Guyana chronicle e paper 2 04 2017

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2017

Price: $80

Hundreds protest No. 104813

(VAT Inclusive)

parking meters

Page 3

–City Hall counters

Hundreds lined Regent Street on Friday to protest the implementation of parking meters by the Mayor and City Council (Delano Williams photo)

Bartica Massacre

Several ‘Anaconda’ held for gets life imprisonment Albouystown ––‘Goat Man’ on $500,000 killing bail for terrorism charge Page 19

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DSG sent on 72 days administrative leave Page 2

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 4, 2017

DSG sent on 72 days administrative leave

By Svetlana Marshall DEPUTY Solicitor-General (DSG), Prithima Kissoon, has been sent on 72 days administrative leave, pending the outcome of an investigation into the cases she has presided over.

This is according to Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, who in addition to making that disclosure on Friday, disclosed that the Public Service Commission (PSC) has rejected the application made by Kissoon.

The DSG had filed a complaint to the PSC contending that the Attorney General had taken a non-cooperative approach towards her in his attempt to force

her out of office.

She said although she was preparing legal documents for the Attorney General to approve in relation to pending matters, he had continuously withheld his signature.

“In court matters draft opinions/pleadings are presented to the AG, Mr Basil Williams, for approval, signature, correction or alteration and even though reminded regularly, this is not done or is done so belatedly and at the ninth hour that I have been embarrassed before the courts or had to resort to my legal acumen to ensure that the State is properly represented,” the DSG said in the letter of complaint submitted to the

Deputy Solicitor-General, Prithima Kissoon PSC. Additionally, Kissoon sought approval from the PSC to have her deferred leave from 2016 until a solution is found, and permission to leave Guyana.

However, on Friday, the Attorney General told reporters that after her leave

for the period December 20 to January 21, 2017 was not approved, Kissoon submitted medical claims to cover the same period.

“As a result, we were left stranded so to speak, because she didn’t assign certain cases to other lawyers, and in fact some cases came up and no one attended,” he noted.

In a statement last Sunday, the Attorney General called for disciplinary action to be taken against the Deputy Solicitor-General, contending that the Government had had enough of Kissoon, who according to him, openly supports the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

“Enough! Our Government could not continue to sustain the Deputy Solicitor- General Ms Prithima Kissoon’s unrelenting undermining of its cases,” the Attorney General had said.

He claimed that in every case involving the Opposition Leader, the PPP and

former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, glaring errors were made by Kissoon when she was expected to represent the interest of the State.

“In cases where the President, Prime Minister and Attorney General were sued, Ms Kissoon deliberately disobeyed instructions by the Attorney General and Solicitor-General as to attacking the applications on lack of jurisdiction and have caused the matters to be protracted, helping Nandlall to save face,” Minister Williams said.

Attorney General, Basil Williams

Sugar production target set at 198,000 tonnes FARMERS and factory workers are gearing up as they put their shoulders to the wheel to achieve GuySuCo’s sugar production target, which has been set at 198,000 tonnes for 2017.

Public Relations Officer Audreyanna Thomas said the target was recently set following much discussion among senior managers of the Corporation.

GuySuCo is hoping to achieve 74, 172 tonnes of sugar in the first crop and 124, 286 tonnes in the second one.

Last year, El Nino prevented the Corporation from reaching its initial targets, causing it to do a revision.

Also, during last year, there was a backlog of cane.

Last December, Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, said 153,300 tonnes of cane would be carried over in 2017, the equivalent to some 11,300 tonnes of sugar.

Despite many challenges, GuySuCo surpassed its projected target of 227,443 tonnes of sugar in 2015, ending the year with some 229,215 tonnes.

During the second crop, four estates –- Skeldon, Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt – each exceeded their production target, with Skeldon Factory recording its highest output.

Sugar production target for 2017 has been set at 198,000 tonnes In a bid to maintain the consistency shown in 2015, Thomas confirmed that aside from the estates that are being diversified, some others are under maintenance and will commence operation soon, while some have already began operation.

GuySuCo is in dire need of restructuring. In order to successfully conduct operations this year, the company would need an $18B Government bailout.

The Government had poured $9B into the industry at the start of last year, but late in the year made another billion-dollar bailout when members of the National Assembly in October16 approved $2B for the cash-strapped Corporation.

Hundreds protest parking meters

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 4, 2017

–– City Hall counters

HUNDREDS of citizens on Friday protested the recently implemented parking meter system even as City Mayor Patricia Chase-Green made it clear that citizens will have to get use to the meters as they are here to stay.

The peaceful protest which comprised a wide cross section of citizens took a turn for the worse when City Hall brought out its own people to protest in support of the parking meters. Many of the protestors stood silently on the northern side of City Hall holding their placards which read, “#notoparkingmeters”, “can’t afford to pay for parking”, “No consultations, no meters”, “Guyana is not ready for parking meters”, “ why yall killing poor people” and “No zoning, not feasibility study.”

The protest was led by

persons associated with the group “Movement Against Parking Meters,” but their movement ended abruptly after one of their own was taken into custody following reports that he threatened two women who protested in favour of the parking meters. The man arrested is said to be a former councillor of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of Georgetown.

Meanwhile, several City Councilors were seen joining citizens in their protest against the parking meters project and sight of that provoked the City Mayor who accused the Councilors of dishonesty.

She told Guyana Chronicle that all Councilors were involved in the project and noted that in the case of outgoing Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan, he like other members of the City Council were part of discussions on the matter.

Duncan and Deputy Mayor Elect Lionel Jaikaran, along with at least two other Councilors of the M&CC, stood in protest lines in front of City Hall. The Deputy Mayor displayed a placard with the words “Listen to the people” as he chanted on the larger protest band.

“Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor elect, they were part and parcel in this whole thing in advising and say look put in this, take out that. And now at the end of the day, on the other side like if they don’t know anything,” Mayor Chase-Green told the Guyana Chronicle.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Elect Jaikaran is of the view that there was lack of transparency and consultation in the process of implementation by City Hall. He said his interest is in putting the city of Georgetown first.

“I am against the parking meters because … lack of transparency and con-

sultation of it; there are no public or private sector consultation; it was not a transparent in the open there and it should have been tendered for. This is about Guyana first, Georgetown first. This has nothing to do with politics this has to do with being a good Guyanese wanting representation from the City Council,” he told the Guyana Chronicle.

According to Jaikaran, some of the councilors voted against the implementation of the system. “Majority rules in every situation, but it’s not to say that we are happy with it, we’re not happy with it. And that’s why we’re out here today, to let the public know our views, that we are not part and parcel pushing this all to the people.”

The City Mayor and Town Clerk Royston King have maintained that the implementation of the parking meter system is an avenue for the municipality to receive revenue and also to

A passionate businessman protests the implementation of parking meters on Friday outside City Hall.

(Delano Williams photo) provide jobs but Deputy Mayor Duncan said there still remains a cry for social justice. “I’ve always maintained that the ends don’t justify the means. We could push cocaine and create jobs, but do we agree with that?

We could do lots of things in

this city that are illegal and not right and create lots of jobs, and so the ends don’t justify the means. All we want is that we listen to the people.”

Duncan said too that he See page 4

Bartica Massacre

‘Anaconda’ gets life imprisonment ––‘Goat Man’ on $500,000 bail for terrorism charge

JUSTICE Roxanne George SC on Friday sentenced Denis “Anaconda” Williams to life imprisonment for his role in the Bartica Massacre while Roger “Goat Man” Simon was granted bail in the sum of $500,000 for a second terrorism charge.

On Thursday night, a 12-member jury returned a guilty verdict for Williams for seven counts of murder and he was sentenced to be hanged.

On Friday, Justice George told the court that Williams was been found guilty of five counts of manslaughter in relation to the massacre where five persons were shot and killed at the Bartica Stelling.

The other murder accused Clebert ‘Chi-Chi’ Reece had pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was

sentenced to 35 years in jail for each of the 12 counts, while Michael ‘Capone’ Caesar, who also pleaded guilty to manslaughter was sentenced to 60 years in prison on each of the 12 counts which will run concurrently.

Justice George said the evidence is clear that Williams was part of the joint enterprise which carried out the gruesome act.

Roger Simon had on Thursday night received bail in the sum of $400,000 for one count of unlawful wounding and three counts of break and enter and larceny after the jury found him not guilty on 12 counts of murder.

Simon’s attorney, Peter Hugh, told the court that his client was acquitted on all counts of murder on Thursday night and should be granted bail since he spent

Dennis Williams, called ‘Anaconda’ almost nine years in jail.

State Prosecutor Diana Kaulesar had indicated her intention to appeal Simon’s not guilty verdict, but Hugh argued that his client spent almost a decade in jail and should be granted bail,

Roger Simon, called ‘Goat Man’ given that the charge of terrorism is a bailable offence.

However, Kaulesar in response, told the court that the Act is silent on whether the offence is bailable and urged that bail not be granted, but if granted, it should

not be less than $1M. Following the arguments, Justice George ruled that Simon was “free to go” and granted him bail in the sum of $500,000.

But Hugh told the court that his client had spent a considerable time in jail, and as such, has limited resources and requested surety instead. Same was granted but providing a transport is presented to the court.

Meanwhile, the sentencing for Mark Royden Williams for the counts of manslaughter was deferred to February 16, 2017.

Williams was also sentenced to death by hanging for seven counts of murder on Thursday night.

On February 17, 2008, residents were engrossed in a televised 20/20 cricket match when a group of heavily armed men de-

scended on Bartica at nightfall and went on a rampage.

They arrived by boat, and soon after attacked the Bartica Police Station, where they carted off with guns after killing three policemen. Nine civilians were killed in the massacre.

Those who lost their lives were Bartica residents Edwin Gilkes, Dexter Adrian and Irving Ferreira; policemen stationed at the Bartica Police Station, Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir, Constables Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne; Deonarine Singh of Wakenaam; Ronald Gomes of Kuru Kururu; Ashraf Khan of Middlesex, Essequibo; Abdool Yasseen; Errol Thomas of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo and Baldeo Singh of Montrose, East Coast Demerara.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 4, 2017

Hundreds protest parking ...

From page 3 never supported the by laws, though he participated in a meeting of the council on the issue.

He said the contract was signed and then brought to the council instead of the other way around.

“I never voted for the bylaws. We sit as Councilors here, but we have a right to vote, to abstain from voting and to vote against anything. That is part of your democratic right. I have maintained one position: During local government, I said as a revenue earner, parking meters are good …

again the principle is that the end don’t justify the means, you got to go about it the right way. I cannot agree to anything that breaches the tender and the tender rules or even that flouts the council.… This parking meters was never discussed by councilors before it was signed, it was signed and then brought to the council.

How can I agree to that?

And that has been my one stance from the very inception.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Chase-Green told the Guyana Chronicle although no

one visited her office to raise concerns about the system prior to its final implementation and as such was disappointed that citizens turned up in their numbers to protest openly.

“But if the parking meters were not in place they would not have been able to occupy all of that space. And that is how healthy my city is gonna get. You’re gonna get clean fresh air and no pollution, less congestion in my city.

But the parking meter is a reality,” Mayor ChaseGreen added.

NA Technical Institute student beaten by students after opposing conduct in class A STUDENT of the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) on Friday received injuries about his body following a squabble with another student.

According to reports, first-year student, Thummin Paul, rebuked another student, Steve Austin, over conduct he deemed unacceptable during a workshop at the institution. Austin reportedly did not appreciate the upbraiding he received

and threatened Paul.

After class, Paul, while walking in the vicinity of Main and King Streets, New Amsterdam, was greeted by a group of 11 youngsters, one of whom was armed with a cutlass. The 19-year-old student who lives at Number One Road, Corentyne, was attacked by the group which included Austin, who reportedly hails from Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam. He escaped his

attackers by running into a nearby furniture store where he was rescued. However, he received several punches about his body while his right index finger is wounded.

Paul has since visited the New Amsterdam hospital, where he has received treatment for his injuries. The police has been notified and an investigation is under way.

ing they are preparing to offer on-shore supply services to ExxonMobil when production starts. Therefore, it is of vital importance for the Guyana economy that such a base be established formally, so as to ensure local involvement by local entrepreneurs as a means of better regulating the supply chain of the exploration and production business.”

The ministry said too that companies other than ExxonMobil will conduct exploration and production activities and the facilities along the Demerara River will be insufficient, as the industry develops rapidly.

