Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 21 12 2016

GPL turns down Giftland’s power supply offer 21 Page

Guyana ready for ICJ No. 104772

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

‌ if Venezuela does not cooperate under UN Good Offices Process

Page 3

Returning Guyanese slam Dynamic Airways Page 2

Some of the disgruntled Dynamic Airways passengers making their way through the Arrival area at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. Many of the passengers were stranded for several days at the JFK Airport

19 Joint fight Cops 5% hike, 14 against other busted organised benefits with ganja 12 for GPL crime Page

Page

Page

-Guyana police hand over files on drug, human trafficking to Suriname

in car

workers

Charlestown bandits jailed Page 23

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Returning Guyanese slam Dynamic Airways MANY Guyanese returning home or those visiting for the holidays complained bitterly upon arrival at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) after being stranded at the John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York for several days.

Despite efforts from the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) to spread the Guyanese Christmas Cheer to incoming passengers, not even the ‘black-cake’ could brighten the moods of the people who had been stranded in New York due to the cancellation of the Dynamic Airways flights.

Speaking to members of the media, some pas-

The first passenger off the Dynamic Airways flight from JFK, New York was greeted by staff of the GTA and presented with a nicely-boxed slice of Guyanese black cake sengers highlighted grimly that they were stranded at the JFK in New York for a number of days. Some recounted that their flight to Guyana was supposed to leave JFK on Friday, while others explained that their flights were on Saturday and Sunday.

The passengers also claimed that in addition to being stranded at the airport with no clear solution to their situation, they were not treated well. One woman attested that her flight was supposed to leave JFK on Saturday morning but instead she was left stranded at the airport. While at the airport awaiting her next flight she claimed, “They gave us one cup of water and a small bag of pretzels.”

Another passenger, while not directly giving a comment to the media, exclaimed, “YES! We finally made it!” as soon as he arrived inside of the airport.

Other passengers briskly passed and commented that they just wanted to get home and forget about the entire experience. After finally getting a flight to come to Guyana, the passengers expressed joy that the ride was “smooth” and “comfortable”. However, they highlighted that this entire experience was stressful, especially to the children and elderly.

Amidst all of this, the GTA sought to usher in the Christmas season and welcome visitors to Guyana by treating incoming passengers with samples of a Guyanese ‘Black-Cake’ upon their arrival at the CJIA. Director of the GTA, Indranaught Haralsingh highlighted, “The Guyana Tourism Authority is here at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to spread some Christmas cheer and joy to arriving passengers.”

He noted that the GTA decided to carry out this ex-

ercise to give incoming passengers both from Guyana and elsewhere a taste of the Christmas season in Guyana. He said too, “It’s the time of the year when a lot of Guyanese in the diaspora choose to come back home to celebrate Christmas.”

This activity of sharing out local Guyanese, Christmas cuisine is something the GTA has been doing for a number of years, according to the Director.

Haralsingh also said that this activity is not carried out at many other places in the world and underscored, “It makes Guyana stand out.”

The GTA director extended his warmest season’s greetings to all and encouraged persons to return home for Christmas. He also encouraged foreigners to continue visiting Guyana, especially during the Christmas Season. “After all there is nowhere to celebrate Christmas than at home,” he said.

Guyana ready for ICJ

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

… if Venezuela does not cooperate under UN Good Offices Process

GUYANA Government assured on Tuesday that it is ready to challenge Venezuela on its claim to the Essequibo at the International Court of Justice should Caracas fail to abide under the terms of the Un Good Offices Process, which is to be resuscitated to bring a lasting resolution to the decades-old border controversy.

In a statement made to the National Assembly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, said Guyana had lost faith in the Good Offices Process essentially because of Venezuela’s non-cooperation with it. He said, however, that Government is now willing to give it one last try with the United Nation’s Secretary General’s (SG’s) nominee.

Minister Greenidge was addressing the National Assembly in light of the decision communicated to the Governments of Guyana and Venezuela by outgoing SG Ban Ki-moon on Friday, December 16, 2016 on the way forward on the border controversy.

Outgoing United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Bank Ki-moon has decided that Guyana and Ven-

ezuela are to return to the Good Offices Process for another year with the hope of the two countries coming closer to a resolution of the ongoing border controversy. Mr. Ban indicated that, based on the various assessments done over the years, a return to the Good Offices Process is the best option at this point. Guyana has since indicated its acceptance of the decision made by the UN Secretary-General.

“The Secretary-General has engaged in intensive efforts to find a way forward that would be most conducive to finding a solution…

On the basis of that stocktaking, the Secretary-General has reached the conclusion that the Good Offices Process will continue for one final year, with a new Personal Representative of the Secretary-General (PRSG) with a strengthened mandate of mediation, who will be appointed by the Secretary-General-designate shortly after he takes office,” a statement from the Secretary-General’s Office stated.

Additionally, the Secretary-General has stated that should there be no progress by end of 2017, then new Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will choose the International

Court of Justice (ICJ) as the next means of settlement.

ONE HAND CAN’T CLAP But addressing the House, Minister Greenidge warned that the Good Offices Process can produce mutually satisfactory results only if Venezuela cooperates fully to that end. “As we say in Guyana: ‘One hand can’t clap’. Guyana will cooperate in resolving the controversy that has arisen as a result of Venezuela’s contention that the 1899 Arbitral Award is null and void…we hope Venezuela will do likewise. If they do not, we will have readied ourselves for the International Court of Justice,” Minister Greenidge said.

In conveying his decision to Guyana and Venezuela, the SG had also promised ‘Good Offices’ with a ‘strengthened mandate of mediation.’ Minister Greenidge said the SG’s communiqué was “a most significant moment in our relations with Venezuela.” He noted that, “it promises, one way or another,” the resolution of the country’s controversy with Venezuela.

The minister expressed hope that the announcement

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge brings satisfaction to all parties in the House, in light of the fact that “it has been the objective of all Governments of Guyana, since the early days of the Mixed Commission, to resolve this matter with finality through a judicial process, particularly given our disappointment with the process through dialogue.”

In an earlier statement, Government hailed the decision by the United Nations to give its Good Offices Process one more year. In a statement, Government said a new point of promise “in our relations with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has been reached.”

“It has long been the accepted position of all Governments in Guyana that the

Santa calls early on Moraikobai

Ramdial making a presentation to one of the children at Moraikobai

RESIDENTS of the riverine village of Moraikobai, especially the children, were in their element recently, thanks to the timely intervention of city businessman and chartered accountant, Mr Chateram Ramdial.

Ramdial told the Guyana Chronicle that having learnt that the village, which is located in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) was in dire need of help, he assembled a team and together they purchased some stuff, like toys, household items and so forth.

And the reaction they got from the residents, Ramdial said, was encouraging, since they not only took the visitors on a tour of the village, but they also made them feel welcome in many other ways.

As such, Ramdial is now urging other organisations and businesspersons to do like he did and donate to the village, because they are in need of a lot of amenities.

Persons, he said, should also seek to invest in the village, as the land there is ideal for farming and other agricultural pursuits.

best means of settlement of our controversy with Venezuela should be a reference of it to the International Court of Justice. We consider that controversy to be essentially a legal question and one eminently susceptible to a legal process of settlement,” the GoG statement said.

According to Guyana, there can be no higher tribunal for this purpose than the International Court of Justice (on which once sat our own distinguished son Mohammed Shahabuddeen) to determine this matter on a definite basis. “The Secretary General of the United Nations, acting under the 1966 Geneva Agreement, has informed the President of his decision to give the Good Offices Process one last period of twelve months; that is, to the end of 2017. If, at the end of that period, the Secretary-General concludes that significant progress has not been made towards arriving at a full agreement for the solution of the controversy, he will choose the International Court of Justice as the next means of settlement, unless the Governments of Guyana and Venezuela jointly request that he refrain from doing so.”

Government has said that

it accepts the decision of the Secretary General. “We stand committed to using our best endeavours to fulfill its highest expectations. The Government will be writing formally to him, as well as to the President of Venezuela, to indicate our acceptance of this decision. We believe that in taking this decision, the Secretary General has remained loyal to the sacred mission of the United Nations to uphold the law and maintain the peace between nations – small and large,” the statement added.

Guyana Government has said it would do everything in its power to ensure that the UN SG’s expectations and those of his successor, to whom the mandate of implementation now falls, as well as our expectations, are fulfilled.

“The Government calls upon all Guyanese to support the process that now lies ahead in the confidence that it will lead to a just and binding resolution of the discords that have plagued our development for so long.

It is a fitting advance in this fiftieth year of our independence. May God continue to bless our nation in this noble cause,” the statement ended.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday , December 21, 2016

MoH commissions modern maternity unit

-at Port Mourant Hospital

Part of the gathering at the commissioning ceremony

Public Health Minister Dr. George Norton cutting the ribbon to officially declare open the maternity unit at the Port Mourant Hospital

THE Ministry of Public Health last Friday commissioned the recently completed and highly anticipated multi-million-dollar maternity unit at the Port Mourant Hospital on the Corentyne in Region Six. According to Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, who was there to officially declare the unit open, “The move is in keeping with the Government and the Ministry of Public Health’s mandate to reduce neo-natal and maternal mortality.”

Dr. Norton commended the hospital and the regional health services for establishing this facility in the region, knowing that it would benefit the numerous women of child-bearing age there.

Pledging to ensure that the unit is always adequately staffed, Dr. Norton said: “This new maternity unit, with the necessary equipment and supplies, will benefit patients from the Central Corentyne area, Black Bush

Polder and Skeldon. You have the Ministry of Public Health’s commitment that we will ensure that this unit has the necessary staff, so that it can be up and running effectively.”

STATE-OF-THE-ART The Unit, which has cost Government in the vicinity of $14M to construct, has the capacity to house as many as 16 patients at a time, and is furnished with state-of-theart equipment and facilities.

Housed on the upper flat of the Port Mourant Hospital, the unit was refurbished and equipped through the Ministry of Public Health in conjunction with the Regional Health Services in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and the help of the private sector.

Minister Norton also called on the Regional Health Services to ensure that an operating theatre is put in place to obviate the need for patients who require

C-section to travel all the way to the New Amsterdam Hospital or the Georgetown Public Hospital for surgery.

“You have come a long way, and it’s just a next step,” he said. “I do not know if it was included in the budget, but I think funds can come from somewhere to continue the flow of things; and let that operating theatre be constructed! I want to see that operating theatre, even if it is to do obstetrics cases…

The next time I’m here, I hope it will be to commission the operating theatre.”

DESPITE THE ODDS Director of Regional Health Services (RHS), Mr. Jevaughn Stephens, said the maternity ward was made a reality despite the many obstacles the RHS had to confront. He highly praised Drs. Sheri La Rose and Cardon Kyte and team for their dedication and hard work in making the maternity unit possible.

“It was not a budgeted programme, but due to the hard work and dedication of these two ladies and team, with their type of networking, this was (made) possible,” Stephens said.

Noting that there will always be obstacles to overcome at all levels in the development of the health sector, he promised that with the approval of the Region’s 2017 Budget, he would ensure that Region 6 is the bet provider of healthcare delivery, a goal he hopes to achieve by year-end.

He said that with the Region handling more than 2200 deliveries per year, commissioning of the new maternity unit is never more critical.

Administrator of the Port Mourant Hospital, Dr. La Rose, said the idea for the maternity ward was conceived when it was realised that there was space at the hospital to accommodate it. She said that for quite some time, patients within the Central Corentyne area have requesting a maternity ward, since it is difficult for

them to travel to either New Amsterdam or Skeldon to access such services.

ROUND-THE-CLOCK She noted that the maternity unit will be operational round-the-clock, and will be able to provide all the necessary services except C-Section.

“We have a gynaecologist on staff, as well as doctors and midwives; so we want everyone to know it will be functioning 24 hours, just as the hospital,” Dr. La

Rose said.

She also thanked members of the business community for their contributions, and urged persons to utilise the facilities available in the region in order to realize and appreciate the many huge strides that have been made over a short period of time.

The maternity unit and the hospital comprise the ‘go to’ medical facility of the Central Corentyne area, which spans from Number 43 Village to Fyrish Village.

One of the rooms of the new maternity unit

DATE: 17/12/2016 20/12/2016

D 05 07 12 19 22 28 9

05

17

21

22

25

20/12/2016

04

00

01

20/12/2016

05

06

00

20/12/2016 01 05

07

10 14 15 19

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday , December 21, 2016

Turkish police detain six after Russian ambassador shot dead

Turkish police have detained six people over the killing of Russia’s ambassador, security sources said, widening an investigation to relatives of the off-duty policeman who shouted “Don’t forget Aleppo!” as he gunned the envoy down.

Both countries cast Monday’s attack at an art gallery in the capital Ankara as an attempt to undermine a recent thawing of ties that have been strained by civil war in Syria, where they back opposing sides.

