Guyana chronicle e paper 13 01 2018

Gov’t hires top tourism marketing strategist

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‘We’re right-sizing it’ No. 105153

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 2018

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… Min Harmon assures nation sugar industry not being shut down … says opposition failed to provide plan of action when asked Page 3

Guyana-China bond hailed … at Arrival Day celebrations

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No bail for man in $4M house lot scam Page 9

Five Bs initiative impacting lives in Berbice

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These two young ladies from the National Dance Company entertained the audience with their cultural piece at the Arrival Day celebrations (Delano Williams photo)

Whisky probe completed … but Dookie proceeds on annual leave

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Broomes rails against GGMC Page 9

…over move to convert prospecting licences to medium-scale tenures

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday January 13, 2018

Gov’t lives up to its promise --helps prepare 140 ex-GuySuCo workers for alternative employment

THE government, through the Small Business Bureau (SBB), has ensured that 140 former staff members of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) have been trained to take up other jobs, particularly in the field of entrepreneurship.

The 140 are a fraction of the 4000 GuySuCo staff who were retrenched during the company’s recent effort to downsize in order to remain economically viable.

According to SBB Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Lovell Porter, the workers were drawn from the Wales and Enmore Sugar Estates.

“We took the responsibility to train those workers in December, after we realised that people need help and some of them have the

capacity to become a wage earner in a different way,” Dr Porter said.

He said that while more workers will be trained this year, in order to ascertain the content of the training, the SBB will be conducting an assessment with GuySuCo to see what their needs are and how best they can fulfil them.

The SBB is a government agency which assists small entrepreneurs with training, and financial and business support options.

It was established under the Small Business Act of 2004, with a mandate to coordinate programmes for small business development and promote issues relating to, or affecting small businesses.

Dr. Porter said that al-

though they didn’t budget for the project, the SBB was yet able to successfully train the 140 workers, by diverting sums from their current budget.

“No money was allocated or budgeted for that project, so we are bending over backwards, because the situation with GuySuCo got worse after the budget submission,” Dr. Porter said Thursday during a press briefing at the SBB’s headquarters in La Penitence.

He said that so far, they have spent some $6M to train the former sugar workers, and that an upcoming one to be held at the Government Industrial Training Centre (GITC)will cost a further $1.7M.

Asked if the institutions used to train the retrenched workers are accredited, Dr Porter responded in the affirmative, saying that the SBB has 14 training partners, all of which have been accredited by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Chairperson of the Small Business Council, Ms Valrie Grant said the SBB will introduce its resource centre this year, and that it will be geared towards helping persons to make their business ideas a reality.

The resource centre, as explained by SBB officials, is expected to improve the ability of persons to access grants because one of the major issues for people is access to finance.

NICIL sells properties in New Amsterdam, Linden CABINET on Tuesday approved the sale of state property at Lot 8 Ferry Street, Queenstown, New Amsterdam, Berbice to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for the sum of $50M, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon announced Friday.

Harmon told reporters at his post-cabinet press briefing that the property was acquired by the National Commercial and Investments

Limited (NICIL) following the dissolution of the Berbice Mining Enterprise in 2004. The sale of the property concluded after NICIL advertised the property for disposal by way of public tender. It was then determined that GRA was the most responsive bidder.

Similarly, cabinet approved the sale of state land located at Track ‘AA’ Plantation Retrieve, Linden to

M and L Land Development for the sum of $2, 200, 000. The 1.06 acres of land was owned by Guyana Bauxite Company and was transferred to NICIL in 2004. M &L Land Development has since undertaken to establish a modern tourist facility and to provide a boost to the entertainment and tourism sector of Linden and also provide employment, Harmon disclosed.

National youth programme being fine-tuned GOVERNMENT has no intention of restarting the Guyana National Service Programme, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said on Friday.

He told reporters that the coalition government instead, intends to imple-

ment a Guyana Youth Programme. Harmon explained that President David Granger has called for an examination of all active youth programmes with the view of starting the Youth Programme which will focus on training and skills develop-

ment for employment.

“In the first instance, what the President has asked is for all of the various expenditure for which Government undertakes, with respect to youths, that they be combined and be focused on youth development,” the Minister of State told reporters.

He said that moves have already been made to examine the identified programmes so that a merger can take place to have a national youth plan established. “We have already provided some of the Government ministries a training programme which speaks to the core of training activities that will be undertaken

under that programme.”

Facilities have already been identified where the training sessions will be conducted, he stated.

Harmon assured that work is being done on the programme. “…it is a directive which the President has given and it is something that at the various levels of ministries, we are working very hard to ensure we start.”

The Guyana National Service (GNS) was a public service organisation formed in 1971 to address youth unemployment. It included a paramilitary element and was disbanded in 2000, amidst some controversy.

Trafficking duo remanded for a week

Rodwell Dempster

FOLLOWING the raid of Diamond Hotel and Night Club on George Street, Werk-en-Rust, an alleged strip club, two persons were charged with trafficking five Venezuelans for sexual exploitation.

Rodwell Dempster and Fiona Hopkinson appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied the five counts of human trafficking when the matter was called on Friday behind closed doors in Court 1.

The charges alleged that the duo during the month of September 2017 and

Fiona Hopkinson

January 5, 2018 trafficked Venezuelan women for sexual exploitation at the hotel and the duo were remanded to prison until January 22.

Acting on intelligence, investigators swooped down and carried out a raid at the hotel and night club just after 07:00hrs on January 5 and took into custody 49 persons, including eight employees. The other persons are believed to be club dancers who were brought in from Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and other countries.

Caribbean Airlines launches Cuba flight PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Regional carrier, Caribbean Airlines (CAL) started flying to Havana, Cuba on Friday.

The announcement was made on Thursday by Finance Minister Colm Imbert during a post-Cabinet news conference .

According to Imbert, the service would operate twice weekly and would allow people from surrounding Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states the opportunity to travel to Cuba if they wished.

He said the route also opens the possibility of tourism and trade linkages with Cuba as a Chinese airline has a route from Beijing to Havana, with an intermediate stop in Montreal, Canada. He explained, this could provide the opportunity for Chinese tourists and business

people to come to the twin island republic.

The Finance minister disclosed that based on information from CAL, its fleet of jet aircraft is currently underutilised and pilots may also be underutilised on certain routes. Explaining this has to do with take-offs, landings and the amount of time spent in the air, Imbert said CAL’s consultants have said this is the best use of the aircraft at this point in time.

It will not affect CAL’s jet schedule in any adverse way.”

CAL’s Boeing jets could accommodate approximately 160 passengers travelling between Havana and Port of Spain in either direction, he said, and the same jet aircraft used to fly to Havana would be used to return to Trinidad and Tobago.

‘We’re right-sizing it’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 13, 2018

… Min Harmon assures nation sugar industry not being shut down … says opposition failed to provide plan of action when asked

By Ariana Gordon

MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon has reiterated that government is not shutting down the sugar industry, but is right-sizing it to ensure its viability. And he knocked the opposition for not providing a plan of action to save the corporation when it was requested.

President David Granger on Wednesday announced that his government will be consolidating cultivation at Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt estates, producing 147,000 tonnes annually and protecting the jobs of over 11,000 workers.

President Granger said too that some $2B, representing 50 per cent of the severance pay will be disbursed to all retrenched sugar workers at the end of this month. Speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing Harmon stressed that his administration is not shutting down the industry but is “right-sizing it.” “It will be an important element in economic planning and discussion,” said Harmon.

The Minister of State said Cabinet continued its dis-

cussion on the future of the sugar industry with specific focus on the welfare of the workers affected by the downsizing of the industry and the return to financial viability of a right-sized configured industry.

“With regards to the workers affected by downsizing, cabinet agreed that

by January 30, 2018, every redundant worker will be paid 50 per cent of his or her severance and that the remaining 50 per cent will be paid during the second half of the year.”

Harmon said his administration is unfazed by criticisms on this matter as it had opened the floor for stakeholders, including the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to contribute to a plan of action. This was not done by the opposition. “I suppose you’d be criticised whether you do good or bad,” said the minister, who said that government is taking its responsibility in the matter seriously.

“So what the government has done is to step in to provide resources for the affected sugar workers, so that their entitlement under the law can be effected. It is that we

recognise the importance of the sugar workers, we recognise the importance of their families and we will continue to do what is best in the interest of the peoples of this country,” Harmon continued.

Government has said that since taking office it has given GUYSCUO $1B monthly to assist in its operations. “Even while we were in opposition, it was clear to us that the constant application of GUYSUCO to the government for bail-out sums was something that we needed to address and we undertook while in opposition that when we come into office that we will address it. We have addressed it in a very systematic manner,” he told reporters.

Harmon chided the opposition for hurling criticisms at government though it has failed to contribute to a plan of action for the future of the industry and those who work there.

“I can say to you that GAWU and NAACIE presented a plan, the opposition never provided a plan.

Instead, they called for an impact assessment study to be done… I’ve listened

Cops say robbery accused found under bed with gun A 23-year-old armed robbery accused who was found hiding under a bed with a loaded firearm was on Friday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Sherwin Hinds of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, is accused of being armed with a gun on April 17, 2017 at East Ruimveldt and robbing Akeem Waterman of a gold chain and two cellphones, totalling $145,000 while making use of personal violence.

Hinds was further charged for being

in possession of an unlicensed .32 pistol along with four live rounds on January 10 at East Ruimveldt. The miner denied all of the charges.

According to reports, on January 10 Waterman made a report of seeing his alleged robber Hinds in the East Ruimveldt area. The police acting on that information went in search of Hinds and found him in a house in a bedroom hiding under a bed. The gun was found in his possession.

The magistrate remanded Hinds until February 2.

to all the noises, chatter that have been coming from certain parts of our society, but when it comes to putting down a plan of action that is where the chatter becomes silent.”

Nevertheless, the Minister of State said his administration is prepared to engage stakeholders, despite having taken steps that are consistent with the plan laid out to stakeholders in December 2016.

“We continue and will continue in spite of criticisms made by [the] opposition; we will continue to work with the stakeholders, with unions and workers themselves to ensure that we can provide facilities and arrangements which would make their lives easier and allow them an easier transition,” he assured. Harmon said while some see the down-sizing of the industry as a crisis, it is viewed by his administration as an opportunity to put things right and move on in the interest of the Guyanese people.

BUDGET Meanwhile, speaking about funds to pay the severance, Harmon as-

sured that it did budget for the payment of severance to the redundant Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) workers.

He said that over $500M was budgeted for in the sum allocated to GuySuCo for 2018. His comments followed concerns raised by many that government knew that the sugar industry was being down-sized but did not budget for the payment of severance to the affected workers. “What we were not sure about was what would be the exact figure, so that in December and January the exact figure started to emerge and that is why we had to make additional amounts available,” Harmon disclosed.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan said on Wednesday that government will have to cut several budgetary programmes to facilitate payment of severance packages to retrenched sugar workers as it takes steps to consolidate the operations of GuySuCo. Jordan said the administration will ensure that all workers get their severance, but noted that it is a case where the government has to find resources to make

Minister of State Joseph Harmon the total payment of $5B. “It was a sudden and large amount and we had to find creative ways to do this… we will have to re-examine our 2018 budget which will very well result in cuts to programmes, so as to release money to pay the severances,” he said. This is why the severance is being paid in parts, he said.

“We don’t know how these ministries programmes would be affected, but in the interest of human dignity and the workers we are attempting to make the first payment at the end of January,” the finance minister said.

Taxi driver charged for assaulting sex workers A 34-year-old taxi driver was on Friday charged for assaulting two sex workers and was released on $400,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Thurston Semple of Tucville Terrace, Georgetown, is charged for assaulting the first woman on December 1, 2017 at Georgetown and the second woman between January 3, 2018 and January 4. Semple denied

the charges and was represented by attorney, Bernard DaSilva.

Semple was released on $200,000 bail on each charge and the matter was adjourned until February 5.

According to reports, Semple while working his hire car around Georgetown would pick up sex workers and agree to pay them $10,000 to perform sexual favours. The man allegedly would take the victims into a

Thurston Semple house and tie them up before sexually assaulting them.

Then he would leave them without paying and still tied up.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 13, 2018

Queen’s bra fitter loses royal warrant A COMPANY which supplied lingerie to the Queen has lost its royal warrant over a book which revealed details of royal bra fittings.

Rigby & Peller, a luxury underwear firm founded in London, had held the royal warrant since 1960.

It was withdrawn after June Kenton, who fitted bras for the Queen, released a book called ‘Storm in a D-Cup’.

Mrs Kenton said there was “nothing” in the book to “be upset about”, adding that it was an “unbelievable” decision.

Buckingham Palace said it did not “comment on individual companies”.

A statement from Rigby & Peller said it was “deeply saddened” by the decision, adding it was “not able to elaborate further on the cancellation, out of respect for her Majesty the Queen, and the Royal Warrant Holders Association”.

The Royal Warrants Association says 20 to 40 Royal Warrants are cancelled every year, and a similar number granted.

Mrs Kenton, from Bushey in Hertfordshire, had bought Rigby & Peller with her husband in 1982 for £20,000, before selling a majority stake in 2011 for £8M, although she remains on the board.

As official “corsetiere” to the Queen, Mrs Kenton regularly visited Buckingham Palace, and served members

Saturday, January 13, 2018 Tuesday, January 14, 2018 Wednesday, January 15, 2018

of the Royal Family, including the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret.

The 82-year-old’s autobiography was published in March 2017, and gave details of her royal visits.

She said she was told by the Palace six months ago that they “didn’t like the book”, and she shouldn’t have the royal warrant any more.

‘UPSETTING’ “I’m very sad Buckingham Palace took exception to the story; it’s a kind and gentle story about what went on in my life,” Mrs Kenton said, adding: “I only ever said I went there; not what happened. I have never, ever spoken about what I do there with her, or the Queen Mother or Princess Margaret.

“I think it’s unbelievable; it’s just upsetting at the end of my life, but what can I do. I can’t fight with Buckingham Palace; and I wouldn’t want to.

