‘WW’ series commences Page
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Parking protest No. 104804
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017
…citizens shun new parking meters system
Price: $80
(VAT Inclusive)
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Citizens largely shunned the paid parking spaces in Georgetown on Tuesday (Samuel Maughn photo)
... teachers picket … PM meets protesters, assures of gov’t support
Teachers protesting Tuesday evening on Main Street (Delano Williams photo)
‘SARA Bill’ No bail for man for House who doused Page
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… first reading set for Monday’s sitting
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woman with acid
Woman nabbed Page with 15 cocaine in books
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 25, 2017
CELAC conference
His Excellency Brigadier David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) arrived in the Dominican Republic today to attend the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) summit. Details on his participation in the 2017 summit, will follow over the next two days. (MOTP photo)
Alleged solar panel thief gets bail A TWENTY-SIX-year-old man accused of stealing solar panels from the Kumu Village Centre, was on Tuesday released on $30,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Devon Joseph, of Beverly Hills, Lethem, denied the charge which alleged that between January 10 and January 11, he broke into the Kumu Village Centre, Region Nine, and stole three solar panels and other items totalling $361,000. The man told the court that he was in Brazil when the alleged act occurred. He said his brother was staying in his home while he was away, but upon his return he noticed the stolen items in his home which he assumed belonged to his sibling. According to reports, on January 10, about 08:30 hrs, the Village Centre was closed by the Kumu councillor. However, he later returned after someone called and informed him that the centre was being broken into. When the councillor arrived, he noticed one of the windows wrenched open and the items were discovered missing. A report was made to the Lethem Police Station and based upon an investigation, Joseph was arrested and some of the items were retrieved from his home. Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers made no objection to bail, which was granted to the tune of $30,000 by the Chief Magistrate. The matter was transferred to the Lethem Magistrates Court for March 7 and Joseph was ordered to report to the Lethem Station once a month. Meanwhile, in the same court, a 21-year-old mechanic was released on $75,000 for allegedly breaking into his employer’s home and stealing raw gold. Leslie Lewis denied the charge which alleged that between January 17 and January 18 at Arangoy Landing, Cuyuni River, he broke into the business- place of Reece Wayne and stole 9.2 pennyweights of raw gold, valued $101,200 and $100,000 cash. Police Prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers, explained to the court that Lewis is employed by the businessman. He further pointed out that the gold along with $50,000 cash was recovered at Lewis’s Aranka, Essequibo home.
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‘SARA Bill’ for House
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 25, 2017
… first reading billed for Monday’s sitting
THE long-awaited State Assets Recovery Bill 2017 will on Monday be tabled in the National Assembly by Attorney General Basil Williams. The bill will give effect to the establishment of a State Assets Recovery Agency in consonance with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, 2003. The agency will be headed by a director, who according to the bill shall be a corporation solely to recover through civil proceedings state property unlawfully acquired by a public official or any other person. The bill will also provide for investigations leading to the granting by the High Court of Restraint and Civil Recovery orders in respect of unlawfully acquired property. Besides, it will provide for the engagement of international cooperation in the recovery of stolen assets of states within the contemplation of the Act and for related matters. The State Assets Recovery Bill is seen as the APNU+AFC signature legislation in its fight against corruption. Government has been harshly criticised for its “lukewarm” approach to recovering stolen assets of the state and fighting corruption. Back in October 13, 2016, when he addressed the National Assembly, President David Granger had mentioned that the bill was on his Government’s legislative agenda aimed at correcting “these aberrations and will protect the interests of Guyanese by strengthening Guyana’s legal architecture.” “Your government, in this regard, is committed to promoting standards of probity in public office. We will ensure, also, that those who unlawfully expropriate state property are brought to justice. We will pursue the recovery of all stolen State assets,” President Granger had said. Meanwhile, to help strengthen efficacy of the Bill, government will be moving to pass: The Witness Protection Bill, which provides for the establishment of a programme to protect certain witnesses and other persons and the Protected Disclosures Bill, referred to as the ‘Whistleblowers Bill,’ aims at
combating corruption and other wrongdoing by encouraging and facilitating persons to make disclosures of improper conduct. Head of the current State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU), Dr Clive Thomas, had told the media back in August last year that the unit faces considerable challenges since its establishment in July 2015. He had said that with the introduction of the State Assets Recovery Bill, the unit will become the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) and will empower the director with the legal authority to access information. Dr Thomas added: “We weren’t getting information as we needed it, because we didn’t have the legal authority as the bill now gives us to demand information and expect a reply,” Dr Thomas explained. When the legislation comes into force, SARU will merge
into SARA. The draft bill aims to recover unlawfully acquired state assets from public officers -- past and present-through civil proceedings, and is in consonance with the United Nations Convention against Corruption. The Bill stipulates the functions of SARA to include investigating whether state property was obtained through unlawful conduct involving a public official, or any other person and the tracing and identifying of property wherever situated, suspected to be state property obtained from unlawful conduct involving a public official or any other person. The bill is a civil recovery and civil remedy bill, which means it is non-conviction based. However, the bill makes provisions for the director of the SARA to initiate criminal proceedings, if, or when the need arises.
Attorney General Basil Williams There are also provisions in the bill for the establishment of a State Assets Recovery Fund, which will see SARA utilising 25 percent, while the remaining 75 percent
will go into the Consolidated Fund. “We believe that institutions should be self-sustaining, that is the only way to ensure that they are relevant. They have to keep providing the means by which they exist,” Dr Thomas had explained the reasoning for the division. The money from the fund will go towards capacity-building, hiring of experts and forensic and other equipment, Dr Thomas noted. New staff of SARA will have to be appointed by the National Assembly within six months of the bill’s passage. However Attorney General Basil Williams assured, “The director will have the vision of the organisation; he has people working with him. He is guided by this statute, this legislation.” The Attorney General said the issues raised at the consultation will be examined and addressed. “We will
address those issues and if we need to adjust the bill, we will do so,” AG Williams told GINA. After the assessment of today’s contributions, the Ministry of Legal Affairs will either hold another round of consultation or present the bill to Cabinet, and subsequently the National Assembly. The State Assets Recovery Bill was drafted with inputs from representatives of the World Bank and the United Nations and British expert Brian Horne. The efforts of the Attorney General and those who worked on the bill were commended by the U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway. The State Assets Recovery Bill is part of government’s efforts to fight corruption. It is also part of the President’s desire to have a professional and unbribable public service.
‘WW’ series commences THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) said it has commenced registering vehicles in the “WW” series. In a statement, the authority indicated that the previous “VV” motor vehicle registration series officially came to an end on Friday, January 20, 2017.
The new “WW” series will affect privately registered vehicles such as buses, trailers and Goods Vehicles, including vans and trucks. The Motor Vehicle Registration Series elapses after nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine (9,999) vehicles have been registered by the Licence Revenue
Office under that series. The GRA is also advising motor vehicle owners that their motor vehicle licences expire on the Registration anniversary of the vehicle. Vehicle licences are now being sold; however, vehicles which had updates made to their registration,
for example, transfer of ownership, change of colour, change of intended use, etc., must be physically examined by the Licence Revenue Office of the GRA. All registrations and changes of motor vehicle registrations are being done at GRA headquarters, 200-201 Camp
S t re e t , S o u t h C u m mingsburg, while vehicles will be examined at the Smyth Street office, or any GRA Regional Branch Office. Persons who require additional information can call our tax hotline number 2276060, extensions 12011204.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Court rules against Government on Brexit
Parliament must vote on whether the government can start the Brexit process, the Supreme Court has ruled. The judgement means Theresa May cannot begin talks with the EU until MPs and peers give their backing – although this is expected to happen in time for the government’s 31 March deadline. But the court ruled the Scottish Parliament and Welsh and Northern Ireland assemblies did not need a say. Brexit Secretary David Davis promised a parliamentary bill “within days”. What the Supreme Court case was about During the Supreme Court hearing, campaigners argued that denying the UK Parliament a vote was undemocratic and a breach
of long-standing constitutional principles. They said that triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty – getting formal exit negotiations with the EU under way – would mean overturning existing UK law, so MPs and peers should decide. But the government argued that, under the Royal Prerogative (powers handed to the government by the Crown), it could make this move without the need to consult Parliament. And it said that MPs had voted overwhelmingly to put the issue in the hands of the British people when they backed the calling of last June’s referendum on Brexit. What the court said Reading out the judgement, Supreme Court President Lord Neuberger said: “By a majority of eight to
three, the Supreme Court today rules that the government cannot trigger Article 50 without an act of Parliament authorising it to do so.” He added: “Withdrawal effects a fundamental change by cutting off the source of EU law, as well as changing legal rights. “The UK’s constitutional arrangements require such changes to be clearly authorised by Parliament.” The court also rejected, unanimously, arguments that the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and Northern Ireland Assembly should get to vote on Article 50 before it is triggered. Lord Neuberger said: “Relations with the EU are a matter for the UK government.” (Excerpted from BBC)
Trump backs Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines
A depot used to store Keystone pipes in North Dakota
US President Donald Trump has infuriated environmentalists by signing executive orders that support two controversial oil pipelines. The new Republican president backed the Keystone XL and Dakota Access projects, provided American steel is used.
Wednesday January 25th, 03:30 hrs (Night)- 14:30 hrs ( Day) Thursday January 26st, 04:00 hrs (Night)-14:30 hrs (Day) Friday January 27th, 03:30 hrs (Night)- 14:30 hrs (Day)
The Obama administration in late 2015 halted Keystone, which would carry crude from Canada to Texas. The Army decided last year to explore other routes for the Dakota pipeline amid huge protests by Native Americans. Mr Trump said both projects would be subject to renegotiated terms and conditions. Signing the Keystone XL measure, Mr Trump said it would create a “lot of jobs, 28,000 jobs, great construction jobs”. Over the course of the Obama presidency, the Keystone XL Pipeline became more than just another energy industry construction project. It grew into a high-profile proxy fight between environmentalists and oil-andgas advocates; liberals and conservatives; pro-regulation activists and small-government true believers. On the campaign trail Donald Trump often cited the Obama administration’s reluctance to green-light the project as prima facia evidence of the Democratic Party’s anti-business attitudes. Now, with the swipe of a pen, he’s set make it much easier for the project to be completed - assuming the involved company still wants it. Perhaps of more immediate concern is Mr Trump’s move to fast-track approval of the Dakota Access Pipe-
line, which was the focus of vigorous protests from Native American tribes in 2016. Unlike Keystone, that project has not been held in limbo for years. Mr Trump’s actions do not mean the end of the fight over US pipeline construction, however. Opponents will continue to argue that they jeopardise sensitive environmental areas and violate private property rights. Now, however, instead of appealing to a potentially friendly Democratic administration, they will take the battle to the courts. Campaigners have argued the project will not create so many jobs and that it will damage the environment. Signing another order calling for US steel to be used in construction of oil pipelines, Mr Trump added: “If we’re going to build pipelines in the United States, the pipes should be made in the United States. “From now on we’re going to start making pipelines in the United States... like we used to do in the old days.” Environmental groups reacted with outrage. Greenpeace director Annie Leonard said that “instead of pushing bogus claims about the potential of pipelines to create jobs, Trump should focus his efforts on the clean energy sector where America’s future lives”. (BBC)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Barbados bans electronic cigarette smoking in public places Barbados has banned the smoking of e-cigarettes in public as the government moves to clamp down on the health problems associated with tobacco. Health Minister John Boyce, piloting the second reading of the Health Services Amendment Bill 2017, told legislators Tuesday that this is among new restrictions imposed on this type of cigarettes including the sale to minors. e cigartee“The Ministry of Health will not support the report sometimes made that this product can be used as a cessation device and on the contrary it may be a forerunner to the use…of tobacco product”. He said the e-cigarette has been available here over the last years “and it is sold in many convenience
malls and service stations and I think that out of an interest in what’s happening around us I would urge members to have a look at what we are talking about” Boyce said that the authorities would also be moving to clamp down on the packaging and labelling of cigarettes and that manufacturers and producers would be a given a reasonable time to become complaint with the measures outlining the dangers of cigarette smoking. “The packaging and labelling of any tobacco product should not contain any information that is false, misleading, deceptive or likely to give erroneous information about its characteristics, health effects or hazards of the tobacco product.” He said the authorities here will
not recognise labels such as “low tar” cigarettes “as terms which change the form of the cigarette from dangerous to not dangerous. The Ministry of Health does not subscribe”. The legislation has found favour with the main opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) with one legislator, Dwight Sutherland indicating that Barbadians should stop smoking. “Mr. Speaker what is before the House this morning is basically the way the world is going and messaging on the dangers of smoking is indeed what a government should be doing,” he said making reference to the dangers of cigarette smoking on the health of the individual. (CMC)
PNM rules THA again Kelvin Charles led the People’s National Movement to yet another victory in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Monday night. But while he led the party to its fifth straight win in Tobago, he did not achieve the 2013 success of his predecessor Orville London, eventually taking the THA 10-2 after Watson Duke’s People’s Democratic Party blocked a clean sweep. Both Duke (Roxborough/ Dalaford)and Farley Augustine (Parlatuvier/L’anse Fourmi/Speyside) were the only opposition candidates who convinced Tobagonians they were worthy of representing them over the next four years. After that, only the PNM’s Belle Garden/Good-
wood candidate, Hayden Spencer, was made to sweat. The PDP’s Dr Faith Yisrael took him down to the wire for a seat that was declared late, which he won by a mere five votes 953-948. Speaking to exuberant supporters at the party’s Scarborough headquarters last night, outgoing Chief Secretary London congratulated all the candidates who contested the elections. He said with the current win he wanted to put the achievement into perspective because it was unprecedented “We have been given a fifth successive mandate, but not only that, we have been given that mandate by a five to one majority. I want you to put that in context, 10-2, five to one is in fact an overwhelming mandate in
PNM successful candidate for Bucco/Mt Pleasant, Ancil Dennis, right, celebrates with a supporter after winning his seat and the party’s success in the THA’s election Monday night.
