Guyana chronicle e paper 01 21 2017

‘Stop the pettiness’ –– President tells

regional officials

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No. 104800

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2017

Citizens Bank opens $2.5B HQ

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

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… looks to broaden access to financial services

Trump takes charge

…vows to end ‘American carnage’ in defiant speech New U.S. President Donald J Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walk during the inaugural parade following his swearing in as the 45th President of that country (REUTERS/Pool)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 21, 2017

Citizens Bank opens $2.5B HQ … looks to broaden access to financial services

By Ravin Singh BOASTING a modern state-of-the-art facility, Citizens Bank on Friday opened the doors of its new $2.5B corporate headquarters and main office at lot 231-233 Camp Street and South Road, with the intention of broadening access to financial services.

With a customer base of over 49,000, Managing-Director of the Bank, Eton Chester, explained that the growing need for expansion led to the realisation that there was need for a new branch. He said that in 2012, this new location was identified and determined to be appropriate for the needs of the financial institution.

Citizens Bank commenced operations in 1994.

And on Friday, the bank was successfully commissioned by President David Granger following a ceremonial programme. Chester explained that the 37,000 sq ft building has four floors constructed at a cost of $2.5B. He revealed that the new headquarters boast modern features, including a skyline and a panoramic elevator to cater for comfort of staff and the bank’s increasing client base. He said that the branch operations will be housed on the ground floor, while

President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the new Citizens Bank headquarters. Also in photo (from left): Eton Chester, Managing Director, Citizens Bank Guyana; Clifford Reece, Chairman, Citizens Bank, Guyana; Finance Minister Winston Jordan; and (back) Francis Parris, General Manager/Corporate Secretary, Citizens Bank Guyana) the first and second floors will house e-departments, including: credit, finance and treasury, human resource and administration, legal and compliance, internal audit, management information systems, and risk management.

The third floor will accommodate a training centre, a modern space-saving registry, and a staff cafeteria.

“The building has raised the bar where corporate infrastructure is concerned,” Chester told the gathering of just over 100.

Confidence But in examining the impact of such an investment, President Granger posited that this is a reaffirmation of its confidence in the country and a reassurance of the relevance of the sort of service it can render to the banking sector. He described Citizens Bank as an “indigenous bank,” reasoning that it is part of the long lineage of banks initiated by the British Guiana Bank, which was incorporated 180 years ago.

That was the start of the

banking system, he said.

The President explained that these types of banks have vital roles to play in ensuring that financial services become more inclusive. “Banks have an obligation to be responsive to the needs of all sectors of society. Indigenous banks in particular, have a duty to micro and small-scale enterprises which traditionally have felt excluded and marginalised from the foreign banking system,” he told the gathering.

Referencing the colonial period, he noted that the financial exclusion of large segments of the population from banking services, create social exclusion and social exclusion exacerbates poverty and marginalisation.

However, he was keen to point out that Citizens Bank is different.

Having ascribed the title of being an indigenous bank, the President said that the indigenisation of the commercial banking See page 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 21, 2017

Two in custody for Chalotte street robbery

TWO persons are being questioned by police following the brazen robbery of a female and shooting of a taxi driver on Thursday outside Jialing Motorcycles and Repair store located at the corners of Oronoque and Charlotte Streets, Georgetown.

Commander, ‘A’ Divi-

sion, Clifton Hicken, told reporters on Friday that two men are in custody assisting police with the investigation.

He said the male owner of a blue 212 motorcar, which fits the description of the car used to conduct the robbery, along with another male, is cooperating with the police.

Hicken explained that

while the police are still gathering information, they were unsuccessful with obtaining video footage from the CCTV that would have assisted them significantly in their investigation. He noted that the lack of sufficient footage will not serve as a deterrent to the force, as he is confident the perpetrators

of the crime will be found.

A taxi driver has been hospitalised after he was shot in his leg during a daring robbery at Jialing Motorcycles and Repair store. The taxi driver was at the time transporting Elda Belle, 41, of Crown Street, Queenstown, who was robbed of a bag con-

taining over $1 million, which, according to reports, she had only shortly before withdrawn from a city bank.

It is alleged that two men traced the duo to the store in a dark blue 212 motorcar and pounced on them outside the store. The thieves had parked across the street

Citizens Bank opens ...

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sector provides greater access to financial services; promotes the intermediation of funds through the productive sector; and witnesses the provision of banking services to geographic areas which previously had little to no access to financial services.

As such, he urged that the indigenous banks not become “clones of foreign commercial banks,” but seek to transform the character of their operations by aligning their services to meet the needs of local businesses, and local communities and local entrepreneurs, particularly the micro, small and mediumscale enterprises. Complementing the efforts of these banks, he said, is the government, which stands ready to support micro, small and medium-sized businesses, because they provide employment; promote innovation and entrepreneurship; empower marginalised groups; generate export earnings; and contribute to improved social accounts, such as the reduction of poverty.

Added beauty Meanwhile, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, agreed with the managing-director, pointing out that the building adds to the beauty of the country and the

The $2.5B Citizens Bank which was commissioned by President David Granger on Friday at its 231-233 Camp Street and South Road location highly commercialised area where it is situated.

“This is a milestone in the relatively young history on Citizens Bank. Despite being in operation for just over two decades, Citizens Bank has expanded immeasurably, offering an array of banking products, providing a variety of services and competing effectively with the older and more established banks in Guyana,” he said.

The minister described the bank as having become a household name in Guyana, due to the fact that the institution has committed itself to becoming an important player in the financial system.

Additionally, he noted that this is testimony to

the level of confidence the institution has in the macro-economy. “In the course of your journey, you have emerged as an efficient and profitable institution. These reasons provide adequate justification for you to move to a more spacious building in

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from Jialing and then accosted Belle after she exited the vehicle. They shot the taxi driver and snatched the woman’s handbag, which contained the money and her licensed firearm.

The injured man was taken to the hospital, while Belle reported the incident to the police. addition to better servicing the growing demands of your customers,” Minister Jordan said.

He pointed out too that the structure of the banking sector has evolved over the years to accommodate changes in the economy. One of the most visible changes, he said, is the expansion of local and foreign banks and their branches, which lend credence to the view, that there exist strong institutions in a politically stable and thriving business environment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 21, 2017

Trump, sworn in as U.S. president --vows to end ‘American carnage’ in defiant speech

By Steve Holland

(Reuters) Donald Trump took power as the 45th president of the United States on Friday and pledged to end “American carnage” of social and economic woes in an inaugural address that was a populist and nationalist rallying cry.

Sketching a bleak vision of a country he said was ravaged by rusted-out factories, crime, gangs and drugs, Trump indirectly blamed his predecessors in the White House for policies that helped Washington at the expense of struggling families. “From this moment on, it’s going to be America First,” the Republican told thousands of people gathered on the grounds of the National Mall as he took over the presidency from Democrat Barack Obama.

Crowds looked much

smaller than those for Obama’s two inaugurations. Scattered street protests erupted against Trump elsewhere in Washington.

“Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families,” Trump said. “This American carnage stops right here and stops right now,” he said.

Trump, 70, takes over a country divided after a savage election campaign.

The dark vision of America he often paints is belied by statistics showing low levels of unemployment and crime nationally, although Trump won many votes in parts of the nation where manufacturing industry has all but disappeared.

A wealthy New York businessman and former reality TV star who has never held public office, Trump

will set the country on a new, uncertain path at home and abroad. His address revisited the themes of the campaign speeches that carried him to an improbable victory on Nov. 8, over Democrat Hillary Clinton, who attended the ceremony with her husband, former President Bill Clinton. Obama headed to a vacation in Palm Springs, California, after the ceremony. Before sitting down to lunch in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall, Trump shook hands with both Clintons.

Under pressure to unite the country after the bitterly fought campaign, Trump said that through allegiance to the United States, “we will rediscover our loyalty to each other” and called for a “new national pride” that would help heal divisions.

Abroad, Trump signaled the possibility of a more aggressive approach to Islamic State militants. “We will

reinforce old alliances and form new ones, and unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the earth,” he said.

After repeating the 35word oath of office, Trump stretched his arms wide and hugged his wife, Melania, and other members of his family. Ceremonial cannon blasts fired.

The transition from a Democratic president to a Republican took place before a crowd of former presidents, dignitaries and hundreds of thousands of people on the grounds of the National Mall. The crowd stretched westward on a cool day of occasional light rain. Away from the Capitol, masked activists ran through the streets smashing windows with hammers at a McDonald’s restaurant, a Starbucks coffee shop and

Donald J Trump takes the oath of office as the 45th President of the United States of America (Reuters photo)

a steakhouse several blocks from the White House.

They carried black anarchist flags and signs that said, “Join the resistance, fight back now.” Police used pepper spray and chased them down a major avenue.

In another location not far from the White House, protesters also scuffled with police, at one point throwing aluminum chairs at them at an outdoor café.

Former presidents George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter were present at the inauguration with their wives.

Bush’s father, former Pres-

ident George H.W. Bush, 92, watched the ceremony on television in Houston where he was recovering from pneumonia. Trump and his vice president, Mike Pence, began the day with a prayer service at St. John’s Episcopal Church near the White House.

An ABC News/Washington Post poll this week found only 40 percent of Americans viewed him favourably, the lowest rating for an incoming president since Democrat Carter in 1977, and the same percentTurn to page 5

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 21, 2017

Violence flares in Washington during Trump inauguration America’s political divisions turned violent on Washington’s streets during U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Friday, as black-clad anti-establishment activists set fires and clashed with police, while Trump supporters cheered the new chief executive.

Hundreds of protesters with varying agendas marched through downtown, and some groups clashed with police, throwing rocks and bottles, which police responded to with tear gas and concussion grenades. A helicopter hovered low overhead.

At one flash point, a protester hurled an object through the passenger window of a police van, which sped away in reverse as dem-

onstrators cheered. Earlier, activists wearing masks used chunks of pavement and baseball bats to shatter the windows of a Bank of America branch and a McDonald’s outlet, all symbols of American capitalism. Multiple vehicles were set on fire, including a black limousine and a television truck. A knot of people dragged garbage cans into a street a few blocks from the White House and set them ablaze, later throwing a red cap bearing Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan into the flames.

Police said at least 217 people were arrested and six officers were injured in scuffles with activists. The people arrested would be held overnight before making court appearances on Satur-

Police officers move protestors away from a car that was set on fire during protests near the inauguration.

REUTERS/Bryan Woolston

day, Peter Newsham, interim chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, told a news conference. Newsham added that police would continue to monitor security around the night’s celebrations.

Trump, sworn in as... age approved of how he has handled the transition. (abcn. ws/2jU9w63) During a testy transition period since his election win, Trump has repeatedly engaged in Twitter attacks against his critics, so much so that one fellow Republican, Senator John McCain, told CNN that Trump seemed to want to “engage with every windmill that he can find.”

TRUMP’S AGENDA His ascension to the White House, while welcomed by Republicans tired of Obama’s eight years in office, raises a host of questions for the United States. Trump campaigned on a pledge to take the country on a more isolationist, protectionist path and has vowed to impose a 35 percent tariff on goods on imports from U.S. companies that went abroad.

His desire for warmer ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and threats to cut funding for NATO nations has allies from Britain to the Baltics worried that the traditional U.S. security umbrella will be diminished.

In the Middle East, Trump has said he wants to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, at the risk of angering Arabs and stirring international concern. He has yet to sketch out how he plans to carry out a campaign pledge to “knock the hell out of” Islamic State.

More than 60 Democratic lawmakers stayed away from the proceedings to protest Trump, spurred on after he derided U.S. Representative John Lewis of Georgia, a hero of the civil rights movement, for calling him an illegitimate president.

Many demonstrators are to

participate in a “Women’s March on Washington” on Saturday. Protests are also planned in other cities in the United States and abroad.

QUICK ACTION Trump’s to-do list has given Republicans hope that, since they also control the U.S. Congress, they can quickly repeal and replace Obama’s signature healthcare law, approve sweeping tax reform and roll back many federal regulations they say are stifling the U.S. economy. “He’s going to inject a shock to the system here almost immediately,” Trump senior adviser Kellyanne Conway told Fox News.

Democrats, in search of firm political footing after the unexpected defeat of Hillary Clinton, are planning to fight him at every turn. They deeply

Friday’s protests played out just blocks from Pennsylvania Avenue, where New York businessman-turned-Republican politician Trump took part in the traditional parade a newly

From page 4 oppose Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric from the campaign trail and plans to build a wall along the southern U.S. border with Mexico. Trump’s critics have been emboldened to attack his legitimacy because his win came in the Electoral College, which gives smaller states more clout in the outcome. He lost the popular vote to Clinton by about 2.9 million. Trump’s critics also point to the conclusion of U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia used hacking and other methods during the campaign to try to tilt the election in the Republican’s favor. Trump has acknowledged the finding - denied by Moscow that Russia was behind the hacking but said it did not affect the outcome of the election. (Reuters)

sworn in president takes from the U.S. Capitol to the White House. The various protest groups scattered around the city chanted anti-Trump slogans and carried signs with slogans including “Trump is not president” and “Make Racists Afraid Again.”

“Trump is not going to be stopped at the top, he’s going to be stopped from the bottom, from people rising up,” said Ben Allen, a 69-yearold retired teacher from San Francisco. “We support the right of everybody in this country, no matter what nationality, what religion, the color of their skin, to be respected as a human being, and this guy doesn’t respect anybody.” “We thought there would be protests but we didn’t expect violence,” said Shiring, a college student from Hartford, Connecticut.