But it’s hard.”

Mrs Kenton, who started working for the Queen in the early 1980s, has been in the lingerie industry for more than 60 years.

She went on: “I’ve been honourable throughout my life; it’s unbelievable they don’t like the book. There’s nothing in it that they could remotely be upset about.

“It’s a sweet story of a corsetiere.

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gives them permission and responsibility for the display of the relevant Royal Arms in connection with the business.

They are not granted for professional services, such as to bankers or solicitors, or to

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and the Prince of Wales.

Companies can apply to the Royal Warrant Holders Association after they have supplied the royal household with goods or services for at least five out of seven years.

There are currently about 800 holders, representing a cross-section of trade and industry.

The warrants come up for review every five years, and their renewal generally depends on how much the shop is being used by the Royal Family.

Department store, Harrods had its royal warrant withdrawn from the Duke of Edinburgh in 2000.

The reason given by a Palace spokesman was “a significant decline in the trading relationship” between the Duke

and the store.

But the BBC understood that Prince Philip was angered by allegations made by the owner, Mohamed al Fayed that it was the Duke who masterminded the 1997 car crash in Paris that killed Diana, Princess of Wales and his son, Dodi.

The royal endorsement can also be removed if a brand stops being used by the Palace, such as Carr’s Table Water biscuits, which lost its warrant in 2012 because of “lower demand”.

It can also be lost over a company’s reputation; Hoover’s was revoked in 2004 following an unflattering BBC documentary about the vacuum cleaning company. (BBC)

Menstruating girls banned from crossing river in Ghana The woman behind Rigby & Peller, the London firm that made the Queen’s bras

ROYAL WARRANTS For centuries, royal warrants have been issued to trades people and companies who regularly supply goods or services to the monarchy.

The royal warrant is granted to a named individual, and

publications such as newspapers and magazines.

The Monarch decides who is able to grant a royal warrant.

Currently, there are three people, known as the grantors, who may award them: The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh,

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“I probably should have submitted it to them, but I didn’t think anything would be required.”

The Royal Warrant Holders Association has yet to respond to the BBC.

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GHANAIAN schoolgirls have been banned from crossing a river while they are menstruating; and on Tuesdays.

The ban, apparently given by a local river god, has outraged children’s activists, especially as girls must cross the river to reach school.

It means that girls in the Upper Denkyira East district, in the Central Region, could miss out on their education.

Sub-Saharan Africa is already struggling to keep girls in school during their periods.

The UN’s scientific and education organisation, UNESCO, estimates one in 10 girls in the region does not attend school because they are menstruating, while a World Bank report notes that 11.5 million Ghanaian women lack the appropriate hygiene and sanitation management facilities needed.

UNICEF’s menstrual hygiene ambassador, Shamima Muslim Alhassan told BBC Pidgin that the direc-

tive, which applies to part of the River Ofin, violated girls’ rights to education.

“It seems the gods are really powerful, aren’t they?” she said.

“Sometimes I think that we need to ask for some form of accountability from these gods who continue to bar a lot of things from happening, to account for how they have used the tremendous power that we have given them.”

Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan has given indications he will coordinate with the Ashanti regional minister to find a solution, BBC Pidgin reports.

The River Ofin serves as a boundary between the Ashanti and Central Region.

Many cultures have myths and taboos around menstruation.

I n M a d a g a s c a r, some females are told not to wash during their periods, while in Nepal, some women are forced to sleep in huts away from the rest of the family. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 13, 2018

US immigration targetting convenience stores --in bid to nab illegal Caribbean nationals

WASHINGTON, CMC – US Federal immigration agents on Wednesday arrested several undocumented workers when they descended on dozens of convenience stores across the country, targeting illegal Caribbean and other immigrants.

The agents descended on a 7-Eleven Inc convenience store before daybreak, arresting undocumented workers and demanding paperwork from managers, in what the Trump administration has described as its largest enforcement operation against employers so far.

The sweep of 98 stores in 17 states, from California to Florida, has resulted in 21 arrests, according to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which signaled intensified efforts against businesses that hire unauthorized workers.

“Today’s actions send a

strong message to US businesses that if you hire and employ an illegal workforce, ICE will enforce the law. And if you are found to be breaking the law, you will be held accountable,” said Thomas D. Homan, the acting director of the agency, in a statement.

Homan, the US’s top immigration enforcement official, has promised more scrutiny of businesses that knowingly violate federal laws requiring employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of their workers.

Under President Trump, ICE has significantly expanded immigration enforcement, arresting undocumented Caribbean and other immigrants in their homes, or when they check in with US federal agents as part of immigration court cases.

In a statement, 7-Eleven Inc., based in Irving, Texas, distanced itself from the situation,

Food riots grip western Venezuela --mob reportedly slaughters cattle in field

SAN CRISTOBAL/BARINAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Hungry mobs ransacked a food collection centre and a supermarket in Venezuela’s western Andean state of Merida on Thursday and reportedly even slaughtered cattle grazing in a field as unrest over food shortages spread through the country.

An opposition lawmaker from Merida, Carlos Paparoni, said four people had died and 10 were injured in the chaos over the last two days, but he did not specify the circumstances.

Four years of recession and the world’s highest inflation have plunged millions of Venezuelans into poverty, and President Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian socialist regime faces mounting unrest.

Venezuela’s Information Ministry did not respond to a request for information about the latest disturbances to rock the nation of 30 million people. Looters plundered a truck carrying corn, a food collection centre and a State-run supermarket, according to Paparoni, and a vet who witnessed the mayhem.

A video on social media also showed around a dozen men running into a lush pasture, chasing a cow, and then apparently beating it to death.

“They’re hunting; the people are hungry!” says the narrator of the video, who filmed the incident from his car. Lawmaker Paparoni said some 300 animals were believed to have been killed. Reuters could not verify the information.

Zuley Urdaneta, a 50-yearold vet in Merida, witnessed the looting of a truck along the highway around 14:00hrs on

Thursday afternoon. About two hours later, he said some 800 people converged on a food collection centre and proceeded to plunder it.

“They knocked down the gates and looted flour, rice, cooking oil, cooking gas,” said Urdaneta. “The police and the National Guard tried to control the situation by giving out what was left.”

Looting has been increasing in the provinces since Christmas, with food shortages and hyper-inflation leaving millions of people hungry, though the capital, Caracas, has so far been largely unaffected.

The opposition says Maduro’s failed economic policies and rampant corruption are to blame for the meltdown in the once booming country home to the world’s largest crude reserves.

“What we’re living is barbaric,” said opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido in a tweet referencing the slaughter the cattle. “The dehumanising regime of Nicolás Maduro is turning a blind eye to the tragedy that we Venezuelans are living.”

Maduro’s government accuses political opponents and business-friendly foreign powers of trying to foment a social uprising against him by stoking inflation and hoarding food.

In what they said was an attempt to combat “speculation,” authorities last week forced over 200 supermarkets to slash prices, creating chaos as desperate Venezuelans leapt at the chance to buy cheaper food.

Some supermarkets were sold out of fruit and vegetables, and staff were unsure if the shelves would be replenished.

saying that the individual stores are franchises that belong to independent business owners, who “are solely responsible for their employees, including deciding who to hire and verifying their eligibility to work in the United States.”

“7-Eleven takes compliance with immigration laws seriously, and has terminated the franchise agreements of franchisees convicted of violating these laws,” the company said.

If ICE hoped to make a bold statement, it could hardly pick a more iconic target than 7-Eleven, a chain known for ubiquitous stores that are open all the time, and sell the much-loved Slurpees and Big Gulps, the New York Times said in a report, adding that several 7-Eleven franchises have been steppingstones for new legal immigrants who want to own and run their own small businesses.

ICE called its Wednesday sweep a “follow-up” of a 2013 investigation that resulted in the arrests of nine 7-Eleven franchise owners and managers in Long Island, New York, and in Virginia, on charges of employing undocumented workers.

Several have pleaded guilty and forfeited their franchises, and have been ordered to pay millions of dollars in back wages owed to the workers.

According to ICE, federal agents served inspection notices to 7-Eleven franchises in California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington State and Washington, D.C. In all, 16 of the 98 stores visited on Wednesday were in the New York City area, according to ICE spokeswoman, Rachael Yong Yow, who would

not specify the locations.

In Miami Beach, an employee at one 7-Eleven said that while no agents showed up at her store, her boss asked workers to make sure their employment records were up-todate, in case ICE continued its visits, according to the Times.

It said agents dropped in on 7-Eleven stores in seven cities in southeast Florida, including Miami Beach, according to Nestor Yglesias, an ICE spokesman; he, too, declined to identify specific stores.

Wednesday’s raids were made amidst intense political battle about a US federal programme that shields from deportation young Caribbean and other immigrants who were brought illegally to the US as children.

Stating that the decision to kill the programme was improper, Judge William Alsup of Federal District Court in San

Francisco wrote on Tuesday that the Trump administration must “maintain the DACA programme on a nationwide basis,” as the legal challenge to the US president’s decision proceed.

President Barack Obama created the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme (DACA) in 2012 to also give young immigrants the ability to work legally in the United States.

President Donald Trump moved to end the programme in September, saying that Obama’s actions were unconstitutional and an overreach of executive power.

This has reportedly set off a fierce debate in Washington as Democrats and Republicans spar about how to provide relief for about 800,000 immigrants who could face deportation when the programme ends on March 5.

Opposition leader writes PM --requesting meeting on crime

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Leader of the main opposition United National Congress (UNC), Kamla Persad Bissessar has written to the Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, requesting a meeting to address a legislative approach to tackling rising crime.

On Thursday, the former Prime Minister suggested that the both parties begin with discussions on the Anti-Gang Bill and the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill.

Against the background to what the opposition leader called an “unprecedented level of criminal activity” Persad-Bissessar said the Government and Opposition should “meet forthwith with a view of agreeing to a bi-partisan legislative approach in the fight against crime and the criminal element.I suggest we begin with two pieces of legislation, namely, the Anti-Gang Bill and the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill.”

She noted that one December 7, 2017, the Anti-Gang Bill 2017 was defeated in the House of Representatives as it failed to secure the requisite special majority.

According to Persad Bissessar, government spokespersons – Robinson Regis and

Attorney General Faris Al Rawi, recently indicated Government’s intention to bring this Bill back to Parliament but, referenced to Standing Order 78 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives as a bar to the re-introduction of the Bill in the House in the present parliamentary session. “Consequently, unless we agree to take action, this Bill cannot be re-introduced until the next session begins, that is after the 28th September, 2018.It is my respectful view that we should not wait until the end of September to revisit the anti-gang legislation, given how unsafe our country has become.”

The opposition leader said the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and other arms of the protective services believe that the passage of this legislation will assist in their ability to combat gangs and gang activity – the “leaders are duty bound to find a bi-partisan solution to ensure the passage of this legislation with the required constitutional majority. We must ensure that law enforcement is provided with the powers to fight and win the battle against the criminal element.”

She said the opposition was prepared to support the passage of the legislation with the in-

clusion of a short sunset clause – “we believe a tight rein must be kept on this law, given the past and potential future abuse of powers proposed in the legislation”.

Concerning developments in the Middle East, the opposition leader said the twin island republic must ensure that a strong message is sent to former ISIS fighters and members that Trinidad and Tobago is not a safe haven for persons involved in international terrorism.

“We must ensure that our borders are secure to prevent the entry of any persons seeking to find refuge in our country from where they can attack our citizens or the citizens of other countries….this can only be achieved by legislating the strongest possible penalties for those involved in terrorism and terrorist activities.”

She said that during the proposed meeting, a bipartisan approach should be established “to ensure the successful passage of these important pieces of

legislation.”

The Opposition leader also proposed the establishment of a committee b comprising three members of the Opposition and three members of the Government to critically examine these two pieces of legislation and meet with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the Bills when presented to the Parliament will have the endorsement of both Government and Opposition as well as all relevant stakeholders.

“This will ensure that the legislation when debated in Parliament will receive the support of all members of Parliament.

I trust you will see the wisdom in the proposal of the Opposition and agree to the proposed meeting in the shortest possible time. As a country we must put the safety, security and protection of our people first. It is our paramount responsibility to them and we must do all in our power to discharge that responsibility.I await your response,” the opposition leader said.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday January 13, 2018

The challenge for sugar workers IT needs no repeating that the current state of the national sugar industry embodied in the corporate structure of GuySuCo has become untenable, due to reasons that by now are well known, and which ought not to detain us in this editorial.

But a brief reminder is necessary, if only to dispel some of the misinformation by persons who left it in the state it’s in, but who are now desperately seeking to wash themselves of their gross mismanagement that has brought a once vibrant, profitable industry along with dedicated workers to its knees.

There is no community in which a sugar estate stands, that could deny its profound impact on the daily livelihoods of those who contribute to its production process, beginning with the planting of cane to its harvesting, through to the factory process to final sugar production. Not only has it been a socio-economic development of families and communities, but also continuously the major influence on economic activity for a variety of businesses that depend on its work force for daily commercial sales, where cane-planting and sugar production take place.

Its contribution to the national coffers has been decisive, as well as its role in the national development process. Memories are not too short, or hazy, to recall the shocking revelation that awaited the newly-elected A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government on its very first day in office --that GuySuCo was broke; it had no money to continue its operations and pay its workers.

This was a frightening, inherited state of affairs that had its genesis, growth, and continuity in past People’s Progressive Party/Civic administrations, and by extension, the Guyana

Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) whose long- standing president, was also a member of the GuySuCo Board of Directors, as well as a member of Parliament for the entire duration of the PPP/C’s stay in office. Former president, Donald Ramotar, also served on the board.

It is now well documented, the urgent steps that the current administration has taken, not only to prevent the final collapse of an industry with a debt level in excess of $80B; but also ensuring the continued livelihoods of thousands of workers and their families, with significantly large subsidies -- $32B to date.

There is no government that would want to create an unnecessary industrial climate, by sending home large numbers of workers, such as GuySuCo’s, with the very serious political implications that such action would attract. Add the latter to the socio-economic fallout and it becomes a national nightmare.