any language and therefore I want to commend all of you the people of Tobago, all the PNM supporters and all of you who worked assiduously over the past few weeks to ensure that once again, the PNM is returned to the Tobago House of Assembly.” Charles said the people of Tobago had spoken loudly through the results, adding he was happy that Tobagonians trusted him and the PNM to take Tobago further. PNM leader and Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley thanked Tobagonians for making the right choice. He said he accepted the 10-2 results and he was excited to work with the new team. “The next four years would be the most exciting four years in the history of Tobago. We are going to work together, we are going to achieve together and we are going to progress together, because this country is Trinidad and Tobago and Tobago is important,” Rowley said. (Trinidad Guardian)
Dominican Govt offers zero per cent wage hike
The Dominica government has offered a zero per cent wage increase over the next three years to public workers, the general secretary of the Public Service Union (PSYU) Thomas Letang has said. Letang, speaking on the state-owned DBS radio on Tuesday, said that while his union would not engage the Roosevelt Skerrit
government in negotiations over the airwaves, it does not support the wage freeze that had been offered. “The negotiations have resumed, we have responded to the government’s proposal and that is basically where we are, we haven’t had agreement on any single matter,” he said. “The government team is sup-
posed to go back to their principle and to indicate to them what our position is, but…while we will not give every detail as to what transpired at the negotiations the government offer I can tell you is a wage freeze for the three years,” he said. The PSU has made proposals for a salary increase of 15 per cent for the period 2015-18. (CMC)
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Editor-In-Chief
Nigel Williams Editor
Godfrey Wray
Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com
Editorial The Chancellor, Judicature and Society
THIS newspaper has attracted criticisms regarding reportage on the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh, notably relating to matters before the courts on Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo’s race-baiting case, Dipcon, and his upcoming retirement from the judiciary. From our vantage point, these stories were covered, because in addition to the title Justice Singh holds and his influence on the judiciary, they were considered newsworthy. There has been no campaign to discredit the Justice, as a person or his office, or to be contemptuous of the court. Neither has our coverage relating to him and his service been one of a government-directed policy to discredit this public servant. It is not this newspaper’s intent to justify any action perceived by others to be injurious to the Chancellor’s reputation, his service to the country, and/or the judiciary. And if our reportage overtime has been considered such as believed by Mr Ralph Ramkarran, attorney- at-law, former Speaker of the National Assembly, columnist in Stabroek News, and others, we regret the perception. As our society continues to evolve, diagnostic analyses to review and improve on our performance and eschew the things that have not been to our collective growth and development are helpful. The media, which reflect the prevailing culture of the society, are not absolved from such treatment. This newspaper, which is state-owned, has been evolving over the years. It has functioned under different editorial leadership, boards, and governments in an environment not without its social, economic, political and cultural challenges. Within its DNA, it carries the stigma of being used as a political mouthpiece for incumbent governments and against individuals and groups. It is acknowledged that in spite of being under new management and government the reputation lingers, though efforts continue to be made to build confidence. Admittedly, in covering matters pertaining to court proceedings, the journalists and media have to be careful lest the issue be misrepresented. Our society in its evolution has relaxed the formal structures and applications of our official language in every sphere of engagement, formal and informal. The recognition that the Judicature is independent and not subsumed by the Executive, though ensconced in the Guyana Constitution, the society has been led to believe the contrary. Allegations, some not without merit, about interference in the judiciary is commonplace. The move in the August 2015 National Budget to provide this branch of government with its own budget is an effort to strengthen its independence and this progressive step, though belated, must see support through knowledge and enforcement. And it should matter not that those who presently call for such independence to be respected, previously did not facilitate or encourage it. A problem in this society which this newspaper has editorialised on is creating that of opportunities to not only have honest and frank conversation on the constitution, but also to make it part of our formal education. There is no denying that conversations on the constitution where they are primarily driven by condemna-
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Probe needed into disappearance of medical reports for abused boys Dear Editor, THE disappearance of the medical reports and birth certificates of the nine boys allegedly raped by Muslim scholar Neezam Ali from the court files warrants an immediate and through investigation -- including enquiry -- as to all who had access to the files and thus the opportunity to remove evidence. No one must be exempt from the investigation. The fact that this sexual offence case has languished in the court system for so many years, in effect denying those nine young child survivors of sexual assault their right to a fair trial within a reasonable time, is a
violation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Guyana has signed and ratified. The Sexual Offences Act paper committals provisions have been under appeal for a number of years since former (now retired) acting Chief Justice Ian Chang twice ruled in favour of the accused in two sexual offence cases and found that the provisions violate the constitutional right of those charged with sexual offences to confront their accusers. One of these accused is this same Muslim scholar, Neezam Ali. It is well known that rape and other sexual offences leave survivors physically and psychologically traumatised, many never fully
recovering from the brutality and horror of what has been perpetrated against them. The fact that these nine child survivors now stand to be denied their right to justice is in itself criminal, points to corruption in the court system and exposes Guyana as a country where access to justice and justice itself can apparently be perverted by money,power, access and influence. We will not stand by and allow the rights of Guyanese children to be trampled on by the executive, legislative or judicial branches of the State. We stand in solidarity with these nine boys and all other child survivors of sexual offences, who continue to be denied justice and the right to
a life free from violence. We call on the UN agencies in Guyana -- and in particular UNICEF and all rights organisations -- to speak out publicly against the violation of the rights of child victims of sexual violence and to do all in their power to ensure that such rights are effectively protected. Regards Danuta Radzik for Help & Shelter Karen de Souza for Red Thread Patricia SheerattanBisnauth for Guyana Responsible Parenthood Assn Andaiye Vidyaratha Kissoon
The judiciary must function fearlessly Dear Editor “…for the first time in 23 years, orders have been made by Judges in our Courts against the President, Prime Minister and Attorney General, without giving them a hearing…” These words are attributed by media to the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr Basil Williams, speaking in his capacity of Chairman of the PNC to the party’s General Council over the weekend. This contention by the Attorney-General is not only factually inaccurate, but constitutes another reckless, scathing, unjustifiable and unwarranted assault on the integrity and independence of the judiciary. Ralph Ramkarran S.C., over the weekend wrote, elegantly, condemning similar attacks by the Attorney-General, which he described as “unprecedented in their savagery.” Firstly, I know of no Order granted by the judiciary against President David Granger, simpliciter, more-
over, one that was granted against the President, without a hearing. I call upon the Attorney General to produce a copy of any such Order. In any event, it is trite and settled law that though the President is personally immune from suit, his actions are not. They are lawfully challengeable by proceedings filed against the Attorney-General. A number of legal challenges have been filed against Presidential actions, decisions and conduct through the Attorney-General, over the past 23 years. The legal challenges filed against the suspension of Channel 6 from broadcasting and the granting of radio licences were challenges to presidential actions/ decisions that occurred over the last twenty-three (23) years, which quickly come to mind. Significantly, where a citizen alleges that his/her fundamental rights have been, is being or is likely to be contravened, Article 153 of the Constitution confers upon the High Court, as the guardian of the Constitution, an original and unlimited
tion, do not help the people in having that sense of awareness of what it constitutes, what is expected of them, and how it should be reported on. Where politicians and opinion-shapers may find utility in berating or promoting compliance with the constitution, depending on which side of the political divide they find themselves at given periods, this approach enables the aforesaid circumstance. Civil society, notably the Bar Association, remains largely silent in helping to provide the needed conversation. It is not unfair to say that there are few persons, save those who use the constitution as their main reference point in impressing an
jurisdiction to “make such orders, issue such writs and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for the purpose of securing or enforcing any…” of these fundamental rights and freedoms. Presidential actions and/decisions are not exempted and if the justice of the case demands, then conservatory orders can be issued and have been known to be granted, ex-parte, against such actions/ decisions. As regards the Prime Minister and the Attorney-General, in the eyes of the law, they enjoy no special place and they stand before the law on the same footing as every other public officer. In fit and proper cases, ex-parte orders can be made against them. There is only one exception. In private law matters, prohibitory or coercive orders cannot be made against the State, as per the State Liabilities and Proceedings Act. However, this Act has no applicability in constitutional or public law proceedings. Therefore, it is perfectly prop-
er and lawful for ex-parte orders to be made against the Prime Minister and the Attorney-General in appropriate cases in constitutional or public law litigation. The clear intention of the Attorney-General was to mislead a substantial political block of persons in this country and to pit them against the judiciary by conveying the impression that the Judiciary is against them. Not only is it designed to sap the judiciary of its independence and autonomy, but it also drags the judiciary baselessly into the political realm, which can result in an erosion of public confidence in the legal system. No democratic society governed by the rule of law can afford to stay silent in the face of these atrocities. The judiciary must function fearlessly and operate in an atmosphere free from fear. This constant barrage of attacks and intimidation must end now. Regards Mohabir Nandlall
understanding of their thinking of its utility to our existence and management of the state. Equally, it can be said that there are among us those who selectively reference it when it conforms to their agenda. Knowledge is important to growth and development. As a media outlet -- where it remains our desire to elevate public discourse, improve our performance and the nation’s quality of life -- there has been expressed support in our editorials for the establishment of think-tanks and like-minded organisations, which will go a far way in providing the needed services.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Reis blames Citizens Bank’s declining profits on underperformance in key sectors
By Ravin Singh
CITIZENS Bank Guyana on Tuesday held its 22nd Annual General Meeting where it was revealed that the company recorded an after-tax profit of $500M for 2016, a reduction of over $400M when compared to 2015. The announcement was made by Chairman of the Board of Directors, Clifford Reis, who said that the financial institution’s profit before tax was $800M, and $500M after tax. This is compared to an after-tax profit of $906M and $989M in 2015 and 2014 respectively. On the other hand, the bank increased its total assets from $43B to $50B in 2016. According to Reis, the bank’s poor performance last year is merely a reflection of a “slowdown in the economy” due to underperformance in many of the major productive sectors, with many burrowers encountering difficulties in meeting their obligations to financial institutions with a resultant increase in non-performing assets. He said that while the bank’s loan portfolio remains relatively sound, difficulties
Chairman of Citizens Bank’s Board of Directors, Clifford Reis addressing shareholders at the company’s 22nd AGM on Tuesday
experienced by its customers because of a decline in business activities during the review period has impacted the overall performance of its portfolio. The financial audit was done by Jack A. Alli, Sons and Co. Reis revealed than in-performing loans at September
Double-decker for DHB Dear Editor I VENTURE to respectfully enquire if the authorities responsible for the planning of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge have given any serious thought to inviting designs for the construction of a double-decker bridge. The reason for the double-deck is to additionally make provision for an over-water section of mass transit Trans-Guyana railroad system link, designed to eventually operate from our eastern border to some point at the western extremity of Guyana. Such a mass transit facility would contribute to my previously touted ‘Freedom to Move’ concept, which should be adopted by the powers that be, to facilitate the ease of access to land,
water and air transportation throughout Guyana. It would also be a boost to development. Contributional funding may be investigated when a multi-decked bridge, to be a part of a Trans Pan-American Rail and Highway system linking our contiguous neighbours, is visualised. Of course, Mr Editor, a new capital to the south of Guyana may be a prime consideration in this regard, in addition to what the prophets of doom have forecasted in relation to the adverse effects of global warming eventually affecting our coastland. Accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. Aubrey Alexander Ret’d Deputy Director Civil Aviation
30, 2016 represented 15.5 per cent of the bank’s total loan portfolio compared to 10.5 per cent in 2015. MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS The major contributors to this level of non-performing loans were said to be borrowers within the forestry and housing, and construction sub-sectors. The Bank of Guyana, in its half-year report last year, also stated that there were production declines in forestry and manufacturing value-added products as well as lesser activities in the wholesale & retail trade and construction industries. These sub-sectors were said to have recorded negative growth, which was largely attributable to low commodity prices, severe weather and fragile market conditions. However, the bank’s report highlights that while Guyana’s economy is ex-
pected to grow some 3.8% in 2017, key sectors such as mining and construction will show improvement due to increased output and renewed government focus, with increased spending on infrastructure projects. The Chairman also disclosed that during the year, total revenue amounted to $3.3B, with growth recorded for investments, deposits and total assets of 116%, 21% and 16% respectively. The return on average assets was 1%, while the return on shareholders’ equity was 6.5%. But the weight reducing this bank’s profitability was said to have been doing the same to other local banks. The experience is also one being shared globally, with the European Banks recording similar trends. According to the European Central Bank, reduction in profits in 2016 were blamed on prolonged period of low
interest rates and the legacy assets on banks’ balance sheets; and sluggish economic growth, tougher competition and structural changes such as digitalisation.
A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT The central bank writes in its report that Banks have to accept that they are now operating in a different environment, and that further structural changes are ahead. They said that to preserve their profitability and take advantage of the change, banks must adjust today, not tomorrow. And according to Reis, that is exactly what Citizens Bank will be doing. “Our success in the future will require us to be creative, and to make appropriate initiatives which address those components of our operation that we anticipate will ensure sustainability,” he told shareholders.
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The Chairman said that risk management remains critical to achieving sustainable results, thus the bank intends to place greater emphasis on measures that will improve and strengthen its assessment and management of risk. He added that improved operational efficiencies and customer care remain key to their competing within the sector. Reis also told shareholders that Citizens Bank will continue in its effort to improve its Human Resources Management capability to ensure that its most valuable assets, its employees, remain motivated and well equipped to meet the ever changing requirements of the bank’s clients. Just last week, the bank opened its new corporate headquarters and main office at a cost of $2.5B. The stateof-the-art facility is located at lot 231-233 Camp Street and South Road.
Citizens Bank’s shareholders at the company’s AGM on Tuesday (Photos by Cullen Bess-Nelson)
Hung jury for Ajay –New trial ordered
By George Barclay A MIXED jury at the Demerara Assizes yesterday afternoon disagreed on a verdict of child-rape by Mahendra Budhuan called ‘Ajay.’
As a consequence, presiding judge, Justice Jo-Ann Barlow directed that he (the accused) be made to face a new trial at another session. At the same time the judge allowed the present bail money to stand and re-
minded the youthful-looking accused to act responsibly in the uture. On hearing this, ‘Ajay’ scampered out of the dock like a man in a hurry - hugging and kissing a female relative in the back of the court room, near the door. According to the particulars of the offence, ‘Ajay’
who had faced trial in camera had been charged with having between the 1st and 31st days of August, 2010, in the County of Demerara engaged in sexual penetration of a child of 14 years. Five witnesses had testified at the trial which ended in disagreement in the proportion of nine to three.
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Radio revolution
THERE is a revolution taking place in Guyana’s hinterland. It is a quiet revolution, almost unnoticed on the coastland. It could be reasonably argued that it is a belated revolution. Radio, as popular media began captivating the world over a hundred years ago. It was not until just over five years ago, in 2011, on the eve of an election that private radio licences were selectively handed out. Previously choice had been denied with only state owned radio available. The new cadre of stations however remains limited to the coastland, leaving the tens of thousands who live in Guyana’s vast hinterland regions out of the loop.
RADIO PAIWOMAK Launched in September, 2000, Radio Paiwomak, located at Bina Hill in Annai, is Guyana’s first community radio station. Through the efforts of its long serving administrator Virgil Harding and his small team of dedicated broadcasters under the guidance of the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB), it continues to serve the people of the North Rupununi. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo was integral
in the process of realising Radio Paiwomak, while serving in the PPP administration and considered it unfinished business that the effort to have community radio stations all across Guyana remained stalled for 15 years, since the launch of Radio Paiwomak. A little over a year in government, he, along with legendary broadcaster Dr. Rovin Deodat (who serves as coordinator for the Community Broadcasting Project) piloted the implementation of two community radio projects in Lethem in Region Nine and Mabaruma in Region One. RADIO LETHEM AND RADIO MABARUMA Commissioned in May and June 2016 respectively, Radio Lethem and Radio Mabaruma now serve their respective communities, complete with multiple hours of local programming produced and presented by broadcasters from the two communities. It is the vision of the Prime Minister and the government that there will be increased hours of local programming, complete with programmes presented in indigenous languages and that these stations will only connect with NCN’s Voice of Guyana
for the national newscast and other flagship programmes. These stations are for the communities, they are non-political and non-partisan. Training is provided free of cost to all those who are interested in becoming broadcasters and once they demonstrate the competence, interest and enthusiasm they make the cut. There are two cadres of broadcasters, which are managing and operating Radio Lethem and Radio Mabaruma, with guidance and supervision from Dr. Deodat and his professional team.
