Guyana chronicle e paper 29 01 2017

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Soyini Fraser, Miss Guyana 2016 debuts her National Costume on stage at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, January 26, 2017. The contestants have been touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines. Tune in to the FOX telecast at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, January 29, live from the Philippines to see who will become Miss Universe. HO/The Miss Universe Organization

Soyini Fraser Hopes high for

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From a bakery to a bank ► Page III

It’s Trotman Guyana - perfect for weddings Centre ►

Bare Root - struggling for bare necessities XXII ► Page

No. 104808

SUNDAY JANUARY 29, 2017

Price: $140

(VAT Inclusive)

...AFC co-founder re-elected leader ...Ramjattan new Chairman as Cathy Hughes bows out Page 3

Traversing the river

This fuel-laden boat was spotted in the Mazaruni River, Region Seven, transporting both fuel and miners to their camp site.

(Svetlana Marshall Photo)

Security boosted at border

...as Venezuelan drug gang threatens violence Page 13

Chaos, panic, follow Trump travel ban Page 4

Lethem couple busted with ganja Page 14

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

Ramjattan gives AFC ministers ‘thumbs up’

By Rabindra Rooplall THE Alliance For Change (AFC) top executive, Khemraj Ramjattan, has contended that the party in partnership with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has been

doing well in Government, while still maintaining strong grassroots support.

Ramjattan, who was at the time speaking in the capacity as AFC leader, expressed these sentiments at the party’s 5th Biennial National Congress held at

the Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School, West Bank Demerara, on Saturday.

It was the AFC’s first congress since being in Government under the AFC+APNU coalition headed

by President David Granger.

AFC members who hold ministerial portfolios are Moses Nagamootoo, (Prime Minister); Raphael Trotman, (Minister of Natural Resources); Noel Holder (Agriculture Minister); Dominic Gaskin, (Minister of Business and Tourism); Cathy Hughes, (Minister of Public Telecommunications); David Patterson, (Minister of Public Infrastructure); and Khemraj Ramjattan (Minister of Public Security).

Addressing the congress, themed “In Unity; Improving Governance; Focused on the Vision,” Ramjattan said the AFC ministers have all done well in their respective portfolios.

“We must be proud that we have improved on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index with 34 points in our first year…”

He also pointed out that Guyana enjoys macroeconomic stability, and the prospects look great with oil on the horizon.

(From left) AFC Executives Khemraj Ramjattan and Moses Nagamootoo interact with supporters at the party’s 5th Biennial National Congress at the Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School

With these successes, Ramjattan contended that coalition politics is here to stay, and the AFC has the people’s interests at heart.

“To attain our goal of a good life, of a green economy, of accountable Government, a sustainable democracy, we have to have an effective party with credible

leadership which can inspire Guyanese that these goals are possible.”

And on that note, he cautioned comrades against “jealousies and pettiness from lesser minds,” since it can work in favour of the opposition People’s Progressive Party.

“The party must seek

to avoid that which will jeopardise the coalition’s existence, to the detriment of the Cummingsburg Accord, or to the benefit of Jagdeo and the PPP.” Both Mr Nagamootoo and Mr Ramjattan called for unity, stressing that it is the only way to move the party forward.

It’s Trotman

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

By Alva Solomon

ALLIANCE For Change (AFC) party co-founder, Raphael Trotman, has once again been elected to serve the party as its leader following elections held at the party’s Fifth Biennial Conference at the Vreed-enHoop Primary School on Saturday.

Co-founder of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, was elected chairman. Voting for the top post of the AFC was closely contested between the two party executives. Trotman, the current Minister of Natural Resources, won by two votes over Ramjattan, the Public Security Minister, with final figures of 127-125 in favour of Trotman.

And following the elections, President David Granger in a congratulatory message to Trotman and the AFC,

...AFC co-founder re-elected leader ...Ramjattan new Chairman as Cathy Hughes bows out

Leader of the AFC, Raphael Trotman

Chairman of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan

Vice-chair of the AFC, Cathy Hughes

recommitted the other half of the coalition government, A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU’s) position to the Cummingsburg Accord.

According to the release

from the AFC, in the race for the post of party chairman, executive member Cathy Hughes withdrew her candidacy and Ramjattan was declared chairman, unopposed. Hughes will

serve as vice-chair of the party.

The official election results saw newcomer Marlon Williams with 125 votes, being elected general-secretary

Baby, parents injured in accident A COUPLE and their infant child narrowly escaped death Saturday evening when the motorcycle on which they were travelling collided with a motor car at the junction of North Road and Albert Street, Georgetown, around 19:30hrs.

On impact, the mother pitched into the trench and her baby was flung onto the shoulder of the road, inches away from the trench. It is not clear how the father landed, but the driver of the motor car appeared visibly shaken, even though not hurt.

The family appeared to have just left the market, for items purchased were strewn on the ground. Persons at the scene who immediately summoned the Guyana Fire Service ambulance, said that the motorcycle, CJ 321 was headed north along Albert Street and motor car HC 6379, owned by Piccadilly Taxi Service, was proceeding west along North Road when they collided.

The motorcycle abandoned at the roadside after its riders were rushed to hospital

Writhing in pain and unable to walk, the mother of the child was lifted out of the water and placed into the ambulance. They were all taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) where the young woman, who appeared to have injured her back, was given priority treatment.

Clutching his baby as they ar-

The damaged motor car parked on North Road following the accident [Delano Williams photos]

rived at the hospital, the father appeared to have been giving thanks and praise for their spared lives.

Newly elected General-Secretary of the AFC, Marlon Williams

of the party. Williams was elected to the post ahead of David Patterson, who attained 83 votes.

The results of the election for members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) will be announced subsequently, once the voting and counting processes are completed.

The Returning Officer who oversaw the electoral process was Clayton Hall.

Trotman had served as party leader soon after he, along with Ramjattan and the late Sheila Holder, founded the party in 2005. He told reporters on Wednesday evening at a reception at the Chinese

Embassy on Mandela Avenue, that the AFC will remain united, despite the outcome of the elections.

He said that he had been nominated by several persons and he planned to represent them to the best of his ability.

The founding member had noted that he would serve in whatever capacity he was elected within the party, noting that his nomination provided him with added confidence to serve the AFC. Trotman had also said that the elections would capture the vision of the AFC, noting that the party had brought strength and value to the coalition government.

“And we meet the people’s expectations, the people expect us to be a strong and vibrant party,” he said. Trotman added that the AFC‘s vision is not premised on race, but rather on a “commonality of purpose,” noting that whoever presents the best possibilities to the party will become eventual winners.

According to a release from the Ministry of the Presidency, President Granger and the partners of the APNU noted that the party looks forward to working “very closely with Mr Trotman and the new leadership of the AFC as we work together to achieve a better life for all Guyanese.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

Chaos, panic, anger follow Trump travel ban [Reuters] - PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s order for “extreme vetting” of visitors from seven Muslim-majority countries had an immediate impact on people around the world on Saturday, stranding legal residents of the United States and travelers with visas at airports and infuriating Muslims, Iranians and Western allies alike.

Immigration lawyers and advocates reacted furiously to the order, promising lawsuits after many worked through the night trying to help marooned travelers find a way back home.

Confusion abounded at airports as immigration and customs officials struggled to interpret the new rules, with some legal residents who were in the air when the order was issued detained at airports upon arrival.

A chaotic scene played out in the arrivals terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, where a group of lawyers had filed a lawsuit on behalf of two Iraqi men who had worked for the U.S. military who were in the air when Trump signed the order. Protesters gathered in support of the immigrants and lawyers. In Toronto, Mohammadreza Tayfeh was denied entry to the United States because of his nationality but he found

himself comforting the Delta Airlines employee he had called to ask about a refund. “She was so upset,” he said.

“To label a whole nation as being terrorists? I don’t know what to say,” said Tayfeh, an Iranian finishing his doctorate in electrical engineering at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.

Thousands of refugees seeking entry were thrown into limbo. Melanie Nezer of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, a Jewish group that works with refugees, said she knew of roughly 2,000 who were booked to come to the United States next week.

The new Republican president on Friday put a four-month hold on allowing refugees into the United States and temporarily barred travelers from Syria and six other Muslim-majority countries. He said the moves would protect Americans from terrorism, in a swift and stern delivery on a campaign promise.

“It’s not a Muslim ban,” Trump told reporters at the Oval Office. “It’s working out very nicely. You see it at the airports, you see it all over.”

“We’re going to have a very, very strict ban and we’re going to have extreme vetting, which we should have had in

this country for many years,” Trump said. The U.S. technology industry, a major employer of foreign workers, hit back on Saturday, with some leaders calling the order immoral and un-American.

It drew widespread criticism from U.S. Western allies including France and Germany, Arab-American groups and human rights organizations.

Iran condemned the order as an “open affront against the

for cooperation on combating terrorism. A Yemeni official expressed dismay at the ban.

Canadians welcome those fleeing persecution, terror and war “regardless of your faith,” Prime Minister Justin

Women check their luggage after arriving on a flight from Dubai on Emirates Flight 203 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York, U.S., January 28, 2017. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly The ban affects travelers with passports from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Green card holders who are legal permanent residents of the United States will not be allowed back in until they are re-screened. Arab travelers in the Middle East and North Africa said the order was humiliating and discriminatory.

Muslim world and the Iranian nation” and vowed to retaliate.

Of the seven countries targeted, Iran sends the most visitors to the United States each year around 35,000 in 2015, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Sudan called the action “very unfortunate” after Washington lifted sanctions on the country just weeks ago

Trudeau said in a Twitter post.

LEGAL RESIDENTS STUNNED During the presidential campaign, Trump promised to clamp down on immigration as a way to prevent attacks.

He first proposed a ban on

Muslims entering the United States, modifying that later to “extreme vetting” of immigrants from certain countries.

It was unclear how many legal permanent residents would be affected. A senior U.S. administration official said on Saturday that green card holders from the seven affected countries have to be cleared into the United States on a case-by-case basis.

According to State Department guidance, travelers who have dual nationality of one of these countries will not be permitted for 90 days to enter the United States. Legal residents of the United States were plunged into despair at the prospect of being unable to return to the United States or being separated from family members trapped abroad.

“I never thought something like this would happen in America,” said Mohammad Hossein Ziya, 33, who came to the United States in 2011 after being forced to leave Iran for his political activities.

Ziya, who lives in Virginia, has a green card and had planned to travel to Dubai next week to see his elderly father. In Cairo, five Iraqi passengers and one Yemeni were barred from boarding an EgyptAir flight to New York on Saturday, sources at Cairo airport said. Dutch airline KLM [AIRF.PA] said on Saturday it had refused carriage to the United States to seven passengers from predominately Muslim countries.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

Probable Zika-related microcephaly samples redirected to CDC [Jamaica Observer] THE Ministry of Health (MOH) has informed that samples from the probable case of microcephaly associated with the Zika virus, which were sent to Trinidad

for testing, are to be redirected to the Centre of Disease Control (CDC) in order to finalise a report on the matter.

This is the first probable case of Zika-related microcephaly reported to

the MOH. Microcephaly is a condition in which babies are born with small heads. As reported on January 9, samples from the child and mother were sent for verification to the Caribbean Public Health

Colombian government and rebels announce cocaine crop plan [BBC] - COLOMBIA has announced a plan to eradicate vast crops of coca leaf, the raw material for cocaine. The Farc rebel group relied on cocaine production to fund its insurgency, and controlled much of the industry.

But a joint programme between rebels and the government will offer farmers monthly payments if they voluntarily destroy their crops.

They will also be offered loans and guidance to plant alternatives such as fruit trees and cacao.

The crop substitution programme was agreed as part of Colombia’s peace accord, which was finally ratified in December. The Colombian official responsible for the programme, Rafael Pardo, said the government would invest $340m (£271m), which would benefit 50,000 families. Last year, President Juan Manuel Santos decided to suspend USbacked aerial fumigation of illegal coca crops.

The government has set a goal of destroying 100,000 hectares of coca this year, and has yet to rule out other methods to bring coca levels

down. But the preferred strategy appears to be winning over the estimated 64,000 peasant families dependent on the coca trade.

“This is much more cost-efficient and furthermore ensures that territories are transformed and people’s lives are changed,” Mr Pardo said. Each family would receive a monthly stipend of around $350 (£280) as well as loans, subsidies, and technical assistance.

The programme is supported by the Farc and will initially focus on 40 municipalities responsible for more than half of Colombia’s coca production. During the armed conflict, the Farc initially taxed farmers producing coca in areas under its control, but eventually dominated trafficking in those areas.

As the Farc leave these regions to comply with the peace accord, the concern is that other armed groups including paramilitary and other crime gangs will try to replace them and take over the trade.

Agency (CARPHA).

The MOH said it has been informed that these samples will be redirected to the CDC on Monday for Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT).

“CARPHA is not currently able to carry out this test. The report is expected within three weeks of the date the samples are received by the CDC,” the ministry said in a release late Saturday.

The MOH also said

its approach to the management of the baby and family has not been impacted by the absence of the results and report from the CDC. “The parents of the baby have been receiving required care by the psychological services of the Victoria Jubilee Hospital. Follow up visits for their management will continue for as long as is necessary,” the ministry informed.

Baby with microcephaly compared to baby with typical head size

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial The Prime Minister’s decision not to contest AFC’s top positions ON the eve of its congress this weekend, the AFC’s Vice-Chairman, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, announced that he would not contest any of the party’s top positions. The PM, who was nominated for three of the top positions, including that of party leader, argued that it was time to make way for a new crop of leaders. While he was not stepping out of the party’s leadership, he felt that after more than 50 years of political activism, it was time to step aside from top leadership positions of “status.”

The PM’s thoughts are worth restating. “I have been in politics now for many, many years and for 52 of those years I have been in…posts in party politics…I want to say this: I am fully involved in the AFC. I want to see the party grow and become stronger. I want the party to reform and broaden its structure to bring on board the young generation of fighters, the so-called “Second Eleven” as we gear for 2020.”

Whatever one may think about the Prime Minister’s politics, he must be commended for taking this bold step. Our political culture is not characterised by such action on the part of leaders. The last time a leader stepped aside from top positions was when Eusi Kwayana, in 1987, announced that he was no longer going to be a candidate for top government positions.

Kwayana argued then that a country whose leaders of the 1950s were still the leaders of the 1980s was one that was not growing. While Nagamootoo has not used the same words, he was, in fact, driving at the same general sentiment.

The issue of leaders holding on to top positions indefinitely, is one that has drawn mixed responses.

