Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 11 01 2017

Mash parade 7 remains on Brickdam Page

Law school finally No. 104790

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2017

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‌Govt, Jamaican college in pact to establish law school in Guyana

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West now 10 chief of-staff th

President David Granger and former Chief of Staff, Brigadier George Lewis decorating Brigadier Patrick West with his new badge of rank at Base Camp Ayanganna (MOTP photo)

Low cost houses for city squatters Page

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GECOM stalemate

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Jagdeo breaks 2 precedence by not nominating

a single legal luminary

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Bandits nabbed after attack on fruit vendor Page

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GECOM stalemate

Jagdeo breaks precedence by not nominating a single legal luminary … wants ‘urgent’ meeting with President

IT is the first time from since 1992 that the Opposition Leader here has submitted a list of persons to be selected as chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission without at least one of them being qualified as a judge or a senior counsel. And though Article 161(2) of the Constitution leaves room for a non-judge to be selected under the ‘fit and proper’ description it is the President who determines this, Attorney General, Basil Williams has said. (see other story on page 7) Amid the stalemate over the selection of a chairman, Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo on Tuesday requested an “urgent” meeting with President David Granger to reconcile “any differences of opinion which may exist” as it relates to appointing a new chairman.

On Monday, by way of a letter, President Granger informed Jagdeo that the six nominees submitted for the post are unacceptable and urged him to submit a President David Granger new list. In his letter to the Opposition Leader, the President said that the CV’s of the persons whose names were submitted “do not seem to conform to the requirements of Article 161(2)” of the Constitution, which states that only persons who are Judges, qualified to be Judges, or former Judges of, either a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matter or, a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court.

However, the Opposition Leader in his response to the President on Tuesday noted that the President’s interpretation of the law is different from his [Jagdeo]. “In the circumstances, I hereby request that Your Excellency clarify what you interpret the qualifications are of the persons to whom Article 161(2) of the Constitution refers. I am of the considered view that an urgent meeting will immeasurably assist in reconciling any differences of opinion which may exist on this issue,” Jagdeo wrote.

In his response to the President, Jagdeo also took note of President Granger’s remarks at State House on Sunday, where he read Article 161(2) of the constitution, which states that only persons who are Judges, qualified

to be Judges, or former Judges of, either a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matter or, a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court, can fill the post.

But according to Jagdeo, the very section of the constitution also speaks about “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.”

Interpretation flawed Meanwhile, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) of which Jagdeo is also the General Secretary is of the view that President Granger’s interpretation of Article 161(2) of the Constitution is flawed.

The opposition party also believes that the President’s rejection of the list of nominees submitted by Jagdeo is a rejection of the voices of the various organisations that were consulted by Jagdeo.

History of GECOM Chair The statement further noted that a brief review of the history of those who have held the Office of Chairman of Elections Commission from 1992, under the current constitutional or a similar formula, illustrates that only Doodnauth Singh SC, possessed legal qualifications. All the others were deemed qualified under “the fit and proper person” category and according to the PPP, these persons include: Rudy Collins, a Career Diplomat; Edward Hopkinson, a Geologist; Joseph Singh, a retired Army General and Dr Steve Surujbally, a Veterinary Doctor.

“Significantly, Mr. Joseph Singh and Dr. Steve Surujbally, were appointed from lists submitted by the Opposition Leader, Mr. Desmond Hoyte, a Senior Counsel.

Additionally, the following persons who do not possess legal qualifications were on lists submitted by Mr. Hoyte to the President for appointment as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission: Edward Hopkinson, Charles Liburd, Joe Singh, Dennis Craig, David Granger, Gem Fletcher and Harold Davis. It is to be noted that the last five names along with Justice Rudolph Harper, were the names submitted by Mr. Hoyte, to President Jagdeo in 2000. Only Mr. Harper, possessed legal qualifications on that list.”

However, the PPP did not state that in all of the lists submitted to the sitting President since the Carter formula was introduced in 1992, there was a former judge on it.

In 1991, then Opposition Leader Dr. Cheddi Jagan submitted the following list to then President Desmond Hoyte.

1. Ambassador Rudy Collins 2. Jules DeCambra 3. Joey King 4. Edward Luckhoo 5. Bryn Pollard 6. David Yankana

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 11, 2017 Ambassador Rudy Collins was named GECOM Chairman by President Hoyte.