It must have taxed the mental energies of the coalition government heavily on the way forward. But there comes a time when hard decisions have to be taken. What must be clearly understood is that there was no quick fix to the industry’s current situation, though the union and political opposition have been trying to tell the workers otherwise.

In fact, there is no business, whatever the nature and size that would want to continue with such an abysmal dollar-losing balance sheet as GuySuCo’s. The constant subsidies that have been in excess of $32B since 2015, coupled with the plans for industry diversification is standing testimony that government’s first priority and concern were to the workers and their communities. And this meant less fiscal space to

attend to the other critical sectors: housing and water; roads and electricity, and public servants such as teachers, policemen/women, doctors, nurses and allied workers who are still in need of better wages/ salaries and improved working conditions.

For an administration to decide to reduce the finances of its various ministries, to accommodate the first half of what is definitely a hefty severance bill, underlines its commitment to the affected workers. But it will affect many socio-economic programmes for even the improvement of the lives of the very sugar workers.

At this point, we ask what contribution is the largest sugar union, GAWU, prepared to make to the coalition government’s Secure Livelihoods Programme for the post-sugar environment. Government is committing a stated $100M to such an endeavour, particularly for the skills-training segment, to which there have been a positive response.

With a reported $30M raked in from union dues, GAWU’s contribution share ought to be unconditional and substantial to any ameliorative strategy that will give substance to the future of the affected workers. Finally, sugar workers in the East Berbice-Corentyne region and elsewhere, should begin to ask serious questions of their political party leaders, and those of their unions, as to how their management of the affairs of their industry has led to the very sad state it has become. This is the principal challenge for all sugar workers.

Gov’t reviewing Hope Beach Windfarm project

Dear Editor,

I REFER to the statements made by both the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, and Member of Parliament, Mr. Juan Edghill, which challenged the Government of Guyana’s support of the Hope Beach Windfarm Project.

This project would supply power to the national grid at a price they assumed would be higher than US$0.12 per kW. According to the opposition members, this transaction is “corrupt” for not being tendered and for the involvement of Mr. Lloyd Singh, a businessman who is considered to be a supporter of this government. Mr. Jagdeo and Mr. Edghill further misrepresented that this government had issued Mr. Singh a 50-year lease of lands at Hope Beach for the project.

I responded by pointing out the duplicity of the allegations, specifically that the transaction originated since 2000 but did not take off due to the previous developer’s failure to secure financing. The former government had,

in 2007, issued the developer a 50-year lease of lands at Hope Beach for the project and, in 2014, approved the said Lloyd Singh’s participation in the project and the sale of power to the Guyana Power & Light Inc. (GPL) at US$0.18 per kW on a BOOT arrangement.

Mr. Samuel Hinds, former prime minister with responsibility for the power sector, in an attempt to provide perspective and justification for agreeing to such terms, now advises that “the reported claim of the businessman Lloyd Singh of having a 50year lease should be thoroughly checked.”

It must be emphasised that it is not this government that issued the project a 50year lease; rather, it was issued during Mr. Jagdeo’s tenure. The rights to the said development were never tendered.

Further, having kept the transaction alive for 15 years with the hope of the Hope Beach Windfarm Project being the first major renewable energy project to serve the national grid, the retired prime minister now suggests that the environment for renewable energy

development has changed significantly since the APNU+AFC coalition government came into office at the end of 2015 and that the considerations, once valid and relevant to the transaction during the PPP administration, are no longer so. He further recommends that the MoU and other agreements the then government entered into with the developer should now be scrutinised and terminated if lacking compliance.

Since 1994, renewable energy development generally, and to supply the national grid, has been a major pillar of our national energy policy. The former prime minister – having held responsibility for the power sector for 21 years, but without success in achieving any major form of renewable energy development – would be, more than anyone else, intimately aware of the many challenges in bringing such development to reality.

Indeed, in recent years there has been increased world attention and promotion of all forms of renewable energy to count-

er climate change and to move towards more sustainable means of development.

While international financing to support this agenda has increased, affordable financing on terms acceptable to government, without adding to the national debt, continues to be a major challenge which every government in our circumstances has to address and determine what is in the best interest of the country. It goes without saying that every investment opportunity, whether private or public, has to be justified; the Hope Beach Windfarm Project is no exception. As stated previously, the government is supported with expert advice in reviewing this investment opportunity and will make its final decision when the developer completes studies and presents a final proposal to the government.

Regards Hon. David Patterson, M.P. Minister of Public Infrastructure (with responsibility for Electricity and Energy)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday January 13, 2018

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Drivers disregard for traffic signals

Dear Editor,

THERE seems to be a blatant disregard by an increasing number of drivers for traffic signals in Guyana. Drivers can be seen casually driving through red lights at many of the traffic signals in and around Georgetown and its environs. In many instances, when traffic signals at one street change to red and the other green, persons with the green “go signal” often times are forced to wait,

while several cars drive through the red “stop signal”. Apparently, the amber light no longer serves as a warning to drivers to slow down for the approaching red light which signals drivers to stop.

This signal seems to urge drivers to go even faster. This dangerous practice must stop immediately.

Another moving violation committed by drivers (particularly minibus drivers plying the Homestretch Avenue route), is to turn south on to Vlissengen Road

-- especially when the light is red -- only to make a U-turn and then turn left on to Croal Street. This hazardous manoeuvre oftentimes places the unsuspecting drivers in very dangerous situations.

The two scenarios outlined are not unique to Guyana. However, many countries in the world have put measures in place to deal with errant drivers, particularly those who flagrantly drive through red lights at traffic signals. In Guyana, stringent measures must be put in

place to ensure that drivers at least adhere to the traffic signals. With this level of disregard for a simple rule of stop and go by drivers, it is no wonder ubiquitous lawlessness is displayed on our roadways.

It is unfortunate that passengers who travel in minibuses whose drivers commit these traffic violations are silent. The noise only comes when persons are involved in inevitable accidents that result from such dangerous actions. People have to be more proactive, so

that they can protect themselves from the dangerous conditions that exist on our roads.

While the installation of cameras may be costly at the moment, at least the Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force could place ranks at certain traffic signals to catch and charge drivers who violate the traffic signals.

Regards Richard Francois

City patrol at Le Repentir Impassable roads and criminal Cemetery a good move activities at Grove New Scheme Dear Editor PLEASE permit me to respond to a letter captioned City patrol in the cemetery, penned by Modi Sankar, which appeared in the Tuesday, January 9, 2018 edition of your newspaper. ”Those who forget their past are doomed to repeat it”, George Santayana. The missive penned by Mr. Modi Sankar seeking to condemn the plan of the Town Clerk of Georgetown to install guards at the cemetery is pathetic.

Firstly, it is popular knowledge that the cemetery with aggressive overgrowths is often used as a seclusion zone for the criminal-minded people who pounce on unsuspecting citizens. It is sickening to hear of how women are abused and men are robbed

by day and night when they attempt to use the cemetery road, which connects two communities in the southern section of the city.

Also, it has become the custom and practice for some citizens as they traverse the area, to deposit large bags of waste at the entrance of the cemetery. Boosting the security at the cemetery would enable the council to catch cemetery litter bugs and place them before the courts.

The arguments by Mr. Moti in his missive are unjustifiable and ridiculous.

Often we hear of criminal acts committed against the dead, in which jewellery is removed from the corpse or the corpse is thrown out from the casket. There are instances where caskets vanish into the air, leaving dead bodies in proximity to tombs; this

I would leave for another discussion. The fact of the matter is that we must confront our current realties with plausible solutions.

Historically, it was always the standard operational procedure of the Council to secure its assets: markets, municipal buildings and other facilities.

The maintenance of the aesthetics and security of the cemetery falls within the parameters of the Council. The placing of security personnel and restoring the gates would serve as a deterrent to criminal elements. It is improper not to secure an age-old facility from those who varied on the wrong side of the law.

Regards Waveel Parker

Dear Editor

UPON acquiring a piece of land some 10 years ago in Section A of the Grove/ Diamond New Scheme, I assumed that by paying an additional sum for that frontal ‘residential’ area, I would be entitled to a basic convenience such as a passable road. But much to my dismay, this has hardly been the case.

Mr. Editor, the images attached are of the infamous ‘Achie Duct’ at first bridge, Grove. This area has been known for numerous murders and countless robberies as it possesses all the right qualities to entertain criminal activities–large bushy patches ideal for bandits and robbers to lurk and hide; impassable roads to inhibit the escape of victims and complete lack of lighting at night, perfect

for rape, murder, stick-ups, threats, stakeouts, inter alia.

Mr. Editor, police records would attest to the aforementioned activities. How many more lives must be taken before a few lights are installed? Unsuspecting children and workers are robbed there daily. One lady was dragged by her hair and robbed of her handbag and cellular phone recently.

These stories were publicised on many occasions in this very newspaper, but nothing was ever done.

During my presence in the area, the roads have been fixed about 10 times. One time each year and never have they lasted more than nine months. This is gross mismanagement and abuse of taxpayers’ money. I wonder if I should be complaining though, because this time it has been almost two years

since the roads have been done. What is the Grove/ Diamond NDC doing? How much longer do we have to endure the agony of traversing these roads? When it rains, the holes fill up and the short cut to the main road becomes extremely muddy, so much so that roads become useless.

Mr. Editor, during the PPP government, Dr. Jagdeo had promised a bridge for vehicles at the short-cut, but nothing was ever done.

I hope that this government, through the Grove/Diamond NDC, can at least consider the scores of people (including children) who are forced to use the muddy short-cut every day, and urgently fix these roads, which have been in this unbearable state for the longest while.

Regards D. Deonarine

If I could I would have begged for her to stay Dear Editor

I RECENTLY learnt of the transfer of one of Essequibo Islands / West Demerara’s best medical practitioners, both at the administrative level and attending to patients, to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

It is indeed sad to know that the Ministry of Public Health took such a stance from my viewpoint.

However, it can also be viewed as a tactical move to strengthen the team at the GPHC, since Dr. Jabar has a track record of putting smiles on patients' faces, even in times of uncertainty.

I recall back in 2015, when my grandmother-in-law required medical attention at the West Demerara Regional Hospital(WDRH) and was facing a difficult time. I remember making strong representation on her behalf and wanting to speak to the senior doctor. I was given contact details for the medical superintendent and when Dr. Jabar came to me, she listened to my case and dealt with it with full professionalism. I remember in 2016 when another family member fell ill and was given maximum attention from Dr. Jabar with detailed advice on how to handle the medical complications; and there

are two other circumstances of similar nature.

In 2017, I was reassigned duties from the Ministry of Communities to the Regional Administration, Essequibo Islands / West Demerara.

In performing my duties as regional information officer, I personally had the opportunity to witness Dr. Jabar coordinate four, yes four, medical outreaches at Parika, Wakenaam, Leguan, and Wales.

The outreaches were coordinated when she acted as regional health officer in the space of just a couple of months (two I believe to be exact). Doctors from Georgetown and WDRH had the opportunity

to assist more than 1000 persons from these rural communities and I know Ministers Volda Lawrence and Karen Cummings were extremely happy, since the outreaches were in keeping with the Ministry of Public Health's mission, which is to provide quality health care to all.

I believe the most admirable quality of Dr. Jabar is her ability to communicate effectively and her charismatic approach to situations.

She always holds a smile and never complains, even though the difficult circumstances and limited resources can oftentimes send you crazy. She is a mentally strong woman and

I hope that her replacement is as good as she or even better, for if not, Essequibo Islands / West Demerara will lose big time.

If I could, I would have begged for her to stay, knowing fully well her ability and zest to further improve our hospitals at Essequibo Islands / West Demerara, but maybe the ministry knows best. I salute you Dr. J and wish you tons of luck. Continue to be humble and as you told me before, peace of mind is the best medication to have the best health.

Regards Ganesh Mahipaul

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday January 13, 2018

Guyana willing to help persons fleeing riots in Venezuela

GUYANA on Friday reiterated its willingness to accommodate Guyanese living in Venezuela, as well as Venezuelans, affected by rioting and looting in that country.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon in response to questions raised at a news conference on Friday, told reporters that his administration has repeatedly said that in the event there is a threat to life, limb and property of Guyanese citizens living in the neighbouring Spanish-speaking country

and they require government’s assistance to relocate, this will be provided.

There has been lots of rioting and looting in Puerto Ordaz over the past few weeks and according to the Minister of State, Guyana has been in touch with its Consul. “So in the event that something overspills in Puerto Ordaz, what I can say to you is that we have made arrangements at our side for the border to receive those residents and even Venezuelans who might be fleeing from violence in

those communities; we have an international obligation to provide certain limited facilities,” said the minister of state. He noted however, that often, those affected by such circumstances don’t wait on government to provide assistance. They come across the border into Region One, particularly Mabaruma, Morawhanna, Port Kaituma and Morcua.

Harmon assured that Guyana has equipped itself with robust immigration services in those areas as well as health services to assist those

affected. Asked specifically what provisions are in place for staff at the Consul and those at Guyana’s embassy in Caracas, in terms of security or hardship post, Harmon replied: “I am not aware that there is a hardship posting, I am not aware that the embassy staff has made a request to say that they feel threatened and their security is affected but what I can say to you is that it is something we will continue to monitor.”

Harmon noted too that “it is the call of the Ambassador there to determine what is

considered to be a security situation that is untenable.”

“Right now we have not had such a report and we believe that the Bolivarian Republic continues to provide security for our embassy staff,” the minister of state told reporters at Friday’s post-cabinet press briefing.

Attempts to obtain information about Guyana’s foreign service in Venezuela on Friday proved futile.

Harmon acknowledged that Puerto Ordaz has always been “a little hot point” and estimates that there are be-

tween 12,000 and 25,000 Guyanese there. Over the past few weeks there has been an increase in unrest around Venezuela. Those unrests are as a result of the country’s recession and high inflation rates. Several food stores were looted and many persons have been arrested.