On the one hand, party members have never been keen to push maximum leaders out of top positions. These leaders are generally revered and it is tantamount to heresy to seek to depose them. On the other hand, over the last few decades young people have been much more vocal about the need for older leaders to step aside and give way to younger candidates. That the PM alluded to the need for new leaders shows that he is not unmindful of this latter impulse in our political landscape.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

The AG is right: The PPP politicised the judiciary into dysfunctionalism Dear Editor, GUYANA’S Attorney General, Mr Basil Williams, has forcefully articulated how successive PPP administrations calculatedly politicised Guyana’s judiciary into dysfunctionalism.

Alarmingly, the dysfunctionalism to which he alluded, potentially predeterminedly obstructed the course of justice. These injustices and prejudices constitute consequential violations of citizens’ constitutional rights. I am living testimony of such politically engineered injustice.

I am the plaintiff in Rickford Burke V. Guyana National Newspapers Limited, Kwame Mc Coy, National Communications Networks Inc, Et, Al: Case No 2013 No. 38/W, Demerara County.

This is a libel case in which the defendants, eight media entities and/or practitioners associated with the PPP, maliciously slandered, defamed and libelled me.

My lawsuit has inexplicably been in continuance in the Supreme Court for five years, notwithstanding several letters and submissions

to then Chief Justice (Ag) Mr Ian Chang, from me and my Counsel, Mr Nigel Hughes, for a trial date. The matter has deliberately been left to languish in a state of dormancy, for no judicial reason, by “gatekeepers” in the judiciary who act to protect a certain “special interests” in breach of the constitutional obligation to uphold the law and act as fair and dispassionate arbiters of justice.

My case has been impeded, notwithstanding the straightforward, indisputable facts and circumstances. Between January 29, 2013 and February 1, 2013, and thereafter, the defendants, acting as political agents, knowingly published and/or broadcasted flagrantly false, malicious and defamatory information about me. Upon the direction of my counsel, the Guyana Chronicle newspaper and National Communications Network subsequently retracted their false stories and apologised to me. The other defendants refused.

The Chronicle’s retraction and apology were nugatory, as the newspaper refused to remove its libel-

lous article from its website ,causing it to be republished by media in the Caribbean Region and the United States.

This article, which is globally accessible, remains published on the Chronicle’s website as of today, in defiance of repeated demands from my counsel for its removal.

Moreover, it remains published although a presiding Judge in 2013 inquired of the raison d’etre for its continued publication.

With impunity, the Chronicle, backed by the PPP government, flaunted the law and demonstrated contempt for the courts. Its nefarious, malicious, premeditated intent was expressly to slander me, assassinate my character and cause permanent injury to my character and professional reputation, and no lawsuit or court would deter this mission - Its maliciousness evidently inspired by a confidence in its protectors.

After all, even the application for an emergency injunction has not yet been heard,five years later. The libellous publication achieved its intended consequence. I was smeared and defamed. My character

and professional reputation suffered irreparable harm.

I was forced to defend my good name and reputation as well as correct the record in publications in Guyana, throughout the Caribbean and in the United States. The retraction and apology by the defendants are an admission of guilt and liability. The defendants’ actions were not only malicious and intractable, but evidently contemptuous of the law and the court.

Despite such incontestable evidence and overwhelming malevolence, I have been denied my day in court, justice and my constitutional right to judicial remedies. The practical effect of the unfathomable five-year delay and obstruction of my lawsuit, is a perversion of the course of justice and the constitution.

Dr Martin Luther King, Jr admonished us that “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” I have the patience of a saint. I await my day in court!

Regards RICKFORD BURKE Plaintiff

Procurement plan in place for Region Five budget implementation Dear Editor, THE regional administration of Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) management team has developed its procurement plan for the 2017 budget implementation.

The procurement plan will ensure that the regional administration’s delivery of services to the residents of Region Five in a timely, efficient, effective and transparent process.

Procurement plays a key role within your region’s operations; there is no doubt of the importance of planning in order to maximise outcomes. To put it simply, procurement planning defines a process whereby the Region Five management team has established what needs to be procured (goods, services or works), when they need to be procured (contract timeframes).

Procurement planning

The PM may also be responding to the debate over rotation of leadership in the AFC. There seems to be a split within the party and in public opinion on this issue. Many observers have argued that the party’s constitution prohibits top leaders from running for third terms, while others have contended that the constitution is silent on the issue.

However, the debate really is about whether leaders should hold on to office indefinitely. The PM, by his removal from consideration for top office, appears to signal which side of the debate he favours. Whatever the merits and demerits of the two sides of the debate, it is clear that this issue would be best resolved by the choices made by the individual leaders.

In this regard, the PM’s stance is even more noteworthy.

has provided benefits for Region Five, such as: it has provided an opportunity for all stakeholders to meet and discuss procurement requirements and objectives. The region had its first procurement workshop with contractors on 20th of January, 2017.

When it comes to procurement processes within Region Five, failing to plan is planning to fail.

The Mahaica-Berbice re-

gion which set aside time to methodically plan our procurement approach will enjoy a more organised, effective; efficient and transparent service delivery to the people of Mahaica-Berbice.

Yours Sincerely, GOVIND SINGH Deputy Regional Executive Officer Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice)

The PM also cited the need to concentrate on his job as the second most powerful governmental leader. This is not an isolated observation, as some in the AFC have argued that the party’s leaders in government should not hold top offices within the party. It is argued that the fusion of party and government leadership compromises the party’s independence.

That is a very delicate debate that needs much more thought, but it points to the complexity of coalition politics. Clearly, member parties have not worked out the relationship between party and government.

In the final analysis, PM Nagamootoo has placed one model of engagement on the table. It is left to be seen whether it will be embraced by other leaders.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

Deplorable conditions at Suddie, New Amsterdam hospitals Dear Editor, IT seems to me as though the medical institutions in Guyana are heading for a nose dive, instead of getting better; it’s getting from bad to worst. Some weeks ago, I went to the Suddie Hospital for a medical check-up; when it was my turn in the private room to have my check-up, I saw fresh blood on the sheet; the nurse came in afterwards and I entered the room.

I stood there staring at the filthy conditions which patients have to go through; no wonder many of these patients after leaving this

room and going home ended up with outbreak of diseases and sores on their skins.

This hospital is supposed to be very clean from bow to stern and well sanitised to avoid outbreak of diseases, but it seems to me no one cares about the condition of these rooms and beds which patients have to lie on.

Before I entered the room, I saw two doctors and a patient leaving it; the patient had a bandage around his neck with a yellow lotion on the floor. There was cotton wool with the same lotion strewn all over and the room smelled filthy. The

Decorative lights at Stabroek Market serve no purpose Dear Editor, PERSONS traversing the Stabroek Market square are met each night with the entire structure ablaze with hundreds if not thousands of decorative light bulbs that adorn the building, which apparently were placed there as part of the Jubilee celebrations last year May. But with the Jubilee and Christmas long over, one is left to wonder what purpose is being served by such irresponsible behaviour on the part of the Council?

How could the city afford such wastage of electricity when they always claim to be broke? But worse, they already owe the Guyana Power & Light hundreds of millions of dollars that they have shown no intention of paying and now they are adding this to the bill. How ridiculous?

These are not LED or energy- saving bulbs, but rather energy-wasting, incandescent bulbs.

The citizens and visitors to Georgetown do not need the Stabroek Market to be

illuminated at nights, but would prefer to have the insides of the various markets better lit during the day, whilst they are shopping to improve security conditions; they need better lighting on the streets, many of which are dark and unsafe at night.

In fact, the money spent placing all of those lights on the front of the Stabroek Market, and lighting them up each night would have been better spent repairing the badly dilapidated roof over the Stabroek Market wharf which had collapsed since 2014, and which was left just like that by the Council, and for repairing the non-functional clock which was supposed to start ticking again in time to ring in our New Year 2017 as its rehabilitation was expected to be finished

by December 31 last year, but never did.

The City Council just seems to have its priorities mixed up Regards, SHANTA SINGH

nurse left surprised at the smell and the conditions of the room with blood. I told her that I am not going to lie on that filthy bed sheet. She then told me the two men that I saw come out from the room were Guyanese doctors and they are the ones who left the dressing room in that nasty and filthy state. I took a step back and asked her if this is the training these doctors get overseas.

I happened to be in Ruby Hall Clinic, a hospital in Pune, India, for two months straight and I had never even seen that hospital washroom in that state. Those hospitals

are certified to international standards and you dare not throw a piece of paper on the floor. The doctors and nurses are professionals; the hospital is clean and tidy from outside the road to the highest floor. There are cleaners, handymen and porters 24/7 with no shortage of drugs and doctors. Here in Guyana, there are shortages of everything, from ethics to training and some of our doctors and nurses do not have respect for their workplace. These two doctors who had strewn dirty cotton wool all over the Suddie Hospital dressing room floor cannot work in a

place like Ruby Hall Clinic, India.

They would be fired the same day. This now brings me to the point of the conditions which exist at the New Amsterdam hospital.

From time to time I was informed by doctors and nurses that there is a shortage of important drugs at this hospital and the patients were forced to buy them for their survival. Today I was reliably informed that there is an outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea in the region and drugs are not available.

No one seems to be doing anything; it’s so frustrating.

Something is terribly wrong with these two hospitals. Is the Minister of Public Health aware of this situation which exists at the New Amsterdam hospital? We live in a world where no one cares about the sick and elderly.

Where is all the money which is budgeted each year for medical supplies and drugs ? Someone should be made answerable to the President and the Prime Minister for the shortage of these life-saving drugs.

Yours faithfully, MOHAMED KHAN

GuySuCo under scrutiny Dear Editor, THE Kaieteur News of January 23, 2017, carried a news item titled “Sugar industry should not be a burden to Guyanese taxpayers- Pres Granger.”

In this article, the impression is that His Excellency, President David A Granger, is keen on dialogue with all sections of society for ideas and solutions for GuySuCo to stop its dependency on taxpayers. Editor, I agree and support this thrust from His Excellency.

As a taxpayer contributing to subsidisation of GuySuCo, I was very optimistic in June 2015, having learnt that Government had installed an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to manage the company without any political interference.

Subsequently, this IMC employed a team of technical

experts and consultants to reverse the trend of poor performance in agriculture and factories and this is understandable, because the IMC is far from being competent in these areas.

With this fresh team, GuySuCo advised the nation that it has put together the “best minds” in sugar to handle the situation in one of its missives from the communication department.

Then, came the salaries & benefits of the IMC, experts and consultants which sent shock waves across the land, because no bankrupt company in this world would pay those rates. However, Guyana affords it despite the slave-like wages paid to the ordinary workers.

All my optimism vanished in December 2016, when GuySuCo dropped a bombshell production of

183,652 tonnes for the year 2016. After having this team of “best minds” in sugar for 1 ½ years, paid them better than any country would, they delivered the second lowest production since 1990.

From their own performance, one can conclude that GuySuCo’s biggest burden at this point is the IMC, experts and consultants, whose remuneration amounts to GS14.1M/ month. That is, GS253.8M over that last 18 months.

They are akin to a millstone around GuySuCo’s neck. The President has the power to remove this

burden from GuySuCo and taxpayers.

With this millstone management team at GuySuCo, production for 2017 may be bleak again. GuySuCo may wish to dispute this as they typically do with vague statements and no details. In the meantime, what is GuySuCo’s production target this year? This is the first time that it is not yet known, though we are approaching the end of January, 2017.

Regards, SOOKRAM PERSAUD

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

Overpaid taxes must be repaid by GRA – chairman of Banks DIH tells AGM

By Svetlana Marshall BANKS DIH is sticking to its position that it should benefit from a reassessment of the consumption taxes which are paid to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Chairman and Managing-Director Clifford Reis said as he made the company’s position clear.

Banks DIH is suing GRA for over $28B for the reported overpayment of consumption taxes. According to the indigenous beverage company, it paid $12.8B in consumption taxes between 2001 and 2006, when it should have paid less than $4B, resulting in an overpayment of $9.09B. Banks DIH is contending that the more than $9B overpayment was made because of a mistake in the law, based on a Court of Appeal

Chairman and Managing-Director Clifford Reis delivering his report during Banks DIH’s 61ST Annual General Meeting at Thirst Park, Georgetown

judgment on July 31, 2008, in relation to a High Court motion brought by another beverage company –- Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) against GRA. Last

year, DDL reached an amicable settlement with GRA after a 14-year tax dispute.

However, GRA, in a statement on Wednesday, said it is prepared to “vig-

orously contest” the lawsuit filed by Banks DIH and “looks forward to a thorough ventilation of the issues in a court of law.”

Addressing shareholders during Banks DIH’s 61ST Annual General Meeting at Thirst Park on Saturday, the chairman maintained that the beverage company had overpaid a significant amount of taxes and should be compensated.

“Banks DIH Limited is entitled, my fellow shareholders, to repayment of all monies overpaid together with interest thereon,” he told the stakeholders.

Reis added: “Before Banks DIH Limited instituted this legal proceeding, my fellow shareholders, the company instructed its legal advisors to send a (pre-action) letter to GRA and the Attorney General indicating its intention to seek redress in the court for a refund of the monies overpaid for the consumption taxes. A letter

was sent to each of the said parties, however, neither the GRA nor the Attorney General responded to the said letter.”

He noted too that Banks DIH has also instructed its lawyers to seek constitutional redress for breach of its constitutional rights to equality with respect to Section 149 (d) of the Constitution of Guyana, having regard to the terms of the consent order of April 1, 2016, entered into between DDL and the GRA. “This is because the settlement figure of $1.5B referred to in that court order shows that Banks DIH Limited has paid significantly more monies in respect of its consumption and excise taxes …during the relevant period when compared to its competitor.”

One of the shareholders, Malcolm De Freitas, expressed satisfaction with the decision of the Board of Directors to move to the courts.

“I am happy the board has gone forward with this simply because, as a constitutionalist, it is indeed a major disadvantage to the shareholders of this company when we are not treated with the equality that is expressed in the law. I’m happy to see that the board has recognised that and has done something towards it,” De Freitas told the Board of Directors in the presence of his fellow shareholders.

Weighing in on the matter, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, had said companies must understand that in tax matters, the statute of limitation applies.

“You can’t sit on your rights and hope that the cost would keep increasing and then you come 10 years later… if you are overpaying tax, you have three months you must bring an action,” the Attorney General told reporters recently.

City Constabulary short of staff – but will help parking meter patrolling teams THE parking meter system that has been implemented recently is expected to have an adverse effect on the City Constabulary of the Mayor and

City Council (M&CC), which has for the longest while been short of staff.