In 1995 when the tables had turned the then Opposition Leader Hoyte submitted the following list to then President Dr. Jagan.

1. Justice Rudolph Harper 2. Edward Hopkinson 3. Randolph Kirton 4. Ambassador Charles Liburd 5. Justice James Patterson 6. Doodnauth Singh Mr. Singh was nominated by Dr. Jagan and sworn in as GECOM Chairman.

In 2000, Mr. Hoyte once again submitted a list to Mr. Jagdeo who had been elevated to the presidency. This list was as follows: 1. Prof. Dennis Craig 2. Harold Davis 3. Dr. Gem Fletcher 4. Brig. David Granger 5. Justice Rudolph Harper 6. Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Joe Singh Maj. Gen. Singh was named as GECOM Chairman by Mr. Jagdeo.

After the resignation of Maj. Gen. Singh following the March 2001 elections, Opposition Leader Hoyte submitted another list to then President Jagdeo.

This list was identical to the one previously submitted, save for one change – Maj. Gen. Singh’s name was replaced by Dr. Steve Surujbally who was appointed GECOM Chairman by then President Jagdeo.

1. Prof. Dennis Craig 2. Harold Davis 3. Dr. Gem Fletcher 4. Brig. David Granger 5. Justice Rudolph Harper 6. Dr. Steve Surujbally Justice Harper, a former Chief Justice, puisne judge and Justice of Appeal, features on all three lists submitted by Mr. Hoyte. In 1991, the list submitted by Dr. Jagan included attorneys-at-law, Edward Luckhoo and Bryn Pollard (who is also a former Chief Parliamentary Counsel) and Joey King. The only person with legal expertise in the list submitted Jagdeo is chartered accountant Christopher Ram who became a lawyer in 2009.

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.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Law school finally

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 11, 2017

… Govt, Jamaican college in pact to establish law school in Guyana

AFTER years of dithering the APNU+AFC Government is moving to establish a law school here and today Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams will sign an agreement with the University College of Caribbean Law College of Americas (UCC) to begin discussion and carry out a feasibility study to commence the process.

This development is welcome news to Guyanese and a boon for the hundreds of law students here and in other Caribbean countries who have had to postpone their legal training at the Hugh Wooding Law School owing to space and financial constraints.

While in opposition, Williams had urged the swift establishment of an accredited local law school here as part of steps to ensure that the profession does not become “elitist” one. “Whatever you do, you have to ensure that the legal profession does not evolve into an elitist

one where the ordinary man with brains; where the ordinary child who is very bright, but because of the lack of funds for whatever reason could be deprived of an opportunity of becoming a lawyer and serving this nation,” Williams was quoted in another section of the media as telling the audience at a symposium at the University of Guyana back in 2014.

He would later tell a news conference when he became Attorney General that a committee would be established to look into a law school here and that a public/ private venture could be an option as it will give Guyanese students the opportunity to stay here and study.

IMPORTANT TO STUDENTS Contacted for a comment on the matter, Williams said the development is very important for the students. “There are hundreds of students who have been unable to enter – law grad-

uates who have been unable to enter the Hugh Wooding Law School or even the Sir Norman Manley Law School much less the Eugene Dupuch (Law School)

Attorney General, SC, Basil Williams in the Bahamas which is extremely expensive.” “So this law school will be very welcome and vital in this region, as I said there are hundreds of law graduates in Jamaica, in Barbados and Trinidad and in Guyana and also in the OECS countries who cannot enter into the

Hugh Wooding Law School.

In fact, our partners actually have a university college in Jamaica that teaches law students and they would be persons to enter into this law school in Guyana. So there are many people who will benefit. And we believe that it is very viable and both parties believe that it will be a fruitful and productive exercise,” Williams said. He said government is targeting 2018 to start up the school.

STARTING POINT Meanwhile, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be signed today is intended to serve as the starting-point for negotiations concerning the project and to set forth conditions for the preparation of a definitive agreement between the university and government. Guyana Chronicle was told that at this time the parties are considering the possibility of a joint venture project to establish the school, with the university owning majority of the shares.

Additionally, Guyana Chronicle understands that the parties agree that the law school will be developed within the Guyana legal and regulatory framework, with necessary approvals for the establishment and the accreditation of same being established by the Government of Guyana. Government and the university have also agreed to engage the services of a competent professional to carry out the feasibility study within 30 days to determine the viability of the project.

