Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 30 12 2016

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No. 104779

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

REVOKED –– President orders revocation of Red House lease –– occupants must vacate by Saturday 3 –– National Trust to be housed at site Page

On March 30, 2012, The Red House lease agreement was initiated without the approval of either the President of the Day or The National Trust of Guyana, Attorney General Basil Williams says

Harper back at Foreign Ministry Page 10

Oil production closer Page 9

2 Corentyne handyman beaten to death Page

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Corentyne handyman beaten to death

THE body of a Corentyne handyman, Mohan Ball, 49, was discovered with marks of violence aback of Williamsburg Village on Thursday afternoon.

Ball, popularly known as “Uncle Ball,” was discovered around 13:30 hrs by a group of children who were playing in the vicinity where his body was found.

This publication understands that the children were playing in the street when they noticed a body on the opposite side of the trench and raised an alarm.

The police were subsequently summoned.

According to reports, the

man’s body was pulled from the banks of the Williamsburg Sideline trench. The body bore several wounds about the back and abdomen.

Residents who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the victim was involved in an altercation with two men named “Andy” and “Rocky” and was reportedly beaten to death.

His attackers apparently attempted to dispose of his body over the main drainage canal, popularly called the “sideline trench,’’ to conceal it among the bushes but fell short, since the banks of the canal were steep.

Sister of the deceased,

Annie Fraser, said her brother worked as a handyman and would usually stay at her home, since he has no fixed place of abode.

She last saw her brother alive on Tuesday, December 20, when he visited her and she learnt of his demise from a lad in the village.

“One lil boy come and ask fuh Aunty Annie, so me husband ask what he want and he asked who am me to “Uncle Ball” and me husband tell am a me brother then he say “Uncle Ball” dead, Andy and Rocky kill am.”

Fraser said her brother did not know how to swim and could not have gotten over the

trench by himself.

“Mohan nah know fuh swim, suh he couldn’t get over the sideline it too big, even me husband who strong and know fuh swim good had a hard time fuh go over. The current strong, so Mohan would ah get carry away wid the current,” the distraught sister said.

The location where her brother was found had tracks that showed that his body was dragged out of the trench.

The woman also said she was told that her brother was killed elsewhere and she was able to identify his hat, shoes and chain at the location which she pointed out to the police.

She related that one of the accused, “Andy”, was at

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 30, 2016

Mohan Ball (right) with his niece in happier times lably, but managed to tell this newspaper that her father had spent Tuesday night at her and she offered to let him move in with her since she lives alone.

She related that he left on Wednesday morning to get his clothes, but never returned.

Mohan said she did not think anything was amiss, since she knows he usually sleeps elsewhere and figured he would return whenever he wanted.

The young lady related that even though she and her

other two siblings grew up in an orphanage when her mother decided to separate from her father, they remained close to their father.

Mohan was described as a very jovial and honest individual, who loved to sing and would even make up his own lyrics. He is survived by three daughters ages 26, 27 and 28 and seven grandchildren.

Police are investigating the matter and up to press time, no arrest had been made.

The area where the body of Mohan Ball was discovered the scene in wet clothes, but she did not take much notice at the time.

“When we reach me see “Andy” clothes wet, but me husband seh leh we see wha happed to Mohan fuss and by time we confirm he dead, “Andy” disappear.”

Fraser related that the men who are accused of her brother’s murder were his drinking buddies and it is unclear what may have led to his murder, since he was not known to be violent nor dishonest.

Meanwhile, one of the daughters of the victim, Kavita Mohan, 26, had just returned from work when she learnt of her father’s demise.

She was crying uncontrol-

REVOKED

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 30, 2016

–President orders revocation of Red House lease –occupants must vacate by Saturday –National Trust to be housed at site

PRESIDENT David Granger on Thursday ordered that the controversial lease for Red House, which housed the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre Incorporated (CJRCI) be revoked and that the occupants vacate the property by Saturday.

The decision comes one day after the Attorney General, Basil Williams, issued a statement detailing the history of the CJRCI’s occupancy of the building and outlining that there was no valid lease agreement as former President Bharrat Jagdeo had refused to approve at least two applications for the lease.

In a release Thursday night, it was mentioned that the Head of State handed down these instructions earlier in the day in a letter to Minister of State, Mr Joseph Harmon, more than one year after the coalition Government had engaged the CJRCI on the matter of the lease. This engagement included negotiations for The Red House to provide a national service by housing information on all the Presidents of Guyana.

Those negotiations proved futile and in an invited comment, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr

Basil Williams, said that after discussions broke down, he sought to determine the legality of the lease agreement.

“Having carefully considered the advice of the Minister of Legal Affairs, President Granger has concluded that it would be in the public’s interest for the lease issued to the CJRCI to be revoked and has also directed the Minister of State that the building be assigned to house “The National Trust of Guyana, its staff, stores and equipment”, currently housed in the Valerie Rodway Building on Carmichael Street, with effect from January 1, 2017, where it would be better able to fulfil its mandate to preserve Guyana’s national patrimony and to promote an appreciation for the nation’s heritage,” the release added.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Minister Williams said his investigations revealed that the lease held by the CJRCI is invalid on several grounds, including that there is no evidence that the President of the day had sanctioned it. On March 30, 2012, The Red House lease agreement was initiated without the approval of either the President of the Day or The National Trust

of Guyana, which is in contravention of Section 10 of the Lands Department Act Chapter 59:01, rendering it void. The statement also said that on March 21, 2000, the CJRCI was incorporated as “a not-for-profit company” by late former President Janet Jagan, her daughter Ms Nadira Jagan-Brancier and former President Donald Ramotar, who was then the general-secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), with the aim of establishing a library and research facility to contain the works and documents owned by the late President Cheddi Jagan.

In that same year, the lease agreement among the parties; the Government of Guyana, The National Trust of Guyana and the CJRCI was drawn up but not executed. The Attorney General further said that on May 3, 2006, Mr Ramotar applied to the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys (CL&S) for a lease of the property, which comprises Lots 65, 66 and 67 High Street, Kingston, Georgetown, on behalf of the CJRCI but although a file had been opened in the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC), approval

had not been granted. The application was then resubmitted on August 30, 2010, on a revised schedule, to the then Office of the President.

On January 11, 2011, the resubmitted application was also not approved as there is no evidence of any signature of the President of the Day on the purported schedule, only those of Mr. Doerga Persaud, the then CL&S, and the Manager of Land Administration, Mr. Enrique Monize.

However, on March 30, 2012, a lease entered by the CL&S on behalf of the Government of Guyana, and by Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, S.C., on behalf of the CJRCI, was issued under Section 10 of the Lands Department Act, Chapter 59:01 for property with a duration of 99 years, commencing on January 1, 2012 at an annual rental of $12,000 for the first three years, and with the proviso that the Government could revise the annual rent payable at the end of every three years.

In the statement, the Attorney General said that the 99-year lease “was not executed in the manner of a transport, that is advertised and passed before the Court, nor was it filed as of record

and annotation made against the Property by the Registrar of Deeds.” The statement further noted that in Section 4 of the State Lands Act, Chapter 62:01 said that State Lands can only be converted into Government Lands with the sanction of the President of the Day and on the terms and conditions determined by this office bearer and there is no formal evidence of sanction or approval by the then President.

The Red House is established in The National Trust of Guyana Monuments Register as a Public Building/National Monument/Heritage Site. The Trust was established under The National Trust Act Chapter 20:03 Laws of Guyana, which is an “Act to make provision for the preservation of monuments, sites, places and objects of historic interest or national importance.” Its main responsibility is the preservation of all monuments of Guyana, which under the Act includes “any building, structure or object or other work of man…” The National Trust also “shall not transfer, mortgage, lease, charge or dispose of any land without the approval

of the minister,” according to its webpage.

The Attorney General maintains that all the parties knew that The Red House “at all material times was a heritage site, both building and lands under the National Trust Act Chapter 20:03”.

Further, the CL&S is the custodian of all Government Lands…”that is why there must be evidence of the President approving leases under Section 10 of the Lands Department Act Chapter 59:01”.

On August 21, 2015, Minister Harmon, in his budget presentation, had told the Parliament that the PPP/C had privatised the CJRCI and had been leasing the property for a mere $1,000 per month.

The minister had also noted that while in government, the PPP/C Administration had spent large sums renovating The Red House, a property of the State until 2012, then renamed it CJRCI. Minister Harmon had also said that all the sitting executives of the CJRCI are all connected to the PPP/C party and that discussions between the government and the CJRCI and others on the matter had been futile.

127 deaths in 2016 THIS year has been a deadly one on the roads as statistics from the Guyana Police Force indicate that some 127 deaths from 116 road accidents were recorded, compared to 123 deaths from 105 accidents last year.

Tr a ff i c C h i e f D i o n Moore, speaking at a press conference at Traffic Headquarters, Eve Leary, on Thursday, told reporters that despite an overall increase in deaths this year, there was a decline in the deaths of children through

accidents.

This year, 12 children died on the roads compared to 15 last year. Of the 127 killed, some 32 were pedestrians and several were motorists.

Moore said that in most of the accidents involving motorcyclists, the victims were without helmets or were not wearing them in the correct manner.

Enforcement is vital to curb accidents, and this year, 23,934 drivers were charged for speeding; 3,279 for driving under the in-

fluence; 1,701 for driving without licences; 1.603 for using cellphones while driving; and 4,607 for playing loud music.

In June, there was a decrease in fatal accidents, but coming on to August, it rose and by September, the Guyana Police Force launched “Operation Safeway.”

At the time of the launch, fatal accidents were at a 33 per cent increase and deaths an increase of some 17 per cent; but months after, fatal accidents decreased by 30 per cent,

serious accidents by 2.1 per cent and minor accidents by 23 per cent.

But accidents that result in damage have increased by 44 per cent.

Moore said “Operation Safeway” will continue in 2017, as it has been successful, and pointed out that the force is happy that during the holidays many drivers did not drive when they went out to drink.

He also urged pedal cyclists to ensure that their bikes are outfitted with effective braking systems,

bells, reflectors and a light in the front, visible from a reasonable distance at night.

Parents and guardians, he said, should emphasise to children using pedal cycles on the road to be cautious in the way they want to dart out from behind moving vehicles or to cross the road.

“All of us should play a part in practising road safety principles in every class of road-user and to advise our fellow road-users and the speed limit is there for

Traffic Chief Dion Moore you to drive within and not above. Practise the five Cs,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday , December 30, 2016

Gang-ravaged Mexico stuck in weed ban as U.S. opens up [Reuters] - Mexican advocates for drug reform are voicing alarm about the country’s widening gap with the United States on marijuana legislation, as criminal violence surges again south of the border.

Tens of thousands have been killed over the years in Mexico, on the front line of a U.S.-led war on drugs.

The country’s prohibitionist approach to marijuana is increasingly at odds with the United States, where liberalization is advancing.

California in November became the first state on the U.S.-Mexico border to vote for comprehensive cannabis legalization, further pressuring Mexican legislators to change policy. Earlier this month Mexico’s Senate duly passed a limited medical marijuana bill. But it has yet to be approved by the lower house and critics say it is still far too little.

“It’s a teeny, tiny reform for an enormous problem in the country,” opposition leftist senator Mario Delgado

sue diverging paths with the United States on marijuana.

Earlier this year, he submitted a bill to close the gap on U.S. legislation. But his own lawmakers have been reluctant to follow his lead.

Starting with Washington and Colorado in 2012, U.S. states have begun to legalize recreational use of marijuana, and many more now permit medicinal use, as does Canada.

said during the discussion of the medical marijuana bill.

“It’s absurd that on this side of the border we continue with the violence, the deaths; and on the other side ... this same drug is considered legal for recreational

use.”

Driven by widespread gang violence, murders are on track to breach the 20,000 mark in 2016 for the first time in four years, adding to more than 100,000 gang-re-

lated deaths in the decade since the government began a military-led crackdown on drug cartels. Many thousands more have disappeared.

Pena Nieto said in 2014 that Mexico could not pur-

California, which has an economy roughly twice the size of Mexico’s, was widely seen as a bellwether for a shift in policy. Mexico’s Supreme Court last year set the ball rolling in a landmark case, granting four people the right to grow and consume weed, and inspiring hope for change.

In April, Pena Nieto proposed decriminalizing possession of up to 28 grams of marijuana for personal use, and said it would allow people jailed for holding up to that amount to go free.

But senators in his Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) put the initiative on ice, saying it “requires a greater analysis,” and only backed medical marijuana use.

The PRI blamed heavy losses in state elections in

June on Pena Nieto pushing a liberal agenda, notably his bid to legalize gay marriage, said Lisa Sanchez, drug policy director at the organization Mexico Unido Contra la Delincuencia. “They immediately transferred that discussion into the drugs issue by saying, ‘If we go too liberal, we might lose more elections,’” Sanchez said.

Opinion polls show that while there is public support for medical marijuana use, Mexicans are still resistant to the idea of an outright liberalization of the drug for recreational ends. While Congress procrastinates, some people are even taking advantage of the U.S. opening, said Jaime Andres Vinasco, a doctoral student at university Colef in Tijuana, a border city synonymous with Mexican drug traffickers selling to U.S. buyers.

In Tijuana, moneyed consumers enjoy medical marijuana brought over from California dispensaries that is more potent and of higher quality than local weed, said Vinasco, who has spoken to users and dealers for his research on the reverse flow.

