Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 24 05 2017

22-year-old is Manchester suicide bomber Page 4

No. 104922

WEDNESDAY MAY 24, 2017

Price: $80

GBTI rakes in $2B after tax (VAT Inclusive)

Page 3

Youth Week with a folk day

As part of Youth Week students from 12 Primary and Secondary Schools in Region Four congregated at the Bladen Hall Secondary School on Tuesday for a day of folklore.

Chaired by Ossie Nedd, the programme

saw the schoolchildren displaying their talents in song, dance and drama. Most of the schools opted to recite national and folk songs in their presentations, all of which were well received. The event was the third activity on the Ministry of Education,

GuySuCo pleads for labour … offering leased lands Page 2

at Wales to cane farmers

Department of Culture, Youth and Sport’s calendar of activities for the observance of National Youth Week and the nation’s 51st Independence Anniversary. In this Ministry of Education photo students of Lusignan Primary perform a folk song medley.

Deeds Registrar denies fraud charge Page 20

Ireng River remains high

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… but floodwaters receding in Region 8

GuySuCo pleads for labour

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 24, 2017

… offering leased lands at Wales to cane farmers

THE Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) has made an impassioned plea to residents and businesses in sugar-dependent communities, to assist it in its mobilisation programme to increase harvesters’ attendance for the Second Crop 2017.

These include communities within the vicinity of Skeldon, Albion, Rose Hall, Blairmont, East Demerara and Uitvlugt Estates, GuySuCo said in a release. According to the sugar corporation, it is important that these

communities understand their roles in sustaining the sugar industry. “GuySuCo has been a major part of the economics and a key player in providing services such as, drainage and irrigation, health care, community development, education and other services. The second crop commences in mid-July, help the corporation to achieve the highest possible target for this upcoming crop. GuySuCo needs your support,” the corporation said.

Meanwhile, GuySuCo on Tuesday announced that as part of the Uitvlugt Estate Improve-

ment Programme (UIP), the board of directors has approved that interested cane farmers with the requisite capacity be leased lands at Uitvlugt Estate. The corporation said a significant percentage of the canes that were milled at the Wales Factory are closer to Uitvlugt Estate and will now be transported to and milled at the Uitvlugt factory.

“Cane farmers who were farther away from Uitvlugt Estate, who found it uneconomical to transport their canes to the Uitvlugt factory, were encouraged to apply to

lease lands at Uitvlugt Estate,” the GuySuCo release stated.

It added that the factory at the Uitvlugt Estate is configured differently from the Wales Estate factory, hence modifications are currently being done to enable the factory to accommodate farmers’ canes delivered in trailers.

According to GuySuCo, prior to closure of the Wales factory, cane farmers had transported their canes to Wales Estate by punts and also by road in tractor/trailer units, both of which were unloaded by a cane gan-

try. On the other hand, the Uitvlugt factory, as presently configured, can only unload punts and uses a punt dumper for this task.

The modifications at Uitvlugt include the relocation of the cane gantry, cane scale, feeder table and auxiliary carrier from the Wales factory to Uitvlugt, this would be completed in time for the commencement of the second crop, 2017 at Uitvlugt. A temporary trailer parking area and wooden bridge across the irrigation canal carrying water from the Boerasiri

conservancy is also in progress for completion by the start of the second crop – a permanent Trailer Park, concrete bridge over the irrigation canal, upgrade of dams (including Pumpkin Dam) to all-weather roads and other infrastructural works will follow in due course.

The relocation of the gantry, cane scale, feeder table and auxiliary carrier is contracted to Nabi Construction Inc., whilst the Uitvlugt Estate is undertaking works on the temporary bridge and trailer park.

GBTI rakes in $2B after tax

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 24, 2017

… to broaden range of technological solutions

DESPITE encountering a few challenges, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) recorded $2.04B in profits after tax for the year ending 2016, an increase of 1.5% over 2015.

The bank held its 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday at its head office in Kingston, Georgetown and this disclosure was made by Chairman of the GBTI Board of Directors, Robin Stoby in his report.

As a result of the $2.04B garnered in after-tax profits, the bank was able to maintain their level of dividend-payout, bringing the total dividends for the year to $17 per share. Additionally, Stoby related that total assets of

the bank have amounted to $98.4B (2.3% increase from 2015) and the capital base has grown to $14.6B, within which the bank has $13B available to sustain future expansion activities.

There was also a 1.1% increase in the net operating income of the bank (all revenue minus all necessary operating expenses) from the results of the 2015 report; this increase totalled $6.2B. While the bank managed to record its colossal $2.04B in after-tax profits, the bank did encounter a few challenges throughout the year.

In the report of the Chief Executive Officer John Tracey, he noted that 2016 had been the most challenging year for the bank for the past

five years. Tracey said that the national downturn affected the bank. This downturn, he said, resulted from lower commodity prices, inclement weather conditions and high costs of production coupled with the sluggish state of the economy and pressure on the exchange rate at year-end.

Guyana’s real GDP growth, which was projected to be around 4% in the national budget, was actually 2.6%. Both Stoby and Tracey reflected that the bank, as the rest of Guyana, remains speculative but optimistic about the discovery of oil off our shores and what this means for our economy.

The slowdown affected the loan portfolio growth of the bank, as total loans and

Chairman of the GBTI Board of Directors, Robin Stoby

No quick fix

advances were recorded as $45.5B, down 5.2% from 2015. The bank’s deposit portfolio and operating expenses were consistent with previous years, however.

Stoby noted that amendments to financial and business legislature and new regulations also affected the bank by pushing up operational and compliance costs. This compliance has not only become more costly, but has required several changes in the banking system and operations.

Two thousand and sixteen (2016) was nevertheless the final year for the bank’s five-year strategic plan and Tracey related that the bank was able to achieve most of its objectives and of course, high-

lighted the bank’s ability to garner its $2.04B in after-tax profits.

As the bank will be celebrating 30 years of existence this November, the chairman of the bank underscored that the bank aims to broaden their range of technological solutions to further enhance costumers’ banking experience in terms of service, functionality, experience and customer fulfilment. This will be affirmed through the bank’s 2017-2021 Strategic Plan, in which emphasis will also be placed on security measures, since the bank is wary of its vulnerability to cyber threats, hacking, data leakage and other security breaches.

–– MAPM says parking meter contract needs to be rescinded

IN a bid to maintain professionalism and avoid confrontation at the commencement of the consultations on the metered parking project, the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown (M&CC)’s negotiation team kept their rebuttals limited, although being told by the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAMP) that there is “no quick fix.”

Chairman of the Negotiation team, Malcolm Ferreira, maintained peace between the parties on Tuesday despite claims by the MAPM that the contract between the Council and Smart City Solutions (SCS) is deeply flawed.

“There is no quick fix, it must be scrapped and the process restarted in accordance with law and the basic principles of good governance, due process, transparency and accountability all of which were lacking prior,” said Learie Barclay, a member of the MAPM. The statement signaled their support for Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan’s position on May 4, 2017 that the M&CC is free to quash the purported contract with SCS and enter into a new contract,” said the member of the MAPM. The beginning of the

three-day consultations was marked by intense claims that the contract was illegal “ab initio” and it is legally untenable and an impractical position for the M&CC to seek to renegotiate the illegality.

Court proceedings are however still pending with

lasted for over a month since the implementation of the project in January, 2017.

Barclay told members of the Council there must be a full and complete revocation of the “purported” contract.

The absence of tendering in accordance with the laws

A member of the MAPM, Learie Barclay, (centre) making a presentation on behalf of the Movement

(Samuel Maughn photo)

regard to the legality of the contract.

“Hard penalties, breach of constitutional rights and other onerous provisions in the contract further make it unenforceable and reinforces the position for its revocation,” said Barclay.

Calls by the MAPM were similar to what were voiced during their protest actions against the project, which

of Guyana, particularly the constitution of Guyana, the Public Procurement Act and the Municipal and District Councils Act is an “insurmountable deficiency” of the current contract, said members of the Movement.

Sections 232, 233 and 234 of the Municipal and District Council’s Act, which undoubtedly directly governs the council specifies that any

contract above the sum of $250,000 must be tendered.

MAPM therefore made the call for a public tender to be done if the M&CC decides to rescind the current contract and form another.

Additionally, it was highlighted that the tender was not the only exemption because there was allegedly no feasibility study, social study or impact study that was done.

Questions were also raised about Value Added Tax (VAT) on parking and the possibility of a reduction in the price for parking.

According to the original contract, the Council would collect 20 per cent of the profits from SCS. The rates for parking were $28 VAT inclusive for 15 minutes or about $100 per hour.

Meanwhile, the negotiation body agreed to take the considerations of MAPM in to consideration but called on them to share the findings of their research with the Council.

Chairman of the M&CC’s negotiation team, Malcolm Ferreira addressing attendees at the consultation

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 24, 2017

22-year-old is Manchester suicide bomber CIA ex-chief cites signs of possible Salman Abedi has been named by police as the suspected suicide bomber who killed 22 people and injured 59 at Manchester Arena on Monday night.

The BBC understands the 22-year-old was Manchester born and from a family of Libyan origin.

So far three victims have been named - Saffie Rose Roussos, eight, Georgina Callander and John Atkinson, 28. Greater Manchester Police said the priority was to establish whether Abedi had worked alone or not. Abedi is thought to have blown himself up in the arena’s foyer shortly after 22:30 BST on Monday, as fans were beginning to leave a concert by US singer Ariana Grande. Abedi, who had at least three siblings, had lived at several addresses in Manchester, including a property at Elsmore Road, Fallowfield, which was earlier raided by police.

Controlled explosion Armed police have also arrested a 23-year-old man in Chorlton, south Manchester, in connection with the attack.

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said searches at two addresses had been carried out, including the one in Fallowfield, where a controlled explosion had been used to gain “safe” access.

He said Abedi had not been formally identified and so would not comment further. Mr Hopkins passed on “heartfelt sympathies to all the innocent people caught up in last night’s despicable act”, adding that specially-trained family liaison officers were supporting families.

Eight-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos was a pupil at Tarleton Primary School, in Lancashire. Her head teacher, Chris Upton, said she had been “simply a beautiful little girl in every aspect of the word” and was “loved by everyone”.

Student Georgina Callander, believed to have been 18, has also been named as among the dead. She had been studying health and social care at Runshaw College in Leyland, Lancashire. The wounded are being treated at eight hospitals around the city, with 12 children under the age of 16

among them.

Several people are still missing, including teenagers Laura MacIntyre and Eilidh MacLeod, from Barra in the Outer Hebrides, 15-year-old Olivia Campbell, Chloe Rutherford, 17, and Liam Curry, 19. Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said police were in contact with Laura and Eilidh’s families, adding: “It is hard for any of us to imagine the anguish that their families are going through right now.

“They are in our thoughts.”

In a statement in Downing Street on Tuesday, the prime minister said the bombing had been a “callous terrorist attack” that targeted “defenceless young people”. Number 10 later said Mrs May - who is now in Manchester - had been updated “through [Monday] night” and had phoned Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn at 04:00 BST to brief him. It is the worst terrorist attack in the UK since the 7 July bombings in 2005, in which 52 people were killed by four suicide bombers.

Trump campaign ties to Russia

Former CIA Director John Brennan said on Tuesday that he does not know whether President Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign colluded with Russia but that he saw “information and intelligence that was worthy of investigation.”

In addition, the country’s top intelligence official, Dan Coats, declined to say, as reported by the Washington Post, whether Trump had asked him to publicly deny that any evidence exists on collusion between his campaign and Moscow.

The two men testified at separate congressional hearings amid a political storm in Washington over the fallout from Trump’s firing on May 9 of FBI Director James Comey. Comey’s dismissal came in the middle of an FBI probe into Russian meddling in the election and possible collusion with Trump’s campaign, leading to accusations by Trump

critics that the Republican president has sought to curtail the FBI inquiry, which could potentially amount to obstruction of justice.

Brennan, testifying to the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, said it became clear last summer that Russia was trying to interfere in the presidential election, and that he warned the head of Russia’s FSB security service that such interference would hurt U.S. ties. “It should be clear to everyone Russia brazenly interfered in our 2016 presidential election process and that they undertook these activities despite our strong protests and explicit warning that they do not do so,” Brennan said.

Republican Representative Trey Gowdy asked Brennan, “Did you see evidence of collusion, coordination and conspiracy between Donald Trump and Russian state actors?” “I saw information and intelligence that was worthy of

investigation by the bureau (FBI) to determine whether or not such cooperation or collusion was taking place,” Brennan replied. “I encountered and am aware of information and intelligence that revealed contacts and interactions between Russian officials and U.S. persons involved in the Trump campaign,” he added.

He declined to elaborate, saying the information was classified. The hearing was due to go into closed session to discuss classified information after Brennan’s public testimony. U.S. intelligence agencies concluded in January that Moscow tried to tilt the election campaign in Trump’s favor, including by hacking into and leaking the emails of senior Democrats. Moscow has denied the allegation.

Trump has denied any collusion but the FBI and congressional probes into the Russia matter have dogged the early months of his presidency. (Reuters)

Wednesday, May 24, 2017 - 14:30 hrs Thursday, May 25, 2017 - 14:30 hrs Friday, May 26, 2017 - 05:00 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 24, 2017

4.2% of CEOs in LAC are female

Women in Latin America and the Caribbean, where only 4.2 per cent of CEOs are female, have still made substantial progress in taking business and management positions and are increasingly driving economic growth, a new International Labour Organisation (ILO) report has found.

The report entitled Women in business and management: Gaining momentum in Latin America and the Caribbean, by the ILO Bureau for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP) was launched at a regional conference held Peru on Tuesday. The one-day conference brought together business leaders and representatives of employers’ organisations from across the region to discuss the progress made and obstacles to women’s advancement in the workplace, particularly at top management levels.

With an increasing number of skilled women professionals, Latin America and the Caribbean is set to become a global leader in gender diversity in business and management. The women’s labour force participation rate in the region increased from 48.5 per cent in 2006 to 49.7 per cent in 2016 – in stark contrast with the decline of the global rate during the same period.

The report thus provides clear evidence that more women in the region have made their way in the world of work.

