Guyana chronicle e paper 24 01 2018

No additional retrenchment

Page …Agriculture 4 Ministry says 900 workers part of full list

No. 105164

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018

Price: $80 (VAT Inclusive)

$59M Standoff …police arrest top executives, guards of NBS …as bank closes door with staff, customers to avoid Maurice Arjoon levy Page 3

Police keep guard outside of NBS headquarters (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

Daughter of Maurice Arjoon, Gina Arjoon

A top executive of NBS

NBS CEO Anil Kishun

Mischief afoot …Chand sees beginning of smear campaign against him

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Chand sees beginning of smear campaign against him

By Zena Henry PRESIDENT of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) Komal Chand has promised to launch an investigation into what he believes is the beginning of a smear campaign against him, following a ‘dubious’ article in the Guyana Times on Tuesday, which claimed that workers want him out as president and that he had poorly represented them in the ongoing down-sizing of the sugar industry.

Observers say that the opposition might have been taken aback by the positive meeting between government and the sugar unions on Friday and would make any attempt to minimise its impact on workers by going after Chand, a long-standing executive member of the PPP and veteran trade unionist.

Sources told the Guyana Chronicle that the attack on Chand, who is seen as one of the few Jaganites remaining in the PPP, would widen the inner party divisions.These divisions, one source said were caused by party General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo who unilaterally

dumped the long-standing policy of both the party and the union against privatisation of the sugar industry. “Jagdeo discarded a policy held sacred since Dr. Jagan was at the helm. He did so without the consent of the Central Committee or party congress,” one stalwart said, asking not to be identified by name. Jagdeo last week Friday declared: “Now that the termination has been done -- we were opposed to it -- closure of these estates but we will push… we hope that we can get decent private investment into these estates. This is a position that we have changed because we were saying ‘no closure,’ but now that there is closure, there is no job that we can… we can get decent investments into this,” Jagdeo was quoted as saying by Demerarawaves. He said the PPP would support any initiative with “decent investors” to get jobs for sugar workers, adequate land, more cash for small loans and immediate payment of accurately calculated severance.

The Guyana Times article quoted anonymous sources claiming that Chand has lost his “zeal” and can no longer serve the interest

of the workers. It accused the union leader of accepting that only some retrenched sugar workers would get their full severance at the end of January. The article stated further that workers felt betrayed and were generally upset over Chand’s handling of estate closures and severance payments as union head.

DELIBERATE ATTACK Chand is of the view however, that there is a deliberate attack against him. The union leader does not believe that sugar workers called for his resignation and explained that the article itself is “false,” since statements attributed to him were never made. “It’s a lot of false contentions… they used adjectives the workers would never use,” Chand told the Guyana Chronicle. He opined that the article was concocted and vowed to “probe” the matter since according to him, he did have a conversation with a reporter from the Guyana Times, but the topic of his resignation and the alleged claims of poor representation by workers were never discussed.

Since last Friday’s meeting between the government and GAWU,

some amount of dissatisfaction had been expressed from the opposition side since it is the view by some that the government may have gotten the best out of the discussions, especially where it is now being said that the GAWU and the opposition party have conceded that the down-sizing of the sugar industry, including the closure of some estates, was necessary.

Following intense pressure by the People’s Progressive Party over the closure of failing sugar estates, party leader Bharrat Jagdeo stated last week that the party has changed its position to support government in getting decent investments for the loss-making industry; a more conciliatory and understanding stance from the hostile and resistant posture previously taken.

The government on the other hand has explained the financial pressure being placed on the state to garner the $2B needed for severance payments. They therefore requested the support of the union in paying out severance in parts.

Chand said the government offered to pay all workers who were earning $500,000 and less in full, while those with more than half a million will receive their sums by month-end and then the latter part of the year. “I won’t even ponder on this wicked and malicious act to call for my resignation,” Chand told the Guyana Chronicle.

He said workers have not complained to him and they do not believe that the union has been lax in representation. He said that prior to the meeting with government, all the necessary consultations were had with relevant representatives.

He said a delegation of some 10 persons represented GAWU at the meeting, while the National Association of Agricultural Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) may have had seven persons.

Chand said all representatives were well informed and refuses to

take blame for the outcome of last Friday’s meeting.

UTTERLY FALSE Meanwhile, in a statement GAWU debunked some of the contentions made in the article, one of which posits that the union agreed with the government to partially settle some 4,000odd workers severance payments.

“This is completely and utterly fallacious. When the matter was raised by the government, both GAWU and NAACIE reiterated that severance payments should be settled in full to all workers at once, as it set out in the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act (TESPA). It would not only be cynical, but utterly foolish, for us to do otherwise. But further than that we disagreed with the Finance Minister’s arguments that should the full payment be made, it would fuel inflation and result in depreciation of the Guyana dollar.

We also pointed out to the Government’s delegation that the workers had an expectation to receive their payments and which expectations were fortified by the public comments of the Agriculture Minister, among others.”

According to GAWU certainly, “Had we reached such an agreement, both the GAWU and the government would have undoubtedly made such announcement in our respective media statements. Even the Minister of Finance Winston Jordan, speaking in the National Assembly on January 19, 2018 with respect to the supplementary paper, informed the House that GAWU and NAACIE did not agree to the partial settlement of the severance payment to the redundant sugar workers. It is disappointing that despite this wide body of evidence and knowing of GAWU’s consistent view on this matter that some persons have chosen to engage in a campaign of

misinformation.”

The article also says “GAWU should have been fighting for estates to remain open”. “We find this statement strange as all and sundry have known about the sustained battle we have waged in the streets, in the media, even in the Judiciary to see that the estates remain opened. Even after the closure at the end of 2017, our union maintained that the estates should be re-opened. This is a matter we also reiterated to the government during our meeting.

Again, we must say the proof is in the pudding,” the union said in its statement.

The article also states that Chand “presided over the firing of thousands of workers.” This statement is unbelievable and clearly distorted. It is incredulous to make such an assertion and it makes one wonder about the real motivation and purpose of such a distortion.

At no time was the GAWU involved in firing any worker. Our involvement was limited to the procedure outlined by TESPA, something we were forced to take GuySuCo to court on, whereby a union representative was present at engagements between GuySuCo and the identified redundant workers. During that process, GuySuCo explained its obligations to each redundant worker and verified their years of service among other critical information. That was the beginning and end of our involvement, which was congruent to the provisions of TESPA.” “Those who chose to level such inaccurate remarks at our union and its leaders maybe are unaware of our organisation’s modus operandi. Certainly, had they been aware they would have known that GAWU has a position that the workers must be involved and are consulted.

The union’s Executive Committee and General Council are kept abreast and these bodies would consider and approve decisions regarding the GAWU’s approach and tactics. In fact, our union had a nine-person delegation engaging the government. That delegation included workers from the now closed sugar estates. Despite the disparaging remarks, the GAWU is proud of the struggle we have waged and will continue to wage in defence of the workers’ rights and livelihoods,” GAWU stated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

$59M standoff …Police arrest top executives, guards of NBS …as bank closes door with staff, customers to avoid Maurice Arjoon levy

By Alva Solomon SEVERAL executives of the New Building Society (NBS) were on Tuesday evening detained by police after a drama-filled afternoon at the bank in which the financial institution prematurely closed its doors, falsely imprisoning several persons inside including customers, a police officer, an attorney and two court marshals during a standoff with the police.

The incident stemmed from a move by the court to enforce a levy as marshals moved to seize assets relative to a court’s decision in which judgment valued $59M was awarded to former CEO of the mortgage lender, Maurice Arjoon on the claim of wrongful dismissal. During the events on Tuesday, the bank reportedly hurriedly wrote a cheque of the amount the court awarded to Arjoon last year and handed it to his daughter.

DRAMA UNFOLDS Court marshals also seized a vehicle from the financial institution. The drama unfolded around midday on Tuesday, when several court marshals turned up at the bank’s headquarters at the corner of the Avenue of the Republic and North Road to enforce the levy when the bank’s management decided to close its doors. At the time, several customers who were inside the bank , including Arjoon’s daughter Gina, were trapped while an attorney, a police rank and two court marshals were also caught up in the lockdown.

Police Deputy ‘A’ Division Commander Wendell Blanhum and other police ranks were on the scene while several lawyers, including Attorney Sanjeev Datadin, Arjoon’s lawyer, stood haplessly outside the bank. Data-

din later told reporters that the police were investigating the issue along the line of false imprisonment. He said the police took statements from the bank’s management as well as persons who were kept against their will. He said the levy proceedings were stayed after the bank signed a cheque for $59M which reportedly represents pension owed to Arjoon. The man’s daughter collected the cheque.

Earlier, Datadin said an appeal was pending after the bank had filed for a stay of execution of the court’s order.

“The order is made for judgment, the Court of Appeal affirmed that there is no stay of execution on that judgment,” he said. “Mr Arjoon has waited 12 years for this,” he said.

He said that once a levy has started, one cannot interfere, noting that the bank acted in contempt of the court’s order on Tuesday. Attorney for NBS, Pauline Chase, told reporters that the move on Tuesday by the court was “irregular.” She said that it is usually a matter of courtesy of the counsel, in this case Arjoon’s lawyers, not to “do anything” during the period

when an application is pending in the court, as she added that stay has been granted in part.” There is an application pending in the court, so our position is that we ought to await the hearing and determination of the full bench of that matter before the levy is executed,” Chase said. She said that professional courtesy dictates that the courts “ought not to proceed” with the levy.

Customers and a police rank , court marshals , a reporter as well as an attorney were wrongfully detained inside the bank

Bank staff leaving the institution after discussions among the bank’s managers, police and lawyers

Attorney-at-law , Pauline Chase , counsel for the bank, is accompanied by Senior Counsel , Ralph Ramkarran through the bank’s doors as a police officer looks on

A bank guard is detained by the police following the standoff

SECURITY GUARD ARRESTED As the afternoon progressed, the customers who were wrongfully held in the bank were allowed to leave via a back entrance. Later, the police and attorneys entered the bank and after discussions, three security guards were arrested; two employed by the bank and another attached to the Professional

Guard Service.

Staff members of the NBS, many of whom appeared tired, relieved and traumatised by the events of the day were also allowed to leave the bank’s premises. Arjoon’s daughter Gina, who was also allowed to leave the bank during the afternoon, told reporters that no one can imagine “the pain my parents have gone through for the past 10 and a half years.”

She said the payment represents a step in a process which the family is proceeding with in the courts, noting that the payment on Tuesday was a “small victory,” for her family. Joseph Allen, a reporter attached to NewsSource, was also among the

persons who were held against their will inside the bank. He provided a detailed account of his experience, in which he noted no hostility was made by bank staff towards anyone.

However, two men who were also caught up in the melee told reporters after they were allowed to leave the bank that they were told by bank guards that they would have to remain in the bank indefinitely. The men seemed relieved after they were released.

Last July, after more than six years of legal battle, Arjoon was expected to be compensated by the bank for wrongful dismissal by the then Bharrat Jagdeo-led government. The former CEO had sued the financial institution back in 2011 for wrongful dismissal in 2007. He was fired after being accused of conspiring with two others to defraud NBS of $69M – a case which went to trial and was subsequently dismissed.

