Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 09 01 2017

Sandbanks rendering upper Demerara River virtually unnavigable Page

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No. 104788

MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2017

Days before retiring…

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

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Chancellor opens highly political appeal hearing ––AG requests adjournment to February

Don’t abuse your freedom

–– President Granger urges journalists A section of the gathering at the media brunch hosted by President David Granger on the lawns of State House on Sunday (Samuel Maughn photo)

Unacceptable ––President Granger seeks fresh names for GECOM chair

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10 homeless Shoemaker arrested for after Sophia fire narco possession Page

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday January 9, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday January 9, 2017

Days before retiring…

Chancellor opens highly political appeal hearing

–– AG requests adjournment to February

ATTORNEY General, Basil Williams, SC, has written outgoing Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh, requesting that he adjourn the hearing of an appeal against the decision of former Chief Justice Ian Chang that scrapped presidential term limits here.

Media reports suggest that the hearing of the appeal began last Friday, but Williams, according to information reaching this newspaper, requested that the chancellor who is head of the Appeal Court adjourn the hearing until February.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that Williams advanced that Solicitor-General, Sita Ramlall, who had filed the Notice of Appeal on behalf of the Attorney General has retired, and as such, he and his team need time to prepare for and take over the case.

The Appeal Court this newspaper was told also has opened the hearing of the race-baiting charge against Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, which was filed privately by Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram, following the 2015 elections.

Justice Navendra Singh had dismissed the charge of uttering racially divisive remarks against Jagdeo, saying in his ruling that there was insufficient evidence provided by Ram to support the charge. Attorney General Williams later appealed the case.

CONCERNS Meanwhile, only recently this newspaper had reported that there are concerns over the impending retirement of Justice Singh, who is the country’s substantive Chief Justice and whether he will remain the holder of that office beyond January 30, 2017, which should be his last day of work.

Singh is expected to begin pre-retirement leave on January, 30, 2017. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior legal mind had warned

that Justice Singh, who is also Chancellor (ag), should not be taking on new political cases during the time he should be on pre-retirement leave.

If the term-limit hearing continues despite Williams’s request, it means that Singh, like Chang, would have to come out of pre-retirement to conclude those cases. Chang back in February 19, 2016, in one of the most controversial acts came out of pre-retirement leave and ruled that Citizenship Minister Winston Felix and his colleague, Keith Scott, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, cannot sit as technocratic ministers in the National Assembly.

Government had challenged the ruling and both ministers continue to sit in Parliament.

Williams at the time had questioned the motive of Chang coming out of pre-retirement leave to make a decision on a political matter.

He said that by virtue of the President appointing someone to act then as Chief Justice, it was inconceivable that Chang would usurp that role and come out of pre-retirement leave to announce his ruling.

Meanwhile, Justice Singh will turn 65 years old on February 23, 2017 and according to the rules surrounding the tenure of Chief Justice, his substantive post, he is required to demit office at that age.

“It must be ensured that the Chancellor does not take on any new cases, especially political cases. It is expected that he would want to start cases and then say he can’t go on leave as he will have to conclude the cases,” said a prominent attorney.

Moreover, it has been alleged that Justice Singh has been paying himself in lieu of leave; last year, the Chief Justice paid himself in lieu of leave for six months.

“The leave must kick in… he has 21 days leave and he leaves on the 30th January, 2017,” the source stated emphatically, adding that Justice

Singh “must go on pre-retirement leave. He must not be paid for his leave, so he could stay on the job as he has been doing,” the legal mind declared.

Questions surrounding the retirement of Justice Singh had surfaced following a letter to the editor of this newspaper by attorney Maxwell E Edwards.

Edwards had contended that

According to the Constitution, the Chancellor demits office at age 68, however, that has no bearing on Justice Singh, as he is acting Chancellor and not substantive Chancellor – a distinction which ought to be made.

Justice Singh has been acting Chancellor since 2005, after Justice Desiree Bernard demitted office. She had served

the bipartisan Constitution reform process.

The amendment placed term limits on Presidents.

When the case came up, Jagdeo had denied being behind the move. Chang later ruled that the presidential term-limit was unconstitutional without the approval of the people through a referendum.

He also ruled that persons

Attorney General Basil Williams

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh

from 2001-2005.

Meanwhile, the Constitution states that the President, following consultations with the Leader of the Opposition, may permit the Chancellor or Chief Justice on attaining the age of 65 to continue in office until he has attained such later age as may have been agreed with the Chancellor or the Chief Justice, as the case may be. As argued by legal minds, Edwards posited that “no judge soon to vacate his office ought to commence hearing a new or fresh case, for in all probability it would be a part-heard case when he/she vacates office”.

who have become Guyanese citizens by virtue of registration can run for President.

Article 90 of the Constitution states: “A person elected as President after the year 2000 is eligible for re-election only once,” and clause (3), which states, “A person who acceded to the presidency after the year 2000 and served therein on a single occasion for not less than such period as may be determined by the National Assembly, is eligible for election as President only once.”

Stabroek News reported that in the Notice of Appeal, Ramlal contended that the Chief Justice erred and misdirected himself in law when he ruled that the National Assembly, which passed Act No 17 of 2001 purporting to alter Article 90 of the Constitution by way of a two-thirds majority vote of all members, was unconstitutional and of no effect, as it failed to comply with Article 164(2) (a).

when Justice Singh demits office, the office of the Chief Justice, whether by compulsory retirement or vacating at the age of 65, or by virtue of pre-retirement leave on January 30, two vacancies will exist.

Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards is currently serving as the Chief Justice (ag). She was appointed by President David Granger in December 2015. The letter writer posited that there will be a vacancy in the Office of the Chief Justice and an extant vacancy in the Office of the Chancellor.

“None of these is, or can be matters of confidentiality, but are plainly matters of public interest and concern,” he stated. The letter writer believes that there is an impending controversy on the appointment of a new Chief Justice and Chancellor, given that by virtue of the Constitution, the President is required to consult with the Leader of the Opposition.

THIRD TERM Prior to the 2015 General and Regional Elections, Georgetown citizen Cedric Richardson had challenged the Amendments to Article 90 of the Constitution that were enacted in 2001 after

Another ground for the appeal is the contention that Justice Chang erred and misdirected himself when he ruled that the purported alteration of Article 90 by Act No. 17 of 2001 in substance and effect “diminishes the democratic rights of the electorate in electing a person of their own choice as President by excluding from presidential candidates, citizens who have served for two terms as a President.”

Justice Chang had held that the purported alteration curtails the people’s electoral democratic choices and offends the declaration in Article 1 that Guyana is a democratic State in which sovereignty resides in the people (Article 9) and the alteration of Article 1 and Article 9 could not have been done by two-thirds majority of the elected members of the National Assembly, but by referendum.

Ramlal also contends that Justice Chang erred and misguided himself when he posited that the Proviso to Article 164 (2)(b) of the Constitution affected the purported amendment to Article 90 insofar as it seeks to “trench on and dilute” the pre-existing democratic right of the electorate to elect as president a person of their own choice and is invalid and without legal effect for reason of non-compliance with Article 162 (2) (a) and or repugnancy with Article 1 and Article 9, both of which require a referendum for the amendment for any alteration.

The fourth ground, according to Ramlal, is that the Chief Justice erred and misguided himself when he held that while the Constitution provides for representative democracy, such representative democracy cannot trench on popular sovereignty from which it derives and which is entrenched by the requirement of a referendum. The final ground of Ramlal’s appeal is that Justice Chang erred in law in not satisfying himself that the court had jurisdiction to grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiff.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 9, 2017

Trump accepts US intel on Russia hacking President-elect Donald Trump accepts the US intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia engaged in cyber-attacks during the U.S. presidential election and may take action in response, his incoming chief of staff said on Sunday.

Reince Priebus said Trump believed Russia was behind the intrusions into the Democratic Party organisations, although Priebus did not clarify whether the president-elect agreed that the hacks were directed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“He accepts the fact that this particular case was entities in Russia, so that’s not the issue,” Priebus said on “Fox News Sunday.”

It was the first acknowledgment from a senior member of the Republican president-elect’s team that Trump

had accepted that Russia directed the hacking and subsequent disclosure of Democratic emails during the 2016 presidential election.

Trump had rebuffed allegations that Russia was behind the hacks or was trying to help him win, saying the intrusions could have been carried out by China or a 400-pound hacker on his bed.

With less than two weeks until his Jan. 20 inauguration, Trump has come under increasing pressure from fellow Republicans to accept intelligence community findings on Russian hacking and other attempts by Moscow to influence the Nov. 8 election.

A crucial test of Republican support for Trump comes this week with the first confirmation hearings for his Cabinet picks.

A U.S. intelligence report

last week said Putin directed a sophisticated influence campaign including cyber-attacks to denigrate Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and support Trump.

The report, commissioned

by Democratic President Barack Obama in December, concluded vote tallies were not affected by Russian interference, but did not assess whether it influenced the outcome of the vote in other ways.

‘ACTION MAY BE TAKEN’ After receiving a briefing on Friday from leaders of the U.S. intelligence agencies, Trump did not refer specifically to Russia’s role in the presidential campaign.

In a statement, he acknowledged that “Russia, China, other countries, outside groups and people are consistently trying to break through the cyber infrastructure of our governmental institutions, businesses and organisations including the Democrat(ic) National Committee.”

Trump spokesman Sean Spicer told Reuters the pres-

ident-elect’s conclusions remained the same and that Priebus’ comments were in line with Friday’s statement.

Priebus’ wording did not appear to foreshadow the dramatic reversal of Trump’s apparent Russia policy that experts say would be required to deter further cyber-attacks.

“It will take a lot more than what we heard on television today to make Putin cool it,” the expert added. “In fact, there may not be anything that can deter Putin from pursuing a course he’s bet his future and Russia’s on,” said a U.S. intelligence expert on Russia, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss domestic political positions.

The expert added that Putin’s “multifaceted campaign of cyber-attacks and espionage, propaganda, financial leverage, fake news and traditional espionage” had expanded in the United States since the election, “and it will be a shock if it does not escalate in France, Germany and elsewhere this year.”

Priebus, the former Re-

publican National Committee chairman Trump tapped as White House chief of staff, said Trump planned to order the intelligence community to make recommendations as to what should be done. “Action may be taken,” he said, adding there was nothing wrong with trying to have a good relationship with Russia and other countries.

Two senior Republican senators urged Trump to punish Russia in response to U.S. intelligence agencies’ conclusion that Putin personally directed efforts aimed at influencing the election.

Appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Senators Lindsey Graham and John McCain said evidence was conclusive that Putin sought to influence the election - a point that Trump has refuted.

“In a couple weeks, Donald Trump will be the defender of the free world and democracy,” Graham said. “You should let everybody know in America, Republicans and Democrats, that you’re going to make Russia pay a price for

trying to interfere.”

On Saturday, Trump wrote on Twitter that having a better relationship with Russia was a “good thing.”

U.S. Representative Devin Nunes, the Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said three U.S. presidents had tried and failed to be friends with Putin.

“I’m just not sure it’s possible,” Nunes said on the “Fox News Sunday” program. “I’ve cautioned his administration to be careful with Putin, as he remains a bad actor.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell agreed it was not unusual for a new president to want to get along with the Russians. He added on CBS, however, that the Russians remained a “big adversary, and they demonstrated it by trying to mess around in our election.”

Obama, who himself tried to “reset” relations with Russia after he took office in 2009, told NBC he did not think he had underestimated the Russian president.

(Reuters)

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Unacceptable

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday January 9, 2017

––President Granger seeks fresh names for GECOM chair

By Shauna Jemmott THE list of names suggested by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo for appointment to the position of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is unacceptable, President David Granger has said.

According to the president, the qualifications of the names submitted do not match the criteria as set out in the Constitution of Guyana.

“The list that was sent to me was unacceptable,” he told members of the media at the annual media brunch on the lawns of his State House residence, Georgetown Sunday morning.

Jagdeo had submitted the names of the six nominees for the post of GECOM Chairman late last month, and said there were extensive consultations with civil society organisations before the party drew conclusions.

Those recommended by the PPP/C were Governance and Conflict Resolution Consultant Lawrence Lachmansingh; Business Executive Ramesh Dookhoo; former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, retired Major General Norman Mc Lean; Attorney-at-Law and Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram; businesswoman Rhyaan Shaw; and former University of Guyana Vice Chancellor, Professor James Rose.

