the Labour officer dealing with the matter was racist.

NONSENSE “I don’t know where he got that from! The minister is not racist, the staff is not racist. I went there frequently over the last six months,” he told Guyana Chronicle.

“I said ‘no’, this is nonsense; the minister is not a racist. And I told my colleagues, and let them know (that) every time the minister comes in office, most of the Indian people does be there, and she always finds out if we are getting through. I

Eyes left! Brigadier Mark Phillips made eye contact with GDF ranks as he inspected the parade yesterday

of how competent one would think one is, he reasoned, successes in one’s missions and tasks are dependent on one’s character.

Underscoring the role of duty, discipline, identity, integrity and loyalty, Brigadier Phillips highlighted the fact that the new Ensigns have now assumed a role which demands more responsibilities, respect for the law and for other people, correct conduct in all settings, and appropriate social behaviour.

He noted that, as leaders, they will need to utilise their skills to foster discipline, since at some point in time they will be responsible for training subordinates using the same techniques and skills which they would have developed during their training.

But this leadership role, Brigadier Phillips revealed, should be one which motivates subordinates to follow their leader into danger and discomfort in order to accomplish a task. As such, he opined, it therefore requires responsible attitudes and motivation on the part of the leaders.

“You will need to create and sustain units with the skill, trust, and confidence needed to be successful,” Phillips told them. He added that leadership translates into providing direction and mo-

tivation for those being led; and said that direct leadership is critical in this regard, since it involves leading men and women face to face.

“Direct leaders develop their subordinates oneon-one…. They see how things work, how they do not work, and how to make them work,” he told the 18 Ensigns.

Not limited to leadership, however, the Chief of Staff noted that military work requires the skillful use of technology, and the ability to improvise in the absence of traditional tools.

Weighing in on their role in the army, and how critical it is to the preservation of Guyana’s territorial integrity, the Chief of Staff suggested that the contemporary operating environment of Guyana requires that the Guyana Defence Force must continue to protect the country’s borders. And being a major stakeholder in the security sector of the country, Phillips urged, the ranks should continue to strive towards providing better security for Guyanese.

His erudite statement came after a well-executed March Parade had provided glimpses of uniformity, discipline, technique, and skill, which are but few of the skills featured in the military course.

don’t see how they can say the minister is a racist,” Katwaru declared.

In November, Shewnarain, in a letter addressed to President David Granger, said, “Bottom line: In my opinion, you (Labour officer) are a racist, and you seem to be confident that you have the strength of the Government of Guyana to support you in your racism.

Your follow-up visit today further confirms my assessment of you. Despite knowing that I have an open-door policy and you could come and meet me, you met only with my Manager, Shanta Ranglall.”

Katwaru, who worked

for Aracari since October 2014, was dismissed from his post as security at the Versailles complex because he refused to chase dogs out of the compound while he was not yet on duty. He recounted what transpired on the day in question: “On the 30th June, I was supposed to be working on the 9am-5pm shift, but I reported for duty at 8:25am.

On arrival, the phone rang and I was nearby, so I answered the phone. The boss instructed me to go chase out two dogs from within the compound. I told him, ‘With all due respect sir, kindly Turn to page 9 ►

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 10, 2015

Nedd confirmed as GTT CEO THE Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GTT) on Wednesday confirmed Justin Nedd, its former Chief Financial Officer (CFO), as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), him having acted in that position since June this year.

A GTT statement said the board believes Nedd “has proven his ability to lead GTT in an exciting new direction for the company’s customers and employees”.

The statement said: “Together with a fantastic executive team of Chief Technical Officer Russell Davis and Chief Commercial Officer Gert Post, Justin is steering a strong path for the company – new services and even better value plans; new and advanced network

investments; new capabilities to further improve customer service, and an exciting new brand proposition to continually Do More for the company’s customers.”

The company described Nedd as having “the right balance of relentless customer focus, exceptional vigour, and the infectious optimism required to lead GTT in delivering the best and most compelling communications services in Guyana.”

Nedd reacted that his confirmation was “a true honour to be entrusted with the leadership of such an important company in Guyana, and at such an exciting time. We have made a brand promise to our customers and to the country to “Do More”, and we are doing

so every day. From our upgrades, to new blazing-fast Internet speeds earlier this year, to our new-look retail store, which opened at the Giftland Mall over the past weeks, GTT is a company that is on the move. The best is yet to come!”

The newly-appointed CEO has promised that 2016 will be another year of exciting new offers and capabilities that will see GTT being further established as “the best provider of wireless, broadband, home voice and other services in Guyana.

“We are also optimistic in our belief that 2016 will be the year that market players are provided the spectrum required, to offer advanced wireless services on par with the other

Girl Power Justin Nedd, Chief Executive Officer of the GTT

countries in the Region.

We can’t wait to bring these capabilities to our customers,” Nedd said.

Moraikobai children get easier access to school MINISTER of Social Cohesion Amna Ally yesterday received another boat to ferry children to school in Moraikobai, Mahaicony River, Region 5.

Minister Ally received the boat on behalf of the government and the President of Guyana, at a simple presentation ceremony held at the Guyana Goldfields Incorporated/Aurora Gold Project Buck Hall, Essequibo Coast location. President Granger will commission the boat on Wednesday in Moraikobai.

In handing over the boat, Logistics Manager of the Buck Hall operations, Kenrick Glasgow said that the commitment to give the President a boat for his ‘Buses, Boats and Bicycles’ or ‘three Bs’ programme, aimed at ensuring that all the children of Guyana are able to get to school, was made the same day that the company poured

its first gold bar.

“This is a present from the people of Guyana Gold Fields for the children of Moraikobai in the Mahaicony River. It is indeed a pleasure and an honour to give this gift for the children so that they can go to school,” Glasgow said.

Minister Ally, in accepting the gift, said the government and country is grateful for the boat as it will ensure that children’s access to education in that community is made easier.

“I am happy to be here and to receive this gift. I would like to thank Guyana Gold Fields for this effort that they have made to the people and children of Guyana and more particularly the recipients of this boat. The President has a passion for education and the Ministry of Social Cohesion is working in tandem with him to ensure

Dismissed guard... speak to the man on duty’.

He said, ‘Ok, let me talk to him’, and I hand the phone over to the guard on duty.”

Katraru was off-duty on July 1, and while at home, he received a call from the security supervisor, who asked what had transpired between him (Katwaru) and the boss (Shewnarain).

SUSPENDED “I told him, ‘Nothing’, and he told me I was being suspended for seven days. I asked him why, and he said the boss said I refused to chase out dogs. I told him I never refused, but he said I had to take my suspension.”

The following day, Katwaru said, he went to the

From page 8

resort to speak with the security manager with the aim of speaking with Shewnarain.

“I went in to see the security manager, and asked him if he can allow me to talk to the boss. He said, ‘No’, I can’t see the boss, and he is very surprised by me and don’t want to see me. I pleaded with him to (let me) see the boss, and he said, ‘No’. Take your suspension and go,” Katwaru said he was told.

He was scheduled to work the following Thursday, so he decided to visit the office the day before. It was then he was informed that his service had been terminated. “The supervisor said they don’t want you on the service; that the manager

9

Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally shakes hands with Kenrick Glasgow, Logistics Manager at Guyana Goldfields Inc/Aurora Gold Project as she receives the boat the company donated to President David Granger’s ‘’three Bs” programme to benefit school children (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

that we can bridge the gaps that exist in our country; that is poverty and equality and so on, which all hinder and hamper [the]development of our country,” Minister Ally said.

She related that this will be the fourth boat which will be commissioned by the President as corporate Guyana has responded to the President’s call for action on education; recognising that education is the key to the nation’s development.

At the commissioning

of the third boat in Upper Pomeroon last month, President Granger had said that the idea for the ‘three Bs’ programme was birthed in the Pomeroon when a resident told him that he was forced to pay $5000.00 per week to get his children to school.

A Ministry of the Presidency release said Minister Ally has been playing an integral role in the private-public partnership to support the ‘three Bs’ programme.

says he doesn’t want you anymore, and I said, ‘Ok’. I went and collect the two uniform shirts and bring them back,” Katwaru explained.