“We were hoping for a completely peaceful transfer of power.”

Democratic officials, including Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, condemned the violence. The U.S. Secret Service, Washington police and other law enforcement agencies had about 28,000 officers in place to secure a roughly three-square-mile (7.8 square km) of the city.

Trump, a former reality TV star, angered many liberal Americans during his stunningly successful campaign with demeaning comments on women and immigrants.

His inauguration speech was a populist and nationalist rallying cry.

Protesters and police said the black-clad violent activists were acting independently of organized opposition to Trump. The Disrupt J20 group on Twitter said its anger was not directed only at Trump, and that it would also have demonstrated had Democrat Hillary Clinton won the election last November. Not

far from the White House, Bob Hrifko, a member of the Bikers for Trump group, said he was struck in the face with an aluminum chair when he tried to intervene in a scuffle involving police and protesters.

“We need more order.

This ain’t right,” said Hrifko, who was bleeding from a cut under his eye. The number of people who turned out for the midday swearing-in ceremony in the rain appeared to be significantly smaller than the estimated 2 million who attended Democrat Barack Obama’s first inauguration in 2009. Overhead video of the National Mall showed sections of the white matting laid down to protect the grass were largely empty.

The city’s Metro subway system reported ridership levels as of 11 a.m. (1600 GMT) at less than half of what was seen in 2013 or 2009 and roughly on par with George W. Bush’s second inauguration in 2005. Sympathy protests were held around the nation and the world, in cities including Los Angeles, Tokyo and London. But in Moscow, Russians hoping Trump will usher in a new era of detente with their country celebrated his inauguration.

In Washington, David Guthrie, a long-haired, bearded, 36-year-old from South Bend, Indiana, stood stark naked on a street corner with an obscenity and “Trump” written on his buttocks in black magic marker. As he stood, he was pepper sprayed by police, but stood with his eyes clenched, saying he wanted to prompt “a national conversation on the illegitimacy of the Trump presidency.” “I need a shower,” he said, as fellow protesters helped him walk away, wrapped in a silver blanket. (Reuters)

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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

Solar energy

SOLAR energy forms an integral part of any country’s plan in addressing alternative energy. Where Guyana is pursuing a Green Economy, as a matter of its primary developmental thrust, whenever a business or individual switches to this form of energy, such act takes the country closer to the goal.

Alternative energy, such as solar, plays a significant role in protecting the environment. This is so given that it replaces consumption of fossil fuel which gives off emissions, which has been scientifically proven to be harmful to the environment. As consumption of fossil is reduced, the air we breathe becomes healthier and will help in enhancing the health of citizens and nations.

According to the watchdog Union of Concerned Scientists in its 2011 Report (which was revised November 2014), Guyana is among the 20% of the “rest of the world” where each country’s share of total carbon dioxide emission comes from energy consumption.

The top emitters are China at 27%, United States 17%, Russia 5%, India 5% and Japan 4%. Specifically to Guyana, according to the World Resources Institute as at 31st December 2012, our Greenhouse Gas Emissions, excluding land-use change and forestry, is recorded at 3.60. When it includes land-use change and forestry, Guyana records 7.64.

As a signatory to the United Nations Climate Agreement which came into effect on 5th January, coming with this is a responsibility to help meet the international timetable goals for reducing emissions.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) also has its own Energy Thrust which Guyana has helped to shape and has a responsibility to bring to fruition.

This year’s National Budget commits to granting concessions to those desirous of benefitting from alternative-energy technology. This opportunity not only helps in harnessing the natural energy at our disposal, but also creates a more reliable source of energy than presently obtains. Further, such pursuit would realise reduction of overhead expenses overtime, new opportunities for employment and economic opportunities, and Guyana elevating its image as a credible nation among members-states, regional and extra-regional.

The government has set itself a lofty goal-- but not unachievable -- that by 2025 the country will achieve renewable energy and energy-efficiency status. With eight years remaining to achieve this goal, and in the midst of evident public delight with reported fossil fuel finds, such aspiration may not be taken lightly, which may require a refocusing of interests and energies.

While government has targeted for special attention areas to be retrofitted, where businesses and private citizens are following suit they are deserving of commendation, even as all efforts must be made to encourage others. Last Friday,the Nand Persaud Group of Companies went fully solar when it commissioned a $110m system at its Tain, Corentyne, call centre. The Demerara Bank, Camp Street headquarters, was fully converted last November.

Last year January, a team from Toronto, Canada, met with ministers of the government seeking to explore opportunities to establish a solar farm, with the aim of working in tandem with the Guyana Power and Light to augment our electricity supply. Though the present

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 21, 2017

New strategy needed to protect Shell Beach, marine turtles

Dear Editor,

I HAD the opportunity to visit Almond beach which is now threatened by erosion and flooding, with Mr and Mrs Ishak Basir on a PPP excursion as a teenage boy in the late 60s.

We travelled from Charity by big sloops and speed boats with about 100 people.

As we entered the mouth of the Pomeroon River, the water was really rough and the boats were tossing from side to side, but we managed to make it to Almond Beach without any trouble.

We had to walk in the water some distance to get to the long and wide beach.

It was my first trip there, so I decided to explore it while the other people were having fun by dancing to the sweet music. This beach runs from Waini Point to the mouth of the Pomeroon River on the north shore. The entire area is about 100 miles and it is called Shell beach; four of us walked and walked until we were tired. We even saw some Amerindians who had settled there on the beach

in huts.

There was a long stretch of coconut trees along the beach and inland, the natives planted coffee, cocoa, plantains, bananas and some other crops; these were open to the Atlantic Ocean with no sea or river defence. Lots of fishermen would go to Shell Beach to catch fish, crabs etc, and sometimes they ended up catching the marine turtles which live there and in their nets. I knew that one day Shell Beach would be flooded and erosion would take place with the raging sea. Since my visits to this place, lots of development have taken place on this beach over the decades.

The rising sea level will now force the people to occupy higher, flat sand lands.

The dramatic changes in the weather patterns were noticeable for thousands of years and what we are now seeing today with the flooding of Georgetown and other parts of the country, is just the tip of the iceberg.

While the traditional high tides keep rising, over-running the normal man-made

river and sea defence, the usual farmers’ guidelines which were used to calculate weather patterns have gone haywire. This new government has to go back to the drawing board to work on a strategy to protect the marine turtles and Shell Beach.

Farmers in the 60s could have known when to cut and burn and plant their new farms -- when the night is cold and the river is dark with fog, one would depend on a full day of sunshine. When the corkwood tree blossoms, it would signify two months of dry weather, and acoushi ants beginning extensive destruction to plant leaves would signify that the rain is coming. As experts predict an increase in rising sea-level strength and activity along the Shell Beach, the coastal wetlands provide a critical protective barrier for marine sea turtles and the people living there.

Almond Beach has a proud history of providing sands and a safe place for the turtles and their eggs, but as we can see now, climate change has sent the jaguars roaming

in search of food and they have started to hunt and eat the turtles which are being left vulnerable in the open spaces. However, the erosion and flood of 2017 showed us all the price we pay for the loss of our coastal beach. Without a healthy and sustainable Almond Beach in the North West region, to carry on the wildlife habitat for thousands of different species of animals and plants, we therefore need to protect Shell Beach urgently. Inaction is not an option .But if everyone works together, we can balance this equation. Action must be swift; there is a certain urgency to protect this zone, because Shell Beach and the other six beaches along the Waini to Pomeroon River mouth are facing challenges today with global warming and rising sea levels which can decimate the entire areas for another 25 or 30 years.

What we fail to do will have lasting consequences.

Regards Mohamed Khan

City Hall actors destroying fabric of PNC militancy in Georgetown Editor,

A NOTICE is being circulated to vendors around the city that seems to have come from the Office of the Town Clerk, stating that all street vendors in Georgetown will have to register with the city at which time (January 23 to February 27) they must have in their possession National Identification Card / Passport, TIN Certificate, two passport-sized photographs and three thousand dollars ($3000).

What is not clear to us is that if $3000 is just registration, a yearly fee, or if they will have to continue

paying the $1500 per week.

What is strange is that food handlers pay a yearly fee of $3000 for their licence, so that if vendors have to pay $3000 for registration, plus the $1500 cleansing fee per week ($6000) per month, this takes it to at least $75000 per year. The message being conveyed by the various oppressive actions of City Hall is that ‘You comply or you will be decimated,’ A clear act of terror.

City Hall seems to have a fixation on vendors, they seem to have no plan as to how they must treat with these small business entrepreneurs; they plant them in

status of this engagement has not been made public, when citizens continue to suffer from daily outages, realisation of such a project would be looked forward to with much anticipation. This year, Government sets its sight on constructing Guyana’s first solar farm at Mabaruma in the North West District. Four acres of land have been identified for an ambitious 400-megawatt project, which, when it becomes operational, would afford an additional 17 hours of electricity to the 3,000 residents.

The Demerara Bank in addition to going green, is providing support for others to do likewise. Though in our society -- where there can be little dispute -- habits are hard

some anti-business area one day, then unceremoniously uproot them shortly after.

There are affluent property-owners out there who owe the City Council millions of dollars. They are not going after them, but try to disguise their inefficiencies by creating a farcical Christmas- time amnesty, an exercise that is obviously geared towards benefitting the rich property-owners. The city is the biggest loser in this exercise.

Vending in Guyana has become very traumatic in that a vendor leaves his / her home with a great apprehension, since they are not sure what spontaneous, draconian

terror tactics, City Hall was going to put on them. What vendors need to know is into what account City Hall put the $6000- plus dollars per month collected from them.

Obviously, some of the money could have been used to develop a businessfriendly place for the vendors.

What is heart- rending, is that the vendors had to endure more than twenty (20) years of this kind of behaviour under the former Government, but even though we have turned a new page, it’s the same script. What needs to be noted is that the vendors made a tangible contribution Turn to page 7

to change and the full appreciation of alternative energy is yet to be grappled with, this bank is helping the process of changing behaviour by making funding available at reasonable cost.

At the eight percent interest rate, the impetus is there to act. Retrofitting homes and other buildings creates new types of jobs and other economic opportunities, direct and indirect. For home owners, opportunities are presented to opt for going fully solar or creating a hybrid system. The possibilities for using alternative energy are limitless and Guyanese are being encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 21, 2017

The traffic situation on the East Bank carriageway Dear Editor,

WITH deep frustration and anger, I pen this letter as I am seated at the eastern end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge waiting for the retraction to end.

I am aware that there are many commuters travelling to work on a daily basis, however, it seems that very little thought and consideration is given by the Police Traffic Department to commuters who live in Georgetown and work either in Region Three, Diamond or anywhere on the southern East Bank, etc.

In the mornings, traffic heading in the southern direc-

tion is hindered because one of the lanes is closed to accommodate traffic heading to Georgetown. Those cones are not removed until 8:15, 8:20 or whenever the traffic police see it fit. In the meantime, the south-bound traffic is crawling, causing commuters on that end to be late for work or other important appointments on the West Side. This reason for being late for work may not be considered or accepted by one’s employer.

This is the case whether you leave home very early or not. In some instances, if you leave home for 7:15 am, you have to deal with another stall-up at the Harbour Bridge,

since the traffic heading from Region Three has to be given priority even though the bridge is not retracting.

There are mornings when the bridge will be retracted at 8:30, there seems to be no collaborative plan between the police officers and the harbour bridge to address this frustrating situation. The traffic build-up is great, the cones placed on the road remain until 8:20 am. By this time the southern-bound traffic moves a bit faster, only to be further frustrated by the police officers directing traffic at the bridge entrance traffic lights, where they continue to give priority to the northern-bound

City Hall actors destroying... to that change.

The new directors seem to be basking in the euphoria of their assumed power, but it is by the promise of a sense of power that evil often attracts the weak. (Eric Hoffer) Effective actions to deal with the vending situation is dependent on having an agreed policy and procedure.

If the same problem is occurring regularly, it simply means that effective policies

are not in place. The actions of the Georgetown City Council is contributing to -- if not creating -- an underclass culture of idleness, dependency and self-perpetuating poverty.

It is pellucidly clear that their refusal to meet with the Guyana Market Vendors Union -- coupled with their concomitant, crass behavior -- is geared towards the vendors / stallholders

From page 6 not having union representation. Finally, it is no secret that most of the vendors / stallholders are hard line, militant supporters of the present administration, but some actors at City Hall are displaying very perplexing behavior, which is slowly eroding the fabric of PNC militancy in Georgetown.

Eon Andrews President

public of the new time schedule for the opening, there is no hotspot for commuters to use their various devices to get some assignments or tasks completed, etc. This makes the long hours of waiting costlier in every sense. One arrives at work late, unsettled, frustrated, and can miss an appointment or lose pay or be dismissed for being consistently late.

Something has to be put in place, especially on mornings when there is a retraction at 8:00 or 8:30 am. The police officers need to be informed, so that they can be able to exercise greater efficiency and to

remove the cones from the road earlier to effect a freer flow of traffic on the East Bank carriageway. In addition, the government should invest in providing hotspots on both the western and eastern ends of the harbour bridge during the retraction periods, so as to facilitate constructive use of time, especially for students, teachers and businesspersons who may need to complete tasks which may otherwise have been completed at the place of destination.