In a release from the Ministry of the Presidency last month, President Granger had said he responded to Jagdeo, requesting him to provide the resumes of the nominees, so that he can determine their

President David Granger suitability for the post, according to the requirements outlined in the Constitution of Guyana.

“I replied to him right away, because although those six names might be known to the public, I could not be sure that their nominations were in accordance with the Constitution…. It is very important that we have a chairman as early as possible,” the President said.

President Granger does not have to accept the nominees and can send the list back for the Opposition Leader to furnish him with other candidates.

CONSTITUTION CLEAR President Granger in defending his position, referred to Article 161 of the Constitution of Guyana, which clearly states that a

Dr. Steve Surujbally late last November resigned after holding the post of GECOM Chairman 15 years. judge must be appointed to the position.

“Subject to the provisions of paragraph (4), the Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds or who has held office as a judge

of a court, having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth, or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo any such Judge, or any other fit person to be appointed by the President from a list of six persons not unacceptable to the President submitted by the Leader of the Opposition.

After meaningful consultation with the non-governmental po-

litical organisation represented in the National Assembly, provided that if the Leader of the opposition fails to submit a list as provided for, the President shall appoint a person who holds or as held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge,” he stated.

Noting that the word “judge” appeared in the Constitution multiple times, President Granger said the only thing about the list submitted

by Jagdeo is that it comprises six names.

Jagdeo on Sunday told Guyana Chronicle that he is yet to receive a formal letter from the President outlining his position on the matter and though he himself has read the Constitution, he could not publicly comment on the issue.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 9, 2017

Lincoln Lewis weighs in on appointment of GECOM Chairman

Dear Editor

ON the appointment of Chairman for GECOM, the Guyana Constitution (Article 161) never singularly stipulated that such should be a judge or eligible to be one. Desmond Hoyte, SC, as Leader of Opposition, was the one who put forward Dr. Steve Surujbally’s name. Surujbally is a veterinarian by profession and was not qualified in legal studies.

Article 161, expressly states: “the Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds

or who has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth, or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge, or any other fit and proper person, to be appointed by the President from a list of six persons, not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after meaningful consultation with the non-governmental political parties represented in the National Assembly.”

Referring to GECOM’s website on its Introduction page, the qualification for a Chairman accordingly says: “Article 161 (2) of the Constitution (subject to paragraph 6 of the Article) provided that “The Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be appointed by the President from among persons who hold or have held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who are

qualified to be appointed as any such judge”. http:// www.gecom.org.gy/constitution_reform.html GECOM’s page does not accurately reflect the qualification(s) required to be eligible to be appointed Chairman as per the current Constitution. This source may have guided what the media reported is President Granger’s decision to reject the nominees on the ground that none is a sitting judge or qualified to so be.

it easier for persons to obtain passports, but increased the cost of this document from $4,000 to $6,000 and the Travel Tax at airports from $2,500 to $3,500. While the Income Tax threshold has been increased, and the Hon. Minister of Finance deserves some credit for this, he must be aware that whatever little savings are gained from these measures have been taken away by the additional tax burdens now imposed on every household.

Guyanese all over are struggling to make ends meet under this Administration. This year, the cost of living will be tough going for most families with the 14% VAT now added to water and electricity. Gasoline prices have already gone up.

This will soon be followed by an increase in the cost of transportation; tolls have increased; the cost of basic food items are steadily going up; vehicular licences have already gone up since this government came into

being. Fees to transfer the registration of a vehicle have jumped from $5,000 to $25,000 or 2% of the value of the vehicle, whichever is greater. Fees for permits and other documents have also gone up; and the cost to obtain a liquor licence was just increased last Friday. This is not the “good life” that the Guyanese people expected.

People are becoming desperate. This is reflective in the escalation of robberies being reported every day in the press. More and more young Guyanese are risking apprehension and incarceration just to survive and provide for their families.

Where are the Jobs that were promised during the election campaign by the coalition?

Editor, listening to the Hon. Minister of Finance during the debate on the Income Tax (Amendment Bills) in Parliament, he made it sound as though a taxpayer can easily go to GRA and claim monies due to him. This is highly

unlikely to happen as my colleague the Hon Bishop Edghill alluded to in his speech. Chapter 22 of the Principal Act states that “If the tax payable under the assessment is LESS than the tax deducted from any person’s emoluments during the year of assessment, the Commissioner-General shall repay the difference to such person, in accordance with Section 107 of the Act.” There is no time limit set out here as to when a taxpayer will get a refund from the GRA. But Section 21 (1) of the same Act clearly states that If the tax payable under the assessment exceeds the total tax deducted from any person’s emoluments during the year, the excess shall be payable by such person to the commissioner-general within 30 days after that person is served with a notice by the GRA. In fact, what this Act is saying, is that If a citizen underpays the GRA,

An eventful first week of the year Giving with one hand and taking back with another

THERE is never a dull week in Guyanese politics and the first week of the new year was no different. It has been quite an eventful one, politically. It started with the Red House controversy and ended with the mini cabinet reshuffle.

In between, there have been renewed questions about the state of the government’s asset- recovery initiative.

There is no doubt that the sharp political divisions play a major role in the political intensity that seems to permanently grip the society.

The Red House controversy is a typical example of how this sharp divide transforms routine issues in Guyana into major debates and even confrontation. What started out as a seemingly minor order by the President to recover a state-owned property that was deemed to be improperly transferred to an organisation for private use, quickly escalated into a confrontation between a governing party and the opposition.

The two narratives about this incident could not be more different. On the one hand, government supporters frame the issue as one of a government justly trying to recover misappropriated state assets. On the other hand, the opposition spins it as one of a rampant government disrespecting the legacy of one of the most revered leaders whose identity and support base lie in the Indian-Guyanese community. This latter narrative is wrapped up in the ethnic suspicions and sensitivities that so often colour our politics.

Government had tried to negotiate with the occupants of the building a proposal that all presidents’ works be kept at the house, but this was rejected by the PPP. Such a zero-sum position rendered negotiations fruitless and in the final analysis, left the government with no option but to recover the building. The thorny issue was what to do with the Jagan papers. In other words, how to recover the building and preserve Dr. Jagan’s legacy. Attorney General, Basil Williams, SC, has given an undertaking to Chief Justice (ag) Yonette Cummings- Edwards that the former president’s works would not be destroyed. “I told the Chief Justice that being a historian, the President would never consider destroying the materials belonging to Dr Jagan,” Williams was quoted as saying, by this newspaper.

The Attorney General has also expressed confidence that his government will win the case and explained that a heritage site cannot be leased. According to the Attorney General, the transaction was “shrouded in darkness” and noted that the rule is that a lease executed over 21 years must be done in the same manner as a transport.

He explained that according to the rules, it is mandatory for such leases to be advertised in the Gazette as well as newspapers of wide circulation.

Thankfully, after the night of vigil and counter-vigil

Dear Editor,

TIME and time again, the APNU+AFC government has been accused of giving with one hand, while taking much more with the other. We’ve see this strategy unfold with the Administration increasing Old Age Pension from $13,000 to what it is now, $19,000. But on the other hand, they took away the electricity and water subsidies that pensioners enjoyed under the PPP/C Administration, leaving our senior citizens to pay their own utility bills.

They have improved transportation for children in a few selected communities, allowing them easier access to schools through their “Bs” initiative. But on the other hand, took away the $10,000 Because We Care school grants that were given to every child in the public school system.

They have improved Immigration services, making

when there were verbal and physical clashes, both sides have pulled back. The matter is now tied up in the courts, which hopefully would deliver its verdict sooner rather than later.

But whatever the court’s ruling, it would take a political solution to resolve this matter. Here is hoping that the PPP leaders exercise more maturity than they have done thus far and in the process, spare the country another episode of political brinksmanship.

Finally, the president has made a mini cabinet reshuffle, largely to facilitate the removal of Dr George Norton

Regards Lincoln Lewis

Turn to page 7

from the Public Health Ministry. In some regards, it is an acceptance by the government that the situation at that government ministry was getting out of hand. The President cited the need to strengthen the administrative capacity of the ministry as the main reason for the change, but clearly the bond scandal must have been another factor. The findings of the Inquiry on that matter, while not implicating the minister in any wrongdoing, could not have counted in his favour as the political head of the ministry.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 9, 2017

GPSU’s New Year Message Dear Editor DEAR Brothers and Sisters, as we look forward to 2017 we expect the ongoing enhancement of good governance, well balanced programmes, sensitivity, appreciation and respect for all levels of human contributions and recognition of the importance of their future role and involvement in nation-building. It is necessary to reflect on past experiences to sharpen our awareness of the struggle that brought us to this juncture and to reinforce our commitment and resolve to what is required of us to overcome the challenges ahead and move forward to achieving our goals.

For over three decades, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has encountered unwarranted assaults on its membership while representing them to guarantee their existence in comfort and with dignity, as they provide

quality public services in the national interest for the good of all users of these services.

These assaults were enormous and vicious and clearly intended to destroy the union and render the membership vulnerable. In the face of such atrocities, public servants remained professional but conscious, firm and committed members of their union.

Their solidarity was their contribution to their union’s capacity to defend and protect their employment and secure their ability to maintain their obligations to the welfare of their families.

The most vicious period of attacks was during the Jagdeo regime, marked by the termination of check-off of union dues and the Agency Fees Agreement in June, 2000; the attempts to deprive the union of its properties; and the ruthless and anti-working class seizure of its land at Thomas Lands (Sports Complex) and passing it on to a criminal ele-

Riding bicycles at nights without lights Dear Editor “When I was young and went to school, they taught me how to write…!

THEY also taught me and my friends that if we must ride our bicycles at night, then it was necessary to have a headlight and rear light affixed to the bicycle.

As a matter of fact, if the policemen caught us riding at night without lights, it was treated as a legal offence.

Has the law been changed?

If not, can our policemen please perform their duty

of care by prosecuting the law-breakers.

In any event, the current practice of riding bicycles at night without lights is at best careless and at worst deadly dangerous to the riders and the motorists, who already have many other things to be on the look-out for such as careless pedestrians, potholes, animals and , of course, other careless or inconsiderate drivers.

Regards Nowrang Persaud

Giving with one...

he’s given 30 days to pay up or face the consequences which will be very severe.

But when the GRA owes hard-working taxpayers of this country money for taxes overpaid, they have to wait several years until the GRA finally gets around to processing their files.

Since my return to Guyana four years ago, I have dutifully submitted my income tax returns year after year, but I’m yet to receive a notice from the GRA with a check for the amounts that I have over-

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paid. And when contacted, I’m told by the GRA that they’re still working on the 2012 returns. There are some who believe that the amount of money owing to the Guyanese taxpayers by the GRA may well exceed $8 Billion. Whether this amount is accurate or not, one thing is certain: when the GRA owes you money, they’re in no hurry to give it back to you.

Regards HARRY GILL, MP (PPP)

ment, apparently for favours; the conversion of permanent employment to contract employment,eliminating security of tenure; the unfair dismissal of public service workers; the non-observation of obligations to legally binding collective agreements; the flouting of court orders and many other acts of executive lawlessness, which had an impact on frustrating the union’s capacity to effectively respond to these abuses and other challenges.

Here again, I must mention the vital and essential role of those members who stood steadfastly with the union in this struggle at great personal sacrifice, to eventually vanquish this abomination and to contribute to the change of government that came about in May, 2015.

There is a perception which I share, that the magnitude of support for the change which came about in May, 2015, is much larger than can be measured by the official results. Be that as it may, overwhelmingly, those who contributed to this victory were self-motivated ; they included the down-trodden, the jobless, the discriminated, the victimised, the abused and many more who refused to tolerate the immoral, vulgar and executive lawless state of affairs that prevailed.

Their mission was for a new start that respected values, decency, equality, fairness, even-handedness, harmony

and unity.

Having achieved that goal with the current elected government in office, undoubtedly there has been many areas of improvement, namely the enforcement of laws and eradication of corruption, freedom of the press and professional and credible journalism, restoration of security of tenure in employment within the public service and enhancement of the integrity of constitutional institutions to name a few.