He said that while he was entering the premises to return the shirts, the manager was leaving. “I said, ‘GM, I would like to have a word with you.’ She said, ‘No, I don’t want to have a word with you. What you have here?’”

Katwaru said he told her, and she instructed him to hand them over to the supervisor. “I don’t want you here anymore,” Katwaru said the manager told him.

He submitted the shirts and then visited the Ministry of Labour, where he made a complaint. The Ministry of Labour visited the Aracari Resort on more than one occasion to carry out

inspections. Several violations of the labour laws were discovered, and the Ministry filed five charges against the owner: failure to pay sum in lieu of termination, failure to produce records requested, failure to grant leave with pay, failure to give notice of termination, and failure to pay overtime.

Management of Aracari Resort was reportedly invited to the Ministry of Social Protection on many occasions. Promises to visit were made, but none was ever fulfilled. Katwaru said he remembers vividly four occasions when plans were made for management to meet him at the Ministry, but no one ever showed up.

Now employed elsewhere, Katwaru said he is satisfied with the work of the Ministry of Social Protection.

ONE of the biggest topics was the announcement that Justice Yonnette Cummings- Edwards will perform the duties of Chief Justice following Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang’s retirement. It seems like most are in agreement with the decision, as many Guyanese extended hearty congratulations and hopes for “true justice” to reign over Guyana. Opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo -while not disagreeing with the nomination - stated however that while gender equality is commendable, it should not be the basis of such a decision but the candidate’s qualifications instead. In an interesting contrast, his fellow party member Priya Manickchand was alive with praise of #womenblazingtrails as she generously showered Cummings-Edwards with compliments and expressed immense pride in a “beautiful, historic moment” in which a female will serve the Chief Justice position for the country for the second time. Where’s your feminist flag Jagdeo? Priya is already on board.

In other news, the public seemed generally pleased with the decision made after two Lindeners were charged with circulating nude photos of a woman. Understandably, it was mostly women who seemed overly delighted by the news and this resulted in massive sharing throughout social media. Responses stemmed from outright labelling the perpetrators as perverts, to rejoicing over the thought that perhaps finally, women will be given some sort of justice in cases where men feel they can freely objectify and sexually disrespect their female counterparts.

KUMBAYA And the irony continues… the ever ironic PPP recommitted themselves to fighting against corruption and called on all citizens to come together and aid in the fight in honour of International Day against Corruption. This comes from a party under whose administration countless acts of corruption have been uncovered time and time again. I’ll just let that sink in…

CREDIBILITY Jagdeo is determined to stay relevant these days.

Leader of the Opposition or not, we know the position he misses the most- Head Poncho of the Country. Either way, he’s guaranteeing he’s still a credible politician despite all the claims of corruption and other human rights violations allotted to him during his time as Head Poncho. The optimistic politician states that as time passes he will be cleared of all the accusations. In the ensuing discussion regarding this report, some persons brushed it aside as just another of the Opposition’s straw clutching stunts. On the other hand, few raised the rhetorical question to the government, asking when oh when will the guilty (including Jagdeo) be charged? If persons such as him could still walk free and claim their credibility, then is he telling the truth or is there just not enough effort being placed into the bringing to light all that is in the darkness? From references of a #donothinggovernment to opinions of them being too “soft and slow”, clearly patience is running thin regarding whose credibility the public can rely on.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 10, 2015

Granger picks acting CJ

By Arianna Gordon

JUSTICE Yonnete Cummings-Edwards has been appointed by both President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to serve as acting Chief Justice when Justice Ian Chang proceeds on pre-retirement leave next week.

President Granger has described Justice Cummings-Edwards as the most suitable person to act in that post, a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency said.

“We looked at the judges, particularly the judges in the Appeal Court, and we felt that Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards was the person that could carry out the duties of Chief Justice,” President David Granger was quoted as saying.

The President said the experience of Justice Cummings-Edwards, her qualifications and the decisions she has made were all examined, “and we felt she was the most suitable when all these factors were taken into consideration”.

The President has said

Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards

that the consultative process was conducted completely in line with what is required by Guyana’s Constitution.

“The Constitution requires me to consult; and having considered the potential candidates, I have made my choice. I am satisfied that she is a good person to fulfil that function, and in due course, I will have to have other consultations with the Leader of the Opposition to have a permanent appointee; but, right now, Mr Carl Singh is the substantive Chief Justice. He is acting Chancellor, and I do hope that, in due course,

From right, are Minister of State Joseph Harmon, President Brigadier David Granger, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams in consultation yesterday

we will be able to have substantive persons in both positions,” he was quoted as having said.

But the Opposition Leader suggested to the President a selection process that was not constitutionally required for the naming of the acting Chief Justice, as well as for appointment to the substantive position.

“The President proposed a name, I spoke about a process, and I (said) that the elements of the process that I suggested are (1): The most senior judge should act at this point in

time; and secondly, that if it’s performance-based, we should get a report from the Judicial Service Commission and people about the performance of the nominee, and compare (this) to (the performance of) others who are a part of the senior leadership of the judiciary,” Jagdeo said.

Jagdeo also said that while he did not have an opportunity to review the curriculum vitae of Justice Cummings–Edwards prior to meeting with President Granger and Attorney-General Basil Williams, who was also present at the meeting, he has no objection to Justice Cummings-Edwards’ nomination.

President Granger, however, indicated that at this time the consultation was geared towards discussing the role of the acting Chief Justice, and reiterated that his consultation was done in accordance with the Guyana

Constitution.

CONSTITUTION FOLLOWED “There is nothing in the Constitution which requires the type of process Mr Jagdeo described; and as far as I am concerned, the consultation was entirely in accordance with the Constitution,” the President said. He added: “We are not looking for a permanent appointee, because acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Mr. Carl Singh, is the substantive Chief Justice; so I cannot fill a position that is already occupied. So, from the outset, we knew that the nominee would be the acting Chief Justice…. Nothing that was done today was at variance with the Constitution.”

Re-enforcing the President’s point, Attorney-General Basil Williams said that, under the Constitution, the President is required to have meaningful consultations

with the Leader of the Opposition on the matter.

“Those consultations were just held, and the President had just given his nominee to perform the functions of that office… and that’s what we were required to do. There are no criteria, at this stage, to determine anything else. All that’s being required to do is indicate our nominee to perform [the] functions of that office.”

Williams concurred with the President by stating that Justice Cummings- Edwards “is the best person for the role.

She’s highly qualified; very experienced in terms of being on the bench; she’s been in the Court of Appeal for many years; [and] a lot of her own decisions have been upheld by the Caribbean Court of Justice. So there’s no question about her competence and her qualifications and her dedication to that office.”

Nominees for 3 Boards awaiting approval THE nominees for the Board of Directors of three agencies are with Cabinet awaiting approval.

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIAC) have been without active Boards ever since the life of the previous boards of those agencies expired.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson yesterday, through her press office, informed the Guyana Chronicle that the nominees for the boards of the GCAA, GPL and CJIA have been compiled. She said that the lists of nominees have been submitted to Cabinet and are awaiting approve.

This newspaper had re-

ported in September that a new Director General for the GCAA would have been named in October following the “reconfiguration and reintroduction” of the GCAA’s Board. Minister Ferguson clarified yesterday that only board members would be named and not a Director General by the October timeline. Board members for other agencies which fall under the ambit of the Ministry of Infrastructure were also expected to be named by October.

The GCAA has been without a Director General ever since Zulficar Mohamed retired this year from the post after serving the Authority for more than 34-years.

Currently acting in the post is Chaitrani Heeralall, the GCAA’s Air Navigation Services Director. Heeralall has been described as the most

senior person to hold the post.

In September, Minister Ferguson said that one of the pressing issues facing the aviation body is the appointment of Air Traffic Controllers, who made submissions about lack of appointments over the past eight years. Four internal applicants, the ministry said, were interviewed for the post of Director-General; however, the appointment was stalled due to the dissolution of the Board.

The Board of the CJIA, which was chaired by Ramesh Dookoo, expired this year while the Board of the electricity company expired in June this year and Colin Welch has been acting in the position of Interim CEO in the absence of a Board.