The war, which has killed more than 300,000 people and created a power vacuum exploited by Islamic State, reached a potential turning point last week when Syrian forces ended rebel resistance in the northern city of Aleppo.

Russia, an ally of President Bashar al-Assad, supported that advance with air strikes.

Karlov’s remains were sent back to Moscow from Turkey after a ceremony at the airport in Ankara.

The white, red and blue Russian flag was draped on the casket as a Russian Orthodox priest recited prayers. Turkey identified the killer as 22-yearold Mevlut Mert Altintas, who had worked for the Ankara riot police for 2-1/2 years.

Altintas, who also shouted slogans associated with Islamist militancy after shooting ambassador Andrei Karlov, was killed minutes later by members of Turkey’s special forces. His mother, father, sister and two other relatives were held in the western province of Aydin, while his flatmate in Ankara was also detained, security sources said.

One senior Turkish security official said investigators were focusing on whether Altintas had links to the U.S.-

based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara blames for a failed July coup. Gulen has denied responsibility for the coup and Monday’s attack and has condemned both events. The slogans that Altintas shouted, which were captured on video and circulated widely on social media, suggested he was aligned to a radical Islamist ideology, rather than that of Gulen, who preaches a message of interfaith dialogue.

“Don’t forget Aleppo, don’t forget Syria. You will not be able to feel safe for as long as our districts are not safe. Only death can take

me from here,” he shouted in Turkish. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday he and Russia’s Vladimir Putin had agreed in a telephone call to strengthen cooperation in fighting terrorism. Putin said it was aimed at derailing Russia’s attempts to find, with Iran and Turkey, a solution for the Syria crisis.

The foreign ministers of three countries, meeting in Moscow on Tuesday, said they were ready to broker a Syrian peace deal.

‘ALLEGIANCE TO JIHAD’ Turkey faces multiple security threats, including from

Wednesday, December 21, 2016 - 11:30 hrs Thursday , December 22, 2016 - 13:00 hrs Friday, December 23, 2016 - 13:30 hrs

Islamic State. Earlier this month a spokesman for the hardline Sunni Muslim group urged global sympathizers to carry out new attacks, singling out Turkish diplomatic, military and financial interests as preferred targets.

Altintas also shouted “We are the ones who swore allegiance to Mohammed for the jihad!”, which the mass circulation Hurriyet newspaper said was a slogan commonly used in propaganda videos of the group formerly allied to al Qaeda in Syria. Media

present at the event Karlov was attending, an exhibition of photographs from Russia, captured the killing in graphic detail.

Altintas, dressed in a suit, necktie and white shirt, is caught in one photograph standing behind Karlov. In a video, Karlov is shown crumpling as he appears to be shot from behind. As special forces stormed the building, Altintas initially waited by the ambassador’s body and would not allow him to be treated, Hurriyet reported.

(Reuters)

6

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

Way Forward “WAY FORWARD” is the title of the proposals made

by Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, for resolution of the controversy that was raised by Venezuela over its contention that the law settling the border between the Bolivarian Republic and Guyana is not final and binding.

The matter was engaging the attention of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who, on December 16, informed both Guyana and Venezuela that he has reached a decision on the way forward. This “way” will go through two phases: firstly, for the next twelve months, the UN’s Good Offices process would be continued in search of a resolution; and secondly, if no significant progress resulted, the matter will be referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as the next means of settlement, unless Guyana and Venezuela decide otherwise.

The proposals of the Secretary-General were transmitted on Tuesday to the National Assembly by Vice-President Carl Greenidge, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and these proposals found favour with both Government and Opposition. It should be noted that, in spite of previous ambiguous statements made by the de facto leader of the People’s Progressive Party, Bharrat Jagdeo, about a resolution to the controversy, the PPP’s Congress last weekend came out solidly against Venezuela in defence of Guyana’s territorial integrity.

According to the Foreign Minister, although Guyana had lost faith in the “Good Offices” process because of non-cooperation by Venezuela, Guyana is willing to give it “one last try”. The fresh phase of this process will be facilitated by a nominee of the Secretary-General.

The controversy arose over what has been considered as settled borders between Guyana and Venezuela when Caracas contended that the 1899 Arbitral Award is null and void. Guyana has argued consistently that Venezuela has raised a contention in law, and that the forum for its resolution is the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Venezuela, for its part, had chosen to dodge any juridical road map.

Mr. Greenidge has stated that the proposals, which include the judicial option, must be received with national satisfaction and as a milestone at a time when Guyana celebrates its 50th year as an independent and sovereign nation. Should the proposals follow the path outlined by the Secretary-General, Guyana could be freed from the impediments placed against its efforts, over many years, to push national development without acts of aggression or economic blockade.

After all, the strained relations between Guyana and Venezuela, due to the spurious claim to Guyana’s territory, have affected both of our peoples, who are brothers and sisters and ought to promote their lives of peace and plenty as good neighbours working together, rather than being pulled apart by a border controversy.

All Guyana know that, since taking office in May, 2015, both President David Granger and Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge have spearheaded a formidable international campaign to protect the nation’s borders, and our people owe them an expression of gratitude for their efforts. It goes without saying that Mr. Ban has decorated his legacy as Secretary-General of the United Nations with a key diplomatic breakthrough in the search for a definitive resolution of the controversy.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday , December 21, 2016

Trying to get rich quick

Dear Editor,

OUR young people today in Guyana are rapidly sliding down the proverbial slippery slope into immorality and criminality.

As I watch the news and read the papers, I note with a great deal of interest that most of our young people are involved in some very serious gun crimes. Most of these young people are Afro-Guyanese; most are from broken homes and single-parent backgrounds, and many have no fixed place of abode.

A survey conducted at our prisons has shown that more than 60% of our prisoners are illiterate or are functionally illiterate, and more than 75% are very young offenders, including males and females who are involved in heinous crimes. These young people are trying to get rich quick by robbing innocent citizens daily, and the drug trade is growing like a tree perpetually planted among the young and old.

Even old ladies in their 70s and 80s are pushing drugs, thus drugs are destroying the youths in our communities, and motivating them to commit crimes to get money to fuel their drug cravings. We have bicycle and motorbike snatchers in the city of Georgetown; pickpockets, choke-and-rob and gun-carrying bandits all over Guyana as well.

The robbery of more than $20 million of the Cambio dealer in Berbice gives us

much to think of. And a former police officer was involved, according to the news. The big guns they were carrying –- AK-47s -- give us much to think about in regard to where and how these weapons of mass destruction were acquired. And if they are not caught, they will create a wild rampage of more crimes in this country.

Most police officers don’t carry a gun; and those at the stations, who are always too busy to come when a crime has been committed, are unable to deal with these hardcore criminals who carry weapons of mass destruction.

I am yet to hear the voices of the Minister of Public Security, our President, and all those foreign dignitaries, particularly those representing the USA, Canada and Britain -- since they happen to be the brains behind the APNU/ AFC Coalition Government’s strategy to tackle this crime situation. It is my firm opinion that these big criminals have many masterminds or intellectual authors planning these crimes, and more is yet to come if this AK-47 gang is not dealt with expeditiously.

If that Cambio dealer who was robbed had a big gun, he would have been able to defend himself; but now the rich citizens have no guns, but the criminals have the guns, and these hardcore criminals have rights in the courts, because they know they would easily be bailed, so that they can go and rob people again.

Getting rich quick has been a way of life for many young people, both male and female, who have embraced a life of crime in Guyana.

The crime is here to stay, because this government has too many lenient laws. Those criminals who killed innocent citizens must be given the death sentence, as well as those who murder people. If this APNU/AFC Government should enforce tougher laws, crime will be eradicated. I am speaking about laws like cutting off the right hands of criminals.

We must remember and honour Mr. Desmond Hoyte for saying we should hang those criminals high. If we don’t get rid of criminals, they will get rid of us as a nation. They might even take over this nation by a military invasion, judging from the military guns they use to rob and kill people.

Crime is also a moral problem which stems from poor family values. What we have here in Guyana is too much “live home” and “shack-up” lifestyle, where so many women have six to 12 children for different children fathers, and these kids grow up needy but illiterate, so they become the criminals of tomorrow. If our young people have parental guidance and a good home and education, they will not turn to drugs and crime. Even when thieves are released from prison, they go out and do bigger crimes because they have no place of abode.

Many prisoners have told me that they prefer to stay in prison. We need to build schools and churches in our prison compounds to educate these prisoners; even get teachers to teach them CXC, so they can have a better future. We need a prison reform programme and better living conditions for prisoners.

Drugs and crime have now become a global phenomenon, not only in Guyana but all over the world; and we must not be fooled to think that in America there is no crime. Many of these criminals here are deportees from America; they learn about these crimes in the USA. We must as a nation act now to get rid of crime, or all our business people will leave Guyana very soon.

Many have left already. We must work hard to get what we want, not push drugs. We must have more programmes for our youths, because today’s youths will be tomorrow’s leaders.

The Bible informs us: “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”(Genesis 3:19). It’s in God’s plan for people to work hard. I call on the young and old to work for their daily bread, and don’t live a life of crime to get rich quick.

Regards, REV. GIDEON CECIL

Guyana then and now

Dear Editor,

TODAY’s provocative editorial ( “Guyana Then and Now”, KN, 19/12/16) resonates very much with the sentiments that are triggered in me every time I visit Toronto, as I am indeed currently doing.

The bold editorial comparison between the status quo of pre- and post- independent Guyana is quite ironic when silhouetted against the picture of the obvious social, psychological, material and communal progress made

by Guyanese who migrated to Canada (and elsewhere) during the same period.

We must respect and ap-

plaud the resilience and ambition of our Guyanese compatriots who are able to make good in countries that are no more bountiful in natural resources, much less hospitable climatically (right now it is like living in a refrigerator here in Toronto!), but which continually provide extensive enabling political and cultural environments for all their multi-racial, multi-cultural citizens and residents.

I am reminded of the old -- but in this context misleading -- saying that “you can take a man out of the gutter but you cannot take the gutter out of him”. Guyanese ran away and continue to do so because of the steadily

sliding standards and elusive achievements in Guyana since Independence. They have proven beyond doubt that, whether it is England or the USA or Canada, they can be a progressive people when they are not subjected to the gutter politics and other demeaning circumstances which have been taking place. They therefore sought a more enabling environment for themselves in order to express themselves as intelligent, ambitious and progressive people; and, by and large, they have succeeded in doing so for themselves and their families.

Let us hope and pray that our political leaders will, sooner rather than later, re-

alize that the essential development of our dear land of Guyana depends very much on their creating an enabling environment for ALL GUYANESE. In this context, we should also not lose sight of the fact that successful Guyanese in the diaspora are not averse to returning to assist with the development of our country, all things being equal; especially if they can be made to feel secure and free from the many societal biases that still plague us. The sum of Guyana’s parts will always be greater than any one part.

Regards, NOWRANG PERSAUD

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday , December 21, 2016

Those who accuse others of hypocrisy are usually themselves hypocrites

Dear Editor,

I WRITE in response to Mr. Sase Singh, whose letter, “Is Tacuma Ogunseye such a paid hypocrite?”, was published in Kaieteur News on Thursday, December 9th, 2016.

In his letter, Singh was apparently responding to one of mine, which received wide circulation in three daily newspapers -- Guyana Chronicle, Stabroek News and Kaieteur News. I say “apparently” because Singh very deliberately made no reference to my letter, which was captioned in KN as “Sase Singh repeats the PPP propaganda”. I am of the view that his failure to do so was intended to deprive readers from understanding the context of the polemic, and his fear of further exposure.

In my letter, I had exposed Singh’s dishonesty as it related to the moral position which he expressed, “This 2017 budget has caused me to reflect on a question I have always toyed with all my adult life: Why can truth and politics not go together?” I had quoted from his expressed position on two budgetary measures, i.e. VAT on electricity and water, and had pointed out that, in offering his comments on these issues, he had deliberately misrepresented the coalition government’s measures.

I further stated that Singh, by going the route he had taken, had shown that he had great difficulty in living up to what he was preaching; i.e. the need for truth in politics. Singh, instead of admitting to wrongdoing and indulging in self-criticism, resorted to what he knows best: cussing out and making nasty personal attacks on me, in a futile effort at redeeming himself in the eyes of the public.

This self-proclaimed “Liberal democrat”, and I may add “man of ques-

tionable morals” (readers interested in Sase Singh’s exploits should go to https://wwwyoutube.com/ watch?v=ke4m90-rys) cited my employment in the Ministry of the Presidency as a betrayal of Walter Rodney, and went on to state that I am collecting gold coins. This, in Singh’s twisted mind, is responsible for my support of the APNU+AFC government.