Probe needed at GGMC

It is time an investigation is carried out at the Ministry of Natural Resources and the GGMC to put an end to the alleged corruption and money-making business.

traffic, even when the bridge is about to close. The greater frustration is when you get to the bridge, the eastern end is closed, but there is still a flow from the western end for almost thirty (30) minutes after the stated retraction time.

When the bridge retracts, commuters have to wait for 90 minutes; therefore, an 8:30 retraction time which was posted on the information board, will see the bridge closing back at 10:30 instead of 10:00 am.

More frustrating is that in this technological age, with increased bridge tolls, longer waiting periods and the announcer informing the

Dear Editor

I PEN this letter with great concern over this scenario of alternative lands. Sir, small miners are being told by this new Closed Area Committee that they are allowed only

400 acres of land to work – to which we cannot have access -- while some persons without equipment are enjoying larger amounts of lands through false pretence to sell for profits to bigger companies.

Regards Name Provided

Regards Concerned small miner

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 21, 2017

New Civil Procedure Rules to transform justice sector – CCJ President

PRESIDENT of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Sir Dennis Byron, has recommended the establishment of a Standing Rules Committee to evaluate and update the new Civil Procedure Rules, 2016.

On Friday, members of the Bar and Bench at-

tended the opening of a two- day seminar on the new Rules at the Regency Hotel, Georgetown. The seminar was hosted by the Supreme Court of Judicature in collaboration with the Judicial Education Institute of Guyana, to work out the ‘teething issues’ in relation to the application

and operationalisation of the Rules.

Sir Byron, in his address to the lawyers, magistrates, judges and other members of the legal fraternity, noted that the exercise is a step towards reforming the judicial process in Guyana.

Alluding to the chal-

President of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Sir Dennis Byron, addressing participants at the two-day seminar (GINA photos)

Members of the legal fraternity at the opening of the two-day seminar

lenges that the legal fraternity may encounter in the transition to the new Rules, Sir Byron remained confident in the transformative power of the rules.

“I am convinced that it is informative. It is going to make the administration of justice better,” Sir Byron said.

The President of the CCJ recommended the establishment of a Standing Rules Committee to monitor the Rules as they take effect. “An important element of this transition has to be the existence of a standing rules committee which should be reporting to the Chancellor about twice per year with recommendations for improving the Rules,” Sir Byron said.

He reminded attendees that the Rules should ultimately benefit the litigants, while providing a more transparent system

“where people know more about how the court is operating.”

Meanwhile, Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh, cautioned that the new Rules will encounter some challenges, but appealed for the support of the legal fraternity in its implementation.

“This is really an appeal to you, understanding is important because I would be the first to admit that maybe, it will turn out that the rules are not perfect,” Justice Singh said.

The seminar was facilitated by members from the CCJ and Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago, who outlined some of the issues that Guyana’s legal sector could face in the transition.

The new Civil Procedure Rules have been brought in line with similar rules in the Caribbe-

an. The Rules and legal forms span 187 pages and contain procedures for the settlement of civil matters and for making payments both in and out of court.

The Rules will also reduce clogging of the courts by matters that could be settled.

This is the third round of training for the legal sector on the New Civil Procedure Rules 2016. Last November, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, SC, had laid New Civil Procedure Rules for the Supreme Court of Judicature in the National Assembly on behalf of the Rules Committee.

These new rules will replace the existing rules and are designed to ensure parties are heard and not unjustly prejudiced. (GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 21, 2017

‘Start-up’ contractors in Region five to benefit from small contracts

CONTRACTS worth up to $2M will be set aside by the Regional Administration of Region Five for a new category of contractors being called start-up contractors.

This group of contractors forms part of a sub-division of small contractors who qualify for projects costing up to $5M. The establishment of the category of Start-ups is intended to give persons who do not have the equipment or machinery to meet the requirements for the higher level of five-million-dollar contracts.

“In our initiative, the ceiling for this new category, the Start Up Contractors, is $2M. They qualify for projects under that amount and additionally instead of the usual requirement for contractors to show 30% cash security for contracts we will be merely asking this set of contractors to show 10% cash security for their contracts under the $2M ceiling,” Regional

Executive Officer Ovid Morrison explained.

He stressed that the Administration had sought and gotten approval to establish this new category of contractors with the aim of providing employment for the smaller artisan who could not provide the requirements for more costly contracts such as those worth between $3M and $14M. “This is our way to help the small artisan or skilled worker to taste a piece of the pie,” he stated.

Morrison made the disclosures during a Procurement Workshop held by the Administration for persons who would like to apply for contracts for works to be done under the budget of the Regional Administration this year.

The meeting, which was held at the Regional Administration’s Boardroom at Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice, saw several participants including wannabe Start-up

Region five Regional Executive Officer, Ovid Morrison, makes a point during a meeting on Friday with contractors Contractors, Small Contractors and those qualified for the larger contracts.

During a presentation on the categories of contractors, Morrison outlined the essentials needed to qualify for the small contracts.

“The up to $2M projects are exclusively for

Start-Up contractors and no one else. They will compete among themselves in what for them will be a level playing field,” Morrison disclosed.

The Regional Administration has also reduced the cash security required from Small Contractors from 30% to 20% and has

decided that registration for prequalification for projects would be continuous so that persons who may not have applied early in the year can do so before the year ends and can thereafter be considered for contracts by the Regional Tender Board.

Start-up Contractors who have proved their

worth with the $2M projects can also register to qualify for larger projects in the Small Contractors category.

Meanwhile, other topics discussed included the procurement process , the green economy as it relates to construction works, elements of the prequalification process, requirements for the successful execution of contract works, requirements for requesting of payments, specifications for the construction of buildings which provide health care services, and generally other guidelines which are to be followed by persons wishing to get contracts from the Administration this year.

Also present at the meeting were Regional Engineer Dhanpaul Sukha, Deputy Regional Executive Officer Govind Singh, Regional Health Officer Dr. Steven Cheefoon, and Senior Officers of the Engineering Division of the Administration.

(Clifford Stanley)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 21, 2017

NA mom doused with acid

By Jeune Vankeric A TWENTY-SIX-yearold mother of two was on Thursday night reportedly doused with corrosive acid by the father of her two children.

Shundel Williamson, of 16 New Street, New Amsterdam, and formerly of Blue Berry Hill, Wismar, Linden, is currently suffering from burns about her face and body after the father of her two children, reportedly threw acid on her.

Reports reaching the Guyana Chronicle suggest that the woman’s ex-partner was dressed as a female to disguise himself when he reportedly committed the act. Williamson had reportedly left her New Street, New Amsterdam, home, which she

Burnt: Shundel Williamson shares with a female friend sometime before the incident occurred.

An eyewitness told the Guyana Chronicle that the man had visited the Williamsons residence twice Thursday night enquiring about

her whereabouts. Subsequent to his visits to the house, the person who was clad in female clothing and is believed to be the suspect, was seen sitting on the culvert.

The man’s appearance caused some concern among residents of the area, this publication understands.

Meanwhile, the man who was reportedly wearing a dress and sported a wig entered Williamson’s yard and sat on the stairs to the back of the house which leads to the upper flat of the two-storey building.

The victim lives in the lower flat with her children.

At approximately 20:00hrs, a male occupant of the upper flat observed the person attired in the female attire sitting on the stairs and enquired the purpose of the

Indian company looks to invest in Guysuco

- Gov’t calls on opposition, stakeholders to provide feedback urgently

THE Government of Guyana on Thursday announced that Srinath Ispat Limited, a firm based in India with extensive knowledge of the sugar industry, will be in Guyana from Monday, January 23, 2017 to have dialogue with the Guyana Government on possible investments in the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

In a statement to the media, the Ministry of Agriculture said that cash-strapped GUYSUCO has been for a number of years requiring constant bailouts from the state and since taking office, the APNU+AFC administration has been exploring avenues to attract new markets and possible investments.

“The delegation, which will be led by Mr Rajesh Kumar Agarwal, President of Integrated Casetech Consultants PV T. LTD and Mr Tony Joseph, Managing Director of Sunrise Holdings, will visit the major sugar estates, prior to having meetings with the Government,” the statement said.

During the one- week visit to Guyana, the delegation will meet with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and other

ministers, as well as senior officials of the sugar company.

Meanwhile, the government has expressed concern over the slothfulness in which consultations among it, the opposition, GUYSUCO and unions on the future of the industry are progressing. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, consultations began on December 31 and all stakeholders were presented with proposed options for GUYSUCO and have undertaken to study the documents and the implications after which submissions of additional ideas would be put forward to expand the range of options.

The stakeholders have agreed to provide their feedback in a timely manner, but this has not been done.

“The Government is at this stage concerned, that no response has been provided by the Opposition or the unions, which could be tabled for consideration.

It is important that the process of consultations be condensed, particularly since there are significant financial, economic and social implications attached to an extended delayed process for consultations,” the statement said.

GuySuCo has requested G$18 B from the Government for 2017. However, the National Assembly had approved only $G9B, of which G$ 3B has already been disbursed and utilised

by GuySuCo. The remaining G$ 6 B is due for disbursement in March, 2017.

“Recommendations on the financing of the deficit have been made by GuySuCo for consideration and a decision is urgently awaited.

“It is evident, in view of the amount of its financial commitments, unless a decision is made on the future of GuySuCo, the cash-strapped corporation will only continue to be a liability to the Government,” the Ministry of Agriculture added.

The Government of Guyana has presented a number of alternatives to keep the corporation afloat, including diversification of its activities, which have been shared with stakeholders. However, it believes that If a decision is not made on the way forward as a matter of urgency, then “the future of the sugar industry would be jeopardised.”

visit. He was told that the “female” was awaiting a male resident of the premises and he departed.

Half an hour later, Williamson was seen returning to her apartment when the person believed to be the father of Williamson’s children armed with a bottle and a bowl was overheard saying , “If I can’t get you, then no one can’t,” before throwing the acid on the mother of two.

Screams rang throughout the yard and alerted neighbours who provided assistance to the young woman.

The eyewitness told the Guyana Chronicle that the woman’s attacker broke the bottle which contained the substance before walking towards Republic Road, New Amsterdam, and entering a vehicle for which he was the

driver.

Meanwhile, Devi Ramcharit, mother of the injured woman, said her daughter was afraid of the suspect, who had displayed abusive tendencies. Ramcharit told the Guyana Chronicle that her daughter had lived with the suspect at Blue Berry Hill, Wismar, after he had fled from the police, last September. The man was wanted by the police for being in possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

The woman recounted that while her daughter lived with the suspect in Linden, she was abused. The woman said the man allegedly choked Williamson in the presence of their five-year-old son. She recounted that the suspect was insecure and over protective and oftentimes prohibited

her daughter from working.

The distraught woman told the Guyana Chronicle that after her daughter was burned, a call was made to the suspect’s landline phone in Linden, but they received no answer for hours. It was just before midnight when the man answered and said he did not hear the phone ringing.

Ramcharit said he was told of her daughter’s condition and he calmly asked, “how she deh?”

He was briefed about her condition and he just asked for his sons, aged five and three years old respectively, before ending the call. The Guyana Chronicle understands that the suspect had operated a washbay at Main Street and Shoe Lane, New Amsterdam, in the past.

Unlicensed shotguns and rounds seized - four apprehended, one charged and remanded ONE person has been charged and three others are in custody for being in possession o f t h re e u n l i c e n s e d shotguns and several rounds of live cartridges over the past week, a statement from the Guyana Police Force said on Friday.

According to the statement, a resident of Aishalton Village, South Rupununi, Orvin Roberts, was found in

possession of an unlicensed single- barrelled shotgun and one live cartridge on January 14.

The 45-year- old man w a s c h a rg e d a n d r emanded to prison until March 7.

Meanwhile, on January 19 around 13:30hrs, a 40-year- old miner of Craig, East Bank Demerara ,was arrested at 23 Miles Issano, for being in possession of an unlicensed singlebarreled shotgun at his

shop located at Issano.

Similarly, at about 14:00hrs on January 1 9 a t To k a Vi l l a g e , North Rupununi, a 38- year- old resident of the village and his 72- year- old fatherin-law were arrested for being in possession of an unlicensed single- barrelled shotgun, two live cartridges and eight spent cartridges (empty casings). They are currently being processed for court.

The shotguns and cartridges found by police over the past week

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 21, 2017

GuySuCo urges radical restructuring to save sugar industry THE outlook for Guyana’s sugar industry continues to look grim, with Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) officials declaring that, funds injected into sugar industry at this time will be funds “wasted.”

The industry has received criticisms from all levels; however, the latest was included in a report which was presented to the Parliamentary Economic Services Committee on Friday by GuySuCo’s top officials, Chairman, Clive Thomas and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Errol Hanoman.

With a debt of $77.3B and consecutive losses, officials are advising that the industry is one not worth investing in unless plans for the reorganisation, restructuring and diversification of the industry are present.

Figures based on 2015 audited accounts show, GuySuCo recorded a profit once in the past six years, which was recorded in 2013 due to the tax adjustment.

Thus, “radical reorganisation, contraction of sugar and major diversification are urgently required for better predictability and planning,” stated the report.

Need is high for these interventions because the industry is faced with many challenges, one of those being the fact that the cost of production is US 36 cents per pound while it is only sold at US 16 cents per pound.