He replaced Bharrat Dindyal who was relieved of the position in August.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 10, 2015

Advocating the rights of abused children

By Lorraine Harris TWO little girls, aged 5 and 7, were sexually abused by their mother’s boyfriend, and were subsequently taken into local authority care.

The trauma of being taken away from everything they knew as normal - their home, their school, their mother, their aunty and grandmother’s care -- must have had a negative impact on them initially.

They were thrust into the institutional care of strangers, and were made to live among children of various ages who had undergone similar traumas in their short lives. Although they were the victims of a crime, they were made to pay a sad price, by being institutionalised, all because of a mother who had failed to protect them and a wanton, fiendish act by a man who has little or no morals.

Like most children, they adapted to their fate, learning the regulations and abiding by the rules. This was their new home. It was also a chapter of their childhood that would, no doubt, be with them for the rest of their lives.

While they were in care, the perpetrator, who initially had been locked up pending trial, had obtained a lawyer to defend his case, and the law was seemingly doing the correct thing in striving to obtain justice for the victims. However, contrary to striving for justice, the fact is that, on several occasions over a span of 2-3 years, these young girls were whisked away from the children’s home, in the care of a social worker, and were made to attend the daunting environment of a court of law.

They were questioned like criminals and liars by a defence lawyer, and were made to tell the story of their ordeal over and over again, even though medical evidence would have already proven that they had been sexually molested, and they had already identified their molester.

As adults, we never like

to be reminded of anything that may have caused us undue distress, or may have upset us in any way; yet, where was the consideration given to the anguish or the long-term effects that attending court (due to sexual molestation) would have had on two young children?

This was, and in some cases still is, our system here in Guyana: Children are molested, their innocent childhood snatched away.

They are then hurled into a world of investigations, interviews, examinations, and sometimes even accusations; where sometimes very little sensitivity is shown to their plight, or to their psychological disposition. Surely, this is an infringement and violation of their human rights. Furthermore, in this particular case, after so many years in care, and after so many court appearances, the girls received no justice.

Their molester was never sentenced. Today he is walking the streets, possibly in a new relationship, where he is free to molest other children, and the girls are living with an extended family member.

The Child Care and Protection Agency partnered, in 2013, with two local NGOs, Child LinK Inc. and Forward Guyana, and along with their development partner, the Delegation of the European Union, they worked to establish Child Advocacy Centres in Regions 3, 4 and 5.

Child Advocacy Centres (CAC) have been set up as a way of ensuring a safe, more coordinated and efficient service for children who have been abused. The CAC lessens the trauma for the child who is making the statement about abuse. This is done by allowing the child to speak with a trained counsellor while being recorded on camera. This is known as Forensic Interviewing.

Once the interview has taken place, the child will not have to repeat his/her story again at different times to various bodies, such as child protection officers, medical staff, the police, lawyers and the Judiciary.

Child Advocacy Centres

fall under the Ministry of Social Protection’s ‘Child Protection Programme’, with oversight from the Childcare and Protection Agency. In order for these centres to be used to their optimum capacity, collaboration between interested bodies must exist. A representative from each relevant sector must attend the interview, and watch the process in an adjoining room. This is called a multi-discipline approach, where persons from the law enforcement, the child protection services, and mental health and medical profession sit together, study the case, and work out the best way forward for a successful prosecution.

Inter-agency association means less anguish for the child-victim and his/her family members. They don’t have to go to several agencies, repeating the same story each time. It also promotes a consistent and more effective service, where relevant bodies can collaborate on a number of child protection issues. This, no doubt, would result in the more successful prosecution of perpetrators.

There can never be too many facilities for children in Guyana, and the entire concept behind Child Advocacy Centres signify a step in the right direction for the protection of those children who need a special kind of assistance in order to relate and cope with the undesirable experiences they have encountered.

What the two little girls went through on a number of levels was a violation of their rights. First, the sexual abuse; then the separation from family; then the court appearances and testaments.

Imagine sexually abused children being made to stand in a court of law to testify, or visiting different agencies or establishments where they have to go over the details of their abuse again and again.

It could never be right.

It is clear to see that Child Advocacy Centres are very much needed in Guyana, and the use of their facilities should be mandatory for all cases of abuse against

children.

Greater commitment, dedication and collaboration from the respective agencies, and especially the Government of Guyana, are essential. This will help to enhance and establish

the sustainability of these centres, and ensure Human Rights for our most vulnerable citizens -- our children.

Human Rights Day is commemorated annually to remind people that everyone is entitled to basic

human rights. Everyone has the right to be treated fairly and with dignity, without stigmatisation, discrimination or prejudice. Let us continually work towards empowering Human Rights here in Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday December 10, 2015

Crossword

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 10, 2015

Internet-ready hub for Moruca

By Ravin Singh

IN a rapidly advancing technological world that is spreading beyond urban settings, the small interior community of Moruca is benefitting from a $800,000 information and communications technology (ICT) hub and 12 computers provided to them last year by the government.

The 12 Dell computers which are currently being utilised to train 12 persons were donated by the Basic Needs Trust Fund to the community last year, after the ICT hub was built with an $800,000 grant.

Those being trained at present are underprivileged persons in the community, including single parents and persons who were not fortunate enough to complete their schooling, says Councillor Eleina La Rose.

However, what is needed at this point, according to her, is the Internet connec-

tion that will expand the scope of knowledge for those currently being trained.

This is also the view of Graham Atkinson, another councillor, who conducts the training sessions.

According to him, the Internet will not only be used for training, but to upgrade outdated software on the computers.

Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs Sydney Allicock, during a visit to the community last week, committed to providing Internet services by year-end.

In addition to the Internet, the ministry last year had also promised to provide 20 additional computers for the hub. This is likely to be presented to the Region 1 community next year.

BECOMING COMPUTER LITERATE Atkinson also related that the training three days per week had proved fruitful from the inception, since

New respondents in Pradoville land case

By George Barclay ACTING Chief Justice Ian Chang, presiding in the Pradoville land case currently being heard in chambers, ordered last Monday that copies of the writ by Desmond Trotman and the Committee for the Defence of the Constitution Inc be served on all the land owners in Pradoville.

This order was made after the former Guyana Water Inc (GWI) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sheik Baksh and Dr Ganesh Singh asked the court for leave to become added respondents in the matter, so that they could participate in the proceedings.

The application was granted, following which the Chief Justice ordered that all the land owners in the area be served with copies of the writ.

In the matter of an application under Article 153 of the Constitution, for redress for contravention of the applicants’ and the citizens’ and the people’s fundamental rights, which have been guaranteed by Articles 40,

149 and 149D of the Constitution of the Republic of Guyana, the applicants, Desmond Trotman and the Committee for the Defence of the Constitution Inc came forward with the Constitutional Motion.

Among other things, they are asking for a number of declarations, one of which is that the decision by the Cabinet of Ministers of Guyana to authorise NICIL to approve the mutation of the state land at parcel 237 into parcels 238 to 247 Plantation Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, and Parcel 172 into Parcels 173 to 196 Plantation Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, without the authorisation and approval of Parliament, the Central Housing and Planning Authority, and other relevant statutory authorities is arbitrary, unconstitutional, unreasonable, unlawful, ultra vires, null and void, ab initio, and of no legal effect.

By the time the hearing resumes in Chambers on January 13, 2016, all those owners in the Pradoville 2 area would have been served with copies of the writs.

Some of the computers in the ITC hub which were donated by the Basic Needs Trust Fund

persons had responded positively and were willing to become computer literate.

Initially, he had started the second phase of training with 15 persons, but three of them had left to pursue training in other disciplines.

However, the other 12 have committed themselves and are at a point where

they know the basics about a computer. Additionally, Atkinson disclosed that he is in the process of setting up email addresses for his students, since he sees this as a necessary tool for them to network in an evolving world.

“I have committed to setting up emails for all of

them, if we get the Internet by year-end or not. If we don’t, then I will use my phone and set it up for them,” he said.

In the meantime, his training sessions are supported by an ongoing Information Technology (IT) programme, which is being done by the Board of In-

dustrial Training (BIT) in Moruca. This programme is one which allows students to access resources provided by BIT to help with academic or other endeavours.

