Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 28 02 2017

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017

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Ministerial confab No. 104838

(VAT Inclusive)

…mining, agriculture sectors up for serious discussion at ministers’ conference today

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GTT rolls out high-speed Internet in Essequibo Page 7

Minister of Public Telecommunication, Cathy Hughes,engages students of Essequibo on government’s programme to revolutionise the sector there (Samuel Maughn photo)

Fire destroys Buxton bakery

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Strengthened mandate …UN in renewed push to resolve Guyana/Venezuela border controversy

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STEM Guyana launches NGSA Maths App Page 12

Ministerial confab

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

…mining, agriculture sectors up for serious discussion at ministers’ conference today PRESIDENT David Granger will today break from the regular Cabinet meeting to host what has been described as a ministers’ conference, with the mining and agriculture sectors up for serious discussions, well-placed sources have confirmed.

Discussions on the reshuffling of permanent secretaries as well as the controversial parking meter project are also likely to feature on the agenda of the conference, the source close to cabinet has revealed. The conference

will be held at State House.

Guyana Chronicle was told that unlike cabinet meetings,today’s conference will see both senior and junior ministers attending.

Meanwhile, regarding the mining sector,the conference will more than likely deal with the public pronouncements by the Guyana Gold and Diamond Mining Association about the state of the industry.

Members of the local mining industry had given President Granger two weeks to meet with them or face

immediate protest action.

Miners say they have been expressing their concerns for a number of weeks but have gained no meaningful outcome. The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMA) last month issued a public notice extending an invitation to the Head of State, who they believe will be more accommodating to their plight.

President David Granger

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

The miners claim that previous meetings with other officials were “hijacked” thus causing their concerns to remain outstanding. Administrative Manager of the

GGDMA,Colin Sparman,had told the Guyana Chronicle that the tax matters are of deep concern to all miners and must be addressed by the President. He said the mining industry has contributed a lot to the country before,noting how the new tax measures will “squeeze the life out of the industry.”

The miners expressed discontent, stating that after 30 years of operating under the established tax code, they as the main stakeholders should have had some input as to the new tax measures that directly affect them and their families. “We will not accede to conditions imposed upon the industry where there has not even been the courtesy of prior consultation,” the miners insisted.

With respect to the agriculture sector, rice farmers have been complaining about markets, delinquent millers and other issues. The all-important decision on the future of the Guyana Sugar Corporation will also be an agenda item. Over the weekend, Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder,was in Essequibo during a two-day outreach during which he disclosed that government was considering opening up its own rice mill to solve some of the issues famers face in pricing

and market and is also engaging the banks to address the issue of financing.

Among the concerns raised at the two-day outreach were: the implementation of VAT on agricultural equipment, the need for more markets to be secured, changes to the Rice Factory Act, government intervention to ensure payments are received from millers, grading of rice among others.

According to a release by the Ministry the Agri-

Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder

culture,Holder spoke of efforts by government to ensure that farmers can access loans. He disclosed that the Bankers Association is presently addressing the issue and will officially address farmers in the near future. “We are concerned about your livelihood and we want to see how we can bring the much-needed support to ensure the industry prevails...” the minister is quoted in the release as saying.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Guyana/Suriname council meets after 10-year hiatus …Greenidge urges speedy implementation of agreements

By Ariana Gordon

After a 10-year hiatus, the Seventh Session of the Guyana-Suriname Cooperation Council was declared open in Georgetown, amid calls for the Council to move away from just signing agreements but ensuring the implementation of same.

Foreign Affairs Minister,Carl Greenidge,in opening the Council on Monday,charged representatives from both countries to do more to ensure that the countries ties are deepened.

“Far too often, agreements are signed and become ends in and of themselves;this must be changed – the Council must go beyond signing of agreements to ensure good faith implementation of the agreed to activities.

Once this is done I am sure the burden you carry would be much appreciated,” Greenidge said during a simple opening ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ boardroom.

He explained that the Cooperation Council was established to deepen and strengthen

Representatives of the Guyana-Suriname Cooperation Council met on Monday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Georgetown. (GINA photo) relations between the two South December when the Surinamese a decade, the relationship beAmerican countries in the areas leader visited Guyana. “Both tween the two countries has not of health, natural resources, heads of state rely on you,the died but has seen a reduction technology, security, and eco- esteemed members of the Coun- in the intensity and scope of nomics,and noted that with the cil,to create the conditions for cooperation. reconvening of the meeting and establish means by which “The meetings of the Cooppresents a “myriad opportunities those prospective advantages eration Council in the past have for cooperation, for action.” can be realised in the shortest provided visions, goals, aims President David Granger possible time,” the Foreign and objectives for the achieveand Suriname’s President,Desi Affairs Minister stated while ment and enhancement of the Bouterse, committed to having noting that while the Council kind of relations between our the Council reconvened last has not been convened for over two neighbouring countries that

are desirable.”

Greenidge noted that the Council over the years has been supported by technical experts and ad hoc groups to sharpen and broaden the focused areas of cooperation for the countries and emphasised the countries being the only two contiguous states within the CARICOM Bloc.

The Foreign Affairs Minister reminded the members of the Council that the Presidents of Guyana and Suriname rely on them to create the means by which areas of cooperation can be materialized in the shortest possible time. He believes that while Guyana and Suriname have proven over the years to be “good friends” the duo with combined knowledge and resources can progress significantly.

“We must recognise that while we lack the ability (individually) to be the complete food baskets on our own, we can together achieve that goal together. It would take some self-sacrifice, much hard work, but the benefits of being together would eliminate the risks of trying to do it individually… and reduces the time to which they can be achieved,” said Greenidge.

Meanwhile, head of the Surinamese delegation, Ambassador Dr John Kolader, said the reconvening of the Council provides a new beginning for the strengthening of cooperation between Guyana and Suriname and noted the need to hasten efforts of cooperation between

the two countries.

“I think that this body should not only monitor and see what the several agencies are doing but also to take initiatives and give guidance in the efforts for the cooperation,” Dr Kolader,who also served as Suriname’s Ambassador to Guyana and is now the Chairman of the Border Commission,said.

He noted that Council is an important instrument used to promote and improve the friendship between Guyana and Suriname. “We are convinced that there is an urgent need to cooperate and to strengthen joint efforts to bring the two countries and people closer and closer to each other, a logical avenue as the two countries are adjacent to each other,” said the Surinamese diplomat.

Additionally, Dr Kolader stressed the need for both countries to prevent disturbances so that there can be continued strengthening of relations rather than “setbacks in development.”

In attendance were several representatives from varying government ministries and departments including, Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture George Jarvis, Ndibi Schwiers, Head of the Department of Environment and former Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,Elisabeth Harper,and representatives from the Ministries of Business and Security.

Tuesday, February 28, 2017 - 05:00 hrs Wednesday, March 01, 2017 - 05:00 hrs Thursday, March 02, 2017 - 05:00 hrs Friday, March 03, 2017 - 08:30 hrs Saturday, March 04, 2017 - 09:00 hrs

Foreign Affairs Minister,Carl Greenidge,speaks as Surinamese Diplomat, Ambassador Dr John Kolader looks on, during Monday’s opening ceremony of the 7th Session of the Guyana-Suriname Cooperation Council, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Georgetown. (GINA photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

The Oscars blunder will forever overshadow Moonlight’s historic night

[CNN] - “Moonlight” won.

Let’s be very clear about that before we talk about anything else.

THE same Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that has bestowed its best picture award to such glossy, hallowed artifacts as “Gone With the Wind,” “An American in Paris” and “The Godfather” this year gave its biggest prize to a small, critically acclaimed and artistically daring film about a troubled African-American youth struggling with a broken home, confronting his sexuality and stalked by the prospect of violence.

The significance of this best picture award can’t be understated and its essence, the potential broadening of storytelling possibilities for American movies, was best summarised earlier in the evening when “Moonlight” collected the best adapted screenplay Oscar for director Barry Jenkins and co-producer Tarell Alvin McCraney, who wrote the original semi-autobiographical stage play “In Moonlight, Black Boys Look Blue.”

“This goes out to all those black and brown boys and girls and non-gender conforming, who don’t see themselves, we’re trying to show you and us,” McCraney said in their acceptance speech.

At that point in the 89th annual Academy Awards, already groundbreaking in its broad presence of African-American nominees in several categories, many in

Barry Jenkins poses with his Oscar.

REUTERS/Mike Blake the audience and millions tagonist under his care. With watching on television be- all these potentially transforlieved that would be the only mative moments in play, it’s a other major award “Moon- shame that all people will talk light” would collect -- besides about, from this day forward,

moment, he resembled nothing so much as the manic and suicidal senator from his 1998 movie, “Bulworth,” looking as if he were going to trip over his shoes.

The problem was simple: Somebody had handed him the envelope that earlier announced Emma Stone as the best actress winner for “La La Land.” Seeing Beatty’s bafflement, Dunaway genially muttered what sounded like “You’re impossible, Warren!” before taking hold of the envelope and reading what by that point everybody believed was the inevitable winner: “La La Land,” the musical romance that had already col-

Viola Davis holds her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for ‘Fences’ REUTERS/Danny Moloshok Helmets” -- a documentary abusive tweets about Meryl about the volunteers of the Streep before tweeting the same name saving lives in suspiciously silent President Syria -- winning a first Oscar to check if he was OK. for Netflix; Iranian director, And though some acceptance speeches were too long, others were eloquent and touching: among the best came from Stone, Jenkins, Ali and Viola Davis, whose Best Supporting Actress win for “Fences” made her the first African American actress to achieve the Tony-Emmy-Oscar trifecta.

Maybe that’s how history is made: Sneaking up behind somebody else’s mistakes.

We’ll have to wait and see if history’s signals have sunk deep enough into Hollywood’s teeming, bemused brain.

The cast and producers of “Moonlight” accept their award for best picture. the best supporting actor prize won by Mahershala Ali for playing the gangster, who takes the baffled young pro-

Emma Stone accepts the best actress Oscar for her role in ‘La La Land’

is what led to the best picture award being announced twice; first as a mistake, then as a correction.

At the center of it all was Warren Beatty, who proved to have impeccable comic- timing without trying to be funny.

Let’s see if we can piece this together: Beatty and Faye Dunaway, his co-star from the 50-year-old classic “Bonnie and Clyde,” were given the honor of presenting the climactic award.

As the 79-year-old Beatty opened the envelope, he seemed to have a senior moment, nervously grinning, visibly struggling with whatever was on the card. At that

lected several Oscars, including Stone’s and a best director prize for Damien Chazelle.

Chaos ensued. The cast and crew of “La La Land” took the stage and in what seemed like seconds, the correct envelope found its way to the stage and a stunned, but gracious cast and crew of “La La Land” gave way to a stunned, yet joyous cast and crew of “Moonlight.”

Up until its strange ending, this year’s Oscar ceremony had already been an above-average clutter of topical humor and sincerely noteworthy moments: the first Muslim actor to win an Academy Award; “The White

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Ashgar Farhadi, boycotting the ceremony in protest of Trump’s Travel ban before winning Best Foreign Language Film; and Jimmy Kimmel mocking the President’s

ACTING WINNERS * Casey Affleck – best actor, Manchester by the Sea * Emma Stone – best actress, La La Land * Mahershala Ali – best supporting actor, Moonlight * Viola Davis – best supporting actress, Fences

The best supporting actor prize was won

by Mahershala Ali

gnnleditorial@gmail.com

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Editorial

Editor-In-Chief

BACK in May 2001, then Opposition Leader, Hugh Desmond Hoyte and President Bharrat Jagdeo signed an agreement to, among other things, address the needs of depressed communities, which were identified.

While the country may have had an economic programme at the time, it did not have a direct positive impact in communities across the country, thus giving rise to the need for special attention to the under-served to improve their socio-economic circumstances.

Oftentimes, tackling poverty alleviation, though it may form part of a national programme, requires a focused approach that would result in conceptualising and planning programmes to meet unique needs.

For instance, of primary importance to Plastic City, which is a depressed, thrownup community, would be a Relocation Programme to

identify house lots for the construction of homes.

The needs of Buxton, on the other hand, which is among the identified communities such as Non-Pareil/ Enterprise, De Kinderen and Meten-Meer-Zorg, would more likely be addressing the hindrance to farming.

Unfortunately, then President Jagdeo never honoured the May 2001 agreement in its entirety, and in the absence of the needed attention, conditions in these communities have since deteriorated.

Since 2001, it is likely that other communities would have fallen into the depressed category. In failing to tackle poverty and its concomitant social ills in a concerted manner, the deprivations would be more severe.

Inaction on the part of the government also means that the communities at reference have been allowed to become dependent on other communities that directly benefit

from the macro-economic programme.

In the case of Buxton, much of its farmlands have become idle due to poor access roads and drainage.

Consequently, this has impacted the community’s ability for self-sufficiency in food, resulting in villagers becoming dependent on other communities to provide them with what they are quite capable of providing for themselves.

The under-utilisation of lands has created other disadvantages in areas such as employment and economic opportunities, which in turn have implications for development for self, community, and nation.

The challenges residents in Plastic City face have a far-reaching impact on the nation’s health. In this community, which has sprung up in Vreed-en-Hoop in response to a housing crisis, the residents are living in shacks and on the shoreline.

As the sea tide rises, the water runs under their homes, taking with it wherever it goes whatever faeces it picks up along the way. There is not only an absence of running water, but the likelihood of contracting water-borne diseases that can escalate into a health crisis.

President Jagdeo has had a decade in office since signing the Agreement, and could have used the opportunity to develop these communities.

When attention is paid to some communities while others are ignored, development is not only lopsided, but the environment is being created to nurture anti-social behaviours, forced migration, increased poverty and its attendant consequences.

Government must never be seen as being far removed from the realities around it, or insensitive and uncaring to the needs of the least and most vulnerable among us.

The Guyana Water Inc has taken potable water to

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

Sophia, and the Ministry of Infrastructure has constructed a number of roads in the community, which is also considered depressed.

