Issuu

P.9

Charles Fung-A-Fat appointed Chief Parliamentary Counsel

No. 104803

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

Price: $80

Baby, man burn …in separate to death house fires

(VAT Inclusive)

Pages 5&18

UK expert arrives for security sector reform

Page 3

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo greets UK Security expert, Russell Combe in the presence of Deputy UK High Commissioner to Guyana, Ron Rimmer (right) and another official during a meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday (Adrian Persaud photo)

By-laws inked – paid parking starts today

Page 8

PM to advise President on Ramson’s status Page 14

Man dies after crashing into utility pole Page 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

PM to perform duties of President

Prime Minster Moses Nagamootoo has been sworn in to perform the duties of the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. President David Granger departed Guyana for the Dominican Republic to participate in the 2017 Summit of Heads of State of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

Trio drop unlicensed firearm, bolt from police A .25 pistol with three matching rounds were recovered by Police in’B’Division on Monday. According to information, ranks were on a mobile

patrol in Port Mourant at around 00:30 hrs and while in the vicinity of Dispensary Dam, Ankerville, they noticed three men acting in a suspicious manner.

As they approached the trio, the men dropped an object in the nearby bushes and ran. According to a police source, the officers gave chase but the men managed to escape. A search was conducted within the area and the unlicensed pistol was recovered. The gun will be sent for fingerprints as police continue their search for the three men.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

UK expert arrives for security sector reform

By Ariana Gordon A FORMER top United Kingdom military officer, Russell Combe has arrived in Guyana to assist with the implementation of the Security Sector Reform Action Plan (SSRAP) which is part of a UK Funded initiative aimed at improving the security sector here. Combe on Monday met with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo at his office as part of an introductory process. During that meeting, Combe, a retired Lieutenant Colonel briefed the Prime Minister about his experience over the years and his role here in Guyana by virtue of the programme. Prime Minister Nagamootoo in welcoming Combe indicated Guyana’s willingness to work with him on a programme that should have begun some years ago. He told the former UK military officer, who is a para commando trained, that since taking office in May 2015 the APNU+AFC administration has worked

tirelessly to improve the country’s security systems. He noted that Guyana does not have “enormous resources” but has tried within its limitations to improve the security sector. The Prime Minister referred also to the revival of the National Security Committee and noted that the Defence Board meets regularly to discuss matters of national importance. Additionally, Combe who has an impressive resume was informed of the country’s security architecture, including border patrols, the floating police station at the mouth of the Waini River, and the reduction of piracy to name a few. Speaking briefly with Guyana Chronicle after the courtesy call, Prime Minister Nagamootoo said he informed Combe there has been a reduction in the level of crime here but said he made it clear that crime remains an issue. “I told him of our efforts when taking office, to instill and in some cases restore professionalism in the security sector into the officers so that

citizens can regain a level of confidence in a bid to remove the stigma and perception of professional bodies being compromised,” the Prime Minister stated, while noting that his administration has achieved “quite a lot in the security sector but could do much more with the help of traditional partners such as Great Britain.” The former UK military officer possesses global expeditionary experience, ranging from hands-on tactical level to the strategic political military interface. He is said to be proficient in the assessment, operational planning and conduct of security operations in complex and multi-agency environments, with host nation police services and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), whilst being mindful of corporate social responsibility and stakeholder engagements. Additionally, Combe transitioned to risk and security management with the associated training and logistical requirements for the oil and

gas sector in East Africa and humanitarian operations with the Ebola Response Consortium in West Africa. He served as a team leader with a private security company in Mozambique and has considerable experience in austere, expeditionary environments and in the command and control of operational security in the field. Meanwhile, since taking office in May 2015, President Granger indicated that it was his administration’s intention to have the SSRAP re-introduced. As such, over the past 20 months, the president has met with former UK Prime Minister, David Cameron and British High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregg Quinn on the matter. The US$4.7B SSRAP which began in 2007 was scrapped in 2009 after the British Government had requested to have oversight of the programme to ensure that there was ‘value for money’. The former People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Administration had disagreed

with the manner in which the British Government had wanted the programme to be run, and had stated that the British had sought to intrude upon Guyana’s sovereignty. But, in its defence, the British Government said the Government of Guyana had submitted a different proposal which had focused on police modernisation rather than a holistic approach to reform as was originally requested. The British’s intention was to build a workable basis for improving national security while reducing crime in Guyana by 2011. With the implementation of the SSRAP, the President believes that Guyana’s security sector will be significantly strengthened. He said Guyana’s vast and porous borders have allowed for a number of illicit activities to take place. Last September, the President pointed to the discovery of an illegal aircraft at Yupakari, Rupununi, Region Nine, and said with a strengthened police force, law enforcement officials would be in a better

position to address such issues. “It is very likely that that aircraft was involved in illegal activities …Guyana still does not have the capability to protect its long borders, and its vast hinterland from being penetrated by illegal aviators and this emphasises the need for security sector reform,” he stated. President Granger, a former Brigadier of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has noted the need for there to be a stronger police force, one that is better equipped, with all tools necessary to function adequately. He noted that better pay is also important to reduce corruption among law enforcement officers. “We know there is not only illegal migration, there is also the smuggling of narcotics, contraband, gun-running, trafficking-in-persons and these crimes are going to be stamped out with a more efficient police force…the British involvement is essential to retraining the police force,” President Granger had stated.

Banks sues GRA for over $28B GUYANA’S tax regulatory body – the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) - is being sued for over $28B by indigenous beverage company Banks DIH for what the latter considers to be consumption taxes it overpaid. According to the court documents, the case was

filed on December 16, 2016, and Banks DIH is claiming that it paid $12.8B in consumption taxes, but that $9.09B of that amount was overpaid. The payment of the total amount was made between 2001 and 2006. However, the beverage company is contending that the more than $9B overpay-

ment was made because of a mistake in law, based on a Court of Appeal judgment on July 31, 2008 in relation to a High Court motion brought by another beverage company – Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) against GRA. Last year, DDL reached an amicable settlement with

Labourer dies after crashing into utility pole A 34-year-old labourer perished Sunday night after he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into a utility pole at Hope Public Road, West Coast Berbice. The dead man, identified as Zafeed Jameer also known as Leonard, was a father of two and resided at Tempie Village, also on the West Coast of Berbice. The fatal accident occurred at around 22:00 hrs. The man’s mother, Joycelyn Jameer, 70, disclosed that her son left home on his motorcycle around 17: 00 hrs to visit his daughter who

lives a few villages away. She received news of the accident around midnight on Sunday. A police report stated that Jameer was riding west along the public road on an unregistered Jialing motorcycle when he lost control and slammed into the concrete base of a light pole located south of the road. He was rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital in an unconscious state and was pronounced dead on arrival. Jameer is survived by four siblings, his wife Savitri and his two children Ricardo,

Zafeed Jameer

11, and Sophia, seven. West Berbice Police are investigating the accident.

GRA after a 14-year tax dispute. This settlement arose out of the Consumption Tax assessment levied against the company by then Commissioner-General of GRA, Khurshid Sattaur, in January 2009, in the sum of $5.3B. This was immediately challenged by DDL in the High Court. And following negotiations between the two parties, it was agreed that DDL would pay, for both Consumption and Excise tax up to March 9, 2016, the sum of $1.5B. Accordingly, Banks DIH is requesting the High Court to make a declaration that the company paid $12.8B in consumption taxes between 2001 and 2006 under the

legal mistake, and that an overpayment of $9.09B was made for the same period when compared to DDL, which had only paid $3.7B. The beverage company is hoping that the High Court, where it filed its case, will rule that the state, “will be unjustly enriched if it were to retain” the $9.09B. It is seeking too, a declaration that they are entitled to repayment of that amount and 10 percent interest, which would carry the total to more than $28B. Banks DIH said through its order that its calculated demand takes into account the settlement figure of $1.5B, payable by DDL, under the terms of the consent order.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo at a Monday morning press conference made it known that from the inception of the settlement with DDL, he had argued that it would trigger other liabilities to the treasury. He said that what Banks DIH is claiming for is an amount only between 2001 to 2006. What this means, he added, is that the beverage company could come with another claim from 2006 to 2016, which could well be over $30B. The Opposition Leader contended that the DDL decision was not a well thought out one, and has now exposed the state coffers to about $80B a year in liabilities.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Six arrested for TIP By Ariana Gordon

SEVERAL alleged victims of human trafficking who were rounded up during operations over the weekend have been placed in safe houses and six of the traffickers have been arrested as police and the Trafficking-in-Person Task Force open investigations into the cases. Nine victims were rescued during two separate operations conducted by the Ministry of Social Protection’s Counter-Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP) Unit early Saturday morning. Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, in an interview on Monday with Guyana Chronicle, said the arrests were made during the two operations which took place on the West Coast Demerara (WCD), Region Three and Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), Region Four. In the case of Region

Three, one victim was arrested and taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for questioning and according to the Minister, the victim - a female, is of Cuban nationality. The Cuban national has been cooperating with law enforcement officers and has been communicating with officials through a translator. “She was taken to a safe place by the Ministry of Social Protection,” Ally said, noting that her Ministry is working to “ensure that the victim’s rights are protected.” The victim returned to the CID headquarters located at Eve Leary, Kingston, Georgetown on Monday to assist law enforcement officials with their investigations. “In the case of the Region Three, West Coast Demerara, two arrests have been made, the owner of the building or the proprietor

…victims placed in safe houses, …Min. Ally says scourge must be stamped out

and a Disc Jockey (DJ),” Minister Ally disclosed. Additionally, the Minister noted that the TIP Task Force also conducted a raid at the Bollywood night club, located at Providence, EBD, where eight alleged victims were rescued. According to the Minister, four alleged perpetrators were arrested including two females, one a bartender and the other, the wife of the proprietor. “At approximately 2:30am on Saturday morning the operation took place and these eight persons were rescued.” The Minister told Guyana Chronicle that the alleged victims of TIP have all been placed into a safe house and are under watch by the Police Force. “We are seeking the service of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) so that the rights of the one alleged victim (foreign national) would be

taken care of…we will be following up on the status of the case with the Criminal Investigation Department,” she stated. Minister Ally was adamant that TIP must be stamped out and noted that her ministry is taking all steps necessary to ensure the scourge is rooted out. “This question of TIP must be stopped; this is a serious and also a criminal offence… the people who perpetrate this need to stop; they need to understand that women are valuable resources,” the Minister added, while noting that her administration views the issue as one of major national importance. “We are very serious about it; we have to bring an end to it,” Minister Ally demanded while emphasising that there is great need for the rights and dignity of all persons to be protected. Additionally, the Minister said human- trafficking has

Tuesday, January 24, 2017 - 14:30 hrs Wednesday, January 25, 2017 - 14:30 hrs Thursday, January 26, 2017 - 14:30 hrs

no boundaries and as such is everybody’s business. Meanwhile, the rescuing of the alleged TIP victims comes days after President David Granger issued a strong warning to perpetrators of the crime that his administration will not be tolerating the heinous crime. Speaking at the launch of the National Plan of Action for the prevention and response to TIP for 2017 and 2018, the head-of-state assured that all victims would be protected and all perpetrators punished. “The Government of Guyana today is committed to reversing this indifference towards the crime of trafficking-in-persons. We will do so by enhancing education and strengthening enforcement in order to eliminate the scourge entirely.” President Granger said too that the issue would be tackled frontally and noted that several systems have been put in place to reduce the incidences of TIP across the country. He said too that wardens will be stationed in several hinterland locations where TIP is deemed prevalent to act as a deterrent to the scourge. “Traffickers must be identified and prosecuted with the full force of the law… The fear of prosecution must serve as a deterrent against human-trafficking. Guyana seeks to provide [the] ‘good life’ for all of its citizens. The ‘good life’ includes protecting vulnerable citizens from the threats of servitude, sexual exploitation and forced labour. Victims of trafficking-in-persons need protection. They are often helpless. They are often afraid to speak out. They generally

lack resources to seek assistance. Many of the victims being held against their will may be illegal immigrants and, therefore, afraid to go to the authorities for fear of being deported or prosecuted. Victims of trafficking in persons must be protected and provided with assistance for their recovery and reintegration into society,” President Granger said, noting that it is necessary to “lift the veil of TIP.” In May 2013, the President while serving as leader of the opposition had brought a motion calling for a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to investigate Trafficking-in-Persons here. Meanwhile, there has been a notable increase in the number of suspected TIP cases from 2014 to 2016 and according to the Coordinator (ag) of the C-TIP Unit in the Ministry of Social Protection, Tanisha Williams-Corbin in 2014 there were 40 cases, five males and 35 females, while in 2015, there were 59 cases with three males and 56 females. Last year there was an increase of 98 cases, 13 males and 85 females. The acting coordinator of the C-TIP Unit noted that of the 197 identified victims from 2014-2016 the majority were females. She also reported that 89.3 per cent of the victims were 32 years and below, while most of the victims were nationals. Non-nationals represented 41 per cent of the total number of suspected cases. Additionally, C-TIP Unit Coordinator said 44.2 per cent of the suspected cases occurred in Region Four while 22.3 per cent occurred in Region Seven. The National Action Plan intends to tackle TIP through prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