The report also shows that the number of women tertiary graduates exceeds that of men in all countries in the region where data is available. Today, many more women are occupying professional, middle and senior managerial positions. In most countries in the region, over 30 per cent of all managers are women, and in 19 countries they represent 40 per cent or more of managers, on a par with the most developed nations in Europe and North America. With 59 per cent of all managers being women, Jamaica has the highest

proportion of women managers, not only in the region, but in the world, followed by Belize, the Cayman Islands and Colombia with 50 per cent or more.

Yet women are still noticeably absent from the ranks of top management. The most recent data and research in the report indicates that the region lags behind others in the proportion of female chief executive officers (CEOs) and board members.

Among the 1,259 listed companies in Latin America and the Caribbean, women represent only 4.2 per cent of CEOs. What’s more, nearly half of executive boards in the region are entirely male and on average only 8.5 per cent of board members are women.

“We need to create opportunities and the right conditions for women to succeed and to maintain the momentum created across the region.” Deborah France-Massin, Director of ACT/EMP. “The business case is stronger than ever. Gender diversity at all levels of management and leadership positions provides a competitive edge. Businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean have made substantial progress but much more attention is required at the executive level where we know progress has been slow to date,” says the ILO’s Director of ACT/EMP, Deborah France-Massin. “We need to create opportunities and the right conditions for women to succeed and to maintain the momentum created across the region.”

The conference, organized by the ILO-ACT/EMP with the National Confederation of Private Business Institutions (CONFIEP), is part of wider efforts to speed up progress in gender diversity in the region. The conference will be followed by a workshop with representatives of employers’ organizations

aimed at further promoting gender diversity among their national members. Traditional societal gender roles and greater family responsibilities for women were found to be among the top barriers to women’s leadership. One indicator here is the number of hours spent in unpaid work.

In 10 countries in Latin America, women spent on average between 1.7 and 3.5 times more hours in unpaid work than men per week – in other words double to over triple the time that men contribute to such work, according to the report.

Moreover, gender pay gaps persist across the region. While the gaps fall within the average global range of between 0 and 45 per cent, the widening of the gap at managerial level is of concern. This is a significant barrier that prevents talented women from striving for and thriving in top management positions.

The glass ceiling is still in place in Latin America and the Caribbean. However, the report highlights that more women in the region are moving into non-support managerial roles such as research and product development, operations and general management rather than following the global trend of being clustered into functions such as human resources, public relations and communications.

The region is thus showing clear signs of progress and raises hopes that the glass ceiling can soon be overcome.

“With momentum building economically, politically and socially, now is the time to ensure that we work to break down the barriers and utilize the many strengths of the entire talent pool. Conferences such as this one provide an important opportunity to reflect on progress and provide a roadmap for the future,” concludes José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Brazil president retreats from attempts to suspend investigation Brazil’s President Michel Temer has asked the Supreme Court to proceed with an investigation against him for obstruction of justice and corruption.

His lawyers say that a secret recording that appears to incriminate him has been edited 70 times. On Saturday Mr Temer filed a petition at the Supreme Court to have the investigation suspended. But his lawyers now say they want the investigation to go ahead to have the president’s name cleared.

His legal team hired an audio expert, who concluded that the tape would not stand up as evidence in a court of law. “We want this investigation to be concluded as soon as possible,” said one of his lawyers, Gustavo Guedes.

“The only evidence against him, the recording, is useless,” added Mr Guedes.

Hush money Contents of the tape were first released on Brazilian media on Wednesday, causing major political and economic turmoil. President Temer was secretly recorded

by Joesley Batista, president of Brazilian giant meat-packing firm JBS, during a late-night, unscheduled meeting. The wealthy

businessman made the recording as part of a plea bargain with the prosecutor’s office.

On the tape, Mr Temer seems to signal his approval for illegal payments to the former speaker of the lower house of Congress, Eduardo Cunha, who was jailed for corruption last year. According to Mr Batista, Cunha was being paid 1 million reais ($300,000; £235,000) a month in exchange for his silence regarding the involvement of other politicians, including Mr Temer, in Brazil’s wide-ranging corruption scandal known as Operation Car Wash.

The probe, launched in March 2014, centres on companies that were offered deals with state oil giant Petrobras in exchange for bribes, which were funnelled into politicians’ pockets and political party slush funds. Many expected the president to resign once the contents of the tape were made public. But he has made it clear that he will fight to serve out his term, which ends on 31 December 2018.

‘Admission of guilt’ “I have never bought anyone’s silence, haven’t obstructed

justice and haven’t done anything against the judiciary,” Mr Temer said in the televised address at the presidential palace on Saturday.

“I will not resign. I repeat: I will not resign,” he said on national television.

In an interview with Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper published on Monday, Mr Temer said that he had been naive by agreeing to meet Mr Batista in those circumstances.

But he insisted that he had not broken the law and that his support in Congress remained strong. “I will not resign. Oust me if you want, but stepping down would be an admission of guilt,” he said. Mr Temer is already deeply unpopular in Brazil but his centre-right party has been able to govern as part of a coalition. He took office a year ago, after President Dilma Rousseff’s impeachment. Both Mr Temer and Cunha played a key role in the downfall of Ms Rousseff, who was removed from office accused of illegally manipulating government accounts. She denies all the charges. Opposition parties have demanded his resignation and snap elections. (BBC)

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Oil must not kill other productive sectors THE discovery of oil offshore Guyana about two years ago has been welcome news to her citizens here and abroad and they would all be happy when this country becomes an oil-producing nation by 2020.

By then, oil prices which have experienced a slump over the past few years have been projected to get back on track, much in Guyana’s favour. Oil -- or “black gold” as it is often referred to -- is a globally demanded commodity and as such, is a major revenue generator and when managed well can significantly transform the social, economic and infrastructural image of a country.

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates quickly come to mind; and it would be vital that Guyana puts systems in place to prudently manage its oil wealth, so that the country and all of her citizens benefit. It is encouraging that Guyana has already taken some initial steps in this direction by seeking membership in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, a global standard for accountable management of oil, gas and mineral resources.

Prudent and transparent management of our natural resources cannot be over-emphasised, since an abundance of wealth never experienced before can be both a blessing and a curse in the absence of a clearly thought-out strategy to utilise it. The world has seen Nigeria, a major African oil-producing

nation, and closer to home, Venezuela, among several other developing nations falling victims of the paradox of plenty -- all valuable lessons Guyana should learn to avoid.

The case of Venezuela stands out. When oil was discovered there, exports from other sectors virtually disappeared and now with a global decline in oil prices, the economy of the Bolivarian Republic has been thrown into turmoil. Guyana will have to take careful note and should always engage in forward planning to circumvent unforeseen eventualities.

Greater than committing in rhetoric would be for Government to commit in action to protect other productive sectors, so that Guyana at no one time is solely dependent on oil revenues to stay afloat like Venezuela, whose economy is 95 per cent oil- dependent.

For this reason, it would be prudent that some of the oil funds are invested in agriculture and cheap energy, so that Guyana remains food-secure and impetus is given to the manufacturing sector. Big industries such as rice and sugar should be diversified with emphasis on added value to avoid loss of jobs and to create new avenues of employment. And it is time that Guyana gives more attention to developing the coconut industry, which is among the fastest-growing industries in the world. With more money at its disposal, greater emphasis

should also be placed on a modern approach to agriculture with the establishment of mega farms producing a variety of crops, as well as large-scale animal rearing, making greater use of modern technology.

Oil at no time should result in an abandonment of traditional sectors, but rather, developing and strengthening of them. It is necessary that Guyana moves along this path, since the oil will not be with us forever. We should look at where we would want to be after the oil dries up.

Aside from agriculture and cheap energy, it would be important that focus be placed on modernising public infrastructure, improving education, health-care, citizens’ standard of living and development of tourism.

With a world-class tourism industry, a thriving manufacturing sector, an educated nation and a diverse and advanced agriculture sector, the future of Guyana will be secured for generations and generations after oil is no longer with us.

Appointment of Public Service An eye for an Appellate Tribunal commendable eye will make

Dear Editor,

THE appointment of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal by President David Granger is welcomed.

This is in keeping with recommendation number 60 of the Public Service CoI, affirming that the tribunal be constituted with suitably qualified and experienced persons of high integrity and independence to function in keeping with the provisions outlined under the Public Service Appellate Tribunal Act 17 of 1984.

It was a grave injustice to public servants not to have this commission appointed since May 2005.

The Public Service Appellate Tribunal considers appeals in matters of appointments, transfers, promotions, and discipline, including dismissals by the Public Service Commission under Article

215 A of the Constitution of Guyana and under Act No 17 of 1984. The CoI stated that the existence and effective functioning of the tribunal are essential to ensure fairness and justice for public servants to have their grievances addressed with appropriate redress.

The CoI notes that rights-and-interests issues are matters for collective bargaining negotiations with the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) headed by Patrick Yarde for some 30 years now, notwithstanding controversies over union elections over the years. Following the Carvil Duncan saga, and external political pressures on commission members, Patrick Yarde has just been sworn in as acting Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC), although there is no such constitutional position in the

PSC. What manifest conflict of interest and double dealings, and a total disregard for the spirit intent of the Constitution and the national good? ii) The Public Service Commission (PSC). The public must assess and pronounce on the judgement of those responsible for the nominations and appointments of members of the PSC – the Executive and the Members of the National Assembly. It is a clear case of appointments based on partisan political interest as against the national interest.

No wonder the CoI into the Public Service recommended (recommendation No. 8) that the PSC be constituted with suitably qualified and competent persons of high integrity to exercise their duties in strict fairness, impartiality, and on the basis of merit. The CoI notes that it is desirable, as is the case of

the Public Service Appellate Tribunal, that members of the commissions should possess experience and show capacity in matters relating to administration, human resource management or public affairs.

The life of the current PSC will come to an end in August 2017. It is hoped that His Excellency President David Granger and the National Assembly would take seriously the recommendations of the CoI in the Public Service in the appointment of new members to the PSC of the calibre recommended. Public confidence, trust, professionalism and political neutrality in the execution of their duties needs to be restored by the demonstrated conduct and performance of members of the PSC. Regards Joshua Singh

us go blind

Dear Editor

THE great Mahatma Gandhi taught us about the futility of blaming each other for the ‘problems’ of our country. The similarly great Nelson Mandela, a student of the Mahatma, has demonstrated in the most practical way, the efficacy of this philosophy.

My travels out of Guyana afford me opportunities to reflect on our long-suffering country and every time I do so, I wish that we can stop our collective tendencies to point fingers at one another for the travails of our dear land of Guyana.

The pressing need for

collaboration is as obvious as the meaning of this ‘big word,’ which is derived from the Latin ‘laborare,’ meaning ‘to work’ and ‘co,’ meaning to cooperate; therefore, it is only by working together would we be able to develop and prosper as Guyanese. Our leaders are therefore challenged to change their tune and song, lest we all suffer the blindness and backwardness that the world’s role models cautioned us about and as our own Guyanese saying goes: “We will lose both cutlass and iguana”!

Regards Nowrang Persaud

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 24, 2017

KN’s editorial in line with PPP’s propaganda Dear Editor, I REFER to the Kaieteur News editorial of Monday, May 15, 2017, captioned: “The Cummingsburg Accord.” The editorial took the position that the AFC was shortchanged, and now finds itself in a position of being “...Overwhelmed by the Coalition.” It also stated that “Almost all major government decisions are made by its larger PNC partner in the coalition government.” It is instructive to note that this line of thinking in the editorial is

consistent with the PPP’s propaganda, which is intended to exploit Indian racial/political sensitivity, and to discredit the APNU+AFC coalition Government.

I wish to make it clear that the intention of my letter is not to accuse Kaieteur News of pandering to the PPP. However, it is my contention that the editorial’s lack of objectivity makes KN’s position on APNU+AFC relations, indistinguishable from that propagandised by the PPP and Indian rights activists.

It was very clear after

reading the editorial that the primary purpose of it is to sow seeds of discord in the coalition. The message that is being conveyed is that the AFC, like the UF in the 1964 PNC/UF coalition, is in real danger of being extinguished as a political force, if strategic and tactical changes do not take place in the Cummingsburg Accord. It seems to be pushing the AFC to ensure that these changes take place as a matter of urgency. The editorial’s reference to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo’s statement, “After two years in office, things have changed

Justice will prevail Dear Editor

INVESTIGATIVE work by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) following revelations of a recent forensic audit of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB),has led to charges being laid against six former board members and the commencement of legal action on May 19, 2017.

The six, who were each placed on $500,000 bail, will have to return to court within a month’s time for trial. This is a landmark event. Apart from that pending matter against the former AG for alleged embezzlement of state property (law books), the GRDB matter involves leading opposition activists, parliamentarians, and persons who played key roles

in Guyana’s second most important agricultural sector -- rice.

SOCU and the police’s legal advisory team must be highly commended for the diligent work they have been doing. SOCU’s competence to date has, and should always appear to be, in sync with prime objectives of the Government and people of Guyana. That is to act without fear or favour in dismantling and instituting charges against those involved in organized fraud, criminal networking and money laundering.

This recent matter involving the misappropriation of close to $400 Million, is just one of 60, yes 60, matters under SOCU’s investigations for the GRDB alone. Based on revelations of the forensic audits, it is

anticipated that ongoing investigations will include other GRDB officials, politicians and millers as well.

So there should be no surprises. Some of the players know themselves. The work of SOCU is unenviable and should never be underestimated.

In light of the magnitude and gravity of the matters at hand,neither the public nor any political party should be astounded that convictions will follow.

Unless there are huge legal blunders or judicial partiality, there is no reason why the people of Guyana will not realise what they voted for -- for Justice and the enforcement of Justice, for one, and for all.

Regards Orette Cutting

and the AFC is of the belief that the time has come for the Cummingsburg Accord to be renegotiated,” and the statement by the writer of the editorial, “It appears that the AFC has only now found out that it has little say in the coalition government, which is dominated by the PNC,” underscores my point.

My view that the editorial lacks objectivity is further enhanced by its failure to (1) address the question- whether the AFC delivered to the coalition the votes in the 2015 General and Regional elections, which it claimed it would do in the Cummingsburg Accord negotiations?

(2) To take into consideration that the AFC did not bring significant votes to the coalition in the last local government elections, even with its tremendous governmental power.