According to a Reuters report dated January 9, 2017, “Angry Venezuelans also blocked three major roads to demand anti-malaria medicine, food, cooking gas and spare parts for trucks.”

Cabinet approves directors of several state boards CABINET on Tuesday approved the appointment of directors and board members of several state agencies, including the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-INVEST), the Income Tax Board, the Dependants Pension Fund, the Institutional Review Board of the Ministry of Finance and the Firearm Licensing Board.

For the period January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019, Patricia Bacchus will serve as GO-INVEST’s chairperson. Minister of State Joseph Harmon told reporters Friday that other board members include Dr Shamir Ally, Basil Blackman, representatives

of the private sector, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Natural Resources, and Public Infrastructure, along with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a representative of the parliamentary opposition.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GO-INVEST is the ex-officio member of the board. Cabinet also approved the Income Tax Board of Review for the period January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. Basil Joseph has been named chairman and his team in-

cludes Nigel Hinds, Donna 1, 2017 to October 31, 2019.

Ellis, Trevor Bowen, and a That board is chaired by Dr representative of the parlia- Shamdeo Persaud the Chief mentary opposition.

Medical Officer (CMO), and Meanwhile, Jennifer includes Dr Holly Alexander Chapman has been named of the University of Guyana, chairperson of the Depen- Sylvia Conway representadants Pension Fund for the tive of the Consumer Protecperiod January 1, 2018 to tion Agency, Asif Suberan a December 31, 2018. That representative of the faithboard includes veteran based organisations, Pauline trade unionists, Lincoln Lewis, Patrick Yarde, along with Lance Baptiste, Professor Harold Lutchman, Mr Mohan Khan and Gillian Rockliffe.

The Institutional Review Board of the Ministry of Public Health has been appoint- Dear Editor ed to serve from November THE description reported to have been made by the Leader of the Free World in describing immigrants from one CARICOM state and African nations is not only utterly outrageous and despicable, but has no place in today's developed world.

Welch, representative of the indigenous peoples, Michelle France of the ERC, Dawn Stuart of the Ministry of Public Health as their appointee, Dawn Lyken-Stewart and Michelle Smith.

Bert Sukhai has been appointed chairman of the Firearm Licensing Board from February 1, 2018

to January 31, 2019. His team includes Dr Bhiro Harry, Solicitor-General, Kim Kyte and Christine Jagmohan. Consultations are to be had between the Minister of Public Security and the Minister of Public Health for an additional person to sit on the board from the latter ministry.

Trump’s despicable description The CARICOM nation referred to in the odious rant is soon to assume the Chair of the Caribbean Community. One wonders is this the price for the Region not collectively supporting this Free World country in the recent UN Jerusalem vote?

These remarks must be condemned and Guy-

ana must lead the way in this regard the same way we did in the recent vote.

We stand with our sister CARICOM nation and African nations and indeed with all nations in calling for international condemnation of this affront.

Regards Shamshun Mohamed

Demwaves headline mischievous Dear Editor,

I REFER to the online news site Demerara Waves, of January 3, 2018, headlined, “Granger gives into Jagdeo’s request for time to conduct background checks on nominees for Chancellor, Chief Justice.”

I do believe that the government at some time may respond to such a headline; however, as a citizen I exercise my right to an opinion.

Immediately, such a headline is mischievous in construct and a gross misrepresentation, for it conveys, quite

unmistakably, the understanding that President David Granger either capitulated, surrendered, or caved in to the demand of the Leader of the opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ CIVIC). Further, it would be perceived that the President was under some kind of pressure.

This is the kind of interpretation that such mischief is designed to convey; but, this is far from the truth, based on the statement that was subsequently issued by the Ministry of the Presidency.

From the information, it was gleaned that the opposition leader requested time for a due diligence on the Search Committee’s recommendation to the President, for Chancellor of the Judiciary. What the President did was to be gracious in granting the time asked. It leaves one to ask, what kind of “Granger gives into…..” is Demerara Waves talking about; from whom, and where the pressure to do so originated?

Regards Earl Hamilton

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 13, 2018

Broomes rails against GGMC … over move to convert prospecting licences to medium-scale tenures

By Svetlana Marshall THE Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) said it will be accepting applications for the conversion of Prospecting Licences (PLS) to Medium Scale Land Tenures, but the big question is, is this legal?

For the Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes, it is illegal.

Acting GGMC Commissioner Newell Dennison, on the other hand, has remained tight-lipped about the situation, saying he will only address the matter under certain conditions.

In an advertisement placed in one of the local newspapers recently, the GGMC called for the “Conversion of Prospecting Licences to Medium Scale.”

“The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission will be accepting applications for the Conversion of Prospecting Licences (PLS) to Medium Scale Land tenures, until January 31, 2018, after which time applications for such conversions would not be accepted and processed,” a section of the ad read. It was noted too that all applications received before the deadline would undergo the requisite due diligence required to guide the requested conversion.

Minister Broomes, when approached by media operatives on Friday, said the

notice was brought to her attention hours prior by a reporter. Based on her wealth of experience in the field of mining, having been a miner for over 20 years, Minister Broomes explained that Prospecting Licences are issued to large-scale miners and not medium-scale miners and as such, conversion of the PLS to Medium Scale would be a breach of the Mining Laws and Regulations.

“I don’t know that such provisions are catered for in the regulations or in the Act. I don’t know anything about it,” she told reporters, shortly after exiting a meeting with Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman at GGMC headquarters.

Prospecting Licences, she added, come with a string of benefits, and it is unclear whether those benefits will trickle down to the medium-scale operations. For clarity on the matter on whether it is legal or not, and provisions under such “conversion,” the Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources said the GGMC Commissioner should be contacted.

The Acting GGMC Commissioner, when approached by reporters on Friday, declined to give an immediate response, saying that written questions should be submitted to his office and in time, he will draft his answers. “I know the advertisement but I don’t know that it requires for me to make a comment in this

fashion on what has been put in the paper. What I am trying to do here is to avoid making a comment on camera for a question that has just been put to me…I don’t want to make a comment,” Commissioner Dennison repeatedly

GGMC Commissioner Newell Dennison said while urging reporters to submit written questions.

The Guyana Chronicle was unable to ascertain where in the Mining Act allows for Prospecting Licences to be converted to Medium Scale Land tenures. The 1989 Mining Act allows for four scales of operation – Small Scale Claim, Medium Scale Prospecting and Mining Permits, Prospecting Licences and Permission for Geological and Geophysical Surveys. In 2013, there were 2513 Medium Scale Prospecting Permits and 18 Prospecting Licences in existence. On Friday, the

GGMC Commissioner declined to disclose how many Prospecting Licences were in the system.

Chairman of the GGMC Board Stanley Ming, when contacted by the Guyana Chronicle, said that “as far as I am aware, conversion of PLS to Mining Permit is something going on for years.” But when he was asked whether it is legal to convert a Prospecting Licence to Medium Scale Land tenure, Ming said Commissioner Dennison should be contacted for technical and legal details, explaining that he does not engage in the day-to-day operations of the commission.

President of the Guyana Geology and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) Terrence Adams, however, explained that the GGMC in issuing the notice is attempting to halt a precedence that was set under the previous administration. “It is nothing new,” he told this newspaper when referring to the conversion of Prospecting Licences to Medium Scale. Contending that not a lot of people and companies have been issued Prospecting Licences, Adams said the January 31 deadline for the submission of applications will give all holders of PLS an equal chance to convert to Medium Scale, before it comes to a complete halt.

“When you convert you lose…it (PL) has certain concessions, certain benefits attached to it but when you

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes, responding to questions posed by reporters on Friday (Photos by Delano Williams) convert to a medium scale holding of PLS beyond the you lose out on all those op- stipulated time frame. This, tions,” the GGDMA President she said, should not be tolsaid. But he would not say erated. Minister Bromes had spoken about a similar whether it is legal or illegal.

“The process started a issue.

“What I found when couple of years now. GGMC is trying to put an end to I was looking at PL is a it, so after now (January lot of non-compliance,” 31), you will not be able to Minister Broomes told convert to medium scale. reporters. According to It is a precedence which the Mining Act, a person started under the previous who holds a prospecting administration and all they licence may apply for a are trying to do is correct renewal of the licence, but such application should it,” Adams maintained. be made not more than twice, but not exceeding MINER COMPLAINED M e a n w h i l e , C a r o l one year on each occasion.

George, a miner, com- A PL is usually for a periplained bitterly over the od of three years.

Woman swindled of $4.1M in house lot scam A 44-year-old real estate officer accused of swindling over $4.1M from a woman in a house lot scam was on Friday remanded to prison.

Vishaul Moonilal, who is serving a 68-month sentence for similar matters, appeared before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore on eight fraud-related matterrs Particulars of the first charge allege that on February 5,2015, Moonilall obtained the sum of $370,000 GYD from Dian Cosby, by

falsely pretending that he was in a position to survey lot 10-21 Plantation Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara.

It is also alleged that the accused on March 20, 2015 at Georgetown obtained the sum of $450US valued $900,000 GYD from Cosby for a court case, knowing same to be false.

Moonilall was also charged for obtaining $2,000US from Cosby on June 16,2015 under the pretence that the money was used to hire an attorney and

legal fees, knowing same to be false.

The court heard that on June 11, 2015, Moonilall obtained the sum of $3,000 US, valued $600,000 GYD, to do an appraisal for lot 1021 Plantation Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara.

It is also alleged that during October, 2015, he obtained $2,000US from Cosby by pretending that he was in a position to sell house lots at Plantation Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, knowing same to be false.

Moonilall is also accused of obtaining $4050US, valued $810GYD, from Cosby by falsely pretending that the money was to be paid for surveying the house lots.

It is further alleged that on November 6, 2015 he obtained $600,000 from Cosby to survey the house lots.

Lastly, it is alleged that the accused on June 16, 2017 obtained the sum of $400,000 GYD from Cosby by pretending that he was in a position to retain a lawyer

on her behalf.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne objected to the accused being released on bail on the grounds that the accused was currently serving a 68-month sentence for similar charges.

However, attorney Marcel Bobb told the court that most of the charges that his client was convicted for were in the process of being appealed.

Nevertheless, Magistrate Azore remanded the man until January 24.

Vishaul Moonilal

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 13, 2018

Some city hotels found wanting

CHIEF Environmental Health Officer, Mr. Carl Dey told reporters on Friday how the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) last year registered a number of hotels in the city although they had not met all of the requirements.

This, he said, was in keeping with the City Council’s need for cash at the time. Dey was speaking at a City Hall press conference that was hosted by Town Clerk Royston King and various officers of the council.

This year, though, he said those 15 to 20 hotels which may be lacking will be taken to court if they refuse to meet the full requirements. A notice will, of course, be served on them first, he stated. The city has between 85 and 90 hotels.

At the moment, the city council has a mere three officers who are going around to conduct checks at the hotels, although another six to eight more are needed, Chief Meat and Food Inspector, Onica Alleyne disclosed.

The town clerk offered that in 2018, the City Council will be moving to administratively organise the way it treats with common lodging houses, hotels, guest houses, and bed-and-breakfast places.

“We will do this by increasing our inspections, and requiring owners to faithfully adhere to the appropriate by-laws and regulations,” King said.

“All such businesses must be properly registered with the Council; those that do not meet the standards will not be registered,” he added.

He also said that the council is continuing to

–– King promises court action if they don’t conform

City officials responding to reporters at a press conference on Friday receive reports of hotel owners operating places without proper sanitary conveniences.

“In one case, the owner has only plastic butter bowls with water for guests to wash their hands after they have concluded their activities.

“Some have smelly, torn mattresses while others have flooring, walls and roofs with gaping holes accommodating termites, rats and roaches.”

This year, King said, the municipality will resume grading all common lodging houses operating in the city, and will publish the names and grades of all such businesses in the media.

“This is necessary in order to give full measure to the protection of all citizens and individuals who use these businesses,” the town clerk warned.

Food handler’s certificate now costs $5000 –– specialised training also on the cards TOWN Clerk Royston King on Friday announced that the Food Handlers’ Certificate will now be raised from $3000 to $5000.

“We will commence registration of food handlers from Monday, January 15, 2018,” he said. “Operational costs have influenced the council to increase the fee,” he told reporters Friday at a City Hall press conference.

All fees must be paid to the City Treasurer’s Department, he said, and later, the city will be introducing special training for food and beverage managers. Upon completion of their training, they will be issued with a different certificate from the one given to regular food handlers, he said.

“Again, our technical health team will be visiting and registering all food and beverage manufacturers operating in the city. We have already written to those concerned and asked for their cooperation,” King said.

However, he said the City Council is “very troubled” by certain practices of those who are working in this sector. A few of the concerns are poor storage of foods and beverages, unlabelled packages and bottles with things for human consumption, insanitary preparation areas, kitchens, close

proximity of washrooms to preparation areas, violation of dress code by food handlers and the general physical condition of some eating houses and provision shops.

“You would never believe some of the things our public health inspectors see in the course of their duties,” King remarked.

Acting Chief Meat and Food Inspector Onica Alleyne, who also sat in on the press briefing, offered that during their regular visits and inspections, officers continue to notice that bread, sausage, cheese and eggs are not being stored properly.

Speaking about coconut-vending in particular, Alleyne said it would be ideal for customers to walk with their own bottles when purchasing cocunut water, since there is no standard process by which the vendors sanitise their bottles.

Alleyne also spoke about the way vendors cut and sell fruits on the streets. “The minute the fruits are peeled, they are exposed to contamination.

Where do they get water to wash the fruits? And what about those sold at the roadside where traffic is moving?”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 13, 2018

Gov’t cuts hinterland minibus owners some slack –– with abolition of licence fees for some regions

FOLLOWING the passage of recent legislation in the National Assembly, the owners of minibuses operating in several hinterland regions will not be required to pay licence fees for their vehicles.

This measure follows the recent passage of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Amendment Bill (No.2) which was piloted by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan in the National Assembly.

The Bill is one of several pieces of legislation which received support from the opposition for passage in the House this week.