However, there is grave dissatisfaction with the non-regularising of many concerns of the GPSU for which assurance was given by this new government. For example, the non-implementation of the cabinet decision for the sweeper/ cleaners to be paid at the minimum wage level. We consider this as most uncaring and discriminatory to these vulnerable but essential workers, especially when one takes into consideration other massive expenditures that were met. The procrastination in addressing the inappropriate working conditions of health workers nationally. The lack of recognition of union representation to address the need for improved working conditions for the employees of the Guyana Revenue Authority.

The non-reinstatement of the Agency Shop Agreement between the Government of Guyana and the GPSU for the Public Service. The non-replacement of union nominees

on all Boards of Directors for which, they previously held positions. The non-provision of recreational and sports facilities for the civil employees of the public service as is being done for the disciplined services and as was previously done by Guystac and Guysuco for their employees. The apparent lack of commitment to comprehensive, collective bargaining as the salary and allowances negotiations for 2016 are incomplete and there are unwarranted frustrations and apparent resistance to honouring this legal obligation and campaign commitment.

The aforementioned and other known concerns need to be dealt with expeditiously to correct the gross, existing inadequacies in remuneration and other conditions of employment for employees of the public service. Indeed, it is more than reasonable to expect that these commitments would have been fulfilled by the new government, given that they have been in office for more than a year and a half.

In addition, there is concern over the obvious neglect and absence of attention from the new government, which is evident to many who struggled selflessly and at great sacrifice to bring about this change. This concern extends to the insensitivity and disinterest in addressing pertinent issues, being displayed by officials in positions who were

not a part of this struggle.

Those patriots who struggled, particularly the vulnerable, deserve to have their legitimate concerns addressed. The displeasure and dissatisfaction are distractions that need to be eradicated soonest, as there is much work to be done which need full attention and a cooperative effort. However, as a nation, while we strive to move forward, we must never permit the return to the lawless and ruthless conduct of the past regime.

The GPSU looks forward to overall improvements in its relationship with the government and all management, particularly in the agencies where the union is recognised. We look forward to an enhanced national environment of inclusivity, consultation and collaboration. Towards the realisation of this objective, the GPSU pledges to do its part in the interest of national development and improved and enhanced quality public service to contribute to progress, harmony and national unity. In this spirit of commitment and with sincerity, I extend to all best wishes for good health, happiness and prosperity in 2017, particularly our members and their families.

THE Caribbean Voice expresses gratitude to Eddi Rodney for calling on Guyanese to support the El Dorado Awards in the December 31 issue of Stabroek News. The 2016 awards were successful beyond our expectations and we look forward to greater success for the third awards, scheduled for July this year. As one guest pointed out, the El Dorado Awards are the only awards that recognise newer companies and smaller organisations that have been making a difference in so many lives. Honorees came from many regions, across cultures, religions, gender and ethnicity.

Many of those honoured were given a national stage to recognise their work for the first time ever.

With respect to the names suggested by Eddi, may we point out that 2016 was only the second year for the awards and that honorees are usually selected from among individuals and organisations that work on the social landscape to empower, enhance lives and make a difference. Furthermore, our focus is not on posthumous awards. Dianne McTurk’s award ended up being posthumous

only because she died just before the event was held, but she was still alive when she was selected.

While The Caribbean Voice is honoured to be the first to nationally recognise this pioneering activist, we join with others in calling for national recognition for her at the government level.

Meanwhile, we do plan to keep in mind the names suggested

by Eddi and, in time, to hopefully get to them, one at a time. However, we must point out that Ms. Annette Arjoon was among the first batch selected for recognition at the inaugural awards, but she declined our invitation to be honoured.

Also, we do agree with Eddie that voluntary work in Guyana has often been limited in duration and scope, but we would like to assure him and others that The Caribbean Voice is here for the long haul and is in the process of establishing a national structure with coordinators and sub-groups in every region. In this respect, we welcome anyone who would like to become involved in our suicide-prevention and anti-violence campaign. We also welcome collaboration and invite NGOs and activists to partner with almost

40 entities in our Voices Against Violence campaign.

As well, we do agree with Eddi that “There has to be a broad-based attack on poverty, as well as on domestic and gender violence that rejects the notion of the marginalisation of communities that are viewed as not part of a pro-government consensus.”

We take this opportunity to invite readers to check out our website – www.caribvoice. org - for information on TCV and its work, links to our many social media sites, info about those involved with us and how you can be involved with our work. We also welcome suggestions, ideas, critiques and constructive engagement. And we appeal to readers to be the eyes and ears of your communities and to reach out to us once the need for intervention and counselling arises. In fact, we urge that you err on the side of caution and communicate with us, since it is better to be proactive in saving lives and preventing abuse.

We can be reached via FBIM, directly to us or anyone of our members, email at caribvoice@aol.com or to anyone of our members, phone calls at 718542-4454 (North America) or to

644-1152 or 646-4669 (Guyana) or direct contact to any of our members. We respond to appeals for help 24/7. We also urge use of the Guyana suicide hotlines ay 223-0001, 223-0009, 600-7896, 623-4444, email guyagency@ yahoo.com as well as reaching out to other organisations that are engaged in anti-violence, especially address abuse and fostering suicide prevention – Monique’s Helping Hands, Help and Shelter, Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association, Krishnadat Persaud’s Counselling Centre at Corriverton, Child Link, Guyana Foundation, Mental Health Unit at the Ministry of Health, the Psychiatric Unit at Georgetown Public Hospital and the National Psychiatric Institution at New Amsterdam.

Nothing is more important that the life and safety of a human being and The Caribbean Voice urges that no one should ignore warning signs, take them as ‘jokes’ or not being serious or disregard them as ‘not my business’. Suicide and abuse prevention are everybody’s business. And remember, suicide is not the answer.

Regards Patrick Yarde President GPSU

The 2016 El Dorado Awards were successful beyond expectations

Sincerely The Caribbean Voice

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday January 9, 2017

Soesdyke-Linden Highway accident ...

Survivors coping with their injuries

By Vanessa Braithwaite THE two lone survivors, both women, of last Wednesday’s smash-up on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway are said to be coming around, albeit slowly.

While 23-year-old Whitney Griffith has been discharged from the Linden Hospital Complex after being treated for a broken hand and dislocated hip, she had to be rushed back to the hospital after complaining of severe headaches.

H e r m o t h e r, D i a n n e Plowell, told the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday that it was on her return to the hospital that it was detected that

Whitney had also suffered head injuries, as, by then, her head had become inflamed.

She was, however, not admitted. Dianne happily revealed that Whitney’s fivemonth-old foetus is in perfect health, and has not been affected in any way.

Dianne also told the media that when Whitney learnt that her husband, 25-year-old Dextroy Griffith, had died in the accident, she told her that the only reason she’s alive is because he tried to shield her from the oncoming impact.

“My daughter told me, ‘Mommy, when I catch meself after the collision, Dextroy was covering me with his body, and he had his

Whitney Griffith arms around me,’” Dianne said.

She also said that while Whitney is currently experi-

encing physical pain -- as is only to be expected --nothing can compare to the mental and emotional anguish she must be feeling, having lost her newly wed husband without even getting the chance to say goodbye.

It’s a pain she and their five and three-year-old children will always have to live with as they mourn his loss.

As for 47-year-old Arletta Kellman of Lower Kara Kara, also in Linden, who unfortunately had no one to shield her, she was admitted to the Linden Hospital Complex in a more critical condition.

She was later transferred to the Georgetown Public

Hospital , where she remains a patient, having suffered several broken limbs, including her foot.

She also had to undergo surgery, since she needed to have steel implanted in some parts of her body. According to a relative of hers, Kellman had also needed blood, which proved difficult to find since her blood group is a rare one.

Kellman was seated in one of the back passenger seats of the red Toyota Spacio, HC 5326, when the accident occurred. According to reports, the driver, Alexander Dave Primus, who died on spot, was heading south when he attempted to overtake a lorry in the vicinity of Loo

Creek.

In doing so, he collided with motor car PRR 7151, driven by 38-year-old Raul Aaron, who also perished.

According to eyewitnesses, Primus, a usually careful driver, had not bargained for a second vehicle in front of the one he was about to overtake, and so was unable to return to his lane on time before the collision occurred.

Also dead is 22-year-old Leron Mendonca, Primus’s nephew, who was travelling in the front passenger seat of the Toyota Spacio.

He died while undergoing surgery at the Linden Hospital Complex on Thursday morning.

Sandbanks rendering upper Demerara River virtually unnavigable –– Coomacka, other residents worry about their safety

By Vanessa Braithwaite A BUILDUP of sand and other debris on the upper Demerara River, near the mining community of Coomacka, is rendering the waterway virtually unnavigable at those points.

Coomacka residents told the Guyana Chronicle last week that while the situation has been going on for years, it has worsened significantly over the past few weeks with the onset of the rainy season.

The community, which is located some 15 miles from Linden, has a population of approximately 2500 residents, many of whom are Amerindians.

The river in their neck of the woods is not only used for transportation purposes, but for domestic and recreational ones as well, such as washing, fishing, swimming, bathing and sourcing drinking water.

Now, with the large volume of aggregates being eroded into the water, thereby covering almost half of its surface, residents are concerned that their livelihoods may very well be affected if the situation continues to worsen.

What is even more trou-

bling, they say, is the threat the situation can pose to boats and other modes of transportation traversing the

With three titled Amerindian communities further up the river, and the scores of farmsteads and small

necessities, or transact other business.

Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, who was on site

One of the growing sandbanks on the Demerara River in the vicinity of the Coomacka Mines river, especially at nights.

And with the sand almost reaching the centre of the river, they say, those commuters who are not aware of the situation will be at a distinct disadvantage.

living settlements along the way, river traffic can at times be rather busy, with persons journeying to Linden to either market their farm produce, purchase food or other household

at the time inspecting the situation, told the Guyana Chronicle that because of the encumbrance, there was an accident some months ago when a boat heading to a village further up the river

ran into it.

Such was the impact, Morian said, it caused all hands on board the vessel, even the driver who was unaware of the situation, as well as the provisions it was carrying, to go under.

Now residents are afraid the situation might very well repeat itself, with even more dire consequences, if something is not done urgently to address it.

Said one resident, “What I’m afraid of is that dem small boat coming in the night would crash, ‘cause most of them don’t use light, and this sand bank getting wider and wider every day. “So, sometimes yuh think yuh on river, and is sand; and yuh coming with the speed and something terrible happen.”

Regional Chairman Morian has since given residents his word that the issue will be addressed as early as possible, just as soon as he can contact the relevant authorities to have it remedied.

Said he: “This poses serious risk to life and damage to property. Now that we are here and we’ve seen firsthand what is happening, we will use the pictures taken here to speak to MARAD

(Maritime Administration Department), the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, NDIA (National Drainage and Irrigation Authority), Sea Defence... all the necessary players so that we can have this problem fixed.”

He also revealed that the Regional Democratic Council had commenced work to have the problem fixed, but that the magnitude of the work to be done proved beyond their capacity.

The Regional Chairman also expressed interest in the volume of aggregates that can be used for construction of roads, bridges and edifices but are being washed into the river.

Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) has been affected tremendously by the heavy rainfalls since the commencement of the rainy season a few weeks ago.

Though the Region has not experienced widespread flooding as Region 4 (Demerara-Mahaica), the rains have taken a toll on public infrastructure, causing major breakages to roads and revetment works as a result of erosion which has resulted in the inundation of the farming community of West Watooka.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday January 9, 2017

Don’t abuse your freedom

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–– President Granger urges journalists

By Shauna Jemmott PRESIDENT David Granger on Sunday appealed to local media operatives to desist from presenting reckless and dishonest news reports to the public and strive for professionalism as individuals.

The President on Sunday morning had as his guests over 100 media professionals at a media brunch, the second under his presidency held on the lawns of State House, Main Street, Georgetown.

He said throughout the world damage is done when people are allowed

powerful tool. Because you can bring down Governments and you can raise up imposters simply by propagating falsehoods,” President Granger said, and added: “Luckily in the media in Guyana we don’t have such.”

The President had pledged a sum of money to support the work of the GPA, but the sum has not been handed over since he is awaiting information on the account number into which the money must be deposited.