“The entire country will benefit from a localised facility at Crab Island, Berbice, that provides an array of goods and services to the oil companies, and particularly, the people of Regions Five and Six,” the statement said.

The ministry has urged the Opposition Leader to “adjust his thinking and stop opposing for opposing sake, and embrace the government’s plans to deliver a modern, good and better life for all Guyanese” and gave the assurance that the onshore base will also support the growth of other sectors.

The statement noted that an on-shore base forms part of a “deliberate strategy” to counter ‘Dutch Disease’ and promote the government’s goal of sustainable and ho-

listic economic growth. On Thursday, the Opposition Leader said the estimated US$500M investment for the facility in the Crab Island, Berbice area seems a fiction.

He questioned, “Where is this five hundred million dollars coming from?” while stating that the government has not budgeted for the facility.

“If foreign investors come to this country and they invest in this facility… and ExxonMobil is directed to procure the services from this facility based on local content legislation [and] even if the cost for these services are not competitive, then what happens?” he asked.

Last year, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, announced plans to have the facility and noted that some 600 jobs would be created and noted Cabinet’s no-objection to the establishment of the on-shore facility.

Asked whether the onshore facility was discussed with executives of ExxonMobil who met with government, opposition and other stakeholders this week, Jagdeo said the matter was not discussed in detail.

“This [the facility] is not going to get built in 2017. Six hundred jobs he talks about so that sounds attractive, five hundred million US dollars…it is pie in the sky, pie in the sky by amateurs,” he said.

Government rejects Jagdeo’s comments on on-shore supply base

-- calls on Opposition Leader to adjust his thinking THE Ministry of Natural Resources on Friday chided statements made by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, which suggested that the establishment of an on-shore supply base would be a “pie in the sky” concept because ExxonMobil

would not be investing in it.

In a strongly worded statement to the media, the Ministry of Natural Resources said Jagdeo, a former president, is “obviously ill-advised.”

“In all the models examined around the world

it is very rare, if at all, for the international operating companies to invest in a supply base, and rather more frequently the case to have public/private partnerships, or the private sector only, do so. A supply base must be established to support the burgeoning oil and gas

industry,” the statement from the ministry said.

Accordingly, the ministry noted that ExxonMobil uses bases in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago and in Georgetown; neither of which it “invested” in.

“Already, officials in Trinidad are quoted as say-

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 4, 2017

PSC rails against new, ‘strict’ regulations of foreign currency market

THE Private Sector Commission (PSC) said it has read with consternation the pronouncements of the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, regarding the introduction of stricter regulations and closer monitoring of the foreign exchange market in Guyana.

In a release, the PSC “strongly condemns this move by the Government, which would have the certain effect of accelerating the capital flight which has already begun with the erosion of confidence in the economy.

“The Private Sector Commission also warns against the stated intention of Government to introduce restrictions preventing the unfettered repatriation of earnings of foreign companies operating in Guy-

ana. Foreign direct investment in the economy has already slowed and a policy which prevents the repatriation of the earnings of these companies has the potential to move the influx of investment from a trickle to a halt. The Private Sector Commission wishes to remind Government that the country has gone down this path before with disastrous consequences to the economy.

The Guyana economy can ill afford the certain deleterious effects of history repeating itself,” the PSC said.

On Thursday, Harmon told a post-Cabinet media briefing that Central Bank is expected to issue a number of guidelines with regard to the new regulations and monitoring. These includes ensuring that exporters repatriate their

export earnings to the banking system as is required and conducting close monitoring and examination of bank and non-bank cambios to maintain orderly behaviour.

“Measures will also be taken to ensure that all foreign loans and grants that are issued are disbursed on time, so as to increase the flow of foreign currency to the country,” Minister Harmon told reporters.

Even though the Bank of Guyana maintains that there is no shortage, some commercial banks have stated otherwise.

There is a belief that the commercial banks are siphoning foreign exchange to selected customers and clients. When asked how the BoG will deal with this, Minister Harmon said more oversight will be

required. “It is the quality of the oversight which the Central Bank has been engaging in over the operations of these banks and non-bank cambios.

I think what the minister has recommended is that the bank strengthen its monitoring capacity and ensure that the rules and regulations by which these banks operate, that they hold them on a much closer, tighter leash.”

He added: “The fact of the matter is, yes, there are some companies that have actually been sending large amounts of foreign currency abroad, because when you examine the situation all around us, in the entire Region, you have foreign currency issues in Suriname, in Trinidad, in Barbados, in Venezuela, in Brazil.”

Over the past few weeks,

Police seek informants to help tackle crime AMONG the many strategies Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and his team intend to activate to reduce violent crimes this year is to employ persons who would pass on vital information to the relevant authorities.

Ramjattan told a press conference Thursday that a number of things are happening to boost security within the country and one of those would be the recruitment of informants. The minister was explaining a decision made during the recently concluded annual police conference, where a report will be presented to cover the security strategy for the entire year.

The security solutions within the report are expected to take certain areas and patterns into consideration.

Ramjattan said that according to a map shown by his security team, it was recognised that more effective policing is needed for areas shown on the map, which highlights locations where crime is pretty high.

“We need to have a number of other approaches, one of which is to get the information from informers.”

Confidential or criminal informants is the term used in law enforcement to describe someone providing useful information to security personnel in crime prevention.

Ramjattan said that the process must be restarted, but funds would be required to see this going ahead. Security personnel have recognised, in some cases, the existence of criminal gangs, criminal hideouts and other areas that seem to be breeding grounds for unsavoury personalities.

There have been calls for the increase of informants to help police track criminals and their activities. In recent times, the most successful use of informants came when collaborative efforts between civilian and security secured the end of wanted fugitives Rondell `Fineman’ Rawlins and Jermaine `Skinny’ Charles, who were killed in 2008 during a shootout with joint service forces.

Rawlins had lead a gang who are currently on trial for several murders committed in Bartica, and prior to that, Lusignan on the East Coast of Demerara.

More than $50m was offered for information pertaining to the men’s whereabouts.

Following their death, former President Bharrat Jagdeo had said that the money would be split, with the informant getting one third of the cash and remainder going to the police and army. Ramjattan has nonetheless predicted better security in 2017. “We are going to do a very better year, 2017 and even better in the following years upon the implementation of the British security sector reform, because that will address a number of the issues regarding personnel competencies and administrative arrangements within the security sector.”

Ramjattan said that a British expert is currently in Guyana and will spend one year working with the police force and his ministry to as-

sess the security sector. He said instructions were given to the relevant personnel to provide all documentation and information to assist with the expert’s grand overview, “for what will be in the report to better the security sector.”

Overseas training will continue for security personnel, while the force will continue its upgrade of equipment. Ramjattan said assets for maritime and drones for the interior are all on the security sector’s 2017 “to do” list.

it has been reported that there is a shortage of foreign currency, specifically U.S. dollars, here, but BoG Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga, has said that Central Bank is not aware of such a situation. Finance Minister Winston Jordan had said there are six banks, 13 nonbank cambios and the BoG and noted that there are

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exporters, importers and other participants in the foreign exchange market, who conduct business with commercial banks or cambios of their choice. He had noted that large spreads between the buying and selling rates for foreign currency, especially in bigger banks, have led to some level of disintermediation.

gnnleditorial@gmail.com 6

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 4, 2017

Editorial

The parking meter and its by-laws THE Georgetown Mayor and City Council has implemented a Parking Meter System in parts of the city. The purpose of this meter may have been informed by two major factors, which are: regularising vehicular parking and revenue-earning. Much has been said-- some not without merit-- about the introduction and handling of the system.

In the first instance, the introduction was not without conflict, even among the City Fathers and Mothers, which reinforces the appeal made on this page to conduct training for local government officers, elected and appointed, about the Local Government system, including the processes, implementation of by-laws, and their role in the structure.

Then there was the placement of meters, where a picture was captured with one installed in an area surrounded by water, and several installed in front of schools. The Guyana Teachers Union led a protest calling for the removal of those by the schools and Smart City Solutions, the organisation responsible for the system, responded affirmatively.

Initial controversy about ownership of the organisation and the parking costs – though efforts were made to positively reposition these from continuing conversations and actions -the reactions remain mixed. Recent announcements by central Government on how VAT should be charged and the legality of the by-law, added to valid concerns about the project.

None can deny that the City Council has to find revenue to execute its works. Though in large part revenue comes from rates and taxes, its abattoir, daycare centre, and yearly budgetary allocation grants from central Government, such cannot suffice in realising and ensuring the management of a modern city.

The present rates and taxes are outdated and in addition to this, ratepayers are defaulting, seemingly unconcerned that in so doing they are also contributing to the city not being able to provide basic and improved services. The present financial crisis at City Hall should not absolve it however from poor fiscal management,which includes extravagance by its administrators, elected and appointed.

The original idea of sourcing additional funding to manage the city -- as was proposed during the mayor-ship of Hamilton Green to run a lottery -- was denied. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government stole the idea, allowed the Canadian Lottery to establish a lottery here, and had the proceeds channelled to central Government. The APNU+AFC administration may find it useful to revisit this and look at ways of sharing the revenue with the Council, given that it was the intellectual author of the idea but was denied the benefit from its establishment.

The tendency to want things without having to pay for it is not unique to Guyanese, though it may seem to be prevalent.

This notwithstanding, the concerns by citizens that the city council is in a partnership where it gets only 20 percent of the revenue and 80 percent goes abroad is not without legitimacy.

This has given rise to questioning whether national pride was not a factor in influencing decision-making and the project designed to milk the people for the benefit of a few. Had the City Council placed its ears to the ground or engaged stakeholders on this project, through public meetings and otherwise, feedback would have served them well. Now that central Government had cause to weigh in on how VAT is to be charged and the legality of the parking meter by-law, such will give

Let us together go forward to promote Georgetown

Dear Mr Editor,

I REMAIN befuddled by a full-page advertisement, which appeared in your newspaper issue of February 1, 2017, under the caption: “WE THANK YOU ALL… MOVEMENT AGAINST PARKING METERS.” I have to say that the context of this advertisement is a sorry and worrying reflection of how a few individuals in our society see us as Guyanese. This particular advertisement is an ample demonstration of backward thinking. How can anyone who understands the time in which we live and the processes that are involved in managing and developing a city, be against this new innovation.

But we live in a democracy; everyone has the right to express his or her views, thoughts and opinions in the context of their realities. History is replete with instances of mavericks who, sometimes without any justifiable reason or reasonableness, resist change. It is true, that people often resist change when they are comfortable with lawlessness, confusion and disorder.

However, one of the things that distinguishes us from lower animals and barbarians is our ability to order and organise our neighbourhoods, communities, cities and our world. In that context, we understand where the organisers against the Parking Meters are coming from but, we remain troubled in our hearts and minds that in the 21st Century and modern society, we have a group of individuals, who appear to be bent on continuing disorder and indiscipline on our roadways.

Beyond that, the advertisement is seriously misleading and, I suspect, crafted in a way to mislead unsuspecting citizens. For example, it seems to want to suggest that Council and its partners did not consult with the public.

This is false. The Mayor and City Council and Smart City Solutions met with a number of stakeholders including the Chamber of Commerce and the Private Sector Commission.

Community groups, Government and non-Governmental organisations and agencies and discussed this project with them with a view to raise awareness, to have their inputs and to seek

their support to go forward with this necessary initiative.

Again, I am not sure about the legitimacy, motivation or special interests of the organisers of this very strange movement; I am not certain for whom they speak and act.

Perhaps, the most significant thing about this movement is that it offers no alternative to this initiative. In fact, it appears as though its members are quite happy with disorder, confusion and indiscipline on our roadways. This is unacceptable and all decent, law-abiding Guyanese should reject this attempt to return our city to ugliness.

For generations, individuals and businesses took our collectively owned spaces in the city for granted. They utilised our roadways for parking, our reserves to extend their businesses and our thoroughfares to display their merchandise without compensating citizens.

As a result, our roadways became congested and unsafe and our environment polluted.

Some of those who are guilty of indulging in this unlawful act of appropriating city spaces are the loudest against the Parking Meters. Honest and decent citi-

zens must be in despair with the antics of those, who do not want order in the city.

The Mayor and City Council is happy to be in a position to correct these negative situations and give citizens more value in their city. Those who use the city’s resources including its spaces for parking, personal and other interests, must make a contribution to its sustainable development; this is fair and just and we, all, should embrace it.