According to Chief Constable Andrew Foo at the most recent statutory

meeting, the department is currently short of 138 staff members, but even so, officers will have to be dispatched to the enforcement teams belonging to Smart

City Solutions (SCS).

The company had told the Chronicle in a recent interview that their patrolling teams around the city will have to include constabulary officers.

Asked how he believes this will impact his department, Foo told this newspaper: “It’s very tight, because we are constrained in terms of our numbers. But we have a mandate and once it’s an initiative of the Council, then the constabulary has to work in that area. It now becomes a part of our mandate.”

For the time being though, Foo said the department will have to work with whatever resources it has until additional persons can be recruited.

The Constabulary has responsibility for the prevention and detection of crime in Georgetown and has similar powers and privileges of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

It also has authority to

Chief Constable Andrew Foo

prosecute persons for offences such as assault, disorderly behaviour, urinating in public places, using indecent language, encumbering the pavements and so forth.

The department also provides security for municipal markets, day-care centres, koker pumps and City Hall buildings, among

others. Providing security alone takes up much of the department’s resources, Foo had once told the Chronicle.

The Enforcement Unit, which deals with itinerant vending and other breaches of the laws, is also very small and short of its full complement of staff.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

Church members oppose parking meters outside Brickdam Cathedral AS the controversial parking meters continue to receive criticism, members of the congregation at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Brickdam, have opposed the planned erection of the machines there.

The official position of the church is to comply with the law; however members of the congregation told this newspaper that a number of events are hosted by the church during the week, besides Sunday when free parking is allowed in the designated areas around the city. The events include funeral services, weddings and baptisms. Some persons related that many would visit the cathedral during the day, including at lunchtime, to pray and they would park on the lawns.

Head of the Roman

Catholic Church in Guyana, Bishop Frances Alleyne, told the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday that the official position of the church is that for any decision made for the city, “we are trying to comply as anyone else.”

Bishop Alleyne noted that some persons have approached him and voiced their rejection to the move by the authorities. “They view it as an action that is disrespectful of the church,” he said.

On the Catholic Media Guyana Facebook page, it was noted that while the erection of parking meters in front of schools have been addressed, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council should consider the church as well.

“Please do consider people who want to pray without being preoccupied with how much time they

The foundation of a parking meter which was recently erected outside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Brickdam

want to pray,” the church entity’s post read.

Recently, the discussions on the issue resulted

in relief to teachers as the parking meter company, Smart City Solutions (SCS) and the M&CC agreed to

allow free parking to motorists during school hours.

The company said that it continues to allow a

grace period of free parking, indefinitely, although paid parking in the city has commenced. On Friday, members of the City Constabulary were out in their numbers policing the streets, looking for vehicles which were parked in the demarcated spots without the drivers paying for those spots. Those vehicles were wheel-booted, but according to the officers, this was just an “exercise” to demonstrate what will happen when the paid parking system is fully introduced.

The introduction of these meters has been met with staunch resistance from drivers, who are refusing to park on the streets. On Tuesday, when it was believed the meters were introduced, streets around Georgetown, where payment is needed for parking, were visibly clear.

Smart City clamps former Compressed ‘ganja’ President’s vehicle found on public vessel …employee arrested A 23-year-old man of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, is in police custody following the discovery of compressed marijuana in a vessel, which was moored at Port Kaituma, North West District.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the public transportation vessel has been on the police radar for quite some time now. The discovery was made on SatA team of officials from Smart City Solutions clamped the wheels of the vehicle belonging to former President, Donald Ramotar

A TEAM of officials from Smart City Solutions on Saturday saw it necessary to clamp the wheels of the vehicle belonging to former President Donald Ramotar, after he allegedly violated the new parking laws. At the time, the former President was parked outside Freedom House on Robb Street, Georgetown.

According to a statement posted on the People’s Progressive Party (PPP)’s Facebook page, “The stateowned vehicle in which former President Donald Ramotar and his security detail is transported, was…

outfitted with wheel clamps by a team of officials from Smart City Solutions.”

The team was reportedly accompanied by armed City Constabulary ranks who were “aggressive and verbally” abusive to members of the former President’s security guards, the PPP claimed.

It was noted that they proceeded with the act despite being informed that the vehicle is owned by the Ministry of the Presidency and that it transports the former President.

The PPP claimed that there is no parking meter

which services that area.

“From all appearances, the act appeared planned and designed to embarrass Mr Ramotar. At the time of the incident, the former President was attending a meeting at the party’s Robb Street head office,” the PPP noted in its statement.

After the incident, video footage was posted on the PPP’s Facebook page, depicting one of Smart City Solutions’ officials taking pictures of the entrance of premises located just opposite the area where the incident took place.

The compressed cannabis which was found on the vessel

urday morning and the young man works on the vessel.

Police said that they

found 1.4kg of compressed cannabis in a cabin of the vessel at about 13:30hrs in three taped parcels. The suspect is expected to be charged soon.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

Another boost to tourism sector – EUROPCAR GUYANA launched

By Shirley Thomas ANOTHER amazing and much-needed feature has been added to Guyana’s tourism product, with the launch Friday evening of EUROPCAR GUYANA, a collaboration between Europe Car Suriname and Wilderness Explorers.

The launch was held at the Woodbine Room, Cara Lodge Hotel, 294 Quamina Street, Georgetown, attracting a large gathering of keenly enthusiastic persons.

Among them were: Special Guest, Minister of Business and Tourism, Dominic Gaskin; Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) President, Andrea De Caires; former THAG President, Sean Mc Grath; Georgetown Chambers of Commerce (GCC) President, Vishnu Doerga; EUROPCAR Guyana Country Manager, JanVan Charante, (from Suriname) and other representatives of the tourism and private sectors.

EUROPCAR Guyana is a new and exclusive car rental service brought to Guyana by company T-Net, owned and operated by EUROPCAR Suriname for the last 11 years, according to Sean Mc Grath.

EUROPCAR was birthed in Paris, France, in 1949 and now operates in approximately 140 countries, covering Europe, North America and South America, Asia and Africa.

Introducing the service, Mc Grath said: “This launch in Guyana tonight brings car rental in Guyana to an entirely new level, as the standard of operation and method of delivery are very

high and were set by EUROCAR International and have to be met and maintained in Guyana.”

He added that the vehicles provided are brand new and less than two years old.

The service offers a unique opportunity for travellers – both local and international -- to secure an affordable European car rental, while travelling around the country and even as far as Suriname.

The service may be provided on a ‘drive yourself basis’, or a chauffeur is provided by EUROPCAR Guyana.

EMERGENCY SERVICE The company is also assuring that there will be a full 24-hour emergency and break-down service to respond to such eventualities.

“If per chance the car breaks down, just dial our 24-hr. emergency number and we will come and find you – no matter where you are,” McGrath said.

Bringing EUROPCAR to Guyana is a novel experience, and though not targeting exclusively tourists or the diaspora, it ideally equips and fortifies Guyana’s eco-tourism sector, with the kind of motor equipment, equal to the task of traversing the rugged hinterland terrain or other such challenges.

Their vehicles are fully equipped to venture out into the interior.

Mc Grath said Wilderness is especially happy to be partners with EUROPCAR being able to bring this much needed service to Guyana, “… providing a safe and

Former THAG President, Sean Mc Grath, addresses the gathering at the launch of EUROPCAR GUYANA

Minister of Business with responsibility for Tourism, Dominic Gaskin, addresses the gathering at the launch of EUROPCAR GUYANA at Cara Lodge on Friday evening

comfortable ride as we take travellers on a journey to explore the rich biodiversity and cultural heritage of Guyana,” Mc Grath said.

Proud of what there is to offer, in the line of new durable top of the line vehicles available for lease or rental, Mc Grath declared, “With our new self-drive vehicles, all you have to do is jump behind the wheel of a EUROPCAR four-wheeldrive vehicle and head into Guyana’s rugged interior along the famous north-south road connecting Georgetown to Brazil and experiencing the deep rainforest of the Rupununi Savannah, with amazing wildlife sightings along the way – part of the Guyana Nature Experience – and at your own pace.”

Vehicles may be hired for short or long expertly guided tours. EUROPCAR GUYANA offers scheduled, on-demand, and customised

EUROPCAR Guyana Country Manager, Jan Van Charante, (left) and Minister Dominic Gaskin, in front of two of the cars to be put into operation as EUROPCAR kicks off

your own trip with the help of Wilderness Tours. Now you have the opportunity to discover Guyana for yourself,” De Caires assured.

The President of THAG, on behalf of her association, welcomed EUROPCAR to Guyana and wished them well in their endeavours.

Country Manager for EUROPCAR Guyana, Jan Van Charante, noted the challenges experienced in connecting with Guyana, Suriname, French Guyana and the Amazon Rainforest years ago.

Meanwhile, Minister of Business with responsibility for Tourism, Dominic Gaskin, in extending a warm welcome to Country Manager Charante and the Surinamese delegation, encouraged them to explore

THAG President, Andrea De Caires, addresses the gathering

itineraries to cover every interest and budget! Cars may be rented for one week, one month, one year as the case may be.

Choose from ‘Self-drive and escorted 4×4 adventures’ into the heart of Guyana and experience the thrill of taking off into the rugged interior of Guyana.

THAG President Andrea De Caires said that association truly applauds this initiative. She said that all over the world, more and more people want control over their travelling and if they have their own vehicle, they can go anywhere they want to; stop where they want to stop, see what they want to see.

GREAT INITIATIVE To this end, she lauded the freedom of the selfdrive initiative, adding: “It is a fantastic idea, knowing that you can now design

more of what Guyana has to offer, surmising that the operation is about to bring a new standard of business to Guyana.

“My impression is that this operation is about to bring a new standard of business to that [the tourism sector] and one that perhaps is more on par with what prevails in the rest of the world,” the minister said.

Anticipating that there are a few hurdles they may have to cross, the minister nonetheless said: “I would like to assure you that the Government of Guyana is committed to prioritising the development of Guyana’s tourism sector. We feel it has the potential to make a major contribution to the good life that our Government has promised the Guyanese people,” Minister Gaskin concluded.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

Guyanese blind cricketers make it to India – but team manager appeals for help to pay debts incurred

By Telesha Ramnarine

MANAGER for the Guyana Blind Cricket Team, Theresa Pemberton, said she does not mind taking to the streets to beg for money in order to repay debts that would have been incurred recently to send three blind Guyanese cricketers to India.

Three persons – Leroy Phillips, Ganesh Singh and Kevin Douglas – were selected to play on the West Indies team in the World Cup Blind Cricket T20 that is scheduled in India later this month.

Despite all the odds, the guys made it to New York, thanks to cut-backs from Fly Jamaica Airways, and eventually to India, with kind assistance from a private individual who does not wish to be named.

So far, the team received assistance from the Guyana Cricket Board and the National Sports Commission.

However, debts to the tune of some $500,000 have been incurred to cover other costs, such as hotel and meals.

Pemberton, passionate about advocating for the vulnerable and disabled community, told the Guyana Chronicle recently that it’s “shameful” that no help came from the Ministry of Sports.

While she believes that Minister Nicolette Henry

Cricket Association and Treasurer for the West Indies Blind Cricket Organisation explained that while Phillips and Singh are totally blind, Douglas is partially sighted.

sponsorship for our player to go. Guyana wasn’t represented and that was really bad because it was just one

THE 99TH HOUR The last time the West Indies sent a team to India, four years ago, Guyana could not participate because no finances were available.

“We are hoping (that

Ganesh Singh

did all she could, Pemberton was of the view that Minister Rupert Roopnarine did not do a good job at making representation for them at the level of Cabinet.

“I will go to the streets and beg in order to repay our debts if I have to, and I have no apologies to make,” Pemberton told this publication.

Meanwhile, 10 teams – India, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, West Indies, England, New Zealand, Nepal and Australia – are participating in the competition this time around, and each team comprises 1617 players.

In a previous interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Pemberton, also the Treasurer for the Guyana Blind

EMPOWERMENT Pemberton said blind cricket will continue to be lobbied for as it is a catalyst for empowerment of persons who are blind and visually-impaired.

“For example, Ganesh Singh became a recluse when he got totally blind at age 17. He became like a house furniture, never going any place and was protected by his family. In 2005 when Guyana embarked on blind

Kevin Douglas

Theresa Pemberton

the funds will be provided), because it makes us feel embarrassed when we go to regional tournaments and our players are being selected,” Pemberton had expressed.

“In 2012, we didn’t get

person. No one stepped forward, no matter how much we begged.”

Every other country jumps at the opportunity to send their players, Pemberton said.

“Take Trinidad for example. From the moment they are going to a regional tournament, or they have selectees going to a West Indies tournament, the Sports Department pays for their tickets right off. So the organisation doesn’t have that on their shoulders to worry about, unlike Guyana where down to the 99th hour, we have to be begging and calling and pleading and letting them know it is important for our players to go.”

Leroy Phillips

cricket, he heard it on the radio and called to find out how he could get involved.

He came down that afternoon very timid and when he realised he was with blind young persons like himself; after his

second training session with us, he never looked back.

“It shows where sports on the whole is, a vehicle to empower people and blind cricket will continue to be a vehicle that we will use for our blind and visually-impaired persons. We are hoping that in raising awareness, the public will see the need to support the three blind cricketers and assist them in going.

“The blind in Guyana are doing a lot. The blind and the deaf are the vehicle for persons with disability.

The blind looks out for all disabilities. We are hoping that the Government and corporate Guyana can see the purpose of what we’re doing and support us,” expressed Pemberton.

Meanwhile, blind cricket is played with a hard plastic ball, a special ball that makes a very strong sound.

The stumps are laid out like conventional cricket but without bails on them. The umpire usually guides the blind persons back to the stump, which they use as a gauge to bowl.

The batsmen are bowled underhand style and when they are about to be bowled, they are asked: “Batsman, are you ready?” When the batsman replies in the affirmative, the bowler then says, “Play!”

Works progress on ‘special needs’ building THE Cuban Ambassador, members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and government officials on Friday visited the construction site of a ‘special needs’ facility for persons with disabilities located within the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) compound.

The Regional Centre for Stimulating the Development of Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs Associated with Disabilities, aims to train people to manage persons with disabilities. The training includes evaluation and

diagnosis, language therapy, occupational therapy, psychological treatment, prevention, rehabilitation and social integration services with a psycho-pedagogical and socially inclusive approach.

Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Julio César González Marchante, told the media he was pleased with the progress of the building. The centre is part of the process of deepening relations between the CARICOM Region and the government of Cuba.

“We will continue developing that; this is one of the proofs, it is something

The Regional Centre for Stimulating the Development of Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs Associated with Disabilities

that we can share and we will continue collaborating with CARICOM through our relations,” Ambassador Marchante said.

Assistant Secretary-General for Human and Social Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, Dr Douglas Slater, explained that the

establishment of the centre was envisioned at the 2014 Cuba-CARICOM Summit.

“The idea is to train persons to be prepared to man-

age persons with disabilities at any place in Guyana and in Caribbean countries,” Dr Slater said.

The Cuban government will provide the technical staff required to facilitate the training. Coordinator for the Centre Jorge Duvalón Ramírez in a statement noted that the project is in the diagnostic stage, which includes identifying people with disabilities and selection of personnel for the centre. The Coordinator will be working with the Ministries of Public Health, Education, Social Protection and CARICOM. (GINA)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

‘Sicklers’ still battling discrimination

By Svetlana Marshall

WHILE some public and private medical institutions have been putting systems in place to accommodate sicklers, especially when they are in a crisis, the issue of stigma and discrimination remains a major problem.

Sabrina Kazim, President of Fight Against Sickle Cell Stigma (FACES), recently told the Guyana Chronicle that the organisation has been working closely with the Public Health Ministry, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Association to raise the level of awareness about Sickle Cell anemia.

The disease is caused by an abnormal type of haemoglobin called ‘Haemoglobin S.’ Haemoglobin is a protein inside the red blood cells that carries oxygen to all parts of the body.

Passed down through families, sickle cell anaemia is a condition where the red blood cells that are normally shaped like a disc, take on a sickle or crescent shape. The abnormal cells deliver less oxygen to the body’s tissues and can easily get stuck in small blood vessels and break into pieces.

Because of the presence of these abnormal cells, there is an interruption of healthy blood flow, cutting down on the amount of oxygen flowing to body tissues.

Almost all people with sickle cell anemia have painful episodes called ‘crises’.

These can last from hours to days. Crises can cause pain in the lower back, leg, joints, and chest. Some people have one episode every few years.

Others have many episodes each year and these crises can be severe enough to require

hospitalisation.

With increased awareness and collaboration, Kazim said there has been notable improvement in the services provided to sicklers at GPHC’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit headed by Dr Zulfikar Bux. “The services provided to sicklers in the Emergency Department have improved significantly because of the

and Bux have been offering much needed support to FACES in the hosting of awareness workshops.

RELUCTANCE However, she said there still remains a problem at GPHC, contending that while the administrators of the hospital have been trying to provide the required treatment for sicklers, there are some nurses

Fight Against Sickle Cell Stigma (FACES) President Sabrina Kazim

Suzanne-Abigail Claxton modelling during the Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts’ Fashion Show back in 2014 in observance of World Sickle Cell Awareness Day

support GPHC has given to FACES under the leadership of the new CEO Allan Johnson,” Kazim said.

According to her, Johnson

who are reluctant because of the narcotics involved for the international treatment for sicklers experiencing excruciating pain.

It was explained that if a sickler continues to experience pain after receiving two to three rounds of medication, the doctors at the A&E Unit would call in the Internal Medicine Team. That team after conducting its review, would review the patient’s chart and based on the information would prepare a treatment sheet. The patient is usually admitted, according to Kazim, who was diagnosed with the disease since age seven.

“Although the Internal Medical Team would prepare the treatment sheet, which is usually very detailed, there are some nurses who would refuse to give the patient the medicine because it includes opioids,” she complained, noting that in many cases sicklers are viewed as addicts.

Opioids are substances that act on opioid receptors to produce morphine-like effects. They are most often used medically to relieve pain.

“If the sheet says every eight hours, then you are supposed to get it, every eight hours,” Kazim lamented. According to her, just days ago, two sicklers had complained about the treatment meted out to them while hospitalized at GPHC. DISHEARTENING “It is disheartening, it’s painful and it’s life threatening,” to deny sicklers their medication on the basis that they are addicts and not really in excruciating pain.

This problem facing sicklers is reportedly being addressed by the administration of the hospital.

“It’s sad that sicklers get treated like crap because lots of doctors think we’re all addicts. I won’t lie and say that some aren’t but to tell someone that they aren’t in pain because you think they are lying, that’s just wrong,” Suzanne-Abigail Claxton told the Guyana Chronicle on

Tuesday.

At the tender age of two, Claxton who hails from the mining town of Linden, Region 10, was diagnosed with the full-blown Sickle Cell disease. Over the years, she has been collaborating with a number of organisations to raise awareness.

“There are ethical ways to help sicklers that are presumed addicts to opioid pain meds. You can either give them a small dose of the opioid plus an anti-inflammatory pain killer plus the saline and oxygen or you give the anti-inflammatory with valium if they still cry out for pain, the doctor should check for infections. Infections are not only painful, they can kill sicklers. But too many times the doctor just sees the sickler, give them pain meds and saline then send them home,” Claxton contended.

In addition to working with the public hospitals, FACES has received the support of the St Joseph Mercy Hospital, Woodlands Hospital and the Davis Memorial Hospital, in addition to the Blood Bank. These private hospitals are reportedly putting systems in place to ensure that sicklers get the treatment they require on a timely basis.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately five per cent of the world’s population carry traits of haemoglobin disorders, mainly sickle-cell disease and thalassemia.

An estimated 300,000 babies with severe haemoglobin disorders are born each year globally, and according to WHO, “the health burden of haemoglobin disorders can be effectively reduced through management and prevention programmes.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

Security boosted at border ...as Venezuelan drug gang threatens violence SECURITY has been increased at the border village of Paruima and nearby Kamarang in the Cuyuni /Mazaruni region, following threats by Venezuelan drug gangs to persons living there.

Police sources told the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday that several ranks were dispatched to the Region

Seven villages to boost the numbers in the area. Some nine ranks were sent to the border community of Paruima, sources in the area said Saturday.

According to residents, the mood at the two villages was one of fear and according to sources, village leaders have told the residents to be on the alert

Child Care Director wants partnership with media to protect children THE Child Care and Protection Agency (CPA) is calling for support to protect children, noting that the media play an integral role in spreading awareness.

Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CPA), Anne Greene, explained that the agency can only succeed in its mandate to protect children if it gets the support of residents in communities and the media.

“You can critique us, it keeps us on our toes with getting the service done, but you have to be careful that before you air stories you check to see if you have the facts; most times you don’t have the facts and incorrect information is shared,” Greene said.

Greene added that the ethics of the child-protection profession prevents employees from revealing sensitive information and this has often led to the dissemination of inaccurate information.

She said this makes it necessary for the agency and the media to form a partnership.

The CPA Director pointed out that perpetrators of child sexual abuse are walking away from the law with impunity. She said it would usually take long to get justice for the victims and therefore, the agency needs more support from communities and the media to address this.

“So a child is 13 and his or her case taking seven years, seven years to solve.

In that period that child is healing and would not want to bring up back that case from seven years ago and there the perpetrator goes free,” Greene related.

Additionally, Greene told GINA that the agency will not establish new homes or

Director, Child Care Protection Agency, Ann Greene

institutions for children in 2017 but rather, would work to have them reintegrated with their family.

Greene said children thrive in family-based care as opposed to institutional care.

“In large homes, children are not getting the individual attention that they should have and that is what children need, so they benefit more from family- based care than they would benefit from the institutional care,” she explained.

According to the CPA Director, the agency will be licensing all residential care institutions so they would not be permitted to operate below a minimum standard.

There are cases when it is mandatory to place children in homes. However, work must be done with the family members to return these children to their homes as soon as possible.

Greene said the agency is looking to keep residential-care institutions for children down to a minimum. She pointed out that child protection is a sensitive and critical issue and must be taken seriously by all stakeholders. (GINA)

for any possible eventualities. Sources in the area told the Guyana Chronicle that the situation may have stemmed from an incident last November, in which a farmer was murdered by several persons and later burnt. A graphic video was provided of the man’s corpse after it was discov-

ered near the Ochi River at Kamarang during the first week of November last year.

The body of Dexter Edwards was later ferried to the village as police investigated the incident. Three persons were later arrested by the ranks; however, only one person was charged.

On November 15, 2016, Presley Abrams, 26, was remanded to prison by city Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates court in connection with the death of Edwards.

Abrams was represented

by Attorney-at-law Glen Hanoman. A post-mortem examination revealed that Edwards had died from multiple injuries.

Reports are that Ed-

wards and several others were on their way from Venezuela when he met his demise. Persons in the area told the Guyana Chronicle that his death may have been drug-related, since recently drug traffickers across the border from Paruima had informed residents that they were owed sums of monies by the men involved in last November’s incident.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

$13.5M in drainage works Lethem couple in West Bank communities busted with ganja RESIDENTS of several communities on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD), including Lust-en-Rust, Onderneeming, Westminster and Parfaite Harmonie, have begun to benefit from extensive drainage and irrigation works.

This project is being funded by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) to the tune of $13.5M and is being executed by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).

According to a media release from the Ministry of Communities, these relief works stemmed from a commitment made by the Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for housing, Ms Valerie Adams-Patterson, during a visit last year to these areas. The release highlighted that the minister had visited these areas and engaged residents to hear their concerns. Here, the residents posited that the flooding they experienced was a result of water being pumped in the direction of the communities, from a nearby rice field.

Despite the residents’

Some of the relief drainage works completed through this project

claims, CH&PA’s engineering team discovered that the inundation was a result of poor drainage in these areas.

According to the press release, 98% of these drainage relief works have been completed on the main drainage canal and roadside drains in communities which were previously affected by flooding caused by rains.

The remainder of the works consists primarily of the removal of debris from some of the drains and is expected to be fully completed within another week.

It was highlighted too that several persons from the Lust-en-Rust Housing Scheme, who had begun construction work late last year were forced to stop because of the flooding, while other residents were forced to delay their construction works.

A recent visit to the Lust-en-Rust area revealed that construction has recommenced and that there has even been a noticeable spike in construction,which was attributed to the relief from water which had previously accumulated on the lands.

Residents welcomed the timeliness of the works executed in the communities which was facilitated by the CH&PA and related that they were not affected by the recent heavy downpours.

Several housing and agricultural communities had suffered immense losses and setbacks in 2016 as a result of the above-average rainfall that was experienced.

These multi-million dollar emergency works had begun last November and were undertaken in two phases.

The bag in which the illegal drugs were found

A TWENTY-nine-year old farmer and his 18-year-old reputed wife were arrested Friday evening by ranks of the Guyana Police Force following the discovery of cannabis at their home.

According to a police report, ranks conducted a search at the couple’s Moco-Moco Village home in Lethem and found three kilograms of cannabis. It was noted that the police acted on information that illegal activities were being conducted at the premises. Police swooped down on the couple at approximately 18:30hrs and found the illegal substance hidden in a salt bag.

The man and wife are expected to be charged shortly.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

Towards a Good Life in a Green Economy

The Amaila Falls Hydropower Report:

Part 4 – Alternative uses for the US$80M earned payments IN part three, we looked at the US$80M equity and sought to determine to whom it belongs. We concluded based on the Financial and Administrative Agreement (between the Kingdom of Norway ((KoN)) and the World Bank) that governs the Guyana Norway Partnership, the US$80M equity, being earned payments, belongs to the Government of Guyana (GoG). We also concluded that based on the Agreement, the earned payments are required to be paid over by the KoN to the World Bank, which acts as Trustee under the Agreement.

In this article, we offer our views on how to utilise this US$80M earned payments. However, the first challenge, in our opinion, would be getting the US$80M into the Trustee’s account.

TRANSFERRING THE US$80M INTO THE TRUSTEE’S ACCOUNT Firstly, we do not pretend to have a clear answer to what might be quite a dilemma, since the rules of the Agreement were broken, bypassed, side-stepped or simply ignored. What is clear to us is that the US$80M represents earned payments and therefore should have been paid into the Trustee’s account. In our view, the GoG should officially request of the KoN that the US$80M be paid into the Trustee’s account. We also believe that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) should be more than willing to relinquish the US$80M it holds in a holding account, since the Agreement makes no provision for any payments to be deposited directly into the IDB’s account.

From our perspective, these are government-to-government issues.

Having regard to the fact that it was the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign

Mr. Gary A. R. Best is a retired Rear Admiral and former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force. He is an Attorney at Law and is the Presidential Advisor on the Environment. He is a PhD. candidate at the University of the West Indies. He holds a BSc in Nautical Science (Brazil) and Masters Degrees from the University of the West Indies and the University of London. He is also an alumnus of the National Defence University and the Harvard Kennedy School.

His research areas include climate change governance, climate change finance, international relations and environmental law.

green state development and within the objectives of the LCDS. With this commitment in the bank, how should we invest the USD 80M? We recommend for consideration a comprehensive hydropower update study; making the GPL more efficient and investing in solar farms.

Affairs that signed the Financial and Administration Agreement, on behalf of the KoN, this is an important reason for Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to counterpart this issue, even though we recognise that matters relating to the environment are led by the Ministry of the Presidency. Secondly, it is the duty of the KoN to delink the US$80M from the Amaila Falls Hydro Project (AFHP) and link it to earned payments in the first instance, as per the Agreement, and thereafter to alternative energy projects.

Such a process, we submit, will allow for the funds to be transferred to the Trustee’s account and be available to the GoG for projects.

HOW SHOULD GOG INVEST THE US$80M? There should be no doubt, on the part of the KoN, that the US$80M would be used in the area of alternative energy. This assurance has been given in the nation’s Parliament via budget speeches in 2015 and 2016, in the nation’s submission to the UNFCCC on its intended national determined contributions to reduce green-house gases from the atmosphere, presidential speeches on the green economy and

COMPREHENSIVE HYDROPOWER UPDATE STUDIES There is quite a lot of talk about hydropower potential and commercial viability in Guyana. In fact, the Norconsult Report of the AFHP, quoting Guyana’s Power Generation System Expansion Study of 2016, stated that in terms of power, “Guyana’s exploitable hydro potential has been estimated at 8,400 MW.” We believe that an updated study, using part of the US$80M, will provide certainty and bankable information of Guyana’s potential, while at the same time addressing deficiencies surrounding technical information required in developing hydropower projects. In addition, it is an opportunity for Guyana to generate new knowledge in this field.