The ICT hub is one of nine currently existing in Santa Rosa, which was constructed to the tune of $800,000 each.

Neonatal deaths down 28 per cent THERE has been a significant decrease in the number of neonatal deaths at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and this is directly attributed to reinforcement of preventative measures at that health institution.

A statement from the Ministry of Public Health disclosed that the administration and doctors of the GPHC have been working closely with the Ministry of Public Health, and have been receiving advice and support from the Canada-based charitable organisation named Guyana Help the Kids (GHTK) to reduce the number of neonatal deaths at the hospital.

The measures, reinforced to curb the incidence of neonatal deaths, include the full sanitisation of the maternity bloc at the hospital, and conversion of some rooms of the

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and special areas in order to house and provide care for high-risk babies.

Additionally, mothers have been encouraged to remain with their babies, to access further neonatal care.

Proper infection control and strict guidelines for adorning clean clothing, gowns, masks and shoe covers have been reinforced for all personnel. One hundred per cent hand washing with appropriate solutions has also contributed to the significant reduction in the number of neonatal deaths, it has been explained to this publication.

The mortality rate for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admissions, which had been averaging 35 per cent during the past few months, has dropped to seven per cent in the month of November; and Public Health

Minister Dr George Norton, along with technical officers, will continue to engage the doctors of the GPHC and the GHTK to ensure continued decline in the number of neonatal deaths.

The Minister applauds Dr Sara Singh as well as the paediatric physicians, nurses and other staff of the NICU, for championing the reinforcement of these measures with support and guidance from Guyana Help the Kids.

Unfortunately, some babies are born very prematurely or with significant congenital abnormalities, both of which put them at high risk for death.

However, the Ministry of Public Health, in partnership with the GHTK, will continue to provide training for doctors and nurses, and upgrade equipment to improve facilities at the GPHC’s Neo-

Public Health Minister Dr George Norton

natal Intensive Care Unit, while minimising the incidence of neonatal deaths.

Work is presently being undertaken to ensure that the Neonatal Intensive Care Units at the West Demerara Regional Hospital and the New Amsterdam Hospital are fully functional soon.

Wanted for murder Truck driver killed STEVE Mohamed is wanted by the police in relation to investigations into the murder of Quacy Thompson, which occurred on July 15, 2014, at Mowassi Landing, Konawaruk.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Steve Mohamed is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 226-1333, 225-2722, 226-9941, 2256411, 911 or the nearest police station.

All information will be treated with strict confidentiality, police have said. Thompson’s last known addresses are listed as Lot 721 Third Street, Kaneville, EBD and Lot 321 Albert Street, Albertown, Georgetown.

in smash-up

A TRUCK driver of Coverden, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was killed when his vehicle slammed into a utility pole at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara early Wednesday morning.

In a statement, police said that investigations are being conducted into the fatal accident that occurred at about 00:30 hrs, which resulted in the death of truck-driver Yougraj Singh, 50 years, of Coverden, EBD. Investigations have revealed that Yougraj Singh was driving the vehicle along the roadway, allegedly at a fast rate, when he lost control of the vehicle and collided with a utility pole. He received injuries and was taken to the GPHC where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 10, 2015

Guyana, CARICOM in €6M pact with Italy … to fight climate change MINISTER of Governance Raphael Trotman Tuesday signed on to a €6 million climate change project the government of Italy has agreed to with the Caribbean Community.

Francesco La Camera, Director General, Ministry of Environment of Italy signed the agreement with Guyana at Le Bourget Conference Centre in Paris where the UN climate summit is being held. The agreement was also signed by Belize on Tuesday.

This project negotiated between the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5Cs) and the Ministry for

the Environment, Land and Sea of Italy, aims to address some specific climate change issues affecting CARICOM states.

It will support the CARICOM member states to adapt to climate change, and protect these states from vulnerability to sea-level rise and climate variability, the 5Cs office said in a statement.

It will help countries implement their climate action plans, called the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). The funds are also geared towards helping the Caribbean

Minister Raphael Trotman signs Guyana on to Italy’s €6M pact with the Caribbean in the presence of government officials of Italy, and representatives of the Belize Government and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre. Italy’s Environment, Land and Sea Minister Gianluca Galletti is at second, right

Minister Raphael Trotman in discussions with Italy’s Environment, Land and Sea Minister Gianluca Galletti

develop the use of renewable energies; promote ventures between the private sector; transfer technology; and exchange experts, scientists and researchers. The project is expected to last for five

years and was signed in the presence of the Chairman of the 5Cs, Dr Leonard Nurse and the Executive Director of the 5Cs, Dr Kenrick Leslie, amongst other dignitaries.

Minister Trotman thanked

the government and peoples of Italy for their continued support and friendship shown towards the peoples of Guyana and the Caribbean.

“This grant is going to be very useful,” Trotman

told the Guyana Chronicle in Paris.

“We welcome the amount; it is a substantial grant and we will now put up projects to benefit from this funding.”

Muslim community DTL workers expect gifted ‘Zamzam’ water pay hike Friday

PRESIDENT David Granger distributed several bottles of ‘Zamzam’ water, which was sourced from a well in Saudi Arabia, to various Muslim organisations during a meeting yesterday at Ministry of the Presidency.

The President handed over the bottles of water to representatives of the United Sadr Islamic Anjuman, the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana and the Guyana Islamic Trust.

The water was sourced during his trip to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in November.

Zamzam is the name of the well that provides water for billions of people, especially during the Hajj Pilgrimage. The Zamzam Well is believed to have sprung up at the feet of a baby Prophet Ishmael in 2000 BC and it continues flow up to present day.

The word Zamzam means “stop stop”.

Scholars believe that water from the Zamzam Well has significant healing powers, and as such, it is often given to the sick, the Ministry of the Presidency said in a release.

President David Granger shares a warm handshake with Shaykh Abdul Aleem Rahim, President of the Guyana Islamic Trust, as he presents him with a bottle of Zamzam water, while Minister of State Joseph Harmon and another representative look on

By Svetlana Marshall AFTER failing to attend a number of meetings planned by the Department of Labour of the Ministry of Social Protection, Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL) is expected to participate in a tripartite meeting on Friday to resolve several problems affecting its workers.

With the Department of Labour acting as the mediator, DTL and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) are expected to negotiate a wage increase for workers operating at Mabura Hill, Region 10.

In mid-November, workers had downed tools after being informed that DTL was offering a $5,000 bonus for the Christmas Season in the absence of a 12 per cent increase.

The logging company had informed GAWU that it was in no financial position to offer workers such a hefty increase.

Workers are hoping now that the union and the logging company arrive at an amicable solution when they meet on Friday.

However, the workers have maintained that they will not accept the $5,000.

DTL is expected to close down operations from December 18, 2015 for the holiday, allowing workers to travel home to their families.

WORKING CONDITIONS In addition to the 12 per cent increase, workers are calling on the company to equip the township with a new bus, an ambulance, 24 hours of electricity and better working conditions.

“The working condi-

tions here are beyond poor, the only thing we get is a safety boots, no helmet, no respirator, no safety gears, nothing...we don’t even have an ambulance in the case of an emergency,” one of the employees had lamented.

It was further pointed out that the bus currently being used to transport workers from the township to the worksite and from the township to Linden, Region 10 has been in operation since the 1980s.

In addition, since 2013, workers have been experiencing a shortage in the supply of electricity.

Currently, the township is powered from 04:00hrs to 23:00hrs daily. Failure to address their problems can result in prolonged industrial action, workers have warned.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 10, 2015

Tropical timber Guyana gets cash profiles should rise to go green

– Annual Market Discussion hears

By Rabindra Rooplall

PERCEPTIONS of tropical timber have improved immensely in recent years, according to speakers at the recent International Tropical Timber Council’s Annual Market Discussion which was held as part of the Council’s 51st session.

The Annual Market Discussion, which was organised by the Trade Advisory Group, received presentations from leading industrialists and specialists as well as from James Gasana, a consultant, on strengthening the participation of the private sector in advancing the objectives of the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO).