That this is happening under the David Granger/ Moses Nagamootoo government, though it is not known if such movements have to do with the 2001 Agreement, these are steps in a progressive direction. If the government is being guided by the agreement then President Jagdeo refused to honour, this would be a constructive approach to governance. If, however, this is not the case, it may be opportune to dust

off that agreement and seek to address a plight that is more than a decade overdue, and by extension has escalated the deprivations ten-fold.

Where Mr. Jagdeo, as President of Guyana, has failed the depressed communities that the Government and Opposition have both agreed deserve attention, the APNU+AFC government could find it worthwhile to pursue.

It is reasonable to expect that Mr. Jagdeo, who is now Leader of the Opposition, would give the government the cooperation and support.

Is this a hostile takeover of Berbice cricket?

Dear Editor

ON December 29, 2014, the Berbice Cricket Board held its last Biannual General Meeting, when Anil Beharry of the Young Warriors Cricket Club succeeded Keith Foster of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sport Club as President by defeating Victor Seebarran on a vote of 22 to 16.

At that meeting also, First Vice-President Dhiatendranauth Somwaru was returned unopposed, and as observed by the unwelcomed presence of the Secretary and Treasurer of the Guyana Cricket Board, both men are paid Directors of the West Indies Cricket Board.

Due to an injunction filed one month later, the activities of the Board

were limited thereafter, and due to frustration, fear and a transfer on promotion to the Georgetown branch of his company, President Anil Beharry resigned in January 2017.

Like all other office holders, his two-year term had expired on December 31, 2016.

The First Vice-President Dhiatendranauth Somwaru tried to call a Special Meeting in February 2017 to discuss the relationship between the Guyana and Bebrice Cricket Boards, but could not do so due to the injuction which bars Executive Members from holding meetings.

Somwaru has since been sending out letters to previously appointed members of the Executive Committee, thanking them for their services,

stating that he is looking for honest individuals, and that the Board was moving on in another direction. He has been using an altered Berbice Cricket Board letterhead, and signing these letters as President of the Berbice Cricket Board.

The following previously appointed Executive Members are expected to receive letters: Malcolm Peters, Keith Foster, Albert Smith, Hubern Evans, Julian Cambridge and at least one other.

Keith Foster and Albert Smith have indeed received such a letter. One Seywag, of Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice has also received a letter.

It should be noted that Keith Foster is a past three-term President of the BCB, and the long-serving President of the most

progressive Rose Hall Town Youth and Sport Club. Malcolm Peters is a Life Member and former President. Albert Smith is a highly experienced National Senior and Junior Level III Coach, who performed as Chairman of the National and County Selection Committees.

Hubern Evans is a former national batsman, an experienced Level III Coach, who served on the National Selection Committee and chaired the County Section Committee. Julian Cambridge is a former Vice-President.

All five of these individuals have served Berbice Cricket in excess of 20 years, and have served as Executive Members and Vice- President before Somwaru did so.

Somwaru espouses honesty while he attend-

ed three meetings of the Guyana Cricket Board in breach of the injunction.

Since the absence of Beharry from Berbice more than a year ago, he has visited the Board office in New Amsterdam on three occasions, but only to use the toilet facilitiy while on his way to Georgetown.

He showed no leadership then, and has been showing shockingly poor leadership now.

If he wants to be President of the Berbice Cricket Board, he should call an election at the appropriate time and proceed from there. In the meanwhile, he has no moral or legal authority to dismiss outstanding long- serving members of the Berbice Cricket Board.

He should realise by now that the G$2M subvention promised by the

illegal Guyana Cricket Board, which has not given a blind penny to the Berbice Cricket Board since 2010, has been strapped on the back of a snail on its way to Berbice.

As I look back with pride at my 53 years of association, serving in numerous and multiple positions on this once August body, I recall our policy of honesty, hard work, inclusion and building by consensus. The removal of the main pillars of our foundation can only result in the weakening of our structure, and with poor management, its eventual destruction.

I urge Mr. Somwaru to put Berbice cricket first.

Regards Mortimer George Former BCB Secretary

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

GTT rolls out high-speed Internet in Essequibo

By Svetlana Marshall

GUYANA Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) officially launched its 4G LTE high speed Internet service on the Essequibo Coast on Monday – four months ahead of schedule, and the response was overwhelming with scores of Essequibians cashing in on special offers during the inauguration.

With the blazing fast 4G Internet service, it means that residents along the Essequibo Coast from Supenaam to Charity can now sit in the comfort of their homes and offices, and communicate with their friends, families and colleagues from afar in real-time using the Internet.

During a small, but significant ceremony at the Anna Regina Car Park Tarmac, GTT’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Justin Nedd, said the launch of the 4G LTE Internet service along the Essequibo Coast is in response to the demands of the people there, who have long called for better Internet service.

With the lightning fast Internet service, Nedd said consumers will now be able to do more with GTT in fields of ICT, education, health and commerce, just to name a few.

“Your children and your children’s children will be afforded the same educational opportunities as anyone across the world. It means that you will be able to do

GTT CEO, Justin Nedd addressing Essequibians along the Essequibo Coast video chat, Skype, instagram, snapchat, (and) facetime very easily from your devices, no buffering just high speed, high quality Internet,” Nedd said to loud rounds of applause.

He added too that businesses, government agencies and other organisations along the Essequibo Coast will now be able to seamlessly communicate via the Internet once connected to GTT’s network. However, Nedd said the launch of the 4G LTE Internet service along the Essequibo Coast could not have been possible without the support of the technical team.

But this is just the beginning of greater things to come, the CEO said noting that in the coming months greater revelations will be made.

“With liberalisation, we believe that we will finally free GTT from uneven com-

petition and we will be able to get fair and even regulation to all the business in our sector. It means that we will give you more video services, faster networks and most of all, better customer care,” he said.

It was on this note that Nedd applauded the Public Telecommunication Minister, Cathy Hughes and her Ministry for keeping the lines of communication opened. He said for GTT, the Government is a key stakeholder in the move to bridge the digital divide.

The Public Telecommunication Minister, who was among officials present at the launch, told the gathering that the Ministry is more than pleased to have GTT delivered on its promise to the people of Essequibo.

The Minister said the launch of the high speed Internet service will expose

Essequibians to a world of possibilities, in keeping with a vision the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government had even before it had entered office in 2015.

“This Government was very aware that Guyana was lagging far behind our Caribbean neighbours and further behind the developed countries like the USA and China, in terms of our inability to provide better Internet connectivity across Guyana,” Minister Hughes noted, while adding that poor Internet service in the past had been stymieing citizens.

She explained that citizens for far too long was unable to benefit in full from the world of technology, particularly in the areas of E-Commerce, International Trade, and access to the world market via the Internet. Improved educational opportunities ought not to

be underscored, the Public Telecommunication Minister added.

“That is classrooms outside of our major towns, the ones in small villages and communities that can be equipped with video conferencing facilities so that a student in Suddie or Dartmouth can be part of the same biology class a student in Georgetown is fortunate to enjoy,” she explained.

“It means improved research opportunities, access to online libraries, and in regional hospitals and health centres, the ability to speak to a doctor in Georgetown from right where you are here,” Minister Hughes added.

The Public Telecommunication Minister, like GTT, strongly believes that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) will assist greatly in the transformation of Guyana, allowing

Public Telecommunication Minister, Cathy Hughes

for an improve quality of life for the people of this country.

Minister Hughes said Guyana was not ready when the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) in 2015 announced that all candidates must submit their SBAs online. However, she said as a result of partnerships with telecommunication agencies such as GTT, Government can do more to connect students across borders using the Internet.

“Every single student must be able to access the same information at the same time, they can only do this if Guyana is equipped with a universal LTE and Fiber Optic network surrounding the perimeter of this nation and stretching all across it,” she posited.

As part of the milestone achievement, GTT has opted to provide free Internet service for the month of March to consumers who would have signed up for the service on Monday. Additionally, five consumers, including the first woman who opted to connect with GTT, were given free modem. The Suddie Public Hospital, in addition to receiving a fan, a filing cabinet and other requested items, also received a free modem.

Essequibians, who sought to cash in on the initiative on Monday, said they were impressed with quality of Internet service offered to consumers in Georgetown.

Jagdeo now mum on third-term presidential bid -- after professing disinterest AFTER repeatedly telling the media that he is not interested in serving as president a third term, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo now seems to have had a change of heart.

Jagdeo, who served two consecutive terms as president as is provided for by the Constitution, refused to say on Monday if he will be gunning for the position when his party, the Peoples’ Progressive Party, elects a presidential candidate in the future.

“I don’t have to give yes or no answers; I just told you what is preoccupying my mind now. When that time comes, then you will hear from me whether I am interested or not,” Jagdeo told reporters at his party’s headquarters on Robb Street on Monday.

As he went on to say,

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo “Frankly speaking, I am so surprised that there is such a big outcry about Jagdeo; and all of this because I am supposed to be a dictator.

“I am supposed to mismanage the economy; I am supposed to be the most cor-

rupt individual in Guyana, therefore, I’ll make a terrible candidate.”

However, two years ago, the Opposition Leader was singing a different tune. In early 2015, before the PPP was unseated from executive

office, Jagdeo had responded to a writ which was filed in the High Court challenging the two-term limit for the presidency in Guyana.

In his statement, which was read by then Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, Jagdeo had said that he remains “committed to not pursuing any further appointment to an elected constitutional office or post in Guyana.”

In a subsequent interview with the Stabroek News, Jagdeo confirmed that Dr. Luncheon was indeed speaking on his behalf. He told the Stabroek News: “I am in Russia.

Heading to India now. Asked Luncheon to communicate my position.”

On Monday though, Jagdeo, who also serves as his party’s General Secretary, said that the party has not made a decision as to who its pres-

idential candidate will be in the next General and Regional Elections, which are slated for 2020.

He said that this position will be decided on at the appropriate time, and that the nominee will be elected through a democratic process as had obtained at the party’s recently-held Congress.

Listing the qualities the party will be looking for in a presidential candidate, Jagdeo said: “A candidate who can lead us to victory; a competent candidate who can deliver on promises; a candidate who is visionary; a candidate who can bring people together...

So, at that point in time when we decide on our candidate, we in the People’s Progressive Party will look at all the attributes of the presidential hopefuls and then a decision

will be made.”

Just recently, the Appeal Court upheld a decision made by former Chief Judge Ian Chang saying that a presidential term limit is unconstitutional.

An appeal filed by Attorney-General Basil Williams and Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland was turned down by Justice B.S. Roy and Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh.

Chief Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards dissented and allowed the appeal.

AG Williams subsequently said that the government will appeal the split decision that upholds a High Court ruling against parliamentary amendment of Guyana’s Constitution to provide for presidential term limits without a referendum.

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Decomposed body found in Meten-Meer-Zorg canal THE decomposed body of a man was discovered floating in a canal at Tarla Dam, Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara Monday afternoon.

Police said that the bloated body of a male East Indian, who appeared

to be in his early 30’s, was observed by two school children, who later alerted their parents.

The police were contacted and the body was retrieved and taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour at Vreed en Hoop awaiting identification.

At the time the body was found, the man was wearing a white vest and long blue jeans. Police are investigating the circumstances under which the man died as marks of violence were observed on the body.

Rupununi farmer charged with murder of wife THIRTY-two-year-old Peter Juan, a farmer from Rupununi, was on Monday remanded to prison

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for allegedly killing his wife.

Juan was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that on February 18, 2017 at Central Rupununi, Essequibo, he murdered Justina Leonard of Shulinab Village.

The court was told by the prosecution that the case file is still incomplete. The

murder accused will return to court on March 7, 2017 at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court.

According to reports, Leonard’s lifeless body was discovered on a roadway on February 18, 2017. It was reported that the couple was imbibing at a shop and later left for home on Juan’s bicycle. Reports indicate that the couple got into an argument whereby Juan became annoyed and dealt the woman several blows to her head.

The husband had told police that he headed home,

leaving his partner behind.

He then claimed that when he reached home, he realised that he did not have the house keys and headed back to the area where he had left his wife.

He claimed that he found her lying lifeless on the roadway. Detectives arrested Juan after the discovery of the woman’s body. Juan was charged based on the findings of a post mortem report, which revealed that the woman died as a result of blunt

Peter Juan

trauma and a fractured skull.

No bail for two Mash Day robbery accused TWO men were remanded to prison when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Monday after they were charged separately for robberies committed on Mash Day. It is alleged that while in the company of others at Brickdam, Georgetown on

February 23, 2017 Shawn Smith robbed Shevannie Sooklall of one white jersey and one cell phone valued $258,000.

Police Prosecutor, Shawn Gonzales, strongly opposed bail being granted, citing the seriousness of the offence, its prevalence in society and

the penalty attached to the charge. Gonzales added that if granted bail the defendant might not return to the court.

Meanwhile, Pascal Smith of Pike Street, Kitty also made his appearance on Monday before Magistrate Latchman on robbery charges as well.

It is also alleged that on February 23, at Pike Street, while armed with a knife, he robbed Shabidee Khan of one cell phone valued $120,000 and $20,000 cash.

Prosecutor Gonzales again objected to bail.

Both matters were adjourned to March 20.

Foreign Service Officers briefed on possible impact of US Immigration Policy STAFF of the Foreign Service Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was on Monday briefed on the possible effects of the immigration policies of the current United States administration.

On Monday, in the boardroom of the Ministry of Agriculture, a presentation by Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Guyana, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, titled “The emerging Trump Administration Foreign Policy and dynamics related to Guyana and the Caribbean” was made to the staff. The presentation was facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Director of the Foreign Service Institute, Ambassador Ronald Austin explained that recent

decisions on immigration by US President, Donald Trump, “Will have an immediate impact on our lives.”

He said, “We have to, I think first of all, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and I think throughout the Government of Guyana, decide how we respond to the emergence of President Trump and the consequences of his policies,” Austin said in opening remarks. Last week, the US Department of Homeland Security revealed plans for the enforcement of immigration laws that have been deemed aggressive and discriminatory against Muslims.