The money reportedly belonged to one Bibi Khan.

The other two accused were the then Assistant

Mortgage Manager Kissoon Baldeo, and Operations Manager, Kent Vincent. Initially, a decision was expected to be handed down by High Court Judge, Justice Brassington Reynolds on November 29, 2016. After that time had elapsed, July 10, 2017 was announced to be the new date for a ruling. That deadline was also missed. The court ruled that month that the former NBS boss had been wrongfully dismissed by the then PPP-government and is entitled to his pension and other benefits, which were snatched from him. Justice Reynolds awarded Arjoon a total of $79,282,801 after ruling that he was entitled to recover all benefits that were lost as a result of the dismissal. In more recent developments, the NBS lost in its attempt to stay the $79M judgment made in Arjoon’s favour. Judge Rishi Persaud held back $20M of the original $79M judgment handed down last year by Justice Reynolds.

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No additional retrenchment …Agriculture Ministry says 900 workers part of full list THE Agriculture Ministry has rubbished the allegation by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) that 900 workers will be placed on the breadline, stating that it is a deliberate attempt to mislead the nation.

GAWU, in a statement days ago, alleged that several hundred workers retained at Skeldon, Rose Hall, East Demerara and Wales Estate will soon be made redundant. “In fact, that

sad process of informing the “The 900 workers were identified workers would be- retained by the corporation gin sometime soon with their to man certain key facilities redundancy becoming effective and structures and to provide not too long from now,” the security. However, they were union stated. aware of that at the end of But the Agriculture Minis- the extended period that they try in a statement on Tuesday, too would be sent home and said the information is nothing paid their severance. These are but misleading. The ministry workers of the Skeldon, Rose clarified that the 900 workers Hall and East Demerara Estates alluded to were included in that have been closed,” the the originally stated amount Agriculture Ministry explained. when government made its It added that the sugar corannouncement. poration had explained to the Table showing a breakdown of workers severed per estate.

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workers earmarked for retention that their severance package would have been estimated, and at the end of their period of retention, a final calculation made of what is owed to them.

“The first list of workers for severance was 3,700, which together with the 900 that is now being referred to by sections of the media, adds up to the 4763 severed workers and not an additional 900,” the ministry further explained.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Gold declaration was 653,754 ounces last year

THE Guyana Gold Board will soon undertake a public awareness campaign to improve gold declarations after 653,754 ounces were declared in 2017.

The 2017 declaration of gold fell short of the 700,000 ounces which was projected in last year’s national budget. General Manager of the Gold Board, Eondrene Thompson, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the decline was as a result of setbacks in the industry which she identified as poor roads and the inclement weather. “The roadways into the interior…were bad and as such persons were unable to buy their supplies to take into the interior. A lot of operators said they parked their dredges and were waiting on the roads to be done,” she said.

This year, the government has budgeted some $1.5B for hinterland roads including the ones used by the miners. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman had previously stated that his Ministry hopes to involve the miners and communities, as it works with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to improve the road networks in the six mining districts.

Meanwhile, the Gold Board will also be engaging the mining community with the aim of improving declarations in 2018. “We will embark on PR work to let the

miners know the importance of selling their gold to the Guyana Gold Board,” Thompson said.

Thompson said the awareness campaign is to encourage persons to sell their gold to licensed agents or the Gold Board itself. “We have persons around who they sell to or who they are working for and they still are not declaring to the Guyana Gold Board, so we intend to educate the miners and let them know it is good, it is right to sell to the Guyana Gold Board.”

The Gold Board is examining the provision of incentives to miners who sell to the Guyana Gold Board. Additionally, the Board will also be educating miners on the importance of having the necessary documentation when selling their gold. “Our regulatory overseas body would like to know that.

They would want to monitor the gold from the mine to the market so we will have persons educating the miners and showing them the advantages of producing documentation where they mine,” Thompson explained. Starting next week, the Gold Board will be sending out text blasts as part of its public relations strategy to educate miners on these issues. Staff stationed in the interior will also help to facilitate the awareness outreaches. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Former Prime Minister of St Kitts suspended from Parliament Opposition Leader of St Kitts and Nevis Dr. Denzil Douglas was on Tuesday suspended from the National Assembly after he got into a heated exchange of words with Speaker, Michael Perkins.

The confrontation followed Douglas’s attempt to respond to an announcement

by Attorney General Vincent Byron that the government of Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris had on Monday filed a fixed date claim form for the High Court to rule on whether or not the former prime minister possessed a diplomatic passport of another country.

According to the documents filed in the High Court, the government is seeking a declaration that since the election to the National Assembly on February 16th, 2015, “Douglas became disqualified from being elected as a member of the National Assembly and was accordingly required to vacate his seat in the National Assembly by reason of his becoming a person who, by virtue of his own act, is in accordance with the law of the Commonwealth of Dominica, under an acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state, namely the said Commonwealth of Dominica”.

The government is also seeking a declaration that Douglas has vacated his seat in the National Assembly of

St. Kitts and Nevis and wants an injunction restraining him from taking his seat in the National Assembly and from performing his functions as a member. The government is also seeking costs and “such further and/or other relief as this Honourable Court may deem just and expedient”.

Harris said that the issue had already been brought to the attention of the Speaker “given the importance of this for our democracy, our country, our people and its parliament”.

Douglas, who until February 2015, was the longest serving head of government

Opposition Leader of St Kitts and Nevis Dr. Denzil Douglas

Last October, Prime Minister Harris accused Douglas of holding a Dominican diplomatic passport, and said his administration would move to the High Court to get him expelled from the National Assembly. Harris said then that the government “is finalising an application to the High Court, seeking declarations that the Leader of the Opposition is no longer eligible to continue sitting as a representative in the National Assembly, and that he should, accordingly, be required to vacate his seat”.

in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), has, in the past, denied the allegation made by Harris, who at one time had served as his finance minister, but had been dismissed, prior to the last general election.

Douglas had said then, that he “does not hold dual citizenship, has never held dual citizenship, does not hold and never held citizenship of Dominica or any other country, except that of St. Kitts and Nevis”.

But Prime Minister Harris told reporters that Douglas had a diplomatic passport

with the number “DP0000462 issued by the government of Dominica on 30th of July 2015, and bearing the expiry date of the 29th February 2020”.

Harris said the passport has listed Douglas’s nationality as Dominican. Douglas, who had accused the Speaker of colluding with the government to keep him out of the National Assembly, had indicated to legislators Tuesday that while on his way into the Parliament building he had been approached by the media and asked whether he had resigned his seat.

The Opposition Leader said he was told that the country had been informed that he was no longer a member of the Parliament. “I immediately responded by saying that under no circumstance whatsoever, have I resigned my elected position as a member of the National Assembly of St. Kitts and Nevis. I reminded the reporter that I was first elected to this Parliament to serve the interests of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis in 1989.

“I explained further that since that election to the Parliament of the country, I had been re-elected in 1993, again in 1995, yet again in 2000, yet again in 2014, yet again in 2010 and yet again in February 2015,” he added. Douglas said that since the 1989 elec-

tion, he has been pursuing his job as a legislator as well as “pursuing the work of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party.

“The work and services being given to the citizens of this country at home and abroad as the prime minister from 1995 until February 2015. “I have not resigned and I shall never resign because there is quite a bit of work still to be done in advancing our country to the state where it was and which sadly it has been relegated from in order to satisfy the personal whims and fancies of some persons here.

“St. Kitts and Nevis is undergoing tremendous difficulties as people are scarcely able to meet their daily needs.” But as Douglas spoke, the Speaker noted that leave had not been granted to the Opposition leader, but eventually did so with a warning ‘you should be speaking to matters that affect you personally outside of what transpires in Parliament. “Please avoid getting into the politics and you are free to clear your name if you are so negatively affected,” said Perkins.

But as the two engaged in an exchange of words Douglas said there “is of course some strategy that has been employed using the abuse of privilege of this Parliament to put me in a bad light. Mr. Speaker, as I

said there is much work for me to do. “There is only one government and one country that I have ever pledged allegiance to and that is the Government and country of St. Kitts and Nevis. I do not hold citizenship for any other country. I have declared that on several occasions.

“I have made it absolutely clear and it is really an abuse of the privilege of this Parliament to try to come here, the very first sitting for 2018 and is trying to bring this Parliament into a state of disrepute by saying to the world that I have no right to be here when the Attorney General as no more right to be here than Denzil Douglas,” he added.

The Speaker, who asked the Opposition to return to his seat then announced he was suspending for the rest of the day’s sitting, adjusting the suspension to five days.

(CMC)

Editorial

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

A second chance

A PRISON, also known as a correctional facility or jail, is a facility in which inmates are forcibly confined and denied a variety of freedoms under the authority of the State.

Prisons are most commonly used within a criminal justice system: people charged with crimes may be imprisoned until they are brought to trial; those pleading or who have been found guilty of crimes at trial may be sentenced to a specified period of imprisonment.

That prison is a foreboding place is uncontested. Its location, usually away from population centres by many miles (the Camp Street Prison, built in colonial times, is an exception); its very structure, characterised by unusually high walls that are mostly topped by razor wire and with strategically placed watch towers with armed guards, that command an all-encompassing view of its external environment.

It is a reminder that the inhabitants within those walls have had to be placed

there, set apart from the normal mix of society, for crimes against the laws of the land. People are sent to prison for two reasons: to be punished for their crimes and to be rehabilitated. But as we know, prisoners are categorised on account of the type of offence committed. These are usually from the minor offenders and those categorised as not dangerous, to the most extreme of the latter.

It is a fact that there are prisoners who are so dangerous that they will never taste the sweet air of freedom again. Such has been determined by the law that society has to be kept safe from this type. There is yet another that has been made to serve very lengthy sentences, as a result of the horrendousness/serious nature of the crime committed. These will have a release date, based on the length of sentence. And there is still another group: those whose incarceration as guests of the State are not so lengthy. For them, looking forward to liberty is as much anticipated as the sun

that will rise on the next day, because of a short sentence.

It is a given that our kind of society which has its socio-moral underpinnings and values mostly influenced by its colonial experience, has always emitted a jaundiced and prejudiced view as to those who become guests of the State. It is no different in the former British colonial territories that now constitute CARICOM. In this milieu, many perceive prisoners, whether incarcerated for a minor or major infraction of the law, as persons who are stamped with the mark of outcasts.

We describe these as the “bread and water” treatment perception of prison and prisoners, reminiscent of the colonial mindset. So we must now ask the pivotal question–should not those who offend, and have been made to serve their time, not given a second chance on their return to society?

Therefore, the concept of rehabilitation and correctional strategy, as against that of prison, for inmates, needs to

be underscored. Although the ultimate punishment of losing one’s liberty may suffice for society’s desire for retribution, there have to be preparations for returning such persons in a different manner to society.

Key to this is a recognition and acceptance of his/her wrongdoing.

Very early in his presidency, President David Granger has been unequivocal in his conviction that “young people should be in school, not in jail.” Last December, the Guyana Prison Service signalled that it fully understood the importance and acceptance of this critical aspect of prisoner-preparation for eventual return and reintegration into society, when it hosted a prisoners’ graduation ceremony at the Mazaruni Prison. It was ground-breaking for the type of courses offered, as well as having a formal graduation ceremony held, in recognising and lauding the efforts of the inmates who participated. This is indeed commendable on the

part of the Guyana Prison Service, especially after the disastrous Camp Street fire.

