Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 23 03 2017

Be loyal to your country

Page 2

– President Granger charges 11 new GDF officers

No. 104861

THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

Exxon ups drilling – conducting exploratory operations on new reservoir – PM, other ministers get tour Page 3

Oil rig, Stena Carron is conducting exploratory drilling operations on the Snoek well, a new reservoir within the Stabroek Block 130 miles off the Atlantic sea-coast of Guyana (OPM photo)

GT back to normal …as SCS receives suspension order

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Cedric Sugar confab Richardson opens today – Guyana, other Caricom countries for major talks on sugar industry vanishes

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Be loyal to your country

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

– President Granger charges 11 new GDF officers

from the early developmental stages of armies.

He said it is an ancient ritual practice by armies all over the world where officers are commissioned.

He said too that it is written in legal scripts containing the ideals of special trust, loyalty, courage and good conduct. The President, himself a retired Brigadier, further described the officers’ instruments as a “lawful licence,” which enables them to conduct their functions.

“It reposes in you the trust to exercise authority

over your subordinates…and also obey your superiors.”

The President reminded the officers of their obligation, “…to observe the GDF’s five core values: duty, discipline, identity, integrity and loyalty.” Officers were also reminded of their duty to obey the Constitution of Guyana.

In addition to presenting them their instruments, President Granger also presented coins to the ranks, which he said signify that Guyana is a ‘Green State’. He told them, “That coin you have

President David Granger poses with the newly-commissioned officers. The President is accompanied by (from left) Inspector General, Col. Nazrul Husain; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Basil Williams. S.C.; Acting Prime Minister Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of State, Mr Joseph Harmon; Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Patrick West and SOC 49 Course Officer, Major L. Benons

ELEVEN young Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ranks on Wednesday took the oath to serve and protect Guyana before receiving their instruments of commission from Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President David Granger.

The men and one lone female received their instruments at State House after successfully completing the Standard Officer’s Training Course, which saw the Sec-

ond Lieutenants attaining the level of Army Officers.

In the presence of President Granger; First Vice-President, Khemraj Ramjattan; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, and senior members of the GDF, the ranks swore to bear true faith and allegiance to Guyana. They pledged to faithfully discharge the functions of a GDF Officer and to protect the State against all enemies, while honouring and

upholding the Constitution of Guyana without fear or favour, affection or ill will.

President Granger told the officers that their instruments not only signify that they are officers within the Force, but also highlight that they are persons with special responsibilities and functions to perform. He said the handing over of instruments is akin to a rite of passage

Second Lieutenant Brandi Johnson, the only female to be commissioned, receives her Instrument of Commission from President David Granger

Second Lieutenant Gerald Gomes takes his Oath of Commission before President David Granger

in your possession should remind you as you move around this country of your responsibility not only to the State, but to the people and the environment.”

Second Lieutenant Brandi Johnson in thanking the President, assured that the new batch of officers will uphold the Constitution and that they will live by the values and standards of the GDF. Johnson thanked the President and GDF seniors for putting trust in the newly commissioned Officers.

Man faces jury for rape of minor MORE than 10 witnesses are expected to take the stand during the in-camera rape trial at the Georgetown High Court before a 12-member jury and Justice JoAnn Barlow.

Josiah Baptiste is accused of

carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of 15 during June, 2007 at an East Coast Demerara village.

The accused is represented by attorney-at-law, Maxwell McKay and Folio Richards. The jury was empanelled earlier this week where the

eighth witness testified on Wednesday.

The State’s case is that Baptiste had carnal knowledge of the child between June 1 and 30, 2007. At the time of the incident the child was only six years old.

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Exxon ramps up drilling GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

– conducting exploratory operations on new reservoir – PM, other ministers get tour

PRIME Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, on Wednesday boarded the giant oil rig, Stena Carron, which is conducting exploratory drilling operations on the Snoek well, a new reservoir within the Stabroek Block 130 miles off the Atlantic sea-coast of Guyana.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Vice-President, Sydney Allicock; Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, and Joanna Homer, Legal Officer.

According to a release from the Prime Minister’s Office, the 11-compartment Norwegian-owned drill ship has done advanced feasibility drills at the billion-barrel Liza wells, which is some 10 miles from the Snoek well, the latest in the string of oil finds in Guyana.

The Guyanese delegation met Rig Manager Kenny Ward, Operations Manager Allan Mathieson and Drilling Superintendent Billy Jack Lawson. They explained various aspects of the new oil find and revealed that pipes have already been laid to connect with the oil well at the site. Various specimen and quality tests are also underway. They also displayed the rig’s computerized system to monitor oil extraction and safety issues.

Also on the tour were Doug McGehee and Kimberly Brassington, Operations Manager and Director of Government Affairs of Esso Exploration & Production

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock and Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, along with officials of ExxonMobil on the oil rig

Guyana Limited, the local incorporated company of ExxonMobil.

ExxonMobil has announced massive finds of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstones in Liza 1, 2 and 3 and the nearby Payara reservoirs that made Guyana the latest petroleum frontier.

ExxonMobil has given a preliminary schedule of oil

production in 2020.

An article which appeared in the New York Times in January stated that Guyana is poised to become the next big oil producer in the Western Hemisphere, attracting the attention and investment dollars of some of the biggest oil companies in the world.

The report referred to an announcement by ExxonMobil

and Hess Guyana Exploration of the successful drilling of a deep-water exploration well that may soon confirm that the seafloor beneath Guyana’s coastal waters contain one of the richest oil and natural gas discoveries in decades. Experts now estimate that one of its offshore fields alone, known as Liza, could contain 1.4 billion barrels of

oil mixed with natural gas, comparable to some of the larger fields drilled in South America.

The report stated that early, rough estimates by experts of how much recoverable oil Guyana could have range to more than four billion barrels, which at today’s prices would be worth more than US$200B.

In addition to the Liza field, Exxon and drilling partner, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited are also exploring the Payara field, which is part of a block of 6.6 million acres. On January 12, Exxon announced that its drilling partner encountered more than 95 feet (29 metres) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs at Payara. It said that the area was safely drilled to 18,080 feet (5,512 meters) in 6,660 feet (2,030 metres) of water.

The Payara field discovery is about 10 miles (16 km) northwest of the 2015 Liza discovery. Exxon plans to move to two other locations in the months ahead, including the Liza 4 field.

Only recently government appointed Dr. Jan Mangal, an expert in offshore and civil engineering, as Petroleum Advisor in the Ministry of the Presidency.

Guyanese by birth, Dr. Mangal brings with him a wealth of technical expertise and experiences in the area of oil and gas development.

Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, has said that Dr. Mangal will be advising the administration on the development of the petroleum industry.

“He will be advising the Minister and the Ministry of Natural Resources on matters of policy… We are happy to have a Guyanese person possessing the skills that are now available to us,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

London attack: Five Four dead in dead in Westminster St Lucia explosion terror incident

[BBC] - The police officer killed in a terror attack at Westminster has been named by the Met Police as PC Keith Palmer. The 48-year-old husband and father was among five people who died, including the attacker, near the Houses of Parliament.

The attacker, whose identity police believe they know, stabbed the unarmed officer before being shot dead. Forty other people were injured after a car struck pedestrians on nearby Westminster Bridge, before it crashed.

Acting Deputy Commissioner and head of counter terrorism at the Metropolitan Police, Mark Rowley, said they were working on the assumption the attacker was "inspired by international terrorism".

PC Palmer was a member of the Met's parliamentary and diplomatic protection command and had 15 years service. Mr Rowley paid tribute to PC Palmer, saying: "He was someone who left for work today expecting to return home at the end of his shift - and he had every right to expect that would happen."

He said specially-trained family liaison officers were supporting the families of the three members of the public who lost their lives. Three

A man believed to be the suspect received medical treatment, while two knives lie on the floor

police officers were among those injured, two of whom were in a serious condition, he added. Speaking in Downing Street after chairing a meeting of the government's Cobra emergencies committee, Prime Minister Theresa May said it was a "sick and depraved" attack on the heart of the capital and attempts to defeat UK values were "doomed to failure".

Mrs May paid tribute to the "exceptional men and women" of the police force who responded to the attack, saying: "We will all move forward together, never giving in to terror and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart."

The prime minister added: "The location of this attack was no accident. The terrorist chose to strike at the heart of our capital city

where people of all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech."

Earlier, Mr Rowley, said a major investigation was under way into the "marauding terrorist attack".

He said emergency services were called at 14.40 GMT after the car was driven over Westminster Bridge, hitting and injuring a number of members of the public and the three police officers, who were on their way back from a commendation ceremony.

After the car crashed into the railings of the Houses of Parliament, a man armed with a knife "continued the attack" and tried to enter the building. Eyewitnesses said police fired three or four gunshots as the knifeman lunged towards a second officer. Parliament went into lockdown.

Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood - a former Army officer whose brother died in the Bali terrorist bombing in 2002 - attempted mouth-to-mouth resuscitation of an injured police officer. The officer who was killed was said by Mr Rowley to have been armed - but police later confirmed that was not the case.

[Caribbean360] - Four people are dead and more than a dozen are being treated for serious injuries following an explosion in St Lucia’s north Tuesday evening. It occurred at a quarry as workers welded a container carrying dynamite.

Neighbouring Martinique is helping the Eastern Caribbean island treat the injured, with four of them being airlifted to the French-speaking nation for treatment early this morning. Three doctors from Martinique are also at the Victoria Hospital in St Lucia to assist. The explosion, which could be heard from miles away, occurred at Farrand Quarry, operated by Rayneau Construction, in Cul de Sac, Castries.

Three people died on the scene while a fourth, who was among 15 rushed to the hospital, later succumbed to his injuries. The incident

had triggered the full mass casualty response from the Victoria Hospital – a baptism by fire for the facility’s Acting Executive Director Brenda Calixte who took up duties just one day before the incident.

But she assured that the hospital was adequately managing the situation. Calixte said patients who had been on the wards but could safely be managed at home, were discharged to make more bed space available for the injured from the explosion, while other people who showed up at the A&E Department agreed to wait a little longer to be attended to by medical personnel. Prime Minister Allen Chastanet has called on the nation for prayer and support for the families of those impacted by the incident.

Speaking from the hospital where he was joined

by Castries South East MP Guy Joseph, he said: “Our

hearts go out to those who lost loved ones and those who are still waiting to find out information about their family members. You are all in our prayers in this difficult time.

We must all support each other at this time and pray for our fellow St Lucians.”

Chastanet also thanked the emergency personnel and police and fire officers, who responded to the incident and were working into the night, as well as the staff, nurses and doctors at the Victoria Hospital who responded, “some without being called and who are working overtime to attend to the injured”.

The Prime Minister thanked them for their “selfless dedication in the wake of this crisis”.

“We should be so proud of all the staff and emergency response persons. This is testimony to what we can do as a people if we work together,” he said.

The aftermath of the explosion at Farrand Quarry. (Composite image using St Lucia News Online photos)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

AG wants court to throw out Red House case

– says CJRCI failed to make full, frank disclosure of all material facts

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission; the two named defendants in the Red House lease case, submitted their submissions in response to claims made by the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre Inc. (CJRCI), arguing that the applicant has failed to make full and frank disclosure of all materials facts of the case.

In the written submission, the defendants contended that the declaration made by the Research Centre that the Red House lease which was issued under Section 10 of the Lands Department Act Chapter 59:01 was valid, binding and in force, is flawed.

President David Granger late last year ordered that the controversial lease for the Red House, which housed the CJRCI be revoked and that the occupants vacate the property. The decision had come after Williams had issued a statement detailing the history of the CJRCI’s occupancy of the building and outlining that there was no valid lease agreement as former President Bharrat Jagdeo had refused to approve at least two applica-

tions for the lease.

However, Chairman of the Management Committee of the Centre, Hydar Ally subsequently moved to the High Court requesting Conservatory Orders to restrain or prevent the government from taking possession of the building; declared that the lease was valid and that President Granger’s revocation order was illegal.

The Attorney General in his submission contends that the CJRCI having gone to the court Ex Parte was obliged to make a full and frank disclosure of all material facts.

As such, Williams said that CJRCI did not disclose to the court several material facts including the fact that the lease must be sanctioned or approved by the President under Section 10 of the Deeds Registry Act 3:01 and was not; that the paltry rental sum of the lease, to wit, $1000 per month; by the provisions of the Deeds Registry Act the lease of 99 years must be executed in the manner of a transport before the Court and was not; that the lease must be filed as of record in the Deeds Registry and was not; that the lease was not pleadable in a Court of Justice and invalid if not executed before the Court,

Attorney General, Basil Williams

filed as a record and annotated by the Registrar in the Deeds Registry and that no reference to the Red House being a Heritage site under the National Trust Act Chapter 20:03 and could not be leased by the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys under Section 10 of the Lands Department Act Chapter 59:01.

Additionally, Williams argued that the Court does not have the jurisdiction to hear the matter and noted that the principle that every court before proceeding to hear a matter must determine if it had jurisdiction to do so. “Since the Applicant/ Plaintiff contends that the

Guyanese found dead in Trinidad …with hands and feet bound POLICE are investigating the murder of a Guyanese national who has been living in Trinidad for the last 25 years. Sewkumar Dalchand, 52, was found murdered at his home in Macoya Road Extension, Wednesday morning. The house was ransacked and his vehicle was missing. His hands and feet were bound.