According to CNN, the “Guidance memos expand the Federal Government’s ability to empower state and local law enforcement

agencies to perform the functions of immigration officers. No National Guard troops will be deployed to round-up immigrants in the US.” Ambassador Austin stated that, “This is not abstract foreign policy; this is as a direct consequence of a man who has decided to change the way

the United States sees the world, and in particular, as far as the immigrant population is concerned in the United States.” US President Trump is likely to sign a new immigration executive order on Wednesday, a day after addressing lawmakers at a joint session of Congress. (GINA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Jury empanelled for murder of Sophia man A 12-MEMBER jury was empanelled Monday before Justice Navindra Singh for the June, 2011 murder of Sophia resident, Richard ‘Troy’ Skeete, who was reportedly stabbed to death by his best friend, Marcellus Verbeke.

The accused,Verbeke,is being represented by Defense Counsel,Dexter Todd, while the State is being led by Siand Dhurjon and Tuanna Hardy,who are expected to call more than 15 witnesses to testify.

Verbeke, 25, had denied the charge that on June 9, 2011 at ‘C’ Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown,he murdered Skeete, 34. The trial is scheduled to commence on March 2.

It was reported that the incident may have arisen between the best friends due to an argument over cell-phone credit.

Skeete,of 763 ‘B’ Field Sophia,was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital minutes after he was stabbed.

Tip-off leads to arrest of mother, teen daughter A 39-YEAR-OLD mother and her 18-year-old daughter are in police custody, following the discovery of over six kilograms of cannabis at their East Canje, Berbice home on Monday morning.

According to a police report, acting upon a tip-off, ranks paid a visit to the house at Cumberland, East Canje at around 09:30hrs and carried out a search, during which they found the drug, neatly wrapped in six parcels.

The two are expected to be charged soon.

Remanded on gold jewellery theft charge LEON Murray, 30, was on Monday remanded to prison

by Magistrate Judy Latchman, after he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, charged with simple larceny.

It is alleged that the defendant on December 26, 2016, at Castello Housing Scheme, Georgetown, stole two gold chains valued $115,000, two gold rings worth $ 120,000 and one gold and silver band worth $15,000, property of Shawn Solomon.

Police Prosecutor, Shawn Gonzales objected to bail on the basis of the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence and the penalty the offence attracts if the defendant is found guilty.

Murray was remanded to prison until March 20, 2017.

Elderly man accused of stealing truck CITY magistrate Judy Latchman on Monday remanded a North Ruimveldt man after he was charged with simple larceny and appeared before her at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Norman Phillips of Nut-

meg Street, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown pleaded not guilty to the allegation, which stated that between October 1 and 31, 2016 in Georgetown, he stole one Bedford truck worth $1,000,000; one winch valued $1,000,000; one battery worth $20,000

and a quality of wares valued $40,000, property of Aubrey Barnwell.

Police Prosecutor Corporal Shawn Gonzales, opposed bail being granted to the man, citing the seriousness of the offence, its prevalence in society, the penalty

attached to the charge and the value of the articles.

According to Gonzales, the 62-year old Phillips also admitted that he had been charged and placed on bail for a matter of a similar nature. Phillips was remanded until March 20, 2017.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

AG responds to opposition on GECOM chair appointment

…provides interpretation of Article 161 (2) of the Constitution ATTORNEY General, Basil Williams provided a written response to the opposition, challenging their interpretation of Article 161 (2) of the Constitution dealing with the appointment of a chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission.

There has been a stalemate in the appointment ever since President David Granger, early January rejected a six-member list submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo. President Granger had deemed the list not suitable and following a period of back and forth with the opposition, he instructed the AG to meet with the opposition’s representatives; Anil Nandlall and Priya Manickchand. At their first meeting Nandlall had put forward the opposition’s interpretation of Article 161 (2), which the AG said he had to study and provide a response.

BELOW IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE AG’S RESPONSE On the 27th February, 2017 the Hon. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, SC, MP met with Mr. Anil Nandlall and Ms. Priya Manickchand at his Chambers, pursuant to the request of His Excellency President David Granger. This meeting centred on article 161 (2) of the Constitution with respect to the appointment of the Chairman of the Elections Commission. At this meeting the Hon. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs presented a copy of his response to their contention.

The following is the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs’ responseTHE APPLICABILITY OF THE EJUSDEM GENERIS RULE TO ARTICLE 161 (2) OF THE CONSTITUTION OF GUYANA Mr. Nandlall has advanced the argument that the ejusdem generis rule of construction

does not apply in Guyana. This position is erroneous. However, before refuting Mr. Nandlall’s misguided argument it is instructive to set out what is the ejusdem generis rule: The ejusdem generis rule says that general words which follow two or more particular words in an Act must be confined to a meaning of the same class as the particular words.

The intention is to cover a wide range of similar circumstances by first creating a genus, category or class that is two or more examples, followed by a general expression which has the effect of extending the operation of the statute to all particular circumstances which are within the genus created.

In this way, the statute does not need to list all relevant examples. As explained by Justice Subba Rao in Supreme Court of India case K.K. Kochuni v. State of Madras and Kerala [AIR 1960 SC 1080, 1103], in the following words – “...The rule is that when general words follow particular and specific words of the same nature, the general words must be confined to the things of the same kind as those specified. But it is clearly laid down by decided cases that the specific words must form a distinct genus or category.

It is not an inviolable rule of law, but is only permissible inference in the absence of an indication to the contrary.”

The rule is a facet of the principle of the latin maxim, noscitur a sociis, which contemplates that a statutory term is recognised by its associated words. Therefore, when general words are juxtaposed with specific words, general words cannot be read in isolation.

Their colour and their contents are to be derived from their context.

Mr. Nandlall in support of his contention that the above rule does not apply to Guyana, relied on section 5 of the Interpretation and General Clauses Act, Cap 2:01which provides that “or”, “other” and “otherwise” shall be construed disjunctively and not as implying similarity, unless

the expression “similar,” or some equivalent expression, is added.”

He further cited the case Badri Prasad v Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd (1981) 31 WIR 196 relying on the judgment of Chief Justice George. To quote Mr. Nandlall“Chief Justice George in the course of his judgment stated “It is clear…that the trial judge was of the view that the ejusdem generis rule formed part of the law of Guyana. It should be noted however, it

Attorney General, Basil Williams

does not appear that his attention was directed to section 5 (1) of the Interpretation Ordinance which was then in force.

The Interpretation Ordinance to which Chief Justice George referred was the equivalent of the current Interpretation and General Clauses Act. Again, speaking of Section 5 of the Interpretation and General Clauses Act, the learned Chief Justice at page 217 made the following seminal conclusion: “More specifically, as regards the meaning of the words “or”, “other” or “otherwise” prima facie they exclude the application of the ejusdem generis rule and, when used, they are not to be construed as being of the same genus as specific words which precede them, unless the expression “similar” or some equivalent expression is used, or unless the context so determines or requires.”

However, Mr. Nandlall failed to give consideration to the majority reasoning of

Chancellor Crane in that very case. In that case Chancellor Crane stated at page 206“It has been said that the rule does not apply in Guyana because of what is said about the disjunctive construction to be given to the expression ‘“or’, ‘other’ and ‘otherwise’’’ in section 5 (1) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Act; and some judges, surprisingly, have taken this view. I however think this is wrong.

But was it not, this view Lord Diplock counselled against, as a “misunderstanding”…that is regrettably common”? There is no compulsion about it; if the general words, after having been construed in their widest context, are shown to be similar in every respect and related by common characteristics to those in the preceding genus, the rule must apply so as to restrict those words to those bearing common characteristics in the preceding genus.”

Additionally, in the Guyanese case Naraine et al v National Bank of Industry and Commerce Ltd, Civ Appeal No. 75 of 2001, Chancellor Bernard ruled that the ejusdem generis rule does apply in Guyana. Chancellor Bernard stated at page 4-“It cannot be disputed that the applications for orders listed from (a) to (e) of Rule 16 (1) are interlocutory as it provides for a single Judge of the Court to “hear, determine and make orders on any interlocutory application.”

The “ejusdem generis” rule applies.”

Further, in another Guyanese case, Commissioner General v Caribbean Chemicals (2009) 75 WIR 272, Justice of Appeal Charles Ramson, SC examined the meaning of the word ‘other’ in relation the ejusdem generis rule. At page 279 Justice Ramson stated“it would appear to me that the word ‘other’ is indicative of a recognition that the itemised applications were specific in that a single judge was empowered to make orders in relation to each of them, either singly or cumulatively, and he was also entitled to ‘hear, determine and make Orders’

in any ‘other’ application of an interlocutory kind.”

The learned Judge then went on to explain the meaning of the word ‘other’ from both a ‘lexicographically’ and ‘jurisprudentially’ prospective.

He stated“Lexicographically, the primary meaning of ‘other’ is ‘not the same as one or more or some already mentioned or implied, separate in identity, distinct in kind, alternative or further or additional. Jurisprudentially, the word ‘other’ has been subjected to scrutiny over the years….According to Erle CJ in Ayrton v Abbott (1849) 14 QB 1 at 17, ‘other’ always implies something additional’.

And North J in Re Miller, Daniel v Daniel (1889) 61 LT 365 at 367 was emphatic that ‘you do not use the word “other” unless there is some relation between the classes of things’.

The word ‘other’ follows particularised items, and as Lord Tenderden CJ declared in Sandiman v Breach (1827) 7 B & C 96 at 99, ‘Where general words follow particular ones, the rule is to construe them as applicable to [items] ejusdem generis’.”

FURTHER, AS JUSTICE RAMSON EXPLAINS “Sometimes called Lord Tenderden’s Rule, this rule, ‘where the word “other” is used in any Statute, or other document, [which] enumerates several classes of persons or things and immediately following and classed with such enumeration, the clause embraces “other” persons or things-word “other” will generally be read as “other such like” so that the persons or things therein comprised may be read as ejusdem generis with and not of a quality superior to or different from those specifically enumerated.”

Therefore, based on the reasoning above it is clear that the ejusdem generis rule does apply in Guyana and thus can be used as an aid to construing article 161 (2).

AN ACCEPTABLE LIST The persons eligible to

be Chairman of the Elections Commission according to article 161 (2) shall be a judge or a person who has held office as judge or a person who has the qualifications to be a judge, or any other fit and proper person. When looking at the construction of the section one can reason that the categories are in the order of preference. This order, coupled with the use of the word shall (mandatory in this sense) conveys to us that the ideal person in the contemplation of the framers of the constitution is someone who falls into the first category namely, a judge or a person who has held office as a judge or a person who qualifies to be a judge. Supporting this proposition is the proviso to article 161 (2) which states“Provided that if the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list as provided for, the President shall appoint a person who holds or has held office as a judge of a court, having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge.”

Consequently, the Leader of the Opposition’s list of candidates must include the persons required by the Constitution in the priority category, supported by the proviso. A list from the Leader of the Opposition, with candidates that only fit into the secondary category: namely ‘any other fit and proper person’ would be an unacceptable list.

Finally, it must be clearly pointed out that the President is empowered by the Article 161 (2) to deem a list acceptable or unacceptable. Further, it is the President who ultimately decides whether a candidate is fit and proper for the office of Chairman of the Elections Commission.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Fire destroys popular Buxton bakery – leaves over 30 unemployed; arson suspected

By Navendra Seoraj A POPULAR bakery in Buxton, East Coast Demerara, was destroyed by fire early Monday morning, leaving the shocked owner counting over $10M in losses and some 30 persons unemployed.

Many persons were in

tears when the Guyana Chronicle visited the scene as they stared in disbelief at what used to be ‘Benjamin’s Bakery’, owned by Wesley Benjamin. He said that there is an ongoing land dispute and the possibility of arson must be considered.

Meanwhile, the fire service is continuing its investi-

gations to determine the cause of the blaze.

One distraught employee said that she received a call at around 1:00hrs, from one of her relatives who lives nearby, informing her that the bakery was on fire.

“I am not sure what caused the fire but when I was there the building was already

Benjamin’s Bakery was completely destroyed by a fire of unknown origin early Monday morning

in flames so all I could do was call over some of the neighbours to help me throw some water before the fire service arrived,” said the employee.

Although the fire service responded quickly, almost everything was lost, the employee said, while pointing out that the building was under construction and was expected

to be completed at the end of March.

Persons in and out of the community were known to have relished the delicacies produced by the bakery. However, the fire will not shut down Benjamin’s operations because he intends to reach out to customers through his other branch. Work is expected to commence soon on the restoration of the Buxton business.

Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in reports of fires in Georgetown, as well as on the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara.

Fire Prevention Officer, Andrew Holder said between late 2016 and February 2017, the Fire Service has been able identify situations which point to fire being set by persons as a way of dealing with domestic disputes.

The remains of the interior of the bakery

Works commence on model village housing project …officials engage residents of Perseverance WORK has commenced on the Housing Ministry’s pilot project to have local contractors design and build homes that low, moderate and middle income Guyanese can choose from.

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Patterson, paved the way for the building of the homes after signing contracts with some 14 contractors who will be participating in the “Housing solutions 2017 and beyond” exhibition.

The “model village” is being constructed in Plantation Perseverance on the East Bank of Demerara where the 1000 Homes Project is located. Housing officials held an informative meeting with residents already occupying homes in the location about the upcoming activity. It was related that the grand plan for the entire housing scheme is to make it into a model location for the construction

of housing schemes to come.

The Housing officials emphasised that in the ministry’s bid to “develop cohesive, empowered and sustainable communities”, the Perseverance scheme will have as many amenities identifiable with a modern community. Project Manager Kenneth Dazzel told residents that as part of the efforts the community will receive asphalt roads, with speed humps for ensuring the safety, especially of children. More street lights are expected for the community, while surrounding land will be cleared from overgrowth.