Minister Ramjattan said that the amended Bill will see the owners of the minibuses in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) being exempted from paying licence fees.

“We want to help the people in and around that closed area,” he said, as he sought the support of the opposition.

Additional changes to the Act means that heavy-duty vehicles which fall under certain weight categories will now have to be registered with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) by their owners.

Lethem favours March 3 for ‘Mash Day’ REPORTS are that the regional authorities at Lethem are considering March 3 as the proposed date for this year’s Mashramani celebrations in the border town.

The regional administration of Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) recently met and the proposed date was floated.

The reasoning is that floats from the coastland would be able to participate in the celebrations, and the region’s tourism calendar was also considered.

According to reports, the regional administration invited all stakeholders by

way of letter to a meeting on the subject, however only a few persons showed up.

Nevertheless, the regional authorities are working to ensure the activities are “bigger and better”, and as such plans are in place to invite popular artistes and bands from the coastland to participate in the event.

In Region One (Barima/Waini), plans are moving apace at Moruca as the organisers of this year’s celebrations are fine-tuning their programme for February 23.

The organisers have been meeting this week to iron out their plans for the activities on Mash Day.

Ramjattan said the authorities have discovered that there are vehicles at hinterland locations, such as those involved in the construction of airstrips, that are not registered.

The National Assembly also passed a Bill to amend the Value-Added Tax Act, which Minister of Finance Winston Jordan noted clearly on Wednesday night in the National Assembly, has “nothing to do with any new measures”.

He said the changes under the Bill are consequent to amendments made to the VAT Act in the 2017 Budget.

Jordan said that the Bill seeks to allow the use of technology in the filing of tax returns with the GRA, which will bring the revenue-collection body into conformity with the proposed Electronic Act, which will make its way into the National Assembly at a later date.

He said the Bill, which was passed on Wednesday, allows for e-payments and will reduce the multiple visits to

which taxpayers are accustomed when transacting business with the GRA. Jordan said too that the authorities are working to ensure that the services and functions of the GRA are improved on a continuous basis.

“GRA was found to be in very bad shape and we have promised and had considerable help from friendly donors in all areas,” he said, as the government works to make the body as efficient and effective as possible. He said all the systems to safeguard information have been put in place.

The Finance Minister also spoke of a “weeding-out” of GRA employees who are found to be tarnishing the image of the body.

“I think the largest number of persons to exit GRA in circumstances other than retirement has taken place,” he said, adding that the authorities are trying to rid the body of “the bad eggs” who have in the past “given the vast number of workers there a bad name.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 13, 2018

Gov’t approves hiring top-notch tourism marketing strategist –– among major multi-million-dollar contracts given the nod

AMONG nine multi-million dollar contracts awarded by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), US$95,000 has been awarded to Acron Tourism Consulting Limited for the procurement of digital marketing services, Minister of State Joseph Harmon disclosed on Friday.

The development of digital marketing services by the Ministry of Business is intended to boost Guyana’s exposure as a tourist destination through an inte-

grated marketing campaign, branded experiences and a social media approach, said Harmon.

He told reporters at a post-Cabinet press briefing that the contract awardee is well qualified to undertake the project after being previously involved in a five-year consultancy to develop a tourism marketing plan, the rebranding of destination Guyana and the production of Destination Guyana videos for Guyana.

Harmon told reporters that a contract to the tune of US$77,000 to Anatol Insti-

tute of Research and Social Sciences has been approved to conduct community needs and assets assessment and develop community safety plans under the Ministry of Public Security.

Meanwhile, KD Enterprise has been awarded $25.7M for the procurement of two ventilators for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

For the procurement of resource kits for the Hinterland Employment

Youth Services (HEYS) programme of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Starr Computers Incorporated has been awarded a contract valued at $17,593,500.

Under the Ministry of Communities, several contracts have been awarded for the construction of heavy-duty bridges. For the construction of a heavy-duty greenheart bridge at Yawong in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) J and R General Construction Service has been awarded

a contract to the tune of $17,800,320.00.

Also, the Handel Garnett Construction Firm has been awarded $24,931,100 for the construction of a heavy-duty greenheart bridge at Kawa in Region Eight as well, while Salim Yusuf Contracting Services was awarded a contract valued at $24,650,240 for the construction of a heavy-duty greenheart bridge at Tusenen, again in Region Eight.

An additional

$18,101,320 was awarded to J and R Construction Service for the construction of a heavy-duty greenheart bridge at Maiparu, also in Region Eight.

Additionally, $21,000,000 was awarded to J.R. Ranch Incorporated for effecting of emergency repairs to the Hunt Oil stretch of road along the Annai to Lethem corridor; that contract falls under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

Dookie proceeds on annual leave –– probe into whisky bust completed; now awaiting ‘legal advice’

EMBATTLED Deputy Superintendent of Police, Motie Dookie has proceeded on his annual vacation leave as of Thursday.

His going on leave follows the completion of a police probe, a report on which has been sent for legal advice.

Dookie had been temporarily posted to the Strategic Planning Unit after his arrest around Christmastime following a bust in which 30 cases of smuggled Johnnie Walker whisky were found on a bus in which he was travelling in Berbice.

He and the driver were reportedly the only occupants of the minibus.

Prior to his fall from grace, Dookie, who was initially placed under close arrest, was the Commander of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit of the Guyana Police Force.

According to initial reports, the senior officer had Deputy Superintendent of Police, indicated that there were Motie Dookie only 10 cases of whisky in the minibus, and that they were intended for use at ‘a party.’

However, a thorough search of the minibus revealed there were in fact 30 cases, and they were all seized.

Dookie, who is based at Police Headquarters in the city, was not permitted by his commanding officer to leave Georgetown.

The man and his relatives had disputed reports that he had escaped from the custody of ranks of the Whim Police Station shortly after his arrest.

His wife had also claimed that he had asked the driver of the vehicle for a ride to Georgetown when it was stopped by the police.

Two months ago, Dookie took over responsibility of the SWAT unit. His predecessor was transferred after his service firearm and vehicle were allegedly stolen from him on October 2, 2017 while on the Industry Seawall, East Coast Demerara in the company of a female.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 13, 2018

Venezuelans enter Guyana without passports SOME Venezuelan women who were arrested during a raid conducted at the Aracari Resort, Vreed-en-Hoop, recently, have been charged and appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Friday for entering Guyana illegally.

Gilario Beltron, Inchra Milogros, Daniqie Martinez, Amber Orocopey, Andriena Alfronso and Yarilys Foucoult admitted that on December 15, 2017 at Eteringbang, Cuyuni River, they entered Guyana by sea and disembarked without the consent of an immigration officer.

The women with the aid of an interpreter told the court that they came to Guyana because of the crisis in Venezuela. They had no passports.

According to police reports, the women were arrested during a police raid at the Aracari Resort.

The magistrate fined the women $30,000 each or they would have to serve four weeks in jail.

After paying the fine or serving the sentence, the women will be deported to Venezuela.

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No more market revenue collectors –– stallholders, itinerant vendors to now pay rent at market booths

BEGINNING March 1, all casual and itinerant vendors will be required to pay their rent and other fees to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) at special booths, and no longer through the revenue collectors for the various markets.

Although Town Clerk Royston King insisted on Friday that the municipality is satisfied with the revenue collectors, there had been several corruption complaints in the past involving them.

“No monies would be collected by anyone other than persons officially assigned in those booths to do so,” King clarified at a City Hall press conference. The new initiative will be rolled

out at Bourda Market first, before it is taken to the other municipal markets.

In keeping with this change, King said there will now be verifying officers in place of revenue collectors. “They, along with staff from the City Treasurer’s Department and Internal Audit, will check and verify receipts. Those who are not in possession of official council receipts would not be permitted to sell or carry on business.”

Construction of the first booth has already started on Orange Walk. “The objective is to allow the vendors to make a livelihood in a clean and safe environment,” King said, adding: “This would enhance financial accountability,

transparency and reduce security vulnerability in this facility. However, beginning from the 1st of March 2018, we will use Bourda Market as a pilot. We will look at the challenges and test the strengths and identify weaknesses of this new approach before it is replicated in other municipal markets.”

He also told the media that the council has commenced registration for all street vendors operating in the city, and that it is being done at City Hall.

Vendors are required to walk with their identification cards, two passport-size photographs, their TIN number and $3000 dollars.

Said he: “We are building a database of all street vendors. This would allow

MPI gives clearance for use of overpasses DAYS after it warned pedestrians not to use the overpasses along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) until they are commissioned, the Public Infrastructure Ministry has reversed its decision, saying now the overpasses can be used under the guidance of the police.

In a press statement on Friday, the Public Infrastructure Ministry said it has reconsidered its position on the usage of the overpasses on the East Bank. “MOPI will now allow citizens to use those overpasses that have been cleared by the engineers as we await the date of commissioning. Citizens will be guided accordingly by Police Officers during the rush hours in the mornings and afternoons,” the ministry stated.

However, it is urging persons, especially children to desist from loitering or playing on the overpasses during or after school hours. Head Teachers within the overpass areas are also asked to take note and be guided by this notice.

Minister within the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, had said that the Pedestrian Overpasses on the East Bank were in the final stage of completion and citizens should wait until they are commissioned.

Her instructions not to utilize the overpasses came days after a Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) man, Navin Surujpaul, took his own life by jumping off the pedes-

trian overpass at Diamond on December 30. Minister Ferguson called the incident unfortunate.

“Guyanese always love to test things, so you know with what happened there is unfortunate that the gentleman would have used that facility to take his own life…when that facility is not intended for that. It is intended to get pedestrian from the western end to the eastern end and vise-versa,” the Junior Public Infrastructure Minister said.

Minister Ferguson is appealing to the public that when the three overpasses are commissioned, to use the facilities with care, caution and consideration. The Houston, Providence and Diamond overpasses are likely to be completed by February, 2018.

Earlier last year, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had announced that a US$364,000 contract was awarded for the pedestrian overpass at Diamond and a US$1M contract for those at Houston, Peter’s Hall and at Eccles.

The construction of the overpasses at Houston, Eccles and Peter’s Hall were awarded to B&J Civil Works whilst those at Providence and Diamond were awarded to S Jagmohan Hardware.

Between 2018 and 2020, overpasses will also be built on the East Coast and West Bank of Demerara.

us to monitor their activities, assist in improving their profitability and generally keep track of this industry.

There is an existing agreement between the Council and street vendors. That agreement suggests certain conditions for vending on city streets, pavements and other reserves.”

Those individuals who were given space and time to sell for the festive season are required to remove all pallets, boxes, trays, stalls and other things from those areas by Monday January 15, 2018, King said.

“In the meantime, we are looking at possible areas to begin the relocation of those stallholders operating on the Stabroek Market wharf,” he added.

Murder accused ‘Pop Skull’ joins pal on remand

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THE second accused in the murder of Purcell Moore Jr. who was gunned down at Craig Old Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD) last December, has been charged for the capital offence and on Friday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Selwin Dawson, 21, called “Pop Skull” of First Field, Kaneville, EBD was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that on December 20, 2017 at Old Road, Craig, he murdered 40-year-old Moore during the course of a robSelwin Dawson bery. He was remanded to prison until January 22.

More than two weeks ago, 21-year-old Kelvin Persaud of Fourteenth Avenue, Diamond, EBD was also charged and remanded for Moore’s murder.

According to reports, the father of two was robbed of his gold chain and other jewellery.

He sustained two gunshot wounds to the head during the attack which occurred one street away from his mother’s home in Craig.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 13, 2018

President lauds unshakeable bond between Guyana, China –– as Chinese in Guyana celebrate Arrival Day

By Lisa Hamilton GUYANESE of Chinese heritage as well as Chinese nationals living here on Friday turned out in their numbers to celebrate the 165th Anniversary of their arrival on these shores as indentured labourers.

The activity was a collaborative effort of the Government of Guyana and the Chinese Association of Guyana.

The ceremony was held at the Windsor Forest Primary School at the village of Windsor Forest, on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD), home to the memorial of the first Chinese who came to the then British Guiana, on January 12, 1853.

Among those in attendance were President David Granger and his wife, First Lady Sandra Granger; Prime Minister Mr Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of State, Mr Joseph Harmon; Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr George Norton; Minister of Finance, Mr Winston Jordan; Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr Basil Williams; Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally; Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Mr Sydney Allicock; and Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Mr Keith Scott.

There was also a large

turnout from the Chinese Association of Guyana and the Chinese medical team, as well as regional executives and members of the diplomatic corps.

Delivering remarks, President Granger pointed out that although the Chinese currently represent only 0.2% of the population, they have distinguished themselves in various fields, among them commerce, agriculture, education, entertainment, law, manufacturing, medicine, and politics.

“Chinese are still arriving today, not as labourers but as investors, visitors, workers, entrepreneurs,” the President said, adding: “They’re welcomed again today as they were welcomed in 1853.”

He reminded his audience that Guyana’s first president Mr Arthur Chung and the first President of the British Guiana Trades Union Council, Mr Theophilus Lee, were just two of the notable Guyanese figures of Chinese heritage.

He said that the mere idea that the Chinese continue to expand and contribute to Guyana’s economic development is testimony to the excellent relationship the two nations share.

He listed as being among China’s most recent contributions to Guyana’s development the over $50M

worth of scientific equipment donated to the Cyril Potter College of Education; the widening of the East Coast Public Road; and the donation of a number of vehicles and other equipment to the Guyana Police Force.

WELCOME DEVELOPMENT Noting that Guyana relishes the idea that China saw it fit to erect a monument here in memory of the arrival of Chinese indentured labourers to Guyana, President Granger said: “The Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the People’s Republic of China will continue to advance our common vision. I am proud of the relationship between the [two countries] and I wish you all Happy Chinese Arrival Day.” In response, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Guyana, Mr Chen Xilai, thanked the President for designating January 12 as Chinese Arrival Day in 2017.