MAKING GPL MORE EFFICIENT Admittedly, the question of whether GPL should operate and regulate or regulate only is a critical debate in determining the efficiency of the electricity sector. That is a matter we will examine when we begin the energy series. For now, we will limit the analysis to Guyana

Power & Light (GPL) as is. We believe the GoG should develop a project to be funded by the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), that incorporates current GPL initiatives, particularly the GPL/ IDB Power Utility Upgrade Programme of 2014; the Initial Study on System Expansion of the Generation & Transmission System of July 2014, which was upgraded by the Guyana Power Generation System Expansion Study of June 2016 and use those findings as baseline data for a conclusive study on electricity supply within the context of Guyana’s new green development framework.

Line-loss reduction, mechanisms for integrating solar power (individual household, industry, or group) into its grid, legislative upgrade, green-energy matrices, base- load energy review, solar farming, wind power, tidal power, wave power, and smart metering are key project ideas for the general electricity supply efficiency upgrade of GPL. In other words, GPL must prepare itself to deliver electricity at the cheapest cost to consumers.

Though I mentioned that the debate on ‘operating v regulating’ is still to be conducted, I feel bound to say, at this juncture, that a competitive platform for the delivery of electrical power is likely to yield cheaper costs for electrical power.

In this scenario, GPL can also compete as a supplier of electrical power, separate and apart from its business of commercialising its

transmission and distribution services to the winning power company or companies.

SOLAR FARMS INVESTMENT Given the geography and topography of Guyana, solar as an energy source, suits open terrain.

This means that Guyana’s island communities (Leguan, Wakenaam, Hogg Island) hinterland and remote communities (Bartica, Mahdia, Lethem, Mabaruma) and remote coastal communities (Essequibo Coast, Upper Corentyne) are prime areas for solar power application with grid tie and feed-in power.

Due to the fact that these communities, except, the remote coastal ones, are independent grids, a great opportunity awaits GPL in terms of introducing, testing and adjusting new technologies without creating potential upset to a large consumer base. With solar and solar-storage costs going down, solar farming will result in reducing the cost per kw/h for consumers. Another important advantage that accrues is the proximity of abundant water for hydropower development to complement solar as a source of power over the long term. These are all “good life” issues that are low-hanging fruits ripe for the taking.

Next week, I shall be discussing -- given the high risk to the project -- why wasn’t an independent power producer model for the AFHP propositioned for acceptance, instead of the current financial configuration of high risk sharing on the part of Guyana and, assuming the AFHP is doable, then why doesn’t or didn’t the KoN, any other friendly country or company finance the entire project?

Comments can be sent to towardsagoodlife@gmail.com

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

Form syndicate to avoid being cheated – Minister Broomes urges small Middle Mazaruni miners

Minister Simona Broomes advocating to miners at Kurupung to form a syndicate

By Svetlana Marshall Small-scale miners operating in Middle Mazaruni said often times they are cheated by those well-established miners, who would grant them permission to operate on their mining properties, but when the gold is “bore” or found, would then give them marching orders.

Other miners complained that while they have mining claims, access to these areas can be a major challenge, and lack of much-needed equipment such as excavators, further compound the situation.

In response, Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, who journeyed to Issano and Kurupung on Thursday, called on the small-scale miners to mobilise themselves into syndicates.

The minister, who has lead responsibility on the allocation of lands for syndicates, explained that through a syndicate, which is similar to a co-op society, small miners can empower themselves, and together address many of the challenges that they are currently facing.

“That money that the syndicate gets, you can take that same money to empower yourself and empower each other,” Minister Broomes told the miners.

At Kurupung, one of the two mining communities visited along the Middle Mazaruni River in Region Seven, Minister Broomes said she is knowledgeable of the fact that in the past, the

and do their prospecting.

Prospecting is the first stage of the geological analysis of a territory which involves the physical search for minerals, fossils, precious metals.

Additionally, she informed the miners of Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s announcement that his Ministry will be willing to offer syndicates similar concessions to those being offered to the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), once they are tax compliant.

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, reaching out to Edward Jones, one of the miners at Issano, who is currently experiencing some challenges

Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), had made special provisions to miners operating out of Kurupung.

However, she was told that some of the lands were taken back, and as such, miners were unable to benefit.

But all hopes have not been lost. It was explained that the Natural Resources Ministry through GGMC will be making mining lands available to syndicates, even if they are within closed and cancelled blocks.

Once the syndicates are formed, and the areas are identified, the Ministry will deliver, she assured the miners. With a map in her hands, and assistance from the Deputy Chief Mines Officer, Kerwin Josiah, Minister Broomes pointed out that there are lands available in Kurupung, Takuba, Seroun, Meamu, Perenong, Tamakay, Mazaruni and Eping from which the syndicate when formed can access.

However, before making a decision, she urged the miners to go on the ground,

SPECIAL PROVISION “We are making special provision to accommodate these syndicates. Why? Just to ensure that the good life the President talks about you get it,” Minister Broomes told the small miners.

Over at Issano, she offered similar advice. “Form yourself into syndicates,” she encouraged the miners.

In explaining the benefits of a syndicate, she told the miners, once the syndi-

GGMC’s Deputy Chief Mines Officer, Kerwin Josiah, pointing out to a miner Nazim Khan, possible areas that the Issano Syndicate when formed can access

cate is registered, and its application for a mining block is approved, miners can pool their resources together and operate the land.

“If you pay a percentage to the syndicate, that syndicate can then buy an excavator, a truck, or even fuel to benefit all of its members,” she further explained.

The news that Government will be offering special concessions to syndicates was well received by the miners, who said they will waste no time in forming their syndicates.

Bonalita Lois Critchlow, who has been a miner for close to 12 years operating out of Issano, said the situation facing miners is frustrating.

“Every time you get a piece of land, and you try to settle in, you got to move… and when I left in a hole no body is there to brace me,” she complained.

However, Critchlow is of the opinion that being a part of a syndicate would be meaningful.

Another miner from Issano, Edward Jones told Guyana Chronicle that although he has been a miner for some 25 years, he is still unable to own his own equipment. He said while he has claims in Karanang, he is unable to mine effectively for gold because of lack of equipment.

“I don’t have an excavator and because of that I cannot produce enough gold. Actually, I am producing the least amount of gold,” he said.

Nazim Khan said he has been experiencing similar problems, and as such, would be moving swiftly with the other small miners to form a syndicate in Issano.

There has been a positive response from small miners to the syndicates. Already, syndicates are being processed for miners in areas of Mahdia, Bartica, Karrau.

Accompanying Minister Broomes to the Middle Mazaruni were GGMC’s Mines Division Manager (ag) Dianne McDonald and Deputy Chief Mines Officer, Kerwin Josiah, along with two mines officers Thande Inniss and Gavin Stuart and a Geologist, Kirk Lymerick.

The team of officials was on a mission to determine the challenges facing miners with the aim of finding solutions.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

By Shauna Jemmott “MY friend, I trusting God with it till better could come!”

Those were the words of Amanda Welch, a single mother of four who has battled with many evils in a single year leading her to make a sacrifice of being a stay-at-home mom for the survival of her children.

(GPHC) at the said time. I was at work. Next month gon make one year since she drink it, but the other month gon make the full year out since she died.”

Sometime after her daughter’s funeral, Welch was on duty as an attendant at the Georgetown Hospital, transporting a patient to a private hospital when the ambulance in which they were travelling collided with a

was so hard with me,” the mother said.

She has been facing many challenges while living on the dam for 17 years now and does not know for how much longer she and her family can remain there.

With all that she is going through, Amanda Welch still manages to be strong

how she manages to care for her children and self with that amount of money, she responded, “My friend I trusting God with it till better could come.”

But she added that along with the child support money, “If deh ask them father for anything now he would give them.”

Amanda stands at the door of her nicely painted shack built on the Government’s reserve in Dazzell Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara

Jamaican Reggae star Buju Banton did sing, “It’s not an easy road, who feels it knows,” and as a single parent who struggled to raise her children at times with no other support, the story of Welch tells that the road has been rocky for her family.

For some time she had decided to leave her children at home – two teenagers and two younger children – as she held a job as an attendant at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).

Her ex-husband who fathered her four children had deserted her and she tried many honest avenues to ensure her children survived.

As she worked, the pressures of parental and household responsibilities were left on her two teenagers – a 15-year-old boy and a girl, 14 – but disaster struck when her third child, a daughter, intentionally consumed gramaxone at the age of 12.

The child died some three weeks later in the Georgetown Public Hospital.

“The other day one of my daughter died. She drink poison. I was working there

minibus.

“We was taking a patient to a private hospital and a bus run into us, to the ambulance. I get treat and send home. That is actually since last year. It near fuh reach a year. I reach in the accident (and) from since then I’m home. I’m home right now. I had a head injury,” the woman told the Guyana Chronicle.

While her heart was torn apart by her daughter’s death, life never grew better with her children at home.

She stayed at work, still counting on her salary to maintain her surviving three –ages 15, 14 and 11 - while they squatted in a shack on the reserve at Dazzell Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara.

MORE TROUBLE Already having to deal with the pains of losing a child, months later, her older daughter became a parent at age 15.

“It was so hard but thank God she come through safe with safe delivery. Passage alone, going at the hospital up and down

While she is sure they have no fairytale life, now that Welch has a granddaughter and three school-aged children, she is searching for better.

After her daughter had become pregnant, Welch was involved in an accident which left her with minor head injuries but she took all the signs as warning that she must be home to look after her children.

She plans on sending the girl back to school and caring for her granddaughter.

Squatting does not come with any luxury, and added to the traumatic situations, she now has to accept only $3000 weekly for her three children from their dad, her ex-husband.

“I summons deh father so he would put money in the court for the whole of the month. Sometimes he would put $8,000, he put $16,000. How much he have he put. I know child support raise but he seh only he could afford is $1,000 for one child (weekly).

In all $3000 a week, sometimes he put more,” she pointed out.

When asked by the Guyana Chronicle

NEED HELPING HAND Life in a rugged blue shelter on squatting lane is the one thing Welch needs to see change this year, and she is calling on President David Granger to lend her family a helping hand.

“A proper land for me and my children and my grandchild live,” is the first thing she is hoping to secure. But even with that, she still cannot afford constructing a house but can for now try to move her blue shack to the new plot.

“I need a place where we can get light and water … as you can see we does bathe with this same water (in the trench alongside her home). That is running water from the canefield,” she said.

But one glimpse at the water tells that danger is lurking by even a small presence of garbage floating in the slightly discoloured wates. It leaves one to wonder deeper.

The trench is only steps away from her front door which faces west and while another trench is alongside her house to the east, the rainy season can be accompanied by additional misery.

“When the rain fall the place does flood up but water don’t reach up top here though (however). There are a lot of mosquitoes,” she complained, leaving her household exposed to threats of dangerous and even deadly mosquito-borne diseases such as zika, dengue and chikungunya.

Police form youth group in Kalcoon IN keeping with the Guyana Police Force social crime prevention programme, Commander of ‘F’ Division and a team recently visited the village of Kalcoon, Lower Mazaruni, Region Seven, where discussions surrounded the formation of a youth group, a Community Policing Group (CPG) and extra-curricular activities in absence of a school for children.

Commander Ravindradat Budhram said that the Kalcoon Police Youth Group was formed with 45 youths with

the aim of creating for them a positive environment.

He explained that two reputable villagers in the community were elected to head the youth group and noted that the police will assist on a fortnightly basis, given the fact that it takes two hours from Bartica to Kalcoon.

“Woman Corporal Vansluytman, will hold a meeting at a date earliest to discuss activities pertaining to the youth group,” the Commander said.

A number of items were donated to the youth group,

Divisional Commander, Ravindradat Budhram, hands over the donated items to the Village Leader while flanked by residents and youths of Kalcoon, Mazaruni

including cricket bats, wickets, footballs, sneakers and flannel balls. Kalcoon is a small village located along the left bank of the Mazaruni River. It was incorporated into Bartica when

its boundaries were expanded to convert it into a town. This village is now part of Constituency Seven and the main economic actives there are farming and fishing. The community

has about 21 houses with a population of 160 persons, 60 of whom are children.

“Improving communications between law enforcement and youth is central to effective

community policing. It keeps officers safe, and helps officers develop relationships with youth that can yield helpful information. Good communication means that interactions don’t escalate into complicated situations and result in unnecessary arrests,” the Commander said.

He underscored that a single conversation cannot address every issue but noted that a single conversation that is effective and respectful can spark interest and a willingness to consider more dialogue in the future.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

Treating others with contempt fuels unnecessary conflicts in society THE threat by the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) to call a mass strike within two weeks, if President David Granger does not meet with them in order to address what are clearly policy matters, says it is time for us to ask why as a people with common historical experiences we refuse to treat each other with respect and dignity.

The miners’ request cannot be faulted if we are serious about and committed to

inclusionary democracy as prescribed in Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution.

Here is another group involved in productive activities that are ensuring the development of this country, yet in asking to meet with the president to discuss matters of import to them, are being told when his schedule “permits time” he will meet with them. This treatment can be seen as being contemptuous of the people you are elected to serve and departure from the principles of the oath of

office.

Many are failing to take note that among the dissatisfied and those requesting to meet with the president have voted for the administration he leads. They are others who stood up to the excesses of the Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar regimes when many who hold political and other offices today were colluding and kowtowing with those regimes.

This administration sees it fit to send Godfrey Statia, Guyana Revenue Authority

Commissioner-General to address the miners’ concerns, many of which border on policies and not enforcement and administration.

We have less than a million people and reputable organisations like the GGDMA are requesting to meet with the president and ministers of government and these requests are being treated with some level of disdain.

This same disdain the trade union federations and private sector continue to receive. Last December, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC),the Federation of Independent Trades Unions of Guyana, and the Private Sector Commission sought, via letter, a meeting with the leaders of the National Assembly. Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo responded by saying he is ready to meet. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Leader of Government Business, through the media, said he will meet but the time requested was not appropriate.

Dr. Barton Scotland, Speaker of the National Assembly, has not responded.

Daily, there is discourtesy and intolerance exhibited by individuals in this society. For instance, men continue to beat, maim, and kill women and many are asking what is responsible for this behaviour. One of the factors is the emulation of discourtesy and intolerance demonstrated to the people by those who hold office.

This attitude started under Bharrat Jagdeo and instead of moving to eliminate it, we are witnessing determined attempts to entrench it.

The continued disregard for Article 13 and engagement with the people is becoming the norm under this administration. People are asking to meet to discuss issues of policies, programmes and laws which fall under the purview of the president and ministers of government and we are being denied the opportunity of being heard.

This arrogance must not be accepted as good gover-

nance.