In essence, this revealed

that the incurred cost of employment at GuySuCo, totaled at “101 percent” of Corporation’s revenue, with 16,937 employees being recorded in 2015.

Added to that, the Corporation’s performance deteriorated after having invested its own funds in the SSMP project (2005 onwards) which did not yield returns as expected, causing cash flow difficulties (coupled with declining sugar prices and increased costs, particularly employment costs) affecting capital and maintenance projects required to sustain and improve production levels.

Therefore, it was recommended that African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries should assess opportunities to diversify away from sugar where the industries are unsustainable at their current size. According to the study, Guyana’s exposure to the EU market is high and finding alternative markets for the quantities and types of sugar produced is challenging.

Thus, it was recommended that ACP countries should assess opportunities to diversify away from sugar where the industries are unsustainable at their current size and create a supportive policy environment to encourage diversification within the sugar sector.

THREE ESTATES However, before those recommendations are taken

President mourns death of Lt.Col. Claude Bowen PRESIDENT David Granger on Friday expressed condolences on the passing of retired Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col.) Claude Vibart Bowen, MEM. Lt. Col. Bowen, was commissioned as an Officer in the British Guiana Volunteer Force. On the eve of Guyana’s attainment of Independence in May 1966, he enlisted and was commissioned as an officer in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

During his military career, Lt. Col. Bowen held many appointments, including Deputy Commandant of the Guyana People’s Militia and Adjutant General of the Guyana Defence Force. He served in the Force for 21 years and was the recipient of the Military Efficiency Medal (MEM).

Lt. Col. Bowen passed away on January 18, 2017.

“President Granger extends sincere condolences to the wife, Ms. Aileen Bowen, children and relatives of the late Lt. Col. Bowen,” on behalf of his government, a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency said on Friday.

into consideration, it was stated that there needs to be validation of GuySuCo’s head office/ central services; with the proposed plan of retaining only three

estates, Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt.

It was suggested that GuySuCo’s agriculture research centre be delinked and merged with the national research centre being developed with IDB funding. And, the corporation’s training centre be developed as an in-

dependent technical school.

But, according to the report, in order to rationalise the sugar industry from seven estates, it requires specialist expertise because the sugar industry lacks skills and experience.

The report indicated that GuySuCo’s state of affairs must not remain the same because time is of the essence and decisions need to be made. $18B would be required in 2017 and a further $21B in 2018, will be required to run GuySuCo. And, in order to reduce this, it was highlighted that the government must use the opportunity to access funds needed to keep sugar operational.

“GuySuCo’s cost structure is too high and sugar prices are too low…we must work towards reducing the required headcount and diversifying the industry,” the report indicated.

The backlash, the report stated will come if continued investment is made to the Skeldon factory, because significant funds need to be invested in order to ensure it is sustained. As such, it was recommended that Skeldon be divested and the government advertises for the sale of the estate.

Apart from that, they will also look towards diversifying Rosehall, Providence. Wales and the East Demerara estates.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 21, 2017

Air Services Limited to rehabilitate Burma airstrip - formalises US$10M investment with MARDS

THE Mahaica- Abary Rice Development Scheme (MARDS) and Air Services Limited on Friday signed a lease agreement which forms part of a US$10M investment.

Air Services Limited has

rehabilitation of the airstrip will also see the construction of a state-of-the-art hangar that would be able to accommodate up to three planes at once, along with an administrative office which will be used to provide aerial appli-

Air Services, the rehabilitation of the existing airstrip would be a viable investment...,”Persaud said.

The lease agreement was signed by Persaud and Mazahar Ally of MARDS, and Managing- Director Phillip

Representatives of Air Services Limited and MARDS sign the lease agreement on Friday committed -- by virtue of the investment -- to rehabilitating an airstrip located at Burma, Mahaicony, Region Five.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, the project includes the upgrade to the deteriorated 20 *1800 ft airstrip to a 40 *2500 ft asphalted one. The

cation services to farmers in Regions Five and Six. MARDS General Manager, Ronald Persaud, while underscoring the importance of agriculture, said the investment by Air Services comes following a plea by farmers for the rehabilitation of the airstrip.

“After consultation with

Jaiserrisingh, consultant ,on behalf of Air Services Ltd. Also present at the signing were Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, George Jervis; Chairperson of the Board of Directors, MARDS, Allison Bourne and Accountable Manager, Air Services Ltd, Rajaindra Singh.

Guyana Chronicle distances self from fake Facebook post THE Guyana Chronicle has taken note of a fake headline attached to an earlier story we had carried regarding the acquittal of jeweller Sanjay Persaud being circulated on social media.

The author of this post removed the original headline of our story, “Sanjay’s owner freed of dangerous driving charge” and imposed: “Sanjay’s owner pardoned of causing death

charge.”

In an attempt to give credence to their devious plot, the architect of the post placed a photograph of President David Granger and Mr Persaud to create the impression that the pardon was done by the head of state. The Guyana Chronicle condemns this wicked act and again distances itself from the fake post. Click link for original story.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 21, 2017

Stop pettiness and prejudice –– President urges regional officials as inaugural NRDCC opened

PRESIDENT David Granger has warned that local democratic organs are not ornaments or central government appendages, but are integral parts of the country’s development and governance.

He called on regional bodies to overcome their pettiness and prejudices in a bid to advance Guyana’s development agenda. The President’s warning followed the boycotting of the inaugural meeting of the National Regional Development Consultative Committee (NRDCC) on Friday at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston.

Subject Minister Ronald Bulkan was informed on Thursday night via missives from several regional chairpersons, indicating that they would not participate in Friday’s meeting given their concerns that the committee poses a danger of impinging on the Constitutional authority of the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) and municipalities.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the NRDCC, the head-of-state made it clear in his address to mayors, councilors and regional officials that Guyana will remain underdeveloped if central and regional governments, which comprise councils and municipalities, are unable to work together.

The promise of a good life he said will not become a reality unless Guyana has economically robust and resilient regions. Local democratic organs, he said, could fulfil their mandates to ensure that the country achieves its fullest potential and noted that capacity must be enlarged, while competence must be enhanced by fostering consultations and cooperation among stakeholders.

The President reminded the gathering of regional officials that Guyana has 10 administrative regions which comprise elected officials; municipalities, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and Village councils which are vital organs.

He compared Guyana with other countries and territories that have the same size as some of the regions here and noted that by becoming a green state, Guyana is on the right trajectory towards development.

Describing Guyana as the lungs of the earth, the President said each region has its own ecological zone and biodiversity.

“Each region should be proud of its portion of this great patrimony, it should

be an honour to be a regional chairman,” the President said. While noting that “the regions are the roots of economic growth, the development of the region must be stimulated by capital towns… we must enhance their capabilities to deliver education, health, law enforcement, housing, water supply, immigration, taxation, registration of births, deaths and businesses, all of these are needed for human development.”

He charged towns to encourage employment, establish industrial estates, economic diversification, Banking, Commerce, Communication, Insurance, Law Courts, police headquarters, radio and television stations, hospitals, stadiums and business services.

Each region, he added, should supervise its own work through the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and municipalities.

Meanwhile, President Granger lauded the implementation of the NRDCC

by Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, and reminded those gathered that the country’s local government system was given a new lease on life in March 2016, after the APNU+AFC coalition government held Local Government Elections (LGE) after 18 years.

The President stressed that the Constitution declares Guyana as an indivisible, secular, sovereign and democratic state and noted that within “that state the local government system is indispensible to our concept of democracy, is essential to the state’s economic, cultural, social and political development.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, spoke of the Opposition People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) attempts in the past to control Council members and noted that representatives of the party who condoned such behaviour absented themselves from Friday’s meeting. “…they were fearful that their participation could be seen as endorsing this initiative, which is a consultative committee designed to bring together all of our regions with a view of strengthening regional administration and strengthening the role of RDCs in both the management as well as development of their respective regions.”

Bulkan said the arguments advanced by the PPP councillors were baseless and provocative, given that

they are public officers, “I do not think it’s unfair of me to say that there is a certain degree of insubordination in the actions of these officers.”

Nevertheless, he said that the central government will continue to extend the hand of cooperation and collaboration to all democratic institutions. The Minister of Communities said the establishment of the NRDCC is new and is aimed at confronting the enemies of progress, obstacles of development and adversaries of the people. “ “These include crime, disease, ignorance and poverty,” he noted, while informing the officials gathered that in order to break out of the trap of underdevelopment and dependency, there is need for a new system that is programmed and systematic.

Bulkan argued that the local government structure and system must be tailored to fit the social realities, and empahsised the need for there to be consultation and collaboration with all stakeholders.

The minister reminded the gathering that it is important for councillors to be aware of their roles and responsibilities, while stating that training and the provision of resources are critical to the fulfilling of their mandates. “That is why we are here, to serve the people and that is our only job,” he added, while stating that the regional system was not created merely for the administration, but for development.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Communities said his government is committed to regional development through empowerment, but noted the resistance of the opposition PPP/C. He reiterated that his administration will ensure that it respects the democratic organs created by the Constitution.

He stressed that strong RDCs are better able to provide a better feedback to central government regarding the needs of the people. This, he said, results in stronger regions while ensuring a vibrant nation.

“We are a divided nation; we have allowed political and ethnic considerations to divide us,[but] we must put an end to that for the sake of our well-being and that of the future of our children, we must heal our country…”

The NRDCC was held under the theme, “Strengthening Regional Governance through Leadership development, Financial Management and Strategic Networking.”

President David Granger and Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, reviewing documents during the National Regional Development Consultative Committee on Friday at the Marriott Hotel

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 21, 2017

Repairs recommence at Kitty Market - To be reopened by the end of first quarter

THE Kitty Market remains on track for its opening at the end of the first quarter as repairs to the market resumed recently.

The renovation of the market, which is also a historical site, was scheduled to be completed last May but was rescheduled due to financial challenges.

Guyana Chronicle understands that though repairs are not visible on the outside of the building contractors are working on the inside.

Public Relations Officer

at Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC), Debra Lewis, had said that the market could not be completed for 2016 because the municipality was cash-strapped.

“We are working as the finances come to the municipality and we are not getting a grant to do this project; it is merely the rates collected that are being used,” Lewis had told Guyana Chronicle.

Lewis explained that the market is not being subsidized and that rehabilitation works are solely dependent

Kitty Market under rehabilitation on the rates and taxes, of which some $16B is outstanding to the municipality.

Meanwhile, Town Clerk Royston King had announced that the market would have had a November 1 opening, just in time for the Christmas season. At that time only 65 per cent of the works had been completed.”

The M&CC has received more than 170 applications from citizens who wish to occupy new stalls in the market, the ground floor of which is costing the Council roughly $35M. The market, which has great historical significance and bears much pride for the Kitty community, is to feature a traditional health centre, an office for rates

and taxes, and space for the community councillor.

“We are also contemplating putting some space for the councillor’s office at the market; and this is not only at Kitty, but wherever we have municipal buildings, we intend to make space available for councillors working with their local communities,” the Town Clerk had said.

According to him, there will be a decentralisation of Council’s work, as the market will take into account the needs of communities between Cummings Lodge and Kitty. The upper flat of the market is being remodelled to include a rates and taxes office, as well as a municipal clinic.

“People from Cummings

Lodge to Kitty don’t have to come all the way to City Hall to pay their rates and taxes.

We are aiming to reintroduce the system that was in place many years ago,” Mayor Patricia Chase-Green had told the Chronicle.

The Kitty Market was established in 1882, two years after the Bourda Market had come into being. Like the Bourda Market, Kitty Market is timber-framed. The 19th century structure had suffered massive deterioration over the years prior to its renovation, causing vendors operating in its environs to lodge numerous complaints with the City Council. (Telesha Ramnarine)

Central Bank reassures: no shortage of foreign currency THE Bank of Guyana has assured the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) that there is no shortage foreign currency and produced evidence which suggests that the foreign reserves of the commercial banks and the Central Bank remain relatively unchanged.

This is according to a press release issued by the Chamber on Thursday.

The GCCI said this assurance was given by the Central Bank when the GCCI’s Executive Management Committee (EMC) met with senior representatives of the Bank of Guyana on Monday, January 16, 2017, to discuss concerns raised by some of its members regarding difficulties with local banks processing overseas transactions.

“During the meeting,” the release said, “both parties shared their views on the matter, especially as it relates to conflicting reports that were seen in the media.

“The Bank of Guyana assured the Chamber that there is no shortage of foreign currency and produced evidence which suggests that the foreign reserves of the commercial banks and the Central Bank remain relatively unchanged,” the release said.

The GCCI said the Bank of Guyana stated [expressed concern] that information being circulated by the media is “destabilizing speculation” which can impact demand, but added that it is monitoring the situation and will intervene if necessary.

The release concluded: “Based on discussion with the Bank of Guyana, the Chamber recommends that businesses consider the option of looking to other banks and cambios for foreign currency. Any difficulties faced when processing financial transactions can be reported to [the] GCCI or the Bank of Guyana directly.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 21, 2017

Omar Shariff fired

15

… Abena Moore appointed substantive Permanent Secretary

THE services of Omar Shariff as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency (MOTP) have been terminated as of December 31, 2016 and Abena Moore has been appointed to the position

of substantive Permanent Secretary as of January 3, 2017.