TRANSFORMATIONAL Both stations have enhanced life immensely in these two townships. Persons within a 25 mile radius are now able to listen to radio 24hrs a day and are now able to receive newscasts and other updates in real time and no longer have to wait on days old newspapers to reach their communities or on unstable internet connections to access news websites online. In 2017 there are four more community radio stations, which will be set up and work has already commenced apace. In the coming months Radio Bartica, Radio Mahdia, Radio Aishalton and Radio Orealla will all be commissioned
and will be on air 24 hours a day. By the end of 2017 there will be a historic seven community radio stations operational in Guyana. This will add to the groundbreaking three, which are currently on the air and will represent an investment of over $200MILLION by the government in bringing radio to previously unserved communities. Radio Lethem and Radio Mabaruma have energised the people of these and surrounding communities. There is excitement, pride and delight in the radio revolution, which is happening in their homes, offices, businesses, vehicles, farmlands, villages and shops. ONLINE RADIO It is the plan to ensure that all the community radio stations are available online so that persons on the coastland and indeed anywhere in the world can access these stations via the internet and apps such as TuneIn. There are many per-
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 25, 2017
sons from these regions who now live on the coastland and overseas, who feel cut off from family, relatives and friends and their communities. Live radio, broadcasting from Annai, Lethem, Mabaruma, Bartica, Mahdia, Aishalton and Orealla will soon be a reality. An initial visit to Aishalton recently already has the community abuzz and talk has intensified that a community radio station will take the village one step closer to being a township. It is rather easy for it to be lost on us, hyper-connected coastlanders, how important a facet of life this is for persons who
have been shut out and neglected for decades from simple, basic information and communication services. For our brothers and sisters who can now hear radio all day and all night and who can hear their own community broadcasters presenting programmes, from music, to talk shows to news updates and more, it is transformational and it is empowering. And this is not the end. There are plans for even more community radio stations and, community television stations as well. Quietly, without fanfare, pomp and ceremony, life is already better for thousands.
No bail for man who doused woman with acid THIRTY-four-year-old Alfred De Jonge, who allegedly doused the mother of his two sons with a corrosive liquid last week was on Tuesday charged when he appeared before Magistrate Marissa Mittelholzer at the Albion Magistrate’s Court. He was not required to plea to a charge of attempt to commit murder. The information was sworn to by Woman Police Constable 23276 Aileen Black of Central Police station and the particulars of the offence stated, that the defendant on Thursday 19th January last at New Street, New Amsterdam, with intent to commit murder, caused grievous bodily harm upon Shondel Williamson. In response to the Court, the defendant who displayed a bandaged head and arm said he hails from Linden, but was unable to provide additional specific information
with respect to his address. De Jonge said too that he is a single father of three, and owns a car wash business. The unrepresented defendant told the court that he was previously convicted on a charge of larceny and other minor offences. Meanwhile, Police Corporal, Leon Robertson, prosecuting, objected to pretrial liberty on the grounds of the serious nature and gravity of the offence. The virtual complainant, he said, remains a patient at the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Hospital. The Prosecutor also brought to the Court’s attention, that by the defendant’s own admission he has no fixed place of abode. Consequently, De Jonge was remanded to prison and is expected to appear at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court for hearing on February 20.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 25, 2017
GTU holds vigil on parking meters, other issues –– PM assures of gov’t support
By Tamica Garnett THE Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) was able to garner the attention of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, after they held a torchlight vigil last evening along Main Street, which included a stop at State House and ended in front of the Prime Minister’s official
faith with the working class. “Even if we cannot meet your needs, your demands, we are going to listen to you and keep the door open for dialogue,” Prime Minister Nagamootoo, who is also performing duties of president, said. The vigil took place after meetings with Parking Meter Company, Smart City Solutions, (SCS) fell through.
have to find the money for those parking,” Lyte advocated. But the parking meter was just the tip of the iceberg of issues that the GTU says it needs to see addressed. The list of issues also includes their demands for increases in teachers’ salaries, unpaid debunching monies, duty-free concessions for eligible teach-
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo met Deputy Mayor, Sherod Duncan, Guyana Teacher’s Union President Mark Lyte and the union’s General-Secretary, Coretta McDonald during the vigil outside of his home residence. Some 100 teachers and GTU representatives were part of the two-hour-long activity, which began outside the Bank of Guyana, and was organised to bring attention to several longstanding, as well as recent issues that have been plaguing teachers. After speaking with the gathering, Nagamootoo promised that he would do whatever he could to look into the complaints and asked that the GTU submit the necessary documents to his office. In addition, the Prime Minister joined the picketers in singing hymns and said that government was facing severe financial challenges, but will keep
According to GTU president, Mark Lyte, SCS is offering a 35% discount to teachers who have parking meters erected outside of their places of employment. However, Lyte flatly proclaimed, that is not enough. “Our teachers are not paying anything!” Lyte firmly said, as he spoke just across the street from State House. He continued, that it is “an insult for our teachers to have to pay out of their already small salaries.” Lyte did, however, offer the GTU’s proposed solution if no consensus could be reached on the parking meter fiasco. “If [SCS] insists that [teachers] must pay, then the Ministry of Education will
ers, as well as clothing, hardline and station allowances, Whitley Council leave, and money thereof. “Teachers are the pillars on which a nation stands and if the pillars fall down, the whole nation will fall and somebody is not getting this message very clearly. It seems as if nobody seems to be concerned, other than verbally saying teachers are important. So our teachers are out here and we are saying we want some very clear actions,” Lyte said. Lyte stated that teachers from as far back as 2008– 2011, who were then entitled to duty-free concessions, never received their due, some retiring without even seeing it
Foetus found in city drain LABOURERS cutting grass in the Thomas Street avenue on Tuesday stumbled on a foetus floating in the water. The foetus from all appearances had been in the water overnight. One of the workers sounded an alarm and persons in the neighbourhood quickly gathered around to see for themselves. Persons on the scene gasped and expressed disgust at the savage act. It was evident that someone had aborted the premature child and disposed of it in the trench under the cloud of darkness. Meanwhile, a television cameraman in
front of the school compound at the time, was the first media operative alerted to the discovery. The cameraman said moments after the discovery, a primary schoolboy, displaying the object on his cellular phone, ran over to him, beckoning to him that he should “… come see a baby in de trench.” With school having just been dismissed, it was initially difficult to keep the schoolchildren at bay, but teachers and the police were quickly informed and the police sought to keep the children and the crowd away from the scene.
come to realisation. He says these teachers still deserve their concessions. The union also wants to see the Whitley Council leave moved from being given every four years, to being given every three years, and for leave-related emoluments to be available prior to the teachers going on leave. But it was in 2008 that then GTU President Colwyn King set the limitations of the Whitley Council leave emoluments after “problems of accountability had arisen.” Lyte also highlighted that there currently exists no agreement between the GTU and the MoE, as none has been established since the last agreement expired in December 2015. The GTU had since submitted an agreement, but according to Lyte, after “about 20 or so discussions” with the MoE, there has still been no “forward movement.” However, in early 2016, there were some who believed that the proposal put forth by the GTU was somewhat too far-reaching. According to reports, the initial plan included “an across-the-board increase in salary of 40% for 2016; 45% increase in 2017; 50% in 2018; 50% in 2019; and 50% in 2020” and “one motor vehicle to be given to GTU biennially.” Lyte related that the vigils are expected to continue tonight and tomorrow night, with GTU hoping to also target the residences of the Ministers of Finance, State and Education. Lyte hinted that if their peaceful protests do not bear fruit, strike action may very well follow.
Doctors save West Berbice labourer’s legs ––following freak dragline accident By Shirley Thomas
DOCTORS at the Georgetown Public Hospital were on Saturday night battling to save the legs of a 45-year-old West Berbice labourer who was pinned by a dragline last Saturday whilst it was being transported from Number 52 Village to Canje on a low-bed vehicle. The victim, Nigel Matthews of Springlands, Corentyne, recalled that the accident happened around 10:30hrs; that the truck transporting the dragline on the ‘low-bed’ was driving at an unusually fast rate. He also recalled cautioning the driver of the truck on more than one occasion to slow down, but to no avail. He said he and two of his colleagues, who, like he, were seated on the dragline at one point feared for their safety, particularly when the driver picked up speed as they approached the Canje Bridge. As is procedure, and in keeping with a sign posted at that point, Matthews said, the vehicle should have “stopped dead” before accessing the bridge; but the driver was going so fast, he just ploughed into it. And to make matters worse, at that instant, he came face to face with a traffic policeman on duty, so, impulsively, he applied brakes. That’s when tragedy struck for Matthews, for as the vehicle came to an abrupt stop, he was pitched clean off the dragline, landing at the edge of the ‘low-bed’. It was at this point that the dragline ploughed into him, pinning both legs. SEVERELY INJURED Both insteps were severely injured. The left was crushed, and the right torn to shreds right down to the ankle. He was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital, where he was stabilised and prepared for transfer to the New Amsterdam Hospital. He was later brought to the Georgetown Hospital by ambulance and accompanied by a nurse, arriving at around 17:30 hrs and being prepped for surgery at around 22:00 hrs. He came out of the theatre just after 02:00hrs on Sunday. Matthews claims he still has feelings in his calves, but has lost sensation in the other parts of his lower legs. He is unable to say whether the driver of the truck was taken into custody.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 25, 2017
A call for comprehensive sex education By Akola Thompson
HERE in Guyana, as is true in other Caribbean countries and the world at large, we have a sex-driven culture. From the music we play to
the things we buy, somewhere along the line, we are bombarded with sexual innuendos and images. Culture of course shapes society and thought patterns; so while sex in itself is not a
bad thing, not placing importance on comprehensive sexual education is. Closely following Dominica, Guyana has the second highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the region. While
high teen pregnancy rates are substantially high all around, one must ask whether our sexual education or lack thereof provided to students’ plays a large role in our particularly high numbers.
There was a positive step several years ago when the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) program was implemented. However, aside from the fact that only a portion of secondary schools have it, there is also the troubling reality that in accordance with the Ministry of Education’s policy, it is an abstinence only approach. One can from a certain narrow perspective understand the calls for an abstinence only approach. Parents, teachers and policy makers believe that talking truthfully about sex can encourage children to partake in it and as such see an abstinence only approach as the way to avoid this. At some point however, when faced with irrefutable research that abstinence only approaches not only fails but see’s children engaging in riskier sexual behaviour than those with proper sex education has to be taken into consideration. Abstinence only approaches curtail the conversation and often deliberately spread misinformation about safety, consent and contraceptive methods. It is understood that some parents do not want their children learning about sex in school but wilfully burying their heads in the sand and allowing their children scanty information is not something educational institutions should get behind. Comprehensive sex education should be mandatory. One cannot continue to deny that teenagers have sexual urges and send them out into the world unprepared about how to deal with these effectively and safely. Growing up, I never had any real access to sex education. Everything I learnt was either through books, movies or scare tactics by adults. The first concept I had of sex was through a book. I remember reading the writers’ flowery descriptions of ‘invisible lines pulling them to each other’s body parts.’ Trying to rationalise this in my mind, I drew a picture of a man and woman standing apart and drew lines connecting their genitalia. At a young age, not associating sex with shame or with anything really, I hung the paper in the house and forgot about it until I was punished by a relative for drawing ‘nasty things.’ Then another family member, at the age of 12 casually told me that if I had sex I would develop cervical cancer. Having a history of cancer in our family saw
me fearing sex. I would still do it in subsequent years, but at the back of my mind there existed then and even now that fear that sex would equate to cancer, even while knowing better. As I grew and my appetite for knowledge about sex grew, I would watch movies where sex was most often violent and relationships dysfunctional and for a long time, those images shaped my view of it. None of these things were helped by the fact that often, whenever persons were invited to my school to talk about sex, they would label it as something dirty, something only morally loose girls allow boys to do to them. Aside from being factually incorrect and giving the wrong ideas about sex, these sessions also helped to promote dangerous gender dynamics and constantly overrode the concept of consent as if that was not a necessary part of the conversation. By ignoring sex as an option, parents and policy makers do not go in depth as they should in critical areas such as consent and safe sexual practices to avoid rapes, unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. We cannot continue giving children our ideological pipe dream of them not having sex and waiting “for marriage,” because aside from the fact that marriage is not an option for everyone, it has been repeatedly proven that scaring teenagers into abstinence fails miserably. I think the question abstinence only defenders need to ask themselves is, ‘should children be educated on healthy sexual practices or should we continue pouring more money into fighting teenage pregnancy and diseases?’ We need to tackle the root, not its leaves. No child should have to piece together information about sex on their own through various media, ill-informed family members and flagrantly lying health professionals. They should be able to ask questions and speak out about concerns they may have about sex and having those honestly answered and addressed. They should be taught that while sex can be a good thing, for those interested in it, it comes with consequences and as such preferably be held off until one reaches a mature age but if it occurs before that, they should be provided with necessary information to practice safe and consensual sex.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 25, 2017
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GRA to ramp up tax education for miners By Alva Solomon
AS the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) works to strengthen its tax-education efforts across the country, the revenue body is preparing a mining booklet which will apprise miners of applicable taxation and financial reporting measures. This was disclosed on Tuesday afternoon, when GRA Commissioner-General, Godfrey Statia and executives of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) met with dozens of miners at the latter’s North Road headquarters in the capital. At the meeting, Statia heard a number of concerns from mostly small miners who noted that the new taxation measures, including a 20 percent tax on their individual incomes will place a burden on the sector. Statia provided assurances to the miners that their concerns would be addressed when he meets with the GGDMA overtime to address matters relevant to the sector, including taxes and probable compromises. ”I know for sure that there are many miners who would be filing {tax returns} losses “, he said. He noted that the two bodies will have to sit down and decide why insistence on the filing of tax returns is necessary. “I know for sure the best way to begin is by starting to adhere with the laws from now going forward,” he added. He reiterated that the miners needed to ensure that their records are up to date. He said that the GRA is open to any suggestions from the GGDMA and by extension the miners, noting that the body is working to compile radio and television programmes, as well as help desks to disseminate information which would assist the miners. He said that the booklet will be written in simple and concise language for all miners to understand, noting that forms and taxpayer identification number (TIN) requirements will be included in the publication. “When you turn up at GRA and there is no TIN , I don’t want what use to happen prior to when I was there , and they send you away because there is no TIN”, he added, noting that measures have been put in place to ensure everyone possesses a temporary TIN until their applications are processed. Statia said that a number of measures have been put in place to assist miners, and these include tax return pay-
ments following audits. “A lot of audits ought to be done by sampling, we have not been doing sampling at all,” he said in that regard. He informed that such audits have been conducted on entities in the industry on a repeated basis. He said that in the future, this will be changed, in which random persons will be sampled. He also assured the miners that they would receive payments owed to them after filing their tax returns. Regarding the taxation measures to be implemented, Statia was asked if a miner “strikes gold” , and he/she reinvests in equipment such as an excavator, whether the move would be considered as expenses for the operation, or as a growth in capital equipment. Statia said it would be the latter, and taxes will have to be paid. He said the miner will not receive the payment return at once, but over a period of time. Regarding pay to workers and the 20 percent tax, the miners noted that the industry is configured in such a manner, that not all workers are permanent, since some would carry out specific “jobs” and then move on. Such persons are referred to as “tributers” in the industry. Statia said that miners know the industry well and his knowledge of the sector is based on what he has gathered from the GGDMA and miners themselves. He said that the “tributer “will have to know his terms of employment prior to being given the job. Tributers work temporarily with mining operations and receive payment for specific jobs done with the mining operation The commissioner-general said that the GRA plans to work with the GGDMA in correcting any attempts by defaulters to evade the relevant taxes, a proposal which he said, “unfortunately nobody wants to be the watchdog, nobody wants to be the snitch ,” as the audience erupted in laughter. Statia reiterated that he wishes to simplify the information relevant to the mining sector to ensure that everyone understands the taxation and financial reporting measures which are relevant to them. Several small miners at the meeting expressed concern that the taxes, mainly the 20% tax which employers will have to pay on behalf of employees with the new, amended regulations. Statia noted however, that he is operating within the ambit of his office and not as a politician.
