Guyana chronicle e paper 02 27 2018

Moruca 09 launches $10M ground coffee project PAGE

No. 105198

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2018

Price: $80 (VAT Inclusive)

King faces noconfidence vote …Councillor Duncan sends notice for motion to be tabled

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O3

Maintain a united front

GPL upgrading power supply in Canal No.1 12

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…Regional leaders warned at intersessional meeting

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‘You’re not pen-andpaper-pushers’ 10 PAGE

Guyana Power and Light has already planted poles as part of its upgrading of power supply in Canal No.1, West Bank Demerara (WBD). The project falls under the corporation’s Power Utility Upgrade Programme, (PUUP) aimed at improving the system’s overall efficiency by reducing losses and upgrading the network in priority areas in Regions Three, Four, Five and Six.

Duo charged for carjacking activities

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…Min Harmon tells senior public servants to ensure gov't projects are implemented

Businessman killed by drug addict 15 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Maintain a united front …Regional leaders warned at intersessional meeting

The packed conference hall at the opening ceremony of the two-day inter-sessional summit of CARICOM in Haiti (DPI photo)

CARIBBEAN Community (CARICOM) leaders began a two-day inter-sessional summit here Monday amid concerns that the regional integration movement was being fractured by some countries not adhering to decisions taken “behind closed doors”.

Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, who is facing a March 13 general election, told the ceremony that regional leaders needed to adhere to decisions taken during the summit in order to deepen the 45-year-old grouping.

“We cannot continue to agree on positions behind closed doors only to publicly push a different agenda,” Mitchell said, adding that he is able to “speak like this” because he has been around for many years and possibly ‘would receive another five years,” a reference to the upcoming general election in his country. But he said while

discussing the issue of unity within the grouping “we must highlight, rightfully, the disappointment of our failure as a body to commit to a unified position while abiding by the principles of non-interference on the political challenges of our friend and neighbour country, Venezuela.

“The time has come for us as a region to have a blue print in my opinion on how we address certain issues within the Community and with our allies. “It is imperative that we stand strong and united in the international community, especially on matters of fundamental principles. Our credibility and strength as CARICOM must not be shaken even when attempts are made to divide us.”

While he made mention of no particular country, in recent weeks the United States has stepped up its efforts to ostracise the Nicolas Maduro government in Caracas and has

sought the assistance of CARICOM in that regard. Earlier this month, US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson visited Jamaica and the two countries later appealed to Venezuela to uphold human rights and allow for free and fair elections in the South American country.

“As to any future steps the US might take regarding sanctioning oil or products to put more pressure on the Maduro regime, we are going to take in the full consideration the impacts on regional countries as well,” Tillerson said, adding that he had “a good exchange” with Holness regarding that issue.

He said the meeting had provided an opportunity of getting not only Jamaica’s position “but the Prime Minister’s perspective on other countries on how they might be affected. “We will be looking at what other actions the US might take to mitigate the negative impact of that,” he said, telling reporters he did not want to elaborate on that issue. “Having said that I think there is great unanimity in the region and certainly in the hemisphere that we all want to see some progress on this situation in Venezuela which only gets worse day by day,” the US Secretary of State said.

At the last summit in Grenada in July, CARICOM leaders had issued a statement reaffirming their guiding principles of adherence to the rule of law, respect for human rights and democracy, as well as for the fundamental principles of non-intervention and non-interference in the internal affairs of states. But they noted that they were concerned about the “difficult political, economic and social situation in Venezuela, in particular, the increase in violence and polarization between the Government and the Opposition, and its effect

on the people of Venezuela”.

As a result, the regional leaders “called for all parties to commit to engage in renewed dialogue and negotiation, leading to a comprehensive political agreement, with established time tables, concrete actions and guarantees to ensure its implementation for the well-being of the nation”.

Mitchell told the opening ceremony that Caribbean countries run the possibility of rendering “ourselves irrelevant if we do not urgently reconsider processes and commitment to each other in this important body. “We have spent 45 years building this important community. Over the 45 years we have had our ups and downs, we have shown we are resilient enough to withstand the stones and arrows and ensure that we stay on course. It is that well of resilience from which we may have to draw as we seek to recover and rebuild after one of the most eventful years that the CARICOM community has ever experienced”.

CHALLENGES Mitchell said he has no doubt that “collectively…we can surmount those challenges” adding “let us therefore continue to work together and ensure that we build a resilient Caribbean community for the benefit of our children and grandchildren”.

In his address to the conference, host and CARICOM chairman, President Jovenel Moise called for a concerted effort to deal with the “crucial issues’ facing the 15-member regional integration movement.

Moise said problems such as crime and security as well as the implementation of measures within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) that allows for the free movement of goods, skills,

Second Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge is leading Guyana’s delegation at the inter-sessional summit (DPI photo)

labour and services across the region needed to be addressed.

“Organised transnational crime is a major concern,” he said, adding “to fight against this, a concerted policy is necessary.

“We all know the consequences on our societies, especially our youth. In fact, we must not only reinforce our cooperation, but also put in place security for the protection of our economic system and the prevention of political and social disturbances. “Security is and remains the key …for the regional tourism sector which is the engine of the economy of the great majority of our members,” Moise said, adding that he was looking for closer collaboration between Haiti and the Trinidad-based Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS).

“IMPACS in my opinion is the ideal framework to coordinate our efforts and in particular I wish to see the reinforcement of cooperation between this agency and the Republic of Haiti. In his address, Moise said that five years after CARICOM had agreed to adopt French as one of the official languages of the grouping, nothing much had been accomplished.

“I think the time has come to put this resolution in application to accompany Haiti’s integration into this wonderful family for better communication…and to destroy this inviable psychological barrier that tends to set us apart. “We are absolutely in agreement that our diversity is part of our cultural wealth,” said Moise, adding “I hope after this we will find the costs linked to the interpretation and translation of our working documents in the languages practiced by all the populations of the Com-

munity”.

Moise said that Haiti’s chairmanship of CARICOM provides an opportunity to cement the relationship it has with its fellow member states.

The Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat said that the two-day meeting will place much emphasis on building a more climate-resilient region following the devastating 2017 hurricane season that left more than 30 people dead and millions of dollars in damages.

It said that Hurricanes Irma and Maria, two Category Five hurricanes, swept across the Caribbean in September, cutting a swathe of destruction and rolling back years of economic development in several member states. The leaders are also expected to discuss the high incidence of crime and violence across the region and at their last summit in Grenada, discussed key initiatives directed towards combatting transnational organised crime.

The meeting here will also discuss the development of a CARICOM Counter Terrorism Strategy which is being finalised for adoption.

The summit will seek to advance plans to further strengthen key elements of the CSME and the Secretariat said the leaders will “also focus on key transportation issues including regional air services, and on advancing regional initiatives in tourism aimed at stimulating further sustainable growth in the sector”. The decision by the international community, particularly Europe to blacklist a number of Caribbean countries as tax havens and the ongoing concern about the de-risking strategies by global banks will also be agenda items. (CMC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 27, 2018

King faces no-confidence vote …Councillor Duncan gives notice for motion to be tabled

By Telesha Ramnarine ALLIANCE for Change (AFC) City Councillor and former Deputy Mayor, Sherod Duncan has submitted a motion of no confidence against Town Clerk Royston King on Monday, which was seconded by Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikarran.

The motion, which cities a number of shortcomings on the part of King, will be tabled at the next statutory

decision-making body at the municipal level for the City of Georgetown,” the motion says.

It refers to the removal of the vendors from the Stabroek Market and Robb Street environs in 2016 and 2017 without the authorization of Council, which subsequently brought “great distress and hardship” on the vendors and which situation saw Central Government intervening; reiterating that vendors ought to be treated

ing System for Georgetown.”

Furthermore, the motion speaks to the implementation of the container fee, which it said was unknown to Council, and a subsequent unilateral decision by King to block certain businesses that were unwilling to comply with the demands he made on them, as they questioned the fee’s legality; and a competent court subsequently throwing out several cases brought against City businesses on the premise that

audit at City Hall.

“There has been a wanton abuse of ‘Emergency Clause’ under Section 234 ‘Variation of tender procedure in cases of emergency’ to spend millions of dollars, and as a result of which the tendering process, as articulated by Chap. 28:01, has been abandoned altogether and use of which clause is calculated to subvert the authority of the City Works Committee and the power of the honorable Council;

Mayor Patricia Chase-Green entertained no discussion on the motion, declaring that it will not be allowed to hold up the day’s agenda

meeting to be convened on March 12.

The Town Clerk alerted the City Council to the motion and subsequently passed it on to Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, who then declared that the said motion will not be allowed to hold up the meeting’s agenda.

Duncan, in the motion circulated to the press, said the Municipal and District Councils Act, which governs the City, places on every councillor a responsibility and duty to ensure that the municipality is managed in a professional and competent manner by a qualified Town Clerk.

“His Excellency President David Granger, when he visited City Hall, told the Council that we are not on the City Council to represent our political parties but to represent the people; Town Clerk Royston King has acted outside the interests of the citizens of Georgetown and has shown a total disregard for the [Act] which adumbrates the role of the Town Clerk and Council and sets the latter as the supreme

with sensitivity; President David Granger describing the latter’s action as “reckless.”

The motion also cites King’s actions in connection with the controversial parking meter project. “The contract for the Metered Parking System for Georgetown before being signed was not laid before the Council; and said contract did not derive from the tender and procurement procedure as per Chap. 28:01, among other defects, described by Central Government as onerous, burdensome, ignorant, and exploitative.”

The motion further said that Central Government has had cause to call out the police to protect citizens from City Hall and its operatives who were enforcing the bylaws of said parking system.

“Councillors have made several inquiries/requests of the Town Clerk for specific information relating to the business of Council and have had no responses; in particular, Councillor Gregory Fraser’s request for the minutes showing where the former Council is alleged to have agreed to the Metered Park-

Town Clerk Royston King on Monday

the M&CC had no right to charge such a fee.

RESTORATION FUND According to the motion, the Auditor General’s report of 2016/2017 illustrates that the $300M given by Central Government for the Georgetown Restoration Programme could not be properly accounted for, among other issues and allied matters, and which recently led to the announcement of a forensic

“The general welfare of workers of the City Council continues to diminish under the tenure of the Town Clerk due to the chronic late payments of wages and salaries and other benefits, while deduction of monies from workers’ pay for NIS, PAYE etc. continue, but which are not transferred to the relevant agencies; “There are large amounts of monies owed to companies and individuals for goods

The motion is proposed by Councillor Sherod Duncan (at left) and seconded by Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikarran

and services provided to the Municipality, with some businesses and individuals waiting for over a year for payments, with contracts entered into unilaterally, against the spirit and law, Chap 28:01; “The general finances of City Council continue to be reported untimely and inaccurately to the Council under the stewardship of the Town Clerk who ultimately is the Chief Administrative Officer of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown,” the motion further stated.

It continued that the Town Clerk unilaterally decides when the Mayor is out of the jurisdiction, whether the Deputy Mayor or a Councillor can perform the functions of Mayor and what benefits and privileges should accrue to that said individual. Such actions, it said, have caused Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan to write to the Mayor a reprimand, stating, among other things, “There can be no doubt that the letter and spirit of the law contemplates that there must at all times be a Mayor within the jurisdiction of the municipality and common sense would reveal that this would more so apply to the capital city.”

The motion said the Town Clerk has unilaterally entered into an agreement with the company Impressions for the “lease” of numerous billboards and spaces these occupy, without the authorization of Council.

It further mentioned the firing of two officers of the City Constabulary with regards to an alleged sexual assault of a juvenile male who was at the time detained by the City Constabulary and on which firing the Mayor expressed that Her Worship was “misled” by the Town Clerk, and on which allied matters the Legal Affairs and Security Committee found

the Town Clerk demonstrated poor judgement.

The “lease” of the Farnum Play Ground and the converting of the Bel Air Playground to an area for residential homes for himself and others, without the consent or knowledge of Council, were also listed in the motion.

The recent contract in excess of 125 million dollars awarded by the Town Clerk to Chung’s Global for the works to the Le Repentir Cemetery which were not derived from the tender and procurement procedures as per Chap. 28:01, or the authorization of Council, was also mentioned.

“The Town Clerk’s careless and reckless actions, though often guided otherwise by Council, when considered together are calculated to have caused irreparable damage to the image and goodwill of City Hall and the Coalition Government at Local Government before the residents of the municipality, among other considerations.”

UNETHICAL The Town Clerk told councillors on Monday that before he received a copy of the motion, it had already been shared with members of the press. “It is unethical that it was shared with the press long before council got a chance to look at it.”

“This is misconduct.

Unless there’s a sinister motive, a hidden agenda, I see no reason this was done. This is damaging the reputation of the Council and undermining the authority of Council,” King continued.

Meanwhile, King refused to talk to the Guyana Chronicle following the statutory meeting, stressing that any comments he has to make will be through the Public Relations Department.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 27, 2018

Saudi Arabia allows women to join army

SAUDI Arabia has for the first time opened applications for women to join its military.

Women have until Thursday to apply for positions with the rank of soldier in the provinces of Riyadh, Mecca, al-Qassim and Medina.

The roles do not appear to involve combat, but will instead give women

the opportunity to work in security.

A list of 12 requirements says hopefuls must be Saudi citizens, aged between 25 and 35, and have a high school diploma.

The women and their male guardians, usually a husband, father, brother or son, must also have a place of residence in the same

province as the job’s location.

The decision to recruit female soldiers is one of many reforms enhancing women’s rights introduced in recent months in the conservative Muslim kingdom.

King Salman has decreed that women will be permitted to drive from June, while women spectators

were allowed to attend football matches from last month.

However, human rights activists say Saudi Arabia’s discriminatory male guardianship system remains intact, despite government pledges to abolish it.