Then Leader of the Opposition, David Granger,had incessantly bemoaned the Donald Ramotar government’s exclusion and championed the call for inclusionary democracy. Today he is either too busy to respect this principle or finding reasons to delay it. Had Ramotar given him the reason he gives others for not meeting, he would not have accepted it, and I would have stood in support of his rejection to being treated with contempt.

There are governments that preceded the Granger/ Nagamootoo, Ramotar and Jagdeo’s, whereby issues that border on engagement with stakeholders in guiding decision-making courtesy and tolerance were displayed. During the Cheddi Jagan administration, the GTUC,of which I was then president, protested the increase in electricity charges.

At a meeting at the John Forde car park, I said all politicians are dishonest.

Jagan publicly reacted to this statement and said he would not speak with me again. A few weeks later, he requested engagement with me, which I attended, and in his company was Kellawan Lall, his political advisor.

We discussed the pressing issues at the time and he sought labour’s input.

These issues are OMAI Gold Mines, foreign mining companies, and environmental standards. At the conclusion of the meeting and before our cordial departure, in my presence Lall said, “Comrade Cheddi, you didn’t discuss with him the statement he made at the car park.”

Jagan responded: “Boy people discussing serious issues, me ent gat time for dem stupidness.”

In 1989 under Desmond Hoyte, the labour movement called a strike against Finance Minister Carl Greenidge’s G$10.00 to US$1.00 National Budget.

We picketed and chanted in front of the National Assembly during its reading and de-

bate. No barriers were there as existed under the Jagdeo and Ramotar regimes, which the Granger/Nagamootoo administration continues, inasmuch as they brought a motion and voted in favour of the removal when they were in the opposition.

Strikers called Greenidge names. Yet one day when the House had adjourned and Greenidge saw some of us on Brickdam, he alighted from his car, greeted us, and held engagement. He enquired as to our welfare, listened to what we had to say, and then continued on his journey. After the strike, Hoyte commenced a fan-out exercise, which brought him to Linden. Ashton Angel, Christopher James and I, as leaders in the bauxite unions, met with Hoyte and had fruitful discussion on matters of import to the trade union community and the impact of his policies on the workers.

There was this famous strike in 1983 during the Forbes Burnham government with the retrenchment of about 1000 bauxite workers.

The relationship between the government and trade unions had deteriorated. Strikers and leaders of the trade unions called Burnham names. He travelled to Linden and engaged the trade union leadership, held fruitful engagement, and never made a reference to the names he was called.

This noted quality of Burnham, Hoyte and Jagan’s leadership, post these men, persons who have taken on political leadership, which is a tough job, are thin-skinned, feel offended by the slightest of slights, want to meet people solely on their terms, and by extension miss the essence of what leadership is all about, and the responsibility they have to the people. Criticism comes with the turf of being in leadership and politics. The failure to deal with this in a mature manner will continue to see endless conflicts in the society.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

That Cabinet Shuffle and the Madness on the Roadways A FEW weeks ago, the president did a mini-reshuffle or what I call a “shuffle” of the cabinet, which was ignited by controversy at the Public Health Ministry. No government wants any of its ministries to be mired in constant controversies. The President was being kind to the Minister when he characterised the problems at the Ministry of Public Health as being administrative in nature. It is clear that there were mostly problems of governance.

The minister was doomed once the bond scandal broke.

The PPP, itself under the corruption microscope, was bound to milk the issue for more than it was worth. But that whole fiasco should be a signal to the government that it must beware of these moneyed interests who would lure public officials into unsavoury deals. After the experience of the PPP, the society at large has little patience with anything that resembles corruption and cover-up of deals. So, the President, despite his stated support for his troops, had to move.

The very integrity of the government was at stake and one cannot have such an important ministry buried in suspicion.

Clearly, the minister had lost control of the ministry.

I suspect the President was in a tight spot. Under normal circumstances, he might have removed the minister from the Cabinet to send a signal to other ministers and the society at large that there was strong aversion to official improprieties.

But he had to be mindful of the sensitivities of the PNC, of which Minister Norton is a senior member and he, the President, is leader. He also had to be mindful of ethnic sensitivities; the minister is Amerindian, a group that is often most marginalised from formal power. These are the partisan and ethnic realities that make governing so difficult in Guyana.

I hope that the appointment of a new minister to the job is not seen as a final solution. There must be a change of

Sunday, December 29, 2017 - 05:30 hrs Monday, December 30, 2017 - 05:00 hrs Tuesday, December 31, 2017 - 05:00 hrs

approach to public procurement and other matters of governance at the Ministry of Public Health and in the government in general. I am not suggesting that there is corruption in government, but the President must read the riot act to his ministers—stay far away from even a hint of corruption and nepotism. Be as transparent as possible on the matter of resource allocation.

Bribery of State officials by those with the means to do so is a central aspect of official corruption. Ministers and top government officials must resist the temptation to take these “gifts” for the bearers of gifts always want something in return. And we live in a country where the previous government made that mode of operation normative.

Turn to page 20 ► It is also commonplace that

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That Cabinet Shuffle and the... those who gave big donations to the campaign would demand their “pound of flesh,” but ministers must push back against such forces. The process must be fair and just. If there must be Affirmative Action, it must not be for friends, but for those who have been unfairly shut out of the system. And

such corrective action must be enshrined in the law. Whether the ministers of Government acknowledge it or not, the government came to power as an anti-corruption government.

The President had to put Minister Norton somewhere, so he sent him to the Ministry of Social Cohesion. That is a big

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From page 19

gamble. That ministry is pivotal to the government’s stated desire for national and ethnic reconciliation. The minister must have a strong desire for that kind of delicate work and should be pro-active in giving leadership to a sensitive undertaking. I don’t know that Minister Norton has an interest in or a passion for that work. One does not necessarily have to be part of the profession to manage a given subject area.

But I think on this matter of Social Cohesion, the subject minister should be someone who has a key understanding of the ministry’s mandate and the wherewithal to execute.

We shall see.

The Madness on our Roads Must Stop It is now generally accepted that our roadways have become very dangerous. Hardly a day passes without some serious accident often leading to serious injury or death. This problem has plagued Guyana for a long time, but despite public pleadings for caution, the situation seems to be worsening. A civilised society cannot turn a blind eye to carnage on its roadways.

What is happening on our roads is a clear case of lawlessness. Our motorists are out of control. From mini-bus drivers to private motorists, there is almost total [dis]regard for the law, for limb and for life. There are reports of drivers breaking traffic laws in full view of the police. Others ignore the right of pedestrians to share the public space and refuse to give way to them. Often children and elderly citizens become victims of the rage on the roadways.

This problem on the roadways is a symptom of a larger problem of indiscipline in the society. Something must be done urgently. The problem must be tackled at various levels. First, the police have to launch a zero-sum campaign against indiscipline on our roadways. The traffic laws must be enforced. Of course, there is the problem of corruption, whereby motorists are in the habit of bribing the police.

However, that should not be a deterrent to bold action. I am cognisant that we do not have enough police ranks to man the streets. Perhaps the government should consider the setting up of a special traffic force made up of part-time officers.

The second area of repair must be the general education of drivers. There should be more rigorous training of potential drivers that goes beyond a road test. These new drivers should be mandated to attend more formal classes on road safety and ethics on the roadways. Third, the penalty for those found guilty of traffic infractions, particularly dangerous driving, should be increased. We cannot continue like this.

More of Dr. Hinds ‘writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

Serena beats Venus to set Grand Slam record

By Ian Ransom

MELBOURNE,(Reuters)-Serena Williams reigned supreme in tennis’s great sibling rivalry, edging an emotion-charged clash with sister Venus to claim her seventh Australian Open tennis yesterday and a record 23rd grand slam title in the professional era.

Beset by nerves early in the tense family affair, the American needed all her firepower and famed mental strength to fend off Venus, who scrapped hard to the end before going down 6-4 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena.

Fourteen years after beating Venus for her maiden title at Melbourne Park, Serena’s seventh crown was sealed with a heady charge to the net that forced a desperate backhand from Venus to float wide.

Eyes ablaze in joyous disbelief, Serena slumped

ENGLISH RACING TIPS FONTWELL 09:40 hrs Bolving 10:10 hrs Slidecheck 10:40 hrs Not Another Muddle 11:10 hrs bGolden Birthday 11:40 hrs Venetian Lad 12:10 hrs Sutter’s Mill SEDGEFIELD 09:20 hrs Spiculas 09:50 hrs Applesandpierres 10:20 hrs Bordeaux Bill 10:50 hrs Mr Snoozy 11:20 hrs Shadows Lengthen 11:50 hrs Wylde Magic 12:20 hrs Chance Taken IRISH RACING TIPS Leopardstown 09:30 hrs Melon 10:00 hrs Monalee 10:30 hrs Some Plan 11:00 hrs Pulled Mussel 11:30 hrs Faugheen 12:00 hrs Aurora Bell 12:30 hrs Dasmyhoss SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Scottsville 08:10 hrs Queen Diva 08:45 hrs Race Master 09:20 hrs Baltic Amber 09:55 hrs Way Of Light 10:30 hrs London Call 11:05 hrs Captains Moll

… back to No.1 with title 23

to the court and threw her hands in the air, the world number one ranking also re-captured from Angelique Kerber.

She paid tribute to Venus, her long-time doubles partner and enduring inspiration.

“She’s an amazing person, there’s no way I would be at 23 without her,” said Serena, cradling the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup. “There’s no way I would have anything without her.

“My first grand slam started here, and getting to 23 here, but playing Venus, it’s stuff that legends are made of. I couldn’t have written a better story.”

The win moved Serena past Steffi Graf on the list of all-time grand slam champions. Only Margaret Court, who watched the match from the terraces, is ahead of her on 24.

Serena arrived in Melbourne with only two matches under her belt, having cut short her season to recover from injury after the U.S. Open.

But she roared through the tournament without losing a set and, at the age of 35, the relentless pursuit of grand slam silverware will go on, and with sister in tow.

“We’re both, like I say, 30-fun,” said Serena of

their longevity.

“Now I just feel like I’m satisfied with where I am, although I always want to win.”

Venus, 36, had already proved an inspiration by reaching her first final since her loss to Serena at Wimbledon in 2009. It made her the oldest woman to do so at Melbourne Park since tennis went professional in 1968.

BATTLING HARD She lost her seventh of nine grand slam title deciders to her younger sister but won over the Rod Laver Arena crowd by battling hard to the finish.

“Congratulations Serena on number 23, I’ve been right there with you, some of them I’ve lost right there with you,” said the seven-times grand slam champion, raising a laugh from the crowd.

“Your win has always been my win, you know that.”

The sisters’ combined ages added up to the ‘oldest’ grand slam final in the professional era but they ran like the teenagers they were in 1998, when they played each other for the first time in a tour match at the same tournament.

Nerves weighed heavier,

however, and in a tense start, both dropped serve twice in the opening four games.

Serena was the worst afflicted, and she smashed her racket in a rage in the third game, having slipped behind the baseline when chasing down a ball.

The game’s greatest server double-faulted three times to be broken a second time, causing a gasp from the crowd.

But she soon settled to forge a 5-3 lead before sealing the set with a thumping pair of aces.

Venus was quickly under siege, with Serena feasting readily on her modest second serve.

Serena pounced in the seventh game, breaking her in the seventh game with a searing backhand return and she served out to love to come within a game of the title.

Venus pushed hard to break back at 5-4 but flung her racket away in despair after hammering a forehand into the net to give up match point.

It was all Serena needed and after a furious exchange of shots, she charged in to the net swinging to claim yet another major title.

Reifer, Chandrika see Jaguars ...

From back page century stand.

Barbadian Reifer, playing before his home crowd, struck nine fours and a six – a clean hit inside out over long-off off-spinner Mark Deyal – while opener Chandrika anchored the innings with a 76-ball knock which included five fours.

Reifer, adjudged Man-ofthe-Match, was quickly into his stride sweetly punching Powell to the cover boundary and then carving fast bowler Keon Harding square of the wicket for another boundary.

He raised his third half-century at this level with a whip through midon off pacer Jermaine Levy and seemed poised to take Jaguars over the line when he was caught at mid-off

by Jangoo off Levy in the 25th over with five runs required for victory.

SCOREBOARD J Smith b D Bishoo 25 A Jangoo c wkp Bramble b Beaton 0 K Corbin c (sub) Hetmyer b Beaton 28 V Mohan c Beaton b Jacobs 13 R Hinds c Permaul b Barnwell 18 C Burton c Jacobs b Permaul 6 M Deyal lbw b Permaul 8 N Henry lbw b Permaul 16 K Harding b Bishoo 9 C Powell run out 1 J Levy not out 1 Extras (lb1, w3) 4 TOTAL (all out, 44.5 overs) 129 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-49, 3-59, 4-73, 5-87, 6-98, 7-110, 8-123, 9-126, 10-129.

Bowling: Beaton 8-0-232 (w1), Jacobs 10-1-28-1,

Reifer 5-0-21-1, Permaul 10-1-19-3 (w1), Bishoo 7.5-028-2 (w1), Barnwell 4-0-9-1.

JAGUARS A Fudadin c wkp Smith b Powell 8 R Chandrika not out 43 R Reifer c Jangoo b Levy 67 L Johnson not out 0 Extras (b1, lb2, w6, nb1) 10 TOTAL (2 wkts, 26.3 overs) 130 Did not bat: +A Bramble, S Chanderpaul, C Barnwell, S Jacobs, D Bishoo, V Permaul, R Beaton.

Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-125.

Bowling: Powell 7-1-28-0 (w2), Harding 4-1-13-0 (w1), Mohan 1-0-8-0, Henry 2-015-0, Levy 6.3-0-28-1 (w3, nb1), Deyal 6-0-35-0.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

Proteas crush Sri Lanka in opening ODI (REUTERS)-Wayne Parnell and Imran Tahir took three wickets each as South Africa cruised to an eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first one-day international in Port Elizabeth yesterday.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl, restricting the tourists to 181 all out in 48.3 overs on a slow wicket.

The home side never looked troubled in their reply, reaching their target with 94 balls remaining to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Kusal Mendis (62) provided lone resistance for Sri Lanka, who were rocked by two early strikes from left-arm seamer Parnell (348), before leg-spinner Tahir (3-26) ripped through their middle-order.

The touring side managed just 18 boundaries as South Africa bowled a tight line with all-rounder Chris Morris (2-29) impressive on his return from injury having last played in June.