GRA Commissioner- General, Godfrey Statia, makes a point at the meeting on Tuesday afternoon as officials of the GGDMA look on
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 25, 2017
Parking protest
… citizens shun new parking meters system By Telesha Ramnarine CITIZENS on Tuesday largely shunned the paid parking meters system and though dozens of vehicles were on Tuesday morning observed occupying parking meter slots, many of them did not have a
payment receipt on the dashboard. Persons simply parked as normal, for those who could not find empty spaces or did not bother about the system. For example, at roughly 10:20 am, in excess of 20 vehicles were parked near the New Building Society (NBS)
and none of them bore any payment receipts. The same situation existed on Main, Church, Regent and Robb Streets. The Chronicle spoke with individuals who were parked in some of the vehicles and most of them said they were just going to remain stationed
A few vehicles had taken up parking slots, but had no receipts
Unoccupied parking slots along Avenue of the Republic
for a few minutes while other passengers went to run an errand. Others said they had no idea where to obtain the prepaid parking cards, and yet others took advantage of the fact that Smart City Solutions (SCS) said they will not be carrying out any enforcement for a few days. However, Public Relations Consultant for SCS, Mr. Kit Nascimento, told this newspaper on Tuesday that it is untrue that the meter company will be granting an entire two weeks free of enforcement, as had been peddled in the media recently. In fact, he said “very shortly,” action will be taken against those who refuse to pay. Complaining mostly on the streets yesterday morning were taxi drivers, who are adamant that they need to be granted some form of concession. A group of them, most of whom have been plying the trade for more than 30 years, told Chronicle in front of Guyana Stores Limited that they have no idea what approach they will take in
order to meet the new costs. For instance, if a customer hires a taxi for one hour and needs to make several stops, the driver is not sure if he will attach the parking costs to the customer or if he will bear it himself. If he chooses the latter option, then, “What really I wukkin fuh?” one taxi driver lamented. When contacted on the issue, Nascimento offered that while SCS is willing to offer packages to various groups, the taxi drivers have not yet approached the company. But the drivers claimed that when they visited SCS office yesterday, it was closed. Meanwhile, the Guyana Chronicle observed yesterday that many drivers have opted to park outside of the parking meter zones. For example, on Main Street, vehicles occupied most spaces between Quamina and Lamaha Streets, while parking spaces between Quamina and Church Streets mostly remained empty. The parking meters were installed between Water and Camp Streets, Brickdam to
Quamina Street. The second phase of the meter project, though, will see an extension of the boundaries from Camp Street to Vlissengen Road, and from Brickdam to Lamaha Street. Just last Monday, Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan, approved the parking meter by-laws by affixing his signature to them, and, as promised, immediately dispatched the document to Mayor Patricia Chase-Green. Because the by-laws were not signed, the project could not be rolled out on Monday as was announced. Prepaid parking cards are said to be available at over 100 places, including pharmacies, gas stations, MoneyGram offices, post offices and the City Hall itself. The intention is for them to become as available as phone cards are. The cards will be available in $500, $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000 denominations. The $5000 card will carry a one-hour free parking bonus, and the $10,000 card will carry a two-and-a-half hours free parking.
Vehicles parked without receipts on Main Street
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 25, 2017
Lindeners in high spirits –– MPI makes good on promise to repair access road, bridges in mined-out communities
By Vanessa Braithwaithe RESIDENTS in the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) communities of Nottinghamshire, Old England, Coomacka, Three Friends and Siberian are in high spirits. The reason? The Ministry of Public Infrastructure has made good on its promise to commence extensive repairs to the access road and two bridges there. Work on the road and bridges follow an eight-day picketing action and strike over the deplorable state they were in. The strike and picket were called off last Wednesday when a delegation headed by Minister in the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Ms Annette Ferguson and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Mr Sidney Allicock paid the communities a visit. Minister Ferguson promised residents that extensive work, to the tune of G$21M, would have commenced by the end of the week, as the contract had already been completed and awarded to RIM Construction Company. BACK TO NORMAL Community leader, Mr Robert Gentle, who led
the picketing action, told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday that repair works have commenced and that the situation has returned to normalcy. It was also confirmed that the minibus drivers have also called off their strike. Regional Education Officer, Ms Marcia Paddy also confirmed with the Guyana Chronicle that the 30-seater David Granger school bus that was gifted to the communities last July has also commenced transporting children. The bus was hitherto parked in the compound of the Mackenzie Police Station for the past eight months as a result of the deplorable state of the road. Parents are also in high spirits now that the bus is back in operation, as it will ease their pockets from the hefty transportation cost to Linden. For eight days, schoolchildren and commuters were left in limbo due to the minibus strike, and many secondary school children expressed fear that they will not be able to submit their SBA’s on time. Minister Ferguson pleaded with the residents to cooperate with the contractor, as the repairs will take some time, since it is not only the
Police confab opens on Thursday THE Police Officers’ Annual Conference will be held between Thursday and Saturday under the theme, “Forging Ahead With Professionalism And Intelligence-Led Policing In Collaboration With Stakeholders.” The opening ceremony will be held on Thursday, commencing at 0900hrs, at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary, where the feature address will be given by Prime Minister, Moses Commissioner of Police, Nagamootoo, who is Seelall Persaud performing duties as president. The conference will be the last for Seelall Persaud as Commissioner of Police. Persaud will head into pre-retirement leave shortly.
roads that will be fixed but the bridges, drains and culverts as well. “We are just asking for your patience; we are just asking for your cooperation, and things will get done,” she pleaded. Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira, also en-
couraged the residents to monitor the contractor’s work if they are to expect standard. “It is important that you, as the residents, see the scope of works; and you have to monitor the works to ensure that it is done to the best of what you are expecting, because, at the end of the day, your
taxes are being paid for these works, so you have to ensure that the work is done properly by whoever contractor is being awarded this contract,” he said. Minister Allicock also posited similar sentiments of cooperation and working together, as being united is the
only step of moving forward. “We have to work together; we are all part of this process. We can only do things well if we are properly advised,” he said. He promised to continue visiting the people and give them the needed help in other areas.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 25, 2017
Talks ongoing on parking meters outside of schools
THOUGH the parking meter system took effect from Tuesday in parts of Georgetown, there is still no definitive action regarding the placement of meters in front of schools. This newspaper reported last week that President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Mark Lyte, announced that the union
does not and will not support any adjustment to the parking meter fee for teachers. The rate announced is $50 for 15 minutes and is expected to take effect from January 23. What this means is that teachers will be required to pay approximately $1,250 per day or $25,000 per month for parking, since the meters have been installed around
some schools in Georgetown. Following the complaints, officials of Smart City Solutions decided to meet with the GTU. However, according to the company’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Kit Nascimento, they are still undecided about the issue but, intend to collectively purse a solution. It was reported that as
it relates to concerns raised by the GTU, the company pointed out that special arrangements such as parking permits for teachers and specific parking regulations in school areas are, in fact, consistent with international practice. “In the case raised by the Teachers Union, SCS stands ready to examine a custom-
ised solution, as has been done with other organisations and institutions with whom SCS have been engaged.” According to the statement, “We should point out that, at present, given the unregulated parking in the city, teachers have no choice but to compete with all other motorists searching for space to park even in front of their
own schools. SCS is willing to consider, for instance, granting parking permits on application for spaces exclusive to teachers during prescribed times which would regulate those spaces on behalf of the permit holders, thus guaranteeing them preferential access to parking in proximity to their schools.”
Vagrant remanded, accused of Bourda Market theft A 32-YEAR-OLD vagrant was Tuesday remanded to prison by City Magistrate Leron Daly for breaking into a Bourda Market stall and carting off several items. Mark Angus is accused of breaking into the stall of Nadia Persaud between January 15 and 16 at Bourda Market and stealing a quantity of cheese, ketchup, milo and other items totaling $862,880. Angus denied the charge and explained to the court that he was asked to collect a bag from someone and did not know what was inside. However, according to police prosecutor Inspector Kevin London, the defendant was arrested with the Milo in his possession. Magistrate Daly remanded Angus on the grounds that he poses a flight risk since he has no fixed place of abode. Angus was refused bail and will return to court on February 10.
Dredge owner denies wounding Brazilian A 30-YEAR-OLD dredge owner was on Tuesday placed on $70,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for wounding a female Brazilian National during a misunderstanding. Seon David of Haslington, East Coast Demerara (ECD) denied that on January 20, at Aranka Landing, Essequibo, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Hilgros Hernandez. David’s attorney, Paul Fung-A-Fat explained to the court that it was a simple mistake since the virtual complainant was the one armed with a scissors with which she accidently grazed herself during a misunderstanding with his client. Police Prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers, made no objection to bail but requested that reporting condition be attached. The Chief Magistrate released David on bail and transferred the matter to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for February 10. David was also ordered to report to the Aranka Police Station every Friday until completion of the trial.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 25, 2017
Woman nabbed with cocaine in books POLICE ranks of the Narcotics Branch stationed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri arrested a female outgoing passenger who was on a flight to Toronto, Canada on Tuesday morning. She was arrested at approximately 6:30h after four parcels of what is suspected to be cocaine was found in her suitcase. The substance was weighed and amounted to 4,178 grams. She is currently in custody assisting with the investigation.
Cocaine found on outgoing passenger at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri
Over 7,000 grams of marijuana found in East Canje RANKS in ‘B’ Division (Berbice) conducted several raids in the Fort Ordinance Housing Scheme, East Canje, where a quantity of suspected cannabis was
The marijuana found at Fort Ordinance Housing Scheme, East Canje, Berbice discovered concealed in a red washing tub. According to a police report, the drug was weighed and amounted to 7,748 grams, which is over 15 pounds. Two suspects are in custody assisting with the investigation.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 25, 2017
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 25, 2017
Kitty junction to become roundabout
A ROUNDABOUT will be constructed at the Kitty Seawall -- where the sinkhole has appeared -to create a smoother flow of traffic. Coordinator, Works Services Group, Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Geoffrey Vaughn, told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that this will enable drivers to travel to their desired destinations with ease and reduce the amount of traffic traversing the East Coast, Carifesta Avenue, or Kitty area. Vaughn explained that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has already sent out tenders for those works and, “we’re in the evaluation stage; the evaluation should have gone over to NPTAB (National Procurement and Tender Administration Board) yesterday for finalisation,
which would then go to Cabinet for its no-objection.” However, works on the sinkhole is expected to begin within the next two weeks, after the no-objection from Cabinet, NPTAB and the requisite bodies. Additionally, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, is currently awaiting reviews from consultancies before works begin on the East Coast Demerara expansion project. “We’ve already written the consultants, they’re on board already, but we have a few conditioning precedents that need to be met by the contractor, such as providing us with the bonds and necessary instruments before we have a contract commence,” Vaughn explained. The Works Services Group Coordinator noted that to date, prelimi-
nary works including the widening of the road and removal of utilities have been completed by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. The contract for the East Coast Demerara expansion project was awarded to China Railway First Group Limited last year November to complete the project between Better Hope and Belfield, on the East Coast of Demerara; works will begin next month. Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, in his 2017 budget presentation, said that after considerable delays, the framework agreement with the People’s Republic of China, for the US$45.5M concessional loan for completion of the widening and improvement of the highway had been signed. (GINA)
MOTP slams ‘libellous’ headline in Guyana Times THE Ministry of the Presidency (MOTP) says it finds Tuesday’s page 9 headline in the Guyana Times to be slanderous and libellous. The headline: ‘High-profile sexual assault – President accused of covering up case’, was published today, January 24, 2017 and the Ministry of the Presidency, wants the newspaper to immediately withdraw this headline and offer an apology to the Head of State. This reported allegation was made by former President and Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who noted that President David Granger, was fully informed about an alleged incident of sexual assault, yet failed to take any action against the accused. “This reported allegation…apart from being slanderous and libelous, shows a clear misunderstanding of how Guyana’s criminal justice system works and
the presumption of innocence that is a legal right of an accused. “The former President is fully aware that it is unlawful for the Head of State, who is the head of the Executive Branch of Government, to intervene (or take action against those culpable) in matters that are before the Courts (the Judicial Branch of government) or criminal matters under active investigation,” the release from the Ministry of the Presidency noted. The release further noted that contradictory to the slanderous and libellous headline, the Guyana Times, in the same article, also reported that the Commander of ‘F’ Division of the Guyana Police Force, Mr. Ravindradat Budhram, said that a file was compiled on the alleged matter and that it has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for instituting charges against the accused.