Under the system, adult women must obtain permission to travel,

marry or leave prison. They may be required to provide consent to work or access healthcare.

Women are also separated from unrelated men, and must wear full-length robes, known as “abayas”, in public, as well as headscarves if they are Muslims.

(BBC)

‘Doomsday seeds’ reach one-million mark THE vault storing the world’s most precious seeds is taking delivery on Monday of consignments that will take it to the one million mark.

More than 70,000 crops will be added to frozen storage chambers buried deep within a mountain in the Arctic Circle.

Cereal staples, unusual crops like the Estonian onion potato, and barley used to brew Irish beer are among them.

Monday marks the tenth

anniversary of the Global Seed Vault in Svalbard.

One of three chambers is now almost full of packets of seeds, each a variety of an important food crop.

The number of deposits amounts to 1,059,646. This number excludes emergency withdrawals of about 90,000 seeds needed to make up for precious samples stranded in Syria due to the conflict there.

“Hitting the million mark is really significant,” said

Hannes Dempewolf, senior scientist of the Crop Trust, an international organisation dedicated to conserving the diversity of the crops we rely on for food.

“Only a few years back, I don’t think we would have thought that we would get there.”

BLACK-EYED PEA Crop diversity is regarded as essential for safeguarding the future of the world’s food supply amid pressures

such as drought and climate change.

The reinforced vault is designed to hold back-ups of samples stored elsewhere in seed banks around the world.

More than a million different food crops have been deposited by 73 institutions since 26 February, 2008.

In 2015 and 2017, deposits of wheat, lentil, chickpea and other crops stranded in a seed bank in Syria due to the civil conflict were withdrawn by the International Center

for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas.

Many of the seeds have been grown up and replaced.

The vault opens about twice a year for deposits.

Monday’s additions include unique varieties of rice, wheat and maize; black-eyed pea, a major protein source in Africa and South Asia; and Bambara groundnut, which is being developed as a drought-tolerant crop in Africa.

The resurgence of craft brewing and distilling in Ireland has led to requests from breweries for seeds of malting barley to be added to the collections.

“The hunter variety is a type of malting barley that is important for Irish crop brewing and distilling,” said Dempewolf.

Tuesday, February 27, 2018 - 3:00 & 14:30hrs

REINFORCEMENTS Last year, the vault suffered flooding at its entrance due to extreme weather.

However, the water did not reach the frozen chambers deep within where the seeds

are stored.

New waterproof walls have since been fitted to make sure water can never enter the actual vault, and reinforcements are underway to prepare it for a warmer, wetter future.

Scientists estimate that there are about 2.2 million unique varieties of crops in the world’s gene banks that will eventually be deposited at Svalbard.

“The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is an iconic reminder of the remarkable conservation effort that is taking place every day around the world and around the clock, an effort to conserve the seeds of our food crops,” said Marie Haga, executive director of the Crop Trust.

“Safeguarding such a huge range of seeds means scientists will have the best chance of developing nutritious and climate-resilient crops that can ensure future generations don’t just survive, but thrive.” (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 27, 2018

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‘No room for bullies and opportunists in mining syndicates’ – Minister Broomes “We as syndicates should work together, support each other, it is not about one winning over the other, it is not about that,” Jones said.

Kempton Wade, Aubrey Francis and Dana Jones were among the other representatives that spoke out against the attempts being made

to stymie the work of the Konawaruk Mining Syndicate.

Mineral Blast Mining, Gold Search Investment, Parika/Mora, Central Mahdia, Berbice Mining Syndicate, Imbaimadai Mining Syndicate, and Karrau Syndicate were among the syndicates

represented at the meeting.

Despite the hiccups, the syndicates, following discussions with Lymerick, have agreed to hold the elections for the National Mining Syndicate on Thursday March 1, 2018. All syndicates will be represented at the national level.

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes meeting with representatives of more than eight syndicates.

THERE is no room for “bullies and opportunists” in syndicates, representatives from more than eight mining syndicates from across the country said as they joined forces with Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes to send a strong message to the Konawaruk Mining Syndicate.

The Natural Resources Ministry has been flooded with reports from legitimate members of the Konawaruk Mining Syndicate about acts of bullyism and intrusion from outsiders and persons with bad intentions. Reports also indicate that these “intruders” have been raiding mining lands long before the Konawaruk Syndicate was even formed, and are now attempting to take over the syndicate for personal gains.

On Monday during a meeting convened at the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Kingston Office, Minister Broomes made it clear that all “will toe the line” – a view endorsed by the elected leaders of the more than eight syndicates that were present at the meeting.

“The syndicate initiative, like we all know, was designed to create opportunities for small miners. It is not for opportunists,” Minister Broomes said sternly while making it clear that there is no place for inequality, landlordism, raiding and trafficking.

Minister Broomes noted that syndicates were provided for in the Mining Act and said Government has allowed for

established syndicates to submit their applications to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) for mining blocks. Government, she said, went one step further, and granted permission for eligible syndicates to start working on lands approved

by GGMC even as the paperwork is being processed.

As the syndicates take necessary steps to form themselves into coops, in the interim it was agreed that elections would be held every year at the level of each syndicate before the National Syndicate holds its elections.

It was noted that Kirk Lymerick was seconded from GGMC to the Natural Resources Ministry to assist the syndicates, and while he has been doing an exceptional job in facilitating elections for at least 12 of the 16 syndicates, he is encountering difficulties with respect to the Konawaruk Mining Syndicate.

Minister Broomes reported that elections for that syndicate came to an abrupt end on two occasions following disruptions and disorderly behaviour by those attempting to take over the group for personal gains. Such actions, the junior Natural Resources Minister said, will not be tolerated.

“You have to get your house in order and you will toe the line. You will toe the line. It is as simple as that,” she made clear.

Carol Fredericks from the Karrau Mining Syndicate said laws and rules must be

respected.

“We are having some people rising up like Jumbie umbrella, and just want to force themselves in and do as they feel…We as members of the syndicate will not allow that to happen, so all those persons who are out there, if you want to join the syndicate there are ways and means of doing that…But we will not sit back and allow people to be disrespectful… and if you cannot follow the rules, there is no place for you,” Fredericks said.

Roy Kingston echoed similar sentiments. “Among our people, there are those who still believe in breaking law to get by, and the syndicate initiative, the kind of discipline is required, it is kind of difficult for some people to comply but what we have to do as members, is, as those instances raise its ugly head, we have to come together to resist,” he said.

Kingston said all members should be responsible in their actions. Chairman of the Parika/Mora Syndicate, Michael Jones, while expressing gratitude to Minister Broomes and Lymerick for their unwavering support to the syndicates, said some people have failed to see the vision.

“Unfortunately, there are people who are selfish, some of them don’t even see the vision, all they see is an opportunity,” he said while noting that through the syndicates, the voices of small miners are being heard even more.

Some of the miners who attended the meeting on Monday at Minister Broomes’ Kingston office.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 27, 2018

Betrayers of trust THE last six weeks have seen the justice system of Guyana responding condignly with sentences for the abominable and reprehensible criminal offence of sexual violence.

These sentences were given as follows: 45 years for a child rapist; another child rapist jailed for life, with parole eligibility after 45 years; two life sentences for rape of a child family member, with an order of 40 years to be served before consideration of parole; another jailed for life for the sexual violation of a senior citizen; another for 40 years after invading the victim’s home and committing the dastardly act at knife point; and another for 40 years for committing the act on an under-aged teen.

Except in one instance where remorse was shown and an apology given to the court and victim, none of the other five offered as much as a basic “sorry.’’ In fact, the violator of the aged woman even laughed and mocked at his victim, who cared for him as her son. What an age in which we live, that such a debauched act can be perpetrated against a woman who mothered him. These are indeed very condign sentences, reflecting the judiciary’s dreadful displeasure at a mode of masculine behaviour that is at epidemic proportions in our country.

First of all, the effects of sexual violence go far beyond individual survivors, impacting their closest relationships as well as impacting communities and our society at large.

With the dispensation of justice, the victims have received

their due of rightful justice; and even though they will all bear the scars of such brutal emotional trauma for the rest of their lives, they can live with the satisfaction that their attackers are in jail, where they will spend very significant time, should they survive incarceration.

Second, the court’s action signals that it is prepared and ready to act in the name of justice, providing that where initial reports are made to the investigating authorities, that the necessary steps for preparation for adjudication are thoroughly and properly done, and that the victim is prepared to attend court. For without the victim’s presence for evidence, or deciding to withdraw same – the allegation will be dismissed, amounting to a waste of the court’s time.

Third, for those other victims who because of the trauma and shame felt because of similar horrendous experience, these given sentences should give them the courage to report their attackers to law enforcement so that they can have justice. There is no statute of limitations or time factor for these offences to be reported. We stand to be corrected when we say that the Gaol Delivery is virtually one half of alleged sexual accused for trial. And this is reflective of, for example, the annual report from the Child Care and Protection Agency that reports in excess of two thousand cases of child abuse and neglect of which a significant percentage was sexual abuse. We shudder to think about those that have not been reported.

It is grievous that the very young, who traditionally must

be protected by male family members and whose trust they innocently accept, are being raped by these very betrayers, without any compunction and thought given to what their opprobrious action will mean to these innocents who will suffer both mentally and physically for virtually most of their lives in many cases.

Sexual violence is an indescribably devastating experience for any adult; but to perpetrate such on children as young as three years old, as has been recently alleged against an ex-policeman, or against an eight-month old baby, as reported in another jurisdiction, describes a severe crisis among such a detestable category of males.

These are definitely outside of the pale of humanity, belonging to another grouping for another place. Morally, these acts of sexual violence attest to the sad fact of the general male species being reduced to a sickening distorted view of their role in the family especially; no more as protector, but as lascivious predators on those whom it is their duty to give love, guidance, and above all, protection. They have become the abysmal and shameless betrayers of such a trust.

Let’s go back to the basics!

Dear Editor

I RECOGNISED a name from long ago as I read the letter about the GPOC and Old Age Pensions. Like Mr Seeram, I too am a pensioner. But I lay claim to three other historical relevant facts. I worked as a paying clerk, I worked as a Union practitioner setting IR policies, and as Head of, separately, Personnel and Operations of [the] GPOC. In total I spent thirty-five years in the Post Office, including in mail and enquiry areas and ten years in senior management, up to performing as PMG. Some time ago when a person communicated that I was “harassing” some management operatives of GPOC, I got a message and decided to “stay in me corner”! But my friends know that my stomach is no bank book and I will speak out.

The Post Office has core responsibilities. They should concentrate firstly on being the best in receipt and delivery of mail. Then they

should be the best in providing agency services at best cost.

Payment of Old Age is a part of those Agency Services the GPOC undertook to provide for other Government Agencies. This is nothing new. When I was a postman and a clerk, we delivered all the Broadcast to Schools bulletins, all the GIS publications, all the OHMS mail, sent all the press telegrams, sold the GAC tickets, collected the GBC radio licence fees, transferred the GTC payments, paid the court witness bastardy payments, sold the NIS stamps, etc etc etc. A lot of these were not paid for and some not at economic cost. We even provided space to agencies like GTC and GRA at no or peppercorn rental (Some of these decisions came through Guystac or the political directorate). Separately, I may write about the need for Central Government to now provide a social cost subsidy to the GPOC. When the Post Office benefitted from windfall of their (foreign) imbalance claims, we were recognised

as a large net foreign exchange earner and places like GAC and Crown Agents were focussed as benefitting nationally! Some people saw the different funds in separate GPOC accounts as not necessary and made all into one general spending spree fund, which now is backfiring!!

When the Doris team worked tirelessly to get the political directorate to hand back the Post Office Savings Bank to the GPOC, no decision-maker listened. So who hands money now to those village Post Offices? I bet one month OAP that the letter writer does not do as I do. And what of agencies like the Police? What do they do with the moneys collected at outlying stations? (There was a time when the GPOC gave cash to the sub-Treasury.) Ever since I worked there my utility bills were paid at GPO. Nowadays, I do not draw local pensions but hand them with my utility bills to my village Post Office. How many pensioners treat their village PO in the same way?

In fact I proposed a plan to the

GPOC management to develop a scheme for all staff to pay their utility bills and top up at their Post Office! Do they do that?

And then we look at another issue. Given that money has to be sent to the village PO to pay us, and we don’t pay our bills there, just imagine how much time it takes to process and count remittances and payments from BOG to Pensioner! Is there not a shorter format that someone other than GPOC should pay for? (And I would not comment on counting $19,500, instead of $20,000.) which brings me to another point. A blogger complained that at a Post Office in the flood the Postmaster should have fixed the bridge problem. Jeez!

I wish for village people like Chairmen Dainty or Evans, or people like the Khans or Deoroop Mahraj or Mr Marks or the dozens of those who saw the PO as the village PO, and treated it as such.

Finally, a pet peeve. Somebody in the GPOC management needs to recognise that we exported dozens of trained people

into the wider society. When I graduated from UG, I got a congratulatory letter from the TUC and a gift from Guystac. I hope the GPOC saw it fit to at least send a card to some of our distinguished alumni! We paid for and should benefit from their training! But the bigger picture is that we should call upon them as we did with others before, to help us move forward. After we put our mail delivery system in order, go to Guywa, GEC, Guysuco, GTT and NIS etc. and ask those we exported there to provide assistance. And please tell our Minister to tell her colleagues that it makes no taxpayer-sense to duplicate services at higher cost, so let them use the Post, instead of internal systems, like vans and special delivery. And rename the Post Office Training School the George Doris Training School.

And go back to the basics!

Regards LA. Camacho

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 27, 2018

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One world, one human race is that for which we, people of African descent, should be working Dear Editor AS this Black History Month, February of 2018, draws to a close, in this the fourth year of the UN proclaimed decade (2015 to 2024) for “People of African Descent”, I hasten to yield to a challenge to write a letter on this subject.