Dazzel highlighted that the installation of a fire hydrant is being considered, given the community’s distant location and as a feature, ideal for other communities. The Project Manager also identified the community’s playfield and notified that the area will be cleared and leveled in time for the exhibition and for the immediate use of residents

thereafter. Another feature encouraged for the model community is the creation of a community group and a community policing group.

The ministry is encouraging the creation of these bodies for stronger community ties and community leaders that can be directly engaged by authorities.

In the meantime, residents were told that the finished homes in their community is some 60 percent occupied, while remedial work on existing properties is about 85 percent complete. As it stands, homes within a certain section of the community is without water; a matter currently being addressed, officials said.

On the other hand, some residents said they were ready to move into their properties but claimed that they are being told by the power company that there are no meters available.

Residents were told however that for the next few months, close to 200 persons will be

Residents meeting with housing officials on Sunday

traversing their community to create the model village.

They were advised on precautionary measures to be taken and possible activities likely to take place.

Donell Bess-Bascom, acting Director at the ministry’s Community Development Department, told Perseverance residents that their location will be replicated in other communities.

“We want to create this model community to see what would be the outcome

of making communities as ideal as possible.” She noted that it is not just the features of the community that the ministry is seeking to enhance. She noted that producing quality communities also aim at creating quality people and improving their quality of life at home and in their communities.

The Housing ministry had stated that home applicants must pay $300,000 for low-income land, $500,000 for moderate-in-

come land and 700,000 for middle-income land. The contractor will sell the home to the home-owner and will maintain it up until that time. The contractors have 14 weeks to construct the home and will give weekly reports to the ministry. Ten low-income, five moderate-income, and eight middle-income houses will be built for the exhibition. The Ministry will complete six duplexes and two single units.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Gov’t mulls opening up rice mill …engaging banks to address financing for farmers has issued a strong call to millers to get their act together, as their actions have been affecting the industry. One farmer told the minister that millers in Region Two have

been making it a habit of not paying farmers and called on the Guyana Rice Development Board to act.

General Manager (ag), Mr. Khuldip Ragnauth and Quality Control Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Ms.

Allison Peters respectively spoke on behalf of the Rice Board. According to the representatives, the mandate of the Board is to regulate services as opposed to representing farmers on non-payment issues. The Act states

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Rice farmer, Deoram Mohammad makes a point at the meeting

GOVERNMENT is considering opening up its own rice mill to solve some of the issues farmers face in pricing and market and is also engaging the banks to address the issue of financing, Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder told a gathering in Essequibo over the weekend.

Among the concerns raised at the two-day outreach were: the implementation of VAT on agricultural equipment, the need for more markets to be secured, changes to the rice factory Act, government intervention to ensure payments are received from millers, grading of rice, among others.

According to a release by the Ministry of Agriculture, Holder spoke of efforts by government to ensure that farmers can access loans. He disclosed that the Bankers Association is presently addressing the issue and will officially address farmers in the near future. “We are concerned about your livelihood and we want to see how we can bring the much-needed support to ensure the industry prevails...” the minister is quoted in the release as saying. Another area of consideration is the need for government to get involved in milling. This, according to the Agriculture Minister, will level the playing field within the industry. “It is something we are seriously considering at the moment. It is something which was done in the past and had been successful and it is something I know will be beneficial...We did it when the price for fertiliser had skyrocketed and immediately forced the reduction in price from 10,000 to 4000 per bag of fertiliser,” the Minister stated.

Meanwhile, Holder said that with respect to changes

to the rice factory Act, Nath Ram, a prominent rice farmer made calls for this to be fast-tracked, alluding to the fact that the present act in his view, safeguards the millers as opposed the rice farmers.

The Agriculture Minister, in addressing the issue, noted the concerns of the farmers, pointing out that had this been raised earlier the process could have already been started, as it is something which was done successfully in the past.

He pledged government’s support in ensuring that the issue is ironed out and in a timely manner. The work of the Ministry, especially its extension and drainage arm, came in for high praise, as the farmers noted that they have been getting the much-needed support from the extension officers and engineers.

However, reservations were made with respect to the cleaning of the Cozier Canal. According to Mr. Deoram Mohammed, the engineer’s carried out the work in a manner which would only make the drainage issue worse, as they were cleaning the canal from the back to the front of Cozier.

Fredrick Flatts, Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), in giving clarity, pointed out that in irrigation work, it is done from the front – working its way to the back; however, when it comes to drainage works, the right way is clearing from back, working their way to the front. The clarity was well received by farmers as the CEO encouraged the residents to continue to be vigilant, by monitoring works carried out, as they are the immediate beneficiaries and substandard work, which will only hamper their livelihood.

NON-PAYMENT BY MILLERS The issue of payment by millers has been a cause for concern, and Government

Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder addresser rice farmers of Essequibo

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

STEM Guyana launches NGSA Math App Pres Granger to support phase two roll out STEM Guyana, on Monday, launched a National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) Application aimed at providing necessary assistance in the subject of Mathematics for children at the Grade Six level.

The Application will serve as a database for past papers from the 2010-2015 NGSA and will allow students to take examinations and have access to lessons and other material on the Mathematics syllabus. The App will also provide a platform for students to identify influential teachers and give schools and students the chance to receive points and win awards.

President David Granger attended the event, along with First Lady Sandra Granger, whose office has played a significant role

in the execution of STEM in Guyana. First Lady sat on the panel at the Press Conference, and during brief remarks, expressed her pride in being part of the revolutionary project. She credited the work of Karen Abrams, the facilitator of STEM Guyana, who, last year brought STEM to Guyana through the hosting of a Lego Robotics Building and Programming Workshop for the children in the Buxton/ Friendship and Lusignan/ Good Hope Areas.

“The introduction of this app is very exciting for me, I made no hesitation in supporting the work of Karen Abrams, and her children who came last year and did tremendous work in introducing some of our children to robotics,” The First Lady said. She added that when Abrams announced

her plans to launch an App to encourage learning in Mathematics, she was excited to come on board. “I am very happy to be part of this process of creating excitement in learning one of the STEM subjects and providing whatever assistance I can in helping our children to become enthusiastic and excited about stem programmes and products,” she said.

Guyana has seen poor performance in Mathematics at the NGSA in the past few years, with only a 14 percent pass rate in the subject last year. The Application is free and available on the Google Play Store and though still in its testing phase, is fully functional and available for use.

Abrams explained that the NGSA App will be First Lady, Mrs Sandra Granger, poses with Ms. Karen Abrams and two Grade Six Students who attended the launch (MOTP photo)

Two of the students who attended the launch of the N.G.S.A. Practice Exams App busy themselves with its features during the Press Conference (MOTP photo)

rolled out in four phases.

The first phase occurred prior to the launch and involved a pre-test phase, where 60 students from Regions 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10 were introduced to the app.

Phase Two began with the launch and will last for 14 months. This phase will see distribution of 100 tablets to five schools for further testing, monitoring and evaluation of performance. Upon completion of the second phase, the third phase will be launched.

Abrams said that this will see the creation of private/ public partnerships that will provide tablets and internet access to Grade Six Students in every Region.

The App will also eventually be expanded to include Social Studies, English and Science. The final stage of the project will involve the expansion of the application to cater to the upper grades, before finally making the application available to other countries in the Caribbean.

When asked about the cost for the programme, Abrams said that the Application was designed and programmed by her daughter Asha Christian who specialises in the field. Abrams said, too, that in order to expand the programme, STEM Guyana would need the buy in of other stakeholders including government agencies as well as private bodies.

Meanwhile, President David Granger, announced that through the National Endowment For Science And Technology (NEST) Programme, he will provide support for the roll out of Phase Two of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) Application.

The President made this announcement after attending a press conference to mark the launch at the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue and committed specifically to supporting the acquisition of 100 tablets, which will be distributed to grade five stu-

dents under Phase Two for testing, which is expected to last for 14 months. “What we saw this morning with the launching of the programme by STEM Guyana is entirely in accord with government’s policy and government will support it. We will provide funds to acquire the equipment to help students to do better in Mathematics. It’s an investment. It’s not a liability.

It’s not expenses. It is an investment in the children’s future,” the President said during an interview. The President said that Government has embraced Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) because it is aware of the less than desirable results over the past years at the NGSA level. “The results of the National Grade Six examinations indicated that there has been very poor performance over the years in all of the subjects but the worse performance that has been recorded is in Mathematics.

In fact, it is so bad that last year; 2016 not a single child in Region Nine passed Mathematics… We established a special PEER programme for Emergency Education Reform at that level so the PEER programme is central to improving the quality performance of Guyanese children at the National Grade Six level particularly in Mathematics,” the President said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Competition key to consumers’ welfare …CCC chief calls on region to refashion way economy operates

By Alva Solomon While Guyana has been commended for its support of the CARICOM Competition Commission, a call has been made for governments in the region to refashion the manner in which competition is effected within the regional economy to the benefit of consumers.

This was pointed out on Monday morning by Dr Kusha Haraksingh, Chairman of the CARICOM Competition Commission,during his address at the opening of a workshop on competition law policy for parliamentarians at the Parliament Chambers in the city.

The workshop was attended by several government and Opposition Members of Parliament including Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs , Basil Williams. Speaker of the National Assembly,Dr Barton Scotland,introduced the proceedings of the forum.

Dr Haraksingh told the parliamentarians that there is political independence;

Dr Kusha Haraksingh

however, he said that there is need for competitive independence. He said that the region needs to “refashion the way in which the economy operates” by emphasising the importance of competition as a tool for maximizing consumer welfare.

Locally, Haraksingh said that the Guyana Competitive Commission has been the beneficiary of eight to nine projects,including sensitisation on the drafting of procedure and technical support.

At the moment the CARICOM body is collaborating with its local counterpart on conducting a study on the banking sector in Guyana.

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Gov’t mulls...

From page 11

clearly that the Rice Producers Association (RPA) is the entity with the power and responsibility for representing farmers rights, and should be the entity ‘policing’ the system to ensure millers are compliant. The Ministry of Agriculture has issued a call for the RPA to do its part by assisting rice farmers in this regard.

In addition, Holder has committed to initiating a Public Relations campaign, which will put pressure on millers to ensure that they keep their end of the bargain. Also accompanying the Minister was Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Rupert Hopkinson, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. George

Jervis, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Finance), Ms. Prema Roopnarine, Chief Executive Officers, National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), Mr. Fredrick Flatt, Dr. Oudho Homenauth and Mr. Nigel Cumberbatch respectively, Chief Fisheries Officer, Denzil Roberts, Chief Hydromet Officer (ag), Dr. Garvin Cummings, Deputy Registrar, Mr. Sureish Amichand and Regional Marketing Coordinator, Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), Mr. Milton Dookie.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Mabaruma on the move DESPITE being without a Mayor and Deputy Mayor, the town council at Mabaruma is working to undertake a number of projects this year, including the establishment of a new market.

Mabaruma was commissioned as a new town following the March 18 Local Government Elections last year, but a split in the number of councillors who were elected to serve on the 12-member body has created some bottlenecks. This led to a division on the council in selecting a Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Henry Smith was elected to serve as the town’s mayor; however,his position remains one on pa-

…despite deep division at council level

per, since the decision was challenged in the courts by the Opposition PPP/C. Despite the hiccup, the council has been meeting and Town Clerk, Barrington Ward,is working on the ground to ensure the projects identified and approved by the council materialise.

These include the construction of a market at the Bumbury Hill/Wanaina junction on the periphery of the town.

Ward said that the works to the market will commence in the weeks ahead and the facility is expected to assist persons who travel from remote locations

beyond Mabaruma, such as villages close to Wauna in marketing their produce.

Ward said that the move will provide the residents with another option in addition to the market at Kumaka , the sub-region’s business hub.

In addition, it will provide a means of income for residents of the communities there.

The market will be built near to a playground which is currently under construction nearby. The playground has been in the making for years. Despite the passage of sums of money for its construction and upkeep

over the years, the project never materialised. During a site visit of the playground two Sundays ago, Ward and Smith noted that works are moving apace. Sheets of rock which impede the foundation works were being removed. The general aesthetics of the area will be upgraded and these include the provision of floodlights.

A fence will be built around the playground while a volleyball court will be built adjoining the ground.

A sum of $3.2M has been budgeted for the project while a sum of $2M has been budgeted for founda-

tion works for the market.

The town council is also undertaking a similar project at Thomas Hill, a community near Central Mabaruma . A sum of $2M has been budgeted for foundation works to be undertaken there. In addition,several community road projects are expected to be undertaken this year.

Several bus sheds have been built in recent weeks along the roadways at Mabaruma.

The roads fall under the ambit of the town council since they connect the communities to the main public road which falls under the responsibility of the Regional Democratic council (RDC). The roads include the Koberimo-Kumaka

Road, a project which has been stalled for over a year.

When this publication visited the area in March 2016, several planks lay along a trail leading to the hill-top community of Koberimo. According to Ward, efforts are in train to ensure that the works to the road are completed,as part of the council’s project schedule.

The council’s agenda also includes the construction of the Town Hall.

While works to the facility at the recreational ground at Mabaruma are almost complete, remedial works are expected to be undertaken to the building to ensure it meets the required specifications.

Mabaruma’s Mayor, Henry Smith, left inspect works at the playground under construction outside Bumbury Hill. At right are councillor Jude Hernandez and Town Clerk, Barry Ward

Persons walk alongside the roadway at Kumaka , the business hub of the town of Mabaruma

The stage at the Recreational Ground was rehabilitated by the Ministry of Communities

The playground under construction outside Bumbury Hill. The volleyball court will be Continued on page 15 ► built close to the bleacher in picture

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Children in the midst of a game of cricket at the Mabaruma Settlement Ground. The ground’s upkeep and maintenance falls under the ambit of the town council and several areas of improvement are expected to be undertaken there, including the construction of additional bleachers for spectators

A new sanitary block which was constructed by the town council at the Mabaruma Settlement Ground

A section of the Kumaka Stretch near Mabaruma .While this section of the main public road is in good condition , residents have voiced concerns recently over pot-holed sections of the roads in the town

A man cycles along the roadway at Mabaruma

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

A trip up the

Mowra Falls

ON arrival at the village just over a week ago the residents were eagerly awaiting the start of the 20 minutes trek to Mowra Falls. It’s not well known outside of the village but for months the village council at Kamwatta in the Mabaruma sub-region has been working to market the tourism potential of the falls, a landmark which is being whispered about frequently in recent months around the region.