1 dead, 4 homeless in Diamond fire By Shauna Jemmott

A 59-YEAR-OLD man perished in a fire of unknown origin which gutted a two- storey house at Lot 795 Block X Section ‘A’ Diamond, East Bank Demerara, around 03:00 hrs on Monday. The blaze has also left four family members homeless. Thakoor Singh died when the fire which started in the garage where he lived, spread to other parts of the large house, reducing most of it to rubbles. When Guyana Chronicle visited the scene around mid-morning, owner of the property Chatendra Singh, 40, was under an unfinished house opposite to where he lived, deep in thought with friends around him offering their support. The fire was already put out and a minibus also damaged severely by the fire was parked in the yard. Only

a few plants in front of the yard remained untouched. Singh related that he was asleep with his wife Kamini and two children Sachin and Amisha, ages 15 and 13 in the upper flat of the building where he lived when he heard a strange noise. His uncle Thakoor Singh lived in the garage attached to the lower flat of the house. Some years ago Thakoor had an accident on a ship and suffered head injuries which left him forgetful at times, Singh said. He further explained that the man had nowhere else to live and so he took him in since he and his family moved into their house 12 years ago. “I heard some noise and it woke me up. I tell me wife something wrong. When I opened the bedroom door the hall inside the house had a lot of smoke. Me daughter and me son woke up too. After seeing the smoke I done realise well something

This was what was left of the Singhs home after the fire on Monday which claimed the life of his 59-year-old uncle (Delano Williams photo)

wrong,” Singh said. It was after he ran out of the house with his son closely behind he saw the blaze coming from the garage. “So I decide to run downstairs now to try to extinguish the fire and my son run behind me. When I arrive outside, now (I observed that) the fire start in the garage. When I look at the fire now, the fire was too much, done engulf (the garage),” he related.

Chatendra Singh displays burn marks he received while catching his wife and daughter who jumped from the blazing house

TO THE RESCUE It was impossible at that time to save the elderly man, and realising that the blaze had become even more dangerous; he ran to the back of the house and climbed on a

black tank to save the rest of his family. “Me wife and me daughter couldn’t handle the smoke, so she and me daughter run to the back verandah. Luckily, we didn’t lock the door and she open the back door and went on the verandah.” There they found that they were trapped and Singh desperately mounted on the tank and caught his daughter who was the first to jump from the building. His wife was rescued in similar fashion and the family ran to safety out of their yard before watching in disbelief as their house, a minibus, and all that they owned, go up in flames.

“I had to tell me daughter jump and I had to ketch she and bring she down and the same thing with me wife, she had to jump and I had to slide she down.” The man complained that the Guyana Fire Service took over an hour to arrive at the scene and believes that if they had responded in a timely manner, at least the top flat of his home could have been saved. Though neighbours formed a bucket brigade, it was not enough to save his home. “The neighbours call the fire station, then they arrive like nearly hour and a half. They (firemen) say that them had some other

fire in Kaneville,” he told this publication. Even as relatives and neighbours surround Singh, while his wife and children were at the Diamond Police Station assisting with investigations, he murmured: “Me don’t even know in wha direction fuh turn right now. Me family, when they come back, we gonna make a decision on what to do,” he said, as he noted that everything he owned was destroyed. “Nothing… no document, no phone, no ID card, no transport, no passport, no clothes. Actually, this is somebody give me this beach pants and jersey. No insurance,” Singh stressed.

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

Fake news

Given continuous indignation of the prevalence of fake news in advanced societies like the United States (U.S), we in Guyana might be inclined to say ‘welcome to our world,’ and this is not without justification. Guyana continues to have more than its fair share of propaganda, hoax and misinformation. This is particularly so in our politics, the actions, roles and contributions of political leaders, their parties and rivals, and contribution of racial groups. Where facts have historically been discarded and lies retold,the Orwellian efforts to create an alternate universe has met with measurable success in influencing acceptance or rejection of an individual, group, and their contributions. This is a fact that advanced societies are beginning to realise that they too are susceptible to. Acknowledging fake news and its consequential impact do not ignore that Guyana is not singular nor is it a new experience to advanced societies, as evident during Adolph Hitler’s reign in Germany and the Cold War era. But in this Information Age the potency of fake news is immediate and more lethal, not only for the consequences borne from discrediting persons but the potential it offers those who seek to discredit issues, credible organisations, and persons. It is not unusual to find those prone to taking positions to discredit the entire media corps or specific outlets when reported actions reflect an image they find distasteful,but conversely expect the media to assist them in communicating their views to the wider society. In spite of the tactic of attacking the messenger, which is usually to discredit the conveyer of the information and absolve the originator of the information from accountability, it is proving to reap dividends. Now that information and news can be updated, re-edited, re-interpreted, and posted every second of the day, fake news is exploiting technology to disconcerting ends. It is not unusual to see such outlets obliterating or blanketing credible information and sources by altering reality. At the same time it is not untrue to say news outlets have used their credibility to spread untruths or twist the truth in order to promote the agenda of its owner, or failing to ensure the credibility of its source in a competitive environment in order to be the first to break the story. In the new landscape,U.S media operatives are litigating the importance of maintaining their integrity and the public’s trust. At the same time their credibility is coming under assault as being the purveyors of “fake news.” As such allegation is becoming difficult to grapple,Guyanese media owners and workers can cite several instances where the powerful have sought to discredit and delegitimise them and by extension the content of their news, thereby absolving the originators of the news from accountability. Local media operatives have experienced similar vile attacks during the presidency of Bharrat Jagdeo and the elections seasons. Why this is instructive is that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic has presented the image that it has fought for and respects press freedom. Societies around the world have to grapple with fake news as an industry, which has either seeped into or become part of mainstream media. News outlet, persons or organisations with grievance, dislike or sinister agenda are engaging in

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Time to revisit road construction, maintenance Dear Editor,

A clarion appeal is being made to the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Local Government Minister, Respective Mayors, RDC Chairpersons and Engineers to revisit and amend the way roads in Guyana are constructed and maintained. It will certainly give tax-payers value for that share of the $15 billion budgetary allocation for infrastructural development and maintenance of roads. Our road surfaces are mostly flat, without a gradient or slope towards the edges. In

other words, our road surfaces appear to be the same levels in the middle and corners, as against higher in the middle and usage area while lower at the corners. Road inclination (gradient) is the change of Y over X, where X is horizontal to Y. I am no expert in this field, but over the years there have been several negative factors associated with the state of our roads often ranging from underperformance to loss of lives. Common sense therefore tells me that we need to revisit how our roads are constructed and maintained. Flat road surfaces do not

allow water to run off with ease. It results in water stagnation, non-friction, erosion and the lists goes on. The development of potholes are directing related to how flat a road’s surface is, compounded in many instances by poor preparation, substandard material quality or composition in the construction stages. Water lodging on road surfaces can be ignominious for pedestrians. They are often victims of inconsiderate or oblivious motorists who speed through lodging pools of water, drenching them in the process. Water lodging on road

surfaces is also a recipe for road accidents due to slippages, hydroplaning and general poor judgments that invariably result in material damages or loss of lives. The message is clear and noteworthy for those relevant entities and authorities to appreciate the need for improvement and changes in the way our roads are constructed. Due prudence should be required when considering designs, awarding contracts, and through each stage of road projects’ lifecycles. Regards Orette Cutting (Mr.)

REO not be blamed for Reg.2 flooding Dear Editor,

In the Kaieteur News of Friday, 13th January, 2017, a story under the caption ‘R.E.O. blamed for flooding in Region Two” and in paragraph 2, detailed the reason why he was blamed and from whom the comments emanated. In the Stabroek News of Thursday, 12.01.2017,statements were made by the Senior National Drainage Agriculture official indicating that he was to a great extent satisfied with the efforts made to reduce flooding in Region 2;so who are we to believe? It is public knowledge that the Regional Democratic Council (R.D.C.), which is the highest decision making forum in the region,with the Regional Executive Officer, R.E.O. being the Clerk of the R.D.C. and who can also be described as the Regional Finance Officer,was at the meeting (Council Meeting) where I supposed his issue was discussed after which a

press release was made,The story was reported by a reporter who was at the meeting,however, nothing was mentioned about the R.E.O’s. side of the story or what may have caused the flooding, and I am certain that if given a chance he may have rebutted strongly the negative things that were said about him. There was never a coin with one side, and no matter how thin you try to slice anything they are bound to be two sides.Whatever the circumstances or situation,the right of the person or persons to be heard must at all times be respected. I served as a member of the Region 2 R.D.C. for seven (7) consecutive years until I resigned in 2013.During that time I was always a member of the Works and Agricultural Committee,a Statutory Committee of the R.D.C; a committee that was always chaired by no less a person than the Regional Vice Chairman, a Senior Member of the People’s Progressive Party P.P.P. and in-

communication to undermine and delegitimise others. This sees deliberate omission of facts, or redirecting as in editing content, altering image, or doctoring footage to get a particular point across. These realities carry consequences. They not only create opportunities to be economical with the truth, but misleading information could be hazardous towards planning and implementation of programmes. It is factors of this nature that undermines acts of cohesion in society. As advanced societies, where media are considered freer and pivotal to democracy,grapple with what can best be described as a virus (i.e. fake

cluded Senior Officials from the Drainage and Irrigation Department, (D & I), the Rice Producers Association (.P.A., and Water Users Association.At all of our monthly meetings,discussions pertaining to maintenance of dams, clearing of trenches, desilting of trenches, and clearing of outfalls, so as to stop or reduce the flooding, would account for more than two-thirds of the discussion, but unfortunately we never got the kind of result we all would had wanted. It is relevant to mention that during those seven years, there were two Chairmen and four R.E.O.s, all elected or appointed by the P.P.P. The R.D.C. of Region Two is a Council in which for decades the P.P.P. have had a two-thirds majority.It is no secret that the R.E.O. is appointed by the Coalition of APNU and A.F.C.However,that does not mean that a close and harmonious relationship cannot exist,and while there are persons that will always be looking for

place and space, it should not be done at the expense of other persons including people of the region. I am not an apologist for the R.E.O. I have openly criticised him a couple of times,using strong language, but to lay the blame squarely at his feet for the recent flooding,as the story informs, is evil. My father was a rice farmer and I was with him in those days when we used to plant, cut, drag or slide the rice, mash it, wind or sift, bag it, before you sell it, so I know what it means to the farmers. Rice in Region Two and by extension the whole country is and will always be equivalent to what oil means to Arabia and the rest of the Arab world. It is time that all the stakeholders,officials, the administration at both levels, Regional and National,work in tandem for the good of the industry. Regards Archie W. Cordis

news), there are expressions of concern that politicians are reflecting characteristics of leaders in authoritarian societies. Today the news media is operating in a challenging and complex environment, where even as it tries to be a credible source,at times is held captive to forces- technological, ownership and the prevailing culture. There will always be propaganda and high risk of public manipulation. But even in the face of these,news outlet should not lose sight that pursuing or maintaining credibility is critical to its respect and survival, and the growth and development of society

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Gambia ex-ruler Yahya Jammeh ‘plundered coffers’

The Gambia’s ex-ruler, Yahya Jammeh, plundered the state coffers in his final weeks in power, stealing millions of dollars and shipping out luxury vehicles by cargo plane, according to an aide to new president Adama Barrow. Jammeh, who ruled the small West African country for 22 years, flew into exile late on Saturday to Equatorial Guinea. He had refused to concede defeat in a December 1 election but eventually relin-

quished power after a delegation of West African leaders convinced him to step down, even as troops from neighbouring countries entered The Gambia. On Sunday, hundreds of Banjul residents cheered a military force by ECOWAS, the West African regional bloc, as it entered the capital to provide security and allow Barrow, who has been in neighbouring Senegal for more than a week, to return and take power. But amid growing contro-

versy over the assurances offered to Jammeh to guarantee his departure, Barrow adviser Mai Fatty said the new administration had discovered that millions of dollars had recently been stolen. “The coffers are largely empty,” he told reporters in the Senegalese capital, Dakar. “Over two weeks, over 500m dalasi ($11 million) were withdrawn” by Jammeh, he said. “As we take over, the government of The Gambia is in financial distress.”