“The cannabis from California, for the Tijuanenses, or residents of Tijuana, has become, for the great majority, a luxury item,” he said. “Quite a paradoxical phenomenon.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday , December 30, 2016

U.S. expels Russian diplomats Finland jails police chief for drug-smuggling over cyber-attack allegations

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and US President Barrack Obama

[BBC] - The US has expelled 35 Russian diplomats as punishment for alleged interference into the presidential election.

It will also close two Russian compounds used for intelligence-gathering, in Maryland and New York, as part of a raft of retaliatory measures.

President Barack Obama had vowed action against Russia amid US accusations it directed hacks against the Democratic party and Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Russia has denied any involvement.

The US State Department declared the 35 Russian diplomats from the Washington DC embassy and the consulate in San Francisco “persona non grata”, giving them and their families 72 hours to leave the US. The Russian government is expected to respond in turn by expelling US diplomats.

The move follows calls from senior US senators to sanction Russian officials who are believed to have played a role in the hacking, which some lawmakers referred to as America’s “political Pearl Harbor”.

President-elect Donald Trump has dismissed the claims as “ridiculous” and said Americans should “get on with our lives” when asked about the possibility of sanctions before the announcement on Wednesday.

Sanctions have also been announced against nine entities and individuals including the GRU and FSB Russian intelligence agencies.

The US Department of Treasury said that the move targets those responsible for “undermining election processes or institutions”. Konstantin Kosachyov, chairman of the international affairs committee in the upper house

of the Russian parliament, told the RIA news agency the expulsion represented “the death throes of political corpses”.

In a statement President Barack Obama said “all Americans should be alarmed by Russia’s actions”.

He called them a “necessary and appropriate response to efforts to harm US interests”, adding it would not be “the sum total of our response to Russia’s aggressive activities”.

Mr Obama also announced the US will declassify technical information related to Russian cyber activity to “help network defenders in the United States and abroad identify, detect, and disrupt Russia’s global campaign of malicious cyber activities”.

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, the top Republican in Congress, said in a statement that despite the measures being overdue “it is an appropriate way to end eight years of failed policy with Russia. Congressman Ryan added “it serves as a prime example of this administration’s ineffective foreign policy that has left America weaker in the eyes of the world”.

Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, who is from Maryland, applauded the sanctions but called them insufficient. He called for Congress to take action separately from the White House, and plans to introduce legislation to establish a committee “to further examine the attack and Russian’s efforts to interfere in our election”.

Jari Aarnio

[BBC] - A Finnish court has sentenced the former head of Helsinki’s anti-drugs police to 10 years in prison for drug-smuggling and other offences.

Jari Aarnio was found to have helped a gang to import nearly 800kg (1,764lb) of hashish from the Netherlands and sell it in Finland in 2011-2012.

Aarnio, 59, was found guilty of five drug crimes and 17 other offences.

These included trying to frame an innocent man for being in charge of the drug ring.

An accomplice of the former senior policeman, described as a top local criminal, was also sentenced to 10 years in prison. Aarnio spent 30 years in the anti-drugs force and was arrested in 2013.

He denied all the charges against him, claiming his actions were all legal and undertaken in a policing capacity. His legal team said Aarnio plans to appeal the district court’s sentence in the Helsinki Court of Appeal.

In a separate case in September, Aarnio was sentenced to three years in jail for fraud. Crime rates are relatively low in Finland compared with most other European countries.

It ranks as the second least-corrupt country, after Denmark, in the global index compiled by Transparency International.

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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

Promoting local products NATIONAL pride is an important factor in uniting a people and energising a country to compete with others. Products made in a country and rightfully labelled so bring confidence to the citizens and respect for the nation. In some respects, Guyana continues to hold its own in specific areas, but more needs to be done in a concerted and consistent manner to not only ensure psychological benefits, but also social and economic development.

Guyana’s rum, sugar, bauxite and gold are known to hold prized positions in the international marketplace.

Our rum has won numerous international awards. Sugar is renowned to the point where an American company is packaging sugar, brought from other countries, using the brand “Demerara,” which has affinity to the production of sugar here.

Our bauxite is known as a sweetener in enhancing the capacity in steel and aluminium processing plants, and Guyana stands out as the only country that produces this specification. The reputation of gold dates back to the fabled El Dorado that saw many expeditions, including the legendary stories of Sir Walter Raleigh and others, in search of it. Being allowed opportunities to produce products from local materials enhance a people’s ingenuity and competitive spirit, which are integral factors in growth and development. It would not be lost on the discerning, the opportunities that can be derived from a new economy which can create wealth in industries that are considered safe and green.

For instance, the coconut industry which has been neglected, offers economic opportunities outside of the water. Bauxite, in its raw form, can add diversity to the ornament industry. This product comes in a variety of colours and specification and can be attractively packaged for the market.

The forestry industry, where Guyana stands out in its variety and type of woods, outside of use in the furniture and construction industries, can be used for ornaments, jewellery and other special pieces. Similar approaches can be taken to every product and service Guyanese are capable of producing, packaging and marketing.

Not to discount the success of other countries in being able to exploit their resources, creating opportunities for their people and entering our markets, the time has come when Guyana and Guyanese must move from being primarily on the receiving end to that of being equally competitive. This would require a new approach that factors in strong and continuous technical research, such as in product development, identifying markets, tastes and preferences.

Government is expected to play a role through revisiting investment programmes, strategies and

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 30, 2016

Open letter to President Granger and Opposition Leader, Jagdeo Dear Editor THIS is an open letter to both President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo.

Your Excellencies, I have a civic duty to keep and I have kept eternal vigilance over matters of high constitutional importance. For me, one such matter is the impending vacancy in the office of Chief Justice of the High Court.

The present substantive holder of the office of Chief Justice is the Hon Carl Singh. And by what I consider to be the persistence of an anomaly, Justice Cummings-Edwards (no relative of mine) is the acting Chief Justice even though, as at present, there is in that office no vacancy, in my respectful understanding of the relevant constitutional provisions. Be that as it may, when Judge Carl Singh vacates the office of Chief Justice (whether by compulsory retirement/vacating at age 65 on 23rd February 2017; or by pre-retirement leave on 2017-01-01) two vacancies will automatically exist – (1) a newly arisen vacancy in the office of Chief Justice; (2) the extant vacancy in the office of Chancellor. None of these is, or can be matters of confidentiality, but are plainly matters of public interest and concern.

Under the Constitution and consistently with the 2007 ruling of Ramlal, it is the responsibility of the President to appoint persons to fill both vacancies by different Judges, after obtaining the prior agreement of the Leader of the Opposition. And, here is where pure law ends and mixed law and politics begin. Mr. President, the potentiality of Mr Jagdeo withholding his agreement is a haunting one that impels serious reflection and pondering. So, this impending vacancy brings into sharp renewal an old controversy – the modus operandi of the search for a Chief Justice and Chancellor. One might recall the disquiet that was stirred in 2015 by the President’s pioneering idea of a regional (rather than insular) search for our Chancellor(s) and Chief Justice(s).

I digress here to offer some elaboration on this impending vacancy in the office of Chief Justice for as I suspect, it has some potential for controversy. I contend that age 65 is the relevant retirement/ vacating age, because the relevant office is that of substantive Chief Justice and according to article 197(2)(b) applies. Article 197 (2) (c) under which the Chancellor vacates at age 68, has no application to Judge Carl Singh. An acting Chancellor

(as he is, as permitted by article 232(2) (a)] is not a Chancellor within article 197 (2)(c). So, as at present, Guyana has no such article 197(2) (c) Chancellor. Plainly, “Chancellor” and acting Chancellor are in contemplation of constitutional law, separate and mutually exclusive conceptions.

Acting is conceived of as a temporary expedient; substantive Chancellor (in contradistinction) conveys permanency.

Public Service rules as to pensions etc, confirm this distinction. No one would suggest that an acting Chancellor has a security of tenure qua acting Chancellor; but certainly, Judge Singh enjoys such security as substantive Chief Justice. One further digression: no Judge soon to vacate his office ought to commence hearing a new or fresh case, for in all probability it would be a part-heard case when he/she vacates office.

I return now to the crux of this letter. In a previous letter I had posited a view (which I now maintain) that it is as politically correct, as it carries no constitutional opprobrium for the President’s search (by advertisement or otherwise) to include regional candidates (“One cannot support a CCJ and have inhibitions about non-nationals being a Chancellor or CJ” – SN July 3, 2015). This extract from that letter merits quotation now – “our judiciary is no longer domestic only in its hierarchy, it is regional… One cannot want our final court to structurally be the CCJ (I understand that one of its current judges is Irish- born) with the necessary implication, that potentially judges, not Guyanese-born would finally be deciding our law and jurisprudence (for technically our Court of Appeal is now an intermediate court) and at the same time have inhibitions about non-Guyanese, or persons from outside the domestic component of our legal system … being our Chancellors or Chief Justices…”). But, would such modus operandi constitute some justifiable reason for Mr Jagdeo to withhold his agreement to the President’s choice?

Here, I would argue that even though the draftsmen of article 127 (1) did not use the words – “such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld” after the words … “acting after obtaining the agreement of the Leader of Opposition”, it is a necessary implication of constitutional law that article 127 (1) is to be so read and construed. For, unlike as with the President’s power to act in accordance with his “own deliberate judgement” (article 111[1] as to his choice (within constitutional eligi-

laws wherever necessary. It will require stimulating a new economy by exploiting resources with the assistance of new incentives. This can be done in the form of grants to places such as the University of Guyana, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute, and the Institute of Applied Science and Technology to conduct studies. There can be tax concessions and duty-free concessions for businesses that create opportunities at home.

Registrar of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), Glenroy Cumberbatch, in his address at the launching of Guyana’s accreditation earlier this year to award Caribbean Vocational Qualification, engaged in what can be considered a rarity in self-critique.

Cumberbatch questioned the education being offered and called for an alignment of education and training to meet the needs of the Region’s social and economic development. Even as the Government of Guyana works with its CARICOM counterparts to examine

bility restrictions) for Chief Justice and Chancellor respectively, the Leader of the Opposition has not been vested with any such unfettered power, generally or specifically. And, I know of no principle of constitutional interpretation, or authority, which would permit any public officer unreasonably exercise (and ipso facto in bad faith) any power, given not for personal egotism or aggrandizement, but to be exercised for, and in, the public weal or interest, (even as I direct myself that in theory, the President’s and Mr. Jagdeo’s different views can yet be both reasonable).

Regarding the matter of appointability (I draw a distinction between appointability and constitutional eligibility) en passant, I would mention that any appointment (whether substantive or in an acting capacity) of soon-to-beretired incumbent judge (s) should not be contemplated. In the sphere of the Judiciary, such ephemeral expediencies (not being a matter of appointment of temporary part-time Judge(s), I would argue, is even if within the contemplation of the Constitution, not an efficient exercise of appointment power. The exercise involves too many significant practical processes to have to be redone so soon again, as would be necessitated by the soon-to-be retired judge’s retirement. I suspect Justice of Appeal B.S. Roy to be within this category. And, because this inefficiency is so patent and should as a matter of sheer commonsense be avoided, I suspect this is one point on which both the President and Leader of the Opposition can find consensus. And such inefficiency is but one of the considerations that the President can properly direct his mind to in the plentitude of his powers to act in “his own deliberate judgement” when embarking on his search for his choices.

So, to President David Granger I say–Mr President, let the search begin; the Constitution has endowed you with a plentitude of discretionary powers to use judiciously. To the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Jagdeo, the Constitution makers intend and expect that you would not unreasonably withhold your agreement; surely that must be a legitimate expectation for even your political constituency.

Regards MAXWELL E. EDWARDS

such advice, where presently a Commission of Inquiry into the education system is being conducted, it may help to bring under examination such offerings consistent with the nation’s developmental thrust, on which education ought to be built. Synergies can be forged and made possible in alliance with the tri-sectoral economy. Partnership with Government, private and cooperative sectors should not only come with recognition and appreciation of the unique ability and responsibility of each, but also the importance of cooperating with each other to be competitive at the international level. Guyanese want to build Guyana. And while it is laudable that our procurement law requires at least 20 percent of the contracts be given to small contractors, a similar approach may be needed in other instances in ensuring that Guyanese are allowed to earn, produce and benefit from the nation’s resources and opportunities. (Reprinted)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 30, 2016

No proper planning in implementing parking meters Dear Editor THE concept of planning is important for any city; it becomes that much more critical for a national capital city such as Georgetown. All should be involved; the process thorough.

A recent article, ‘Five ways to plan the cities of the future’ by the UK’s ‘The Guardian’ newspapers makes the point. It states that in 2009, “UN Habitat estimated that 3million people were moving to cities every week.” The publication goes on to state, “We continue to see certain groups and individuals living in our cities that are not able to participate in negotiations.

Slum dwellers are one such group. We need to speak to the most marginalised in ways that articulate their everyday realities. Whenever we have taken the time to do this, we find they are the experts of their own condition – they do not make unreasonable de-

mands and they are prepared to make the trade-offs needed to make the city work.”