The Trade Advisory Group said the time was now right for tropical timber traders to raise the profiles of their products in the market place and to challenge the market share taken in recent years by competitors and alternatives. The tropical timber sector had demonstrated that it can verify the legal credentials of its products; now it needed to get that message out to the professionals, the architects, engineers and designers who specify and use wood.

PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIP The Trade Advisory Group has been urging the International Tropical Timber Council to forge a stronger partnership with the private sector as a way of furthering its objectives. In 2014, it suggested exploring innovative

ideas for a strategy that would better harness the timber private sector by “blending” private-sector expertise and ITTO resources.

The report prepared by Gasana summarised initiatives that other international organisations have embarked on with the timber private sector and indicated how ITTO could develop such a strategy.

“The lack of a strategy for a private-sector partnership is clearly in contrast to the expectations of both ITTO and the private sector for cooperation in achieving the priorities of successive ITTO Action Plans,” said Gasana in his presentation.

“There is therefore a strong case for improving the situation by building a better defined and more innovative partnership.”

Meanwhile, Iwokrama’s model forestry project “The Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation,” has begun the second phase of its model forestry operation.

The centre was established in 1996 by the Government of Guyana with the support of the Commonwealth Secretariat and is charged with managing a unique reserve of 371,000 hectares of rainforest.

Recent work involved zoning, resulting in the establishment of a Wilderness Preserve and a Sustainable Utilisation Area (SUA). The SUA was delineated as the area where the centre’s development work on an experimental timber model and other business strategies, including tourism and training, will be conducted.

A 60-year cutting cycle will yield a maximum of 1,800 ha (hectare) per year for selective harvesting.

None of the logs harvested will be exported; only high-grade sawn wood and other value-added products will be produced. The centre expects to maintain its working partnership with representatives from Amerindian communities within the area.

Judge throws the book at honkers MORE errant drivers were brought by the police yesterday before Justice Navindra Singh for failing to adhere to the silent zone restriction in the vicinity of the High Court.

They were held in contempt of the court and fined.

The seven male drivers stood before Justice Singh and were asked to plead to the charge of honking their horns in the silent zone. They were all given chances to explain.

Most of the drivers claimed ignorance of the breach of the law, but one

man refused to admit he was wrong.

They were fined from between $3,000 to $10,000 and they had to pay up within seven days or face a period of imprisonment.

One of the seven drivers, a taxi operator told Justice Singh he did not sound his horn but was nevertheless arrested.

He was found guilty when the arresting officer Corporal Haynes testified in a sworn statement to the court. He was fined $10,000.

On November 12, 2015, Justice Singh held six of sev-

en drivers in contempt for honking their horns in the silent zone areas of the High Court and Magistrates’ Court which had caused disruptions in both courts. Seven drivers were ushered into court in the afternoon and told of the particulars of the traffic violation.

They were also given a chance to respond.

Only one driver escaped a penalty. Justice Singh gave him the benefit of the doubt based on his explanation for honking his horn in the environs of the courts. The others, all men, were fined between $5,000 and $7,500 to be paid within seven days or they face imprisonment.

GUYANA on Tuesday signed a grant agreement with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for US$300,000 to be spent over the next year.

The agreement was signed at Le Bourget, Paris

by Minister of Governance with responsibility for Natural Resources and the Environment Raphael Trotman, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan and Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre Executive Director,

Dr Kenrick Leslie.

According to the Climate Change Centre, the aim of the agreement is to provide readiness support to Guyana to allow it to strengthen the institutional capacity of its National Designated Authority (NDA) to effectively fulfil its roles and responsibilities in relation to the GCF and to prepare country programmes through a multi-stakeholder engagement process.

Furthermore, these resources are to be used to

enhance Guyana’s readiness to access and deliver international climate finance through targeted institutional strengthening.

The strengthening of the NDA is one of the preliminary steps to allow Guyana to become accredited to the GCF and thus to access directly this climate-financing modality.

The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5Cs), the only accredited entity to the GCF in the Caribbean and one of only 20 entities accredited globally to date, will act as the delivery partner for this project.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan, Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre Executive Director, Dr Kenrick Leslie and Minister Raphael Trotman share a joke during the signing of the Green Climate Fund grant programme Tuesday

PYO spreads Christmas cheer IN the spirit of this wonderful season of Christmas, which is always filled with sentiments of appreciation, love, care and support -- not only towards family members and friends, but also to those in need -members of the Enterprise Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) undertook to fulfil a pledge made one month ago.

The pledge was to show love and appreciation for the elderly folk in their community.

On Sunday, December 6, PYO members literally invaded their ECD community, going from place to place, seeking donations in order to accomplish their objective of showing care for, and gratitude to, the elderly folk in their community in this time of sharing and caring.

With the outpouring of donations, they managed to put together 21 food hampers, which were distributed to elderly folk in the community.

“We ventured off in seeking donations from the community, which responded wonderfully to this worthy cause, and without a second thought.

“The smiles we saw were worth a thousand ‘thank-yous’. As such, we would like to express sincere thanks to Survival Supermarket for donating 21 shopping bags and to Navin & Sons Construction for donating rice,” Vice President of the team Suresh Singh said.

Members of the Enterprise PYO making their donation to one of the elderly residents in the community

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 10, 2015

Sea defence to be strengthened THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) is looking at ways to improve Guyana’s sea defence system and is finalising a coastal engineering design manual, with the support of the European Union (EU).

A two-day staff training workshop kicked off Tuesday at Cara Lodge and Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson as well as EU Ambassador to Guyana Jernej Videti delivered brief remarks.

Under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) framework from 2007 to 2013, EU–Guyana cooperation has focused on a number of areas, including sea defences.

The beneficiary of this latest project – the production of a Coastal Engineering Design Manual – is the Guyana Sea and River Defence Division, under the MPI. During Tuesday’s workshop, Minister Patterson explained that coastal engineering management is particularly important to Guyana due to factors such as climate change and the fact that Guy-

ana is below sea level.

He noted, therefore, that Guyana must look at sustainable and long-term solutions to sea defence.

“It’s very important that we recognise that coastal engineering extends way beyond the construction of physical sea barriers,” he said.

He further said that the production of a design manual and the discussions which would come out of the workshop were important in the government’s fight to ensure that the citizenry is protected.

Minister Patterson also acknowledged the EU’s role and noted that the international body has been a major donor to Guyana with regard to sea defence.

He said too that it was important that the ministry and the EU came together to train staff and inform them about the manual before it is implemented. He expressed hope that the workshop would foster more innovative methods of sea defence.

Similarly, EU Ambassador Videti also spoke of the need for sustainability in

A section of the gathering at Cara Lodge yesterday

Guyana’s sea defence system. He stated that coastal engineering was an important sector which has seen the Government of Guyana and EU working together to solve issues. He added that sea defence has been a focus of the EU for decades.

LACK OF MAINTENANCE In terms of Guyana’s sea defence, the Ambassador said that due to the lack of adequate maintenance of existing barriers, along with the

gradual destruction of mangrove forests, the protection of Guyana’s coastal zone was drastically reduced.

This reduction, he said, has increased the need for rehabilitation, while longterm sustainable measures became urgent.

He concluded by stressing that the manual will be a useful and easily accessible tool and he expressed the hope that it will be used to build a strong strategy for Guyana.

The present manual aims

to provide appropriate and practical guidance for applications of methods and techniques with regard to the design and implementation of coastal engineering projects in Guyana.

These projects concern new constructions or repair and rehabilitation of existing ones; the prevention of the erosion of oceanic, estuarine, and recessed coasts; coastal flooding; and the heavy damage from wave attacks to valuable coastal commercial, urban and tour-

ist communities of Guyana.

The manual was put together by a team of four consultants, including a coastal engineering specialist, a geotechnical specialist, and an engineering specialist.

These consultants had spent time in Guyana interacting with a number of agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), and Central Housing and Planning Authority. So far, the manual is a 14-chapter document and is still being refined. Focus areas in the document include integrated planning for sea and river defence works in Guyana; the physical site conditions and data-collection issues; and natural flood protection systems along Guyana’s oceanic coast and river banks and their relevance to the shore zone management process.

Primarily, the workshop saw the participation of MPI employees across the different agencies.