However, let me say -for the records and for those who wish to check -- that the evidence would show that I participated in the formation of the APNU and also the APNU+AFC coalition. I did not wait for the arrival of gold coins.

I take this opportunity to inform Sase Singh (even though I know he already is aware of this) that I am employed in the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU), whose mandate is to recover stolen state assets which are the people’s property. Related to this is the dismantling of the criminal state. For me, these tasks are important patriotic duties in which I am proud to be playing a small part. On the question of collecting gold coins, I wish to state that with more than 46 years of non-stop day to day struggle for political change in Guyana, I am up to the task of working to dismantle the criminal state. If in the process I receive gold coins legitimately, so be it.

The problem with Singh is that he is a johnny-come-lately and a hustler who is attempting to give the impression that he has a deep involvement of struggle on the Guyanese political landscape. If truth be told, Singh has no such history; nor has he demonstrated an ongoing commitment to Guyana that can be compared to mine or to that of anyone else whom he has attacked in the immediate past. I have resided in Guyana my entire life. My involvement in politics is

unlike his; his is a recent sojourn for personal gains: his brief association with one of the major parties in the coalition and his disappointment with not being rewarded in the way he had expected has turned him into a bitter and dangerous opponent of the present government.

In the Guyana Chronicle of Tuesday, December 13th, 2016, there appeared a letter captioned “Oh what a tangled web”, in which the writer sought to rebuke Singh by saying, “…It should be noted that even if the “liberal democrat” wants to launch a paper war against the Coalition Government from Maryland, USA, he should still employ the truth as his arsenal. “Old people say: Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we set out to deceive.”

There is not much in Singh’s lengthy missive that is worth responding to. However, I will deal with one final point to reinforce my contention of his dishonesty and low political culture. He spent a lot of time attempting to disprove his erroneous claim that I accused him of being a member/supporter of the PPP. That was something I did not say in my letter.

What I had said was: “More importantly, he shamelessly repeats the PPP’s propaganda of ‘doomsday’ for the economy and country”.

Sase Singh’s failure to deal truthfully with this fact demonstrated that he has no integrity, even when referring to simple matters of fact. To put it another way: Singh is nothing but a habitual liar whose trade mark is deception.

I conclude by saying that, very often, those who accuse others of hypocrisy are usually themselves the hypocrites. Sase Singh fits comfortably among this category of persons.

Regards, TACUMA OGUNSEYE

Oh,what a tangled web Dear Editor,

THERE is a parallel between Ministers Henry and Ferguson’s scholarships and former Minister Nandlall's law books: both

were done for self-enrichment off the taxpayers while each was holding public office.

In Nandlall’s case, it was a condition of service. Was this the case

with the sitting ministers?

Oh what a tangled web…

Regards SHAMSHUN MOHAMED

8

Christmas consumerism, crime and confidence

THIS WEEK, two social media comments have put in perspective much of what has occupied the minds of Guyanese people.

The first was from Bryan MacIntosh, intrepid amateur photographer, social justice advocate, motor racing aficionado and all-round patriot.

“How can the economy be bad if some stores are

doing so much business that they don’t have enough hands to collect the money?” Bryan wondered in a Facebook post.

A few minutes later, he added an addendum: “The trouble is that some have gotten accustomed to the big wutless money and now they can’t deal with the legit “small” money. Bring in quality products, lower your profit margin

and the business will boom,” he both observed and advised.

It was an honest, practical and eminently sensible observation. For most of 2016, the lament has been that “things slow”. The opportunity for political exploitation was not missed by the usual elements.

It would appear though -- from all the evidence

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

this Christmas season -that things have picked up considerably. The Yuletide season comes immediately following the presentation of Budget 2017 on November 28th last. The effects of the budget presentation would not be economically measured until a thorough analysis is done. However, what is not in dispute is that complaints that “things slow” have trickled to a halt.

This Christmas season is booming. I have spoken to a number of business owners -- large, medium and small. They all report brisk business.

The simple, authentic, indisputable examples abound.

1. My wife went to multiple stores looking for fairy lights, an item which is synonymous with the season.

She was turned away multiple times after being told that all the fairy lights’ stocks were sold out.

2. On Sunday last, the business district of Georgetown (Regent Street, Robb Street, Camp Street, Water Street, Avenue of the Republic and Stabroek Market Square) was chock-a-block with pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

3. Also on Sunday, I tried to buy paint at a popular Regent Street hardware store and could not get the quantity I needed, as only one gallon was left; the rest had been sold out.

4. At this very store, on a Sunday nonetheless, the sales attendants had a difficult time catering to the influx of customers seeking everything: from vinolay to tiles to plumbing fittings to building materials and, of course, paint.

5. The household items, electronics and apparel stores at Giftland Mall are flooded with streams of customers. All the teller stations are manned and kept busy.

6. Try booking a ticket from New York, Miami or Toronto to Guyana.

These examples are not politically coloured, they are easily verifiable.

The $25,000 tax-free bonus for public servants earning under $500,000 would have aided in the Christmas spending frenzy, but it suggests a deeper confidence in the economy by the ordinary people. The early presentation of the budget, maligned in some quarters for progressive if unpleasant tax initiatives, has not had any

noticeably deleterious effect on consumer confidence.

The opposite might in fact be true.

Bryan MacIntosh observed this in his comment, and noted as well that those in the business sector who are benefiting most are those who understand the economy in which they are operating: who adapt and who cater to the needs of the consumers.

These are progressive times, and those who are stuck in old lawless ways and who reject change will encounter challenges.

The second post was by radio talk show host, public relations specialist and equal patriot Christopher Chapwanya, who wrote, “[w]hen a truck drives into a crowded market in Germany, an ambassador is assassinated in Turkey, and refugees desperately flee war zones in Syria, you remember that even with all our challenges, Guyana is stable and remains a great place to be. The insane here mostly rant on the Internet and in the press…the insane elsewhere shoot and blow things up.”

Again, for most of 2016, there has been the refrain about the frequency of crime, particularly robberies. The Guyana Police Force and the Ministry of Public Security have regularly released figures which illustrate that crime in Guyana is on the decrease and is lower than in all recent years.

This, though, has not done much to allay the fears and anxieties of the public.

The regular reports of robberies heighten those fears and anxieties. What Chapwanya’s analogy homes in on is the fact that crime is a global issue, it is not one unique to Guyana; and further, when looked at in relative terms, we have the luxury of living in a country where we do not have to respond to air raid alarms, bombings in public places, or scramble for life

and limb in war zones.

There is a second dimension as well. And that is that while -- as Minister Khemraj Ramjattan noted in a recent interview -- the level of crime is still unsatisfactory, unlike prior to the change in government, there is an aggressive assault on criminal activity.

Crimes are being solved, arrests are being made, and those who engage in gunfights with law enforcement officials are ending up on the losing side of that battle.

The perpetrators of the Hotel Tower robbery were captured within hours.

Arrests were made in the Corentyne Cambio dealer’s robbery. The Faiyaz Narinedatt/Marcus Bisram murder saga is being resolved. The robbery/murder of the elderly rice farming couple at Good Hope on the East Bank of Essequibo is being solved.

Even cold cases such as the Babita Sarjou murder and others are being solved. The Seaforth Street bandits were cut down in a gunfight with the cops.

As Chapwanya noted in a previous Facebook post in regard to the outcome of the Seaforth Street case, “[i] f the police keep this up the criminals will come around to understanding that there’s a serious occupational health and safety hazard in [their] line of business.”

Crime-fighting efforts need to be continued and intensified, but gains are being made. The criminals will come to the realisation, as Chapwanya notes, that ‘it ain’t paying’, and seek other sources of income.

Public confidence is being restored; it will take more time and more diligent work by those in the Police Force who are not entrapped by corruption and greed. This process is slow and not without challenges, but the police are on the right path. The statistics are on their side; soon the public will be as well.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

16 days of activism against gender-based violence

By Akola Thompson

IT HAS been 11 days since the 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence would have ended with very little fanfare. There were some walks and discussions held; but, largely, these activities seemed to speak to people who already believed that gender-based violence was wrong, and as such, it made me wonder whether we really are doing enough to educate and sensitize people.

The ‘16 days of activism’ was an attempt to not only raise awareness and let victims know that they exist, but also to raise money to support the cause, as one of the challenges of many social change organizations is the lack of financing, which is needed for intervention programmes.

There have since been several media reports about men and women being killed, maimed and abused. It must, however, be considered that these reports, while painting a disturbing picture of the prevalence of violence in our so-

ciety, are, by and large, a small number of the actual cases. When we begin to consider that the frequency with which violence reveals itself to us through newspapers, observations and social media is just a minority of the actual occurrences, it is easy for us to become disenchanted with the progress we have made so far on the eradication of gender-based violence; and the question once again is: Are we doing enough?

When I came across the story of 19-year-old Michelle Baker, the flaws in our system and the flippant way in which we treat domestic abuse victims became even more startlingly clear.

Here we had a young woman who, fearing for her life, tried to obtain from the police a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend, Jason Henry, but was denied one on the bases that the threat was made only once and because the two were not living together. Not long after being denied a restraining order, Baker was attacked by her boyfriend and stabbed in the neck. It was only after she had been attacked and almost killed

that the police saw it fit to give her what she had initially asked for.

I’m not saying that had the order been granted she would not have been stabbed, because, if we are truly honest, restraining orders are oftentimes as worthless as the pieces of paper on which they are printed. However, it is the principle behind the denial of the order that is worrying. A woman who fears for her life and is seeking safety, no matter how apparently trivial her circumstances are, should not be denied what she seeks because of frivolous reasons, and be taken seriously only when the very thing she was trying to fight against has happened to her.

I understand that the Domestic Violence Act covers those who live in the same household, or those who are engaged in sexual relationships; but what about persons like Baker, who have left relationships and are on their own, but are still being threatened, injured and killed?

We cannot, on one hand, be encouraging victims to break free, come

forward and fight back; and on the other hand tell them that they may be the wrong type of abuse victim. This helps to perpetuate the culture of violence we have for centuries been fighting against, and effectively diminishes any meaningful conversation and action we may have in regard to the protection of victims. We need to being using every available tool there is to ensure that victims are protected, particularly if they are actively seeking that protection.

We need to stop sitting on the sidelines and expecting everything to change miraculously; that’s not the way it works. Even those of us who are involved tend to fall victim to the very stasis affecting everyone, as we become preoccupied with our workshops, seminars, fundraisers and walks, rather than taking the conversation where it needs to be: in the streets, homes, and schools.

As pointed out by Vidyaratha Kissoon in ‘The Coil” on GT Mosquito, “It is much easier to come up with the list of things which need to be done, and do this over and over again.”

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Billions in loans to be signed next year ––will help push development in several sectors

THE Government of Guyana is expected to receive significant financial assistance come 2017 following the approval of several loans for developmental works, Finance Minister, Winston Jordan disclosed on Monday.

He told reporters at his final press conference

for the year that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the country’s biggest lender has approved four loans, all of which are to be signed by February 2017. US$9M is being provided for the enhancement of national quality infrastructure for diversification and trade promo-

tion; the establishment of facilities for meteorology testing, purchase of laboratory equipment for the Bureau of Standards, Ministries of Public Health and Agriculture.

Additionally, US$8M has been approved among other things to rehabilitate the CC Nicholson Hospi-

tal and maternity waiting home, to procure equipment for health facilities at GPHC, the CC Nicholson Hospital and the Georgetown Maternity waiting home as well as for institutional strengthening.

The identified sum will aid in the improvement of maternal and child health while US$15M has been allocated for the Agriculture Sustainable Development Project which will see the construction and rehabilitation of centers in Regions Nine and 10 and will also allow for the undertaking of an agriculture census and pilot project.

Support for the criminal justice system to the tune of US$15M is also in train and is expected to see alternative sentencing interventions, strengthening probation services, the design and implementation of restoration justice , training of judges and magistrates in the use of alternative sentencing and detention and law reform being addressed.

Additionally, the Government is also benefitting from technical assistance valued at US$442,000 for the institutional strengthening of the country’s national statistics system which is aimed at assisting the Bureau of statistics to undertake two critical data collection: Consumer Price Index and the Levels of unemployment across the country.

An unemployment survey was never done, said the Minister of Finance who explained that proxies were done in the past.

“This one will be a full fledge unemployment survey to take place so you’d get all kinds of levels of unemployment, regional, Georgetown’s unemployment is not Region 10s,” said Jordan.

THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT YEAR The IDB has also approved technical assistance for US$745,000 to modernize the valuation division in Guyana. The technical assistances seek

to improve management in real property tax assessment and Minister Jordan noted that “the database for valuation in this country is extremely outdated.”

“Our valuation department is extremely challenged both staffing wise and equipment, system wise so this technical assistance will go a far way,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Minister reminded reporters of government’s recent signing of a concessionary loan agreement with the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) to the tune of US$10, 432, 263 last week for a number of agriculture-related interventions.