An entity such as the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) then, has an important function. Even where the Constitution gives the local authority the jurisdiction under the Municipal and District Council Act, Chapter 28:01, for instance Section 274, power to construct Council roads and control traffic; in traffic control, under Section 176, (a) “establish, maintain and control parking lots, (b) erect and maintain parking meters”, the legislation states it is all subject to the Town and Country Planning Act, the Road Act and Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act. Planning therefore has a rationalisation. This takes me back to the issues of parking meters. The more I think about the issue, the more I am convinced that we who oppose the methodology of implementation are on the

right side of history. What was the planning involved before such a fundamental change in the mobility of citizens is realised?

When our President, David Granger, made his historic visit to City Hall, June 27, 2016, he underscored the “need to plan.” He put it cogently when he said to City Hall, “Any urban plan that you produce of course, will not exist in a vacuum.

The plan must not only be based on knowledge of what is required in the city, but it must also aim at collaboration...with the Central Government, [CH&PA] and certainly with the Ministry of Communities, so that we work together because this is a national capital.”

I keep hearing of a study that was done by the contractors, but like the substantive contract, it remains a municipal secret. To be fair, a proposal for “on-street parking” submitted to City Hall in the 90s makes reference to an “IDB-funded study” and out-

Accusations of corruption in Bartica Town Council need probing Dear Editor THE allegations of corruption made against the Bartica Town Council by Sherwyn Downer in the December 25, 2016 edition of Kaieteur News is something that needs to be investigated. This very same Town Council has been assigned the task of creating the

first Green Town within Guyana.

However, for sustainable development to occur, more than economic growth without the destruction of the environment is required.

Development must be socially inclusive, whereby all persons in society will benefit from the development regardless of income, status,

race, religion or political affiliation.

One must therefore question the ability of the Town Council to guide Bartica towards such development, given its alleged biased and corrupt dealings.

Regards CONCERNED CITIZEN

lines briefly “the main causes of traffic congestion.” This study seems to have been used as the basis for Georgetown’s parking meters.

The current parking meter contractor keeps alluding to a study that was done, but I have never seen it nor have I heard a single sentence quoted from it in defence of the need for implementation of parking meters. I am going to hazard a guess that no study was done. Further, as a typology of ‘putting the cart before the horse’, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) is currently in the process of consultations as part of its Sustainable Urban Transport Study (SUTS) for Georgetown. To my pleasant surprise, one of the four major actions of that study is the “Development of a comprehensive Parking Management plan for Central Georgetown.” “This project component will require the development of a Parking Policy and Management Plan for Central Georgetown –

The Plan will include zoning, charges, regulations etc.”

On November 24, 2016, when I met with the MoPI’s team at City Hall which included its consultants and M&CC senior staff, several requests were made of our organisation for details as to the current Metered Parking System for Georgetown and again I was surprised by the shortage of critical information. Even the Guyana Police Force’s Traffic Department seemed out of the loop recently.

Additionally, I note the Ministry of Finance’s Review of the parking meter contract suggested, “A history of the contractor should be provided to City Hall in order to assess the experience and qualification of the contractor”, and noted also, “The contract cedes to [Parking Meter Company] a portion of urban planning, permitting it to shape the direction of transportation management within Georgetown, since it says nothing

about [City Hall’s] ability to plan.”

In the concluding comments it states, “Subject to legal implications, there are grounds for (1) the contract to be withdrawn, and (2) the related pecuniary damages assessed and paid subject to [City Hall] producing a feasibility study that gives the national government a clear picture of, inter alia, demand analysis, financial analysis, socio-economic cost-benefit analysis, risk analysis, technology alternatives, and production plan, human resources, location plan, implementation.”

Notwithstanding the lack of proper planning, the Metered Parking project moves apace.

Regards SHEROD AVERY DUNCAN Deputy Mayor Municipality of Georgetown

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 30, 2016

Livestock, other crops climb –– as rice and sugar continue to stumble

By Ravin Singh RECORD performances in the livestock and crop industries - excluding rice and sugar - managed to provide a favourable rating with regard to the performance of Guyana’s agricultural sector in 2016.

This was the view of Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, who at an end-of-year press conference on Thursday, contended that there is always room for improvement in the sector.

“There is always room for improvement, but I believe we have done well. In the areas of livestock and pesticide, we have done fairly well and I am quite pleased with the work of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI). So by and large, in my opinion, the sector has not done too badly at all,” he said.

According to the minister, NAREI’s continued efforts in the crop sector (excluding sugar and rice) resulted in a 2.5 per cent growth in that sector by mid-2016.

In this sector, coconuts, which rank after rice and sugar in terms of exports, were given much prominence in 2016. The minister revealed that a coconut roadmap was finalised in 2016 to further catapult this important commodity.

Cassava was also one of the crops which recorded success, and according to the minister, emphasis will be placed on mechanised cassa-

va-planting and harvesting in the savannahs, as well as on the coastland.

“Emphasis will be placed on the production of cassava flour, for which markets exist.

Support for these enterprises will be forthcoming from the Government of Colombia. In this regard, a modern cassava flour mill would become operationalised under this project,” he added.

In relation to the livestock sub-sector, poultry production is projected to increase by five per cent in 2016.

Minister Holder also indicated that positive growth will continue in 2017 due to improved husbandry practices, better quality feed and an increase in capacity of a major player in this industry.

He continued that in the local beef programme, the bull rotation scheme has produced 3,000 animals thus far. And as a result of the introduction of animals of improved genetic material, through breeding bulls, semen and embryo transplants, the ministry is projecting a 10 per cent increase in 2017 over 2016 in this sub-sector.

Still in this sub-sector, the minister noted that the Duck Hatchery Programme continues to make a significant contribution to the advancement of the local duck industry.

According to him, duckling production at the end of 2016 is projected at 266,000, and this represents a 25 per cent increase compared to 2015.

“This is expected to remain strong and positive in 2017 with a 50 per cent growth. To maintain the advantage associated with improved genetic stock, the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) will be importing 4,000 parent flock hatching eggs from France in 2017,” Minister Holder disclosed.

In relation to the fisheries industry, it was pointed out that in 2016, that sub-sector recorded an 11 per cent increase in growth.

The minister explained that growth in aquaculture will become necessary as a substitute for seafood, as the ministry has realised that the marine resources are being challenged.

As such, he noted that there was more detailed planning, especially as it relates to aquaculture and small-scale fisheries, and over 20 new aquaculture farms are expected to come on stream.

Additionally, he noted that for the first time, Guyana is facilitating deep-sea fishing.

SUGAR Meanwhile, on the notso-bright side, survival of the ailing sugar industry continues to depend largely on Government subventions.

Minister Holder explained that 2016 was plagued by poor labour turnout, lack of spares, equipment shortages in particular cane punts, and

factory breakdowns in this industry.

He said that the shortage of skills and experience, together with the serious underinvestment in the industry, is taking its toll.

And while the 2016 second crop started late as a result of the wet conditions which succeeded the drought and cane yields are higher than forecasted, he said that the corporation would be unable to harvest all its canes before the end of the year.

As such, it is estimated that some 153,300 tonnes of cane would be carried over into 2017. This is equivalent to some 11,300 tonnes sugar.

Nevertheless, sugar production for this year is expected to be just over 183,000 tonnes.

He also touched on the fact that workers from the Wales Estate who could be absorbed at Uitvlugt will be offered jobs at that location.

Some will also be employed in the diversification programmes planned for Wales.

RICE According to Minister Holder, rice production in 2016 declined by 12.7 per cent to 600,000 metric tonnes, largely due to the El Nino weather conditions and the fact that some farmers exited the industry during this year.

The minister explained that due to El Nino, only 84 per cent or 76,717 hectares were sown out of the targeted

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder production for the first crop of 91,072 hectares. Of the 76,717 hectares sown, 3,311 hectares were lost. And for 2017, he noted that rice is expected to decline further by 1.6 per cent.

However, the minister was keen to point out that Guyana has managed to secure markets in 35 countries, and this has led to an increase in exports by one per cent over 2015 at the end of October 2016.

Due to the reduction in world market prices, he said that the value of exports will decline.

Prices per tonne at the end of October were US$370 per tonne compared with US$394 in 2015. And for 2017, the ministry projects that exports will be around 531,000 tonnes (valued US$ 180,984,100.)

To support this industry, Minister Holder stated that the Guyana Rice Develop-

ment Board (GRDB) will be working in 2017 to address the issue of production, by offering farmers the necessary incentives to ensure they return to the land.

And having described the overall performance of the agricultural sector as “fairly good,” the minister said that agriculture remains a priority area for addressing problems of unemployment, poverty alleviation and for fostering economic development.

He added that the country is focusing primarily on sustainable food security, increasing productivity, expanding commercial agriculture, import substitution, income diversification and export orientation.

As such, he noted that in 2017, the ministry will continue production transformation through agricultural diversification; improvements in drainage and irrigation systems; improvements in research, extension, education and marketing; and strengthening regulatory frameworks governing fisheries, chemical and groundwater management.

Additionally, hinterland development with largescale agriculture in both the Rupununi and Intermediate Savannahs will also be advanced.

“We will be pursuing interventions that will ensure food security for all, specifically, access to safe food throughout the country, with a view to maintaining a healthy and productive population,” the minister said.

Gov’t will ‘keep especially close’ Shamir Ally –– Greenidge

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it will be paying close attention to Guyana’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr Shamir Ally, following the recent revelation of a civil case that was filed against him and others by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge told reporters on Thursday at his yearend press conference that while Dr Ally will remain Guyana’s Ambassador to Kuwait for the duration of his contract, the President David Granger-led administration will be keeping an eye on him. “We now will look forward to the service that he provides and he is aware that in the light of what has happened

we will keep especially close to him,” said Minister Greenidge.

In September, after Dr Ally was appointed Guyana’s Ambassador to Kuwait the civil matter was made public via the media.

The Ambassador, along with Ronald Lanchoney and Robert Mancuso, were allegedly involved in the distribution of false financial information by Acro- Guyana’s Ambassador dyne Communications Inc. to Kuwait, Dr Shamir Ally in 1998, 1999 and 2000 and according to court docu- financial transactions were ments Mancuso, the Chief accurately recorded.

Mancuso was fined Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Dr. Ally, U S $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 a n d A l l y the company’s former con- a n d L a n c h o n e y f i n e d troller and Lanchoney were US$10,000 each. Howevaware of many problems er, when asked about the associated with the compa- civil matter and whether ny’s accounting controls, due diligence was done in but failed to assure that its the case of the diplomat,

Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge told reporters that due diligence was done in the lead-up to Dr Ally’s appointment. He said that the size of the United States, where the Ambassador resided prior to his appointment, is one factor that resulted in the government’s failure to obtain that information.

But Greenidge explained that after looking at the issue comprehensively, it was concluded that Dr Ally should have drawn to the attention of the government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the civil matter he was involved in. “It was inappropriate for him not to have done so. We have taken the necessary action in relation to that matter and as it stands right now the contract that he has will stand,” the Foreign Affairs Minister told the gathering of reporters.

The ministry, Greenidge said looks forward to the service that Dr Ally will provide and when pressed to elaborate on the “necessary action” taken said the Ambassador to Kuwait was written to. “As regards the actions taken in relation to Dr Shamir Ally, let me say that the appropriate action in the light of the circumstances had to do with writing Dr Ally and drawing to his attention our concern and our wish to ensure that no similar oversight will be uncovered in the future.”

Meanwhile, Dr Ally has been employed by the government for one year.

Asked of the possibility of renewal of contract, Minister Greenidge said, “I would not want to pronounce on that at this stage. There is always a prospect, whether it is good or not so good is another thing.”

Dr. Ally is the Chief

Executive Officer (CEO) and President of International Consulting Services and has 20 years of experience in the field of business in Guyana (1960-1979). In the U.S., he has acquired 27 years of experience in the field of business, operating as Corporate Controller, Chief Accounting Officer, Vice-President of Finance, and Chief Financial Officer at AMEX, NYSE, and NASDAQ — Listed Public Corporations in New York and Pennsylvania, USA. Additionally, he has global experience in 15 industries and services: electronics, apparel, printing & packaging, insurance, financing, lotteries, pharmaceuticals, sugar, rice, spices, gold, diamonds, accounting, auditing & consulting services, and universities.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 30, 2016

Visa-free travel attracting Cubans, other visitors

THE recent influx of Cubans here, particularly to do shopping demonstrates a “closer cooperation” with Guyana and the Spanish-speaking island, says Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge.

Speaking on Thursday at his end-of-year press conference, the minister said Cubans do not require visas to visit Guyana and those arriving here are not only interested in trade. He noted that there are Cubans who come here just for the purpose of tourism. “These are Cuban visitors in a range of areas from trading, commercial travellers, from people who may come on holiday and spend a day; two weeks… our role is to ensure that the arrangements for their entry are proper,” said Greenidge.

He explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has to facilitate the movement of people here and noted that Cuba like Guyana is a member of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP group of states).

Additionally, Greenidge stat-

ed that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) also has special relations with Cuba, while Guyana has “especially special and long relations with Cuba,” there-

in place,” he added, noting that though institutional arrangements are usually in place, they don’t always work smoothly. “We try to keep that oil lubricated and

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge fore making it necessary for the country to ensure “the smooth movement of persons between the two countries.

“We ensure that the institutional arrangements are

we welcome as we do from anywhere else in the Region, the Cuban visitors who come to purchase commodities, services or to sell goods just as we welcome those who are sent by the Cuban gov-

ernment to render assistance in the medical and other areas.”