Noting that Guyana was the first English-speaking Caribbean country to forge diplomatic ties with China back in 1972, Mr Chen said things between the two countries have gotten so close that Chinese living here now treat this country as their second

Headteacher of Windsor Forest Primary School, Mr Rakesh Ramsamooj (left) accepts donations from President of the Chinese Association of Guyana, Mr Yang Jun Ye home.

“China is willing to work engaged the Chinese AsHe said China is willing with Guyana to further pro- sociation of Guyana in our to continue working with mote developmental changes cultural programmes in the Guyana as it moves forward and cooperation within var- past, and the response has to reaching its full potential. ious fields, thus creating a always been heartening.

“Chinese and the other better future for our nations “For this, I thank you, ethnic groups in Guyana have and our relations.” and I look forward to workbeen working side by side Speaking of the special ing more regularly with and supporting each other, cultural bond the two coun- you.” enabling the seed of the Guy- tries share, Minister Norton He is also looking forana-China friendship to take said: ward in the coming years to root and flourish,” Mr Chen “I am aware that the collaborating even more with said, adding: Department of Culture has the Chinese Embassy and the Chinese Association of Guyana to explore possibilities for sporting initiatives.

President of the Chinese Association of Guyana Mr Yang Jun Ye seized the opportunity to donate a quantity of school supplies and cleaning materials to Windsor Forest Primary.

Guests at the event were kept well entertained by the Police Military Band, the schoolchildren of Windsor Forest Primary, members of the Chinese Association and the National Dance Company.

For over 44 years, China has shared diplomatic ties with Guyana, which has indicated its interest in partnering with China as the country pursues its 13th President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger (centre), Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of State Joseph Five-year Plan (2016-2020), Harmon and Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton at the memorial of the first Chinese who came to British Guiana. With which will focus on princithem from left are: Business Manager of China Trading, Mr Jason Wang; President of the Chinese Association of Guyana, Mr Yang ples of ‘green’ development Jun Ye; Commercial Consulate, Mr Hui Yong Shen; and Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in in transportation and energy among other initiatives.

Guyana, Mr Chen Xilai. Also in photo are members of the Chinese medical team stationed here (Delano Williams photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 13, 2018

Five Bs initiative impacting … another bus commissioned at Fyrish lives in Berbice

By Nafeeza Yahya

PRESIDENT David Granger on Friday commissioned yet another 36-seater bus, as part of his bicycle, bus, boats, books and breakfast (5 Bs) initiative, which was donated by Peter Lewis of Associated Construction Services.

The programme which is spread across the country has already made an impact in school attendance and the performance of students, regional leaders told a gathering at the commissioning ceremony held at the Fyrish Primary School, in East Berbice-Corentyne.

In his address, President Granger stressed that the objective of his government is to not simply provide a bus for transportation but rather level the playing field, thereby allowing equal access to education which he stated is the gateway towards empowerment. “The aim is not just to provide a bus but to provide equality in this country and I believe the country can never be truly equal unless children have equal access to education- that is the root of equality. Everyone can benefit from what this coun-

try has. Education is the gateway, if you can’t read, write, count or spell how can one gain employment?”.

The President continued by highlighting the fact that in order to really play a meaningful role in society, a person should have some form of education and this is why his focus is on schools and educating the nation.

“If you want to live to enjoy the good life you need to have an education, this is where it starts; that is why there is so much emphasis on the school. We want to start at the grassroots level.

This is the gateway to empowerment; once you have a sound education the world is open to you. I particularly want to see full employment, if you are educated you can become self-employed, everyone can’t be employed in the public service, but we believe with good education Guyanese can be self-employed and that’s the best form of employment.”

The Guyanese leader further stressed that through education the nation will be able to satisfy its own employment needs by citizens using their knowledge and starting micro and macro

enterprises with the abundance of resources available.

“Everything [that] can be produced here can be exported and sold .We are the gateway to the continent, there is work, there is employment, there is enterprise beckoning to all of you if you are educated.” President Granger said “You can process fish, fruits for fruit, you don’t have to be selling at the bridge plantain chips you can package them and sell it to other countries…if you have the education you can make use of these raw materials and this is what an education can do for you, it is not going to give you a job in the government service, it is going to show you how you are going to employ yourself and produce the things which other countries need.”

Regional Executive Officer Kim Stephens-Williams believes that education is the key to alleviate poverty and that children need to be given the best opportunities to access education.

She disclosed that since the implementation of the 5Bs initiative, education in Region Six has seen tremendous improvements and parents were able to save

President David Granger is assisted by this lad of Fyrish Primary School to cut the ceremonial ribbon to commission the school bus money. “We have already measured an increase in schools attendance as well as improvement in punctuality and grades at various schools across the region.”

Presently, they are three buses operating in the Region Six, East Bank of Berbice, Central Corentyne and Up-

A section of students at the commissioning of a new school bus at the Fyrish Primary School

per Corentyne.

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, said the success so far of the project is testimony of what good governance is. She said they have defied critics who wanted to see the initiative of the President fail when it started. “It’s a government that cares for its people, we have a leader who cares about the children and the people of the nation. You the people of Region Six know that he is a visionary leader and his vision for this nation will take Guyana to new heights. We will soon see a paradigm shift in our education system. We have a President who believes in reducing poverty, inequality and providing a good life for all,” Minister Ally told the gathering.

Minister Ally also refuted claims that the government is placing emphasis only on areas where supporters of the coalition reside and shunning others. “I wish to note that we are ready and willing to work with all regardless of race, religion and political affiliations to ensure that our children have a bright future ahead of them. Since the commencement of the programme in 2015, we have had many critics and saboteurs who wish to see this programme fail, but regardless of their efforts our programme has contin-

ued to expand and progress throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.”

She related that hundreds of bicycles have been distributed, numerous boats and a total of 26 buses are servicing different regions and communities. She noted that Region Six is one of the biggest recipients of the programme with a total of three buses currently operating in several areas within the region along with a boat.

“Region Six was not one of the regions the coalition won in 2015, we did not have majority support in East Berbice-Corentyne, yet there are buses that serve those areas .We are a government for all the people of Guyana.

The 5BS programme has become extremely successful because we are bridging the gap of education between hinterland and coastal regions by providing increased access to transportation for schoolchildren to get to and from school.”

The minister said that the programme has already been impacting positively on attendance as well as easing financial burdens on the parents. “We are seeing the benefits, improvement in school attendance has significantly improved in areas where the buses are operating and parents are pleased that additional costs have been removed,” Minister Ally said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 13, 2018

Trump’s racist remarks spark profound outrage --among Caribbean nationals in the US

WASHINGTON, CMC – Lawmakers, Haitians and other Caribbean nationals in the United States have expressed profound outrage over President Donald Trump’s alleged disparaging remarks on Thursday about Haitians and Africans.

In balking at an immigration deal that would include protections for people from Haiti and some nations in Africa, Trump demanded to know at a White House meeting on Thursday why he should accept immigrants from “shithole countries” rather than from places like Norway, according to legislators and others who attended the meeting.

I t ’s r e p o r t e d t h a t Trump’s remarks left members of the US Congress from both parties attending the meeting in the Cabinet Room alarmed and mystified.

The New York Times reports that the President made the remarks during a discussion of an emerging bipartisan deal to give legal status to Caribbean and

other immigrants illegally brought to the United States as children.

When Trump heard that Haitians were among those who would benefit from the proposed deal, he asked whether they could be left out of the plan, asking, “Why do we want people from Haiti here?

However, Trump in a tweet on Friday, denied making such comments.

“Never said anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is, obviously, a very poor and troubled country. Never said “take them out.” Made up by Dems. I have a wonderful relationship with Haitians.

Probably should record future meetings – unfortunately, no trust,” the President said.

Meanwhile, Congresswoman Mia Love, a Republican of Utah, who is of Haitian descent, demanded an apology from the president for Thursday’s remarks, saying his comments were “unkind, divisive, elitist, and fly in the face of our nation’s values.”

“This behavior is unacceptable from the leader of our nation,” Love went on in an emotional statement that noted her heritage and that said her parents “never took a thing” from the government while achieving the American dream.

“The president must apologize to both the American people and the nations he so wantonly maligned,” she demanded.

“As an American, I am ashamed of the president,” said Illinois Democratic Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez. “His comments are disappointing, unbelievable, but not surprising.”

He added, we can now “say with 100 percent confidence that the president is a racist who does not share the values enshrined in our Constitution or Declaration of Independence.”

Miami Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who was born in Cuba and whose south Florida district includes many Haitian immigrants, said: “Language like that shouldn’t be heard in locker rooms, and

it shouldn’t be heard in the White House.”

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, of Connecticut, a frequent Trump critic, said the president’s comment “smacks of blatant racism, the most odious and insidious racism masquerading poorly as immigration policy.”

With South Florida being the home to the largest concentration of Haitians in the United States, Steven Forester of the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, noted that “50,000 Haitians with TPS [Temporary Protected Status] contribute to our economy and Haiti’s and have 27,000 US-born kids.”

“Instead of a racist insult, he should protect our interests and these families.

Returning them is insane, given the 2010 earthquake, an unchecked UN-introduced cholera epidemic that has killed 10,000 and sickened over 800,000, and Hurricane Matthew — the most devastating in 52 years,” Forester told the Miami Herald.

Friday marks the eighth anniversary of Haiti’s earthquake, which killed more than 250,000 people.

Florida Republican Congressman Curbelo tweeted: “under no circumstances is it acceptable to degrade, denigrate, or dehumanize #TPS immigrants.

“The White House must immediately explain the situation and leave no doubt regarding what was said and in what context,” he said.

Democratic Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, who represents Little Haiti in Miami, was more brief in her reaction on social media.

“Sigh,” she posted on Twitter.

But Democrat Jean Monestime, the first Haitian-American elected to the Miami-Dade County Commission, also Trump’s alleged remark.

“Mr. Trump surely does not understand what makes America Great,” Monestime wrote. “I strongly condemn Mr. Trump’s comments about immigrants from El Salvador, Africa and Haiti not being suitable for

admission into the United States.”

Cuban-born Florida Republican senator Marco Rubio, also tweeted: “In a skills-based economy, we can no longer decide who we allow to immigrate here primarily based on what country they are coming from.”

Miami-Dade’s Republican Mayor Carlos Gimenez Republican mayor condemned the incident as “shameful”.

“If true, President Trump’s remarks are very unfortunate and shameful,” he said in the statement Thursday night. “As Mayor of Miami-Dade County, I have personally experienced the contributions of the thousands of Haitian-Americans, Salvadorans and other residents from throughout the world who call our community home.

“I can attest to their hopes to build better lives for their families and their great contributions to our beautiful community and the United States,” he added.

SATURDAY JANUARY 13, 2018

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Season-opening Endurance set for January 28 RACING fans will not have to wait much longer for ontrack action as the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club has set January 28 for the season-opening event.

The first of the planned events for the year is an Endurance meet billed for the South Dakota Circuit.

Five classes will be in action on the day which will feature both bikes and cars competing in separate races.

In the first class, cars up to 1500cc will be considered eligible, with the second class being from 1501-

1600cc. The third class will see cars in the 1601-2000cc class with the unlimited class featuring cars over 2000cc.

On release of the calendar yesterday, president of the club, Rameez Mohamed, commented, “We know that the guys (racers) were asking for early indication of events so we tried as much as possible to get that out so persons can prepare.”

He continued, “We also saw the need to get the bikes involved (for this Endurance) as well because they are an important stakeholder in

racing and the support for them during the last outing was outstanding.”

“What we also have this year is the Endurance calendar being done on a championship basis rather than by meet so persons can rebound from a bad weekend to still fight for a championship.”

The Endurance championship will be followed by a local drag race meet on February 11 with the club’s Annual General Meeting set for the 16th.

March 3 will feature the first of four Georgetown

Overall winners of the last Endurance meet, Shan Seejattan and Roshan Ali. (GTRIdez photos)

Grand Prix karting events at the GT Motorsports facility in Georgetown.

The tentative date for the CMRC Trinidad leg is March 4. However, there is a strong possibility that this may be shifted to July.

Circuit racing action returns in 2018 on March 25 with another drag race meet set for April 22 and another Georgetown Grand Prix for

April 28.

The Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) will see its Jamaica leg on May 12 at the JAMWEST Raceway while circuit racing returns on June 17.

July 1 will feature another instalment of the Georgetown Grand Prix with another Endurance meet planned for the July 8 and the In-

ternational Drag race meet planned for August 19.

The CMRC Barbados round is set for September 2 in Barbados with another Circuit racing event billed for October 7, Georgetown Grand Prix set for October 20 and the CMRC Season finale set for November 11.

The season will close off with an Endurance meet on the 9th.

South Korea wants dialogue with North over Olympics

(REUTERS) - SOUTH K o re a h a s p ro p o s e d working-level talks with North Korea on the latter’s participation in the Winter Olympics set for next month, the South’s unification ministry said yesterday.

It suggested a date of January 15 for a meeti n g w i t h t h e S o u t h ’s three-member delegation,

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led by vice-minister Chun Hae-sung, to discuss the North’s participation, the ministry said in a statement.

Following the first inter-Korean talks this week in more than two years, the two sides had agreed to hold talks on January 20, hosted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“The South also deliv-

ered a document presenting its position regarding the North’s participation in the Pyeongchang Olympics and matters on cultural events,” the ministry added.

Earlier, a senior Seoul official said the South made a proposal to the North for both to form a united women’s ice hockey team to participate in the Winter Olympics.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 13, 2018

Bravo fails to save Renegades (CMC) – DWAYNE Bravo’s handy cameo was not enough to help Melbourne Renegades stave off defeat, as their cross-town rivals Melbourne Stars broke out of their rut to win their first match of the Australian Big Bash here yesterday.

Chasing 168 at Docklands Stadium in the Melbourne derby, Renegades came up short by 23 runs, handing their neighbours their first points of the tournament in their sixth outing.

The right-handed Bra-

West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo

Dottin shines as Heat scorch Stars (CMC) – WEST Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin shone with the ball but struggled with the bat, as her Brisbane Heat strolled to a five-wicket victory over Melbourne Stars, to go joint-top of the Women’s Big Bash League.

Opting to bat first at Harrup Park yesterday, Stars rallied to a competitive 133 for three off their 20 overs, with Dottin the best bowler snaring two for 13 from three overs of tight medium pace.

Katie Mack top-scored with 57, anchoring stands of 32 for the first wicket with South African Lizelle Lee (15) and 77 for the second wicket with Mignon du Preez (30), also of South Africa.

Dottin accounted for Lee in the sixth over, caught at the wicket and returned to

prise out du Preez, lbw in the 18th.

In reply, Heat were fired by opener Beth Mooney’s 57 from 38 deliveries while Jess Jonassen finished unbeaten on 23.

Dottin, batting at number

three, failed with two, falling lbw to leg-spinner Alana King (2-22) in the 10th over.

The win took Heat to 12 points, alongside Sydney Thunder who boast in their ranks Dottin’s Windies captain Stafanie Taylor.

West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin

MCG gets official warning over ‘poor’ pitch (REUTERS) - THE Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has received an official warning after the pitch for the fourth Ashes Test was rated ‘poor’ by the International Cricket Council (ICC) earlier this month.

The track drew criticism from both teams after the drawn clash between Australia and England saw only 24 wickets fall over five days, the only stalemate in a series dominated 4-0 by the hosts as they regained the urn.

Australia scored 327 and 263 for four declared, while England scored 491 in their only innings, with match

referee Ranjan Madugalle saying in his report that the surface did not allow for an even contest between bat and ball.

Cricket Australia (CA) did not contest the rating given by Madugalle, the governing body said in a statement.

“Cricket Australia ... highlighted that the ground is a frequently used venue that has no history of preparing poor pitches for international cricket,” the ICC said.

The ICC said there was a commitment by both the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) and Cricket Australia to improve the pitches

presented for international cricket at the MCG in the future.

The Melbourne Test was the last to be rated under the ICC’s pitch and outfield monitoring process, with a revision of the system coming into effect from January 4.

Under the new process, if a pitch or outfield is rated as being substandard, that venue will be allocated a number of demerit points, which will be active for a five-year period.

The MCG will host the first one-day international between Australia and England tomorrow.

vo, batting at number four, top-scored with 26 from 18 deliveries, accented with two fours and a six.

He put on 35 for the fifth wicket with Afghan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi (23) before perishing in the 14th over, caught at long-on off seamer Evan Gulbis.

Jack Wildermuth pitched in with 23 off 11 deliveries but the Renegades innings slowly fizzled out and lost momentum.

Left-arm pacer Jackson Coleman was the best bowler with three for 47.

Earlier, Stars rattled up 167 for four off their 20 overs after being sent in, with former England star Kevin Pietersen smashing 74 off 46 deliveries and opener Peter Handscomb getting 41.

Ben Dunk fell to the third ball of the match without a run on the board but Pietersen added 110 for the second wicket with Handscomb to revive the innings.

Bravo went wicket-less in his four overs which cost 38 runs while Nabi claimed two for 15 from four brilliant overs of off-spin.

28

GCF wheels off its 2018 calendar on January 28 THE Guyana Cycling Federation’s (GCF) 2018 calendar of activities will begin on January 28 with the staging of its first ‘points’ race.

This will see the top cyclists of the country converge for the first time in the New Year, as they each seek to prop up their individual chances of drawing first blood in the sense of racking up points.

Jamaul John was last

year’s most consistent rider after tallying the most points across all GCF races, ahead of Paul DeNobrega. The two had a great rivalry in 2017 and will be sure to provide great entertainment this year as well.

However, DeNobrega will want to push himself further while John has already signalled his intention of crowning 2018 with more success than 2017. The latter has already started a rigorous

training regime and will be hoping to carry over his form from last year.

Not to be ignored is the ever-evolving Alonzo Ambrose who proved to be a formidable opponent last year as he pushed John and company to the limits, even winning the last ‘points’ race of 2017.

This year should make for intriguing contests as all the cyclists will seek to develop and push one another in their

quest to reach the pinnacle of success in 2018.

On January 27 the cyclists will get some much-needed track time in, as cycle coach Hassan Mohamed is organising a meet at the inner circuit of the National Park.

T h e f e a t u re 3 5 - l a p Schoolboys Invitational race will be sure to attract the country’s top cyclists and provide top quality entertainment for cycling fans and enthusiasts.

UCCA/Roy Baijnauth T20 competition

Wins for Number 70 Spartans and the Number 72 All Star NUMBER 70 Spartans and the Number 72 All Star are the latest teams to have recorded victories when the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA)-sponsored Roy Baijnauth T20 competition continued recently in Berbice.

At the Number 72 All Star ground, the hosts defeated their opponents

Bomb Squad by 46 runs.

Batting first, All Star scored 129-7 with Sanjay Deochand 26, M. Bhoj 24 and Demetri Cameron 21 being the main contributors.

Bowling for Bomb S q u a d , P. G o b i n , D Pooran and R. Mohammed did most of the damage with figures of 4-19, 2-20 and 1-24 respec-

tively.

In reply, the Bomb Squad batsmen were bowled out for 83 in their allotted overs. Only batsman P. Luen managed to secure double figures, with 23. W. Garnett took 4-15, Demetri Cameron 2-21, S. Gobin 2-16 and P. Chatterpaul 1-2, did the damage.

At the Number 70 ground, Spartans de-

feated Guns & Roses by four wickets, and in the process moved to the next round.

Batting first, Guns & Roses scored 116 all out with Saheed Rohoman 30, Neaz Ali 35 and Brandon Mohan 16 being the solid batsmen. Bowling for the Number 70 Spartans, M. Deochand claimed 4-18, T. Ramotar 2-20, N Yacoob 2-20 and O. Kumar 1-17.

In reply, Number 70 Spartans scored 118-6 in 17.3 overs. Tameshwar Ramotar scored 36, Akash Persaud 34, Taresh Ramgolam 23 and Chris Bollers 19 all contributing meaningfully with the bat.

Omesh Mathura 2-20, T. Baichan 1-16 and D. Ramroop 1-14 were the successful bowlers.

At a simple ceremony after the games, both teams thanked the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association for the timely execution of the competition.

President of the UCCA, Hamant Jagdeo, thanked the teams for the discipline shown throughout the game.

The competition will continue on Sunday January 14 at venues across the Upper Corentyne area.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 13, 2018

20 players shortlisted for ECB U-15 preparation WITH the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-County Under-15 tournament approaching, the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) has shortlisted a squad of 20 players to commence preparation.

The players undergo encampment at the Essequibo Cricket Board Hostel at Anna Regina this weekend (yesterday to tomorrow) and will continue the following weekend before selecting the final 14 The players were selected from the eight area committees and will be under the guidance of coach Forbes Daniels and manager Vickram Ramnarine.

Those shortlisted are: Ronaldo Scouten, Ryan Atkins, Mahendra Basdeo, Davindra Ramdahin, Ramesh Ramnarine, Ricky Per-

saud, Jarad Allicock, Shaheen Haniff, Kevin George, Raynard Ramroop, Adaish Ramdial, Steven Corbin, Anthony Deonarine, Dwayne Fredericks, Terrence Softliegh, Irfan Bradshaw, Avick Ramdial, Jonathan Lynch, Gladwyn J Twan and Komal Shaw.

Meanwhile, Ramnarine said that preparation is being hampered somewhat by the inclement weather so they will be looking closely at the players in the camp in order to arrive at the best possible squad.

Ramnarine added the Essequibo U-15s will be looking to follow in the footsteps of their senior team who have won the GCB Jaguars three-day Franchise league and are leaders in the 50 overs format at play-off stage.

GFF expresses condolences to former assessor THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF), through the Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC), has expressed condolences to the wife, children and friends of the late Phillip Gibbons.

Former National Referee and Assessor Phillip Gibbons

Gibbons was a former National Referee and Assessor.

He was also actively involved in the

administration of the Mackenzie Sports Complex (MSC) until he passed away a few days ago.

In a brief statement, president of the GFRC and executive committee member of the GFF, Dion Inniss, said the fraternity is saddened by the loss of the former match official.

“All referees mourn the loss of a very hardworking, passionate and committed servant of the game. This is especially felt in the mining town of Linden where he resided up to the time of his passing. We hope that in some way our words of support may help bring a little bit of peace and solace in this time of sadness.”

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 13, 2018

GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF)

Extra Time

LEVI BRAITHWAITE – For The Love Of The Game

“You’re always coaching and correcting the guys, you should follow up coaching so here I am.” Those were the encouraging words of a friend of Levi Braithwaite at the start of what is now a 12-year football career in coaching.

Braithwaite, the Head Coach of Grove Hi-Tech FC for seven years, is relaxed after his team placed second in the just-concluded GFF Super 16 Yearend Classic held at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

The team was defeated in the finals by the GDF FC by a 2 – 0 margin.

The D Licensed certified coach said while he intended to win, he was happy for the experience and pleased with his team’s performance: “It was a great experience for me having defeated Western Tigers FC, Guyana Police Force FC and Fruta Conquerors FC, which are good elite squads. The GDF team is the number one team in the country so I know I did well.” Grove Hi Tech was considered the underdog in the tournament that featured the elite clubs, five of the country’s best non-elite clubs and an Indigenous All-stars team.

However, coach Levi’s involvement in the sport began as a footballer, having played as a teenager: “Football is the passion. I started around 15 years of age. I used to play with the Grove Hi-Tech club where I played for about five to seven years before I moved to Pele FC then I returned.”

Braithwaite is also a Youth Development coach

LEVI BRAITHWAITE

“Winning Is The Passion.

Everyone Wants To Win But You Must Lose Sometimes.

You Lose To See Where You’re Going Wrong; You Get To Correct The Mistake Going Forward...”

in the East Bank Demerara GFF-Scotiabank GFF Academy Training Centre (ATC) where he works with the Grassroots and with the U13, U15 and U17 teams respectively. In fact, he is a very successful youth coach: “My U17 won all of their tournaments, including the U17 East Bank Demerara League.

They won each and every one of the games in the GFF-NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National U17 tournament. Additionally, his club produced some players who once featured in the national U15/U17 teams including Usher Jones, Akel Forde and Kevin Padmore.

While he enjoys working with the youth teams, he has had a favourable 2017 with the senior team: “We played in two major tournaments – the Turbo KO football competition and the GFF Super 16 Yearend Classic. In the

GROVE HI TECH FC Turbo KO football, we came out fourth, defeated by the Police FC in the semi-finals then lost to Pouderoyen FC in the third-place playoff by a 1 – 0 margin.” It was a bit of a sweet revenge, though, when the team knocked out the Police FC in the GFF Super 16 Classic by a 2 – 1 margin.

In the GFF Super 16 Classic, the team enjoyed the benefit of two guest players – Curtez Kellman and Kelsey Benjamin – by virtue of their non-elite status.

“It was positive addition to my team,” said Braithwaite.

“They worked well, the guys knitted well like they were part of the team for a long time. Most of the guys in the squad knew them before so they cooperated and worked together.”

Braithwaite’s philosophy as a coach is simple: team work, discipline, hard work

and win easily. Towards this end, training is emphasized: “We train four times a week, Monday to Thursday, from about 16:30hrs – 18:30hrs.

The U17 starts at about 15:45hrs to approximately 16:30hrs. At the Academy, we also have a girl’s session.”

Like many clubs, his role extends beyond that of the Head Coach: “I’m like a father to the players; they tell me anything, I speak anything with them, correct their mistakes, tell them what they need to do and they come and relate to me when things go wrong. I’m here to advise at all times.”

The sky is the limit when it comes to the future, according to Braithwaite: “My dream going forward is to work with the national squad and, if possible, migrate and work with overseas-based club. Chelsea is my club so I can go there.”

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

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

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

30

Chess Qualifiers start today WITH the National Championships, scheduled for later this year, the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) is making an early move to have the best possible players on show.

With that in mind, the

GCF will commence its National Junior and Senior Qualifiers. The seven-round Swiss System FIDE-rated qualifiers will start today.

Registration is set for noon at the National Aquatic Centre, Railway Em-

bankment, Liliendaal. The first set of games will begin at 13:00hrs.

The juniors will compete on January 13, 14, 20 and 21, while the seniors will be in action on January 20-21 and February 3-4.

The top players from

these qualifiers will move forward.

Registration fee for the qualifiers is $1 500 per player, and interested players can call 664-1650, 613-2083 or 600-0007 for registration and other information.

GBBC/NGGM `Bad Blood’ boxing card

Promoter promises 'explosive' night of boxing

By Michael DaSilva

ALEEM Hussain, promoter of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control’s (GBBC) `Bad Blood’ January 20 six-fight boxing card, promises that come fight night, boxing buffs and fans will witness six explosive fights.

These fights, he noted, can possibly change the outlook of what Guyana has to offer as a sports tourism destination.

Hussain, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NexGen Global Marketing Inc. said after almost one year of inactivity by the GBBC, it is back in a big way and the public support of this card will determine where professional boxing is headed on the local scene.

“The more public support we get, the more fight cards will be promoted by my company. We (GBBC/NextGen Global) want to have at least one card every month and this

is the vision of GBBC president Peter Abdool,” Hussain stated.

The `Bad Blood’ card will feature Guyana’s flyweight champion Dexter `De Kid’ Marques coming up against Dionis Martinez Arias of Venezuela in a 10-round contest.

Marques, who has a professional record of 16 victories, two losses, no draw and is unbeaten in his last eight fights, will be using this contest as a warm-up for his Commonwealth title fight against champion Jay Harris of Wales on March 31 at the Copperbox Arena. The title fight is being promoted by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions.

Arias, on the other hand has won six of his 17 fights, lost nine and drawn, two.

According to Hussain, once the card is a success in terms of public support, the Guyanese public can expect top quality fights in the future.

The duo’s (his and Abdool’s) vision is to have fighters from at least 15 countries coming to Guyana which he says can make Guyana the Mecca of professional boxing in the Caribbean.

Hussain said that he had discussions with Dr. George Norton about this idea and the Minister with responsibility for Sport is in full support of the venture.

Having regular fight cards, he noted, will create a path for the country’s youths who will have something to work towards, thereby earning a livelihood for themselves, and keeping out of trouble.

Hussain said it is his and the GBBC’s intention to make Guyana the Las Vegas of Boxing in the Caribbean, putting the country at the pinnacle of the sport in the world.

“It all starts with this card on January 20 and we leave it in the hands of the

public,.” Hussain stated, adding, “If they want boxing, then they have to come out in their numbers and we’ll give them boxing.”

The businessman said he is expecting a sold-out crowd, especially since the admission fee is very affordable for anyone who is really interested to see a good night’s fight card for as little as $1 000 (stands) $2 000 (ringside) and $4 000 (VIP).

Comparing the cost of witnessing this card in Guyana with fight cards in North America, Hussain pointed out a fight card in the U.S. with a title fight inclusive; it costs in the vicinity of US$250.

He pointed out that the January 20 card includes a 12-round WBC FECABOX light heavyweight title bout between Guyana’s Shawn Corbin and Trinidad and Tobago’s highly-ranked Sheldon Lawrence in the main supporting bout of the card.

Red Force struggle despite St Clair’s brilliance ( C M C ) – K AV E M H o d g e s t r u c k a c areer-best hundred but left-arm quick Daniel St Clair answered with a personal best of his own, yet Trinidad and Tobago Red Force found themselves against the ropes in their ninth round Regional Four-Day match here yesterday.

The right-handed Hodge converted his overnight 87 into a splendid 128 as Windward Is-

lands Volcanoes rallied to 366 all out on the second day of the contest at the National Stadium here.

Not to be left out, St Clair snatched six for 62 – his maiden five-wicket haul in first class cricket.

Red Force were then floored by a two-wicket burst from left-arm seamer Delorn Johnson (2-16) as they staggered to the close on 51 for four.

Left-handed Amir Jangoo stroked 24 but was one of two wickets to fall

in the space of 17 balls towards the end of play.

Earlier, Volcanoes resumed on 270 for four but suffered an early blow when they lost left-hander Kyle Mayers after he added just one to his overnight 73, with two added to the overall total.

His demise ended a promising 117-run fifth-wicket stand with Hodge, and when wicketkeeper Dennis Smith fell to the very next delivery to leave St Clair on a hat-

trick, Volcanoes were in danger of a quick decline.

H o d g e , h o w e v e r, found an ally in former Test spinner Shane Shillingford, and they put on 53 for the seventh wicket to stabilise the innings.

T h e 2 4 - y e a r- o l d Hodge, who has been in good touch this season, grabbed the chance to raise his second firstclass hundred. All told, he faced 348 deliveries and struck 11 boundaries.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 13, 2018

Basil Persaud still relishing another elegant innings with the bat

By Elroy Stephney EVEN at the age of 48, former Essequibo inter-county all-rounder Basil Persaud is still batting majestically.

The resolutely durable Essequibian, who hails from the village of Walton Hall, is still highly acclaimed in his county, having represented several clubs as well as two area committees.

The aggressive right-handed opening batsman had a dream season last year with his adopted Everest Masters Club of Georgetown, where he registered two centuries including one against the England Foundation cricket team which toured Guyana last year.

conducting coaching clinics with several clubs across the Essequibo Coast.

He is also a sitting RDC Councillor who previously chaired the Sports Sub- Committee where he has advocated for the establishment of an Annual Awards Ceremony to recognise the sterling contributions of the Region’s sportsmen and sportswomen.

He also served as a member of the Essequibo Cricket Board as well as representative to the Guyana Cricket Board on the Cricket Development Committee.

The attractive opener remains quite a dangerous threat to any bowler since he can drive, cut and pull with unre-

Basil Persaud

In addition, he scored over 12 club centuries while representing Devonshire Castle, Ravens, Pomeroon and North Essequibo cricket committees.

The dynamic all-rounder has had many unforgettable innings, labelling his outstanding 121 against Cavaliers Sports Club in 2010 as his most memorable.

In recent times he has had an active schedule playing in several countries including Trinidad, Jamaica, Suriname and the United States.

He has attributed his longevity in the game to remaining physically fit, committed and engaging in constant practice.

He was also proud to have competed against the likes of Clayton Lambert, Sudesh Dhaniram and Rabindranauth Seeram on the local scene while he also teamed up against foreign players including Trinidadian Suruj Ragoonauth and Barbadian Raymon Reifer.

The former Sports Officer is also a junior cricket coach and has been instrumental in

strained authority and precision.

His sojourn, though, in the twilight of his career is his ‘second coming’ according to him, even as he continues to enjoy a successful season with his respective clubs.

He has since committed himself towards many more graceful innings whether in Essequibo, Georgetown or overseas as a loyal and dedicated student of the game.

His advice to young cricketers is to remain disciplined and inculcate the right attitude towards training.

He is also appealing to the relevant authorities to reintroduce cricket into the school system. It is his belief that the schools are the first step towards the emergence of the next generation of outstanding cricketers.

For the moment, though, Basil Persaud continues to bat with consummate elegance and artistry while expressing confidence in having another productive season in 2018.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 13, 2018

CWI Regional 4-Day Championship

Shepherd thwarts Pride (CMC) – AN aggressive spell from Romario Shepherd trumped a memorable debut for Chemar Holder to leave Barbados Pride on the ropes against recently-minted champions Guyana Jaguars in the Regional 4-Day Championship yesterday here.

Shepherd grabbed 4-27 from 10 overs to break the backbone of the Pride’s batting and reduced them to 147 for seven, replying to Jaguars’ first-innings total of 297 before rain and bad light brought an early close on the second day of their ninth-round match at Kensington Oval.

In a destructive second spell of 5-1-15-3 from the southern (Malcolm Marshall) end of the ground after tea, he removed West Indies pair of Roston Chase and Shane Dowrich, as well as Pride captain Shamarh Brooks to rock the hosts’ batting.

Brooks has so far led the way with 25, opener Shayne Moseley, also dismissed by Shepherd, made 24 and fellow left-hander Jonathan Carter added 21.

This followed Holder, a member of the triumphant Windies Under-19 World Cup side, capturing 5-57 from 17.5 overs on his first-class debut to lead the Pride bowling.

West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach supported with

3-31 from 16.4 overs before he pulled up lame and left the field.

Jaguars, starting the day

for 13 looking for a second run before Moseley followed four balls later caught at gully off

Umpire Patrick Gustard watches Romario Shepherd bowl. (Photo by Kerrie Eversley)

on 185 for four, extended their first innings to 20 minutes after lunch with West Indies all-rounder Raymon Reifer leading a rearguard action with 33, Sherfane Rutherford making 32 and veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul gathering 30.

Pride then got off to a steady start when West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite and club-mate Moseley gathered 41 for the first wicket.

But Brathwaite was run-out

Shepherd from a leading edge to leave Pride 46 for two.

Carter came to the crease and with Brooks carried Pride to 66 for two at tea and put on 37 either side of the break before things unravelled for the home team.

Keemo Paul had Carter caught behind playing loosely outside the off-stump before Jaguars captain Leon Johnson replaced him with Shepherd and the fast-medium bowler exploit-

ed the helpful pitch.

He had Chase caught down the leg-side by wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble for one, stunned Dowrich with a firstball snorter that the Windies wicketkeeper fended to short leg and had Brooks caught at gully from an indecisive shot to leave Pride in tatters on 115 for six.

Next over, Rutherford tightened Jaguars’ hold, when Justin Greaves was caught at cover for 16 from a drive leaving Kemar Roach, not out on five, and Jomel Warrican, not out on one, to bat through the final 35 minutes before the weather drove the players off.

Earlier, Jaguars reached 230 for six before Chanderpaul was caught behind off Roach for 30 as he pushed outside the off stump.

Paul, fending at a lifting ball, was caught low at second slip to his left by Carter off Miguel Cummins for nought to leave Jaguars 235 for seven.

A stand of 40 between Reifer and Rutherford, however, put the Pride on their heels and carried the Jaguars past the 250 mark.

Holder, however, was belatedly introduced and had almost immediate success when he had the left-handed Rutherford caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Dowrich before the innings quickly folded.

Holder bowled the Barbados-born Reifer before he had Veerasammy Permaul caught down the leg side by Dowrich for five to bring the innings to a close.

J a g u a r s e n t e re d t h e match with an unassailable

135 points, but have so far gained two batting points, two bowling points and 1.4 pace bowling points. Pride have so far earned three bowling points and two pace bowling points to add to their season total of 85.8.

SCOREBOARD

JAGUARS 1st innings (o/n 184 for five) T. Chanderpaul b Roach 0 C. Hemraj c wkp. Dowrich b Holder 90 L. Johnson c Brooks b Holder 56 V. Singh c Cummins b Greaves 11 S. Chanderpaul c wkp. Dowrich b Roach 30 A. Bramble lbw b Roach 4 R. Reifer b Holder 33 K. Paul c Carter b Cummins 0 S. Rutherford c wkp. Dowrich b Holder 32 R. Shepherd not out 11 V. Permaul c wkp. Dowrich b Holder 5 Extras: (b-5, lb-4, w-6, nb-10) 25 Total: (all out, 101.5 overs) 297 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-148, 3-175, 4-177, 5-182, 6-230, 7-235, 8-275, 9-279.

Bowling: Roach 16.4-8-31-3 (w-1), Cummins 18-6-47-1 (nb-3, w-1), Holder 17.5-2-57-5 (nb-6, w-1), Greaves 20.2-6-38-1 (w-1), Chase 123-32-0, Warrican 13-2-65-0 (nb-1), Carter 4-0-18-0 (w-2).

PRIDE 1st innings K. Brathwaite run-out 13 S. Moseley c Hemraj b Shepherd 24 S. Brooks c Hemraj b Shepherd 25 J. Carter c wkp. Bramble b Paul 21 R. Chase c wkp. Bramble b Shepherd 1 S. Dowrich c T. Chanderpaul b Shepherd 0 J. Greaves c T Chanderpaul b Rutherford 16 K. Roach not out 15 J. Warrican not out 13 Extras: (b-3, lb-6, w-4, nb-6) 19 Total: (7 wkts, 45.3 overs) 147 Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-46, 3-83, 4-91, 5-91, 6-115, 7-119.

Bowling: Paul 13-2-34-1, Reifer 11-4-35-0 (nb-2), Rutherford 11.3-142-1 (nb-4), Shepherd 10-2-27-4 (w-4).

Sachia Vickery commits to Guyana for Tokyo Olympics … climbs to 105 in latest WTA Rankings

By Rawle Toney SACHIA Vickery, fresh of her rise in the latest Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) to 105 in their latest World Rankings, said that she’s open to representing Guyana at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo Japan.

This is welcome news for Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) president Juman-Yassin and Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA) president Jamal Goodluck.

“Of course, I’m open to representing Guyana at the Olympics,” Vickery said, speaking exclusively to Chronicle Sport on Thursday.

“It’s my home country and that would be something that’s a dream of mine in the future.

Even though I wasn’t born in Guyana, I still consider myself Guyanese. I embrace the whole culture and I always love going back, so I do consider myself Guyanese,” said the 22-year-

old who was born to Guyanese parents.

Vickery, born to Guyanese parents, former national football player Rawle Vickery from Linden and Paula Liverpool, also from Region 10, is on the verge of breaking the WTA’s Top 100 for the first time after she had the best week of her career in Auckland, New Zealand this past week. She not only reached the first WTA semi-final of her career, but also set a brand new career-high of No. 105 in the world.

Before this year, Vickery’s best showings at the WTA level were four quarterfinals, one per year the last four years Stanford in 2014, Nottingham in 2015, Bogota in 2016 and Quebec City in 2017.

But in the very first week of the 2018 season, the 22-yearold Hollywood, Florida native surpassed all of those at the International-level ASB Classic, not dropping a set through

three rounds of qualifying and another three rounds in the main draw - including upsets over No. 5 seed Lauren Davis and No. 4 seed Agnieszka Radwanska. She’d fallen to No. 1 seed Caroline Wozniacki in the semi-finals, 6-4, 6-4.

Vickery’s win over the No.28-ranked Radwanska was the best victory of her career.

Her previous-best win in terms of ranking came against No.30ranked Zhang Shuai at Stanford back in 2014.

The run pushed Vickery from No.122 to No.105 on the new rankings, leapfrogging her previous career-high of No.108 in the world, which she had originally set the week of July 20, 2015.

“This is great news,” said Yassin, when contacted by Chronicle Sport, but the GOA boss noted, “We want someone who would commit to not only the Olympics. They should now contact the GLTA so we could get things started. But

this is something the GOA is happy about.”

Goodluck, the GLTA president, noted, “This is exciting news for us and we would like to welcome Sachia with open arms. Of course, we have to submit our names for the Commonwealth Games, and she will certainly be one of them.”

According to Goodluck, Vickery would be one of the country’s most high-profile players, and as such, the GLTA would like to ensure that she imparts her knowledge of the game to the up-and-coming players locally.

The defending Olympic champion, Monica Puig, born in Puerto Rico, is no stranger to Vickery, given the fact that they had faced each other three times in her career.

Vickery won the last meeting between the two (6-7, 6-2, 6-1), 2014 in the Round-of-16 WTA Stanford. However, at the tournament, Vickery lost to Varvara Lepchenko in the

Sachia Vickery is seen during a light workout at the GBTI tennis court during her vacation late 2015.

(Samuel Maughn photo)

semi-finals. That tournament was won by Serena Williams.

Looking ahead, Vickery told Chronicle Sport, “I just want to keep improving my game, improving my strengths on the court and just becoming a better player so I can reach my goal, to be in the top 50.

My goals for 2018 are to break

into the top 100 and to be the main draw at the grand slams.”

Vickery is on the verge of becoming the 15th American woman in the Top 100 - the 14 that are currently in the Elite are led by Top 10 players Venus Williams (ranked No.5) and CoCo Vandeweghe (ranked No.10).

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 2018