A statement from the Ministry of the Presidency on Friday said Shariff was sent on leave by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on

Vendors petition for permanent space on Merriman Mall TWENTY-FIVE Merriman Mall vendors, barbers and cosmetologists, have signed a petition to Mayor Patricia Chase-Green for a permanent structure or building to be constructed for them at the site between Cummings and Light Streets.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the request by the vendors will be taken to the full council on Monday, and should there be a majority of councillors agreeing, then this will be the way that City Hall will go.

Currently, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is in breach of the rules governing the municipality, one of which is that barbers and cosmetologists should be conducting their business within the confines of a building or structure. After evicting several vendors last week, City Hall has allowed to remain those barbers and cosmetologists who are said to be keeping their work environment clean.

Reports are that if the vendors’ request is granted, they will have to pay for light and water on their own.

A source told the Guyana Chronicle on Friday that the request has found favour with the mayor since those plying their trades will be in a better position to be monitored by public health inspectors.

The mayor, the source continued, has also taken into account that many of the cosmetologists who want to operate on the Merriman Mall are single mothers who are in need.

Just last week, after the mayor said these vendors had one month to remove from Merriman Mall, Town Clerk Royston King and a team swooped down at the facility and dismantled several stalls in the dead of night, and without giving any notice.

One vendor told the media subsequently that he had received word that the reason behind moving him and the rest of the vendors is to make the area into a parking lot that will facilitate parking meters.

Chase-Green had said that the original intention was for the vendors to be relocated to Merriman Mall on a temporary basis, and now that they are proving to be untidy, remaining on a permanent basis is now out of the question.

One vendor who had previously told the Guyana Chronicle that she was willing to work along with the guidelines of the M&CC is of the view that the M&CC has provided them with only empty promises.

“They take us from off the streets and giving us empty promises. We were maintaining the spots. They could have told us of their dissatisfaction. It is a deception, because you just come and meet your stuff on the road,” the woman said.

“It appears as though these people bullying poor people. Is we vote for these people. Before they become mayor and town clerk, they come out on the road and give us all assurances that they will help us and this is what these people turn out to. They turn their back on us after we finish voting for them and they get what they want.

These people just studying to make money. Nothing they ain’t doing for poor people,” one barber lamented.

June 30, 2016 pending an investigation being conducted by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), an arm of the Guyana Police Force.

In a letter dated June 30, 2016 to Shariff, Minister Harmon told him to proceed on his annual leave so that he could cooperate fully with SOCU during the investigation.

Shariff was arrested last June after some $10B were allegedly uncovered in his personal bank accounts; he was subsequently released

on bail but SOCU continued investigations into the former Permanent Secretary’s alleged extraordinary accumulation of wealth as well as allegations of tax evasion and money laundering.

On Thursday, Shariff appeared before, Magistrate Fabayo Azore and almost immediately after he rose before the Magistrate, the prosecution and defence teams requested that Magistrate Azore adjourn to Monday pending advice from the High Court.

As a result, a proposed charge of failure to comply with a production order contrary to Section 26 of the Money Laundering Act was not read against former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency, Omar Shariff.

The High Court had issued an order to Shariff for him to provide certain documents to SOCU, with which he has since failed to comply.

Shariff worked under the former People’s Progressive Party (PPP)

Former Permanent Secretary Ministry of the Presidency, Omar Shariff government and is a former senior member of the now-opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

Shariff has long-standing ties with that party.

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U.S. Judge assists in reducing backlog of High Court cases –– says mediation and case management important in the process

By Clestine Juan WITH more than 10,000 backlogged cases before the High Court, a United States Judge is in Guyana to assist with the enhancement of the delivery of justice.

Senior Judge Clifford Wallace in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Friday, said there is a great need for the backlog of cases within the High Court to be reduced; this, he said, will speed up the delivery of justice here.

Judge Wallace had visited over 64 counties implementing case- management programming and is here assisting the judiciary with the fundamental concepts and techniques essential to effective case management and the court on a day-to-day basis.

The American Judge opined that the rise in the

United States Senior Judge, J Clifford Wallace number of backlogged cases may be as a result of Guyana’s use of the common law legal system.

“All the countries that have come out of the British rule are having the same problem with the huge numbers of backlogged cases,”

the U.S. Judge said, as he explained that he had worked in similar situations with countries and was successful with the breakdown of cases.

Judge Wallace noted too that countries that had inherited the British legal system are making changes and teaching judges, registrars, magistrates, staff and members of the bar about casemanagement. By month-end, the Civil Procedures Rules will be used in the courts and with this change new rules will be implemented. Those rules would be similar to those in the Caribbean and are aimed at simplifying the processes within the court system to ensure the speedy completion of cases.

According to Judge Wallace, the backlog of cases in the High Court can be solved by proper case- management and through mediation. He said too that the number of

rising cases in the system places a heavy burden on judges ,with each presiding over approximately 700 matters.

Case management ,he noted, helps to maximise the time judges spend on cases and reduces time spent in court speaking to matters that require little judicial input; that time, he said, can be spent on more meaningful cases.

Meanwhile, in the case of mediation, Judge Wallace believes it is an efficient and effective tool that allows the parties in a case to make a determination into matters, is faster, costs less and allows judges to spend more time on trials.

“In the U.S. 90% of the cases are mediated and 10% goes to trial, while in Guyana it’s the total opposite with 90% of the matters going before the court,” said Wal-

lace, who noted that he was invited by Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh, to come here to educate judges, registrars and members of the bar about case- management with the aim of over time reducing the backlog of cases.

Thus far, Judge Wallace has visited several High Court officials and will be conducting training sessions with members of the Bar Association as part of the first phase of his project. The second phase will see emphasis being

placed on the magisterial level.

Judge Wallace began his judicial career as a federal trial judge on the United States District Court. He was later nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals by President Nixon in 1972.

After taking senior status, Judge Wallace has focused his attention on the effort of religious freedom and human rights, working directly with judiciaries in more than 64 countries and on every continent.

UK-trained lawyer Special Adviser to AG ATTORNEY General Basil Williams has hired a United Kingdom-trained lawyer as his special adviser, a release from the AG Chambers has said.

Ms Tessa Oudkerk’s responsibilities will include assisting Williams, a Senior Counsel and also Minister of Legal Affairs in the execution of his functions in respect of the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime and his work relating to the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the release stated.

Oudkerk pursued studies in law at the University of Trent and the Bar Professional Training Course at College of Law in the United Kingdom and was called to the Bar of England and Wales in November 2012 by the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, of which she is a member. She was admitted to the Bar of Anguilla on 29th April, 2015.

According to the AG’s Chambers Ms Oudkerk approached the legal profession as a mature professional after obtaining a Master of Science Degree in Computer Systems Engineering from the Ukraine in 1993.

She worked as a manager at the National Data Management Authority for a period of three years and thereafter joined the University of Guyana, where she lectured in Computer Science for a period of four years.

While working at the university, she pursued a graduate diploma in education and served as an executive member to her alma mater, Queen’s College, providing

voluntary teaching service.

Thereafter, Ms Oudkerk founded a learning centre which offered subjects including, CXC Computer Science, and Information Technology at CSEC and CAPE levels.

Ms Oudkerk migrated to

Special Adviser to the Attorney General, Ms Tessa Oudkerk the United Kingdom where she worked as a teacher and pursued a post- graduate diploma in marketing in Scotland. More recently, Ms Oudkerk worked in Anguilla B.W.I. for a Licensed Company Manager for two years as a Money Laundering Compliance and Reporting Officer.

She is now certified by the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) as a specialist in anti-money laundering and financial crimes investigations.

Ms Oudkerk is a member of ACAMS and the United Kingdom chapter of ACAMS.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 21, 2017

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Chinese ambassador calls on Attorney General

NEW Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Cui Jianchun earlier this week paid a courtesy visit to the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs at his Carmichael Street, Georgetown chambers.

Cui Jianchun acknowledged the solid relationship between China and Guyana for the past four decades and spoke of the continuous development of China as a developing nation, while simultaneously sharing the challenges that accompanied such growth, the AG office said in a release. An area outlined by Cui Jianchun as a key focus for China

Attorney General, Basil Williams (centre) is flanked by Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun (right) and the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Chinese Embassy here, Yang Chenqi

is formalising the rule of law; building a society of harmony and prosperity where citizens think and abide by the law. The five-year plan of china will focus on innovation, co-ordination, a green economy, for open policy and a sharing policy.

The Attorney General welcomed and informed the Chinese envoy that Guyana is pursuing a green and diverse economy and pledged to work to deepen and strengthen its relations with China, particularly in the pursuit of a green agenda, sustainable development and the rule of law.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 21, 2017

Scenes from Trump’s inauguration

Hillary Clinton waves as she arrives REUTERS/Rick Wilking

President Trump and First Lady Melania attend the Inaugural luncheon at the National Statuary Hall. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

President Obama and First Lady Michelle greet President-elect Trump and his wife Melania for tea before the inauguration. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Hillary Clinton greets First Lady Melania Trump as her husband Bill speaks with President Trump. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn.

REUTERS/Carlos Barria

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 21, 2017

President Obama and First Lady Michelle prepare to greet President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania for tea before the inauguration. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

President Obama and President-elect Donald Trump. REUTERS/ Carlos Barria

People look on and listen as President Trump delivers his inaugural address. REUTERS/Ricky Carioti/Pool

Former President Obama departs following President Trump’s inauguration. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

First Lady Melania Trump wearing a Ralph Lauren baby-blue jacket and matching dress REUTERS/Rob Carr/Pool

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 21, 2017

Fire destroys Robb Street building

A FIRE of unknown origin on Friday morning destroyed two floors of a four-storey building located at 56 Robb Street, Bourda, Georgetown.

The fire, which started at approximately 09:00hrs in the back half of the top floor of the building which houses a Chinese Variety store, quickly spread as firefighters struggled to acquire water to douse the flames which spread rapidly in that section of the building, threatening nearby wooden buildings.

Persons in the area quickly gathered at the scene to either get a glimpse of the spreading fire or to lend a helping hand to members of the Guyana Fire Service.

“Look deh, the fire spreading…them windows bussing y’all move down, it gonna pitch,” one man was heard screaming to those gathered while another observer opined, “they have goods stored up there and them goods gonna catch fast, these firemen need to go to the back and out the

fire or is all these buildings in danger.”

But as firemen battled the fire, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, arrived on the scene and observed the operations of the firemen for approximately one hour. When approached for a comment, the minister said, “I am not giving any statements on this.”

The Guyana Chronicle observed that firemen were challenged by several factors and while confronting those challenges, the fire

Fire destroyed the top floor of the four-storey building on Robb Street, Bourda, Friday morning.

Divisional Officer, Guyana Fire Service Compton Sparman briefs Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, on Friday morning as firefighters doused the Robb Street, Bourda fire.

quickly spread from the back to the front of the building which reportedly contained flammable items.

It is unclear who owns the building, but this publication understands that the owner is currently out of the country.

The Chinese nationals who occupy the premises refused to provide any information and oftentimes ran in the opposite direction from the media. Law enforcement officers were out in their numbers to prevent observers from walking into danger.

Meanwhile, a business-

man who owns and operates a store to the right of the burnt building, told the Guyana Chronicle that three men were using a welding machine on the top floor of the four-storey building.

The man recounted that when the fire started the men pushed a generator aside and ran out of the building, after which the building became engulfed in flames. An alarm was raised and the Guyana Fire Service arrived on the scene.

D i v i s i o n a l O ff i c e r, Guyana Fire Service (GFS)

Compton Sparman, told reporters that the cause of the fire is unknown as the GFS is still conducting investigations. He noted that while those who witnessed the fire are speculating, it is only through thorough investigations that the cause of the fire would be known.

Police ‘A’ Division C o m m a n d e r, C l i f t o n Hicken, told reporters that the fire was reported around 09:15hrs and the area was immediately contained so as to allow the Guyana Fire Service to extinguish the fire.

(Sherah Alleyne)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 21, 2017

Jagdeo seeks public support for ‘unacceptable’ list

REFUSING to heed calls for him to submit a fresh list of nominees for the post of chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Friday tried to whip up support at a public forum at the Umana Yana for his picks to be accepted.

Delivering the main address to an audience packed with PPP supporters, Jagdeo said many people have called him and expressed two opinions. Firstly, he said the President is receiving bad advice from Attorney General Basil Williams and secondly, many are of the view that the President intends to break with democratic tradition and appoint a GECOM Chairman using obscure legal arguments.

“They want to appoint a chairman sympathetic to the PNC that will upset the balance at GECOM that will convert GECOM into a tool of the PNC with the aim of rigging the elections,” Jagdeo charged.

He said if the first view is the dominant one, then it is obvious that Williams continues to give bad legal advice to the President. The President and Williams’s view has been supported by a retired judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Duke Pollard, and several other legal minds. Jagdeo

had named Ryhaan Shah, a controversial Indian rights activist; Professor James Rose, a PPP candidate; Lawrence Lachmansingh, a Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Consultant; business executive, Ramesh Dookhoo; former Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Norman McLean; and Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram as his nominees, but those names were all rejected by President Granger.

Describing the list as “unacceptable,” President Granger has since explained that the six nominees are not qualified, according to the constitutional requirements.

According to Section 2 of Article 161, “The Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds or who has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth, or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court, or who is qualified to be appointed as any judge, or any other fit and proper person, to be appointed by the President from a list of six persons, not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after meaningful consultation with the non-governmental political parties represented

in the National Assembly.”