The degeneration of Festival City –is City Council responsible? Dear Editor Festival City was established in 1972 under the late President Forbes Burnham, as a village where visiting guests and artists for Carifesta ’72 were accommodated in the 250 houses specially constructed in North Ruimveldt. After Carifesta ’72 these houses were acquired by ordinary Guyanese families. Over time many families have worked at improving our homes, and the initial community services have been widened as we exude pride and continue to seek to raise our living standard. However, regardless of our efforts, we are increasingly being inundated by flood waters and we are experiencing the loss of esthetics and the total degradation of our environment. All of this is taking place despite our constant appeals to The Mayor & City Council and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. These two agencies have, over time, demonstrated a total disregard for us as citizens. As a case in point, the government reserve (northern side of Aubrey Barker Road) is being systematically carved up and handed to a variety of industrial, commercial, and other interests most of which have no connection to the community. In addition to this, shacks are also springing up at various points on reserves surrounding Festival City/North Ruimveldt.

The Festival City Entrance sign was knocked down by containers thrown on the Aubrey Barker reserve by disrespectful business persons and never restored despite efforts by one of our corporate citizens, Stainmasters. Recently a shack-shop, which was built at this location, was demolished by The City Council, but now after claims to the land by various persons, Mayor Chase-Green has apologised to the shackshop owners and given them permission to rebuild. How can citizens claim ownership to Council’s reserves?! And why are shacks being allowed to be built on what is the Government Reserve? Isn’t the Reserve to be used by Council and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to complete works to improve the community for example drainage and road repairs? Wasn’t it set aside to ensure the existence of green spaces? We look on this action of the Mayor as perpetuating the degeneration of Festival City. This and other such structures are reducing Festival City to a Shanty Town. A most disturbing fact is that the Mayor is the directly elected Councilor for our Constituency. We have been told by successive Councils that the main reason for the constant in and out of season flooding of Festival City/North Ruimveldt is that they cannot have access to the canals because of the people who

live on the dam. However, everyday more squatters continue to build regardless, to the point of erecting permanent concrete structures. Notably they are never flooded so they must be enjoying the good life. How long must we continue to endure this situation?! Our properties are becoming devalued because of the “shanti-ness” of Festival City/North Ruimveldt, the foundations are being ruined and the roads now becoming a series of potholes. We, the residents of Festival City, say “No more!!! Enough is enough!! We deserve the good life too!” We call on the M&CC and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to immediately activate plans to bring relief to our plight. We call on them to engage and advise us of these plans immediately as we wish to be involved. After all some of our houses were built by self-help and we have a record of community cleaning activities. Maybe if we pool our rates and taxes and instead pay a private contractor, we will be able to restore this Community of Festival City, which has tremendous historic significance and stop this dishonouring of our national heritage. Regards Residents of Festival City

Fatty also said that a Chadian cargo plane had transported luxury goods out of the country on Jammeh’s behalf, in his final hours in power, including an unknown number of vehicles. Barrow’s aide said officials at the Banjul airport have been ordered not to allow any of Jammeh’s belongings to leave. Fatty also said the president is eager to return to The Gambia “as soon as possible”, warning, however, that “the state of security in The

Gambia is still fragile.” The regional military operation was first launched late on Thursday after Barrow was sworn in as president at Gambia’s embassy in Senegal, but it was halted hours later to give Jammeh one last chance to leave peacefully. His departure followed two days of negotiations led by Guinea President Alpha Conde and Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania, prompting speculation over what, if any, terms were agreed upon to convince him

to step down. “He wanted to stay in Gambia,” Barrow told radio station RFM in Senegal. “We said we couldn’t guarantee his security and said that he should leave.” Barrow, who says he plans to establish a commission to investigate alleged human rights abuses by Jammeh’s regime, denied that the former ruler had been offered immunity from prosecution in exchange for leaving the country. (Al Jazeera)

By-laws inked 8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

– paid parking starts today By Telesha Ramnarine COMMUNITIES Minister Ronald Bulkan on Monday approved the parking meter by-laws by affixing his signature to them, and, as promised, immediately dispatched the document to Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen. At the time of the document’s arrival at City Hall, Chase-Green was chairing the fortnightly statutory meeting,which she asked Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan to take over while she received the signed by-laws. Incidentally, the deputy mayor, mere hours before the statutory meeting, protested the parking meter project outside of the Bishops’High School and the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre on Carmichael Street. That the by-laws have been signed by the Minister of Communities means that as of today, motorists wishing to park their vehicles in Georgetown will be required to pay via the meters. The official use of the meters had been set for last Monday, but Minister Bulkan had said that he needed until this Monday to be able to review the by-laws before approving them. HAD NO IDEA As late as last Saturday afternoon, Smart City Solutions (SCS), the company responsible for implementing the new system, had no idea that the minister had not yet signed the by-laws, and as

such told this newspaper that the project was ready to be officially rolled out on Monday. Asked why the City Council only submitted the by-laws to the minister on Friday, Town Clerk Royston King told the Guyana Chronicle before Monday’s statutory meeting that there were certain steps that had to be followed before that could have been done. Said he: “The Council operates based on systems, procedures and laws. For example, the law said that the Council should allow 14 days for public inspection; for public scrutiny, public

discussion on the by-laws before it is submitted to the minister for final approval. “We reached out to the public, and we went beyond the 14 days; we went 18 days. And that is why the by-laws were submitted to the minister when they were submitted. Not because the Council adopted and approved the by-laws means you could have just sent it off to the minister; it had other steps that had to be followed, and other certificates that had to be presented to the minister by the town clerk. And those steps were faithfully followed. I adhere strictly to the laws; and that is what

Although the project was not rolled out on Monday, SCS staff used the time to conduct demonstrations and provide information to the public. This staff member, however, was not as cooperative as her colleagues (Photo by Delano Williams) Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan protesting the use of parking meters on Monday (Photo by Delano Williams)

West Berbice police investigating alleged arson WEST Berbice Police are investigating an incident in which person(s) tried to set ablaze two vehicles belonging to the Hopetown Multipurpose Co-op Complex at Fort Wellington early Sunday morning. Chairperson of the Coop, Renai McAlmont said a security guard reported that he heard a loud explosion while on duty around 03:00 hrs, and on investigating, he saw smoke emanat-

Signed! Mayor Patricia Chase-Green shows councillors the by-laws document that was signed on Monday by Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan (Photo by Telesha Ramnarine)

ing from the rear wheel of a bus in the compound. Checks on the vehicle revealed that it was doused with diesel and both rear wheels were destroyed by fire. The seat of a tractor parked in the compound was also damaged by fire. McAlmont said the tractor had been parked in an enclosed area and could not have been accessed directly by the apparent arsonist (s), who most likely would have set a flammable material on

fire and threw it through an opening onto the tractor. The blazes were quickly put out and the Co-op is now assessing the extent of the damage to the vehicles, both of which were in working order. McAlmont said Co-op members are positive that the incident is an act of attempted arson. They are hoping that the perpetrator(s) will soon be caught and placed before the court.

I did.” NO EMBARASSMENT He said he did not see it as an embarrassment to the Council that the project could not start on Monday, but saw it as part of a process that was followed. With regards to the concerns raised by Minister Bulkan relating to meter spots in front of bus stops and so forth, King said those issues are currenting engaging the City Council’s active attention. Meanwhile, prepaid parking cards will be available at over 100 places, including pharmacies, gas stations, MoneyGram offices, post offices and the City Hall itself. The intention is for them to become as available as phone cards are. The cards will be available in $500, $2,500, $5,000

and $10,000 denominations. The $5000 card will carry a one-hour free parking bonus, and the $10,000 card will carry a two-and-a-half hours free parking. As SCS owner, Amir Oren recently explained to the Guyana Chronicle: “Right now, we are introducing disposable cards. In a month or two, we will introduce rechargeable cards, so that people will be able to carry one card as they go, and which someone can top-up with any amount. “And then we will introduce an application, which is a mobile payment, which allows you to have a balance on your card and even pay for a friend.” ALREADY DEVELOPED The application has already been developed,

but the officials said they prefer to introduce one method at a time so as not to overwhelm users. The application will be used in a similar way persons use their phones to borrow credit, check their balances, and so forth, and it will not replace payments via the actual meters; it will just be another option for payment. Meanwhile, SCS has said that they have already filed an application for VAT to be excluded from parking costs, which, if approved, will see no VAT being added to the $50 per rotation (15 minutes). The meters will function from Monday to Saturday from 07:00hrs to 19:00hrs, and motorists will not have to pay on Sundays and holidays.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

‘I’m eager to get out of GECOM’ …Surujbally wants swift selection of GECOM chair By Svetlana Marshall OUTGOING Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Steve Surujbally on Monday expressed optimism that the stalemate between the government and the opposition over the appointment of a new GECOM Chairman will be resolved soon so that he can demit office. Speaking with Guyana Chronicle, Dr. Surujbally, who has been at the helm of GECOM for 16 years, said he is eager to retire but has committed to assist with the smooth transition. “I cannot carry on ad infinitum. There is a procedure in place for the appointment of a new chairman, and once that person is appointed, I will demit office,” he said. Dr. Surujbally was scheduled to retire on November 30, 2016 but was asked to remain on the job until a new chairman is se-

lected. The new chairman, Dr. Surujbally, said must be able to “hit the ground, to some degree, running,” noting that all systems are in place and ready for take over. The outgoing chairman said if a request is made by the incoming chairman for a ‘brief’ on pressing matters engaging the commission, he will do so but not during an official meeting. Dr. Surujbally said in 2001 when he entered office, he would have benefited from the wisdom of the former Chairman, Major General (Ret.) Joe Singh, and as such, would be more than willing to replicate Singh’s actions. The opposition has agreed to meet with the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams to have greater clarification of Government’s interpretation of the Article 161, which governs the appointment of a Chairman for

the Commission. On Monday, the Attorney General was in receipt of a letter from Executive Member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Anil Nandlall requesting a meeting beyond January 26. However, with Minister Williams scheduled to attend a Council of Legal Education (CLE) meeting from January 27-28 in Kingston, Jamaica, it is likely that the meeting surrounding the chairmanship of GECOM will be pushed to February. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo at a Monday morning Press Conference confirmed that the party’s legal spokesperson, Anil Nandlall has sent a letter to the AG, accepting the President’s proposal to a meeting. Jagdeo contended that based on the President’s decisions, it is the PPP’s belief that the Head-of-State is receiving “bad advice” from Williams, but that there is

Charles Fung-A-Fat appointed Chief Parliamentary Counsel SENIOR Counsel Charles Fung-A-Fat has been appointed Chief Parliamentary Counsel – replacing Cecil Dhurjon, CCH, SC, who has served the Attorney General’s Chambers with distinction for decades. Fung-A-Fat’s appointment was announced on Monday by the Attorney General’s Chambers following Dhurjon’s retirement. Prior to his appointment, he was Deputy Chief Parliamentary Counsel – a position he held since 1981. Fung-AFat, who is no stranger to the legal fraternity, had begun his legal career at the Attorney General’s Chambers as a Parliamentary Counsel in 1981. By 1986 be had become the Senior Legal Adviser and Principal Legal Adviser. In 1987, he was appointed Principal Parliamentary Counsel. Fung-A-Fatt obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LL. B.) with Honours at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. He achieved the Legal Education Certificate at the Hugh Wooding Law School, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago and is also the holder of a Certificate in Legislative Drafting (Cert. LD)through the Commonwealth Secretariat in 1982. In excess of thirty-four years in the profession he has drafted Bills and subsidiary legislation, provided legal opinions

The newly-appointed Chief Parliamentary Counsel,Charles Fung-A-Fatt

and legal advice to the Attorney General. He also represented the State in civil matters, including the cases of Attorney General v. Alli and others (1987) 41WIR, P176 (1989) Law Reports of the Commonwealth (Const). p 474, the election petitions of Winston Payne and Ivan Austin and the Working People’s Alliance (W.P.A). Additionally, he has prepared writs and advised on legal matters to all government Ministries and Departments. He has also vetted Government contracts – local as well as contracts between the Government and International lending organisations. The Senior Counsel also served as a Member of the Inter-Governmental Task Force

to implement the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) at meetings held in various territories. He was also a Member of the Technical Working Group at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation dealing particularly with intellectual property rights and dispute settlement. Additionally, Fung-A-Fat was a Member of the Inter-Agency Permanent Committee on Human Rights at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a Member of the Law Revision Commission for the last Revised Edition of the Laws of Guyana. He represented Guyana at several meetings for example at Meetings of Regional Chief Parliamentary Counsel held in various territories to implement the Caribbean Court of Justice which included the drafting of the CCJ Rules of the Court, workshop on Legislative Measures to Combat Terrorism and the implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda and Disaster Legislation Workshop in Antigua and Barbuda under auspices of Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA). Currently he is a Member of the Commonwealth Association of Legislative Counsel.

still hope for the two political sides to settle the matter in an amicable way. Jagdeo had submitted six nominees, however they were all rejected by President David Granger, who described the list provided as “unacceptable.” Jagdeo had named Rhyaan Shah, a controversial Indian rights activist; Professor James Rose; Lawrence Latchmansingh, a Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Consultant; business executive, Ramesh Dookhoo; former Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Norman McLean; and Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram as his nominees but President Granger in turning down the names, explained that the nominees are not qualified based on the constitutional requirements. According to Section 2 of Article 161 “the Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds or who has held office as a

Outgoing Chairman of GECOM, Dr. Steve Surujbally

judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any judge, or any other fit and proper person, to be appointed by the President from a list

of six persons, not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after meaningful consultation with the non-governmental political parties represented in the National Assembly.” President Granger has since made it clear that if the opposition leader fails to reproduce another list that is acceptable, he will identify a chairman in keeping with the constitution. “The Constitution is clear that once the leader of the opposition fails to submit a list of persons, who are not unacceptable, I will have to make a choice but I will choose someone who is acceptable to both sides and who the general public is satisfied with,” President Granger said last week. He added: “I am going to choose somebody, who is fit to be a judge and who can discharge the functions of Office of Chairman of the Elections Commission with impartiality, with integrity and with intelligence.”