GPA President Neil Marks had explained earlier that an account had only recently been estab-

period of time you could gather the experience and the expertise, so that your accumulated years of service would translate into high levels of professionalism.”

The GPA has a major role to play, since journalism itself is a profession “susceptible to imposters” who take advantage of the press freedom arrangement to create mischief.

The President stressed that Article 146 of the Constitution of Guyana guarantees the press freedom of communication and assured the media that no one from his Government will hinder such

President David Granger speaking at the media brunch on the lawns of State House yesterday (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

A section of the gathering at the media brunch

to broadcast and publish whatever they feel without the experience and without being guided by a professionalised media organisation, such as the Guyana Press Association (GPA).

President Granger said his Government will continue to invest in the work of the GPA in ensuring that professionalism is achieved through education of local media professionals, journalists in particular.

“I don’t have a problem with criticism. I have a problem with recklessness and dishonesty,” President Granger stated, as he pointed out that the publishing or airing of false news can interfere in the democratic process.

“And that is why it is important that people who are media operatives are trained in the use of this

freedoms.

“In order for such freedom to be exercised, media practitioners need to be educated,and that is why last year, I promised you a sum of money - I called it hard cash - to enable you to intensify your education programme.”

The President warned that the financial investment must not be used for media awards nor parties, but for education.

“Not for media awards, not for parties, but for education. And I will continue to support, without interference, the Guyana Press Association’s attempts, efforts to conduct media

education,” the President said.

He also said that the media has a social responsibility of presenting only the truth and should therefore carry balanced reports with opinions and facts presented by all parties concerned, in any issue being reported.

“There are people out there… who will read what you write and think it’s the truth. So you have an obligation to tell those people… you have a responsibility to be truthful.

It’s hard to find out what is truth… but you must

always ask yourself what is truth. … you have that social responsibility not to carry one side of the story or the other side, but a balanced account of how this matter evolved… You will be able to give your readers, your viewers, your listeners, a clearer picture of what issues are at stake,” President Granger advised.

He reminded the journalists that persons throughout Guyana depend on them for information and a professional approach is vital in handling public information.

lished at a local bank after the organisation had been legalised.

President Granger said the press association will be given a first deposit this year and one again in 2018, as government keeps its vow to support the work of the GPA and education efforts of a free press in Guyana.

KEY PRINCIPLES Journalism must stand on the professional principles of education, social responsibility and corporate solidarity, if it is to achieve and maintain professionalism, President Granger said.

He told the media that while journalists should be trained, have the expertise and experience, “You no longer have to go to a media college - college of journalism - but over a

Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) Imran Khan, share a light moment with First Lady Sandra Granger, who celebrated her birthday yesterday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday January 9, 2017

What is Re-integration?

A Mother of six sat in a group session where the discussion was based on children in care. She said, “I was glad when the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) removed two of my children.” Other members of the group looked at each other and then at her, doubtful that she was making sense. One woman enquired “You were glad?” “Yes,” she replied, “I needed the support.”

Most children are taken into care on a temporary basis with the aim of re-integrating them with their families. But re-integration happens only when parents are able to sort themselves out so their children are no longer in a vulnerable situation, and when they understand the law in relation to child abuse. The Ministry of Social Protection has various programmes available to support families that need

help, but first parents have to recognise that they need assistance. They then need to cooperate and work with child protection officers to create a suitable environment for their children.

The two children mentioned above, never went back to their biological mother. After one year in care, they were re-integrated with family members who came forward to take legal custody of them, with their mother’s consent. The

re-integration of children in care therefore, takes many different forms, but it is usually based on adults successfully “fixing” the reasons why the children were removed in the first place.

I n t o d a y ’s s o c i e t y, negligent parenting and domestic violence along with alcohol and substance abuse are high on the list of ills that causes inadequate parenting. Alcohol and substance abuse can lead to depression or mental health issues in parents which can be detrimental to the protection and development of their children.

Though many families live in poverty, poverty is not a reason for child abuse. There are plenty of poverty-stricken families who do not abuse their children. Adults need to work to earn a living and sometimes they need to socialise and go out with friends, but whatever ac-

tivities adults participate in, they should not be at the expense of their children’s safety or well-being.

Adequate parental supervision and care for children should always be a priority, regardless of social standing. Despite how they are treated by their parents, most children want to be at home with their families. They need that special bond that only families can give. But the bond should include security, love, nurturing and discipline: all CPA officers work diligently with this union in mind.

Before children can be returned to their families, the family circumstances are evaluated and a report is submitted and assessed.

A meeting is held firstly among CPA officers, then the parents and the children involved.

Therefore, the length of time children stay in care (away from their families) depends on how soon

their parents can “fix” their problems (e.g. put appropriate measures in place and/or benefit from attending on-going counselling sessions or workshops on child rights and parental responsibilities).

The re-integration of children with their families who will care for them in the right way is one of the most rewarding aspects of child-protection work: but it is never taken for granted that after re-integration, children will live happily ever after. While CPA officers will do their part, assistance from people like you can make a big difference. You are the eyes and ears of the CPA and your vigilance and awareness of child-protection issues can help to prevent child abuse.

Never be afraid to report child abuse or even suspected child abuse, when necessary.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday January 9, 2017

Regional officials trained in procurement, project management

THE Ministry of Communities on Friday brought the curtain down on a two-day workshop to enlighten regional officials on the system of procurement and the importance of developing quality controls that can tangibly measure and serve as performance indicators.

Under the theme, “Action roundtable for regional development: Results-based management, procurement and project management,” the seminar targeted Regional Executive Officers (REOs), Deputy Regional Executive Officers (DREOs) and regional engineers from across the 10 regions.

The forum was held in the training room of the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown. In a release, the ministry said that the objectives of the forum were to strengthen regional administration through leadership development and efficient procurement management; build regional leadership for application of results-based management techniques in the implementation of projects; enhance coordination and understanding among regional managers of national policies and promote an expanded and improved regional procurement system.

During his address, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, said that central government has recognised the deficiencies in the system and therefore is committed to strengthening the roles of public administrators.

As such, the forum was designed to better equip regional officials to discharge their responsibilities with greater efficiency and effectiveness.

He stressed the need for officials to observe two critical tenets of transparency and accountability.

“We will have provided you with not only the skills and understanding of results-based management, but have also shown you the merits of implementing these changes within your regional administrations,” the Communities Minister said.

Minister Bulkan stated that results-based management provides an adequate picture of whether or not resources, such

as time and money, are expended to derive maximum benefit.

“Then, as citizens we can see if our regional bodies are delivering for us. The fog of ambiguity is removed and the results are clear for all to see.

An awareness becomes part of the system and all those in government will be more accountable to those we represent,” Minister Bulkan remarked.

He pointed out that since the ministry has a better understanding of what works, it ensures that decisions are made based on evidence that allows for future economic benefits. Minister Bulkan said results-based management removes much of the political discussion from decision-making with the ministry taking a facilitating rather than a direct role.

In the 2017 budget, Government has earmarked investment in public service delivery in an effort to ensure that Guyanese benefit from a high quality of service delivery in an efficient, transparent and accountable way.

“With further discussion and engagement, we will together be able to enact the Ministry of Finance’s target, that is to “design, adopt, implement, and continuously monitor and evaluate a comprehensive, inclusive, transformative, and evidence-based strategic plan.”

Among the other presenters were economist Jason Fraser, who spoke on results-based management and the theory of change, Senior Technical Advisor, Gordon Gilkes and Project Engineer, Naeem Khan, who highlighted the regional guidelines for procurement, contract and project management.

Executive Director of the Belize-based Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), Dr. Mark Bynoe, the Ministry of Finance’s Budget Director, Sonya Roopnauth and teams from the Ministry of Public Health, led by Permanent Secretaries, Trevor Thomas, George Jarvis and Balram Balraj, also delivered presentations.

Despite emerging challenges hindering the discharge of their mandate, regional officials have made strides in an effort to fulfill the needs of their various

communities. There is an increasing expectation of REOs, DREOs and engineers without the necessary technical

and strategic support to get the desired results. Cognisant of these challenges, the Ministry of Communities has de-

veloped a forum for regional leaders from administration to engineering services in response to the Government’s

effort to foster results-based management in the implementation of government programmes and projects.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday January 9, 2017

Mahdia cops feted for holiday

POLICE ranks in Region Eight were recently treated to a special party by popular businessman Roger Hinds, where they received gifts as part of his appreciation for their performance in 2016.

Speaking to this newspaper, Hinds disclosed that over the years, he would make a monetary donation at this time of the year in ensuring that a Christmas party is kept for ranks serving in Region Eight.

However, for 2016, he opted to do things

differently.

“I thought that for this year that instead of giving money, I will prepare for each rank a gift along with organising a Christmas party for them.

This, I firmly believe, would mean more than just giving them money,” he said.

The businessman said while there are evident challenges that confront the business community, he is of the firm view that the ranks are all seeking to raise the level of their performance.

He noted that much

more still needs to be done by ranks, but is very satisfied with their performance for 2016.

“There are a lot of things that as business people we complain [about] without recognising that these very ranks are doing their best and most importantly, going out of their way to get things done and for that we must be very thankful and grateful,” he asserted.

Hinds said he remains committed and dedicated in lending support in whatever way he can

in helping to enhance crime-fighting in the region.

He noted that while the region can be regarded as one of the most challenging, taking into account the terrain, he is optimistic that with the relevant and appropriate support and assistance given to the ranks, they would remain competent and effective in the execution of their duties.

“When you live in communities which have the police ranks sincerely going out of their way to ensure that law and order

Woman Constable La-Seena London receiving some of the gifts for police ranks from businessman Roger Hinds, while Constable Mark Grimmond at right and Inspector Marvin Small, left, look on is maintained, then the least I can do as a businessman is to recognise them in a very tangible way. I have the notion that when the police do good, we must reward them,” said Hinds.

According to Madhia Police Station Sergeant Kirk Crawford, a number of ranks received gifts from Hinds as part of his annual Christmas outreach.

The businessman assured ranks that he would continue to play a meaningful role in whatever way he can, urging them to maintain law and order, thus ensuring that decency and respect prevail at all times.

He declared that improved performances by ranks will result in improved results in a number of areas.

Meanwhile, Inspector Marvin Small, who heads the Madhia Police Station, thanked businessman Roger Hinds for the continued excellent and fruitful relationship that he has built with the Police Force.

He expressed thanks and appreciation on behalf of his ranks in Region Eight, noting that they will continue to work very hard while remaining professional and diligent in their work.

“The relationship that the police share with businessman Roger Hinds is a testimony of the many relationships that we have built in this region. I would like to assure all that we will continue to work very hard, so that similar relationships can be established. We firmly believe that building good cordial relationships with both the general public and business community will serve us in a very positive way,” Inspector Small declared.

He added that ranks are very thankful for and excited over the gifts received, noting that many ranks are s e r v i n g a w a y f ro m home and they continue to go out of their way in an effort to serve the people of Guyana in whatever way they can.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday January 9, 2017

Help for small businesses

–– owners to be trained to bid for contracts

SMALL- business operators would be able to access training to help them bid for Government contracts with the help of the Small Business Bureau (SBB).

The training will begin in the first quarter of 2017, as the Government strives to ensure that 20 per cent of all public contracts are awarded to small businesses.

This initiative aims to promote a healthier and more diverse business environment.

The training will focus on empowering individuals and facilitating small and micro-enterprises, as well as expand existing programmes, a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

SBB Finance Officer Simon Pollard, said the agency is working to ensure clients are well trained.

“One of the things we are planning, as well, is that this year we are going to train small-business owners on how to do bidding, so that they will be able to complete their bid documents and so on,” Pollard said.

He explained that there are some requirements for the training and noted that business-owners must be members of the bureau and must have an established business or a viable business idea.

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, had said that the initiative will see 20 per cent of public tenders being awarded to small businesses, a gesture welcomed by owners of such businesses, especially young entrepreneurs.

“Government is still the biggest spender in the economy, and therefore Government procurement is a big deal and we want to ensure that small businesses have access. Now it was written into the Small Business Act, however under the previous Government, it was not pursued and we have made it a priority to actually make that provision effective.”

The minister added that the Ministry of Business has done quite a bit of work in relation to the Business Act in 2016, to develop mechanisms by which the 20 per cent can be achieved.