This initiative provides an opportunity for all citizens, particularly those who use our spaces to make that contribution.

Driving this new innovation is our statutory obligation to deliver to all citizens a clean, green and safe city.

I wish to note that, the Council is determined to leave a legacy of good environmental governance for the next generation.

Let us together go forward to promote Georgetown to a place of excellence and glory.

Regards, Royston King Town Clerk City of Georgetown

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

greater rise to legitimate speculation --and suspicion -- which in our society is easy to plant, germinate and become overrun.

There are established rules and guidelines in preparing laws, including by-laws, before they are considered lawful, and the present situation should not have occurred were attention paid to these in the first instance.

Whereas local government authorities have the autonomy to make their own laws, i.e. by-laws, there exists no autonomy to do this outside of the procedures guiding law-making and implementation. The Minister of Communities may find it necessary, now more than ever, to ensure adherence to established principles in government-be it national, regional or local-- to ensure the premise that birthed the existence of government is being sustained.

My intention is not to undermine GuySuCo Dear Editor, I AM heartened that GuySuCo is engaging in conversation by responding to my letters to the Editor. The sole intention of my expressions is not to “undermine” anyone or group, but to prevent this nation and more so, it’s toiling taxpayers from receiving a one-sided, jaundiced perspective which GuySuCo’s management and politicians keep regurgitating.

We are told repeatedly that GuySuCo is a burden; subsidies for GuySuCo could be better spent; other sectors cannot receive wage increases, because money has to go to GuySuCo, etc., etc. Ms Thomas claims that GuySuCo is an “open book.”

This is incorrect, because the corporation continues to conceal salaries for the IMC and experts amounting

to G$14.1M/month, which taxpayers fund. This hapless crew at GuySuCo is essentially saying that they have the right formula to take GuySuCo forward by closing estates and selling assets.

These people lack objectivity, apart from being irrational and illogical and it will be useless for an individual to meet with them to share a different vision.

Production for 2017 is yet to start, but the corporation is already croaking about weather and run-down state of factories and fields. Editor, everything for these people is in run-down state save and except their salaries & benefits. On the issue of crop estimates, it is typically done to have estimated sugar production for Government to incorporate into its national budget. The 2017 budget has nothing on Turn to page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 4, 2017

Was the appeal by WADA against Alanzo Greaves made public?

Dear Editor,

MY position remains the same as it has over the years, that whenever an athlete fails a drug test, they must accept the ban handed out by the authorities. I am all for clean sports.

Cyclist Alanzo Greaves has been known to me over the years from working in the fields. He is part of my coverage I did and he is a household name, because he stood out as an athlete for many reasons. I was disappointed when the news broke sometime in early 2016 that

he had failed a drug test with other foreign cyclists from Barbados and Colombia.

I will say publicly that he has never failed to display respect to the highest level. That he gets a perfect 10 across the board. I read the press reports that he was handed a one-year ban by RADO and thought they were considerate.

Perhaps the consideration was because of this being his first offence. I believe everyone was expecting that he would have been served with a four-year ban, which is stipulated by

UCI. After the year ban was completed, it was a joy to witness his presence once again in late 2016 and early 2017 as a clean athlete on the circuit. My honest opinion is that the level of the game was taken one notch up, because I felt the game needed the competition and he knows how to put on a show. Never did anyone mention to me or was I aware that WADA had an appeal filed sometime in mid-2016 against the one-year ban. I almost fell through the floor after reading the press reports.

My intention is not to...

From page 6 sugar production and this is due to gross incompetence of the IMC. The last estimate is done a few weeks before the crop commences, which the corporation is in a mad scramble to complete.

As we are having this conversation, Ms Thomas claims that GuySuCo is an open book, I ask her to clarify: (1) Will estimated production for 2017 be below the 200,000t mark?

(2) How many ex-CoI members/ consultants have been drafted into GuySuCo’s permanent payroll?

(3) How many persons have been appointed/re-designated as assistants to these ex-CoI members to aid and assist them their new roles?

The corporation is expanding its executive structure, while reducing the number of factories and cultivation. ( 4 ) W h a t i s t h e corporation’s strategic

position on young people’s development? GuySuCo recently stacked its executive team with persons within the age range of 75-90 years.

For e.g. the CEO, Directors, Technical Managers, etc., etc.

Let’s continue this conversation.

Regards Sookram Persaud

I wish if someone had mentioned it to me, because I would have suggested to Alanzo Greaves that you

will lose against WADA, you will get the maximum penalty and just don’t take to the track until the appeal

result was made public.

Yours Faithfully T. Pemberton

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 4, 2017

Giftland’s parking signs removed

WITH a delegation of “heavily armed guards and workers”, Mayor and City Council (M&CC) officials allegedly without any prior notice on Friday removed all the parking signage from the access road and Giftland Mall compound.

These include diplomatic parking, car park parking signage and barriers of the mall.

A release said the signs are the property of Giftland Mall and “the fact that this was

Giftland contends that the action by the M&CC is “anti-business”, pointing out that there has been ongoing discussion with City Hall on issues regarding access to the Boyer Land Development, south of the Arthur Chung Convention Centre.

Owner of Boyer Land Development Project, Eddie Boyer said since the commencement of the project, he has been trying to

M&CC carrying off the signboards removed at the access road at Giftland Mall done without prior notice shows the lawlessness which the authorities had stooped to, in order to satisfy the interest of certain private individuals”.

Giftland Mall said the access road was built and paid for from its own funds with the exception of 1 1/2 of asphalt surfacing from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

According to the business, the road has not been Gazetted as being part of any Government property.

approach the mall’s management to negotiate a way in which both parties can benefit but to no avail.

He said persons who live in the Boyer Land Development area are affected by the parking lot, given that their access to the road is hampered on a daily basis.

“The road does not belong to any individual,” Boyer said, and contended that no parking signs should be placed on the access road.

GCAA meets LIAT and Dynamic Airways on operational efficiency THE Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) met with LIAT Airlines on Monday, January 30, 2017, at the GCAA Headquarters in Kingston, Georgetown, to discuss regulatory matters and numerous delays and challenges facing the airline in maintaining the reliability and integrity of the airline’s schedule.

In a statement from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure on Friday, the GCAA said

of LIAT, which centred on improving connectivity, operational efficiency and maintaining schedule integrity,” the statement said.

The GCAA is responsible for economic regulatory oversight of aviation in Guyana and ensuring that airlines approved by the Authority are providing reliable and quality services to the travelling public.

According to the GCAA, the meeting is

GCAA meeting with the management team of Dynamic International Airways the meeting was held following concerns raised that LIAT’s cancellations and delays can affect Guyana’s hosting of the 28th Inter-sessional Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, which is slated for February 16-17, 2017.

President David Granger is currently the Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government.

“The meeting was a fruitful one in that it afforded the GCAA to be briefed on the plans and future developments

part of a series of meetings that the Authority has been hosting with other airlines operating in Guyana. In December, 2016, the GCAA met with the management of Dynamic International Airways to discuss their operations as a consequence of the delays and cancellations that the airline has been experiencing.

In both of these meetings, the airlines were challenged to look at the interests of passengers. The Authority intends to work closely with airlines to enhance their quality of service to the travelling public.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 4, 2017

Weak governance plagues Go-Invest … former CEO operated without oversight of Board of Directors

POOR governance, mismanagement and the absence of a strategic plan, as well as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the different departments were a few of the glaring discrepancies which auditing firm Nigel Hinds Financial Services uncovered at the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest).

As such, the auditing firm has recommended that the Board of Directors of the entity be free of political interference and represent the balanced, best interests of the shareholders as a whole, rather than special interest groups or constituencies. In addition, the creation of the

position of deputy director was strongly recommended against the backdrop that it would ensure that in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), confusion would be diffused regarding who will act in his/her absence.

The audit report, dated September 30, 2016 and addressed to Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma, stated that Go-Invest operates without a documented governance structure.

According to the report, the practice allowed for “ad-hoc decision-making “ and this resulted in serious deficiencies in how the agency was managed at both the Board of

Directors and executive levels for the period under review.

The auditors noted that during the period of the assessment, Go-Invest did not operate with a Governance code which allows for strategic management of the entity.

The firm stated that investigations revealed that there is no documented evidence of board meetings being held in 2012. In 2013, two such meetings were held, and one was held in 2014. No meetings were held in 2015 prior to July 2015. “As a result, the CEO was invariably operating without oversight from the Board of Directors,” the report stated.

Committees set up to push law school THE Executive Committee of the Council of Legal Education (CLE) has agreed to the establishment of two committees that will collaborate to ensure that the JOF Haynes Law School of the Americas, when established in Guyana, will operate in keeping with the criteria required for Law Schools under the auspices of the CLE. During a press conference on Friday, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, disclosed that the Government’s committee will include representatives of its Joint Venture Partners, the Attorneys General of Guyana and Jamaica, while the CLE’s Committee will include the CLE’s Chairman, Reginald Armour, Principals of the Hugh Wooding, Norman Manley and Eugene Dupuch Law Schools, and Dr Leigton Jackson, University Dean, for the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies (U.W.I).

“The CLE’s requirements for the establishment of its Law Schools include matters such as physical plant, staffing, library facilities and infrastructure,” the Legal Affairs Minister pointed out.

On January 26, the project for the establishment of the JOF Haynes Law School of the Americas was launched in Kingston, Jamaica. The project comes

after nearly two decades of discussions and lobbying for an alternative law school to the Norman Manley Law School at the University of the West Indies.

The JOF Haynes Law School of the Americas (JHLSA) will be established through a private-public partnership between the Government of Guyana, Law School of the Americas (LCA) and the University College of the Caribbean (UCC).

JHLSA will be added to the options available to students who hold a Bachelor of Laws and have intentions to pursue their Legal Education Certificate (LEC), which upon completion will qualify them to practise law throughout Commonwealth Caribbean territories.

The law school, named after prominent Guyanese jurist, Joseph Oscar Fitzclarence Haynes, is expected to build on the legacy of the Norman Manley Law School and its counterparts – The Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago and the Eugene Dupuch Law School in The Bahamas.

Jamaica’s Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Ruel Reid, who had delivered the keynote address at the official launch of the project, noted the challenges faced by qualified Caribbean nationals in their quest to enter the Norman Manley

Law School.

“Let’s not be afraid of competition, but rather establish and maintain our institutions at such high standards offering quality education and training, that they will attract the best of the best locally and internationally as students and faculty,” Minister Reid had said.

Attorney General Williams, President of the Law School of the Americas, Dr Velma Brown-Hamilton, President and Executive Chairman of UCC Winston Adams and Attorney General to Jamaica, Marlene Malahoo-Forte, were among the other officials present during the prestigious ceremony.

“The courses offered will be innovative, practical and driven toward entrepreneurship, as well as the needs of the respective territories. The JOF Haynes Law School will be a catalyst for the new economy for the Region and developing countries. Importantly, it solidifies our vision to give access to legal education to a wider cross-section of people who are duly qualified,” Brown-Hamilton had pointed out.

Graduates of the LLB programmes offered by the LCA and UCC law faculties, as well as those from other law faculties across the Caribbean, will benefit from priority admission to JHLSA when it opens its doors.

According to the report, it was discovered during the audit that there was no Internal Audit Department or Audit Charter at Go-Invest. As a result, the investment body was not prepared to improve its governance, risk management, provide checks and balances and monitor and implement internal controls. This was seen as a “very serious shortcoming as Go-Invest has critical data that highlights potential investments in Guyana and recommends billions of dollars in concessions to be approved by the Fi-

nance Minister.”

Regarding the position of Deputy CEO, the auditor recommended that steps should have been taken to address the “organisational deficiency,” since it has resulted in the arbitrary selection of senior staff to act in the absence of the CEO. This subsequently led to a lack of successor- training and failure to build leadership capacity.

Stressing on additional in-house deficiencies, the audit report stated that there was no clear policy at Go- Invest for remuneration of the entity’s

employees. In the absence of such policy, the former CEO addressed the process at his discretion. Also, “a most unusual situation” was uncovered in that the accountant was performing the duties of the Human Resources Manager.

Additionally, the report stated that the accounting policy of Go-Invest was not properly documented regarding the processing of payments, desktop procedures and internal controls.