The Foreign Affairs Minister gave the assurance that the influx of Cubans in Guyana is a “reflection of a closer cooperation,” while noting that it is the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs “to keep that arrangement reasonably tight and ensure our laws and international obligations are met at the same time.” Greenidge made it clear that the role of his ministry in relation to Cuba is no different from that of Barbados or the United Kingdom.

Latin America Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Minister disclosed that his ministry has been working with both bilateral and regional partners in Latin America to facilitate travel within the Region, something he deems very important if Guyana is to enhance trade and investment.

There are a number of countries to which Guyanese can travel without visas and according to the

Closer to oil production –– construction of US1.2B onshore petroleum facility next year

By Alva Solomon AS THE Government works towards strengthening Guyana’s emerging petroleum sector, construction of an onshore petroleum facility will commence in 2017 at Crab Island, which is at the mouth of the Berbice River.

In September this year, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) announced that it will be working in conjunction with the Ministries of Public Infrastructure and Business to establish an oil and gas facility which it said is critically needed and would be part of the raft of measures intended to ensure that Guyana keeps on the right trajectory in the development of the oil and gas industry.

On Thursday morning Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman told members of the media at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission

(GGMC) boardroom that Cabinet has green-lighted the establishment of an onshore industrial site to service the off shore exploration and production activities of the oil companies operating offshore Guyana.

He said that the facility will be a public/private partnership initiative which will be built to the tune of US$1.2B and a minimum of at least 600 direct jobs which will be created from the venture.

He said that investments will come from the private sector as well as the oil companies working in Guyana.

According to Trotman, interviews were held with a significant number of persons in October and November regarding the construction of the facility.

He noted that recently he was accompanied by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson on a visit to Louisiana in the United States of Amer-

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman addressing the media on Thursday morning ica where the two officials saw firsthand the operations of an onshore petroleum facility.

Meanwhile, the MNR has received from Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited the company’s development plan which outlines each aspect

of the steps regarding its operations here.

Esso is a subsidiary of US oil giant ExxonMobil.

Trotman said that the plan will be reviewed by international experts who the Government will engage for the specific purpose.

Two weeks ago Esso

minister, this process will continue in a bid to ensure investment comes to Guyana hassle-free. He said he has seen some concerns on the issue, but maintains that those comments are germane to Government’s decision.

“Our responsibility is to facilitate the development of Guyana. The development of Guyana will turn upon Guyana being part of an economic and political animal that is larger than 700,000 people,” he said, noting that Guyana can be described as plankton in the ocean.

“We are so small that if we attempt to survive merely on the basis of our numbers we are not going to get very far, however bright we think we are [as] a people. So we have to transform ourselves from a tiny state.”

Minister Greenidge argued that as part of the process of enlarging, there must be economic integration, citing CARICOM, though the Caricom Single Market and Economy has not progressed according to plans.

“Guyana wants to be at Exploration awarded a contract to Dutch consortium SBM Offshore for a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, which is seen as a pivotal step in its plans towards First Oil carded for 2020.

SBM Offshore will perform front-end engineering and design for the FPSO and, subject to a final investment decision on the project in 2017, will construct, install and operate the vessel.

Trotman said that on Tuesday Cabinet also gave the go-ahead for several other initiatives geared for the development of the emerging oil and gas sector and these included projects relative to the ministry’s policy and legislative agenda, the crafting of the Petroleum Commission Bill and a bill to provide for the establishment of the Sovereign Wealth Fund, known as generational savings.

He said a draft copy of the Petroleum Commission Bill was shared with stakeholders, the oil exploration companies operating in Guyana, the National Toshaos Council (NTC) and the Parliamen-

the centre of that enlargement… That has to do with ensuing we cooperate and integrate with Latin America, South America and Central America– that’s part of our thrust.”

The Foreign Affairs Minister said by virtue of the many arrangements within the bloc, visas and otherwise, Guyana is enabling potential investors to not only see and hear about Guyana on television, but also be able to visit the country first-hand to assess the country’s capacity to receive investors.

This, he said, is important for the country’s development and made specific reference to technological development in the area of telecommunications. “It is key… no development of tourism, agro-processing or modern mining will take place if we are unable to put down infrastructure associated with these areas – that is part and parcel of the process of deepening relations with Latin America,” declared Minister Greenidge.

tary Opposition among others.

Trotman said that passing of the bill will ensure the formation of the Petroleum Commission which will become the regulatory body of the sector in Guyana.

He noted that the Sovereign Wealth Fund aims to ensure that pools from the petroleum sector reach every Guyanese, for generations ahead. The Government is currently engaging the Commonwealth Secretariat’s legal department for assistance in developing a framework for the fund.

“The framework is being finalised, the drafts are being delivered and we are expecting it within a number of days,” Trotman said.

He said the fund will enable the Government to protect the economy from the “volatile nature” of natural resources revenues, assist in growing and modernising the sustainable status of the economy and further enhance the capacity of Guyanese.

A draft of the framework of the fund will be presented to the National Assembly in January 2017.

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Do more to fight corruption

––Broomes urges GGMC

By Svetlana Marshall THE Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) must do more to fight corruption in the sector, Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, said on Thursday.

In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Minister Broomes said while miners have registered noticeable improvements in the way mines officers communicate with them on the ground, little progress has been made to address the inefficiencies and loopholes within the sector that continue to foster acts of corruption.

“In terms of monitoring, a lot needs to be done there, I am not going to sit and pretend all is well but…I am seeing positive signs,” the minister said.

She noted too that the issues surrounding the Land Management Division within the GGMC were inherited, but should not be allowed to continue.

Citing one example, Minister Broomes explained that the Natural Resources Ministry is still receiving reports that while some concessionaires, particularly the smaller miners, are mandated to seek the minister’s approval after failing to make their payments on time for their properties, other concessionaires with larger and even more blocks are allowed to update their payments more than a year after the due dates would have passed without hav-

ing to return for the minister’s approval.

“You are using the regulation to tell one set of miners that this is what you got to do and to another set, you do not apply the regulation; it is unaccept-

has not taken place. It was explained that shortly after taking office in January, 2016, a recommendation was made to have “a sweep” of all the mining districts within the sector. This Minister

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes able,” the Minister within the Natural Resources Ministry said.

“It is sad to know that this is how it is,” she added.

Upset about the situation, Minister Broomes said in the past, there was a transparent and strategic system in place in which all concessionaires were equally informed before a cancellation took place.

Turning her attention to management of the commission, Minister Broomes said it is “regrettable” that although millions of dollars were approved to have the sector critically analyse from the ground level the “sweep”

Broomes further explained would have allowed the Government to have a better understanding of the systems that exist, in addition to the challenges and loopholes with the sector from a ground level.

“We would have been out there not to hunt down people, but to educate people about the regulations, see the kind of services that we provide to the general public, the kind of conditions that the officers are experiencing out there, so when it comes to budgeting we know exactly what is happening,” Minister Broomes explained.

According to her, the sector cannot be managed

from Brickdam in the capital city where the head office is located, it has to be managed on the basis of facts garnered from the mining districts.

“You cannot manage the sector from Brickdam, Brickdam is not the sector, it is important that you go into the fields.

“I am talking here about managing based on facts. For example, in Puruni, you will know how many mining properties there are, how many dredges there are, the amount of gold coming out of a particular block, how many dredges are registered and why are we facing a problem with so many unlicensed dredges,” Minister Broomes added.

The sweeping exercise should not be done once a year, but twice, according to the minister, with the involvement of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Social Protection Ministry and other key stakeholders.

“I am sad that a year has passed and the sweep hasn’t taken place although the money was approved. I think that this is one of the saddest things, that the year has concluded and when we had the funding and everything for it, that did not happen, that is regrettable.”

In 2017, the Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources is hoping that the commission from the level of management would execute the many recommendations made.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 30, 2016

Harper back at Foreign Ministry

… as sovereignty consultant

FORMER Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Elisabeth Harper has been rehired as a consultant to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Subject Minister Carl Greenidge told reporters on Thursday that Harper’s focus will be on the country’s sovereignty. He said too that Harper who was a long standing diplomat will also assist the Ministry with documentation.

“Mrs. Harper has been retained by the Ministry latterly to work with us in a couple of areas; she has rather unique skills and as Director General and member of the staff of the Ministry for many years, she had worked very closely on the matters pertaining to sovereignty and the documentation,” said Minister Greenidge.

He described Harper’s skills as “unique”, noting that recruiting her will assist his Ministry significantly in the areas of sovereignty and documentation. “… because of the delicacy of that area (sovereignty) we have been utilising the skills of Mrs. Harper to assist us in that area and that Elisabeth Harper is ongoing and it will continue.”

The minister explained that in the area of documentation, there is a problem of identification and Harper’s expertise will assist greatly in identifying the material lodged at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“In this Ministry I am able to point to you in many rooms which have many documents and few people can tell you what the documents are. That is one side and we try to utilise the knowledge of those who have worked here in the past,” Greenidge added.

Additionally, he disclosed that with the high turnover of staff and issues of storage and maintenance of documents, staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been challenged to carry out policies as effectively as they should.

Meanwhile, Harper served for decades at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but stepped down as Director General in the lead up to the May 2015 General and Regional elections. That year, Harper accepted the Prime Ministerial candidacy under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and ran alongside former President Donald Ramotar.

The PPP/C was in power at the time but lost the elections to the APNU+AFC coalition led by now President David Granger. Following the May 2016 General and Regional Elections, Harper was offered a place in the National Assembly by the PPP/C, an offer she refused.

However, she had indicated subsequent to the campaign season that she was not opposed to working with the APNU-AFC administration in the areas of foreign affairs and diplomacy.

Harper has worked in Government service for approximately 40 years.

Global Shapers, shoppers in blood drive

IN keeping with the Christmas spirit of giving, the Global Shapers Community (Georgetown Hub), in collaboration with the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), hosted a blood drive to increase the reserves at the blood bank.

The initiative themed

“Give the Gift of Life” held at Giftland Mall on Sunday, December 18, also sought to raise awareness of just how much donating a single unit of blood can help those in need.

During the five hour activity, more than 20 units of blood were donated by

Global Shapers and shoppers.

The Georgetown Hub has expressed gratitude to Giftland Mall, Noodle Cake Creations, Vegetarian Gardens and Alladin Meals on Wheels for their support of this worthy cause.

The Global Shapers team at the recent blood drive at Giftland’s Mall

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 30, 2016

Portion of BCL concession for small miners

By Alva Solomon SMALL loggers will soon be able to access a portion of one of Barama Company Limited (BCL) 1.6 million hectares of land, as Government works towards attracting foreign investors to invest in lands which the company will leave behind.

In October, the logging company, which is a subsidiary of Malaysia’s Samling Global Limited, announced the closure of its 25-year-old forest operations here, leaving dozens of persons on the breadline.

At the moment, the Ministry of Natural Resources through the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) is engaging the company as it winds up its forest operations at Buck Hall on the Essequibo River, while the Ministry of Social Protection is discussing labour issues relevant to the company’s affected employees.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, told members of the media in the boardroom of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) on Thursday that one of the concessions which BCL has given up will be divided into four parts and utilised for varied purposes.

He explained that one of the four sections will be dedicated to small loggers; a second section will be opened up for conservation, while the last two sections will be

opened to interested investors.

“The last two will be open to multi-national companies interested in operating larger concessions in an environmentally sustainable manner,” Trotman said.

Regarding the latter, he said that the GFC has been advertising locally via the media and regionally and international via major forestry magazines and websites with the aim of inviting the interests of highly competent parties to submit expressions for state forestry permits (SFPs).

Earlier, Trotman said that in 2016, there have been several changes in the forestry sector, some of which were beyond the control of the authorities and he listed the closure of BCL’s Buck Hall operations as one of the lows of the year.

He said that the authorities have held discussions with another Malaysian-owned logging company, Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL) and that company has since informed the Government that it will continue to operate here.

Barama Company, which started its operations in Guyana in 1991 in the North West District, has had a chequered history, mainly during the latter half of its operations in the Essequibo. The company was made to pay millions of dollars in fines which were instituted by the GFC over contravention of the forestry

$1000 hike in security fee at CJIA

WITH effect from January 1, 2017, the security fee per departing passenger via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport will be increased from $1,500 to $2,500, the airport announced on Thursday.

This fee, the airport said, is separate from the proposed Departure Tax of $3,500 (being administered by the Guyana Revenue Authority) effective January 1, 2017. All departing passengers are required to pay the Departure Security Fee. In his budget speech, Finance Minister Winston Jordan had announced that the departure tax payable by persons leaving Guyana has remained unchanged for years and is amongst the lowest in the world. As a result, he said government is proposing to increase the travel tax from $2,500 to $3,500. He said too that government measures will be implemented to enable airlines to collect and remit the tax to the Revenue Authority, thereby making for one less departure line at our airports, and reducing the cost and administrative burden on the GRA, while ensuring consistency with international practices in the travel industry.

regulations.

Barama will continue to operate its sawmilling operations, Trotman said on Thursday.

Meanwhile, regarding other sections of the extractive sector, Trotman noted that 2016 has been a record-breaking year for the gold-mining industry, and that a total of 690,000 ounces were recorded from production.

On the down side, he said that the official report of several mining deaths this year has dampened “elation” of the record- breaking year. ”2017 must be a more successful, and safe year,” Trotman said.

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12

Sand Creek miner charged with murder

A 43-YEAR-OLD Sand Creek miner from South Rupununi was remanded to prison on Thursday for the brutal murder of a man during a fight at a bar.