He said that there is nothing in the Act that measures the level of procurement that goes out to small businesses and noted that a system must be in placed to distinguish between a regular business and a small business in every budget agency.

“This will give us an ac-

curate assessment as to who is getting what, and it is a much bigger task than you might think, so we have done a lot of work and we want to be able to implement it this year,” Minister Gaskin said.

Minister Gaskin pointed out

that developing small businesses and creating entrepreneurs will continue to remain a high priority of the SBB’s agenda.

Everyone should be allowed to contribute meaningfully to the country’s economy, he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday January 9, 2017

10 medical labs certified

CITIZENS will continue to benefit from high standards of service with the certification of 10 laboratories by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS).

A laboratory certification is the process by which a third party gives written assurance and recognition that a laboratory is conforming to specified requirements.

Eight medical laboratories and two non–medical ones were certified in keeping with the National Laboratory Standard GYS 170, which is the general requirement for the operation of a laboratory.

The eight medical labs that have been certified are those from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Woodlands Hospital, Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital, Eureka Labs, Medical Arts Centre, St Joseph Mercy Hospital, Georgetown Medical Centre Inc., and Quest Medical Laboratory.

The other two are the Guyana Rice Development

Board’s (GRDB) Central Laboratory and the Kaizen Environmental Services.

GNBS Public Relations Officer (PRO), Lloyd David, said the national standard allows labs to develop a comprehensive management system, which will enable them to issue accurate, reliable and consistent test results, while the certification allows the laboratories to determine whether they are performing their work correctly and to the appropriate standards.

David added that, “The laboratories can further be accredited to international standards. He explained that other countries can send samples to Guyana to be tested, noting that the results will be internationally recognised.”

David further said that labs are re-evaluated periodically by the GNBS to ensure that there is continual compliance with the requirements, and that they are maintaining standard operating practices.

He noted that labs are required to participate in the relevant proficiency-testing programmes between re-assessments, as a further demonstration of technical

the necessary adjustments and if they do not make those changes after a certain period of time, their certificates can be revoked.

David pointed out that

GNBS Public Relations Officer, Lloyd David performance.

The PRO told the Government Information Agency (GINA), that if the labs are not upkeeping the standards, upon inspection, they will be given time to make

there are a lot more laboratories in the country that need to be certified and encouraged them to do so. He noted that it will not be an easy task or process, but once the process is completed, it will

give the labs a boost in business and citizens will enjoy and receive a high standard of service.

The GYS 170 Standard is divided into three main sections- Management, Safety and Technical Requirements. The management section provides management requirements necessary for the lab to operate efficiently. Some of the key elements within this section include: management systems, organisation, complaints, and internal audits among others.

Under safety requirements, a lab is obligated to implement basic safety policies and procedures to ensure that its environment is safe for all.

The technical requirements are necessary for demonstrating the technical competence of the laboratory.

These will enable the lab to perform tests that are recognised and produce accurate, reliable and consistent test results. Some of

the key elements in this section that help the laboratory to efficiently monitor and manage, include: personnel, equipment, test methods and method validation, and internal audits among others.

The GNBS was established in March 1984 under the Act No. 11 of Parliament of the same year. The bureau has the legal status of a statutory corporation or a semi -autonomous agency.

It is governed by a National Standards Council, whose members are appointed by the subject minister.

Its vision is to improve the quality of goods and services in Guyana, by partnering with Government, consumers and industry through the process of standardisation, while its mission is to promote the National Quality Infrastructure for economic, social development and consumer protection in partnership with key sectors through standards, metrology and conformity assessment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday January 9, 2017

10 homeless after Sophia fire – police hunt jilted lover

By Rabindra Rooplall THE police are on the look-out for a man believed to be behind Saturday night’s fire in “A” Field, Sophia, that has rendered a family of 10 homeless.

The suspect, Leon Turpin, is reportedly the jilted lover of the owner of the house, a wooden one-flat, 35 x 50 structure built on the government’s reserve and divided into four apartments.

Yonette Roberts, who owns the house and conceded that it was built on State land, said she has been living there for the past 15 years with her family.

The family at reference comprises six adults and four children; and now that they are homeless, she’s asking the government to provide her with a houselot, so they can start life anew.

Roberts conceded, too, that she and Turpin had been in a relationship,

but that was a long time ago. She said she has every reason to believe he’s behind the fire, since he’s been threatening ever since they separated to burn the house down, but she had never taken him seriously.

“He got put out the place a very long while ago,” she said.

“We split up, but he would still be around the place molesting me; and so and I tell him that it can’t work after he keep begging,” she added.

The mother of four went on to explain, “When I was leaving Saturday night to go to the National Park, I saw that he was around.

“And his words to me was, ‘Yuh gon see wha gon happen.’”

TRUE TO HIS WORD Roberts said she subsequently received a call around 23:00hrs while at the National Park, saying that her house

was on fire.

By the time she got there, it was too late; the entire building was already gone. A neighbour later told her that it was Turpin who started the fire at the rear of the building, where her apartment was located.

“We lost millions of dollars in things; we have nothing now,” Roberts said.

Meanwhile, officerin- charge of the fire service operations, Compton Sparman, said the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) received a call at 23:18hrs informing them about the fire.

A fire engine was dispatched from the Alberttown Station, and a larger one from Campbellville.

However, the latter got stuck in Section “A” Sophia, because a badly parked car caused it to almost end up in a nearby trench.

Fortunately, they see page 16

The heavy-duty skid-steer loader, which assisted in extracting the fire tender out of the ditch in ‘A’ Field Sophia, where the fire occurred

Yonette Roberts points to what remains of the house in which she and her family once lived

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Shoemaker arrested for narco possession A SHOEMAKER of Mackenzie, Linden was arrested Saturday evening after a search of his premises unearthed three kilograms of Cannabis and several items suspected to have been stolen from a telephone company last year.

Police in a release said ranks acting on information received, conducted a search of the two-storey house and found the illegal substance in one of the rooms, as well as the suspected stolen articles.

The 59-year-old shoemaker is assisting the police with investigations.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday January 9, 2017

10 homeless after Sophia ...

From page 15

were still able to use the water from the truck by trailing the hoses until they reached the fire.

MORE RESPONSIBLE Speaking of which,

Sparman is calling on members of the public to be more responsible and cooperative with the Fire Service in light of what happened on Saturday night, whereby one errant driver

prevented them from carrying out their duties as efficiently as they ought to.

Noting that the Fire Service is there to provide assistance to the public and clearance for fire trucks and ambulances are essential in executing such duties, Sparman said: “Instead of us coming to save lives,” he said, “lives could have been taken, if the driver [of the fire tender] had to squeeze his way through the street, and could have tilted over, causing all the fire- fighters to suffer.”

He said that both fire tenders were depending on each other to relay water to the fire scene, something which was eventually done, although the truck was stuck in mud on the parapet of the roadway.

“We had to come with a larger vehicle with a large amount of water, because there are no hydrants in Sophia, and the drains were blocked up, “ Sparman said, adding: “I want to plead with the members of the public for them to understand that they have to assist us in helping others.”

He thanked cooperative citizens for trying to assist the Guyana Fire Service with extracting the stuck fire tender that was left overnight in Sophia.

Meanwhile, anyone willing to assist the Roberts family may contact Yonette Roberts on 6809752.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday January 9, 2017

Strong attention to shore up river, sea defences

THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure will be investing heavily in shoring up river and sea defences during 2017 as some $1.1 B has been allocated for capital works in this year’s budget.

Chief Officer of the Sea and River Defences Division (SRDD) Kevin Samad said 16 sea and river defence bids have already been advertised and works are expected to begin as early as February.

At the Ministry’s yearend press conference held at Transport and Harbours ground, Thomas Lands, Coordinator of the Work Services Group (WSG) Geoffrey Vaughn, said the SRDD will continue to advance activities in 2017.

Works include construction/reconstruction, rehabilitation and maintenance of sea defences; procurement of equipment and materials for the execution of routine maintenance and emergency works by the WSG’s Force Account Unit; monitoring and research activities; and public awareness and community education.

These works will be carried out in areas along the Essequibo Coast, Bartica and Pomeroon, Wakenaam Island, Leguan Island, West Coast Demerara, East Coast Demerara, West Coast Berbice, East Berbice and the Corentyne Coast.

Vaughn also pointed out that eight critical projects will be funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) during this year. There will also be emphasis on improving flood-protection infrastructure in regions that are most affected by flooding.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, flood-protection measures will be implemented in several regions: Some 1,000metres in Johanna Cecelia/ Zorg, Essequibo Coast, Region Two; 500metres in Success, Leguan Island, Region Three; 430metres in Endeavour/Blenheim, Leguan Island, Region Three; 530metres in Grove/Look Out, East Bank Essequibo, Region Three; 1,000metres in Crane/Harlem/Rotterdam/Mary, West Coast Demerara, Region Three;

500metres in Good Success/New Hope, East Bank Demerara, Region Four; 700metres in Lonsdale/ Sister’s Village, East Bank Berbice, Region Six; and 700metres in No. 78 Village to Line Path, Corentyne, Region Six. Additionally, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure will invest $350M in maintenance of sea and river defences across the country.

Meanwhile, the SRDD constructed more than 4,000 metres of new sea and river defences while more than 34,000 metres and 42,000 metres of rehabilitation and maintenance respectively were completed in 2016.

Another achievement recorded by the SRDD in 2016 was the handing over of the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Budgeted Support cheque to Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan at the 10th EDF Sea Defences Visibility Event.

However, Vaughn pointed out that there was a 24 percent shortfall in total expenditure in 2016 due to “delays related to the procurement of consulting services and finalisation of designs for flood-protection infrastructural works under the Sea and River Defence Resilience Project.”

A total of $750M was budgeted for project activities under the CDB/ Government of Guyana (GoG) Sea and River Defence Resilience Project during 2016, but only $173.76M was expended.

Additionally, works in 2016 were challenged by the availability of rock materials for sea defence construction, limited river transportation for movement of rock materials, and limited number of experienced contractors with the capacity to implement major contracts, Vaughn explained.

Areas the department focused on in 2016 include sea defence construction, rehabilitation and maintenance; procurement of equipment and materials for the execution of emergency works by the WSG Force Account Unit; surveys and shore zone; monitoring activ-

ities; and research and development.

Fences being put up on the West Coast of Demerara in 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday January 9, 2017

ARIES Thankfully, you are surrounded by positive energy today, but you still secretly wonder if you can keep up with your ambitious agenda. Everyone seems to have an abundance of confidence in you while several planets send their energy to propitious Jupiter in your 7th House of Others. But working non-stop isn’t necessarily the way to get more done. Making time for healthy activities produces a more positive impact in the long run. An old Chinese proverb says, “Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.”

TAURUS You are grateful that your support network comes through when you need it today, but your associates still remain a mixed blessing. Although others arrive with encouraging words or offers to work on your behalf, they can also be extremely distracting. Everyone seems to have a story to tell and you appear to be the designated listener, regardless of whether or not you have the time. All social interactions extract a price now. There are no free lunches; if you want assistance from your peers, you must show up for them in return.

GEMINI Your mind is running on several parallel tracks today and your thoughts might be moving so rapidly that you momentarily forget who you are and where you’re going. Although your recovery time may be so fast that others don’t even notice your lapse of attention, this lack of concentration can throw your rhythm off. Instead of waiting for the next cerebral blip, channel your energy into one specific task at a time. Narrowing your focus expands your productivity.

CANCER Although it may be back to work or school today, you wish you had an extra day to indulge in your favourite fantasies. In fact, concentrating on your assignments seems nearly impossible now. Instead of attempting to relentlessly power through your day, set a timer so you can focus on a task for a specific length of time, followed by a designated few minutes of daydreaming. Rather than driving yourself crazy trying to contain your attention within narrow slices of reality, find a rhythm of expansion and contraction that works best for you.

LEO You possess a natural instinct for sensing what’s around the next corner today, making this an opportune time to solidify your plans. But logical analysis isn’t as helpful now as you might hope because even verifiable facts can still lead you in the wrong direction.

The Moon’s visit to your 11th House of Hopes and Wishes encourages you to close your eyes and let your imagination take you where it will. Let your dreams be bigger than your fears; your intuition knows no bounds.