This resulted in the absence of systems to accurately account for procurement transactions.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 4, 2017

City Hall unveils $3.6B budget –– proposes new fees to help meet expenses

By Telesha Ramnarine

WITH an expenditure sum of $3.6B projected for this year, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) will be looking to implement a number of new fees and to increase existing ones in order to assist the municipality, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Oscar Clarke, has informed.

Clarke, in presenting budget estimates to the City Council yesterday, further announced that after a process of consultations, revenue collection is expected to be at $2.8B. In arriving at the above-mentioned figures, the M&CC has considered a 10 per cent increase across the board on property rates.

“It should be noted that there was no increase in the percentage assessment of property rates since 1998.

This is against the background that there are a number of unassessed properties both in terms of construction, expansion and change of use,” observed Clarke.

He added: “The municipality has agreed that in the first half of 2017, it will focus on capturing the information, process same with the assistance of the chief valuation officer and private assessors, determine the new value and apply the current formula to arrive at these new figures. On completion immediately after, dispatch demand notices and utilise all means necessary to collect the outstanding amounts.”

Furthermore, he said because Council is of the view that more revenue can be collected from municipal markets, the entire revenue-collection system for the markets will be computerised to capture all vendors and stallholders who are required to pay fees.

Clarke announced that as of February 1 last, Council has decided to implement new fees which will affect salons, barber shops, and other forms of cosmetology.

To further rake in revenue, he announced that the municipality has

decided to implement a commercial-waste fee to all businesses within the first quarter of the year, that is expected to generate approximately $53M for the year.

BURDENSOME “Commercial waste generation has become burdensome to our municipality since we have seen a rapid increase of such wastes from the business community. The municipality is stretched very thin to remove some 38 tonnes of commercial waste daily at a cost of $1M per week,” stated Clarke.

He said these special fees will be published in the media and that Council will hold “extensive” discussions and consultations to enhance this area of its responsibility.

The parking meter system, he observed, is a new revenue stream that provides for allocation to the city of 20 per cent of gross revenue from Smart City Solutions, increasing to 25 per cent

Chairman of the Finance Committee, Oscar Clarke, presents the 2017 budget estimates (Adrian Narine photo) and then to 30 per cent over the 20-year life- span of the project.

Considering another new revenue stream, Clarke said for the period August to December, 2016, the

Council collected close to $58M in container fees.

“Discussions with our relevant partners on this initiative were still ongoing at year- end in quest of a final agreement.”

During this year, Clarke said the municipality will also be looking to have all court fines remitted to the M&CC as opposed to the Consolidated Fund.

“The Council has already written to the Minister of Communities seeking his intervention in this matter.”

Meanwhile, Clarke reminded that Georgetown comprises an area of 22 square kilometres, or 15 square miles, with a population estimated at 200,000 people and another 50,000, who visit the city for business and other reasons.

It continues to be a city of 60 wards programmed into 15 constituencies, an estimated 40,000 properties on record, excluding squatter settlements and Sophia.

The City Council maintains 160 miles of roads, 800 miles of concrete and earthen drains, 12 outfall channels and sluices; all parapets, reserves and thoroughfares; bridges, footpaths and sidewalks; municipal markets and parks, maternal and child welfare day care services, the abattoir, among many other municipal services.

Minibus driver jailed for 56 months … found guilty of causing road death

MAGISTRATE Judy Latchman sentenced 40-year-old Robert Grant to 56 months imprisonment for causing the death of a pedestrian in May 2016.

Grant, a mini-bus driver of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. Prior to handing down her sentence, the Magistrate affirmed that she has to send a strong message to road users that Guyana needs to preserve its human resources.

It was the prosecution’s case that on May 23, 2016 Grant drove in a manner dangerous to the public on the Garden of Eden, EBD public road, while driving minibus BSS 5550, causing the death of 37-year-old Andrew Simon.

When the charge was initially read to him by the said Magistrate, Grant had pleaded not guilty and was released on $1M bail.

At the conclusion of the trial yesterday, Magistrate

Latchman commended the Prosecution, which was led

by Vishnu Hunt, claiming that she was satisfied with the evidence presented.

Magistrate Latchman informed Grant that the court did not believe his story that

Robert Grant the victim “stepped out of nowhere.” The Magistrate believes that the accident occurred due to Grant’s inattentiveness while driving.

The Magistrate in a stern

voice said to Grant “You drove at a fast and furious rate on the day in question.”

She noted that the court noticed the damages of the minibus which is consistent with him speeding.

“The court is sure that you failed to exercise care, caution, common sense, courtesy and consideration on that day. You fell below the care and caution necessary for competent driving.

The court hereby finds you guilty as charged,” Magistrate Latchman said.

Simon, a 37-year-old farmer and resident of Grove Housing Scheme, EBD, was walking on the left side of the road, heading south when he was struck and killed by a minibus that was heading in the same direction.

The driver allegedly told ranks that he swerved from a vehicle and ended up colliding with the man.

Simon was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 4, 2017

AG warns of his options –– insists he never attacked the chancellor and judiciary

By Svetlana Marshall

MAINTAINING that he has never attacked the Chancellor and, or the Judiciary, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams said he is giving media houses in Guyana one week to link him directly to the attacks, based on the articles they have written, or he might take action.

The Attorney General issued the warning on Friday during a press conference at his Carmichael Street Office.

In recent times, the Attorney General has been accused of attacking the Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Carl Singh and the Judiciary, if decisions are not made in favour of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government.

However, on Friday, he once again refuted the claims made. “…I reject the contentions that I have attacked the Chancellor and the Judiciary,” the Attorney General told reporters.

To the media houses that have been peddling stories about these perceived attacks, he said, they have one week to provide the evidence.

“I am giving them a week to attribute to me what were the statements that I made attacking the Judiciary. On failing which I will exercise my options,” he further stated.

The minister questioned whether his statement suggesting that Government will appeal a case was an attack on the Judiciary.

Justice Singh in January threw out an appeal against the decision of the High Court last year to free Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

of a race-baiting charge, but the Attorney General had indicated that he would file another appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice.

“I am amused by it; the move by the Chancellor is not without remedy, we will take the case to the Caribbean

Attorney General Basil Williams Court of Justice (CCJ); the case was dismissed on form and not substance…he hasn’t determined the substantive issue there,” he had said.

On Friday, he repeatedly asked reporters whether that statement was in any way an attack on the Chancellor.

STOP IT The Attorney General made it clear that he is not prepared to allow anyone to tarnish his reputation that he has worked so hard to build.

“I have practised 33 years as a lawyer and there is no report that I tampered with a witness or a jury or had any corrupted transaction in those 33 years and I am very proud

of that record,” Minister Williams pointed out.

At a previous press conference, the Attorney General had also dismissed the allegations. He had said that the criticisms made against him and the APNU+AFC Administration have no merit as they relate to the alleged interference in the Judiciary.

He believes that the critics are confusing the concerns of letter-writers and others with that of the Attorney General and the Government.

“For my part, I don’t have to do anything; the acting Chancellor himself established a precedent in the case of the acting Chief Justice Ian Chang last year,” he said, adding that it was Justice Singh who advised him that the former acting Chief Justice needed to proceed on pre-retirement leave and then demit office upon attaining age 65.

“The acting Chancellor Carl Singh gave me the particulars for Mr Chang… that is how we were able to determine [his pre-retirement], because of the advice given by the acting Chancellor Carl Singh… The acting Chancellor, who is Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), supplied me with all that information, so it would be strange to me that having done that in the case of acting Chief Justice Chang, in his case that it would be different,” the Attorney General said.

He said by establishment of the precedent, the Chancellor would have to proceed on pre-retirement leave and then on his birthday, which is February 23, he would have to demit office as was the case with the former Chief Justice.

‘Drunken brawl’ lands friends in court

IT was all due to a “simple misunderstanding” that led best friends before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Friday, both charged with badly wounding each other during a fight.

Rayon Debideen, 21, was charged for wounding his friend, Noah Walberg on January 24, 2017, at Yarakita Village, in the North West District. The unrepresented miner denied the charge.

Walberg, 19 and his friend, Patrick Dixon, 31, were jointly charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding Debideen on the same day. The men, both miners also denied the charge.

The men had told the court that they wanted the matter to be dismissed since they are all injured and should call it a truce.

“We were friends and it was due to a simple misunderstanding,” the unrepresented Walberg explained to the Chief Magistrate.

According to reports Debideen and Walberg were friends and worked together, however there was a misunderstanding between the two.

One January 24, Walberg and Dixon were consuming alcohol in the Yarakita Village when they saw Debideen. Walberg allegedly armed himself with a glass bottle and approached Debideen and lashed him to the mouth. The 19-year-old along with Dixon then allegedly picked up a piece of wood and beat Debideen about the head.

Debideen managed to escape, while being trailed by the two men. It is reported that he armed himself with a cutlass and dealt several blows, two of which cause Walberg to receive lacerations to the neck.

Police Prosecutor Denior Jones explained to the court that Debideen suffered from a dislocated jaw, several cuts and a concussion to his head and lost two teeth during the brawl.

Meanwhile, Walberg had received a chop to his neck and outer ear.

The Magistrate, based upon the nature of the injuries received, released the men on $30,000 bail each and transferred the matter to the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court for February 21.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 4, 2017

Police arrest ‘serial burglar’ in Rose Hall Town - retrieve stolen jewellery, other valuables

AN alleged ‘serial burglar’ was on Thursday night arrested by police of the Rose Hall Outpost after carting off over $500,000 in jewellery and other items.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the alleged burglar, who has been identified, was caught at approximately 20:30hrs with the items while in Rose Hall Town, moments after raiding the home of Eddie Khan, 56, of 406 Street, Swamp Section, Rose Hall Town According to 69-year- old Edward Mann, an overseas- based Guyanese who was staying at Khan’s home, he went out and returned home around 21:00hrs.

He told the Guyana Chronicle that when he entered the house he noticed that the refrigerator door was open.

The overseas- based Guyanese said he didn’t think much of the opened refrigerator ,since a neighbour who was travelling soon had asked Khan to keep some items in the refrigerator. He believed at that time that the neighbour had collected the items, but forgot to close the door; this was not the case.

“So I start to look around and see the window open and when I go in the bedroom I discovered the DVD, creams and phone chargers missing among other stuff missing… when I went to the station [I] discovered more stuff was missing: a gold wristband, three gold rings, two married rings,” he recounted.

The overseas- based Guyanese said he immediately alerted the police who responded promptly and noted that some 15 minutes after leaving the house, he was notified of the recovery of the stolen items.

Meanwhile, Khan told the Guyana Chronicle that he was at work when he learnt his home was broken into, and said his neighbour had given him $5000 in fish eggs, seven pounds of pork,$3000 worth of sardines , two parcels of fish and two bags of crab to keep, all of which were stolen.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the suspected thief was seen acting suspiciously while on the street and was stopped and searched. All items, except the frozen food, were found in his possession. He has since been arrested.

It has been reported that the suspect was recently released from prison for committing another robbery in the area and has been frequenting prison over the years.

One held for alleged murder of Hosororo Hill man ONE person has been arrested following the alleged murder of a 69-year-old Hosororo Hill, North West District (NWD) man last Wednesday.

According to relatives, Henry Samuels, called “Archie,” a father of three of Hosororo Hill, NWD, was found dead on Wednesday with a stab wound to his neck. The discovery of Samuels’ body came after relatives observed that he was not doing his usual morning chores that day.

As a result, his siblings called out to him but received no answer. Out of concern and curiosity, the man’s brother broke the back door of the house in which he lived alone.

It was upon entry that Samuels’ relatives found him lying on the floor motionless near a blood soaked towel and bed sheet. A knife and hat were also retrieved from the scene.

According to relatives, the 69- year-old man had no ene-

mies and as such, they are finding it difficult to understand the

Henry Samuels motive for his alleged murder.

Samuels’ death is deemed the first case of foul play recorded in the community in decades.

He was pronounced dead by a doctor who had travelled to the community from the Mabaruma hospital.

A post-mortem examination was scheduled for Friday.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 4, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 4, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 4, 2017

AG calls Ramotar’s alleged approval of Red House lease ‘late bid’

THE affidavit sworn to on Tuesday by former President, Donald Ramotar, in relation to the revocation of a 99-year lease of the Red House by the APNU+AFC administration has been described as a ‘late bid’ by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams.

“After months of silence on the non-approval of the purported lease of the Red House by the Former PPP/C President, Mr. Donald Ramotar has decided to make what can only be described as a ‘late bid’,” Williams told reporters on Friday during a press conference at his Carmichael Street office.