Ex-cop to face High Court murder trial CITY MAGISTRATE to the Court how he and Judy Latchman comLindo followed the late mitted former Police businessman around the Sergeant Leon Lindo city from his home. to stand trial in the Additionally, Wayne High Court at the next had stated that on the practical session of the evening of July 9, 2014, Demerara Assizes. he shot MFK under LinMagistrate Latchdo’s instructions. man stated that a prima Lindo told the court facie case was made out yesterday he was inagainst him for conspirnocent of the charge. acy to commit murder He said Lennox Wayne against Mohamed F. was a notorious liar who Khan, former owner of was annoyed with him MFK Trading. because of the present Lindo of Canal No. murder charge he faced. 2, West Bank DemerLindo will continara, was accused of ue under the terms of conspiring to murder his original bail of businessman Khan. The Former Police Sergeant, Leon Lindo $400,000. particulars of the charge According to the nan cosmetologist, Ashmini stated that Lindo, beprosecution facts, Khan tween July 8 and 10, 2014, Harriram. was shot between July 8 and Prosecutor Mangru said 10, 2014 and he went missat the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), Eve Leary, George- an essential element in the ing on August 21. On Septown, conspired with Len- prosecution’s case was a tember 22, 2014, a headless nox ‘Two Colours’ Wayne meeting of the minds be- body was found on a dam and others to murder the tween Lindo and main wit- in Cummings Lodge, East ness, Wayne. popular businessman. Coast Demerara. Mangru in his closing Lindo’s first court apA DNA test was carried pearance was May 2015 at submission stated that pros- out on samples taken from the time of the commence- ecution witness Wayne’s the body and the result rement of the preliminary evidence was not discredited vealed that it was Khan’s. inquiry. The matter was during cross-examination. Lindo was arrested on the prosecuted by Police Pros- Wayne testified that Lin- basis of statements given by ecutor Bharat Mangru, and do met him at the Tactical Wayne, that a plot had been 31 witnesses were called Services Unit (TSU), where hatched between him and to testify on behalf of the Lindo asked him if he had the accused to murder Khan. ever killed anyone. prosecution. Further investigations Mangru added that in were carried out and adWayne, of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Wayne’s evidence, Wayne vice was sought from the Demerara, has been charged stated that he was provided Director of Public Prosejointly and is on remand with a firearm and ammu- cutions (DPP) before Linfor the murder of Lusig- nition, and later described do was charged.

PSC commissioner – following High Court resigns challenge HEAD of the Agriculture Programme Cycle Unit under the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Cecil Seepersaud has resigned as a commissioner on the Public Service Commission (PSC). His resignation stems from a motion filed in the High Court in June, 2016, by one Gregory Mentore, saying that his being a PSC commissioner is unconstitutional. In his resignation letter, dated December 28, 2016 to Minister of State, Mr Joseph Harmon, Seepersaud said: “It has become evident that it is not viable to serve as an employee of the Ministry of Agriculture and function on the Public Service Commission (PSC) at the same time. Since my preference is to serve at the Ministry of Agriculture, I am prepared to resign from the PSC.” Seepersaud went on to say in the letter: “With His Excellency, the President’s approval, I am resigning my position as a member, and as Deputy Chairman of the PSC as of December 31, 2016.” Minister Harmon, in response, wrote telling Seepersaud on December 30, 2016 that his resignation has been so approved by President

Cecil Seepersaud

Granger. AGAINST THE LAW When contacted for a comment, Mentore, who describes himself as a concerned citizen, told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday that Seepersaud should have done the decent thing and resigned immediately after it was brought to his attention that as a high-ranking public servant, his being on the PSC was in violation of the Constitution, rather than allowing the matter to be taken to court. Mentore said that according to the Constitution: “A person shall not, while he or she holds, or is acting in the office of a member of the PSC or within a period of three years commencing

Gregory Mentore

with the date on which he or she last held or acted in that office, be eligible for appointment to, or act in any office of power to make appointments to which is vested by the Constitution in the President acting in accordance with the advice of the PSC or in that Commission.” Noting that the president had spoken at length on the subject, Mentore said: “President David Granger had publicly signalled his serious commitment, as it relates to respecting, obeying and applying the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. “In this regard, I am confident that the president would correct the blatant violation of the Constitution of the country.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Gun-related charges

One farmer remanded, other on bail TWO NORTH Rupununi cattle farmers on Monday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan separately indicted on a series of firearm related charges. Eugene Joel, 72,of Yakarinta, North Rupununi,was charged for having a 12-gauge shotgun cartridge along with a matching spent shell in his possession when he was not the holder of a firearm licence. He was also charged for having a 20-guage shotgun spent shell. The incident occurred on Thursday, January 19 at Toka Village, North Rupununi. The man pleaded not guilty to all the charges while his lawyer, Jerome Khan, explained to the court that his client was a cattle farmer while the man’s son, Jackson Joel, was a licenced holder of a 12-gauge shotgun. Khan further explained that his client was a holder of a firearm licence but his gun was damaged.

Police Prosecutor, Deniro Jones,strongly opposed Joel being released on bail, citing the gravity of the charge and also the spent shells were recovered in the man’s home. The Chief Magistrate released the elderly man on $100,000 bail and transferred the matter to the Lethem Magistrates’ Court for March 7. He also has to report at the Annai Police Station once a month. Meanwhile, 33-yearold Randolph Andres was remanded to prison after pleading not guilty to a series of ammunition possession charges and also for having a shotgun when he was not a licensed holder. Andres,of 3rd Avenue Bartica,denied that on January 19 at Toka Village,he had 20-gauge and 12-guage shotgun spent shells along with 20-gauge shotgun cartridges when he was not the holder of a firearm licence. He was also charged for having a 20-gauge shotgun in his possession.

Attorney,Jerome Khan,explained to the court that Joel and Andres looked after cattle in the North Rupununi area and were arrested by the police following a report from a Department Education Officer in the Annai Village. According to Khan,his clients would supply meat for the Annai School feeding program. However,persons claimed that while preparing the meat,they discovered a gun pellet and reported the matter to the police.The police while conducting their investigations raided his clients’ home and arrested them. Prosecutor Jones also strongly objected to Andres being released on bail because of the nature and gravity of the charge. The Chief Magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded Andres until February 3 when the matter will be recalled at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

Court hears...

Argument at bar led to murder JUSTICE Navindra Singh and a mixed jury at the Demerara Assizes yesterday heard how an argument at an East Bank bar one night in November, 2010 ended up with Randy Joseph being stabbed to death. The trial of murder accused, Antonia Jaisingh

opened yesterday, with leading prosecutor Ms Tuanna Hardy telling about calling witnesses who would explain about the drinking, the arguments and the killing. The accused, who has pleaded not guilty, is being represented by Ms Latchmi Rahamat.

The incident, which took place at Sara Johanna, East Bank Demerara, led to the accused being charged with having, between November 26 and 27, 2010, in the County of Demerara, murdered Randy Joseph. The hearing is continuing.

Consultations on regional flags, emblems begin – should conclude by April THE National Regional Development Consultative Committee (NRDCC) met last Friday to begin discussions on the proposed flags and emblems for each of Guyana’s ten administrative regions. The meeting, which was held at the Marriott Hotel, afforded participants the opportunity to discuss how to move forward with the designs of the proposed flags and emblems. Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, explained that the intention of the proposal is to start displaying the flags and emblems at government buildings across the regions. “What is going to happen from here on is that these flags, which are specimens,

will be displayed at all of the Ministry of Communities buildings, and at all of the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) buildings. “They would also be displayed at Parliament Square, and would also be publicised during the Mashramani celebration,” the minister explained. He said, too, that consultations with stakeholders in the regions will discuss the flags, emblems and renaming of the regions. He is hoping to have the consultations completed within the next four months. “The work plan that we have is that the RDCs have to work to ensure the completion of those consultations and discussions, to arrive at a point where they can make

Reiterating that the flags presented are “not cast in stone”, he said that rather, they are meant to be specimens that may or may not be changed, depending on the need arising from the discussions that would take place in the communities. All the colours of the regional flags are from the National Flag. The symbol on Regional officials at the NRDCC inaugural meeting last Friday at the Marriott Hotel. In each regional flag will denote the background are some of the proposed regional flags and emblems something that is famous to a resolution on whether the would have the opportunity, mentary Opposition has op- the respective region. The overall objective of region would keep their exist- out of a consultative process, posed these efforts, Minister ing name for now, or move to to identify what would be the Bulkan said that the admin- the NRDCC is to: Promote a different name; and whether desire of the region. istration will not be deterred. greater communication and they will adopt the specimen “This administration has collaboration among the of the flag and arrive at the REGIONAL PRIDE a vision for meaningful local local democratic organs; symbol that would be part of The regional emblems, administration, and in this develop guidelines for fithat flag,” Minister Bulkan along with the renaming regard, the concept of strong nance committees of local said. of the ten administrative regions is essential; and this democratic organs; and Noting that the decision regions, are part of the gov- is what brings us to the need promote regional developwould either be yes, no or ernment’s efforts to foster and necessity for each region ment through networking later, Minister Bulkan said regional empowerment and to have their own flag symbol among regional, national the RDCs will be expected pride. and standards,” the minister and multi-national stakeholders. (GINA) to make a decision, and they Noting that the Parlia- said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

arrest ‘suspected Shariff and wife Police strippers’ at city nightclub before court again – find ‘small quantity’ of narcotics such allegations but conceded he had unsettled tax matters with the Guyana Revenue Authority in relation to the sale of phone credit. He was also a candidate of the then ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in the 2015 general elections. At the time when the investigation started against him, he was a member of the Central Committee of the PPP, from which position he has also resigned. Omar Shariff, centre, his attorney, right and his reputed wife, Savatri Hardio

FORMER Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency, Omar Shariff and his reputed wife Savatri Hardio were on Monday released on their own recognizance after they were both charged for failing to comply with a production order contrary to Section 26 of the Money Laundering Act. They both denied the allegation when it was read to them at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court by City Magistrate Fabayo Azore. It was alleged that the two failed to comply with the production order issued by the Chief Justice, Yonette Cummings-Edwards, after a summons was served by a marshal of the High Court to produce certain named documents to Assistant Police Commissioner, Sydney James within seven days.

The two people were placed on their own recognizance, while their passports were lodged at the court and they were ordered to report every other Monday to Superintendent Robert Tyndall at the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). Shariff and his wife were represented by attorney Sanjeev Datadin. Late last June, Shariff was sent on leave by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, after he was arrested by ranks from SOCU in connection with large sums of cash, which were found in his personal bank accounts. Investigators were also probing the source of the money. His services have been terminated with effect from December 31, 2016. Shariff, the subject of a probe into alleged financial crimes by SOCU, has denied

Father of four remanded for alleged rape A 43-YEAR-OLD father of four was remanded to prison after he was charged with two counts of sexual activity of a child and family member. He appeared before Magistrate Rhondel Weaver at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on Monday and was not required to plead to the charges. He was remanded to prison until February 28, 2017. The particulars of the first charge alleged that on December 23, 2016, at New Amsterdam, he engaged in sexual penetration with a 13-year-old

family member. It is further alleged that on January 12, 2017, he committed a similar offence on another family member, who is 12-yearsold. The court heard that on January 12, 2017, at around 22:30h, a neighbour was watching television, when she was alerted by a moaning sound of a child coming from the apartment. As a result, she looked through a hole and saw the accused having sex with the victim. Four days later, the neighbour contacted the children’s mother, who subsequently made a report to the police.

SEVEN women, among them foreign nationals, were arrested Sunday morning when the police descended on a city nightclub. During the raid, ranks also unearthed a small quantity of narcotics, including a gram of cocaine, for which one person has been arrested. All hands are likely to be charged this week, the

foreign nationals specifically for illegal entry and overstaying. The ladies, who are suspected to be strippers at the club, are from The Dominican Republic and Cuba. Last July, eleven suspected victims of human-trafficking were caught in a raid at the said nightclub. According to reports, the women were all over 18;

were not Guyanese; and had no form of legal permits in the form of passports to be in the country. It is suspected that these women also worked as strippers at the club in exchange for cash; that they hailed from The Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname. They were all charged and eventually deported.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

PM to advise President on Ramson’s status PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo is in the process of advising President David Granger on the status of Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson SC, who has never submitted a report of his work since getting the job in 2013 and has recently said that he is not required to submit a report to the First Vice-President. “I am in the process of

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo

advising the President as regards the status of Mister Ramson,” the Prime Minister said briefly on Monday. Ramson has served as Commissioner of Information since 2013 and has since failed to submit a single report to the Minister of Information since he assumed office under the Donald Ramotar administration and according to him; he is not required to report to the Prime Minister about the

Commissioner of Information, Senior Counsel Charles Ramson

work of his office. He posits that it is the Prime Minister’s responsibility by virtue of the Access to Information Act, who has to submit a report to the National Assembly. Ramson who served as Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs under the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), believes that the Prime Minister is attempting to “spin” the provisions of the Access to Information Act for his own benefit. Additionally, Ramson was reported as saying that he is not accountable to the Prime Minister as he is not his “boss.” “I don’t have to submit a report to him. He is not my boss. He gotta prepare the report… he admits it in his own thing [the newspaper article] but he is trying to throw the blame on me because he is a spin doctor,” Ramson told Stabroek News in an article dated January 15, 2017 and headlined ‘Is not me falling down on the job, is them’- Ramson accuses PM of ducking duties under Access to Info law. He noted that out of courtesy he can provide the report to the Prime Minister but the Act does not expressly state he must so do. However, the Prime Minister told Guyana Chronicle that Ramson’s utterances are nonsensical as he (Prime Minister) cannot submit a report to the National Assembly unless Ramson provides him with an outline of the work done at the end of each year, in accordance with the provisions of the law. “I do not

accept his explanation…it doesn’t make sense. How can I report on his work, when he hasn’t provided any information?” asked the Prime Minister who made it clear that he does not operate in a vacuum and as such cannot function in void. The Prime Minister said “nihil fit ex nihilo” which means, out of nothing comes nothing. Meanwhile, Ramson who has been working out of his East Street home, quoted Section 44 of the legislation which says that the Minister shall as soon as practicable but not later than nine months, after the end of each year, lay a report on the operation of this Act in the National Assembly. Section 44 (2) of the Act stated that “each responsible Minister shall, in relation to the public authorities responsibility for which has been assigned to him, furnish to the Minister such information as he requires for the purpose of the preparation of any report under this section and shall comply with any prescribed requirements concerning the furnishing of that information and the keeping of records for the purposes of this section.” However, the Commissioner of Information contends that Nagamootoo is also the “responsible minister” referred to in Section 2. The former Attorney General has been receiving a salary of approximately $1.2M monthly since he took office in 2013 but has not submitted a single report on work done over those years.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Bare Root roads in disrepair

The state of the roads in Bare Root

By Shauna Jemmott A WOMAN is in severe pain and could hardly walk, but in spite of her discomfort, she knows that counting on a taxi to take her to the hospital is out of the question, because of the deplorable condition of all the roads leading to her home in Bare Root, East Coast

Demerara. With no choice left her at the time, she endured the pain for what seemed an eternity, as painkillers seemed not to have any positive effect on what ailed her, and all her family could do was trust in God. This is just one of the many scenarios that starkly bring to the fore the plight

of residents of Bare Root, a village aback Bachelor’s Adventure, where many of these villagers are forced to walk for miles on end daily to get to a point where they could catch public transportation to get to work or school or wherever it is they need to go. But the state of the roads are but the least of their wor-

ries, as Bare Rooters are also beset by other infrastructural problems, as well as social ones; and having reached the end of their tether, they’re now calling on the Government for help, as the situation is becoming unbearable. POTHOLES EVERYWHERE When the Guyana Chron-

icle visited the community Friday, numerous potholes could be seen along both Grant and Middle Roads and the two cross streets connecting them. Besides the tall bushes along Grant Road, the vegetation in some trenches is so thick that it is preventing the water from flowing freely, which, in the long-run, could

lead to mosquito infestation. “The situation with the road is very terrible, and persons who have emergency suffer the most,” Odama Siland told Guyana Chronicle. “Those of us who have to work, we normally encounter difficulties having the taxis coming in,” she said. Because public transpor-

Turn to page 21 ►

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Baby perishes in Kaneville fire By Shauna Jemmott POLICE, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) and the Childcare and Protection Agency

(CPA) are investigating a suspected case of arson in which an eight-month-old baby died and a house was burnt flat.

The tragedy, which occurred at Kaneville, East Bank Demerara early Monday morning, has left eight-month-old Romain Seth dead, and ten

– Police suspect arson persons homeless. According to a press statement issued by the Guyana Fire Service, “A fire erupted at a home in Kaneville Housing Scheme, resulting in the death of a toddler... Persons in the area reported that it may have been a case of arson.” When the Guyana Chronicle visited the scene of the fire Monday, the owner of the house, Michelle Menezes related that her family had been threatened by persons in the neighbourhood just the day before, and that their ordeal started around 02:00hrs that morning when balls of fire were thrown into her home. She said she did not see who threw the fiery objects, but the first landed directly on her grandson, the now diseased baby. The woman said that try as she and family members might, they couldn’t save the baby, as the netting under which he was sleeping was set ablaze. The mother of eight said that after realising that their efforts were futile, she and her young children broke the door down and made for her sister’s yard nearby. She said that in her confusion, she even jumped a cousin’s fence and called for help. HIDDEN GUN Menezes said it all began two Sundays ago when her children showed her a gun tucked away in a banana sucker in her yard. At the time, she said, a ‘fowl fight’ was in full cry not far away. “Sunday they had a fowl fight out heah and a young man came and put a gun, a long gun, between the sucker,” Menezes said. “Dem children did running up and down, and meh son come and he say, ‘Mommy, mommy, come see they got a gun between the sucker!’” The woman said that ever since that day, a group of persons in the neighbourhood have been after her family,

sending them death threats and demanding that they give them back the gun. She said a man even forced her daughter to give him her Menezes’ cell-phone number so he could call her. “They call meh phone,” she said. “They ask meh, ‘Wheh yuh deh? Wheh yuh deh? Ah hope yuh ain’t going to the station… because if yuh go, yuh gon see wha we gon do to yuh family.’” Two days after, when she could take it no more, she went to the Brickdam Police Station in an attempt to make a report but was directed by the Station Seargeant on duty at the Ruimveldt Station instead. But on second thoughts, Menezes said, she didn’t bother to pursue the matter. “I didn’t go because of fear,” she said. COME TO A HEAD Things would, however, come to a head when, on Sunday gone, a young man approached her son, who had just returned from the interior, offering to sell him a cell-phone. Suspecting that the phone was stolen, her son refused to buy it and an argument ensued, during which he was assaulted. After the incident was reported to the police, a number of people were held but subsequently sent away. “So, when the police loose them now,” she said, “one turn and seh he want he gun; that if he can’t get he gun, we gon see wha he gon do wid we. ‘Ah gon kill all al’yuh in deh; ah gon kill all y’all in deh.’” Again, the matter was reported to the police, this time at the Grove Police Station, but no sooner had that been done than a woman and her son approached her, asking for the gun. They even began weeding at the back of her yard in an effort to find the gun, so the police had to be called in again, and all those who were involved in the exercise were arrested.

Heartbreaking! Holly Seth, 17, the dead baby’s mother (Photos by Delano Williams)

This caused the mother of the young man who’d approached her asking for the gun to accost her, swearing vengeance. Said Menezes, “She come and tell me, ‘Peter gon pay fuh Paul, and Paul gon pay fuh all; de innocent does pay fuh de guilty.’ And that if anything happen to she son, I gon see wha gon happen to we.” She said that at the time of the fire, her daughter Holly, whose baby it was that perished, had gone to town with her brother, so she was the only adult at home with the children. SOMETHING’S AMISS She said that she suspected that something was amiss when the family dog, ‘Smarty’, began barking and running around frantically all over the yard. Detailing what transpired, Menezes said: “I come off de bed and going fuh go at the back fuh peep and fuh see; when I near meet the back door, ‘Boof!’ Fire come through, land pon de baby and start burning he. “So I turn back with the speed now fuh pull he; ‘Boof!’ They send another fire! Me ain’t know if is a ball ah fire or wha! And they send a next fire; I start holler.”

Eight-year-old Carlos Sampio cried yesterday as he stared at what’s left of the home he and his family shared

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

My Breast cancer story THIS is not the kind of journey one hopes to make ever in their lifetime but it’s said that sometimes we choose the battles and sometimes the battles choose us. So here I am- a chosen one- not hand selected like Harry or Neo but chosen to join some 1,074 brave women living with Breast Cancer in Guyana. My story is just another thread in the maleficent web woven by cancer globally and yet I hope that sharing my experiences– tiny in the general sphere of things- but tremendous to one person- will help others diagnosed with Cancer and their families to find strength in our shared struggle and to remind everyone that Cancer may be a minute away from affecting you (or someone you love) if you are not proactively making healthier choices. I’m not trying to give anyone medical advice–any medical information shared is strictly for your academic knowledge and is only meant to educate rather than instruct, to be used for reference when discussing your own situation with your doctor as each woman is different and no two cancer cases may be alike. I hope that in sharing my experiences I can make someone else’s journey a bit smoother. I have a wonderful support group of family and friends but it’s not important to know my name. It could be Mary, it could be Jane. It could be Bibi. It could be your mom, your aunt, your sister. It could be anyone; it could even be you because if there’s one thing about Breast Cancer- IT DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE. I am not married. I do not have children. I haven’t even hit the ‘dirty thirties’ so when in 2014 I felt a marble sized lump in my right breast I visited a Cuban doctor and was diagnosed as having a “Fibroadenoma”, she advised me that it was nothing to worry about unless it became painful or grew larger I shouldn’t be alarmed as it was a very common cyst among women in my age group (I was 27). Whew, sounds great to

me- thanks Doc but of course you know I rushed home to google that Fibro- ad- someword. (Note: so says the person who can say supercalifragilisticexpialidoshious without missing a beat but is reduced to spittle to this day when saying Fibroadenoma. ).The following is taken from a few online medical dictionaries and should give you an idea of why I was not alarmed by the cyst and why I didn’t get a second opinion which I should have done. Remember, Question EVERYTHING and ALWAYS get a second opinion: 1. Fibroadenomas are benign breast tumors commonly found in young women. Fibroadenoma means “a tumor composed of glandular (related to gland) and fibrous (containing fibers) tissues.” 2. Breast fibroadenomas, abnormal growths of glandular and fibrous tissues, are most common between the ages of 15 and30, and are found in 10% of all women (20% of African-American women). They are found rarely in post-menopausal women. I would share Guyana’s stats but currently there is no research available. 3. Described as feeling like marbles, these firm, round, movable, and “rubbery” lumps range from 1-5 cm in size. Giantfibroadenomas are larger, lemon-sized lumps. Usually single, from 10-15% of women have more than one. 4. While some types of breast lumps come and go during the menstrual cycle, fibroadenomas typically do not disappear after a woman’s period, and should be checked by a doctor. The doctor asked me when I discovered the lump and about my family history. I had found the lump about two months before visiting her and my genealogical information wasn’t too helpful in painting a better picture of what I should expect medically. I did an ultra sound at the St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital but here are a few of the diagnostics tests that your doctor may ask for: ● Mammogram. An x-ray examination of the breast. ● Ultrasound scan. A tech-

nique that uses sound waves to display a two-dimensional image of the breast, showing whether a lump is solid or

fluid-filled (cystic). ● Fine-needle aspiration biopsy. A minor procedure wherein fluid or cells

are drawn out of the lump through a small needle (aspirated). ● Core biopsy. A procedure

wherein a larger piece of tissue is withdrawn from the lump through a larger needle. Turn to page 20 ►

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Cuban man remanded for trafficking Cuban woman A 33-YEAR-OLD Cuban national was on Monday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for trafficking a woman for sexual exploitation at his Bollywood Club at Providence, East Bank Demerara. Eladio Peraza denied the charge that between March 1, 2016 and January 20, 2017 at his club, he engaged in trafficking-in-persons whereby he recruited, transported and harboured a female Cuban national for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Peraza’s lawyer, Mark Conway in his application for reasonable bail explained to the court that his client had been residing in Guyana for the past two years, and seven months ago he got married to a Guyanese national. Conway further explained that Spanish visitors would often stay at his client’s club because Peraza spoke their language and the visitors felt comfortable. “Given my client’s financial and family ties to Guyana, Peraza does not pose a flight risk” the lawyer said in his application for bail. However, Police prosecutor Inspector, Neville Jeffers, strongly opposed Peraza being grated his pre-trial liberty on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence and the fact that the defendant was a foreign national. The prosecutor further informed the court that the victim was currently in protective custody. The Chief Magistrate

Eladio Peraza

ruled in the prosecution’s favor and remanded Peraza until January 25 when he will return before her for the commencement of trial into the matter. The Cuban woman was rescued last Friday by the Counter- Trafficking-in-Persons (C-TIP) Unit of the Ministry of Social Protection when they raided the Bollywood Club. Less than five months ago, a 34-year-old businessman, Mark Figueroa and a Brazilian national, Joaquin Fillio, were charged and placed before a City Magistrate for trafficking nine Brazilian women. Figueroa was separately charged for withholding the women’s identification cards. Figueroa was released on $1.8M bail. The Magistrate had remanded Fillio to prison based on the fact that he was a foreign national. The men had reportedly held the women against their will as they were beaten and held at gunpoint.

My Breast... ● Incisional biopsy. A surgical procedure wherein a piece of the lump is removed through a cut (incision). ● Excisional biopsy. A surgical procedure wherein the entire lump is removed through acute (incision). In retrospect, I would have done a few things differently; I would have gotten a second opinion and / or a fine needle aspiration biopsy to determine if it was indeed just fibroadenonoma, but given my age what else could it be? I relaxed and continued on with my normal life in Gt. I

From page 19

attended my 8-4 job daily; I had bacon filled sandwiches for breakfast; a Chinese fried rice for lunch; frozen margaritas on Fridays and, like the conspiracy theories I’m often fascinated by- my own DNA was conspiring against me. It was mutating a gene fault rapidly, multiple times, replicating this code throughout my blood, and I, slowly sauntered over to help my friends set up tents for our outdoor excursions, clueless that a war had been declared on my body. (Continues next week)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Bare Root roads... From page 15

Bare Root resident, Odama Siland speaking to Guyana Chronicle last Friday (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

tation, mainly the minibuses, do not ply Bare Root roads, residents are forced to depend heavily on the services of taxis to get in and out of the village, which goes deep into the backlands to where rice fields once were. “Taxis do not want to come in because of the holes on the roads,” Siland said. “It’s dangerous... They would normally go over to the other village; that’s Dazzell Scheme. And we that live way down to the back, we have to walk to probably 17th Street because most of them come up to 17th Street; so we go across there and catch the taxi.” DECIDEDLY DICEY But the situation could get decidedly dicey whenever it rains, as taxi drivers simply refuse to take the fares of residents even to 17th Street, for fear of damaging their vehicles. Taxi drivers normally charge $400 to take a person as close as possible to Bare Root, but because of the risk involved, given the state of some of the roads, many absolutely refuse to undertake the journey. “I personally think that something needs to be done about the road situation. You will call and people will bluntly refuse to come in here, so you have to walk a particular distance, or you go to another village in order to secure transportation to get out and to get in,” Siland said. According to reports, Grant Road was repaired a few times in recent years, but as one resident observed, because those repairs were never done properly, the road starts to deteriorate in just a matter of months. “The method (materials)

that they use to do the road is(are) mostly sand, loam and stone; just about a halfinch to three-quarter-inch of stone,” said one male Bare Root resident. “It has been done in a premature way; it needs to be asphalted, and you don’t have to do it again. “It don’t make sense you doing one road six, seven times; do it one time and finish,” he added. NOT TO BE BLAMED Meanwhile, taxi drivers are saying that they are not to be blamed for what residents are experiencing, because servicing the route by way of any of the village’s three roads -- Church Road, Middle Road or Grant Road -- is too costly. “I does go up front because the road bad; I don’t reach down inside deh,” one driver said, adding: “They only do the main road and they try doing the middle street; they do a part and stop, and that part that they throw the pitch on, by vehicle going down there in the rain the holes just start getting big so I does just cut off there.” As he went on to explain, “In case of emergency, I don’t know what will happen; people gon suffer, and you can’t blame the taxi men dem, because $400 and $300 can’t buy back no part.” Grant Road is the worst, and though part of Church Road was recently repaired, it’s already showing signs of deteriorating because of shoddy work, the man said. He said he knows of many cases where pregnant women have had to move to another village or to the front of the village until they were ready to give birth.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Bermuda slip to 4-2 defeat against Canada HAMILTON, Bermuda, (CMC) – Canada came from behind to beat Bermuda 4-2 in a friendly international at the National Stadium on Sunday. Jalen Harvey gave the hosts an 11th minute lead but the visitors, who have never lost to Bermuda, replied with two quick goals to take 2-1 interval lead. Jonathan Osorio grabbed a 22nd minute equaliser before Tosaint Ricketts added a second two minutes later. Lejuan Simmons headed

Bermuda level in the 55th minute but Canada proved too strong in the closing stages, adding further goals through substitute Jay Chapman’s header in the 76th minute and Anthony Jackson-Hamel (85). Canada, ranked 120th in the world, have now beaten Bermuda – ranked 66 places below them – five times and drawn four times since the teams first met in 1968. Canada won their previous meeting against Bermuda 3-0 in 2007.A crowd of 1,814 watched Sunday’s game.

South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:05 hrs Together Forever 08:40 hrs Love Tryst 09:15 hrs Doosra 09:55 hrs Urgent Fury 10:30 hrs Al Azraq 11:05 hrs Alpine Glacier American Racing Tips Philadelphia Park Race 1 Full of Charge Race 2 Big Man Rocket Race 3 Lori’s Folly Race 4 Infinite Fiesta Race 5 Cause He’s Western Race 6 Jay’s Way Race 7 Match Up Race 8 Saluda Race 9 Fort Boonesborough English Racing Tips Leicester 09:20 hrs Sister Sibyl 09:50 hrs Fly Home Harry 10:20 hrs Tagrita 10:50 hrs Global Stage 11:50 hrs Orthodox Lad 12;20 hrs Miss Mash Wetherby 09:30 hrs Gris De Pron 10:00 hrs Rocky Two 10:30 hrs Swing Hard 11:00 hrs Joseph Mercer 11:30 hrs Future Gilded 12:00 hrs Mr Big Shot Southwell 09:40 hrs COME On Percy 10:10 hrs Treaty Of Rome 10:40 hrs Dungannon 11:10 hrs Meadway 12:10 hrs Playful Dude

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Western Tigers, Santos canter... 22nd and 36th minutes while McLennon accomplished his brace in the 70th minute following his first in the 38th. Joshua Britton opened proceedings in the 10th minute. Jorell Tyrell converted in the 20th, Jamal Pedro in the 34th, Darren Benjamin 74 th , with the sealer in the 90+4 minute off the boot of Joshua from the penalty mark. Pouderoyen sneaked in a consolation strike via a Dwain St Kitts goal in the 87th minute. Santos dominated West Demerara’s #1 club

From back page

Uitvlugt who showed signs of fight in spurts but faltered on the day. Job Caesar who mesmerised the West Demerara side with his nimble play hammered home a double in the 20th minute from the penalty spot and the 81st minute. His performance was punctuated by Keith Cains’ 39th minute strike as the City side established a 2-0 cushion by the end of the first half. Uitvlugt came out all guns blazing in the final 45 minutes and were duly rewarded for taking the fight to Santos when

Keon Duke’s 52nd minute scorcher settled in the back of the net. While still holding the upper hand as they continued their steady trek in the Uitvlugt final third, Santos did show some signs of panic but were able to rally after the West side faded. It was during this period that the energetic Caesar sealed the deal and a date with the winners of the Riddim Squad/Den Amstel clash tomorrow night at Tucville ground, with his second goal in the 81st minute.

Pride, Jaguars face-off in day/night clash... From back page BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, ( CMC) – Barbados Pride have dismissed any idea of home pressure when they take on perennial rivals Guyana Jaguars at Kensington Oval in one of two games on the opening day of the 2017 Regional Super50 here today. The day/night affair at Kensington Oval will bowl off at 1:30 pm while the other game, between Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners and Jamaica Scorpions, will get going at 9 am at 3Ws Oval at the UWI Cave Hill Campus. Pride, last year’s losing finalists, are playing at home for the first time in four years, but skipper Jason Holder said he expected his side to equip themselves like professionals. “I wouldn’t say there is any added pressure. We are all professional athletes. We are accustomed playing in front crowds, albeit our own home crowd,” the West Indies Test and one-day captain told media here. “It’s just a matter of us relaxing, being focused and prepared to do the job for Barbados. Whatever it takes to win cricket games for Barbados I’m sure this group here is prepared to go out and do so it’s just a situation where we need to stay focused, stay relaxed and execute under pressure.” Pride enter the February 24 to February 18 championship with perhaps one of the strongest teams on paper, with 12 members of their 14-man squad being current West Indies players.

They have been installed as one of the favourites to make it out of Zone B but Holder said it was critical the side executed well and performed consistently. “I expect good things from the team. We’ve had quite a few weeks of good preparation,” the 25-yearold all-rounder pointed out. “We had four games in total – two being the trial games and two practice games – and I think we got some pretty positive things out of them and the guys are ready and raring to go.” He continued: “Our key to success is playing good consistent cricket. We obviously have our game plans in mind so it’s just for us to execute them. We have to be consistently putting runs on the board as a batting unit and then obviously as a bowling side, we need to bowl teams out. That’s what wins cricket games.” Jaguars, meanwhile, exuded confidence ahead of the contest. They are the two-time reigning four-day champions and are hoping to transfer the success into the one-day format. Captain Leon Johnson said yesterday they would be looking to win the competition but were also focused on improving themselves throughout. “Obviously the ultimate success would be to win the championship but I think they are areas we want to improve in, especially in the batting,” the Windies left-hander noted. “If we can consistently put 250-plus [runs] on the

board or manage to chase those type of scores, I think that would be a major success for us because looking at the past three seasons you didn’t have much 250-plus scores, so I think that would be success.” Jaguars, along with Pride, are the two teams favoured to advance from the group but with Scorpions always a threat and Marooners and ICC Americas both unknown quantities, Johnson said they were taking nothing for granted. “I think it will be a very tough group, a very competitive group. I think it is all about execution,” he pointed out. “Most of the international players are available for this competition and I think it is who executes best on the day. Every team will have their plans against various opposition and it’s about executing. “You could have the best team, you could have 11 international players playing in one side and at the end of the day you don’t execute, you lose to a so-called lesser team.” Zone A of the Super50 has been carded for Antigua, and that leg bowls off Wednesday with a doubleheader when Windward Islands Volcanoes face West Indies Under-19s at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground and Leeward Islands take on English County Kent Spitfires in a day/night contest at Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua. Title-holders Trinidad

and Tobago Red Force complete the group. SQUADS: PRIDE – Jason Holder (Captain), Anthony Alleyne, Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Kraigg Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach, Kevin Stoute, Jomel Warrican. JAGUARS – Leon John-

son (Captain), Christopher Barnwell, Ronsford Beaton, Devendra Bishoo, Anthony Bramble, Shiv Chanderpaul, Rajendra Chandrika, Jonathan Foo, Assad Fudadin, Shimron Hetmyer, Steven Jacobs, Veerasammy Permaul, Raymon Reifer, Paul Wintz. SCORPIONS – Nikita Miller (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Gavon Brown, John Campbell, Andre McCarthy, Damion Jacobs,

Brandon King, Reynard Leveridge, Rovman Powell, Damani Sewell, Jerome Taylor, Steven Taylor, Devon Thomas, Chadwick Walton. MAROONERS – Jamal Smith (Captain), Cassius Burton Jr., Raymond Bynoe, Kyle Corbin, Mark Deyal, Larry Edward, Keon Harding, Nino Henry, Ryan Hinds, Amir Jangoo, Aaron Jones, Jermaine Levy, Vikash Mohan, Christopher Powell.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Kiwis claim series win after Bangladesh collapse (REUTERS) - Tom Latham and Colin de Grandhomme guided New Zealand to a seriessweeping nine-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second Test in Christchurch yesterday after the visitors suffered another second-innings collapse on the fourth day. Latham (41) and de Grandhomme (33) took their side through to 111 for one at Hagley Oval after umpires extended play by an extra 30 minutes because a result was within sight.

Jeet Raval was bowled for 33 by Kamrul Islam about 10 minutes before the scheduled end of play, but de Grandhomme came out and hit two of the first five balls he faced for six to signal New Zealand’s intentions to try and complete victory inside four days. He hit two more in succession to end the game. Bangladesh, who were dismissed for 160 in their second innings in the first Test in Wellington after scoring 595 for eight, were bundled out for 173 in their second innings yesterday, setting the hosts a victory target of 109.

“Today was probably our best day of cricket throughout the series which probably gave us the upper hand,”

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said. “A lot of credit to the bowlers and the way they bowled on a good surface was a fantastic effort and to then tick off the runs tonight was very nice.”

SCOREBOARD

Neil Wagner had sparked Bangladesh’s collapse from 92 for three to 106 for seven, with the left-armer capturing three of the four wickets to fall, including two in one over. Taskin Ahmed (33) and Kamrul (25 not out), however, produced a 51-run ninth-wicket partnership to ensure New Zealand needed to chase in excess of 100.

Tim Southee had earlier achieved a personal milestone when he had Shakib Al Hasan caught by de Grandhomme at backward point for eight to bring up 200 Test match wickets. The 28-year-old is now behind Richard Hadlee (431), Daniel Vettori (361), Chris Martin (233) and Chris Cairns (218) on the country’s all-time list.

“I guess those things are nice to tick off on the way but it’s nice to also sit back and enjoy another Test win,” said Southee, who was named man-of-the-match after fig-

I think we lost our way a bit,” Neil Wagner removes two Bangladesh batsmen for a duck each to trigger the tourists collapse.

ures of 8-142. New Zealand had a first-innings lead of 65 runs after Henry Nicholls had combined with the tail to take their side to 354 though the left-hander missed out on his maiden Test century when he was bowled for 98. “We had our moments but

Nadal, Raonic, Dimitrov and Goffin into last eight

RAFAEL Nadal reached the Australian Open tennis quarterfinals yesterday with a hardfought four-set victory over Gael Monfils.

The 30-year-old Spaniard, who is seeded ninth and won the tournament in 2009, beat the Frenchman 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Nadal will face third seed Milos Raonic - who beat Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut - in the last eight on Wednesday. Canadian Raonic, the highest seed left in the men’s singles, came through 7-6(8-6), 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 against Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut. Grigor Dimitrov beat injury-hit Denis Istomin to progress, and will face David Goffin, who overcame eighth seed Dominic Thiem. Nadal, who has struggled with injuries, is seeking his first major since claiming his 14th Grand Slam at the 2014 French Open.

He had difficulty converting break points - six of 17 - but clinched victory over Monfils with his second match point, on the sixth seed’s serve. The Spaniard had cruised through the first two sets, but lost the third and was a break down in the fourth before sealing victory in two hours and 56 minutes. “Now I feel a little bit tired. But probably tomorrow (Tuesday) a bit better and hopefully after tomorrow perfect,” said Nadal, who is in his 30th major quarter-final, but first since Paris in 2015. Wimbledon finalist Raonic, 26, has reached the quarter-finals in Melbourne for the third consecutive year. Playing with a high fever, he rallied from 5-1 down in the first-set tie-breaker to win the opening set, but was then broken twice in the second. The 13th seed Bautista Agut

Rafael Nadal

then began to falter in the third set, when the roof at Hisense Arena was closed because of rain, and he later had to call for a trainer for a leg problem. Raonic duly took the third set and needed only 26 minutes to see out the fourth to win the match. “I was very fortunate to get through,” said Raonic, who hit 75 winners but also 55 unforced errors, including nine double faults. “There were moments when it wasn’t looking so good.” Bulgarian 15th seed Dimitrov, 25, came from behind to win 2-6, 7-6(7-2), 6-2, 6-1 as Novak Djokovic’s conqueror Istomin struggled with a leg problem. Istomin, the bespectacled world number 117 from Uzbekistan, showed the effects of a demanding tournament. “Denis deserves all the credit for an unbelievable tournament. He has been on fire and he was striking the ball so well early in the match,” said Dimitrov. Goffin had earlier become the first Belgian man to reach the Melbourne last eight by beating Austrian Thiem. The 26-year-old 11th seed won 5-7, 7-6(7-4), 6-2, 6-2 in soaring temperatures. (BBC Sport)

said Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal.

“Bowling them out for 350 was a fantastic job ... but I think our batters ... needed to take more responsibility and score more runs and put them under pressure.”

BANGLADESH 1st innings 289 (S. Sarkar 86, S. Al Hasan 59; T. Southee 5-94, T. Boult 4-87) NEW ZEALAND 1st innings (o/n 260-7) J. Raval b Rabbi 16 T. Latham c N. Hasan b Ahmed 68 K. Williamson c N. Hasan b Rabbi 2 R. Taylor c sub. b M. Hasan 77 H. Nicholls b M. Hasan 98 M. Santner lbw b Al Hasan 29 B. Watling b Al Hasan 1 C. de Grandhomme b Al Hasan 0 T. Southee c M. Hasan b Al Hasan 17 N. Wagner run-out 26 T. Boult not out 7 Extras: (lb-6, nb-3, w-4) 13 Total: (all out, 92.4 overs)354 Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-47, 3-153, 4-177, 5-252, 6-256, 7-256, 8-286, 9-343. Bowling: T. Ahmed 22-286-1 (w-2), M. Hasan 19-359-2, R. Hossain 17-2-65-0 (nb-2), K. Rabbi 19-4-78-2 (nb-1, w-2), S. Al Hasan 12.4-1-50-4, S. Sarkar 3-010-0. BANGLADESH 2nd innings T. Iqbal c Santner b Southee 8 S. Sarkar c Raval b de

Grandhomme 36 Mahmudullah b Wagner 38 S. Al Hasan c de Grandhomme b Southee 8 N. Shanto b Boult 12 Sa. Rahman c Watling b Wagner 0 N. Hasan c Watling b Wagner 0 M. Hasan c Latham b Boult 4 T. Ahmed b Boult 33 K. Rabbi not out 25 R. Hossain c Watling b Southee 7 Extras: (lb-2) 2 Total: (all out, 52.5 overs) 173 Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-58, 3-73, 4-92, 5-100, 6-100, 7-106, 8-115, 9-166. Bowling: T. Boult 17-3-523, T. Southee 12.5-2-48-3, C. de Grandhomme 11-3-27-1, N. Wagner 12-3-44-3 . NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings (Target: 109 runs) J. Raval b Rabbi 33 T. Latham not out 41 C. de Grandhomme not 33 Extras: (b-1, nb-2, w-1) 4 Total: (for 1 wicket, 18.4 overs) 111 Fall of wickets: 1-56. Bowling: T. Ahmed 5-0-21-0 (nb-2), M. Hasan 6-0-27-0 (w-1), K. Rabbi 3-0-21-1, S. Al Hasan 4-0-28-0, N. Shanto 0.4-0-13-0.

Serena grinds down dogged Strycova to reach quarter-finals By Ian Ransom

MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - Serena Williams battled a misbehaving serve and scorching heat but stayed cool under pressure in a 7-5, 6-4 win over Czech Barbora Strycova to reach the Australian Open tennis quarter-finals yesterday. Second-seed Williams was broken three times in the opening set at Rod Laver Arena and again when coasting to the finish line in the second but shifted up a gear when it counted to close out the match in one hour 46 minutes.

“I think she’s a really smart player, she can do everything,” said Williams of the hard-running Strycova, who caused a shock at last year’s tournament

by dumping third seed Garbine Muguruza out in the third round.

“It’s always good I have something I can improve on and I know I can do better on my serve.” Williams, bidding to win a record 23rd grand slam title in the professional era, has now notched 10 consecutive quarter-final appearances at the majors, dating back to the 2014 U.S. Open. The 35-year-old great next faces the winner of the match between Russian Ekaterina Makarova and British ninth seed Johanna Konta.

Williams came into the tournament with doubts about her fitness after she had only two tour matches of preparation since the U.S.

Open, but she is yet to drop a set at Melbourne Park. She was left the highest-ranked player in the draw after Angelique Kerber’s shock elimination on Sunday. Worryingly for her opponents, Williams has room to improve as she was far from her clinical best against Strycova, racking up 46 unforced errors and winning only six of her 14 break points. She did not hold serve until her third attempt and was frustrated as 16th seed Strycova saved seven set points in the opening stanza. It took a backhand mishit from Williams to close it out, with her shot barely dribbling over the net.

Williams improved in the second set and raced to a 5-2 lead, as if keen to escape the frying pan of centre court.

She gave Strycova a glimmer of hope, hammering her 45th unforced error into the tramlines to allow the Czech to break back to 5-4.

Serena Williams

Like so many times before, however, Williams simply broke back in the next game in a power-hitting assault and Strycova surrendered the match with a volley into the net.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Warner crowned Allan Border medallist for second consecutive year ODI Player-of-the-Year and Bradman Young Cricketerof-the-Year. Perhaps surprisingly, Warner has yet to add his name to the list of winners in the T20 International game which was Warner polled an overall where he first made his name in tally of 269 votes cast across Australia colours as a top-order all three (Test, ODI and T20I) thrasher in 2009. formats by his fellow players However, he joins the select as well as umpires and media group of Matthew Hayden, representatives to finish ahead Glenn McGrath, Ponting, Smith of his skipper Steve Smith and Watson to have earned the (248) and fast bowler Mitchell Test and ODI Player-of-theStarc (197). Year honours as well as the Despite enduring a comBorder Medal. paratively lean 12 months in Fast bowler Mitchell the Test arena – Warner went Starc was named Austraalmost a year without scoring lia’s Test player of 2016 and a Test century and failed all-rounder Shane Watson to reach 70 in five matches took the Twenty20 award in his final year of playing for his country. Perhaps due to his lack of dominance in the Test arena during the middle of the year, it was thought that Warner might finish behind Smith in the final voting. As he felt after winning the award for the first time last year: “I was totally surprised and shocked, I thought Steve Smith would have taken it out, he’s had a great 12 months,” Warner said when he was named the 2016 Border Medallist. “I’m humbled and honoured to receive the award and I think it will sink in during the next week or so when I have David Warner receives the biggest prize from former Australian captain Allan Border in some time to reflect on it.” ON the strength of a recordbreaking year in one-day cricket, David Warner has been honoured as Australia’s foremost cricketer by winning the Allan Border Medal for the second consecutive year.

played outside Australia. - he polled heavily in the ODI format where he scored seven centuries during the voting period, spanning early January 2016 to 7 January this year, which is a new record for an Australia batter in 50over internationals. Eclipsing the five that Ricky Ponting scored in the 2003 calendar year, Warner was also named ODI Player-of-theYear, as was expected, given his exploits against the white ball, although the fact that he had not previously earned that honour was as remarkable as his recent ball striking. He becomes the fourth player to have his name engraved on the Border Medal

more than once, joining fourtime winners Ricky Ponting (2004-7 and 2009), and Michael Clarke (2005, 2009 and 2012-13) and Shane Watson (2010-11). Warner was the second-highest runs-scorer across all three formats during the voting period, with 2 420 runs at 46.54 which was exceeded only by Smith’s 2 489 at 52.96 from one more international appearance. He has now won four separate awards at the annual Allan Border presentation, held this year at Star Sydney. In addition to Australian cricket’s top individual honour, Warner has been awarded Test Player-of-the-Year,

Mitchell Starc accepts the Test Cricketer-of-theYear award at the Allan Border Medal awards night, in Sydney.

F1 chief Ecclestone removed as Liberty Media completes $8B takeover

Sydney yesterday.

Tunisia dismiss Zimbabwe 4-2 to reach Afcon quarter-finals TUNISIA secured their place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals as Group B runners-up with an easy win yesterday - 4-2 over bottom team Zimbabwe.

Naim Sliti’s deflected shot put Tunisia ahead before

Youssef Msakni and Taha Khenissi extended the lead. Knowledge Musona grabbed one back but a Wahbi Khazri penalty restored Tunisia’s three-goal cushion by the break. Tendai Ndoro prodded in

--Algeria eliminated

a Zimbabwe counter, before Khenissi hit the post in a wasteful second half. The 2004 champions go on to play Burkina Faso in

Tunisia go on to play Burkina Faso in Gabon’s capital Libreville on Saturday.