We understand without question that the UN proclamation of this decade is directed at speeding the dissipation of the adverse legacies of that historical period of some 250 years when tens of millions of black Africans were taken as chattel slaves,

by Europeans of that era of their global expansion and dominance, to provide enslaved labour for their plantations in their newly discovered and conquered lands of the Americas and the Caribbean.

What should be the attitude today of people of African descent to that period of horrible slavery? That period cannot be erased from the history of mankind, but in time it ought to become a bald fact of history; much as England, along with a great part of Western, Middle and Eastern Europe unto the borders of Asia, and North Africa were brought under the dominion of Rome; much as we were taught in our Christian Sunday Schools about Moses leading the people of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt. It was his brothers who had sold Joseph into slavery in Egypt but fortune made Joseph, a slave, the right hand man of Pharaoh, and Joseph’s people were afforded a place of honour through that dynasty.

However, as happens in the course of time, in the rise and fall of peoples and nations, there arose a new dynasty of Pharaohs who knew not and would pay no heed to the specially honoured place of the people of Israel in Egypt and made them slaves.

Slavery has been, it can be argued, one of the most common practices amongst humankind, making forced servants of conquered people. There is probably no one who does not have a number of enslaved as well as slave-holding persons amongst his ancestors, but the European slavery of Black Africans had a number of particularly pernicious features.

During a tour of ancient sites in Greece in 1978 (after a bauxite conference) the tourist guide pointed out the columns on which the names of erstwhile slaves were inscribed as they were freed– most of these slaves were

from other Greek City States, who had been on the defeated side in one of their frequent battles. In such circumstances, the fact of having been a slave might be lost within a generation with little, if any, adverse effects.

My mind turned to that quote from Alex De Tocquville, “the institution of slavery has disgraced the race and the physiological peculiarities of the race has perpetuated the disgrace”. There was an interesting nuance in a quote from a Brazilian (Iberian) author, “the propensity to discriminate is a function of the degree of separation of the ideals of physiological beauty”. For him, however, the ideal of physiological beauty is the physiology of the conqueror, the winner, the successful – and he argued that Iberian people who had seen black Africans in the conquering Moor armies from North Africa, saw beauty in the black African physiology and were less inclined to discriminate against black Africans, as absolutely as northern Europeans, many of whom only knew of black Africans as disgraced chattel slaves. There was a lot unconsciously inherent in that cry in the 1970s, about Angela Davis, “Bright, Beautiful and Black”.

I welcome the work being done to make available a history of Black Africa before and beyond that of the land from which captive black African slaves came - the emerging stories of ruling families and kingdoms and intrigue in Black Africa, which would be the match of similar ones from Europe.

Black Africans in Africa insist that they are not descendants of slaves - quite true – but black Africa was not unaffected by African slavery. Apart from not being distinguishable, my main take-away from my reading of Walter Rodney’s “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa” was that in the loss of so many of its citizens, the drain of scarce capital inherent in their loss and in the very distraction of the domestic trade that fed the transshipment of captive Africans, Africa might have been prevented from reaching a point where population density and other consequential social pressures might have sparked a sustained agricultural and industrial revolution of its own.

And it should be noted, as I learnt from Bobby Moore in my 1959/60 Modern Britain history course, for many in England and Europe during those years of agricultural and industrial revolutions, which years were more or

less contemporaneous with African slavery, their lives, in tangible material ways, may have been little better than the lives of slaves. Spare a thought for English girls of twelve years or so pulling small trolleys of coal out of narrow coal seams--the conditions of work in those dark satanic mills-- having nothing but the discarded heads and tail bones of the fish caught to live on. Life in the poor house was really a life of last resort. There has been lots of enforced and self-imposed hard times in the growth and development of Mankind, in our journey of sustaining, growing and developing Humankind.

However, as adverse as the conditions were for working people in Europe, they could hold the hope of their children rising and enjoying some of the benefits of their labours.

Today, whilst we the people of African descent in the Americas and the Caribbean have left slavery 150 years and more behind, the consequences of that period of Black African slavery are still largely with us. A recent series on BBC World chronicled how slave-owning families benefitted, and how their descendants still do.

On the other hand, too many of the descendants of black African slaves are trapped in a cycle of discrimination, poverty and needs. What is to be done? Reparations? From whom to whom? There may be as many answers as the many experts with whom you might choose to consult.

How is the success of this UN decade to be assessed?

Mr. Editor, it may be considered escapist but I see the answer in a greater awareness and commitment to the idea of “One World, One Human Race” and this is what I urge my fellow people of African descent to work towards. I will argue that this would be what Dr. Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, both inspired by the Mahatma, were working towards and would have us continue. And, as Bob Marley reminds us, freeing ourselves from slavery is not merely a material thing. It is essentially a mental thing.

True, when we recall the period of Black African Slavery, a great rage, a great anger, a great bitterness can well up within us; a rage and anger and bitterness that must be safely vented. Let us set aside a day or two a year to rage, to be angry and to rail at the hand fate served us, but for the rest of the year let us be what we should be aiming to be--just members of the one Human

Race--earnest, conscientious, responsible; not devoid of fun and laughter; no better no worse than others as we make our contributions. There has been much progress won through the lives and sac-

rifices of many persons of whom King and Mandela are the best known. Keep the faith brothers and sisters, that by our work and through the traditional values which all mankind hold sacred, we

can and will get this period of Black African Slavery behind us.

Regards Samuel A. A. Hinds Former President and Former Prime Minister

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 27, 2018

$50M Public-Private Bandits strike twice in city Partnership to implement ‘Dimension Stockyard’ – GFC report

IN an effort to strengthen the capacity of Guyana’s forest sub-sector to adapt to sustainable production practices, $50M has been allocated in Budget 2018 to establish a Dimension Stockyard which will operate under a Public-Private Partnership, according to the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) Board of Directors 2017 report.

The report noted that obtaining quality raw materials (lumber) in sufficient quantity and dimensions has proven difficult.

“The quality of locally produced lumber is not at the level to make it very competitive both locally and internationally. Only a few operators are producing lumber at the desired quality level,” the report noted.

Further, the GFC 2017 report stated that the consolidated or dimensional stockyard is intended to bridge the gap while the public/private sector initiative will be managed by an oversight body.

It was noted that the facility will in no way compete with the private sector as

there will be no price disadvantage or compulsory requirements from the private sector.

“The facility will be housed in a central accessible location or perhaps one of the industrial sites. This initiative was actually proposed by the private sector as an initiative to improve growth in the sector,” the report stated. “The funds will be used to set up the regulatory framework of the facility, the governance and administrative structure, site preparatory activities, inclusive of minimal capital equipment and marketing effort,” it added.

The Directors’ report underscored that the facility will also consolidate and facilitate the trading of wood products. The facility will also assist in creating a sec-

Pregnant mother remanded for ‘stabbing’ A MOTHER of nine who is also six-months pregnant, was on Monday remanded to prison by magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus for stabbing a man with a bro-

Vanesta Creighton

ken bottle with intent to commit murder.

Vanesta Creighton, 31, of Baramita, North West District, was not required

to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on February 23 at First Avenue, Bartica, she wounded Cecil Hope with intent to commit murder.

Her lawyer, Latchmie Rahamat explained to the court that her client was beaten and chopped by the victim and she acted in self defence.

However, police prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to Creighton being released on bail on the grounds that the victim was still hospitalized and he added that Creighton stabbed Hope several times with a broken beer bottle on the day in question.

The magistrate remanded the woman to prison and transferred the matter to the Bartica Magistrate’s court for March 8.

ondary market for tropical wood products in Guyana.

“This will be useful for operators in the forestry sector who do not wish to take on acquiring and managing a forest concession as well as those operators focused only on downstream processing and value adding,” the report stated.

According to Finance Minister Winston Jordan, strengthening the capacity on the forestry sub-sector to adapt to sustainable production practices will ultimately improve international competiveness and access to foreign markets.

Guyana has committed to becoming a part of the European Union Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (EU-FLEGT) programme.

TWO armed ‘CG bandits’ robbed a 49-year-old businesswoman of North Sophia, Georgetown, of her valuables in Kitty on Sunday.

Reports indicate that the duo stopped in the businesswoman’s path while she was walking in Pike Street. The rider then took out a black gun from his pants waist and pointed it in the direction of the victim and told her to hand over her belongings.

The woman, who was frozen with fear, did not

have time to hand over anything, since the pillion rider snatched her handbag that was around her neck. The bandits then rode away, making good their escape. A report was made at the Kitty Police Station as investigations continue.

Meanwhile, on the same day, a 27-year-old Welfare Officer of South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown, was robbed of his motorcycle by two armed bandits.

Reports indicate that the welfare officer was sitting on

his motorcycle talking to his friends when the two men, both armed with hand guns, walked up to him. One of the men pointed a black hand gun at the victim and demanded his motorcycle keys.

The victim refused and the robber discharged two rounds into the air. The man then handed over the motorcycle keys. His stunned friends stood quietly as the two robbers hopped onto the motorcycle and made good their escape.

Duo charged in connection with carjacking TWO welders of Coverden, East Bank Demerara, have been charged and placed on bail for alleged carjacking activities.

Police said in a statement that relative to the vehicles seized at Kuru Kururu recently, Ricky Chung,23, and Nigel Chung,42, both welders and of Lot 5 Coverden, East Bank Demerara, were arrested on February 27, for fraudulent imitation of an identification mark.

It is alleged by the Police that between December 17, 2017 and February 10, 2018

the men fraudulently used chasis plate No. 121-3151388 on a Toyota Spacio which was originally owned by Samuel Munroe, 59, of Lot 2369 Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara.

Munroe’s original vehicle No. is PMM 7517 and between December 9, 2017 and February 10, 2018 they fraudulently used chasis plate No. NZT240-0011309 on one Toyota Allion originally owned by Trechel Powers, a cook of Lot 198 Eve’s View, Annandale, ECD. That vehicle had as its original No. PVV 6791.

The two men were charged jointly on Monday

for two counts of fraudulent imitation of an identification mark, contrary to Section 106(a) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act Chapter 51:02.

They appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Bail was granted to each of the accused in the sum of $200,000 for each charge, on the condition that they report to the Brickdam Police Station every Friday.

The men will return to court on March 22, when the matter will come up for a report.

Sharp, blunt force used in dredge owner’s killing GOVERNMENT Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, on Monday testified that he performed a post mortem on the body of Timothy Adams in 2013. He gave the cause of death as shock and haemorrhage due to an incised wound to the neck compounded by blunt trauma to the head.

Dr. Singh told the court

that the body of the deceased bore multiple wounds but on the top of his head he had two cuts, as well as, a linear fracture to the skull and an incised wound to the right side of the neck which severed his jugular and main artery. He added that a sharp and a blunt force were used in the death.

During cross-examina-

tion, defence counsel Folio Richards suggested that the neck wound sustained by Adams was caused by a slash. Dr. Singh agreed and added that the wound was inflicted by a sharp object.

The trial will continue on Wednesday at 13:30hrs when the State is expected to call the final witness before they close their case.

In this murder trial, the accused Marlon Freeman was indicted for the alleged murder of a city gold min-

er/dredge owner, at Turtle Creek Road, Five Star Backdam. Freeman is before Justice James Bovell-Drakes and a 12-member jury in the Georgetown High Court.

In presenting the State’s case, Prosecutor Lisa Cave told the court that between December 22 and 23, 2013 the accused allegedly murdered the miner.The accused has since pleaded not guilty of the offence for which he stands indicted.

Minister Ally, others make good on promises … Plaisance fire victims thankful for special efforts MINISTER of Social Protection, Amna Ally on Monday made good on government’s promise to deliver much-needed aid to the Plaisance fire victims, who were displaced and lost all their worldly possessions when a blaze of unknown origin ripped through an apartment building and nearby buildings on Mashramani Day. The minister was accompanied by regional officials, including Regional Chair-

woman, Genevieve Allen, who assisted her in handing over the donations of beds, mattresses, cash vouchers and kitchen utensils.

Minister Ally, in brief remarks, said that her presence there was to reach out to the persons affected by the conflagration and to lend support and expressed government’s condolences on the passing of the elderly man, James Johnson, whose remains were found among the debris the day after the fire.

She said, “It was a sad day when I got the news about the fire and sometimes we have to expect the unexpected just like a day like Mashramani when many of you (residents) were out on the road having a good time.”

Minister Ally, however, expressed sadness at the loss of life, stating that material things could be replaced but a life cannot be replaced, as such it was sad indeed that someone perished in that fire

which has left more than a dozen persons displaced.

She related that though Minister Simona Broomes and Minister Winston Jordan visited the fire scene and spoke to fire victims, she was there to make donations after she had some time to put things together.

Ally said, “I know what we are giving today might not be much, but we tried our best to make some things available for you today to bring relief, to assist.”

The minister said that that blaze caused six families

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Moruca launches ground-coffee project A $10M ground coffee project was on Sunday launched in Moruca as the government moves to boost economic activities in the hinterland regions.

On hand to witness the launch were Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Ms Valerie Garrido-Lowe, Indigenous leaders and several farmers from the village of Santa Rosa and Islands, Moruca Sub-region Barima/Waini, Region One. The ministry said in a release that the project is among several “green” sustainable initiatives to be executed in the hinterland in 2018, and is intended to significantly boost not only the region’s economy but will also influence its national development.

The village will have to select 12 farmers to plant an acre each of coffee for what is intended to be a family-oriented project producing ground Robusta Coffee, the release stated.

During Sunday’s launch at the Santa Rosa Guest House, Minister Garrido-Lowe said for the project to be a success, farmers have to be committed to the project.

“Coffee planting has a science to it; it has to do with the type you grow, how you nurture it, how you pulp it and when and how to roast it,” the minister said.

“A lot of emphasis is placed on the growing of it and the roasting… And that is what I would need from the 12 farmers. I would need dedication and devotion to this project,” she added.

The Moruca area was once a coffee producing region and the minister

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Ms. Valerie Garrido-Lowe and leaders of Moruca at the launch of the ground-coffee project

said that Santa Rosa was chosen because a number of persons there are knowledgeable, and as such it is an opportune time to resuscitate the industry.

She said it is the ministry and government’s every intention to work with the Indigenous and hinterland people, to support sustainable income-generating and environmentally-friendly projects that will see them earning their own money.

Said the minister, “With hard work and dedication, Guyana could become a coffee producing nation.

And that’s what we are aiming for. And we cannot do this alone, so we will be partnering with several key stakeholders, among them the Ministry of Social Protection, both BIT and the Cooperative departments; the Ministry of Business; and the Ministry of Agriculture through NAREI and the New GMC.” BRAZIL VISIT A visit to neighbouring Brazil is also on the cards, and Minister Garrido-Lowe

explained that the visit to one of the largest producers of coffee in the world will give farmers an opportunity to network and in the process acquire first-hand information on the operations of the industry there.

“At least three or four of you will be identified from among the farmers to go and visit Brazil, to see for yourselves how ground coffee is produced from beginning to end, because we are not going for nothing less; we are going for a quality product,” she said.

“Santa Rosa coffee must be known for its special blend. The demand will grow, and we will have employment for more farmers,” she added. Farmers who were at the meeting commended the ministry for the initiative and said they are very excited about the project and that once selected they will put every effort into it.

One farmer, Mr. John Torres said he and two other eager farmers have already recommended a location to the village council

Mazaruni mishap...

‘Dougla’ died of drowning, trauma to head

AN autopsy on the remains of the body of Jeffrey “Dougla” Dirwar, 26, of 111 Miles, Mahdia has revealed that he died from drowning and trauma to the head.

Dirwar and another man, identified only as “Fineman”, reportedly drowned in the Mazaruni River last Thursday night when the boat in which they and three others were travelling sank.

The bodies were fished out of the Mazaruni River on Monday.

Relatives of “Fineman” are said to be on their way to Georgetown to make a positive identification before an autopsy is done.

for the farm. “We all want to make this project a reality, so Minister, we are excited and happy for this venture,” Torres said.

Helen Thomas, another farmer, said: “I have never attended a meeting like this, and it sounds very interesting.

“I love to plant, and I always encourage people because it helps you a lot. And Minister, I am so happy to hear that you are taking so many things to the Amerindian people.

This should have been done a long, long time ago, and I support this, thank you very much.”

Toshao of Santa Rosa and Islands, Mr Sherwin Abrams, who was also high in praise for the initiative taken by the ministry,

said the selection of farmers will be done based on commitment. “We aren’t talking about trial and fail,” he said. “We have to be committed. That has been our failure; and we have to find a way of overcoming this. “We have to be longterm; we cannot take a miner and identify him to be a coffee farmer. So I’m very much pleased with the layout of the plan by the ministry for the coffee project; the success of this project depends on the residents.”

BRANDING Meanwhile, Minister Garrido-Lowe stressed the need to brand, noting that the Moruca brand, like Pakaraima Flavours, will have to live up to expectations.

The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) will be assisting with the setting of seeds and nurturing of the seedlings, and at the same time educating the farmers on the correct planting methods. The Ministry of Business will be assisting with the packaging of the product and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) will be providing the necessary training for persons in the employ of the facility, once construction is completed.

Seedlings will be purchased from Brazil for 600 plants to be planted per acre. Monies will also be invested for the setting of seeds, clearing of fields, preparing planting holes, transportation of plants and such like. The Village Council is now tasked with submitting to the ministry in the next two weeks the names of the 12 farmers selected for the project, as well as establishing a Coffee Famers Cooperative Society. They also have to identify suitable farmlands so that testing of soil can commence.

Rousta coffee plants usually start producing flowers approximately three years after planting, and the ministry has already crafted a plan which will sustain farmers through the period until fields are ready for harvesting.

Minister Ally, others make... to become homeless, a total of 40 persons were displaced and 13 individuals lost their homes.

She stated that her presence at the Plaisance Secondary School was to hand over donations to the six families which include beds, mattresses, kitchen utensils and stoves.

In addition, Minister Ally said that all individuals would receive food vouchers for Nigel’s Supermarket where they could get food items to the value specified.

The six families were also given cash which will allow them to rent an apartment for the meantime and a ‘mixed’ package with items to help them get started.

She pointed out that all the families would have to

From page 8

Fire victim, Robena Glasgow as she receives cash from Minister Amna Ally

account for the cash.

One of the beneficiaries, a seamstress who lost her sewing machines among all her possessions in the Mash Day fire at Victoria Road, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, said she was thankful for government’s intervention.

Robena Glasgow said

the cash would go towards buying a sewing machine so she could work again and that was a good start.

Ronette Hetsberger told the Guyana Chronicle that she was pleased and the cash would assist her in sending her three schoolaged children to school.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 27, 2018

‘You’re not pen-and-paper-pushers’

…Min Harmon tells senior public servants to ensure gov’t projects are implemented

By Ariana Gordon SENIOR public servants must function in their roles to effectively execute government policies, plans and programmes, Minister of State Joseph Harmon stressed on Monday at the opening of a Public Policy Analysis Management Training Programme, being held at Grand Coastal Inn. Harmon was at the time addressing Permanent Secretaries, Regional Executive Officers (REOs) and other senior public servants who are participating in the Government of Guyana, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) training programme. “Permanent Secretaries and REOs, you are not clerks!

You are not clerks… the ministers of the government lay out policy and you are responsible for administration. Do not see yourselves as pen pushers and paper pushers,” said the Minister of State.

Harmon reminded the participants that they have an important responsibility to ensure that all projects and programmes identified and have budgetary allocations are executed. “The people of Guyana depend on you; you are not clerks, you are the administrators- you run these things, you plan, design, analyse and execute,” declared the Minister of State.

Last year, Harmon had cause to upbraid senior public servants about their inability to execute projects under the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP). However, on Monday, the Minister of State said the PSIP has dramatically improved over the last few months and has attributed that success to Cabinet’s decision to hold monthly mandatory meetings with Permanent Secretaries and key technical personnel within the public sector.

Harmon said his administration recognised the need for the public service to improve the way in which projects are dealt with.

He made specific reference to the Green State Development Strategy

challenges as it relates to the implementation of government’s policies, programmes and projects.

Some of these challenges include monies being allocated under the PSIP, which is the government’s main mechanism for development projects and were not efficiently disbursed,” he stated while pointing to the poorly administered contracts some of which were either put on hold or rolled over.

Additionally, there was eviMinister of State Joseph Harmon

where several “innovative projects” are being embraced and are to be rolled out soon.

He thanked the CDB for choosing Guyana as one of the three Caribbean territories to participate in the training programme, and noted that Guyana’s PSIP is largely funded by international donor agencies like the CDB. “This developmental partnership has seen Guyana benefitting from various loans and grants administered through the Ministry of Finance. These funds are usually aimed at social and economic infrastructural projects such as schools, public buildings etc.”

The training programme which is part of a four-part project was welcomed by the Minister of State who noted that it is in keeping with the coalition government’s commitment to the creation of a highly skilled, professional public service and building the capacity of the country’s human resource.

Harmon also made reference to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) held into the country’s public service shortly after his government took office in May 2015. In the Commission’s report specific emphasis was placed on training and staff development within the public service. As such, the Minister of State believes that the CDB training programme plays an important role in the implementation of public policies and the delivery of government’s promise to the people.

“We have inherited several

field support to the permanent secretaries, REOs and heads of budget agencies – this took the form of what has been termed PSIP clinics.

Thus far, the PSIP clinics have been held at several ministries including the Ministries of Public Infrastructure, Agriculture, Education, and Security as well as the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to name a few. PSIP training was also conducted in Regions 10, 6 and 5 he told the participants. Balgobin noted that the PSIP must not be seen as an annual expenditure event. “It must be a rolling threeyear, short term plan, focusing on investments to capitalise the development agenda of the ministry or sector or region and to add capital stock.”

What it must not do, the Director of the Project Cycle Management said, is to become a glorified maintenance programme void of its investment mandate.

“On the implementation side we

Mr. Reginald Graham, Consultant Coordinator of the CDB

dence of some heads of budget agencies being unfamiliar with the new procurement system which was introduced. It was this discovery that lead to Cabinet’s hosting of regular statutory meetings with the PS and technical officers of the Ministry of Finance, to ensure efficient disbursement of public sector improvement programmes, funds and the effective monitoring and evaluation of these projects.

Moreover, the Minister of State noted Guyana’s improvement on the Transparency and Accountability rankings and said that it is as a result of such training programmes.

Similarly, Tarachand Balgobin, Director, Project Cycle Management Division outlined the importance of the implementation of the PSIP. Balgobin noted the challenges faced over the years with the design and implementation of the PSIP. He said the Project Cycle Management Division undertook to provide in-

A section of the participants at the opening of Monday’s Public Policy Analysis Management Training Programme

Mr. Tarachand Balgobin, Director, Project Cycle Management Division (Samuel Maughn photos)

drill home three core concepts: no project or programme in the public sector can be implemented without public procurement, hence the imperative to develop a comprehensive detailed procurement plan. The plan must be done in great detail and at a gradual level,” he stated.

Additionally, his department shared its PSIP progress monitor-

ing instrument and established the need for a variance analysis; that is, the deviation or variance from initial plans. “The purpose of the variance analysis is to identify where corrective action or policy decision making in necessary to improve the implementation process,” explained Balgobin, who noted that planning the PSIP and implementing it can only be effectively done in an environment of strong, vibrant and involved public policy analysis and management and project cycle management.

Public policy analysis is designed to teach government officials and public servants to read critically; think analytically and write concisely in all sectors, stressed Balgobin, who pointed to government’s collaboration with the CDB to discuss Guyana’s needs in this regard.

He noted that the training programme is geared towards building a cadre of professionals who are efficient in sound public policy analysis and the planning and execution of strategies and projects.

Meanwhile, Reginald Graham, Consultant Coordinator of the CDB disclosed that through the training provided by the CDB, some 2000 officials are to be trained across the Caribbean with 200 coming from Guyana.

The participants benefitted from online courses and are now at phase three of the training programmes which provides for face to face sessions with trainers.

Graham said too, that via international procurement processes, the CDB has recruited DODS a training company out of the United Kingdom to assist with the training. Another entity, the Centre for International Development and Training (CIDT) based within the University of Wolver Hampton has also been procured to assist with training in public policy analysis management.

Charged with rape of 6-year-old A 30-year-old man on Monday appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, charged for raping his six-year-old female relative.

Val Smith is charged with the indictable offence which alleges that on July 28, 2012 at Baramita Village, North West District, he engaged in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16.

He was released on $200,000 bail and the matter was adjourned until March 5.

According to reports, the victim would stay with Smith at the same house and on the day in question, Smith called the child into the washroom

Val Smith

and engaged in sexual penetration with her.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 27, 2018

CARICOM summit…

CARICOM SG urges regional action on crime, CSME, climate change

CARICOM leaders at the 29th Inter-Sessional Meeting of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community. Second Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Carl Greenidge is representing Guyana at the event

CARIBBEAN Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Irwin La Rocque, on Monday urged a regional solution to crime and violence in the Caribbean as well as consolidating the progress made so far in the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

Addressing the opening of the 29th Inter-Sessional summit at the Marriott Hotel, Port-au-Prince, Haiti,La Rocque also made reference to the efforts of the Caribbean countries to deal with the impact of climate change, disaster preparedness and access to concessionary funding.

He said that building resilience requires significant investment to reduce risks and vulnerabilities to prepare for the impact of such intense climate-based events, and what is needed is access to resources which must include significant grant funding and very concessional financing. “Without access to such financing, this would exacerbate already high debt levels across the region, which is due in large measure to exogenous shocks, including severe climatic events,” La Rocque said. He noted that most Caribbean countries have now been categorised as middle or high-income and are largely ineligible for concessional development financing and Official Development Assistance (ODA), due to the use of GDP per capita as the principal criterion.

But he argued for example, the Bahamas, an upper middle-income country, sustained cumulative damage and loss of US $678 million by hurricanes that hit between 2015 and 2017 and which necessitated access to non-concessional financing.

“In the case of our Associate Members their sources of finance are limited. They do not have access to international financial institutions.

The British Virgin Islands sustained damages in excess of US one billion dollars from Hurricane Irma.

“Our region finds itself in extraordinary circumstances which therefore require extraordinary solutions. There is need for new thinking, leading to changes in the criteria for determining access to concessionary financing by small, vulnerable, middle-income countries. “ In his address, the CARICOM top public servant noted that five years ago in Port-au-Prince, regional leaders adopted the CARICOM Crime and Security Strategy. But, he said, the time may have come to revisit it and identify the areas in need of improvement in order to make it more effective. “Last July, several Member States signed the CARICOM Arrest Warrant Treaty which simplifies the procedure of returning fugitives to the country where charges have been laid. I look forward to the Treaty being ratified as soon as possible.

“We are close to final-

ising the Agreement on the Return or Sharing of Recovered Assets. This provides a framework for the return or sharing of criminal assets which have been moved to another jurisdiction. I had hoped that the negotiations would have been completed to enable signature at this meeting. I now expect that it will be ready for our meeting in July.”

La Rocque said that these are important legal instruments which are significant additions to the armoury against trans-border crime. “We have also been working on a Counter Terrorism Strategy. For us in CARICOM, an act of terrorism or violent extremism in one member state, will resonate and have repercussions throughout our region.

“The issue of crime and violence is a regional problem that demands a regional solution. It requires the full co-operation of all the national and regional agencies charged with the responsibility for addressing crime and security.” But he told the meeting that the region cannot allow the threats of climate change, and crime and violence to derail its efforts at building a viable and prosperous community, adding “we have made substantial progress in many areas including with the Single Market component of the CSME. “The implementation plan for the outstanding issues related to the Single Market, agreed to last July, must be adhered to, for full

compliance in the specified time frame. We must accelerate the use of the provisions of the CSME to help us build our economic resilience.”

La Rocque said that a critical aspect of the CSME is the transportation sector which he noted would receive a boost during the meeting here with the new CARICOM Multilateral Air Services Agreement being ready for signature. “This is a major advance, as it expands the scope for airlines owned by CARICOM nationals to provide air services throughout the Community,” he said, adding that the agreement allows for no restriction on routes, capacity or traffic rights.

“It should facilitate increased intra-regional travel and provide more cargo options for exporters and importers with resulting cost savings. “ In his address, La Rocque said that in the “strenuous efforts to enhance our economic prospects, there are issues which are creating

impediments. One such is the continuing unfair labelling of some member states as non-cooperative tax jurisdictions. Member states of our Community continue to work diligently to comply with the onerous regulatory measures, and standards for tax transparency, accountability and cooperation established by the relevant global authorities.

“However, these efforts are seemingly not recognised by some developed countries and our member states are subjected to arbitrary evaluations and blacklisting.

While we are being blacklisted by these developed countries, they neglect to do the same among their own.”

He said that unilateral actions have been taken, for instance, by the European Union (EU), noting “that the process is clearly outside the inclusive framework that has been adopted by the international standard-setting bodies. “The unpredictability and uncertainty arising from the evolving nature of the EU criteria and listing

process is a matter of great concern. Indeed their actions may actually constitute an infringement on the right of sovereign states to determine their fiscal policy. “The Community calls for recognition of the primacy of the established international standard-setting bodies. Further there must be an all-inclusive process in the determination and application of agreed standards to reflect mutually determined good tax governance principles,’ La Rocque said, adding, that the impact of blacklisting is deleterious to the economic prospects and social progress of CARICOM states.

“Labelling as a ‘tax haven’ can contribute to the further marginalisation of CARICOM states in respect of access to the global financial system by the reduction of correspondent banking services. The further loss of such services remains a significant risk for member states, particularly as the labelling processes accelerate,” La Rocque added. (CMC)

Correction

THE Guyana Chronicle last week erroneously reported that the wife of the lead player of the Surinamese Parbo Brass Band, Ricardo Wip is a Guyanese. Mr Wip has since clarified that his wife is Surinamese and expressed his regret that our reporter came to such a conclusion that she is Guyanese, without enquiring from him. The Guyana Chronicle sincerely apologises to Mr and Mrs Wip for the discomfort this erroneous information would have caused their family.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 27, 2018

GPL upgrading power supply in Canal No.1 RESIDENTS of Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara (WBD) will soon benefit from improved power supply as the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) takes its Power Utility Upgrade Programme, (PUUP) to the community.

The initiative signals the third component of PUUP which aims to improve the system’s overall efficiency by reducing losses and upgrading the network in priority areas in Regions Three, Four, Five and Six. During a meeting with the residents on Sunday, Social Management Consultant of PUUP, Ruth Lee, explained that the community upgrade will be done via excavation and pole planting, stringing of conductors and installation of new meters and service lines.

When completed, the residents will benefit from an improved quantity and quality of power supply and

a reduction in the amount and duration of power outages. The intervention will also result in decreases in commercial and technical losses by GPL. The technical losses experienced by the power company are aged distribution systems and overburdened network, while the commercial losses are unauthorised connections and estimated billing. The residents’ meters will also be upgraded to provide reduced estimated meter reading; detailed consumption information to consumers; and more frequent reading to consumers and GPL. “So, if you used to get 20, you might get 10 in terms of power outages and disruptions, in fact when the system starts to work, it should automatically reduce those long hours of blackouts,” Lee explained. She added, “right now, GPL has a lot of maintenance problems because of a major cultural issue we have to deal with.

Some of the residents at the community meeting

This project is about behavioural change so that we can get the benefit of this company.” Lee pointed out that electricity theft is a major issue challenging the power company and results in the power service being less reliable and of a lower quality for paying customers.

She related that over the past five years, several individuals were victims of electricity theft and advised the resi-

dents to report any instances of illegal connections.

The upgrade is being funded through a grant from the European Union (EU) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the works are executed by China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation/China Synergy Electric Engineering Company (CMC/CSEEC) and Ramoutar and Sons Contracting

Services. Andrew Chin, the contractor for CMC/CSEEC, said a robust network will be built with medium and low voltage which will contribute to the reliability of power supply to the community while reducing technical loss.

He added that the smart meters which will be installed in the residents’ homes will eliminate the need for the meters to be read manually, but rather remotely, reducing commercial losses. The contractor noted that the infrastructure is being put in place to achieve improved power supply, which is necessary since Guyana as a country is advancing. “So there will be reliable power supply to your homes at a reasonable cost. This project is not for the contractor or GPL but for everybody, so we need your support and if we collaborate it will be successful.”

Some residents raised their concerns which were addressed by GPL representatives. Iola Chetnarain

questioned if the new intervention will see the usage of dual voltage as opposed to the 220/240 voltage she currently uses. GPL’s Design and Network Specialist, Sebert Blake, in response, stated that the network was designed to accommodate dual voltage supply and the process will see a collaboration between GPL, Public Works and the residents. Another resident, Dorcelle Ageda, queried about the transfer of information from the old meter to the new meter automatically. Responding in the affirmative, Commercial Manager, Anthony Johnson, explained that “the account remains the same, the name remains the same, the only thing that is changing is your meter, the instrument for recording consumption.”

A similar meeting was held with residents of Canal Number Two, who are also beneficiaries of the upgrade. Further meetings are scheduled for other communities. (DPI)

Haitian youths sing at opening of CARICOM summit

STUDENTS from the Institut National ele Musique d’Haiti – an institute in Central Haiti which uses cultural art forms in social intervention for the youth

- were given the opportunity to perform for the CARICOM Heads of Government and other delegates at the opening of the 29th Inter-Sessional Meeting on

Monday.

The students performed a welcome song for the Heads, then the National Anthem of the Republic of Haiti and the CARICOM song

– Celebrating CARICOM. The Institute, located in the Plateau Central area, Pandiassou, has a student population of 1,200. Haiti, the latest member

of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), is hosting the 29th CARICOM Inter-Sessional Meeting which will conclude today, Tuesday.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 27, 2018

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Guyanese swell with pride --as Black Panther opens here to sold-out crowds

By Lisa Hamilton STORMING past Justice League’s US$228.6M domestic box office earnings in just four days, the blockbuster film Black Panther is here to cause a major scene, and not many Guyanese were in the mood to be left behind.

Showing up in their numbers, many of them with pre-purchased tickets, since its opening here last Thursday at the Giftland Mall, the hype has caused seats to be sold out throughout the weekend.

It is obvious that Guyanese are excited for three main reasons: First - the movie stars are two Guyanese: Letitia Wright playing the role of Shuri, Black Panther’s sister; and Shaunette Renée Wilson, playing a member of Dora Milaje, an elite Wakanda’s all-female, special forces unit.

Second - the film features a top-notch cast of black stars; it has a black director and co-author, Ryan Coogler; and is centered on a black superhero, while portraying black culture in a positive light, something not too prevalent in Hollywood.

And third - who doesn’t love a good action-packed super-hero film?

On Sunday evening, the Guyana Chronicle took to the Giftland Mall to speak with a few patrons who came out to see the film, which doesn’t seem to be slowing down in its record-breaking spree.

We bumped into the Noel family, all decked out in African wear. According to the family matriarch and teacher, Ms. Shevon Noel, she designed the outfits for herself and her family, knowing that they would all turn-out to see the much-talked about film.

“I knew about Black Panther, and seeing that we’re coming as a family and it’s a different movie with how they portray black people, we came all decked out, ready to look and be inspired that black people are being looked at in a different way. We can now highlight and identify that we have a superhero!” Shevon said, adding: “Most of the times we’re looked at in movies as negative. It was great! I could go

Galethea Prince (second right)and her friend (fourth left)along with her relatives at the Caribbean Cinema

Giftland Mall salesman, Alex Mohamed (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

Cheroma Bholo proudly showcases her Black Panther moves and groovy skirt

The Noels outside the cinema

back right in there and sit and look at it.”

A COOL DUDE Shevon said she knew the movie would have a positive influence on her children.

According to her youngest, Senovia, her favourite character is Black Panther, “Because he’s cool!”

Cheroma Bholo, too, was all dressed up in an African-patterned skirt, and she said that although she was a bit hesitant at first about what to wear, she was happy in the end that she followed her mind.

“It was nice; it was actually better than I expected.

The Black Panther was my

favourite character, and his sister was awesome. She totally rocked!” Bholo said, adding:“At first I was reluctant, because I was thinking that people might not dress up, but when I came, I felt very comfortable and I felt good. Most of the persons in there, they had on some African wear.”

Happy to discuss the film outside the theatre was Galethea Prince, who said that she had been preparing her outfit for quite some time, and felt proud to see the Guyanese representation in the blockbuster film.

“It made me feel like the sky is the limit,” she said. “I don’t like to say ‘The sky is

the limit.’ The limit is beyond the sky; way beyond! It made me proud!”

As to her mode of dress, Galethea, who was accompanied by close relatives and a friend, said: “I was preparing since forever!”

Asked what she thought of the two Guyanese-born characters in the film, seeing that they now live overseas, Galethea said: “I can call them Guyanese, because when they left here, they were older than five. So, once you’re older than five, at least you got a little bit of our culture in you.

“And she [Letitia] did remember a few of her Guyanese traits.”

THE STAR BOY Speaking on the other characters, Galethea said: “My favourite actor is the ‘star-boy’ (Chadwick Boseman, who played T’Challa), and my favourite actress is Lupita (Lupita Nyong’o who plays Nakia).

“I mean, yes! I’m all for my Guyanese girl! I’m going to back her 100 per cent, but I’m a die-hard romantic, so, of course, the ‘star-boy’ and Lupita have a romance going on, so those two were my favourite.”

Meanwhile, at a comic and superhero merchandise store at the Giftland Mall, salesman, Alex Mohamed

said that many persons who are into the movie have been coming by to purchase canvases, t-shirts and bobble heads.

“It’s probably one of the top-solid ones right now, because the movie [is] just launched and everybody’s excited. So it’s going pretty fast; faster than any other one right now,” Alex said.

Black Panther is a 2018 American superhero film produced by Marvel Studios, and based on the Marvel Comics character.It is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, and is the 18th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 27, 2018

100 Rastafarians rally for ganja decriminalisation … march from Buxton to Square of the Revolution MARCHING yesterday from Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara, all the way to Square of the Revolution, some 100 members of the Rastafarian community advocated for the decriminalisation of small amounts of marijuana, stating that current laws prevent them from freely practising their culture.

Some of the reasons given for the use of marijuana by various members of the movement surrounded sacramental

purposes, medicinal purposes and economic benefits.

The event was hosted by the Theocracy Reign Ivine Order of Nyahbinghi and saw marchers both young and old from the House of Nyahbinghi, 12 Tribes of Israel, Guyana Rastafarian Council and the Society of Marijuana Advocates for Reform and Treatment (SMART) The marchers beat ‘binghi’ drums, sang songs about Africa and Haile Selassie and bore placards calling for the legal-

isation and decriminalisation of cannabis sativa, commonly known as ‘marijuana’.

A representative of SMART, Ras Leon Saul, spoke to the Guyana Chronicle outlining the reason behind the movement’s public demonstrations. “We’re advocating that there ought to be two ounces or 56 grammes of marijuana for persons for possession, without it being a criminal offence to have it. We’re also advocating for reform and treatment and we

Some of the Rastafarians who feel their religious freedom is being taken away (Photo by Adrian Narine)

have centres to be set up but more than that, our whole push is about re-education,” Saul said.

He went on to state that the Rastafarian movement intends to set up projects and programmes to re-educate society on the benefits of marijuana and the by-product hemp, adding that: “Here it is, we’re pursuing a green state strategy but we’re all (excited) about oil … we’re wondering why it is that this government is not understanding that a green state development strategy goes hand in hand with marijuana and hemp.”

Other persons argued that while the government was engaging with the LGBT community, making provisions and “relaxing laws”, the Rastafarian community is being ignored.

Making his input, President of the Guyana Rastafari Council, Ras Simeon Selassie, said that Rastas have marched several times on the matter and the United Nations (UN) states that it is “discrimination against Rastafari” religion for a government to deny them their rights.

He made comparisons between Guyana and Jamaica which, in 2015, became the first Caribbean country to make the possession of up to two ounces of marijuana a low-level offence through the amendment of their Dangerous Drugs Act. Meanwhile, an official with the Nyahbinghi Order, Ras Aaron Blackman, said that he was pleased with the event’s turnout but displeased by the number of Rastafarians being incarcerated for the use of marijuana, and he called for additional support from the government.

“I am very satisfied with the response from those persons who have suffered the consequences of living under

a law that has been very discriminatory for many, many decades, and it has done nothing to really save the black community. It does more harm than good to the black community,” Blackman said.

Speaking on those imprisoned, he said: “When you have thousands of young people thrown into prison during a year and you have to feed all these young people … it’s a personal and a national disaster.”

Blackman said, too, that he is aware of a bill that is in parliament that is yet to be debated and called on the government to legalise marijuana since, in addition to the Rastafarian community, it would bring much economic benefit nationally.

“If we legalise marijuana, Guyana can stand to benefit by producing medical marijuana which can bring billions of dollars in a short time to your economy … we’re calling on the President to look into this whole issue because he would not be the first President or leader to ensure that marijuana is decriminalised,” he implored.

The Guyana Chronicle interacted with a few bystanders who witnessed the gathering at the Square. Rawlston Walcott said: “The only thing I want the government to do is not to trap a Rasta man for a spliff (cannabis cigarette) and make him do 36 months and he has a daughter at home … waiting for something to eat … it’s dangerous, you mash the population.”

Another, Tafawa Jordon, commented: “Some people say marijuana helps them with their asthma, some to cleanse themselves to keep them focussed but I don’t think it should be legalised. Because, if you want to smoke it, smoke it in your house, in your yard.

“Don’t come out on the

road and smoke it because if the Government … legalise it they will come out on the road ‘nuff and they will smoke it in front of the police and the police can’t do them nothing and it will affect other persons,” he said.

On the topic, however, Ras Leon Saul says that this is a misconception shared by many in the population.

“When it comes to dealing with the marijuana question they feel that everybody will just go off and burn herb. No. Everybody isn’t drinking rum even though rum making a lot of them tumble down; everybody isn’t smoking a cigarette even though it’s available.

When you enact laws and legislations you can more control the situation,” Saul said.

However, it seems as if the possible after-effect of the legal use of marijuana, whether unrestricted or in parts, is a major concern for some Guyanese.

According to one man, Mr. Crawford: “You can legalise it but you must only have a little piece in your home … you can walk on the road and use it but you must not go in no public building or no shop with it. Because I was in Jamaica for some time and that is the law in Jamaica … because if I don’t smoke and I inhale (second hand smoke) it’s dangerous.”

Even as eradication measures continue locally, on the CARICOM level, several issues have emerged as requests are being made for marijuana to be used for medicinal purposes.

A 10-person committee of experts, as well as representative of religious communities, is expected to conduct a “rigorous enquiry” to determine whether there should be a change in the drug classification of marijuana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Cotonou Agreement, regional Businessman beaten to death transportation among issues in Ogle for Guyana at CARICOM confab …drug addict to face murder charge today

FOREIGN Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge has said there are several issues of interest to Guyana, during the 29th Inter-sessional Heads of Government Meeting, which it will pursue.

This annual meeting of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders is being held in Port-au-Prince, Haiti from February 26-27.

Minister Greenidge spoke to the Department of Public Information (DPI) following the opening ceremony at the Marriott Hotel on Monday.

The minister, who is leading Guyana’s delegation, noted that the impact of ‘blacklisting’, an agenda item, is of special interest to this country. Last December the European Union (EU) included four member states on a list of countries it deemed, non-cooperative tax

jurisdictions.

This issue was raised by Grenada (which was blacklisted) and CARICOM’s Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque during the opening of the inter-sessional meeting. “These are issues which place an unfair burden on small countries which don’t have a voice, or at least whose voice is in the main forum, and are not taken into account,” Minister Greenidge said, adding that “of course, it’s a long list of items…I would single those out for consideration by the meeting as having special interest to Guyana”.

The future of the region in the context of Cotonou, ensuring the region’s aviation industry can meet the needs of the region, the movement of skills within CARICOM is also of special interest to Guyana. The minister further

noted that border issues will be discussed during the caucus of the heads of government and advisors. Guyana and Belize are member states whose territorial integrity remains under claim from their neighbours. “In that caucus, they will be receiving reports on what has happened in relation to this problem since Guyana’s was last examined, and what is happening in the case of Belize and Guatemala as regards to plans to send their case also to the ICJ”, Minister Greenidge noted.

CARICOM has been in support of Guyana’s call for the resolution of the Guyana/ Venezuela territorial controversy via the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The United Nation’s Secretary-General has made a decision for the World Court to adjudicate on the issue. (DPI)

A KNOWN drug addict will be charged for murder today after he allegedly beat a businessman to death at Temple Street, Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Sunday evening.

Dead is Hazrat Shaffie, 46, a businessman of Fifth Street, Industry, ECD. A post-mortem revealed that he died of multiple injuries to the head, stomach and ribs.

His assailant, who is in police custody and will be processed through the court today to answer to the charge of murder, was identified as Neilsen Sinclair, 29, of Temple Street, Ogle.

Reports indicate that Shaffie had left his home to visit the alleged assailant’s father, Dr. Sinclair, in Temple Street, Ogle, for medication pertaining to pain about his body when he was attacked without warning.

Enquiries disclosed that Neilsen is a known drug addict

Relatives and friends gathered at the businessman’s residence for his funeral

and he attacked the businessman when the man arrived at the doctor’s office.

The perpetrator was reportedly seen kicking the victim about his body for unknown reasons and did so in five-minute intervals for a period of 20 minutes. The businessman was found moaning and groaning and was later placed in a taxi

by a resident in the area.

He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Monday.

A funeral service under Muslim rites was held for Shaffie at the Ogle Masjid and his residence on Monday.

He was later buried at the Ogle Cemetery, E.C.D.

16

Woman robs taxi driver – burns, leaves at gunpoint car at #63 Beach A 32-YEAR-OLD man was reportedly held at gunpoint by a lone female and robbed of valuables and had his car torched at the Number 63 Beach, East Berbice Corentyne.

Ravindra Mohabir, of Lot 184 Section `A` Number 59 Village,who operates a hire car, said he was proceeding along the Number 61 Village Public Road when he was stopped by a female soliciting a drop to the Number 63 Beach to purchase fish.

“I left home around 06:00hrs to help a friend who was leaving for Suriname. On my way back I see this lady on the road stopping car. I stop for her and she asked if I can take her by the beach to buy fish,” he related.

“So I take the work.”

Mohabir explained that

The burnt out car

the passenger agreed to pay $2000 for the trip since she had to collect fish.

However, whilst at the destination the woman whipped out a gun and pointed it in the driver’s direction demanding he hand over his cash and valuables.

“The only thing I had was the $2,000 she pay me for the

trip and my cell phone. I hand it over and she said come out the car and run so I jump and run to the entrance,” said Mohabir.

He explained that while coming out from the beach entrance he met a man whom he asked for a phone call to alert his relatives, and it was then that he saw smoke fol-

Ravindra Mohabir

lowed by an explosion.

Mohabir told the Guyana Chronicle that he bought the car - a white Toyota 192 in 2016 - at the cost of $860,000 and that has been his only source of income. He is now uncertain of his future.

The police have since launched an investigation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Getaway prisoner must serve a year in jail

…$150,000 bail given on ‘break’charge A 37-year-old carpenter from Mabaruma Village was on Monday sentenced to one year in prison for escaping from police custody.

Egbert Daniels appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus and confessed to the charge which stated that on February 24, he escaped from the Mabaruma Police Station.

He was sentenced to one year’s jail on this charge.

Daniels was also charged with breaking into the shop of Daraj Ram and carting off $317,000 worth in items.

He denied the charge and was released on $150,000 bail and the matter was transferred to the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court for May 21.

Egbert Daniels

According to a police report, Daniels was in custody at the Mabaruma Police Station on a break and enter with larceny charge.

Daniels requested to use the washroom and when he was being escorted by a police rank, he escaped and hid between some nearby bamboo trees. However, the rank gave chase and was able to re-arrest the accused.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 27, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 27, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 27, 2018

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‘Superman’ Lewis puts Ferrari to sleep in one minute 54 seconds

By Michael DasSilva GUYANA and Caribbean junior welterweight champion Colin `Superman’ Lewis had an early night on Sunday as he rocked St Lucia’s Nathan Ferrari with a wicked left hook to jaw, sending the junior welterweight champion to sleep at one minute 54 seconds of the first round in their contest of the Guyana Boxing Association/McDonald’s Promotions boxing card at the National Gymnasium.

Prior to the contest, which was deemed a grudge match, St Lucia Boxing Association president David `Shakes’ Christopher had warned that his charge (Ferrari) was coming to avenge the first-round knockout loss he suffered at the hands of Lewis in December at the Caribbean championship.

However, Lewis picked up from where he left off just two months ago and, like in December when he faced Ferrari in his hometown, did a fine demolition job.

Ferrari came out looking good and kept very cl►ose to the taller Lewis, preventing him (Lewis) from using his height and reach advan-

tage, but just after one minute of the first round, Lewis caught Ferrari with a solid overhand right that sent the St Lucian sprawling to the canvas, causing referee Lawrence Assanah to issue an eight-count.

On getting back on his feet, Ferrari continued to keep close to Lewis, but the Guyana junior welterweight champion would have none of that as he saw the opening to land an overhand right followed by a wicked left hook that sent the St Lucian sprawling to the canvas for the full count.

The much anticipated bantamweight clash between Guyana and Caribbean bantamweight champion Keevin Allicock and Trinidad & Tobago’s Christopher DeFreitas did not materialise as the Trinidadian was a no-show.

The GBA did not give the reason for the Trinidadian’s non-appearance.

However, Jamal Eastman of the Rose Hall Gym filled the void but did not see out the three rounds as the Berbician abandoned the contest three seconds into the final round after absorbing a great deal of punishment at the hands of Allicock.

Earlier in the night’s 14-fight card, the local boxers completely dominated things against their counterparts from neighbouring Suriname, winning all three of the international fights on the card.

In the Youth lightweight contest between Christopher Moore (Guyana ) and Toni Lin (Suriname), Moore scored a unanimous points decision win against the Surinamese who, in all fairness, put on a good show and at one time seemed to have been enjoying the better of the exchanges.

In the Open lightweight category, Guyana’s Joel Williamson registered a unanimous points-decision win over Blond Pikienito. Desmond Amsterdam (Guyana) caused the referee to stop his contest against Kelvin Wielzen (Suriname) at one minute 41 seconds of the second round.

In other results, Deron Williams of Vergenoegen Boxing Gym (VBG) won by a split decision over Richard Howard of the Forgotten Youth Boxing Gym (FYF) in their Schoolboys’ 85-89 lb bout and Troy Nero of Region Nine Boxing Gym also secured a split decision win

BCB elections were ‘free ...

Upper Corentyne Cricket Association are different from those who have voted at the contentious elections last October while the Mt Sinai Cricket Club was registered after that October elections.

Based on those grounds, the former members are expected to file legal proceedings shortly.

But Somwaru is of the opinion that court actions will not help the development of the game, and as such, is calling on those individuals to desist from any

legal battle.

“The process were ‘free, fair and transparent’ ... it was held in keeping with the Court Order, so I don’t see any reason someone will want to go to the Court again,” the 64-year-old revealed.

He added, “The game is bigger than anyone of us. Personally, I want cricket to be played, so how will cricket move on if those in office are not allowed to function, so give the new body a chance.”

Observers described the elections as

against Jaquan Milo (FYF) in their 136-144 lb contest.

Ravin Rodrigues of Region One Boxing Gym had the referee stop his junior lightweight fight against Christopher Romeo of the Vergenoegen Boxing Gym at two minutes 30 seconds of the third round.

In the female category, Aleshia Jackman (FYF) won by a TKO victory over Ann Joseph of Region One at one minute 40 seconds of round two and Abiola Jackman (FYF) secured a one-minute 50-second stoppage victory over Leonna Gonsalves of Region One. In the Youth bantamweight division, Justin Whinfield of Pocket Rockets Gym earned a split-decision win against Jason Worrell of Vergenoegen while in the lightweight category, Shaquel Wright had the referee stop his contest against Ajay Jageshar of Andrew Lewis Boxing Gym at one minute 40 seconds of the first round.

In the same weight category, Omar Pollard of Pocket Rockets scored a unanimous points-decision win against Junipor Hyman of Vergenoegen.

From back page ►

a “way station” to administrative stability and full equality of all stakeholders.

To this end, former Chairman of the Special Events Committee of the BCB, Hilbert Foster, who defeated Somwaru, by 18 votes to 16 when the electoral process was held at the New Amsterdam Town Hall, has openly offered Somwaru an advisory position on the board.

Foster, is of the opinion that the former BCB president could play an integral part in the development of the game in the Ancient County.

PM Mitchell urges ...

Governance Review Panel, headed

by UWI Cave Hill principal Professor Eudine Barriteau, authored the controversial report which as its main recommendation called for the “immediate dissolution of the West Indies Cricket Board and the appointment of an Interim Board, whose structure and composition will be radically different from the now proven, obsolete governance framework.”

Dissolution, the panel said, was a “fundamental and foundational requirement.”

The recommendations were rejected by the WICB (now Cricket West Indies), headed by president Dave Cameron and slammed as an “impractical” and an “unnecessary and intrusive demand”.

Further, the board described the panel’s investigations as “limited in scope” and argued that had “triggered findings and recommendations … which are not supported by the facts.”

CWI, which is based in Antigua, received backing from the country’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne who said he “categorically rejected” the call for dissolution, contending it would plunge

West Indies cricket into “further chaos and confusion”.

Browne’s apparent split with CARICOM on the matter subsequently led Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to warn last year that West Indies cricket was “threatening to destroy CARICOM itself”, especially after Mitchell’s criticisms of leaders who “agree on positions behind closed doors, only to return home and in the glare of the public, push a different agenda.”

A former head of CARICOM’s Prime Ministerial sub-committee on cricket, Mitchell yesterday called for unity among the regional heads while urging his successor, Vincentian Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, to ensure the overhaul of West Indies cricket remained on the front burner.

“Colleagues, we must move beyond entrenched polarised positions which have not been helpful to the re-emergence of West Indies cricket supremacy,” Mitchell told the gathering.

“I urge the chairman of the sub-committee and my very good friend Ralph Gonsalves to seriously re-examine the recommendations and champion our ap-

From back page ►

proach to addressing these issues, so that West Indies cricket does not continue to wallow in the land of under-performance and mismanagement.”

He added: “Colleagues of necessity, this community must also address the lack of internal cooperation on significant issues.”

As evidence of the crisis in which West Indies cricket found itself, Mitchell pointed to the team’s participation in an ICC qualifying tournament starting in Zimbabwe next week, in order to secure one of the two remaining places at the World Cup in England next year.

Two-time former champions, the Windies, failed in their bid for automatic qualification after winning just three of 23 One-Day Internationals last year, to be ninth in the ICC rankings at the September 30 cut-off date.

Hosts England, along with the remaining top seven ranked team, gained direct qualification.

“We note they are now involved in a playoff for a place in a game that we were at the highest level not long ago,” Mitchell lamented.

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 27, 2018

ICC presents Virat Kohli with Test Championship mace CAPE Town: Skipper Virat Kohli was presented with the prestigious ICC Test Championship mace as India retained the top spot in the ICC Test team rankings.

On behalf of the ICC, the mace was presented by ICC Cricket Hall of Famers Sunil Gavaskar and Graeme Pollock at a ceremony at the Newlands Stadium here after India concluded the tour of South Africa by clinching the T20 International series 2-1, following a seven-run win in the third match on Saturday night.

India ensured the number one spot on the ICC Test team rankings and a prize of $1M after their victory in the third Test at Johannesburg against South Africa last month. The win ensured that no team can move ahead of India in the Test rankings at the April 3 cut-off date.

India won the prize for a second year running and have now been at the top of the rankings since October 2016.

They have also been at the top two times before under Kohli in January-February 2016 and in August 2016.

India’s longest stint at the number-one position was from November 2009 to August 2011, when Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the captain.

Sunil Gavaskar and Graeme Pollock present Indian captain Virat Kohli with the ICC Test mace during the ceremony at Newlands Stadium. (ICC photo)

The other captains to have received the mace are Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith (all Australia), Andrew Strauss (England), Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla (both South Africa) and Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan).

It’s truly a great feeling to hold the ICC Test Championship mace again, which is an acknowledgement of our success in the truest format of the game,” Kohli said.

We’re proud of the way we have performed in Test matches over the past couple of years and our performances have reflected in the rankings. The quality of a side

is judged in the way players step up when needed, and that is what our boys have done time and again.”

Kohli said it has been challenging to succeed across formats and hoped his team will continue to set the bar high in future.

“It is heartening to be at the top of the Test rankings in an era when it’s challenging to do consistently well across formats. But that is something that we have managed fairly well and something that I’d like my team to continue doing with their hard work and determination,” he said.

“I’d like to thank all players who have been part of

our squads during this period and also the support staff for contributing to our success and for helping out in different aspects of the game. I’d also like to thank all our fans for supporting us across the globe,” he added.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson congratulated India, saying: India have

been simply outstanding in Test cricket over the last twelve months and I’d like to congratulate Virat and his team for retaining the mace.

They have produced some memorable moments that will go down in Test match history. They are certainly deserving of their number one ranking doing so much to attract fans around the world to Test cricket with their entertaining and attacking style of play and great quality of cricket.

Former India skipper Gavaskar said it was a moment of pride for him and wished the team luck for future assignments “It’s really nice to be handing over the ICC Test Championship mace once again to the Indian captain.

It’s really a huge achievement to do well continuously in Test cricket and Virat should be a really proud man to have led his side to such success in this format,” he said.

Test cricket always tests the class of players and to be acknowledged as the best in the format by the games world governing body is really a moment of great pride.

Congratulations to Virat and the boys for this accomplishment and we wish them all the best for the future.

Former Test batsman Pollock also congratulated the team,” It’s a privilege to be part of this occasion. I’d like to congratulate the Indian team for their consistent performances in Test cricket and Virat for leading the team to continued success,” he said.

“It’s a big achievement to become the best in any field and it’s even more difficult to remain at the top. Virat and his boys have done that and deserve every bit of praise in this regard. This shows their fortitude and I am sure they are destined for more success. I wish them all the best for the coming years.”

(Press Trust of India)

Morkel to retire from international cricket

SOUTH Africa’s Morne Morkel has announced his decision to retire from all forms of international cricket after the Test series against Australia.

The 33-year-old has been a mainstay of a dangerous Proteas attack alongside new-ball partner Dale Steyn, having played in 83 Tests since making his five-day debut against India in January 2006.

He has taken 294 Test wickets, an average of 28.08, with a best return of 6-23 coming against New Zealand in Wellington in 2012.

Morkel has also made 117 one-day international and 44 Twenty20 internationals appearances for South Africa.

“It was an extremely tough decision but I feel the time is right to start a new chapter,” Morkel told a news conference yesterday.

The fast bowler, who is married to an Australian television presenter, said: “I have a young family and a foreign wife, and the cur-

Morne Morkel has taken 294 Test wickets with an average of 28.08

rent demanding international schedule has put a lot of strain on us. I have to put them first and this decision will only benefit us going forward.

“I have loved every minute that I have played in the Proteas jersey, and I am incredibly grateful to my team-mates, Cricket South Africa, and my family and friends for the support over the years.

“I still feel there is a lot of cricket left in me and I am excited for what lies ahead.

For now, all of my energy and focus is on helping the Proteas win the upcoming

series against Australia.”

Morkel battled a career-threatening back injury in 2016 but had returned to form last year.

Should he be fit and selected, Morkel’s final Test appearance will come against Australia in Johannesburg early next month.

He had been linked with a move to an English county team as a potential Kolpak-signing, a route followed by fellow bowler Kyle Abbott, who rendered himself ineligible for South Africa duty by joining Hampshire last year. (Yahoo Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 27, 2018

21

Yonex renews sponsorship with Ramdhani AFTER a good 2017 season, medalling at a number of tournaments in Canada, Guyana’s top badminton player Narayan Ramdhani was endorsed yet again as a brand ambassador for the Yonex Corporation USA for 2018.

“Yonex USA was very much pleased with his performance in 2017-2018 with Narayan medalling at every event played on the Canadian circuit where he is based for the last year and a half,” a

release from the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) noted.

According to the report, Ramdhani performed at four tournaments for the last year or so where he landed a number of medals. He most recently won the Open MS A Tier category at the VCR Jack Under-hill Open tournament last month, and finished third in the doubles category.

He had another gold at the Under-23 category of the 2017 VRC Remembrance

Day Junior Open, a bronze at the BC Senior Circuit 2-Shuttlesport Open, and a bronze at the BC Under-23 Championships.

The sponsorship comes as Ramdhani is in the midst of his preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Australia from April 4 to 15.

The signing means that Ramdhani will be exclusively using Yonex racquets, bags, shoes, apparel and accessories. Yonex Co. Ltd manufactures golf, tennis, and

badminton equipment.

Yonex has managed to become the dominant corporate player in badminton. Yonex sponsors the All England Open Badminton Championships and is a partner of the Badminton World Federation which organises the World Championships. Upwards of 80% of competitive players use their racquets, as it is the preferred choice among professionals.

Narayan Ramdhani

Albion Masters beat Floodlights Masters in friendly T20

ALBION Masters of Berbice defeated Floodlights Masters in a friendly T20 match by seven wickets and 15 balls to spare recently at the Demerara Cricket Club ground.

The hosts won the toss and took first strike with opening pair of Ricky Deonarain and Ramoo Malone adding 37 in four overs before they lost Malone for 20.

Thereafter, Albion Masters fought back with some tight bowling. Aaron Beharry and Deonarain put on 33 runs for the second wicket before Beharry went for seven followed by Deonarain for a well-played 39.

The innings went into further decline as former national senior all-rounder Hubern Evans and Powan Baldeo made scoring very difficult.

Floodlights Masters lost three quick wickets before

former Berbice all-rounder Anil Beharry came to the

rescue with a rapid unbeaten 38 off 15 balls with four sixes

and two fours. The innings closed at 130-6 off 20 overs.

Evans took 3-28 in his four overs.

Albion Masters in reply, lost Subramani Mangali without scoring, before Khemraj Sumair and Baldeo put on an excellent second-wicket partnership of 63.

Sumair, who enjoyed a charmed life, went for 31, bowled by Dharam Persaud.

Baldeo went for 38 but Imran Hussain contributed a rapid unbeaten 35 to see his team to victory. Persaud ended with 2-29. Baldeo was adjudged the man-of-the -match.

At the presentation, captain Rajin Moonsammy thanked Floodlights Masters for the invitation and promised to host the next encounter.

Speaking on behalf of the hosts, Deonarain congratulated the winners.

He also said that his team is looking forward for the return match.

Windies legend Walsh named Bangladesh interim head coach

West Indies fast bowling legend, Courtney Walsh.

DHAKA, Bangladesh (CMC) – Legendary former West Indies fast bowler, Courtney Walsh, has been installed as Bangladesh’s interim head coach for the Tri-Nation Series in Sri Lanka starting next month.

The 55-year-old Jamaican has served as the side’s

bowling coach for the last two years but has been thrust into the top role with the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s inability to find a replacement for Chandika Hathurusingha who quit last October.

“Walsh has vast experience and everyone respects him

as well,” BCB president Nazmul Hassan said.

Walsh joined the Bangladesh set-up in September 2016 on a three-year deal, and has since worked closely with the side’s bowlers especially in developing the fast bowler stocks.

He will now oversee the

squad’s preparation for the Nidahas Trophy Twenty20 tournament which involves powerhouse India and hosts Sri Lanka.

Walsh played 132 Tests, finishing as the all-time leading West Indies bowler with 519 wickets.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 27, 2018

Bush Lot Trend Setters secure T20 title in Essequibo

By Elroy Stephney AN absorbing day of exciting T20 cricket was witnessed by a large gathering at the Reliance Sports Club ground in Essequibo on Sunday.

The four-team competition commenced in January and culminated with the final between Bush Lot Trend Setters and Cotton Field Sports Club, along with the third place play-off.

Early morning showers delayed the start of play, but when it did get going, the crowd was treated to an exciting display generally.

In the final, Bush Lot Trend Setters won the toss and batted, after the match was reduced to a 17-over affair. A decent opening stand of 28 in 3 overs between Ricardo Persaud and Tameshwar Dhanpaul set the tone for the visitors.

When they were removed, however, with Persaud falling for 15 and Dhanpaul for 12, scoring became difficult as two further wickets fell in quick succession to

leave the score on 42-4 in the 6th over.

However, it was captain Keith Joseph’s day as he strode to the wicket with confidence. Immediately he stamped his authority with a rasping cover-drive that sped to the boundary to open his account.

Wickets continued to tumble though, but Joseph kept the scoreboard ticking with regular boundaries including a massive six that sailed out of the ground. He single-handedly thereafter tore the bowling apart as he reached a well- deserved half-century and piloted his side to a respectable 136-9 in 17 overs. He ended unbeaten on 57 including 6x6 and 3x4.

Fast medium bowler Anthonio Bholo had impressive figures of 3-23 from 3 overs while Gansham Jainarine and Rajesh Ramdahin also took 2 wickets each with their off-spin. In response, Cotton Field also got off to a rapid start smashing 32 in 3 overs despite losing an early wicket.

They couldn’t sustain

Champions! Bush Lot Trend Setters celebrate win over Cotton Field SC. Best Batsman and Man-of-the-Match in the Final, Keith Joseph (captain), is at left.

the momentum however, as wickets fell at regular intervals. Opener Kevin Persaud threatened at the top with a cameo of 22, laced with 2x6 and 1x4 but he failed to extend his time at the crease when it mattered.

The lower order then fought gallantly to maintain the run rate as Anthony Bholo 18 (2x4) and Yashpaul Singh 20 (2x4, 1x6) gave their team renewed hope.

But in the end though,

Bush Lot kept their nerve to restrict Cotton Field to 1248 from the 17 overs, to win the match by 12 runs and the coveted title. There were 2 wickets each for Gregory Braithwaite, Tameshwar Dhanpaul and Keith Blackman who capped off outstanding all-round performances.

Earlier, Reliance Masters taught their junior counterparts Reliance Hustlers a lesson by winning the third-

place play-off. The match was reduced to 15 overs with Reliance Masters winning the toss and batting. They amassed 130-9 from the allotted 15 overs with former Essequibo inter-county batsman Elroy Stephney stroking 30 (5x4) Premnauth Persaud contributing 25 (4x4) and captain Sunil Lall scoring 20 (2x4). Suruj Rajah and Shawn Narine had figures of 2-29 and 2-18 respectively.

In reply, the juniors, de-

spite explosive knocks of 32 from Shawn Narine, Satish Persaud’s 20 and Narendra Mandolall’s 18 they agonisingly reached 128-7 when their overs expired to lose by three runs.

Teddy Manchal and Cecil Shivambar had 2 wickets each to bowl their side to victory. During the presentation, chairman of the Reliance Sports Ground Development Committee, Trevis Simon, thanked the teams for their participation as well as the sponsors who donated trophies.

Among the recipients were Best Batsman of the tournament - Satish Persaud, Best Bowler - Keith Blackman, Most Valuable Player - Kevin Persaud while in the Final, Keith Blackman received the Best Batsman and Man-of-the-Match prizes. Antonio Bholo received the trophy for being the Best Bowler.

Bush Lot Trend Setters received the winners’ trophy while Reliance Masters received a trophy for achieving third place.

CWI increases investment in women’s cricket ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has confirmed its continued commitment to further developing Women’s Cricket in the region.

Following the successful declaration of the three host countries; Guyana, St Lucia and Antigua & Barbuda, for the upcoming ICC Women’s World T20 2018 that will be held in the Caribbean in November, CWI chief executive Johnny Grave said,

“As defending World T20 Champions, the ICC Women’s World T20 2018 provides us with the perfect platform for promoting and growing the women’s game throughout the Caribbean.

The CEO added, “We will shortly be announcing our new five-year strategic plan, and improving the opportunities for women and girls to get involved in cricket is one of our top priorities. Our annual investment in Women’s Crick-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday February 27, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 329/7-50 overs (Jamaica vs Leewrds) (2) 14 centuries Today’s Quiz: (1) Which wicketkeeper effected most dismissals in the preliminary round of the CWI Regional Super50 Tournament 2018?

(2) Which wicketkeeper effected most dismissals in a single game in the preliminary round?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

CWI chief executive Johnny Grave

et is now approaching US$3 million a year, which includes significantly increased retain-

ers for our Windies Women’s team, as well as their participation in the 2nd Edition of the ICC Women’s Championship.

CWI confirmed the following: As part of the new CWI five-year strategic plan (20182023), achieving equality in women’s cricket is one of the organisation’s eight strategic objectives.

The new Windies Women’s retainer contracts are higher than the regional professional male counterparts.

The Windies Women are

taking part in the 2nd Edition of the ICC Women’s Championship and the recent series against Sri Lanka was streamed live on www.windiescricket.com.

CWI’s regional Women’s tournament will take place in Jamaica in June with teams playing both 50-over and T20 formats.

CWI has confirmed its support to the Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) in hosting the 2nd edition of a Women’s T20 Franchise Tournament. The event is open

to all female players from the region and is scheduled for April 30 to May 12 this year.

More than 50 per cent of CWI’s executive workforce is female and Jennifer Nero has served on the board as an independent director for almost a decade.

CWI will soon announce the appointment of a full-time Windies Women team’s head coach.

The Windies Women are now in New Zealand preparing for their upcoming series of three ODIs and five IT20s.

Lehmann rejects Moeen’s Test fears as Proteas clash looms

AUSTRALIA coach Darren Lehmann has dismissed the concerns of England’s Moeen Ali about the future of Test cricket.

The all-rounder this week claimed he is worried about the viability of the longest format following his participation in England’s 4-0 Ashes defeat.

Moeen said he felt that “crowds were quite disappointing” in Australia, comparing them unfavourably to packed stands at smaller venues in England.

However, asked ahead of the first Test against South Africa in Durban if he shares Moeen’s concerns, Lehmann told cricket.com.au: “No, I don’t.

“I thought the Ashes crowds were fantastic, our crowds were great.

“I think they broke all records, whether they were at the ground or watching, streaming or listening on the radio.

“It was an outstanding Test series.

I’m not sure where that comes from, from Moeen, but that’s his opinion.

“From my point of view as a cricket fan, I loved it. It was great.

“I thought it was intense cricket. The games could have gone either way.

“Four-nil wasn’t probably a fair reflection of how England played. I thought they played quite well.

“For me, I think Test cricket is alive, and we only had to see the way people turned up to the whole game throughout the summer.”

The first match between Australia and South Africa is due to start at Kingsmead on Thursday, with AB de Villiers back in a Proteas side also featuring fellow stalwart Hashim Amla.

Captain Faf du Plessis and strike bowler Dale Steyn are battling finger and heel injuries respectively, but both

will be expected to play at least some part in the series.

Lehmann acknowledged the presence of a clutch of accomplished veterans, who could opt to retire before the next five-day contests between the teams, presents an enticing challenge.

“They’re special players,” he said.

“It’s always an exciting Test series and it’s full on. There’s plenty of action going on the ground and off the ground.

“Those players are world-class players, we’ll have to keep them quiet to have a really good result on this tour.

“This [series] has a little bit of an extra feel I suppose because De Villiers, Amla and those guys might not go around again and we might not see them.

“We’ve got a lot to prove as a young side and keep playing well following on from our summer.”(Yahoo Sport).

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 27, 2018

23

‘Jackie Chan’, Hackett spoil Victoria Kings’ perfect record

… Western Tigers remain unbeaten much-needed win, having lost their previous (2-1) to Western Tigers.

Meanwhile, coach Calvin Allen’s men were made to fight hard for their 2-0 win over Buxton United, and would want to thank their

up their first win of the season recently, with a 1-0 result over Cougars. The Berbice side seem to be the whipping boys of the third installation of the Elite League, with 11 goals scored against them in four games, while only

From left: Delon Lanferman, Daniel Wilson, Gregory Richardson and Ryan Hackett

GREGORY ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson and Ryan Hackett scored to give Fruta Conquerors a 2-0 win over Victoria Kings when action in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League continued on Sunday evening with a double-header at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground.

It was the first defeat of the season for Victoria Kings, who, until then, had the only unblemished record in the league and sat atop the 10team table.

In the other game played, Western Tigers’ 2-0 victory of Buxton United meant that, along with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), they remain undefeated in the Elite League.

Heading into Sunday’s game, Victoria Kings coach Winston Pompey had told Chronicle Sport that his team will be focussed on maintaining their rich form of the league, especially coming up against one of the strongest sides this season - Fruta Conquerors.

However, things didn’t go according to plan for the East Coast Demerara team, given the fact that they allowed two goals minutes apart.

After playing to a scoreless first half, Fruta Conquerors scored their first goal in the 64th minute off the feet of Richardson on a goal-mouth scrimmage then Hackett rocketed home his team’s second in the 65th minute to hand the Tucville-based team a

Latest point standings in the GFF Elite League

latest-signing Daniel Wilson and Hubert Pedro for the win which saw them propel to the top of the rankings with 10 points from three wins and a draw.

The defeat was Buxton’s third and their second consecutive this season from four outings.

Milerock FC also picked

recording two of their own.

Delon Lanferman scored for the second time in as many outings for Den Amstel, helping the ‘West Side’ team to a 2-0 win over New Amsterdam United, to help put his second on the latest point standings with nine points. (Rawle Toney)

Holder says time for Windies to win another World Cup

WINDIES captain Jason Holder has said it is time for his side to follow in the footsteps of their Under-19 and women’s teams and add a third World Cup to the collection.

Speaking at the Harare Sports Club yesterday ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018, which will be played from March 4-25, Holder admitted the Windies needed to lift their 50-over cricket and hoped this 10-team tournament would help them to find not only a winning combination but also the momentum going into next year’s World Cup in

England and Wales.

“We’ve done well in T20 cricket; we’ve done well in women’s cricket and in Under-19 cricket. I think it’s about time we win another World Cup,” said Holder, referring to the Windies’ victories in the ICC World Twenty20 2016 and the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2016.

The Windies won the World Cup in 1975 and 1979 in England and Wales, but are featuring in the World Cup Qualifiers after finishing outside the top eight on the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings at the September 30, 2017 cut-off date.

Holder continued: “We know what is at stake. It is an opportunity for us to grab some momentum heading into next year’s World Cup, get some games under our belt, just finalise some combinations, get things straightened and hopefully turn our cricket around in terms of the ODI format. It is probably our weaker format. No doubt, we have not been consistent, something that we have addressed, hopefully going forward we should see some good performances.

“We’ve got a well-balanced side, quality side with experience. Hopefully, we

could gel together and make things happen in this tournament.”

Holder praised Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels for making themselves available for the Qualifiers.

“I must commend Chris and Marlon, who have come here … to do well for the Windies and give themselves a chance to play another World Cup. “As I said to the group, it may be an opportunity for guys to finish their careers well; it’s also an opportunity for guys to make a spark in their careers by playing in the World Cup.” (ICC Media)

Windies A bowled out for 236 on first day NORTH SOUND, Antigua, (CMC) – England Lions, replying to West Indies A’s first innings of 236 all out, were 20 without loss at the close on the opening day of the day/night third and final four-day “Test” at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground here Monday night.

Scores: WINDIES A 236 (Shamarh Brooks 63, John Campbell 35, Rahkeem Cornwall 33, Jermaine Blackwood 28, Raymon Reifer 27; Saqib Mahmood 3-50, Jack Leach 3-58) LIONS 20 without loss.

More doors open for Caribbean as Gold Cup expands to 16 teams THE CONCACAF Gold Cup - the official national team championship of North, Central America and the Caribbean - will expand to include 16 competing nations for the upcoming 2019 edition and beyond.

The Confederation is also exploring a pan-regional footprint for the 2019 Gold Cup, which would feature matches played outside the United States, including the possibility of matches in Central America and the Caribbean.

By adding more teams and exploring the possibility of new host nations, the historic 15th edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, in the summer of 2019, will set highs for a number of participating CONCACAF member associations, providing access to the highest level of international football for 16 teams and fans from a wider representation of the CONCACAF region, after the CONCACAF Council approves the initiative.

The qualifying process for the 16 teams who will participate in the 2019 Gold Cup will be fully revealed at the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League launch event on March 7 in Miami Beach.

“The expansion of the Gold Cup and the upcoming launch of the CONCACAF Nations League are key steps in delivering on the ONE CONCACAF Vision, to make the region’s most competitive football more accessible to more of our Confederation’s teams, players

and fans,” said CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani.

“By widening access to these important tournaments for more of our member associations, we work towards our goal of ensuring that the football produced in the CONCACAF region is of the highest quality in the world.”

The biennial Gold Cup is the region’s top prize for national teams and for over 25 years has featured top quality stars and national teams from across North America, Central America and the Caribbean, as well as invited guests from South America, Asia and Africa.

The Gold Cup has provided some of the most memorable on-field soccer moments in the region, including numerous high-intensity finals between the U.S. and Mexico, outstanding performances over the years by Caribbean nations including Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica, and deep runs by countries such as Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica and Canada, which, through strong Gold Cup performances through the decades, have taken their place among the region’s top national teams and earned worldwide recognition with qualification to FIFA World Cups. Panama, together with Costa Rica and Mexico, will represent CONCACAF in this summer’s 2018 FIFA World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history.

British boxer dies after winning fight in Doncaster

By Martyn Herman

LONDON, England (Reuters) - The death of heavyweight Scott Westgarth was described as a disaster by British Boxing chief Robert Smith yesterday although he said it was impossible to make the sport 100 percent safe.

Westgarth, 31, won his fight against Dec Spelman in Doncaster on Saturday but looked uncomfortable as he was interviewed ringside after his points victory.

He was taken to Royal Hallamshire Hos-

pital but his condition deteriorated shortly before arrival and his death was confirmed by his promoter Stefy Bull yesterday.

It was the first death in professional boxing since Canada’s Tim Hague died two days after a fight last June.

A year earlier, Scotland’s Mike Towell died from a brain injury following a bout.

Smith, a former boxer and now the British Boxing Board of Control’s general secretary, reacted with shock to the latest death in a sport often criticised for its brutal nature.

“It’s terrible for the sport and terrible for the family and we send our condolences to Scott’s family,” Smith told Reuters.

Smith said the sport had made huge advances in safety since the 1980s and that Britain had an enviable record.

“We are one of the most forward-thinking commissions in the world regarding medical aspects,” he said. “Some people don’t like us because they say we are too strict.

“This is a tough, tough sport and we try to make it as safe as possible but you can’t make it 100 percent safe,” he added.

“But that doesn’t take away from the fact that this is a disaster, but more importantly it’s a disaster for his family and that’s the most important thing.”

Events such as Westgarth’s death inevitably lead to soul-searching by those in the sport and fuel the debate about the sport’s ethics.

“We all do this for a reason. But that doesn’t take away the feeling I have today of ‘why am I doing this?’” Smith said.

“We will continue. If it’s not me it will be someone else. But it makes you question why you are bothering.”

‘Jackie Chan’, Hackett spoil Victoria Kings’ perfect record

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‘Superman’ Lewis puts Ferrari to sleep in one minute 54 seconds

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19

Aleshia Jackman ((right) connects with a right jab to the head of Ann Joseph of Region One during their female flyweight contest at the National Gymnasium on Sunday night. (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

Colin `Superman’ Lewis connects with a left to St Lucia’s Nathan Ferrari

BCB elections were ‘free, fair and transparent’ - Somwaru

PM Mitchell urges CARICOM to revisit Governance Report

… Even as a few former executives contemplate legal proceedings

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Flashback! Dhierandranauth Somwaru congratulates Hilbert Foster after the BCB’s elections. Foster has openly offered Somwaru an advisory position on the board.

FORMER president of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), Dhierandranauth Somwaru is of the view that the recently held BCB’s elections were conducted in a free, fair and transparent environment.

The former umpire is also of the view that the electoral process was held in keeping with a ruling delivered by Justice Navindra Singh last December 18, when he mandated new elections.

Somwaru made the disclosure yesterday during an exclusive interview, saying that there were no signs of manipulation, despite a few former executives of the BCB, openly rejecting the results, claiming verification of delegates/representatives for the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association and the Mt Sinai Cricket Club by the Court is in question.

Information reaching Chronicle Sport indicates that the delegates/ representatives for the Turn to page 19 ►

Grenada Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) – Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell has urged CARICOM to re-visit the recommendations of the dormant Governance Report, and has also called on leaders to abandon “entrenched polarised positions”, in order to rescue West Indies cricket from its current crisis.

Addressing the two-day

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inter-sessional summit which started here yesterday, the outspoken leader said West Indies cricket required an effective governance framework in order to flourish and warned unless this was done, the game would continue to “wallow in the land of under-performance and mismanagement”. “(Cricket) is a regional public good and must

therefore be the subject of a regulatory framework recognising its public good character,” Mitchell said, referencing the 2015 report which assessed West Indies cricket as a public good managed by a private company.

“Colleagues, I was heartened by the recommendations of the Prime Ministerial sub-committee on cricket which, among other things, recognised that the public good nature of West Indies cricket, requires a forging of a governance framework that respects the rules and independence mandated by the (International Cricket Council) but which also provides a proper framework for all stakeholders in the governance of West Indies cricket.”

The CARICOM-commissioned Turn to page 19 ► TUESDAY FEBRUARY, 27, 2018