President David Granger had revoked the controversial lease for Red House, which housed the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre Incorporated (CJRCI) in December and the Attorney General had long maintained that there was no valid lease agreement as former President, Bharrat Jagdeo had refused to approve at least two applications for the lease.

However, Ramotar in his Affidavit, which was drawn by the former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, contended that he had given his approval.

“At all times, I was aware, authorised and sanctioned the issuance of the a lease of government land for educational/ research purposes, number 3068, dated 30th March, 2012, in respect of Area ‘A’ now called Red House, comprising lots 65, 66 and 67 High Street Kingston, situate in the City of Georgetown, County of Demerara, by the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys acting on behalf of the Government of Guyana and the Cheddi Jagan Research Inc.,” the former president swore.

But the Government, through its Attorney General, rejected this statement.

“The Government…rejects Ramotar’s ‘late bid,’ as a veiled attempt to plug a lacuna in the Application filed by the CJRCI, in which they never mentioned the Red House Lease had the approval of the former President Donald Ramotar,” the Legal Affairs Minister said.

Williams argued that Ramotar is a founding member of the Research Centre and a shareholder, and as such is prepared to accept the charge of Conflict of Interest in giving approval to his own interest for the lease. Ramotar was the person who applied in 2006 for a lease of the Red House.

Nevertheless, the Attorney General said the former president “ought to have been advised that the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys cannot lease national buildings, monuments and heritage sites.

“Mr. Ramotar’s latest bid is reminiscent of a similar intervention to save Mr. Anil Nandlall, who discovered to

have unlawfully taken away Law Books from the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Ministry of Legal Affairs, worth nearly three million dollars, and is yet to return them despite numerous requests so to do,” Williams added.

In December, 2016 President David Granger ordered that the controversial lease for Red House be revoked and that the occupants vacate the property by December 31, 2016. The President’s order has since been contested in the court. Chairman of the Management Committee of the Cheddi Jagan Research Inc., Hydar Ally, sought a Conservatory Order to restrain or prevent the government from taking possession of the Red House, which has housed the Cheddi Jagan Research Inc, but government had already taken possession of the building once the lease was cancelled.

By way of an Ex-Parte Application, affidavit for Conservatory Orders, Ally called on Chief Justice (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, to declare that the lease of government land for educational and research purposes issued under Section 10 of the Lands Department Act, Chapter 59:01 and executed on March 30, 2012 between Doerga Persaud, Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, in respect of the Red House, which houses the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre for a term of 99 years from the said date is valid, binding and in force.

The application had also called for the Chief Justice (ag) to declare the government’s move as illegal, unlawful and contrary to the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. Ally sought damages in excess of $1M for breach of lease of government land and in excess of $1M for breach of the applicant’s fundamental rights and freedoms.

Justice Cummings-Edwards asked for an undertaking that the materials belonging to former President Cheddi Jagan would not be thrown out or destroyed and a commitment was made by the government. The matter has been adjourned to February 20.

Meanwhile, in a statement to the media, President Granger said the revocation of the lease was in the public’s interest for the building to house The National Trust of Guyana, its staff, stores and equipment.

That order was made one day after the Attorney General had issued a statement detailing the history of the CJRCI’s occupancy of the building and outlining that there was no valid lease agreement as former President Bharrat Jagdeo had refused to approve at least two applications for the lease.

In his statement, the Legal Affairs Minister pointed out that on March 30, 2012, The Red House lease agreement

was initiated without the approval of either the President of the Day or The National Trust of Guyana, which is in contravention of Section 10 of the Lands Department Act Chapter 59:01, rendering it void. The statement also said that on March 21, 2000, the CJRCI was incorporated as “a not-for-profit company” by late former President Janet Jagan, her daughter Nadira Jagan-Brancier and former President Ramotar, who was then the general-secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), with the aim of establishing a library and

research facility to contain the works and documents owned by the late President Cheddi Jagan.

In that same year, the lease agreement among the parties; the Government of Guyana, The National Trust of Guyana and the CJRCI was drawn up but not executed. The Attorney General further said that on May 3, 2006, Ramotar applied to the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys (CL&S) for a lease of the property on behalf of the CJRCI, but although a file had been opened in the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC), ap-

proval had not been granted.

The application was then resubmitted on August 30, 2010, on a revised schedule, to the then Office of the President. On January 11, 2011, the resubmitted application was also not approved as there is no evidence of any signature of the President of the Day on the purported schedule, only those of Doerga Persaud, the then CL&S, and the Manager of Land Administration, Enrique Monize.

However, on March 30, 2012, a lease entered by the CL&S on behalf of the Government of Guyana, and by

Ralph Ramkarran, S.C., on behalf of the CJRCI, was issued under Section 10 of the Lands Department Act, Chapter 59:01 for property with a duration of 99 years, commencing on January 1, 2012 at an annual rental of $12,000 for the first three years, and with the proviso that the Government could revise the annual rent payable at the end of every three years.

The Red House is established in The National Trust of Guyana Monuments Register as a Public Building/ National Monument/Heritage Site.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 4, 2017

Mash Parade route extended THE route for the February 23, Mashramani float parade has been extended and will now begin at the corners of Church Street and Avenue of the Republic and end at Durban Park, with a total of 200 vending spots available along the route.

This was disclosed at a press conference at the Department of Culture, Youth and Sports boardroom, which was addressed by Minister Nicolette Henry and Event Coordinator, Lennox Canterbury.

The decision follows calls that the previous route, which started at Stabroek Square and proceeded down Brickdam, was too short and would not give companies enough mileage for their investment.

Canterbury said this influenced the move for the change from having the parade start off at Stabroek Square.

“We didn’t change it, we

extended it. It’s still on Brickdam, it’s still at Durban Park, but we considered what some of the stakeholders said about it being too short so we see how we could’ve accommodated that and we extended it,” Canterbury said.

The parade will still end at the Durban Park facility; however, since according to Canterbury “we’ve “outgrown the National Park”, and Durban Park being bigger, is more accommodating.

For the new route, after starting off, the floats will proceed South on the western carriageway of the Avenue of the Republic, then east into Brickdam, proceeding to Square of the Revolution and then into the Durban Park, entering from the south-western entrance.

However, this route will not apply to the children’s segment of the parade, which will still be commencing from the Sta-

broek Market Square, and then proceed down Brickdam into Durban Park.

Judges for the floats and bands will be stationed at three main points: at the starting point; when they turn from Avenue of the Republic into Brickdam; and then at the end, at Durban Park.

For the vending along the route, Henry said some 130 of the 200 spots have already been taken.

Spots start from as low as $10,000 for a 10x10 space; however, consideration has been extended to existing vendors, who already vend every day on a spot along the route, and will not have to pay to vend.

Henry confirmed that bigger spots are available and beverage giants Banks DIH, Ansa McAl and DDL, have all taken spots to vend. Registration for vending began last Monday and will end on February 14.

Revellers down the Brickdam route for the Jubilee Float parade last year

Jnr Calypso Competition tonight at Sports Hall

By Shirley Thomas ALL systems are in place for the staging of the National Junior Calypso Competition tonight (Saturday) at the Cliff Andersen Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue, beginning at 19:00 hrs.

The Sports Hall is expected to come alive, when 11 well-rehearsed young contestants, full of energy and verve, and rearing and ready to go – take to the stage to delight the audience with rich and spicy original pieces that send powerful subliminal messages.

(Flashback) Come out on Saturday and get a feel of what you see here

Speaking with Guyana Chronicle, Administrator of the National School of Music, Andrew Tyndall, said attractive prizes will be up for grabs.

This year, Carifesta will be held in Barbados and there is a regional Junior Calypso Monarch competition being held as a part of Carifesta celebrations.

Thus, the first prize winner of the Guyana Calypso Competition has a chance to go and represent Guyana at that competition in Barbados.

“And so, apart from all the prizes to be won locally, I think that is a big incentive,” said Tyndall.

Contestants at this year’s Junior Calypso Competition include Romichelle Brumell, Niomi Alsopp, Jada Harmony, Akeem Adams, Ryan Jagnarine, Tishahha Cort, Paul Clarks, Damain Stuart, Jenelle Cumberbatch and Michael Smart.

Guyanese are urged to come out in their numbers to lend moral support to the contestants, whose positive messages in song can go a far way towards influencing developmental support.

Tyndall said that the contestants have been rehearing at the National School of Music

on Brickdam for the last four weeks and last Sunday had an out-door rehearsal at the seawall band stand.

“And I could tell you that that was well received by the public,” he said.

It started off with a concert, which served to make the people aware that something special was going on there and so, naturally draw the crowd.

The response was simply phenomenal and the crowd clamoured for more.

“And so if we were to judge from the response we got last Saturday, I think we are looking forward to a good time on Saturday and I expect we will have a large turn out,” Tyndall said.

The songs, he said, are on various topical issues which would make for a very interesting competition and some of the competitors are very crafty in

presenting their songs.

“This is the time when you get to find out how they feel and what they are interested in. There were presentations on the budget. There is one on domestic abuse; respect for teachers - so it is a wide-cross section of concepts that these young people are presenting on so it makes sense.”

Reiterating his call for the public to support the initiative, Tyndall said: “They too, have a view on these things,” adding, “We want you to come out and support our young people. Let’s provide them with that support. The Ministry, and by extension the Government, is providing that platform for them to express themselves and this is a way of getting a feel, and to hear what they are talking about.”

(Flashback) Scenes from a past Calypso competition

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 4, 2017

US$3.2M Cunha Canal rehab project launched THE US$3.2M Cunha Canal rehabilitation project has been launched and is expected to begin almost immediately.

The project is to be executed by the Ministry of Agriculture through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and will be administered by the World Bank.

The project is being funded

Republic of Guyana contributing US$270,000 or 8.3 per cent.

The project entails the construction of a bridge across the Land of Canaan Public Road, fixing the gate and upgrading the sluice at the outlet of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) and the construction of a new sluice into the outlet of the Cunha Canal into

Cunha Canal is a key element to the operation of the East Demerara Water Conservancy.

The canal has been out of operation for some time. “Located at the end of the conservancy, the Cunha Canal is intended to serve two purposes: the first is to drain the nearby farming areas Kuru Kururu, Coverden, Pearl and Sarah Johanna; and

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, and Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, with representatives of the Ministries of Agriculture and Finance and the World Bank at the recently unveiled project signboard, which outlines details of the Cunha Canal Project

through the Guyana REDD+Investment Fund that is providing 91.7 per cent or US$3million of the estimated cost with the Government of the Cooperative

the Demerara River.

Delivering the feature address at the launch of the project, Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, said that the

the second use is to manage water levels in the conservancy which, during critical rainy periods, needs drainage to keep water levels from exceeding the

safe operating levels.” Holder explained.

Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chairman of Caledonia/Good Success, Dwarka Nauth, said that this project was nothing but a dream for residents and farmers of the area. “The rehabilitation of the Cunha high-level relief canal is a dream come through for the NDC and the residents in the entire NDC. When the canal had closed some years ago, the NDC had protested the closure, but our protests fell on deaf ears, so we were of the opinion that the Cunha Canal would have been never reopened,” Nauth said. The project is likely to be undertaken over a 12-month period. The contract for the project was signed by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, and World Bank representatives and was subsequently handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture in 2016.

Minister Holder further explained that, “the 2005 and 2006 floods left the EDWC dam in a weakened state, in need of maintenance and re-enforcement, and highlighted the fact that the EDWC did not have adequate drainage capacity to protect the dam during storm events. Since that time, the Government of Guyana has repaired sections of the dam damaged during the flood and some parts still have marginal stability.”

The weakened state highlighted vulnerabilities in infrastructure which would hinder adequate drainage of floodwa-

Nikolaus Oudkerk – Coordinator, Project Management Unit, Ministry Of The Presidency

ters. The Government of Guyana, with assistance from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, has been investing in constructing, maintaining and rehabilitating drains, canals, pump stations and intake and outfall structures in Region Four. The GRIF Project is being facilitated by the Project Management Unit, Ministry Of The Presidency.

The EDWC covers an area 571 kilometres (km) and stores approximately 250 million cubic metres of water at the maximum safe-operating water lev-

el. It is dammed on three sides by a shallow earth embankment 67 km long, parallel to the Demerara River, the Atlantic Ocean and Mahaica River. A series of canals controlled by sluices drains water from the EDWC, thereby reducing water levels and preventing overtopping or stressing of the dams, which may increase the risk of structural failure.