VIRGO Business and personal relationships contain a layer of complexity today, requiring additional effort on your part to untangle all the emotional threads. You are being shown many opportunities now, but aren’t ready to limit the field to just one yet. Nevertheless, your confidence is growing and you’re quite certain that the right pieces will come together in the nick of time. Avoid making decisions prematurely; the longer you can keep your options open, the better the outcome.

LIBRA Re-establishing your balance is tricky business when everything looks so good on the surface. But there are weak links to every chain and it’s in your best interest to know where they are now and how much weight they can bear. Nevertheless, your positive attitude influences the results you want to achieve. But your good intentions are not enough to assure success, even while auspicious Jupiter aligns with Venus and Mars in your 6th House of Daily Routine. Richard G. Scott write, “You become what you want to be by consistently being what you want to become each day.”

SCORPIO People may be surprised by the steady stream of creative solutions you have to offer today.

However, they can’t see how much your current productivity stems from your spiritual perspective on life. The curious Gemini Moon is dancing in your 8th House of Regeneration, inviting you on a Magical Mystery Tour to explore the hidden shadows of your imagination. A wellspring of inspiration waits to be untapped by your intuition. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.”

SAGITTARIUS Everyone seems a bit flaky now, making it difficult to know who you can trust. People might change their minds without warning today, even if they pledged their allegiance to your altruistic cause yesterday. It seems logical to tighten your control to make sure others hold up their part of the bargain. Nevertheless, adopting an authoritative stance will not work. Jump in and get your hands dirty without waiting for anyone else. Leading by example sends a clear message of integrity.

CAPRICORN Oddly enough, you can get a bit nervous when everything is coming up roses. After a while, you can’t help but begin to wonder where the thorns are hiding. Although positivity is an admirable trait, it’s more important today to be realistic than optimistic. Only when you have a sensible perspective based upon seeing things in their true light will you be able to find satisfaction in your success.

AQUARIUS You are at the top of your game today and believe that you can solve any problem that shows up at your door. Although your analytical skills are certainly on point, there will be no mind-blowing epiphany from the facts alone. A conceptual breakthrough is possible only if you’re willing to step over the edge and into the irrational realms of intuition and feelings. As Albert Einstein said, “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”

PISCES You’re willing to jump off an emotional cliff and delve into the deepest abyss today if it leads you to finding the truth. However, there is a battle being played out within your mind to determine whether it’s wiser to trust your gut instinct or to stick with the facts now. The answer is a paradox not unlike the particle-wave duality of quantum physics.

You can’t assume that one frame of reference is better than the other; they each add a layer of richness to the whole.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday January 9, 2017

Red House saga …

All presidents must be recognised

By Shauna Jemmott PRESIDENT David Granger on Sunday said his Government’s act of removing the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre Incorporated (CJRCI) from Red House is a fight against principalities and powers.

President Granger was at the time speaking to a gathering of journalists and media operatives and several ministers of his Government at the annual media brunch he hosted at State House.

President Granger last week ordered the removal of the CJRCI from the Red House building after Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Basil Williams said its possession of the building was illegal.

Having its genesis in late 2000, custody of the famous Red House was handed to the National Trust and became a heritage site and national monument.

Since then, efforts were made by the CJRCI in 2000, 2006, 2010 and 2011 to have then President Bharrat Jagdeo and his successor Donald Ramotar give their approval for the lease.

According to Section 10 of the Land Department Act Chapter 59:01: “Government lands shall only be rented or sold with the sanction of the President and on the terms and conditions determined by him.”

And with the plots of land in question being Government lands, approval or sanction by the then President was needed.

Attorney General Basil Williams said that no such sanction or approval was ever given during the years spanning both presidents’ tenures.

However, former AG Anil Nandlall believes that Williams’s contention that the lease is invalid because the President “did not ‘sanction’ it, is flawed and manifestly wrong.

Nandlall had argued that any person knowledgeable of the law will know that the State Lands Act, the Land Department Act and similar types of

legislation, that although the power to lease, sell or grant licences resides with the President, he (the President) is empowered to delegate such authority to the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, the Commissioner of Forestry or the Commissioner of Geology and Mines or the Manager of the MMA/DA. President Granger on Sunday told reporters that the Red House fracas was ignited not by a question of law, but of principle.

He said efforts had been made to have discussions with the PPP about Red House, but the party became disrespectful.

“It is not a question of law, my brothers and sisters, it is not a question about right, this is the mentality which is driving the battle of Kamana Court – somebody is accusing persons who do not belong to one party of contamination. I find that offensive!”

President Granger was referring to an article published in the Stabroek News, November 5, 2015, sourced from a PPP press release.

He added: “It is not as though there is no attempt to sit and reason, so that we can use State property for a public good, people are becoming violent talking about contamination, so I am not going to give up State property. I am going to participate in ensuring that the children of this country could recognise for all time, all of the Presidents starting from Arthur Chung right down to David Granger.”

He said attempts were made by his Government to have Red House expanded to feature the lives of all other Presidents of Guyana, but these have been rejected by the People’s Progressive Party.

The PPP in the press re l e a s e p u b l i s h e d i n Stabroek News has said thusly: “To associate Red House with Burnham, Hoyte and perhaps later Granger would be a historical misnomer and contrary to the progressive anti-colonial and anti-imperialist ideas, thoughts and memories associated with Cheddi Jagan.”

–– it is a matter of principle, says Granger

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday January 9, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday January 9, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday January 9, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday January 9, 2017

Guyana to Host the 2017 ...

From back page provides a very formidable line up to capture the Junior boys team title with the likes of:Miguel Wong,Elishaba Johnson,Kyle Edghill, Sheldon Atherley,Nicholas Romain, Tyriq Saunders ,Jamaal Nicholas, Terrence Rausche, Yeudistr Persuad, kaysan Brandon Jaikarran, Navindra Persaud, Jeremey Singh, Isaiah Layne, Nrion Bissu,Khalil Ninvalle, Jonathan Van Lange, Ty Dixon among others.They are expected to form the nucleus of the team that will look to protect the home turf against their counterparts from the other Caribbean territories.

On the girls side, Priscillia Greaves would likely be leading Guyana’s challenge.

The association feels this team can be very competitive and will be making the extra effort to prepare the team,given that most of the team members are under 13 and 15 years old and will be competing against much more seasoned opponents.So there are lots of work to be done to ensure that Neveah Clarkston, Selenas Jackman,Abidale Martin,Onieka Philips,Davona Bess thruraia Thomas Christie Lopes among others,will be up to the challenge.

To enhance their training, the association will have the senior players train with members of the junior team,in order to fast track and allow for improvement in the technical and tactical skills,thereby reinforcing fundamentals while improving confidence among the junior players.

With an active training and competition programme mapped out for the associations 2017 calendar, the GTTA would be gauging the players’ progress over the coming months in order to arrive at the best possible team to compete at the championships.

The categories to be contested are: Boys Singles and Doubles, Mixed Doubles,Girls Singles and Doubles and Mixed Doubles in the respective age groups.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 9, 2017

Misbah blames Pakistan’s inability to take Smith warns next Test campaign in India would 20 wickets in Tests for series defeat present challenge

By Nick Mulvenney

SYDNEY,(Reuters)-Pakistan’s failure to take 20 wickets in all three Tests was responsible for their series loss in Australia and the situation will not improve unless players get more exposure to conditions Down Under, captain Misbah-ul-Haq said on Saturday.

Misbah’s team arrived in Australia with their hosts

in disarray after a 2-1 home series loss to South Africa and the tourists were confident they could at least take one test in the series, if not emulate the Proteas.

Despite the odd patch of competitiveness, Pakistan were largely outclassed and their demise was completed at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday when they crumbled to a 220-run defeat to lose the series 3-0.

“Our bowling is always

our strength but in this series I was a bit disappointed that we couldn’t take 20 wickets in any of the tests,” the 42-year-old Misbah told reporters.

“That’s why we were so behind in every game, that’s important for you in Australian conditions.

“It’s difficult for any Asian side to come here and take 20 wickets in a Test match. That’s an art and we could not do that and that

mainly cost us the series.”

If most of the Pakistan tour highlights came from batsman, the biggest disappointment was probably leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who arrived on his first tour Down Under with a big reputation but departed with eight wickets at a cost of 672 runs.

He was not the first vaunted spinner from South Asia to struggle to adapt to the conditions.

ALIEN CONDITIONS

Younus Khan finished the SCG Test with 9977 runs

Saturday’s defeat was Pakistan’s 12th straight in Australia through four series sweeps since 1999 and Misbah said youngsters identified as test prospects had to be given a chance to taste the conditions earlier in their careers.

“If we are not touring more often in Australia and South Africa, this could happen again and again,” he said.

I’ve already suggested that some of our players should be sent to Australia on a regular basis to play games here... this is the only way we can improve.

“If you are coming here after four or five or six years, seven or eight guys are coming here for the first time. We are going to struggle.”

Pakistan’s bowling woes were not helped by the number of injuries with pace spearhead Mohammad Amir in the treatment room for much of the series.

“To win in Australia, your fitness is vital, in any other country you can survive but in Australia you need supreme fitness,” Misbah added.

Misbah, who has said he will return to Pakistan before deciding on his future, thought the manner of the defeat in the second Test in Melbourne, where the tourists were dismissed for 163 on the final day, had been another decisive factor.

“The last day of the MCG was the biggest disappointment of the tour and we got demoralised from that and could not recover,” he said. “This is how it is. Australia is not an easy place.”

Peter Handscomb, Steven Smith and Matt Renshaw relax after whitewashing Pakistan in Sydney on Saturday.

By Nick Mulvenney SYDNEY,(Reuters)-Australia captain Steve Smith was delighted with the way his side rebounded from a series defeat to South Africa to sweep Pakistan 3-0 on Saturday but warned their next Test campaign in India would present a challenge on a whole different level.

Back-to-back home defeats at the hands of South Africa in November took their test losing streak to five matches, leaving Smith “humiliated” and triggering something of a crisis in Australian cricket.

The result was the axing of half the team and a consolation victory over the Proteas in Adelaide before wins over Pakistan in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney restored a semblance of normality to the home summer.

“It wasn’t great times but I’m really proud of the way the guys have come in and turned it around since then,” Smith told reporters after their 220-run victory in the third test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

“I think we’ve played some very good cricket and that’s the kind of cricket that I want us to play.

“We’ve scored big runs in every game, every first innings. We’ve been able to build pressure with the ball, hit good areas and we’ve caught well this series, which has been a big focus of ours. It’s been a pretty good series for us.”

Although Smith has led by example with the bat, clinching Player of the Series honours after scoring 441 runs at an average of 110.25 with two centuries,

he said he did not think he had changed much as a captain in the last two months.

“It’s always easier to say someone’s doing a good job when you’re winning games of cricket,” he said.

“We’ve obviously turned the results around and we’ve been able to get some values into the group and things for the guys to sort of live by and everyone’s done that since they’ve come in and it’s been great.”

His vice captain, David Warner, proved his fine form with a century in the opening session and a 23-ball half century, the second fastest ever, in the second innings in Sydney.

There were also maiden centuries for newcomers Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb in the series, while Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc confirmed their status as world class pacemen, albeit without setting the house on fire.

Those performances augur well for the home Ashes series at the end of the year but first comes a four-test tour of India, where Australia have not won a series since 2004.

“It’s going to be a very difficult series going over there,” Smith added.

“We’re under no illusions it’s going to be tough.

It’s going to be a great challenge and learning curve for this group.

“I think the core of this group will take part in India. A few of us have been there before and we know it’s difficult play in their own backyard. They’re a very good team.

“We’re going to have to play incredibly well over there if we’re going to compete with India.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 9, 2017

Plymouth hold Liverpool in FA Cup, Chelsea and Spurs win

By Steve Tongue L O N D O N , ( R e u ters)-Fourth-tier Plymouth Argyle shut up shop and kept the door firmly closed to earn a 0-0 draw away to Liverpool’s youngest ever starting XI in yesterday’s FA Cup third round tie at Anfield while Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur both won.

Determined defending and unstinting effort kept League Two Plymouth in the game against a Liverpool side lying second in the Premier League, almost 70 places above them.