Bauxite company Bright Christmas for aviation sector gets extension

By Rabindra Rooplall

FIRST Bauxite Corporation has been granted a twoyear extension to the construction commencement date under the Bonasika Mining Licence (BML) from January 31, 2016 to January 31, 2018.

In addition, the government may grant a further oneyear extension to January 31, 2019 if it is satisfied after a review of the performance and financial standing of the company that such an extension has merit.

The company will now discuss with the government specific modifications that are required to the Mineral Agreement, BML and Environmental Permit to reflect the new Bonasika Ceramic Proppant Project “Bonasika Project” scope.

First Bauxite is also pleased to provide a general business update and details on the expected use of proceeds from the US$15 million private placement of secured convertible notes to Resource Capital Funds announced October 30, 2015 to close in two tranches, the first of which has closed in the amount of US$4 million, the second of which is expected to close in January 2016.

As part of the discussions with the government on the BML extension, the company has agreed to allocate some of the proceeds from the private placement to initial design, permitting and infrastructure construction activities in Guyana during 2016.

It is expected that activities will focus on preliminary detailed design and engineering, the construction of wharves on either side of the Demerara River, and on initial mine development.

The company is also using a portion of the proceeds from the private placement to undertake a bulk sample pit programme to confirm mining and processing assumptions in the Bonasika Project Feasibility Study (FS), and to produce commercial volumes of ceramic proppants in a full-scale ceramic proppant production facility.

The company also intends to conduct field trials in selected deep oil wells. Mining the bulk sample has commenced, and planning work for trial ceramic proppant production is well under way. (Yahoo! Finance)

WITH a slowdown in business, many have been feeling the squeeze, but apparently not the aviation sector, which continues to see a regular flow of goods and passengers.

Contact with several air service providers are saying that the sector has remained buoyant with a steady flow of customers going into the Christmas season.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Roraima Airways and Dynamic Airlines representative, Captain Gerry Gouveia said flights are booked, especially by travellers to Guyana.

“We are going to be expecting a very nice Christmas; locally, many of the flights are being booked up, especially to the resorts and trips to Kaieteur and our hotels as well… Things are picking up in other businesses also. When I visited the Giftland Mall it was jampacked with people so there seems to be a nice sense of optimism prevailing,” the businessman noted.

He said in the tourism sector business has already started to build-up.

Trans Guyana Airways, Public Relations Consultant Kit Nascimento said that according to Chief Executive Officer of the Correia Group of Companies, Michael Correia, they have not noted any economic downturn in the industry.

ASL Manager Annette Arjoon-Martins said she is gearing up to serve the market for the Christmas season and next year’s 50th Independence anniversary celebrations.

Arjoon-Martins said apart from a decline in gold mining services, ASL has

diversified, so there is no major downturn in the aviation sector.

However, other air service providers who were authorised to comment were not available when contacted. In a gradually contracting global economy where commodity-producing countries continue to record a crippling growth rate, the seven pillars of Guyana’s economy: sugar, rice, bauxite, gold, diamonds, timber and remittances have all suffered major setbacks for the first time in recent memory.

Government’s financial expert and Minister of Finance Winston Jordan be-

lieves that the economic slowdown, which the country started to experience in 2014 will soon be over and things will pick up in December.

He is of the view that there are several contributing factors to this alleged slowdown, both locally and internationally. The Finance Minister opined that the legal and regulatory framework for financial risk assessment and mitigation, to deal with any financial vulnerability that can threaten the resumption of sustained growth in the Caribbean, must be strengthened.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 10, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday December 10, 2015

Irish racing Tips Punchestown 08:25 hrs Blazer 08:55 hrs Winter Magic 09:25 hrs Red River Gold 09:55 hrs Thomas Hobson 10:25 hrs Min 10:55 hrs Danali 11:25 hrs Micras South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:25 hrs Prince Of Orange 09:00 hrs Cape Marigold 09:35 hrs Street Flyer 10:15 hrs Rambo 11:00 hrs Secunde’s Victor English Racing Tips Warwick 08:30 hrs Magic Dancer 09:30 hrs Capilla 10:00 hrs Cyclop 11:00 hrs Scales 11:30 hrs Willoughby Court Taunton 08:40 hrs Theatre Goer 09:10 hrs Rock On Oscar 09:40 hrs Sword Of The Lord 10:10 hrs Butlergrove King 10:40 hrs Itsnowcato 11:10 hrs Barrakilla 11:40 hrs Drumcliff Newcastle 08:50 hrs Ballycool 09:20 hrs Marlee Massie 09:50 hrs Kiama Bay 10:20 hrs Clan Legend 10:50 hrs Rupert Bear 11:20 hrs Bambys Boy American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 Star Dynasty Race 2 Old Mexico Race 3 Union River Race 4 Folk Song Race 5 Rockford Race 6 Prepper Race 7 La Inesperada Race 8 Mrs . Hudsson Race 9 Midnight Bounty

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday December 10, 2015

Rio faces tough times but IOC upbeat about preparations

By Karolos Grohmann

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Reuters)-International Olympic Committee officials said yesterday they were confident next year’s Games in Rio de Janeiro would not be compromised by the political turmoil and economic downturn in Brazil, although preparations had “inevitably” been affected.

The Rio Olympics have been plagued by delays for years but, they said, the situation was improving.

However, as preparations go into the final stretch, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is facing impeachment and the economy is in a tight spot.

“It will inevitably affect the Games,” IOC Vice President Craig Reedie told reporters when asked if Brazil’s situation had any impact on preparations.

“There are challenges,” he said after Rio Games organisers delivered a progress report at the IOC Executive board meeting.

Opposition politicians

launched the impeachment process against Rousseff last week for allegedly breaking Brazil’s budget laws. The Supreme Court suspended proceedings on Wednesday pending a decision on its constitutional validity.

Political wrangling over the impeachment could drag on for at least six months at a time when the government faces legislative gridlock, the deepest recession in three decades and a corruption scandal at state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA. Police investigating the alleged corruption around Petrobras also plan to probe more than $10 billion of construction contracts for the Olympics in Rio. The current situation is in stark contrast to when Rio was awarded the Games in 2009, with Brazil then enjoying a booming economy.

But Reedie said progress had been made towards getting South America’s first Olympics ready on time.

“There has been a massive improvement of the situation in

the past months. That is good news,” he said.

“Now you have to deliver the services levels that athletes and international federations expect and they (Brazil) have political and economic difficulties. We have come a very long way.

We have to have total confidence,” he said.

Rio Games chief Carlos Nuzman said the overall situation was presented to the IOC in a transparent way.

“We did not try to escape (from the facts). The most important thing is that nothing affects the athletes and the organisation of the Games.”

Organisers are looking at ways to reduce their operating budget without compromising the Games, a tough task eight months before the games.

“We need to adjust everything,” Nuzman said.

“But that is normal. All the (Olympic) cities go through that, they all have to adjust everything. The most important thing is to deliver great Games.”

The Maracana stadium is seen between Turano slum (L) and Mangueira slum, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 19, 2015.

(Reuters/Sergio Moraes)

GFF clears the air

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) yesterday responded to an issue published in another section of the media, and issued the following statement: The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is deeply concerned by what we feel was an erroneous article published in the Sports section of the Stabroek News.

The article captioned, “Elite League football prizes still to be funded”, implies the GFF’s inability to honour our obligation with regards to rewarding the top four finishers of the just concluded STAG Elite League.

Of all that was stated in the article by an anonymous writer, the GFF is disturbed by what was mentioned in one paragraph “according to the sources, the federation has supposedly met the title sponsors to try and ascertain when the presentation for the prizes will occur”.

The article leads one to believe that it was Ansa McAl who was responsible for the clubs’ not receiving their prize money and we strongly refute such perception.

Ansa McAl as title sponsor for the Elite League under their STAG Beer brand has so far honoured their contractual obligation and is also working closely with the GFF to ensure that Guyana and more so the participating teams, benefit from the staging of the League.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday December 10, 2015

World heavyweight champion Fury stripped of IBF title LONDON, (Reuters)-World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury’s uncle and trainer says the decision to strip the British fighter of one of his three titles is “absolutely scandalous”.