Gabon’s capital Libreville on Saturday. In the Group’s other game, a much-changed Senegal, already qualified as group winners, drew 2-2 with Algeria, who finish third and are eliminated. Senegal, runners-up in 2002, will play Group A runners-up Cameroon in the last eight. Tunisia only needed a draw to progress to the knockout stage following their 2-1 victory over Algeria on Thursday. And they were rarely stretched as Zimbabwe failed to conjure anything like the quality of their opening performance - a surprise 2-2 draw against the Algerians, much-fancied before the tournament started. (BBC Sport)

Bernie Ecclestone has been involved in the sport, in various roles, since the 1950s. BERNIE Ecclestone has been removed from his position running Formula 1, as U.S. giant Liberty Media completes its $8B (£6.4B) takeover of the sport.

Ecclestone, 86, who has been in charge for nearly 40 years, has been appointed chairman emeritus and will act as an adviser to the board. Chase Carey has hadEcclestone’s former role of chief executive officer added to his existing position of chairman. Ecclestone said earlier yesterday that he had been “forced out”. He told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport: “I was dismissed today. This is official. I no longer run the company. My position has been taken by Chase Carey.” Ecclestone, who added that he did not know what his new job title meant, declined to comment when

approached by BBC Sport, who revealed on Sunday he would leave his job this week. Liberty began its takeover of the sport in September and earlier in January cleared the last two regulatory hurdles. The deal was completed yesterday and Liberty Media is to be renamed the Formula 1 Group following the takeover. Former ESPN executive Sean Bratcheshas been hired to run the commercial side of F1, while ex-Mercedes team boss and Ferrari technical director RossBrawnhasbeenappointedtolead the sporting and technical side. Both will report to Carey, a former long-time lieutenant of media mogul Rupert Murdoch and chairman of his 21st Century Fox company. (BBC Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Ming’s Products, Hand-in-Hand and WR Enterprise on board with RHTY&SC

Ming’s Products & Services Human Resources staffer Yvonne Ramnarine hands over the balls to Mark Papannah, while Simon Naidu and Sohan Harry look on. WITH the aim of fulfilling its mandate for 2017, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) recently received a major boost from three business companies.

Ming’s Products & Services Limited, Hand-in-Hand Insurance Company and WR Enterprise, all provided their respective sponsorship last Friday to the club. The club has projected to host 450 programmes/ activities under a wide range of sub-headings, with special emphasis on a massive internal cricket development programme.

Ming’s Products & Services donated 24 cricket balls, while the Hand-inHand Insurance Company contributed three trophies for the club’s 27th annual awards ceremony and a financial contribution towards the club’s 18th annual Youth Review Magazine. WR Enterprise contributed to the 2017 charity programme for less fortunate families. Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster expressed the club’s delight that corporate Guyana continues to support the outstanding work of the club. Meanwhile, cricket membership to the club is open until February 26.

Hand-in-Hand Insurance Company representative Tonia Gibson makes the donation to Mark Papannah.

Six teams to compete in annual Roy Fredericks Cup SIX teams will compete against one another in the annual Roy Fredericks Cup, billed for this Sunday at the Blairmont Estate ground.

The defending cham-

pions, home team Blairmont Blazers, will face a strong challenge from D’Edward Sports Club, Young Warriors, Cotton Tree Die Hard, Metamorza

CC (WBD) and Blairmont Under-19 - the other teams set to participate in the one-day tournament. Apart from the Roy Fredericks Cup

Flashback! Blairmont Blazers are the defending champions in the Roy Fredericks Cup.

tournament, the club has planned a complete day of sports. T h e d a y ’s a c t i v i t y will see teams compete in 10/10 cricket, table tennis, volleyball, football and dominoes competitions. The table tennis competition will be played in the Under-15, Under-19 and Open categories. The volleyball will be a foura-side tournament, while the football will be played with five players per team on short goal format. Interested individuals and team who wish to be a part of the activities can contact Shabeer Baksh on 628-6767 or Greens Massive on 627-5215.

Cricketers between the ages of 10 and 18 years can join the club once they are drug-free, attending school, disciplined, attends their religious place of worship on a regular basis and be willing to participate in the

club’s massive charity/social programmes. Membership is free. Interested youths can contact the club office on 3374562 for more information, Monday to Sunday from 09:00hrs to 18:00hrs daily.

Regal to participate in Florida Cup LOCAL top softball teams, Regal Open and Masters cricket teams will journey to Florida next month to compete in the 2017 Florida Cup softball cricket championship.

The tournament, which is being organised by the Honorary Consul of Guyana in association with the South Florida Softball Cricket League, is held as part of Guyana’s Republic Day celebrations there. The competition is set to start at the Brian Piccolo Park, Cooper City, Florida on Friday, February 24 and continue on Saturday, February 25 at the same venue.

The final will be played on Sunday, February 26, at the Central Broward Regional Park and Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida. The final will be televised on ESPN3. In addition to the various team and individual prizes, there is a cash prize of US$3000 for the winners of the All Star competition, while the Masters champions will earn US$2000. In Regal’s last overseas outing they won the annual New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) Independence and Legends Cup that was held at Roy Wilkins Park last July.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

COMPLIMENTS OF: THE TROPHY STALL Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE 176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)Muttiah Muralitharan-800 Test wickets (133 matches) (2)Muttiah Muralitharan-534 ODI wickets (350 matches Today’s Quiz: (1)What is the highest partnership for any wicket in Tests to date? (2)What is the highest partnership for any wicket in ODIs to date? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Honduras capture Copa Seaton makes qualifying Centroamericana crown time in first CARIFTA trial s

… Second time-trial in February

GOODWILL Games gold medallist Leon Seaton was the only swimmer to surpass a qualifying mark at last Saturday’s CARIFTA Swimming Championships time trial, but Lian Winter and Raekwon Noel came close by the time the event concluded at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal.

The Honduras players celebrate. HONDURAS, (4W-1D-0L, 13 points), completed their 2017 Copa Centroamericana campaign unbeaten thanks to a 1-0 win over Belize (0-1-4, 1), finishing atop the six-team table and capturing their fourth-ever title.

Eddie Hernandez struck for the lone goal in the second half, giving him a tournament-best three and eliminating Belize from contention. It is a fourth-ever Copa title for the Hondurans, who also lifted the trophy in 1993, 1995 and 2011. Costa Rica, who won the previous two

editions, hold the record with eight championships. A scoreless first half gave way to end-to-end action in the last 45 minutes. In the 52nd minute, after waves of attacks, Honduras nearly went ahead, but Oscar Salas’ effort from outside the box crashed off the crossbar. Four minutes later, though, Hernandez finally broke through. From the right wing, Marcelo Canales delivered a left-footed cross into Belize’s six-yard box. Hernandez controlled beautifully with his left foot and then jabbed the ball

into the back of the net with his right. The Belizeans, though, refused to quit and nearly equalised in the 68th minute, only for Deon McCaulay to hit the woodwork. Seconds later, Honduras raced down the field and Michael Chirinos’ bid to double the lead went just wide of the right post. Belize goalkeeper Woodrow West prevented the Hondurans from netting an insurance goal, saving an Erick Andino attempt in the 72nd minute.

Chairman of selectors hoping for quick resolution to Bravo dispute BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Chairman of selectors Courtney Browne is hoping the incident between Test batsman Darren Bravo and the West Indies Cricket Board can be solved quickly, so the player can return to action.

Bravo has not played competitive cricket since he was sent home from the tour of Zimbabwe for a controversial tweet which was critical of WICB president Dave Cameron and has been left out of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force squad for the Regional Super50 pending a resolution of the matter. Darren is one of our better players and very talented young man,” Browne told Line and

Length Network. “Obviously it was sad to lose him but at times these things happen. You just need to deal with it, get it over with and get him back out on the field playing cricket.” The 27-year-old Bravo is the West Indies premier batsman who has been a trump card for Red Force in previous Super50 tournaments. In fact, it was his brilliant 97 in last year’s final against Barbados Pride which carried Red Force to the title at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain. Bravo found himself in trouble last November when he labelled Cameron a “big idiot” in a Twitter outburst, in response to

the Jamaican administrator stating that Bravo had been offered only a Grade C retainer contract because of his “poor performance” and declining averages. The WICB slammed Bravo’s behaviour as “inappropriate and unacceptable” and cancelled his match/tour contract. Browne said he did not expect Bravo to become available until the matter was resolved. “I know there are supposed to be some discussions with Darren’s team and also the West Indies Cricket Board and until that is settled, I don’t think we’ll have much going on in terms of Darren playing cricket.

Seaton clocked 27.97 seconds in the Boys’ 11-12 50m freestyle, surpassing the 28.89 seconds qualifying time. It remained as the only event of the day where a qualifying mark was met. But junior swimmers need not despair as there still remains a chance for them to

qualify for the meet, which is set for the Bahamas from April 14 to 19. Last Saturday’s time trial was just the first of two that the Guyana Amateur Association will hold as officials try to put together a team for the annual event. Several of the swimmers, would do well to go back and work on their art. Seaton was just a second above the qualifying time in the 50m butterfly where he clocked 32.22 seconds. The qualifying time for this event is 31.53 seconds. In the 100 freestyle he’s just a second off after he touched the wall in 1:04.53s

(QT: 1:03.60s). In the Girls’ 11-12 50m butterfly Dorado’s Lian Winter swam 34.86 seconds, and that was just a few seconds behind the 32.57 seconds qualifying mark. Also just two seconds out was Raekwon Noel in the Boys’ 1112 50m backstroke, where the qualifying time is 34.04 seconds, and he swam 36.31 seconds. The other CARIFTA time trial is expected to take place in February. The CARIFTA Swimming Championships is an annual, age-group aquatics event for the Caribbean nations. It has been held since 1985 and is similar to the Athletics CARIFTA Games event.

Leon Seaton

AB de Villiers returns to lead one-day team

(REUTERS)-South Africa have recalled fit-again batsman AB de Villiers to captain their one-day international side in the fivematch home series against Sri Lanka. The selectors also handed a first call-up in this format

to 20-year-old fast bowler Lungi Ngidi and all-rounder Chris Morris returns after an injury layoff for the series starting in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. De Villiers has not played international cricket since June last year after

South Africa’s AB de Villiers watches his shot. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

an elbow injury, but is in line to return for the final match of the Twenty20 series against the Sri Lankans in Cape Town on Wednesday. He will then skipper the one-day side having admitted last week that his top priority at this stage of his career was to lead the team at the 2019 World Cup. A more immediate aim, however, is this year’s Champions Trophy in England. “It is wonderful to have AB back available both as player and leader,” Cricket South Africa selection convener Linda Zondi said in a statement yesterday “We are entering a very important phase of our preparation for the Champions Trophy in England as we only have 10 games left – the five here against Sri Lanka and another five in New Zealand – before we head for another major ICC event.” Ngidi took six wickets in as many overs in the first two matches of the Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Seaton makes qualifying time in first CARIFTA 31 trial s

Western Tigers, Santos canter into STAG Nations Cup semi-finals GFA teams Western Tigers and Santos FC have cantered into the semi-finals of the STAG Nations Cup knock-out football championship after downing their opponents from the West Demerara, Pouderoyen and Uitvlugt Warriors, last Sunday at the Tucville ground in the city. The Tigers were in dismissive mood once again following their huge 8-0 whipping of Flamingo in their round-of-16 clash. This time around, Western Tigers hammered Pouderoyen 9-1 in the main match while Santos romped to a 3-1 triumph over Uitvlugt Warriors. Western wasted little time in assuming total control of their clash with Pouderoyen and by the half-way mark were already 6-0 up. Doubles each from Randolph Wagner and Dwain McLennon set the platform

See page 27 Santos’ Job Caesar who netted a double seen in control against Warriors on Sunday night at Tucville ground.

for the Tigers’ commanding display, as they have now blasted the net 17 times in two matches to put their hands up as the #1 contender for the top prize of $2M. Both losers ended the match with 10 players, Pouderoyen goalkeeper Sherwin Bernard who was miserable in his judgment during the match was red-carded in the 90+4 minute while Uitvlugt’s Ryan Andrews was given marching orders for his second bookable offence in the 56th minute after being booked in the 43rd minute. Western Tigers, who will play the winners of the Police/Grove Hi Tech quarter-final match tomorrow night at the Tucville ground in their semi-final on Sunday, mastered the slippery conditions in cantering to victory. Wagner hammered home in the Turm to Page 27

Pride, Jaguars face-off in day/night clash at Kensington Oval

-- 3W’s Oval host Marooners and Jamaica Scrorpions in first game

See page 27 Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson … says his side has to focus on execution.

Jason Holder says Barbados Pride will be under no added pressure.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017