Spurs, eight-times FA Cup winners, took a long time to break down Aston Villa before winning 2-0 but Premier League leaders Chelsea had no such trouble against third-tier Peterborough United, winning 4-1 despite having John Terry sent off.

Middlesbrough also had a man dismissed but beat Sheffield Wednesday 3-0.

Son Heung-min doubled the lead with 10 minutes left.

Middlesbrough defender Daniel Ayala was the miscreant at home to Championship (second-tier) side Wednesday, receiving a straight red card just before the hour mark.

The Premier League team led 1-0 at that point after skipper Grant Leadbitter’s direct free kick a minute

Spanish international Pedro scored twice for Chelsea

earlier.

Alvaro Negredo got their second in the 67th after a goalkeeping error and Marten de Roon claimed ‘Boro’s third in added time.

Fulham reached the fourth round with a 2-1 win at Cardiff City in a meeting of two Championship sides.

The winning goal was bundled in by 16-year-old Ryan Sessegnon, an England under-17 international, making him one of the youngest scorers in the history of the competition.

The fourth round draw takes place today before Cambridge United host Leeds United in the final third round tie.

Liverpool, with a League Cup semi-final first leg against Southampton to come on Wednesday, made 10 changes from the side that drew at Sunderland on

Monday and fielded five teenagers.

Argyle, spurred on by almost 9,000 noisy fans who travelled the 470 km to Merseyside, defended stoutly while showing little ambition to go forward and test a Liverpool defence in which Joe Gomez returned after more than 15 months out injured.

The visitors had only 23 percent of the possession, not managing a shot for 60 minutes and finally bringing a save from Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius five minutes later.

The home side, however, had few outstanding chances despite 28 attempts on goal.

Sheyi Ojo, 19, missed with a header from six metres early on, 17-year-old Ben Woodburn was denied by Argyle goalkeeper Luke McCormick and when Divock Origi put the ball in the net he was adjudged to have fouled his marker.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp waited until just over an hour had been played before making any substitutions. He then sent on Daniel Sturridge for Emre Can and the England international immediately put a shot just wide.

Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino then replaced Ovie Ejaria, 19, and Woodburn, who had succeeded Michael Owen as the club’s youngest goal-

scorer earlier this season.

As the pressure increased in the last 10 minutes, Sturridge sent a weak header and a low drive wide, and McCormick clutched a deflection off a defender right on the line to earn a replay.

PEDRO DOUBLE At Stamford Bridge, Spanish international Pedro scored twice as Chelsea went through comfortably at home to Peterborough.

He gave them the lead after 18 minutes, which was extended by Belgian forward Michy Batshuayi and Willian.

Terry, making his first start since October, was then sent off for dragging down Lee Angol to prevent a clear scoring opportunity, but Pedro scored his second goal for the 10 men after Tom Nichols had pulled one back.

Manager Antonio Conte said later that Chelsea may appeal against the dismissal.

Tottenham, making nine changes, could not break down Villa until England midfielder Dele Alli appeared as a substitute for the final half an hour at White Hart Lane.

He helped another Spurs replacement, Frenchman Georges-Kevin N’Koudou, set up defender Ben Davies to score his first goal for the club in the 71st minute.

FA chief wants to increase prize money on offer for Cup (RREUTERS)-The Football Association wants to increase the prize money on offer to clubs in the FA Cup and is considering scrapping television appearance fees, chief executive Martin Glenn said yesterday.

Under the current system, clubs get paid more money if their game is televised.

Yet with only nine of 32 FA Cup third-round games being broadcast this weekend, several lower-league sides have expressed discontent their games were not chosen for live coverage.

“The FA Cup is a great way of redistributing money to the lower leagues. The prize money is 25 million

pounds ($30.70 million) and we’re looking to increase that in the coming years,” Glenn told the BBC. “We’ve sold the international rights for more money, and that’s hopefully going to allow us to benefit smaller clubs. Right now it’s a bit of a lottery.

“So one of the things we’re thinking about, would be where you just make it a unity payment, so that everyone would get the same amount. It wouldn’t be quite the lottery it is now. It would seem to be something we could consider.”

Glenn defended Premier League Bournemouth, who came under fire for making a full 11 changes

FA Chief Executive Martin Glenn during the press conference Action Images via Reuters / Carl Recine Livepic

for Saturday’s third-round 3-0 loss to third tier Millwall.

The FA boss said he

understood why top flight teams needed to juggle their resources.

“I think Bournemouth were an outlier. (Manager) Eddie Howe can make his own reasons for it. It doesn’t upset me. The Premier League teams really understand the value the FA Cup brings them,” he said.

“People want to do well in the cup, but the positive side is that all of these bigger clubs have big squads, you want to give people game time and that’s really important,” he added.

“Rotation is a good thing. Giving a chance for young players to get real game experience is not a bad thing.”

Anderson blasts New Zealand to T20 sweep (REUTERS)-Corey Anderson smashed 10 sixes in his unbeaten 94 as New Zealand completed a 3-0 sweep of their Twenty20 series against Bangladesh with a 27-run win in the final match at Mount Maunganui yesterday.

The hosts had been reduced to 41-3 in the seventh over after Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza won the toss and opted to bowl first, but Anderson then added 124 with Kane Williamson for the fourth wicket to set up New Zealand’s total of 194-4.

In reply, Bangladesh made a brisk start with a 44-run opening stand but could reach only 167 for six in their 20 overs.

Opening batsman Soumya Sarkar and Shakib Al Hasan scored 42 and 41 respectively for the touring side, who will next play two test matches in New Zealand starting on Thursday.

Bangladesh were 82-1 in the ninth over after the start provided by Tamim Iqbal (24) and Sarkar but the introduction of New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi (2-22) and other slow bowlers checked their progress.

Bangladesh paceman Rubel Hossain (3-31) dismissed James Neesham for 15 and Colin Munro for a duck in the same over before Mosaddek Hossain struck with his first ball to send back Tom Bruce (five).

Captain Williamson (60) then struck his second fifty of the series while left-hander Anderson provided the late assault during his 41-ball knock with the duo also bringing up the side’s highest fourth-wicket stand in T20 internationals.

Anderson slammed part-time medium-pacer Sarkar for a hat-trick of sixes over mid-wicket, his 10 sixes the highest by a New Zealander in the T20 format.

Corey Anderson smashed 10 sixes in his unbeaten 94.

Pakistan add Hafeez to ODI squad

Mohammed Hafeez PAKISTAN have added veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez to the one-day international squad to face Australia.

The 36-year-old has been given a late call-up after initially being overlooked by the selectors for a five-match series, which starts at the Gabba next Friday.

Hafeez has not played for his country since he was dropped on the tour of En-

gland last year, but is in contention to return against the world champions.

A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)statement said: “The selection committee headed by Inzamam-ul-Haq received a request from Pakistan team management comprising coach Mickey Arthur and captain Azhar Ali for sending Mohammad Hafeez to Australia for the ODI series.

“The selection committee has decided to accept the request of the team management and chairman of the PCB has approved the same. Hafeez will join the team shortly as the 16th member in Australia.”

The tourists will be out to salvage some pride after they were whitewashed 3-0 in the Test series.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 9, 2017

Windies Under-19s to tour South Africa GTTA to open season

with Challenge series

West Indies Under-19s to prepare for World Cup title defence with tour of South Africa.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) be played in Durban, would a comprehensive framework – Young West Indies will tour be key preparation for next in place as we build up to the South Africa later this year January’s showpiece in New event in New Zealand.” as they prepare for their title Zealand.

The Under-19s’ preparadefence of the International “We are pleased that our tion will begin in earnest later Cricket Council’s Under-19 young players will have an this month when they do battle World Cup. opportunity to play in for- in the Regional Super50, the The Caribbean side will eign conditions as they pre- Caribbean’s premier one-day play five 50-overs games pare to defend the World Cup. championship which runs from against the South Africa Un- This will be a great tour for January 24 to February 18 in der-19s and two warm-up them,” the former West Indies Antigua and Barbados. matches against local opposi- leg-spinner said.

They will play alongside tion, in a tour set to run from “We are happy South reigning champions TriniJune 30 to July 27.

Africa have agreed to host us. dad & Tobago Red Force, Rawl Lewis, the WICB’s This will form the ideal kind Windward Islands Volcanoes, project officer who oversees of preparation we are looking Leeward Islands Hurricanes, the Under-19 programme, for. Although the tournament and English county side, Kent said the series, which will is a year away and we have Spitfires.

Hazlewood the world's best paceman AUSTRALIA's Josh Hazlewood is officially the world's number one Test fast bowler, according the International Cricket Council's latest player rankings.

Hazlewood, who claimed seven wickets in the Sydney Test against Pakistan, has moved up two spots to a career high of third, behind only Indian spin duo Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

Hazlewood has moved ahead of South Africa's Dale Steyn, while teammate Mitchell Starc (10th) is the only other Australian in the top 10 list.

Spinner Nathan Lyon is ranked 18th and fellow tweaker Steve O'Keefe has reached a career high of 64th.

Proteas paceman Kagiso Rabada has also achieved a career-best ranking of eighth, moving up nine spots after taking 10-92 against Sri Lanka in Cape Town this week.

Australia's Steve Smith has held on to top spot in

the batting rankings and is 58 points clear of India's Virat Kohli in second place.

David Warner (fifth) is the only other Australian in the top 10, while Usman Khawaja (up two places to 11th) and Peter Handscomb (up 17 spots to 38th) have reached career-best rankings. Opener Matt Renshaw, who scored his maiden Test ton in Sydney, is a career-best 53rd

South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock has jumped one spot to a career-high of eighth, making him his country's highest-ranked batsman ahead of teammates AB de Villiers (ninth) and Hashim Amla (10th).

Pakistan veteran Younis Khan has been rewarded for his unbeaten 175 in Sydney with a jump of seven spots to seventh.

Josh Hazlewood

THE Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) will kick start its 2017 Calendar of activities with a Doubles, Novices and Fundamental Table Tennis Challenge competition scheduled for January 2022 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The tournament will see emphasis being placed on ensuring more domestic competitions are played and is aimed at keeping the players training so as to improve their technical and tactical skills.

This tournament will kick start the year’s activities,leading to the more intense tournaments and it also has the aim of orienting players as regards to the importance of the

fundamental aspects of the game in a competitive and fun way .

The body has mapped out an active domestic calendar which will see competitions occurring every month.

It will comprise the Novices Open Challenge for Boys and Girls, the Senior Doubles Open, Junior Doubles Open, Pre Cadet Doubles Open, Mixed Doubles, Junior Fundamental Challenge Open and the Pre Cadet Fundamental Challenge Open.

The Fundamental challenge will follow a format where players can select a team mate for the knockout competition against other pairs drawn, engaging in one (1) minute forehand rally; one (1) minute backhand

rally and one (1) minute pushes.

The pair with the highest collective total/ aggregate of completed rallies will advance to the next round and then through to the finals to determine the winner.

Trophies and Medals and other prizes will be awarded to the top two finishers in the doubles and fundamental challenge and to the top three players in the novice’s category.

Players can register with national table tennis coach and General Secretary,Mr Linden Johnson via tel. no. 6217630 , email lindenj20032003@yahoo. com or any member of the Guyana table tennis Association.

Brathwaite plays key role in Sydney Thunder win HOBART, Australia, (CMC) – West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite made an instant impact with a brace of wickets as reigning Big Bash champions Sydney Thunder continued their resurgence with an emphatic six-wicket win over Hobart Hurricanes here yesterday.

Called up to replace injured Windies teammate, Andre Russell, the 28-year-old Brathwaite played a key role in his first game to help restrict Hurricanes to 161 for eight off their 20 overs at Bellerive Oval.

In reply, Thunder cruised to their target with over three overs remaining, to collect their second win on the trot. They remained bottom of the standings but joined four other sides on four points, with Brisbane Heat top on eight points.

Sent in, Hobart were carried by George Bailey’s unbeaten 69 off 54 deliveries while Ben McDermott got 31 and Jonathan Wells, 26.

The hosts slumped to 10 for two in the second over but Bailey led the recovery, adding 46 for the third wicket with McDermott and a further 49 for the fifth wicket with Wells.