Fidel Spencer appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that between December 23 and December 24 at Iguana Creek, Cuyuni, Region Seven he murdered ‘Dougla.’

The Chief Magistrate remanded Spencer until January 13, 2017 and transferred the matter to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

According to reports, the man whose formal name is not yet known succumbed to the injuries inflicted and was pronounced dead at the Bartica Public Hospital.

Reports indicate that the man was in the company of others drinking when a fight broke out during an argument.

The body of ‘Dougla’ who is said to be from Pomeroon-Supenaam (Region Two) is at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home and Crematorium waiting to be identified.

Anyone with information that may lead to his identification is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 455-2238, 455-2241, 225-6411, 2271152, 227-2272, 227-1270, 911 or the nearest Police Station.

Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying this man

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 30, 2016

Two charged with forging Bank of Guyana cheque A 23-YEAR-OLD Computer Technician was released on $300,000 bail by City Magistrate Leron Daly on Thursday after he was charged with forging a Bank of Guyana cheque.

Christopher Gangaram of Houston, East Bank Demerara denied that on September 28, 2016 at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he obtained the sum of GY$1.2M from Republic Bank Limited by a forged Bank of Guyana Cheque purporting to be signed by Naipaul Ramotar.

According to Gangaram’s lawyer, Darren Wade, another person was recently charged with the same offense and the matter is before City Magistrate Faith McGusty.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Kevin London made no objection to substantial bail but requested that the accused report to the police weekly.

Gangaram was granted $300,000 bail and is to report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters twice weekly. The matter was adjourned until January 11, 2017.

Meanwhile, a 24-year-old Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara man was also charged and released on $300,000 bail for bank cheque forgery he committed against Naipaul Ramotar.

Kevin Singh denied that on September 21, 2016 at Georgetown with intent to defraud, he obtained the sum of GY$800,000 from Republic Bank Limited by a forged Bank of Guyana Cheque purporting to be signed by Naipaul Ramotar.

He is also expected to report to the CID Headquarters weekly.

The matter is adjourned until January 11, 2017.

Albouystown brothers charged with attempted murder TWO brothers of Albouystown, Georgetown were released on $175,000 bail on Thursday by City Magistrate Fabayo Azore, for the offence of attempted murder.

Mohammed Nazir, 25 and Mohammed Ameer, 26 both resident of James Street, Albouystown were not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleged that on December 25, 2016 at Station Street, Kitty, they unlawfully and maliciously wounded Terrence Ally with intent to murder him.

The court heard that on the day in question at about 21:00h, the brothers and Ally were involved in a heated argument at the corner of Station Street, when Nazir left and got into his car. However he later returned with a cutlass and dealt Ally a chop to the elbow and to the back of his head.

The dispute reportedly stemmed from Ally looking “strongly” at Nazir. Police prosecutor Simone Payne made no objection to bail but requested that they report to the authorities on a daily basis.

However their lawyer, Daren Wade said the incident was an “unfortunate situation” since his clients were not the aggressors in the crime but acted in self-defense. Wade explained to the court that the victim was about to rob his clients and that the weapon belongs to Ally.

Magistrate Azore granted the siblings $175,000 bail each with the condition that they report to the Ruimveldt police station weekly. The matter was adjourned until January 20, 2017.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 30, 2016

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Decomposed body of man found in NA home

S I X T Y- F I V E - Y E A R OLD Robert Alfred Hercules, called “Sa Joe,” of Lot 41 Pearl Stewart Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam and formerly of Seafield, West Coast Berbice, was discovered dead at his home just after 11:30hrs on Thursday.

The discovery was made by his only son Stephen Anthony Hercules, who after not seeing his father over the Christmas holidays decided to check on him, after telephone calls went unanswered. On arriving at the cottage, he had to break the door to gain access and later discovered the decomposed body of his father, lying on his bed, clad with a white vest and underpants.

Hercules was a painter by profession.

The police were summoned and on inspecting

the remains, concluded that there were no marks of violence. In the meantime, niece of the deceased, Carlene Hercules Ricketts, said she spoke to her uncle on Christmas day, as it was her birthday and he had called to wish her well and also promised to visit his relatives on the West Coast of Berbice on New Year’s Day. Subsequently, undertakers from the Arokium Funeral Parlour advised that the remains were in an advanced stage of decomposition and as such had to be buried immediately. Thereafter, the body was interred at the Stanleytown cemetery.

Meanwhile, relatives said, Hercules’ older brother Owen, called “Sailor Mauby,” had also died similarly at the very home.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 30, 2016

House must be in order

LOCAL airline operators will have to step up their game and maintain some kind of consistency if they do not wish to come under the review of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for poor performance.

GCAA Director General, Captain Egbert Fields told the Guyana Chronicle that operators failing to fulfil their obligations to the flying Guyanese public could be asked to provide documentation in support of their operation.

Fields’ statement came in response to concerns pertaining to equal review of all airline operators.

The aviation authority during the Christmas season had requested from United States-based carrier Dynamic Airways a report on flight delays and cancellations that had disrupted the travel plans of more than 600 passengers

flying between the US and Guyana.

While Dynamic’s has since provided a report on the issues it faced during the season, Fields noted that the designated officer will commence review of the operation today.

The findings of the report will determine whether there is a greater need to examine the full operations of the carrier.

Dynamic’s local representative, Captain Gerry Gouveia had expressed that while the airline was 100 per cent ready to cooperate with the GCAA, it would like to see other airlines being reviewed since they too would face operational problems.

Gouveia had claimed that the attention drawn to Dynamic’s travel woes was due to the sensational media reports of “two” flight cancellations”.

He said since other

––Fields tells airline operators

GCAA Director General Captain Egbert Fields airlines would face cancellations and other flight problems, “I will expect an even-hand and a levelled play field, so I would like equal reviews to be done of other carriers.”

Captain Fields stated that while abrupt reviews would not be the case, the

one of Dynamic’s cancellation was cause for concern, “much of which was expressed by John public”.

Fields had said that, “this operation caused major disruptions of passengers’ travel plans during the season. It impacted on the movement of traffic… and caused some concern for the authority.”

He noted however that should other airlines cause such disruptions with travel, then they too could be subjected to provide necessary information requested by the GCAA. No one will be singled out in this regard, Fields pointed out.

He continued by stating that the GCAA will look at any other (airline) should they pose major or significant travel inconve-

nience of the magnitude which Dynamic experienced.

Scores of passengers were left stranded at the John F Kennedy International Airport following Dynamic’s delay.

They had complained about having little to eat and having to sleep at the airport, while others claimed that they had to be traveling back and forth from the airport to ascertain whether the flight would be leaving for Guyana.

While cancellations and delays are not unique to Dynamic Airways, the airline has had its significant share of bad days, even its inaugural flight to Guyana was marred by delays.

While travel on the

Guyana/NY route has been lucrative, service between the destinations has been fairly unreliable with many start-up, charter companies and some airlines leaving Guyanese stranded, taking them halfway of the journey, charging exorbitant airfares and implementing stiff policies to the inconvenience of passengers.

The idea of a national carrier has been in the pipeline for a long time with many saying a Guyana-based airline would significantly ease travel woes.

The GCAA, under its new leadership, has committed to improving and regularising a smooth flow within the local aviation industry.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 30, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday , December 30, 2016

Watch out, 2017!

-‘Pulse’ to come bigger, better!

By Jasmaine Payne BY consensus, it seems that 2016 has not been kind to most, and local entertainment company, Pulse Entertainment is no exception.

In fact, Pulse CEO, Robbie Singh says that elements such as the curfew and other factors have made 2016 the hardest year ever for business, but despite these adversities, and like a true entertainer, he is determined to make Pulse bigger and better in the year ahead.

In an interview with The Buzz, Robbie said that among the factors that affected their performance was the fact that they did not participate in Mashramani this year, which was held in May instead of February to accommodate the country’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.

And unlike previous years, the company did not host any stage shows. “I really look forward to starting the year off right by launching our Mash band for 2017; and we will continue to do our signature parties and give the public the best of what we do,” he said.

THE CURFEW Reflecting on the past year, he said that while signature parties like Cupid’s Chokehold and the Thriller Halloween Party continue to be big attractions, the 2 O’Clock curfew has significantly affected nightlife. “The curfew is affecting us… To look different and be different, it costs money, and people don’t see the justification of spending that kind of money just to come out for an hour or two,” Robbie said.

“We know the recipe, and we know what people want in terms of entertainment, but we don’t get that response we use to get,” he added.

Added to the fact that there is sometimes no shortage of parties at other locations on the weekends, such things further affect

attendance, Robbie said.

To tackle these difficulties, Pulse Entertainment will seek to revamp its operations in 2017. “We have to change the concept next year; Guyanese should look out for more outdoor events with more food, more drinks, and more entertainment at a more affordable cost,” he said.

Many of these events will, of course, start earlier to accommodate the curfew, he said, and will also come in the form of more fetes, which will be held every two months.

“We will try to make it better for the new year; and once we get the cooperation from our sponsors, the government and the patrons, we can have a great 2017,” he said.

Such cooperation from the government includes lifting the curfew for bigger events. For this Christmas season, the curfew has been lifted for specific events, a move Robbie said is highly appreciated in the entertainment world.

NEW MARKETS Meanwhile, Pulse will also seek to expand in other markets to offset the difficulties being encountered. These include infiltrating other markets in the entertainment business. Guyanese living in Miami and New York will, therefore, finally get to attend a Pulse party as the company will seek to host parties in those parts of the US in the new year.

The events will feature live entertainment from Guyanese artistes and DJs who will also be given increased exposure in these bigger markets.

The company has recently tapped into the Online Shopping arena, a venture which has thus far been very fruitful.

“We are very happy that we entered into this market; and now we intend to change the way people shop Online in Guyana,” Robbie said. vHe hinted, too, that the company will soon be bringing a new

Teen charged for girl’s death THE 16-year-old boy who caused the death of Nina Blair, nine, after he drove a vehicle into the wall of Alpha Children’s Home, Gay Park, New Amsterdam on Christmas Eve,

causing it to crumble on the child was on Thursday charged for manslaughter.

The minor was also placed on $350,000 bail and was instructed to return

to court on February 17, 2017, by Magistrate Mauricia Mittelholzer.

The incident happened about 14:00hrs when Blair was playing in the yard at the Alpha Children’s Home

in Gay Park, Greater New Amsterdam, Berbice.

The 16-year-old, also an orphan who lives at the Home, reportedly sneaked into a car belonging to the institution, started it up, and pressed the accelerator, causing the vehicle to slam

Pulse Entertainment’s CEO, Robbie Singh

franchise to Guyana that is sure to gain immediate approval by Guyanese.

“We hope that everyone still had a great 2016. Guyanese can definitely look forward for more to come from Pulse Entertainment,” Robbie said.

And as the year winds down, Pulse will still go out of its way to throw two large events to take advantage of the lifted curfew.

Tonight, you can party all night at Jouvert at Palm Court, and tomorrow, ring in the New Year at Moulin Rouge at 704. into a stump wall which fell on Blair.

The founder, Ms Esther Bruyning, with the help of other children from the orphanage, pulled Blair from the rubble and rushed her to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

But because of the severity of her injuries, which were mostly confined to her head, the child was later trans ferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she died on Christmas morning.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday , December 30, 2016

On tonight...

Uncensored 8 @ at Giftland Mall

IT’S going to be one night only, and it promises to be bigger and better, and way funnier than ever, when 15 of Guyana’s top stand-up comedians take to the stage tonight at the Giftland Mall parking lot for Uncensored 8.

Starting promptly at 20:00hrs, the night’s roster of comedians includes veteran jokesters like the show’s creator, Lyndon “Jumbie” Jones, and others the likes of Michael Ignatius, Leza “Radika” Singh, Kirwyn Mars, Mark Luke Edwards, Mark Kazim, Kirk “Chow Pow” Jardine, Odessa Primus, Kirt “Chubby” Williams, Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson, Jermaine Grimmond and Malcolm Ferreira.

This year’s edition will see well known poet Randolph Critchlow debuting in the show’s line-up, his first at trying his hand at stand-up comedy.

Apart from looking to ensure they please the crowd, the comedians will also be competing among themselves for over $1M in cash and prizes.

Leza “Radika” Singh

The show promises to continue in its stride of delivering unbridled comedy, in it’s raw, uncut version. And, as always, the public is advised: Adults ONLY! The show’s producer, Maria Benshchop, has promised that the show will continue bringing original comedy.

“This is the only show of this kind in Guyana; there is nowhere else that you can go to see a stage like Uncensored.

It’s comedy in its purest form; there is no holding back. All the pertinent issues, all the hot topics, the comedians get to express themselves how they feel comfortable doing so. Of course it’s an adults only show,” Maria said as The Buzz caught up with her yesterday.

The only change that patrons will notice is the change of location, which, Maria said, was also part of making the show bigger and better for its fans.

“The more informal atmosphere of the Giftland Mall parking lot is more in keeping with the nature of the show,” she said.

“The venue is bigger; in the past, we used to have to do two nights in order to hold all of the people that are coming out to the show, but in this instance, the venue is bigger. So, in one night, we will be able to accommodate them.”

Talking about just how original and unbarred the jokes are, Chow Pow said patrons can come expecting a lot.

“I am a no-holds-barred kind of comedian. So we going to have some fun,” the veteran comedian warned.