The identified amount, which is part loan and grant, is aimed at providing the communities of Buxton, Ithaca, Beterverwagting and Mocha-Arcadia with much needed assistance to restore and upgrade drainage and irrigation canals, provide farming equipment, as well as to install pumps in the identified communities.

DEVELOPMENT BANK He said too the US$194M allocated by the Caribbean Development Bank for the market study to see if it is feasible to re-establish a development bank here. Technical assistance for institutional strengthening to develop capacity for development planning is expected to begin next year however; the Minister said there are some “hiccups” in finding “quality people to do this.”

Referencing government’s recent interactions with the Islamic Development Bank, the Finance Minister said government will continue to engage the bank to follow through on some of the promises they made as well as some of the projects put forward by this country.

He cited the distance of the bank as a major stumbling block. Additionally, the World Bank is slated to work with Guyana on

Finance Minister Winston Jordan improving its national payment system in the new year and the minister described the projects as an important one that would see the reduction in cash payments in the public system.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has also approved a loan this month for $8M; the loan which also has a grant component will address hinterland environmental sustainable agriculture development in Guyana and will support agriculture development activities in Regions One and Nine.

Meanwhile, the European Union Investment Bank has been engaging the Guyana Government, something that has not occurred for about 20 years and according to the Minister of Finance, “the possibilities are endless.” Three proposals were submitted to the Bank in the areas of private sector and infrastructural development, as well as renewable energy. Additionally, under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) €34M has been allocated for sea and river defence programmes.

As it relates to the construction of the East Coast by-pass road to be facilitated through a loan of US$50 million from the Export-Import Bank of India, Minister Jordan said things are moving slowly. The 20km bypass road is to stretch from Ogle on the East Coast Demerara to Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

“There has been no significant movement… hopefully in the New Year, it will speed up,” he said.

However, progress is being made on the US$18 million deal to procure a new ferry to ply the Georgetown to North-West route. The USD$18M comprises a USD$8M grant and USD$10M concessionary loan to be repaid within 20 years with a five-year grace period.

On the Bilateral front, the Minister said China and Guyana are to sign a US$47M loan to complete the road between Plaisance and Belfield, East Coast Demerara.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Bartica Massacre trial...

11

Defence lawyers grill police witnesses THE trial into the Bartica Massacre continued in the High Court on Tuesday before Justice Roxane George and a 12-member jury with two police witnesses being recalled to testify under cross-examination.

On trial are Mark Royden Williams, called “Smallie”; Dennis Williams, called “Anaconda”; and Roger Simon, called “Goat Man” for the murder of nine civilians and three policemen at Bartica on February 17, 2008.

They are being represented by attorneys-at-law Roger Yearwood, Saphier Hussain and Peter Hugh respectively.

First to take the stand Tuesday was Superintendent Linden Lord, who told the court when led by State Prosecutor Stacy Goodings in his evidence-in-chief, that the room in which he conducted the identification parade not only had a one-way mirror, but lighting on only one side.

That light, he said, was on the side of the room in which the seven men on parade were standing, waiting to be identified by the eyewitness.

ALMOST IMMEDIATELY Lord said that Mark Royden Williams, called “Smallie”, was almost immediately pointed out by the witness as being one of the men involved in the Bartica Massacre.

Yearwood, “Smallie’s” attorney, asked Lord whether it was the first ID parade he’d conducted, to which he replied in the negative saying that he had, in fact, done so about 25 times.

He also advised the learned attorney that it was not he that had made the guidelines for the parades; that rather, as he, Yearwood,

very well knew, they were in accordance with Standing Orders.

Lord told the court, under cross-examination by Yearwood, that what he was saying about what transpired at the identification parade was the truth, since the C5 form was filled out by one Sergeant Rodwell Sarrabo and not he; that he, Lord, was not one of the investigating ranks in the Bartica Massacre.

He further told the court that his responsibility in the matter was conducting the identification parade, on which were seven men of similar body structure, age, complexion and height as the accused, Mark Royden Williams, called “Smallie”.

Lord said he was not responsible for bringing the men to the identification parade; that rather he was notified half an hour before the appointed time that one was to be held.

The officer, who is attached to the Presidential Guard Protection Unit, told the court when questioned that the men on the ID parade were similarly dressed, in three-quarter brown pants, white jerseys, and slippers, and that they all had long hair.

Lord conceded that according to the Guyana Police Force Standing Orders, eight men, and not seven, should have been on the parade.

NEVER MET BEFORE Cross-examined by Husain, Lord said he couldn’t say whether or not the witness who picked out his client, “Anaconda”, is a cop, as they had never met before.

Lord said he and his colleague, Trevor Reid, worked side-by-side back in 2008, as they were both Police Inspectors. When asked

whether he had spoken to Reid in relation to the Bartica Massacre, he replied in the affirmative, saying they had done so several times.

Husain next asked Lord whether he knew the names of the men on the ID parade, and his response was that he didn’t, except for the name of the suspect, Dennis Williams, called “Anaconda”, who happens to be his, Husain’s, client.

Husain then put it to Lord that the ID parade he’d conducted was improper, because he had spoken to the witness before the parade was held. Lord denied the allegation.

The second witness to take the stand was Detective Sergeant Rodwell Sarrabo, who is the Subordinate Officer-in-Charge of the

Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Brickdam.

When cross-examined by Defence Counsel Roger Yearwood, Sarrabo said while he was one of the investigating ranks in the Bartica Massacre, he was not present, as suggested by counsel, when the ID parade was conducted, in which Mark Royden Williams was picked out by a witness.

Sarrabo told the court that he had indeed filled out the C5 form for the identification parade, but that it was based on information provided by Linden Lord back in 2008.

The trial will continue on December 28, 2016.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Joint fight against organised crime ––Guyana Police hand over files on drug, human trafficking to Suriname

AS PART of the mandate to create a stable and secure environment, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Suriname Police Corps (SPC) will be working in closer collaboration to tackle organised crime, particularly trafficking in drugs, humans and weapons.

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud made this disclosure during a press briefing in the GPF Conference Room at Eve Leary on Tuesday. He was hosting a

team of officers from the Suriname Police Corps who are in Guyana on a two-day exchange visit.

The Top Cop said specific types of organised crime will be targeted, and modalities on communication and intelligence-sharing will be established. “While we have a strong working relationship in the law enforcement agencies in Guyana, we still find it necessary to have the Guyana Revenue Authority present -- being the lead agency in

smuggling of goods to evade taxes; and (the) Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), (which) plays a significant role in the fight against drug trafficking,” Persaud said.

Adding that the GPF had shared intelligence with its Surinamese counterpart in regard to issues affecting both countries, Commissioner Persaud said those issues included information on trends, criminal syndicates, wanted persons, missing persons, trafficking in persons, and

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud (centre), flanked by Surinamese Assistant Commissioner of Police Guno Roosenhoff (on his right), poses with other Surinamese law enforcement officials and Guyana law enforcement agents other intelligence in relation to crime. He said collaboration between the two law enforcement agencies has been very fruitful.

“Sharing information and intelligence has to be timely. Customs and Trade and CANU will share information directly, along with matters under investigation,” he said.

The files relating to various organised crimes and criminal activities were handed over to Assistant Police Commissioner Guno Roosenhoff, who headed the delegation of Surinamese police.

Roosenhoff said the police operate within the confines of their respective laws to tackle

all illegalities that are taking place in both countries.

He said collaboration between Guyana and Suriname has resulted in only one piracy case being recorded for the year, compared to what had obtained in previous years. He added that Guyana is advanced in certain sectors of policing, and the Surinamese law enforcement officers can emulate their Guyanese counterparts. He said the Suriname Police Corps will explore ways of adapting Guyana’s social crime prevention programme and forming an Association of Women Police.

Roosenhoff, an Assistant Police Commissioner

who is visiting Guyana for the first time, expressed great satisfaction at the treatment the Surinamese delegation had received from its Guyanese counterpart.

A delegation from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) had attended an inter-agency conference held in Nickerie, Suriname in April last.

One of the most important objectives achieved was that key officers in either law enforcement agency were able to acquaint themselves with each other. Like Guyana, new officers would since have been appointed to the Suriname Police Corps.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

13

House clears $5.1B for Foreign Affairs Ministry -$368M to pay ambassadors, others queried

THE National Assembly, at the level of the Committee of Supply, on Tuesday approved $5.1B to propel the work of the Foreign Affairs Ministry but not before the Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge was grilled on the $368.4M budgeted for contracted employees under the Foreign Policy Promotion Programme.

The Opposition’s Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira had told the committee through the chair, Dr. Barton Scotland that the sum budgeted for contract employees under the Foreign Policy Promotion Programme for 2017, represented an almost $200M increase when compared to 2016. In 2016, $123.8M was initially budgeted for contract employees under this programme but the sum was subsequently revised to $157.2M. In response to the concerns raised by Teixeira, the Foreign Affairs Minister explained that the increases are largely due to the appointment of new Principal Foreign Officers and Ambassadors in London, Ottawa, Havana, New York, Caracas and Brussels and Nickerie.

These appointments, Minister Greenidge noted, are usually for a period ranging from one to three years.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e $368.4M also includes their medical, gratuity, security and vacation allowances among other benefits.

Not entirely satisfied with the responses offered by the Foreign Affairs Minister, the Opposition Chief Whip then asked for the Minister to release a list of all the posts filled with Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and Charge d’affaires and deputies, in addition to Consul Generals, together with their emoluments and benefits.

Minister Greenidge has since committed to providing the information but noted that the emoluments vary based on the posting.

“Of course, the allowances and salaries vary according to positions, because the new position in Geneva is a lot more costly posting than say Barbados or Ottawa,” he posited.

At this point Teixeira used

the opportunity to solicit details about Guyana’s Ambassador-designate to Kuwait, Dr. Shamir Ally. Ally was placed under investigation following reports about a fraud case he was involved in the United States back in 2003. In September, it was discovered that a civil case was filed against Dr. Ally along with Ronald Lanchoney and Robert Mancuso by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The trio was allegedly involved in the distribution of false financial information by Acrodyne Communications Inc. In 1998, 1999 and 2000 and according to court documents Mancuso, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Dr. Ally, the company’s former controller and Lanchoney were aware of many problems associated with the company’s accounting controls, but failed to assure that its financial transactions were accurately recorded.

Taking the situation into account, the Opposition front bencher queried whether Dr. Ally was being paid even as the investigation is ongoing.

“Strictly speaking, the Ambassador-designate, is still the Ambassador-designate. He hasn’t yet been formally paid in that post but the exercise of looking into the allegation has been completed,” Minister Greenidge told the Committee in response. However, he noted that the Dr. Ally has not yet been accredited but that process is expected to be completed soon.

Responding to another question raised by the Opposition Chief Whip, the Foreign Affairs Minister informed the Committee that Guyana’s High Commissioner to India, Dr. David Pollard is still in active duty, putting to rest claims that the High Commissioner had demitted office.

Turning her attention to Line Item 6241, Teixeira noted that the amount allotted for 2017 has increased when compared to 2016. In 2016, the Ministry had initially budged $684.6M for the rental of buildings; however, the figure was revised to $696.7M. In 2017, a sum of $921.5M has been allocated

under the Line Item.

In putting Teixeira’s concerns to rest, Minister Greenidge explained that the figure in 2016 was lower than 2017 because many of the ambassadors did not take up their positions until June, 2016, hence the sum represents half year expenditure.

Additionally, he said the figures represent the fact that there are two new missions in Geneva and Port of Spain. It was noted too, that accommodation is put in place before the Ambassador takes up his or her post in a particular designation.

“The Policy of the Ministry is not one which allows the Ambassador to arrive and then rent a building. There is control from Head Office and in addition to that oversight from Head Office, Head Office may require, say for example in Brussels, an experienced officer is assigned to survey the scene as it were and identify a set of appropriate buildings after consultation with Head Office as to specs and then they would review the rent and then agree on what is most appropriate for the Ambassador,” Minister Greenidge explained. He noted too that rental of buildings vary across the world hence there is no fixed cost.

In making his justification, the Foreign Affairs Minister made it clear that the European Union (EU) is a very important partner to Guyana given that it is the country’s most important source of concessional financing. “The Embassy in Brussels gives us the opportunity to interface not only with the European Union but also with the ACP Member States with whom we jointly negotiate,” he posited.

He said in the case of Geneva, though it is a very expensive post, the Swiss Government following discussions last year with the Government of Guyana, had agreed to bear a significant part of the cost of funding the office and also assistance with the residence. Additionally, he said this paves the way for Guyana to have greater engagement with the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

5% hike, other benefits for GPL workers

Workers who downed tools on Monday WORKERS of the Guyana Power and Light

(GPL) are set to receive a salary increase of 10 per cent and other benefits, before the end of 2016.