Guyanese students have struggled with the system that allows them entry to the Hugh Wooding Law School and only late last year Williams was able to secure a collaborative agreement between the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Council of Legal Education (CLE) and UG paving the way for the top 25 Guyanese Law Students to have automatic entry into the Hugh Wooding Law School.

Headquartered in Wo r t h i n g t o n Av e n u e ,

Kingston 5, Jamaica, UCC said on its website that it is an affiliate/recognised institution of the University of London. UCC programmes are also accredited by the recognised regional accreditation body and regarded as one of the top private universities in the Caribbean. UOL is internationally accredited and recognised as one of the most prestigious universities in the world. The University College of the Caribbean (UCC) is the largest private institution in Jamaica and is a member of the Organisation of American States (OAS) Consortium.

In 2002, the Institute of Management Sciences (IMS – est. January 1992) merged with the Institute of Management and Production, (IMP – est. January 1976) to establish UCC, a premier tertiary educational facility affording individuals the ability to follow their academic dreams through flexible study options and hassle free payment options.

$50M youth fund to target science, technology fields THE $50m Youth Innovation Fund (YIF) that was introduced in the 2017 National Budget provides for young people who wish to advance their creative ideas in the field of science and technology.

In a recent interview with the Government Information Agency

(GINA), Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, said that the programme aims to harness the creative minds of the youths.

Henry said that the Youth Innovation Fund (YIF) targets Guyana’s best and brightest young people and is not necessarily for entrepreneurial

purposes. “There are several other programmes that focus on entrepreneurship. However, this program will be focusing on more or less on creative ideas that are innovative and cutting edge,” the minister explained.

The minister said that in keeping with the government’s ‘green agen-

da’ the programme will focus on solutions for the reduction of fossil fuel usage and the Scientific Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme. The programme has an out of school and in-school component.

The in-school component is aimed at rais-

ing awareness among primary and secondary level students by having them participate in competitive activities that will challenge them to create solutions to address current global challenges utilizing STEM. The out of school youths will be required to sub-

mit proposals which will be reviewed by a group of stakeholders before their ideas are approved for funding.

Ministry Henry hopes to launch an awareness programme in 2017 that will inform students about the YIF and STEM programmes.

(GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 11, 2017

‘My husband sent me to steal’

A MOTHER of four was robbed of her mobile phone by another woman, who claimed that her husband had sent her to steal, so as to provide for their newborn.

Melinda Forde, aged 29 years had left her Lot 115, Essex Street home, in New Amsterdam, just before 20:00hrs, on Monday evening to purchase a Chinese sausage fried rice. She had in her possession a Smart phone, which was a gift from her mother.

After making the purchase, she was returning home when in a narrow unlit passageway a few feet from her home, a woman pounced on her. The attacker had emerged from under the

stairs of a building which shared the same unfenced yard space as Forde’s home.

Although the attack was sudden, the victim managed to hold on to the thief who had grabbed her mobile device. They struggled on to the road, where an alarm was raised and neighbours responded. But, the suspect, escaped, fleeing into an alleyway along Main and King Streets, before hiding amongst trucks within the precinct of the Guyana Power and Light Company on Strand Road. She was however later arrested and handed over to the police.

A search on her person revealed the phone in her underwear.

Melinda Ford points to where her attacker had stooped before robbing her

Ruling on rape charge against ex-prison chief today CITY Maigstrate Fabayo Azore will today make her ruling against the former Director of Prisons, Mr Welton Trotz who is charged with sexually assaulting a female prison officer.

Trotz has been before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court since October 28, 2015 and was released on $100,000 bail after pleading not guilty. The trial had been held in camera.

A junior female rank

has alleged that Trotz had made sexual advances to her sometime before the May 11, 2015 General and Regional elections. The junior rank told her husband about Trotz’s advances, and those were subsequently reported to the police.

An investigation was launched by the police and the file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecution, who advised that Trotz be charged for sexual assault of the woman.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had relieved Trotz of his position as Director of Prisons.

Welton Trotz

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 11, 2017

Bartica Massacre trial ...

Witness says he was ‘good friends’ with ‘Fine-Man’

By Michel Outridge

STATE witness Dwane Williams, called “Small Friend” and “Kussum”, on Tuesday took the witness stand in the High Court before Justice Roxane George and a 12-member jury, where he gave a detailed testimony of the brutal killings in the Bartica Massacre.

Led by State Prosecutor Stacy Goodings, Williams told the court that back in February 2008 he was just 15, and used to live and ‘lime’ in Buxton. He was also a member of the Rondell “Fine-Man” Rawlins gang, as were “Papa Willie”, “Mud Up”, “Chung Boy”, “Smallie”, “Capone” and “John Eye”. It was around that time, he recalled, that “Fine-Man” told the gang one night that he had “a wuk” for them to go on.

Williams said later that night, “Fine-Man” took the gang to the Buxton backlands where they camped out for two weeks; but following a shoot-out, they moved to the Nabaclis seawall. There they joined a boat occupied by one “Chi-Chi” and another fella named “Anaconda”.

When asked by Goodings to identify the men at reference, the witness picked out Dennis Williams, called “Anaconda”, and Mark Royden Williams, called “Smallie”, who were in the courtroom, saying he’d known them both for about five years before the Bartica incident.

He recalled seeing “Smallie” in Buxton since he was a child going to school, and that from time to time, he and other members of the “Fine-Man” gang would send him to the shop to buy groceries for them.

CASUAL ACQUAINTANCES Williams said he also knew “Fine-Man” for about five years as well, as he, too, used to be in Buxton; but they only spoke when “FineMan” wanted him to run an errand for him. He, however, said that he’d never seen “Chi-Chi” before he joined the boat at the Nabaclis seawall, and doesn’t know him by any other name.

For that matter, he’d never seen “Anaconda” before either; and neither were they aware who the owner of the boat was, although it was “Chi-Chi” who manned it.

Back then, Williams said, everyone referred to “Fine-Man” as “Saddist”.

He then went on to describe the boat in which they travelled to Bartica, and the way they were all dressed: In dark, camouflage clothing, and each carrying AK-47s.

The haversack he was carrying, he said, contained biscuits, Tang drink mix, 300 rounds of “ammo” and some

clothes.

After travelling upriver by boat all night, he said, around day-clean they stopped at an island, where they got off and went into the bushes and camped out.

The following night, he said, they set out for Bartica, but on the way there, the boat developed engine trouble and “Fine-Man” called a man to come and fix it, and bring gas.

It wasn’t until the next day, he said, that they went to Bartica, where they moored at the stelling. Everyone, he said, got off the boat, except he, “Chung Boy” and “Mud Up”, as “Fine-Man” had instructed that they stay behind and watch “Chi-Chi”.

Among those who got off the boat and went into Bartica proper were “FineMan”, “Capone”, “Anaconda”, “Smallie” and “White Boy”, and they were all armed with guns. Then, about eight minutes after they left, he heard rapid gunshots.

Williams told the court that while waiting for “FineMan” and the others to return, they observed some people in a boat moored at the stelling.

He said he and “Chung Boy” boarded the vessel, took the men off and ordered them to lie face down, on the stelling.

He said that it was at that point that they saw a police jeep drive up to the stelling and some ‘rasta’ men exit it.

With them was “Fine-Man”, who told him, “Chung Boy” and “Mud Up” to assist the men in placing the safes and guns that were in the jeep in the boat.

That done, Williams stated that “Fine-Man” then told one of the men lying on the stelling, who was of African descent, to get up and run, before shooting the rest of them in the head with a handgun.

CAMPED OUT The witness stated that the gang then left the Bartica stelling, by boat, and went upriver to a place “with a junction and a trail” (Sherima Crossing), where he saw a dark jeep parked after they set the boat to drift.

He said that when they disembarked the boat, a man appeared from the bushes and drove them through the trail to Linden with the safes and guns and stopped at a camp for some time.

While at the camp, another man named “Shem” arrived with tools to open the safes, which were found to contain about $1M in cash, a bunch of keys, some documents, a bag of diamonds and three bottles of raw gold.

Williams said “Fine-Man” took the money and gave it to “Shem” to buy groceries and “ganja” and bring them back to the camp, where the

–– was with him at Bartica, Lusignan and Christmas Falls

gang spent “a good couple of months.”

He said that after leaving the campsite, they went on to Ituni where they met up with Omani Rogers, “Shem” and one “Catty” and together they camped out for three months.

Then “Smallie” and “Fine-Man” had a falling out, so the former broke crew and left for “town”.

AMBUSHED Williams told the court that about three to four days after “Smallie” left the camp, it was beset by soldiers, and “Mud Up” was shot; but he, “Fine-Man”, “Papa Willie” and “Chung Boy” somehow managed to escape.

He recalled that they were on the run for about 10 days when they saw a camp at Kwakwani Falls; they decided to spend the night there, and leave the next day but were captured by the police.

During re-examination, State Prosecutor Goodings asked Williams where he resides and he replied that he is still in police custody.

She next asked whether he knew that persons would have been injured during the attack on Bartica, and he replied in the affirmative.

DEFENCE CROSS-EXAMINATION When grilled under cross-examination by Defence Counsel, Roger Yearwood on Tuesday, Williams said that after he was captured and in police custody, he gave two statements on July 5, 2008.

He said he was assisted by a bulldozer operator while walking on the trail for nine days after he threw away his AK-47 because he knew the man would have been afraid

of him, and also didn’t want to be found by the police while armed.

Williams, when further questioned by Yearwood, said he threw away his gun because he wanted to get out of the backdam and “Fine-Man”

part of the “Fine-Man” gang; that he was charged for the 11 murders at Lusignan, but that those charges were withdrawn. He also admitted to being a witness in two identification parades held by the police.

was with the gang almost all the time and he was alone for one day before he was picked up by the police.

He added that at Christmas Falls, the police attacked the gang, and that was when “Mud Up” was shot and killed, and they got separated for a day and reached up with “Fine-Man” the following day.

When asked by Yearwood whether he told the police he was armed with an AK-47, he said yes; that he knew how to use that weapon very well and was good friends with “FineMan”; that at one time he even resided with him.

Williams told the court that he was afraid to get caught with the gun, because he knew he would have to go to jail for a long time as it relates to the Bartica incident, and he said he told the police that he was with “FineMan” at Bartica, Lusignan and Christmas Falls where 36 persons were killed.

He admitted that he was

Williams, when grilled further, stated that he never went to Bartica before that night, but that he had gone to Linden before, and that “White Boy” was not with them on the boat to Bartica, but met them there and while he was at the Bartica Stelling, “Fine-Man” returned first

time alone and only one time the police vehicle came to the stelling.

He told the court that he was not promised anything by the police to implicate Mark Royden Williams, called “Smallie” but gave statements to the police of his own free will and he is not a ‘free’ person up to date.

During the morning period, Clebert Reece called “Chi-Chi” was cross-examined by Defence Counsel Saphier Hussain during which the court was told by the state witness that even though Dennis Williams had threatened to poison him, he doesn’t hate him; that there is no ‘bad blood’ between them.

Reece said he testified because he wanted the state to know the truth of the story, and that everyone else in the group, but he, smoked. He never smoked in his life.

Under cross-examination by Defence Counsel Peter Hugh, Reece was asked if Roger Simon, called “Goat Man” was ever with the group that went to Bartica and he said he was never there.

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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

Tackling Drainage and Irrigation

THE continuous rainfalls, though appropriately dealt with by the various state institutions, continue to be of concern to Guyanese. Over the years the nation has fought against the odds, such as flooding through clogged drains and canals, in addition to heavy rainfalls.

These have resulted in the loss of livestock, destruction of rice and cash crops and displacement of farmers from lands they rely on for income. In residential and business areas there has been the destruction to properties and income or the threat of. At the public health level the risk for communicable and water borne diseases are ever prevalent.

The advice by Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder in a recent press briefing that the Government shall this year, under his watch, tackle the deficiencies in the drainage and irrigation systems throughout the length and breathe of Guyana is welcome news. The programme as outlined by this Ministry sets out to manage water in a more deliberate and structured manner. What has been identified is an approach that will pinpoint the unique needs of each region and the resources necessary to get the work done.

For instance, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), which is the largest region representing our highlands and vast savannahs and has a history of cattle rearing, milk and beef production is being targeted to have a modern water management system. This could go a far way in reducing flooding and ensure the availability of water during dry season. This means that with the completion of this project there will be less challenges to crops and livestock and during the dry season there will be adequate water supply. This would ensure minimum disruption in the food supply to the country, including export and the economic livelihoods of those who rely on these sectors.

The work proposed to be done in the Mahacia-Mahaicony Abrary Scheme area is two-fold. This would see the maintenance of canals and outfalls and continuing the scheme’s extension programme, which is overdue. These activities are targeted to reduce flooding and the woes of those farmers in Mahaica and Abrary Rivers. Many can recall the cries of these farmers who have lost millions during rainy seasons. This developmental approach is likely to see lands which were abandoned due to constant flooding being re-occupied. Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) is known to produce much rice, cattle and cash crops.

As a farming community, improvement in drainage and irrigation would mean a lot to the livelihood of the citizens.

Where unemployment among the young is high the proposed work would create potential for employment and other economic opportunities, direct and indirect, throughout the country. And when citizens are productively engaged there is less time and temptation to engage in anti-social behaviours.

The import of food into the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) per year reflects in excess of US$4 billion.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 11, 2017

President’s call for new list is most welcomed

Dear Editor

THE news that President David Granger has asked the Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jadgeo to submit another list of nominees for the post of GECOM Chairman is most welcomed. It shows that we can reset the button for the good of Guyana consistent with this country’s Constitution.

The principal objective of our political system (Article 13) requires of us to work together in the management and decision-making processes of the State on matters that impact our wellbeing.

Seeking to fill the appointment of chairman should be treated with the seriousness it deserves. And where the

Constitution at Article 161 (2) paragraph 1 requires of the Leader of the Opposition to submit names of nominees that fall within the three criteria, the office holder is expected to comply. The three are: 1) a person who holds or held office as a judge in any part of the Commonwealth; 2) is eligible to be a judge; and 3) any other fit and proper person.

Article 161 (2) paragraph 2 gives the authority to the president to appoint a judge (past or present) after he has exhausted the search under paragraph 1. In fact, the constitution is specific in saying that the person who can be appointed must only have the qualification as a judge (past or present). This precludes

the president from appointing anyone he feels he can.

The constitution in the first instance (at para 1) the president and leader of the opposition have a wide latitude of looking across the society, identifying, and examining persons coming from an array of disciplines. The framers of this constitution understood the society we are dealing with by putting in place a system which gives both the sitting government and opposition an opportunity to objectively assess all the possible candidates, and when they both fail, they give one office holder, that is the president, one opportunity with only one choice, which is a judge (past or present).

Any failure on the part of President and Leader of the Opposition arriving at a consensual candidate for the chairmanship of GECOM will be an indictment on their leadership.

Taking the time to objectively examine the constitution would reveal that a universal standard has been set for us to operate by and if we so comply lots of the conflicts and wastage of taxpayers’ money can be avoided. Equally, universal compliance with this instrument can result in us peacefully co-existing and having our fair share of the nation’s pie.

on the sidewalk who refused to allow anyone to launch an attack on the gentleman with Guyana’s failure to medal at the RIO 2016 Olympic Games.

I stand by my word, we are all responsible. Had the attackers not used Rio as a grenade, I might not have said anything.

However, on the other hand, if my contribution had any influence with the gentleman being re-elected, I am very proud of my accomplishment and tap myself on the shoulders.

The above is in response to Mr. A. M. King’s KN caption

article ‘Can’t believe he said that’ and dated Saturday, January 7, 2017. I say to the author that I absolutely did not do any research on your name towards your contribution to sports in Guyana and I don’t intend to because I don’t have the luxury of time in doing so. I responded from what you wrote and as I said, your name is not popular from my coverage of athletics meet held at the Leonora Synthetic Track. Perhaps I have not attended any possible meet that you may have sponsored since President Donald Ramotar

commissioned it.

Perhaps the meets that you contributed towards were held out of the city and unfortunately, my budget doesn’t allow me to go pass a certain village or region. I am more familiar with the South American 10k and a few others that usually start on Carifesta Avenue. I am familiar with Courts and I believe Neal and Massy 5 or 10k.

Regards Lincoln Lewis

I am not responsible for Yassin’s re-election

Dear Editor,

PLEASE be advised that I am in no way affiliated to any sports fraternity in Guyana and in no way can I be responsible for Mr. K. J. Yassin re-election as President of the Guyana Olympic Association.

It was the respective representatives of every sports fraternity that voted for the gentleman. I believe they did so because they have confidence in his captaincy.

As a reminder, my position was an independent observer

Regards Trevor Pemberton

Region Five budget will bring great benefits to residents Dear Editor,

THE Regional Democratic Council (Mahaica/ Berbice), 2017 budget will provide positive long-tern impact and behavioural change for the people of Region Five. The region’s budget has a wide spread of projects across the region that will create

positive outcomes when implemented. I wish to highlight one the major projects that will benefit the people of Region Five in 2017.