Quinton de Kock (34) and Hashim Amla (57) put on 71 for the first wicket in South Africa’s reply, before the former offered a simple catch to Sandun Weerakkody at cover off the bowling of Lakshan Sandakan.

Amla posted his 31st ODI half-century before he was caught and bowled by Asela Gunaratne, undone by the lack of pace in the pitch as he got his timing wrong.

But Faf du Plessis (55 not out) and AB de Villiers (30 not out) steered South Africa home with ease.

For skipper De Villiers it was a triumphant return in his first ODI for seven months having been sidelined by an elbow injury.

South Africa have now won their last seven ODI matches having whitewashed Australia 5-0 at home in October.

The second match of the series against Sri Lanka is in Durban on Wednesday.

SCOREBOARD

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir sliced through Sri Lanka’s middle order,

Wolves leave Liverpool reeling after FA Cup shock

By Martyn Herman LONDON,(Reuters)-Liverpool sank deeper into their mid-season rut when Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers claimed a deserved 2-1 FA Cup fourthround victory at Anfield as the competition lived up to its reputation for shocks yesterday.

Goals by Richard Stearman and Andreas Weimann proved enough for Wolves, 18th in the second tier, to inflict a third home defeat in a week on Juergen Klopp’s faltering side who managed only one win in eight matches in January.

Fourth-tier Wycombe Wanderers, 70 places below Tottenham in the English pyramid, were minutes away from trumping Wolves with a genuine giantkilling away win over Premier League title hopefuls Tottenham Hotspur but lost a thriller 4-3.

Two goals by Paul Hayes, one a penalty, gave Wycombe a 2-0 halftime lead at White Hart Lane and Garry Thompson sent the away fans crazy by restoring their lead seven minutes from time after Tottenham had fought back.

Tottenham were reduced to 10 men when Kieran Trippier limped off after the hosts had used all their substitutes but

… Spurs scrape through

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Conor Coady celebrates after the game Reuters / Phil Noble Livepic Dele Alli coolly equalised in the 89th minute before Son Heung-min struck seven minutes into stoppage time with his second goal of the game.

“This is the beauty of the FA Cup. It’s magic. This is completely different to Spain or France,” relieved Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino said after his side’s ninth consecutive home victory in all competitions.

Lincoln City, one of two survivors from outside the Football League, continued their dream run with a 3-1 home victory against Championship leaders Brighton & Hove Albion to reach the fifth round for the first time in the modern era.

They also got that far in 1887 when the competition involved far fewer clubs at the outset.

Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle United, Brighton’s close rivals for promotion to the top flight, also slipped up to lower-level opponents, outplayed 3-0 at League One’s Oxford United.

Arsenal made light of a touchline ban for manager Arsene Wenger as Theo Walcott scored a hat-trick and Danny Welbeck struck twice in a 5-0 hammering of League Cup finalists Southampton at St Mary’s while in the day’s other all-Premier League duel Manchester City outclassed Crystal Palace 3-0 at Selhurst Park.

SRI LANKA Innings N. Dickwella lbw b Parnell 1 S. Weerakkody c Amla b Parnell 5 K. Mendis lbw b Tahir 62 D. Chandimal b Tahir 22 U. Tharanga c Duminy b Tahir 6 D. de Silva c du Plessis b Parnell 28 A. Gunaratne run out (Morris, de Kock) 10 N. Kulasekara c de Kock b Rabada 17 J. Vandersay lbw b Morris 8 S. Lakmal b Morris 3 L. Sandakan not out 2 Extras (lb-5 w-12) 17 Total (all out, 48.3 overs) 181 Fall of wickets: 1-1 N. Dickwella,2-14 S. Weerakkody,3-86 D. Chandimal,4-99 K. Mendis,5-102 U. Tharanga,6-126 A. Gunaratne,7-155 N. Kulasekara,8-170 J. Vandersay,9-170 D. de Silva,10-181 S. Lakmal Bowling: K. Rabada 10 - 1 - 35 – 1, W. Parnell 10 - 1 - 48 - 3(w-5), C. Morris 9.3 - 1 - 29 - 2(w-5), A. Phehlukwayo 7 - 0 - 31 - 0(w-1) I. Tahir 10 - 0 - 26 – 3,J. Duminy 2 - 0 - 7 - 0(w-1).

SOUTH AFRICA Innings Q. de Kock c Weerakkody b Sandakan 34 H. Amla c&b Gunaratne 57 F. du Plessis not out 55 A. de Villiers not out 30 Extras (lb-2 w-2 pen-5) 9 Total (for 2 wickets, 34.2 overs) 185 Fall of wickets: 1-71 Q. de Kock,2-131 H. Amla Did not bat: J. Duminy, D. Miller, C. Morris, W. Parnell, A. Phehlukwayo, K. Rabada, I. Tahir Bowling: N. Kulasekara 5 - 0 - 20 – 0,S. Lakmal 6 - 1 - 29 - 0(w-1), D. de Silva 2 - 0 - 9 – 0,J. Vandersay 7 - 0 - 51 – 0, L. Sandakan 8 - 0 - 35 - 1(w-1), A. Gunaratne 5 - 0 - 19 – 1, K. Mendis 1.2 - 0 - 15 – 0.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

Scorchers win third BBL title in four years PERTH Scorchers won the Big Bash League(BBL) for the third time in four years as they thrashed Sydney Sixers by nine wickets in the final at the WACA. Australian Jhye Richardson and Yorkshire all-rounder Tim Bresnan took three wickets apiece as the Sixers were restricted to 141-9 in Perth.

Michael Klinger hit 71 not out and England batsman Ian Bell added an unbeaten 31 as the Scorchers reached the target in 15.5 overs.

Perth won the title in 2014 and 2015.

The Sixers had earlier beaten the Scorchers by seven runs in the Women’s Big Bash League final.

Man-of-the-Match Jason Mohammed … top-scored with 80 during the Red Force run chase.

Despite GHRA’s management being at standstill

By Rajiv Bisnauth

The Perth Scorchers got their hands on the BBL trophy for the third time.

Red Force repel late surge from Volcanoes to make winning start MAN-of-the-Match Jason Mohammed and Evin Lewis stroked half-centuries but Trinidad and Tobago Red Force were made to repel a late surge from Windward Islands Volcanoes before making a winning start to their Regional Super50 title defence, with a nerve-jangling two-wicket victory on Friday night.

Preparations for Guyana Cup rematch moving apace – Habibulla

Set 267 for victory at Coolidge Cricket Ground, Red Force seemed to be strolling towards a straightforward win at 217 for three in the 41st over.

Earlier Windwards posted a stiff total of 266 for 7 with Darren Sammy providing a boost late by hitting an unbeaten 60 off 36 balls.

Sunil Ambris had earlier struck his second straight half-century for Windwards by top scoring with 69 while Ravi Rampaul took 4 for 43 with the ball for Trinidad & Tobago.

Evin Lewis got Red Force chase off to a terrific start, striking a half-century off just 32 balls as Trinidad & Tobago raced through the Powerplay before Lewis fell for 64 in the 11th to end a 94-run opening partnership with Kyle Hope.

Mohammed entered soon after at No. 4 and steered the chase almost through to the end, making 80 until he was the sixth wicket to fall, edging Kyle Mayers behind to Ambris at the start of the 45th over

with 22 needed to win.

Mayers and Ambris teamed up for two more wickets to put Trinidad

& Tobago on edge but Roshon Primus hit the winning runs with two overs to spare.

SCOREBOARD VOLCANOES J Charles b Rampaul 3 D Smith c Primus b Gabriel 6 T Theophile c wkp Ramdin b Rampaul 6 A Fletcher b Gabriel 35 S Ambris b Emrit 69 K Hodge c Lewis b Rampaul 18 K Mayers c Khan b Rampaul 22 D Sammy not out 60 D Johnson not out 26 Extras (b4, lb4, w13) 21 TOTAL (7 wkts, 50 overs) 266 Did not bat: *L Sebastien, M Matthew.

Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-13, 3-18, 4-78, 5-123, 6-150, 7-200.

Bowling: Gabriel 10-0-53-2 (w1), Rampaul 10-2-43-4 (w3), Primus 10-1-62-0 (w2), Emrit 10-1-57-2 (w6), Imran Khan 10-0-43-0 (w1).

RED FORCE K Hope lbw b Sebastien 36

E Lewis c Theophile b Hodge 64 K Ottley b Sebastien 1 J Mohammed c wkp Ambris b Mayers 80 D Ramdin run out 33 N Alexis b Matthew 0 I Khan c wkp Ambris b Mayers 30 R Emrit c wkp Ambris b Mayers 0 R Primus not out 10 R Rampaul not out 1 Extras (b6, lb2, w4) 12 TOTAL (8 wkts, 48 overs) 267 Did not bat: S Gabriel.

Fall of wickets: 1-94, 2-97, 3-125, 4-217, 5-220, 6-245, 7-245, 8-262.

Bowling: Johnson 9-0-710 (w1), Matthew 6-0-40-1, Mayers 9-0-59-3, Hodge 101-26-1, Sebastien 10-1-31-2 (w3), Theophile 2-0-16-0, Fletcher 2-0-16-0.

Points: Red Force 4, Volcanoes 0.

PREPARATIONS for the February 26 Guyana Cup Rematch is moving apace,inspite of the fact that the management of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) is at a standstill.

The one-day event is billed for the Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC), Arima Park, West Coast Berbice.

Speaking exclusively with Chronicle Sport on Thursday, coordinator of Guyana Cup Rematch, Fazal Habibulla, categorically stated that the race meet will go ahead as planned, adding that the organisers of the Guyana Cup Rematch are less concerned with what takes place at the management level of the authority.

Dubbed the ‘Sport of Kings’, the proper management of the sport is at a standstill, since executive members have not met to discuss GHRA’s business for almost a year, after its president,Vickram Ouditt,demitted office in February last year following the expiration of his term.

Recent-acting secretary of the GHRA, Chattergoon Ramnauth,is of the opinion that the work of the authority has also been put on hold due to the lack of a critical piece of legislation that would have legitimise its operations.

He, however, maintained that the implementation of the legislation will be the only way out of the dilemma the authority finds itself in.

Once put into law, the Guyana Horse Racing Authority Act will allow the sport to run more effectively and help to deal with violators.The proposed law includes: increasing the membership of the Racing Authority from nine to 15; including the Bush Lot United Turf Club as a member of the GHRA and implementing a two-year term for members of the Authority.It will also give the GHRA the power to schedule race dates for each club in the event that a club is unable to run off a race meeting.

But the realisation of that act seems some distance away, since the status of the document remains unknown.

Meanwhile, organisers are yet to release a provisional programme, but according to Habibulla,the feature race will be for animals classified B and lower for a whopping $1.2M,over 1800 metres.

Former Grand National winner Many Clouds dies after race (REUTERS)-Former Grand National winner Many Clouds collapsed and died after winning a race at Cheltenham yesterday.

The 10-year-old horse crossed the line first in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham’s Festival Trials Day but collapsed shortly afterwards and was pronounced dead by veterinary staff.

Many Clouds, owned by Trevor Hemmings, won the 2015 Grand National and Gold Cup trial and the Hennessy Gold Cup in 2014.

Trainer Oliver Sherwood paid tribute to the horse whose death was met by stunned silence at the course.

“I always said he’d die for you, and he has today, doing what he loved most,” Sherwood was quoted as saying by the BBC. “He wanted to win that race, by God he wanted to win it -- he was beat at the last and he fought the last 50 yards to get up and win. I’ve trained for 32 years now and horses like that don’t come along very often.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

Burkina Faso reach Afcon Nurse, Benn bowl semi-finals after two late goals Pride to second BURKINA Faso scored two late goals yesterday to beat Tunisia 2-0 and reach the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) semi-finals.

Substitute Aristide

slotting into an empty net.

The Stallions will face either Morocco or Egypt in the last four on Wednesday.

It is now three wins from their three quar-

tance, it appeared as though extra time was to be required again.

The Burkinabe had the clearest chances of the first half, Nakoulma firing over

Aristide Bance (right) wheels away in delight after scoring the opener.

Bance scored with a low drive from a free-kick only five minutes after coming off the bench.

Prejuce Nakoulma made sure of the victory on the counter-attack, after Tunisia had thrown everyone forward, rounding the goalkeeper 40 yards out before

ter-finals appearances for Burkina Faso, who last reached this stage in 2013 when they finished as losing finalists.

For the first time they secured a quarter-final win in normal time although until Bance’s intervention, which finally broke Tunisia’s resis-

from 12 yards over and Bertrand Traore unlucky with a chip that hit the top of the bar.

Tunisia’s best opportunity came from a corner headed on by Taha Yassine Khenissi which Aymen Abdennour could only nod on, Mohamed Ali Yacoubi

narrowly missing at the far post.

Both sides looked increasingly nervous after the interval and the match became scrappy with few chances - a couple of goalmouth scrambles in the Tunisia box typified a lack of decisiveness from both sets of players.

Bance came on and changed that when a freekick was rolled into his path and he struck a precise effort into the corner.

It sparked panic in the Tunisia team ranks despite there being 10 minutes left, they abandoned all defensive discipline as they desperately sought an equaliser.

Their recklessness was punished by Nakoulma who sped away on a break and ran past Aymen Mathlouthi, who had rushed far from his goal, before coolly stroking the ball home.

Tunisia’s defeat means they have lost their past five Nations Cup quarter-finals, while Burkina Faso remain in the hunt for a first title.(BBC Sport).

Mane misses penalties as Cameroon reach semis

LIVERPOOL’s Sadio Mane missed his spot kick as Cameroon beat Senegal 5-4 on penalties to reach the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.

Mane, Africa’s most expensive player, was denied

by Fabrice Ondoa, Vincent Aboubakar hitting the winning penalty.

Much fancied Senegal had a great chance to win it in normal time but Moussa Sow volleyed wide from close range to leave the game scoreless after 120 minutes.

Cameroon are four-time winners of the tournament.

The result means Mane is likely to make a swift return to his club Liverpool, who suffered a surprising defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup fourth round yesterday.

There were striking similarities to this game and 15 years ago, when Cameroon and Senegal met in the 2002 final in Mali.

On that occasion, Cameroon beat Senegal 3-2 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes.

Super50 win

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Barbados Pride effortlessly notched their second win of the Regional Super50 after spinners Ashley Nurse and Sulieman Benn combined to destroy ICC Americas and set up an eight-wicket victory here yesterday.

Off-spinner Nurse captured four for 26 and left-armer Benn claimed three for 20 as ICC Americas were bundled out for a paltry 103 off 34.2 overs at 3Ws Oval.