The Cunha Canal Rehabilitation Project is one of eight projects funded by the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund to the value of US $190M. (GINA)

‘Investor Friendly’ facility needed to house Go-Invest- Forensic Audit

A REPORT of the forensic audit of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) has recommended that the entity be housed in a building that facilitates smooth work flow, filing and structured departments.

In addition, the system of maintaining files at the Go-Invest office was said to be in a “in an inexcusable state”.

According to the report, compiled by Nigel Hinds Financial Services and submitted on September 30, 2016 to Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma, the improper maintenance of files contributes greatly to the inability of management of Go-Invest to provide timely and accurate information regarding its operations.

The report said that on many occasions documents placed in an investor’s file were not bound and this re-

sulted in documents being dismissed. Moreover, many of the files examined were not properly indexed and as such there was no way of knowing what should actually be in the file. The auditors noted too that the movement of files was not always documented; hence it proved difficult to locate files in a timely manner.

At the time the report was being compiled, it was observed that the files for Chinese investor, Zhonghao Shipyards Inc. and cable company Atlantic Network Inc. could not be found by officers of Go-Invest.

The report also pointed to the building which houses the Go-Invest operations at the corner of Camp and Church Streets in the city as not being adequately suited for its operations.

According to the auditor, there is need for the entity

to be housed in a building which caters for functional departments and which is designed to accommodate staff members, with particular emphasis on office space for Investment Officers.

“There is need to prioritise the upgrade of the working environment, with the ambience and ergonomics that are investor friendly”, the report stated.

The auditor recommended that management of Go-Invest should ensure that the entity’s staff is adequately trained in the interpretation and application of the relevant legislation, especially the Investment Act 2004 and the Income tax (In Aid of Industry) Act 1994.

Once trained, the auditors believe the staff would be in a better position to provide reliable advice to investors, a grey area which was uncovered during the audit.

In June 2015 , Minister of Business , Dominic Gaskin, under whose portfolio the investment agency falls , told Guyana Chronicle that Go-Invest was set to undergo major reform, with strong

attention being placed on fairness, transparency, good governance and aggressive promotion of the agency, both locally and abroad.

Go-Invest, he said, was not adequately resourced

to achieve what it was designed to achieve, and as minister he would pay strong attention to performance and not to anecdotal information, but hard, reliable data.

The Go-Invest Office at the corner of Camp and Church Streets

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 4, 2017

Scrap metal trade resumes for ‘limited’ period

CABINET has granted approval for the “limited” re-start of the scrap metal trade in Guyana after closing down the industry 19 months ago.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, told a post-Cabinet press briefing on Thursday that inspections have revealed that there is a large buildup of scrap metal, especially in Region Four, as

a result of the trade being closed. As such, Cabinet green-lighted the Ministry of Business’ approval to allow exporters to ship out the existing stock for a limited period of three months.

In September 2016, Cabinet accepted the proposal of the Minister of Business, to re-start the scrap metal trade on the basis of a new menu of

measures being put in place.

“The process of putting together new guidelines and regulations by the Ministry has been ongoing and the Ministry now feels that it is in a position to authorise a limited re-start to the scrap metal trade,” Minister Harmon said.

The trade was suspended on June 15, 2015,

Flashback: Members of the Guyana Scrap Metal Recyclers’ Association protesting outside the office of Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin to facilitate a forensic audit.

Guyana Scrap Metal Association (GMRA) General Secretary, Michael Benjamin, had noted that since the completion of the audit in December 2015, the association has been in discussion with the Ministry of Business, given the fact that almost 1,500 persons are out of work.

Subject Minister Dominic Gaskin had

said that the audit report advised that reforms be introduced into the system, including legislative amendments, new regulations, and smarter monitoring of the trade.

Benjamin said that the dealers have signalled their intention to abide by the law and to do all that is necessary to ensure that they are able to ply their trade as soon as possible.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 4, 2017

CARICOM faith leaders float raft of measures to end AIDS by 2030

THE Caribbean Faith Leaders Consultation, held on 1-2 February, 2017, in Trinidad and Tobago, concluded with strategic recommendations to improve the overall quality of life of People Living with and Affected by HIV and AIDS. The consultation, which was supported by the Pan-Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and AIDS HealthCare Foundation, attracted 55 religious leaders from 14 Caribbean countries, representing Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Bahá’í, Voodoo faiths, PANCAP, United Nations representatives and regional officials also participated.

The initiative was coordinated by the Planning Committee of Religious Leaders and PANCAP, and focused on the theme, ‘Religious Leaders’ Contribution to the End of AIDS by 2030,’ a release by the CARICOM Secretariat said. Head of the Planning Committee, Canon Garth Minott, stated ‘leaders were mindful that our common religious heritage positioned us to engage in discussions about faith, justice, love and peace, mindful that we are one family under God.’ In her feature address during the opening ceremony on Tuesday, Hon Ayanna Webster-Roy, Minister of

State within the Office of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, pointed to her country’s commitment at the highest level to the aims of the conference. She noted that there are faith-based representatives on the recently re-established National AIDS Coordinating Committee (NACC) under the umbrella of the Prime Minister’s Office.

Dr Edward Greene, United Nations Secretary-General Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean, brought greetings on behalf of the Secretary-General and highlighted the imperatives for fast-tracking the response to AIDS. The issues reflected in the remarks of Dr Kevin Harvey, Regional Director of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), including focus of AHF on strengthening partnerships with special reference to supporting a coordinated approach to the implementation of the recommendations from the consultation. Mr Dereck Springer, Director of the PANCAP Coordinating Unit, brought greetings on behalf of the CARICOM Secretary-General and expressed appreciation for the collaboration with The Global Fund and the support of AHF and UNAIDS. In his keynote address, Prof Clive Landis, Deputy Principal, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, identified the ma-

jor scientific developments leading to the conclusion that anti-retroviral therapy (ART) delivers a life-saving benefit to persons living with HIV by abolishing end-stage AIDS. Rev Phumzile Mabizela, Executive Director International Network of Religious Leaders Living With or Personally Affected by HIV and AIDS (INERELA+) giving an inspiring feature address, shared her experience as a faith leader who is also HIV positive. She encouraged religious leaders to see themselves as a positive force for change and advocated for removing policy and legislative barriers to effectively deal with HIV. Dr Luiz Loures, Deputy Executive-Director, UNAIDS, gave the closing address and urged participants to remain committed to the very bold recommendations.

‘Today we have the science to end this epidemic’, stated Dr Loures, ‘what we lack is the social movement and will of communities. We need you in the faith community more than ever before. We know that religious organisations hold positions of trust at the centre of communities.

This makes you uniquely positioned to provide services and support that extend beyond the reach of many public health systems. Through ongoing training and sharing, your capacity will be strengthened. UNAIDS is

committed to supporting this process.’

Dr Loures further stated, ‘As faith leaders, you have a powerful impact on the way communities think and act.

Your work to address stigma and discrimination in the wider community is critical.

As you have affirmed during this consultation, HIV is a virus not, a moral judgement. I urge all partners to collaborate and contribute based on our shared values relating to the inherent value of life, human dignity and compassion.’

Two extended periods of working groups and discussions by religious and lay leaders resulted in the following recommendations: •Endorsing the Targets in the 2016 UN High Level Political Declaration to fasttrack the end of the AIDS epidemic by 2030; •Promoting healthy living of people at all ages of the life cycle by placing emphasis on plugging the prevention gaps includes stressing family values, age-appropriate sexual education, creative communication approaches and the dissemination of information to reach various audiences; •Facilitating best practices through the process for effective support and leadership in the area of treatment and care, paying particular attention to achieving the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets for

gang to the cops, resulting in the lawmen raiding the neighbourhood frequently for guns and drugs.

The baby’s grandmother, Michelle Menezes, believes that the fire was retaliation for a report she had made to the police, after finding a gun stashed in a tree in her backyard, allegedly by the youth.

The suspect, along with other villagers, used her yard as a short cut to get to another street.

Menezes said after she had reported the matter, the police started raiding the place and eventually she started getting threats from the young man and his gang.

SEVERAL are in custody following the shooting death of a man in Albouystown Thursday morning at Lot 252, Independence Boulevard, Georgetown.

The men in police custody are also from the community of Albouystown.

Tradesman and footballer, Paul Anthony Daniels, 32, called “Dundee” of Schoonord Public Road, West Bank Demerara, was shot in the chest and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police say based on their investigation, the bandits entered the dwelling of the couple who were watching television at the time and robbed them of cash, jewellery and other valuables.

Following the robbery around 06:30 hrs, the men were making good their escape on bicycles when Daniels tried to

90% of persons living with HIV (PLHIV) to know their status, 90% of those who have tested HIV positive to be on treatment and 90% of those on treatment to achieve undetectable viral loads •Paying particular attention to actions that address the reduction of violence against women, girls and adolescents and the inclusion of men and boys in this venture; •Seeking to secure sustainable technical and financial resources for programmes led by FBOs through shared responsibility and collaboration with government and non-governmental stakeholders and development partners; •Exploring the short and medium-term actionable recommendations of the PANCAP Justice for All (JFA) Roadmap, especially insofar as they enable religious groups and organisations to effectively address the gaps in prevention and treatment interventions and continuing the dialogue on how to proceed with those elements yet to be resolved; •Establishing the foundations of a Network of Religious Leaders interconnected with national focal groups to achieve a more consolidated approach to ending AIDS with a mechanism for effective communication and dissemination of information; •Seeking to engage representatives of key populations,

including men who have sex with men, sex workers, drug users and others in programmes aimed at identifying respective rights and responsibilities involved in the process toward the elimination of AIDS-related stigma and discrimination; •Noting areas of litigation that may challenge religious values and the responses required to harmonise principles and practices around human rights, human sexuality and human dignity.

At the conclusion of the consultation, Faith Leaders agreed to 1) Establish a regional consultative group working virtually toward implementation of the recommendations 2) Discuss the recommendations for action with their national religious councils and provide a progress report to the regional consultative group by 1 July, 2017 3) Share information on activities initially using the PANCAP website and 4) Consider the possibility of follow-up regional workshops, ‘think tanks’ and consultations. The Director of the PANCAP Coordinating Unit in his final remarks charged the religious leaders with upholding the recommendations of the consultation and urged them to continue their efforts to engage People Living with, and Affected by, HIV and AIDS.

Suspect in Kaneville Several held for Albouystown killing arson arrested

THE police have arrested a 21-year-old suspect in connection with the death of eight-month-old Romain Seth, who was killed when a house at Lot 462 Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, was torched last month.

Commander of ‘F’ Division, Senior Superintendent Ravindradat Budhram, said diligent efforts by the police resulted in the suspect being caught at Nine Miles, Mahdia, Region Eight.

Reports indicate that the blaze started around 02:30 hrs on January, 23, 2017, after the teenage neighbour and his friends threw “fire balls” into the house in which the infant and his family were sleeping.

According to informa-

Dead: Romain Seth tion, a gang that includes a teenager reportedly accused the toddler’s grandmother of ‘snitching’ on him and his

Dead: Paul Anthony Daniels pursue them and was shot in the chest.

Residents who know Daniels as a footballer and carpenter called on the Guyana Police Force to move swiftly against the perpetrators.

At the scene of the shooting, residents expressed frustration over the incident.

The zinc gate that gave access to the home had over two dozen shotgun pellets piercings in one area.

There were blood stains on the ground as well as on a pillow, which was used to stop the bleeding of the wounded Daniels. Police have since taken statements from persons in the area, as well as from the dead man’s girlfriend.

Father of the deceased, Charles Daniels, called for criminals to be dealt with condignly.

Another resident called for more police in the “Ghettos,” since bandits are “coming in your own house to kill you.”

Residents expressed fear at the killing, saying that when one person dies in the community, it affects everyone.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 4, 2017

Jaguars complete third consecutive win

GUYANA Jaguars completed their third consecutive victory in the Regional Super50 tournament last evening when they defeated the Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners by six wickets at the Kensington Oval, Barbados.

The day/night encounter was not relatively an easy one for the Jaguars, despite their bowlers producing a disciplined bowling effort to dismiss the Marooners

for 188 in 49.2 overs.