He said he will be going the extra mile to ensure his work is as original as possible, and a lot of on-the-spot work is going to go into his performance. He’ll also be keeping an eye on the others as they perform, to ensure that none of his jokes appear as ‘copy-and-paste work’.

“It’s more about the competition among the others,” he said, “so I cannot spread out my material too much.

“I don’t want to do a topic that one of the contestants have chosen, so I will have to listen to them all, then put something together on spot.

“What I do know, though, is that whatever topic I decide on will be roughly explored, and will leave nothing to the imagination. This night will test our freedom of speech.”

Making a name, and making waves

You could tell these were a couple of youngsters who are passionate about, and loved, what they do. Their love for dancing is what inspired their group name.

“We basically wanted to find a name that speaks about the way we feel when we dance, and the word, ‘euphoria’, is a key word for that,” said Jemal.

Crowning Moment! Carlus, Jemal and Seon during their final performance on The Spotlight

By Tamica Garnett WHAT started out as three young men following a passion to pursue a career of dancing has led to fame and fortune for the Euphoria Dance Crew.

The lads have now made quite a name for themselves after they walked away as the $2.5M grand-prize winners of the E-Networks/RED Entertainment talent show, “The Spotlight”.

Over the past 12 weeks, hip hop dancers Jemal Ellis, Seon Douglas and Carlus Persaud got a chance to show off their skills to local and overseas Guyanese, and just about anyone from anywhere, who had tuned in to ‘The Spotlight’ on Cable TV or caught up on the Facebook video.

It was not much of a surprise when they won, from their moves and music choice to their apt outfits, the boys captivated.

NEW-FOUND FAME Since winning, the boys have been taking their newfound fame all in stride.

They’re being booked for more shows, while they’re also looking at plans to expand their numbers next year.

“We started putting together many different choreographies, and we kept getting popular after each performance. School fairs, churches, and mostly Clas-

sique shows,” Jemal said.

Their popularity saw them being booked for the annually anticipated Courts Christmas Tree Light Up and Road Show, as well as at the Houston Christmas Tree Light Up on the East Bank of Demerara.

They also strutted their stuff at the Miss Universe Pageant back in September, and at CARIFESTA in Haiti. This weekend, they were scheduled to be out doing a Christmas show at the Courtyard Mall.

BEHIND THE SCENES Though “The Spotlight” would be the first time that they would become so widely recognised, behind the scenes, Euphoria has been an active dance group since around 2013.

“At that time, we were the only hip hop dance group there was. And we kept getting popular after each performance, be-

Jermaine Grimmond

The Buzz also caught up with Grimmond, who, like Chow Pow, shared what patrons can expect from him when he hits the stage tonight.

He said: “They should expect nothing but creativity, and an intense and hype performance. I’ll be going all out and bringing my A Game, so they should come prepared for something new and hilarious. I’ve never failed to please my fans. Jermaine grimmond is ready.”

Beginning in 2009, Uncensored is the brainchild of comedian Jones, who at the time of performing at school shows, and bars was always unsettled with how much he had to “hold back” and be careful about his content. So without a stage to fully express himself, he decided to create one, and Uncensored was born.

Comedians who perform are expected to go out there with their material and deliver to the fans. Judges for the competition include “A’ Divisional Commander Clifton Hickens, Al Creigton, Sharon Cadogan-Taylor, and Russell Lancaster.

The comedians will be judged based on creativity, crowd response, timing and delivery, clarity, content, and overall presentation. See you there!

-dancing their way to fame

cause it was something new that persons had never seen before; they were always accustomed to mostly soca, and modern and contemporary dance styles,” Jemal explained as he spoke of the group’s genesis.

Jemal is the stylish one of the group, Seon is the adventurous one, and Carlus, a Bishop’s High sixth-former who playfully admits that he’s the nerd of the group. At 18, he’s also the baby of the group.

At 25, Jemal is the eldest; he’s also the architect that got the whole group together, and, of course, fills the role as their stylist.

Some might remember Jemal from when he was one among the six finalists of the widely acclaimed GTT Feel the Beat dance competition back in 2012.

As a matter of fact, it was the GTT Feel the Beat that got the whole thing started. As a finalist on Feel the Beat Season One, Jemal was recalled by the producers when they were organising a second season, Feel the Beat Cycle 2. Only this time, the competition would involve dance groups instead of individual dancers.

So, Jemal went about rounding up his boys. He already knew Seon from working on projects together before, so that was an easy pick. With Carlus, though, they were just a little more skeptical.

Carlus was a buddy of Seon’s; the two knew each other through a Capoeira club to which they both belonged. Carlus had always admired 22-year-old Seon’s dance moves, and badly wanted to be in the group, but didn’t have much dance experience. However, persistence was the key, and, eventually, he proved his worth.

“They were unsure of me ‘cause I wasn’t that good, so I knew I had to work my butt off to catch up with these guys,” Carlus said, adding: “I practised small stuff every single day and night; I was really excited, watching Youtube videos and stuff.”

Feel the Beat Cycle 2 was eventually cancelled, but the boys decided to stick together. And as the saying goes, the rest is history.

They started performing at several gigs, including a few organised by the dance company, Classique, and continued to grow in popularity.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday , December 30, 2016

Can there be honesty -in the political culture enveloping us

WHEN a politician says, “Yes, I know that the government is doing some things right, but we’re in the opposition, so we’re supposed to oppose it,” where does this leave the ordinary citizen who has no private library, buys a newspaper on and off, but is expected to vote sensibly every five years?

Analyzing every significant interest in the human spectrum of social existence requires background knowledge for comparison, yet he is purposely being feed premeditative lies and at times explosive fictions that are riotous in content yet politicians get away with it. One would think that after Mein Kampf, which led to the vilest definitions of ethnic groups and was followed by their physical extermination, that there would be checks and balances, and the possibility for legal action if statements made cannot be represented on the grounds of historical and anthropological precedents.

Both Trump and Hitler used bigotry in their principal political tirades; Trump used Islamic extremism among other important popular peeves like jobs. Hitler, on the other hand, used Jewish finance in support of England in the Great War (WWI), and the Jewish presence at the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler pronounced the Aryan master race; Trump, the superiority

of America. Both strived on popular grounded sentiments, and embellished them with emotional extremist rhetoric that was not necessarily the whole truth.

BRUSHED ASIDE Locally, Bharrat Jagdeo’s irrational racist statements, which he faced the court for, courtesy of Christopher Ram, were brushed under the legal carpet after the precedents of 1961- 4.

What a legal system! When a youth from Plaisance gave Jagdeo the middle finger, he had him arrested.

In Guyana, the opposition is not blessed with the talent of a Joseph Goebbels; their trump card is a consistent method of casting out easily displaced fictions enveloped by loud familiar logic, to feed to the captive audience of ignorance.

And ignorance, here, should not be mistaken as illiteracy; ignorance can be embodied in a false sense of entitlement that is quite certified. Their method will work, however, with a small percentage, if it is not countered and eliminated by accurate truths.

But there is a bigger vacuum of awareness that should rest in the active consciousness of our young and not so young.

We’re coming to the close of 2016, our Jubilee Timeline, but we have not yet dwelt on the landscape of what went before Independence: What kind of world was Guyana [British Guiana] enveloped in between 1939 to 1966? How was the humanity of Georgetown and the rural villages and estates constituted?

How did we earn and entertain ourselves, and what were our contentions? What was going on in places like the U.S.A, India and Africa and Europe?

RETROGRESSION Test it! Ask any student between 18 to 35 about that mentioned period, and hear what they have to say. The nation has just passed through a volatile political period of retrogression, in every sphere, moreso amongst those of its inhabitants that were five to ten years old in 1992, and worse, those from 1998.

Check the average age of the majority of law-breakers that evolved in a politically criminalised country, then ask: How else can they be made whole again? They must first witness the legal consequences heaped upon the political and criminal transgressors of that recent just past period; the chronic devouring concept of the ‘Big Man’ (as in the criminally untouchable) must be eradicated.

And only then will the majority of the focused generation begin to listen; then will they be prepared for the guidance of a new path that their fathers before them honoured. Then will the hard path of industry resonate, and minds be opened for guidance.

But the political atmosphere must first be cleansed; nothing, no planted stone must be left unturned. Thus politicians must elaborate: Every statement supported by clarity; every accusation and defence purged of ambiguity.

This country’s economics is at a fragile stage; it has been that way for more than 15 years. Across the planet, fiscal debate in the face of recessions abound. Get our capable youth to discuss these matters before their peers. Where on social media can economics, new cottage industries that can be activated in the short-term be discussed?

That thinking out of the box will have to be done by the Coalition Government; nothing positive came out of the now opposition for the past 20 years. It will not begin now.

POLITICS OF POWER The young APNU-AFC Parliamentarian, Jermaine Figueira lamented in June that “the PPP opposes everything, but proposes nothing.” That is evident, and a conclusion of a lack of foresight existing in that group, where the politics of power and not of development is the all-intoxicating brew. This must be made to change, with a cultural shift of analysing propaganda and exposing publicly unknown history. Some people have to be forced to operate in the context of their true selves, and not to escape behind the loud and bumptious corner gaffe for the proletariat.

Who would have believed that Bharrat Jagdeo never designed a Budget? Well, the Finance Minister, in declaring that fact, wasn’t loud enough.

And, speaking of the Budget, I’ve got my peeves and questions, and will pursue answers and address them in the media, including this column.

The new year, 2017, is already upon us and so far, all the government has done is transparent before us, both good and questionable; but more must be done for education in general , and for new and reawakened areas of employment. Technology has devastated thousands of jobs across the planet, and here at home, that must be addressed, alongside the political disinformation corner gaffe. Adjustments must be forced to distinguish between the past 50 years and the timeline threshold of 2017.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday , December 30, 2016

THIS weekend is what some people have been waiting for all month, those grand Old Year’s Night parties!

While not much seems to be happening tonight and Sunday night, almost everywhere is going to have something going down tomorrow night, as we ring out the Old Year and ring in the New Year!

So, here’s what will be buzzing this weekend:

TONIGHT It’s Curry Friday at Palm Court, and you can enjoy a buffet-styled lunch for $3,500 per person.

UNCENSORED 8 is on at the Giftland Mall parking area, and it’s going to be ‘bare skin- teeth’ as you enjoy the performances of some of Guyana’s best comedians.

Tickets are $2000 regular, and $4000 VIP. WARNING: ADULTS ONLY!

TOMORROW It’s going to be all about the sexy and seductive atmosphere at Pulse Entertainment’s Moulin Rouge at 704 Sky Lounge.

Don’t forget to pick up your free sparkles and goodies on entry. Regular tickets are $5000, and VIPs are $15,000.

ARE YOU LICENSED TO PARTY? Then “Dress to kill” and head on down to Palm Court’s Kokomo Room for a New Year’s Eve exclusive black-tie event, “A Bond Evening”.

Party into the new year as you enjoy live performances by none other than Jamaican dancehall sensation, Baby Cham and Guyana’s own Poonam Singh.

Regular tickes are $5000, and VIPs $25,000.

SILENT NIGHT! Looking for an Old Year’s Night Party that lets YOU decide the vibes you WANT as you dance the night away into the New Year’s?

Well, Gravity is looking to cater to your party needs with another Silent Headphones Party to remember!

Providing the vibes will be Shizzle, Diamond, Blaxbee, DJ Titan VCD, DJ Country Boi among other mix masters!

At the bar, get SIX Heineken beers for $2800, and other drink specials all night! Take in the experience for $4000!

If you want to see stars… Literally! Ring in the New Year in style at the Pegasus Poolside.

Come and enjoy our sumptious buffet, and dance the night away to the sounds of Caribbean Hotshots.

Pegasus is the place to be this Old Year’s Night!

The ball will drop at the Tower Poolside this Old Year’s Night with performances by the legendary “Glen Washington”, Reggae Superstar “DaVille”, O. C. Dredd (straight outta New York), DJ Energy, Gully Rass, Selector Diamond, Selector Face and Seen Up. General admission is $5000. VIP is $20,000 and VIP Plus $30,000.

The IICE Bar and Lounge at 174 Charlotte Street (between Cummings Street and Orange Walk) will come alive tonight with its New Year’s Eve Party from 20:00hrs.

Tickets cost $5000 per person, while tickets for couples cost $9000, and include free finger food and wine.

Come and be entertained by Mix Master Toney and Selector Toney.

After this New Year’s Eve party, visit the Bar and Lounge every Monday for Karaoke Mondays, and every Friday for Friday’s Happy Hour Specials on drinks.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 30, 2016

Agar’s last-ball six seals thriller for Scorchers for Scorchers PERTH Scorchers have played Melbourne Renegades six times, and won the lot. Last year, in this very fixture, they recorded the BBL’s first-ever 10-wicket win. This time, they won, but it was not that simple.

rightly or wrongly - has never played international cricket.

Klinger, the BBL’s most prolific batsmen ever, has been the Man-of-the-Match (with 105 then 91, both unbeaten) in the Scorchers’ last three wins over the Renegades and, with rain fall-

easy. He found the boundary with ease, not least when he launched Brad Hogg over long-off for a six that took him to 50 and nonchalantly flicked Nathan Rimmington over fine leg with the same result. Everyone in the stadium was surprised when his leading edge floated back to Sunil Narine with victory in sight. The Renegades had finally dismissed Klinger after 173 balls.

game-ending - and perhaps worse hamstring injury fielding in the 11th over of the Scorchers’ chase. At that stage they were one down and needed 81 off 57.