This comes after staff of the technical departments of GPL’s offices across the power grid banded together and downed tools on Monday morning, protesting the 2% salary increase which the management of the power company had initially offered.

As such, according to General Secretary of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), Kenneth Joseph, negotiations on Tuesday led to the GPL rescinding their decision to grant a 2 per cent increase and instead making a better offer.

“GPL has decided to grant a 5 per cent increase across the board, as well as an automatic incremental increase of 3% which coincides with the employees’ years of service,” said the Union’s General Secretary. In addition, workers will be granted another increase of zero to ten per cent on performance incentives, which will be disbursed according to the level of work produced.

Acting GPL CEO Renford Homer had told a news conference on Monday following the protest by staff that negotiations were ongoing. He said NAACIE had rejected the proposal made by GPL earlier this year, and talks had broken down to a point where things had come to a standstill. Homer had said that the percentages can, before the end of 2016, be worked in favour

NAACIE’s General Secretary, Kenneth Joseph of the affected employees, and they should be able to receive a retroactive payment.

A number of GPL employees protested outside the company’s Main Street, Georgetown offices on Monday, with some travelling from as far as Berbice to join their colleagues. The workers, who man the national power grid on a 24-hour basis, contended that the 2% increase offered is unreasonable and does not cater for increases in the cost of living. Thus they are calling on subject Minister David Patterson to intervene on their behalf.

An Area “A” Victoria employee who spoke to this publication on Main Street described the situation as “heart-rending”. He noted that the men work for 24 hours from Sunday to Sunday.

“It’s unfair to us that we got to be working under these conditions thinking that the management have us at heart, but that is not the case”, another employee had said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

15

16

Venez gang kidnaps Guyanese over $28M drug money

MEMBERS of a Venezuelan drug gang have taken a North Ruimveldt, Georgetown man into custody beating him mercilessly in a bid to secure $28M in drug money he is said to owe the gang.

The man was identified as 29 year old Paul Dewever, a father of three. The man’s father, Andrew Deweever, appeared on the HGPTV Nightly News on Monday relating that he had warned his son on umpteen occasions about the risks involved with working in the drug underworld.

He opined that his son was being made a scapegoat and doubts whether he is still alive as the family cannot pay the requested sum being asked by the cartel.

Reports reveal that members of the drug gang have

Paul Dewever posing with the cash before he was caught by the Venezuelans (Travis Chase Photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

been making contact with the man’s wife demanding the $28M for his safe return. She is said to be in hiding.

Relatives of the 29-yearold disclosed that they did not see him in over a month, but were taken back when they received a video recording of him being tied up and beaten.

As blood dripped down his face he said: “I got to get on to my family. Yeah me family will pay the money.

Uncle please send the money in two days because these people will kill me”, he said.

In the video the man was tied by his feet and his hands with a swollen face with several cuts as a masked man grabbed him by the neck with a wire strangling him, as blood dripped onto the bed he was placed on.

Reports say that he stole the money months ago in Venezuela and returned to Guyana. However, he was captured in the neighboring country upon his return.

Police said they were made aware of the report and are working with their counterparts in Venezuela to investigate the matter.

Fallen Heroes IN HONOUR Of those members who died in the line of duty, the Guyana Police Force Fallen Heroes Foundation Inc. assisted nine families on Tuesday with monetary donations.

The event was held at the Police Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary.

Persons who received funds included: Abina Marlyn La Rose, Neola Amanda Persaud, Enola Pantlitz, Triola Ruth Alana

Elias, Rizpah Amanda Cosbert, Carleen Lourain, Mytra Mickle, Roxanne Gilkes, Nehena Renhena Bollers and Adesia Johnson. The total amount handed over was $400,000 which was divided among the nine recipients.

Chairman of the Foundation Rev. Dr. Murtland Raphael Massiah said the Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud decided to be proactive in dealing with the issues of losing ranks of

(Centre) Some of the recipients of the Guyana Police assistance flanked by the members of the foundation

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

17

Foundation assists families of slain cops the police force in the line of duty. “He responded in a good way by setting up the GPF Fallen Heroes Foundation, essentially what he had in mind is that the foundation essentially sets out to do something for the welfare and education of the children under 18,� he explained.

He said over 25 children have benefitted from the initiative. The Guy-

ana Police Force (GPF) launched the Fallen Heroes Foundation Inc. in 2015 to honour those members who have died in the line of duty, in order to provide various forms of assistance to their families.

Their families are set to receive adequate assistance in terms of hampers, school fees for children and other kinds of assistance from the GPF Heroes Foundation.

e Force Fallen Heroes Foundation Inc. who received n

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

One dead, four injured in Linden smash-up

TWO young children are now mourning the loss of their mother, while praying for the recovery of their grandmother following their involvement in an accident around 01:45hrs on Tuesday on the Amelia’s Ward Hill in Linden.

Dead is Toushanna Frank, 28, of Amelia’s Ward, Linden. She was pronounced

dead on arrival at the Mackenzie Hospital, while her mother, Paula Taylor, 51, who was at the time driving motor car PSS 6725, was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital in a critical state.

According to the police, Taylor was proceeding north on the public road when she lost control of the vehicle and collided with minibus BTT

766, which plies the Linden to Georgetown route.

The driver of the bus, Royston Telford, 57, of Industrial Area, Mackenzie, was proceeding south when Taylor drove into his lane thus causing a collision. He is currently warded at the Mackenzie Hospital, and said to be in a stable condition.

The other occupants of

the motorcar were Frank’s two children, Jamica Chan, 10, and Darnelle Frank, four, both of whom were treated at the Mackenzie Hospital and sent home.

According to an eyewitness, Taylor was driving at a reasonable pace and in her lane when suddenly she changed lanes and collided with the front left hand side

of the minibus.

“I was driving a li’l way behind, and all I see is this woman pick up a speed and change lane,” the eyewitness said, adding: “To me, like she was trying to avoid a bump on top of the hill, but me ain’t know if she ain’t see the bus or what, ‘cause the place was dark.”

The accident occurred in the same vicinity where 10 persons died some time ago when the minibus in which they were travelling collided with a lumber truck.

According to Divisional Commander, Karim Baskh, investigations are ongoing.

The deceased in Tuesday’s accident has been described by friends and

Dead: Toushanna Frank, 28, of Amelia’s Ward, Linden family members as an outgoing and vibrant person.

She was a vendor at the Mackenzie Market.

The minibus with which Frank’s vehicle collided

The car in which Frank, her children and mother were travelling

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Dublin promises Linden residents ...

19

Electricity should be back to normal by weekend GENERAL Manager of the Linden Electricity Company Incorporated (LECI), Patrick Dublin said Tuesday that the company is working feverishly at sta-

bilising the generation of of electricity in the township, and that things should return to normal soon.

He gave as the reason for the spate of blackouts the

Another coke smuggler busted at CJIA LESS than a day after two alleged drug smugglers were charged with trafficking cocaine, Berkeley Ferdinand was added to the list after he was busted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri attempting to smuggle cocaine in Banko wine bottles to New York.

Ferdinand, 47, of South Sophia was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment along with a fine of $4.8M after he confessed to the drug trafficking charge which alleged that on Friday, December 16 at CJIA he had 1.790 kilograms of cocaine in his possession.

According to Custom Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) prosecutor Kunyo Sandiford on the day in question Ferdinand was an outgoing passenger on Caribbean Airliner BW 526, destined for JFK airport, New York.

The prosecutor noted that the man checked in at the airport and placed his suitcase to be tagged and scanned. A CANU officer’s suspicion

was raised when she noticed strange images in the suitcase. The officer approached the man and conducted a search on his suitcase. Two Banko wine bottles were removed from the said suitcase and opened. Ferdinand was arrested and taken to CANU headquarters where he told investigators that he was under pressure and took a chance to carry the drug.

He also explained that he was given the two bottles of Banko laced with cocaine by someone to deliver to New York and was promised US $2,500.

“Ah sorry I do it” the man told the magistrate as he begged for mercy. The magistrate sentenced Ferdinand to 3 years’ imprisonment along with a fine of $4.8M. Berkeley is the brother of local singer, Mark Ferdinand, who was arrested and charged in the United States for cocaine trafficking in 2015. He was released and deported after striking a deal with US Prosecutors.

Cops busted with ganja in car TWO Traffic constables attached to the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam were on Monday afternoon observed acting suspiciously around a hire car owned by one of them after their tour of duty had ended. They ended up being busted with a quantity of marijuana.

‘B’ Division Commander Errol Watts has since confirmed that the ranks have been placed under close arrest and the matter is currently being handled by Criminal Investigation Department ranks in Georgetown.

Guyana Chronicle understands that the behaviour of the cops caught the attention of a senior officer, and he questioned their presence in the vicinity at that time.

Not being pleased with the ranks’ response, the officer requested the keys to the heavily-tinted vehicle; and when the constables refused to grant that request, the officer decided to break the driver’s side window to gain entry into the car.

The senior officer reportedly searched the inside of the car but found nothing. However, upon opening the trunk, he found a rice bag in which a shoulder bag was concealed. On opening the shoulder bag, the officer discovered two transparent plastic bags which contained leaves, stems and seeds believed to be from the cannabis sativa (marijuana) plant.

The two constables were promptly placed under close arrest, and the items, which in their presence were found to weigh 5kg, were seized. The two ranks were told of the offence and statements were taken from them.

The policemen have since denied knowledge and/or ownership of the bag and its contents. Investigations are continuing.

township is currently experiencing the sudden breakdown of one of the company’s Caterpillar generators.

“They are servicing one of the small CAT sets, and that should bring some relief by midday today,” Dublin said, adding: “They have leased one because one got damaged; it caught a fire two nights ago, so that caused the problem.”

He said that Company’s technicians are also working on rapairing a three-megawatt Wartsila set, and that as

soon as that job is completed, things will return to normal.

He gave the Guyana Chronicle every assurance that the servicemen are working round-the-clock to have stable electricity by this weekend.

For several days, Linden has been experiencing steady blackouts, with increasing regularity over the last two days.

Since Monday electricity has been alternating between Mackenzie and across the river at Wismar, causing black-

outs in those communities for several hours, in some cases all day or all night.

This situation has raised concerns for many residents, given that the Christmas weekend is fast approaching.

“Like we gon get a black Christmas,” one resident said as she expressed frustration over the regular power outage.

“These people will spoil people Christmas meat and appliance man,” another blurted out.

It’s an inconvenience

which, though necessary, Mr Dublin would like to apologise for. As he hastened to explain, rotating the electricity is the only option, as the technicians do not want to put undue pressure on the generators.

“Due to the same pressure caused one to burn, so they down one of the sets for maintenance and servicing,” he said.

If this is not done, he said, then the long-term benefit of stable electricity may not be guaranteed.

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Four charged jointly for couple’s fiery death

FOUR men were on Tuesday jointly charged for the murder of the elderly rice-farming couple, Mohamed Munir and his wife, Bibi Jamila, who were burnt to death in their Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo home in April.

Jason Howard called Smelly, Sanjai George called Coolie Boy, Shamadeen Mohammed called Milo and Joel Blair were not required to plea to the charge which alleged that on April 17 at Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo they murdered the elderly couple in the furtherance of arson on the Munir’s dwelling home.

The unrepresented gang was not required to plea to the indictable charge when it was read to them by City Magistrate Faith McGsty who remanded them until

January 12, 2017 and transferred the matter to Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The major breakthrough in the case came after Howard was nabbed following a high-speed chase by Police after a brazen daylight attack was carried out on Baldeo Seegobin, an accountant attached to Tower Hotel last Wednesday.

M u n i r, 7 5 , a n d h i s wife, Bibi, 69, perished shortly after 23.00 hrs on April 17, 2017, after they were trapped in the raging fire which destroyed their heavily grilled, two-storey house. Their badly-burnt corpses were retrieved from the debris after the fire was finally extinguished.

Eyewitnesses said that the blaze started in the upper flat and spread throughout the house within minutes.

The murder of the elderly

Joel Blair, called Joel couple, reports indicate that one of the suspects, who lived at the rear of the Munirs, revealed to a friend that the couple had $20M cash in their home. A deportee was then contacted and a gang of six, which included a driver and a lookout, was formed and the plan was hatched to

Sanjai George, called Coolie boy

Shamadeen Mohammed, called Milo

Jason Howard, called Smelly

rob the couple. Three of the suspects are from the Good Hope neighbourhood and another is from Tuschen, EBE. Police investigators have learnt that the men, upon breaking into the couple’s house, hunted for valuables and in the process, the couple woke up. This newspaper understands the perpetrators then attempted to gain access to the couple’s bedroom at the rear of the building, but because of the security feature, they were unable

to do so.