Bermudian opener Kamau Leverock topscored with 21 but was the only batsman to pass 15 and just one of four in double figures.

Test opener Kraigg Brathwaite then extended his recent rich vein of form with an unbeaten 42 as Pride strolled to ASHLEY NURSE their target off 29 overs.

He faced 86 balls and counted four fours, putting on 49 for the first wicket with left-hander Anthony Alleyne who struck 27 from 34 balls with two fours and a six.

When Alleyne and Shai Hope (6) fell in the space of 20 balls to leave Pride on 64 for two in the 17th over, Brathwaite added a further 41 in an unbroken third wicket stand with left-hander Jonathan Carter who finished on 24 not out.

Opting to bat first, ICC Americas made a decent enough start when Leverock and Srimantha Wijeyeratne (13) posted 30 off 42 balls for the opening stand.

But once fast bowler Kemar Roach (2-32) had Leverock caught at the wicket, the innings quickly unravelled as wickets fell steadily.

Tottering at 61 for six, Timroy Allen (13) and Akeem Dodson (8) tried to bail the innings out with a 23-run stand but those hopes were dashed when Benn had Dodson stumped in the 28th over.

SCOREBOARD

Cameroon have won one game in 90 minutes at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Senegal were made to pay for missing a number of chances in both normal time and extra time.

West Ham’s Cheikhou Kouyate headed an early chance over the bar while Stoke City’s Mame Biram Diouf was close with a lob from inside the area.

Cameroon, who will now face the Democratic Republic of Congo or Ghana on Thursday for a place in

the final, failed to register a noteworthy shot in the opening hour.

Their first attempt on target came in the 65th minute when Robert Ndip Tambe volleyed straight at Abdoulaye Diallo before the Senegal keeper produced a low one-handed save to keep out Benjamin Moukandjo.

Diallo was responsible for ensuring the tie went to penalties after a fine stop to

keep out Jacques Zoua in extra time.

In the shootout, there was nothing to choose between the two teams as the first eight penalties went to plan.

At 4-4, Mane stepped forward but Ondoa saved his kick. That presented Aboubakar with a chance to seal victory and the Besiktas forward made no mistake.

(BBC Sport)

K Leverock c wkp Hope b Roach 21 S Wijeyeratne c Nurse b Benn 13 N Kumar c Carter b Nurse 11 A Armsterdam lbw b Nurse 7 N Dutta c Carter b Nurse 2 N Standford c Nurse b Benn 0 A Dodson st Hope b Benn 8 T Allen c Carter b Nurse 13 Saad Bin Zafar lbw b Chase 2 T Patel not out 8 Jasdeep Singh b Roach 5 Extras (b1, lb, w11) 13 TOTAL (all out, 34.2 overs) 103 Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-42, 3-57, 4-60, 5-61, 6-61, 7-84, 8-86, 9-92, 10-103.

Bowling: Roach 7.2-0-32-2 (w3), Holder 4-0-14-0 (w1),

Benn 10-3-19-3, Nurse 102-26-4 (w6), Chase 3-0-10-1 (w1).

PRIDE K Brathwaite not out 43 A Alleyne st Wijeyeratne b Patel 27 S Hope lbw b S Bin Zafar 6 J Carter not out 24 Extras (w5) 5 TOTAL (2 wkts, 29 overs) 105 Did not bat: R Chase, S Dowrich, S Benn, A Nurse, C Brathwaite, *J Holder, K Roach.

Fall of wickets: 1-49, 2-64.

Bowling: Saad Bin Zafar 101-33-1 (w2), Kumar 6-1-11-0 (w1), Dutta 5-0-17-0, Jasdeep 2-0-10-0 (w1), Patel 6-1-34-1 (w1).

Points: Pride 5, ICC Americas 0.

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

2017 Limacol round-robin knock-out football…

Eagles surge on Primo’s brace, Dem Amstel humble Pouderoyen 2-0 EAGLES United and Den Amstel were both winners on Friday evening as matches in the 2017 Limacol round-robin knockout football tournament

continued at the Leonora Stadium.

On the penultimate day of the first round of matches, the first game got off to a flyer, as the East Coast-

based side took the lead through national forward Trayon Bobb,who latched on to the end of a cross and slotted home in the 17 th minute.

Part of the action at the Leonora Stadium in the 2017 Limacol round-robin knockout football tournament

However, just before the close, a one-on-one effort which stemmed from an earlier aerial pass into the box was converted

by Eagles’ Kelon Primo, bringing the game level.

Not even a spell of power outage could keep this game from having a winner as the West Coast side was forced to shift Bobb all over the field in order to provide a break through, though it was their opponents that would take the lead.

Primo again scored for the Linden-based Eagles, catching the advancing keeper off his mark and making him pay in the 69th.

Game-two was all Den Amstel from the start as they took the fight to the opposition.Their first goal came after a failed backward header for clearance only launched the ball into the path of the a charging Gideon Payne who did not waste it.

Andre Hector would then seal the deal for the side in the 53rd minute.

Action continued last night at the GFC ground ,following a venue shift Eagles United scorer Kelon Primo

Nedd heads GBA disciplinary committee GUYANA Boxing Association vice- president,Gordon Nedd,was yesterday appointed chairman of the association’s Disciplinary Committee.

Nedd, a Guyana Defence Force Captain, will lead a five-man team that will decide on penalties to be meted out to delinquent boxers and officials,over the next two years.

Head coach of the Essequibo Boxing Gym,Clifton Moore, is the vice chairman.

The other members are GBA Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Stacy Corriea, former vice chairman of the Referee/ Judge Commission,Elton Chase,and Three Star Coach Sebert Blake.

The committee will commence work immediately and will soon review

due to the unavailability of the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. In the first game, Winners Connection took on Grove HiTech while Milerock tackled Northern Rangers.

The winner of the tournament will take home $500,000 and a trophy

while the second, third and fourth placed teams will receive $250,000, $125,000 and $75,000 respectively.

Additionally, the winner of each group will receive $100,000 while the respective finishers will pocket $50,000, $30,000 and $20,000 apiece.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday January 29, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Captain Gordon Nedd a report by secretary of the Barbados Boxing Association,Kathy Harper-Hall.

The veteran regional sport administrator had documented a complaint to GBA president,Steve Ninvalle, following the conclusion of

Stacy Corriea the Caribbean Development Tournament held in Barbados last December.

Her complaint surrounded the behaviour of one Guyanese official and a boxer. Ninvalle disclosed that the appointment of the

Clifton Moore committee sets in motion an important component of the fraternity as countries affiliated to AIBA recently signed on to a new Code of Conduct with heavy emphasis on the eradication of indiscipline.

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Narendra Hirwani-16/136 (IND vs WI, Chennai, 1987-88) (2) Geoff Arnold (ENG vs AUST, Manchester, 1972)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who is the first WI to hit a hundred on his Test debut?

(2) Who is the only WI to compile a century on his ODI debut to date?

31

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 29, 2017

Four City teams square-off tonight in STAG Nations Cup semi-finals

IT would be no hold bars this evening when the semi- finals of the STAG Nations Cup knock-out football championship are contested at the GFC ground, Bourda in the city with an all GFA cast in contention.

Clashing in the second match would be old rivals Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Western Tigers,with only one team set to earn a place in the championship match on Saturday which would see the winner earning a huge New Year’s gift of 2 million dollars.

This evening’s curtain raiser brings together Santos and the Mocha-based Riddim Squad in what is anticipated to be a fierce battle between two sides that have a score to settle,apart from eyeing a place in the final.

The teams who have advanced and are set to thrill their fans and supporters this evening have all worked hard to earn their places in

JOB CAESAR the last four of the competition,which kicked off in December 2016 and should have concluded on New Year’s night,but was put on hold due to unprecedented rainfall during the Christmas holidays which left venues waterlogged for unusually long periods.

Competition got cracking again on January 18 last and it is now down

RANDOLPH WAGNER to the business end of the championship where all four teams are guaranteed cash,with 2M for first, 1M for second, $500,000 for third and $300,000 for fourth at stake.

Western Tigers and Police are favourites to win,but only one would have that opportunity which makes this a battle of battles tonight. The West Ruimveldt-based side

ATTIO WALLACE have downed Pouderoyen (9-1) and Flamingo (8-0) along their journey to the semis and have displayed a no-nonsense attitude in the final third,blasting a total of 17 goals while only conceding one.

Like the Tigers, Police have been just as menacing in the attacking third as they trampled Rosignol United (13-2) and Grove

High Tech (3-0) with two goals against,for a total of 16,which shows their proclivity for hammering opponents.

With both sides having the type of weaponry up front while also showing that they are equally unyielding in defence, a mouth watering shindig is on the cards.

The Tigers will look to Rensford Colridge, Shamar Wilson, Darren Benjamin, Anthony Sancho, Andre Webber, Dwayne Mc Lennon, Randolph Wagner, Joshua Britton, Jamal Pedro and Jorell Tyrell to deliver once again with the aim of a place in the final.

The fit Police unit will also harbor similar sentiments and will pin their hopes of caging the Tigers once again on Kester Dundas, Attio Wallace, Junior Gordon, Dwayne Charles, Jermaine Castello, Grayson Barker, Jermaine Grandison, Rawle Turnell and Quinsen Holder.

The Riddim Squad vs Santos showdown which start at 18:00hrs will see nothing short of fierce exchanges as both sides will be looking to earn that available place in the final but only once will be rejoicing when the final whistle is blown.

On their way to this stage of the competition, Riddim Squad edged Den Amstel (2-1) and Cougars (5-2). The Mocha side will hope their robust style of play can deliver for them a final berth.

Tasked with the responsibility of leading the charge in this regard are:Kevin Gordon, Sceyon Hope, Dellon John, Kevin Agard and Teon Jones. Santos’ path to this stage was earned as a result of wins over Uitvlugt Warriors (3-1) and Herstelling Raiders (4-0).

Set to saddle the responsibility of delivering for Santos once again:are Job Caesar, Keith Cains and Orin Yard.

P&P Insurance shoots open GSSF 2017 season THE Guyana Sport Shooting Federation’s (GSSF) practical pistol section commenced activities for 2017 last Saturday January 21 with the P&P Insurance brokers & consultants-sponsored practical pistol match at the GDF Timehri Range.

The event saw local practical shooters testing their skills in four dynamic stages setup by the GSSF match committee,competing for the top 3 prizes.

Shooters participated in the match, all under the limited division, USPSA rules, with two persons shooting under the “major” category (shooting higher than 9mm calibre). USPSA provides minor and major scoring based on power factor.

In the end,Ryan Mckinnon with 243.74 (minor) took the top spot ahead of

Prize winners of GSSF’s Practical Pistol Match sponsored by P&P Insurance Brokers. Winner, Ryan McKinnon at centre, flanked on the left by Mr. Mohamed Qualander (2nd) and on the right Mr. Harold Hopkinson (3rd) Arafat Qualander – 177.38 (major), and Harold Hopkinson – 169.47 (major) President of the Fede r a t i o n, V i d u s h i P e r saud-Mckinnon,in her opening remarks, welcomed the shooters and encouraged all to follow

the strict safety rules set out by the discipline,before introducing the match director,David Dharry.

Members then commenced the afternoon with a shoot-off as a mark of respect to fellow sport shooting col-

league,Eon Caesar,who passed away in December 2016.

The match was then declared open. Four stages were set up side by side, and included paper targets, steel plates, and falling steel ‘poppers.’

Targets are divided

into the scoring areas A, C and D with minor and major points 5-3-1 and 5-4-2 respectively. Scoring for practical shooting is done by recording the competitor’s time with an electronic device which ‘hears’ the shots

and records the time from the audible beep which signals the start,to the sound of the last shot fired.

The targets are then scored and the total score gained is divided by the time recorded for that competitor,the result of which is termed a hit factor. The highest hit factor will win that stage. Ultimately a balance of short times and accurate shooting is required.

Scores were computed shortly after the last shot was fired,by stats officer Pravesh Harry.

P&P Insurance brokers & consultants branded trophies for the overall 1-3 winners in the limited division were presented by Persaud-Mckinnon, as well as by Vikash Panday who represented the sponsors, P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants

Four City teams square-off tonight in STAG Nations Cup semi-finals see story on page 31

Serena beats Venus to set Grand Slam record … back to No.1 with title 23

see story on page 26 Serena Williams, right, holds the trophy after winning the 2017 Australian Open women’s singles title.

Reifer, Chandrika see Jaguars return to winning ways BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – All-rounder Raymon Reifer stroked a fluent half-century as Guyana Jaguars arrested their losing slide by brushing aside the previously unbeaten Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners by eight wickets here yesterday.

Entering the day/night contest at Kensington Oval reeling from defeats in their opening two games, Jaguars found their rhythm to bundle out Marooners cheaply for 129 off 44.5 overs and then romp to their target in just 26.3 overs.

They were propelled by lefthander Raymon Reifer who hit an attractive run-a-ball 67 and West Indies batsman Rajindra Chandrika who carved out an unbeaten 43.

Together, they put on a match-winning 117 for the second wicket as Jaguars turned the page on defeats to Barbados Pride and Jamaica Scorpions and

gathered their first points of Group B. Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul had earlier snatched three for 19 from ten stingy overs while pacer Ronsford Beaton (2-23) and Test leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo (2-28) picked up two wickets apiece, to undermine the Marooners innings.

Kyle Corbin top-scored with 28 and captain and opener Jamal Smith got 25 but they were the only two to pass 20 in a poor batting effort.

Opting for first knock, Marooners lost in-form teenager Amir Jangoo without scoring when the left-hander edged one behind off Beaton in the third over with five runs on the board.

Corbin and Smith then combined in the best stand of the innings, adding 44 for the second wicket to keep Jaguars at bay.

Corbin had struck three fours in 41 balls at the crease when he miscued

a pull off Beaton and was caught at mid-on on the stroke of the first hour and Smith followed 19 deliveries later when he missed a heave at Bishoo and was bowled.

Struggling on 59 for three in the 19th over, Marooners were put in further turmoil as Permaul ripped through the innings while drying up the scoring, as their last seven wickets went down for 70 runs.

Facing a straightforward target, Jaguars suffered an early setback when the out-of-form Assad Fudadin nicked one from seamer Chris Powell to depart for eight with as many on the board in the third over.

However, any hopes of further inroads were dashed as Reifer and Chandrika took the game away from Marooners with their impressive See page 26

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Left-hander Raymon Reifer hits over the top during his half-century against CCC Marooners on Saturday. (Photo courtesy WICB Media) SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2017