Bravo had bowled just one over; the loss of his three overs meant the misfiring Nathan Rimmington had to be bowled out (at a cost of 45) and Finch had to bowl two. Briefly, remarkably, it looked like they might have got away with it.

TURNER’S TURN Off-spinner Ashton Turner’s name is as fine a case of nominative determinism as cricket can currently offer.

Anyway, spin has historically played a big role at Docklands Stadium, and his excellent performance set the path for the rest of the game. Turner’s first over only fuelled the Renegades’ excellent start, as Marcus Harris thumped him for two fours.

Adam Voges persisted with Turner, and that paid dividends when Harris topedged a sweep to deep midwicket. After Cameron White Dwayne Bravo was stretchered off the field after injuring his hamstring near the boundary. and Callum Ferguson put (Cricket Australia/Getty Images) on 50, back came Turner to begin the stall; his four It required a swatted six ing outside and the roof on, overs cost just 25, and he from Ashton Agar with the had White caught at deep game’s final ball, a full toss midwicket. bowled by Aaron Finch (yes, you read that right). ScorchA TALE OF TWO ers required nine from the BROTHERS final over, and Finch disA fine night for Mitchell, missed the set man Mitchell but not so much for Shaun, Marsh, caught at long-on off as both look to hustle their another full toss, and Adam way back into the Australian Voges, run-out by a direct hit squad for the final Test of trying to pinch a single. the summer, which will be Agar, who had faced just named today. two balls, required three off Shaun has fond memothe last, and smote high and handsome over cow corner Ashton Agar celebrates with Sam Whiteman after ries of this ground, having put on 171 with Klinger last for six. It was a remarkable smashing a six off the last ball. year to seal that 10-wicket conclusion. win. The pair extended their One of the great joys of played the game’s defining WHY ON EARTH WAS unbeaten run to 207, but the BBL is that it has made hand here.

FINCH BOWLING THE Shaun struggled yesterday. household names of the likes His 72 was a triumph of FINAL OVER? His tortuous seven took 14 of Michael Klinger, who - functionality and calmness The Renegades’ best laid balls, with just three of them as he set Scorchers up to cruise home with overs to plans went to waste when resulting in runs. There was spare; alas, it was not that Dwayne Bravo suffered a one lovely slash through point for four and drive through mid-off for two; the rest was a tale of ugly timing.

Mitchell had a much better night. The all-rounder South Africa Racing Tips kicked things off with a Fairview 08:20 hrs Juan Two Three fine spell of bowling, ham08:55 hrs Varlotone mering away at a length for Taunton 09:30 hrs Valmode four overs, and picking up a 09:00 hrs Beau Du Brizais 10:05 hrs Red Hot Lady wicket - Ferguson, the man 09:30 hrs Yur Next 10:45 hrs Roman Garrison 10:00 hrs Dashing Oscar who very briefly replaced English Racing Tips 10:30 hrs Altesse De Guye him in the Test side - with Haydock 11:00 hrs Dusky Legend his final ball.

08:40 hrs Horseguardparade 11:30 hrs Boa Island He took two fine catches 09:40 hrs Mount Mews 12:00 hrs Lets Go Dutchess 10:10 hrs Templehills - on the fence at third man 10:40 hrs Spookydooky to see off Tom Cooper, and American Racing Tips 11:10 hrs Listen To The Man at deep square leg where Aqueduct 11:40 hrs Druid’s Folly he was picked out by PeRace 1 Luna Rising Race 2 Hard Study Newcastle ter Nevill - to boot. Mitch08:50 hrs Killermont Street Race 3 Bonita Bianca ell’s brutal knock took the 09:20 hrs Captain Dion Race 4 Sicilia Mike Scorchers to within seven 09:50 hrs Masterpaver Race 5 Tuscan Getaway runs of a win, before he 10:20 hrs John Milton Race 6 Saratoga Giro 10:50 hrs Galilee Chapel dragged himself from the Race 7 Danebury 11:20 hrs Celtic Artisan field having holed out.

Race 8 Stormin Monarcho 11:50 hrs Crystallographer Fortunately for him, Race 9 Cheering for Al 12:20 hrs Dancin Alpha Agar saved his blushes.

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 30, 2016

Romascindo, Garnett are Best Boy, Best Girl in red ball tennis competition ST GABRIEL’s Primary’s Ricky Romascindo and Success Elementary’s Ngina Garnett ended with Best Boy and Best Girl titles, respectively, when action in

the GLTA Mini Tennis Red Ball Competition concluded recently at the Transport and Harbours Sports Club.

In other prizes, the Buxton Youth Developers (BYD)

snagged the award of ‘Best School’ due to their enthusiastic participation. The players were elated since in their first competitive participation in mini-tennis, a player was

able to make it to the final.

Romascindo withstood 10 rounds of competition to prevail over the 22 others and snap up the title. With less competition on the girls’ side, Garnett had an easier time overthrowing her adversaries, playing unbeaten in all three of her matches.

Just four girls vied on the distaff end. Apart from Garnett there were New Guyana School’s Maliyah Rambarran, Akeela August of Buxton Youth Developers and Ciara Bathija. Rambarran won two of her matches, and August won one, Bathija failed to get in a win.

Following behind Romascindo were Maxim Leacock of St Paul’s Primary, Kemo Prince of Buxton Youth Developers and Wade Beckles of Marian Academy. Being tied at 2-1 for the match winloss ratio, the games win-loss ratio was applied where Romascindo edged out Leacock to cop the top spot with a ratio of 17-10 to Leacock’s 17-12, Prince’s ratio was 1313, and Beckles was 4-17.

The competition which was conducted by National Junior Coordinator Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan, who pointed out that this year’s numbers were “a far cry from competitions in recent years which attracted substantially

Winners’ row, from left: Ricky Romascindo, Maxim Leacock, Maliyah Rambarran, Ngina Garnett. more girls than boys”.

The Red Ball competition was the first tennis event held at the Transport and Harbours Sports Club, since the GLTA Executive engaged its Manager, Charles Greaves, about starting a tennis programme there.

Greaves, a sports enthusiast, welcomed the initiative to start grassroots tennis programmes until the organisation can upgrade its court to the standard size for full court tennis.

At the closing ceremony, Junior Mini Tennis’ Grace McCalman expressed thanks to Daly-Ramdyhan for the “well-executed competition”.

She also commended the parents for being passionate about getting their children

involved in the starter tennis initiative, despite the prevailing inclement weather.

McCalman took the opportunity to mention GTA’s plans to continue development on grassroots programme, but noted that much support is needed to make this venture a reality.

BYD Sports Director, Robin Phillips was lauded for the great length he went to, to have the BYD take part in the developmental competition. Phillips in response expressed his interest in developing tennis at the Vigilance Community Centre for the young BYD team.

GLTA president Jamal Goodluck also made remarks thanking all involved.

McKenzie, McKoy and Williams take wins as AAG 2017 calendar off to early start LINDEN’S Matthew McKenzie and Georgetown’s Claudrice McKoy copped wins in the senior category of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Cross Country event, while Region One’s Ricky Williams also picked up the boys’ under 20 victory when the event ran off last Tuesday afternoon at the National Park.

Marking an early start of the AAG’s 2017 calendar of event, the meet featured races in three distances, each with a male and female category.

There was the 7.8km for the seniors, 5.2km for the under 20, and a 2.6km junior run.

Clocking 26 minutes 20 seconds, McKenzie clinched the men’s win just ahead of Jonathan Fagundes who was across the finishing line by 26 minutes and 42 seconds.

Anfernee Headecker managed a third place on a timings of 27 minutes, 48 seconds.

Claudrice McKoy

For the women’s win McKoy had a time of 31 minutes, 57 seconds almost a minute ahead of Assata Eastman.

Eastman’s run took her 32 minutes and 45 seconds.

Williams, who continues to be remembered for his performances at the annual National Schools’ Championships, travelled all the way from Region one to put on another good performance as he took the boys’ under 20 race in 14 minutes and 35 seconds.

He was a minute and two seconds ahead of Ranaldo Wishart, while exactly four minutes after Williams crossed the finishing line Christopher Dharry came in for third place.

On the distaff end of this category, Toyan Raymond ruled the roost with a time of 20 minutes and 28 seconds.

Leyanna Charles came in behind her, clocking 22 minutes, 15 seconds.

For the under 16 2.6km run Nicholas Daw, from Mahaica, and Kellannie Glen won the boys’ and girls’ categories, respectively.

Joel Williams and Benel Ogle were second and third, respectively, behind Daw, while Alisha Headley and Beyance Depeazer, were respectively behind Glen.

The AAG’s calendar will continue with another cross country slated for January 8, in the mining town of Linden.

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 30, 2016

Smith hits ton, Australia take lead, rain comes down comes down AUSTRALIA captain Steven Smith beat encroaching bad weather by a matter of minutes to post his 17th Test hundred before a monsoonal downpour all but ensured a drawn Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Moments after Smith reached his 100, the umpires suspended play, a decision followed soon after by a deluge that was more tropical Brisbane than Melbourne’s more typical southerly climate. It would take a pair of highly imaginative declarations from here to manufacture a result, with the hosts likely to be happy to sit on their 1-0 series lead.

Smith’s ease at the crease contrasted with two more low scores for Nic Maddinson and Matthew Wade, neither of whom can be sure of their places in the XI, and made life difficult for the visi-

tors who were also inconvenienced when Azhar Ali was helped from the field after suffering a stunning blow to the helmet when fielding at short leg.

Usman Khawaja fell three runs short of a century for the second time this summer but the emerging No.5 Peter Handscomb also made a useful contribution in Smith’s company before the monsoonal rain arrived. Whether either side is inclined to creativity to set-up a final-day run chase from here is a matter for conjecture.

As he had done in the Perth Test against South Africa, Khawaja made it to 97 before being dismissed, this time trying to cover drive Wahab Riaz and edging through to Sarfraz Ahmed.

He had shelved the stroke when making an excellent century against South Africa

Australia captain waves his bat to the crowd on reaching his century against Pakistan at Melbourne. under lights in Adelaide.

That wicket brought the Victorian Handscomb to the crease on his home ground, and he showed plenty of attacking intent to outpace Smith and close the gap with the visitors’ total. On a pitch offering precious little to the bowlers, Pakistan reverted largely to a short-pitched angle of attack with a legside field.

Neither Handscomb nor Smith had too many awkward moments before the second new ball was taken, the for-

Sri Lanka face uphill task in 488 chase A SUCCESSION of soft dismissals left Sri Lanka in danger of a big defeat in the first Test despite their batsmen, almost without exception, looking comfortable at the crease in their pursuit of 488.

Philander

No team has successfully chased more than 418 to win a Test match, but Sri Lanka suggested they were capable of giving South Africa a serious scare only to gift away four of the five wickets they lost on day four. Angelo Mathews, who witnessed two of these gifted wickets from the non-striker’s end, was batting on 58 at stumps, and with him was Dhananjaya de Silva on 9.

A mix-up between Dimuth Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva ended an 87-run stand for the first wicket, while a moment of overconfidence cost Kusal Mendis his wicket after he had added 75 for the fourth wicket with Mathews.

Kusal Perera and Dinesh Chandimal frittered away their wickets as well, and at stumps,

248 adrift of their target, Sri Lanka were left counting whatifs, with an entire day remaining on a pitch that seemed to have flattened out entirely after starting out as a green seamer.

South Africa declared 10.5 overs into the morning session, after Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock had completed half-centuries and stretched their overnight partnership to 129.

The declaration arrived when Rangana Herath had de Kock lbw for 69, missing a sweep against a ball that was probably too full and too close to off stump to play the shot against safely.

Both Sri Lankan openers missed out on half-centuries, but showed they had worked on the weaknesses that had caused their first-innings dismissals.

Silva was eventually lbw for the second time in the match when Rabada nipped one into him after tea, but had till then shown improved balance and alignment while dealing with South Africa’s concerted effort to attack his stumps, and had looked particularly good while driving straight.

Rabada’s extra pace and bounce had discomfited him a couple of times before that.

Before lunch, he had gloved a rising ball, managing to drop his bottom hand and keep the ball down in front of Quinton de Kock, diving to his right behind the stumps.

Then, in the second session, he had taken a blow to the shoulder while ducking into a bouncer delivered from wide of the crease.

Karunaratne, apart from a couple of moments when he lost concentration, was alive to the danger of playing away from his body. The seamers looked to get him nibbling with the angle across him, and then tried to go around the wicket as well, but he handled both lines well, making sure his hands didn’t follow the ball when he was beaten.

He was just getting into stride when he was dismissed, having moved from 20 off 90 balls to 43 off 113. He had hit three fours in that period of acceleration, including a sweetly-timed flick off Philander and a reverse-sweep off Maharaj immediately after the left-arm spinner had got one to spit at him out of the rough.

The opening stand ended when Silva pushed Maharaj into the covers and set off immediately. Karunaratne responded after a moment’s hesitation, and that little stutter was enough to find him short of his crease when he dived to beat JP Duminy’s throw to the keeper.

Then Perera, his place at No.3 in question after his dismissal to a wild slash in the first innings, fell to another injudicious stroke, top-edging a cut against the turn off Maharaj when he was getting consistent turn and bounce out of the rough.

mer passing 50 for the third time in as many Tests.