The angry bandits then decided to light a sofa afire and threw a gas bottle into the fire, resulting in a loud explosion minutes after they fled through a track that led to a church and a cemetery in a street behind the couple’s home. From their hiding place, they heard Mohamed and Bibi Munir screaming for help.

Residents, and a family who was passing in a vehicle, were unable to free the

trapped couple.

Police have received reports from a neighbour, who said that she saw two persons in the couple’s verandah before the fire broke out.

The neighbour also claimed to have heard Mrs. Munir screaming that ‘bandits’ were in the house. Ranks from the Force’s Major Crimes Unit are spearheading the ongoing investigation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

GPL turns down Giftland’s power supply offer

21

-says terms not feasible, uneconomical

THE Guyana Power and Light (GPL) said it had to walk away from a proposal

by Giftland Mall to sell it electricity owing to the cost and the time the business entity was prepared to supply power.

This announcement was made by GPL’s Chief Executive Officer (ag), Renford Homer during a news conference on Monday.

Giftland Mall, located at Turkeyen on the East Bank of Demerara, is generating its own electricity. The mall’s power station has the capacity to satisfy its demand of 1.5 megawatts of power per day and an additional 3.2 megawatts of excess power.

Homer, during a press con-

needed “doesn’t make economic sense to GPL.” The power company’s proposal, according to the CEO (ag) was communicated to Giftland.

Deputy CEO Technical, Elwyn Marshall told reporters that certain technical criteria had to be met before GPL could have taken on such a proposal. “It has to be a coordinated effort. It has to be done in a way that it doesn’t add instability to our fragile grid,” Marshall said.

He added that in addition to the technical aspects, GPL has to purchase the power at an economical rate in an effort to sell back to consumers in the targeted areas. “We had initial discussions with

GPL’s Chief Executive Officer (ag), Renford Homer and the Deputy Chief Executive Officer – Technical, Elwyn Marshall ference at GPL’s Kingston Head Office, said the power company was approached by Giftland but the particulars of the proposal fell short in addressing the needs of GPL. “The time in which the Giftland Mall was desirous of supplying energy to GPL was really not in keeping with the time we would actually benefit from that excess energy,” the CEO (ag) told reporters in response to a question posed.

It was explained that the mall was suggesting to supply Sophia and neighbouring communities with electricity between 10:00h and 13:00 when the demand for electricity is usually between 18:30h and 21:00h.

Homer said to take on board an offer to supply energy when it is really not

Giftland; they had a certain concept in terms of the price they wanted to sell the product to GPL,” he said, noting however, that it was not in keeping with what GPL had required, emphasising that they are both financial and technical implications.

Meanwhile, GPL is putting systems in place to reduce the likelihood of power outages. According to Marshall, GPL currently has a firm capacity of 104 megawatts of electricity, excluding the generation of power available to the company from the Skeldon Factory.

Skeldon has the capacity to generate a minimum of 8 megawatts.

He said when the Garden of Eden Wartsila Plant goes into full operation by Friday, an additional 5.5 megawatts

of power will be accumulated.

“This would give us a reserve of close to 10 megawatts which traditionally, we like to operate with a reserve that allows for the failure of

our largest unit. Our largest unit right now is 8.7 megawatts, so we will like to have at least 9 to 10 megawatts,” Marshall further explained.

He said the reserve would significantly reduce

the risk of widespread power outages for expensive periods during the festive season. It was noted too by the CEO (ag) that in the lead up to festive season, GPL intensifies it maintenance

operation. Additionally, in response to the picketing exercise conducted by some of its workers, GPL has asked its contract workers to be on standby in the case of an emergency.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Duo to spend Christmas in jail for series of robberies

TWO bandits who were recently nabbed by police shortly after robbing a Tower Suites accountant on Main Street and injuring a security guard in the process were on Tu e s d a y re m a n d e d t o prison by City Magistrate Faith McGusty on an armed robbery and attempt murder charge.

Jason Howard and Curtis Vasconcellos were charged jointly for the offence which alleged that on December 14 at Main Street while in the company of each other armed with a gun robbed Valdeo Seegobin of $2.9M cash, a cheque book, a haversack, hard drive and other items totaling value $2,969,700.

Jason Howard The duo was also charged for unlawfully and maliciously wounding the hotel security guard, Balmick Persaud during the course of the robbery.

The men were not required to plea to the indictable charge. Vasconcellos’ lawyer, Dexter Todd did not make an application for bail but requested that statements be disclosed early in court. He also pointed out that his client was beaten by the police while in custody. Magistrate McGusty however re-

Curt Vasconcellos manded the duo until January 12, 2017 and transferred the matter to Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Meanwhile, Howard was separately charged on four other armed robbery charges and an attempt murder charge. The first charge alleged that Howard on October 22 at Water Street, Georgetown wounded Quacy Joseph with intent to murder him.

Joseph is a security guard attached to the Electronics City branch on Water Street was shot during a robbery which took place within the store in the Fogarty’s building.

He was also charged for robbing Bibi Jabar of $6,000 cash on October 12 at Church Street, Georgetown. Additionally, Howard was charged for robbing Roopnarine Boodhoo of $8,000 cash on October 1 at North Road, Bourda. Another charge read that on November 18 at Oronoque Street, Queenstown he robbed fruit vendor, Sheik Sadik carting off $35,000 cash during the gunpoint ordeal. The fourth charged alleged that Howard on November 6 at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara while being in the company of another robbed Bibi Bacchus of $100,000 cash.

Howard was not required to plea to the charges and was remanded to prison until January 12, 2017.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Charlestown

bandits jailed

CHARLESTOWN teenagers Leroy Forde (18) and Joshua Collins were on Tuesday jailed

by Georgetown Magistrate Dylon Bess on two counts of armed robbery after a probation report was read in court.

Leroy Forde The two Georgetown teens were jointly charged with two counts of robbery under arms, and were found guilty at the conclusion of their trial on December 4. They were also found guilty of robbing Kendal Short of his $19,000 Blu cellphone while being armed with a gun on September 26 at Bishop Street, Werk-enRust, Georgetown.

That aside, the teens were found guilty of robbing Andrew Nurse of his Toyota Premio motor car, valued at $2.5M, on the same day and at the same location mentioned in the abovestated charge.

Forde was sentenced to 48 months on each charge, while Joshua Collins was sentenced to 36 months on each charge.

The sentence will, however, run concurrently.

The magistrate based his ruling on the testimonies given by the two accused and two witnesses who said they had seen the teens with guns during the robbery. He also considered the testi-

monies of two police witnesses who had tracked down Nurse’s hijacked car and had arrested the two teens inside after a high-speed chase.

Collins had called his mother to testify on his behalf as a witness, but the woman could not provide the court with key evidence regarding her son’s whereabouts on the day in question.

Forde had called a friend to provide an alibi that he had been with her on the day in question.

However, the witness’s testimony was deemed “inconsistent and incredible” by the magistrate.

According to reports, Nurse had, on September 26, stepped out of his vehicle to visit his mechanic in Bishop Street; and as he returned to his car, he felt a gun being pressed to his head, and he was shoved aside as the two men grabbed his keys and made off with the vehicle.

Joshua Collins T h e n e x t d a y, p o lice acting on information arrested the two bandits in the East La Penitence area with the stolen car. The bandits had, however, changed the number plates of the car, but the owner identified his vehicle by the engine and chassis numbers. The men had also been pointed out during an identification parade.

23

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

25

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Scottsville 08:25 hrs Hot Mambo 09:00 hrs Princess Analia 09:35 hrs Just Ask Me 10:10 hrs Putchini 10:45 hrs Karatage 11:15 hrs Enchanted Drawing ENGLISH RACING TIPS Ludlow 08:25 hrs Melrose Boy 09:05 hrs Cyrius Moriviere 09:35 hrs Sizing Platinum 10:10 hrs Brillare Momento 10:40 hrs Calett Mad 11:10 hrs Danceintothelight 11:40 hrs Top Ville Ben Ffos Las 08:50 hrs Noble Robin 09:20 hrs Court Challenge 09:50 hrs Robinshill 10:20 hrs Capilla 10:50 hrs Deputy Commander 11:20 hrs Present Times NEWCASTLE 09:30 hrs Mont Ras 10:00 hrs First Mohican 10:30 hrs Wordiness 11:00 hrs Singapore Sling 11:30 hrs Cliff 12:00 hrs Quiet Warrior 12:30 hrs Line Of Reason 13:00 hrs Windforpower AMERICAN RACING TIPS Gulfstream Park Race 1 Forever for Always Race 2 Spinning Star Race 3 Likeagirl Race 4 Ranger in Paris Race 5 Colonel Swinson Race 6 Annathela Race 7 Invidia Race 8 Celtic Moonlight

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Ming eyeing career in World Endurance Championships

By Stephan Sookram WHILE most drivers may have an eye towards the Formula One landscape, overseas-based Guyanese Calvin Ming has his focus on acquirng another prize, the World Endurance Championships commonly known as the 24 hours of Le Mans.

Speaking during a press conference yesterday morning, Ming, who is on a brief vacation, indicated that Formula One actually represents his third-tier option for his racing career.

According to Ming, while there is the obvious prestige that is associated

with Formula 1 brand of racing, persons must understand that there are various styles of driving and different career paths.

“My goal is prototype car Le Mans racing, the 24 hours, secondly Indy car and finally F1. From a driver’s point of view, my driving style more fits the Le Mans kind of racing and I prefer that one because from a driver’s basis, it is more competitive,” he said.

According to his father Stanley, the plan is to venture to the French city next year June in an attempt to test out one of the machines in order to garner traction in that direction.

The second year Florida International University (FIU) student currently doing Civil Engineering says that studying still remains a priority as well, adding, “It’s always good to have a second option. It’s never good to close off your options, just keep it as open as you can. The reason I chose Civil Engineering is because it will always be in demand.”

Ming has set his sights on the USF 2000 series, the American equivalent of Formula Three as the next stepping stone in his road to the European continent with testing done with two top teams in the series.

He has, however, de-

Windies still languishing at number eight in ICC Test rankings DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) – Embattled West Indies will spend Christmas at number eight in the ICC Test team rankings.

In the most recent rankings released yesterday, the Caribbean side were still languishing on 69 ratings points in the nether region of the tables – a position they have occupied for most of the year.

They are only four points clear of minnows Bangladesh in ninth.

The year was another dire one for West Indies as they won just one of their eight

Tests, while suffering four defeats and four draws.

They went down 2-0 in a four-Test home series against India and lost 2-1 to Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

The other game was the drawn third Test against Australia in Sydney – a series West Indies lost 2-0.

Once the dominant side in the game’s longest format, West Indies have struggled badly over the last two decades and their last success over a major Test-playing nation came when they defeated En-

gland 1-0 in a five-match series seven years ago in the Caribbean.

In yesterday’s rankings, India stormed to 120 points following their crushing innings victory over England in Chennai, guaranteeing themselves top spot at the end of the year.

They are 15 points clear of Australia with Pakistan third on 102 points and South Africa fourth on 102 points. England, who started the series against India tied for second, have slipped to fifth after losing the five-match series 4-0.

Latest rankings:

clined to name which team he is likely to suit up for in 2017; that decision is expected in the New Year.

Meanwhile, Ming who currently leads the F4 series in NACAM Mexico with 126 points says that

gym and fitness work will continue even as he spends the holidays with his family.

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Jadeja’s seven for 48 floors England (REUTERS) - Ravindra Jadeja ripped the heart out of England’s batting order to bowl India to a thumping innings and 75run victory in the fifth and final Test yesterday.

The left-arm spinner claimed seven of the 10 English wickets that tumbled in the final two sessions as India completed an emphatic 4-0 series win.

The touring side needed to bat out the final day to secure a consolation draw and Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings defended resolutely through the morning to boost their chances.

Cook did look ill at ease against spin and got a life on four when he lunged forward to edge Ravichandran Ashwin but the ball popped out of wicketkeeper Parthiv

Patel’s gloves.

Jennings played more confidently although he was nearly caught by Lokesh Rahul at short leg off Amit Mishra when on 31.

Jadeja returned after lunch to turn the match on its head.

The all-rounder has haunted Cook since the tourists landed in India and he dismissed the England captain for the sixth time in the series by getting him caught at leg slip.

It was a poor shot from Cook who edged a leg-side delivery to Rahul to depart for 49.

Jennings followed up his debut century in the previous Test in Mumbai with a fifty but offered a tame return catch to Jadeja after making 54.

for 23.

Jadeja claimed the last two wickets to finish with a career-best 7-48 as England, 97 for no loss at lunch, lost their last six wickets for 15 runs and folded barely half an hour before the scheduled close.

“No excuses, India were the better team here and deserved to win,” Cook said.

“It was a very good fifth day wicket ... we got ourselves into a good position at lunch to save the game but we were not good enough to bat the rest of the time out.”

India batsman Karun Nair was adjudged manof-the-match for his marathon 303 not out.

SCOREBOARD Ravindra Jadeja returned with career-best figures of 7 for 48 on the fifth day in Chennai.

“We understood that once we got a couple of wickets, it’s going to be a downslide pretty quick (for England),” India captain Virat Kohli, who was adjudged man-of-the-series for his 655 runs, said at the presentation ceremony.

“Jadeja coming and doing the job in both the innings ... hitting the right areas and making it uncomfortable for the batsmen; it was great to watch,” Kohli said.

ROOT FAILURE England’s batting mainstay Joe Root could manage only six runs before he was hit on the pad by a fuller delivery from Jadeja.

India’s lbw appeal was turned down and Kohli took his time before deciding to review the decision, which was overturned after replays suggested the ball would have hit the leg stump.

Jadeja then sprinted backwards to take a brilliant running catch to dismiss Jonny Bairstow off the bowling of paceman Ishant Sharma.

Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes looked determined to bat through but Jadeja removed both batsmen after tea to spark an English collapse.

Moeen was guilty of throwing his wicket away with a loose shot after making 44 and Stokes chipped a catch to mid-wicket to depart

ENGLAND 1st innings 477 (M. Ali 146, J. Root 88, L. Dawson 66 n.o., A. Rashid 60) INDIA 1st innings 759 for 7 decl (K. Nair 303 n.o., L. Rahul 199, P. Patel 71, R. Ashwin 67, R. Jadeja 51) ENGLAND 2nd innings (o/n 12-0) A. Cook c Rahul b Jadeja 49 K. Jennings c & b Jadeja 54 J. Root lbw b Jadeja 6 M. Ali c R. Ashwin b Jadeja 44 J. Bairstow c Jadeja b I. Sharma 1 B. Stokes c Nair b Jadeja 23 J. Buttler not out 6 L. Dawson b Mishra 0 A. Rashid c Jadeja b U. Yadav 2 S. Broad c Pujara b Jadeja 1 J. Ball c Nair b Jadeja 0 Extras: (b-12, lb-8, w-1) 21 Total: (all out, 88 overs) 207 Fall of wickets: 1-103, 2-110, 3-126, 4-129, 5-192, 6-193, 7-196, 8-200, 9-207.

Bowling: I. Sharma 10-2-17-1, R. Ashwin 25-6-56-0, R. Jadeja 25-5-48-7, U. Yadav 14-1-36-1 (w-1), A. Mishra 14-4-30-1.

Captain Cook yet to decide on England future (REUTERS) - England captain Alastair Cook has not made any decision on whether to continue in the job, the 31-year-old said after his team’s 4-0 series loss against India yesterday.

Cook landed in India with speculation about the position he has held since 2012 and the crushing defeat in India will only strengthen calls for him to hand over the Test captaincy to Joe Root.

“This is not the place to be asking me these questions,” Cook told Sky Sports after his team lost the fifth and final Test by an innings and 75 runs in Chennai.

“I have got to go away and do some thinking, get back home and do it without the emotive side of what’s happened over the last nine weeks,” he said after the defeat which pushed England down from second to fifth in the world rankings.

England’s loss was all the more frustrating for

England captain Alastair Cook Cook as the tourists won the toss in four of the five Tests and were not made to play on the spin-friendly pitches which India rolled out to South Africa last year.

“It’s been a series of missed opportunities, in terms of catches that cost us,” Cook said.

“Not being able to score enough runs and take enough wickets, it’s a tough dressing-room to

be in. We tried as hard as we can but it wasn’t good enough.”

England’s sloppy fielding allowed Karun Nair to hit a marathon 303 not out which set the tone for India’s comprehensive victory in the final Test.

“It was a game of missed opportunities.

We kept dropping vital chances and India kept punishing us.”

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Campbell/Gentle are Trophy Stall Ladies’ Doubles champions

CRISTY Campbell and Afruica Gentle staved off a strong challenge from the mother-and-daughter pair of Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan and her daughter Nicola, to win the Trophy Stall-sponsored, Guyana Tennis Association’s Ladies’ Doubles title.

Those who gathered at the venue for the final, anticipated a nail-biting final and got just what they expected.

The two pairs played neck-and-neck in the most intense ladies’ doubles of the year. Campbell, with her calm demeanour and consistent loopy strokes, was backed by Gentle’s furious groundstrokes.

The first set had a dash

of drama, ups and downs for both teams. Campbell/ Gentle saw an opportunity while serving 6-5 in the first set but the Ramdyhans were not going to let the match slip out of their reach.

They battled to break Campbell’s serve and throw the set into a tiebreaker. But it was the Campbell/Gentle who stormed through the tiebreaker with a 7-1 win and first set in hand, leaving spectators shocked and at the edge of their seats.

The second set provided more rewarding tennis. An under-the-weather Campbell and the visibly pained mother and coach threw caution to the wind in an effort to secure the title.

With a quick race to a 4-2 lead, it was clear that the momentum of the match was on Gentle/Campbell’s side. It was clear that slow pace of Campbell’s carefully placed high balls were intended to throw off the Ramdyhans.

However, the experienced Ramdyhans etched their way back with their signature big serves and skilful touch volleys to tie the set at 4 games. In a gruelling game that racked up 3 deuces and two game points to the Ramdyhans, the set was either team to grab.

But focus and tenacity heralded Gentle/Campbell with the success of a 5-4 lead. The Ramdyhans’ ser-

In picture are Cristy Campbell and Afruica Gentle. vice game now held the last line of defence in their chance to stay in the match.

But, the prospect of a win

came as Gentle/Campbell earned 2 match points.

One match point was saved, but the next point, an

acute cross court angle generated by Campbell pushed Nicola off court to set Gentle up for an easy winner.

Elation flooded Gentle/ Campbell’s faces as they now stand undefeated for the season and claimed the spot on the pinnacle of local women’s doubles. In the stand, the proud mother and father watched their young daughter celebrate another moment of joy. In an invited comment, Campbell stated, “Winning always feels good whether it’s a big win or not.

“We’ve had a jittery start due to lack of communication, nevertheless my partner and I got momentum going and maintained composure at crucial points. Thankfully we came out on the winning side. Altogether it was a gruelling match.”

Tennis champ Kvitova suffers knife attack, injures playing hand

By Robert Muller |

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (Reuters) - Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova suffered severe injuries to her playing hand yester-

day defending herself from a knife-wielding intruder in her apartment, an attack she said left her “fortunate to be alive”.

The tennis world number 11 said she would need to

consult specialists about the injury, and gave no indication when she might be able to play again.

“In my attempt to defend myself, I was badly injured on my left hand,” she said on her

Queen Elizabeth stands down as All England Club patron (REUTERS) - Queen Elizabeth has relinquished her role as patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), home of the Wimbledon championships, after 64 years and will be replaced

by The Duchess of Cambridge, a statement from the club said yesterday.

The long-serving British monarch, who turned 90 in April, memorably presented the Venus Rosewater Dish trophy to home favourite Virginia Wade after she won the women’s singles title in 1977, the Queen’s Silver Jubilee year.

She did not return until 2010 when British player Andy Murray bowed three times in front of Centre Court’s Royal Box after speculation that the patriotic Scot would not do so.

“I only saw a replay of the second one when I was warming down. It looked a little bit awkward, but I am not used to doing it,” Murray said at the time.

On that occasion the Queen also chatted to a selection of former champions including Roger Federer and Venus and Serena Williams.

Petra Kvitova

Twitter account @Petra_Kvitova. “The injury is severe and I will need to see specialists, but if you know anything about me I am strong and I will fight this.”

Kvitova was attacked in her flat in the city of Prostejov, about 260 km (160 miles) southeast of Prague, the site of a tennis club where she,

men’s world number 10 Tomas Berdych and other top-ranked Czech tennis players train.

Karel Tejkal, spokesman for the Czech Fed Cup team, told Czech media the morning attack had been “a random criminal act” and she had not been specifically targeted.

The Czech Republic won the Fed Cup, the premier national team competition in women’s tennis, for the third year in a row in November.

The website of newspaper Mlada Fronta Dnes said the intruder presented himself to Kvitova as a boiler inspector.

“What has happened to me was not pleasant at all, but it is already behind me,” she said in an earlier statement issued on the Fed Cup team’s Facebook page.

“The main thing for me now is that the doctors will de-

termine how my hand is doing.

I trust them and I believe that it will end well.”

The hard-hitting lefthander has been a near constant in the world’s Top 10 since 2011, rising as high as number 2 that year, when she won the first of her two Wimbledon singles titles.

She slipped in the rankings this year but showed improved form in recent months, winning the Wuhan Open title in October and the season-ending WTA Elite trophy in November.

In 1993, then-world number 1 Monica Seles was stabbed courtside during a break at a tournament in Germany by a man who admitted having an obsession with her rival Steffi Graf.

The attack forced Seles out of tennis for two years.

Guyana Cup rematch fixed for January 1 at RSTC Britain’s Queen Elizabeth reacts after presenting the trophy to King Power Foxes after they beat Dubai Polo Club to win The Cartier Queens Cup Final at Smiths Lawn, Windsor Great Park, southern England, June 14, 2015.

(REUTERS/Eddie Keogh)

“We would like to thank Her Majesty for her long and unwavering service to The Club and The Championships during her time as our Patron,” AELTC chairman Philip Brook said.

“It was a great honour to welcome Her Majesty to Wimbledon in 2010 and we remain immensely proud of her role in the history of The Club and The Championships.”

Buckingham Palace also confirmed that the Queen was standing down as patron of the Lawn Tennis Association and the Rugby Football Union.

The Duchess of Cambridge is said to be a keen tennis fan and she cheered on Murray from the Royal Box this year as he beat Canada’s Milos Raonic to win his second Wimbledon title, having missed his 2013 triumph.

THE Jumbo Jet Auto Spares and Racing Stables, in collaboration with the Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC), will stage its 3rd edition of the Guyana Cup horse race meet on January 1 at the club’s facility, Arima Park, West Coast Berbice.

Seven races are carded for the day with the feature event being one for horses classified `B’ and Lower over a distance of 1800m and the winner will be rewarded with $1.2M and a trophy. The second-, thirdand fourth-place finishers will share $1.8M among themselves.

Animals classified `F 1’ and Lower will battle over 1400m for the top prize of $400 000 and a trophy.

Three-year-old horses will also contest a 1400m race and the winner will receive $350 000 and a trophy.

An 1100m race is on the card for Guyana-bred two-year-old horses and the winner will take home $260 000 and a trophy, while horses classified `JK’ and Lower will compete for a $200 000 first prize over a distance of 1100m.

Animals classified `L’ and Lower will compete

for a first prize worth $180, 00 along with a trophy and they will do battle over 1100m.

The top jockey and runner-up as well as the top stable and champion trainer will also receive trophies and other incentives, compliments of Trophy Stall of Bourda Market and the organisers.

Entries close on Saturday.

Interested race horse owners and trainers can make contact with Fazal Habibula (657-7010 or 232-0232), Donald Lowrie (225-4530) or Compton Sancho (602-1567).

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Boxing looking to work with GOA president AS it concerns today’s Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) elections, president of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle says his hope is that whoever is elected has the best interest of sports at heart, and the boxing fraternity will be looking to work with whoever is elected on the executive.

Speaking with Chronicle Sport earlier this week, Ninvalle, who is out of the country, said that once the elections are democratic and the elected officials have the development of sports at heart then his Association looks forward to working with them.

“My only hope is that the elections are run in a democratic way in keeping with

Steve Ninvalle

the constitution and whosoever may win we are willing to work with that person.

“Whoever wins I hope that sports will get its just and right support, and support doesn’t always come with finance and equip-

ment; someone who has sports at heart and someone who can move us from point A to point B and get all the departments together to take us forward,” Ninvalle said.

Unless a surprising upset presents itself today, from all appearance incumbent president K. A. Juman-Yassin is set to return to the helm of the GOA. He has indicated his intention to contest the post of presidency, while thus far no other candidate has publicly indicated any possibility of vying for the position.

A lot of criticism has been directed at the GOA’s administration, particularly Yassin over the years.

This condemnation intensified in the lead-up to the elections. Yassin has been

the head of the Association since he took over in 1996.

Some critics believe that Yassin must shoulder the blame for Guyana’s failure to perform creditably on the international scene. This lack of notable performance was brought to the fore with Guyana’s presentation at the Rio Olympics back in August of this year, where only one of the six participants made it into a final. Our one finalist was USA-born and bred, Troy Doris, who has Guyanese lineage through his parents.

However, on that issue Ninvalle expressed that he does not believe that the blame for the failure of sports in Guyana can be laid at the feet of any one entity.

“When you look at

sports in Guyana it’s a multi-faceted thing. Until all hands are on deck we will keep casting blame left, right and centre. If all hands are not on deck we can’t take sports anywhere. “ We c a n n o t , a n d should not, blame anyone department alone for sports not to be taken anywhere. Getting sport from where it is to where we want it to be has to be a multi-faceted approach - with efforts from the government, the GOA, the private sector, and the Associations,” Ninvalle commented.

The GOA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections will go down at 17:00hrs at the body’s Liliendaal headquarters, where

representatives from a total of 23 sporting associations across Guyana are expected to vote in the new seven-member executive.

The executive comprises the president, three vice-presidents, the secretary-general, the treasurer, and assistant secretary-treasurer The 23 sporting fraternities expected to cast votes are athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, bodybuilding, boxing, canoeing, cycling, fencing, football, hockey, judo, karate, netball, rifle-shooting, rugby, weightlifting, table tennis, taekwondo, lawn tennis, swimming, squash and volleyball.

Each association is allowed two electors.

CRICKET Australia executives have declared West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell’s use of a black bat as completely within the laws of the Big Bash competition.

Russell stoked controversy yesterday after showing up for the tournament’s opening encounter against the Sydney Sixers with a black and pink bat. The instrument immediately set

Zaidi also wielding a black coloured bat for Essex, until it was outlawed.

A Cricket Australia spokesperson quickly clarified the ruling, saying the West Indian all-rounder had not broken any laws.

“A player can use a coloured bat subject to Cricket Australia approval. The bat may be the same colour as the club’s primary colour, or black,” said the spokes-

Davis slams Red Force for CA defends Russell’s use of black bat inadequate preparation PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Former West Indies batsman Bryan Davis, has slammed the preparation of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, after the national franchise lost their third game in four outings in the Regional Four-Day Championship on Monday.

The 76-year-old, who played four Tests in 1965 against Australia, said the trial games which had been used in the lead-up to last month’s start of the tournament had been inadequate in getting the side ready for the longer format.

“I don’t think the team for the last three years has been a well-prepared team,” Davis told the NewsDay here.

“I don’t like the whole preparation aspect of the trial matches how it is played, it is too lackadaisical; it does not seem to be following any definite order.

“When you reach this

Red Force captain Yannick Ottley level of cricket, this level of cricket is one step away from Test cricket. I think it is preparation. We are not properly prepared for four-day matches.”

Red Force started the tournament strongly when they defeated Windward Islands Volcanoes by nine wickets at Queen’s Park Oval here.

Their form declined dras-

tically since then, however.

They slumped to a 292-run loss to Barbados Pride at the Oval here, drew with Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the third round before suffering back-to-back defeats to Jamaica Scorpions and reigning champions Guyana Jaguars.

In their most recent defeat at the Guyana National Stadium in Georgetown on

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday December 21, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) &

AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to Friday’s quiz: (1) Jamaica Scorpions (2) Nikita Miller-25 wickets Today’s Quiz: (1) Which wicketkeeper has effected most dismissals in Tests?

(2) Which wicketkeeper has effected most dismissals in ODIs? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Monday, Davis said he had witnessed a side lacking in motivation.

“They have talented players there but I looked at some of the cricket (during the last game) through the computer and men walking around with their shoulders down and they don’t look like if they happy,” said the Trinidadian, who played 112 first class games including two seasons for Welsh county Glamorgan.

“They are playing the game but they look like a losing bunch of players. So somehow they are not motivated, and a team is only motivated when they feel they’re good.”

Davis believes Red Force’s fortunes may benefit from a change in the captaincy. Currently, Yannick Ottley has charge of the squad but Davis argued the responsibility was too much for the 25-year-old.

“I think it is very unfair to put Yannick Ottley as captain of the team because I don’t think he has that experience and I don’t think he has that knowledge,” Davis said.

“He might develop it and I hope he does, but certainly he is far too green a cricketer to put into that situation. I think it is tough on him, I am not blaming him, but all this comes back to the selectors.

Red Force lie bottom of the six-team standings.

Andre Russell gears up to play a shot, with his black bat.

tongues wagging on social media platforms.

While many praised the talented Jamaican’s creative spark, many pointed out that the equipment could be illegal, citing Law 6.6 which states that it is not legal for a player to have a blackened blade.

A similar controversy arose in the English Country Twenty20, with Ashar

person.

“CA retains the right to withdraw approval in its absolute discretion. The umpires can also request a player change the bat if they believe it affects the integrity of the match.”

Russell made just nine runs and took one wicket as the Thunder lost by nine runs to the Sixers. (Sportsmax.com)

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Semi-finalists decided in Fruta’s U-19 league

… GFC vs Uitvlugt, Santos vs Conquerors

Former National goalkeeper and present National Goalkeeper Coach, Andre Hazel (L) makes a presentation of a Tactical Board and a Fox 40 whistle to Black Pearl FC and long standing football Coach, Peter ‘Michelin’ Gulliver minutes before last Monday’s U-19 league game against Conquerors. Hazel said it is his way of recognizing the tremendous works of the 1998 GFF’s Coach of the year who started at Pele FC over three decades ago.

THE last two sides to advance to the final four in the inaugural Fruta Conquerors Academy U-19 football League were decided from the last two preliminary group matches played on Monday at the Tucville ground.

Both Black Pearl FC and Buxton United narrowly missed out on making the semis after failing to prevail in their must-win final matches of their respective groups of the 12-team competition that was reduced to 11 teams, following the withdrawal of Linden’s Botofago FC after playing two games.

Buxton were closest to advancing, but surrendered a 1-0 lead to tie 1-1 with Santos who missed a penalty kick to seal victory in the

last group ‘A’ match that left the East Coast side a point short of making the semis, but Black Pearl were easily put away 5-2 by the host in the final group ‘B’ encounter.

The win by Conquerors pushed them to the top of the group on 12 points (4W, 1L) as the unbeaten Uitvlugt Warriors slipped to 2nd with 11 points (3W, 2D).

In Group ‘A’, GFC (4W, 1D) topped with 13 points while Santos (2W, 3D) on 9 points finished second.

The semi-finals are billed for this coming Friday at the Tucville ground where the Warriors tackle GFC in the first match at 17:00hrs and Santos meet Conquerors at 19:00hrs.

The Championship game is scheduled for next Tuesday December 27.

Head coach of Victoria Kings satisfied with performance … aiming to win the second half

HEAD coach of Victoria Kings, Rawle ‘Jug-head’ Huntley, expressed to Chronicle Sport his satisfaction with the team’s performance in the first half of the GFF-Elite League and he is aiming to top the second half.

“I feel fully satisfied with the performance of the team, after the first game when we were humiliated by the Army, and this was because of distractions off the field that led to us not being focused.

“After that we united as a team and got stronger with the rallying point being the very next game which we drew 0-0 with Conquerors.

Thereafter, we grew from strength to strength and we are

still building because there is always room for improvement.

One of the major problems we had was indiscipline of some players, but ‘all-in-all’ it was a good all-round team effort throughout. Veteran defender Sherlock Dowden was consistently outstanding,” Huntley stated.

The Kings who ended in 3rd position with 8 points are in their first season of the Elite League and according to coach Huntley a lot was learnt. “I must admit the first half was a true learning experience for us as a team and for me personally.

“I learnt a lot, especially from the Army, whose dominance was due to their superior organisational capacity; of

course they have the resources.”

“There is still a lot of work to be done by all the teams, including the Army, as we strive to reach a level of quality football in the Elite League. But I think a lot could be learnt by all the teams from the Army’s flawless run. Their organisation on and off the field and their fitness are components worthy of emulating,” Huntley advised.

It has not been smooth sailing for the head coach who emphasised his loyalty to the team but is calling for support, “I am willing to work a hundred and fifty percent for the team, but the kind of support I have been getting is kind of ‘fishy’. There is so

Victoria Kings coach Rawle `Jug-head’ Huntley much that goes on off the field that is counter-productive and I intend to address these issues when we meet, this weekend, for the first time since the first half ended.

“The players, manage-

Guyana U-15 footballers humbled 5-0 by Martinique

GUYANA’S National U-15 footballers had a nightmare start on their tour of French Guiana when they were clobbered 5-0 by Martinique in their opening game last Monday.

Against high class opposition, the young Golden Jaguars had a ten-minute spell in the first half where individual errors at the back cost the team and it was difficult to recover.

The pitch conditions were new to the players and it was a tough adjustment to the heavy conditions which were due to persistent rains over the past few days.

The players struggled

to adapt to the slippery conditions and the learning curve for the players centred on the importance of playing with the ideal footwear for the surprisingly wet conditions.

ment and coaching staff, fans and administrators of the club must have a good working relationship if we are seeking success,” Huntley stressed.

The Kings head coach is relishing the long break ahead for the Elite teams, as well as the upcoming transfer period and has promised to triumph once the club gets organised properly.

“I feel the break is adequate and will do good for the players and for the coaches who will have enough time to correct problems while getting better prepared. In fact, I intend to fully utilise the period as the second round is expected to be more competitive.

“I am looking forward to the transfer window when we will strengthen the squad. Negotiations have already begun

with several players and once the necessary support from the club’s administrators is there, we intend to win the second round and that’s our goal.

The key is getting ourselves organised.”

The rookie coach of the Elite League season two also showered praise on the competition with special mention of the Army.

“The Elite League is the only way forward for Guyana’s football and there are lots of opportunities and benefits for players and officials alike.

“From what I have seen, the GDF team seem to be the best prepared and they looked well organised for the entire first round and that is why they are at the top. I indeed learnt a lot from them,” Huntley acknowledged.

According to the Technical Director, the game is a current reflection, and highlights the issues with our players that have previously been stated, that is: “We have individual talent but our game understanding and knowledge of unit roles and responsibilities are well below where they should be at this age.”

Head coach Bryan Joseph and his staff are obviously disappointed but have

not lost sight on the fact that the focus for this tournament is geared towards preparing our team for the CONCACAF U-15 tournament in August 2017.

Only Troni Semple offered a threat in the opposition’s third with his pace and power.

Guyana next game was scheduled for yesterday against Guadeloupe at 18:30hrs (French Guiana) or 17:30hrs (local time).

Windies still languishing at number eight in ICC Test rankings

See story on page 27

Guinness Georgetown leg winners presented with prizes

By Stephan Sookram THE winners of the recently concluded Guinness Greatest of the Streets Football Challenge were yesterday morning presented with their monetary prizes and trophies at a simple ceremony.

Held at the Banks DIH Sports Club at Thirst Park, winners Sparta Boss collected their $500 000 and trophy after they beat Tucville, who pocketed $200 000 and a trophy.

Third- and fourthplace winners Back Circle and Broad Street also picked up their earnings of $150 000 and $75 000 respectively after Friday’s presentation ceremony that preceded the game that was washed out by rain.

Speaking yesterday, Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste scolded those teams who showed indiscipline, adding that those behaviours will be met with the harsh penalties in the coming legs.

“For the first time we had a main sponsor for the uniforms and I had to be going every night to ensure that the

… Baptiste chides undisciplined teams

The various winners of the Georgetown leg of the Guinness Greatest in the Streets Football Tournament stand with Sport Director Christopher Jones as well as Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste and other executives of Banks DIH. teams wore their uniforms.

A whole team came out without their uniforms and we had to stop the whole night’s proceedings for them to go and get their uniforms. That’s not going to happen anymore,” Bap-

tiste said.

He continued, “From the next sub-meet, you come on the court without your uniform, socks, trunks T-shirt, (if) it’s one player, (he/she) cannot play; the whole team (without uniform), the whole

team cannot play; immediate walkover. It’s got to stop.”

He, however, lauded the various winners, reminding that they are not only brand ambassadors for their community but now, their region adding that

on-field play has improved drastically.

“The officials were just telling me that we had only one yellow card for the entire tournament which was a high improvement from the previous one.”

Also in attendance yesterday was Director of Sport Christopher Jones who said that government is taking note of the work that Guinness is doing in the communities and will do its bit to support that initiative.

“We at the National Sports Commission are continuing to have discussions with the Ministry of Finance. We want to see that the ministry can provide to companies/ corporate Guyana, who would lend support to the development of sports,” he added.

He continued, ‘Tax breaks, tax exemptions; tax holidays and so forth,” are what the Sport Director indicated are the recommendations on the table by the NSC, adding that he is hopeful in 2017 those discussions can be realised.

Meanwhile, Colours representatives indicated that they were pleased to be on board for a second year running and were pleased at the support that they have seen.

The top four teams will move onto the regional front with the next leg set for late January.

Ming eyeing career in World Endurance Championships See story on page 27

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

Calvin Ming during the USF 2000 testing sessions earlier this month WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 21, 2016