Located an hour by road from the town of Mabaruma , Kamwatta is home to some 49 families and this translates to a total of 303 residents. Toshao of the predominantly agricultural village, Ronald Mariano told the Guyana Chronicle that the falls would be attractive to visitors given the general adventurous nature of the place, which he noted is inviting. ”If we really want to go into tourism we can work as a village to get all the facilities and put them in order so that we

A school teacher collects pieces of moss from the side of the large rock located along the sides of the Mowra Creek. The moss will be used in the creation of costumes to be used in this year’s Mashramani celebrations

Uphill task: Visitors make their way back from the waterfall along the sides of one of three hills which leads to centre of the village

A visitor washes her hair at one of the pools of water at the waterfall.

Further upstream, persons would swim in a much larger pool

can explore our tourism potential”, he said.

Mariano said the falls has been “there all the time “, but the former leaders did not shed much light on its importance or its potential. Last Saturday, village councilor Ralph Henry, was ready to perform his duties as tour guide to the falls. He led this publication along with visitors from the neighbouring village of White Water along a narrow roadway from the centre of the village to the falls; the journey last 20 minutes of brisk walking over two hills and a brief walk through a trail. Along trail, the sound of the water at the falls can be heard in the distance. The feature is comprised of three drops along the Mowra Creek, hence the name Mowra falls and at each point the water gushes downstream over several rocks.

Along the creek , white sand and a pool which measures approximately 20 feet in width by 30 feet in length adds to the beauty

A visitor stands atop a rock measuring approximately 50 feet in height along the Mowra Creek

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017 of the area and visitors would “plunge “ into the pool during their visit. Further upstream, Henry and other villagers led the team to a large rock, measuring approximately 50 feet in height, a breathtaking sight above the creek. Several visitors clambered up the sides of the rock and posed for photo opportunities at the top of the rock as amateur photographers below snapped the moments.

Henry said that his foreparents were born in the village and like him, they also met the falls. “We use to come here and catch fishes and the brown crabs so we know about it for

decades”, he said of the waterfalls.

In addition, he said overseas visitors would visit the falls whenever they travel to the village. He said the village has a tourism plan which it is working to develop in the months ahead. He noted however, that the village needs assistance in this regard. ”We will have to seek further help to market the idea and advertise it and we know it can work out “, he said in optimistic tones.

At the moment the village council is working to develop a road which was once used by the defunct oil-palm company

National Edible Oil Company Limited (NEOCOL). Henry said the road will allow vehicles including cars and minibuses closer access to the falls. ”The road would cut down the 20 minutes’ walk which we did today”, he added.

Meanwhile, several projects are expected to be undertaken by the village in the near future. Among them is a guest house which will boost the village’s tourism potential, Toshao Mariano noted. He said that the road project at the village has been completed and this was evident during the visit by this

publication.

In addition, Mariano said that the council also plans to undertake a housing project, which he noted is of great importance to the community. A retired head teacher, Mariano is currently midway through his tenure as village leader and according to him, when he took over the leadership of Kamwatta he decided “to examine things differently, to see where they can market the village to the benefit of the residents”.

Water flows along the creek which leads to the first drop at the waterfall

Along the roadway to the falls , several small streams can be found at the lower parts of the hilly journey

Visitors trek through the rocks along the creek near the waterfall

Another “drop “ at the waterfall

Water runs over several rocks near the waterfall

Water gushes through the rocks at one of the three “drops” at the waterfall

18

Female cricket taking off in Mabaruma THE sport is popular in the region; many would congregate at the cricket grounds to view the teams in action and in recent years the tradition has changed. While cricket is considered “the gentleman’s game”, it is the women who compete for the bragging rights of the best cricket team in Mabaruma.

Over the past decade, cricket has silently eclipsed football as the more frequently

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

played game in the sub-region. At the moment there are eight cricket teams which compete against each other at Mabaruma in matches played all year round. The teams are from the villages of Kumaka , Khan Hills , White Creek ,Wauna , Mabaruma , Koberimo Hill and Kamwatta .

Every second Sunday of each month , the teams would compete against each other and the money to enter the competition is The Kumaka female cricket team

usually used as the winning prize while donations from the business community in the form of trophies and other prizes also adds to the prizes. On some occasions, the women play for the love of the game and such friendly matches are seen as playing in the true spirit of the game.

“We women can play anything, any game just as the males “, said Louina Garraway, the captain of the Kumaka team, called the “Kumaka Angels”. She said that she plays the game to motivate herself and other women while she also views it as a means of bringing people together.” It also keeps you fit”, she said.

Susan Boyer, a mother of four , plays in almost each game . She said that the teams would raise funds for each competition from their own pockets. “I see it as a good form of exercise and a weekend activity to keep the family occupied “, she said.

She noted that there are many talented women in the town who can play the sport, noting that this is usually seen during the more competitive match-ups with the teams from Moruca and other parts of the North West District.

Mabaruma Settlement Ground is considered the most developed in the Mabaruma sub-region and as such, most of the cricket matches are played there. The ground boasts upgraded washroom facilities, a high-maintenance sward and the ground is also outfitted with floodlights, the latter considered one of the more inviting features which have brought persons to the ground in recent years.

Early in 2016 , West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul led a cadre of top national male and female players to Mabaruma to compete in an exhibition match. The event was considered one of the highlights in the cricket history of the area, one which provided a boost to the competitive nature of the game at Mabaruma , at least in the eyes of the female cricketers.

Former West Indies star batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul poses with fans during an exhibition match at the Mabaruma Settlement Ground early in 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

…10-acre land cleared, factory being set-up Tumeric plants at the demonstration farm at Hosororo

WITHIN the second quarter of 2017, Processed turmeric at left, and the the turmeric processing factory which root of the plant at right is being set-up at Hosororo Hill in the Mabaruma sub-region is expected to become operational.

Residents are eagerly awaiting the start of the project, which is expected to provide employment to persons in the area, including general staff to man the factory. The project will see turmeric being packaged after cultivation and marketed out of the North West District and the expectations include educational forums on new farming methods to farmers and the exploration of the regions’ agricultural potential.

According to Faron Pearson, Research Assistant attached to the National Agricultural Extension Institute (NAREI), the factory’s machines, as well as a generator, is awaiting installation from engineers, who are expected to travel to Guyana from India next month to begin the installation work. The operation includes a generator house and a storage facility where the processed turmeric will be stored before export out of the region.

NAREI’s Research Scientist of the spices programme , Ramnarace Sukhna, told the Guyana Chronicle that cultivation of spices is intended for several regions, but the focus at the moment in terms of a factory is Region One, given the climatic conditions, as well as the soil type which he noted is best suited for the crops. He said that four A view of the demonstration farm. crops, nutmeg, black-pepper, The sticks in foreground are turmeric and ginger are being used as harbours to support the cultivated on a semi-comblack-pepper vines Turn to page 21 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017 An aerial view of Kumaka in the Mabaruma sub-region

Spirited trade at

Kumaka

...as hard-hit Venezuelans scramble for food items, other products IT IS Saturday morning at Kumaka and the atmosphere is buzzing with shoppers, moving cars and buses parked along the road shoulders with a characteristic traffic congestion of the main roadway which snakes around the turns at Mabaruma sub-region’s main business hub.

To the first time visitor it may appear confusing. But to persons familiar with the area, the situation occurs each weekend.

Amidst strolling vendors and several dogs roaming the roads, a peculiar sight has been added to the landscape in recent months; the presence of Venezuelan–based Guyanese nationals plying their trade, some of whom barter goods in exchange for food stuff.

Two Saturdays ago, the atmosphere was abuzz, mainly because persons were anticipating the arrival of the MV Northcote.

The Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) ferry usually transports goods and passengers to the area on a fortnightly basis and it was expected later that day. Since it was “boat day “ the road network was busier than usual with buses passing to and fro, through the villages along the main roadway, from as early as 04:00hrs.

At Kumaka, a dog lay beside several cars parked at the waterfront. It is almost

09:00hrs and a meeting of indigenous leaders was in progress at the Kumaka Extension Centre, several fish vendors chopped their fishes in parts for sale to shoppers and as time ticked, a sale was being organised between a young man and two shoppers.

He swung several pairs of shoes across his shoulder, pieces of clothing in his hand and other accessories as he walked between the cars and buses, trying to sell his goods.

Then he encountered two prospective buyers. His unique hairstyle and his broken English accent were distinctive traits among the vendors. He was one of several from the neighbouring country who have been trying to make ends meet, given the ongoing situation across the border. According to residents, the situation was observed during 2016, as the economic condition in Venezuela took a turn downwards.

According to a report in the New York Times last May, supermarket shelves in Venezuela were chronically bare, and power shortages are so severe that government offices were open only two days a week. The healthcare system had collapsed, the crime rate in the Bolivarian Republic had soared and inflation rapidly eroded last year.

The price of oil, Venezuela’s only signif-

A view of the bustling atmosphere at Kumaka one Saturday morning recently

Two porters pull their carts along the roadway at Kumaka two Saturdays ago

icant export, had plummeted, which means revenue could fall by 40 percent this year, the report stated. The situation resulted in a number of Venezuela-based Guyanese relocating to the place they once called home, within communities in the North West District.

“They come across with fuel and plastic containers and clothes and take back sugar, rice and even things like toilet paper“, said Michael, a local vendor. He said that the goods brought by the Spanish-speaking individuals to Kumaka are sold at very cheap prices. “A set of bowls, the ones with more than one, you can get that cheap “, he said.

At the Kumaka Waterfront, several stalls lined the edges of the roadway close to the Aruka River – a sight which was almost non-existent prior to the collapse of the Venezuelan economy. The area was once a matter of concern in the past, as water from the meandering Aruka River had almost eroded that section of the waterfront in recent years. However, revetment works were undertaken to the area and it has since stood the test of time.

According to residents, many persons who relocated to Venezuela during the 1980s have returned to the North West in search of greener pastures. In addition, some per-

sons would cross the border to trade items at Kumaka which are difficult to source in their homeland. These include fuel, such as gasoline, which is retailed at approximately G$17,000 per barrel. The cost dropped significantly a month ago when the authorities clamped down on the trade of fuel at the port of Morawhanna. At that time, the price per barrel rose to approximately $28,000.

“We buy gas at about $400 a gallon “, a minibus driver told this publication at Kumaka. He said that when the authorities visit the area, the prices would increase. Last December, Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, spoke on the issue of fuel-smuggling in the area.

“We also know there is fuel-smuggling in the Essequibo, in Morawhanna, we also plan to put a presence at Morawhanna,” Statia noted at a press briefing.

At the remote villages outside Mabaruma, persons would trade mainly food items with Venezuelans across the Amacuro River. The goods are usually bought at Kumaka and ferried to the border location, a practice which is not expected to end anytime soon, as residents noted the humanitarian grounds on which their neighbors are assisted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

“If I had to live my life over again I would still be a teacher”, Teacher Bernice SHE is described as one of the more experienced educators in Region One and although she has retired from the teaching profession, Teacher Bernice Pierre continues to contribute to a profession which she has dedicated most of her life to.

The 73-year old was born at the riverine village of Koriabo outside Mabaruma in the North West District.

Sometime later, her family moved to the Wanaina Hill where she was raised. According to her, at 10 years old, she travelled to the capital city where she attended primary school.

She would then return to the North West District and in 1963, she started her career in the teaching profession.

Teacher Bernice taught dozens of persons who have grown up to be professionals in various fields. She taught at the Hosororo Nursery and later the primary school there. She would then move further north to the Wauna Primary school where she retired.

During her tenure, she also taught briefly at the Beterverwagting Primary and the Sacred Heart Primary Schools in Georgetown.

“Well it was a very good experience “, she said of her teaching career, adding that if she had to live her life over again, she would still be in the teaching profession. She noted that today, teaching is very difficult as she recounted her days when the records were prepared by the nuns.

She said that today the teacher has to prepare schemes, which she noted requires teachers to be experienced. “I sympathise with teachers today, especially the young ones“, she said in that regard.

During her days of training, she said her sister was very supportive of her. Since she had to leave her two children behind, her sibling would ensure that they were cared for.

Since retiring from the profession, Teacher Bernice says some days she feels as if she can return to the classroom. On Saturdays, she would visit the Roman Catholic Church library at Hosororo and read stories with the children. “I would help them to improve their reading skills, so I’m still involved“, she said with a smile.

She said that sometimes she would sit and think of certain situations which she tries to relive and improve.

This includes teaching the children to read at the library.

Teacher Bernice said that she would encourage young persons to be focused on their education. “What I find is that the children can read but they don’t understand what they read and that needs improving“, she said.

Living at Wanania Hill, which is remotely distant by road from Mabaruma, Teacher Bernice noted that her village is always home, despite the distance. For her, the comfort lies in her contribution to the teaching profession, a career which she noted was worth her time.

From page 19

mercial scale in the region. He said that 75 farmers have benefited from the turmeric project thus far in Region One. Sukhna noted that the plans for marketing will see the processed turmeric being utilised by local manufacturers within the capital city and when that market is satisfied, the focus may turn to the overseas market. “People are just awaiting the start and they are hyped about the project “, he said.

He noted that normally, the raw materials for spices are imported and then processed by the larger manufacturers, but given the plans NAREI has, the situation is expected to change to the benefit of farmers.

“NAREI was able to move from merely setting up pilot plots at various locations to a semi commercial scale of spices produc-

tion in Region One “, Sukhna said.