Relatives say they had not heard from him since Sunday and went looking for him on Wednesday morning when he was discovered

dead. They say Dalchand was a wholesale trader who was well known in the community and gave a lot towards the development of the area. He migrated to Trinidad 25 years ago, after living a poor life in Guyana, and found success there. Police say that the body was also in an advanced state of decomposition.

The body was taken to the Forensic Science Centre where a post-mortem will be performed to determine the cause of death. Officers of the Homicide Bureau are

Sewkumar Dalchand

continuing investigations.

(CNC3)

matter is a constitutional action which seeks to protect its fundamental rights under the Constitution, it is required to come by way of constitutional motion to the court under Article 153 of the Constitution and not

by Write of Summons and should be struck out as being an abuse of the process of the Court and the Court will lack jurisdiction to proceed.”

The Attorney General argued also that a mere reference to a claim for constitutional relief or assertion of a fundamental right does not suffice to entitle a court to exercise its constitutional jurisdiction.

“The defendants likewise submit that this is a private law action for the determination of the validity of a lease and the lawfulness of its revocation and cannot be transformed into a constitutional matter as the Applicant/ Plaintiff failed to please sufficient facts to show it was the lawful owner of a leasehold interest in the Red House Property under a valid lease to ground a prima facie breach of the fundamental right claimed.”

The ruling on the jurisdiction of the court to hear

proceedings will be made on March 24.

As such, Williams said that it could not be seriously contended that the applicant/ plaintiff had a fundamental right to property the subject of an invalid lease. Arguably, the CJRCI though indicating in its Writ of Summons and Endorsement of Claim and Ex Parte Affidavit that the Red House lease is valid, binding and in force, it did not provide the court with sufficient particulars which give rise to and support such a claim.

Moreover, he posited that the CJRCI‘s contention that the provisions of Section 13 of the Deeds Registry Act does not apply to government lands is flawed. Based on the aforementioned, the CJRCI was required to execute the 99 years Red House lease in the manner of a transport before the court; file it as of record in the Deeds Registry and the Registrar annotates it in the Register before it reaches a bona fide transferee for value without notice.

“The Red House which as a result cannot be pleased in any court of law robs this Honourable Court of Ju-

risdiction to proceed,” said Williams who maintained that the court has no jurisdiction to hear the case. He noted too that in the case of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, the second named defendant, where that Commission revoked the Red House Lease, it was done in the name and under the executive authority of the President.

“Thus the act of revoking the Red House lease was not done directly but indirectly by the President acting through an officer subordinate to him in accordance with the Carltona Principle.”

He continued: “Mutatis Mutandis (in like manner) no order can be made against the president challenging the act of the second named defendant when the latter was acting for and in the name of the president.” The CJRCI is seeking damages in excess of $1M for breach of lease of government land for educational or research purposes; damages in excess of $1M for breach of the applicant’s fundamental rights and freedoms as guaranteed by the Constitution of Guyana.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

NAVIGATING Guyana’s misinformation minefield in the quest to arrive at truth oftentimes requires going to the original source. When Guyana achieved republican status in 1970 it was renamed the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. That over the years “cooperative” was axed from official documents and the intent behind the name became distorted, curiosity surrounds this aspect of the nation’s identity. Few can deny in this nation’s politics the achievement or project of a government which was not initiated by the political party of choice. Thus, it can prove difficult to give credit where it’s due; to continue the work, or seek to improve it.

Guyana still has some distance to go where it can be recognised and appreciated that irrespective of the group in government, the work done by any government is funded by the people and therefore aborting sound projects or denying the initiators their credit makes no sense. It has proven difficult for this newspaper to source the reason behind the axing of “cooperative” in official documents, though it is pinpointed it began after the 1992 General and Regional Elections. Also known is that the country is identified in international records and by international institutions as the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

According to President Forbes Burnham the renaming was a purposeful act. In the Sophia Declaration (1974) he advised that the People’s National Congress administration named “Guyana a Co-operative Republic to highlight the fact that the Co-operative will be the principal institution for giving the masses the control of our economy, to emphasise the fact that we aim at making the Co-operative sectors the dominant sector and that the Co-operative is and will be the mechanism for making the small man a real man.”

From 1970 to present the world has gone through various shades of economic ideologies and foci. Guyana moved from a primary socialist-oriented economy to that of market driven, as other economies around the world have too transitioned or placed emphasis on different aspects of their economy over time. While in the late 1980s the private sector was expected to be the engine of growth, resulting in the state reducing its marketing focus, the cooperative sector has also be an economic model with responsibility for promoting growth. In this tri-sectoral economy where the State reduced its market

Editorial

focus this should not prevent the other two sectors from blossoming. The advantage of the cooperative sector is that it is small man oriented, requiring a minimum of seven members, and easy to establish.

It is known that the traditional employment and economic opportunities are not keeping pace with the number of school leavers and job seekers. Where opportunities are either restricted or unknown creativity is stifled. There is no doubt that Guyanese are innovative and creative but where such do not find expression through economic means it creates hopelessness and dependency, neither of which is good for growth and development.

The story carried by this newspaper on Monday about the Paramakatoi Agriculture Co-operative growing tomatoes for commercial purposes evidence the capability of the small man. The creative partnership of this co-op with the Institute of Applied Science and Technology to add value to the product would not only create opportunity for economic self-sufficiency for the farmers and their community, but also result in the maximisation of profit and aid reduction of wastage.

Last week we carried a story of a similar venture involving the Buxton/Friendship Grantees Cooperative Society where its members are engaged in farming.

While this activity is up and running the farmers are being faced with challenges which include ineffective drainage facilities and marketing. It was encouraging to see after the story was carried that the Guyana Marketing Corporation sought a meeting with the co-op. If there is the much needed return in focus on the small man being given the opportunity to create wealth through such endeavours, it would be worthwhile elevating the cooperative department- presently housed in the Ministry of Social Protection--in structure, visibility, and knowledge sharing. Our history has proven beyond any doubt that Guyanese are not deprived of sound ideas but that of the avenues and opportunities to realise them. The cooperative sector is still worthwhile as an engine of growth and there is upward mobility for citizens should it be allowed to run at full throttle.

We need to modernise our thinking Dear Editor, In my view, a man who says “I can” or says “I cannot” are usually both right. Confucius, yes!!

Reflecting on the political landscape in Guyana for decades, we witness the coils and twisted deceit that are played within the political arena, where destructive rhetoric used by both major political parties, can effectively separate a great nation even though they collectively preach (One People ,One Nation, One Destiny). For me, I am left to ponder on the clause ‘One Destiny’, what exactly is Guyana’s destiny?

We were once known as the Bread Basket of the Caribbean, a city with such untouched beauty we could’ve rivalled many of the Garden Cities throughout the World,

but when did we lose our Destiny? Can you imagine a nation that was blessed with natural wealth beyond any comparison yet we couldn’t harness and maximise its potential. This is where we failed in foreseeing our destiny? ‘WE’ as citizens have failed collectively, and I say WE the people; the Government, Civil Society, everyone working hard to ensure a dollar can turn into bountiful wealth. We were not courageous enough to stop the corruption and lawlessness, but this current administration took the lead. A new era has dawned upon us, where accountability and transparency is demanded. Through the coalition government being in power they took up the responsibility and guided the country in a more productive direction, where the destiny of a more sustainable econo-

my can be realized.

The then spokesman from the parking meter place (SCS), had vented his opinion on the psychological thinking of some Guyanese people, with some harsh words and I Quote: “You’re Not Progressive, You’re a freeloader, you lack the intestinal fortitude to control your own Destiny, You all possess the mentality of slaves, indenture servant, incapable to generate wealth and building capacity.”

This comment was offensive to all sectors of the Guyanese society it was a criticism that shouldn’t be made public, from any company trying to market themselves or their product to an inexperience country or economy.

But as I angrily reflected on his comment subconsciously, sadly the reality why the masses found this offensive can be seen. Ask

yourself “Have we been progressive?” “Have we generated wealth equally for our people?” “Have we modernised from old systems and culture?” and lastly “Have we harnessed the potential of this GREAT nation to fulfill Our destiny?” The Guyanese Slang ‘this is Guyana boy’ is mostly referenced when trying to grasp the nonsense and irregularities that we see every day, BUT should ‘This be Guyana Boy’! be a continuum of backward culture, the answer is NO!!, we must remove the primitive thinking of ‘this is a third world Country we ain’t ready for that kind of development ‘, should we wait another fifty years for development?

In over 23 year, MAPM (Moving Against Parking Meters) has proven to be the greatest mobilisation of people for a ‘

Political Cause ‘ however more or less this can be viewed as being bias.

I must congratulate the coalition government for responsibly addressing their concerns without teargas and pellets. The MAPM’s intention for rational dialogue on the parking project is clear, which is to revoke the contract. But this is a more irresponsible behaviour and hopefully the coalition government doesn’t lead this path, because the legalities behind the programme would plunge the country into more debt, hence the government wouldn’t be given a grade ‘A’; for this.

We as a nation should be aggressive in seeking development not only for a five-year projection but for hundred years to come. We should be looking forward

to building something massive for our future generations, demanding more from our investors and government. I am happy that a common ground was agreed on with government and the parking meter fiasco. Hopefully, we have acquired some knowledge from this situation, and will continue to improve on how we transact business with accountability and transparency.

Gradually I know that as Guyanese, we will find our destiny as a nation, it may not be ten years from now, but with continuous development we will get there, continue to be aggressive peaceful, demand more, but let’s be more cohesiveness dwell in our mindset.

Regards DON INCE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

Is trying to restore law and order a problem in this society?

Dear Editor, It’s a common saying ignorance is bliss, but is it really? I beg to differ. If rationalized, it’s rather an illusion, a mirage, an escape from reality for the weak and vanquished. Not bliss but submission and defeat. Ignorance deprives a man of being a man, he becomes a dependent simpleton lacking the comprehension to make intelligent decisions. However, when he does it’s minuscule at best fundamentally counterproductive and at worst self-destructive. I have been scrutinising the supposed amendments to the public parking fare structures by Smart City Solutions. It’s not precisely what we wanted but it is commendable, practical and not economically antagonistic. However, I do think its due time we the citizens of Guyana, especially those of Georgetown, embrace responsibility. Responsibility for the environment, our standard of living and fiscal stability. We need to enable our municipality to provide a better quality of life for all.

The time of maturity has come. We have been loafing on our parent’s sofa for too long and blaming them for our downfalls. Rates and taxes amongst other obligations for the city have not been raised considerably in over two decades and have been forgone all together, even though the boundaries and responsibilities of the city have increased tremendously. So, your employer refuses to raise your salary

for a consecutive number of years. The plausible consequence of this would be, you most likely struggling to fulfill some of your basic obligations such as the light and grocery bills etc. as they are subject to inflation and will inevitably rise while your salary remains stagnant.

Examining the scenario given we comprehend that this is the exact situation in which our city finds itself on a much larger scale. Reviewing some grievances of the MAPM Movement Against Parking Meters common sense is brought into question, or rather is it misinformation, misrepresentation and fabricated truths.

Either way common sense deficiency or misinformation, there is information that needs to be analysed and conveyed accurately and the subject of that analysis would be MAPM’s, Mini- Bus & Taxi Drivers parking permit poster. Looking at the list of changes supposed by SCS on the poster we will start with Taxi, Mini-Bus permit which is $12,000 plus VAT. Communicated so undesirably this is actually a very commendable transition for taxi drivers and bus drivers alike. The supposed amended amount for an allotted time of four to eight hours is $800 with $25 being added beyond that stated time. If you are to do the calculation for eight hours at $800 for five days, it totals $4,000. Multiply that figure by four weeks and that totals $16,000 plus VAT. However, with the permit it would only cost $12,000 plus VAT for the same time period. This is not rocket science

but common sense.

Subsequently what is punishment? Punishment is an imposition of an undesirable or unpleasant outcome on a group or individual bringing me to another point, the prices listed in relation to the punitive aspect of the parking meters, they are as follows: To remove clamp $8000 plus VAT, towing $12,000 plus VAT, impound $7,000 plus VAT, Impound fee per day $7,000 plus VAT. With that information, available we ask ourselves what is the purpose of punishment?

Well, punishment prevents crime or lawlessness by frightening the public with the example of an individual defendant. Hence, if you are aware that Toni’s vehicle was immobilised and he paid $8,000 plus VAT to remove the immobiliser you would most likely not want to be subjected to the same penalty. Hence you will not double park; you will not park in the bus stops, you will not park on the corners and never again will you block a fire hydrant.

Punishment is structured that way to curb the nasty habits of society, and this society in particular needs it. Throughout this entire debacle, I have seen numerous cases of gross disrespect for authority and the rule of law. Have we forgotten how to be civilised? And is trying to restore law and order a problem in this society?