However, we will urge that there also be more academic programmes for those inmates so inclined, as there have been a few successes in this learning curve, over two decades ago.

It is ironic, that persons who have served sentences were able to discover talents which they were able to develop for their personal, social and economic benefits after release.

Finally, such an event as held at Mazaruni, does signal the long overdue implementation of penal reform, where emphasis will be placed on giving prisoners a second chance, rather than a custo-

dial sojourn and experience based on archaic practices which continue to distort and eventually destroy whatever self-belief and expectation that prisoners may have for the post-prison life.

Society will now be expected to do its part in accepting those inmates that are well-deserving back into its fold, minus the traditional discrimination that is so well known.

All agencies ought to be part of this exercise, beginning at a time of a new dispensation, and a similar horizon beckons. By giving these prisoners a chance at rehabilitation, the prison population could decline at a faster rate than anticipated.

PPP’s strategy was to populate the Do something about upper echelons of the police force that bridge in Albouystown with persons of a certain ilk Dear Mr. Editor,

Dear Editor, TO listen to Bharrat Jagdeo speak is to test one’s stomach. Jagdeo is spouting about supersession when all the world know what he did to senior colonels of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) including Brewster Lovell, “BJ” Ross, Frank Bishpam, and Lawrence Paul.

The unmitigated gall of the man is beyond belief.

Now he is attempting to castigate this government for moving in the right direction with regard to a former GIMPEX employee who displayed an appalling lack of professionalism required

for the constitutional office he holds.

Let Jagdeo tell citizens what was the thinking of the PPP government when it decided to supersede Senior Superintendents Ramsey, Nigel Hoppie, Lindon Alves, and Dale Alves by Clifton Hicken whose promotion to Assistant Commissioner was being considered; even though he along with Marlon Chapman, and Leslie James were not recommended by the Force.

Was it as a reward for the Linden debacle where three Guyanese were murdered?

Jagdeo by his silly posturing is showing us daily why he was always unfit and improp-

er to become president of this Cooperative Republic and so he remains to this day.

Editor, for the benefit of the uninformed it was always a PPP strategy to populate the upper echelons of the police force with persons of a certain ilk. Is it any wonder that we are inundated with news of this or that nefarious activity that is shielded from the light of day? Why is it taking almost a month for the DPP to come up with a decision on Dookie? Why was Dookie permitted to proceed on vacation leave when everyone knows that it is customary practice that ranks do not go on

leave once there is an investigation ongoing? What is the Guyana Revenue Authority’s role in this entire whiskygate? Why are complaints of sexual harassment against a certain small division commander never investigated? Why is a certain large division commander not taking his substantially accrued vacation leave while others are ordered to take theirs? The government needs to do a rethink of its accord with the elements within the coalition if obstacles to genuine reform are to be removed.

Regards GERVY GRANDISON

FOR quite some time now I have been observing on social media the engineers associated with City Hall have been busy with a massive clean-up campaign within the city through the demolition of unlawful erections situated on the government property and the cleaning of the city drainage systems just to name a few.

But my real concern lies where I live, in Albouystown, where my neighbours have constructed their bridge to be 10” high with huge boulders bordering the edges restricting a smooth flow of traffic. This was reported to the Town Clerk who ordered that the boulders be removed and taken away. This was done immediately but the bridge was left untouched and is still being a hindrance to traffic, as it extends onto the road with the neighbours claiming they own everything.

Upon further investigating this matter, we found out that one specific engineer

(name provided) was the driving force behind them making such claims. Permit me to remind you that this was the same engineer who demolished a small 4” border on a bridge situated just opposite the popular Seeta’s Bar, yet he decided to leave the eyesore claiming it’s their bridge and they are free to do as they please.

Recently, the Guyana Water Inc. conducted maintenance works in the area and again, my neighbours took the boulders that were dug out of the road and lined their bridge once again. Have they no respect for the rules set down by the City Hall?

- as once again the engineer previously identified is their go to person when they want to be in total disregard to the laws governing the city.

Do we really need such an engineer in City Hall at a time when we are trying to eliminate corruption in our country?

Regards, VIKASH LILAH

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

PM goes everywhere in Berbice Dear Editor,

MR. Rohit Persaud claimed in a letter to the media that Prime Minister Hon. Moses Nagamootoo only visits his home village, Whim, whenever he is in Berbice. This is very much far from the truth and shows that Mr. Persaud has been out-of-touch since he retired as a PPP organiser.

I was with the Prime Minister when he visited the Auchlyne Primary School during November, to distribute computers, books, photocopier, etc. His wife, Aunty Sita, donated a hot and cold water dispenser for use by teachers, as she did

for pensioners who use the Whim Post Office to collect their pensions.

I accompanied the PM and his wife to the Whim Burial Ground where he placed flowers at the graves of his parents, on the occasion of his 70th birthday.

We need many more sons like our Prime Minister who does not forget his roots or his parents.

I remember when he became Prime Minister in 2015, his first visit was to the Whim Madras Temple, where his parents worshipped. Our Prime Minister made some promises which he honoured when the village main road was repaired

and street lights were provided for the very first time. He also provided funds to build up the burial ground.

But Whim was not the only place that received the Prime Minister. I was with him during his out-reach at Skeldon and New Amsterdam; when he commissioned the pumps at Gangaram and No. 43 Village; when he visited the Nand Persaud Rice Complex and Call Centre; when he distributed kites to kids at the No. 63 Beach. I was with him when he held meetings at the PM’s office with shrimp and fish vendors, and when he held meetings with cattle farmers from Kokrite

and Black Bush Polder.

More recently, the Prime Minister attended students’ graduation functions at the Comprehensive High School and the New Amsterdam Multilateral School, both functions being picketed by PPP activists. There is no

reason why Mr. Persaud is in the dark about those visits. Mr. Editor, Prime Minister Nagamootoo is an outstanding son of the soil.

He is humble and simple.

He has distinguished himself in Guyana and abroad in many fields besides politics so my letter is not to

defend him, but to remind the political haters that they can never put a good person down.

Regards GOBIN HARBHAJAN Regional Representative Reg. #6 - Office of the Prime Minister

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

CARICOM commission submits report on marijuana use – strong calls for it to be used for medical, other reasons

A status report issued by the CARICOM Regional Marijuana Commission indicates that marijuana has emerged as an issue of social significance across

the region with sections calling for it to be used for medical reasons.

The commission, appointed by CARICOM Heads of Government to investigate

the issue of marijuana use in the Community, submitted the report after holding national consultations in nine countries of the community over the past two years.

These countries are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Guyana, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname. Consultations in Dominica were cancelled because of Hurricane Maria.

“It embraces several complex dimensions, including the scientific, economic, social, religious and legal…. and there [are] many commonalities in the discourse…

These include…vital information and strong opinions about marijuana and its use, including strong lobbying for use for medical reasons from a group of persons living with disabilities and in wheelchairs…,” a section of the report states.

In a press statement, the CARICOM Secretariat said the report also states that many persons had important questions, and requested more information and education. It is expected that the report will provide the necessary answers.

It was noted that some states in the Community have already initiated action on the issue; and in those states where decisions have already been taken to engage in law reform, the call for more public education and a more coherent regional approach was made.

The ten-person commission comprising experts in the scientific, medical, legal and social science fields, as

well as a representative each from the religious community and youth were required by Heads to – “conduct a rigorous enquiry into the social, economic, health and legal issues surrounding marijuana use in the Caribbean and to determine whether there should be a change in the current drug classification of marijuana, thereby making the drug more accessible for all types of usage (religious, recreational, medical and research)”.

The Commission was also required to recommend the legal and administrative conditions to be applied should there be reclassification.

The Commission has been reviewing information and secondary data pertaining to marijuana laws/legislation regulating its use and classification, findings related to research conducted on the medical/medicinal use of marijuana, the economic and social impact and its implications for the Region.

In addition, the CARICOM Secretariat, working with the various Ministries of Foreign Affairs, has facilitated national consultations with the Marijuana Regional Commission. These consultations have been conducted through focus groups and public Town Hall meetings. Focus groups included representatives from the National Drug Councils, or their equivalents, law enforcement per-

Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Chair of the CARICOM Regional Commission on Marijuana

sonnel, in and out of school youth and organizations and entities that work with, faithbased organizations and Special Interests Groups such as researchers, medical practitioners, non-government Oganisations, practitioners of alternative medicine and advocates for medicinal use of marijuana.

Information gathering is ongoing. To this end, data are being collected from adolescents and youth with the assistance of Directors of National Drug Councils regionally and through social media survey.

The Commission is inviting the public, researchers and other interested persons to submit written material on marijuana for use in its work.

The Regional Marijuana Commission is expected to present its findings and recommendations to the Thirty-Ninth Regular meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government scheduled for the first week in July 2018, in Jamaica.

Brazilian robbers nabbed after Lethem blitz THREE Brazilian men have been arrested following a robbery committed on the business in Lethem of one of their fellow countrymen on Tuesday afternoon.

Police said the robbery was executed at around 15:00hrs on Michael’s Jewellery and Cell Phone Shop owned by Dwaine Grant, a businessman of Bon Fin, Brazil and which is located on Barrack Retreat and Kanuku Drive, in Lethem. The bandits reportedly carted off with a quantity of cellphones, watches and gold jewellery.

Enquiries disclosed that the three males who spoke Portuguese, went into the business place and tied the hand of Grant’s reputed wife, Maxine Buckley, who is also a businesswoman of Bon Fin, Brazil. The bandits who proceeded to pack the above-mentioned items in a black haversack, then put what appeared to be a gun to the woman’s head and demanded the key for her husband’s car.

Having found the key, the bandits entered the car which was parked in front of the shop.

The three Brazilian bandits being guarded by the Police in Lethem

According to the Police, as the bandits tried to drive off with the car instead of reversing they drove forward and crashed into the wall of the shop. An alarm was raised and Police in the area responded promptly arrested the three male Brazilians. They are currently in custody assisting with the investigation.

Meanwhile, the Police are said to be combing an area in an effort to locate the bag containing the articles which were allegedly stolen.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Committee set up to manage Guyana's water resources THE country’s first National Hydrographic Committee (NHC) was on Monday established to coordinate the sustainable management of Guyana’s sea and river resources.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon called the meeting, which comprised stakeholders from the Guyana Coast Guard, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Forestry Commission and the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) among others to order.

The meeting was aimed at ensuring that a coordinated approach is taken to the protection and management of resources. Minister Harmon, in his remarks, said that there are currently several government ministries and agencies, which share responsibility for the same sector, leading to duplication of projects and a waste of resources. The convening of the NHC therefore, aims to reduce these occurrences and establish a framework within which all the connected agencies can operate, he said.

“We have a situation

where sometimes laws collide with regard to the work of various agencies…you are going to have conflicts and everyone has a responsibility to do something and we have seen this in a number of areas,” said Harmon. The Minister of State said he has asked the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission to look at harmonising some of the laws as they relate to the management of the country’s patrimony. “…Because if you go through the various portions, different organisations have the same responsibility for the same activity. It is important for us to recognise this and to come to a point where we can work with the law as it is, until such time that we can [make] some changes. This area of hydrographic work is one such area that when you examine the law carefully, you see that several agencies and organisations have responsibility for hydrographic surveys and the management of the waterways in that regard,” he said.