One of the sinkholes on the Kitty Public Road
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Gov’t courting Islamic Bank for Guyana-Brazil road link
Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, led a team from the
ministry at a high-level meeting with the bank officials on Tuesday. The team included the Chief
Works Officer, Geoffrey Vaughn; Chief Planning and Transport Officer, Patrick Thompson; Se-
nior Project Engineer, Kester Hinds and the Permanent Secretary, Balraj Balram. The IsDB was represented by Idrissa Dia, Division Manager of Urban Development & Services, and Wahyu Wijayanto, Senior Financial Analyst. Ahead of the very detailed presentation, Minister Ferguson said the Ministry is thankful for the support received by IsDB in realising Guyana’s projects, particularly the Linden-Lethem corridor. She added that the bridging of the Hinterland Regions to the Coast had significant benefits, including socioeconomic impacts. In response, Dia indicated that IsDB was more than happy to demonstrate its support to Guyana. He further said that the partnership could open doors for Guyana to parts of the world where relationships were previously unforged, including with African, South Asian, and East Asian nations. “This type of partnership can really open Guyana in terms of economic development, technical expertise, human resources, and exposure to other parts of the world. So, we are very happy to invest where possible,” Dia said. He also identified other possible areas of collaboration, including within the transport and energy sectors. Meanwhile, the country’s Chief Works Officer highlighted the key components of the Guyana-Brazil Road Development Project during his detailed presentation to the officials. In his presentation, he noted that, while a road currently exists between Guyana and Brazil, its current standard was less than satisfactory. He noted that the project would include 454km of paving from Lethem to Linden since only about 33% is currently paved. Other works would
include improved drainage through the upgrade of approximately 130 culverts along the identified stretch of road. Vaughn stressed the importance of linking the Hinterlands to the Coastland and added that economic benefits for Brazil were also taken into consideration. He said too that the project would lead to a significant decrease in travelling time between Linden and Lethem. Following the presenta-
tion, the IsDB officials said they were impressed with the project and had also used to the opportunity to query aspects of the project. The officials also shared their recommendations and said that the proposal thus far is more than adequate. Another team from IsDB is expected to return to Guyana for further analysis of the project. Minister Ferguson expressed hope for a positive outcome following future deliberations.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson (right) presents the Linden-Lethem Feasibility Study to Mr. Idrissa Dia of the Islamic Development Bank
Businessman charged with $16.6M theft EON Griffith, 40, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, charged with simple larceny. The businessman of La Penitence, Georgetown, is accused of stealing a quantity of airplane spare parts and accessories, hardware and tools from Trisha Persaud valued $16.6M on July 2, 2016 at Kitty Railway, Georgetown. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and plead-
ed with the Chief Magistrate to grant him bail. Police Prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers, made no objection to Griffith being released on bail but requested that reporting conditions be attached. The Chief Magistrate released the businessman on $20,000 bail and ordered him to return to court on February 14, 2017. He also has to report to the East La Penitence police station every Friday.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 25, 2017
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Medical Supts for all 10 regions
THE Ministry of Public Health through its department of Regional Health Services, in an effort to ensure that quality healthcare is provided in all regions of Guyana, will have medical superintendents (MS) placed in all regional hospitals. This is in keeping with some of the main projections included for the year 2017. The medical superintendents will be responsible for the medical aspect of the day-to-day functions of the hospital. The superintendent plans, organises, directs, controls and coordinates medical programmes and clinical services in a hospital, while maintaining standards of medical care, providing leadership to ensure an appropriately skilled medical workforce. The addition of medical superintendents will complement the full suite of specialist doctors that will be placed at every regional hospital in the country. The Regional Health Services department of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), saw it fit in 2016 to equip each regional hospital with a general surgeon, an obstetrician/gynaecologist, an internal medicine specialist and a paediatrician. This projection for 2017 is set to
provide better management of general medical officers (GMOs) in varying capacities at regional hospitals. One of the challenges faced by the ministry in responding to outbreaks in 2016, was the shortage of trained health personnel to conduct outbreak investigations, especially in the hinterland. The presence of medical superintendents at regional hospitals will contribute to more timely responses to any outbreaks and provide better treatment care for emergency cases. Other projections on staffing of regional hospitals and medical facilities include the review of human- resource gaps to have specialists at all regional hospitals, equipping and upgrading of district hospitals with necessary staff to deliver the full suite of mandated services and the availability of a national biomedical service-provider to effect timely repairs and maintenance to equipment. With the addition of medical superintendents at all regional hospitals, each hospital will have one chief executive officer (CEO) or administrative officer to support the MS in ensuring that the other aspects and needs of the regional hospitals are met. (GINA)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 25, 2017
New ferry for North West soon
MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, has urged persons who travel to and from the North West District, Region One, to remain patient as the process to acquire a new ferry continues to move ahead. Minister Ferguson told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the design for the new ferry is currently with
manufactures for construction works to commence. However, the process is one that will take time. “With the procurement of a vessel, it would take some amount of time, it’s not the case whereby you get the money today and you can go to the shipyard tomorrow and procure a vessel. First, you have a design which we have shared with our suppliers, who now have to manu-
facture based on the design and specification; and this will take some time,” Minister Ferguson explained. In November 2016, the government signed a US$18M Line of Credit agreement with the Export-Import Bank of India for the procurement of an ocean ferry to service the Georgetown to North West District route. Minister Ferguson noted that in Budget 2017, a sum of
US$85M has been budgeted towards the procurement process which should move apace this year. Meanwhile, later this year, the M.V. Lady Northcote, M.B. Sandaka and M.V Malali will be undergoing maintenance works to improve services to the residents. Minister Ferguson noted that there are no ferries in dock currently. “Those three vessels will be docked in 2017. At this point in time, we have to go out to public tender, so I guess by next month, February, we should have those tenders out, returned
for evaluation and then we’ll see the works being done on the vessels, Minister Ferguson underlined. The Public Infrastructure Minister says the government will enhance the livelihoods of people who depend on water transport for their goods and other commercial commodities, but reiterated the need for patience. Further, General Manager of the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), Marcelene Merchant, said that the department is working on the acquisition and supply of spares for all the vessels and the acquisition and
installation of a propulsion system for the M.V. Kimbia. This will cost $265.4M and $194.2M respectively and will be done by the Brenco Shipping and Trading Company Limited. The M.V. Kimbia has been out of service since 2016 and is expected to recommence the Georgetown-Kumaka service by the end of the first quarter in 2017, after the installation of the propulsion system. This will bring much-needed relief to the residents and commuters of the North West District. (GINA)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 25, 2017
Gov’t helps importers get it right –– engages them on regulations, policies governing importation of food
A NUMBER of importers met last week at the Ministry of Business to discuss issues affecting their businesses, and to learn about the regulations and policies that govern the importation of food in Guyana. The session, which was facilitated by Director of the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department, Mr Marlon Cole, was hosted by the Ministry of Business through its commerce department. Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Business, Ms Rajbai Jagarnauth, welcoming importers to the meeting, said she was pleasantly surprised by the huge turnout. Mr Cole, on the other hand, thanked those present for what he felt was their evident willingness to learn about the effective and, most importantly, correct way of importing food and other goods to Guyana. He stressed that for too long, things were being done in a disorganised manner, with many persons doing as they wanted. “This cannot continue,” he said. “And we will continue to do our work as best as we can, as we are mandated by law to execute our duties in the most professional way.” That mandate, he said, is to enforce and administer the Food and Drug Act of 1971 and the Food and Drug Regulations of 1977, thereby ensuring that foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and water, etcetera, meet the highest standards of quality and safety. He said that while Part VI Section 20 of the Food and Drug Act permits the Minister of Health to appoint analysts and inspectors, it is Section 21 that empowers said inspectors to enter premises, inspect, make copies of documents, examine, demand information, and sieze articles. REQUIREMENTS In terms of what is required to be an importer, Cole said: “Items must be imported with the required document; as importers, you must be registered with the Department; as an importer, you must have adequate storage facilities, which is a bond. “You must also ensure that products imported have a 75% shelf life; you must have adequate records for distribution, sanitation and pest control; you must have a recall system, and also
you must protect the integrity of the food item during distribution.” On the issue of shelf life, Cole said that not having a recall system and adequate storage facilities are but two of the most common missteps importers commit. Noting that this often results in many an importer having the impression that the department or its director is deliberately targetting them, when in actuality they are merely doing their job, Cole said: “We have to do our work, but many times we have importers bringing in things which have already been expired. There are some cases where it has been expired over six months ago, and now they are coming into Guyana, while they lack adequate storage space and either in Guyana or during shipping, thus resulting in many of the items not worthwhile for consumers’ usage and instead of recognising that they are flouting the regulations, they assume that they are being deliberately or unfairly targeted.” DESERVES BETTER He vowed, however, that despite the many challenges the department is faced with in getting importers in line, he will continue the fight, as he has no intention of letting up. “The public deserves better; they deserve what they are paying for, and importers must deliver quality to them; not expired, damaged or useless things,” Cole declared. And on the issue of required certification, he quoted the regulation governing that, saying: “A certificate required under Section 32:2 of the Act shall be a certificate in the English Language, issued by the official body or Government Department having the authority to issue such certificate in the country in which the article of food, drug, cosmetics or device manufactured or produced. “And where no official body or Government Department has authority to issue such a certificate, the certificate may be issued by any persona acceptable by the minister.” In terms of what is required in the importation of food, Cole said items must be properly labelled in English; the date must be marked, thus providing con-
sumers with the information regarding Best Before and Expiry Dates, as to when it should be used by. Noting that retailers also have certain responsibilities, Cole said: “Retailers must have suitable and adequate storage facilities; they must store or display items at the correct temperature. Addi-
tionally, they must have a first-in-first-out system, and must ensure that shelves are free of expired or damaged items.” Touching deeper on the issue of adequate storage, particularly correct temperature, Cole said: “Too many times we see persons bringing in items in containers that are not even
fit for the items that they are bringing in, as there are certain specifications that they must follow, which, in many cases, we see that they are not. “Adequate storage facilities must also be taken into serious consideration, as visits to several bonds have seen that sometimes these items are not properly
stored.” He warned in closing that there are dire consequences for persons who like to ‘do as they like,’ adding that the set-out guidelines will be followed and adhered to, as his department will do whatever is necessary to ensure that they are.
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Six months to move
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 25, 2017
––M&CC gives Merriman Mall operators new deadline
By Telesha Ramnarine THE Mayor and City Council has evidently had the barbers and cosmetologists on Merriman Mall on a roller coaster, initially relocating them from off the streets to this location, then moving them again, putting them back, and now finally, giving them six months to move. After Town Clerk Royston King relocated the vendors to Merriman Mall last year, on the basis of empathy, the Markets Public Health Committee made a decision on June 22, 2016 that the practitioners should not remain at the facility. Notwithstanding that this decision should have been implemented within three months’ time, the Town Clerk allowed the vendors to remain until earlier this month when he and a team went in the dead of the night and dismantled stalls. After creating an uproar, the vendors were advised to form themselves into a group and formally petition Mayor Patricia Chase-Green to have structures constructed for them so that they can remain there on a permanent basis. As a result, many of the vendors whose stalls were broken down purchased new tents and installed them over the last weekend. In fact, when the Chronicle visited the location on Monday morning, barbers and cos-
The majority of councillors voted on Monday for the barbers and cosmetologists to move after six months (Photo by Telesha Ramnarine) metologists were working in full swing. VOTED AGAINST On Monday afternoon, however, a majority of city councillors voted that the said practitioners should not be allowed to remain permanently on Merriman Mall. Councillor Oscar Clarke moved a motion that they should be granted six more months at the facility, and then find somewhere to move on their own. Eighteen councillors, representing the majority, voted in favour of this motion. Councillor Yvonne Ferguson attempted to persuade the councillors to consider another motion, which she moved, to the effect that the barbers and cosmetologists be allowed to construct their own
structures and thus remain on a permanent basis. Only three councillors voted in favour of this motion. Before the voting, the Mayor had appealed to councillors to be humane about their decision, and to think of the many single-mothers who are out there trying to make a living. Meanwhile, following the dismantling of their stalls earlier this month, one vendor told this newspaper that she has always been willing to work along with the guidelines of the City Council, which has, essentially, only offered them empty promises. EMPTY PROMISES “They take us from off the streets and giving us
Only last weekend, vendors had purchased new tents after they formed themselves into a group and petitioned for permanent space (Photo by Delano Williams)
empty promises; we were maintaining the spots,” she said. “They could have told us of their dissatisfaction. It is a deception because you just come and meet your stuff on the road.” One of the barbers said that it was the rain and sun which helped to destroy the tents that were not in use, and that that is what made the surroundings look unkempt. These factors are in addition to the social rejects; the junkies that frequent the facility once vendors would have left for the day. “These people bring us out of town,” he said. “And, for the Jubilee celebrations, they tell us that we ain’t looking good; to organise ourselves and to take out medicals and so. If they put us temporary, why put pipes? And they promised to build something for us after the Jubilee. “The mayor never gave us any notice. I appealing to the president to come and look into this situation; it appears as though these people bullying poor people. Is we vote for these people. “Before they become mayor and town clerk, they come out on the road and give us all assurances that they will help us; and this is what these people turn out to. “They turn their back on us after we finish voting for them, and they get what they want. These people just studying to make money; nothing they ain’t doing for poor people.”
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 25, 2017
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THE Ministry of Education (MOE), Department of Culture Youth and Sport, wishes to remind the public that despite Ansa McAl choosing not to host the Soca Monarch Competition as per annual norm, the company is still very much involved in the Mashramani celebrations -- but on a different level. According to the MoE, Ansa McAl has just decided to “refocus its involvement.” And though Ansa McAl has not yet revealed what exactly these activities will include, the MoE says it’s going to be “hot.” “This year, having refocused its involvement, the company is offering Guyanese soca music lovers some hot soca entertainment at the international level through another promotion that is not competition- based,” a press release from the MoE explained. Over the last decade or so, Ansa McAl has been the chief sponsor of the national Soca Monarch Competition, branding it the Carib Soca Monarch Competition. However, Guyanese learnt earlier last week that there will be no Soca Monarch Competition as part of this year’s ongoing Mashramani activities, since Ansa McAl has chosen not to extend their usual sponsorship to that event, and the ministry stated that it was not in a position to be able to take over and fund the competition. However, Andrew Tyndall, of the Mashramani Organising Committee, has explained that the absence of a Soca Monarch Competition for Mash was not necessarily a complete cancellation of the event, but a postponement instead. Tyndall related that a Soca Monarch Competition will be part of an upcoming national music festival later this year, and it is hoped that this will compensate for
the absence of one (soca competition) during the Mash celebrations. The ministry said it is still grateful for the support that it had received over the years from Ansa McAl. The release went on to add that: “While the company is not sponsoring a national Carib Soca Monarch competition this year, the company has expended more than $90M over the past 10 years on that competition. Closer to the major Mashramani activities season, the company will make public what the content and format of its three days of activities will be, but it is safe to say that a three-day mega soca fete is planned.” Additionally, Ansa McAl will still be a part of “Stage 5”, which they will support under their Stag Beer brand; this event will be held from February 20-22. Nonetheless, some were not happy that Mash celebrations would go by without the usual Soca Monarch contest, especially since there was also none last year. Last year, after the usual Mash float parade was moved from February 23 to May 26 to commemorate Guyana’s 50th independence anniversary, Ansa McAl decided not to hold a Soca Monarch Competition in February. Another section of the media had reported that Ansa McAl officials thought that the change of date of the float parade meant it made no sense to hold the Soca Monarch Competition in February. It was hoped that there would have been a smaller Soca Monarch contest to go along with the May month celebrations, but that too never came off. As such, Jomo “Rubber Waist” Primo continues as the Soca Monarch after winning the competition in 2015.