Regards LAWRENCE K. F. ALLEYNE

We are investigating this matter

Dear Editor

The Tuesday, March 21, 2017, edition of the Kaieteur Newspaper carried a letter captioned “For 19 years, this Company only paid NIS six times for me.”

Please be advised that the National Insurance Scheme ( NIS) is in receipt of a letter and documents from the writer, Mr. Hubert Joseph Cramer-Seon and has sent an acknowledgement letter to Kaburi Amerindian Village, 72 Miles Potaro River, the

address that is stated on NIS’ records.

Please note that while employment with Willems Timbers Ltd is still being investigated, no record of his employment with Toolsie Persud Ltd was found.

The National Insurance Scheme regrets any inconvenience Mr. Cramer-Seon may have experienced and wishes to reassure him that his matter has gained Management’s attention. Every effort is being made to have it resolved so that Mr. Cra-

mer- Seon could be paid whatever benefit he is entitled to. Please feel free to contact the Public Relations Unit on E-mail: nispublicrelations@yahoo.com or publicrelations@nis.org.gy . Telephone No. 227-6851 for additional information.

Regards DIANNE LEWIS BAXTER Publicity and Public Relations Officer National Insurance Scheme

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

Guyana to scrutinise meat products from Brazil

By Alva Solomon AS the Brazilian meat ban gathers international attention, the authorities have heightened verification of the affected products at the border town of Lethem, Region Nine.

Barbados and Jamaica have joined several countries which have banned the importation of meat products from Guyana’s territorial neighbour and according to Director of the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) of the Ministry of Public Health, Marlon Cole, the unit is concerned about the situation.

Brazil’s food processing giants, JBF and BRF along with several small compa-

nies have been caught up in a scandal, which has rocked the meat industry in the neighboring country, which is one of the world’s largest exporters of beef.

Cole told the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday that the GA-FDD is checking with the local distributers of the meat products, including corned beef, to determine if the affected brands have entered the local market. He said that the department has increased its verification of all meat products entering Guyana from Brazil at the border town of Lethem, noting that the department will contact the Brazilian Consulate if the situation warrants such intervention.

Cole noted that if the

affected brands are found here, the GA-FDD will take the necessary action, including consumer advisory. He explained that the corn beef products could be labeled in another country but may have originated from Brazil. Global attention has been drawn to Brazil’s meat industry this week after federal agents raided the operations of Brazil’s largest food companies on Friday. The raids , according to the New York Times, was undertaken over accusations that their employees oversaw a scheme that included bribing inspectors to allow rotten meals to be served in public schools and salmonella-contaminated meat to be exported to Europe.

Corn beef which is processed and packed by JBF, one of the two large Brazilian beef exporting companies caught-up in the scandal

Calls for Town Clerk to go

– Benschop urges modernisation of Local Govt laws AMID the standoff between the Georgetown City Council and the government over the parking meter project, calls are being made for the Town Clerk, Royston King to be fired.

King is seen as one of the hardliners at City Hall trying to hold on to the widely disparaged project being run by Smart City Solutions (SCS) Inc. Government on Tuesday suspended the by-laws for the project and called out the Guyana Police Force to protect citizens’ vehicles from being clamped by SCS operatives.

Leading the chorus is Social Activist, Mark Benschop, who in a lengthy post on his Facebook page said there is a need for a major shake-up at the Georgetown City Council, starting with King and other “old visionless political dinosaurs.”

Benschop said this is the very reason his #TeamBenschop campaigned for real change at the Local Government level.

“Unfortunately, people voted out of blind party loyalty, and now have to experience gross incompetence, negligence, and obvious corruption. Well, this has been the case for almost

Town Clerk, Royston King

Mark Benschop

two decades. Apart from the square pegs, it’s time for a complete overhaul and modernisation of the Local Government Laws. Let’s begin by abolishing the Office of the Town Clerk, followed by the antiquated way of electing the Mayor. Actually, in a real democracy, it’s the citizens who vote, and elect their mayors. Hence, the time is ripe for the mayor to be elected directly by the people and given the power to govern, with obvious checks and balance through the elected councillors.”

Addressing the powers of the Minister of Communities, Benschop said that the Constitution of Guyana clearly states: Chapter 7 Sec-

tion 75: ---”Parliament shall provide that local democratic organs shall be autonomous and take decisions which are binding upon their agencies and institutions, and upon the communities and citizens of their areas.”

“Hence, the Cabinet or relevant Minister should not be allowed to dictate the affairs of City Hall. Neither should any Minister attempt to coerce members of the council, in voting in a manner that’s favourable towards the Minister or the government. It is for this reason and more, our Constitution made it abundantly clear that “local democratic organs shall be autonomous.”

According to Benschop,

the relevant Minister, and the Cabinet should understand that the parking meter fiasco, was in fact, created by the very Minister and Cabinet.

“It is they who allowed their creatures at City Hall to have the corrupt contract signed and sealed. So, let’s not be pretentious about the situation. Yes, I want the contract to go (as Team Benschop urged over a year ago) but not by having the Minister, or his Cabinet comrades trampling upon the Constitution, or the independence (as it should be) of the council. However, if the Minister is serious about the affairs at City Hall, then he needs to ensure that there is a Local Government Commission, as soon as possible,” Benschop charged.

He added that maybe, someone can draw the minister’s attention to this part of the Constitution; Section 78A -- “Parliament shall establish a Local Government Commission, the composition and rules of which empower the commission to deal with as it deems fit, all matters related to the regulation and staffing of local government organs and with dispute resolution within and between local government organs.”

A Reuters report stated that China and the European Union curtailed meat imports from Brazil on Monday. According to the report, Brazil’s Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi said the government had suspended exports from 21 meat processing units.

According to the report, Police on Friday named BRF SA and JBS SA, along with dozens of smaller rivals, in a two-year probe into how meatpackers allegedly paid off inspectors to overlook practices, including processing rotten meat, shipping exports with traces of salmonella and simply not carrying out inspections of plants.

Brazil ranks alongside India as the world’s largest exporter of beef.

In 2016, the neighbouring country exported 1, 850,000 tons of beef, equivalent to 19.60% of the world’s total beef exports.

Gunmen wreak havoc in Providence ON Tuesday night, the silence at Parker Street, Providence on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD), was shattered after two gun-toting bandits robbed several persons.

Reports are that around 23:00hrs, two men launched an attack on several residents along the street, robbing anyone they encountered. According to a resident, her brother was sitting outside a shop and while he chatted with friends, a car pulled up a corner away from her home and two men emerged.

She said the men, both of whom were armed and had their faces covered with pieces of cloth, attacked her brother and robbed him of an undisclosed sum of money. She said the men also robbed her brother’s friends and later turned their attention to other persons in the vicinity.

The men then walked along Parker Street in a northerly direction and robbed at least three persons, some of whom were on their way home. According to another resident, the two men

threatened to shoot persons as they were being robbed and she noted that persons in the area dialed the 911 police response number but received no response.

Residents noted that a report was made to the police following the incident. It is unclear if any arrests were made. Meanwhile, residents in the area called on the police to place patrols along Parker Street as well as other streets within Providence.

It was noted by a resident that the “four corner” along Parker Street is usually a hot-spot for drug-users and persons engaged in other illicit activities. She said that there are several persons who are involved in gang –related activities, noting that some persons had thrown lacedshoes atop the electrical wires as a sign that there were gangs in the area.

This newspaper observed several pairs of shoes hanging from the wires along the streets adjoining Parker Street. Residents called on the authorities to remove the shoes as a means of sending a message to those engaged in criminal acts.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

Georgetown back to normal

…as SCS receives suspension order THE Mayor and City Council, through Town Clerk, Royston King, has officially informed Smart City Solutions (SCS) about government’s suspension of the by-laws governing the meter parking system.

Cabinet on Tuesday night instructed Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, to suspend the by-laws with immediate effect for three months; however despite the suspension SCS still had its clampers out on the streets early Wednesday morning.

But after SCS was officially informed by King, SCS employees were re-called.

Minister Bulkan had noted Tuesday night that the new Order is unambiguous and leaves no room for discretion on the part of the City with regard to conformity.

“This is a done deal and on the basis of this new Order, the Council would be clearly advised to inform the company [Smart City Solutions] that paid parking would be suspended. The company would be invited to enter into negotiations and at that stage it would be up to the company to determine what its response to this new action of the Government would be,” he said.

Meanwhile, when contacted, Deputy Mayor, Sherod Duncan, told Guyana

Chronicle, “We received the gazetted order today [Wednesday] which stated that the parking meter bylaws are suspended.”

The order was subsequently submitted to SCS, the Mexican company responsible for implementing the project. It was explained to the Guyana Chronicle

But Duncan indicated that if SCS believes that the suspension is in breach of the contract, they can take necessary action.

Since its implementation on January 23, 2017, several flaws were identified in the contract, following which two court actions were filed against city Mayor Patri-

was also one of the driving forces behind Cabinet’s decision to recommend the suspension of the controversial parking meters project, given the fact that there are severe legal implications.

During a radio programme on 94.1 Boom FM, Minister Patterson made it clear that there are several legal implications that could possibly see his ministry ending up in a legal battle.

According to Patterson,

issue where several proposals were made to the Council. He said that the body had acted on some proposals while others, including a possible suspension of the parking meter project for broader consultations and a contract review, were ignored.”

Patterson continued that key government ministers felt that it would be best, that the parking meter contract be suspended for a minimum of three months to allow certain

Georgetown back to normal as persons take advantage of free parking

that during the interim of the suspension, the M&CC will engage SCS and other stakeholders in order to make a conclusive decision on the future of the project.

cia Chase-Green, the Town Clerk and Minister Bulkan by members of the business community.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson,

“some three to four weeks ago, a team had met with Council officials following a Cabinet subcommittee meeting on the parking meter

issues to be “ironed out.”

He related that among these legal issues is the fact there are “declared urban roads” in the city for which

9

his ministry is responsible.

The Minister said that before the implementation of the parking meters, he had cause to write the Council, informing them that they were putting parking meters on roads controlled by the ministry although there was “no agreement” between the Council and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Coupled with Government’s consistent pressure on City Hall, a Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) took to Regent Street in front of City Hall during the first week of February.

The Movement quickly gained traction and soon enough saw almost an entire section of Regent Street between Avenue of the Republic and King Street being filled with a number of protestors. And after braving inclement weather among other things for weeks, the MAPM was finally able to gain satisfaction.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Movement indicated that “we thank the Government of Guyana for demonstrating leadership at a time when the citizens need it most.

“We await the review of the parking meter contract between the M&CC and SCS and expect given the inherent problems associated with the said contract, it will be revoked.”

Guyana negotiates rice deal with Mexican companies – receives permit to export paddy FOLLOWING a recent clearance by the Mexican government for countries to bid for quotas to export rice into that country, Guyana is negotiating prices with Mexican companies who are interested in this country’s rice.

According to a release from the Ministry of Agriculture, Mexico’s National

Service of Health, Safety and Agro-Food Quality (SENASICA) recently approved imports of paddy from these shores. In addition, SENASICA is currently processing Guyana’s SPS certificate to import rice, the release stated.

It was noted that several countries, including Guyana, are set to make a bid

for exports to the Mexican rice market. As such, negotiations have been ongoing between the Ministers of Agriculture of both countries to ensure Guyana satisfies the necessary criteria to be a part of the bidding process.

According to the release, applications can only be made in quotas of 10,000 metric tonnes and each country is only allowed to apply for three (3) quotas. In addition, following a recent

exposition in the Spanish –speaking country, Guyana began negotiating prices with companies in Mexico that expressed interest in purchasing paddy during the recently concluded Exposition.

Representatives from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), the Guyana Rice Exporters and Millers Association, along with other private millers recently attended the Expo Antad in Guadalajara, Mexico.

During a visit, Mexican Ambassador to Guyana and Plenipotentiary Representative to CARICOM, Ivan Sierra, made provisions for the team to liaison with the authorities there. This information was later published in the Mexican official Gazette.

The release in the Mexico’s Official Gazette stated that during January to December 2017, the Government of Mexico granted approval for 150,000 metric

tonnes of paddy and rice products to enter Mexico from outside of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), free of the payment of taxes (zero taxes).

On a normal basis, taxes by countries other than NAFTA member states trading with Mexico, are required at a rate of 9% on paddy and 20% on rice products, the release added.

‘Piggy’ on trial for rape, robbery of nurses A 12-MEMBER jury was empaneled on Wednesday before Justice Navindra Singh in the Georgetown High Court in the case of rape/robbery committed on three nurses on September 11, 2008, in the county of Demerara.

The accused vented loudly, in the prisoner’s holding area at the High Court, his feelings about the lengthy time he has been on remand awaiting trial. Carlos Wesley Payne called “Piggy” is unrepresented by counsel for the indictment of rape

of a nurse and robbery committed on three nurses on September 11, 2008. The matter was held in-camera and the State is being represented by Siand Dhurjon and Tuanna Hardy.

The particulars of the case stated that in the wee

hours of September 11, 2008, Payne raped a registered nurse who was on duty and robbed two others at the Upper Demerara Hospital at Blue Berry Hill, Wismar. It is alleged that Payne snuck into the hospital and forced his way into the sec-

tion where the nurses were housed. There he raped a nurse and relieved two others of their valuables including, cell phones and jewels.