At the nursery at Hosororo several stalks of “quick stick” limbs stood in neatly lined beds last Sunday. Beneath the stalks, young black-pepper vines were being cultivated to grow along the stalks. On another plot, ripened black-pepper berries hung under the stalks of the “quick stick” limbs. According to Pearson, the stalk was being used for the purpose of the nitrogen it exerts into the soil, a process which aids the growth of the black pepper.

According to Sukhna, black pepper cuttings were distributed to a number of interested farm-

Faron Pearson, Research Assistant attached to the National Agricultural Extension Institute (NAREI), inspects the plants at the nursery at Hosororo

Black-pepper berries hung from the vines at the plant nursery

ers of Region One. This year, NAREI will continue to generate black pepper cuttings and nutmeg seedlings, which will be distributed to a number of farmers.

Over at the demonstration farm, which is located on the hillsides of Hosororo , 10 acres of land have been cleared for planting of the spices and other crops. A total of 1000 black-pepper plants are appropriated for a section of the farm; at the moment 600 plants line the farm.

Half acre of ginger and

an acre of turmeric were also planted.

Pearson and a staff of five general workers have been manning the farm on a daily basis .He would make site visits to farms around the communities in the area and residents noted that the young man has brought life to the plant nursery. In addition, he has been commended for working beyond the nursery, with the assistance he provides to farmers in the area.

According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), more than 50 farmers from turmeric producing communities of Region One, namely Arukamai , Hotoquai, Port Kaituma, Morawhanna, Hobodia, Yarakita, Koberimo, St. Anslym, Black Water, Kamwatta, Wauna and White Water have benefitted from planting materials, technical advice and training through NAREI.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Crum-Ewing’s mother confronts Nandlall …in new wave of protest outside AG’s office THE aggrieved mother of late political activist, Courtney Crum-Ewing yesterday launched a new wave of protest action as she vowed to keep the pressure up in her quest for justice for her son.

Donna Harcourt,along with other female companions identifying themselves as ‘women with children’ braved the afternoon sun seeking an audience with former Attorney General Anil Nandlall,who they believe has some information about the Crum-Ewing’s murder.

Harcourt told the Guyana Chronicle that they had become aware that the former Attorney General was scheduled to meet with the current AG over official business.

“We thought then it would be a good opportunity to meet with Mr. Nandlall,because I

believe he knows something about my son’s death,” the mother said.

“I would like to confront Mr. Nandlall,” Harcourt insisted. The woman said that sometime back,Nandlall had contacted her via Facebook messaging and insinuated that he had nothing to do with Crum Ewing’s death.

According to her, Nandlall had messaged asking, “Donna you think I did that. And what is your government doing about it…”

Hartcourt said that should she meet Nandlall,it would be the first time she would be doing so. However, despite placards and shouts for Nandlall to meet with the mother and supporters, the former AG’s vehicle drove into the AG’s compound when he arrived for the meeting with the AG. Clearly

upset, the women began to yell at Nandlall,calling him a liar and a murderer. Outside of this, Harcourt expressed disappointment at the current state of Crum Ewing’s murder case. Last year, Regan “Grey Boy” Rodriques who was charged for Crum Ewing’s death, was freed of the murder charge after the court upheld that there was insufficient evidence to link him to the murder despite the murder weapon being found in his possession.

The mother said a number of inconsistencies existed with the case and while she did not want to divulge the contents of what will be done, she promised to take further action in her quest for justice. Numerous calls were made for those responsible to be brought to justice for Crum Ewing’s death, espe-

Competition key to...

To this end, he spoke highly of Guyana’s support to the regional body. “I want to compliment Guyana for meeting its obligations in the budgetary framework “, he said. He added that there are many other Caribbean countries which are delinquent in the discharge of their obligations. “Guyana

stands out as beacon in its support of the commission “ , Dr Haraksingh noted.

The experienced legal luminary also called for the development and establishment of the region’s own legal system as regards competition. He explained that the workshop was part of a wider European Develop-

From page 13

ment Fund (EDF) project.

To answer the question of why the EU is interested in “explaining the virtues and values to people in the Caribbean “, he said that Europe is interested in selling its idea of competition to the region , noting that there is also the American school of thought as regards competition .”

Relatives of Courtney Crum-Ewing protesting outside of the Attorney General’s chambers

cially since it was highly speculative that top officials within the former People’s Progressive Party “PPP” government had played a part in Crum Ewing’s execution.

It was just ahead of the

2015 election that Crum Ewing, a former army staffer,was encouraging persons within the Diamond community to vote on elections day. The man was however gunned down

in a dark secluded part of the community after hit men chased and finally executed him. Crum Ewing was shot five times, including twice in the head at point blank range.

Here we need to develop our own jurisprudence to competition “, Dr Haraksingh said.

He said that some concepts of competition from those two areas are not immediately applicable to the Caribbean . As an example , he said that in Europe , one can load a truck in Sicily and drive to Norway , while in CARICOM , the complexity of the geographical locations may see new issues of the

market arising .

He said that as MPs, the lawmakers have a major role to play in “how to develop this new jurisprudence of competition law that pays attention to small economies”, as well as to attention to the developing countries and move towards making competition law work in the regional jurisdictions.

“People make agreements of various kinds and

they break the competition rule”, he noted. According to Dr Haraksingh,this is done in a naive manner such as when two persons or four families meet at an event such as a wedding or at a funeral and they discuss their businesses and exchange information.

As such those persons may not be aware that they are breaking the law or at length placing the consumer at a disadvantage.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

PAC hears of paucity of chief accountants in regions

By Alva Solomon

CURRENTLY, there are only three of a total of ten Chief Accountants in each administrative region of the country, a grim figure which paints a picture of the strain under which the regional financial management system is operating.

This was among several issues which the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly heard on Monday afternoon at Parliament Chambers in the city, in the presence of regional officials from the ten administrative regions.

Speaking at the meeting, Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Communities, Emil McGarrel told the committee that the regional financial management system is currently in a “degraded” and “depleted“ state.

He said that the national regional accounting unit stands at 14% of its full staffing strength, adding that an assessment by the ministry suggests that there should be 260 staff members within the system as required for effective management. At the moment, there are 150 persons holding such positions.

Alarmingly, he said, the vacancies exist at “critical levels, such as authorisation and certification levels. Levels with responsibilities for checks and balances, the controls, to ensure the laws and regulations and that circulars are observed and expenditures for regional councils are in keeping what the requirements”, he noted.

The problem, he noted, is hiccupped at the oversight and administrative level within the regions.

He said where it is projected that there is need for an adequate number of finance secretaries, there

are a mere five across the country, while of the ten posts of Chief Accountants for each administrative regions, there are only three posts which are filled. “Where we require approximately twenty or forty accountants, we only have six “, he said.

He said that immediate steps need to be taken to bring the system into the position where it will be able to serve the residents, in the delivery of services that are planned through the regional system.

Earlier on Monday, the PS said that the ministry officials met with the regional leaders and the financial management structure was discussed, in an effort to ensure that an agreement is reached. He noted that this is to determine what structural changes can be effected to address the problems faced, such as oversight matters.

McGarrel said that a recommendation made was that in the area of inventory and internal control, that the work of store-keepers and field-auditors be upgraded.

He elaborated that meetings of the existing regional financial committees within the regions are “infrequent“ and according to the PS, such meetings “need to be made more vibrant and dominant and more dynamic”. He said the problem was acknowledged by the Ministry of Communities and efforts were made the address such issues at a consultative forum.

Meanwhile, at Monday’s meeting recurring financial practices such as the regional authorities rolling-over of unspent monies at year-end for contracts without the permit of the Finance Ministry was raised. Auditor General, Deodat Sharma told the PAC and remind-

ed the Regional Chairpersons, their deputies and Regional Executive Officers (REOs) that unspent monies must be returned

to the Consolidated Fund at the end of the financial year. In addition, he called for payments to be made to contractors for

actual measured work, rather than estimated amounts. The Auditor General also chided the regional accounting offi-

cers for authorising payments of, as much as a 50 percent of the mobilisation fee, as advanced payment to contractors.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, TUESDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2017

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE, TUESDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2017

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

O’Keefe akin to reliable Korean car - Panesar Millington hat-trick

By Ian Ransom

MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - In motoring parlance, Australia spinner Steve O’Keefe is more a reliable Korean car than prestige vehicle but his “happy” mental state makes him a great addition to the team garage, according to former England bowler Monty Panesar.

Recalled for just his fifth Test since his 2014 debut against Pakistan, O’Keefe took 12 wickets in the series-opening defeat of India, the biggest haul ever by a visiting spinner.

Fellow left-arm spinner Panesar, who hopes to restore his own stalled international career, was hired by Cricket Australia to work with the team’s spinners before the tour and he saw enough in 32-year-old O’Keefe to feel he could play a big role.

“When I first saw him, he asked me: ‘what do you think of my spin bowling?’

I said to him, ‘you’re like a Hyundai i30”, Luton-born Panesar told Reuters in an interview yesterday. “’You’re very much unassuming. You’re reliable.

You get from A to B and you get the job done.

“I remember telling (the team management) before they left for India, I said ‘I feel like O’Keefe will have the most impact’.

“That was my judgement and sometimes these things happen in cricket.”

Panesar played the last of his 50 Tests at the Mel-

Australia’s Steve O’Keefe celebrates the wicket of India captain Virat Kohli. (REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui) bourne Cricket Ground during England’s 5-0 humiliation in the 2013/14 series but he returned Down Under last year to play grade cricket for Sydney club Campbelltown-Camden Ghosts.

He faced O’Keefe in a match against Manly-Warringah last month and lasted only three balls before becoming one of the Australian’s nine victims in the first innings.

O’Keefe had pulled out of the domestic ‘Big Bash’ Twenty20 competition to play more red-ball cricket in the lead-up to the India tour and Panesar was impressed with his application.

“We had a chat at the game and I had an opportunity to look at his bowling,” the 34-year-old said.

OFF-FIELD ISSUES “He very much sets up batsmen and looks to get them out. He’s an intelligent cricketer. He knows his limitations but he’s happy.

“That’s what I was surprised by. He’s just happy with what he’s got and he just tries to make the best of that. He doesn’t try to be anyone else. He tries to be the best O’Keefe he can be.”

Forty-five Tests separate the left-armers, but O’Keefe and Panesar have shared a similar battle to overcome sceptics about their abilities and also survived brushes with indiscipline off-field.

When playing for county side Sussex in 2013, Panesar infamously urinat-

ed on a nightclub’s doormen and was fined by police for being drunk and disorderly.

O’Keefe was fined by his cricket board last August for a drunken incident involving security staff at a Sydney hotel soon after returning home injured from Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka.

The incident was a wake-up call for O’Keefe, who has steered clear of alcohol since and ploughed back into domestic cricket with renewed purpose.

“Sometimes there are people out there who criticise you and that’s a test of how much you want to make a comeback,” said Panesar, who has battled to get back to his best since shoulder surgery in late2015.

“And also it’s a test of your self-belief and confidence.

“O’Keefe was brilliant, he mentioned something happened in Manly and then he said to me it had been over 150 days that he hadn’t drunk.”

Panesar’s cricketing future remains up in the air but he is in a peaceful state of mind since opening up last year about his struggles with mental health issues.

O’Keefe’s effort in Pune had also added fuel to the fire for Panesar’s own hopes of reviving his England career.

“Very much so. It’s a great story and it inspires people like us in our thirties to make that comeback,” he said.

Pacquiao and Amir Khan to fight in April WBO world welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao will fight Great Britain’s Amir Khan on 23 April.

The bout has been arranged after Pacquiao’s followers on Twitter voted Khan as the opponent they would like to see the Filipino fight next.

“This is what the fans wanted,” Pacquiao, 38, said on social media.

Khan, 30, also confirmed the fight but, although Pacquiao has said his next fight would be in the United Arab Emirates, no venue has been announced.

Speaking on a social media video, Khan said the UK, Dubai and US were being looked at as possible locations and that they “should find out in the next couple of days”.

In 2015, Khan said he was being lined up to fight Pacquiao but that the veteran did not want to face him.

The Briton, who won silver as a lightweight at the 2004 Olympics, beat compatriot Kell Brook, Australia’s Jeff Horn and American Terence Crawford with 48%

of the vote carried out by Pacquiao.

Khan’s last fight was in May 2016 when he was knocked out by Mexican Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

Six-weight world champion Pacquiao retired in April last year but returned to claim his belt by beating Jessie Vargas in November.

(BBC Sport)

sets up Western, Police clash

By Stephan Sookram

THE Police football club will once again meet Western Tigers in the final of a football tournament, this time the Limacol round robin/knockout football tournament final billed for Saturday at the GFC ground, Bourda.

The Police clinched their spot in the final through a 2-1 win against Winners Connection FC. Winners hadn’t a chance to impose their physical style of play as they were oftentimes overwhelmed by the sheer pace of the Police attack.

This pace ensured they scored first through Junior Gordon in the 25th minute; leaving the Linden side behind the proverbial eightball.

The Linden side tried hard but could not find the breakthrough in the first half, but eventually slotted home in the 68th through Allon Garrett.

This led to Police picking up the pace for more frequent raids on their opponents and eventually took the lead again in the 85th minute.

A cross from the left side of the box fell neatly at

the feet of Lerone Charles whose first time finish left the goalkeeper helpless to even scratch a save.

Game two saw crowd favourites Western Tigers play against the Santos lineup with the former winners a 3-2 firecracker.

Santos as usual looked to capitalise on the Western Tigers’ ‘grooving-in’ period to produce the spark and it paid off, as Ryan October eventually assumed the lead in the 26th minute.

Devon Millington did not allow that lead to stand into the break and utilising his skills, brought the game back level after collecting an expertly sent through ball to beat the keeper.

An own goal on the part of Western gave Santos the lead once more in the 52nd minute but not for long as Millington returned to bring the game level just two minutes later.

Then four minutes later, he slotted home his third for the winners to ensure that the Western Tigers scoop up the second spot.