AnSa McAl to host three nights of Soca, Stage 5 for Mash
Reigning Carib Soca Monarch Jomo ‘Rubber Waist’ Primo
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 25, 2017
Gov’t helps make sweet music –– gifts Region 10 $1.5M in musical equipment
MINISTER within the Ministry of Education, Ms Nicolette Henry, last Friday handed over $1.5M worth of musical equipment to Region 10 Chairman, Mr Renis Morian. The items at reference include keyboards, monitors, mixers, amplifiers and speakers, guitars, a
drum set and microphones. According to a release from the Ministry of Education (MoE), the gesture is part of an on-going government initiative to help develop music education in schools and communities. Upon receiving the equipment, Morian spoke of the Regional DemocratAt last Friday’s handing-over ceremony to Regional Chairman, Mr Renis Morian (second left) and doing the honours is Minister Henry (second right). At right is National School of Music Administrator, Mr Andrew Tyndall ic Council (RDC)’s efforts over the past few years to resuscitate interest in, and support for creative activities in the region. Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) has an ongoing programme targeting schools and communities, and the timely donation will go a long way towards supporting this programme. “For the last five years,” Morian was quoted as saying, “the RDC has been trying to revive arts and culture activities in the region, especially music; hence the request to the ministry for the items.” Also present at Frid a y ’s h a n d i n g - o v e r ceremony, was National School of Music Administrator, Mr Andrew Tyndall, who reminded those present that there was a time when Region 10 was a musical hub in Guyana, given that it was the birthplace of many a local and internationally acclaimed performers. “The government’s thrust is to reintroduce music into the school curriculum, and into the community by extension,” Tyndall said, adding: “What you see here is
the ministry supporting that commitment; so it’s not just talk, but talk with action.” Activities geared at promoting interest in, and the development of music are also expected to be be done in the other regions in keeping with the government’s mandate to provide an enabling environment and develop every art form possible nationwide. “As we fan out to different parts of the country, our plan is to ensure that each region benefits,” Tyndall said. “Some will get the exact, same items, while others will benefit from different sets of musical items such as steelpans, recorders, etc,” he added. “The MoE also has on-going training programmes for primary school teachers in music. Teachers from all the regions have benefited from, and are continuing to do so, even as some have now begun implementing vocal training in the primary schools. A similar programme will be done for city schools,” the release said.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 25, 2017
Foreigners in trouble for overstaying
A DOMINICAN Republic National was fined $80,000 after she appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with forgery. It was alleged that Martha Cueves Matos between
April 6, 2016 and January 20, 2017 with intent to defraud, conspired with a person or persons to forge Guyana arrival and departure immigration stamps purporting they were issued by local immigration services.
Matos had first pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to her. However she had a change of heart and changed her plea to guilty. Through the aid of an interpreter, she told the court that she was scared when
the charge was first read to her. The defendant was ordered by the Magistrate to pay the fine or serve six months’ imprisonment. Meanwhile, Lineli Altagracia De Jesus Hilario, another Dominican was
placed on $50,000 bail after she was also charged for forgery. The defendant denied the allegation which stated that between September 11, 2015 and March 22, 2016 with intent to defraud, she conspired with a person or persons to
forge Guyana arrival and departure immigration stamps. Hilario was instructed to report to the investigating rank at the Criminal Investigation Department, Eve Leary. The matter was adjourned until February 3.
Overstaying costs Cuban $110,000 A CUBAN National was fined $110,000 after she appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, charged with forgery and overstaying her
time in Guyana. Yenisleity Ruiz Bermudez pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that between October 26, 2016 and January 20, 2017 at Georgetown, with intent to defraud,
conspired with a person or persons to forge Guyana arrival and departure immigration stamps purporting that they were issued by local immigration services, in her Republic of Cuba passport.
Bermudez pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that between September and October, 2016 she failed to comply with the permit that only gave her permission to stay in Guyana until October 26.
The court was informed by her lawyer Paul Fung-A-Fat that 22-year-old Bermudez who is engaged to a Guyanese paid $3,500US dollars for her passport to be stamped.
Magistrate Daly ordered that Bermudez pay a fine of $80,000 for forgery and $30,000 for overstaying her time in Guyana. She is to be deported within 72 hours.
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3 years jail for truck driver who killed rugby player
A 41-year-old truck driver was sentenced to three years imprisonment by a City Magistrate on Tuesday for causing the death of 19-year-old Dustin Crawford, who was killed in a hit-and-run accident along the Flour Mill Public Road, East Bank Demerara, on July 22, 2015. Greg Stewart was convicted by Magistrate Renita Singh; he was also found guilty of failing to stop after the accident and failing to render
assistance.
He was ordered to pay $30,000 fine on each of those two charges or serve an additional two weeks imprisonment. The court heard that Stewart drove motor lorry GJJ 7168 with trailer - TAA 2203 - in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Crawford.
Greg Stewart
At the time of the accident, the 19-year-old rugby player, was on his way to the Namilco Flour Mill, where rugby players were about to
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 25, 2017
tour the facility as part of an annual summer programme.
Police Prosecutor, Inspector Bharat Mangru had contended that on the day of the accident Stewart was driving at a fast rate and as he turned on to Flour Mill Public Road, the vehicle’s trailer hit Crawford, who was flung into the air before landing on the road.
The court also heard that after Crawford was struck, Stewart continued to drive the vehicle and one of the wheels ran over the victim’s head. An eyewitness was able to identify the driver, despite the fact that Stewart escaped after the accident.
He was later apprehended after the eyewitness, who later called the police, gave chase.
DEAD: Dustin Crawford
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Convicted drug trafficker remanded
SIXTY-two-year-old Dennis Albert Jones, a convicted drug trafficker, found himself before the court again on Tuesday, charged with attempting to smuggle cocaine out of Guyana. Back in 2012, Jones pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in jail after he was busted attempting to ship over 700 pounds of cocaine to Niger in Africa. The cocaine was hidden in soap powder packets. Jones of Caneview, South Ruimveldt Gardens, Georgetown, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s court on Tuesday and was also charged with forging an identification card in favor of himself. The first charge alleged that on January 18, 2017, at the General Post Office Corporation, he had 10.618kg of cocaine, which he attempted to post out of Guyana for the purpose of trafficking. Anti-narcotics agents intercepted a box containing total of 9 kilos in Baking / Custard powder bags and 1.62 kilos of liquid cocaine in two Banko wine bottles found in a mail destined for Canada. The package was due to leave Guyana on January 20 via a Fly Jamaica flight in mail consignment. It is further alleged that between September 1, 2016 and September 30, 2016 in Georgetown, with intent to defraud, Jones forged a national identification card in the name of Josiah Jones knowing it to be false. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor, Kunyo Sandiford objected to bail and noted that Jones provided a written caution statement where he
Dennis Albert Jones
admitted to the offense. She further added that no special reason was given for the defendant to be released on bail and the fact remains that he is a repeat offender. Meanwhile, Police Prosecutor Melville Jeffers also objected to Jones being granted bail on the forgery charge. He said that the ID card has a photograph of the defendant in the name of ‘Josiah Jones’ and that he admitted to forging same to the police. The court heard that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) confirmed that the ID card is indeed a fake one. Bail was denied and he will return to court on February 14, 2017. Jones, who was also deported from the United States for drug trafficking, was arrested last Friday evening by CANU agents in the South Ruimveldt home hiding in the ceiling after they busted a package containing cocaine that was being shipped to Canada among other items.
The intercepted Baking / Custard powder bags and Banko wine that contained cocaine
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Capone takes the stand --details involvement in Bartica massacre
Mark Royden Williams called “Smallie”, Roger Simon called “Goat Man” and Dennis Williams called “Anaconda”
By Michel Outridge
MICHAEL Caesar called “Capone”, who was sentenced to 60 years’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, testified on behalf of the defence as a witness on Monday in the High Court before Justice Roxane George and a 12-member jury in the Bartica Massacre trial. Caesar narrated to the court from the time they left in a boat to go to Bartica and gave a detailed account of what transpired there. He was led by Defence Counsel Roger Yearwood, who is representing accused Mark Royden Williams, called “Smallie” and was asked when he was arrested in relation to the Bartica incident. He said it was in 2009 in Suriname and he was brought back to Guyana and handed over to the police. When led, Caesar was further asked whether he knew Mark Royden Williams and he said he never saw him before he was charged in the magistrates’ court and added that he was not with them in Bartica. Yearwood asked Caesar if he was in court on Monday to lie in favour of the accused and he said he wasn’t and wasn’t promised anything to testify. Under cross examination by Saphier Hussain, Caesar was questioned whether Dennis Williams called “Anaconda” was present with him in Bartica and he said he wasn’t. Under cross-examination by Peter Hugh, Caesar told the court that he didnot know Roger Simon called “Goat Man” before he was charged in relation to the Bartica incident and that he wasn’t familiar with the nickname. Caesar said Roger Simon was never part of the group in the boat that went to Bartica. TAINTED WITNESS Under cross-examination by the state, Diana Kaulesar asked Caesar if he gave a statement to the police when he was arrested as it relates to the Bartica incident and he said he didn’t but affixed his signature to a paper under duress. The witness said he didn’t go very far in school since he dropped out at primary school level where he used to attend at #1 Courtland Village, Corentyne, Berbice. He told the court that he started working in the interior at age 13 when his cousin, Clebert Recce called “Chi-Chi” who was sentenced to 35 years in jail after he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter as it relates to the Bartica Massacre, took him in the bush where his mother had a shop. Caesar said he used to buy and sell between Guyana and Suriname for about four years and even though he had a pass-
port he used the ‘back track’ route when traveling and in 2004 he stopped trading. He told the court that he went to Suriname after the Bartica incident to hide out and avoid being arrested because he knew he was wanted by the police here for several murders. Kaulesar asked Caesar if he knew Omali Rogers or one “Short Man’ from Albouystown and he said he didn’t. Caesar said he was arrested on March 7, 2009 for the Bartica Massacre after he was hiding out in Suriname for more than a year. State prosecutor Kaulesar asked Caesar if he was charged for the December 16, 2007 murders of Fazal Hakim called Boyie” and Rakesh Singh called Rabbit” at Agriculture Road, East Coast Demerara, which is still pending and he replied in the affirmative. She further asked Caesar if he was also charged for the January 26, 2008 Lusignan Massacre where he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter which occurred a month after the Bartica Massacre and he said “that’s correct.” GANG MEMBER Caesar told the court he was present when eight persons were killed at Lusignan and was a member of Rondell “Fineman” Rawlins gang in both massacres. Caesar said it was through his cousin, Clebert Reece he met Fineman in late 2007 in Buxton. Kaulesar asked Caesar if ‘Smallie” was a member of Fineman’s gang and he said he wasn’t although they used to refer to each other by nicknames and was grilled as to his motive in coming to court to testify on behalf of a stranger and he said he wanted to tell the truth. He said he didn’t know Roger Simon, Dennis Williams and Mark Royden Williams before he was charged for the Bartica Massacre since the men were not there with him. Caesar said his relationship with Fineman can be described as a close friend and he met him in 2007 and was at one time sharing a cell with Roger Simon but denied ever giving the police a statement which he mentioned the names of the three accused as being part of the gang that was in Bartica. At this point, defence counsel Roger Yearwood closed his case for his client, Mark Royden Williams called “Smallie.” Meanwhile, Dennis Williams called “Anaconda” when asked to lead his defence elected to take the stand where he was led by his attorney Saphier Hussain and cross-examined by the state on Monday afternoon.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Pride spinners destroy Jaguars after Brathwaite maiden century
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Test opener Kraigg Brathwaite stroked a maiden regional one-day hundred as Barbados Pride opened their Super50 campaign with a 145-run clobbering of Guyana Jaguars at Kensington Oval here last night. The unflappable righthander carved out a patient 101, an innings that was the
foundation of Pride’s 302 for seven – their highest-ever 50-overs total at the venue. In contrast, left-hander Jonathan Carter smashed a stroke-filled 75 off 63 deliveries while captain Jason Holder, with 31 off 21 balls and Ashley Nurse, with 28 off 15 balls, chipped in with cameos down the order Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul (2-56) and leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo (2-65) claimed two wickets apiece. In reply, Jaguars never really recovered from a stuttering start and slumped to a miserable 157 all out off 32 overs. Captain Leon Johnson resisted with a top score of 55 off 68 deliveries but he was the only one to pass 20 as the Jaguars batting, missing the injured pair of Shiv Chanderpaul and Chris Barnwell, collapsed badly. They seemed to be making a fist of it at 91 for three but lost their last seven wickets for 66 runs, to plunge to a swift defeat. Their misery was engineered by the pair of left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn (4-35) and off-spinner Ashley Nurse (4-42) who shared eight wickets between them. Fast bowler Holder, who claimed the first two wickets, finished with two for 15. Pride took early control of the game even though rookie opener Anthony Alleyne (20) and West Indies batsman Shai Hope (9) perished cheaply. Brathwaite put on 48 with the left-handed Alleyne who struck three fours in 15 balls at the crease before playing across to Permaul and falling lbw in the ninth over. Hope lasted 28 balls but perished in the 19th over after adding a slow 22 with Brathwaite, also lbw to Permaul after missing a sweep at 70 for two. Carter joined Brathwaite to bolster the innings in an up tempo 122-run stand for the third wicket, and it proved the turning point for Pride. While Brathwaite struck seven fours and a six in playing the sheet anchor role, Carter was more aggressive, counting five fours and four sixes – the latter coming mostly through hefty leg-side blows. When he was caught down the leg-side swinging at leftarm seamer Raymon Reifer, Holder arrived to sustain the tempo, lashing three fours and two sixes in a 45-run, fourth wicket partnership with Brathwaite. Holder was one of three wickets, along with Kraigg and Carlos Brathwaite (7) which fell for 16 runs in the space of 18 deliveries to leave Pride on 253 for six but Nurse,
who blasted two fours and two sixes, added 49 for the seventh wicket with Roston Chase (20 not out), to give the innings a strong finish. Jaguars’ reply started shakily when Holder had Shimron Hetmyer caught without scoring at short mid-wicket by Alleyne off the third ball of the innings with just one run on the board. In the fifth over, Holder found Rajindra Chandrika’s edge for Benn to gobble up the catch at slip for 10, and leave the visitors in further trouble on 22 for two. Johnson and Assad Fudadin, who made 18, restored some order in a 41-run, second wicket stand. The left-handed Johnson struck eight fours and a six – a mixture of beautiful drives and well-timed pulls – while Fudadin counted a four and a six in his 31-ball knock. Nurse claimed Fudadin in the 15th over, bowled missing a swing and Jonathan Foo posted 28 for the fourth wicket with Johnson before holing out in the deep to Carlos Brathwaite off Nurse in the 21st over at 91 for four. Anthony Bramble edged Benn to Nurse at slip for eight at 107 for five in the 24th over but it was Johnson’s wicket that signaled the end of all resistance, as he fell in Benn’s next over – also to a catch by Nurse at slip – with Jaguars in terminal decline.