According to the allegation, after he executed the unlawful act, he took the nurses and placed them to

lie at the back of the hospital after which he fled the scene. He was however, arrested a few days later and charged. The trial continues when several witnesses will be called to take the stand in-camera before Justice Singh.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

Sugar confab opens today – Guyana, other Caricom countries for major talks on sugar industry AGRICULTURE Minister Noel Holder will be heading a delegation to Jamaica, where he is expected to attend a high-level Caribbean Sugar Policy Workshop in Kingston, which opens today.

The event has been organised jointly by the Sugar Association of the Caribbean, CARICOM and other partners from inside and beyond the region, the Ministry of Agriculture said in a release. The meetings will focus on challenges and risks facing regional sugar producers in light of changes to the European Union (EU) sugar regime. Participants will listen to the experiences of sugar producing states, including Guyana, and suggest possible mitigating actions.

Issues that will be addressed during the first session of conference are: the 2017 EU sugar reform and short-term threats on the Caribbean sugar industry; ways in which countries can access new markets; managing the politics of transforming the industry and ways

in which the industry can respond to the trends as it relates to sugar consumption.

The second day will see participants developing policy responses by addressing trade and tariff policy options open to Caribbean policy makers and policy measures that Caribbean policy-makers can adopt to support a viable sugar industry.

The third day is scheduled to facilitate a high-level ministerial sugar stake-holders group meeting to address what can be done at that level to influence a positive change in the industry.

While Minister Holder is expected to present on the final day of the conference, GuySuCo’s Chief Executive Officer, Errol Hanoman, will be making presentations on the challenges facing Guyana’s sugar industry and government’s planned interventions by way of diversification. Jamaica, Belize, Guyana and the Dominican Republic are listed as top producers in the Caribbean.

However, many other nations are directly impacted

by a number of debilitating factors, chief among which is the removal of the preferential quotas to the EU. These changes are set to take effect in October this year.

The scrapping of national sugar production quotas for Europe is expected to result in a reduction of the price paid for sugar from the African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), while causing the overall volume of EU sugar imports to fall as Europe becomes self-sufficient.

Caribbean sugar producers will now be forced to sell their sugar on the world market, competing with beet sugar producers at prices significantly lower than what was formerly enjoyed with the preferential EU market. This combined with the existing problems facing Caribbean producers, could jeopardise the industry in the region, provided urgent interventions are not devised in the short term.

Today’s meeting in Jamaica seeks to provide an opportunity for sugar pro-

ducing Caribbean nations to present their cases, outlining the unique challenges facing them individually, while devising strategies to collectively move forward.

Meanwhile, a Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) article said the sugar officials fear that the end will lead to a fall in prices and a decrease in sugar imports from the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states, with particular impact on Caribbean producers.

“With our exports still focused on EU markets, the Caribbean sugar industry faces a period of instability and change, and must urgently adapt in order to meet the challenge of competing with other sugar producing nations worldwide, which have lower production costs or in a global market that is heavily distorted by trade barriers and government support,” said Karl James, the chairman of the Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC).

“The prospect of the exit of the United Kingdom from

the EU further adds to the uncertainty ahead. The focus must be on identifying the practical next steps that we in the industry, and our governments, can take as priority measures to reinvigorate our sugar sector and provide it with the means to prosper and grow in the 21st Century.”

“We look forward to taking forward with our partners in government, the policy recommendations from this important workshop to give the sugar industry in the Caribbean a positive future,” he added.

The two-day meeting which begins on Thursday is being held in collaboration with the Caribbean Council, the Guyana-based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and the Jamaica promotions Corporation (JAMPRO).

The meeting is being funded by the EU, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, ASR Group, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and will bring together

Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder

industry leaders and policy-makers for an in-depth discussion on how the Caribbean sugar industry now needs to adapt to the new market realities. Delegates will also discuss the policy options which are available to both industry and regional governments.

The recommendations of the industry workshop will be presented to the Sixth Meeting of the CARICOM Stakeholders on Sugar, which will be convened by the CARICOM Secretariat and held here on Friday.

Liverpool murder accuse walks free LIVERPOOL Village resident Ronald Fraser, who is accused of fatally stabbing fellow Corentyne villager, Quacy Gray, on December 16, 2011 on Wednesday, walked out of the Berbice High Court a free man.

Much to his relief, a mixed jury returned a unanimous verdict of not-guilty after deliberating for just under an hour following the presentation of a case summary by Justice James Bovell-Drakes.

Earlier, the judge, warning the jury, said, “You cannot; you should not come to any conclusion that a pair of scissors that was seen by a policeman had any connection with the case. It is the duty of the State to have preserved the exhibit so that the jury could have satisfied its mind.”

“Do not speculate,” he urged, adding: “You can only come to a conclusion on the facts presented…

You cannot fill holes created in the State’s case by persons who failed in fulfilling their responsibility.”

State Prosecutrix, Orintha Schimdt, presented the

case which was based on the caution statement attributed to the accused that was taken by now retired Detective Corporal Andrew Warde.

The attestation, which was admitted into evidence, records Fraser as saying on December 16, 2011: “I had gone to a Mr. Godfrey shop in the village, where I bought a bottle of Guinness stout. After leaving the business place, I was walking along the dam when I was attacked and cuffed by the now deceased Quacy Gray.”

The accused in the statement continued: “What happen? Why are you cuffing me,” he questioned.

“We ain’t got no scene…

I ran away but he followed and attacked and started to cuff me again. Me had a black handle scissors in my back pocket. Me tek out the scissors and fire a juck to defend myself. Me hear Quacy dead. I dropped the scissors and ran away.”

However, in his unsworn statement from the dock, Fraser told the judge and jury that he lived at Liverpool Village and worked at Nand Persaud Company.

On December 16, 2011, he had gone to Godfrey shop where he bought a bottle of water.

ATTACKED “After leaving the shop, I looked and saw the now deceased, who had asked me why I was looking at him. I told him we are friends, but he said we were not, as I took settlement from his uncle. Quacy said me and you got problems tonight. He came towards me. He pushed me. I told him me and he ain’t got no problem. I left and he came behind me. I asked him why he was following me. He said ‘you gon dead’ because you took settlement, and he wanted back his money as he had given his uncle the money to settle the story [a wounding case]. I told him the matter already finish in the court and that we do not have any problems.

“However, Quacy went into his pocket and pulled out a flip blade knife and threatened to kill me. I remembered that I had my working tools, including a pair of scissors in my pocket. But I did not want

no violence. He said he would send me to my father.

I told him my father was dead and that he will have to kill me to send me to my father. He then attack me with the knife and I took out my working scissors just to scare him and he ran into the scissors,” Fraser said.

Meanwhile, the judge observed that it was the deceased who was the aggressor as he had a knife and had threatened to use the knife. It was noted that it was the deceased who had told the accused that he would go with his deceased father, which was an expres-

sion of intention to kill.

The State had presented five witnessed, including Dr Vivikanand Brijmohan, who gave the cause of death as shock and haemorrhage, due to a stab wound to the heart.

Ronald Fraser was represented by Attorney Sasha Roberts.

Siblings charged for illegal gun, ganja TWO siblings, who were jointly charged for possession of cannabis and illegal gun and ammunition, appeared before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore on Wednesday to answer these charges.

Abindigo Bancroft and his younger sister, Shavel pleaded not guilty to the three charges when they were read to them. Particulars of the first charge alleged that the Bancroft siblings had 12 grams of cannabis in their possession on March 17, 2017 at Block ‘E’ Sophia, Georgetown.

It is further alleged that on the same day at the said location, they had a 9MM pistol, along with three live matching rounds in their pos-

Abindigo Bancroft

session when they are not holders of firearm licenses.

Attorney Dexter Todd represented the siblings and told the court that his clients have no pending matters or previous antecedents.

Police prosecutor, Simone Payne told the court that police acted on information and conducted a search at the home during which the illegal items were found. According to the prosecutor, the gun and ammunition were found in a clothes basket in Abindigo Bancroft’s bedroom.

The Magistrate released Shavel Bancroft on a total of $300,000 bail on the gun and ammunition charge and $75,000 bail on the narcotics charge. Additionally, Abindigo Bancroft was also released on $75,000 bail on the narcotics charge and remanded to prison on the illegal arms and ammunition charge. The matter is adjourned until April 12, 2017 for report.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

Several arrested during police raid in Linden A POLICE raid in Mackenzie, Amelia’s Ward, Block 22, One Mile and Silver Town, resulted in the arrest of nine persons, who were caught with marijuana and who are wanted by the police for various offences.

The raid was led by Commander of ‘E’ Division (Linden and Kwakwani), Fazil Karimbaksh, who executed 15 search warrants. Carl Simmons, 30, of Berbice Road, Mackenzie was searched at

Powis Crescent and found with five grams of cannabis; he appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 100 hours community service.

Kahlil Mustaf, 21, of Wismar was searched at Mackenzie Market area and found with 16 grams of cannabis; he had also escaped from lawful custody. Mustaf pleaded not guilty and was remanded to prison.

Vernon Arthur, 57, of

Wisroc Extension, was searched at the Mackenzie Market area and three grams of cannabis were found in his possession. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 50 hours of community service.

Kevon Chester, 30, of Central Amelia’s Ward was searched at Powis Crescent, Amelia’s Ward and found with 11 grams of cannabis; he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 100 hours community service.

Shawn Allen, 23 of Ame-

lia’s Ward, was searched at Powis Crescent, Amelia’s Ward and nine grams of cannabis were found in his possession. He pleaded not guilty and was placed on $45,000 bail.

Additionally, Ryan Samuels, 35, of Central Amelia’s Ward was searched at his home, where police found 3.5 grams of cannabis. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 100 hours community service. Leon Ross, 22, of Wismar Housing Scheme

was searched at Mackenzie where police found four grams of cannabis; he also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 100 hours community service.

Meanwhile, Eon Jermein Anderson of Alstron Alley, Wismar, was arrested for break and enter and larceny, committed on the dwelling house of Lance Mc Calmon at Christiansburg, Wismar, Linden. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded to prison.

Julius Branker, 19, of Central Amelia’s Ward, was arrested and charged with break and enter and larceny, with intent to steal, committed on the dwelling house of Deanna Emanuel of Central Amelia’s Ward.

He was also charged with burglary committed on the dwelling house of Marquita DeSouza of Central Amelia’s Ward, where he stole $32,000. He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was remanded to prison.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

Cedric Richardson vanishes CEDRIC Richardson, the man who had filed the motion challenging the presidential term limit has reportedly disappeared thereby preventing Attorney General Chambers from serving him a copy of the Notice of Application and Affidavit in Support of Application for leave to appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in the said matter.

In a statement the AG chambers, Office Assistant Shaun Mearns said he visited Richardson’s known place of abode located at Lot 4 West Ruimveldt on March 17 but was told by a female that Richardson does not reside there. According to Mearns, the female also denied knowing of Richardson ever living at the address.

“I return to the said premises on the 20th day of March, 2017 between the hours of the 4/4.30 and no one answered. On the 21st day of March, 2017 I returned to the said address between the hours of 4.30

and 5.00pm and again no one answered,” said the Office Assistant who then reported his findings to the Chgambers.

Richardson, just before the May 2015 General and Regional Elections sought to challenge the amendments made to Article 90 of the Constitution that were enacted in 2000 following a bipartisan Constitutional Reform Process, Justice Chang ruled, among other things, that the presidential term limit was unconstitutional without the approval of the people through a referendum.

Richardson, just before the May 2015 General and Regional Elections sought to challenge the amendments made to Article 90 of the Constitution that were enacted in 2000 following a bipartisan Constitutional Reform Process. Justice Chang ruled, among other things, that the presidential term limit was unconstitutional without the approval of the people through a

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

referendum.

Richardson had also argued that the term limit infringes on Articles 1 and 9 of the Constitution wherein Article 1 states that “Guyana is an indivisible, secular, democratic, sovereign state in the course of transition from capitalism to socialism and shall be known as the Co-operative Republic of Guyana” and Article 9, states that “Sovereignty belongs to the people, who exercise it through their rep-

resentatives and the democratic organs established by or under this Constitution.”

Former Chief Justice Ian Chang had in July 2015 ruled in favour of Richardson which in effect prompted the Attorney General and Speaker of the National Assembly, the named parties, to appeal against the ruling.

Justice Chang had said Article No.17 of 2001 is without legal effect because it does not comply with other articles of the constitution dealing with repugnancy, democratic society and sovereignty belonging to the people which require a referendum for any alteration.

He had reasoned that Article 1 and 9 underpin the republican commitment to the fundamental concept of popular sovereignty or imperium populi thereby safeguarding against elective despotism by the elected representatives of the people.

“Thus, while the constitution provides for representative democracy, such

representative democracy cannot entrench on popular sovereignty from which it derives and which is entrenched by the requirement of the referendum,” Chang had said.