In Saturday night’s final Santos will play Winners Connection in the third-place game from 18:30hrs.

Livingstone matches feat achieved by Kevin Pietersen ENGLAND Lions lost their second four-day match with Sri Lanka A, but batsman Liam Livingstone matched a feat only Kevin Pietersen had achieved before.

Livingstone joined Pietersen as the second batsman in the 35-year history of England B, England A and England Lions cricket to score a century in each innings of a first-class match.

The Lancashire 23-yearold scored 140 not out, following a first-innings 105.

But Sri Lanka squared the two-match series with a three-wicket victory.

After Sri Lanka followed England’s 353 with a score of 548, the visitors were bowled out for 284, leaving the hosts requiring 90 to win from the final day’s evening session.

Malinda Pushpakumara, who took 13 wickets in the match, hit the winning runs, while Surrey wicketkeeper Ben Foakes claimed his

10th dismissal - five in each innings - which broke the previous record for the Lions and their predecessors, set by Steve Rhodes against Transvaal in 1993.

Lions head coach Andy Flower said: “They were good dismissals - it’s not like they were all straightforward nicks. A number of them were standing up to the wicket, both stumpings and catches, and Ben took one of the best catches I’ve seen from a wicketkeeper diving to his right - and that was in the 128th over.

“The other stand-out was Livingstone. Some of the things he’s been working on in the training camps seem to have come to the fore in his play of spin. It was a really great performance on a typical sub-continental wicket.”

England Lions’ fivematch one-day series with Sri Lanka A starts in Dambulla on Friday. (BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Smith joins elite ‘five-in-five club’ AUSTRALIA’S superstar skipper Steve Smith had joined another exclusive group of batsmen following his brilliant hundred in the first Test against India in Pune.

Smith made 109 in the second innings to help set his team up for a crushing 333-run victory over the hosts, handing Australia a shock one-nil lead in the four-match series.

It was his 18th Test hundred, of which just two have been scored in the second innings, while it was also his fifth century in consecutive matches against India.

The 27-year-old is just the fifth player in Test history to score five straight hundreds against the same opposition, joining an elite list of names: Sir Donald Bradman, Shoaib Mohammad, Neil Harvey and

A century in the first Test means Australia captain adds another milestone to his already extraordinary batting career.

Jacques Kallis.

Smith hit a hundred in each match of the four-Test series against India in the home summer of 2014-15, captaining Australia for the first time in the absence of an injured Michael Clarke and stamping himself as

one of the next great batsmen in the sport.

His average against India now stands at 88.83 from seven matches, with five hundreds and three fifties.

In this category, as in others, Bradman of course remains

above the pack; the benchmark of batting greats made six straight centuries against England between 1937 and 1938 – a run that was only ended with an ankle injury that ruled him out of batting at The Oval in August of ‘38.

The onset of World War Two meant the next time he faced his Ashes rivals was at home in the summer of 194647, and while the political landscape had shifted, the cricket scene remained very much the same – Bradman hit 187 and 234 in the opening two Tests to make it eight hundreds in his previous 10 innings against the Old Enemy.

Fifteen years later it was another Australian who joined Bradman in rarefied air, with Harvey plundering the South Africans for four straight hundreds in the summer of 1949-50,

and then adding a fifth on home soil in December 1952 to keep the streak going.

The imperious left-hander was ‘only’ able to add 60 in his next Test against the Proteas, before making up for that with scores of 190, 84, 116 and 205 across the following three matches in a phenomenal sequence of scoring.

Bradman and Harvey stood alone in the ‘five-in-five club’ until Pakistan’s Shoaib Mohammad made it five straight against the Kiwis in two series between February 1989 and October 1990.

The first two came in New Zealand when the determined right-hander made 163 and 112, before putting the Black Caps to the sword once again some 20 months later, with 203 n.o., 105 and 142 in the three-Test series.

South African run-machine

Kallis made the most of the decline of the West Indies’ empire when he scored tons for fun against the Caribbean side between December 2003 and March 2005.

In four Tests at home, he made 158, 177, 130 n.o. and 130 n.o. and while he made a duck in the first innings of his next match against the Windies in Georgetown 14 months later, he kept the scoring spree going with 109 second time around.

Smith, in superb form with the bat and evidently relishing the challenge of facing India’s much-vaunted spin duo of Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja on their home tracks, now has a chance to go it alone with Bradman in the ‘six-in-six club’ when the two sides again square off in Bengaluru from March 4.

China warns soccer investors: don’t break rules on capital outflows

Football player Carlos Tevez holds a team shirt with Wu Xiaohui, Chairman of Shanghai Greenland Shenhua Football Club during a news conference in Shanghai, China, January 21, 2017. (REUTERS/Stringer) (REUTERS) - Private Chinese investors are welcome to help develop the sports industry but must follow the country’s rules on moving capital overseas, the sports ministry said yesterday, following a splurge on foreign soccer clubs by local buyers.

Companies from China have spent heavily on foreign clubs in recent years as President Xi Jinping has called for it to develop a world-class soccer industry.

But while it says it supports its companies expanding overseas, Beijing has also been cracking down on anything it views as “illegitimate” capital outflows.

High outflows were a contributory factor behind last

year’s depreciation of the yuan currency to an 8-1/2 year low against the dollar.

The latest addition to China’s soccer stable is set to be Italy’s AC Milan. Reuters reported last week that a consortium’s 740 million euro ($784 million) purchase of the Serie A club was to be finalised on March 3 after struggling to get approval from Beijing.

Also last week, a person with knowledge of plans said Chinese buyers including Amer International and CITIC Securities Co Ltd were readying a £246 million ($306 million) bid for English Premier League outfit Southampton.

Late last year China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) said regulators

would more closely check Chinese outbound investments in the sports and other sectors, as well as investments outside a company’s core business.

Yesterday’s sports ministry statement along similar lines was posted on the website of the General Administration of Sport of China.

Chinese ambitions for soccer have also extended to sprucing up the domestic league with a clutch of high-profile signings.

Recent imports include Argentine international striker Carlos Tevez, who joined Shanghai Shenhua from Boca Juniors at a salary that, if UK media reports are correct, makes him the highest-paid player on the planet on around $770 000 a week.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Panama dethrone Mexico to take Beach Soccer Championship title

PANAMA captured their first CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship with a 4-2 win over defending champions Mexico on Sunday at the Malcolm Park Beach Soccer Facility in Nassau, Bahamas.

Both sides will represent the Confederation -- along with the hosts Bahamas -- at the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, beginning April 27.

Justo Arrocha netted a brace, while Alfonso Maquensi and Rafael Garcia contributed with a goal each in a victorious effort.

Mexico - which had won their previous two CBSC final appearances in 2011 and 2015 -- saw the competition’s joint-top scorer Jose

Ramon Maldonado Alonso strike for two goals.

Despite what was at stake, both sides began in fast fashion, three-time champions Mexico edged proceedings as it rattled the crossbar, before Maldonado Alonso forced a great save from Eder Patino.

Maldonado Alonso, however, would not be kept quiet for long, with the midfielder glancing Diego Villasenor’s throw into the Panama goal with two minutes remaining in the first period to give Mexico a 1-0 lead.

Jose Carlos Moreno spurned a glorious chance to double the advantage as Panama defended with their lives.

That miss was punished as Arrocha equalised with

Panama celebrate with the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship trophy.

Panama’s first clear-cut chance eight minutes into the middle frame.

Arrocha almost had a second soon after, coming close to capitalising on a

poor back pass from Diego Rodriguez, but the defender remained in the thick of

Durham can overcome ECB points-deduction - Botham DURHAM can overcome their 48-point deduction in Division Two and achieve success in 2017, says newly appointed chairman, Sir Ian Botham.

The club were relegated in 2016 and handed various points penalties, after seeking financial help from the England and Wales Cricket Board.

However, they have retained key players from 2016,

including Ben Stokes and Keaton Jennings, within the squad.

“We’ll take that on the chin,” Botham told BBC Newcastle.

“What’s gone has gone, I think we’re good enough to get past that (the deduction) anyway.

“I genuinely believe we can be back, if not this season, which I think we can do if we have a little bit of

luck with the weather and the fixtures.

“But it certainly won’t take us much longer than that.”

Having cleared their financial issues as part of negotiated deals with Durham County Council and the ECB, Durham’s long-term future has been secured in spite of their on-field handicaps for 2017.

Botham is confident the

team can be challengers, bolstered by overseas players in Stephen Cook and Tom Latham for various stages, and senior pros Paul Collingwood, Graham Onions and Chris Rushworth also remaining at the Riverside.

“It’s two wins,” Botham said in the press conference.

“The team are more than good enough to get those two early wins and then in Division Two they’ll be the

Leicester stun Liverpool in first game after Ranieri …Jamie Vardy scores twice (REUTERS)-Leicester City returned to form in stunning fashion on Monday as Jamie Vardy scored twice in a 3-1 Premier League defeat of Liverpool that lifted the champions out of the relegation zone.

In their first match since manager Claudio Ranieri was sacked after five successive defeats in which they failed to score a goal, Leicester produced the kind of vibrant display that carried them to glory last May. Liverpool were simply overwhelmed as their hopes of a top-four finish suffered a severe setback.

Vardy gave Leicester the lead in the 28th minute with his first league goal since December.

Danny Drinkwater made it 2-0 with a stunning volley six minutes before halftime and Vardy headed rejuvenated Leicester’s third on the hour as Liverpool crumbled.

Liverpool enjoyed plenty of possession and Philippe Coutinho gave them a lifeline after 69 minutes but Leicester held on for a crucial victory which took them up three places to 15th.

“It feels good, we need to enjoy it while it lasts and build on this,” Drinkwater said.

“You could call it a reaction, we have come under a bit of stick.”

Vardy said he could not put his finger on why Leicester had suddenly produced a performance worthy of champions after a pitiful defence of their title.

“We’ve been working hard on everything we’ve been asked to do but it’s not been happening.

Tonight it all clicked.”

Leicester’s players looked fired-up from the first whistle and Vardy caught Sadio Mane with an ugly tackle inside a minute.

Liverpool, well-rested after a two-week break and some warm weather training in Spain, lacked any rhythm and keeper Simon Mignolet was called into action to stop a Robert Huth header.

Leicester’s caretaker manager Craig Shakespeare made only one change from the side that took to the field for Ranieri’s final game -- last week’s 2-1 loss in Sevilla in a Champions League last-16 first leg -- bringing in Shinji Okazaki for Ahmed Musa.

Okazaki’s flying header forced Mignolet into another save before Vardy scuffed a

things and was on target when he glanced in Ricardo Obregon’s cross with two minutes left in the second period.

Maldonado Alonso was the man to bring the sides back on level terms a minute later, drawing him equal with joint-top scorer Belize’s Marlon Meza on 12 goals.

Panama went ahead for good three minutes into the second period, when Maquensi lobbed Diego Villasenor with precision from out wide.

A wonderful, instinctive save from Jose Victoria kept Panama in front, before Garcia found the bottom corner with two minutes left on the clock for an insurance goal. (Sportsmax.com)

We could be playing minor counties, we’re not, we’re still playing first-class cricket and we have a club - a club that will prosper.”

Newly appointed chairman Sir Ian Botham best side by a distance.

“It’s down to the players.

DURHAM’S 2017 PENALTIES They will start next season in Division Two with a 48-point deduction.

Durham will also face a four-point penalty in the 2017 T20 Blast and a two-point deduction in the One-Day Cup. Additionally, the club will be subject to a revised salary cap from April 2017 to 2020, with the level determined annually by the ECB board. (BBC Sport)

Pakistan to hold cricket final on home soil

By Saad Sayeed

Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy scores their third goal Action Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff Livepic volley at the Liverpool keeper having produced a wonderful piece of skill to control a high ball.

The England striker, playing higher up the pitch on Shakespeare’s instructions, made no mistake in the 28th minute though, racing on to Marc Albrighton’s perfectly-weighted pass before drilling a powerful shot past Mignolet.

It was Leicester’s first goal for 638 minutes, and 11 minutes later they had another. James Milner’s clearance bounced towards Drinkwater 25 metres out and the midfielder steadied himself before launching a rocket that flashed into the net.

The expected Liverpool

response never materialised after the break and Leicester went further ahead on the hour when Vardy timed his jump perfectly to head in Christian Fuchs’s cross.

Leicester’s fans roared “3-0 to the champions” while also chanting the name of Ranieri and it was easy to imagine they had been transported back to last season when their team took the title by 10 points.

Coutinho scored in the 69th minute with a cool sidefoot finish and the visitors suddenly came to life, although it was too little too late for Juergen Klopp’s side who have won only once in seven.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistan will hold the final of its wildly popular domestic T20 cricket league on home soil for the first time, despite a wave of deadly attacks across the country, the cricket board announced yesterday.

However, it was not clear how many foreign players would come to Pakistan, where 130 people have been killed in recent attacks, to take part in the March 5 game in the eastern city of Lahore.

While the league, now in its second year, attracts an estimated television audience of over 50 million people in the cricket-crazed nation, so far all matches have been played in the United Arab Emirates.

“The nation has shown its passion and unity. The Pakistani nation is peaceful and it will not be black-

mailed,” Pakistan Cricket Board executive committee chairman Najam Sethi said.

The Pakistan Super League features cricket stars from all over the world but many appear reluctant to travel to Pakistan for the final.

“We have to wait until March 3 to know which foreign players will travel to Lahore, as we still do not know which two teams will qualify,” Sethi told reporters.

Pakistan has played most of its home international matches in the United Arab Emirates since 2009, when gunmen attacked a bus carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team from their hotel to Lahore’s Gaddafi stadium, wounding six players and killing six security personnel and two civilians.

The country has been starved of international cricket, apart from a short visit by the Zimbabwe cricket team in 2015.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

WICB President’s XI go down by two wickets to England BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – All-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall did his West Indies chances little harm with another stellar half-century but the WICB President’s XI went down by two wickets to England in a 50-overs tour match here yesterday.

The big-hitting Cornwall struck an attacking 59 from 61 deliveries while captain Jahmar Hamilton enhanced his credentials with a top score of 73 as the hosts, opting to bat first, were dismissed for 233 off 48 overs.

Left-handed Kyle Mayers weighed in with a better than run-a-ball 33 while opener Kyle Hope chipped in with 24.

Ben Stokes (3-35) and Liam Plunkett (3-44) led the England attack with three wickets apiece while fellow Chris Woakes (2-37) finished with a brace.

In reply, England were lift-

ed by opener Jonny Bairstow who top-scored with 86 while Woakes stroked an unbeaten, run-a-ball 47 and Joe Root, 46.

Off-spinner Andre McCarthy (2-4), fast bowler Ronsford Beaton (2-46) and leg-spinner Damion Jacobs (2-54) were the main wicket-takers.

Cornwall’s half-century – his fourth in List A – was required in emergency circumstances after the President’s XI slumped to 55 for five in the 16th over.

The 24-year-old Cornwall then combined with Hamilton in a counter-attacking 123-run, sixth-wicket stand which revived the innings and repelled the English bowlers.

While Cornwall struck six fours and three sixes, Hamilton notched five fours and two sixes in a 90-ball innings.

Cornwall departed in the 37th over but Mayers joined Hamilton to put on a further

42 for the seventh wicket, striking three fours and a six off 32 balls.

England then made a stuttering start to their run chase when they lost Sam Billings cheaply for two with the score on 11 in the third over.

But Bairstow and Root came together to prop up the innings in a 117-run second-wicket stand, and put England back on course for victory.

Bairstow faced 97 balls and struck nine fours while Root counted four boundaries in a 67-ball innings.

Root’s dismissal, caught at the wicket by Hamilton off Jacobs in the 26th over, sparked a slide that saw six wickets tumble for 49 runs.

Struggling on 177 for seven in the 40th over, Woakes came to his side’s rescue, belting four fours and a six in helping to put on 35 for the eighth wicket with Adil

All-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall drives sweetly through the off-side during his 59 against England in the 50-overs tour match at Warner Park. (Photo courtesy WICB Media) Rashid who made 10, as he saw England home.

The victory was the second in three days for the tourists after they beat the UWI

Vice-Chancellor’s XI by 117 runs in another 50-overs game last Saturday.

They will now turn their attention to the three-match

One-Day International series against West Indies starting at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua on Friday.

DeNobrega leaves for one-year Bounty GCC and Pizza Hut GCC complete sweep FINA Scholarship in U.S.

By Tamica Garnett

FOLLOWING in the stride of Olympian Hannibal Gaskin, 17-year old Phillip DeNobrega departed Guyana last Saturday for a one-year International Swimming Federation (FINA) scholarship at the Spire Swimming Academy, Cleveland, Ohio.

Speaking with Chronicle Sport, the former Chase Academy student said he was surprised when he learnt that he was accepted for the scholarship. DeNobrega wasn’t confident that his timings were up to scratch.

“I was really surprised, I wasn’t sure if I would get it, because they had other countries with other children applying and I wasn’t up to the standards,” DeNobrega related.

DeNobrega, who is expected to represent Guyana at a number of meets this year, also has Olympic aspirations and is hopeful of qualifying for Tokyo 2020.

DeNobrega’s name was the only one submitted to FINA by the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) after a missive was sent out to the various clubs to nominate swimmers for the programme.

Introduced in June 2013, the FINA scholarship programme offers the opportunity to obtain

Phillip DeNobrega financial and technical assistance for one potential elite athlete, selected and proposed by his/her respective National Federation.

The programme targets swimmers and national federations with the greatest needs in FINA’s six aquatic sports. FINA’s objective is to provide up to 40 scholarships per year.

An athlete can benefit from the scholarship programme for a maximum 12 months for each application.

Last year, Gaskin completed a seven-month FINA High Performance Swim Training stint at their centre in Delaware, Ohio, just prior to his performance at the Rio Olympics in August.

The result of Gaskin’s training was evident when,

despite not placing at the Olympics, he swam a personal best and new national record in the men’s 100m butterfly.

Also training overseas is Guyanese swimmer Jamila Sanmoogan, who is currently on a three-year scholarship at the University of Sports in Cali, Colombia.

SPIRE Academy, which DeNobrega will be attending, is an international high school and postgraduate academy focused on developing and preparing athletes to be successful in swimming. According to the information on their website, the academy is focused on “placing emphasis on academic, athletic, leadership, and character development”.

As swimming in Guyana goes DeNobrega has been a bright prospect over the past few years. He stands as a Goodwill Swim Meet silver medallist, and has also medalled at the tri-nation Inter-Guiana Games. He is currently an option to represent Guyana at the FINA World Championships set for Budapest, Hungary from July 25 to 30.

DeNobrega was given a warm send-off at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, as his family and several GASA executives extended good wishes.

St Joseph’s Akeela Ralph counterattacks against the Fernandes sisters and top scorer Sarah Klautky of Marian Academy.

THE Smalta U-14 Indoor Hockey League continued with action last Friday at Marian Academy.

The Marian Academy facility is the largest being used for the league and can accommodate two courts.

In the Girls’ division, Marian Academy, with home court advantage defeated St Joseph 5-0 and Hikers 9-0. Sarah Klautky of the home team was the Smalta’s female top scorer of the day with a solid 5 goals in her two matches.

The SHC Silencers and the SHC Sensations both secured victories over GCC teams. Mariah Seegobind of the Silencers continued her scoring streak this week by scoring all 4 goals for her team to guarantee their victory over the GCC Challengers.

In the Boy’s division,

St Joseph, despite being newcomers to the sport, remained undefeated after Friday’s games. Kalfanni Yan scored an early goal to secure their win over the HHC Hatchets, while the rest of the St Joseph team got in on the scoring action in their 8-1 win against Old Fort.

The SHC Scalpels and SHC Scorchers continued where their female counter-

parts left off by defeating GCC War Dogs 11-0 and GCC Thunder Bolts 7-1.

Despite these defeat, GCC Thunder Bolts’ Jason Gomes was the Smalta’s male top scorer of the day with 5 goals in their match against the GCC War Dogs.

Games will continue this Friday, March 3 at St Stanislaus College from 16:00hrs to 19:00hrs.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday February 28, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 8 (2) 2 (Ronsford Beaton & Raymond Reifer) Today’s Quiz: (1) Where are the WI/ENG ODIs scheduled to be played?

(2) Where and when did the WI & ENG contest an ODI game

for the first time?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Haynes wins Best Young Player award at CONCACAF Beach Soccer championship G U YA N A’ S J a m a l Haynes walked away with the Scotiabank Young Player Award at the just concluded 2017 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship which climaxed last Sunday in Bahamas.

The 21-year-old Haynes impressed fans, players and officials with a dazzling array of skills and goals.

Guyana’s beach soccer national team, performing at this level for the first time, defeated Belize 4-1 in the group stage and Antigua & Barbuda 6-4 in the placement stage to end 12th out of 16 teams.

Playing up front for most of the tournament, Haynes scored a hat-trick in the win against Antigua & Barbuda, including one of the goals of the tournament – a spectacular overhead kick that soared into the top corner. The goal can be viewed via this link:

Jamal Haynes in action during his spectacular bicycle-kick In total, Haynes scored really pleased knowing time performance in this that I’ve played against tournament was excellent six goals.

“It was a nice expe- players with a lot of expe- and I’m pleased about it. rience playing against rience and who’ve been to I am extremely excited the bigger nations. I feel World Cup; so my first- collecting the award,” the

Linden, Silvertown-based Haynes explained.

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is working to encourage more players to take up beach soccer, and to lay solid foundations for future success in the sport. Other smaller footballing nations have found success on the global stage through the development of beach soccer, including Tahiti, who finished as runners-up in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2015 after hosting the tournament in 2013.

“We are extremely proud of the progress that Jamal and the whole men’s beach soccer squad have made in the Bahamas during this tournament,” said GFF president Wayne Forde.

“Jamal saw off a lot of very strong regional competition to win this award and it is deserved rec-

ognition for all. Jamal’s performances have been one of the clear highlights of the competition, at the heart of an exciting team that has placed Guyana firmly on the beach soccer map and given us every reason to be very confident about the future.”

GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood said: “Jamal’s personal achievement is remarkable, given the limited exposure this squad has had to beach soccer at this level. It shows the strength of individual talent that exists in Guyana, which we are now working to harness and develop more effectively.

Jamal and the team have improved steadily throughout their preparations and the tournament, and we have a promising platform to build on for the future.”

Bright, Williams, Phillips and Caesar make CARIFTA Games qualifying standards

By Tamica Garnett AMERICAN Youth Championships medallists Chantoba Bright and Daniel Williams, along with Schools’ Nationals record-holder Kenisha Phillips, and Linden’s Compton Caesar were among those who clinched CARIFTA Games qualifying marks at last weekend’s National Youth and Junior Championships, held at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora.

Also making the cut was distance runner Anfernee Headecker, while there were also Mercury Fast Laners’ Tiah Thornhill and Christianburg’s Jermain Brown.

Distance runner Claudrice McKoy almost touched the qualifying time in the girls’ Under-20 1500m but she finished in 4:48.79s when the qualifying time (QT) was a flat 4:48.00s.

Most of the athletes,

Chantoba Bright however, only managed to make qualifying standards in one event at the Championships, which also served as the CARIFTA Games trials.

Another great performance in the girls’ Under-18 long jump was Bright’s leap of 5.77m, quite outside the 5.55m set by the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG). However, in the

triple jump, the CARIFTA Games bronze medallist was short of the 11.8m, after her best jump only took her to 11.67m. Nonetheless she still won the event.

Sprinters Phillips and Caesar did their regular sprint double wins, while Daniel Williams picked up the 200-400 double wins as well as the high jump victory. However, they each only qualified in one event.

For Phillips, it was the girls’ Under-18 100m, where she overcame Christianburg’s Onasha Rogers to achieve the 12 seconds QT. In the 200m, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) athlete took down Rogers’ clubmate Deshanna Skeete but her 24.83 seconds was just outside the 24.5 seconds that she needed.

Caesar, also from Christianburg, competed in the junior category, where he defeated SAYC silver medallist Tyrell Peters in both events.

Daniel Williams The two-time Commonwealth Youth finalist took the 200m win, on Sunday, in 21.27 seconds, outdoing the 21.68 seconds that Peters ended with. Peters’ time was just beyond the 21.60 seconds standard.

On Saturday in the 100m Caesar registered 10.49 seconds and Peters 10.69 seconds. Both passed the 10.35 seconds mark.

In the boys’ Under-18 200m, Williams prevailed with 21.83 seconds, just inside the 21.9 seconds mark,

while in the 400m his 50.05 seconds was outside the 49 seconds, and in the high jump he cleared 1.88m, but could not clear the 1.90m qualifying standard.

Headecker performed in the boys’ 800m and 1500m, finishing the former in 1:54.17s just inside the 1:55.00s QT. In the 1500m, a 4:08.14s was not good enough, as the standard was set at 4.05.00s.

Running Brave’s Samuel Lynch finished close Compton Caesar

Kenisha Phillips

behind in the 800m and clocked 1:56.98s.

Christianburg’s Browne qualified in the boys’ Under-17 long jump where his 6.87m was just over the 6.80m mark. Thornhill clocked 2:13.66 seconds in the girls’ Under-18 800m where the qualifying time is 2:16.00s.

Haynes wins Best Young Player award at CONCACAF Beach Soccer championship 1

See Page 3

Millington hat-trick sets up Western, Police clash See sto page ryon 27

Police scorers Junior Gordon and Lerone Charles

Devcon Construction donates kit to Victoria Kings FC

By Ras Wadada

VICTORIA Kings FC will appear in a new outfit when the GFF/STAG Elite League’s second round begins after receiving a new kit of 20 uniforms yesterday from Managing Director of Devcon Construction, Nolan Lancaster, at the company’s office at Robb and Albert streets.

The Devon Construction Victoria Kings FC will now play in a fluorescent green jersey trimmed with dark blue and olive green shorts trimmed with black, and complemented by olive green socks.

In making the presentation to Technical Adviser of the team, Everal Mundy, the Devcon boss expressed his joy and honour to be associated with the side that have impressed him since he first saw them play in the 90s.

“My first experience with the Kings was at my hometown ground in BV where I saw them play a brand of football comparable with what we see on TV. Since then I have been a true fan

of them so when my childhood buddy Everal Mundy approached me to come on board and support I had no hesitation.

“I love football and hold football close to my heart, although my first love used to be cricket. I plan to make this a long-term commitment, but initially it will be for three years,” Lancaster declared.

Lancaster added that he sees this opportunity as a means of giving back to the communities and which could deter the youths from going in the negative direction.

The Devcon boss also sent good wishes to the team: “I would also like to extend best wishes to the team and ask of them to all give 100 percent at all times.”

Former club president Mundy, in his remarks, spoke of the club’s gratitude for the sponsorship and the desire for a lasting relationship, “This new beginning of relationship with Devcon is one that we are grateful for and I must say

is very timely. We are happy and thankful that Mr Lancaster has decided to support us and we feel honoured to be associated with Devcon.

“We will wear this outfit with great pride and will take every opportunity to promote Devcon.

“This donation comes at a time when we are aiming to qualify for the CFU club Championship and no doubt it is timely.

We look forward to not only a lasting relationship but one full of mutual benefits. From now on we will be branded Devcon Victoria Kings FC.” The Kings are expected to christen their new uniforms this coming Sunday at Tucville ground when they clash with Buxton United in the GFF’s ‘Super Four’ tournament which also involves the Army and Fruta Conquerors.

Devcon Victoria Kings occupy third position in the 6-team GFF/STAG Elite League at the end of the first round of Technical Adviser of Victoria Kings Football Club – Everal Mundy receives the new kit from Managing Director of Devcon Construction, Nolan Lancaster. competition.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017