Seamer Brathwaite accounted for Daniel Christian

Shane Watson

for 16 in the 14th over at 90 for four, caught in the deep off a slower ball. He then stalled Hobart’s momentum by removing Wells to another slower ball in the 18th over, caught at square leg off a top-edged slog sweep at 139 for five.

In reply, Thunder benefitted from captain Shane Watson’s top score of 55 off 31 deliveries and opener James Vince’s 44 off 28 balls, as they easily over-

hauled their target.

Vince and Kurtis Patterson (23) put on 62 off 38 balls for the first wicket before Watson anchored a 63-run, third wicket stand with Ben Rohrer who made an unbeaten 28.

Batting at number five, Brathwaite made six before he was dismissed with the scores tied, caught in the deep attempting to end the game with a maximum.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 9, 2017

RHTY&SC dedicates award to Patron and sponsors GUYANA’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), M.S, on Thursday last received the prestigious Guyana Cricket Club-of-theYear 2016 when the Guyana Cricket Board hosted its annual awards ceremony at the Umana Yana.

This is the fifth occasion that the RHTY&SC, M.S, has won the Club-ofthe-Year award, having previously done so in 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2010.

Club Secretary/CEO, Hilbert Foster, hailed the award as a well-deserved one as every member of the 26-year-old organisation worked beyond the call of duty to make sure that the RHTY&SC, M.S, fulfilled its mandate.

The Club during 2016 successfully completed a record 453 programmes/ activities after setting itself a target of 300 and Foster hailed the Club-of-the-Year award as the icing on the cake.

On the cricket field, the Club produced a total of 17 national cricketers at the junior and senior levels: Kevin Sinclair, Sylus Tyndall, Kevlon Anderson, Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Eon Hooper, Marian Samaroo, Dian Prahald, Erva Giddings, Shemaine Campbelle, Meliane Henry, Sheneta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi, Aleema Arokuim, Deborah Vanderstoop, Plaffina Millington and Roshana Lynch.

Fudadin also played for the West Indies while Campbelle and Giddings represented the West Indies Female Team. Additionally, the following RHTY&SC, M.S, members played in the GCB three-days cricket tournament:Collis Butts, Clinton Pestano, Rajiv Ivan, Jason Sinclair, Shawn Perriera, Fudadin, Crandon, Hooper, Kevlon Anderson and Keon Sinclair.

On the cricket field, the club ended 2016 as defending champions of the Tenelec 50-over tournament, Tenelec

RHTY&SC Executive Member, Mark Papannah (left), receives the Club-of-the-Year award from GCB president, Drubahadur

Under-15, New York Business Group Under-19, Berbice River Bridge 50-over, Busta Champion of Champions 40over and reached the final of the NBS Second Division competition.

The Under-19 team is also awaiting the final of the Memorex tournament.

Off the field, the cricketers of the eight cricket teams were busy with their personal development programmes

and among the major programmes/projects successfully completed were the opening of the H.D. Hoyte Memorial Family Recreational Park, the annual Cricket academy, Annual Youth Review Magazine, hosting of the 46th anniversary of Rose Hall Town, Bakewell Christmas Village 2016, Beharry Say No/Say Yes Campaign directed to 60,000 youths in Berbice, GUYOIL Traffic Education

Holder to captain strong Barbados Super50 squad

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Selectors here have named a star-studded Barbados Pride 14-man squad to contest this month’s Regional Super50.

The side boasts 12 current West Indies players, making them one of the pre-tournament favourites for the January 24 to February 18 one-day championship carded for Antigua and Barbados.

Test captain Jason Holder will lead the squad which includes Test vice-captain Kraigg Brathwaite, and fellow Test teammates Carlos Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shai Hope, Kemar Roach and Jomel Warrican.

Sulieman Benn, Jonathan

Jason Holder

Carter and Ashley Nurse are all members of the Windies One-Day International side.

The only two members of the squad without international experience are left-handed opener Anthony Alleyne and all-rounder

Kevin Stoute.

Pride were losing finalists in the tournament last year when they went down to Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in the final at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.

This year, they have been installed in Group A alongside Jamaica Scorpions, Guyana Jaguars, Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners and ICC Americas.

Group B comprises Red Force, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Windward Islands Volcanoes, West Indies Under-19s and English county side, Kent Spitfires.

Pride open their campaign against archrivals Guyana Jaguars at Kensington Oval on January 24.

SQUAD – Jason Holder (captain), Anthony Alleyne, Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Kraigg Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach, Kevin Stoute, Jomel Warrican.

Campaign, Republic Bank Educational Summer Camp, Youth Career Fair, Gregory Gaskin Memorial Berbice Sports Award, Children Mash Parade, Ansa Mcal Award of Excellence and Dolphin Award of Excellence.

The Club would also like to extend congratulations to Shemaine Campbelle for being voted Female Cricketer-of-the-Year 2016 and Kevin Sinclair for being Best Under-17 bowler for 2016.

Congratulations are also extended to Bhaskar Yadram, who represents the RHTY&SC at the junior level in Berbice when he is not playing for his home Club, Enterprise. RHTY&SC junior cricketers Kevin Sinclair, Sylus Tyndall and Kevlon Anderson were also honoured for being members of the victorious junior national team.

The long-serving Club Secretary/CEO,Mr Foster, who has supervised over 6000 programmes at the RHTY&SC over the years,

noted the 2016 Club-of-theYear is always available to share its vast experience with other Clubs and to assist them to develop.

The Management and members of the RHTY&SC, M.S, would like to dedicate the prestigious award to Club Patron, H.E President David Granger, all residents of Guyana’s smallest township and the official sponsors of its cricket section – Farfan and Mendes Ltd, Bakewell, Metro Office Supplies, Gizmos and Gadgets, Pepsi (DDL) and TCL (Guy), who sponsor the annual cricket academy.

Special mention must also be made of Mings Products and Services, Food for the Poor (Guy) Ltd, Sheik Mohamed Sports Shop, Hand-in-Hand Insurance, Mike’s Pharmacy, Factory Price, Ansa McAl, Busta, Scotia Bank, Kings Jewellery World, Goodwood Racing Service and the National Sports Commission for their input into the Club’s Cricket Programme during 2016.

Dorado Swim Club eyes continuing history of dominance

FOR 2017, the Dorado Speed Swim Club is aiming for excellence and hopes to continue its history of swimming dominance. The timetable for this year’s swimming events for the club sees the first meet of the new year being the February Mash Meet which is long course.

The second meet of the year is the Inter Club (LC) Meet scheduled for March. In April, the CARIFTA Aquatic Championships Inter Club Meet (LC), Inter Guiana Games (to be confirmed) and Inter Club Meet are scheduled.

The Independence Long Course Nationals is set for May,while the Inter Club Meet, Olympic Day Gala and CCAN Championships is set for

June. In July, FINA World Championships and Commonwealth Youth Games are scheduled. Guyana’s hosting of the Goodwill Swim Meet is slated for August, with September seeing the Inter Club Meet and Maracas Bay Classic.

In October,there will be another Inter Club Meet whilethe Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU)/ Ministry of Education Schools’ Nationals will be held in November,followed by GASA Nationals.

The final month of December will see the club once again returning to the Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ASATT) Invitation in Trinidad. Also on the club’s timetable is the VOS Invitational in Suriname.

RHTY&SC dedicates award to Patron and sponsors FIFA proposes Americas-wide qualifying contest for 2026, says official See story on page 27

By Brian Homewood (REUTERS)-FIFA has proposed merging the CONCACAF and South American qualifiers as part of its plans to expand the 2026 World Cup, a leading official from the region said in a newspaper interview.

Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF) president Laureano Gonzalez said the idea for the merger had come from FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Gonzalez, who is also a vice-president of CONMEBOL, the governing body for South America, said it would want at least 14 places at the finals for the two regions combined before

accepting the proposal.

CONCACAF represents North and Central America as well as the Caribbean.

The FIFA Council is due to vote tomorrow whether to increase the number of teams at the finals from the current 32 to either 40 or 48 from 2026. FIFA will decide at a later date which regions will be awarded the additional slots.

CONMEBOL currently has four-and-a-half places at the World Cup for its 10 members while CONCACAF, which has 35 FIFA members in its ranks, has three-and-ahalf places.

“There is a suggestion from Gianni Infantino to unify the CONMEBOL and

President of the Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF), Laureano Gonzalez, CONCACAF qualifiers,” Gonzalez told the Venezuelan

Guyana to Host the 2017 Caribbean Cadet and Junior Championships THE Guyana Table Tennis Association will host the Caribbean Junior and Cadet table tennis Championships scheduled for April 14-19 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The competition will be used as the qualification event for the 2nd Pan American Junior and cadet table tennis Championships scheduled for the USA in September of 2017.

It will also be used to select the top four teams from the Caribbean who will join the top four (4) from Central America and the top four (4) teams from South America to qualify for the Pan Am event.

With the qualification event being compulsory, all the top teams from the region are slated to participate.

The Cadet and Junior championships engage players aged 15 years and under as well as 18 years and under and will provide the opportunity for thir-

ty-two(32) of Guyana’s top junior athletes to compete against the region’s best for regional honours.

The GTTA has already shortlisted the squad to be announced with the aim of starting the teams preparation.

Last year Guyana’s Junior boys’ team secured silver medal in a three-way tie between host and winners the Dominican Republic,whom Guyana

defeated by a 3-2 margin,and Trinidad and Tobago.

This year the locals will look to use the home advantage to put in a more outstanding performance with a view to securing qualification for the prestigious Junior Pan American Table tennis Championships and winning regional honours.

The junior boys team Turn to page 23

Flashback! Guyana takes silver in the 2016 Caribbean Junior and Cadet Table tennis Championships

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

sports daily Meridiano.

“This would have support if they gave us more places. At the moment, we have seven between the two confederations, plus two half places,” he said.

“If this went up to 14, similar to what Europe has for more or less the same number of teams, the idea would catch on on the continent.”

FIFA could not immediately be reached for comment. Europe currently has 13 places for 55 teams, plus one for 2018 World Cup hosts Russia.

CONCACAF is also a leading contender to host the 2026 World Cup, possibly with a joint bid involving at least two out of the United

States, Canada and Mexico.

Gonzalez also said there was “a spirit” in the region in favour of holding a repeat of last year’s Copa Centenario in 2020, but with 24 teams instead of 16.

The Copa Centenario, which celebrated the Copa America’s 100th anniversary, was a special tournament in addition to the regular Copa America.

The Copa America is played every four years in the year following the World Cup and traditionally features 10 teams from CONMEBOL and two from CONCACAF. The Centenario, however, took place in the United States and featured six teams from CONCACAF plus the

10 from South America.

CONCACAF also has its own biennial tournament, the Gold Cup, staged in odd-numbered years.

Gonzalez said officials were in favour of another extra tournament in 2020, with a similar makeup to the Centenario but under a different name and with the format increased to 24 teams.

“Obviously it wouldn’t be called Centenario,” said Gonzalez. “Our Copa America would continue to be played as usual.”

Such a tournament may face opposition from European clubs, where many of the region’s top players are based.

CONCACAF getting back on track - President

PRESIDENT of CONCACAF, Victor Montagliani is breathing a little easier these days after successfully utting his organisation back on a path to success following corruption scandals that rocked it to its core.

“Putting the financial house in order of CONCACAF over a short period of time has been the highlight, not only generating increased revenue, but also putting in some good practices from a governance and fiscal management perspective. Culturally, that is something that is very important to the future of the organisation,” said Montagliani.

The United States Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI) arrested 40 FIFA and former FIFA officials, 0including some of CONCACAF’s very

top officials. A number of those officials, including former president Jeffrey Webb, have since pleaded guilty, and have been given life bans from the sport.

According to Montagliani, there was also the issue of bringing unity to CONCACAF after, not just the scar of corruption, but also after a hard-fought election for the organisation’s presidency in its wake.

Today, Montagliani believes that the various Association presidents are happier, having seen the efforts to create unity within CONCACAF. “The other highlight is that we have been able to put the house in order, and we have met about three occasions with the (association) presidents and you can see by coming together the people are seeing that

CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani anything is possible when we are united,” said Montagliani in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

Now the organisation is looking forward to putting up a bid or multiple bids for the 2026 World Cup. Before that, there is the 2017 Gold Cup, which is expected to provide a financial boost for the organisation.

MONDAY JANUARY 9, 2017