The 27-year-old, whose comments about homosexuality and women have provoked almost as many headlines as his feats inside the ring, was relieved of his IBF belt after agreeing to a contracted rematch with the Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko instead of fighting the IBF’s mandatory challenger.

“It’s true he’s been stripped of his IBF belt,” Lindsey Tucker, IBF championships chairman, told

the BBC on Tuesday.

“Our challenger was Vyacheslav Glazkov, but instead Fury’s gone and signed a rematch clause with Wladimir Klitschko.”

In an interview in Boxing News, Peter Fury said: “It’s absolutely scandalous. I’ve not spoken to Tyson yet but we’re dealing with it.

“But we’ve got a rematch that we’re tied to.

We have to take that fight.

A fight of this magnitude, the IBF should only be too happy to be involved in such a megafight.”

Fury, who still holds the WBA and WBO versions of

the title, has been shortlisted for the BBC’s prestigious Sports Personality of the Year award -- a move widely criticised after his controversial comments on a range of topics.

An online petition calling on the BBC to deselect him because of comments widely seen as homophobic has now gathered close to 100,000 signatures.

Yesterday, Britain’s Sports Journalist’s Association (SJA) said it had withdrawn its invitation to Tyson Fury to attend next week’s British Sports Awards.

“The decision was made as a consequence of threats made by Fury against at least

World heavyweight champion Fury stripped of IBF title one sports journalist, an SJA member, who has written about the boxer’s repugnant comments on homosexuality and women,” the SJA said in a statement.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed on Wednes-

day that they had received a report of “hate crime” in connection with comments made

by Fury on a BBC programme.

Responding to the latest controversies on Twitter, Fury said on Wednesday:

“Freedom of speech is the biggest load of Shite ever, if the WBA&WBO&IBO want to strip me go ahead.”

American Deontay Wilder holds the WBC belt.

Internal FIFA probe of Blatter finds scant evidence – Swiss newspaper ZURICH, (Reuters)-An internal investigation of suspended FIFA President Joseph “Sepp” Blatter has found no evidence of corruption over a 2 million Swiss franc (£1.3 million) payment to European football head Michel Platini, the Swiss newspaper Handelszeitung said yesterday.

Reuters could not independently verify the report, which said Blatter also faced suspicions of ethics violations given that the payment had failed to appear in FIFA accounts for some time. FIFA referred Reuters’ questions to its independent ethics committee, which said it did not comment on “rumours”.

The ethics committee, due to rule on the case by year’s end, has taken a hard line so far in corruption cases.

Both men were suspended in October amid a wider graft scandal that has triggered criminal investigations in the United States and Switzerland and cast football’s global governing body into turmoil. They deny wrongdoing and have

not been charged.

Investigators have raised questions about the payment in 2011 from FIFA to Platini, a former France team captain and coach who has been president of European football body UEFA since 2002, for work he did between 1998 and 2002. Blatter had been

Sepp Blatter seeking re-election in 2011.

Blatter has said there was a verbal agreement between the two while Platini says the payment was delayed only because of financial problems at FIFA. Citing an unnamed source, Handelszeitung said the internal inquiry had been

unable to substantiate bribery suspicions.

“Tangible and legally admissible evidence for the allegation of corruption can be found nowhere in the entire investigative report,” it quoted the source as saying.

The paper said Platini had asked FIFA for his overdue salary at least twice in 2010 and that FIFA’s finance chief had set aside money for the payment.

FIFA will hold an election in February to replace Blatter. Platini, once a front runner for the post, cannot run while he is banned although he might be allowed to take part if he is cleared.

The FIFA corruption scandal broke in May, when seven officials were arrested in police raids on a Zurich hotel ahead of a meeting of the football body. Fourteen officials, including two former vice presidents, were indicted in the United States then on suspicion of corruption and money laundering.

Sixteen more U.S. indictments were unveiled last week.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday December 10, 2015

CGI Local Franchise League....

Centuries for Narayan and Surujnarine GEORGETOWN, Lower Corentyne/New Amsterdam/ Canje, West Berbice and Upper Corentyne all registered victories in the fourth round of the Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI) Local Franchise League (LFL) played across Guyana yesterday.

At the GCC, half-centuries from Jeetendra Sukdeo and Sherfane Rutherford helped Georgetown defeat West Demerara by 53 runs. Batting first, Georgetown scored a competitive 241-7 from 50 overs. Sookdeo’s innings which was his second consecutive half-century, included five fours while Rutherford’s knock was decorated with four boundaries and three sixes.

There were also significant contributions from David Dick who made 32, Andrew Lyte (24) and Kemol Savory (24 not out).

In reply, West Demerara was held to 188 in 48 overs as they never threatened Georgetown’s total. Ganesh Narine top scored with 52 hitting two fours and two sixes while Yitesh Dhanpaul made 31 and Travis Persaud contributed 19. Devon Lord led Georgetown’s bowling with 3-32 off 10 overs, Kellon Carmichael had 2-29 and Sookdeo returned with the ball to take 2-33 with his off spin.

At Albion, Lower Corentyne/New Amsterdam/Canje continued their unbeaten run as they disposed of East Coast Demerara by 56 runs. Batting first, the home team was

Danny Narayan

Bank Demerara/Upper Demerara got to 207-8 in 45 overs due to a late start. Danny Narayan stroked a commanding even 100 which included four boundaries and two maximums. Leonard Caleb was the other major contributor with 36 even as Waqar Hassan claimed 3-26 and Krishnadat Ramoo had 3-32.

In reply, West Berbice cruised to 210/1 in just 36 overs as their captain, Kandasammy Surujnarine, hit a shot filled 104 not out.

Opening the batting with Avishkar Seewkaran who made 50, they put on 136 for the first wicket as the East Bank Demerara/Upper Demerara bowlers were put to the sword. Raphael Estriado was the other unbeaten batsman on 36.

At Enmore, Upper Corentyne was bowled out for 188 in 49 overs. Rajiv Ivan scored his second consecutive half century (65). Lending good support was Jonathan Foo who scored 31 while Eon Hopper and Arif Chan chipped in with 27 not out and 26 respectively.

Skipper Anthony Adams led the Essequibo’s bowlers with 3-38 while former national pacer Trevon Garraway claimed 2-38 and Ricardo Adams had 2-35.

restricted to 189 all out in 45.5 overs. Former national middle order batsman, Gajanand Singh, top scored with 34 while Joemal La Fluer hit 33 and his older brother Eugene La Fluer stroked 32.

East Coast Demerara’s Steven Sankar followed up his 4-wicket haul yesterday with figures of 4-37 while Anthony Ifill took 3-34.

In reply, East Coast Demerara was restricted to 143 all out in the 43rd over. Brian Sattaur top-scored with 60 which included seven fours while Steve Ramdass and Steven Sankar chipped in with 21 each. Eugene also bagged 2-18, Royston Crandon 2-28 and Devon Clements 2-40.

At Port Mourant, East INDIA’S external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj was in Islamabad and held talks with her Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz and Prime Minister Nawaz Thursday December 10, 2015) Sharif yesterday. But it is COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY understood that cricket STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall ( was not among the topics Tel: 225-9230) & discussed.

AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 PCB chairman Shaharyar Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Khan, however, had been under the impression that reAnswers to yesterday’s quiz: suming cricketing ties would (1) Dennis Lindsay-606 runs be on the agenda, and the fact (SA vs AUST, 1966-67) that it wasn’t has put serious (2) Brad Haddin-29 catches (AUST vs ENG, 2013) doubts in his mind over the Today’s Quiz: series going though.

(1) How many wicketkeepers have captained the “We are already late, WI in Tests to date? but this is something which (2) Who is the first wicketkeeper to captain is beyond our control,” he the WI in an ODI game? said. “I am disappointed that cricket didn’t make Answers in tomorrow’s issue into the discussion but we

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

Kandasammy Surujnarine Essequibo were halted on 106-9 as only Rayon Fredericks (29) and Anthony Adams (20) offered any resistance.

The competition will take a break and resume on Saturday when Georgetown plays West Berbice at Bush Lot ground, East Coast Demerara battles Essequibo at Enmore, East Bank Demerara/Upper Demerara takes on Upper Corentyne at Port Mourant and West Demerara battles Lower Corentyne/New Amsterdam/Canje at Everest.