However in Mohammad Amir’s first over with the fresh projectile, Handscomb was beaten by one delivery then, next ball, pushed a difficult return catch back to the bowler, who dropped it.

While Amir continued to bowl well, it was Sohail

Khan who claimed the wicket, when Handscomb sliced an attempted drive to backward point. Maddinson accompanied Smith to lunch and made it as far as 22, before yorking himself when dancing down the wicket to Yasir Shah to be bowled.

Wade connected with several meaty blows, one of which felled the double-centurion Azhar at bad pad, before he edged Sohail Khan to depart for another underwhelming score. It was around this time that the weather began to close in on the ground, and the umpires conferred over the matter of bad light before Smith forced one through an off-side gap for three runs to go to his second century in as many Tests.

That, then, was more

or less that. A further 42 scheduled overs were lost from the match, meaning a more optimistic weather forecast for day five is most probably a moot point.

(Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

AUSTRALIA 1st innings M. Renshaw b Yasir Shah 10 D. Warner c Sarfraz Ahmed b Wahab Riaz 144 U. Khawaja c Sarfraz Ahmed b Wahab Riaz 97 S. Smith not out 100 P. Handscomb c Sami Aslam b Sohail Khan 54 N. Maddinson b Yasir Shah 22 M. Wade c Asad Shafiq b Sohail Khan 9 M. Starc not out 7 Extras: (b -1, lb-8, nb-13) 22 Total: (6 wickets, 113.5 overs) 465 Fall of wickets: 1-46, 2-244, 3-282, 4-374, 5-433, 6-454.

Bowling: Mohammad Amir 275-74-0, Sohail Khan 23.5-7-86-2, Yasir Shah 34-2-150-2, Wahab Riaz 27-3-135-2, Azhar Ali 2-0-11-0.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 30, 2016

Former World Champion Ricky Hatton battling with depression …. tried to kill himself

EX-WORLD champion Ricky Hatton says he tried to kill himself on several occasions in a battle with depression.

The Briton also talked about the need for boxers to get more help after retiring, when he appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Today show, guest-edited by Olympic boxing champion Nicola Adams.

“I tried to kill myself several times,” said Hatton, 38, who retired in 2012.

“I used to go to the pub, come back, take the knife out and sit there in the dark crying hysterically.”

Manchester’s Hatton, who previously spoke to the BBC in 2011 about attempted suicide and depression, won the world light-welterweight and welterweight titles.

Hatton was stripped of his licence to box in 2010 after admitting using cocaine and retired the next year before fighting once more. He is now a promoter and trainer.

He continued: “There were

times when I hadn’t had a drink for days and I’d still come home and if something went through my mind I’d start pondering something. It was the same outcome whether I was having a drink or wasn’t having a drink.

“But in the end I thought I’ll end up drinking myself to death because I was so miserable.

“I was coming off the rails with my drinking and that led to drugs. It was like a runaway train.

“More should be done to help boxers.”

RICKY HATTON’S CAREER Born Stockport, October 6, 1978 Turns pro in 1997 21 fights unbeaten and becomes British light-welterweight champion in 2000.

Wins WBU light-welterweight title in 2001.

Stops IBF light-welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu in Manchester in 2005.

Points-victory over Luis Collazo in 2006 sees him become WBA welterweight champion.

Awarded an MBE but loses first fight, knocked out by Floyd Mayweather Jr in December 2007.

Beats Juan Lazcano and Paulie Malignaggi in 2008 but knocked out by Manny Pacquiao in May 2009.

Retires in July 2011.

Fights once more - against Vyacheslav Senchenko - in November 2012, but loses and retires again.

Former world champion Barry McGuigan told BBC Radio 5 live in October that boxing authorities should fund a new foundation to help fighters with mental health issues.

And Hatton feels “more should be done for boxers” with depression, with exworld champions Tyson Fury and Frank Bruno among other Britons to have suffered with the illness.

“Footballers have an agent who looks out for them and a

Ricky Hatton was knocked out by Floyd Mayweather Jr. football club that gets behind them. The Football Association and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) can also be there,” added Hatton.

“Whereas boxers, it’s like once your time has gone it’s ‘on your way’ and move on to the next champion coming through.

“The thing is with boxers, we don’t come from Cambridge and places like that. We come from council estates. So in boxing it’s very, very hard.

If boxing had a professional boxing association or something like that, I think it would be a better place.

“It seems to be happening more with boxers. It’s an individual sport so you get in the ring on your own and then when you retire you tend to spend the rest of your life on your own.”

WHAT FURY SAID WAS HEARTBREAKING Fury vacated his WBO and WBA world heavyweight titles in October to deal with his “medical treatment and recovery”.

The Briton, 28, admitted taking cocaine to deal with depression and has not fought since beating Wladimir Klitsc-

hko in November 2015.

Hatton said he contacted Fury to see if he was all right but said he never got a reply.

“Tyson is a very complex person. When he said what he said it was heartbreaking,” added Hatton.

“To think Tyson had become the heavyweight champion of the world and should kick on with his life and his career and for it to go pearshaped was a real crying shame.

“Having said that, he doesn’t help himself in some interviews. If he is in a bad place and is depressed, I hope he’s speaking to the right people in order to sort it out.

“As boxers we don’t do that. We think, ‘I’m Ricky Hatton or I’m Tyson Fury, I can take on the world’. You can take on the world in the ring but this problem called depression, you can’t take it on.

“We’re out of our comfort zones with depression. I certainly was and whenever I have bad days now I speak to someone to get it off my chest. I have no shame telling that and that’s why I’m here today.”

Gillespie named Langer’s assistant for Sri Lanka T20s JASON GILLESPIE will join Justin Langer as Australia’s interim coaching duo to oversee the three Twenty20 internationals against Sri Lanka that conflict with preparations for the Test tour of India.

Langer (Perth Scorchers) and Gillespie (Adelaide Strikers) are both coaches in the Big Bash League, and the team performance manager Pat Howard said he was hopeful they would duly be able to take a strong T20 mindset into the job while Darren Lehmann and David Saker are minding the Test side in the UAE and India.

“Jason has significant experience as a coach around the world and with his skillset, we believe he and Justin

will work well together,” Howard said. “With Jason’s appointment alongside Justin, it means that not only will we have two terrific home-grown coaches to oversee the side

Jason Gillespie

but also that we have two individuals who will be coming off the sharp end of the BBL season.

“It means they’ll be immersed in the T20 format

ahead of the series which will hopefully help them to help us hit the ground running when the action gets underway.”

Gillespie, who has been

a successful all-format coach of Yorkshire over the past five years, said he was particularly eager to work with Langer, a former Australia teammate.

“For me, the chance to be working with Justin Langer is terrific,” Gillespie said. “Of course he’s a friend and a former teammate, but he’s also someone who’s had success in this form of the game and if I can learn anything from him and his approach then that would be great.

“I’m there to support and hopefully play my part in achieving some positive results for us and that is something that is important because Australia haven’t had the success any of us would like in T20 cricket. A series

like this is the ideal way for us to try and get better and refine our approach.

“With some players likely to be away in India it really will be a shop window for players from the BBL to showcase their skills, and to show the selectors and the Australian public what they can do. It’s a chance for those selectors to see how, in the case of any new players, they deal with international cricket.”

The three T20 matches are at the MCG on February 17, Kardinia Park in Geelong on February 19 and Adelaide Oval on February 22. The Adelaide match takes place the day before the start of the first Test in India. (Cricinfo)

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 30, 2016

Sophia Care Centre gets Christmas cheer … Cricket all-rounder Chris Barnwell plays forward FOR THE children of the Sophia Care Centre it was proof that Christmas cheer can be spread after Christmas Day when West Indies and Guyanese all-rounder Christopher Barnwell visited on Wednesday.

The visit, however, was more than a social one and through his sporting and fitness apparel store ‘Leading Edge’, Barnwell partnered with the local Feed A Child for the Holidays Charity group and made a generous donation to the 90-plus children of

Christopher Barnwell and group with Administrator, Ms Blenman and Staff with the donations.

the Sophia Care Centre.

The donation included Leading Edge bags, water bottles, sneakers, cricket gear, football gear and sporting apparel.

In addition to receiving sporting gifts, the children were treated to lunch and ice-cream.

Administrator of the institution, Roxanne Blenman, expressed her sincere gratitude to the group for visiting the home for a second year. Blenman also expressed her appreciation for the donation and added that the children would most certain enjoy the items.

According to Barnwell his motivation behind

spreading cheer stemmed from Christmas being a time of giving and making others happy.

“To spread joy to those who are less fortunate. To show them someone cares and thinks about them. It’s also fulfilling. I feel purposeful,” he stated. kudos The local charity group, Feed A Child for the Holidays, also expressed its gratitude to Barnwell who is in his second straight year of partnering with the group. The Sticky Wicket Restaurant & Bar was also praised for contributing towards the ini tiative.

WICB U-19 training camp beneficial, says Yadram

By Rajiv Bisnauth

OPENING batsman Bhaskar Yadram has described the West Indies Cricket Board’s 12-day training camp as “beneficial”, adding that the experience gained will definitely boost his cricketing career.

Joshua Persaud

Bhaskar Yadram Yadram and his Guyanese counterpart Joshua Persaud were among a 20-member preliminary squad. The camp was held from December 9 to 20 in Grenada.

“Yes, definitely the camp was good, it was indeed beneficial, and the experience gained will definitely boost my cricketing ca-

reer,” said the 17-year-old.

He added, “I have leant different tactics of the game, different techniques both batting and bowling, so overall the camp was indeed beneficial - the coaches were receptive, and that made it more interesting.”

The national youth player divulged that now the camp is done and dusted, he is now focused on being selected in the final squad for next month’s Regional Super50 tournament.

The former Bladen Hall Multilateral School student said playing among the region’s best players will be another major step in his career if he makes the final squad.

The Under-19s will do battle in Group A of the Super50 which runs from January 24 to February 18 in Antigua and Barbados.

Title-holders Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, along with Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Windward Islands

The 20-member squad during their training camp. for the Under-19s as they ready themselves for the defence of their ICC Youth World Cup title captured earlier this year in Bangladesh.

A management team, led by head coach Graeme West and comprising Dwain Gill, Anthony Gray, Khevyn Williams and Zephyrinus Nicholas, overlooked the camp.

The 20-man training

squad were – Keagan Simmonds, Kirstan Kallicharan, Cephas Cooper, Navin Bidaisee, Matthew Patrick, Te-Shawn Alleyne, Johann Jeremiah, Emmanuel Stewart, Johnnel Eugene, Daneal Dupigny, Alick Athanaze, Jerellius Louis, Javier Spence, Kian Pemberton, Joshua Persaud, Bhaskar Yadram and Jeavor Royal.

Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall (left) hands over the winners’ trophy to Anil Persaud of East Coast Cricket Committee in the presence of two Under-15 players and GFSCA representative Anil Beharry.

Trophy Stall, Bourda Market, said that he is delighted to be a part of the tournament and commended his co-sponsor Lalta Gainda of Bel Air RUBiS for the initiative.

He further stated that for West Indies cricket to turn around its fortunes, it has to start from the grassroots level.

Speaking on behalf of the East Coast Cricket Committee, Anil Persaud thanked the sponsors for coming on board.

Only players born during or after the year 2004 will be eligible.

Volcanoes and visiting English County, Kent Spitfires, have also been installed in Group A. Group B, meanwhile, comprises last year losing finalists Barbados Pride, Guyana Jaguars, Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners, Jamaica Scorpions and ICC Americas.

The tournament will serve as part of the build-up

Bel Air RUBiS and Trophy Stall on board with U-13 cricket tournament

BEL Air RUBiS and Trophy Stall have confirmed their sponsorship deal with the East Coast Cricket Committee for the Under-13 cricket competition.

The two business entities made the announcement at a simple launching ceremony

held last Friday at the Demerara Cricket Club ground, Queenstown, Georgetown.

The tournament will give exposure to the younger cricketers, and is open to any team from any part of the country.

The championship, which will commence shortly will be

of two innings’ duration, with a limit of 30 overs in the first innings. The second innings will be unlimited. The organisers and sponsors decided on this regulation so as to make sure that there is at least a first-innings result.

Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Ramesh Sunich of

Dwayne Bravo injures hamstring

e 23

See Pag

Johnson, Campbelle win GCB Cricketer-of-the-Year awards

GUYANA Jaguars captain Leon Johnson and West Indies female cricketer Shemaine Campbelle won the Male and

Female Cricketers-oft h e - Ye a r r e s p e c t i v e l y when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) hosted its annual awards cere-

mony last evening at the Umana Yana.

Other top local cricketers, administrators, curators, umpires, corpo-

rate sponsors, clubs and journalists were also recognised for their efforts in 2016.

West Indies Cricket

Board Director, Conde Riley was the guest speaker, while Minister within the Ministry of Education; Department

of Culture, Youth and Sports Nicolette Henry also delivered remarks.

See full report in tomorrow’s edition.

The awardees last night at the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) annual awards ceremony at the Umana Yana.

Minister within the Ministry of Education; Department of Culture, Youth and Sports Nicolette Henry hands over the Male Cricketer-of-the-Year (2016) trophy to Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson.

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016 Bhaskar Yadram collects the Junior Cricketer-of-the-Year (Roy Fredericks trophy) from Acting Prime Minister, Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge.