Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 07-14-2018

SATURDAY 14th July, 2018

No.105335

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An aerial view of Kwakwani, which has been under water for the last three weeks (Photo courtesy DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 14, 2018

National Payments System Bill passed … modernisation of NPS could save gov’t $6.5B annually

AN outdated financial architecture will soon be modernised with the passage of the National Payments System (NPS) Bill which seeks to introduce legislation for the establishment, regulation and oversight of a NPS. After a fairly short debate on Thursday, the members of the National Assembly unanimously passed the Bill which both the Government and Parliamentary Opposition believe is necessary for the modernisation of the local financial system.

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan in his presentation of the Bill said the NPS does not only entail payments made between banks but also the total payment process which includes all systems, mechanisms, institutions, laws and so forth that come into play from the moment an end user, using a payment instrument, issues an instruction to pay another person or

business through to the final inter-bank settlement of the transaction in the book of the Bank of Guyana (BoG).

The International Monetary Fund/World Bank Financial Market Infrastructure report had revealed that Guyana’s NPS is still coming into existence or as the minister said, “green”.

“Payment service mechanisms lack the needs of the economy… the NPS gaps include deficiencies in the underlying, legal and regulatory framework, inter-bank payment mechanism and retail services,” said Jordan.

The minister said it was no secret that most payment transactions require physical exchange of paper-based payment instruments and some manual processing.

This was closely examined

by Opposition Member of Parliament, Nigel Dharam-

lall who referred to the NPS plan of 2018 which highlighted that as of October 2015 there were 243 million payment transactions per year with cash accounting for 99 per cent of those payments.

“There is still no infrastructure to support electronic transitions including critical wholesale payments and securities settlement; inter-bank currency trade, money market transaction; collateral placement in government securities and government securities trading are executed bilaterally,” admitted Minster Jordan, adding that there was no market infrastructure to electronically record transactions, manage risks, provide market transparency or enable the Bank of Guyana (BoG) to monitor development on a timely basis.

That was the case al-

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan during his presentation to the National Assembly (Adrian Narine photo)

Opposition MP, Juan Edghill highlighting some grey areas in the Bill (Adrian Narine photo)

though there were innovative retail payment services including bill payment and a growth and demand in electronic-money (E-money) services.

In an effort to ensure that those demands are met, Section XI of the Bill provides for the legal recognition of electronic records and electronic signatures.

Clause 48 provides that electronic funds transfers and records of electronic funds transfers are enforceable and may be used as evidence. Clause 49 sets up additional conditions with which a payment service provider should comply to obtain a licence for the issuance of electronic money.

According to a World Bank study to which the minister referred, if Guyana modernises its payment system by introducing the electronic payments, Government could save $6.5B annually.

The minister argued that the previous system was so outdated that Government’s payments to employees and pensioners required a combination of in-person delivery of physical cheque or vouchers and electronic delivery of payment information.

“As such the payment system strategy will be geared at identifying the core payment infrastructure needs and developing a sound legal and regulatory framework and catalytic pillars for advancing the stage of electronic payments,” said the minister.

While those systems should be improved, the minister said it should be supported by organisation arrangements that leave room for the Bank of Guyana (BoG) to design and implement the strategy.

Over the past four years the Government has been trying to reform the NPS because the existence of a sound and predictable environment for payment is considered as a basis for a strong and efficient system.

The Bill also provides for the licensing of payment service providers and systems operators. The Bank is also given the power to impose individual conditions for the operation See page 3

House passes BoG Amendment Bill

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 14, 2018

–– to help stabilise financial sector

By Ariana Gordon

THE Bank of Guyana (BoG) will soon be given the power to provide temporary liquidity assistance to deposit-taking financial institutions as the National Assembly Friday night passed the Bank of Guyana (Amendment) Bill 2018.

The Bill was passed despite concerns raised by the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP), but according to Finance Minister Winston Jordan, the amendments represent an integral measure which will be employed to maintain stability of the financial system.

Jordan made it clear that the amendments to the legislation are not unique to Guyana, as the same has happened in the United Kingdom, Canada, Belize, and Jamaica. Each of those territories, the minister said, has implemented emergency financing provisions within their laws.

Moreover, Jordan noted that had the legislation been in place some 14 years ago when Globe Trust experienced financial troubles, that financial entity would have been saved.

“With the passage of these amendments,” he said, “the Bank of Guyana would be in exalted company insofar as it establishes an emergency liquidity facility, which, had it had such 14 years ago when the crisis of Globe trust took place, those depositors who are dreaming and hoping for their return of their deposits and those who only got partial deposits…we would have helped that bank and could have saved the day for those depositors.”

The minister told the House that despite the challenges of the past, “it is never too late”, while noting that the amendments to the legislation together with Thursday’s passage of the National Payment Management Bill,

the Insurance Bill, the Financial Institutions Bill and the Deposit Insurance will give the financial system the necessary tools, while providing the Bank of Guyana with the powers and strengthened oversight to ensure banks do not fail.

And if they do, measures are in place to ensure corrective action.

Meanwhile, during his wrap-up arguments, Jordan denied that the amendments to the legislation was a result of a shortage of foreign exchange by virtue of poor performance in the export sectors, particularly, sugar, gold, rice and bauxite.

“There is an excess of foreign currency,” the finance minister said, while noting that the loans will be short-term loans and not long-term ones. He explained that his administration is trying to safeguard depositors, and return confidence to them, while referencing the events which affected both Globe Trust and CLICO. “These amendments are non-contentious, and are here for good reason,” said the finance minister, who noted that like central banks in other jurisdictions, the Bank of Guyana acts as, inter alia, the provider of liquidity into the financial system. This ‘lender-of-last-resort’ function, he said, has been a fundamental one of the central bank since the 19th Century.

PREVENT A CRISIS “The aim is to prevent or mitigate financial instability by providing liquidity support at the particular financial institutions or to financial market participants,” Minister Jordan said.

“The Bank of Guyana has had its experience with running a deposit-taking financial institution; the market is always susceptible to liquidity shortages and fragility.”

He stressed that through this tool, the bank has the discretion to provide a loan or an advance to eligible financial institutions facing serious liquidity problems. This liquidity assistance is expected to apply and or provide on an extraordinary basis, he noted.

“The ability of the central bank to act quickly and to provide adequate liquidity makes it possible to prevent liquidity problems from developing into serious financial problems,” Jordan told the House, while adding that neither deposit insurance nor bank resolution proceedings can achieve the same result, given the lengthy and complicated processes involved.

Opposition Member Irfaan Ali accused the government of bringing the amendments to the House because the financial architecture is weak.

“The problem you are faced with now is that the financial architecture is on the verge of imploding, and in recognition of that implosion, the government is rushing to pass all these bills together,” declared Ali, who opined that based on the principal act, the bank should focus on creating the enabling environment for the market to function effectively to achieve price and exchange-rate stability, rather than be an active participant in the market.

“The proposed amendment to Section 40 is therefore in conflict with the primary objective of the Principal Act,” he said.

He argued that by amending the legislation, the Bank of Guyana will be given a licence to be an active participant where it will compete directly with dealers in the foreign exchange and precious metal markets.

“This is inimical of the efforts by our country to liberalise the financial markets where government’s interference in the market is minimal,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, who served as Finance Minister under the People’s National Congress (PNC) administration, said that the Bill relates to

legislation pertaining to the operation of the central bank. It has to do with the heart of central bank operations which has to do with liquidity control.

He said Clause 2 of the Bill amends section 40 of the Principal Act to expand the open market and credit operations of the Bank to better reflect the monetary operations of a modern central bank, while Clause 3 amends section 41 of the said Act to explicitly allow the bank to grant, in exceptional circumstances, temporary liquidity assistance to financial institutions which take deposits against a wider range of collateral and for longer periods than what is accepted in the normal liquidity-providing facilities.

Additionally, the amendment gives the bank the power to grant financial assistance where necessary to preserve the stability of the financial system and offers protection to the Bank of Guyana, as it prescribes that all assistance in this instance requires a government guarantee.

Meanwhile, Clause 4 of the Bill amends section 42 of the Principal Act to remove the rates of interest charged for rediscounting eligible paper under section 40.

Clause 5 of the Bill amends Section 56 of the Principal Act to allow the bank to secure the credit granted to a financial institution on real property and to acquire such real property if the institution defaults, the bank, however, is required to dispose of such property at the earliest suitable opportunity.

“The bank has itself the guarantee from the government and the guarantee itself does not constitute the incurring of debt as such,” said Greenidge, who noted that on the question of viability it is “quite proper” for an entity to be illiquid at a certain point in time and viable. The intention he said, is to avoid the financial entity from collapsing.

Other contributors to Friday’s debate on the amendments included Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, and Opposition members Juan Edghill, and Anil Nandlall.

THE Guyana Police Force has announced that the country has recorded an eight percent decrease in robberies under arms for the period January to June, 2018.

In a statement last evening the organisation noted that for the same period last year 304 robberies under arms were committed with the use of firearms compared to 298 this year and which represents a decrease of two percent. A 28 percent decrease was recorded for robberies under arms where instruments other than firearms were used with this year’s numbers at 116 compared to 161 for last year.

Overall, there were 420 robberies under arm this year compared to 459 last year for the same period.

There was also a decrease of nine percent of serious crimes for the period mentioned above, according to the police. As of June 30 this year, there were 44 murders against

59 last year; a 25 percent decrease. The other areas are as follows for the corresponding period last year. Robbery - eight percent decrease; robbery with violence – five percent decrease; robbery with aggravation – 21percent decrease; larceny from person 30 percent decrease; rape - nine percent decrease; break and enter and larceny 10percent decrease.

Generally there was a nine percent decrease in serious crimes.

A total of 67 firearms were seized this year as of June 30, 2018 compared to 69 last year for the same period. ‘A’ Division was in the lead for seizures with 31 followed by “F’ Division with 14 while the other divisions shared the remainder.

There was a 25percent decrease in murder for the first half of the year with ‘C’ Division in the lead with 12 murders while the other divisions shared the remainder.

National Payments System ... Armed robberies down by 8% From page 2

of systems and the provision of services, ask for information, and agree with the individual operator or payments service provider on limitations in the activity or specific protective measures or impose sanctions and withdraw the relevant licence.

Part IV of the Bill provides for the on-going oversight by the Bank. These powers are defined as broad and general to permit the bank of Guyana to diversify the levels of control according to each specific sector of the National Payments System.

These include the power to audit, having access to all records and information, examining and inspecting where necessary the oversight of systems and payment service providers. Clause 17 provides that the Bank has the power to adopt measures of a gen-

eral or individual nature.

While Opposition MP, Juan Edghill said the Bill will modernise Guyana’s financial architecture, he said some of the clauses were ambiguous and should be strengthened.

Edghill however said aside from that, the NPS provide benefits for persons not only on the coast but also create opportunities for persons living in the hinterland.

Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma pointed out that a lack of an efficient national payment system impeded the ability of commercial banks to provide adequate services to their clients Guyana, he noted, is however moving towards advanced payment methods since it falls short of meeting the financial needs of citizens.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday July 14, 2018

Gov’t mobilises aid for Kwakwani

As part of its Regional Disaster Risk Management strategy, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on Friday conducted an initial assessment of the flooded areas in Kwakwani and will be mobilising aid for the riverine community.

Led by Director General of the CDC, Lt. Col. Kester Craig, the team included representatives from the Ministry of Health, Hydrometeorological Service, and CDC volunteers. Craig explained that the multiagency approach is one that is designed to ascertain the overall needs of the affected residents.

“We’re doing an assessment to see the impact of flooding in Kwakwani, particularly Lamp Island and the Waterfront area. What we would have observed is that the water level is about 6 – 7 feet and affected several

homes and also farms.”

He added that the flooding is a regular occurrence which has resulted in the residents adapting to their environment. The residents have built secondary houses on high stilts which are just above the water height; primary houses are submerged.

However, he said, this does not take away from the fact that the affected residents will have needs that must be catered for such as health and food. Lt. Col. Craig said he is awaiting information from the community.

“What is critical now is getting the data in from the community and to determine what are the immediate needs but in my opinion, I think we need to continually to monitor the water level, persons need to continue ensure the water they drink is safe and the assessment will come

from the region to decide where resources will be focused on and how much will be required.”

The CDC has a data-driven response system in place to prevent the misuse of resources. Currently, there have been no reports from the local health authorities of any illness, however, since this is a regular occurrence, it has been previously reported that health concerns are raised after the water recedes.

The CDC’s initiative was welcomed by the regional representatives. So far, approximately 300 households have been affected. These are located at Waterfront, Lamp Island, Aroima and Ginger Island. The CDC will deploy resources as soon as the official community report is completed. (DPI)

Lt. Col. Kester Craig in discussion with a representative from the community of Kwakwani

IMF cautions against short-term borrowing THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cautioned that short-term financing needs should be carefully managed and lauded what it described as the administration’s “prudence and restraint towards borrowing in anticipation of future oil revenue.”

The global lender encouraged that the government should rely as much as possible on multilateral development banks, including their non-concessional financing operations. “Developing the domestic capital markets

would provide a more stable source of financing and help meet the needs of domestic long-term institutional investors. Private external borrowing should continue to be avoided, and central bank financing should not be used at all,” the IMF cautioned.

The IMF said too that it welcomes the authorities’ intention to close the overdraft balances at the central bank in the near-term, noting that saving the one-off gains from the tax amnesty would reduce financing needs, and also help preserve external buffers.

It added that the quality and efficiency of government expenditure should continue to be improved, noting that it is important to address the shortcomings identified by the PIMA before public investment is significantly scaled up with oil revenues.

For similar reasons, the IMF advised that it would be useful to review current expenditures to ensure they achieve the maximum welfare and inclusion benefits.

TRANSPARENT On the issue of oil revenue, the IMF said the rulesbased fiscal framework for managing oil wealth should be transparent and consistent with the resource fund deposit/withdrawal rules. “It should provide the basis for

…lauds govt’s prudence, restraint

determining the allocation of annual oil revenue for stabilisation and domestic capital expenditure, as well as intergenerational savings.

The consistency between the fund deposit/withdrawal rules and a fiscal rule could be reinforced by fiscal responsibility legislation,” the institution said. It noted that monetary policy should gradually revert towards a neutral stance as the economic recovery gains pace, and inflationary pressures arise. “The exchange rate should play a more active role in cushioning external shocks going forward. Guyana remains vulnerable to external shocks given the concentration of its

exports in a few commodities and its reliance on imported oil in the short-term. Over the long-term, building an adequate buffer stock of savings from the oil revenues would also help cope with external shocks,” the IMF said.

Meanwhile, other important areas where work still needs to be finalized, include: eliminating reduced provisioning requirements for “well-secured” portions of NPLs; refining the definition of “related parties” with the international standards; reducing the reliance on overdraft lending; clarifying the upstream and downstream ownership of institutions; and raising minimum capital adequacy requirement to 12 percent; and reducing the banks’ large exposure limits.

The IMF said enhancing competitiveness and supporting inclusive growth should remain a high priority, adding that greater efforts are needed to lower the cost of doing business by addressing infrastructure-related bottlenecks, reducing energy costs, and cutting red tape.

“Increasing female labour force participation and bridg-

ing the gaps with the hinterland can boost growth and help spread its benefits more widely,” the IMF said. It said oil exploration and production should be included in the national accounts when they are rebased, and also in the BOP statistics. Strengthening external sector statistics and compiling an international investment position should be a priority.

The IMF said Guyana’s macroeconomic outlook remains favourable, noting that while growth slowed down in 2017, it became more broad-based, and is expected to accelerate in the run-up to the start of oil production in 2020. According to the IMF, the extractive industries and public investment will be key drivers of economic growth over the medium-term. Reducing the costs of doing business, strengthening private sector confidence, and advancing productivity-enhancing reforms are essential for sustaining growth in the short-term, and for reaping the full benefits of the oil windfall once it materialises.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday July 14, 2018

House passes Insurance Amendment Bill – in bid to make life less complicated for beneficiaries

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan

By Ariana Gordon THE National Assembly on Thursday night unanimously passed amendments to the Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2018, Bill No.3 of 2018 which now amends the Insurance Act 2016.

The insertion of Parts XX, XXI and XXII address the areas of contracts for long-term business, protection of policies, and paid-up policies, surrender values and non-forfeiture.

Part XX, according to the explanatory memorandum, provides for various areas related to contracts for longterm insurance business. It provides that an insurer shall not enter into a contract for the purpose of long-term insurance business unless, at the time the contract is entered into or not later than seven days after the contract is entered into, the insurer serves on the other party to the contract a notice specifying the nature and type of policy, and annexes a form of notice of cancellation for use by the other party to the contract.

The Bill makes it an offence for an insurer to contravene this provision, however, this contravention does not invalidate the contract. In addition, the Bill provides for the manner in which a person may serve a notice of cancellation on the insurer.

Part XX also provides that an insurer shall not issue any policy under Type A of Schedule 2 to the Act, unless the rate of premium chargeable under the policy is approved by its actuary.

Clauses 266-268 of Part XX provide for matters related to proof of age in respect of policies, including the procedure to be adhered to should a company decline proof of age tendered in respect of a policy and also the effects of a mis-statement of age and non-avoidance of a policy due to such mis-statement.

NAMED BENEFICIARIES Additionally, Clauses 270-279 of Part XX provide for issues related to the ben-

Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira

Opposition MP, Irfaan Ali (Photos by Adrian Narine)

eficiaries. These provisions allow a named beneficiary to enforce payment of a life policy effected for his benefit.

The Bill makes provision for the irrevocable designation of beneficiaries, and provides that an irrevocable designation may only be made in favour of a child, spouse or common-law spouse. The designation can be changed only if the named beneficiary dies or, in the case of a spouse, if the marriage comes to an end. The Bill further provides that a designation of a beneficiary by a will does not affect a designation made under the policy.

Meanwhile, Part XXI seeks to provide for the protection of policies, in particular the application of policies to debts. The Bill provides that the property and interest, of any person in a policy effected upon his own life, is not liable to be applied or made available in payment of his debts by any process of any court.

It also provides that a pro rata condition of average in an insurance contract is of no effect, unless the insurer informs the policy-holder of the nature and effect of the condition before the contract is entered into, or before the policy-holder can cancel the policy without penalty.

Finally, Part XXII provides for paid-up policies, surrender values and non-forfeiture. Clause 283 of Part XXII provides for the circumstances under which a policy-holder, who desires to discontinue further premium payments on a policy, is entitled to a paid-up policy and the manner in which the policy shall become payable.

The provisions of the aforementioned parts were already in the law and are being re-inserted into the Act.

framework for the supervision of insurance. It gave effect to the important government policy objectives by enhancing the regulatory framework, the financial soundness of insurance and protection of policy holders through a new solvency assessment and management regime, and it introduced an introductory framework for insurance supervision- it is aligned with the national standards for best practices custom-made to emerging Guyanese circumstances in the post-CLICO period.

The Act drafted a framework legislation contains a fundamental policy or underlying principles that are unlikely to remain unchanged in the future. It addresses the basic and minimum issues and confers powers necessary to regulate insurance and delegate the power to make subsidiary legislation to the Ministry of Finance.

“This Bill seeks to amend the aforementioned Act, and is supportive of the protection of a beneficiary’s life insurance; it was inad-

VERY COMPREHENSIVE Opening the debate on the Bill, Finance Minister Winston Jordan said the Bill serves to amend the very comprehensive insurance legislation that was promulgated in 2016. The 2016 Act provided a consolidated legal

vertently omitted from the substantive legislation, because it was intended that the provisions would have been incorporated as regulations to be incorporated under the authority of the said Act,” Minister Jordan said.

“However, based on technical advice on grounds that because the issue had not been adequately addressed in the body of the previous substantive legislation, it could not be enclosed in the regulations. There is therefore now need for it to be included by amendment to the substantive legislation,” he told the House.

A TIMELY INTERVENTION Opposition Member of Parliament, Anil Nandlall, who was the first speaker on the opposition side of the House, supported the Bill. He said he is pleased that efforts are being made to correct a lacuna which exists in the statutory structure. He, like Jordan, outlined the history of insurance legislation.

He said the omission of the three parts created “unfortunate deficiencies”, while “putting husbands and wives as beneficiaries of an insurance policy in a precarious position”.

“This is a timely intervention,” said Nandlall, who called on Minister Jordan to state why the 2016 Act was never enforced, given that it was assented to by President David Granger in July 2016.

“That is something we ought to avoid as legislators; we have to cease this practice. There must be very good reason for us as a collective delegating our collective power to a member of the executive to bring into being…

If it has to be done in special circumstances, then we have to ensure it is brought into operation with every convenient speed,” Nandlall added.

Meanwhile, opposition member Irfaan Ali asked whether any attempt will be made by the Ministry of Finance to develop an education programme or have an outreach to educate persons about the Bill, especially the amendments.

In response, the Finance Minister reiterated that the amendments were inadvertently omitted from the Act. He however reminded his colleagues that to err is human.

“There was no attempt to pass the legislation and not enact it. The reality is the regulations to the Bill had to be drafted and completed, and these were very extensive and complex regulations and they took quite a while to be drafted.

As you are aware we had to ensure highest degree of accuracy- and consultations with stakeholders,” said Jordan.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday July 14, 2018

The new ERC

THE Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has been reconstituted and members have been making their rounds to our country’s leaders, notably President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition (LOO), Bharrat Jagdeo.

During both visits, the ERC heard of our leaders’ commitment in promoting harmony with President David Granger warning that Guyana will remain an unequal society without greater social cohesion; and he stressed the importance of the body in helping to bring about this change.

The Guyanese leader also said that the ERC is perhaps the single most important commission in existence in Guyana at this time, noting that elsewhere in the world, there is a resurgence of xenophobia and disorder based on ethnic differences. He said that the resuscitation and work of the ERC therefore, is preventative action to ensure that ethnic harmony is maintained. “Without a greater sense of social cohe-

sion, this country will remain unequal and anything we try to achieve, politically or economically, will be difficult…

Society has the potential for social cohesion, but we must not allow divisive elements to separate us…there is more that unites us than separate us,” he said.

For his part, the LOO called on the ERC to do a fact-based study on the period 1964 to the present, so as to vindicate their argument that Afro-Guyanese fared better during successive PPP regimes.

This constitutional body, enshrined in Article 212 of the Guyana Constitution, truthfully should always be in operation. That its function was undermined, stymied, and politicised under the previous government which gave rise to concern about its usefulness, careful examination and appreciation of the services it is intended to provide make it a vital and necessary institution to society.

Ours is a society where tensions, accusations and

counter-accusations towards and against individuals and groups are daily occurrences, though these are often publicly manifest in the forms of race, class, politics, governance, religion, and sexual orientation. The importance of ferreting out the credibility of any of these claims, and the extent to ensure that where a legitimate grouse or discrimination exists, how it could be resolved and recurrence minimised or eliminated, is tough work.

The work of the ERC does not require the faint of heart nor non-committed. It entails continual gathering of evidence, maintaining open minds and open-door policy, being au fait and keeping abreast of universal declarations, international conventions and charters, and local laws. To be effective, it has to not only function as a receiver and analyser of complaints, but as advocate to bring about positive changes to realise harmonious relations between and amongst the people.

It may very well find that

one of its roles in promoting education and training programmes in pursuit of arriving at ethnic peace and harmony will meet a society wedded to myths, which would require much undoing. One such is securing acceptance that diversity is strength, no one is superior to the other, and historical physical genetic appearances and religious beliefs are traits to be proud of not defiled, denied or ridiculed.

In our polarised society, treating each other with respect and dignity requires ongoing conversations that allow for ventilation of perceptions -- real or contrived -- opportunities for recourse, and corrective actions taken where necessary. Politicisation of such an institution, in our suspicious environment, is bound to see its credibility being brought into disrepute and it would help in the re-establishment if such is avoided at all costs.

Whoever is entrusted the responsibility to be a member of the commission ought to know that this is hard and

diligent work that requires commitment to human decency, growth and development.

This is not a commission to be trifled with. Where no interest lies in working assiduously to improve ethnic relations as against ethnic dominance and marginalisation, and recognition that the welfare of one group is intertwined with the welfare of others, should respectfully not sit on this commission.

The performance of the ERC under the chairmanship of Bishop Juan Edghill, who subsequently served as a minister in the PPP/C government and is a serving Member of Parliament of the party, though the right to freedom of association must be respected, the fist under which he led that institution left little room as to what was his agenda and to whom he felt he was in service.

It would not be an untruthful statement in saying that the commission had instances where its decisions and work were not driven by objectivity, but that of furthering an agenda that not

only denied the fundamental rights and freedoms of others, but set out to promote what the body was established to correct. Some such instances were the suppression of academic freedom, attempts to marginalise voices in society, and absence of rigour and due diligence required of research in order to objectively pronounce.

The function of the ERC includes providing equality of opportunity between persons of different ethnic groups and to promote harmony and good relations between and among groups.

The institution also has the responsibility to encourage and create respect for religious, cultural and other forms of diversity in our plural society. This includes promoting and encouraging the acceptance and respect by all segments of the society of the social identity and cultural inheritance of all ethnic groups. The goals of the ERC in this polarised society are noble, timely, and are needed like yesterday.

Rose Hall Town needs around 150 street lamps

Dear Editor,

THE township of Rose Hall might be Guyana’s smallest, but we are without doubt one of the fastest developing areas in the county.

Rose Hall Town has developed into the commercial capital of Berbice and the busiest business centre. Every single day, Monday to Saturday, our small town is visited by thousands of visitors from across Guyana.

I am very proud to be a resident of Rose Hall Town and it is with this in mind, that I

pen this open letter to Ministers David Patterson and Annette Ferguson of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. Both ministers are doing a great job but I must express my disappointment when I read in one of the daily newspapers that our township will be getting only 30 of the lamps donated by Japan, while our sister township of New Amsterdam will be getting hundreds.

I would like to plead with the ministers to consider raising the number to at least 100 to 150. This would allow most of our small township to be lit up and our residents

can sleep and feel a little safer. I would also like to bring to the attention of the ministry that the lights on the main public road have been out of commission for several months, due to a post falling down. Most of the major business places, including three financial institutions, are located on the public road which is now totally dark due to the non-functioning lamps. Please ministers, use your influence to get Guyana Power Light to repair the lamps. Finally, I would like to urge the ministers to visit our township and have a first-hand look at the condition

of our streets. Most of them are in urgent need of repairs and are an embarrassment to residents. Our township would be very grateful if some funds can be released to have some repairs undertaken as soon as possible. Ministers Patterson and Ferguson are known to be very pro-active and I look forward to their usual cooperation.

Regards Hilbert Foster, Secretary/CEO, RHTYSC, MS,

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday July 14, 2018

Stiff penalties needed to stop smuggling All are accountat Lusignan Prison and other jails able to the laws

Dear Editor,

WHAT is happening at the Lusignan Prison? This penal institution is supposed to be a place of detention, discipline, correction and rehabilitation, where prisoners are kept out of trouble, but it seems that it has become a hotbed for criminal activity, especially smuggling.

On July 8, a man escaped after attempting to smuggle cigarettes and marijuana in a pair of sneakers into the prison. Earlier that same day, prison officers found a black bag with marijuana, lighters and other items in a drain next to the prison’s pig pen.

Early this month, another smuggler attempted to throw a bag of contraband items over the prison walls, including 1002 grams of narcotics, a large quantity of tobacco leaves, four cellphones without SIM cards, one charger, one earpiece and 33 packets of Bristol cigarettes. Last month, a Lusignan prisoner was caught with a knife and a cutlass. Also in June, a search of the prison turned up 31 improvised weapons , cellphones and chargers, SIM cards, memory cards, phone cards, metal pipes, wood, marijuana, cigarettes plus a tattoo machine and ink.

Recently, I wrote a letter to the media about smuggling in Guyana, but inmates at the Lusignan and New Amsterdam Prisons have mastered this criminal activity to such an extent, that they are proudly displaying their smuggled goods in posts on social media.

Something is seriously wrong. How in heaven’s name are prisoners getting their hands on drugs, cell- phones, digital tablets, alcohol, cigarettes, weapons and even a tattoo machine? We have to upgrade and reinforce our prisons and stop this nonsense now.

I commend the alert police officers who last month intercepted a smuggler and seized cannabis, cigarettes, phones

and a host of other prohibited items. But how these items are getting to the prisoners time and time again? We cannot escape from the possibility that there is a system of collusion in the Lusignan Prison and other penal institutions. There has to be collusion among the smugglers, the prison workers and the prisoners. The director of prisons, Gladwin Samuels, on more than one occasion in relation to other jails, had stated his concerns that prison wardens were facilitating the entry of smuggled items into the prisons.

In April, Mr. Samuels reported that large numbers of prohibited items were being found in prisons, despite high security levels. A case that comes to mind is that of the prison warder caught trying to smuggle phones, chargers, marijuana and more into the Mazaruni Prison.

Why? It is because the penalties for smuggling prohibited items into the prisons are not severe enough. Smugglers do not hesitate to take the risk, because the penalties are soft, the risk of being caught is low and the profit margins are high. It’s as simple as that.

There is only one solution.

The penalties must be so severe that as soon as the idea to smuggle contraband into prison pops into a person’s head, that smuggler, prison worker or inmate will think, think again and then decide not to take the chance. I see that Mr. Samuels is very concerned about the situation and has a zero-tolerance, transparent approach. Therefore, I suggest to Mr. Samuels that they should secretly put tracking devices on intercepted contraband items and let them go through to trap those at the receiving end.

I cannot tell Mr. Samuels how to do his job, but if it is not being done already, then I also suggest that guards should be regularly rotated to different locations in the prison system to prevent the development of any ‘unholy alliances’ with smugglers and prisoners.

The Lusignan Prison seems to be a primary hotbed for smuggling, but the same procedures should be put in place at the other prisons as well, because this problem is not confined to just one facility.

Let us take this situation in hand quickly. Prisons are becoming dangerous places. I can foresee many scenarios for extortion. For example, prisoners struggling to survive inside might be forced to recruit wives, relatives or offspring to meet the demands of domineering prisoners. Extortion is an evil that expands rapidly and can detonate at any time. If smuggling forbidden items into jails and related extortion goes unchecked, there could be far-reaching consequences inside and outside the prisons. It could lead to abuse, injuries, suicide, even murder and mayhem.

Keep striving, Mr. Samuels.

Regards Roshan Khan Snr

Dear Editor I REFER to Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo’s statement that the coalition government will target those members of his party who are possible presidential hopefuls, once that intention becomes known.

Editor, it is that same, now worn-out refrain about the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) members being witch-hunted. This is a continuation of the dishonest narrative, artfully articulated by this party, but designed to incite ethnic tensions among his party’s supporters. It is very unfortunate, that Jagdeo continues with such egregious statements, especially against the background of the incontrovertible audit evidence which supports the charges brought against those personalities of his party who are already before the courts.

It is further proof of the PPP/C’s criminal understanding of what constitutes good governance,

with its mandatory rule of accountability for its actions/policies. But this is essentially mirroring the moral crises that face this party’s leader. Jagdeo must be reminded, that the law is applicable to anyone and everyone, irrespective of that person’s political status, especially; whether in a former or current capacity of state, current party office, or possible elevation as a contender for national office, such as a presidential candidacy. Simply put, once there is good reason, supported by investigative enquiries that such a person(s) have been involved in acts of malfeasance against the state – measures must be taken, in similar manner as those against any other citizen. The laws, properly constituted, were never made to exclude from its impartial focus, persons from a specific ethnic/race group, or political party affiliation, as Jagdeo and others of his party seem to have been suggesting.

Just how can a former national leader continue with such contempt and disrespect for the law, as a means of defending his former government against the established mountain pile of solid evidence of state theft, as well as a measure of keeping the hopes of his support base alive, is beyond the realm of personal morality. As leader of the opposition, he must be aware that similar actions are being taken in other jurisdictions against persons, whether still in their former official capacities or not, for crimes committed against the laws of their respective countries.

Thus, just why should Guyana be an exception to such a rule, of bringing to justice those accused of similar offences against the state?

Such an understanding of the law could only have originated from Jagdeo’s continuous disrespect and contempt for the laws of Guyana.

Regards Earl Hamilton

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OP-ED

By Julio Berdegué, FAO Regional Representative Dafna Bitran, FAO consultant RURAL areas are key spaces of interaction between humans and the environment. They are also important economic spaces where a large part of the environmental challenges must be faced, both in Latin America and the Caribbean as in the rest of the world.

Special attention must be placed on these areas if we are to reach the targets of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, which constitute a veritable roadmap to guarantee fundamental living standards without leaving anyone behind.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday July 14, 2018

Rural areas and the environmental challenges of the 2030 Agenda Rural areas are fundamental for the fulfilment of this Agenda. Indeed, almost eight out of 10 of its indicators are closely linked to what happens with rural societies.

And two out of 10 can only be achieved in rural areas or with their help. Rural livelihoods depend on a healthy environment, but at the same time they have a profound impact on natural ecosystems. Protecting both is essential to achieve sustainable development, and requires a delicate balance.

Rural activities such as agriculture, forestry and change in land use, for example, generate 24% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These gases increase climatic variability and extreme

weather events, which in 2015 caused losses of USD 13 billion in the agricultural sectors of developing countries. Seventy per cent of the loss of terrestrial biodiversity is due to changes in land use linked to agricultural pressures. And yet, that same biodiversity and the services it provides are fundamental for rural livelihoods. Pollinators, for example, are essential for 35% of world agricultural production.

In rural areas, various forms of marginalisation and social exclusion persist. Although rural activities are essential for food security, 75% of the people who suffer hunger worldwide live in rural areas. While agriculture uses close to 70% of the world’s

fresh water, rural areas have the least access to running water and sanitation services.

The advance of the agricultural frontier is the main reason for the loss of forests worldwide, but these are key for rural livelihoods: the environmental services that households obtain for "free" from forests represent up to 22% of their total revenue.

The activities of rural areas support urban areas.

They provide them with water and food, in addition to contributing in many ways to their health and well-being. With more than half of humanity living in cities, it is fundamental to consider both the dependencies and mutual relationships that exist between the urban and rural worlds.

Proper rural territorial planning can favour sustainable development by reducing GHG emissions, maintaining valuable ecosystems with great potential for tourism, and preserving water sources. Rural areas can also be important suppliers of energy to urban areas through renewable sources. With the appropriate measures, rural areas can also function as buffer zones against disasters, reducing their impacts on the rural and urban areas.

It is evident that rural areas both impact and are impacted by environmental variables. Thus, it is essential to advance in a profound transformation of rural societies. A greater understanding of the economic, social and environmental interrela-

tionships that occur in these areas is sorely needed. We must also better understand the various links that exist between them and cities. To forget about rural areas is to put a brake on sustainable development.

We cannot live healthy lives with unhealthy rural environments. We will not be able to feed ourselves or face poverty and inequality in an overexploited and polluted environment where 12% of the species in the Region are at risk of extinction. The challenge is clear: without vibrant, prosperous, sustainable and inclusive rural societies and environments, a better future will not be possible for any of us, be we urban or rural.

Lindeners benefit from OMAT medical mission HUNDREDS of Lindeners benefitted from an outreach by the Overseas Medical Assistance Team (OMAT) Health Mission over the last two weeks.

The health mission was executed in Linden as a part of the Know Your Purpose 2018 series, under the theme ‘Stronger Together.’

The team of 12 included medical doctors, dentists, psychologists and surgeons from the USA with the support of overseas-based nurses, as well as nurses and other medical personnel from the Linden Hospital Complex.

Services given to Lindeners were OB/GYN screenings, blood pressure testing, eye testing, surgeries, dental cleaning and extractions, counselling amongst others.

The Overseas Medical Assistance Team is a nonprofit medical organisation which was formed in 1992 by Lindener, Dr Stephen Carryl, Chairman of Surgery at the Wyckoff Heights Hospital Center in Brooklyn, New York and President of OMAT. OMAT has since been providing care in health and education over the

past twenty seven years in developing countries such as Guyana and Haiti.

In addition, the organisation is attempting to change the way persons may view medicine and is urging them to take care of their overall wellbeing.

Joanna Carryl, Secretary of OMAT stated “one of the things we really want to do is to change the way people view medicine, a lot of people have fear of going to the doctor, fear of seeing a dentist, fear of seeing a mental health professional and so we want to encourage people to take care of their mind, their body, just as they take care of their soul when they go to church or whatever. We want to urge them to take care of their whole body."

Errol Liverpool, Clinical psychologist noted that it is very important for persons suffering from mental illness to know that they are not alone.

“It is very important that we remove the stigma, the negative feelings that are evoked when people are mentally ill. It is very important to make a distinction between insanity, what Guyanese would say is madness, it’s not the

same as being mentally ill.

Insanity is a person who says, ‘I don't know my name, I don't know who I am’ …but there are many mentally ill people who go to work every day and try to run families," Liverpool said.

He added, "What we want to do is equip them with the kind of care that they just don't go to work every day but they can be effective with what they do. What we hope is that in Guyana the stigma can be removed so that people can appreciate that I'm not alone."

Dr. Liverpool believes that if the "stigma" is removed, the suicide rate will decrease in Guyana.

The Overseas Medical Assistance Team also donated US$5000 to the Linden Centre for Special Needs which will aid in the rehabilitation of their building as a part of their community project in Linden for the year.

Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindell expressed sincere gratitude to OMAT and is calling on other organisations to follow suit.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 14, 2018

Ousted GPSCCU managers lose court battle

THE ousted Management Committee of the Guyana Public Service Cooperative Credit Union (GPSCCU) lost its legal battle to the Chief-Cooperatives Development Officer (CCDO) Perlina Gifth, when the matter was thrown out of the High Court on Friday.

Though her service was terminated, Patricia Went, in the capacity as member and chairman of the GPSCCU, filed a ‘Fixed Date Application’ and a Notice of Application for Interlocutory Relief on June 12, 2018, thereby challenging the decision of CCDO to assume control over the GPSCCU as well as the decision to appoint an Interim Management Committee (IMC).

Went, through her attorneys-at-Law Roysdale Forde and Olayne Joseph, had argued that the decision of the CCDO to terminate the services of the Management Committee was in breach of the Co-operative Societies Act Cap. 88:01 and her action was a denial of the principles of Natural Justice.

However, the Deputy Solicitor-General Deborah Kumar and Assistant Solicitor-General, Beverley Bishop-Cheddie, who represented the CCDO on behalf of the Chamber of the Attorney General, argued that Went had to first pursue the procedure set out in Regulation 56(3) of the Co-operative Societies Act by filing an appeal to the minister within 21 days of

the decision of the CCDO. They maintained that the applicant ought to have exhausted all the remedies before an application was made to the High Court.

Upon hearing the arguments in the High Court, Justice Navindra Singh dismissed the applications filed

by Went. “The authorities do not demonstrate that if an aggrieved person is not given a hearing that person can as of right abandon the statutory defined right of appeal provided. In fact, it stands to reason that, if indeed, the applicant was of the firm belief that the Committee of Management’s right to be heard was breached, then the appeal process laid out in the Co-operative Societies Act seems to be the next logical step to challenge the decision by the CCDO, provided, of course, that a majority of the members of the Committee of Management were desirous of challenging that decision.

“Further, since the principles of natural justice supplement the law, it is possible that in the formulation of a particular statute and in certain situations, for those principles to be excluded,” Justice Singh said as he handed down his decision.

Went, through her attorneys, had argued that the embattled Management Committee was not provided with any reason prior to the decision by the CCDO to assume control of the Credit Union and was therefore deprived of natural justice.

In rebutting the arguments put forward, the deputy solicitor-general and assistant solicitor- general contended that the provisions of regulation 56(2) did not envisage that reasons were to be provided, and as such, maintained that the CCDO acted lawfully in her decision to exercise control.

In defending their position, they argued that the ousted Management Committee had become incapable of managing or had wilfully neglected the affairs of the society, and that there were breaches and non-compliance with respect to Regulation 58 which mandates that the accounts of the credit union be audited at least once annually; Further, in discharge of its obligation under Regulation 58, a society may indicate to the Department of Co-operative Development that it is ready to be audited, or the department may initiate the audit. In either instance, the auditor is identified and appointed by the CCDO to whom the final audit report is to be submitted.

But in the case of the GPSCCU under the watch of Went, there had been no auditing of accounts and no financial statements since the year 2010, and, further, those audited had not been approved since 2010, the attorneys argued.

“The refusal by the Committee of Management to sign the Adjusted Audited Reports for the period 2011-

2013 directly led to there being no Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Guyana Public Service Co-operative Credit Union Limited since the year 2010 and no payment of dividends to the members of the Guyana Public Service Co-operative Credit Union Limited since the year 2010,” the attorneys further pointed out.

It was also submitted on behalf of the attorney general that the applicant ought to have made an application for judicial review and not for declarations and injunctions.

The court on this aspect ruled that any challenge to

the decision of the CCDO should have been pursued as provided for in regulation 56(3) of the Co-operative Societies Act. Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes, who represented the second to ninth named respondents (the members of the IMC: Justice Prem Persaud, Patsy Russel, Trevor Benn, Rajdai Jagarnauth, Gillian Pollard, Oneidge Walrond-Allicock, Patrick Mentore and George Vaughn), had submitted that none of the declaratory reliefs sought were against them and therefore the Fixed Date Application ought to have been dismissed.

The court also found that there was no stated claim against the members of the IMC. Justice Singh ruled that “a declaration is a judicial remedy which conclusively determines the rights and obligations of public and private persons and authorities, without the addition of any coercive or directory decree”.

In dismissing the Fixed Date Application and Notice of Application for Interlocutory Relief, Justice Singh awarded to the state the sum of $150,000.00 and also to the second to ninth respondents in the sum of $150,000.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 14, 2018

Police officer loses gun, cash in accident

HEAD of the Information Technology Department of the Guyana Police Force, Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus, lost his service weapon and a large sum of cash when he lost control of his car and crashed on the East Bank of Demerara.

Bacchus, who it is said suffers from seizures, had a bout of the illness while he was on his way to Georgetown Friday morning. As a result, he lost consciousness and control of his vehicle and crashed into a fence.

During that process, a vehicle which was travelling close behind him pulled up after witnessing that the policeman’s vehicle had careened off the road.

Rather than assisting the police officer, a man who rushed to his assistance used the opportunity to loot his vehicle, running off with the service weapon and cash which he had in the vehicle at the time of the accident.

The incident took place in front of the Demerara Distillers Limited.

However, in a press

statement issued by the Guyana Police Force, Public Relations Officer Jairam Ramlakhan, said that the accident was caused by two pedestrians who were attempting to cross the road at the time which prompted the officer to take evasive measures. The release also indicated that a team of officers visited the hospital where the welfare of Bacchus was checked on. The team included Assistant Commissioner Maxine Graham and Assistant Superintendent Jewel Sullivan.

Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus being attended to by Assistant Commissioner Maxine Graham, Assistant Superintendent Jewel Sullivan and PRO, Jairam Ramlakhan The police release did not mention the reported disappearance of a firearm from the vehicle of Superintendent Bacchus during the crash.

This is even as Assistant Commissioner of Police and ‘A’ Division Commander Leslie James did confirm that particular development.

When this publication made contact with the Police, PRO, Jairam Ramlakhan he responded “You know any firearm was missing in the accident?” When Ramlakhan

was told that other senior police officers confirmed to this publication that indeed a weapon was missing from the vehicle along with live rounds, the PRO then said that he was not aware of that and nothing of that nature was communicated to him.

This newspaper was reliably informed that the police are on the hunt for two men who approached the vehicle and removed the weapon and some amount of cash before speeding away from the

scene. CCTV footage which was reviewed by the police also confirmed this and a hunt is on for a white car. A senior manager at DDL also confirmed that the police asked and were allowed to review the footage of the CCTV in an effort to identify the persons and the vehicle they showed up with.

The man also confirmed that ranks indicated that a weapon and money were missing from the officer’s vehicle.

Businessman arrested in connection with Campbellville double murder THE police on Friday arrested a businessman as they continue their probe into the murder of 61-yearold Deonarine Liliah and his 29-year-old son, Gopaul Liliah.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that the businessman and the younger Liliah were involved in a business arrangement which somewhat went sour along the way and the matter was taken to court. The arrangement had to do with the shipment of a quantity of spices.

This publication was told that the court is set to rule very shortly in the matter and the police have been aware that the cash involved in the transaction was more than seven million Guyana dollars. Detectives are of the view that the businessman whose name was given as ‘Dyal’ could have vital information for the cops in relation to the matter.

In addition to Dyal, two other persons have been arrested and they remain in custody. They are said to be an alleged seller and purchaser of one of the mobile devices which were taken from the home of the dead duo.

Autopsies performed on the remains of the two men

Twenty-nine-year-old son Gopaul Liliah on Wednesday found that they died as a result of multiple stab wounds. The police believe that the crime was one of passion and which could not have been done by one person. The elder Liliah was found dead in his bedroom and his son in the hallway of the house.

The men were last seen on Saturday and it was on Tuesday that they were discovered dead in the house in decomposing states. The police were called to the Craig Street address after residents who had not seen the man and his son for a few days received a stench coming from the up-

Pandit Deonarine Liliah per flat of the home where the two lived. The ranks came, made their way into the house and made the discovery. The Liliahs ground spices at their home. When the police arrived at the location on Tuesday when the men’s bodies were discovered, they said there were no signs of forced entry into the house. Added to that, CCTV footage which they managed to review found that a male was seen scaling the western fence to the property.

The house was also ransacked according to what detectives told this publication on the day the crime was discovered.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 14, 2018

Deeds, Land Registries go digital with new websites

BUSINESS Minister Dominic Gaskin has welcomed the launching of two new websites which will not only make doing business in Guyana easier but also reduce the possibility of corruption between businesses and Government.

At the launching which took place on Friday at the Pegasus Hotel, it was revealed that the two agencies benefiting from this venture are the Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority (DCRA) and the Land Registry.

The Land Registry facilitates dealing with lands within land registration areas while DCRA administers the

be done if we want to become a developed country any time in the near future.

“And anything that fights corruption, any initiative that aids in the fight against corruption, I believe is an initiative that the Guyanese people will support. Not everyone, but I believe most of us are good Guyanese, we like our country, we want our country to be developed and we know that we cannot develop as long as we allow corrupt practices to persist and prevail,” he said.

Through the Ministry’s engagement with the World Bank Group there was an assessment of the local regulatory processes which identified a number of areas for

those seeking to register a business in Guyana or seeking to register property in Guyana or transfer property, or register a mortgage or access any of the other services provided by these critical agencies,” he said, further stating: “I’ve had a look and the website and… they provide very clear and concise information on the various processes required and also on the duration of those processes. I was very happy and it’s very simple and user-friendly.”

At the function, Registrar of the Commercial Registry (ag) Nicole Prince said that the websites present the opportunity for the agency to do

Members of the audience at the Pegasus Hotel (Samuel Maughn photo) laws affecting land.

Gaskin told the gathering that the websites can play a role in anti-corruption in relation to the Deeds, Commercial and Land Registries.

“We’re not unique in that regard, but Guyana does have a problem, and it’s a big problem, with corruption.

And by having processes transparent and automated, it does certainly reduce the likelihood of corruption between businesses and Government,” he said.

He added that while some persons will resist the new websites’ transparency features, the changeover is necessary to move Guyana’s business sector forward.

“I know that not everybody is happy with this, not everybody likes this and we do expect a lot of push back but it’s something that has to

reform of which the websites form a part.

These reform ventures, Gaskin said, will help to improve the business environment and encourage new investments and more competitive businesses in Guyana.

The websites also form a part of the regulatory actions associated with the Doing Business Index which is an instrument the World Bank utilises to assess countries’ economic and business environment.

Gaskin commended the agencies which worked in collaboration with the Business and Legal Affairs Ministries to complete the websites and spoke highly of its many functions.

“These two websites that are being launched today will certainly make it easier for

away with its ‘Matters Filed Book’ and ‘Matters Submitted book’ in exchange for a coordinated, digital platform.

“This project has come at a right time because it synchronises the DCRA’s digital agenda,” she said.

Meanwhile, speaking too, was General Manager of the National Data Management Authority Francis Simmons who related the body’s support of the new websites which he said matches the principles of a 21st century government.

“We should see constant improvements and additions to the website in the future based on the feedback received and a further desire to add more citizen-centric services to your websites.

The National Data Management Authority with its key mandate of providing

the foundation or highway for 21st century government in Guyana will continue to support the Deeds, Commercial and Land Registries in all of their digital efforts,” he said.

The two sites can be accessed at: https://dcra.gov. gy/ and https://landregistry. gov.gy/ .

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Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin speaks at the website launching on Friday. (Samuel Maughn photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 14, 2018

‘Sustainable Livelihoods programme is for all Guyanese’ ––Minister Ally

THE Sustainable Livelihoods and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) programme, which provides local economic development is for the entire Guyanese population and sugar workers are one aspect of that population, Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, told the National Assembly on

Thursday.

Minister Ally was responding to the question posed by opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Vindhya Persaud, whether the programme caters for laid-off sugar workers.

Minister Ally explained that projects are considered following receipt of requests for assistance for communi-

ty-based projects whose beneficiaries can include several categories of workers.

“Funding is provided based on a request for assistance, thus there is no predetermined amount identified for specific communities…the SLED programme funding is based on annual budgetary proposals and the 2018 funds have been programmed and preparations for the 2019 budget are underway and a request will be

made for funding.”

The SLED programme seeks to provide financial support for entrepreneurial ventures, create income-generating opportunities, and promote improved practices in agriculture and livestock ventures, community development through the functioning of cooperatives and encourage successful business practices and enhance the skills of community members through participation in

projects.

In 2017, some twenty (20) groups in nine of the 10 administrative regions benefited from the initiative executed by the Ministry of Social Protection Projects Department. The groups were registered under the Cooperatives Act 88:01. Two groups were established in Region One; four in Region Two; one in Region Three; three in Region Four; three in Region Five; one in Region

Seven, one in Region Eight, three in Region Nine and two in Region 10. These groups had become fully operational by the end of 2017.

Among projects executed by the groups are poultry, pig, and sheep-rearing, garment construction centres, a multipurpose complex, block-making establishments, shade-house cultivation, bakeries and catering establishments.

(DPI)

72% of Communities Ministry capital projects completed THE Ministry of Communities has completed 72 percent of its capital projects, an accomplishment that Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan said bodes well for the ministry.

At the end of June 2018, the ministry was able to expend $6.35Billion of its $8.9Billion 2018 budgetary allocation. Minister Bulkan told the Department Public Information (DPI) in a

recent interview, that this is a great accomplishment for his ministry which has responsibility for water, housing and communities.

“It may be recalled that in the 2017 mid-year review

by the Ministry of Finance, the minister bemoaned the slow rate of implementation of the PSIP [Public Service Implementation Project] and efforts have been made, and I would like to think that they have borne fruit,” Minister Bulkan said.

The PSIP, Minister Bulkan said, puts the ministry on track. He noted that the earlier the funds are expended, the earlier and greater

the opportunities will be for economic development. “It is a desirable to have earlier expenditure, as opposed to having a graph of much of the expenditure taking place in the last quarter, which by definition means that there are deficiencies and unhealthy factors accompanying that.”

According to Minister Bulkan, his ministry is working with the 10 re-

gional administrations to accelerate the execution and implementation of their work programmes. Of the combined $4.135Billion allocated, the regions have been able to expend 65 percent.

Five regions have had a rate of implementation of at least 70 percent, with the East Berbice-Corentyne region topping at 86 percent. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 14, 2018

Built on faulty model

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… Min. Jordan criticises financing model of Berbice Bridge

… says gov’t willing to listen MINISTER of Finance, Winston Jordan says the financing model used to build the Berbice River Bridge was faulty and the consequences of this is now showing as the company complains about going bankrupt, while clamouring for approval to raise tolls.

In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) Jordan said that it was interesting that these comments were being made, “when I did my windup to this year’s National Budget debate, I indicated that some of these PPP models, taken by the previous administration, did more harm than good for the society.

Yes, we wanted a bridge but under the model that resulted in the bridge I had shown that if all increases were granted, as requested in the model, where that bridge would have been. You have seen today, for example, a car would have to pay $8,000 dollars to cross.”

M i n i s t e r J o r d a n e xplained that when he questioned one of the Opposition members about the figures provided, he was informed that under the model used, “several assumptions did come through.” This, he described, “as most ridiculous” since all models are built on assumptions, which should be tested under the stringiest of sensitivities. If these are tested, he added, and “fall through, then you don’t go through with the project. The model was faulty. Everybody knew the model was faulty and then the pressure would

be left on the government.”

He recalled when the Coalition Government took office, an initial approach was made to the BBCI’s Board/ Committee to lower tolls but this was rebuffed. The minister said, “they took the stance that the bridge was a private company and government should take their hands off so I don’t know what is the big rush for the government to get involved now? I don’t know why the stance has suddenly changed?”

The government, the minister stated, is always willing to listen and “we will give them our feedback.

They made a suggestion. It came to Cabinet and Cabinet rejected it. So, it is up to them if they want to put up more (financial) models.

We had put some models to them too!”

Reacting to the call made by the Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo for government to buy out the shares in the company, Minister Jordan said this move was taken by a shareholder who sold his to the government, in 2017.

He said other shareholders may see this as a reasonable option. The BBCI Committee being private, could resort to seeking loans from banks or sell more shares on the stock exchange. He also said that he did not necessarily believe some of the utterances made with regards the BBCI’s finances by the Chairman Dr. Surendra Persaud. The BBCI had written Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson requesting

that the tolls be increased, as determined by the Toll Adjustment Formula which is prescribed in the Concession Agreement of June 12, 2006.

The proposed increases include the car toll moving from $2,200 to $8,040; pickups from $4,000 to $14,600; 4WD from $4,000 to $14,600; minibuses from $2,200 to $8,040; small trucks from $4,000 to $14,600; medium trucks from $7,600 to $27,720; large trucks from $13,600 to $46,900; articulated trucks from $32,000 to $116,680; freight from $460 to $1,680 and the toll for boats moving from $110,000 to $401,040.

“The toll adjustment is an essential requirement to ensure that the bridge company can continue to execute its mandate, including meeting its obligations to its financers. The sad reality is that the bridge company has applied for this adjustment on three separate occasions,” said Dr Persaud during a press conference at the National Communications Network (NCN) on Tuesday.

Persaud said the failure by government to approve toll adjustments, in accordance with the concession agreement, has compounded the required toll adjustment in years 2014-2018. “The total charges are significantly below the charges which are provided for in the toll adjustment policy had they been applied,” he said.

The government in its statement however contended that the bridge agreement

178 street lights for Wakenaam, Leguan Islands AFTER years of requests by residents living on the islands of Wakenaam and Leguan in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) for street lights the Ministry of Public Infrastructure on Wednesday last announced that the Islands will be equipped with LED street and solar (photovoltaic) systems.

This move will create transformational changes on the islands and residents have welcomed the initiative. “You know how many years we been asking for streets lights over 10 years, we are happy for this over the years due to the lack of visibility many accidents occurred on the island of Wakenaam, we can now feel safer,” Mohamed Ali from Wakenaam Island related.

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson said other developmental

projects are earmarked for the region and for the remaining of 2018, solar PV systems will be installed in five popular facilities. The installation had commenced in 2017 on the Leonora Cottage Hospital, West Demerara Regional Hospital, Belle West Health Centre, Lenora Magistrates Court and the Veed-en- Hoop Secondary School and will continue in 2018.

The ministry has also embarked on another Energy Efficiency Programme project which would see the replacement of fluorescent street lamps with energyefficient LED lights. The communities on the islands will be equipped with 792 street lights by the end of 2018.

The first phase of the project will see 178 streets lights being installed with 47 allotted to Leguan and 30 for the small Island of Wakenaam.

places obligations on all parties, which include scheduled maintenance and associated upgrades. According to the statement, any request for toll increases must take into consideration a wide array of factors and cannot solely be on the basis of recouping operational costs and profits on dividend. Government believes that the bridge pro-

vides a critical service to the public and tolls must remain reasonable and cannot be arbitrarily hiked to oppressive and onerous levels.

The MoPI on behalf of the government has promised to continue to take practical decisions in the interest of the people of Guyana and the provision of quality services.

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 14, 2018

Gaskin and minibus union agree on need for standardised fares EVEN with the recent reductions in fuel prices, Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin and the United Minibus Union (UMU) have agreed that a new enforceable fare structure for standardisation in the minibus sector is required.

Just last week, the Guyana Oil Company Ltd (Guyoil) announced price reductions for gasoline and gas oil following a recent fuel hike which saw several minibus operators increasing their fares.

However, even with this reduction, there are still concerns about some minibus operators and whether they will reduce their fares in light of the recent change.

Speaking the topic, UMU President Eon Andrews said: “Those operators found that commuters had no choice but to pay because they wanted to get to work and back home…they tried a thing and it appears to be working.

They will be very reluctant to revert to the old fare price until they are forced to do so through a joint press release by the Government and UMU which gives commuters the support to resist exploitation.”

Minster Gaskin in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle said that such an issue proves why ongoing deliberations between the Government and the Union on the challenges within sector are important.

“That is why is important that we have an agreement between the United Minibus Union and the Government so that once we have the agreement and we both respect the agreement, I think it will force the others to come on board but as long as some of the operators feel that things are in flux and there is nothing that is agreed upon, they’re going to set their own prices,” Gaskin said.

Andrews nonetheless commended GuyOil’s decision but reminded that other

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin matters, apart from fuel costs, are also being addressed.

“GuyOil’s press release that it will be reducing its fuel prices for customers is very commendable. The United Minibus Union expected such an action and was not surprised since such decisions are what responsible Governments do to assist its citizens.

“Whether it’s enough to bring relief to minibus drivers and conductors is another matter. We still have to address the other operational costs that had been there since 2008,” he said.

On the topic, Gaskin said that the Ministry awaits additional information from the UMU which will facilitate an analysis of the cost of operating a minibus versus the fares received and whether there is need for an increase.

“Because we want the minibus business to be viable we don’t want them to be forced to stuff 20 people in a bus just to make a living.

So, we want to set a reasonable fare and agree upon it and then once we can arrive at a figure we’ll take it to Cabinet. If Cabinet approves it we’ll take it to the minibus union and if they are in agreement then that becomes the new fare structure and that is put out to the public

Cop nabbed in ganja trafficking A POLICEMAN was on Friday morning arrested on the Cove and John, East Coast Demerara public road, allegedly trafficking a large quantity of marijuana.

along with some means of enforcement,” he said.

“I don’t know yet how we are going to enforce it but there is a licensing body and maybe we’ll have to look at the terms and conditions on which the licenses are granted so we can’t have five different buses running the same route and everyone putting a different fare. That is not fair on the consumers,” the Minister said.

In addition, Gaskin took the opportunity to elaborate on discussions between the UMU and the Ministry about the introduction of mandatory training in the sector.

He said that there are several existing factors which continue to discourage persons form travelling by minibuses and, as such, the Government is willing to provide assistance to address this through training in hospitality.

“They were looking on whether there can be some sort of hospitality training because the service that they [minibus operators] provide is an important service and they need to understand that.

Some of them do, some of them don’t but all of them need to understand. A lot of people don’t take buses not because they don’t want to sit down next to any and anybody but because the service is really not up to scratch.

“Things like the music, things like the cleanliness of the bus, things like the speeding, the way they talk to customers, they ways of collecting fares and giving back change, a whole lot of things need to be put in place and it requires training and sensitisation and we’re prepared to help where that is concerned,” he said.

In the next month, the UMU and the Business Ministry are set to meet again to continue discussions on these matters and more towards the improvement of the sector.

In a statement, the Guyana Police Force said intensified, collaborative intelligence work by ranks of the Police See page 15

Policeman Delon Alexander

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 14, 2018

Guyana to intensify cooperation with France on environmental protection

PRESIDENT David Granger on Thursday evening, joined with Ambassador of the French Republic, Mr. Antoine Joly and members of the French community in Guyana to celebrate France’s National Day or ‘La Fête Nationale’, which commemorates the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789.

The reception was held at Cara Lodge on Quamina Street, Georgetown. The President in his address reiterated Guyana’s appreciation for the pivotal role played by France in consummating the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

He noted that Guyana and France, through French Guiana, are part of the vast Guiana Shield in northern South America and share common concerns over the state of the earth’s environment.

“Guyana is in transition towards becoming a ‘green state,’ which will place increasing emphasis on the protection of our environment, the preservation of our biodiversity and the promotion of practical measures to ensure climate adaptation. Guyana, in this

regard, looks forward to extending its cooperation and collaboration with France in order to preserve the environmental security of the Guiana Shield,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Joly reminded the gathering of the French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron’s invitation to heads of state, civil societies and other developmental partners to the Paris Peace Forum in November later this year, to deliberate on the necessity of better local and global governance. He noted too, that France is pleased to know that it can rely on Guyana’s support on issues at the multilateral level. “I am happy also with our very good bilateral relationship that allows us to have a partnership of trust… our relationship will open up even more…with the decision of the French Oil Company, Total, to explore your oil resources,” he said.

Guyana and France established formal diplomatic relations on June 22, 1967.

Since then, the country has benefited considerably from France’s support in the areas of defence, debt relief, disaster relief, education and public safety. The French Revolution influenced the revolution in Saint

Cop nabbed ...

From page 14 Narcotics Branch and ‘C’ Division (East Coast Demerara), resulted in the arrest of 31-year-old Police Constable Delon Alexander, stationed at force headquarters.

The policeman who was driving a vehicle that was Georgetown-bound was intercepted on Cove and John public road, ECD, about 09:00hrs. A search of the vehicle revealed several taped parcels of compressed can-

nabis, weighing in excess of 21kg.

Police sources said that prior to working at the Tactical Services Unit, the policeman worked in Berbice.

He reportedly requested a transfer to the city as his wife, who is said to be a doctor, also relocated to Georgetown as her job required. During yesterday’s operation, he was the only occupant in the vehicle.

Investigation in progress.

The marijuana that was found in the policeman’s car

Domingue two years later on August 22, 1791 which led, in turn, to the establishment of the Republic of Haiti.

The Haitian Revolution in turn, led to the outbreak of revolts by enslaved Africans in the Caribbean, including Demerara, and intensified the struggle for African Emancipation and colonial liberation throughout the Caribbean Region. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Members of the diplomatic community at the reception

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday July 14, 2018

Reg. 10 calls in CDC

– to render assistance to flood-hit Kwakwani

One of the many residences in Lamp Island that have been under water for close to three weeks

THE Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has been asked by Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) officials to mobilise urgent assistance for the almost 150 homes that are affected by massive flooding in Kwakwani.

Currently, the community of Lamp Island, in Kwakwani, and the areas around the Kwakwani Waterfront are under nine feet of water, and residents are terribly affected.

While the area is always flooded during the May-June rains, residents and officials say that this year, the communities have been hit the

worse, with many residents forced to move to higher ground or to completely evacuate.

Regional officials, including Regional Vice-Chairman Elroy Adolph, are monitoring the situation and have been in contact with the CDC. A report was also sent to CDC officials.

Adolph related that if the rain continues, the water will continue to rise, causing more damage.

“Between Tuesday and Wednesday rain,” he said, “the water raise tremendously, and so it is very threatening if it continues to fall.”

Elroy explained that the areas that are flooded are not residential, and since the people living there have been squatting for years, they are in no position to move because of their financial circumstances.

The area at reference is close to the Berbice River, so when the tide rises, it usually floods. According to Adolph, sometimes the flooding goes on until September, and what is urgently needed is clean drinking water, since there are a lot of pit latrines around which are currently overflowing.

Lamp Island resident, Cort Simeon, said that the

most difficult issue currently is the increased cost for transportation, since most of the roads are impassable.

Boats are now plying the flooded routes that are taking the residents to the last access road. “The boats are exploiting us, because they are taking $300 for transportation,” Simeon said.

“Then the cars are taking another $300, so its $1,200 to go into Kwakwani park and come back. In addition, prices in the shops increase as well,” he added.

He is calling for the officials to consider raising the level of the main access road, so that when flooding occurs in the future, at least transportation would not be affected. He is hoping that residents can get some assistance at the earliest opportunity.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday July 14, 2018

Saunders honoured at special CCJ sitting

Courtroom 1 of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, was filled to capacity on Friday during the special sitting in honour of its President, the Honourable Justice Saunders.

NEW President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Justice, Adrian Saunders, was on Friday honoured at a special sitting of the Court in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

In his address, Justice Saunders noted, “I have been preceded in this office by two outstanding Caribbean jurists. Justice de la Bastide and Sir Dennis Byron. Each in his own unique way, has made a towering contribution to the solid platform upon which the court now rests.

I am extremely pleased that they have graced us this morning with their presence.

Having been privileged to have enjoyed a close collegial relationship with each of these titans, I can say without reservation that I feel I am well prepared for the task ahead,” the CCJ in a media release quoted as saying.

Judge of the CCJ, the Hon. Mr. Justice Wit, expertly marshalled the event after delivering his own remarks. He set the tone for the ceremonial sitting with both a vigorous examination of criticisms of the court and an endorsement of its new President. Justice Wit noted that “it is said, and not without reason, that the Caribbean is a beacon of creativity. And I must note that

the arguments, if they can be called arguments, against the CCJ as a final appellate court, show a high degree of creativity which is only surpassed by the paucity of logic. At first, it was doubted whether the judges of the court had the required quality and legal acumen.” He added that quickly those, and other, arguments have been disproved and noted that the CCJ, with a smaller jurisdiction, is producing judgments at a faster rate than the Privy Council.

The Hon. Mr. Fitzgerald Hinds, MP, Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago,

who represented the Honourable Mr. Faris Al-Rawi, MP, Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago, reiterated the republic’s support and admiration for the CCJ, despite not having acceded to the appellate jurisdiction.

The support was evident in the fact that “Trinidad and Tobago proudly remains the home of the CCJ, this great institution that continues to make bold strides for its age in justice.”

Opportunities for the growth of the original jurisdictions were highlighted

by Dr. David S. Berry, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Uni-

versity of the West Indies, Cave Hill, who presented the feature address. Dr. Berry noted, “In this vein, I urge the Honourable President and the Honourable Justices of the CCJ to continue to seize every opportunity to develop and strengthen Community law. I submit that in order to push Community law and the CSME further, the court should actively utilise all of the legal tools at its disposal.

Several general principles of law already have been identified by the court. It may now be time for them to be used more definitively, more concretely, to help decide

legal issues in cases before the court."

The packed courtroom contained other members of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, heads of judiciaries from CARICOM, representatives of regional organisations, senior judges and attorneys, academicians, and other distinguished guests from across the Region, North America and Europe. The court will host a similar event in Justice Saunders’ home country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the 20th of July, 2018.

Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Edwards-Cummings, was among the top legal luminaries who attended the event (CCJ photo)

16 companies join American Chamber of Commerce US oil giant – ExxonMobil, Marriott, Republic Bank and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) are among companies that form part of the American Chamber of Commerce of Guyana (AMCHAM Guyana)–a voluntary association aimed at promoting trade and business between the United States of America (USA) and Guyana.

With AMCHAM existing in 28 countries in Latin America and Caribbean, President Zulfikar Ally said it is only fitting to have one established in Guyana at a time when there is increasing interest in the country. “AMCHAM offers businesses and entrepreneurs the opportunity to network, make new contacts and transfer knowledge. It will also provide a platform for business, resource and advocacy support as well as a medium for community involvement and social corporate responsibility,” Ally explained during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Friday.

Stating that it is not a one way trade affair, Ally noted that AMCHAM Guyana comprises companies and individuals from both Guyana and the US. “AMCHAM Guyana is open to both foreign and local companies with business activities in Guyana. In fact the chamber’s board is currently comprised of a dynamic mix of both US and local companies,” he explained.

The board comprises a representative from each of the 16 companies. These companies are: ExxonMobil Guyana, Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd, Marriott Guyana, Queens Atlantic Investment Inc., Corum Group Guyana, GTT, Sol Guyana, Nabi and Sons Ltd, Red Entertainment, London House Chambers, Baker Hughes, Republic Bank, the National Milling Company of Guyana Inc. (NAMILCO), RAMPS Logistics, Massy Guyana Inc., and Machinery Corporation of Guyana (MACORP).

Ally, who heads AMCHAM Guyana, is Queens Atlantic Investment Corporate

President of the American Chamber of Commerce of Guyana (AMCHAM Guyana), Zulfikar Ally

Secretary. He is supported by three Vice Presidents: Clairmont Cummings from Corum Group; Liz Wyatt, the General Manager of Sol Guyana; and Justin Nedd, GTT’s Chief Executive Officer.

Fitzroy McCloud, who represents NAMILCO, has been appointed Treasurer while the chamber’s Secretary/Legal Counsel is Attorney Devindra Kissoon from London House Chamber.

According to Ally, AMCHAM Guyana has been in the making for more than six months with support from Ambassador Perry Holloway through the U.S Embassy.

“We have been working closely with Ambassador Holloway.

This is something that he always wanted to see in Guyana, and given the discovery of oil, and the increase interest in Guyana, it was only natural that you would see a chamber such as this being set up here,” the President said.

Currently, AMCHAM Guyana is opened for membership ahead of its August 13, 2018 launch.

“The chamber is open for membership from both foreign and local companies and entrepreneurs with business activities in Guyana,” the President said while noting that since the announcement by the U.S Ambassador on Wednesday that AMCHAM Guyana will be launched in August, there has been increasing interest from a wide cross-section of businesses.

Interested companies and entrepreneurs can contact AMCHAM Guyana at info@ amchamguyana.com for application forms, Ally said while noting that businesses, business executives and entrepreneurs join AMCHAM for various reasons, many to enhance community goodwill while others join for the innumerable services and privileges they access through the chamber.

However, a common thread among members is the belief that AMCHAM provides the platform needed to connect with people and businesses, access new opportunities and exchange information useful to their business.

Presently, those sitting at the helm of the chamber are working to finalise the by-laws and structure of the chamber.

Once those systems are put in place, Ally said within eight months, AMCHAM Guyana will host its first Annual General Meeting paving way for its first set of elected officials.

Additionally, AMCHAM Guyana is putting the nec-

essary systems in place that would allow for it to be accredited by U.S Chamber of Commerce based in Washington D.C. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organisation representing the interests of more than 3,000,000 businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions. Its members range from mom-and-pop shops and local chambers to leading industry associations and large corporations.

Closer to home, Ally said AMCHAM Guyana will be working closely with organisations such as the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association Ltd (GM&SA).

Outside of the Latin America and the Caribbean, there are AMCHAMs in places such as India, China and the UK.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 14, 2018

Three charged for $22M Maraj jewellery theft

DAYS after thieves broke into the popular Guyanese jewellery store, L. Seepersaud Maraj and Sons located inside the Stabroek Market and carted off $22M worth in jewellery, three known felons were on Friday charged for the crime.

The men, Albert DeFreitas, 54 of Leopold Street, Georgetown, Treon Parks 31 of Eccles, East Bank Demerara and Clifford Rodney, 66

of One Mile, Linden were not required to plead to the indictable charge when it was read to them by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The charge reads that between July 2, 2018 and July 3, 2018 at Stabroek Market the men broke and entered the jewellery store of L. Seepersaud Maraj and stole a quantity of gold and diamond jewellery worth $22M. Rodney is represented by

attorney Pamela DaSantos while Parks is represented by Adrian Thompson.

The lawyers begged the court for their clients to be released on bail, since they were beaten and tortured by the police to confess to the crime.

Meanwhile, attorney Pamela DaSantos disclosed that her client, Rodney, is a business partner with the other two accused. She noted that

Clifford Rodney investigators had said that they have CCTV footage of the trio staying at the Sleep Inn hotel.

Nevertheless, Police Prosecutor Inspector Neville Jeffers told the court that all three defendants are known to the police and have similar matters before the court.

Jeffers disclosed that Rodney had confessed to using a blow-torch to open the vault door of the jewellery establishment, while DeFreitas told ranks that he assisted Rodney in carrying out the heist.

Treon Parks The chief magistrate remanded the trio to prison on the basis that they were all repeat offenders and adjourned the matter until July 23.

According to reports, on Tuesday, upon arriving at work an employee of the establishment discovered that the establishment had been vandalised.

Reports indicate that the staff observed the front grill of the store open and upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the vault door was also open. The staff immediately contacted the pro-

Albert DeFreitas prietor who visited and noted that a large quantity of gold and diamond jewellery was missing.

A police source said the robbers gained entry to the store from the eastern grill by cutting the locks and disabling the alarm systems before blow-torching the vault door open.

It was noted that the bandits had taken took several hours to complete their operation, since there were three major security doors before the vault.

Facebook, WhatsApp lead to rape charge

A 24-year-old man of Craig village on the East Bank of Demerara on Friday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl.

David Europe was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that on January 22 at Craig, he engaged in sexual penetration with a child under the age of 16.

He was unrepresented by a lawyer and was released on $170,000 bail. His matter has been adjourned until July 18 According to reports, Europe and the teenager lived in the same village and would communicate via Facebook and WhatsApp. On the day in question, it is alleged that the teen found the accused in her bedroom

David Europe and told him to get out.

Europe then pinned her down on the bed and forced her into having sex with him.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 14, 2018

Jailed on two simple larceny charges

Jason Joseph A LABOURER was Friday sentenced to a one-year term of imprisonment on a simple larceny charge.

The charge alleged that between July 4 and 5, 2018, at 196 Charlotte Street, Jason Joseph broke and entered the storeroom of Ryan Gobi and stole one roll of electrical wire valued

$600,000, one power drill valued $105,000, one electrical machine valued $28,000 and other mechanical tools valued $45, 000… total value of $678,000 and the property of Sherwin Khan.

It was also alleged that at the same location, he broke and entered the store of Ryan Gobi and stole one electrical saw valued $35,000, painting materials valued $15,000 and other items valued $ 20,000, property of Sherwin Khan.

The man pleaded guilty to both charges.

According to facts that were given in court by po-

lice prosecutor Sanji Singh, the complainant secured the storeroom and left the items inside. Later, upon checking, he observed the storeroom open and he discovered the items mentioned were missing.

As a result, the camera footage was reviewed and this lead to the arrest of the defendant. The defendant was arrested and charged and admitted to the offence in a caution statement.

He was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment

by Magistrate Leron Daly.

Tired of adopted son’s behaviour A 19-year old boy appeared before city magistrate Leron Daly on Friday charged with simple larceny It was alleged that on June 19, 2018, at Alexander Street, Kitty, Don Cameron stole one Samsung phone valued $45,000.

The young man pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Cameron’s mother told the court that she adopted the teen as a baby and he had

already been before a magistrate. She told the court that he was charged with larceny before, convicted and sent to the New Opportunity Corps for two years. When he came out, he was smoking weed and behaving disorderly.

She confessed that she was tired of Cameron’s behaviour and could do no more.

The police prosecutor objected to bail being grant-

Don Cameron ed, since Cameron was convicted before. If he was remanded he would be under supervision.

Bail was refused and Cameron was remanded to prison until August 4. 2018

Porter, labourer deny break charge ON Friday two men appeared before a city magistrate charged with breaking and entering and larceny.

It is alleged that on July 10, 2018 Odingo Haywood and Jonathan Trotman at Gordon Street, Kitty at-

tempted to commit a felony on the building of Navindra Dhanram.

Both Haywood who work as a porter and Trotman who work as a labourer pleaded not guilty to the charge. Prosecutor Sanj Singh had no objection to

bail due to the fact that the police file was incomplete and investigations were still ongoing.

Bail was granted by Magistrate Leron Daly in the sum of $100,000 each and the matter was adjourned for July 31, 2018.

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Holder helps Windies tighten screws on Bangladesh

Captain Jason Holder celebrates another wicket during his five-wicket haul against Bangladesh on the second day of the final Test at Sabina Park yesterday. (Photo courtesy CWI Media) (CMC) – AN inspired West Indies captain Jason Holder grabbed an outstanding fivewicket haul to rip Bangladesh to shreds and leave them with a mammoth task of saving the second and final Test.

A whopping 17 wickets tumbled (yesterday) second day at Sabina Park as West Indies, resuming on their overnight 295 for four, lost their last six wickets for 59 runs to be bowled out for 354 in their first innings.

Holder then scythed through the Bangladesh batting to finish with five for 44 – his third five-wicket haul in Tests – while fellow seamers Shannon Gabriel (2-19) and debutant Keemo Paul (2-25) supported, as the innings folded for 149.

Veteran opener Tamim Iqbal top-scored with 47, captain Shakib-al-Hasan chipped in with 32 and former skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, 24, but the remainder of the batting buckled under the pressure applied by the pace attack.

In nine overs possible before the close, West Indies lost first-innings century-maker Kraigg Brathwaite for eight when he was bowled by leftarm spinner Shakib, to end the day on 19 for one – already 224 runs in front heading into today’s third day.

The opening session was a disappointing one for the Windies as they displayed little of the enterprise of the opening day, and were dismissed about 15 minutes before the scheduled lunch break.

Left-hander Shimron Hetmyer, eyeing a maiden Test hundred when he resumed on 84, added just two before becoming the first casualty of the session when he flirted with one from seamer Abu Jayed outside off and was caught behind in the day’s third over.

Roston Chase, on 16 at the start, saw his poor run of form continue, missing a flick at Abu Jayed and falling lbw for 20 with West Indies on 302 for six.

Wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich paid the price for hitting against the turn and was caught at cover off a leading edge off left-arm spinner Taijul Islam for six and Paul endured a forgettable debut with the bat when he failed to score.

Miguel Cummins followed quickly for a first-ball ‘duck’ but Holder counter-attacked, smashing a pair of fours and sixes in a positive 42-ball, unbeaten 33 as he added 35 for the last wicket with Gabriel (12).

Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan ended with five for 93 and Abu Jayed, three for 38.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 14, 2018

Belgium to face England in third place clash (REUTERS) - SOME of the players will be different but there will be no tactical surprises when Belgium face England for a second time at the World Cup in Russia today to decide third place, Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said.

“It will be the same tactical game, there are no secrets between the two sides,” Martinez predicted, as the teams prepare to meet at the Saint Petersburg Stadium after their previous group stage clash in Kaliningrad, which Belgium won 1-0.

“I think there is clarity about how England have been successful in this tournament. They are very dynamic, very quick. They use that very well.

“They are also a team that have scored nine goals from dead ball situations, which is going to be a good test for us. We will need concentration.

“And then we’ll have to cope with this system they have developed, a 5-3-2 which is very well synchronised but I don’t think there will be any surprises in this game from the game you saw in the group phase.”

Martinez said he expected both teams to make changes from their respective semifinal losses because of fatigue.

Meanwhile England

Romelu Lukaku

Harry Kane

manager Gareth Southgate says he hopes to make “as few changes as possible” for today’s World Cup third-place playoff against Belgium.

Southgate says his selection will be based primarily on the fitness of individual players suggesting he will resist the temptation to give some fringe players a run-out.

All 23 players in Southgate’s squad trained yesterday at the team’s Repino base.

“We’ve set the standard of how we work, the standard of how we play, and we want to maintain those standards right to the end. The players

did that this morning in training,” Southgate said.

“We have to decide who can go again physically.

Everyone wants to play.

Everyone trained this morning. Sometimes it’s not always a good decision to play if people’s energy isn’t quite there.

“It won’t be exactly the same starting eleven, but we want ideally to make as few changes as possible.” “(There are) one or two injuries, one or two with a bit of illness. But we have high motivation to perform and finish with a medal at a World Cup, which only one English team have ever done. We’d like to redress having lost to Belgium once before already, too,” he added.

Sri Lankan slow bowlers close down Proteas

Quinton de Kock misread the line of the delivery, Sri Lanka v South Africa, 1st Test, Galle, yesterday.

(REUTERS) SRI Lanka’s slow bowlers spun a web around South Africa who collapsed for a meagre 126 to concede a significant first-innings lead on a spindominated second day of the opening Test yesterday.

Touring captain Faf du Plessis spent his 34th birthday trying to save his team’s blushes but even his fighting 49, the only 20-plus score in the innings, could not stop South Africa from registering their lowest total in Sri Lanka.

Boosted by a first-innings lead of 161, the hosts drove home the advantage to finish the day on 111 for four for an overall lead of 272 runs

with six wickets in hand and a victory in sight.

Former captain Angelo Mathews, who was batting on 14 at stumps, and Roshen Silva on 10 will return today hoping to bat South Africa out of the contest in the first match of the two-Test series.

Resuming the day on four for one, the South African batsmen were all at sea against the turning ball and were reeling at 51 for six in the first session. du Plessis and Vernon Philander (18) arrested the slide and took South Africa past the 100-mark but then South Africa relapsed, losing their last four wickets for 11 runs.

Dilruwan Perera (4-46) led Sri Lanka’s three-pronged spin attack with aplomb, while stand-in skipper Suranga Lakmal (3-21) also turned in a strong performance.

Spin reigned supreme in the final session as well with left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj claiming 3-37 even though Sri Lanka kept on stretching their lead.

Opener Dimuth Karunaratne continued to have a fruitful match, following his first-innings 158 with a fluent 60.

(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; editing by Richard Balmforth)

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Overseas funding for children to attend MSC Cricket Academy

FORMER Malteenoes players Alex Walker and Earl Leitch, along with Dave Jagernauth, have combined to pay the cost for 18 less fortunate children for this year’s Malteenoes Cricket Academy.

Walker, who lives in England, and Leitch and Jagernauth from New York, said the G$3 000 registration fee should not prevent a child from experiencing the benefits of learning about cricket and developing life skills.

The Academy commences on July 23 and is available for boys and girls between the ages

of 6 and 18 years.

Classroom work and on-field cricket skills will be taught at the Academy. Leitch, a member of the 1986 Malteenoes team who won every National Youth tournament that year, said his time spent at the club helped to make him the man he is today.

“I grew up in Albouystown and understand the plight of kids who miss out on life-changing opportunities because they can’t afford to attend a programme like this one” Leitch stated.

Jagernauth works with kids in the USA, playing baseball

Dave Jagernauth

Chetsons on board Guinness CAGE … donates World Cup replica footballs, cash

Earl Leitch

Alex Walker

and cricket and echoed Leitch’s thoughts.

“Academies like these develop team work, discipline, respect for peers and coaches and most of all life-long friendships” Jagernauth said. Only the first 18 such participants will be accepted since no more than 120 students can be accommodated.

The Academy runs from 09:00hrs to 15:00hrs each weekday with lunch being provided.

Registration forms can be uplifted at Malteenoes in Thomas Lands. Tel 225-6509.

ExxonMobil/Mohamed’s Enterprise New Era Ent. Futsal tournament launched … kicks off on July 27 in Linden

Managing Director of Chetsons,, Inshaan Ramkellawan, (left) hands over one of the balls to Three Peat Promotions’ Rawle Welch on Thursday, at the entity’s location.

CLOTHING and Clarks footwear giant, Chetsons ‘Home of Originals’, became the latest entity to throw its support behind the 2nd annual Guinness Cage Street-ball Championship.

On Thursday, Managing Director Inshaan Ramkellawan made a donation of four replica-size Adidas ‘Telsar’ FIFA World Cup balls and an undisclosed sum of money to co-Principal of Three Peat Promotions Rawle Welch, during a simple ceremony that was conducted at the entity’s location on Wellington Street.

The business, which also sells exclusive brands such as Under Armour and Adidas footwear, has been an official authorised agent of the popular

and established English footwear Clarks for a number of years.

Ramkellawan, speaking at the presentation said he was happy to be associated with the tournament, adding that since it is intended to benefit communities, adding to social cohesion and fostering camaraderie among its citizens he had no hesitation in offering assistance.

Welch, in his response, thanked the Managing Director for his company’s support, adding that all efforts will be taken to ensure that the vision of integrating communities and its citizens is achieved, while a similar exertion will be made to guarantee fans’ safety.

The tournament which

had its inaugural introduction last year at the National Gymnasium will visit the Haslington Market tarmac this year and 24 teams have been invited, including twelve from the East Coast villages, while the remainder will comprise teams from Georgetown, Linden and West Demerara.

This year’s tournament has been dubbed ‘East Coast Best versus The Rest’ and the action is anticipated to provide riveting rivalry as hosts East Coast look to repel the challenge of the visiting teams.

Over $800 000 in cash prizes will be up for grabs, while lucky fans will be able to win prizes over the five nights of competition.

WITH over $2M up for grabs, New Era Entertainment yesterday launched their futsal tournament for teams in Linden with ExxonMobil and Mohamed’s Enterprise as their title sponsors.

The tournament, which involves only teams in Linden, is in its fifth year and according to co-Director Kenrick Noel, has become a ‘staple’ in the Region 10 community. He noted that with sponsors like Mohamed’s Enterprise and now ExxonMobil, it will be around for a very long time.

With more than 20 teams anticipated to participate, the tournament will kick off on July 27 and concludes on August 18, when the winning team will pocket $600 000, second place $250 000 and teams finishing third and fourth will take home $100 000 and $75 000 respectively.

Nazar Mohamed, Managing Director of Mohamed’s Enterprise, added that his entity is more than pleased to be associated with the tournament, and has been on board since its inaugural year.

According to Mohamed, “It’s really an honour for Mohamed’s Enterprise to be a part of this New Era Futsal family. We would appreciate having football played in the right spirit. We are always

part of sport with support of the Kashif and Shanghai tournament for over 25 years and we will continue to be part of sport for years to come.”

Rawle Adams, secretary of the Guyana Futsal Association, expressed delight at seeing the tournament being maintained since he believes that Guyana can gain much recognition through foot-

ball’s shortest format which is usually played indoors.

Meanwhile, Seweon McGregor, representing Ansa McAl and their STAG Beer brand, another company that has been supporting the tournament since its inception, said they are looking forward to July 27 when they can share an experience with the people of Linden.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday July 14, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & Cummings Electrical Company Ltd. 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 315 (2) 88 Today’s Quiz: (1) Who are the WI players that played in the first but not in the second Test of the current WI/BANG series?

(2) Who have replaced them?

Answer in tomorrow's issue

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 14, 2018

Blairmont Centre BM Soat on board Cricket Club outfitted with Guyana Cup … Provisional programme released

BCCC U-15 team, attired in their spanking new coloured uniforms, compliments of Trophy Stall and Mike’s Floor Covering Inc. of New York. At entre stands BCCC president Shabeer Baksh.

By Colin Bynoe Jr THE Blairmont Centre Cricket Club (BCCC) received two sets of cricket clothing (coloured and white uniforms) the fulfilment of a promise by Trophy Stall and Mike’s Floor Covering Inc. of New York.

This donation was obtained about through the efforts and based on the successes of Blairmont U-15 and U-13 teams. They were crowned champions of the inaugural Guyana Floodlight

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Softball Association and Wellmen U-13 tourneys in 2017. Mike’s Floor Covering Inc. has given the club 15 pairs of white uniforms, while Trophy Stall supplied 15 coloured clothing.

BCCC executives and members expressed gratitude to Mr Neil Ramesh Sunich (Trophy Stall) and Mr Michael Balkaran (Mike’s Floor Cover Inc.) for this pleasing gesture. Captain of the U-15 A team, Shreedatt Rupnarine, also offered words of thanks and assured the kind donors that their

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contributions will go towards its intended purpose in assisting the U-15 teams.

BCCC is ranked among some of the best clubs in Guyana such as Demarara Cricket Club (DCC), Albion Cricket Club, Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) and Rose Hall Town Young and Sports Club (RHTYSC) The BCCC has produced several players for Berbice and Guyana.

Quite recently the club copped the Most Improved Club award at the Berbice Cricket Board awards ceremony. BCCC has 10 active teams, U-13, U-15 ‘A’ & ‘B’ teams, U-17, U-19, U-21, two Second Division teams, one First Division and an Over-40 team.

AS preparation for the most anticipated horse race meet of the year, the 12th Guyana Cup, Auto Sales giant BM Soat has confirmed its sponsorship deal with the organisers recently.

The one day event is billed for August 19, at the Rising Sun Turf Club, with over $15M in cash and prizes.

The business entity through its secretary Nandanie Persaud, in handing over the cheque, claimed that the company is always a full supporter of horse racing locally.

In response, Roy Jafarally of the Guyana Cup organising committee thanked the auto dealer for the support.

Meanwhile, the organisers have released a provisional programme with the C Class event being the main attraction in the 10-card event.

Horses will be battling over 1600 metres with the total purse of $3 875 000 up for grabs. This race is open to all imported and locally

Pant saves India (CMC) – RISHABH Pant’s breezy halfcentury scuppered West Indies A’s hopes of victory as India A won the second and final four-day ‘Test’ by five wickets yesterday.

Resuming the final day on 214 for three in need of

107 runs for victory, India A stumbled early on but recovered through Pant’s unbeaten 67, to reach their target of 321 and complete a 1-0 win in the two-match series.

West Indies A looked to be in the contest when they

BM Soat Auto Sales representative, Nandanie Persaud, hands over the sponsorship cheque to Roy Jafarally of the Guyana Cup organising committee.

bred of all classes, and open to all ages and sex (stallion or mare).

The main supporting race is the Three-year-old Derby, an 1100m event with a top prize of $2M. This race will feature only Guyana-bred horses.

Other races listed on the programme are as follows: The G1 and Lower 1400m race will see the winner cart off $1 550 000. Guyana and West Indies-bred horses classified G1 and Lower and

imported horses classified E3 and Lower who did not earn in their last race are eligible to compete in this race.

The other races, distance and top prize are: H3 and Lower (1100m, $1 350 000); Two-year-old Guyana-bred (1100m, $680 000); I Class and Lower (1400m, $581 000); J3 and Lower (1400m, $485 000); L Class (1400m; $390 000); L Class (1400m, $390 000) and L Class (1100m, $290 000).

grabbed two wickets in the first four overs of the morning to reduce India A to 221 for five.

Ankit Bawne faced just three balls before he was bowled by pacer Sherman Lewis for one in the third over and Hanuma Vihari, unbeaten on 65 overnight, added just two before perishing via run-out.

However, the 20-year-old Pant came to his side’s

rescue in an innings laced with 11 fours and requiring just 71 deliveries.

More importantly, he propelled an unbroken sixthwicket stand of exactly 100 with Jayant Yadav, whose 23 not out came from 38 balls and included four boundaries.

The first four-day ‘Test’ in Beckenham finished in a draw last week.

Devcich to join Patriots for 2018 CPL season THE St Kitts & Nevis Patriots have announced that Anton Devcich will be joining them for the 2018 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) which takes place between August 8 and September 16.

The New Zealander will be replacing Tabraiz Shamsi who will now be with South Africa on their tour of Sri Lanka then will be

representing South Africa A until the end of August.

Devcich, a 32-year-old spin bowling all-rounder, has previous experience with the Hero CPL having played for the Trinbago Knight Riders in 2016.

Devcich has played 16 times for New Zealand having represented his country in ODIs and T20 Internationals.

Anton Devcich

Speaking about the arrival of Devcich, Patriots head coach Donovan Miller said: “Anton is a class player who offers a huge amount with the bat, with the ball and in the field. With experience in international and franchise cricket around the world he will be a real asset to the Patriots in the 2018 season.”

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 14, 2018

Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’

Rhythm Stars win big on opening night of Bartica Zone THE ball got rolling on Thursday night in the Bartica Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ competition and saw Rhythm Star and Swag Entertainment record big victories.

Rhythm Stars got off to a blistering start in game one, hitting four goals past Trafalgar who managed to respond twice.

Steffon Ramsay was at the double for the Stars netting in the 13th and 16th

minutes while siblings Orville and Dorville Stewart had a goal apiece in the first and 18th minutes respectively. Scoring for the losers was Odari Miller in the 17th and 20th minutes.

Meanwhile Swag Entertainment obliterated Kingston 6-1 in a dominant performance. Goals came off the boots of Colwin Drakes (ninth, 11th minutes) and Jermain Grandison (sixth, 13th minutes) while Clarence Huggins and Shane

Luckie added the finishing touches with a goal each in the seventh and 20th minutes.

Kingston’s solitary goal came from Daniel Christian in the eighth minute.

Agricola took on Broad Street in a close encounter with the former coming out on top with a 2-1 victory.

Seon Grant’s early brace of goals in the second and 13th was just enough to guarantee Agricola victory despite Broad Street’s fightback

Swag, Leopold St, Rhythm Stars, Agricola, Sophia advance following opening night wins of D. Christian in the 8th minute.

Mocha’s Rhythm Stars were also in ripping form after dispatching Berbice Guinness champion Trafalgar 4-2, with Orville and Dorville solitary strikes supporting a pair from Steffon Stewart.

Agricola, led by a double from Seon Grant, eliminated Broad Street, while single efforts from Ryan O’selmo and Tsekedi Sealey were enough to secure Sophia’s win over newcomers Avocado Ballers.

In the final game of the evening, Leopold Street, one of the tournament favourites, beat Melanie 3-0 with their captain Okenie Fraser firing in a triple in the 4th, 12th and Part of the action in the ‘Keep Your Five Alive’ Indoor 20th minutes respectively.

Knockout Competition Buxton Diamond engage LINDEN’S Swag Entertainment provided West Demerara Showstoppers, fans with a glimpse of what is in store for while the young Uprising team from the East opposing teams after inflicting a crushing Coast go up against Linden’s Silver Bullets.

6-1 drubbing on Georgetown’s Kingston Ol Skool Ballers then collide with East as play in the ‘Keep Your Five Alive’ Coast BV, before Ann’s Grove and North Indoor Knockout Competition opened on East La Penitence take to the court. last night, at the National Gymnasium.

The rejuvenated Tiger Bay unit then Appearing in the third game of the night, face California Square, before Sparta Boss Swag were led to victory through a brace and Tucville bring the curtain down on the each from Colwin Drakes, who netted in the evening.

9th and 11th minutes and Jermaine Grandison Meanwhile, the organisers are in the 6th and 13th. reminding teams that only those who win Clarence Huggins in the 7th and Shane will advance in the competition. Over Luckie’s 20th strike completed their tally. $800 000 in prize moneys and trophies will Kingston’s lone response came off the boot be up for grabs.

The winners of the Bartica zone will qualify for the National Play-offs set for July 27 and August 3.

through Akeem Sam with a lone goal in the 16th minute.

Sophia dispatched Avocado Ballers with a 2-0 win, courtesy of goals from Ryan O’selmo and Tsekedi Sealey in the second and 10th minutes respectively.

In the fifth and final game of the night Leopold Street overcame Melanie 3-0 on the back of captain

Okeene Fraser’s hat-trick in the fourth, 12th and 20th minutes respectively.

Action continues over the weekend with the winner of the Bartica Zone joining other teams who have already qualified for the National Play-offs.

In last year’s final, River View squeezed past Police and the lawmen have already

vowed revenge in this year’s edition with a place in the national play-offs at stake.

The national playoffs are set for July 27 and August 3, at the Pouderoyen tarmac and Haslington Market Square respectively, while the final will be played at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

ExxonMobil U-14 schools football tournament

Semi-finals on today

Semi-final action in the ExxonMobil Under-14 Boys’ and Girls’ football tournament will take place today at the Ministry of Education ground.

THE Ministry of Education ground will see the hosting of the semifinals of the ExxonMobil Under-14 Boys’ and Girls’ football tournament.

Four clashes will take place in both divisions of the tournament.

The two matches of the day will see Tucville taking on Uitvlugt Secondary in the Girls’ 5 to 8 play-off with Vergenoegen Secondary and Dolphin playing simultaneously.

At noon, Group A winners South Ruimveldt will match skills with La Penitence in the first Girls’ semifinal before the second finalists

are decided when New Campbellville oppose Group B winners Charlestown Secondary in the second semifinal.

The finalists for the Boys’ division will then be decided in the afternoon when St John’s College play North Ruimveldt Multilateral at 14:00hrs before favourites Chase Academy clash with Buxton Youth Development at 15:00hrs.

The full fixtures are below Girls 11:00hrs – Tucville vs Uitvlugt Secondary - 5 to 8 playoff 11:00hrs - Vergenoegen Secondary vs Dolphin - 5 to

8 playoff 12:00hrs South Ruimveldt Secondary vs East La Penitence semifinal 12:00hrs – New Campbellville vs Charlestown Secondary semifinal Boys 13:00hrs Marian Academy vs Tucville - 5 to 8 playoff 13:00hrs - Vergenoegen Secondary vs Dolphin Secondary - 5 to 8 playoff 14:00hrs St John’s vs North Ruimveldt Multi semifinal 15:00hrs Chase Academy v/s Buxton Youth Development - semifinal

Ming to start seventh in Toronto

Holder helps Windies tighten screws on Bangladesh

Calvin Ming

PAGE

27

Jason Holder leaps to celebrate after he bowled Shakib-Al-Hasan on the second day of the second iPay Test powered by Minister co-sponsored by Marcel between WINDIES and Bangladesh on Friday, July 13, 2018 at Sabina Park. © CWI Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography

THE Cooper Tires is in Canada for Rounds Eight and Nine in the streets of Toronto and Guyanese Calvin Ming will start seventh in tomorrow’s race.

Ming, who qualified fifth with a 1:13.3103 second time but suffered a penalty and will now start seventh behind

both Pabst Racing team mates Americas Kaylen Frederick and Sweden’s Rasmus Lindh.

ArmsUp Motorsports Dakota Dickerson’s pole time was a 1:12.6620 with Frederick posting a 1:12.7311 for second and Cape Motorsports Kyle Kirkwood registering a 1:12.7807.

ExxonMobil/Mohamed’s Enterprise New Era Ent. Futsal tournament launched PAGE

29

New Era Ent. co-Director Shareef Major receives the winners’ trophy from Nazar Mohamed. Also in photograph, from left, Andrew Major, Kenrick Noel and Ansa McAl’s Seweon McGregor Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

SATURDAY, JULY 14, 2018