SCOREBOARD PRIDE Innings K Brathwaite c Johnson b Beaton 101 A Alleyne lbw b Permaul 20 +S Hope lbw b Permaul 9 J Carter c wkp Bramble b Reifer 75 *J Holder c Hetmyer b Bishoo 31 C Brathwaite c Hetmyer b Bishoo 7 A Nurse run out 28 R Chase not out 20 Extras: (b1, lb1, w4, nb5) 11 TOTAL: (7 wkts, 50 overs) 302 Did not bat: S Dowrich, S Benn, M Cummins. Fall of wickets: 1-48, 2-70, 3-192, 4-237, 5-249, 6-253, 7-302. Bowling: Beaton 9-1-69-1 (w1, nb1), Reifer 9-0-63-1 (w1, nb3), Jacobs 10-0-29-0, Permaul 10-056-2 (w1), Bishoo 9-0-65-2 (w1), Foo 3-0-18-0 (w1). JAGUARS Innings S Hetmyer c Alleyne b Holder 0 A Fudadin b Nurse 18 R Chandrika c Benn b Holder 10 *L Johnson c A Nurse b Benn 55 J Foo c C Brathwaite b Nurse 8 +A Bramble c Nurse b Benn 8 R Reifer c wkp Hope b Nurse 16 S Jacobs b Benn 11 V Permaul lbw b Benn 16 D Bishoo st Hope b Nurse 1 R Beaton not out 0 Extras: (lb8, w5, nb1) 14 TOTAL (all out, 32 overs) 157 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-22, 3-63, 4-91, 5-107, 6-115, 7-140, 8-140, 9-143, 10-157. Bowling: Holder 5-1-15-2 (w2), Cummins 5-0-34-0 (w2), C Brathwaite 6-1-23-0, Nurse 100-42-4 (w1), Benn 6-0-35-4. Points: Pride 5, Jaguars 0.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 25, 2017
Impressive Federer sets up Wawrinka semi-final FOUR-TIME champion Roger Federer coasted into the Australian Open tennis semi-finals yesterday with a straight-set defeat of unseeded Mischa Zverev in 92 minutes. The 35-year-old reached the last four in Melbourne for a 13th time with a 6-1, 7-5, 6-2 win over Zverev, who upset world number one Andy Murray on Sunday. Federer, seeded 17th as he seeks an 18th Grand Slam title, faces compatriot Stan Wawrinka in the last four.
Fourth seed Wawrinka beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6(7-2), 6-4, 6-2. Wawrinka won his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in 2014. The 31-year-old has since added victories at the French Open in 2015 and the US Open last September, and is rated by many as the favourite in Melbourne, following surprise defeats for Murray and Novak Djokovic. Federer, playing his first competitive event s i n c e Wi m b l e d o n s i x months ago, following
Four-time Australian Open champion Roger Federer is back in the semifinals for the 13th time in his career, setting up an all-Swiss showdown with No.4 seed and 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka after racing past Germany’s Mischa Zverev 6-1 7-5 6-2.
By Alan Baldwin
interests in Time Warner and Viacom. Where Ecclestone’s business model was based on television rights and ever-increasing hosting fees that have left circuits with little chance of making a profit, Liberty has emphasised a shift towards sustainability and new revenue streams. “Less than one percent of revenues are from digital,” Maffei said in September after Liberty agreed to acquire the commercial rights from CVC Capital Parthers. “They really have no organised digital effort. I think there are a lot of things that can be done around gaming, VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality). “There’s an enormous amount of video feed and data about the races that we are already capturing that we are not in any way processing incrementally for the dedicated fan,” he added. Where Ecclestone was often at odds with the teams, adopting a divide and rule approach, Carey has sounded more collegiate and inclusive with talk of cost controls and ensuring a fairer
share of the spoils. That will be easier said than done, with the likes of glamour team Ferrari in particular handsomely rewarded for historic performances while smaller teams struggle to survive. The appointment of Ross Brawn in a management role overseeing motorsport activities has also raised hopes among fans and participants preparing for the first race in Australia in two months’ time. Brawn worked closely at Ferrari with Jean Todt, now the head of the governing FIA, and was also a principal at Honda before leading his own team and then Mercedes. Zak Brown, the newly-appointed American executive director of McLaren, backed Carey and his team to do what was needed. “Over the next decade I expect the way Formula One is run will become both freer and more fan-friendly,” said Brown. “Fan engagement is where it’s at these days, and it’s clear that the Liberty Media guys get that.”
a knee injury, brushed aside Zverev with the minimum of fuss. He blitzed through the first set in just 19 minutes, and soon levelled in the second when he was broken by the world number 50. Federer won 23 of 32 points at the net (72%) as he reached his 41st Grand Slam semi-final. “My expectation was not to play Stan Wawrinka in the semis. I thought maybe I could get to the fourth round or quarters that’s what I told the Swiss
press,” he said. “For me to play against Stan I have to play aggressively, the more time I give him the better he is. I’m happy he’s got this far but he doesn’t need to go a step further - Stan knows I’m joking.” Federer is the oldest men’s singles semi-finalist at the tournament since Arthur Ashe in 1978, and the oldest at any Grand Slam since Jimmy Connors reached the 1991 US Open lastfour aged 39. (BBC Sport)
Ecclestone exit sets F1 on a new course LONDON, England (Reuters) - Bernie Ecclestone’s ousting as Formula One supremo will take the sport in a different, digital direction under new American owners Liberty Media but there is much work to be done in the months and years ahead. “F1 has huge potential with multiple untapped opportunities,” said new chief executive Chase Carey after ending 86-year-old Ecclestone’s 40-year reign on Monday. “We will work ... to enhance the racing experience and add new dimensions to the sport and we look forward to sharing these plans over time.” Carey, appointed Formula One chairman in September after serving as vice-chairman of Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox, and Liberty Media’s chief executive Greg Maffei have both said there is a lot they want to do differently. Maffei has spoken of more races in Latin America, Asia and the United States while Carey has indicated that Liberty wants to safeguard the sport’s historic venues in Europe, ramp up marketing efforts and engage the fans more. There has been talk of treating every race like a Super Bowl, creating a buzz that extends far beyond the racetrack, but without ‘Americanising’ the sport’s fundamentals or alienating the purists. Liberty Media has plenty of experience and resources, with interests in the Atlanta Braves baseball team, satellite radio service Sirius XM, entertainment group Live Nation and minority
Bernie Eccleston’s 40-year Formula 1 reign ended on Monday.
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Venus reaches No one will beat Rooney’s Australian Open United record, says Ferguson ... Former manager salutes Jose Mourinho semi-finals after 14 years VENUS Williams reached the Australian Open semi-finals for the first time in 14 years with a straight-set win over Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Williams, the 13th seed, saw off 24th seed Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), in the first of the quarter-finals. The 36-year-old American has never won the title, her best effort a runner-up finish to sister Serena in 2003. She goes on to face unseeded American Coco Vandeweghe, who thrashed Spain’s seventh seed Garbine Muguruza 6-4, 6-0. Vandeweghe, 25, followed up her win over world number one and defending champion Angelique Kerber with a crushing defeat of French Open champion Muguruza. “I really wasn’t feeling all that great out there, I was feeling kind of nervous,” said Vandeweghe. “I just tried to play my best, stay within myself, keep my patterns. I fought through a few break points on her serve, kept on the pressure in the first
set then she finally cracked. “Once I got rolling in the second it was like a freight train. You couldn’t stop it.” “I’D LIKE TO BE CHAMPION” - VENUS Williams, meanwhile, dropped serve four times against Pavlyuchenkova but was much the stronger in the decisive moments, becoming the oldest woman to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since Martina Navratilova at Wimbledon in 1994. “I’m so excited. Today was such a hard-fought match. She never let up,” said the seven-time Grand Slam champion.
“It’s wonderful to be here at the start of the year. I want to go further. I’m not happy with this. “I try to believe. Should I look across the net and believe the person across the net deserves it more? “This mentality is not how champions are made. I’d like to be a champion, in particular this year. The mentality I walk on court with is: I deserve this.” Today, Serena Williams will play Britain’s Johanna Konta at about 02:00 GMT, following the match between Czech fifth seed Karolina Plisokva and Croatia’s Mirjana Lucic-Baroni. (BBC Sport)
(REUTERS) - Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson believes no one will ever beat Wayne Rooney’s record of 250 goals for the club. Ferguson, who signed Rooney as an 18-year-old in 2004, said surpassing Bobby Charlton’s 249-goal mark by scoring against Stoke City last Saturday was “an achievement par excellence”. “In the present-day game, it is difficult to see any club having players who can stay with them for 10 years,” he told the BBC yesterday. “Jose (Mourinho) has mentioned Marcus Rashford and there is an opportunity for that young lad, if he stays at United, and develops his potential the way that Wayne has. But it is a very big target to hit.” Ferguson also saluted the way Mourinho has turned round the club’s season after an uncertain start. “I think he has done a great job,” said Ferguson of the third manager to be tried by the club since the Scot’s retirement in 2013.
Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney celebrates after scoring their first goal to break the all-time goalscoring record for Manchester United. (Reuters/Darren Staples Livepic)
“The first team weren’t doing great and you have to find solutions to correct that. I think Jose is finding solutions now. There was a period earlier in the season when he wasn’t getting the decisions and his emotions boiled over. You see him now -- he is calm and in control. “You can see he has got to grips with the club. The team is playing really well and he has been very unlucky. He has had six 1-1 draws and in
every game he has battered the opposition. “If they hadn’t had all these draws, they would be there challenging Chelsea. That is the unfortunate part but he is going to have to live with that.” United, sixth in the Premier League, have the chance to reach Wembley under Mourinho for the first time tomorrow when they take a 2-0 lead into the League Cup semi-final second leg against Hull City.
Venus Williams will next play Coco Vandeweghe for a place in the final
Mitchell Johnson celebrates after removing Kevin Pietersen in Perth, yesterday.
Johnson takes 3-3 as Perth Scorchers reach BBL final MITCHELL Johnson took three wickets for just three runs as Perth Scorchers beat Melbourne Stars by seven wickets to reach the Big Bash League final. Johnson, 35, dismissed openers Rob Quiney and Luke Wright for ducks before having Kevin Pietersen caught for five. (Scores: Melbourne Stars 136-8 (20 overs): Gotch 48, Hussey 26, Johnson 3-3.
Perth Scorchers 139-3 (16.5 overs): S Marsh 56, Whiteman 31, Bell 26*). The ex-Australia fast bowler’s figures (4-2-3-3) are the most economical completed spell in BBL history. The Stars posted 1368 at the WACA but Shaun Marsh’s unbeaten 56 took the Scorchers to victory in the 17th over. The Scorchers, who are attempting to win a
third BBL title in four seasons, will play either Brisbane Heat or Sydney Sixers in the final. The Heat play the Sixers at the Gabba in Brisbane today. The Scorchers’ victory completed an excellent day for Perth as the women’s team beat Brisbane Heat by nine wickets to reach their BBL final. (BBC Sport)
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Holders Ivory Coast sent packing at Nations Cup (REUTERS) - Rachid Alioui scored a spectacular winner for Morocco to defeat holders Ivory Coast 1-0 and advance to the quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup finals at the expense of the defending champions yesterday. French-born Alioui netted from 35 metres to take coach Herve Renard’s side into the knockout stages and end the hopes of the country the latter led to the continental title two years ago in Equatorial Guinea. Morocco finished runners-up in Group C with six points, one behind pool
winners the Democratic Republic of Congo. The fancied Ivorians, who managed just two goals and two points in their three matches in Gabon, had to settle for third. Ivory Coast joined two other high-profile first-round casualties already knocked out of the tournament, Algeria and hosts Gabon. It took 25 minutes for the first real threat to either goal and it was Morocco who went close as Faycal Fajr’s free kick had the beating of Ivory Coast keeper Sylvain Gbohouo but cannoned back off the
crossbar. In a half of few chances, the next two fell the way of Ivory Coast and they should have profited from at least one of them. Veteran Salomon Kalou provided an excellent run and pass to former England international Wilfried Zaha in acres of space on the lefthand side of the box but the Crystal Palace winger’s shot was straight at the Moroccan keeper. A minute before the break, Wilfried Bony’s flickon found Kalou at the back post but his header hit the woodwork and the chance
FC Astana forward Kabananga is now the tournament’s top scorer with three goals from three games.
DR Congo progress as Togo eliminated
DR Congo reached the Africa Cup of Nations last eight as Group C winners yesterday with a victory that eliminated Togo. Tournament top scorer Junior Kabananga converted Chancel Mbemba’s pass for the opener, his third goal in three games. Kabananga hit the post with a flicked header before Ndombe Mubele doubled the lead after the break, looping the ball over the keeper amid static defending. Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba’s tidy finish gave Togo hope, but Paul-Jose M’Poku’s free-kick secured a deserved DR Congo win.
In the group’s other game, holders Ivory Coast were knocked out after a 1-0 defeat by Morocco, who go through as group runners-up. DR Congo go on to play the Group D runners-up in the quarter-finals, which will be one of Mali, Ghana or - most likely - Egypt. Togo had to beat DR Congo to go through and the game began with ill fortune as goalkeeper Baba Tchagouni was forced off injured. He had to be replaced by third-choice stopper Cedric Mensah as first-choice Kossi Agassa had been allowed to return home after his house was vandalised by fans angry
with his performance in the previous game, a 3-1 defeat by Morocco. After Laba’s goal, former Arsenal and Manchester City forward Emmanuel Adebayor blasted a chance for an equaliser straight at the keeper and was denied by a goal-line clearance in injury time, but DR Congo were comfortable for the majority of the match. Jonathan Bolingi had a goal ruled out for offside, and the striker might have wrapped the result up sooner with a shot deflected just wide before M’Poku’s free-kick swerved in off the underside of the bar. (BBC Sport)
was gone. The first 20 minutes of the second period saw the Ivorians have the majority of the possession but a swift break from Morocco led to substitute Alioui’s decisive moment. The 24-year-old, who plays for Nimes in the French second division, picked up the ball, spotted Gbohouo off his line and masterfully curled his shot into the top corner. The north African side soaked up some heavy Ivorian pressure after that but were able to comfortably see out the game to set up a quar-
ter-final meeting on Sunday with the winners of Group D. That will be either Ghana or Egypt, who clash
today in Port Gentil for top spot, with the former needing just a draw to secure the pool win.
Morocco celebrate after Rachid Alioui scores in the second half.