West Indies A team fast bowler, Ronsford Beaton led the way, with 3-52.

Veerasammy Permaul had 2-29, while Raymon Reifer (1-38), Paul Wintz (1-41), and Steven Jacobs (1-22), all contributed a wicket apiece.

None of the Marooners batsmen passed 30, with Amir Jangoo making exactly 30, Jamal Smith 28, and Nino Henry 26.

In reply, Jaguars accom-

plished the winning target, with 4.1 overs to spare, but not before skipper Leon Johnson and Shivnarine Chanderpaul had completed half-centuries.

Johnson made 71, while the 42-year-old Chnaderpaul finished unbeaten on 58.

Jaguars lost Test opener Rajendra Chandrika (9) and Former West Indies Under-19 captain Shimron Hetmyer (5) early, but Assad Fudadin and Johnson

then steadied the innings before Fudadin went for 25.

Johnson was joined by Chanderpaul, and together carried the Jaguars within victory before Johnson was dismissed.

Chanderpaul, who became the highest runs-scorer in 50-over in Regional cricket, surpassing the previous record set by Floyd Reifer (2 878 runs), and Christopher Barnwell (11 not

out), took the Jaguars home without further trouble, at 189-4.

Leon Johnson

Bolt says going out with 9.7s would be good

…targets lightning fast 2017 WORLD’S fastest man Usain Bolt is hopeful of turning in a lighting fast final season on the track after being encouraged by an early season clean bill of health.

Bolt, the highly decorated Olympic and World Champion, is expected to call it quits this year, with the World Championships

in London earmarked as his final meet.

The world 100m and 200m world record holder will, however, only compete over the shorter distance where he hopes to clock a few fast times. Bolt is the holder of three of the five sub-9.7 second clockings in history and believes it could be possible to add

to that mark.

“Normally (in February) I’m injured, so I’m in Europe at the doctor or in Jamaica trying to find ways to get back into shape,’’ he said.

“I can’t remember when last I ran in February. I don’t know, probably four years ago, maybe.

“I think to be able to

run early in the season is always good. The fact that I have no injuries is ­always good. Most of the time in February, January, I have niggles so the fact that I have no problem is always a good sign.

“If everything goes smoothly and I continue to train as I think I can, at the level that I want to, it defi-

nitely will help me to get as close as possible to where I want to be (in August).

“It would be great to go out running 9.7, 9.6, it would look good.’’

Bolt has suffered several injury-plagued seasons over the past few years, in part due to the effects of scoliosis.

(SPORTS Max)

Cristiano Ronaldo named world’s highest-paid athlete (EUROSPORT) It may come as no surprise but Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the world’s high-

est-earning athlete for the first time.

Ronaldo tops Forbes’ 2016 list by scooping an enormous $88M (£70.5M),

Cristiano Ronaldo

becoming just the second individual from a team sport to lead the rankings since they began in 1999.

The Real Madrid forward leads Barcelona rival Lionel Messi, who earned $81M (£65M), and Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James, who is third in the rankings with $77M (£61.7M).

Ronaldo, who turns 32 this month, has overtaken Floyd Mayweather – who has retired from boxing – and Tiger Woods to become the first footballer to take the prize across all global sports.

Kurt Badenhausen of Forbes wrote: “With Mayweather hanging up his gloves and Woods hampered by injuries, there is an opening at the top. Filling the gap is the biggest star in the biggest sport on the planet. “ T h i s y e a r, s o c c e r icon Cristiano Ronaldo is the world’s highest-paid athlete, with earnings of

$88M over the past 12 months from salary, bonuses and endorsements.

Ronaldo is only the second team-athlete after Michael Jordan to rank as the toppaid since Forbes began tracking athlete earnings in 1990.”

Ronaldo and Mes-

South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 12:30 hrs Aristocat 09:05 hrs Detonation 09:40 hrs Crystal Glamour 10:15 hrs Shukamisa 10:45 hrs Our Miracle 11:20 hrs Last Outlaw English Racing Tips Sandown 08:40 hrs Coeur De Lion 09:15 hrs Ubaltique 10:25 hrs Le Prezien 11:00 hrs Rolling Dylan 11:35 hrs Otago Trail 12:05 hrs Druid’s Folly Lingfield 08:50 hrs Saleh 09:25 hrs Byron Flyer 10:00 hrs Pretend 10:30 hrs Verne Castle 11:05 hrs Arab Spring 11:40 hrs Hamish Mc Gonogain 12:15 hrs Appy Days Wetherby 09:05 hrs Golden Vision

si lead the way in their sport, with other footballers ranking some way down the list. Neymar is in 21st place (£30.8M), Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic at 23 (£30M), Gareth Bale at 25 (£28.7M) and Wayne Rooney at 49 (£21M).

09:40 hrs Red Spinner 10:15 hrs Catamaran Du Seuil 10:45 hrs Captain Chaos 11:20 hrs Ami Desbois 11:55 hrs Duke Of Lucca 12:25 hrs Eskendash Irish Racing Tips Fairyhouse 09:10 hrs Retour En France 09:45 hrs Rogue Trader 10:20 hrs Holeinthewall 10:50 hrs Shattered Love 11:25 hrs Chirico Vallis 12:00 hrs Camlann 12:30 hrs Redhotfillypeppers American Racing Tips Gulfstream Park Race 1 Contradict Race 2 Looking At Thelake Race 3 Prince Tito Race 4 Made You Look Race 5 Three Rules Race 6 Prettyy City Dancer Race 7 Rock Eagle Race 8 Rodeo Romance Race 9 Nonna Bella

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 4, 2017

Hussey warns Australia to avoid angering Kohli (REUTERS) Australia need a clear strategy to keep Virat Kohli in check and refrain from getting into verbal confrontations with the India captain during the four-Test series starting this month, former batsman Mike Hussey has said.

Under leading batsman Kohli, India are unbeaten in their last 18 Tests, registering series wins in Sri Lanka and West Indies, while thumping South Africa, New Zealand and England at home.

The captain’s form has been key to India’s rise to number one in the Test rankings, with the 28-yearold scoring three double hundreds and averaging almost 76 in Tests in 2016.

Kohli, who is often very demonstrative on the field, has said in the past that he does not mind on-field skirmishes and Hussey believes it is that fire in his belly that inspires the Indian skipper to perform better.

“I wouldn’t try and fire

2012 for responding to barracking from the crowd by gesturing at them with his middle finger during a Sydney Test.

Hussey, one of the former Australia batsmen who have tasted considerable success on the spinning tracks in South Asia, does not feel there is much need for verbal duels.

Virat Kohli

him up,” Hussey told the Cricket Australia website (cricket.com.au) ahead of Australia’s tour, which starts in Pune on February 23. “I think he thrives on that and he’s a real competitor.

“He loves being in the fight and loves the contest out in the middle. There’s no need to get involved in that sort of verbal barrage because I think that fires him up even more.”

Kohli has polarised opinion over his regular run-ins with the opposition and fans, and was fined half of his match fee in

EXECUTING PLANS “I’d make sure we have some very clear plans and we try and stick to them as best as we possibly can,” the 41-year-old Hussey added.

“You don’t want to get carried away with too much talk and lose your concentration of what’s important, which is executing your skills.

“The team that wins will be the one that can execute skills at the highest quality and for the longest period of time. It’s not going to be the team that’s the most verbal or the most aggressive.”

Australia were beaten 4-0 the last time they toured India in 2012 and were also whitewashed 3-0 in Sri Lanka last year.

Hussey thinks the touring side will need to keep Kohli quiet with the bat if they are to enjoy any success.

“From an Australian

point of view, Kohli is public enemy number one and we have to get him out cheaply,” Hussey said. “If he gets in, he’ll go big and score big runs.

“He’s very confident at the moment, he knows the conditions so well and generally if he plays well, India will win.”

Mike Hussey

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Seaton, a champion in the making!

Any day in the pool is a happy day for Leon Seaton.

By Tamica Garnett SIT down with 12-year-old Leon Seaton, strike up a conversation about swimming, and you will learn that this is one young man who is very passionate, and very confident about being a swimmer.

“I just love the competition,” said the North Georgetown Secondary School first form student, as he gazed attentively across the pool of the National Aquatic Centre.

“I feel fit, and it helps me in my education in some ways, and it’s a good stress

relieving outlet for me I would say.”

Seaton’s love for the sport, backed by his hard work and capable skills, has now helped to craft him into one of Guyana’s current top junior swimmer.

“It hasn’t been easy.

Since primary school, I’ve been waking up in the morning, going to swim, then school, then coming back to swim, I would go home, do my homework, and then have to be in bed. Some mornings I don’t come to the pool because I didn’t finish my homework, so it’s been a bit

of a rough path for me during my time as a swimmer,” Seaton revealed.

But the hard work has not been without its fruits. With regard to the sport locally, Seaton has a notable track record for his age. In his seven years thus far as a competitive swimmer, Seaton is a Goodwill Swimming Championship multiple silver medallist and a National Schools Championship multiple gold medallist. He also secured medals at the invitational meets in Barbados, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

Although the Guyana

Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) has no up to date records, Seaton has held multiple national age group records for the Boys’ 11 to 12 category, while he had also set a few in the Under-8, and 9 to 10 age group categories.

Seaton’s began swimmimg back in 2009, at age five, after his parents believed he needed some extra curricular activity to keep him busy.

Seaton is very delighted with the accomplishments he has made in the pool, but he’s unabashed to recollect how hard it was for him when

he first started out, he even laughs about it.

“At first it was painful, well I was five. In my first competition I jumped overboard, and I started to cry, because I wasn’t that confident as yet. But as years went by, I’ve built that confidence, and here I am now today swimming for Guyana,” he said.

Seaton is still brimming with pride for being the only Guyanese swimmer to date to qualify for this year’s CARIFTA Swimming Championships, set for the Bahamas in April.

Seaton credits this accomplishment to all his coaches who have been a part of his development.

This will be Seaton’s first year attending the regional age group meet, where hundreds of swimmers from 26 countries are set to participate.

Seaton clocked a fated 27.97 seconds to make it in the Boys’ 11-12 50m freestyle, not far off the 26 seconds record for the event at CARIFTA. Last year this event was won at CARIFTA in a time of 27.07 seconds.

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 4, 2017

GRFU Guinness Sevens on today ‘Legend ‘ Lampard RUGBY fans will have the opportunity to see high class VIIs action when the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU)/Guinness tournament commences today at the National Park.

In the first game, Yamaha Caribs will take on Guyana Defence Force from 13:30hrs and 20 minutes later the Panthers will rock the nest of Pepsi Hornets for a fiery fight.

Pepsi Hornets ladies will then be in action against GDF ladies in the third game, after which male action returns, featuring Police Falcons against Yamaha Caribs, Pepsi Hornets versus GDF and Panthers opposing the Falcons.

In game seven female

Police Falcons will come hard in today’s GRFU Guinness VIIs having imported two overseas-based players in Trinidadian brothers Jeron and Leon Pantor. They stand with captain Daniel De Abreu. (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

action returns with GDF clashing with Yamaha Caribs followed by the first break of the evening.

After the break, Police Falcons will challenge Pepsi Hornets, Yamaha Caribs take on Panthers, and GDF face Police Falcons.

Ladies’ action follows, as Hornets take on Caribs then back to the males, with Pepsi Hornets playing Yamaha Caribs, and GDF opposing Panthers.

Then there will be a novelty break and the semi-finals for male, as well as the finals of both the male and female divisions.

The one-day tournament will have in excess of $300 000 in prizes.

Softball cricket billed for LCC on February 18

WITH the interest of softball cricket on the rise locally, the Mon Repos Market Vendors Development Committee (MRMVDC) have planned a one-day tournament and family fun day on February 18, 2017 at the Lusignan Community Centre (LCC) ground.

The tournament will be played across four categories: Female Open, Male Open, Male Over-40 and Male Over-50.

The day’s event will commence with the Over50 match between the best of Georgetown taking on the best of the East Coast of Demerara from 14:00hrs. The game is a 20-over-a-side affair.

The female tourna ment will not attract any entrance fee for the four teams. However, the Male Open and Male Over-40 competitions will be 10 overs-a-side among eight teams in each category

using the white ball.

The entrance fee is set at $15 000 per team and the organisers will take the first eight teams in each category. The finalists are guaranteed cash and trophies to remember the occasion.

At a simple launch in the market on Thursday, chairman of the MRMVDC, Kishan Sarwan, unveiled the array of trophies that are up for grabs.

He indicated that the

committee is aggressively approaching sponsors with the aim of getting more persons involved to make the day a resounding success.

According to the chairman, the family fun day will have musical entertainment all day, trampoline and novelty games for the children and a variety bar to go along with the cricket action which will run into the night under floodlights.

set for Chelsea return

FRANK Lampard’s future remains unclear and Antonio Conte has spoken out on the possibility of a Chelsea return.

Antonio Conte has urged Frank Lampard to take time to consider his next step after the Chelsea legend announced his retirement from football on Thursday.

West Ham academy product Lampard made more than 600 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 211 goals before ending his career with stints at Manchester City and New York

player, a fantastic player,” said the Italian, whose side host Arsenal today.

“The whole world of football is a bit disappointed in this type of situation.

“Lampard for sure for this club is a legend. He played 13 years and won a lot. He played 100 or more times for the national team.

“But I think we must respect his decision because every player understands the right moment to end his career.

“I have great respect for him, for his career and

Frank Lampard City.

Thoughts have inevitably turned to what Lampard will do with his retirement, with reports suggesting the Football Association could be about to offer the former midfielder a coaching role.

While Conte hailed Lampard’s legacy at Stamford Bridge, he stopped short of promising the 38-year-old a place on his backroom staff anytime soon.

“It’s a pity when a great player like Frank Lampard decides to stop his career, because you lose a great

for the man. I don’t know him very well, but I heard a lot of positive things about him.”

Pressed on a potential role for Lampard at the club, Conte added: “I don’t know his thoughts.

“It’s important when you decide to finish your career to take a bit of time to decide to make the best decision for you.

“I think Frank can decide which is the best way for him in football but I don’t know his thoughts.” (Sports Max)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday February 04, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

43 matches

Saturday February 18 (Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua)

Members of the Mon Repos Market Vendors Development Committee, from left; Gangadai Sarwan, Kishan Sarwan, Elizabeth Aziz and Geeta Singh, display the trophies that are up for grabs.

Today’s Quiz:

Who faced the first ball in the CWI Nagico Super 50 Tourna

ment 2017? Who delivered it?

How many sixes were struck on the first day?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 4, 2017

Brathwaite hundred spearheads Pride win

LUCAS STREET, Barbados (CMC) – Opener Kraigg Brathwaite’s second Regional Super50 hundred inspired unbeaten Barbados Pride to a commanding 171-run victory over ICC Americas in a one-sided contest at Windward Cricket Ground here yesterday.

In another imperious display by the hosts, they stormed to 282 for nine off their allotted 50 overs after opting to bat first, and then bundled out ICC Americas for 111 in the 34th over, to seal their fifth straight win.

Test batsman Brathwaite followed up his 101 against Guyana Jaguars just over a week ago with 108 off 134 deliveries, while left-hander Jonathan Carter sustained his good form with 57 and Roston Chase 40.

Leg-spinner Timil Patel (3-57) and fast bowler Cecil Pervez (3-58) claimed three wickets apiece.

Captain and seamer Jason Holder then crippled the ICC Americas run chase with a brilliant spell of three for 25 from 10 overs while left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican (218) and fast bowler Kemar

Kraigg Brathwaite strikes his second Regional Super50 hundred. Photo by WICB Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography.

Roach (2-22) supported with two wickets apiece.

All-rounder Timroy Allen stroked a typically-whirlwind 36 off 25 balls while Alex Amsterdam chipped in with 30.

But they were the only two to pass 20 as ICC Americas slumped to 39 for six in the 12th over and never really recovered.

ICC Americas had earlier struck the first blow of

the contest when Anthony Alleyne fell cheaply for two with three runs on the board in the second over.

However, Brathwaite led the recovery in an innings that included seven fours and a six, and which anchored three successive half-century stands.

He put on 79 for the second wicket with Shai Hope who made 27 and another 92 for the third wicket with Carter whose knock was a busy one requiring just 56 balls and including three fours and a six.

Brathwaite then allied with Chase in an up-tempo 66-run, fourth-wicket stand off 46 balls, which pushed Pride past the 200-run mark.

Test batsman Chase clobbered a four and three sixes in a 27-ball cameo but once he was bowled by Pervez in the 45th over, Pride lost their next six wickets for 42 runs.

ICC Americas’ run chase was in peril as early as the fourth ball of the innings when Hakeem Dobson was caught at the wicket off Roach without scoring, and captain Nitish Kumar followed for one off the first ball

of the second over when he was bowled by Holder, with three runs on the board.

They were in further trouble at seven for three in the third over when Kamau Leverock, coming off a half-century in his last innings, departed for just one after cutting Roach to Warrican at third man.

Amsterdam and Srimantha Wijeyeratne (1) put on 29

for the fourth wicket before three quick wickets tumbled for as many runs in the space of 11 balls.

Tottering on 39 for six, Allen blasted a four and four sixes in a 32-run, seventh-wicket partnership with Saad bin Zafar (4) but the latter’s dismissal, lbw to off-spinner Ashley Nurse in the 18th over, brought a swift end to the innings.

SCOREBOARD

Barbados Pride innings K Brathwaite st Tariq b Patel 108 A Alleyne c Wijeyeratne b Pervez 2 +S Hope st Tariq b Patel 27 J Carter c Tariq b Jasdeep Singh 57 R Chase b Pervez 40 *J Holder st Tariq b Patel 13 C Brathwaite c Dodson b Jasdeep Singh 13 A Nurse c Allen b Pervez 0 S Dowrich not out 7 K Roach run out 0 Extras: (lb2, w8, nb5) 15 TOTAL: (9 wkts, 50 overs) 282 Did not bat: J Warrican.

Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-82, 3-174, 4-240, 5-244, 6-259, 7-260, 8-273, 9-282.

Bowling: Allen 8-0-46-0 (w1), Pervez 10-0-58-3 (w1), bin Zafar 9-0-42-0 (w4), Jasdeep Singh 100-63-2 (w2, nb5), Patel 10-0-57-3, Kumar 3-0-14-0.

ICC AMERICAS Innings K Leverock c Warrican b Roach 1

A Dodson c wkp Hope b Roach 0 *N Kumar b J Holder 1 A Amsterdam b J Holder 30 S Wijeyeratne c wkp Hope b Holder 1 +H Tariq run out 2 T Allen c Nurse b Warrican 36 S Zafar lbw b Nurse 4 T Patel c & b Warrican 8 J Singh c Dowrich b K Brathwaite 17 C Pervez not out 0 Extras: (lb5, w6) 11 TOTAL: (all out, 33.4 overs) 111 Fall of wickets: 1-3. 2-4. 3-7, 4-36, 5-39, 6-39, 7-71, 8-85, 9-105, 10-111.

Bowling: Roach 5-1-22-2, Holder 10-2-25-3 (w4), C Brathwaite 4-0-21-0, Nurse 6-0-14-1 (w2), Warrican 8-4-18-2, K Brathwaite 0.4-0-6-1.

Result: Pride won by 171 runs.

Points: Pride 5, ICC Americas 0.

Man-of-the-Match: Kraigg Brathwaite.

Kevin Pietersen Tiger Woods pulls out of Dubai opts out of IPL 2017 Desert Classic after back spasm KEVIN PIETERSEN will not play the 2017 season of the IPL, citing a busy winter as a reason for not entering the player auction scheduled for later this month.

Pietersen, 36, was part of the Rising Pune Supergiants franchise in 2016 but played only four games before missing the rest of the tournament with a calf injury. He was released by the franchise in December last year and would have had to be bought at the player auction in February to play this year.

“I won’t be going into the IPL auction,” Pietersen said on Twitter. “My winter has been too busy with all my travel and I don’t want to spend April/May away too!”

Pietersen spent the winter playing the domestic T20 tournament in South Africa - 198 runs in five innings for Dolphins - and the Big Bash League in Australia, where

Kevin Pietersen he scored 268 runs in eight innings in Melbourne Stars’ run to the semi-final.

He had played for Quetta Gladiators in the inaugural season of the PSL in 2016 and is set to be part of the team once again for the upcoming tournament from February 9 to March 5.

IPL is scheduled to begin in the first week of April and end in the third week of May. (ESPN Cricinfo)

TIGER Woods has withdrawn from the Dubai Desert Classic before the second round, because of a back problem.

The 14-time major winner only returned to action in December after 15 months out, following two back operations.

Woods, 41, struggled in the first round in Dubai as he shot a five-over 77.

His agent Mark Steinberg said the American suffered a back spasm on Thursday night but was told by Woods that it was not “the nerve pain that’s kept him out for so long”.

Steinberg explained: “He feels terrible for the tournament. He wants to be here. He can move around.

He can’t make a full rotation on the swing.

“The fact he feels it’s not the nerve pain is very encouraging for him. He’s had some spasms before, no doubt about it.

“The short-term prognosis, he thinks, hopefully will be strong, based on the fact it’s not that nerve pain I just alluded to.

“He doesn’t have the

strongest back in the world so it’s probably easier to spasm because of the issues he’s had.”

Woods had won the Dubai tournament twice before, but was 12 shots behind overnight leader Sergio Garcia after day one.

“I wasn’t in pain at all.

I was just trying to hit shots and I wasn’t doing a very good job,” Woods said after his opening round.

Woods’ first return to competitive action after his lengthy lay-off came at the Hero World Challenge - an 18-man tournament in the Bahamas - in December where he finished 15th at the PGA Tour event.

Afterwards, he expressed concerns over the physical challenge of being scheduled to play four fullfield tournaments over the next five weeks.

His next outing came at the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines where a first round 76 and level-par second round of 72 meant he missed the cut.

The former world number one’s next two tour-

naments were to be the Genesis Open at Riviera from February 16-19 and the Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens from February 23-26, but his participation now appears in doubt.

Woods, who has won 79 titles on the PGA Tour, has not won a tournament anywhere since 2013, while his title drought in the major championships dates back to 2008.

Meanwhile, play in

Dubai was abandoned yesterday because of high winds which blew trees over and whipped sand across the course. Round two is scheduled to restart this morning.

South Africa’s George Coetzee had completed eight holes of his second round as he moved into the lead on nine under, while Garcia was one shot behind, having completed five holes. (BBC Sport)

Tiger Woods

Brathwaite hundred spearheads Pride win e 31

See Pag

Jaguars complete third consecutive win See Story on Page 26

Shivnarine Chanderpaul becomes the highest runs scorer in 50-over in Regional cricket.

Ronsford Beaton takes 3-52

GCB assists Bayroc Sports Club

Bolt says going out with 9.7s would be good n tory o See S 26 Page

Lancelot Easton (left), president of Bayroc Club, receives the equipment from GCB’s Territorial Development Officer, Colin Stuart, in the presence of GCB’s Assistant Territorial Development Officer (TDO) Anthony D’Andrade.

AS PART of its countrywide ground preparation assistance, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), on Thursday handed over a Honda brush cutter to the Bayroc Sports Club in Linden.

Lancelot Easton, president of Bayroc Club, received the equipment from GCB’s Territorial Development Officer, Colin Stuart, at a brief handing-over event at the GCB office on Regent Road, Bourda.

Easton thanked the Board for its continued support to Bayroc and Linden. He

assured that the equipment would be properly taken care of and used for its intended purpose and will definitely benefit the Community Centre tremendously.

He noted that a brush cutter is a necessity at any sports ground and they are happy to have a brand new one.

Bayroc Community Centre is home to a number of organised matches, ranging from club matches to secondary and primary school cricket competitions.

From Monday (February

6), Bayroc Sports and Training Centre will begin hosting the 2016/17 GCB/MOE NSSCL for Secondary Schools in the Upper Demerara Zone.

Thereafter, the winning school from the Upper Demerara Zone as well as the Combined School team from the area will join other zone winners from across the country to compete for the 2016/2017 GCB/MOE NSSCL nationwide winners’ trophy.

Upper Demerara District will also participate in phase

two of the 2016/2017 GCB/ MOE NSSCL, which will see Combined Teams from districts nationwide compete for championship honours.

“This initiative of donating brush cutters to cricket clubs started last year. Thirteen clubs in Berbice and the eight associations in Essequibo already received theirs.

Mackenzie Sports Club in Linden is also earmarked to benefit from the donation of a brush cutter from the GCB,” a release from GCB stated.

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Usain Bolt SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2017