Since then, there has been an outpouring of support for President Granger’s decision to reject the list and overwhelming calls for a new list to be resubmitted.

In a missive, retired Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Duke Pollard, said that the President’s decision to reject the list was well founded, noting that the intent of Article 161 (2) of the Constitution is to “secure impartiality and even-handedness in the appointment of the Chairman of GECOM. “The employment of the pronoun “other” speaks volumes and must be interpreted to mean that such “other fit and proper person” must possess the characteristics of the two-named preceding persons. In effect, such person must possess the generally accepted distinctive characteristics of a judge, namely, autonomy of decision-making, considerable jurisdictional reach, impartiality, integrity and the disposition to act judicially,” Justice Pollard said, as he cleared the air on whether an individual who is not a judge can be appointed Chairman of GECOM. In assessment of the qualifications of the six nominees, Justice Pollard posited that “The list submitted is palpably defective

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo speaking at the PPP’s Public Forum in omitting persons qualified as judges or possessing requisite qualifications to be appointed as such.”

President Granger has since suggested to Jagdeo that he pick someone to meet with Williams to clarify the interpretation of Article 16 (2) of Guyana’s Constitution that spells out the requirements for nominees.

However, Jagdeo said the PPP wanted a meeting with the President instead of the AG to file a complaint pertaining to the bad legal advice being dispensed by

Williams. “No amount of legal arguments, as strong as they are, will change his opinion, because he will not be swayed by legal arguments; his intent is to get a partisan chairman, and no amount of pointing out the history will change anything, since he is hellbent on having his way,” Jagdeo said.

He said the party plans to attend the meeting with the Attorney General where arguments will be presented.

“It’s a nightmare to talk to Basil Williams, but we will

do it and after that we will continue to engage and I am very conscious that I am central in this process,” Jagdeo said. The opposition leader said he is prepared to engage in a meaningful way to fulfil his constitutional duties.

Jagdeo said that with the advent of social media, the Government cannot get away with many of the things that they would like to hide, adding that what the government does affects all of society and not PPP supporters alone.

Suspect held for Corentyne robbery THE police in Berbice have detained one suspect and recovered the bike that was involved in two brazen robberies in Kildonan and Port Mourant on Tuesday.

According to police sources, one suspect was held for the robbery committed in Kildonan. The suspect hails from the neighbouring village of Nurney. The source has confirmed that the hunt is now on for the other two accomplices who were involved in the daring robbery committed on Nirmala Devi Persaud.

Meanwhile, the source has also confirmed that

the bike which was used in the Spready’s robbery on Tuesday was found in a clump of bushes aback Port Mourant and they have positively identified one of the suspects from surveillance footage. According to reports, the brother of the suspect was detained and pertinent information regarding the whereabouts of his brother was gathered. As a result, sleuths are tracking the suspects’ movements closely and are optimistic they will make a breakthrough shortly in the case.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that on Thursday one of the suspects vis-

ited his home in Babu Jaan, Port Mourant and called his brother to retrieve an item. The police received a tip-off that the men were in the area, but by the time they arrived the men had already left. The brother was subsequently arrested and taken back to the house where the suspect lives and a search of the backyard unearthed two full-face helmets matching the description of the one used in the robbery at Spready’s . This newspaper understands that the said house is a meeting place for the planning of illegal activities. According to information, the suspect

was seen two days prior to the robbery fixing his bike and the motorcycle fits the description of the one used in the Spready’s robbery.

On Tuesday at 14:30hrs, bandits stuck twice on the Corentyne when a lone bandit walked into the Money Gram section of Spready’s Supermarket wearing a closed, full- face motorbike helmet. He presented himself to the cashier as a customer and then grabbed her by the hair and banged her head against the counter. The bandit then jumped over the counter and emptied the cash register, which, according to the owner,

amounted to close to $1M. The bandit then ran out where an accomplice was waiting on a CG motor cycle and they made good their escape.

The owner of Spready’s Narine Singh, has also disclosed to this newspaper that the surveillance footage revealed the bandit had a weapon in his possession, however, he did not brandish it during the robbery.

Meanwhile, at the same time over in Kildonan three bandits attacked 50-yearold Nirmala Devi Persaud called “Aunty Doris,” who was home alone cleaning fish in her backyard.

The woman who op-

erates a small vegetable stand was held at gunpoint by an armed bandit while his two accomplices ransacked her home looking for cash and jewellery. The men kept demanding money and jewellery, even though Persaud gave them her purse which contained a little over $5000. After not finding anything else of value, the bandits resorted to removing the pair of earrings that Persaud was wearing at the time. The three men then bound and gagged Persaud before making good their escape in a white 212 Toyota Carina car.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 21, 2017

Bulkan balks at PPP’s ‘manipulation’ of regional officials

MINISTER of Communities, Ronald Bulkan has dismissed as propaganda assertions appearing in certain sections of the media that opposition dominated regional councils were deliberately sidelined and excluded from Friday’s inaugural National Regional Development Consultative Committee (NRDCC) meeting.

Four of the opposition controlled councils despite being invited, absented themselves from the forum,

the ministry said in a statement. It added that between 6:44 and 8:47pm, Thursday night Minister Ronald Bulkan received four identically-worded letters from opposition-controlled councils (Regions 2, 5 and 6 and Mayor of the Anna Regina Town Council), the identically worded letters confirm central direction and involvement.

This not only displays disinterest and disrespect, but borders on insubordination and disregard for poli-

cies of central government, and more importantly, the needs of the citizens within the various communities.

What was obviously a boycott will ultimately disenfranchise the people within those regions, making them victims of self-serving politicians. Any suggestion that today’s activity will dilute or threaten the authority of local democratic organs is baseless, provocative and devious since the activity was designed to strengthen the role of local democratic Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan organs in the discharge of their duties.

Further, public officials have a duty under the law to conform to public policies.

The policy of decentralisation and devolution of decision-making power, and the administration’s efforts to ensure that regional officials are invested with power authority and respect to manage their affairs and that of their people is central to this administration’s philosophy and commitment to the people of Guyana.

Meanwhile, Minister of Communities, Bulkan, expressed sympathy and empathy with several officials who were prepared to attend the session and actually uplifted state funds to facilitate their attendance but were discouraged by their political masters, the statement read.

Minister Bulkan has

said that the administration will continue to work with them and all other stakeholders to heal the divide which exists in Guyana and build a united, cohesive country. “Those deplorable actions of the opposition to deny regional leaders the opportunity of participating in activities organised by central government intended to improve the quality of life of all Guyanese in all of the country’s regions, are pitiful, irresponsible, and reckless, and does a disservice to the people which they were elected to serve.”

However, he said central government will not be deterred or distracted from representing all Guyanese people. “Central Government will persevere in working with all local democratic organs to ensure that they function as part and parcel of the governance architecture and in alignment with the national agenda based on government’s strategic trajectory. “ Bulkan explained that there are three tiers of government and central government is committed to ensuring that all levels collaborate and that none dominate.

“Government remains dedicated to a united Guyana. Government is mindful, too, of the fact that all regions have different priorities, needs, resources and personnel. Government, with this recognition will

work with regional administrators to fully realise the potential of each region and ultimately the potential of our nation as a whole.”

Meanwhile, in a statement of its own the Peoples’ Progressive Party’s (PPP) said its Head Office, late Thursday afternoon was contacted by a number of Regional Chairmen and Mayors expressing their disapproval in attending the launch of the inaugural meeting of the National Regional Development Consultative Committee (NRDCC) at the Marriot Hotel, Kingston.

The PPP claimed that the regional chairmen and vice chairmen of the seven councils, which it won and the mayors and deputy mayors of the three municipalities it also won were given very short notice and were not given details regarding the meeting prior to travelling.

The party also claimed contrary to the ministry that the officers were asked to fund their own travelling costs.

The PPP also complained that there was no prior consultation with the Parliamentary Opposition or with the invited Local Authorities (Regions and Municipalities) on the inauguration of a NRDCC and the establishment of ten Regional Development Consultative Committees (RDCCs). The latter would be co-chaired by the Regional Chairman and Mayor for each Administrative Region.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 21, 2017

Suspected wife killer ‘Frenchie’ dies AFTER almost eight years on the run, alleged killer Charles Chapman called ‘Frenchie’, who was recently incarcerated for the March 12, 2009 murder of his reputed wife, Savitri Arjune, died at the Georgetown Public

Dead: Charles ‘Frenchie’Chapman

Hospital on Friday.

Prison sources noted that Chapman complained of feeling unwell and was taken to the infirmary within the prison on Thursday. Shortly after he was taken to the infirmary, the prisoner was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after stating that he Murdered: Savitri Arjune was asthmatic. He died at 23:00hrs on Thursday.

The 62-year-old Chapman was arrested following a tip- off on January 9, 2017, at a house at Limlair, Corentyne, where he had been living for the past three years. During his interaction with law- enforcement officers, the man said he hailed from Herstelling, East Bank Demerara but had been living in Suriname. Charges against Chapman were laid while he was on the run.

Meanwhile, it was reported that at the time of Arjune’s death, Chapman (54 years old at the time) was a minibus conductor. He reportedly stabbed the woman to death a short distance from her 382 Herstelling, East Bank Demerara home.

According to reports, Arjune, who was 34 years old at the time of the murder, was ambushed and stabbed multiple times about her body after Chapman pounced on her. Ajune collapsed and Chapman reportedly boarded a vehicle and drove to Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara, where he abandoned it. It was said that the two had a rocky, eight- year relationship.

He was scheduled to return to court on February 3.

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Two teams book STAG Nations Cup quarter-final places GROVE Hi Tech, led by captain Sherman Doris’ brace, stormed into the quarter-finals of the STAG Nations Cup knock-out championship, involving teams from five associations affiliated to the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

The championship, which was stalled from last December due to consistent rainfall, made a welcome restart, notwithstanding more rainfall which rendered conditions at the Grove Playfield heavy; but that did not deter the zest of the players from the respective teams from going at each other.

The opening match which necessitated kicks from the penalty mark to decide the winner, following a 0-0 score line at the end of regulation and extra time, saw West Demerara’s Den Amstel outlasting (Berbice) New Amsterdam United 5-3 sending the last of four teams from the Ancient County, packing.

Witnessed by a fairsize and very supportive home crowd, Grove Hi Tech quelled the early intentions of

the fleet-footed duo of New Amsterdam United captain Leonard Adams and Jamal Butts, who both carried the attack to the home team and looked threatening.

But the two-time champions of the competition which attracted teams from three associations in the previous editions (2014/15, 2015/16) gradually took the fight away from the boys from the East.

First it was a Mervin Squires goal that punctuated the 0-0 score line and handed Grove the lead in the 8th minute of play. It was the first regulation-time goal of the night which sent the supporters into wild celebrations.

As Grove continued to assert themselves they won a free kick from about 25 yards out, directly in front of NA United’s goal. In slippery conditions a solid blast saw the ball zoom past the wall and goalkeeper into the back of the net and that was exactly the outcome.

Captain Sherman Doris took on the responsibility of taking the shot and his low, powerful strike sailed past the

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wall and custodian Jovano Dos Santos to settle in the net as Grove ran away 2-0 leaders on 25 minutes.

While the home team were riding high, the boys from the East never lost focus and kept matching the home team play for play.

They soon earned their first goal in the 30th minute when Jermaine Samuels tucked his shot past Grove keeper Seon Sampson.

Like Grove, NA United got their second goal and equaliser from a free kick which was also orchestrated by their captain, whose powerful strike could not be saved cleanly by Sampson, as it rebounded off his chest into the onrushing Butts, who gleefully tapped it into the back of the net on the stroke of halftime.

It was a deserving goal as the momentum had swung back in favour of the visitors to set up an enthralling final 45 minutes. There was no relenting from either side in the opening minutes of the second half as they both sought to establish dominance and

more so, score goals.

But it was the home team who not only dominated but also scored goals to knock the wind out of the sails of NA United. Captain Doris again featured when he handed his team another well executed shot in the 52nd minute.

Both teams introduced fresh legs. Grove’s insertions brought the reward of their fourth goal off the boot of Joel Dick in the 84th minute - a goal which sealed the win and their quarter-final place against Police next Wednesday night at the GDF ground in the feature match at 21:00hrs.

Den Amstel and Ann’s Grove, losers in both previous finals to Grove Hi Tech, battled for 105 minutes without being able to score.

Both sides created chances with Ann’s Grove guilty of flooring what had appeared to be clear-cut opportunities, at least two from close range.

They were also denied by excellent goalkeeping from Den Amstel’s Ryan Hunte who would have won the MVP of the match if there

was such an award.

They eventually paid for their mistakes as Den Amstel posted their second win of the championship following their 4-2 win over Kuru Kururu Warriors.

The West Demerara boys prevailed 5-3 via kicks from the penalty mark and will now face Riddim Squad in next Wednesday’s penultimate quarter-final at the GDF ground.

Scoring for the winners were Gavin Graham, Kevaughn Ward, Ryan Hunte, Travis Hilliman and Andre Hector. On target for the losers were Jermaine Clarke, Levon Adams and Kevon Barry; Marlon Adams missed their second shot which eventually brought their downfall.

Meanwhile, quarter-final action will get cracking tomorrow at the Tucville ground in a Georgetown vs West Demerara showdown.