The former Chief Justice had determined that the two-term limit of Presidents indeed dilutes the rights of citizens to elect the person they wish to govern their country regardless of the number of times they wish that person to be Head of State. In his affidavit, Plaintiff Cedric Richardson had argued that the purported alteration of the Constitution by Act 17 of 2001 would curtail or delimit the electorate’s choice of Presidential candidate by rendering ineligible for the candidature any person who has been re-elected once as President e.g. Former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Meanwhile, in February, the Court of Appeal by a two-one majority upheld the High Court ruling that the presidential term limit

is unconstitutional and void.

Now retired Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Carl Singh, and Justice BS Roy upheld Chang’s ruling, while Chief Justice (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards disagreed.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, the first-named appellant and former Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, the second-named appellant, have both indicated that they will file an appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) within 30 days of the conclusion of the Court of Appeal decision. They are confident that their arguments will stand strong at the CCJ. While, attorney for the Respondent, Shawn Allicock, believes that the issue is one of national importance and must be resolved for the benefit of all. He said he is satisfied with the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

Starr Computers gets real – Engages Tech-Voc students on changing trends in the job market

By Rabindra Rooplall STUDENTS from the Mahaicony Technical and Vocational Training Centre were recently treated to a rather enlightening talk on where the world of work is headed these days in their particular fields of interest.

Hosted under the theme, “The Rise of the Robots: Jobs that will be replaced by robots and Artificial Intelligence by 2020”, the seminar was hosted

by STARR Computers Inc. at its Brickdam head office.

And, as the title suggests, it focused on what to expect in a changing world where Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven devices or applications will, in time, make human resources a thing of the past.

As Starr Computers President, Mr Michael Mohan observed in his opening address, technology is slowly, but surely changing the way people relate to each other

Starr Computers Inc’s, Michael Mohan, sharing his vast IT experience with his young visitors from the Mahaicony Technical and Vocational Training Centre

as the world enters what he calls “The Fourth Industrial Evolution”.

And with most smart devices such as robots, 3D Printing, Drones, IOT (Internet of Things) and a host of other new devices being driven by computers powered by AI software, Mohan said the world is now focusing attention more towards natural resources such as agriculture,

oil and gold.

NOW MORE THAN EVER In the case of Guyana, with its recent oil find and abundance of natural resources yet untapped, Mohan feels it now more imperative than ever that the government be very shrewd with the composition of international contracts.

“We must ensure that our contracts incorporate educational/vocational training for our young nation as contract inclusion with guaranteed employment in the shortterm,” Mohan told his young audience, which was by now paying rapt attention.

He made the point, too, that it would serve the government well to continue to lend support to the acquisition

of technological equipment and supplies, and to training institutions.

“This can be provided through managed subsidies and tax relief to Guyanese,” Mohan said, adding: “An under-educated workforce means that international investors will have to bring its own employees to explore and exploit our resources, while our workforce watch the process and wait to inherit a graveyard of EOL machinery when the project ends.”

By EOL machinery, he meant equipment that had not exactly outlived their usefulness, but, from the vendor’s point of view, had reached the end of their product life.

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT In forecasting where the future of global development is headed, Mohan said it is estimated that

by 2020, five million new jobs will have been created, and 20 million made redundant, which in effect means that some 20M people the world over will be on the breadline.

In the circumstances, he is suggesting that serious attention be paid to these new technological changes, and to advance planning, which can go a long way in helping reduce the negative impact on the Guyanese economy when the spinoff takes effect.

“Our biggest threat is the net job loss of employment abroad, which will create an influx of new migration and re-migration to Guyana,” Mohan said, adding: “And, obviously, their higher skill-sets will become our next challenge. Hence, without training, net job gain for Guyanese will be almost zero.”

Executives throw support behind Yarde – say protestors have no ‘locus standi’

By Navendra Seoraj EXECUTIVE members of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) have thrown their support behind Patrick Yarde amid clarion calls for his removal as union president, a position he has held for decades.

The union’s executive arm extended their support to Yarde on Wednesday during a press conference at the GPSU Headquarter, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown.

GPSU’s Vice President, Mortimer Livan said that come April 24, 2017 when the union conducts its elections, the Executive and ordinary members will “fully support” Yarde, who will be running against five other unidentified nominees.

His comments were contrary to views expressed by several public servants, who have been protesting in front of the GPSU building for the past several days, calling for the removal of Yarde.

According to the protesters, there has been minimal representation of public servants under Yarde’s leadership. They complained about being discriminated against by the union despite paying their dues.

“This has gone unnoticed for too long and it is time we take back our union,” said one of the protester.

The protestors also pointed out that there is lack of transparency in the union, more particularly the GPSU Executive.

But Livan debunked those claims, noting that the union has held “free and fair” elec-

tions throughout the years and those chosen to fill the 19-member executive-arm were elected by the approximately 5000 members of the union from 82 branches across the country.

It was explained that the process of the elections is regulated by an elections officer, who ensures that it is free and fair and all members from across the country are aware of the voting procedures.

The comments made by the protestors are, therefore “erroneous”, said Livan, who insinuated that the protestors are trying to “mislead” the public.

“Those protestors are misguided… some of them haven’t even paid a cent to the union or paid an insufficient sum…they are not members of

Some of the protesters calling for the removal of GPSU President, Patrick Yarde on Monday morning

the union so they could take us to court or do what they want,” he said.

One of the vocal protestors, Jermaine Hermanstine, was once a member of the union but did not pay his dues since December 2015, said the GPSU Vice-President.

He also indicated that al-

though Hermanstine tried to pay, the time limit which is six months had already passed and he failed to uphold the rules of the union so he was no longer a member.

They, therefore, have no “locus standi” in the affairs of the GPSU, other executive members at the press briefing

contended.

The union executives noted that they are open to persons of all age, race, creed, and gender. But, they reiterated that their support lies in Yarde because of his “significant” contributions during his over 30 years in office.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

Linden cops cash-in on house lots – Given priority with Linden duplexes

By Vanessa Braithwaite SEVERAL excited Linden police officers on Wednesday became owners of low-income house lots after sharing their frustration over the slow system with the Minister of Communities with responsibility for Housing, Valarie Patterson.

The police officers stormed the Mackenzie Police Station, where Minister Patterson hosted a special outreach in an effort to edify them on the housing projects that will soon commence by her ministry and how they can benefit from same.

The Minister, along with her team from Central Housing and Planning Authority, made a detailed presentation of the housing units which will be built across Guyana, but most importantly highlighted the 70 duplex apartments that will be constructed in Linden.

But after the presentation, many of the officers still opted to own lands, which will allow them to construct their own home.

They noted that even though they applied many years ago for land, they are yet to be allocated a plot. Minis-

ter Patterson took this opportunity and immediately sold low-income lands for ($92,000) to police officers who were in receipt of their letters.

Once they were able to pay half of the cost of the land, the officers were made land-owners. Many rushed to capitalise on this offer and were given lot numbers to lands located in Amelia’s Ward.

Meanwhile, 40 of the duplexes will be built in Amelia’s Ward, while 30 will be built in Wisroc. The Minister explained to the police officers that the duplexes will cost between 6-8 million dollars, but the final cost is still to be ironed out. The officers, who were taken aback by the cost, explained that with their salaries, the bank will not grant loans and therefore the possibility of them owning the duplexes will be very slim. The Minister said she is aware of the salaries of the police officers and agreed that it will be difficult indeed for them to access loans. As such, she noted that provisions will be put in place to accommodate the ranks.

“I am quite aware [of]

where the salary level is and we want to provide for state employees so therefore at the end of the consultation, a proposal will be pulled.

I’ve already spoken to one of the senior personnel at the Ministry of Finance because I recognise that there has to be government involvement. I have asked if the bank can look at extending the repayment period which will reduce your monthly installment or if the government would be willing to negotiate with the bank to see if the interest rate can come down,” Minister Patterson told the ranks.

Construction of the duplexes will commence in May and priority will be given to State employees, youths and middle-income earners. In response to a question from the cops, the Minister explained that the duplexes have three designs: one design will be two flats, the other will be on stilt, giving the owner the choice of enclosing their bottom flat, while the other will be two storeys. There will be duplexes constructed of both concrete and timber and these will carry varying cost.

The apartments carry a

Minister of Communities with responsibility for Housing, Valarie Patterson presents a receipt of payment for a land in Amelia’s Ward, Linden to a female Police Constable attached to the Mackenzie Police Station

measurement of 30 × 40, while the land will be 75 × 75. Each duplex will carry two bedrooms and the separating wall goes from the front of the yard to the back, allowing each owner to have their own yard space; it will also be both fire and soundproof.

The schemes will be furnished with social and

infrastructural facilities.

Once payment is complete, the owners will be given a certificate of title. The Ministry also plans to implement a “rent to own” system rather than be burdened with a hefty mortgage. The Minister however encouraged the cops to take advantage of the duplexes, given the limited lands available in

Linden.

“Let’s maximize on the duplexes because that will start very soon because we don’t have house land to give all of you,” the minister urged.

She encouraged them to attend the housing exhibition, which will held in May, to get a first-hand view of what is in store.

Stabilise value of local currency – Manufacturing Association urges Gov’t THE Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) has expressed disappointment and worry over what it has described as the “rate of deterioration” of the Guyana dollar and has called on Government to take steps to stabilise the value of the local currency.

In a statement to the media on Wednesday, the Manufacturing Association said that at its last board meeting, the body deliberated deeply on the woes of the manufacturing sector and it was at the very meeting that members expressed concern about the devaluation of the Guyana dollar and “the real

exchange rate.”

The GMSA said it estimates that the real exchange rate when available being used for the purchase of foreign exchange is $230 for the replacement of imported inputs into the sectors.

“We are concerned that our ability to keep prices stable will be limited and guided by this new rate. The burden of the changes in the VAT regime will also cause production costs to move upwards,” the statement to the media said.

COST CUTTING MEASURES As such, the GMSA has urged all sectors to imple-

ment cost cutting exercises and have noted that some entities have started to “rationalise employment.”

“The rise in the price of the US dollar will have far reaching effects on our country as a whole both socially and economically,” said the GMSA while calling on Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, to urgently hold broad consultations on the matter.

Additionally, the GMSA called on the Bank of Guyana and the Government to take steps to stabilise the value of the Guyana dollar immediately by injecting funds into the system since the body believes that the

rate is being driven by simple economic formula of supply and demand.

“This situation has the potential to further increase unemployment and at worst wipe out companies,” the statement said.

‘NO’ SHORTAGE Over the past two months persons have been complaining that there is a shortage of foreign currency, specifically the US dollars, here, but BoG Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga, has assured that there is no such shortage.

Earlier this month, Dr Ganga told reporters at a press conference hosted by the Finance Minister that transactions have been on the increase from the start of the year. According

to Dr. Ganga, in January, there have been purchases by bank cambios totalling US$82.7M and by February 18, purchases increased to US$158M. As it relates to sales by bank cambios, the BoG Governor said there has been an increase from US$95.1M in January to US$164.6M on February 18.

“You would have seen significant increase over the month of January with respect of purchases of singles,” said Dr Ganga who noted that in the case of nonbank cambios, purchases totaling US$3.2M and sales totaling US$2.4M have been recorded for the month of January.

As of February 18, purchases stood at US$5.6M

while sales were recorded at US$6.3M. “With respect to spread, I know the non-bank cambios have been complaining about the spread but I am not too sure if they are saying it is too high or too low. In 2016, non-bank spread was $1.64, we have almost doubled that in moving it to $3,” said the governor.

Last month, the BoG had informed bank and non-bank cambio dealers, as well as money transfer agencies of the need for them to fix the spread between buying and selling rates to be no more than $3.

That instruction from the bank had caused much concern among some who operate the aforementioned businesses.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

First cyber security centre to be launched in Georgetown – thousands benefit from ICT training AS Guyana continues to make active strides in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, the country will have its first Cyber Security centre launched in Georgetown on Friday. This is according to Zara Group of Companies which will be spearheading the launch in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Through this centre, the Zara group aim to teach the police, business community and the public how to combat cybercrime and security in Guyana. Guyana Cybercrime Bill was laid in the National Assembly last year where it was read for the first time before being resent to the Special Select Committee to facilitate further consultations.

The Cyber Crimes Bill caters for, inter alia: illegal access to a computer system; illegal interception; illegal data interference; illegal acquisition of data; illegal system interference; unauthorised receiving or granting of access to computer data; computer related forgery; computer related fraud; offences affecting critical infrastructure; identity related offences; child pornography; child luring and violation of privacy among a sleuth of other offences.

(L-R) Omeka Noble, Alyia and Adele Austin, students of Richard Faikall Training College

In 2013, the Zara Group established an Information Technology (IT) centre at Richard Faikall Training College at Suddie on the Essequibo Coast. The college caters to the needs of the Police Force in ‘G’ Division and civilians. Through the college, approximately 1,205 persons from villages including Suddie, Charity, Mainstay and some in the Pomeroon River have gained certified qualifications. This, according to the group, was done with the use of just 36 computers.

One beneficiary, Omeka Noble, who is a nurse by profession, said that “the Zara Group is doing more than enough for the community.” She highlighted that the free courses have significantly improved her working ability, and added that before pursuing the course, she had limited knowledge of computers.

The mother of two said she

hopes to continue her studies in the computer repair course at the training centre.

Meanwhile, IT Consultant and Member of Zara Group, Nardeo Singh during a recent visit to the college, stressed that Essequibo has the potential to incorporate traditional methods such as agriculture with the use of ICT. “Keep working towards

a goal….more private-public partnership is needed to untapped the potential in Essequibo,” he told the beneficiaries.

According to the group, the ICT consultant and his team are trying to formulate a solution to address the issue of unemployment; they believe that a call centre and empowering women in ICT are some solutions, to

the issue.

Singh also emphasized that the centre isn’t just qualifying the public and GPF but recreating and reviving a community/policing relationship. Superintendent Bharat Persaud, who was a part of the initial stage of the establishing a centre at the Police Training School related that since the establishment four years ago, it is evident that persons from different creeds, races and genders, thirst the ICT knowledge.

“We had a student who was seven years old who completed a programme,” he said, adding that the centre creates a more relaxing area where persons can communicate, instead of going to a police station to make a report.

In addition to Essequibo residents, the Zara group

boasted that thousands of residents from Berbice and Georgetown have also improved their ICT knowledge through the provision of these free courses. The courses range from foundation, advanced packages and computer repair. The Zara Group of Companies was established approximately 30 years ago, by a Guyanese family. The company was mainly involved in real estate business and managing apartment buildings.

According to the company, the Guyana linkage stemmed from the need to give back to their homeland. So far, the company has collaborated with several organizations including the Central Islamic Organization (CIOG) and the Guyana Police Force to execute many of their projects.

Nardeo Singh lecturing at the Richard Faikall Training College

Wastewater treatment projects need priority – Dr Cummings IN small communities across Guyana, the potential for outbreaks of wastewater-related illnesses is significant, and to address this, more water and wastewater treatment projects need to be given significant priority.

This is according to junior Public Health Minister, Karen Cummings, on Wednesday at an event to observe World Water Day 2017. The event was held at the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) corporate complex on Vlissengen Road.

The theme for World Water Day this year is ‘Wastewater’.

The term wastewater applies to water that has been contaminated by human and or industrial activities. In a broad sense, sewage can also be used to mean wastewater. The Minister, who examined issues associated with wastewater, explained

that community leaders and residents need to be more aware of potential problems so that strategies could be put in place to counter any potential risks.

She said that rural homeowners need to learn about what is good and bad for their onsite systems, what maintenance is needed, and how to identify possible problems. Additionally, she noted that communities with wells need to be informed about the value of well water testing and be made aware of how to prevent contamination.

Just recently GWI announced its intention to drill water wells at Diamond, Sparendaam and Sophia.

Addressing the gathering with included top officials of GWI, the Minister reminded them that what is needed is for the communities to regularly monitor the local water quality since illegal-

ly dumped waste of the foodstuff or can threaten water through secondary and groundwater human contaminaresources. tion by consuming Minister Cumfoodstuffs from anmings also highimals that use the lighted the need area. for strategies to be Given the comidentified to solve plexity of this issue, local pollution which the Ministry problems, while reand related agencies minding the attendare working to adees that businesses dress, the Minister and industries need related that, “This to be further edwhole concept of ucated about the wastewater use and health dangers asits treatment is a work sociated with unin progress”. treated wastewater.

She touched too According to on the agronomic and Junior Minister of Public Health, Karen her, the health hazeconomic benefits of Cummings, addressing the gathering at the ards associated with wastewater, which 2017 World Water Day observance event direct and indirect which was held at GWI’s corporate complex, were identified by wastewater use are the Food and AgriVlissengen Road of two kinds. The cultural Organisation used. And secondly, the risk first, she said, is rural health that contaminated products of the United Nations (FAO). and safety issues for per- from the wastewater use That organisation has shared sons working on land or area may subsequently infect information which states that living on or near the land humans or animals through irrigation with wastewater where the water is being consumption or handling can increase the available

water supply or release better quality supplies for alternative uses. In addition to these direct economic benefits that conserve natural resources, FAO notes that the fertilizer value of many wastewaters is important.

As a result, the Minister contended that there are “undeniable benefits” from using wastewater in agriculture, and for other alternative activities.

However, she was keen to note that if not managed effectively, there are a number of unintended consequences that can occur which negatively impact the health of humans who are exposed to wastewater.

Having acknowledged this, she committed, on behalf of the Ministry to continue to work in a coordinated, collaborative, multidisciplinary way to address any public health issue that may arise as a result of wastewater contamination.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

‘Harmony Village’ to showcase beauty in diversity – as Social Cohesion sets tone to 2017 campaign

By Tamica Garnett THE Ministry of Social Cohesion is set to kick off its 2017 campaign with the opening today of Harmony Village on Main Street in down-town Georgetown.

Celebrated under the theme, “Beauty in Diversity, Celebration Guyana,” the day-long event, which gets underway at 09:30hrs and runs until 18:00hrs, will feature some 30 booths from religious, cultural and international organisations, as well as those in the private and public sectors.

Among government entities involved, besides the host, are the Ministries of Culture, Youth and Sports; Indigenous Affairs; Natural Resources; Education; and Health.

From the international

community, the event will see the involvement of the Venezuelan, Mexican and Cuban Embassies, the Chinese Association, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The event will see a display of local and international cuisine, cultural wear, dance, poetry, folklore, as well as artifacts and literature.

Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, Ministry of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, noted that the event will be all about celebrating and bringing into focus Guyana’s culture and diversity.

As such, he encouraged Guyanese of all walks of life to come out in their numbers and support a worthwhile cause.

“This Village creates an opportunity for inclusion

Dr. George Norton and Programme Coordinator of the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Ms. Sharon Patterson, at yesterday’s press conference

and preparation of a myriad of diverse groups working towards a common goal of displaying and celebrating Guyana’s beauty and diversity,” Dr Norton said, adding: “It is our hope that Guyanese will turn out in their

numbers, and that from this activity, they are able to have a better appreciation for the beauty in the diversity of our country and its people.

“We would hope that this will improve year after year, and persons would start looking forward to it.

We hope that it catches on, and that it would go for more days.”

JUST THE BEGINNING Programme Coordinator, Ms Sharon Patterson, said ‘Harmony Village’ is just the beginning of what the Ministry of Social Cohesion hopes will blossom into an event that could be taken to

other regions across Guyana.

As such, she said, the ministry will be paying keen attention to the feedback they get from this outing.

“It’s really a pilot! We want to see how this will roll out; we want to see the reaction of those who are involved; those who are coming out!” Patterson said, adding: “We want to determine after this what are the successes, and what lessons we have learnt so that in the future, we can make the necessary adjustments and add or subtract parts as needed.”

The event will also see the unveiling of a floating

gallery, which will involve the branding of a section of the Main Street avenue with images of persons with varying background.

As Minister Norton observed, for too long when reference is made to the six races of Guyana, there is usually a picture of just one person representing each of those races, so the objective of the floating gallery is to put more faces to each race.

“These images will remain for an extended period of time, in order to allow passers-by to observe and connect with the evolution of our society,” Dr Norton said.

“It is easy for us to see how important it is for us to recognize ourselves as one people,” he added.

Asked about the inclusion of the opposition in the initiative, Minister Norton said they’re never left out of the equation, but are in the habit of refusing to be a part of such events. He, however, said that that is not to say that the ministry has given up on the opposition altogether, as they will continue to reach out to them in the hope of such events being truly inclusive.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

Digicel, GTT spar over promotional bundle – Digicel CEO denies company using illegal link from Suriname

By Navendra Seoraj TELECOMMUNICATIONS giant Digicel is up in arms against the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) over a promotion “Get More Pay Less”, which promises to provide all their customers “more data, minutes and text for less”.

These, they can utilise to make all calls to the USA and Canada.

In a complaint submitted to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Digicel contended that the promotion is “anti-competitive”.

It said GTT, which still holds a monopoly in the market for international services in Guyana, is providing Digicel with a wholesale rate, which is considerably in excess of the “highest possible retail rates its customers would pay”.

Digicel is requesting that the Commission makes an order forthwith that all present and future promotions concerning international rates, be extended by GTT to Digicel

Digicel CEO Kevin Kelly (left) makes a point, while his GTT counterpart Justin Nedd counters at the Public Utilities Commission hearing on Tuesday

to be offered as part of their bundled minutes to their customers.

During a hearing on Tuesday chaired by PUC Chairman Prem Persaud, Digicel Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kevin Kelly explained that if the assumption was to be made that customers only use the GTT bundle for overseas calls to Canada and USA, then their call rate will be between $26.26 and $30.40.

“This is significantly below the PUC set retail rates of $100 ($90 off peak) and

US$134.50 ($94.15 off peak) for the USA and Canada respectively,” Kelly pointed out.

At present GTT gives Digicel a discount on these PUC set retail rates, which on average is 35 per cent.

Therefore, Digicel’s cost per minute would be in the region of $65 and $87.42.

As such, Kelly contended that GTT’s bundles are ‘unfair’ and should be adjusted or the PUC should lower the price so that Digicel can benefit as well. These remarks of Digicel’ CEO were not

welcomed by GTT’s CEO, Justin Nedd. In his presentation, Nedd outlined that GTT is a business and is therefore allowed to promote any promotion they want.

ILLEGAL LINK But the GTT CEO did not remain on the topic of the promotion for two long.

Along with GTT’s Director of Regulatory, Mark Reynolds, the CEO pointed out that Digicel is allegedly using an “illegal link”, which runs from Suriname to Guyana.

“Digicel claims that they pass their traffic through our link but they have an illegal link, which they use instead… we have solid evidence that shows that Digicel is doing this,” said GTT’s CEO. Nedd lamented that by allegedly using the link, Digicel is breaching a contract between the two parties. The company, he said, is also losing profits because of Digicel’s alleged act.

The GTT’s CEO stated that if Digicel is going to be able to act in that manner, despite complaints to the PUC, Director of Telecommunications and other authorities, GTT will operate as a business and do what they ought to in order to increase their revenue earnings.

Kelly denied the accu-

sations, stating the remarks are being used as a “smokescreen” to cover up GTT’s “anti-competitive” act.

This matter was, however, discarded by the PUC Chairman, who stated that the only matter that was on the agenda at that time was the complaint against the GTT’s promotion.

Persaud lambasted both parties for straying from the topic. But, after deliberating with other members of the PUC, the Chairman highlighted that all promotions from either party must be submitted to the Commission 48 hours before it is released.

However, the Chairman was unable to make a conclusive decision and adjourned the matter, but asked GTT to submit information on the number of subscribers who are a part of the promotion.

He implored Digicel to show how they have suffered because of GTT’s promotion, within five days.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

Ticket prices confirmed for Guyana’s ODIs TICKET sales for the three One-Day Internationals between West Indies and Pakistan at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, will be sold at rock-bottom prices and will be available to the Guyanese public by month-end at the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) office on Regent Road.

Chronicle Sport confirmed yesterday that tickets are expected to cost $4

000 for the Red and Green Stands; $3 000 for the Orange Stand and $2 000 for the Grass Mound.

The three ODIs are scheduled for April 7, 9 and 11 from 09:30hrs daily.

The ODIs will be crucial, heading into the September 2017 cut-off date for the 2019 ICC World Cup qualification.

Pakistan are currently ranked eighth on the ICC ODI rankings table, the last

automatic-qualification spot, with 89 points while West Indies are five points behind them in ninth position with 84 points.

If West Indies fail to get into the top eight spots

by September, they must participate in the 2018 ICC World Cup Qualifier. That tournament is currently scheduled to be held in Bangladesh, although that may change if Bangladesh - currently

ranked seventh with 91 points - gains an automatic qualification.

Last year when the two teams met in an ODI series on West Indies tour of the UAE, Pakistan won the series 3-0.

West Indies were in turmoil from the start of the tour after coach Phil Simmons was sacked on the eve of the team’s departure to Dubai. (Rajiv Bisnauth)

modation in Hong Kong, we have to nevertheless procure our own funding for preparation work, not only locally, but the fact that we are travelling one week in advance”.

He added, “It’s very important that the union and the players recognise Beharry’s effort towards helping Guyana Rugby in every way

possible.”

According to Green, Guyana, by virtue of being the region’s most dominant Sevens Rugby-playing nation have proved that the time has come for them to have a steady feel of competing against teams/countries that regularly feature at the IRB’s World Series.

“We need to have the

government fully involved and have them invest and match our sponsors dollar for dollar if not more. The goal of this year is out of the Hong Kong Sevens we show that we belong. This year (in November), is an important year for us because from the Caribbean Championships, we are looking to qualify for the

Commonwealth Games and a number of other championships,” said Green.

Beharry Group of Companies, through one of its brand representative, stated that the entity is proud of the GRFU and team and wishes them well as they embark at competing on the World stage once again.

Hassan looking for improved performances come April 2

By Stephan Sookram AN improved performance in the sport and street tuner class is what competitor Azad Hassan is looking for, come April 2, when the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) stages its first National

Race of Champions.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport, the driver indicated, “Nothing has been done yet since last November race meeting. However, my chief mechanic indicated to me that he would like to get the car balanced and at the same time shed some weight as the car is about 60lb over the required weight.

He added, “There are some points that I need to work on to get faster. That will be done before the race meeting.”

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He says he plans to get the jump on the competition and utilise what he has been taught by renowned Trinidadian driver Tanko Baboolall.

“I am looking forward for the competition as they are talented drivers in my group and I am hoping for a repeat of last November race meeting,” he added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

India’s cricketers given significant pay rise … Salaries doubled, match fees hiked

(REUTERS) - India’s cricket team have been given a significant pay rise, with the world’s richest cricket board (BCCI) announcing yesterday that it had doubled salaries for the 2016-17 season and hiked match fees across all three of the game’s formats.

Players in the uppermost ‘A’ category have been put on a retainer of 20 million Indian rupees (£245,167.50) for the period ending September 20, 2017, up from 10 million rupees last season.

That is still well short of the £700 000 retainers that England’s top cricketers, such as Alastair Cook or Joe Root are on, according to media reports, or the A$1.12 million ($858,816)

India captain Virat Kohli (R) celebrates the wicket of with teammates. (1REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui) for Australia captain Steve each international appearSmith. ance, and many benefit from Top Indian cricketers playing in the lucrative Inalso receive a match fee for dian Premier League (IPL).

Australia’s Mitchell Starc The BCCI said it had seven players on Grade A contracts, up from four last season, with Cheteshwar

Pujara, Ravindra Jadeja and Murali Vijay joining captain Virat Kohli, former skipper MS Dhoni, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and batsman Ajinkya Rahane.

Indian players on Grade B contracts, such as batsman Rohit Sharma and pace bowlers Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav will earn 10 million rupees each and Grade C players will earn 5 million rupees apiece.

Notable exceptions from the list of players awarded contracts include off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and left-handed batsman Suresh Raina.

Players also top up their income in the IPL Twenty20 competition, with the country’s media reporting that

skipper Kohli, who captains Royal Challengers Bangalore, earned 15 million rupees from the league last year.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes was bought for a staggering $2.17M by Rising Pune Supergiants ahead of this season’s IPL. The BCCI also increased match fees for the national team, with players now earning 1.5 million rupees per Test match, or three times as much as they did last season.

Match fees for both one-day internationals and Twenty20 internationals have been doubled, to 600 000 rupees and 300 000 rupees, respectively.

The changes have been backdated to October 1, 2016, the BCCI said.

Gambhir says Aussies deserve credit for proving critics wrong (REUTERS) - Australia’s Test side deserve credit for impressive performances in the ongoing four-match tour of India, proving wrong a host of experts and pundits who predicted a whitewash for the home side, batsman Gautam Gambhir has said.

Australia, who lost five of their last six overseas Tests against South Africa and Sri Lanka, faced the daunting task at the start of the series against an Indian outfit that were unbeaten in 19 consecutive Tests.

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh and captain Sourav Ganguly predicted a series sweep for Virat Kohli’s men but the visitors have fought hard and the series is tied at 1-1 with the final Test to come.

“We should give credit to the Australian side which has played remarkably,” Delhi opener Gambhir, who is not involved in the current series, told the Hindustan Times.

“Most players like Harbhajan (Singh) and Sourav (Ganguly) pre-

dicted a whitewash for India, but they have proved themselves brilliantly and with everything on the line, Australia will be a tricky opponent.”

The series was slightly marred by an acrimonious row between the sides after India accused Australian captain Steve Smith of seeking advice from his dressing room over the use of the Decision Review System (DRS) in the second Test.

However, Gambhir, who has played 58 Tests

Gautam Gambhir for India, said sledging was part of the game and it was hard for players to

keep a lid on their emotions on the international stage.

“It is fine to play hard and do whatever you can to upset the opposition till the time you don’t get personal,” the 35-year-old lefthander added.

“These are not robots playing the game, and when you are playing for your country and there are so many expectations on your shoulder, emotions can take over sometimes.”

The series concludes with the final Test in Dharamsala, which starts on Saturday.

The runs will come, says Australia’s Warner (REUTERS) - David Warner has never suffered from a lack of confidence and his experience of battling through previous run droughts has the Australian opener convinced he will soon be getting big scores on the board again.

The 30-year-old lefthander has been an almost singular disappointment for the tourists so far in their enthralling Test series in India, having scored just 131 runs in six innings.

Warner experienced a similar downturn in fortunes during the last Australian summer and he started the second Test

against Pakistan on Boxing Day without a Test century to his name for almost a year.

He responded with a match-turning 144 in Melbourne and followed that up with an astonishing century in a single session in the third Test in Sydney.

“You’ve got to keep telling yourself you’ve done the hard yards, you just don’t lose it overnight,” he told reporters in Ranchi.

“Everyone in world cricket, greats and legends of the game, have had stints overseas or at home where they’ve had some form slumps, and that’s

David Warner just the game of cricket,” just that the runs aren’t Warner added. coming for me at the mo“I feel fantastic, I ment. That will come, it couldn’t be hitting the will turn around. ball any better but it’s “I just have to keep be-

ing disciplined and making sure that my preparation is still the same. Don’t change anything, and just go about my business as I do.”

The series, which is tied at 1-1, resumes in Dharamsala on Saturday.

“There were tough periods where I kept on thinking to myself, ‘Am I actually doing the work at training?’ You always question yourself, are you doing the right things at training and are you preparing as well as you can? “(But) I’ve just got to go out and keep backing myself and, when I’m out there, adapt to the condi-

tions and then keep backing myself to try and keep putting the runs on the board.”

Warner’s track record means his position at the top of the order is in no way under threat for the fourth and decisive Test at Dharamsala, but the old questions about his ability to score runs away from home have been raised yet again.

The Sydney sider admitted he struggled a bit when the ball was not coming onto his bat as it would on Australian tracks but stressed he was not alone in taking time to adapt to conditions.

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

England’s Anderson concerned about future of Test cricket (REUTERS) - England fast bowler James Anderson is worried that Test cricket is losing popularity as attendances for the longer format are declining, with younger crowds preferring to watch Twenty20.

Anderson, England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker, said the launch of Twenty20 - the first international was in 2005 - and its growing young fan-base had

hit crowds for Test matches.

“There is a concern. I think if you look at attendances around the world, in Test cricket they’re on the decline and it’s probably only in England that we sell out most days for Test matches,” the 34-year-old told Sky Sports yesterday.

“Obviously, it’s great to see Twenty20 the way it is, drawing crowds and getting young kids into the sport,

but there are still a lot of players out there who want to play Test cricket and see it as the pinnacle.

“In the future, it’s something that has got to be looked at,” he added.

Anderson, recovering from a shoulder injury, is set to join Lancashire on the county circuit for the next three months before England host the first Test against South Africa in July.

England fast bowler James Anderson (Right)

Liverpool great Moran dies, aged 83 Eagle Sports, Rising Sun to clash in final on April 2

Alphonso and Rahim Memorial T20 competition

(REUTERS) - Once revered member of Liverpool’s fabled “boot room” Ronnie Moran died yesterday, aged 83, the club said.

The former captain, who made 379 appearances for the club, spent five decades at Anfield and was a key cog in the coaching department during Liverpool’s most successful era.

“Liverpool Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of Ronnie Moran,” a statement said.

“Ronnie is fondly remembered for his 49 years of service to Liverpool, during which time he represented the club with distinction as a player, coach, physio, reserve-team coach, assistant manager and caretaker manager.”

Ronnie Moran joined the Liverpool coaching staff in 1966 under Bill Shankly During his service with side.

Liverpool, the club won After ending his playing 13 league titles -- the first career, Moran became part in 1963-64 when Moran, of Shankly’s backroom staff approaching the end of and was a constant presence his playing career, was a at the club during the reigns defender in Bill Shankly’s of Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan,

Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness and Roy Evans.

Moran also rook on the role of caretaker manager in the early 1990s and led the team out in the 1992 FA Cup final against Sunderland. He retired in 1998.

Tributes flooded in to Moran yesterday with Evans describing him as “one of the greats of Liverpool”.

Former midfielder Ray Houghton said: “He loved being at the training every day. The two words I remember at Liverpool were attitude and commitment. I got that from Ronnie.

“I learned so much from him and he nurtured so many good players. A very humble man and a very honest one1”

GCB/DMLAS/MOE/NSSCL Combine Phase

Two matches billed for this weekend TWO matches in the Guyana Cricket Board/ Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society/ Ministry of Education/ National Secondary Schools Cricket League are scheduled for this weekend at the Ogle Community Centre ground.

The busy weekend is as a result of the rescheduled match between North Georgetown Combined and the Rest of Georgetown (players from South and East Georgetown).

The match was billed for yesterday at the Georgetown Cricket

Ashmead Nedd Club (GCC) ground, Bourda, but had to be rescheduled for Saturday due to the unfavourable playing conditions

at the ground.

At the conclusion of the Georgetown match on Saturday, a Georgetown Combined District team will be selected to play Mahaicony-East Coast also at the Ogle Community Centre Club ground on Sunday. Both games will start at 09:30hrs.

North Georgetown squad reads: Alphius B o o k i e , A re n B e h a rry, Amel Tilku (Christ Church), Juspice Jones, Joshua Gardener (Richard Ishmael), Ashmead Nedd, Lester Cupidore, Sachin Singh, Dwayne Dick, Garrick Persaud,

Orande Chase, Kadeem Parris, Trevon Edwards, Tyresse Prescod, Tai-rlys Payne, Tyrese Crawford, Shalom Poulis and L. Blair (Chase Academy) Rest of Georgetown (South-East Georgetown) squad reads: Carlos Pollard, Dequan Bamfield, Qumar Torrington, Chad Shivrattan, Tuen Hicks, Sunil Ramlall, Aubry Thompson, Osapho Greene, Stephon Wilson, Daniel Paul, Delon Allen, Ameer Singh, Wayne Bollers, Kester McAllister, Nkosi Beaton and Jamal Michael.

By Elroy Stephney TENEZE Ferme ground in the Lower Pomeroon River was filled with excitement last Sunday, as Eagle Sports and Rising Sun SC battled their way to victories in the annual Norbert Alphonso and Hassan Rahim Memorial 20/20 competition when the two semi-finals were played.

Under clear sky and a vociferous crowd, hosts Teneze Ferme ‘A’, despite their home advantage, could not deny Rising Sun a deserving 6-wicket triumph.

Batting first, Teneze Ferme ‘A’ amassed 137-6 in 20 overs with fluent knocks of 46 (4x4, 2x6) from Wayne Narine and 20 from Aubrey Rodrigues. Medium pacer Sanjeev Ramdeen had 2-22 from 4 overs, bowling for Rising Sun. In reply, an impressive half-century from Ronald Kanhai 56 (3x6, 3x4) and opener Fenton Jacobus’ patient 36 (2x4) piloted Rising Sun to a six-wicket victory. Nicholas Rodrigues had 2-34 from 4 overs in a losing effort.

In the second semi-final, Eagle Sports struggled to 120

all out in 19 overs on a wearing pitch that offered turn and bounce. Javon Kellawan 37 (4x4) and Korie Jabar 20 (2x4) were the principal scorers.

Leg-spinner Nowel Evans 3-24 from 4 overs and Jason Griffith 3-28 from 3 overs were the destroyers for Wakapoa Quenqerers.

In their turn at the crease, they found themselves in early trouble and never recovered to be all-out for 107 in 18 overs, losing by 13 runs.

Eagle Sports spinners Javon Kellawan 3-18, Korie Jabbar 3-27 and Keon Narine 2-17 were the successful bowlers.

Rising Sun and Eagle Sports will now clash in the final scheduled for April 2, at the same venue while the two losing semi-finalists will vie in the third-place play-off.

Meanwhile over $200 000 in incentives along with trophies will be at stake.

The tournament is sponsored by businessman Alfro Alphonso and Company and is being played in the memory of his father and father-in-law.

The competition is now in its twelfth consecutive year.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

Pakistan’s Sarfraz sees Windies Sophia, West Front Road big winners in Petra Futsal series as vital for morale KARACHI, Pakistan (CMC) - Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed believes positive results on the tour of West Indies starting this weekend will be important in boosting team-morale in the wake of yet another cricket corruption scandal.

Five players were recently suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board on charges related to spot-fixing during the just concluded Pakistan Super League, casting a dark shadow once again over Pakistan cricket.

Two of the players Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif - were members of the limited overs side and will now miss the Twenty20 and one-day series against West Indies.

Pakistan ODI captain Sarfraz Ahmed “I don’t want to comment T20 series staged in United on the PSL issue but yes, Arab Emirates. we are going through tough The 27-year-old Shartimes and we need to do well jeel, a dashing left-hander, in the upcoming series to was in superb one-day form boost our people,” Sarfraz against Australia last January, said prior to the team’s de- scoring three half-centuries parture for the Caribbean on in five outings despite PakiTuesday. stan’s 4-1 loss Down Under.

Latif was in good form Sarfraz admitted that last September as Pakistan Sharjeel’s free-scoring swept West Indies 3-0 in a style, which has already

brought him a century and six half-centuries in 25 innings, would be missed in the Caribbean series.

“It’s saddening when you lose some players who are perfect for the setup,” the skipper said.

“Sharjeel was the type of player who we needed as he was perfect for the contemporary run-and-gun style of cricket.”

Pakistan face West Indies on Sunday in the first Twenty20 International at Kensington Oval in Barbados before contesting the remaining three games of the series at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.

The three-match oneday series will be played in Guyana April 7-11.

SOPHIA and West Front Road were big winners when the Round-Robin stage of the Petra Futsal Tournament got going at the National Gymnasium on Tuesday evening.

Playing game two of the evening, Sophia upstaged Albouystown 4-0 with a dominant performance, stemming from a Dwayne Lowe brace (5th and 16th). Sheik Kama (6th) and Desmond Cottam (12th) were both on target for the Sophia side.

Meanwhile, West Front Road stuck three goals past West Back Road thanks to Jamal Pedro (11th), Roy Cassou (12th) and Carl Tudor (22nd).

In the night’s opening game, Tucville went down to North East La Penitence 1-2 with Omallo Williams finding the back of the nets on two occasions (17th and 27th) while Tucville Dennis Edwards scored the consolation goal.

Game three was a 2-2 stalemate between Back Circle and Tiger Bay with Sylvester Richardson (14th) and Stephon McLean (26th) on target for the former and Tiger Bay seeing Alpha Fletchman (15th) and Deon Alfred (30th) on target Bent Street also drew Broad Street Bullies 2-2 thanks to Keiron Solomon (3rd), Jamal Cozier (23rd) while Bent Street had Dwight Peters (6th) and Colin Nelson (29th) on target.

Sparta Boss needled Agricola champion boys 1-0 thanks to Devon Millington (20th) in game five.

Matches continue on Saturday night when Tiger Bay play Agricola Ballers, Tucville take on West Back Road, Sophia and Broad Street Ballers clash, Bent Street face Albouystown, West Front Road challenge North East La Penitence and Sparta Boss oppose Back Circle.

Podolski crowns farewell with Twelve countries expected for second edition of stunning winner over England Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors boxing tourney (REUTERS) - Germany’s Lukas Podolski capped his international swansong with a sensational goal to give the world champions a 1-0 victory over England in a friendly on Wednesday.

Podolski, who captained the team for the first time, could not have hoped for a more fitting finale to his 13year Germany career, as he thundered in the winner in the 69th minute to take his goal tally to 49 in 130 international matches.

The 31-year-old’s goal ensured an enterprising England suffered a bitter defeat having looked sharper than their hosts for much of the game and hit the woodwork in the first half.

“It’s like a movie, the way it happened today. We win and I score the winning goal,” a beaming Podolski told reporters.

“God or whoever gave me a left foot and it has served me well over the years.”

England, who top World Cup qualifying Group F, host Lithuania at Wembley on Sunday while Germany,

Germany’s Lukas Podolski celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters/Wolfgang Rattay Livepic) five points clear at the top of Group C, travel to Azerbaijan.

Germany were without several key players, including Manuel Neuer, Julian Draxler and Mesut Ozil, with coach Joachim Loew forced to make changes.

With youngsters Timo Werner, Julian Brandt and Leroy Sane starting, the Germans struggled to find their feet and England had good chances to open the scoring through Jamie Vardy and Michael Keane, on his international debut.

Their biggest came af-

ter 30 minutes when Adam Lallana took advantage of a Joshua Kimmich mistake to charge through but, with only Marc Andre ter Stegen to beat, his low, angled shot bounced off the post.

The keeper came to Germany’s rescue just before halftime, blocking a Dele Alli shot, with England looking promising in Gareth Southgate’s first game in charge since being appointed full-time manager in November.

The coach deployed an experimental three-man defence and it worked wonders

THE Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) is preparing to host 12 French and English-speaking Caribbean nations for the second edition of the Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors tournament, scheduled for May 12 to 14 at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

According to GBA president Steve Ninvalle, already Suriname, Jamaica and St Lucia have confirmed their participation for the three-night tournament and he (Ninvalle) is confident that Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Cayman Islands, Grenada and Bahamas will each send a team to Guyana. for more than an hour as the Germans were resigned to trying their luck with longrange shots with little success.

The visitors could not maintain their pressing game and pace into the second half before Podolski drilled home a shot from 25 metres out with his famed left foot to give keeper Joe Hart no chance.

GBA president Steve Ninvalle Ninvalle said the French-speaking nations of Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana have signalled their

intentions to also send teams.

According to Ninvalle, it is expected that the programme will see approximately 100 boxers and officials of the various countries in Guyana for the tournament.

Ninvalle said the GBA will encamp a squad of boxers after the conclusion of the Pepsi Under-16 championships scheduled for next month.

The Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors tournament is the brainchild of Ninvalle and the tournament focuses on the nursery of the sport.

It is the first to be held in the Caribbean.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday March 23, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to Tuesday’s quiz: (1) 36 Test match captains (2) 27 ODI captains Today’s Quiz: (1) Who is the first player to captain the WI in a T20

International game?

(2) Who is the first player to captain the PAK in a T20

International game?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 23, 2017

CARIFTA team’s training programme to get underway shortly

By Tamica Garnett WITH Guyana’s team to next month’s Flow CARIFTA Games being named, the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) president Aubrey Hutson is awaiting a proposal from the coaching panel to put together a training programme for the 12 representing athletes.

According to Hutson the coaches will give an exact outline of what the plan will include and submit it within the next few days.

“That decision is going to be made by the coaching panel that is going with the team, and the other coaches that we have certified.

“They are scheduled for a meeting by the end of the week and they are going to put together a proposal on how we will handle the team between now and their departure.” Hutson said.

Following the conclusion of the CARIFTA qualifying period last Sunday, 12 athletes have attained qualifying marks in various events at the international event, and all will be afforded the

Compton Caesar

Chantoba Bright opportunity to go.

The team consists of one athlete in each of the four categories at the Games.

In the Youth (Under-18) category Linden’s Chantoba Bright will lead the Girls’ side which also includes sprinters Kenisha Phillips and Onasha Rogers, as well as distance runner Claudrice McKoy. The Boys’ youth category will see the return of Daniel Williams, while this year Christianburg’s Tremaine Browne and Tarique Boyle also made the cut.

The Boys’ Junior (Under-20) category has Compton Caesar, Anfernee

Daniel Williams Headecker, Samuel Lynch, and Matthew McKenzie.

Overseas-based Natricia Hooper is the only junior female athlete.

The team is comprised of fairly seasoned athletes, including CARIFTA silver medallists Bright and Hooper, and Williams, who last year finished second in the Boys’ Under-18 400m but was later disqualified after stepping out of his lane.

Over 60% of the team attended the Games last year.

The team will be accompanied by Linden coaches Johnny Gravesande and Moses Pantlitz, and team manager Yvonne October.

The athletes come from

Tremaine Browne four clubs across Guyana, while Hooper is the only overseas-based athlete on the team. Just over 40% of the team’s athletes are from Linden, with the remainder coming exclusively from Georgetown clubs.

Apart from Christianburg the clubs represented are Upper Demerara, the Guyana Defence Force, and Running Brave.

Hutson said some amount of effort was made to have athletes from outside of Georgetown included at the meets over the past few weeks since the trials began in February.

“We’ve been offering passage assistance to per-

Natricia Hooper sons coming down. We did get a lot of Berbice athletes but for me I was more looking for the ones further up in the Skeldon, Albion areas.

“We did not get people coming down from Corentyne. We were trying to find out what was going on with Delroy Leitch, but he subsequently joined the army and is currently involved in military training,” Hutson said.

“Ricky Williams (from District Nine) did come; He came to two of the three trials. Just last weekend we had Joshua Williams from District One, where we gave some financial assistance for him to be here. The

region would have taken care of his air fare; we did contributions to his meal and accommodation.”

Hutson, however, did admit that as it pertains to reaching out to athletes in the far-off areas more needs to be done by the AAG. “As it relates to farflung areas, I don’t think we would have done enough work getting athletes constantly involved in athletics even after school nationals.

“We utilised a lot of energies trying to get Corentyne active. We have no club existing in that area. We were asking the folks in New Amsterdam to reach out to them.

(However) the AAG really needs to reach out further and do a little more work especially in that area.”

Hutson concluded.

DIGICEL Regional 4-Day …

Pride, Jaguars start key eighth-round clash today at Kensington Oval ST JOHN’S, Antigua – As has been the case in each of the last three seasons, the longest rivalry in the game in the West Indies will again take centre stage in the eighth round of the DIGICEL Regional 4-Day Tournament.

Strong second-placed contenders Barbados Pride face current leaders and reigning champions Guyana Jaguars, starting today at Kensington Oval, under a unique set of playing conditions.

A day later, Leeward Islands Hurricanes will look to use the boost of confidence they gained from a win last weekend to try and topple Windward Islands Volcanoes at Warner Park.

At the same time, the round gets into full swing, when Trinidad & Tobago Red Force and Jamaica Scorpions meet at Queen’s Park Oval, trying to recover from demoralising defeats in their previous matches.

In Bridgetown, Barbados: This match between the Pride and the Jaguars

could be the primary decider this season in the destination of the Headley/Weekes Trophy, symbol of R4-Day supremacy.

A comfortable victory over the Volcanoes in the previous round have left the Pride 15.8 points adrift of the Jags, whose equally convincing win over the Red Force made them the first team to crack the 100-point ceiling this season.

These two teams have more or less been the most consistent over the last three seasons and another absorbing contest between two sides that seem evenly balanced on paper.

The teams will have to play smartly however, considering that the first three days will be contested consecutively before a rest day on Sunday to accommodate the first Twenty20 International between West Indies and Pakistan at the same venue, and return to conclude the match on Monday, March 27.

The pitch will be protected from damage by a rubberised matting cover

Kraigg Brathwaite

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

and neither side may want to face the prospect of batting last on it, so the toss could be very crucial.

Statistics too, bear out how competitive it could become between the two sides: In the last nine matches between them since the start of this decade, they have each won three times and the other three matches have ended in compelling draws.

The Pride, however, should be cautious, considering that of the three Jaguars’ wins, two have been at the venue for this weekend’s

match, so they should not expect an easy ride from the visitors.

In Basseterre, St Kitts: the Hurricanes will be hoping that the green grass of home will breed success against the Volcanoes in the all-Islands classic.

The home team came away from their encounter with the Scorpions last weekend unscathed and a bag of points, following a sensational victory in a low-scoring affair, but the visitors suffered a huge dent in confidence when their bat-

ting collapsed in the second innings and they suffered defeat.

For the Hurricanes though, this appears to be their bogey side, having lost six of the last seven matches against the Volcanoes, including a forgettable 94-run loss last December in the first half of this season.

In Port of Spain, Trinidad: Two teams that had their egos crushed in the previous round will be looking to regain ground, as the Red Force and the Scorpions strive for consistency, especially from their batting.

Both teams surrendered meekly after promising much against the Jaguars and Hurricanes respectively, eroding gains they had made in the earlier part of the season.

Oddly enough, however, both teams in the last three seasons have found it easier to win against each other when they are playing on the road, although the Scorpions bucked the trend in the firstleg match last December in Kingston.

So the Red Force will

hope this trend will continue and this weekend will end in redemption for their side on home soil.

Teams: BARBADOS PRIDE (from): Kevin Stoute (captain), Anthony Alleyne, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Justin Greaves, Keon Harding, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse, Jomel Warrican, Kenroy Williams.

IN - Brathwaite, Harding, Williams; OUT - Jonathan Carter, Omar Phillips, Kemar Roach.

GUYANA JAGUARS (from): Leon Johnson (captain), Devendra Bishoo, Anthony Bramble, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Rajendra Chandrika, Assad Fudadin, Shimron Hetmyer, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Clinton Pestano, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Vishaul Singh IN - Chanderpaul, Pestano; OUT - Veerasammy Permaul, Keon Joseph.

CARIFTA team’s training programme to get underway shortly on tory See s e 27 pag

Beharry supports Hong Kong Sevens-bound rugby team See story on page 23

National Sevens team captain Ryan Gonsalves receives the cheque for an undisclosed sum from a Beharry Group of Companies representative.

By Rawle Toney

THE Beharry Group of Companies yesterday handed over a cheque for a substantial amount to the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) to aid in the National rugby team’s preparation for the April 7-9 IRB Hong Kong Sevens.

Peter Green, GRFU president, highlighted that despite receiving travel and accommodation for the tournament in Hong Kong, ensuring that the team is properly prepared for the competition ahead has been a ‘headache’.

Green said that Beharry’s contribution comes at a time when only the National Sports Commission (NSC) had stepped forward to help the team, noting “although we have received travel and accom-

Turn to page 23

Ticket prices confirmed Hassan looking for improved for Guyana’s ODIs performances come April 2 See story on page 23

See story on page 23 The three-match series will see both West Indies and Pakistan in a narrow two-way fight for an automatic place in the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

Azad Hassan competes during the sport tuner class.

THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017