Noting that it is the most practicable solution at this time, Minister Harmon said that in establishing this NHC,

a structure has been put in place, which recognises that responsibility rests with some of the organisations. However, in the interest of moving forward, a mechanism has to be found through which all of the agencies can cooperate and work as one unit.

“Ultimately it is the same resources we have to work with and we have to work together as one people under one administration; and if we do not do this, then we would find difficulty in attracting resources... I have been advised that this is the first time that such a committee [has been] established and as an independent country we have to project togetherness when we deal with international agencies.

This is especially required at this time as we pursue a ‘green’ agenda and with discovery of vast amounts of oil and gas and our decision to exploit those reserves in the near future necessitates the establishment of mechanisms and arrangements to ensure that the extraction of oil and gas with minimum effect on our shoreline and waterways,” Harmon stated.

Minister Harmon stressed

that hydrographic data is crucial in the planning and setting up of regulatory arrangements with regard to the ‘green’ agenda and disaster preparedness and response.

He said too that there should be a specially designated department, which can deal with that area of study.

“Specifically, the NHC, when established, must highlight the significance and importance of its activities that is, the safety of navigation, the protection of the marine environment, coastal zone management, defence and

security and resources exploration. The committee must also seek to increase its importance in the public’s view of the seas and waterways. In order to do this, the committee should seek to address a number of issues, including the dedication of a department in the GLSC to give effect to this mandate, so that it is not just a committee that meets and goes away,” he said.

To this end, Commissioner of the GL&SC Mr. Trevor Benn said that the commission has already undertaken a review of its ex-

isting Surveys Department with the aim of adding the Hydrographic component to it. “We have begun a process of a review of our Surveys Division to take stock of our new demands and to make it more relevant. In this regard, it is my hope that we can have the Hydrographic section developed and we have already identified staff for this. Therefore, in the coming weeks, we expected to roll out some training programmes and so on for the staff,” Benn stated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Department of Environment holds sector review HEAD of the Department of the Environment (DoE), Ndibi Schwiers on Monday disclosed that a US$2.4M project to strengthen technical capacities to monitor the RIO Convention is being undertaken by her unit, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme

(UNDP).

To this end, several workshops and awareness sessions have been successfully conducted with over 400 participants from Government agencies and the private sector. Thus far, the DoE has been able to recruit its full complement of local consultants to kick-start this

year’s work programme.

Schwiers said the big task for the entity, which was established in 2016, was the filling of staff vacancies to ensure that the right skills are available for the effective execution of its duty of coordinating and integrating the country’s environmental mandate.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

Ndibi Schwiers, Head of the Department of the Environment

The DoE is also tasked with leading the Government efforts in relation to the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) and is working with the UN Environment which is Guyana’s partner in developing the strategy, Schwiers noted.

Providing an update on the progress of the development of the GSDS, the department head noted that several rounds of consultations have been hosted across the country and that the department has been Turn to page 12 ►

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

‘A case for Intergenerational Leadership’ THREE generations of leaders sat at the decision-making table. The Millennial (under 35) boasted, “You people are out of touch with the wants and needs of my generation, I am most suited to lead them.” The representative of Generation X (over 35) insists, “We are the bridge between the Millennials and the senior leaders, we ought to lead.”

The Boomer (above 50), grandiloquently states, “The experience and wisdom that we have gained over the years cannot be easily paralleled and you people can never match our knowledge, we must lead.”

Such exchanges personify the debate which is consistently being had in this country about age and leadership. A debate which, I must add, is fraught with little deference to our elders. This column will plead for cool heads to prevail and accept that we all have very

indispensable roles to play through Intergenerational Leadership, which speaks to a symbiotic and not an adversarial existence between different generations of leaders. This is captured in the African proverb, ‘Old men for council, and young men for war.”

In arguing the case for Intergenerational Leadership, it is downright folly to dismiss the endeavours of youth leadership. In the Western Hemisphere, youth leadership is fetishised and the strong arguments for Intergenerational Leadership are de-emphasised.

While advancing this case, it would be remiss of me if there is no mention of this fact. Those who dismiss senior leaders as being old or lacking energy, scoff at the idea of the very young being in positions of leadership. It is true. The very young who demand access to leadership express little or no confidence when extremely young leaders are

Bandit nabbed after attack on business couple A 50-YEAR-OLD grocer and his 46-year-old spouse are currently patients at a Regional Hospital nursing multiple injuries about their bodies, following a robbery on Monday night at their business premises at Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

The victims were allegedly attacked by four masked men who were armed with knives and cutlasses who carted off a small amount of cash and a quantity of items.

Prompt action by the police resulted in the apprehension of a male who fits the description of one of the suspects. The man

who resides on the West Bank of Demerara was held with a knife in close proximity of the robbery scene.

An investigation revealed that the victims were in the process of closing their business when the suspects pounced on them and demanded cash and other valuables. Not satisfied with what they got, the suspects inflicted several stab and chop wounds on the victims before fleeing the scene.

The condition of the victims is said to be stable. Investigators are making stringent efforts to apprehend the other suspects.

appointed to positions some see as reserved for an aged and wise head. I am a living victim of this Freudian slip.

When I became a director at an organisation at a very young age, I saw the surprise in the faces when persons walked into my office. I heard murmurs of “really, so young?” It begs the question, at what age would we accept a person in

leadership without committing the Freudian slip when we encounter these situations? Youthful leadership buttressed by counsel from the sage and experienced provides the perfect platform for Intergenerational Leadership.

Conversely, it is rash imbecility to discard 30 or 40 years of experience. The experience and sage of se-

nior leaders is inestimable.

With 144 million people above 60, Chinese culture provides the Confucian example of how our elders ought to be treated and placed within the context of Intergenerational Leadership; elders make their contributions to society by being able to guide and provide wisdom to other generations. Among Native

Americans, the elder members of tribes are highly valued for their knowledge, especially in the area of hunting. Not receiving the wisdom of the elder leaders for hunting could result in death and or starvation for the tribe. In this context, Intergenerational Leadership is a matter of life or death.

There can be no stronger case for this approach to leadership. Experience brings temperament and calmness in times of crisis, the likes of which are never facilely achieved. Surrounded by a few Millennials and relatively youthful leaders, the senior and experienced leadership would certainly reside in a better place with Intergenerational Leadership. The aforementioned meeting of three generations of leaders at the beginning of this column should come as no surprise. George Orwell posited a long time ago, ‘Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it.’

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Department of Environment holds... successful in starting what has been dubbed as “green conversations,” which are intended to fill the awareness gap.

“One of the things we have realised is it is easy to develop a strategy… we can sit in our offices and write but that won’t be the best

thing to do. What we have realised, is that this strategy needs to be developed at various levels and one of the things would be to have consultations and ensure that there is a certain level of awareness,” Schwiers said.

The Coordination Desk of the DoE is working along

with the Ministries of Communities, and the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs to create a consultation plan. The next steps, according to Schwiers, would be research and drafting of the document. To do this, the department has developed seven thematic groups which coincide with

the seven thematic areas of the GSDS. The University of Guyana is also playing an instrumental role in this process, as its representatives are tasked with identifying seven thematic experts, who will assist the groups in drafting various thematic elements of the GSDS. Schwiers informed that a meeting of the Advisory Group of the GSDS, which consists of the Chairs and Co-chairs of the seven thematic areas, is scheduled for January 25, 2018, to facilitate further discussions. The DoE will also be focusing this year on an in-depth programme review of the EPA, harmonising environmental management countrywide and development of its strategic plan.

The job of the department, Schwiers assured, is not to usurp the functions of the four agencies under its purview, which are the

From page 10

National Parks Commission, the Protected Areas Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission, but to support them.

In this vein, State Minister, Joseph Harmon urged heads of the respective agencies to focus on their objectives for 2018, and how they can adequately execute them placing greater emphasis on inter-agency support and collaborations. Minister Harmon pointed out that the administration has been laying budgets in the National Assembly the year before their expenditure, and agencies are given the opportunity to prepare their sectoral plans in advance, thus it is customary now for the execution of work programmes to begin from January 1 of the new year.

Heads of agencies were

commended for their efficiency in completing projects despite having to stick to stringent budgets. They urged to examine those “factors that impact on the work we have to do as a sector…I believe we are more in the regulatory framework than any other department because whatever happens in the environment if something goes wrong, we are the ones that people will look to.”

Responding to the challenges faced by the various agencies, Minister Harmon assured that in those areas that require assistance, an immediate intervention will be made. To this end he urged that should issues surface, the matters must be brought to his attention immediately to ensure a timely resolution thus allowing for the efficient functioning of all the entities. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Bagotville murder…

Star witness testifies via Skype from Suriname AS the 2015 murder trial of Meguel Barker called “Allan” or “Miguel Anthony” gains momentum in the Georgetown High Court before Justice Navindra Singh and a 12-member jury, the star witness for the prosecution testified via Skype from Suriname on Tuesday.

It is alleged that at about 15:00hrs on April 30, 2015, the accused sneaked into the house in which the deceased Donessa Barker was staying and fatally knifed her before escaping via an open bedroom window.

The couple, who had been married for about a year, had constant domestic spats and the deceased had gone to stay at the home of a friend, Shaniza Clarke, at Lot 21 Inner Bagotville, West Bank Demerara, where she was reportedly killed.

Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh testified on Monday stating that he performed the post-mortem on the body of the deceased, when he gave the cause of death as shock and haemorrhage due to stab wounds to the chest.

The witness Shaniza Clarke in her evidence-in-chief, said she met the deceased Donessa Barker during Easter in 2015 and they went to Joe Vieira’s Park on Easter Monday.

She told the court that the deceased had been living at her home for a month prior to the incident, while the accused moved in three weeks after and the couple were staying in the back room of the one-storey wooden house.

Clarke added that the yard was unfenced and one could get into the house via the back door and there was a verandah at the front of the house.

The witness related that on April 29, 2015, a day be-

witness told the court that during the morning hours she heard what sounded like footsteps in the bushes and

Donessa Barker

fore the incident, her fiancé Quincy told her “something” and she went to visit her friend Kelly along with the deceased and they returned home at about 11pm.

She stated that upon their arrival at the house the deceased wanted to take a shower, but she decided against it since they were alone at the house and it was late.

That very night Clarke told the court that she heard what sounded like footsteps in the bushes near the house and the lights to their house went out; when she peeped through the bedroom window she saw the accused.

She noted that he was standing in the yard at about 10 feet from the window and he was smoking a cigarette.

She called out to the neighbours for help and at that point, the deceased came out of her room with two sheets.

It was then Clarke said that the accused told them: “All men deserve a fair chance” and she observed he was holding a knife; she then told persons to take the accused to the police station.

Clarke said the accused dropped the knife and walked away and she picked it up and held it behind her back.

On April 30, 2015, the

she went to the La Grange Police Station to make a report of what had transpired the night before. She also

took the knife to the police station where a report was filed.