Santos will open against Pouderoyen from 18:00hrs, with Western Tigers and Uitvlugt clashing in the main attraction. At stake will be two spots in the semi- finals.

‘Bring Masters back ...

From back page to try to enhance the performances of the present players and foster relationships with coaches,” he said.

Gibbs, who was the national captain for eight years from 1970, also represented

the Caribbean twice, once against English side Hull City and another against an English amateur team side.

He has benefited from a scholarship in Mexico and was a coach with the National Sports Development Council.(NSDC) The former Thomas Unit-

ed player is hosting a breakfast and football match on Sunday at the Georgetown Football Club.(GFC).

Starting at 09:30hrs, the Ex-Nationals will play a Masters XI following breakfast.

Gibbs is a frequent visitor to his homeland.

Gayle demands ...

From back page platform Twitter to air his grouses.

“So why is it I can’t get paid like all the others?

It’s been 1 year now and I need my money asap!

Not because I’m from the Caribbean #Ten,” read

Gayle’s first tweet.

“So make sure when I check my account next week it’s there! I done talk! Slavery Days done with! Pay Me! #Ten.” “I’m sure players who used the Cam/Helmet while batting and commentators who did com-

mentary last year BBL have been paid.”

Gayle did not take part in the competition this year, but has claimed it was in fact by choice, refuting suggestions he had been blacklisted from the competition.

(Sportsmax.com)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 21, 2017

Bangladesh dismissed for 289

as Southee takes five for 94

(REUTERS) - Tim Southee captured his sixth five-wicket haul in Test cricket as New Zealand bowled Bangladesh out for 289 in the final five minutes of the first day of the second match at Hagley Oval in Christchurch yesterday.

Tim Southee captured his sixth five-wicket haul in Test cricket Southee had Kamrul Islam trapped in front for two in the 85th over, shortly after the game had been delayed for about 10 minutes when Rubel Hossain received medical treatment after being hit on the elbow by Trent Boult.

Southee finished with figures of 5-94, while

Boult backed up his newball partner with 4-87.

Souyma Sarkar, promoted to open in a patchwork Bangladesh side, who were missing batsmen Imrul Kayes and Mominul Haque and captain Mushfiqur Rahim due to injury, top-scored with 86 after the visitors had been asked to bat by Kane Williamson.

Bangladesh were put under immense pressure

by Southee and Boult who finally got some swing and reduced the visitors to 38 for two in the 11th over with Tamim Iqbal (five) and Mahmudullah (19) both caught by wicketkeeper BJ Watling.

Soumya and first Test double centurion Shakib Al Hasan began to counterattack.

The pair were not afraid to play their shots and raced through to 128 for two with numerous boundaries of the 15 the duo struck before lunch flying just wide of the hands of fielders down to the third man or fine leg fence.

Boult finally broke the 127-run partnership after lunch when Soumya was caught by Colin de Grandhomme in the slips.

As has been typical for Bangladesh on their tour

of New Zealand, they lost wickets in clumps, with Sabbir Rahman (seven) and Shakib (59) falling shortly after to reduce their side to 179 for five.

Nurul Hasan, deputising for Mushfiqur, and debutant Nazmul Hossain steadied the innings and took their side through to 232 before Nazmul was caught by Jeet Raval off Southee for a patient 18.

Mehedi Hasan (10), Ta s k i n A h m e d ( e i g h t ) stayed with Nurul for as long as they could as he crept towards his first Test half-century, but he was the ninth wicket to fall for 47 when Watling took his fourth catch of the innings.

New Zealand won the first Test by seven wickets.

SCOREBOARD

BANGLADESH 1st innings T. Iqbal c Watling b Southee 5 S. Sarkar c de Grandhomme b Boult 86 Mahmudullah c Watling b Boult 19 S. Al Hasan c Watling b Southee 59 Sa. Rahman c Southee b Boult 7 N. Shanto c Raval b Southee 18 N. Hasan c Watling b Boult 47 M. Hasan b Wagner 10 T. Ahmed c Williamson b Southee 8 K. Rabbi lbw b Southee 2 R. Hossain not out 16 Extras: (b-4, lb-2, nb-1, w-5) 12 Total: (all out, 84.3 overs) 289 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-38, 3-165, 4-177, 5-179, 6-232, 7-248, 8-257, 9-273.

Bowling: T. Boult 24-4-87-4, T. Southee 28.3-7-94-5 (w-1), C. de Grandhomme 14-4-58-0 (nb-1), N. Wagner 18-1-44-1.

Mathews receives Sri Lanka backing until 2019 World Cup

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - Sri Lanka Cricket has not lost faith in skipper Angelo Mathews despite the team’s Test drubbing in South Africa and backed him to continue as captain until the end of the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales.

The 3-0 whitewash in South Africa triggered speculation about Mathews’ future as captain but SLC believes the all-rounder can rebuild the team which still remains in the throes of a transition since stalwarts Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene quit international cricket in 2015.

“Angelo has our fullest backing. We are looking at him leading us at the 2019 World Cup,” SLC president

Thilanga Sumathipala told reporters on Thursday.

“We have some aggressive plans leading up to the T20s and ODIs (in South Africa). Angelo is a kind of guy who takes responsibility and we are confident that he will help the team turn things around,” Sumathipala added.

Chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya blamed the loss in South Africa to inexperience and urged patience.

“As the Sri Lanka team is full of young blood, it is not a surprise that they faced a setback in South Africa,” the former captain said. “This is not a time to blame and destroy Mathews’ captaincy.

This is a time when we have to strengthen Mathews.

“As a former captain I

know how these allegations can badly affect Mathews’ morale, especially during a series.

“We have to support Mathews, correct our faults and face the T20I and ODI series with confidence.”

Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews

36

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 21, 2017

A love for sports and a passion for table tennis – Shemar Britton

By Tamica Garnett

“I GOT involved in sports because I love competition and I really enjoy sports,” says 18-year-old Shemar Britton, an aspiring lawyer and accomplished junior table tennis player.

Though he is most wellknown for his racquet skills.

Britton is multitalented in the sports area and he has also dabbled in several other sports, but mostly at the school level.

He has represented the North Georgetown District at Nationals several times in athletics, and played cricket for the Under-15 and Under-19 teams of his alma mater Queen’s College.

At Bishops’ High, where he’s currently undergoing his Sixth Form studies, he

has even captained the football team. But even with his involvement in so many other sports, table tennis has always stood above the rest.

“I got started in track from about the age of 6 but traded in the spikes for my racquet by age 10.

Table tennis is my passion,” the four-time table tennis Caribbean Championship medallist recalled.

Britton takes pride in the level of discipline that the sport brings out in him.

“The discipline to training I’ve learned from table tennis really helps me in all areas of my life,” he said.

Like many other young ones in sports he too wants to see more done for the Guyanese sports industry, particularly table tennis. He wants to see sports truly taken serious at a national level.

“I think table tennis and sports in Guyana, are improving but we’ve still got a very far way to go before Guyana can truly start to make an impact on the world stage. This can only be done when the general public of Guyana starts seeing sports as more than just a pastime.

Back at QC Shemar was credited with rebuilding the table tennis club there. On the table tennis front Shemar has excelled both at the local and regional level - something he recounts with pride.

“The most memorable part of my sports life was becoming the first Guyanese to win a men’s silver bowl in Trinidad and Tobago,” Britton recalled.

In 2012 his proficiency in the sport was enough to earn him the Junior Sportsman-of-

Britton receives his 2012 Junior Sportsman-of-the-Year runner-up award from thenPresident Donald Ramotar.

Shemar Britton

the-Year runner-up award for that year.

Britton and his skills are well respected in Guyana’s table tennis fraternity.

“He’s a talented young person. He plays a smart game, he thinks a lot, and he’s a very strong player”

was how national table tennis coach, Linden Johnson sees Britton.

The humble Britton credits his loving network of supportive friends and family.

“None of the things I’ve achieved would have been possible without my par-

ents, Dawn and Basil Britton, my coaches Idi Lewis and Christopher Franklin, and a great bunch of friends - Akil Johnson, Michael de Costa, Jamaal Skeete, Michael Williams, Shamal Beaton and Hannibal Gaskin,” he said.

37

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 21, 2017

Evans joins Murray in Australian Open fourth round

DAN Evans joined Andy Murray in the last 16 of the Australian Open tennis yesterday with a brilliant performance to give Britain two men in the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time since 2002.

Top seed Murray made short work of American Sam Querrey, winning 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in one hour 59 minutes.

Evans, the world number 51, then upset Australian 27th seed Bernard Tomic with a 6-3, 7-6(7-2), 7-6(7-3) victory.

Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski reached round four at Wimbledon 15 years ago.

It is the first time Evans has made it so far at a Grand Slam, and he next faces French 12th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

M u r r a y, m e a n w h i l e ,

plays Germany’s Mischa Zverev, the world number 50.

Querrey was the man who upset then world number one Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon last summ e r, b u t M u r r a y m a d e sure he did not fall victim to another shock after the Serb’s surprise defeat by Denis Istomin on Thursday.

With six-time champion Djokovic out, Murray is a clear favourite among many observers to finally land the third leg of the career Grand Slam.

“I don’t worry about that, really,” said Murray, who has lost four Melbourne finals to Djokovic.

“Obviously, if you’re to get to the final, then it has an effect. A lot of the times when I’ve been in the final here, I’ve played

against him. Had some tough ones.”

Andy Murray column: Everyone needs to give Djokovic a break.

Querrey gave the Scot plenty to think about in the early stages of their thirdround match, attacking the net and hurrying the top seed, but a first-serve percentage of just 57% was not enough to keep Murray at bay.

The American missed a fleeting chance with a break point in game eight and Murray immediately took advantage, getting the break himself in the next game with a beautiful lob.

He took a firm grip on the match with a run of six out of seven games, easing through the second set with two more breaks.

There was a flurry of resistance as Querrey

(REUTERS) - Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane dismissed criticism of his side’s talisman Cristiano Ronaldo yesterday following a dip in form that has coincided with Real losing two consecutive games after setting a Spanish record unbeaten run of 40 games.

Ronaldo struggled to influence Real’s 2-1 home defeat at by Celta Vigo in the King’s Cup on Wednesday and the 2-1 reverse to Sevilla last Sunday that cut their lead at the top of La Liga to a point, although he did convert a penalty.

The forward recently won the 2016 Ballon d’Or and FIFA’s The Best accolade for leading Real to last season’s Champions League and captaining Portugal to glory at Euro 2016. He has 12 goals in La Liga this season, two behind top scorers Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi.

The Portuguese, however, has attracted renewed criticism in the Spanish media for his lack of impact in big games, failing to find the net against Barcelona, Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao, although he did net a hat-trick against local rivals Atletico Madrid.

“Cristiano is always going to be criticised, when he doesn’t score or when he

plays in a different position, but he’s used to that, he’s focused like everyone else on the next game,” former Real midfielder Zidane told a news conference yesterday ahead of the game against Malaga.

“He’s always going to be the player that makes the difference for this team. Sometimes he might play badly; that used to happen to me sometimes, but so what? The important thing is that he keeps working hard.”

Although Zidane was critical of his side following the loss to Celta, lamenting their lack of intensity and concentration, he said he was relaxed about the team’s form despite suffering two successive defeats for the first time as Real coach.

“This is football, you can’t win all the time, just like in life. My mind is only focused on work and thinking how we can improve. There was room for improvement before we had lost. We have to focus more, but I’m not worried,” he added.

“There’s no rule saying you can never slip up again. I’m always under pressure, I knew that when I signed my contract.

I will always feel it until the day I leave but it makes me grow stronger every day.”

Real will be without Colombia midfielder James Rodriguez due to a calf injury against Malaga and Dani Carvajal, who has been ruled out for a month with a hamstring problem. Gareth Bale and Pepe are still sidelined.

Ronaldo will always be criticised - Zidane

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the match. (REUTERS/Juan Medina)

reeled off three straight games to lead 3-2 in the third set, but Murray once again turned up the pressure with his return to break for a fifth time on his way to a comprehensive victory.

“Sam, especially in the first set, was hitting a huge ball,” added Murray, who had no problem with the ankle he turned during his previous match.

“There was a key moment at 3-4 when I saved a break point and then managed to break the next game and had the momentum after that.”

(BBC Sport)

Dan Evans Andy Murray

British man dies working on Qatar 2022 World Cup stadium A BRITISH man has died while working on a flagship 2022 World Cup stadium in Qatar, the organisers have said.

The 40-year-old man, who has yet to be named, died on Thursday while working on the Khalifa International Stadium.

The organisers, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, said his next of kin had been informed but provided no further details of his death.

Labour said the Qatari authorities and FIFA had been putting “profit before safety”, and urged FIFA to investigate.

The BBC understands the man was employed by a specialist German contractor.

The Foreign Office said it was in touch with the local authorities and ready to support the man’s family “at this very difficult time”.

Rights group Amnesty International says it is the second death reported by the organisers related to a workplace incident at a Qatar stadium in the last three months.

Its global issues deputy director James Lynch said it was “very concerning”, and organisers must investigate what safety measures were in place.

Khalifa, a multi-purpose venue in Qatar’s capital Doha and the home of the national football team, is being extended from its current capacity of 40 000 to 68 000.