Any objective analysis of APNU+AFC relations since the coalition came to office, makes it imperative that the following question be asked: does the electoral performance of the AFC at the 2015 General and Regional Elections and the 2016 Local Government elections justify

renegotiating the accord to give the AFC more power than it got from the 60/40 arrangement when the Accord was first agreed?

To advocate that the AFC has been shortchanged and not factor into the equation the fact that in the present governance arrangement that party has control of most of the key ministries that relate to business, production and employment opportunities is to demonstrate a skewed analytical mind.

Professor Clive Thomas, speaking at a Walter Rodney event at the National Library in June, 2016, made the observation that the Cummingsburg Accord is probably the only coalition agreement in the world in which the senior partner has conceded most of the key ministries in the government to the junior partner.

I raise these issues in an attempt to introduce balance in the debate, since the editorial has failed to do so. I am of the view that it is only when the AFC committee, which is mandated to study the Cummingsburg Accord has completed its work and the party makes public its

position on the committee’s findings, will members of the public be able to debate this matter in a constructive way.

It seems to me that the position of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo that the Accord needs to be “renegotiated” given the experiences over the last two years, is somewhat duplicitous, in that it did not make clear whether the proposed revisiting of the Accord is intended to change the present balance of power in the coalition or, is intended to inform the party‘s approach to future negotiations for the 2020 General and Regional Elections. Without having the benefit of the AFC’s wisdom on this issue, I am sure that party’s leadership -- given the now known reality of the AFC’s electoral standing -- must be aware that in re-opening the negotiations, it will be hard pressed to justify its claim to the 60/40 power arrangement, much less increase it.

Regards Tacuma Ogunseye

8

Problems aplenty at Woodlands/Farm

–– for want of NDC chairman

By Shauna Jemmott ALL’S not well, the Guyana Chronicle has learnt, up at Woodlands/Farm, Mahaicony, where the least of their problems is not being able to pay NDC staff going on several weeks now.

And to make matters worse, residents are also calling on former NDC Chairman Mr Dynan Maraj to sign off on cheques so that infrastructural and other projects can get started.

NDC Councillor Mr Prince Pompey told the Guyana Chronicle by telephone on Tuesday that the situation is fast getting out of hand, all because of a legal battle over the position of NDC Chairman, owing to a tie for the post at the last Local Government Election (LGE) in March 2016.

“We don’t have a functioning chairman,” one Zeskenderen, Mahaicony resident told the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday.

She said that though she

does not quite understand what is happening, the situation has got to a stage where it is creating major setbacks within the district.

Councillor Pompey conceded that there are problems aplenty, one of which is that several NDC staff and workers employed with the drainage and irrigation project within the area sometimes have to wait for months before they are paid their salaries.

Pompey explained that due to the NDC not having a chairman, they’ve had to prevail upon Maraj and another signatory to sign off on cheques so they could pay staff and attend to community projects as well.

“You have to have three persons from the NDC; three signatures,” Pompey said, adding: “I am the only one from the other side, so we does ask the former chairman to sign. Sometimes he want to sign, and sometimes he don’t want

to sign.”

Pompey said that currently, 11 D&I staff and seven NDC office staff have not been paid for last month, because Maraj has gone to Canada on vacation.

He said that Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings, was in the community last Sunday and heard from residents that many of the problems they are experiencing have to do with the NDC not having a Chairman.

MATTER IN COURT “They always complaining, because the council is right now in court and we’re waiting on the judge to make the decision,” Pompey said.

“Minister Cummings was here on Sunday and she took down some of the details. And she say she will take it to the Minister of Communities,” he added.

He said that while Mahaicony has a good

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 24, 2017

drainage system, and D&I workers clean the smaller drains, the MMA/ADA is responsible for cleaning the canal which leaks into the Mahaicony Creek, but due to the documents not being signed, monies cannot be released to finance the project.

“The water start building up in the canal,” he said, “and the one at Zeskenderen need cleaning right now, because the water can’t get to flow into the Mahaicony Creek.

“As long as they get the other signatories, it gonna be all right. We have money to do some work, but we can’t spend the money because is a chequing system.”

Pompey said, too, that the stairway at the NDC office is in a terrible state and can collapse at any time. The two toilets are also bad, but the vouchers and cheque books cannot be signed.

Meanwhile, Mr Gershon Clarke, an APNU representative and one of the men who tied in the votes for NDC chairman, explained that the court battle has created

hindrances to progress, but said that Minister of Communities has exhausted all other avenues in appointing a chairman for the locality.

“This locality, we have a tie NDC, whereby both we and the PPP would have gotten the same eight votes,” Clarke explained.

He said that Minister of Communities, Mr Ronald Bulkan, after facilitating several internal elections among councillors for one of the two voted to be elected Chairman, appointed him as chairman over PPP representative Krisendat Balkarran.

The elections were held thrice, Clarke said, and on each occasion, both parties each secured eight votes from among the 16 councillors.

“The minister would have appointed me as the Chairman; and with that, the PPP moved to court,” he said.

He said the court has ordered that he cannot convene as chairman of the NDC and they are awaiting a decision by the judge.

He said even in situations of flooding and other issues, persons approach him complaining, but nothing can be done about it. “They’re venting their frustrations,” he said.

He explained that because of this situation, Maraj remains a signatory, but sometimes either refuses to sign vouchers and cheques or he sometimes does it in his own time. And whenever he goes on vacation, they have to wait until he gets back.

MINISTER INTERVENES Meanwhile, a press statement from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said Minister Cummings visited the area and heard the concerns of residents, who pinpointed the absence of a chairman as a main issue.

GINA quoted Minister

Cummings as saying, “I have managed to hear the comments from the persons here… For instance, there isn’t a functioning NDC chairman, because there was a tie (in the March 2016 Local Government Elections), so that’s a problem. And we have to have that solved.”

GINA said the issues are expected to be addressed by December 2017. “Minister Cummings said that based on information she received, capital expenditure works for several structures and other areas within Mahaicony were included in the 2017 Budget.

“Issues within the Public Health, Public Infrastructure and Local Government sectors were also highlighted during the meeting…

“Residents were assured that even as the government’s mandate of the good life beckons, they were asked to be patient, since the works to address their concerns will require community and regional co-operation.”

Minister Cummings highlighted that the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) had received funds from the National Budget for drainage and irrigation projects and to ensure maintenance of systems and structures, GINA said.

All information will be forwarded to the respective subject ministers for the issues to be addressed urgently.

“They may have monies to do work, but because of signatories, persons like the chairman outside, they can’t have work done to pay persons, and of course, they have other matters in irrigation, sanitation, health issues, solid waste; for the young people job opportunities and having play parks and we want to see how we can develop this community,” GINA quoted the minister as saying.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 24, 2017

Nine-member delegation for CFATF plenary DEMONSTRATING its commitment to one of the key objectives of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) Chair’s Work Programme 2016/2017, strengthening preparedness for the 4th Round of Mutual Evaluations, Guyana, for the first time, will be represented by a noteworthy nine-member delegation at the CFATF XLV Plenary Meetings, being held under the Chairmanship of the Honourable Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles, Attorney-General, Turks and Caicos Islands.

In a release, the Attorney General’s Chambers said these plenary meetings will be held in Trinidad and Tobago, during May 2017 and will allow for discussion of various matters of interest

to members as well as members’ Mutual Evaluation Reports.

The Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs the Hon Basil Williams S.C., M.P., will be accompanied by his Special Adviser, Tessa Oudkerk; the Director, Matthew Langevine; Senior Legal Adviser, Alicia Williams and Legal Adviser Yonette Scarville of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU); the Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Sydney James; Central Bank Governor Gobind Ganga and Director of the Bank Supervision Department, Ramnarine Lal of the Bank of Guyana and Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Teshanna Lake.

In recognition globally of the complexity of the 4th

Round Mutual Evaluations, and in order to achieve the level of compliance set by the CFATF, a Compliance Team was established by the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs to ensure that Guyana is adequately prepared for the 4th Round and its challenges.

The Attorney General sought to have corresponding counterparts from Guyana attend the meeting, so that our public sector officials may meet and interact with their colleagues from across the Region and establish networks where possible for future collaboration, sharing experiences and assisting each other in being better prepared for the challenges of the 4th Round Mutual Evaluations. The members of the delega-

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams SC tion comprise not only members of the CFATF Working Groups, but also members of the newly established Compliance Team.

Region Two RDC establishes Road Safety Committee FOLLOWING the recent statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council, Region Two, a decision was taken to establish a Road Safety Committee.

On Wednesday last, the committee was formed, including Vice- Chairwoman Nandranie Coonjah; RDC Councillor, Showkat Alli; President of the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce, Dillip Singh; President of the Mini-bus and Hire car Association, Nazrul Mohamed, along with the chairpersons of the five NDCs. The meeting was held at the Regional Boardroom in the presence of Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt.

RDC Councillor Showkat Alli will chair the committee.

Meanwhile, following recent road fatalities in the region involving motor vehicles, councillors of the RDC expressed grave concern and collectively sought to provide solutions in reducing the accidents. It was discovered that speeding, overcrowding of mini-buses and the fast rate at which young motor-cyclists use the roadways are the main contributory factors to the increase in accidents.

According to the regional chairman, a consultative process will be needed to engage the community in the wake of business entities placing machines along the road shoulders for long periods of time. He also alluded to the need for regular sensitization programmes, including road safety drills to be reintroduced in schools in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force. Four motor-vehicular accidents that have occurred already for the year, while there were more than 10 similar accidents last year.

The Road Safety Committee’s statutory meeting will be held once a month.

Relatives of Essequibo accident victim want probe into escape of suspect RELATIVES of a former Courts Manager Chandanie Dass who was killed in a fatal accident on August 2, 2014, on Annandale Public Road, Essequibo Coast, are calling on the commissioner of police to investigate the circumstances under which the accused escaped police custody April last.

After months of hunting for the fugitive driver, 21-yearold Nicklous Singh, who was involved in the fatal accident, ranks attached to Police ‘G’

Division (Essequibo Coast and Islands), caught the suspect who managed to escape from custody with the handcuffs still on.

Acting on a tip-off, police ranks had nabbed the suspect at his parents’ home in Annandale Village, Essequibo Coast.

Relatives are adamant that his parents are harbouring the wanted suspect.

Reports indicate that on Saturday, August 2, 2014, on the Annandale Public Road, Essequibo Coast, the accused drove motor vehicle PRR 9027

in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Chandanie Dass.

Dass, 32, was driving motor car PSS 3067 south on the Annandale Public Road when the vehicle driven by Singh (PRR 9027) slammed into her. She was returning from a wedding reception, along with her cousin, Ponnai Dass. Both women were pinned in the wreckage after the accident. They were pulled out and rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital by residents of the community.

Dass, who sustained extensive spinal and other injuries, succumbed on August 4, 2014, after she was air-dashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

She was described as a very hardworking and determined young woman.

Singh was in Police cus-

tody in November 2015, and was granted $150,000 bail. He signed a document to return to court, but was a no-show on November 18, 2015 at the Suddie Magistrates Court. The then Police Prosecutor Ramsahoye Rambajue asked for an arrest warrant to be issued for the de-

fendant, after he had repeatedly failed to attend court. The case had been adjourned on numerous occasions on account of the suspect’s absence.

The father of the deceased, Dhanraj Dass, said he would like to see justice done in his daughter’s case.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 24, 2017

Party colours and paramountcy

By Akola Thompson A LITTLE over a year ago, social media was abuzz with arguments concerning the use of the coalition’s colours on seemingly everything. From buses, to bicycles, to buildings, it was claimed that these colours were used to further comment upon the coalition’s alleged paramountcy.

The “Green and Yellow” debate even raised its head in Parliament, when PPP/C Member of Parliament for

Region Nine, Allister Charlie, had asked that “monies for capital projects, not be used to paint national buildings and public spaces in green and yellow.” These colours, he opined, are representative of the ruling coalition and not the colours of the flag as some would argue.

I did not follow up the discussion concerning colours too much. On one hand, I agreed that usage of the two colours was treading on dangerous ground. We live in a racially sensitive country.

This racism is mostly insidious, but there is no doubt that it exists. Then there is the politics of the place that is tightly intertwined with the problems concerning race that we have. When one thinks of the supporters of the PPP/C and the PNC, now a part of the ruling coalition, their thoughts go to Indian and Afro supporters respectively.

We all know where this ethnic divide came from.

Started since during the days of indentureship and coloni-

sation, racial disharmony was further compounded when the two leaders of the PPP/C Cheddi Jagan and Linden Forbes Burnham fell out.

It was a new age of ethnic politics, with each appealing to their own base and it is sad that we still exist in this bubble.

One of the reasons we remain at this junction I believe, is because any dialogue we begin on it is automatically stifled. Somehow, the idea was born that if one dares to talk about race, then that person is automatically racist. But not talking about race just helps it to fester and appear in places we did not expect to see it, such as the whole colour debate.

While I agree that its usage was treading on dangerous ground, I felt as though we were making too much out of the entire affair. For as long as I have been seeing visuals in Guyana, green and gold are the two most prominent

colours always used to represent us.

The conversation seems to be starting once again regarding the coalition’s use of green and gold. It seems to have been prompted by a Stabroek News photo in which it is shown that the “fence of the Ministry of the Presidency,” was being painted gold and green. This is not so long after part of the MoTP was painted a ghastly green.

Haven’t these two colours been used for years in representation of Guyana?

Yes, they have. However, we need to think about the optics, something this government does not ever seem too concerned about. Am I too much of a liberal snowflake in seeing the problems this poses to the man on the street? Several persons think the solution is to add all the colours of the flag instead of the two, but I am not behind this atrocious suggestion. Am I being too sensitive for be-

lieving that in our charged atmosphere where even something as asinine as colour has such large implications, we should aim for neutrality? As state buildings and institutions, the government needs to be cognizant of the fact that they are representatives of all Guyanese and not just the ones who voted for them.

The continuous painting of state property in green and gold helps to foster a feeling of alienation in those who may be supporters of another party and this does not bode well for national unity.

Political hubris has always been a problem with which we have to deal and it is often hard for those in government to identify large or small problems they have caused or are creating in their rule. Party paramountcy should never be the norm, even when it comes to small issues regarding colours and the need for neutrality.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 24, 2017

Gov’t deploys GDF engineers, GWI staff to Itabac and Kanapang

TWO engineers from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), as well as technical staff from the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) have been deployed by the Government to the villages of Itabac and Kanapang in Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight) to conduct an assessment of the damaged roads and buildings and to facilitate water quality testing and set up purification systems, with a view to determining the long-term response that will be required from the State. Additionally, a reinforcement team of doctors and other representatives of the Ministry of Public Health will be dispatched to the region tomorrow.

This was announced on Tuesday by the acting Director General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Major Kester Craig, at a press conference held at the Commission’s headquarters to update the media on the flood situation in the region.

The deployment comes one day after Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, visited the villages, which were severely flooded due to the overtopping of several rivers, including the Ireng River.

During a meeting with residents on Sunday, Minister Harmon had assured them that the Government will use every resource at its disposal to restore normalcy in the communities, which will range from the restoration of livelihoods to the rebuilding

of homes.

The damage to the road between Kanapang and Itabac, which was one of the major concerns raised by the villagers during the Minister’s visit, will be examined, while a team comprising representatives from the Ministry of Communities, Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and the GWI will be visiting the flood-affected communities to conduct further assessments of the damages and impacts to housing, agriculture and water.

Meanwhile, Major Craig said that floodwaters continue to recede in all of the affected areas in Region Eight, with the water having fully receded from the land in some of the communities.

Floodwaters have receded off the land in both Itabac and Kanapang though the water level in the Ireng River remains fairly high due to rainfall over the past two days.

He noted that the health post at Kaibarupai was flooded while the school at Itabac has shifted and is unstable. The school at Kanapang is being used as temporary shelter and the kitchen at Kanapang’s school was damaged.

Thus far, the acting Director General said that 327 relief food hampers along with 209 relief cleaning hampers were distributed among Chenapau, Kaibarupai, Waipa, Sand Hill, Itabac, Kanapang, while blankets, collapsible bottles, medical supplies, clothing and disinfectant were also sent in.

He said that the agencies of the state, alongside non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been closely working to bring immediate relief to the affected residents. The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs has also deployed two personnel to lend support to the flood relief operations even as the Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Ms. Valerie Garrido-Lowe continues to maintain a presence in the area. Health officials, who were in the region since Friday, continue to conduct health assessments and medical outreaches in Kaibarupai and Waipa and a quantity of medical supplies has been sent in to be distributed to the residents as the Amerindian Peoples’ Association (APA) continues to receive donations, participate in field visits and monitor and share information.

Meanwhile, Major Craig said that the CuyuniMazaruni (Region Seven) has seen an increase in water on the land and several communities are inundated. A team comprising representatives of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the CDC has been deployed to affected communities across the region to ascertain the extent and impacts of flooding there and to assess the needs at this time.

He noted that the villages of Kako, Kamarang (Warawatta), Jawalla, Waramadong, Imbaimadai, Philippai,

Vendor remanded on drug-trafficking charge A CLOTHES vendor, who was allegedly caught with almost seven pounds of cannabis while at the Itaballi police checkpoint, Mazaruni, has been remanded to prison on a drug-trafficking charge.

Shawn Griffith, 52, of New Amsterdam, Berbice, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday at the Georgetown Magistrates Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

It is alleged that on May 18, 2017, at the Itaballi police checkpoint, Mazaruni, he had 3070 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. His attorney Trenton Lake told the court that his client is being used as the ‘scapegoat’ in the matter.

He claimed that two other persons were arrested in connection with the case,

Shawn Griffith but were released by the police.

According to Lake, his client was in a car with several other persons when the vehicle was searched at the Itaballi checkpoint.

The attorney pointed out that the suspected drugs were not found in his client’s possession, but in an amplifier which was in the car.

However, Police Prosecutor Arwin Moore told the court that the defendant had boarded the vehicle with the amplifier in his possession. Moore noted that while at the checkpoint, persons were asked to declare their belongings and Griffith had taken ownership of the amplifier and other items he had in his possession.

The prosecutor said that ranks searched the amplifier and the narcotics were found concealed in a bag. Prosecutor Moore objected to Griffith being released on bail on the basis that the defence did not raise any special reasons for the man to be granted his pretrial liberty.

The chief magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded Griffith until June 9. The matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrates Court.

Acting Director-General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Major Kester Craig updating members of the media (Ministry of the Presidency photo) Ammokokopai, Quebenang and Paruima are flooded.

However, the extent and impacts of flooding continue to be investigated. In Kako, eight houses were flooded; however up to press time, two remained flooded, while all farms were under water. Eight households were displaced in Jawalla and 80 farms are affected in Quebenang.

However, the RDC,

which worked alongside the CDC earlier this year to complete the Regional Multi-Hazard Preparedness and Response Plan, has activated its Disaster Risk Management Committee and has been actively responding to the flooding in the area. Thus far, they have facilitated a joint field-visit to several of the flood affected communities, dispatched

cleaning and medical supplies to Kamarang, to be distributed to flood affected communities, are preparing to conduct ground assessments in other affected communities, are making arrangements for aerial assessments through use of a drone and have advised residents to reap crops in affected farms to prevent complete losses. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Ireng River remains high

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 24, 2017

… but floodwaters receding in Region Eight

DEPUTY Director General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Major Kester Craig, said flood waters have receded in Region Eight, but water in the Ireng River remains high.

Several farmlands and homes at Kaibarupai, Waipa, Chenapau, Itabac, Kanapang, Kopinang and Sand Hill Settlement, Region Eight were flooded to a depth of 10 to 25 feet.

The recent flood in Region Eight, which began on May 17, 2017, saw continuous heavy rainfall over a period of approximately five days.

A total 521 households and 266 farmlands were affected during the flood, while 61 houses were damaged and 56 were washed away, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Major Craig explained that because of the flood, residents of Kaibarupai were forced to evacuate

their homes, and to construct temporary shelters on higher grounds. Even the cassava crop, their main staple, has been affected.

Other impact includes the Kaibarupai Health Post being flooded, a school at Itabac has shifted and become unstable, the school at Kanapang is being used as temporary shelter and damage of roads among others.

In this regard a team of engineers will depart for the region to assess roads and buildings affected and formulate a recovery plan to reconstruct the affected buildings. Major Craig said the extent and impact of the flooding continue to be assessed.

Additionally, in Region Seven, communities including Kako, Kamarang, Jawalla were affected by the flood. Eight houses in Kako were flooded, with 17 persons displaced from homes.

These have since returned. At Jawalla, several houses were displaced, preventing approximately 80 families from accessing their homes, Craig highlighted. The Deputy Director General noted that there have been reports that there is flooding in Kamarang, Warawatta and Waramadong. “The joint team in the Region is in the process of conducting a damage assessment and needs analysis in this area. No new information has been received on the height and impact of the flood in the Imbaimadai, Philippai, Amokokopi, Quebenang and Paruima communities,” Major Craig indicated. Craig said the situation in Region Seven has been under control by the Region, which has officers who are trained in Disaster Risk Management System. However, the CDC has been working diligently and continues to

work in close collaboration with partners to bring relief for the flood affected victims in both regions.

CDC has since been part of a joint team investigating the extent and impact of flooding in Regions Seven and Eight; established a Forward Logistics Centre at Orinduik to store and distribute 327 relief food hampers at Chenapau, Kaibarupai, Waipa, Sand Hill, Itabac, Kanapang and 209 relief cleaning hampers at Kaibarupai, Waipa, Sand Hill, Itabac, Kanapang.

CDC is preparing to distribute food hampers and cleaning and medical supplies in Region Seven. To date the government has expended $7,957,892 to provide relief to the affected communities. Over $2M was used for flights, while over $4M was used for food supplies for the region.

Other needs the af-

fected communities have include: Water tanks; buckets; water purification tablets; mosquito nets; insect repellant; mattresses; tarpaulin; clothing; rechargeable lamps and sports equipment.

HEALTH SITUATION Meanwhile, Craig, in providing an update on the health situation in Regions Seven and Eight said there have been no reported outbreaks.

Craig noted however, that there were a few cases of diarrhoea, but

these were quickly contained by doctors deployed by the Ministry of Public Health.

A team from that ministry had been deployed to Kaibarupai and Waipa upon becoming aware of the flooding there. This team provided medical assistance to those residents affected by flood waters in and around these areas.

Another team is expected to be deployed over the next few days, providing medical supplies and assistance to other flood-affected areas. (GINA)

A clear and present danger THIS build-up of sand, in the foreground at right, is where a culvert should have been constructed on Toucan Street, North-East LaPenitence, to help with flooding in the community during the rainy season.

According to Toucan Street residents, work on the

culvert was started since last December, but for some unexplained reason was abruptly abandoned.

Now motorists in particular, are forced to navigate their way around the mound, which has managed to encroach on half of an already narrow roadway. (Photo by Adrian Narine)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 24, 2017

Toronto-based Guyanese seek to set up tourism body

By Frederick Halley

PLANS are afoot to establish a tourism body in Toronto, consisting mainly of Guyanese nationals residing in the North American city, an idea fully endorsed

by Donald Sinclair, Director-General, Department of Tourism in the Ministry of Business, Guyana.

This was one of the main decisions emanating from the Diaspora Business and Tourism Forum, held at the JC Banquet Hall, Scarborough, Toronto, Canada, on Friday last, with Sinclair urging participants to accelerate its implementation.

Sinclair further said that he is eagerly looking forward to the formation of the body, which he suggested could comprise about 300-400 committed individuals. Those chosen should also be tasked with initiating further discussions on fan trips to Guyana, another area which those present felt should be pursued.

But while Sinclair was in full agreement with the call for fan trips, which will consist mostly of media personnel, the director- general also suggested that road shows should be included. Sinclair however warned that the private sector will give support to fan trips only if they know that the persons coming will bring business for them.

According to Sinclair, “It is a sad fact since some of the local industries are not so enthused about diaspora visitors as they feel these people only visit their families and don’t make any serious contribu-

tions to the tourism industry.”

He however declared that’s not his view, as he was of the opinion that people from the diaspora go to Guyana and spend more money than the other visitors. He referred to the belief as just a myth.

Sinclair made reference to the annual Linden Town Week, which showcases the

need to create a diaspora watering hole -- especially in the hinterland.”

The creation of a diaspora watering hole should cater for Guyanese music, pictures of Guyana and also include Guyanese foods, Sinclair suggested.

Sinclair also disclosed that while arrivals in Guyana

the profile of diaspora tourism, “since we recognise the importance of the diaspora, not only in tourism, but in other areas.”

On sports tourism, Sinclair lauded the recent staging of the sports tourism seminar, which saw Joseph “Reds” Perreira as its main contributor. He was however critical

need to understand this calls for forward planning well in advance.”

Questioned as to why there was a disbandment of the Ministry of Tourism, which was under Minister Cathy Hughes, Sinclair assured the forum that despite that, the money allocated for tourism, which now falls un-

Head table panellists: From left, are Syed Rayman, Lindsay Davidson, Cecil Bryan and Mohamed Khan. town and despite acknowledging that the planning needs polishing, pointed out that it involves overseas Lindeners, while the Berbicians are also very passionate about happenings in the Ancient County.

As for Essequibo, Sinclair reminded the forum that during last year’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, three planeloads of Essequibians had visited from Atlanta.

Despite these visits, Sinclair disclosed that “we need to tell the diaspora that there is a Guyana that you do not know, since you may have left over 50 years ago. There is a Guyana we need to introduce to you and in this regard, we

for the first two months of 2017 have doubled from previous years, 2016 had been a bumper year, largely because of the jubilee season and that last December was the best ever in terms of numbers for that particular month. He said the aim is to double the overall arrivals by 2025, which should be in the vicinity of half a million. “We are trying to spread the planning of tours from the bottom up and we are also in consultation with the authorities in the various regions, with a view of identifying the various tourist hotspots.”

Sinclair pointed out that his department wants to raise

of several sports organisations for their tardiness in planning events where several countries are involved. “We have to understand that if several countries are coming to Guyana for a sporting event, we can’t plan it in two weeks. Sports organisations

der the Ministry of Business, has since been increased. He said President David Granger wants special attention to be paid to Information Technology (IT), hence the establishment of the Ministry of Telecommunications which Hughes now commands.

In a message, delivered at the forum on behalf of Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin, the minister said the Department of Tourism is committed to drafting a diaspora tourism policy to better inform and support the management of diaspora tourism.

The discussion panel was chaired by Lindsay Davidson, Public Relations Adviser to the Ontario government with the other members being Professor Mohamed Khan, Syed Rayman and Cecil Bryan, while Jennifer Singh served as rapporteur.

The forum, organised by the Department of Tourism in the Ministry of Business of Guyana, in collaboration with the Consulate- General of Guyana, Toronto, targeted mainly Guyanese-Canadians who are active in tourism, travel and business; education; the media; sports; culture and entertainment; social work and diaspora- promotion activities.

Among those in attendance were acting ConsulGeneral Candida Daniels, who introduced DirectorGeneral Sinclair and former Guyana Government minister Edith Bynoe.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 24, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 24, 2017

Teacher found hanging…

Boyfriend released on bail as investigation continues THE mason who was held in connection with the death of his girlfriend, Tishauna Bess, 26, of Dairy, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), on May 16, was released on bail as investigations continue, Commander of ‘D’ Division Leslie James has confirmed.

An autopsy revealed that Bess, a teacher, died of asphyxia caused by compression to the neck. Her boyfriend, a mason, was taken into police custody after her body was found hanging in her home. Reports indicate that after Bess’s relatives could not reach her on her cellular phone since Mon-

day, they decided to visit her home to check on her, but the house was locked.

The police were then summoned and with the permission of the family, the door was forced open and the gruesome discovery was made. Bess was found hanging and her body appeared bloated, suggesting that she

had died days ago.

Relatives in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle noted that Bess and her boyfriend, Elston Sertima, were in an abusive relationship.

This resulted in her leaving him and renting a house recently in Dairy, La Parfaite Harmonie,WBD. The dead woman’s father, Ken-

neth Bess, told the Guyana Chronicle that he learnt of his daughter’s death after her mother visited her home and made the discovery.

Expressing grave shock, the father of four, who is a contractor, said his daughter’s boyfriend worked with him on a recent project.

Dead: Tishauna Bess

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 24, 2017

Caribbean exports increase for the first time in four years

AFTER four consecutive years of contraction, Latin American and Caribbean exports returned to a path of growth. In the first quarter of 2017, the value of goods exported increased 17 percent yearon-year, having contracted 2.9 percent in 2016.

The recovery was driven primarily by a rebound in commodity prices, according to an analysis conducted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) using detailed data for 25 countries in the Region.

The update to the annual report Trade Trend Esti-

mates of Latin America and the Caribbean argues that, in 2016, regional exports followed a trend similar to that of world trade, whereas the recovery observed in the beginning of 2017 was more intense. “The trend reversal is great news for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Yet, in the current context, one should not overestimate the drivers of this export expansion, which remain unstable and still restricted to a few regional economies,” said Paolo Giordano, Principal Economist of the Integration and Trade Sector and coordinator of the report.

Countries with a high share of oil and mineral products in their export supply posted the largest increases, due to the recovery in commodity markets.

Meanwhile, export volumes in the entire Region registered only a slight acceleration of 2.2 percent on average, and real export growth was observed in just a few

countries.

South American countries exhibited the strongest recovery, with an average export growth of 23 percent.

Noteworthy in this group were the performances of Venezuela, with a 75 percent increase, followed by Peru with 39 percent, Ecuador with 34 percent, Colombia with 31 percent, and Brazil with 24 percent. Mesoamerica (Mexico and Central America) and the Caribbean registered an expansion of 11 and 12 percent, respectively. The return to an export growth path marked the end of the longest trade recession in the Region’s recent history, which lasted

24 months. Despite the expansion, the value of exports remains 10 percent below its peak registered in 2014. For this incipient and unstable recovery to become sustainable, factors that have been generating uncertainty in the global economy need to be significantly reversed.

Real growth in China, the United States and the European Union could sustain the export recovery in the next trimester.

However, efforts to promote competitiveness and regional integration should be intensified, while the risks of implementation of protectionist policies should be overcome.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 24, 2017

Banks seek ‘letter of guarantee’ for duplexes loans

By Zena Henry

WHILE government’s introduction of duplexes to the local housing sector may provide a promising solution to adequately house larger numbers of persons in smaller spaces, and may prove cost-effective to the state, a small glitch in the system is now forcing government to put mechanisms in place as the law does not provide for such home ownership.

The Guyana Chronicle has been reliably informed that some degree of concern has arisen over the financing mechanism that will allow persons to access loans for the two-family-size home.

As it stands, Guyana’s laws do not cater for the ownership of duplex homes but rather, there exists a Condominium Act, and that too does not al-

low for the normal ownership of properties.

According to information, the Condominium Act allows the owner of that property access only to the Certificate of Sale, and not a Certificate of Title. The Certificate of Sale is a document generally given to the purchaser after the sale of an item, in this case, the home. It does not convey title, which identifies the owner or owners of the property.

This being the case with the Condominium Act and no legislation referring to the duplexes, it is understood that banks are a bit skeptical about providing loans for these seemingly “risky” mortgages. At least two local banks, Citizens Bank and Republic Bank have told the Guyana Chronicle that persons wishing to purchase the duplexes will have to bring

in some type of document from the Housing Ministry to provide assurance for them obtaining the loan. Citizens Bank for example said that a person seeking a loan for the duplex is required to attain from the Housing Ministry a letter of assurance, stating that the duplex could be used as collateral should a person default on the mortgage.

On the other hand, access to insurance coverage is also an area of concern.

It was noted that before granting their service, insurance agencies would more than likely be checking on whether the other half of the duplex is insured, since a possible fire in one section of the building, for instance, could mean the destruction of the entire property. The type of insurance might also differ from the normal properties, the newspaper

was told.

The government is however pushing for the utilization of these homes as part of its housing solutions, which it says will comprise of single-family homes, condominiums and duplexes. The Guyana Chronicle was told however, that the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is aware of the situation and is currently addressing the concerns highlighted.

CH&PA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lelon Saul told the newspaper that the agency is in the process of putting mechanisms in place to address the matter and this includes working with the banks to allow potential home-owners access to loans. “We are in talks with the banks, and we expect to have everything resolved,”

the CEO assured.

In the meantime, the duplexes remain one of the more innovative moves by the Housing Ministry in expressing its vision for Guyana’s new housing solutions. The Housing Ministry is just days away from hosting its very first housing exposition, which will bring potential home-owners, contractors and financial lending agencies together.

The expo, which was introduced under the proactive Minister Valerie Patterson, will make Perseverance Housing Scheme into a model community for what will come. The Housing Ministry is adamant that unlike the properties provided under the previous administration, this government is providing Guyanese with complete communities that will

have electricity, water, roads, community parks and social spaces among other amenities. Homes for low to high-income earners will be on display, so that potential home-owners get an idea of the type of home they could access based on their incomes.

Under the last administration, citizens were receiving lands with no roads or other means of accessing them. For years, some areas remained without water or electricity leading to a build-up of distributed homes and lands that have remained unoccupied. State Minister Joseph Harmon recently announced that the government will have to provide electricity and water, and in some cases roads to 16 housing schemes that were created by the last government.

‘Liliendaal Bridge’ taking shape

–– still well within four-month timeline SEEMS like “The Liliendaal Bridge” on the Railway Embankment Road will not be done in time for Independence celebrations as anticipated in some quarters, due to the inclement weather.

But work on it is moving apace, nevertheless, as evidenced on Monday when the Guyana Chronicle dropped by to see how things were coming along.

When last the Guyana Chronicle reported on this matter, which was back in early March, it quoted the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) as saying in a release that they were forced to close the bridge to vehicular traffic so as to allow contractors to modernise it.

It also reported that according to the MPI, it

would take the contractors, H. Nauth & Sons, four months to get the job done, which puts the deadline to somewhere around June month-end or thereabouts.

The job at reference, estimated to cost around $89M, entails modifying the bridge, using prestressed concrete, thereby making it more durable than the one it was intended to replace.

Construction staff hard at work on Monday on the Liliendaal Bridge to meet that June month-end deadline

CARICOM condemns Manchester bombing

This cyclist just couldn’t resist testing the proverbial waters on Monday (Photos

by Adrian Narine)

THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has strongly condemned “the vicious terrorist attack” perpetrated in Manchester, United Kingdom, on Monday evening.

In a statement, CARICOM SecretaryGeneral Irwin LaRocque said the fact that the majority of the victims were children and young people “makes this vile action even more heart-rending.”

“The compassionate and helpful reac-

tion by the citizens of Manchester to those in distress after the carnage, exemplifies the qualities of empathy and resilience of the people of the United Kingdom. CARICOM extends its deepest sympathy to the families who lost loved ones and wishes a full and speedy recovery to the injured.

The Community stands in solidarity with the Government and People of the United Kingdom as they confront this latest assault on their nation.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 24, 2017

Guyanese found dead in Trinidad

THE body of a Guyanese man was found dumped in Trinidad and Tobago last Saturday.

He was identified as Conrad Gittens.

Gittens, 50, lived at Princes Town with relatives, his estranged wife Nicole Gittens told members of the media Monday at the Forensic Science Centre, St James.

The mother of Gittens’s four children said although they were estranged, she was still hurting that the father of her children had been mur-

dered in a brutal way.

She said her husband was last seen alive bar-hopping with friends on Friday night and then Sunday night homicide officers were showing her pictures of her murdered husband to confirm his identity.

“He was a mason and an all-rounder. If anyone ask for help he would do it, he never look for trouble or bacchanal with anyone. Yes, he used to drink and he would tell me nobody buys drinks for him, so nobody could tell him to

stop,” Gittens said.

She said her husband was last seen with a woman around 6 am on Saturday.

“He was never a fighter.

I not feeling nice knowing he got killed. I know we had our little ups and downs, but it not feeling nice hearing it,” Gittens said.

According to police reports, officers of the Tableland Police Station were called to the Devil’s Woodyard around 3:00 pm on Saturday after the body of a man was found in a drain. A

blood-stained stone was seen nearby.

The Devil’s Woodyard is located in Hindustan, New Grant and is known for its mud volcanoes. Gittens was stabbed multiple times and police believe his body was dumped after he was murdered elsewhere.

DRUG HIT IN ST AUGUSTINE IN an unrelated murder, police say the shooting of PH taxi driver Keston Venus may be drug-re-

lated.

The 32-year-old was shot dead around 11 pm Sunday at Mohammed Street, St Augustine.

According to reports, Venus was driving his silver-coloured Nissan Tiida along Mohammed Street when he was ambushed and shot in the head. He died at the scene.

Police have dismissed robbery as a motive, and are continuing their investigation into the killing.

(Trinidad Guardian)

Guyanese Conrad Gittens

Two years jail for Trini conman A CONMAN from Trinidad was sentenced to two years imprisonment by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday after confessing to two fraud-related charges.

Daniel Ali, 41, a Trinidad national, living at Ogle, East Coast Demerara for the past two years, did not have legal representation during his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates Court.

Particulars of the first charge alleged that between January 3, 2017 and May 19, 2017 in Georgetown, he conspired with persons to forge one Republic of Guyana driver’s licence in the name of Seelall Madiha, purporting to show that the document was issued by the Guyana Revenue Authority, knowing same to be false.

The second charge alleged that on March 23, 2017, at the Central Immigration and Passport Office, for the purpose of procuring a new passport, Ali made a false statement by affixing his signature to a declaration, saying he is Seelall Madiha, knowing same to be false.

Ali was sentenced to two years jail on each charge by the chief magistrate. The sentences will run consecutively. He was also charged with overstaying in Guyana and was fined $30,000 following his guilty plea. The court heard that between June 23, 2014 and May 20, 2017, he failed to comply with the regulations which stated that he was allowed to stay in Guyana from December 24, 2013 to June 23, 2014 but he overstayed.

“I just lost track of time,” the unrepresented man told the court when the chief magistrate questioned him as to why he had overstayed.

Police Prosecutor Arwin Moore told the court that the accused is wanted for fraud and larceny-related offences in Trinidad.

According to Moore, on December 24, 2013, Ali arrived at the Cheddi Jagan

Daniel Ali International Airport and was granted permission to stay in Guyana until June 23, 2014.

However on March 15, 2017, the accused went to the Central Immigration and Passport Office to make an application for a Guyana passport under the pretence that he had lost his and had to be issued a new one.

The defendant reportedly produced documents in the name of ‘Seelall Madiha,’ however immigration officers checked the documents in their system and discovered that the defendant’s correct name is Daniel Ali. He was arrested and the documents,which included a driver’s licence which was forged, were seized.

Ali had told investigators that he paid an individual known as ‘Ryan’ $200,000 for the driver’s licence.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 24, 2017

GAWU takes anti-sugar reform protest to Enmore

THE Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) on Tuesday continued its anti-estate closure march, this time to Enmore, where it said several persons denounced the planned action by the government to restructure the industry.

The protest march started off in the vicinity of the Enmore sugar factory and wended it way through several streets of Enmore Village and culminated at the Enmore Blossom Scheme Playground–a distance of about two miles, GAWU said in a release. The union said this activity saw the participation of sugar workers, housewives, young people, pensioners, shopkeepers, and others who are staunchly opposed to plans by the Administration and the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) to close Enmore/LBI Estate at year-end.

According to GAWU the march, which lasted well over an hour, steadily grew as it went through the streets, noting that despite the rains, which fell intermittently along the route, the participants were not daunted and continued to press on as the gathering grew. As they moved through the streets they held their placards and banners prominently as they shouted “No to Closure” and at times sang along to Bob Marley’s songs – Get up, Stand up and Who the cap fits – as well as the popular trade union song – Solidarity Forever.

Following the march, the marchers received brief addresses from Enmore/LBI shop steward, Roy Dundas; President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana, Carvil Duncan;

Treasurer of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), Bhagmat Hochand; GAWU Executive Committee member, Gordon Thomas; GAWU Assistant General Secretary, Aslim Singh, and GAWU President, Komal Chand. All of the speakers congratulated those present for their spirited

pecially pleased to see the participation of non-sugar workers in today’s activities.

Their presence, we hold, is prompted by their recognition of the difficulties that will beset the communities linked to Enmore/LBI and as now seen with the painful example of Wales.”

GAWU said “it is disconcerting that closure is

prise, which would ensure a viable future. Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, said the ‘State Paper on the Future of the Sugar Industry’, will focus on the poorly-performing estates and have them shift from sugar to diversification. “The proposed courses of action are to amalgamate [merge] Wales Estate with Uitvlugt

Enmore residents and sugar workers during their protest action and well-attended march and encouraged them to continue to put up a strong fight. They urged the relevant authorities to sit up and take note of the growing people’s resistance to the unpopular plans they have in mind.

“This activity, like those before, indicates that the people are in high spirits and are doggedly determined to continue in a sustained way to have the short-sighted and clearly wrong plans on sugar reviewed and recalled.

Enmore/LBI Estates, at this time, employs some 2,200 workers and its operations support tens of thousands more. The GAWU was es-

being considered at Enmore/ LBI, taking into account the investments in recent times.

Significant sums were expended to construct the packaging plant through which GuySuCo receives the best prices for its sugar, according to the Sugar Commission of Inquiry (CoI). Furthermore, over the years, GuySuCo spent large sums in field conversion to facilitate mechanized operations. According to our information, Enmore/ LBI is the most advanced estate in this regard in Demerara. It is perplexing that closure would be considered in view of the very good possibilities which are generally

Former El Dorado Trading boss for High Court trial FORMER General Manager of El Dorado Trading, Neville Chandrawattie, has been committed to stand trial in the High Court for the murder of mineral dealer, Dharamchan Mangra, which occurred four years ago during an alleged gold heist at Port Kaituma.

Chandrawattie also known as “Sunil,” 33, of Sparta, Essequibo Coast, was committed by City Magistrate Judy Latchman at the end of the Preliminary Inquiry (PI).

Magistrate Latchman in her ruling said that after reviewing the evidence in its entirety, the court found that there is sufficient evidence against the accused for the case to be tried before a judge and jury.

recognised.”

According to GAWU the workers are calling on the Administration and the GuySuCo to engage the Unions in the sugar industry in meaningful dialogue to address the challenges the industry faces.

“GAWU holds that the three meetings with members of the Government were merely a façade meant to

Attorney-at-Law Glen Hanoman was appointed Special Prosecutor in the case. Chandrawattie and others allegedly planned an

Neville Chandrawattie armed attack on the El Dorado Trading Company in Port Kaituma on April 21,

2013, during which Mangra was shot in the chest and $3M and a quantity of gold were stolen.

They had stolen 96 ounces of gold valued at $22M, and $71M in cash, making a total of $93M, all the property of Tamesh Jagmohan. In 2015, Chandrawattie was granted $1.575M bail at the Matthews Ridge Magistrates Court after the matter was transferred there for hearing; but as a result of the intervention of senior judicial officials, the decision was revoked and he was further remanded.

The matter was transferred back to the Georgetown Magistrates Court and was assigned to City Magistrate Judy Latchman.

pull the wool over the eyes of the Guyanese people and moreso the sugar workers.

We urge that the voices of the working, productive people be heard by those in whose hands are levers of power and to engage in frank discussions to avoid the serious consequences of closure on thousands of our working-people and their families.”

Government recently unveiled its State Paper on sugar, noting that the industry here lies in a smaller sector, with reduced losses and cash deficits but coupled with a separate and profitable diversified enter-

Estate and reassign its cane to the Uitvlugt factory, since the estate is operating at 50 percent capacity. Sixty percent of its drainage and irrigation infrastructure is in a dilapidated condition. The corporation furthermore seeks to divest itself of the Skeldon Estate. The estates of Albion and Rose Hall are to be amalgamated and the factory at Rose Hall is to be closed.”

Holder said GuySuCo would then consist of three estates and three sugar factories. The estates would be Blairmont on the West Bank Berbice, Albion-Rose Hall in East Berbice and the Uit-

vlugt-Wales estate in West Demerara. The three estates will be complete with factories and will have cane supplied from all five locations.

By virtue of the amalgamation, the Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and Rose Hall, Berbice factories will be closed by year-end. In the case of Enmore, that factory will be closed at the end of the year when all cane would have been harvested and the East Coast Estates would be earmarked for diversification.

“The process will result in improving the relationship with some cane cutters, estate staff and about 1,710 private cane farmers. These adjustments mean that GuySuCo would be scaled-down into a more efficient entity that focuses on producing sugar to satisfy the domestic and foreign markets that provide preferential access to our sugar. This entails taking advantage of the opportunity to merge better performing lands to operate factories more efficiently,” Holder said.

But even as there will be a major restructuring of the industry, GuySuCo is required to retain many of its workers for all operations on the merged estates or factories and those employees are to receive leased lands from the sugar company to engage in crops to be decided by both GuySuCo and the Ministry of Agriculture.

Additionally, the Minister said GuySuCo plans, apart from restructuring the estates and factories, to transfer to the state charges for the drainage and irrigation and health services that it provides to the communities, and around the estates.

Duo freed of Sussex Street murder A MURDER charge was discharged against two men on Tuesday by City Magistrate Leron Daly on the grounds that insufficient evidence was provided by the prosecution during the Preliminary Inquiry (PI).

Dellon Thorne and Trefon Parris called “Slims,” both of Sussex Street, Charlestown, walked out of the Georgetown Magistrates Court free men after the magistrate dismissed the charges at the end of the PI. The men were jointly charged with the capital offence which alleged that on April 1, 2016 at Charlestown, they murdered Gladstone “Tuffy” Taylor.

It was alleged that Thorne and Parris rode up on a CG

motorcycle and Thorne opened fire on Taylor while he was sitting at Adelaide and Sussex Streets. It was alleged that Taylor was gunned down by Thorne to avenge the murder of his brother – Coast Guard officer Keon Payne. Thorne had reportedly accused Taylor of having a hand in the execution of his brother.

Taylor was shot at least four times around 21.00 hrs on the day in question. He was pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. However, a quick response from the police led to the arrest of Thorne and Parris after an eyewitness had identified the soldier’s brother as the one who walked up to Taylor and

Dead: Gladstone ‘Tuffy’ Taylor shot him.

Parris was believed to have been the rider who took the shooter to the scene.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 24, 2017

Minister slams deplorable state of Mon Repos Primary

By Navendra Seoraj

“DISGRACEFUL!” was how Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine described the deplorable state in which he found the Mon Repos Primary School following a visit there on Monday.

“The school is in a disgraceful state; from the ground to the school’s structure needs to be rehabilitated,” he later told the media.

The minister was accompanied on a tour of the

lower East Coast Demerara school by other officials of the Ministry of Education and members of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and they all agreed that it could do with some immediate attention in spite of the many attempts made at rehabilitation by the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA).

According to teachers there, not only does the school’s playground need to be landfilled, but the school

itself needs a good overhaul, particularly where electrical works and plumbing are concerned.

As the minister observed: “It’s like a pothole in a road; if we neglect it, it gets bigger and much harder to deal with.

And this here is what we are seeing.”

Both the Regional Education Officer (REDO) of Region Four, Ms Tiffany Hardy, and the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Ms Marcel Hudson concurred with the minister, but pointed

Minister of Education, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine (second left) and Region 4 officials during Monday’s visit with teachers and pupils at Mon Repos Primary

Mon Repos Primary School (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

out that the regional budget is too small to undertake such an onerou task; that it will have to be increased, so that the RDC can afford to get the job done.

But Minister Roopnaraine was looking at the bigger picture. Problems such as these, he said, are not unique to Region Four alone, and as such he will be conducting a series of visits to schools all across the country, from Crabwood Creek in Berbice

to Charity, on the Essequibo Coast.

“I am very unhappy that the ministry keeps sending back money to the treasury when there is much work to be done,” he said, adding that moves will be afoot to ensure that “schools are worthy of the children”, rather than the other way around.

It was confirmed that the Ministry of Education will be looking to solicit more help from the Ministry of

Communities so that they can step up the pace of improving schools around the country.

Hudson said that although these steps will be taken, there is still need for improved monitoring and supervision in order to improve the “decentralised system”.

There is also need for parents to be more “vibrant and active” in the school’s PTA, so as to ensure that the minor inefficiencies are dealt with.

Deeds Registrar bailed on fraud charge REGISTRAR of the Deeds Registry (ag) Azeena Baksh was on Tuesday charged with obtaining money by false pretence and was released on $250,000 bail

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Baksh, 33 of Eccles, E as t B an k D e me r a r a, denied that while being employed by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) between May 1, 2014 and January 31, 2017, in Georgetown, she caused or procured valuable securities in the sum of $4.5M to be delivered to her Nova Scotia bank account for her own use,

pretending she was a contracted employee at the Deeds Registry.

Defence Counsel Nigel Hughes in association with Attorney Priya Manickchand, made an application for Baksh to be released on self-bail, given the fact that she is in her final trimester of pregnancy and was ordered to take bed rest.

Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore did not object to bail, but requested that it be set in a substantial amount under the condition that Baksh lodge her passport and report to the Criminal Investigations Department.

The chief magistrate granted bail in the sum of $250,000 and Baksh will re-appear on June 6, 2017.

Baksh was appointed Acting Registrar of Deeds from July 16, 2012 with a stipulated salary of $326,171 monthly and was entitled to duty, entertainment and house allowances, as well as subsistence allowance when working out-of-district, duty-free concessions every three years, leave passage allowance and 42 days annual vacation leave.

Additionally, she was entitled to security at her residence, paid residential and mobile phone charges

and monthly internet service charges.

There was no mention by the JSC of a bi-annual gratuity as she was employed on the fixed establishment. In May 2014, the Deeds Registry was merged with the Commercial Registry, pursuant to the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority Act No. 4/ 2013.

Back in April 2017, the Ministry of Legal Affairs had said that staff of the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority (DCRA) had called upon it to investigate complaints of alleged financial improprieties committed by

Baksh.

Both the Human Resource and Accounting Departments of the DCRA had complained that as Head of the Budget Agency and sole person in authority to approve and sign off the payroll of the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority, and one of the main signatories to the Authority’s bank account, the acting registrar allegedly unlawfully paid herself gratuity, well knowing she was a pensionable employee, having been appointed by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

Azeena Baksh leaves the Georgetown Magistrates Court on Tuesday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 24, 2017

City Hall under audit

By Telesha Ramnarine

FIVE auditors from the office of the Auditor General are currently scrutinising the financial records of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), Mayor Patricia Chase-Green announced on Monday.

“The government’s auditors are in the house,” she said, during her announcements at the fortnightly statutory meeting at City Hall.

Following the announcement, the mayor joked that she expected to hear noise and cheering from People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Councillor Bishram Kuppen, in view of his repeated calls for such an audit. But Kuppen humourously responded that he was waiting until the completion of the audit.

No time period has been stipulated for the audit, and upon its completion, a report will be submitted to the council.

Earlier this year, ChaseGreen took umbrage at Kuppen’s taking to the press to express his concerns that his calls for a forensic audit into the City Council’s finances have been disregarded.

Kuppen had written to the press voicing his dissatisfaction with several things at the municipality, including the fact that three motions calling for the audit had been denied by both Chase-Green and Town Clerk Royston King.

At a subsequent meeting though, Chase-Green said: “Since 2012, I’ve said it that we are open to an audit whenever and by whoever.

I want it to be clearly said that I have no objections to any audit. Since 2011, I have been calling for an audit for the City Council. When the PPP was in Government, they did not take heed and now in 2016, you’re hearing all the cries for an audit. I still don’t have any objections.”

Meanwhile, in his letter,

Kuppen said his reason for calling for the audit was the numerous accusations of corruption and mismanagement levelled against the council and the fact that hundreds of millions of dollars were being collected and yet the city was always reporting financial difficulties, while core services were not being provided.

Kuppen had also referred to the $8M donation from the Chinese Government which was given to assist the cleanup campaign in Georgetown and which was assumed to be going to the City Council.

“When the Chinese Ambassador inquired how the money was spent, Town Clerk Royston King said that the money was not received at Council and that he would launch an investigation. We later learned in the press that the money was received by the Global Friendship Foundation, which was headed by former Mayor Hamilton

Green and another former council employee.” Kuppen said he wrote to King to get information on the results of his investigation but got no response. The mayor said she took all necessary action with the matter and did all that she could possibly do.

“I brought the man, had the man sitting on the bench for more than 12 hours and then we realised that the money was not paid to the M&CC. The money was paid to a private place. The money was not paid to us by the Chinese Ambassador. It was paid to a private organisation with the intention that that money be spent for us. But there’s nothing I can do; I did all that I can.

We called in the national police.” Chase-Green had lamented that it is unfortunate that councillors, who are expected to work as a team, are still divided and take to the press to address their concerns.

Region Eight REO sent on leave THE Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Eight, Potaro/Siparuni, Rafel Downes, has been sent on administrative leave as the Ministry of Communities launches an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of the region’s resources.

According to a press statement from the Ministry of Communities, the Ministry of Finance has also revoked Mr. Downes’ appointment as Head of Budget Agency for the region, and has sent him a letter informing him of the decision on May 14, 2017.

“The revocation of this appointment was on basis of grave changes levelled against the Regional Executive Officer (REO) for breaching internal controls and using his authority to misappropriate the region’s

Sent on leave: Region Eight REO, Rafel Downes resources,” the statement said.

The internal audit division report is currently being assessed by the Ministry, even as Downes await the ministry’s determination of charges.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 24, 2017

Case against Imam charged with sex abuse to commence this week-Commander POLICE prosecutors are expected to commence this week the case against an Imam, Nizam Ali, who was charged with the offence of Sexual Activity with a child by Abusing a

Nizam Ali Position of Trust in February 2012, Divisional Commander Snr. Superintendent, Calvin Brutus confirmed.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recently remitted the case to Magistrate Alex Moore to be re-opened. Nizam Ali, known as ‘Mufti’, of Lot 268 Section ‘C 5’ South, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown had been committed to stand High Court trial since 2013. In a letter dated February 13, 2017, DPP Mrs. Shalimar

Ali-Hack remitted the matter to the Magistrate to re-open the case via paper committal. Further, on the same date the DPP issued a directive to the Guyana Police Force to obtain certified copies of the original documents before the re-opening of the paper committal.

Subsequent to the first preliminary inquiry held before Magistrate Moore, it was discovered that original documents, which were tendered during the PI, had gone missing from the depositions. The DPP has also forwarded a report to Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ali on the position of the matter.

The Imam’s pretrial hearings were held in-camera at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court. After perusing the evidence brought before him during the preliminary inquiry, Magistrate Moore found that there was sufficient reason to send Ali for High Court trial. The decision came in 2013.

It is alleged that between December 2011 and January 2012, Ali engaged in sexual penetration of a boy under the age of 12.

The acts were allegedly committed while he was in a position of trust, being a religious teacher and knew or could be reasonably expected to have known of the trust in relation to the boys.

Bandits rob Parfaite Harmonie family ARMED bandits robbed a family in Onderneeming, Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, after entering through an opened door at the northern section of the house on Monday night.

The bandits carted off jewellery, cell phones and cash. Reports indicate that two of the armed robbers surprised the family while they were socialising in the hall of their home. One of the occupants was gun-butted and within minutes the men relieved the four persons of their valuables before fleeing on foot and firing a round in the air.

The injured man was identified as Ramesh Singh. He was treated at the hospital and sent away. The police were contacted and statements were provided as investigations continue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Brewley’s double help ‘Multi’ to regain ‘Screw’ Richmond title

By Joe Chapman THANKS to a sensational performance by eventual tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP) Omar Brewley, the Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) regained the Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Memorial Secondary Schools U-18 football championship, with a 3-1 win over New Silvercity Secondary over the weekend.

Brewley found the back of the net to open his team’s scoring, collecting a cross from teammate Omar Williams on the left flank to the centre of the goalmouth from where he headed home for a 1-0 lead.

However, New Silvercity Secondary equalised through Emmanuel Atkins in the 40th minute and the game ended with the two sides level on a goal each.

The former three-time

champions were able to gain the upper hand when Andre Mayers, in the 65th minute, was able to receive a neat pass from Jahu Regis. He made no mistake in putting ‘Multi’ up 2-1.

That goal seemed to have deflated the hopes of the New Silvercity Secondary lads and two minutes later Brewley was able to make a run through the middle, as he latched on to a through-ball and with one marker left in his wake, he fired home what sealed the win for the Christianburg/Wismar Secondary.

Organising Secretary of the Linden Chapter of the Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Foundation, Kevin DeJonge, said that “despite the many challenges we were able to get the tournament concluded”. He thanked all who made it possible Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School players dominated the individual

T&T sets up U.S. camp ... five sessions at home with a group of players who have been able to help us start the preparations.

“The idea is to get there and try to acclimatise as quickly as possible so we will be starting work there immediately.

Seventeen players will be travelling on Tuesday. Some will be coming back because the final squad has not been selected as yet. We expect to have the full contingent on June 4.”

The foreign-based trio of midfielders Khaleem Hyland and Levi Garcia, and defender Sheldon Bateau, are expected to join

the side later in the week.

The full roster includes Goalkeepers: Adrian Foncette (Police FC), Marvin Phillip (no club), Jan-Michael Williams (North East Stars). Defenders: Daneil Cyrus (North East Stars), Carlos Edwards (Central FC), Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force), Triston Hodge (W Connection), Alvin Jones (DirecTV W Connection). Midfielders:

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awards ceremony which followed, taking home the lion’s share of the accolades.

Apart from being named MVP, Brewley also copped the Outstanding Forward prize.

Goalkeeper Nicholas Gentle who was outstanding between the uprights for ‘Multi’ was named Best Goalkeeper and their coach Dellon Peters the Best Coach of the final.

Defender for the Christianburg/Wismar Secondary ‘Multi’, Kevin Dornick, was named Outstanding Defender and their captain Andre Mayers the Best Midfield Player, while New Silvercity Secondary coach Dwalon Farrell was named the Outstanding Coach for the tournament taking away the first-ever Jamie Craig Memorial Award, while New Silvercity Secondary were also named the Fair Play Award winner.

Continued from back page Hashim Arcia (Defence Force), Hughtun Hector (DirecTV W Connection), Nathan Lewis (San Juan Jabloteh), Leston Paul (North East Stars); Jomal Williams (Murcielagos FC/Mexico). Forwards: Jamille Boatswain (Defence Force), Willis Plaza (East Bengal/India), Akeem Roach (no club), S h a h d o n Wi n c h e s t e r (Murcielagos FC/Mexico).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Twice champion Kvitova set for Wimbledon after stabbing

By Simon Cambers in London TWICE champion Petra Kvitova is set to play at Wimbledon this summer, less than seven months after she was stabbed by an intruder in her home, a member of her support team told Reuters yesterday.

recovery and could even be ready to play in the French Open, which begins in Paris on Sunday.

“She is on track for Wimbledon,” Katie Spellman, Kvitova’s publicity manager, told Reuters. “She will make a last-minute decision this week about Roland Garros.”

Kvitova, who won Wim-

Czech Republic’s tennis player Petra Kvitova speaks during a news conference after she was injured on Tuesday when she fought off an intruder in her home, damaging all the fingers on her playing hand, in Prague, Czech Republic, December 23, 2016. (REUTERS/David W Cerny)

The Czech, who required four hours of surgery to her left, playing hand after the December attack at home in her home city of Prostejov, has made a faster than expected

bledon in 2011 and 2014, will be included on the official entry list for this year’s Championships, which will be released today.

“The AELTC is always

pleased to welcome former champions back to Wimbledon, and would be delighted if Petra Kvitova is able to compete in the Championships this year,” Wimbledon said in a statement to Reuters.

“We wish her well with her ongoing preparations to return to competition.”

ATTACKED AT HOME Kvitova was attacked at around 08:30hrs on December 20 by a man who gained access to her apartment block by posing as a utilities man, before holding a knife to her throat.

In pulling the knife away, Kvitova sustained injuries to tendons in all four fingers and the thumb on her left hand.

She said she was “shaken, but fortunate to be alive”.

Doctors had said at the time the “best-case scenario” was that Kvitova could be playing tennis again within six months.

Throughout her recovery, the 27-year-old has amazed everyone in her team with her positivity and belief that she would be back on Tour, and sooner rather than later.

Last month, Kvitova said she had left her name on the entry list for the French Open, in part to ensure she had a pos-

itive mind-set as she continued her recovery.

Earlier this month, she posted a photo of herself practising in Monte Carlo.

The draw for the French Open is due to be made at Roland Garros on Friday.

Given the physicality required to play on clay, and the stress of a grand slam, it would still be a surprise if she does take her place in the draw at Roland Garros.

If she decides not to play, Kvitova is likely to look to play a warm-up event on grass before Wimbledon, the venue where she has achieved most success.

One of the cleanest ball-strikers on the Tour, she won her first grand slam title there in 2011, when she upset Maria Sharapova in the final.

In 2014, she won the title again with a crushing 6-3, 6-0 victory over Eugenie Bouchard in what is remembered as one of the best performances ever produced in the final.

Her return would also be a welcome boost for the women’s Tour, especially with Serena Williams on maternity leave.

Kvitova, who last played in the Fed Cup final against France on November 12, is ranked 16th.

FA seeking information on betting on Terry withdrawal

John Terry

(REUTERS) - The English Football Association has asked betting companies to provide information on wagers placed on John Terry’s stage-managed substitution during Chelsea’s 5-1 win over Sunderland last weekend.

Terry, who will leave champions Chelsea at the end of the season, was given a guard of honour as

he left the pitch in the 26th minute of his final Premier League game at Stamford Bridge.

He later confirmed that the send-off in the minute that matched his shirt number was orchestrated following talks with Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.

The governing body confirmed on Tuesday it had contacted bookmakers in relation to the incident.

Curry leads Warriors to third straight series sweep (THE Sports Xchange) - Stephen Curry scored 36 points and Kevin Durant added 29 points and 12 rebounds as the Golden State Warriors strolled to a 129-115 win over San Antonio Spurs on Monday to complete a four-game sweep of the Western Conference finals.

Golden State move on to play either the defending champions Cleveland Cavaliers, in a repeat of last year’s title series, or the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. The Cavaliers currently lead the Eastern Conference finals 2-1.

Golden State will have nine days of rest ahead of that series, which begins in Oakland, California on June 1.

The Warriors have swept all three of their playoff series and are the first team in NBA history to start the post-season 12-0, eclipsing the record established by the 1989 and 2001 Los Angeles Lakers.

“It’s a great run-m and we had an opportunity to get it done tonight, but more importantly, it was obviously just a close-out kind of mentality and trying to take care of our business and play a good 48-minute game,”

Curry said.

“For the most part, we did. We had some slip-ups and some mental errors, but for the most part it was a solid night - contributions from everybody.

“Going 12-0 is great, but it doesn’t mean anything going into the next series, and we have to understand that.”

Golden State have won 27 of their past 28 overall games (including the regular season) and have won six straight road playoff games, a franchise record.

Draymond Green added 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for Golden State in the easy win at the AT&T Center. Ian Clark tallied 12 points and Klay Thompson scored 10 points (on 3-of-13 shooting) for the Warriors.

GINOBILI FAREWELL? Golden State out-shot the Spurs 55.8 percent to 42.3 percent, had 53 rebounds to San Antonio’s 41 and dominated despite 17 turnovers that led to 22 San Antonio points.

Kyle Anderson led the Spurs with 20 points while

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) drives to the basket past San Antonio Spurs small forward Davis Bertans (42) and Dewayne Dedmon (3) during the second half in game four of the Western Conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. (Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports)

Manu Ginobili added 15 in what may have been the last game of a brilliant NBA career. Patty Mills and Pau Gasol added 14 each and Jonathon

Simmons scored 13.

LaMarcus Aldridge, arguably San Antonio’s most important player after injured star forward Kawhi Leonard, scored

just eight points and did not play in the fourth quarter.

Despite the fact that the Warriors have cruised to their spot in the Finals, they are

adamant that they can play better.

“There are things on both sides of the ball that we can clean up, and that’s what, I guess, got our guys’ attention or focus,” Warriors acting head coach Mike Brown said.

“We’ve been preaching certain things, and for the most part, they’ve been doing it, but to get to our ultimate goal of winning the whole thing, we’ve got to be better on both ends of the floor.”

Ginobili left the game in the final minutes to chants of “Manu, Manu” and “one more year.” He has said he will take three or four weeks off before deciding whether he wants to return to the league next season, when he will be 40 years old.

“The opponent was, in this case, way better than us,” Ginobili said of the Warriors’ domination of the series.

“When you lose by an average of 20 points per game in the last three games, you look at them in the eyes and say, ‘Congratulations, man, you beat us fair and square. You were better than us.’ It’s the easiest thing to do.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Cricket Australia gambled on players’ greed and lost - Ian Chappell (REUTERS) - Australia’s cricket board gambled that greed would motivate top players into accepting a pay offer and while that bet has backfired, the parties are likely to thrash out a deal in time to avert an Ashes boycott, former captain Ian Chappell has said.

Players have rejected Cricket Australia’s (CA) offer that would end a 20-yearold revenue-sharing model when the next collective bargaining agreement starts in July.

The proposal offers more money than the current fiveyear CBA but allows only international players to share in

Former Test captain Ian Chappell is delighted the Aussie players are sticking together.

surplus revenues, while domestic cricketers would have to settle for fixed amounts.

Former Test skipper Chappell was a leading figure in Australian cricket’s most bitter pay dispute in the 1970s, which paved the way for the breakaway World Series Cricket.

“I’m delighted the players are sticking together and staying strong on it,” Chappell said in comments published by Sydney newspaper the Daily Telegraph yesterday.

“From afar it looks as though the board is trying to splinter the players, which I find a rather

strange tactic.

“Maybe the board thought, ‘You know what the players are like’. They were working on the theory of greed that you keep the top blokes happy with money and they won’t care about the rest.

“It looks like they’ve picked the wrong target.”

CA CEO James Sutherland raised tensions earlier this month when he told players to agree to terms by the June 30 deadline or risk being unemployed.

It elicited a heated response from the Australian Cricketers’ Association, the players’ union, and open-

ing batsman David Warner warned the board it might not have a team for the fiveTest Ashes series starting in November.

CA have declined to comment further on the pay dispute.

Chappell said Australia’s top players could easily “do a Chris Gayle” and play as free agents in the world’s lucrative domestic Twenty20 competitions like the former West Indies Test captain did. But he doubted it would come to that. “There will be more posturing and eventually they’ll come to their senses,” he said.

Sport to conduct security reviews after Manchester attack SPORTING events and venues in England are conducting major security reviews after 22 people were killed in an attack at Manchester Arena.

The Great City Games, an open and free event for the public, is due to take place in Manchester on Friday.

A spokesman for the organisers said: “We are awaiting advice from the authorities on these events and will provide an update as soon as possible.”

The FA Cup final, EFL play-offs and the PGA Championship are also this week.

An eight-year-old girl was among those killed in Monday’s suicide bombing at Manchester Arena, at the end of a concert by U.S. singer Ariana Grande.

Manchester United cancelled a news conference yesterday, due to be held prior to their Europa League final in Stockholm today.

The club said: “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families at this terribly difficult time.”

United’s players held a minute’s silence at training yesterday, and the club closed its megastore, museum, café and stadium tours to the public.

A staff event scheduled for today has been cancelled by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

Manager Jose Mourinho said: “We are all very sad about the tragic events; we cannot take out of our minds and our hearts the victims and their families.

“We have a job to do and we will fly to Sweden to do that job.

It is a pity we cannot fly with the happiness that we always have before a big game.

“I know, even during my short time here, that the people of Manchester will pull together

as one.”

Aleksander Ceferin, president of football’s European governing body UEFA, said he was “deeply saddened” and shocked that “so many innocent people lost their lives”.

A UEFA statement said there was “currently no specific intelligence” to suggest today’s game could be a target for further attacks.

“UEFA has been closely working with local authorities and the Swedish FA for many months and the terrorist risk had been taken into account

been told there will be extra Police officers on duty at the ground and increased security at team hotels and practice.

There will also be a minute’s silence before Saturday’s Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Aberdeen at Hampden Park.

The Scottish FA’s Security and Integrity Officer Peter McLaughlin said: “We remain vigilant to the threat posed by global terrorism and are engaged in constant dialogue with colleagues at Police Scotland and the National Counter-Terrorism Security Office.

Two and Championship play-off finals on Sunday and Monday respectively.

A Football Association spokesperson said: “Fan safety is of paramount importance and we have robust security measures in place at Wembley Stadium.

“In collaboration with the Metropolitan Police and the local authorities there will be an enhanced security operation for all upcoming events.

“All supporters are encouraged to arrive for events at Wembley Stadium as early

Manchester United held a moment of silence for the victims of the arena attack during practice yesterday ... and have vowed to help emergency services “in any way that may be required.”

since the very beginning of the project,” it said.

“Furthermore, a number of additional security measures were implemented following the attacks in Stockholm last April.”

“This ongoing communication and intelligence-sharing is part of our operations protocol for all events at the national stadium, including the forthcoming Scottish Cup final.”

SPORT TO PAY TRIBUTE There will be a minute’s silence observed at Headingley before England’s one-day international against South Africa today.

Both sets of players will also wear black arm bands during the game as a mark of respect following the attack.

The South Africa team have

FAN SAFETY OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE A number of leading athletes are scheduled to participate at the Great City Games, while a public half marathon and 10km run will be staged in Manchester on Sunday.

Wembley hosts Saturday’s FA Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea, and the League

as possible for security checks and to avoid any delays in entering the stadium.”

The English Football League (EFL) added it “takes security issues extremely seriously” and urged supporters travelling to Wembley to “be vigilant of their surroundings at all times, stay alert and not be alarmed”.

The Metropolitan Police says extra armed officers will be deployed at this weekend’s major sports events in London, with a full review of the security and policing operations under way.

“Over the coming days as

you go to a music venue, go shopping, travel to work or head off to the fantastic sporting events you will see more officers - including armed officers,” said commander Jane Connors.

Golf’s BMW PGA Championship starts at Wentworth tomorrow.

“As with any major event, security is the highest priority,” said European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley. “It was before Monday night and it remains so.

“We’re in constant dialogue with the police and security services. We are comfortable we will react in the right way if in fact we need to significantly increase our security.”

Cricket’s Champions Trophy will take place from June 1-18 at venues in Birmingham, London and Cardiff.

A statement from the International Cricket Council (ICC) read: “The ICC and ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) place safety and security at the ICC Champions Trophy and ICC Women’s World Cup this summer as the highest priority.

“We operate on advice from our tournament security directorate - in conjunction with the ECB and relevant authorities to ensure that we have a robust safety and security plan for both tournaments.

“We will continue to work with authorities over the coming hours and days and review our security in line with the threat levels.”

England one-day captain Eoin Morgan said his team had met their security advisers yesterday morning before today’s match against South Africa at Headingley.

Morgan says the team have full confidence in the safety

measures in place.

“On behalf of the England cricket team, I’d like to offer our thoughts and prayers to everybody in Manchester affected by the tragic events,” said Morgan.

“I’d also like to give our support to those in and around things and those most affected and those who helped out and continue to help out.”

The domestic rugby union finishes this weekend, but the National Counter Terrorism security office has been in touch with Sale Sharks and every other Aviva Premiership club asking for details of any events planned by them over the next couple of weeks.

SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION England Women’s cricketer Danielle Wyatt was at the Ariana Grande concert and said: “Thank you for all messages - I’m safe. Was at the concert enjoying myself like many others - thoughts with victims & families.”

Manchester United and Spain goalkeeper David de Gea tweeted: “Much rage, much pain. My condolences to the victims’ family members involved in the atrocious attack to the heart of the city.”

Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard said the “beautiful city” of Manchester “will stand together in this dark hour”.

Captain Wayne Rooney said he was “devastated” by the news and winger Ashley Young said he was “absolutely shocked”.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand: “My thoughts and prayers are with all the families and friends affected by last night’s attack in Manchester.”

(BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Hooper to miss South American Junior Championships THE Guyana team in the South American Junior Championships will be without CARIFTA Games gold medallist Natrena Hooper, after it was confirmed yesterday that the US-based athlete will not be travelling home for the June 3-4 event.

Officials said that the 18-year-old was injured during training, and has therefore decided to end her season. A South American Youth Championships silver medallist, Hooper was expected to be one of the leading athletes for the Guyana side.

“She’s carrying an an-

kle injury that she picked up in training. With such a close time to the meet we weren’t quite sure that she would be able to recover from it in time,” said Hooper’s former local coach Julian Edmonds, who is also one of the coaches currently training the Guyana team.

The news comes as a blow to the team, with high hopes for Hooper, who clinched her first CARIFTA Games gold medal only two months ago, when she performed in the Girls’ Under-20 triple jump. This was marked improvement

Sangakkara to retire at end of county championship (REUTERS) - Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara will retire from first-class cricket in September at the end of England’s county champi-

Kumar Sangakkara quit Test cricket in 2015 with 12 400 Test runs.

onship season.

The Surrey batsman, who quit Test cricket in 2015 with 12 400 runs, is fifth on the all-time list of Test run-scorers, averaging 57.40 in 134 Tests.

“You try to fight the inevitable but you need to get out while you’re ahead,” the 39-year-old told the BBC on Monday.

“It’s the last time I’ll play a four-day game here.

I’ll be 40 in a few months, this is about the end of my

time in county cricket.”

As well as his Test exploits, Sangakkara has been one of the game’s great limited overs batsmen and was part of the Sri Lanka team that reached the 2007 and 2011 World Cup finals, although they lost to Australia and India respectively.

His Twenty20 commitments will take him through to 2018, but his time in the longer format is almost over.

“My career might have a few more months (left) but that’s about it,” he added.

Having joined Surrey for the 2015 season, Sangakkara is still in good form. He scored over 1 000 first-class runs last term and hit two centuries against Middlesex at the weekend but felt it was still time to walk away.

“The biggest mistake that sometimes you can make is that you think you’re better than you really are,” he said.

“Cricketers, or any sort of sportsperson, have an expiry date and you need to walk away.

“I have been very lucky to play for as long as I did, but there’s a lot more life to be lived away from the game.”

from the silver medal she copped at the Games last year.

Hooper won the gold with a distance of 13.08m, enjoying a season-best of 13.20m. The lanky athlete is also a competent quarter-miler, and was also expected to lend support in the Girls’ 4x400m relay.

“Obviously it’s going to be a big loss to the team, because definitely she was a medal prospect for the triple jump. But I guess now it’s an opportunity for someone else to come to the party,” Edmonds conveyed.

Outside of Hooper, however, there will still be youth jumper Chantoba Bright, who has been clearing as far as 12.59m this season. With Guyana allowed two athletes per event, Bright was already being considered to be in this event.

To fill Hooper’s void, manager Cornel Rose, has

Natrena Hooper

noted that possible backup athletes include Ruth Sanmoogan.

In the 400m, the team will be buoyed by the return of National Schools Championships record-holder Avon Samuels, who has been off the track for the past few months due to injury.

However the Running Brave Athletics Club athlete is excited to return with a bang at the Championships.

Anderson suffers groin injury ahead of England’s Test summer

James Anderson missed England’s last 10 Tests with a shoulder injury.

(REUTERS) - England pace spearhead James Anderson faces a battle to be fit for the opening Test against South Africa in July, after scans confirmed he had suffered a tear to his right groin when playing for Lancashire in the county championship.

Anderson, England’s leading Test wicket-taker, limped off midway his sixth over on Friday against Yorkshire at Old Trafford and did not bowl again in the match.

The 34-year-old will miss Lancashire’s return fixture against Yorkshire starting

June 2, as he will be assessed

by England’s medical team to understand the extent of the injury.

Anderson, who missed four of England’s last 10 Tests with a shoulder injury, could still feature in three county matches in June to prove his fitness ahead of the international season.

England host South Africa in the first of four Tests starting on July 6 at Lord’s before welcoming West Indies in a three-match series to wrap up the Test summer in August and September.

RHTY&SC M.S. to host Patron’s Cup to honour President Granger GUYANA’S leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club M.S., is set to host a special 20/20 cricket tournament in honour of its Patron, President David Granger’s 72nd birth anniversary.

President Granger will celebrate his birthday on July 15 and has given his consent to the RHTY&SC to host the tournament under the name ‘Patron’s Cup – Guyana’s Green Economy’.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the Management of the club decided to host the tournament in honour of its outstanding Patron and also in support of his efforts to transform Guyana into a Green Economy.

A total of eight teams – two from Demerara and six from Berbice - will clash in the tournament which would be played on a knockout basis leading up to the Grand Final on the July 15 at the

Albion Community Centre under lights. $1M is up for grabs by the top four teams and outstanding performers, including $500 000 and a trophy for the winners.

Foster said all funds raised from the tournament would be used to purchase school bags and bicycles to assist less fortunate students to stay in school.

The RHTY&SC, he stated, has already requested the Berbice and Guyana Cricket Board to give them their blessings to the tournament and is awaiting a response.

The long-serving Secretary/CEO stated that the Georgetown Cricket Club and the Demerara Cricket Club will officially be invited to be part of the tournament.

The six teams from Berbice would be selected shortly but Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets, Blairmont, Young Warriors and Tucber Park are expected to

be involved in this historic tournament.

The RHTY&SC M.S. has established a working committee headed by CEO Hilbert Foster and vice-president Mark Papannah to organise the tournament.

Other members include: Asst secretary Simon Naidu, treasurer Shemaine Campbelle, cricket coach Delbert Hicks, club captain Shawn Perreira, PRO Anil Ramnarine and Asst Organising secretary Rabindranauth Kissoonlall

to organise the tournament.

The committee would also be in charge of publishing a youth information booklet on Climate Change and the Green Economy, which would be distributed free of cost to youths across Berbice.

The RHTY&SC and its eight cricket teams hope to raise about $1M this year to assist youths with school bags and bicycles as part of its ‘Say Yes to Education’ campaign.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (WEDNESDAY MAY 24, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) MI & KKR (2) Karn Sharma (MI) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who were the finalists of IPL 2017?

(2) How many runs Chris Gayle made in IPL 2017?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Forty-nine athletes expected to represent Guyana at SA Junior Championships

THE final team to represent Guyana at the June 3-4 South America Junior (U-20) Championships is expected to comprise approximately 49 athletes, who will be selected early next week, following the local athletes’ performances at the Independence Track and Field Meet this weekend.

At a press briefing held at Olympic House yesterday morning, team manager Cornel Rose said the team will comprise 27 male and 22 female athletes. They will be chosen from a squad that the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) has been training for the past month or so.

Rose was optimistic that the team can deliver on the high expectations that Guyana will do well.

“I think we can have 99% success, because we have a slew of coaches working with

AAG president Aubrey Hutson (right) meets with foreign officials yesterday.

the team and I think the training that the athletes have been doing will suffice ahead of the competition. They have been

going hard and the constant training with each other will give them that competitive edge,” he shared.

AAG president Aubrey Hutson noted that he too has faith in the athletes to do their best and make their

country proud when they perform at the first large scale international athletics meet to be held on local shores.

“I think the athletes understand the importance of having the meet here and what it means for Guyana and they will give of their best especially with the South American countries knowing our capabilities and wanting the full force of our competition,” Hutson said.

Hutson also announced that arrangements are coming along smoothly for the Championships, especially as it pertains to preparations at the National Track and Field Centre, where the premier event will be held.

Hutson, earlier this month, had explained that several enhancements were needed at the facility to bring it up to

standard. These included the installation of safety cages for the discus and hammer throw areas, as well as the ordering of additional backup hurdles, as well as extra blocks.

“We anticipate that everything should be in by this weekend, giving us an entire week ahead of the Championships,” Hutson stated.

Indranauth Haralsingh of the Ministry of Tourism, was also present at yesterday’s briefing and outlined the body’s role in using the event to help market Guyana as a tourism destination.

Haralsingh and others from the local organising committee later yesterday met with officials from Brazil, Chile and Suriname to speak further about the tourism packages that will be made available to the travellers.

Bolt, Gayle offer prayers for GFF appoints RDOs after training session families of Manchester attack

WEST Indies batsman Chris Gayle and world’s fastest man Usain Bolt were among a number of high-profile athletes to offer condolences to victims of the bombing attack in Manchester, England, on Monday.

T h e s u s p e c t e d t e rror attack, which took place following an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena, has left 22 dead and 59 people, including 12 under the age of 16, injured and taken to hospital.

As news of the attack spread across the social media landscape the athletes were among those expressing shock at the attack and quick to offer condolences to the families of the victims. Bolt and Gayle featured prominently among them.

“Thoughts & prayers go out to people of Manchester and all those who are affected,” Bolt said via social media platform Twitter.

President Wayne Forde and other participants of the Referees Development Officers training session

World’s fastest man Usain Bolt

“Thoughts and prayers go out to Manchester! #VerySad” Gayle said via the same communication medium. India captain Virat Kohli, a teammate of Gayle at Indian Premier League (IPL) team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) also expressed his condo-

lences.

“I wish a lot of courage & strength to all those affected in the Manchester bombings last night.

Heartbreaking to hear the sad news,” Kohli said.

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the terror attack.

(Sportsmax)

TEN persons have been appointed Referees Development Officers (RDOs) following a training session over the weekend at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Secretariat.

The RDOs will be based in the nine Regional Member Associations (RMAs) and will be primarily responsible for recruiting, training and retaining referees across the country.

Heathcliff Peters (East Berbice), Ingram Johnson (West Berbice), Abdulla Hamid (Linden), Tyrone Tyrell (Georgetown), Joel Weeks (West Demerara), Vijai Simon (Lethem), Clifton Paul (Essequibo), Leon Stewart (Bartica), Winston Manjit (East Bank) and Natasha Lewis (East Coast) are the appointed Referees Devel-

opment Officers.

Among the key areas covered in the session were: Report Writing, the updated FIFA Laws of the Game, the Relationship between the Role of the Technical Development Officers (TDOs) and RDOs; Respective Terms of Reference and the Importance of Fitness to the Referees.

Stanley Lancaster, Head of the Refereeing Department and Chief Facilitator, underscored the importance of the programme to the increased pool of referees and continuous capacity building of same.

“The appointed RDOs will play a critical role in actively identifying new referees – both male and female – in the various geographical areas; help in improving the quality of officiating and educa-

tion within the fraternity; establish transparency within the fraternity and enable the promotion of talented officials,” Lancaster said.

Among the other presenters at the session were president Wayne Forde, Second vice-president Rawlston Adams and executive committee member Dion Innis, who outlined the importance of the role to the achievement of the broader technical objectives of the Executive Committee and he also offered words of support to the appointed officials.

This programme is in keeping with the new structure of the Technical Development programme and the RDOs will work in tandem with the Technical Development Officers (TDOs).

Forty-nine athletes expected to represent Guyana at SA Junior See page 35 Championships

Brewley’s double help ‘Multi’ to regain ‘Screw’ Richmond title See Page 31

Parliamentarian Audwin Rutherford (left) presents MVP trophy to Omar Brewley.

Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Foundation representative Winston Francis hands over champions trophy to coach Dellon Peters.

GFF honours former Golden Jaguars defender Walter Moore

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has honoured former Golden Jaguars defender Walter Moore, who recently wrapped up a Talent Identification initiative to Guyana.

This was done via a presentation of a plaque by the president, Wayne Forde, while on a visit to the National U-17 camp in New Amsterdam, Berbice, last Saturday.

Forde, in presenting the plaque said, “It is indeed an honour and privilege for me to be able to give you this plaque today.

You have done a tremendous service to Guyana’s football over the years, I’m personally proud of you; I’m sure we all are.”

The plaque, which had the inscription: “In recognition of your remarkable career and long service to Guyana’s football. We say thank you for being a

WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

T&T sets up U.S. camp ahead of June 8 qualifier

Walter Moore shining example and inspiration on and off the field of play”, was received by Moore with much surprise and to the applause of the U-17 squad.

Moore and his club coach Kristian Heames conducted a Talent Identification programme in Guyana where they participated in the National U-17 camp along with Gregory Richardson, an-

other national player.

The Talent ID initiative sought to identify potential players for trials and possible professional contracts in Europe.

This initiative is part of the new philosophy of the technical programme of the GFF which actively seeks to involve past and present national players as part of the technical development programme.

T&T play U.S. on June 8 and Costa Rica on June 13.

TRINIDAD & Tobago’s 17-player World Cup squad travelled yesterday to the United States ahead of their World Cup qualifier against the Americans on June 8.

The team will train at the University of Colorado

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in Boulder, less than 30 miles away from the venue of the key encounter at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.

T&T are also scheduled to face hosts Costa Rica on June 13.

“We’ve got the two games against the U.S. and Costa Rica, so the idea has been to prepare the boys in the best possible way,” said head coach Dennis Lawrence. “We have had

Turn to page 31 WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2017