McCullum ‘comfortable’ with Cairns trial evidence (REUTERS)-New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum is “very comfortable” with the evidence he gave against former all-rounder Chris Cairns, who was found not guilty of perjury and perverting the course of justice in a trial last month.

Cairns had been accused of falsely claiming he had never cheated at cricket when he won 90,000 pounds in damages from Lalit Modi, the former boss of the Indian Premier League, in a libel action three years ago.

McCullum was one of two former team mates, along with self-confessed matchfixer Lou Vincent, who gave evidence against Cairns in the trial, accusing his predecessor as test skipper of twice asking him to fix matches.

Cairns was found not guilty on Nov. 30 after an eight-week trial in Southwark Crown Court.

“I was very comfortable with the evidence I gave in London and I stand by that evidence as well,” McCullum told reporters in Dunedin on Wednesday. “I was one of a number of witnesses who gave evidence.

“For me it’s not about whether someone is guilty

Brendon McCullum

or not guilty. My role was to give evidence in the trial.

“People will have their own opinions on what unfolded. I was comfortable with it, and as I say it’s time to move on and focus on a bit of cricket.”

McCullum, who will lead New Zealand in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Dunedin today, is scheduled to play his 98th Test match at University Oval.

He refused to be drawn on whether he would be involved in any further legal action, with British media reporting that Modi was considering a civil claim, something Cairns acknowledged was a possibility.

“It’s speculation,” McCullum said. “It’s not the forum to be discussing that sort of thing.

“We’ll see what happens down the line.”

No decision yet on India-Pakistan series are still unclear about the status of the series. I don’t know what is going to happen but given the delay and silence I understand it’s a no after all from them.”

More doubts were cast when BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur, who is also an MP with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said cricketing relations cannot resume until there is political stability between the two countries.

These, however, were his personal views and he clarified that he would comply with whatever decision the Indian government or the BCCI took.

“If there is firing on the border, with your people getting killed, will you play

cricket? Of course I’ll say no,” Thakur told NDTV. “Any Indian will say no to that. My personal view could be different, but I have to honour what the BCCI members have decided because I’m secretary.

“Former secretary of the BCCI signed an agreement with the PCB in April last year, where it is clearly mentioned, if certain resolutions are passed by the ICC, we will play you. We have to honour that now. But I can’t force BJP’s agenda or my individual agenda on the BCCI.” After a deadlock over who would host the series, the BCCI and PCB had petitioned their respective governments

to allow the teams to play each other in Sri Lanka. Pakistan had given the nod, the series still awaits the Indian government’s approval.

Even if headway is made and the series does go through, the PCB will have to race against time to make logistical arrangements given it is tentatively scheduled to begin on December 15. According to the MoU signed between the BCCI and the PCB, it is Pakistan’s turn to host the series. The prevailing uncertainty leaves the Pakistan board with very little time, especially with the venue being Sri Lanka.

The PCB, however, is determined to host the series.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

S h i vC h a n d e r p a u l

Lara tells Inside Cricket what’s wrong with Caribbean cricket See story on page 25

Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ FOOTBALL

Sparta Boss, Channel 9 Warriors advance to final

Joshua Brown (first from right) scored the game’s opening goal but North Spectators rushed the playing area to congratulate Gregory Ruimveldt went down 3 – 2 to Sparta Boss (Cullen Best-Nelson photos) Richardson after scoring the equaliser for Sparta Boss.

WHAT started with 32 teams now has boiled down to the top two: Sparta Boss and debutants Channel 9 Warriors, who will contest the finals of the Georgetown Zone, Guinness Greatest of the Streets football tournament on Saturday at the National Park.

The two teams booked their spot in the final after an entertaining semi-final at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac on Tuesday.

In the first semi-final,

Channel 9 Warriors got past former champions Back Circle 2 – 0 on penalty, after the two teams ended regulation and extra time at 1 – 1.

The much hyped Sparta Boss got the better of North Ruimveldt 3 – 2 (in extra time) in a game that will go down as one of the best of the tournament.

Thousands gathered to witness an evening of pulsating ‘street ball’, with the battle between the four teams too intense to even blink.

The screams, the cheers and the chants of their teams’ names, marked the begging of the Back Circle/Channel 9 Warriors game and the players didn’t disappoint.

Though being a new team to the tournament, Channel 9 Warriors featured some seasoned ‘ballers’ led by Delon Williams.

Kemo Lawrence’s goal in the 10th minute sparked wild celebrations as the newcomers took a 1 – 0 advantage over the more seasoned Back Circle.

However, Andy Duke reminded everyone why Back Circle is one of the most successful teams in the tournament’s history when he clinically fired home the equaliser in the 25th minute.

Several near-chances by both sides but scores remained levelled forced the game into penalties.

In the second encounter, the highly rated Sparta Boss, was led to victory by their two biggest players – Devon Millington and Gregory ‘Jackie

Chan’ Richardson.

Despite having a star-studded team, Sparta Boss is not one of the tournament’s favourites. Joshua Brown sent fans rushing onto the playing area when he scored in the 12th minute for North Ruimveldt.

North Ruimveldt’s celebration was short-lived since Richardson scored a few seconds later for Sparta Boss.

In the second half, Travis ‘Zorro’ Grant had countless opportunities to put the Sparta Boss unit away and put North

Ruimveldt in game control but the dapper player never made good of his chances.

King Solomon Austin then scored in the 30th minute for North Ruimveldt, but again, Richardson rescued Sparta Boss a minute later to equalise.

It was in the first half of extra time (41st minute) where Millington scored the winning goal for Sparta Boss to send them through to the final where they will compete for the tournament’s $500,000 first place prize.

It is farfetched to say that GFF is `Cash Strapped’ – Urling

CLINTON Urling, the chairman of the Normalisation Committee that was installed

by FIFA to manage the affairs of Guyana’s football, is refuting claims that the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is ‘cash strapped’.

Reports surfaced in one section of the media, that the GFF is unable to pay its staff and the prize money for the just concluded STAG Elite League (Genesis) because of dried coffers but Urling, in a release yesterday stated “while the GFF might be going through some cash flow issues because of the transition period from the Normalisation Committee (NC) to the new

executive, it is far-fetched to say that the GFF is cash strapped”.

“The NC has always pointed out to the members of the GFF (most recently at the Congress) that for 2015 the GFF received only half of its FIFA allocated funds while the other MAs around the region have received their full complement of the FAP and Bonuses,” Urling noted.

The former NC Chairman noted “This remaining half has left the GFF in a solid financial state and because the NC has ensured that the audited financial statements for 2013 and 2014 were completed during

its tenure, FIFA will within a matter of days release to the GFF US$375,000 that is due for 2015. Moreover, the GFF will receive in January an additional US$250,000 in FAP

Clinton Urling

from FIFA for a cumulative total of US$625,000 by the

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

end of January”.

Urling pointed out that had it not been for the GFF under the Normalisation Committee repaying $63M in debts inherited at the beginning of 2015, the GFF would have been in a better financial standing.

He noted that the Normalisation Committee believed that it was prudent to pay off as much of the debt as possible so as to not burden the New Executive with a large albatross.

“The football community and the media have to be reminded that the Elite League was never a three-month affair that ended in November but

rather a one-season league that is split in two halves and which ends next May. Any projections and finances for the league must take this fact into account. On this score, the GFF will easily meet its obligations to fund the League,” Urling said.

The Elite League, according to Urling, has surpassed all expectations in terms of sponsorship received and gate receipts from the first half.

The sponsorship received for the elite league thus far, he said, is the highest amount ever raised by the GFF for any event in its history and additionally, the approximate $9M

received from gate receipts also represents a significant achievement for the GFF. “If these trends continue into the second half of the League, the GFF will have the makings of a very sustainable product that can be administered for years to come.

Finally, football has been the winner with the stabilisation of the GFF and the elections of a New Executive, and the entire country looks forward to a prosperous and bright future for Guyana’s football. I remain committed to playing any part to make this a sustained reality,” said the former NC Chairman.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015