Last year, Amnesty said the Qatar government was "apathetic" about preventing abuses.

It is scheduled to host the 2019 World Athletics Championships and the 2022 World Cup matches up to the quarterfinals stage.

‘PROFIT BEFORE SAFETY’ Last year, Amnesty raised the alarm about conditions for workers refurbishing the stadium, and accused Qatar of using forced labour.

It followed previous reports in 2015 of some 1 200 workers who had died building the stadiums in Qatar for the World Cup. Labour’s shadow sports minister Rosena Allin-Khan said of the British man’s death: “This kind of incident is becoming all too common ... and it’s unacceptable that basic health and safety precautions are not being followed.

“FIFA and the Qatari authorities are putting profit before safety.”

She said FIFA’s new president Gianni Infantino should “show where his priorities lie, launch an urgent investigation and ensure everything is done

to protect workers”.

FIFA said it “deeply regrets” the loss of life, and that the local authorities and the Supreme Committee were investigating the circumstances.

The local authorities in Qatar have repeatedly insisted that the World Cup sites have a good record for worker safety.

Qatar’s record on workers’ rights is currently under review by the United Nations agency the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

In November, it postponed a decision on whether to set up an official inquiry into Qatar’s compliance with international labour conventions until March - to give the country’s rulers a chance to bring about meaningful changes.

Though the first World Cup stadium was only started in 2014, subways, hotels and even an entire city are being built - along with an airport, numerous roads, a new sewerage system in central Doha and 20 skyscrapers. (BBC Sport)

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 21, 2017

Ivory Coast celebrate their first goal against DR Congo.

Ivory Coast fight back to deny DR Congo CHAMPIONS Ivory Coast twice pegged back DR Congo to earn a 2-2 draw and keep alive their hopes of reaching the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.

A clever throw-in routine was finished off by Neeskens Kebano’s low drive to put DR Congo 1-0 up but Wilfried Bony equalised with a powerful header.

DR Congo regained the lead just two minutes later when Junior Kabananga headed in.

Ivory Coast salvaged a point when Serey Die’s 20yard shot was deflected in.

Salomon Kalou was de-

nied a late winner for Ivory Coast when he volleyed in superbly but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The result leaves Group C congested - at least until yesterday’s late game between Togo and Morocco.

Ivory Coast teetered on the brink because of some poor defending.

They failed to pick up the runs of Kebano and Kabananga for the DR Congo pair’s goals and were also fortunate when Firmin Ndombe Mubele’s shot clipped the post after he had easily held off two defenders.

But in Bony they had a serious aerial threat and the on-loan Stoke forward gave a warning when he headed over from a long ball over the top by Serge Aurier.

Soon after he powered in a downward header from a corner for his side’s first equalizer.

The Ivorian’s second leveller had an element of good fortune as Die’s drive was diverted in off a defender.

A tight offside decision then went against Kalou, who had brilliantly volleyed in from Aurier’s freekick. (BBC Sport)

Bravo expected to meet with Cricket West Indies

EMBATTLED West Indies batsman Darren Bravo is expected to meet with Cricket West Indies (CWI) officials in order to attempt to settle recent disputes.

Bravo was axed from the regional squad in November of last year following a controversial Tweet, which labelled CWI president Dave Cameron an “idiot”.

The player had taken exception to comments made by Cameron, which suggested that Bravo had been given a Grade C retainer due to ‘poor performances’ having also failed to deliver after previously being given an A retainer. Bravo had only been previously given a B retainer.

Bravo had been asked to

Darren Bravo

remove the Tweet and given 24 hours to issue an apology.

Both requests were initially ignored.

Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) official Suruj Ragoonath confirmed that the meeting was scheduled to take place via Skype to assess the

player’s immediate future.

“The WICB has invited Darren Bravo to a meeting.

We expect that a determination will be made concerning his selection for the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and the West Indies teams following this meeting,” Ragoonath told Guardian T&T. “Until the matter has been resolved and the parties have agreed on a position, Mr Bravo would not be allowed to participate in the current Regional Digicel 4-Day, nor would he be eligible for selection for the West Indies. The WICB awaits a response from Mr Bravo regarding the meeting invitation.”

(Sportsmax.com)

GMR&SC releases provisional calendar THE Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) has released its provisional list of events for the year 2017, starting with its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on February 9 at the club’s Thomas Lands office.

Following the election of office-bearers, the first competitive events begin just over four weeks later with the first official drag meet, scheduled for March 5.

The first circuit event will happen just over a month later on April 2 with the first of the four regional tours set for May 21 in Jamaica at the Jamwest Raceway.

The locals return for the second circuit race of the season on July 2 before the second leg of the Caribbean Championship on July 30 at the Frankie Boodram International raceway.

The first international

drag race takes one week later on August 6 while the Guyana Festival of Speed, Dakota 100 will take place on August. 20 The Barbados leg of the Caribbean Championship takes place on September 3 while drag racing action returns on October 1.

The final leg of the Caribbean Championship will close off the calendar on November 12 in Guyana.

MOROCCO fought from a goal down to beat Togo at the Africa Cup of Nations yesterday and ensure they have control of their fate going into their final group game.

The north African side are second in Group C with three points, one point more than third place Ivory Coast, whom they play in a crucial last match.

Mathieu Dossevi put Togo in front with a low shot, but St Pauli forward Aziz Bouhaddouz headed in the equaliser.

Wolves’ Romain Saiss nodded in and Youssef

En-Nesyri fired in the third.

Togo skipper Emmanuel Adebayor twice went close.

He was denied by keeper Munir Mohan Mohamedi with the score 2-1 and also headed over a Dossevi cross early in the second half.

Togo are bottom of the group with just one point, and must defeat DR Congo to have a chance of progressing.

Both concluding Group C games will be played next Tuesday. (BBC Sport)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday January 21, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Jim Laker-10/53 (ENG vs AUST, Manchester, 1956) (2) Chaminda Vaas-8/19 (SL vs ZIM, Colombo, 2001) Today’s Quiz: (1) What are the best match figures in a Test to date?

(2) Who has played most ODIs to date?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 21, 2017

Historic Kensington Oval ready to host Regional Super50 one-day tournament BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – The Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) has promised that the historic Kensington Oval will be in tip-top shape for the hosting of the matches in the upcoming West Indies Cricket Board’s Regional Super50 bowling off next week.

In a media briefing yesterday, the BCA’s chief executive Noel Lynch said the governing body worked hard to get the facility ready for the event, which will be played in Barbados from next Tuesday.

Along with the Oval, Zone B matches will be staged here at the 3Ws Oval at the UWI Cave Hill Campus just outside the city, and the Windward Cricket Club in the rural eastern parish of St Philip.

“Kensington Oval is 99 percent ready for the matches in the tournament,” Lynch told a group of local and international reporters.

“Last year there was a lot of discussion on the readiness of the outfield for cricket but we are pleased to demon-

Historic Kensington Oval … fully prepared to host Zone B of the Regional Super50.

strate today that the field is in good shape and we are fit to host matches at the regional level.”

The former government minister added: “Also, we have the One-Day International between West Indies and England coming up in March, the continuation of the WICB’s four-day tournament and the Test

match between West Indies and Pakistan in April; so we are pleased with the way things are looking here at the Oval.”

The Oval, which hosted its first Test match in 1930, is the most storied cricket venue in the Caribbean. It hosted the 2007 ICC World Cup final as well as the 2010 ICC World T20 final.

Narine’s brilliant over helps Renegades snatch one-run win BRISBANE, Australia (CMC) – West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine grabbed two wickets in a brilliant penultimate over, as his Melbourne Renegades snatched an exciting onerun victory over Brisbane Heat, to remain in playoff contention in the Big Bash League here yesterday.

With Heat requiring 26 runs from the last two overs in pursuit of 200 for victory at the Gabba, Narine struck off the first ball of the 19th over when he removed Marnus Labuschagne (1) to a catch in the deep off a top-edged slog-sweep.

Three balls later with as many runs added, Narine accounted for Jack Wildermuth for a first-ball ‘duck’, caught by wicketkeeper Andrew Harriott running around to silly point as the batsman miscued an attempted big hit.

Pivotally, Narine conceded just eight runs from the over, leaving Heat under pressure to get a challenging

Sunil Narine 18 runs off the last.

Hope flickered briefly when Joe Burns (35) lashed two consecutive sixes off seamer Nathan Rimmington (2-37) but with three needed from the last ball, Mitchell Swepson was dramatically run-out off a wide, as Heat were dismissed for 198 with one delivery remaining.

Narine finished with two for 38 to take his tally for the tournament in eight matches to 13 wickets.

Opener New Zealander

Brendon McCullum stroked 64 from 40 deliveries to get Heat off to a flyer while Ben Cutting chipped in with 35.

Earlier, captain and opener Aaron Finch slammed 71 off 35 deliveries, posting a swift 106 for the first wicket with Marcus Harris who struck 48, as Renegades got off to a great start.

Renegades are one of four sides on eight points but lie fourth in the table while Heat remain top on 10 points.

Late last year there was unease in the country as the outfield appeared patchy after the venue hosted several events to mark the country’s 50th Anniversary of Independence.

However, Lynch gave the assurance the field had returned to international standard.

“We thought it prudent

to let the media come here to Kensington Oval to see the state of the cricket field, which has been a huge topic for public discussion, back in November, as to whether or not we would be ready to host any kind of cricketing activity at this beautiful and historic venue,” Lynch noted.

“The field is in a state of readiness to host cricket of this calibre and competition of this calibre.”

Last year’s losing finalists Barbados Pride, under the captaincy of Jason Holder from the start this year, will open their campaign against Guyana Jaguars on Tuesday afternoon in a day/night affair at the Oval.

The other teams in the group are Jamaica Scorpions, Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners and the International Cricket Council’s Americas.

Lynch contended that cricket was much more than just a sport and as such, the BCA planned to ensure fans had a complete experience for the games at the Oval.

“A lot of planning has

gone into this tournament and we have some magnificent activities planned for patrons when they come out to see their favourite team the Barbados Pride play, against the other teams from across the region and the Americas,” Lynch said.

“We want to get people to come out to a stadium experience. It’s not just the cricket that’s on the field.

Professional sport must have an entertainment component to it, and we want to encourage families to come out together and become interested again in the great game of cricket.

“The game has defined us and refined us as a people, therefore cricket is very important to us as a people and as a nation.”

Zone A of the Super50 will be played in Antigua and will see title-holders Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, West Indies Under-19, Kent Spitfires and Windward Islands Hurricanes pitted against each other.

Yorke, John-Williams named to FIFA committees

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Former Manchester United star Dwight Yorke and FA head David John-Williams have been appointed to committees inside football’s world governing body, FIFA. The 45-year-old Yorke, who played over 70 times for Trinidad and Tobago, will serve on FIFA’s Development Committee and will be the only member from the Caribbean.

Asian Football Confederation president, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, will chair the committee which is tasked with analysing the basic aspects of football training and technical development.

“I am humbled by this appointment,” said Yorke, perhaps the most successful footballer to emerge from the region.

“It presents me with a chance to have an input and be part of the work being done by FIFA to develop the game worldwide and I feel

privileged to be part of it. I am definitely looking forward to making a contribution.”

John-Williams, meanwhile, has been appointed to FIFA Players’ Status Committee, and is expected to serve until 2021.

The controversial administrator, who has come under fire of recent because of FA’s handling of the men’s senior team head coach position, joins the 21-man committee chaired

by Raymond Hack, a former

chief executive of the South Africa FA. “I am pleased, honoured and humbled by this appointment and the opportunity given to me,” John-Williams said. “I remain devoted to serving the game and I will continue to do this to the best of my ability.”

Former Grenada international and Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers star Jason Roberts is the other Caribbean member of the committee.

Former Trinidad and Manchester United star Dwight Yorke

Historic Kensington Oval ready to host Regional Super50 one-day tournament See story on page 39

Two teams book STAG Nations Cup quarter-final places

Goalscorers for Grove Hi Tech - from right, Sherman Doris, Joel Dick and Mervin Squires (2).

Perfect Five: Den Amstel’s successful penalty shooters from right: Gavin Graham, Kevaughn Ward, Ryan Hunte, Travis Hilliman and Andre Hector.

See story on page 34

Gayle demands Big Bash League money WEST Indies star batman Chris Gayle has lashed out at former Australia Big Bash League (BBL) employers, Melbourne Renegades, claiming he is yet to be paid for his time with the franchise last year.

Gayle scored 250 runs in eight matches for the BBL team last season, which included equalling the-then world record for fastest T20 50, after reaching the mark off just 12 balls.

CHRIS GAYLE

‘Bring Masters back into the system’ - former national football captain

The West Indian’s season was, however, perhaps more noted for controversy off the pitch following a post-innings interview where he invited a female reporter out for a drink on live TV. Gayle was fined US$10 000 for the incident by the club. Yesterday, however, the player revealed that he had yet to be paid a salary and took to social media

MORE ex-national and masters players are needed in the football fold, former national captain Ken Gibbs believes.

During an interview with Chronicle Sport, the former midfielder, who is hosting a Masters game on Sunday at the GFC ground, Bourda, contends that these players need to be kept in the fold to pass on their knowledge.

“I feel they can be placed in the position where they can be given the opportunity

Turn to page 34

Turn to page 34

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Former Guyana national football captain Ken Gibbs SATURDAY JANUARY 21, 2017