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Britton and Franklin take doubles win at weekend table tennis tourney By Tamica Garnett NATIONAL players Shemar Britton and Christopher Franklin teamed up to defeat Donald Duff and Jamal Duff in the open doubles, while Kaysan Ninvalle and Tyriq Saunders were also among those who registered wins when the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) kick-started their 2017 season with a Novices, Doubles and Fundamental Challenge tournament last weekend at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. After ousting Joel Alleyne and Trenace Lowe in a 11-6, 7-11, 11-5, 11-7 victory, Britton and Franklin went on to triumph 6-11, 118, 11-7, 11-7 over the team of Donald and Jamal Duff. The Duffs had earlier, in the semi-finals, succeeded 11-13, 8-11, 13-11, 11-4, 12-10 over Elishaba Johnson and Nigel Bryan. Johnson and Bryan shared third place with Al-
leyne and Lowe. Alleyne and Lowe fared better in the mixed doubles, where Bryan once again failed to find his footings and carve out a win. This time, collaborating with junior Priscilla Greaves, Bryan went down 16-14, 6-11, 7-11, 7-11 as Alleyne and Lowe prevailed in the mixed doubles final. Britton also suffered losses in this category, where he and his partner Candace McKenzie shared third place behind team Miguel Wong/
THE anti-doping tribunal to hear West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell’s case is set to deliver its verdict on January 31. The independent tribunal is looking into whether he breached the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) code by being negligent about filing his whereabouts three times between January and July 2015. If he is found guilty, Russell faces the danger of being banned for two years. According to the WADA code, if an athlete misses three tests in a 12-month period, it amounts to a failed dope test. The charge was pressed by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) last March. JADCO said Russell had been negligent about filing his whereabouts despite several re-
minders over phone, email and through written letters. Still Russell failed to file his whereabouts on January 1, July 1 and July 25, 2015. In his defence, Russell told the tribunal that he had not been properly trained to file the whereabouts. And considering he was busy fulfilling various cricket commitments he had authorised his agent and travel agent to file his whereabouts on his behalf.The three-member tribunal, comprising Hugh Faulkner, Dr Marjorie Vassell and Dixeth Palmer, a former Jamaica cricketer, was due to deliver the verdict in December. But no reasons were offered by the tribunal in public behind the delay. The delayed verdict has kept not just Russell, but also various T20 franchises
Christopher Franklin
Natalie Cummings. Alleyne and Lowe overthrew Britton and McKenzie with straight-sets wins in the semi-finals (11-7, 11-5, 11-4). The Bryan/ Greaves combination was able to take out Cummings a n d Wo n g i n a n o t h e r straight-sets match (11-9, 11-8, 11-7). For the junior doubles Tyriq Saunders joined forces with Nicholus Romain to rule over Terrance Rausch and Jamal Nicholas, winning 11-8, 8-11, 12-10, 13-11. Johnson and Greaves were left to share third place with Wong and Niran Bissu. Over in the pre-cadet doubles Kaysan Ninvalle and Isaiah Layne were not to be stopped, and came out championing the category after beating Jonathan Van Lange and Dhanesh Persaud 11-7, 11-9, 11-6. In the Novices category 34 entrants from Georgetown, Linden, Essequibo, East Coast and East Bank
cameg out to test their skills and see how they have improved. In the end Karl Nedd of the Table Tennis Academy took home the win after getting the better of Buxton Table Tennis Club’s DeAndre Gordon, in a straight-sets win 11-4, 11-2, 13-11. The novices’ female finals went to another TTA pupil, Tirishatha Semple who defeated East bank table Tennis Club’s Nkechi McRae. McRae went under 4-11, 9-11, 9-11. The tournament also featured a fundamental challenge component which saw a three-minute pre-cadet rally being won by Van Lange and Layne, who finished on top with 111 rallies. Krystian Sahadeo and Colin Wong finished second with 99 rallies and third place went to Thuraia Thomas and Shania Barrow with 43. Juniors three-minute rally win went to Johnson and
waiting in anticipation. Although not contracted with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Russell is one of the most valuable players in the various Twenty20 domestic leagues across the world. Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL), Sydney Thunder (Big Bash League), Is-
lamabad United (PSL), Nottinghamshire Outlaws (NatWest T20 Blast) and Jamaica Tallawahs (Caribbean Premier League) are some of the teams he has represented, and he has been the most valuable player for more than one team and tournament. (ESPN Cricinfo)
Anti-doping tribunal set to deliver Russell verdict on January 31
Greaves with 142 rallies, second went to Nevaeh Clarkston and Selenas Jackman with 131. For the seniors, Jamal
Duff and Clarkston topped with 178 rallies, Franklin and Britton finished with 159, while Cummings and Dwain Dick had 145.
Shemar Britton
Guyana Olympic Association writes UCI over cycling saga THE Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has responded to the World Cycling Body’s (UCI) president Brian Cookson, recommending that the body should intervene in the current impasse facing the sport. In a letter today, the GOA head K.A. Juman Yassin wrote Mr Cookson, stating that he is “urging you and your body to pay a keen interest in what is happening in Guyana and in this regard, perhaps send a representative so there may be some unity between the clubs and the executive of the Guyana Cycling Federation”. Yassin pledged the assistance of the GOA in any regard possible in resolving the said issues which plague
the sport. According to Yassin’s letter, “All is not well in Guyana with cycling” with several of the clubs that constitute the GCF, having moved a motion to dissolve the current administration and appoint an interim management committee. Nonetheless, the GOA contended that it only recognises Mr Horace Burrowes as the elected president of the body, reminding that GCF executives were present at the GOA’s General Assembly last month. The letter contended that whatever moves the international body intends to make, it should do so ‘soon’, claiming that the disunity puts “the sport of cycling and our cyclists at a great disadvantage”.
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday January 25, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 624-3rd wkt (Kumar Sangakkara & Mahela Jayawardene-SL vs SA, Colombo, 2006) (2) 372-2nd wkt (Chris Gayle & Marlon Samuels-WI vs ZIM, Canberra, 2015)
Andre Russell has continued to play while awaiting a verdict from the JADCO tribunal.
Today’s Quiz: (1) What is the highest individual score made by a player on his Test debut? (2) What is the highest individual score made by a player on his ODI debut? ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 25, 2017
Stalemates the order of night one as Limacol football begins
NO winners were found on the opening night of the Petra-organised 2017 Limacol Round-Robin KnockOut Football tournament as tense action ensued at the GFC ground, Bourda. In the first game, the Mahaica Determinators took an early lead against Guyana Police Force through Eion Abel in the second minute. The Police, however, did what was required in producing an equaliser just five minutes from the half through Dwayne Charles. Abel again put the Mahaica side in the lead in the 56th minute but this was short-lived as the boys in blue produced another equalising effort in the 57th through Quincy Holder. Both teams pushed for
Part of Group A action between Mahaica Determinators and Police in Monday evening’s Limacol Round-Robin Knock-Out football tournament at the GFC ground, Bourda. (Delano Williams) the determining goal but neither coverted run-downs into the much-needed goal. The feature game pro-
duced the same result as Riddim Squad held Camptown to a 1-1 draw. Both teams were reli-
Volcanoes taking nothing for granted against Windies U19s ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Windward Islands Volcanoes will be taking nothing for granted when they come up against minnows West Indies Under-19s, in the first game of a doubleheader that opens the Antigua leg of the Regional Super50 here today. Volcanoes, boasting the likes of two-time Twenty20 World Cup-winning captain Darren Sammy and the current West Indies pair of Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher, enter the contest at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium as the definite favourites but captain Liam Sebastien said Tuesday they would not be underestimating the young side. “We will be looking to start with a win. In any competition it is always important to start off good. The guys are obviously raring to go and the guys are focused on that mission of winning the first game which obviously would set the tone,” Sebastien said. “Also, they are not a team we are going to underestimate. They’ve been preparing for a while, they’ve had a few camps together and it’s something we’re mindful of. We’re not going into the game complacent saying we’ve won the game
already We know we still have to go out and play a good game of cricket. It is something we are aware of. We are aware of them in terms of what they can bring because we will be going into the game as favourites and favourites don’t always win.” Antigua will play host to Zone A which also comprises title-holders Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, Leeward Islands Hurricanes and English County side, Kent Spitfires. Today’s feature game set for the Coolidge Cricket Ground will see Kent clashing with Hurricanes in a day/night affair. But despite fixtures against the likes of Red Force and Kent, Sebastien believes the clash with the Windies Under-19s is the most critical one for Volcanoes. “This could be one of the most important games of the group for us because this is our first game and it’s against the team everybody expects to be the minnows of the group so it’s something that’s going to be very important in terms of our performance as a group,” he stressed. Meanwhile, Under-19s head coach Graeme West said his side were still build-
ing their confidence ahead of their first outing. However, he said their practice match last Sunday had gone a long way in boosting the side’s belief, and he was now hoping to see signs of development as the squad used the tournament as preparation for next year’s Youth World Cup. “We are building on what we did in [the camp in] Grenada in December,” the Englishman said. ‘There are some nerves in the group. We have some young guys and inexperienced players in terms of senior cricket so on reflection I think it was a good exercise on Sunday. A lot of them come away from it with a lot more belief that they can compete at the senior level.” He continued: “I think what we are really looking for is the ability to make good decisions. For the bowlers, they are going to be under pressure. They are some very positive players they are going to be bowling against so it’s a little bit composure, a little bit setting the right fields for what they are trying to do. “For the batters, certainly at the top of the order, it’s really a case of developing the belief that they can perform.”
ant on late goals as Teon Jones’ 82nd minute strike was cancelled by Jason Williams six minutes later. Matches return to the GFC ground on Friday., with Western Tigers going toeto-toe with New Amsterdam United in a Group B clash, while Santos are down to play Ann’s Grove in Group C action. Both games are set for the GFC ground. The following day the event will move to the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground in Linden with Milerock battling Northern Rangers and Winners Connection facing off with Grove HiTech in Group A.
The final matches of round one on January 29 will pit Uitvlugt against Eagles United in Group B and Pouderoyen against Den Amstel in Group C at a venue to be announced. The winners of the tournament will take home $500 000 and a trophy while the second-, third- and fourthplaced teams will receive $250 000, $125 000 and $75 000 respectively. Additionally, the winners of each group will receive $100 000 while the respective finishers will pocket $50 000, $30 000 and $20 000 apiece. (Stephan Sookram)
Marooners create big upset as Scorpions lose by 75 runs
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners raised the curtain on the 2017 Regional Super50 in style when they stunned Jamaica Scorpions by 75 runs in the opening game here yesterday. Fired by teenaged opener Amir Jangoo’s measured 64, Marooners raised a modest 214 for eight off their 50 overs at 3Ws Oval. However, Scorpions were then undermined by off-spinner Mark Deyal (3-22) and fast bowler Keon Harding (3-30) who claimed three wickets apiece, as they tumbled to a disappointing 140 all out off 35 overs. Only Brandon King with a top score of 48 showed any enterprise as Scorpions failed to mount any meaningful partnerships and lost wickets steadily. Sent in, in the Zone B encounter, Marooners lost captain Jamal Smith cheaply for 13 at 27 for one in the seventh over, but Jangoo revived the innings with support from veteran all-rounder Ryan Hinds who got an unbeaten 39 and Cassius Burton who made 32. Left-hander Jangoo faced 114 balls and struck four fours and a six, and anchored a string of small partnerships which prevented the innings from collapse. He put on 32 for the second wicket with Kyle Corbin (12), 38 for the third wicket with Vikash Mohan (20) and another 38 for the fourth wicket with Burton. When Jangoo was lbw to leg-spinner Damion Jacobs (222) in the 38th over, former West Indies left-hander Hinds arrived to smash two fours and two sixes in his 34-ball knock, to rally the
innings. He put on 29 for the fifth wicket with Burton and 28 off 22 balls for the eighth wicket with Nino Henry who made just six. The target seemed a straightforward one until Harding bowled openers Chadwick Walton (15) and John Campbell (1) in successive overs to leave the Scorpions in strife at 22 for two in the fifth over. Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood threatened briefly, banging four boundaries in 19 off 14 deliveries but Harding ended the cameo by removing the righthander to a catch at the wicket. Deyal further hurt the innings, by sending back Devon Thomas (5) and Rovman Powell (2) in successive overs, as Scorpions stumbled to 64 for five in the 13th over. King inspired the best stand of the innings when he put on 39 for the sixth wicket with debutant Damani Sewell (10), raising hopes of a late-order revival.
Amir Jangoo
But King’s dismissal, lbw to left-arm spinner Larry Edward in the 25th over, sparked a slide which saw four wickets tumble for the addition of just 20 runs and there was no further recovery for the visitors.
SCOREBOARD CCC MAROONERS innings J. Smith lbw b Miller 13 A. Jangoo lbw b Jacobs 64 K. Corbin c R. Powell b Sewell 12 V. Mohan lbw b Jacobs 20 C. Burton run-out 32 R. Hinds not out 39 M. Deyal lbw b Taylor 5 L. Edward run-out 2 N. Henry run-out 6 K. Harding not out 2 Extras: (lb-3, w-17) 20 Total: (8 wkts, 50 overs) 215 Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-59, 3-97, 4-135, 5-164, 6-174, 7-181, 8-209. Bowling: Leveridge 10-0-47-0, Taylor 8-0-45-1, Miller 10-2-361, Sewell 7-0-38-1, Jacobs 10-122-2, Powell 5-0-24-0. JAMAICA SCORPIONS innings C. Walton b Harding 15 J. Campbell b Harding 1 J. Blackwood c Smith b Harding 19 B. King lbw b Edward 48 D. Thomas lbw b Deyal 5 R. Powell c & b Deyal 2 D. Sewell run-out 10 D. Jacobs c Levy b Deyal 6 J. Taylor c Smith b Edward 3 N. Miller not out 25 R. Leveridge run-out 0 Extras: (lb-1, w-4, nb-1) 6 Total: (all out, 35 overs) 140 Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-22, 3-44, 4-62, 5-64, 6-103, 7-111, 8-112, 9-123. Bowling: Harding 5-0-30-3, Hinds 8-2-23-0, Levy 3-0-18-0, Deyal 9-1-22-3, Henry 2-0-17-0, Mohan 2-0-8-0, Edward 6-121-2. Man-of-the-Match: Amir Jangoo. Toss: Scorpions.
Stalemates the order of night one as Limacol football begins See Pg. 43
Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson pulls during his stroke-filled 55 against Barbados Pride. . (Photo courtesy WICB Media)
Pride spinners destroy Jaguars after Brathwaite maiden century See story on Pg. 38
Pride captain Kraigg Brathwaite celebrates his maiden one-day hundred at Kensington Oval, yesterday.
CFU to consider split from CONCACAF SEVERAL Caribbean nations have supported a bid to break away from regional football representative CONCACAF in favour of forming an independent confederation as disputes over funding grow. According to multiple reports, the issue was raised at a recent meeting of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) executive and 26 of 31 nations were in support of the proposal that would see the region depart from its 41-member parent asso-
ciation. President of the CFU, Gordon Derrick, was the one to raise the motion, which is firmly rooted in extreme displeasure with the attitude of the new Victor Montagliani-led CONCACAF towards the Caribbean region. Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) president Montagliani was elected as head of the body in May of last year. Since then the CFU has reportedly seen the majority of funding and grants heavily cut and
CFU president Gordon Derrick
been allowed no major input in CONCACAF’s decision-making process. Many believe the measures in part serve as punishment of sorts for the region, who supplied the last two CONCACAF presidents Jack Warner and Jeffrey Webb. Both former FIFA officials are now facing corruption charges and have been banned for life from the sport. “We were promised development for our youth, we were promised a treatment as equals but we received nothing but crumbs if that,” Inside World Football quoted Gordon as saying. “True to the tradition that sadly governed our region for far too long, we were the water carriers of countries much larger than ours, we were expected to deliver when they called and we were to succumb to the interests that were not and are not ours to this day.” (Sportsmax.com)
Two persons ‘learning the ropes’ at the GT motorsports headquarters yesterday (Delano Williams photo)
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBNER 25, 2017