Clarke said on the day in

question, the deceased was sleeping in the back room when her step-sister Javona Turn to page 15 ►

14

Farmer killed after crashing into utility pole A FARMER of 54 Strath Campbell Village, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara died Monday afternoon at Chance Village, Mahaicony after a vehicle he was reportedly not given per-

mission to drive, crashed into a utility pole.

Carl Richmond, 54, a father of five was pronounced dead on arrival at the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital. His body is at the

Lyken’s Morgue awaiting a post-mortem today.

Police said enquiries disclosed that shortly before 15:00hrs Monday the owner of motor car HC 6694 who resides at Republic Park, East Bank Demerara stopped to rest at Richmond’s home.

At the time the deceased was reportedly highly intoxicated after

continuing to celebrate his reputed wife’s birth anniversary which was the previous day. Unknowing to the owner, the deceased who is not the holder of a driver’s licence went for a drive south along the Chance Access Road when he lost control and collided with a lantern post west of the road.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Appru denies having ammo in his house A 43-YEAR-OLD man was on Tuesday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for allegedly having ammunition at his Middle Road, Le Penitence home.

However, Shawn Appru denied that on January 22, he had three live rounds of .38 ammunition at his house. His attorney Mark Conway told the court that the ammunition Shawn Appru was not found in his client’s home.

Police Prosecutor Stephen Telford in objecting to bail, told the court that Appru took the ranks to where the ammo was found in his apartment.

The Magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded the accused to prison until February 7.

Stun guns now with City Constabulary THE two stun guns, which City Hall’s administration said were in transit for many months, are now with the City Constabulary Department and will be in use soon.

Town Clerk Royston King made the disclosure at Monday’s statutory meeting at City Hall.

King had been pressed on several occasions in the past about the acquisition of the guns in view of the inhumane manner in which animals are being slaughtered at the municipal abattoir.

Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen had called for the matter to be dealt with urgently as she described the manner in which the animals being are slaughtered as “cruel and heartless.” She had even threatened disciplinary action against officers who are

culpable.

The Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) had subsequently said that it was not satisfied with the manner in which the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is slaughtering animals. The mayor had said that should the GSPCA have reason to go out and protest this issue, those who are guilty will be disciplined.

By the end of July 2017, it was the mayor who had remarked that the stun gun and ammunition should have been in place at the municipal abattoir, failing which disciplinary action would have been taken.

The stun gun is used to render animals immobile or unconscious prior to slaughtering them at the abattoir, so that they do not feel as much pain.

Robbery victim dies, 22-year-old remanded

Rayon Carter

A 22-YEAR-OLD unemployed man was on Tuesday remanded to prison

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for the capital offence of murder.

Rayon Carter of Diamond

Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, is charged with the murder of Ishwar Ramanah who died on January 13 at Kaneville, EBD, from injuries sustained during the course of a robbery.

The unrepresented man was not required to plead to the charge and was remanded to prison until February 22.

According to reports, Ramanah was shot to his abdomen during a robbery at his home on December 13, 2017. He was rushed to the Diamond Hospital where he was treated and transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. He died on January 13,2018.

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Star witness testifies via...

From page 13

Frank came to visit them and woke up the deceased. The three of them then went to the verandah.

She related that they were talking when the deceased asked Javona Frank what kind of music she had in her cell phone and with that, she went to retrieve her cell phone which was on the bed in the back room.

Clarke told the court that

within a few minutes she heard the deceased saying: “Oh God Shaniza come now” and she picked up a cutlass which was under her bed and went into the bedroom of the deceased.

There she saw the accused stooping by the bedroom window and he turned around and looked at her.

She then saw the deceased covered in blood standing by

the door.

Clarke said the accused was wearing a white jersey and a black pants and the deceased went to the front door where she fell. Clarke said she told the deceased to stay there after shaking her and she went to get help.

She recalled that the deceased was panting for breath and blood was pouring out from her neck and hand

wounds.

The witness related that she alerted neighbours and a young man named “Jason” assisted her after which the police came and took away the body.

Clarke during her testi-

mony identified the accused who was sitting in the courtroom and she described the relationship of the accused and deceased as not ‘good’.

She added that on April 28, 2015, the accused and the deceased had problems and

he had threatened to kill her.

Meanwhile, under cross-examination by defence attorney Maxwell McKay, the witness denied that she was lying and said she was telling the truth about the day in question.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

King leases Farnum Ground to Mae’s School without Council’s approval TOWN Clerk Royston King has signed an agreement with the owner of Mae’s Schools for that institution to use the Farnum Play-

ground and also to repair and upgrade it, without the consent of the Mayor and City Council.

The council has since or-

dered an immediate cessation of works currently being carried out by the school on the premises. “I want to express thanks to Mayfield Rodrigues

The Farnum Ground has been in a state of disrepair for some time now. Photo shows construction work progressing and the land being partitioned

of Mae’s Schools who has agreed to upgrade and repair the Farnum Ground at her own expense,” King said during announcements at Monday’s statutory meeting.

But Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikarran spoke about a group of concerned residents of Subryanville, where the school and ground are located, who approached him about the matter. He said the group was told by the owner of Mae’s that she has permission to do construction work on the land and that she was in possession of a lease.

When the residents asked to see the lease, Jaikarran said the owner refused to show it and instead offered to provide a key to the ground if they so desire one. About one-third of the land is being partitioned

by Mae’s, Jaikarran informed Council. King responded that the negative state of affairs at

the ground was not conducive to the health and well-being of the nation’s children who use the ground. He said he approached the owner of the school and, being the civic-minded individual that she is, she agreed to lend support to the playground.

The site, King observed, was being used by horses, donkeys and cows and was in a state of disrepair.Despite this, the schoolchildren were using it. Although there is a written agreement that Rodrigues will repair the ground, King said she has no exclusive rights to it. “All she’s asking is that her children be able to use it,” he said.

Councillor Bishram Kuppen said councillors should be afforded the opportunity to see the written agreement that was made because in time, the owner of the school can very well apply

for prescriptive rights. “And why are they partitioning the land? That gives them special rights,” Kuppen argued, adding that the matter should have come before the Legal Affairs Committee, so that the Council will not be taken advantage of in future.

Jaikarran agreed that the agreement should be shared with councillors and that there should be no partitioning of the land. He also recommended that any construction on the land be halted until the matter is considered in detail.

Council agreed that a neighbourhood committee should be formed and that no work should continue in the meantime. The Guyana Chronicle has, however, observed that construction work continued as usual on Tuesday morning in spite of the Council’s decision.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

New garbage collection fee – mayor says matter not yet finalised still under discussion GEORGETOWN Mayor Patricia Chase-Green has corrected statements made

by City Hall’s Director of Solid Waste Management, Walter Narine that citizens’ garbage will not be picked up if they fail to pay the $200 fee.

“That’s not the message that we want to get out there.

We’re only consulting at the moment; nothing is written in stone,” said Chase-Green at Monday’s statutory meeting.

Although there have been reports that some trucks have already started to charge for collection, the Mayor clarified that the Council has not yet agreed for any payments so far.

“This message did not originate from the City Council. If that’s the opinion of an officer, it’s not of the Council. We couldn’t say

that at all, because there would be other implications,” Town Clerk Royston King responded.

At a public consultation recently to discuss the implementation of the garbage collection fee, Narine was quoted in some quarters as saying: “In terms of you paying and your neighbour is not paying, we have the by-laws coming on stream where we are going to put everybody on board. We will not be collecting garbage from those households if they did not remit that payment to Council, and all payments to Council will be done at Council; not on the streets or any refuse collector or any revenue collector.”

He was also quoted as saying that once residents support the initiative and the systems are put in place to

collect the fees, those who do not pay would be prosecuted.

“We’ll have bylaws to govern every household. Once this is on board, every household will have to pay, or they will be fined and summoned to court,” Narine reportedly said.

At the time, the Town Clerk had told the Guyana Chronicle that within the first quarter of this year, City Hall will be moving to charge residents a fee for the collection and disposal of their household waste. “We are now moving to ask residents in local communities to help us, as we subsidise the collection of waste by paying a small fee. I understand that they are looking at perhaps $200 a barrel,” he said, adding that the figure at reference was still within the realm of discussion within the Council’s

Finance Committee.

While the modalities are still being worked out, King said residents will be required

to visit the Treasury’s Department and pay the fee at the same time as they would pay their rates and taxes.

King said that the M&CC will give appropriate notification, and will also have consultations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Miner crushed as pit caves in A MINER met an untimely death on Monday when the pit he was working

in at the Konawaruk backdam in Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni), col-

lapsed.

Reports are that 22-yearold Handel Payne called

“Daggie” of the East Bank of Demerara, was working in the pit at 35 miles Konawaruk with others when the walls caved in.

Payne’s lifeless body was retrieved from the pit while another miner who was also injured, was rushed to the Mahdia Hospital for treatment. Hospital sources said the injured man was subsequently treated and sent away.

Payne’s death is the latest of several mining fatalities to have occurred at Konawaruk. The mining area has reportedly recorded

Handel Payne

the worst mining-related accident in the country’s

history, when 10 persons were covered in a pit in May 2015. Since then, there have been a number of other fatal accidents at other locations involving the collapse of mining pits.

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes had in June 2016 visited the Konawaruk area where she met and had discussions with miners on a number of issues relative to their safety. The authorities have since called on the miners to place greater emphasis on safety.

Jail for Cubans with fake Canadian resident cards CHIEF MAGISTRATE Ann McLennan on Tuesday sentenced two Cubans to nine months’ imprisonment for forging Canadian Resident Cards.

Tahimi Batista, 25, and Jose Rodriguez, 29, were separately charged for uttering the cards purporting to be issued by the Government of Canada, to Stacy Morriah, a Customer Representative of Caribbean Airlines, on January 20 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

With the aid of an interpreter the duo each pleaded guilty.

According to the facts, the two people arrived in Guyana legally on January

Jose Rodriguez

Tahimi Batista

17 via CJIA and three days later, on January 20, they tried to travel to Canada with the fake resident cards.

Batista told the court that her boyfriend applied for the resident cards over the internet and paid

US$2,000.

The Chief Magistrate imposed a nine-month sentence each on Batista and Rodriguez, and ordered that they be deported after completing their sentences.

19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

City Hall pays Constable’s bail, provides legal representation --in shooting to death of mentally unsound vendor

By Telesha Ramnarine THE statutory meeting on Monday heard how the cash-strapped Mayor and City Council (M&CC) paid the $800,000 bail that City Constable Gregory Bascom was placed on, for the unlawful killing of a mentally unsound vendor earlier this month.

Bascom was also afforded the opportunity to be represented by lawyers attached to the M&CC, Mayor Patricia Chase-Green has disclosed.

by the constabulary officers, and noted that while they may be trained, they should be cautioned and given reminders about what is required of them.

Electing to respond, Chief Constable Andrew Foo said that members of the constabulary are trained by the GPF to use firearms, and are certified after the training programme. Each and every officer, Foo noted, is fully aware of when to fire.

He said, too, that it is up to each officer to determine

Councillor Bishram Kuppen making a point about the use of excessive force at Monday’s statutory meeting at City Hall

Thirty-four-year-old Marlon Fredericks was shot in the back by Bascom when he allegedly attempted to escape custody while another man was being allowed to exit the lockups.

Chase-Green explained that Bascom was afforded the foregoing privileges because the incident occurred during the execution of his duties.

She pointed out that similar actions were taken for others in the past.

The mayor said both she and Town Clerk Royston King have recognised the need for more training and education for officers in the constabulary after the incident, and that King has already written to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) seeking continuous training for that department.

Councillor Bishram Kuppen questioned the use of firearms and excessive force

what type of force to use, be it the baton, a firearm or pepper spray.

Asked by the Guyana Chronicle whether he thought that Bascom responded appropriately in the case of Fredericks, and acted in harmony with the training he would have received from the GPF, Foo said he would rather not say, because the matter is still before the court.

He, however, said that Bascom was never known to be aggressive, and that it was unfortunate that he was the one at the helm of this incident.

Bascom, 50, of West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan following the incident, and was not required to plead to a manslaughter charge, which read that he unlawfully killed Fredericks on January 14 at Regent Road, Bourda.

Police Prosecutor Celine Evans did not object to his being granted bail, but requested that a report condition be attached.

The Chief Magistrate released Bascom on $800,000 bail and adjourned the matter until February 12.

On January 13, Fredericks, of Tiger Bay, Georgetown, was apprehended by law enforcement officers from the City Constabulary

on a number of simple larceny charges, during which he was severely beaten.

Fredericks was kept in custody at the entity’s Bourda Outpost and it is alleged that he attempted to flee custody and was shot.

His mother, Claudette Fredericks had gone to visit him when she witnessed the shooting.

A post-mortem revealed that the cause of death was

as a result of complication to his lower back due to gunshot wound.

Eyewitnesses said his death could have been avoided, since he was in a weakened state and could not have run away; hence apprehending him should have been an easy task for the Lance Corporal.

His mom said that Marlon was a drug addict who had relapsed twice follow-

ing stints at a rehabilitation facility. She said that seeing her son being brutally beaten while surrendering to the police has been one of the most traumatising moments of her life.

The mother said because of the beating, her son had not eaten since he was taken into custody, and family members felt his death could have been avoided.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Region Five rice farmers up in arms against NDIA …concerns raised over non-functioning excavator, blocked channel

By Clifford Stanley

RICE farmers of Branch Road, Mahaicony and of Foulis and Profitt villages on the West Coast of Berbice (WCB) on Monday expressed concern about the quality of service by excavator machines deployed to these areas by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).

Residents at Foulis and Bath, WCB, said that a machine was taken to desilt the secondary drainage channel leading to the Atlantic coast façade drain some time last week, but the machine instead blocked the channel and then was promptly taken away to another location. “So what we are now facing is a situation where the main drainage channel has been deliberately blocked by an NDIA machine. There is now no drainage south of the public road and the other result is that as at yesterday, the blocked drain had already begun to overflow its banks, causing a

growing flooding situation of the access dam,” one resident said.

Residents surmised that the action may have been taken by the operator to facil-

and now it is blocked. We are demanding that the channel be cleared and that there be an investigation as to how this could be allowed to happen in the first place,” a prominent

The blocked channel between Profitt and Foulis, WCB

itate a build-up of water for a neighbouring rice farmer, but protested that the NDIA should not facilitate the needs of one farmer to the detriment of several other areas. “The entire drainage system for Profitt and Foulis village makes its way to this channel

farmer in the village said.

At Plimpler Basket, Branch Road Mahaicony, rice farmers said that over 1,000 acres of rice was currently under threat because an NDIA machine which was deployed in the area to clean channels in December last had broken

down immediately on arrival and has not worked since then.

“What was annoying about this, is that they sent a machine here before and

Prominent rice farmer Sampson Gibbons said that as a result of the non- functioning of the machine, channels which were designed to provide irrigation to over

The non-functioning machine at Basket Plimpler, Branch Road, Mahaicony

then took it away and sent it to an area at Mahaica and then sent this broken-down one which has not worked since it arrived,” Chairperson of the Hamlet Chance Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Ms. Paula Morris complained.

1,000 acres of rice in the area remained clogged up and the cultivated plots with crops were starving for water. He estimated that if there is no relief, farmers could begin losing their cultivations within less than a week. Regional Executive Officer Ovid Mor-

rison who responded to the complaints and visited the two areas, said that he had contacted the NDIA about these two matters and they responded by sending two junior officials, whom he said were not capable of making the decisions which had to be taken, so the meeting was not held.

He said that the regional administration was very concerned about the adverse impacts facing rice farmers within the two areas.

He said he hoped for a meeting with senior staff of the NDIA, while at the same time the regional administration would review the situation and see, given the high anticipated costs, how it could assist.

On Monday, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the NDIA Mr. Dave Hicks, when contacted, said he had not been informed of the situation but promised to investigate and take remedial action where necessary.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Housing Solutions taking shape …close to 100 houses, duplexes under construction at Perseverance

By Svetlana Marshall THE Central Housing and Planning Authority’s (CH&PA) Housing Solutions 2017 and Beyond Programme is taking shape with close to 100 elevated single-flat houses and duplexes under construction at Perseverance.

On Tuesday, when the Guyana Chronicle visited the Perseverance Housing Scheme on the East Bank of Demerara, construction workers were busy. In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on the construction site, CH&PA Project Engineer Marlon Ramsamooj disclosed that there are currently 44 elevated two-bedroom houses under construction with contracts recently signed for 10 additional houses. “These houses consist of two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, a dining room and also in the yard there will be a septic tank,” Ramsamooj explained. In addition to the roofs being sealed, parts of the interior are tiled, such as the washroom area, and the veranda.

with the black water tanks.

Questioned what mechanisms are being put in place to ensure that the houses and duplexes are built to high standards, the CH&PA project engineer, in response, said the authority is closely monitoring the project.

“We have clerks of work here on a daily basis monitoring the contractors. In addition, we have various tests to ensure that the houses meet engineering standards and specifications.

For example, we have termite treatment, and we have a warranty up to five years, we also do testing on the foundation, on the columns and the beams. All the concrete works are being tested,” Ramsamooj explained.

He said too that before the houses are handed over to the Ministry of Communities through the CH&PA, checks are made to ensure that all lights, switches and pipes installed are functioning properly and that there are no leakages or shortages.

The elevated two-bedroom single-flat houses are being sold

It was also noted that the size of the lots on which these houses are being built varies.

“Some are pretty huge, some are 55x120, some go as much as 55x130,” the project engineer explained.

On an average, the houses are between 15 to 20 per cent complete. It is expected that

by April, these houses will be completed and ready to be handed over to the CH&PA. A total of nine contractors are working on these houses to meet the April deadline; some contractors were contracted to build six houses. According to Ramsamooj, contracts for the construction of these houses were signed in November 2017; however, construction began only in January.

A short distance from where the elevated two-bedroom single flats are being built, some 35 duplexes are being constructed and already eight are 100 per cent completed.

With a length of 40ft and a width of 30ft, Ramsamooj explained that the duplexes have similar features to that of the elevated single-flat houses with respect to the number of rooms. The duplexes, however, are built 3ft from the existing ground level and are equipped

by CH&PA at a cost of $8M, while the duplexes cost $7.1M for a single unit. A total of 89 single-flat houses and duplexes are being constructed at Perseverance.

CH&PA Public Relations Officer Iva Wharton noted that the elevated single flats and duplexes are just two of the solutions being offered under the Housing Solutions 2017 and Beyond Programme, noting that house lots are also being offered.

In a separate interview, CH&PA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lelon Saul had said that the housing authority for 2018 will be focusing on the construction of single units.

According to him, data from a recent survey has shown a strong preference by applicants for single units when compared to duplexes and condominiums.

“The preference is for single units. Of course, we would want our work here at CH&PA and our plans to be driven by data, it should be evidence-based. The preference for duplex, the preference for condominiums is very low among applicants,” the CEO explained.

As such, in an effort to meet the demands of the people, he said, the CH&PA will

this year build an additional 100 single units at Perseverance. In Linden, Region 10, approximately 40 single units will be constructed, while 20 will be erected on the West Coast of Berbice, 10 in Onderneeming on the Essequibo Coast and 20 in Onderneeming on the West Bank of Demerara.

Using US$20M the housing authority intends to develop infrastructure in several housing schemes, while investing another US$10M for the con-

struction of 250 core houses.

The 250 core houses will be constructed in housing schemes that span Ogle on the East Coast of Demerara to Golden Grove on the East Bank of Demerara in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and La Partfaite Harmonie in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

From that lot, 100 families from the Sophia-Cummings Lodge community are in line to receive core houses.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

GMC in move to resuscitate exporters association

EXPORTERS from across the country are expected to meet on Thursday as the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) forges ahead with plans to resuscitate the Guyana Non-Traditional Agriculture Exporters Association (GNTAEA) with the aim of increasing their market access and bargain-

ing power.

The meeting is set for Thursday at the Central Packaging Facility at the National Exhibition Complex in Sophia. With more than 50 exporters operating under the umbrella of the Guyana Marketing Corporation, the Manager of the Central Packaging Facility

Celestine Butters is hoping that the association will be resuscitated on Thursday, and executives elected to spearhead the work of the body.

Butters explained that approximately five years ago, the exporters association became defunct on the passing of its president.

According to her, several attempts were made to resuscitate the association but the exporters were met with several challenges. It was originally re-established in November 2003.

This time around, Butters, who is working closely with the exporters, said the GMC will be giving the ex-

porters the necessary support to ensure that the association is functional. It is intended that when GNTAEA is re-established, it will increase market access, increase the bargaining power of producers and buyers and increase members’ financial capacity.

Butters explained that through the association, exporters will have greater access to markets in the Region and even farther afield, even at better prices.

so I had to intervene and assure the farmer that he is an exporter. If the association was in place, the request could have been made through the association and the farmer would have willingly supplied the coconuts,” Butters explained.

It also provides opportunities for exporters to participate in training programmes, exhibitions and trade shows locally, regionally and internationally, Butters noted. In

Celestine Butters, Manager of the Central Packaging Facility, Guyana Marketing Corporation Photo by Samuel Maughn

“The association can create linkages and network with potential markets and suppliers,” she posited. Butters noted that as an association, exporters will be able to meet market demand by pooling their produce for export, explaining that while a single producer or exporter may not be able to meet a demand, collectively they can.

Access to finance is one of the many challenges facing exporters of non-traditional agricultural produce, she noted, while stating that the association will be able to assist in this regard through the establishment of a revolving fund. Additionally, Butters noted that the association would be able to negotiate and strike contracts with importers on behalf of exporters, resulting in better prices and arrangements.

“For example, I have an exporter and he wants to buy some coconuts, but the farmer is saying he does not know him, and cannot supply 20,000 coconuts to someone he does not know,

February, the GMC will be hosting a training forum for exporters and potential exporters. “We focus on things like packaging, cleaning of your produce, post-harvesting as you call it, those are some of things we focus on.

We will also be training exporters on how to wax their products to improve the shelf life. We are also going to introduce the hot bath treatment to show them exactly how you go about getting rid of anthracnose,” she posited.

Questioned as to how exporters have been responding to the call for revival of the association, Butters said many have signalled their interest. She said it is important for exporters of non-traditional agricultural produce who will be participating in the upcoming meeting to have their voices heard.

It was noted that once the association is resuscitated and executives elected, the marketing corporation will assist in having all the legal documents in place.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Record-breaking Smith, Injured Nadal out of steady Permaul top Regional Australian Open 4-Day performers

WORLD number one Rafael Nadal retired hurt in the fifth set of an enthralling quarter-final against Marin Cilic at the Australian Open.

The top seed was in visible pain on court and Cilic of Croatia will now face British

number two Kyle Edmund in the semi-finals following his 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(5-7), 6-2, 2-0 victory.

It was only the second time in 264 Grand Slam matches that Spaniard Nadal has retired - the last being against Briton Andy Murray

in the quarter-finals of the 2010 Australian Open.

Speaking following the match, Nadal said he would provide an update on his injury after an MRI scan today.

“Now is not the moment to say what’s going on or

what’s not going on because we really don’t know yet,” said Nadal.

He did, however, repeat his assertion that players are suffering injuries because of the surfaces they play on.

“Somebody who is running the tour should think a little bit about what’s going on,” he said. “Too many people are getting injured.

“I don’t know if they have to think a little bit about the health of the players. Not for now that we are playing, but there is life after tennis.

“I don’t know if we keep playing in these very, very hard surfaces, what’s going to happen in the future with our lives.”

Nadal, 31, had looked in good form early in the match and took the first set 6-3 in a typically forceful manner.

Cilic, however, was a different player in the second, as he channelled his frustration at being given a time violation by breaking back at Nadal with a stunning forehand winner.

The third set was much more evenly contested and went Nadal’s way in a tiebreak. (BBC Sport)

LEFT-HANDERS Devon Smith of Windward Islands Volcanoes and Veerasammy Permaul of Guyana Jaguars were the top individual performers in the 2017-18 Digicel 4-Day Championship which ended on Sunday.

Smith gathered 1,095 runs at an average of 84.23 to cover himself in personal glory. He became the fourth batsman to score more than 1,000 runs in a single Windies first-class season and establish a new record for the most runs in a single Windies first-class season.

It was a remarkable achievement for the veteran left-handed opener, considering he reached the mark in just 10 matches. He earns the Viv Richards Award and a US$1,500 cheque.

Permaul collected exactly 50 wickets at 18.90 apiece. It is the second time that the leftarm spinner has finished with the most wickets in a season.

He earns the Courtney Walsh Award and a US$1,500 prize.

Jaguars’ Anthony Bramble effected 45 dismissals, comprising 42 catches and three stumpings. He was the leading wicketkeeper this season and takes the Deryck Murray Award and a US$1,500 cheque, the same amount that has been se-

cured by Jonathan Carter, who also earned the Clive Lloyd Award for holding 17 catches in the field.

Two other individual awards, chosen by the selection panel of Cricket West Indies, have been announced.

John Campbell of Jamaica Scorpions has earned the Malcolm Marshall Award and a US$1,500 payday for being the top all-rounder, having accumulated 603 runs at an average of 43.07 and collected 19 wickets at 24.52 apiece.

Shermon Lewis of Windward Islands Volcanoes has won the Andy Roberts Award and a US$1,000 cheque for being the most promising fast bowler. He collected 30 wickets at 21.70 apiece in his first full season of the #D4-Day. Champions Guyana Jaguars also pocketed US$36,000, comprising US$15,000 for winning the Championship and US$21,000 for winning seven matches.

For winning each match, the teams gained US$3,000.

As a result, Barbados Pride and Jamaica Scorpions earned US$9,000, and Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Windward Islands Volcanoes and Trinidad & Tobago Red Force collected US$6,000.

By Stephan Sookram

for entrants to be registered for the event but Jiwanram urged early sign-ups as there are benefits to that.

“We are encouraging early sign-ups because we are gridding persons based on when they sign up; basically a first come, first served basis so the earlier you sign up, the better your chances of being placed on the front row or first few rows.”

He noted that up to press time yesterday, 15 teams had already signed up in various classes and in both cars and bikes.

In the first class, cars up to 1500cc will be considered eligible, with the second class being from 1501 to 1600cc. The third class will see cars in the 1601-2000cc class with the unlimited class featuring cars over 2000cc.

Bikes will run in one class and teams will be charged $5 000 to register.

Edmund stuns Plans on stream as Dimitrov to GMR&SC Endurance meet reach Australian enters home-stretch Open semi-finals BRITAIN’S Kyle Edmund stunned third seed Grigor Dimitrov at the Australian Open to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final.

Edmund was playing in the last eight of a major for the first time but showed few nerves in a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win.

The world number 49 becomes only the sixth British man to reach the last four at a Grand Slam in the Open era.

He will play sixth seed Marin Cilic tomorrow for a place in the final on Sunday.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Edmund.

“With this sort of things, you’re emotionally engaged and you don’t take it in. At the end of a hard match, I just tried to enjoy the moment.

“It’s my first match on this court and it was very special.” (BBC Sport)

WITH the homestretch in sight for the upcoming Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s Endurance race meet this weekend, plans are on stream according to one executive member.

Paul Jiwanram, one of the committee members on the Executive of the GMR&SC, told Chronicle Sport that things are basically set for the event.

“As it sits, we are almost complete in getting together all the necessary requirements for the hosting of this Sunday’s Endurance,” he said.

“It’s basically some minor matters that need to be done like the transportation of the trophies, and tiny logistical stuff but all in all, nothing that should take more than a half-day to complete.”

There is no cutoff date

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Manchester United top world football money list

LONDON, England (Reuters) - Manchester United (MANU.N) have retained their position as the highest revenue-generating soccer club in the world, edging out Spain’s Real Madrid by the narrowest margin ever between the top two.

The Premier League club topped the Deloitte Football Money League for the 10th time by posting revenue for the 2016-17 season of 676.3 million euros (£593.1 million), 1.7 million euros more than the reigning European champions.

Barcelona were third on 648.3 million euros.

The combined revenue for the top 20 highest-earning clubs rose by six per cent to a record 7.9 billion euros.

The top 20 was made up of 10 English clubs, who were boosted by the fact that 2016-17 was the first season of the current Premier League broadcast rights deal.

The remaining 10 clubs comprised three each from Spain, Germany and Italy and one from France. Seven-time European champions AC Milan dropped out of the top 20 for the first time.

The 44.5 million euros United received from UEFA for their victory over Ajax Amsterdam in the 2017 Europa League final was crucial to retaining their

the backdrop of the weakened pound against the euro, and with both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona forecasting further revenue growth in 2017-18, the battle at the top will likely

next year.”

Big movers include former Premier League champions Leicester City, who climbed from 20th last year to 14th, and Southampton, who enter

BELGIUM’S Elise Mertens kept up her spectacular form to thrash Ukrainian fourth seed Elina Svitolina and reach the Australian Open semifinals.

Mertens, ranked 37th, won 6-4, 6-0 in 73 minutes on Rod Laver Arena to reach the last four on her main-draw debut in Melbourne.

It is the first time the 22-year-old has beaten a top-five player.

Mertens will face Danish second seed Caroline Wozniacki in the last four.

She will head into the semi-final on a 10-match winning streak after de-

fending her Hobart title on the eve of the Australian Open.

Mertens is the first Belgian to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since Kirsten Flipkens at Wimbledon four years ago.

Mertens destroyed the Svitolina serve, breaking five times and winning 28 of 52 points on the serve of the Ukranian who is still to reach a Grand Slam semi-final.

Wozniacki secured her semi-final place with a 6-0, 6-7, 6-2 victory over Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro. (BBC Sport)

Tamim, Shakib leave Zimbabwe team facing tri-nation exit Manchester United have topped the table of the world’s 20 richest football clubs for the second year in a row, and 10th time overall, says Deloitte.

number one status, although broadcast revenue is now the largest individual revenue stream for the top 20, accounting for 45 per cent.

Dan Jones, partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, said, “United’s ability to retain first position is all the more impressive against

come down to on-pitch performance again next year.

“With all three clubs through to the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, it may be as simple as, the club that goes furthest in the competition will have the best chance of topping the Money League

the top 20 for the first time in 18th position. Both were boosted by playing in European competitions last season.

Elsewhere, Inter Milan climbed four places to 15th thanks largely to commercial growth following their takeover by Chinese company Suning Holdings Group.

Pouderoyen team benefits from equipment donation THE Pouderoyen Football Club over the weekend was the beneficiary of several pieces of equipment ahead of the 2018 season.

The presentation of the new gear, which consisted of balls, boots and other football articles, was done via a brief ceremony at the West Demerara Secondary School.

Among the donors and well-wishers were several former players. They included Ron Austin, Zevon Atkinson, Addassffi Skeete, Kellon Belgrave, Club president Delyon Josiah, Carlotta Retemyer and Anton Peterson.

In collecting the gear, vice-captain Cleveland Walcott stated that his side is thankful for the items received and will use them to continue the side’s progress.

Mertens shocks Svitolina to reach semi-finals

TA M I M I q b a l a n d Shakib Al Hasan maintained their fine form as Bangladesh eased to a 91-run victory which leaves Zimbabwe facing a tri-nation series exit.

The Tigers, already guaranteed a place in the final on Saturday, exploited Zimbabwe’s batting frailties in Dhaka yesterday, bowling them out for only 125 in reply to 216-9.

Tamim made his third successive half-century on a tricky surface, top-scoring with 76 and putting on 106 for the second wicket with Shakib (51) but Graeme Cremer (4-32) and Kyle Jarvis (3-42) did the damage as the hosts collapsed to 170-8.

Sunzamul Islam and Mustafizur Rahman took Bangladesh over 200 and Zimbabwe, really need-

ing a win in their final round-robin match to deny Sri Lanka a place in the final, never looked like chasing down their victory target.

Shakib (3-34) took his tally of wickets in the tournament to nine after making a second half-century, while Mashrafe Mortaza, Sunzamul and Mustafizur took two wickets apiece as Zimbabwe’s shortcomings were exposed.

Sikandar Raza made 39 and Cremer 23 after reaching the 100 ODI wicket-mark, but Bangladesh eased to a bonus-point victory to maintain their 100 per cent record and Zimbabwe dropped below Sri Lanka on net run-rate.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh meet in the last round-robin match tomorrow.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday January 24, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) West Indies (2) India Today’s Quiz: (1) Which team won the first Youth World Cup Title?

(2) Who was the ‘Player of the Final’ in the first ever Youth

World Cup? Pouderoyen Club treasurer Delroy Benjamin hands over the gear to vice-captain Cleveland Walcott.

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Opening the batting was a great challenge, says Hemraj

By Rajiv Bisnauth

CHANDRAPAUL Hemraj had played a stellar role in helping the Guyana Jaguars to a fourth consecutive Regional 4-Day first-class title.

But what elevated his status from a top-order batsman to the next big thing in Guyana’s cricket was his scintillating batting performance as an opener during the just-concluded Championship.

The left-hander chalked up 623 runs at an average of 36.64 with five half-centuries, and ended the 10-match season as the Jaguars’ highest run-scorer, and fifth overall.

“When I was asked to open I was somewhat skeptical at first, (wondering) if this new role will affect my performance negatively, but I took on the challenge regard-

less of how I felt at the time.

“I used it as an opportunity to prove that it’s not the position/placement of the player that makes him a good player, it’s the ability to play and always give your best in whatever position you are placed,” Hemraj, a former West Indies Under-19 player said.

The soft-spoken cricketer said, “Well my performance has helped my confidence enormously as it has truly reassured me that I am on the right track to become the athlete I always wanted to be ... that is someone successful, and at the same time disciplined.

“It has also reassured me that my aspiration of playing the game at the highest level is still a possibility,” Hemraj pointed out.

Asked if the recent per-

Chandrapaul Hemraj chalked up 623 runs at an average of 36.64 with five half-centuries, and ended the just concluded Regional First-Class season as the Jaguars’ highest run-scorer, and fifth overall.

formance could be deemed a breakthrough one for him, the former Guyana youth player said, “I believe that the recent tournament was one of the biggest highlights of my cricketing career, since I was able to be consistent throughout the season, but I am still disappointed not to score a hundred or two.”

Regarded as one of the most promising cricketers of the Region, the 24-year-old batsman, who hails from the East Coast Demerara village of Strathavon, had had little success prior to the just-concluded season.

Hemraj made his firstclass debut in March 2012, but from his first five games he managed 131 runs at an average of 13.10, and was subsequently sidelined by the national selectors.

That performance had led

the young talented cricketer to take a self-imposed exile from the game for more than a year.

He returned in 2016 with a bang, though, topping East Coast Demerara runs tally in the second annual Jaguars Franchise League Three-Day - a competition that replaced the traditional Inter-county tournament.

He ended the seven-round tournament with 566 runs, the fourth highest in the tournament which eventually earned him a recall to the national set-up where he took full advantage of the opportunity.

With the Regional Super50 starting later this month, many pundits believe Hemraj’s name would no doubt be on the selectors’ minds.

East Bank/Westside Guinness Tournament set for January 26 THE East Bank/West Side Guinness Greatest of the Streets football tournament will commence on January 26 at the Pouderoyen tarmac.

According to information, the 32 teams that will be battling for the $400 000 first prize have already been grouped ahead of the first day match-up.

In Group A, Young Ballers, Westside Ballers, Boom Bang and Jetty Ballers will do battle while Group B will feature Mocha, Ballers Em-

pire, Agricola and Kuru Kuru (Asylum Youths).

The Group C has Terror Squad, Nismes Ballers, Torture Squad and Up-Like-Seven while the Group D will feature Dream Team, Frontline Ballers, ESPN and Police B. Veterans, Harmony Ballers A, Zeelugt and Facebook are in Group E with Cayenne Massive, Gas Team Hustlers and Brothers United in Group F. Zeelugt Warriors, Ad-

Prabudial Ramdial Memorial Golf Open on this weekend

PRABUDIAL Ramdial Memorial Golf Open, sponsored

by Vish Trading Inc., is on this weekend at the Lusignan Golf Course.

The tournament, according to a release from the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), proves that everyone can make a difference in the lives of others.

Since 2010, the family of Prabudial Ramdial, under the direction of Vish has been a generous sponsor of the Lusignan Golf Course.

This tournament holds a special place in the Club’s history because of the strong bond and friendship that existed between recent LGC vice-president Brian Hackett of Scotiabank and Prabudial, according to Vish Ramdial who vowed to continue to support the club in the coming years.

Vish, after visiting the course, said he sees the attraction his father had for golf and has elected to become a member himself after hitting a few shots. He now wishes to call the tournament the ‘Speedy Memorial Open’.

Vish has generously agreed to donate four brand new electric golf carts after becoming enthused about the plans for expansion, which include a women’s social club, school and university programmes, fine dining and weddings etc.

The 8th annual tournament will feature prizes for 1st to 3rd places, Best Gross and Nearest to The Pin.

miral United, defending c h a m p i o n s P o u d e r o yen Showstoppers and Pouderoyen Rising Stars are down in Group G with Group H featuring Goldgetters, Parfaite Hardball, Harmony Warriors and Police A. The second-, third- and fourth-placed teams will receive $200 000, $100 000 and $50 000 respectively with a plate tournament also featuring a winning purse of $60 000.

The tournament will be launched tomorrow and apart from January 26, the other playing dates are January 31, February 2, 7, 9, 13. The final is set for February 17. (Stephan Sookram)

Flashback! The winning Showstoppers team pose with their cash and trophies following their 2-0 win over Hustlers in the final of the West Demerara Guinness Greatest in the Streets football competition. (Stephan Sookram photo)

Kohli not great until he scores runs in England, says Holding VIRAT Kohli needs to score runs in England to prove himself as a great batsman, according to Michael Holding.

Kohli is renowned as one of the best batsmen on the planet in all three formats of the game and, though India have already lost the three-Test series with South Africa, the India skipper produced another demonstration of his prowess with the bat.

He scored 153 in the first innings in Centurion, racking up his 21st century in the longest form of the game.

But his only series in England in 2014 saw him struggle significantly. Kohli averaged

just 13.4 in 10 innings but will have a chance to make his mark in England again in 2018, with India playing a five-Test series against Joe Root’s men.

Former West Indies fast bowler Holding wants to see Kohli deliver the goods on that tour.

“Virat Kohli is a fantas-

Michael Holding is not ready to call Virat Kohli great, believing he must have success in England first.

tic batsman. I was asked to name three top cricketers and I included Kohli in that list,” Holding told the Mumbai Mirror.

“He is a very, very good player. When I see him score runs in England, I would call him a great player. I like people who score runs everywhere. He is an extremely good player.

“The three cricketers I think are the best now are Joe Root, Virat Kohli and Steve Smith. AB de Villiers has just come back into Test cricket and let’s see how he does. I don’t want to include him yet in that list.” (Amazon.com)

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Pope’s 8 for 35 sends Aussies into U-19 World Cup semi-finals IN a display reminiscent of Shane Warne in his pomp, 1 8 - y e a r- o l d A u s t r a l i a n leg-spinner Lloyd Pope decimated England’s Under-19 side, knocking them out of the World Cup in the unlikeliest of fashions.

England looked to be on course for a comfortable quarter-final win, having reduced their opponents in Queenstown to 127 all out and cruising at 47 without loss in reply.

But Pope entered the attack to take the first five

Aussie leg-spinner spinner Lloyd Pope ran through England line-up to bowl them out for 96. (Getty Images)

Young’s late blast steers WI to four-wicket win

NYEEM Young’s 33-ball 55, aided by significant contributions from Bhaskar Yadram, Emmanuel Stewart and Kirstan Kallicharan helped West Indies chase 279 as they beat Ireland by four wickets with 10 balls remaining in Lincoln.

West Indies started their chase with a substantial opening partnership of 75 between Yadram (52 off 48 balls) and Kimani Melius, before Morgan Topping removed the former in the 13th over. West Indies then slipped to 103 for 3 before Stewart and Kallicharan added 62 runs for the fourth wicket, the partnership broken by a run-out.

Nyeem Young

(Scores): West Indies U-19s 281 for 6 (Young 55*, Royal 3-59) beat Ireland U-19s 278 for 8 (Tector 69, Neville 2-52) by four wickets.

Batting first, Ireland’s Mark Donegan and captain Harry Tector held the top-order together, making scores of 38 and 69 respectively, but it was Neil Rock at No. 6, who steered Ireland towards a 270-plus score with 91 off 101 balls.

Bhaskar Yadram

When Kallicharan fell to Tector for 46 in the 39th over, West Indies still needed 85 to win. But Young made his way to the crease and finished the chase within the next 10 overs, slamming eight fours and a six during his half-century.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

wickets of the innings in just 32 balls, returning for a second 15-ball spell in which he bamboozled England’s tail-emders for three further wickets.

His figures of eight for 35 off 9.4 overs led to inevitable comparisons to Warne, who tweeted his congratulations and revealed he had bowled with the youngster two years ago, hailing him as “a real talent”.

Warne wrote: “This is terrific and brings a huge smile to myself. I had the

pleasure of meeting this impressive young man in Adelaide a while ago. Was nice to bowl with him too - Lloyd give it a rip - well done and congrats! Spin to win my friend.”

It brought an abrupt end to England’s hopes of winning the tournament, with Australia lined up to face either Afghanistan or hosts New Zealand in the last four.

“You always have to have belief to win the game,” said Pope after his one-man per-

formance. “All the boys have worked so hard for this and we never gave up - that’s the true spirit of all the boys. I always love playing for my country and to take some wickets was really awesome.”

The red-haired Pope, who understandably boasts Warne as his idol, got into England’s heads from the outset of his spell. First, England opener Liam Banks was stumped

by Baxter Holt, then captain Harry Brook was bowled by a googly, leaving Pope on a

hat-trick.

Although he failed to get his three in three, he did not have to wait long before Will Jacks was out for a solitary run.

England still looked in the ascendancy with Tom Banton having scored 58 runs off 53 balls but his departure - caught at slip caused panic in the England camp as wickets then fell steadily and they lost their final six wickets for just 25 runs.

Pope’s 8 for 35 sends Aussies into U-19 World Cup semi-finals

See page 39

Doris, Thompson, Bascom impress in the USA

Brenessa Thompson GUYANA’S 100 and 200 metres record-holder Brenessa Thompson along with triple jump record-holder Troy Doris were among the string of Guyanese athletes who turned in several great performances over the weekend in the USA. The 21-year-old Thompson, competing at the Nation-

Troy Doris

al Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) level with Texas A & M, clocked 7.43 seconds to win the women’s 60 metres race, while placing fourth in the 200m at the same event, running 23.70 seconds.

Doris (16.35 metres) bested a field of strong jumpers to finish top of the

podium at the Larry Wieczorek Invitational.

Jeremy Bascom (Open/ Senior), who competed at the Ocean Breeze Grand Prix, clocked 6.78 seconds to win the 60 metres race and at the same event, Winston George (Open/Senior) was 3rd in the 300m in a time of 33.78 seconds.

Jeremy Bascom

Stephan James (Mississippi State) finished 9th in the 400m at the Vanderbilt Invitational with a time of 47.97 seconds and Iana Amsterdam (Open/Senior) fouled her first two jumps and jumped 12.66m and was 9th, at the Clemson Invitational, where Christian Coleman broke the 60m world record.

Shenika King (Open/ Senior) had a busy weekend, first at Gotham Cup where she was third in the 400m in a time of 56.74 secs and second in the 200m with a time of 24.98. She also competed at the Ocean Breeze Grand Prix in the 60m and ran 7.92 seconds, placing fifth.

Record-breaking Smith, steady Permaul Plans on stream as GMR&SC Endurance top Regional 4-Day performers meet enters home-stretch

Ken Nelson (Unattached/ Junior) ran 50.25 secs to win the 400 metres at the Terrapin Invitational at the University of Maryland.

Jenna McCammon (Open/Senior) was seventh in the 60m in a time of 8.61 secs and 12th in the 60m with a time of 7.87 at the Clemson Invitational.

See page 36

See page 36

Devon Smith

Veerasammy Permaul

GMR&SC executive member Paul Jiwanram

Some of the bikes that were part of the last GMR&SC Endurance race. (SeanCharles71 © GTRidez photo)

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018