Construction of a nursery school at Perth Village: Presently, Pert Nursery School is operating out of the Pert Community Hall for a number of years. The

As Guyana continues to put measures in place to facilitate the Green Economy, where it is expected that organic foods will play a central role in tackling hunger, enhancing healthy lifestyle, and aiding the elimination of poverty our human development index can record positive growth. The saying that Guyana can realise its potential as the bread basket of the region will not be dismissed as fable, but be pursued as a matter of fact.

environment is not suited for learning and therefore the construction of a school building is important to the students’ education.

With their own building the teachers will be more comfortable to provide better teaching practice to our pupils. The community will also grow socially and educationally.

Good buildings, better schools and economic stimulus opportunities will have long-term benefits for the communities in Region Five.

Regards Govind Singh Deputy Regional Executive Officer Mahaica/Berbice

Each of the ten administrative regions has been demarcated, guided by scientific topographical survey. This means that each region has its own potential based on their natural boundaries and resources lying within. Where we as a people are prepared in a structured and deliberate manner to exploit the resources in each region, separately and collectively, not only is the country poised for development but such will also redound to its people’s benefit.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 11, 2017

President has final say on GECOM Chair-AG

PRESIDENT David Granger has indicated that he has received a letter from the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo in response to his requesting a new list of nominees for the post of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) that meets the requirements of Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana.

The Head of State indicated that he will respond to the contents of that letter in due course, a release from the Ministry of the Presidency noted Tuesday evening. President Granger had said that the list of nominees provided to him is unacceptable and falls short of the Constitutional requirements. The Article first

outlines clearly that the Chairman of GECOM must hold office as a Judge while another section allows for “any other fit and proper person, to be appointed by the President from a list of six persons…” identified after meaningful consultation.

According to the release, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams noted that the determination of what is ‘fit and proper’ is at the discretion of the Head of State and that every person submitted on the list presented by the Leader of the Opposition should meet that requirement.

“All six persons are required to be acceptable to the President. Therefore, if you bring in three of those persons,

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams

[who] are not in the range, you are actually reducing the options of the President. So it is

beholden on the Leader of the Opposition to always provide a list of six acceptable persons

or as they say six persons not unacceptable to the President.

He is the decision maker.

“The President is doing nothing wrong. In fact he has invited the Leader of the Opposition to send another list and he can do that several times until the Leader of the Opposition gets it right and he has to get it right, failing which the President will be forced to make an appointment. Of course at all material times he acts in his own deliberate judgement. So it’s entirely the President’s judgement,” the Attorney General was quoted as saying in the release.

Expanding on the legal qualifications set out by the Constitution, where Article 161 (2) on four occasions

refers to judge level qualifications”, Minister Williams said that the President believes that the Constitution should be followed thoroughly in the selection of a Chairman for such an important post and if the need arises for several lists to be submitted by the Leader of the Opposition in keeping with the law, then this should be done.

Minister Williams said, “It is entirely at the discretion of the President. The Constitution gives him that power to determine, who is a fit and proper person. The Leader of the Opposition ab initio (in the beginning) really has to address his mind to what the Constitution requires.”

Mash parade remains on Brickdam

Flashback! The Jubilee Float Parade last May

PLANS for the Mashramani celebrations are expected to include its usual packed cultural programme of activities, culminating with the return of the Annual Costume and Float Parade.

The procession is expected to proceed down the length of Brickdam and end at Durban Park, in keeping

with last year’s Jubilee float procession.

The usual chutney, soca, calypso, masquerade and steel band activities and competitions will take centrestage in the next few weeks as the Mashramani festivities unfold. There is expected to be quite a number of activities catering to

all ages and ethnicities.

There will be the Junior Calypso Competition, Children’s Art Competition, and Children’s Costume and Float Parade to cater to the younger generation, while the “Concert for the Elderly” takes care for our older folks.

In a new addition, there will be the Miss Mash Pageant, which will see a number of beauties having the opportunity of vying for the coveted crown. There’s also a “Literary Street Fair” and “Essay Competition” to add an educational flair to things.

The traditional Flag-Raising Ceremony will also be held to commemorate the Republic Day.

Meanwhile, the Costume and Float Parade will return to its February 23 slot, after it was moved last year to be a part of the May 26 Jubilee Independence Day celebrations.

However, while the parade returns to its customary date, it is not expected to return to its usual Church Street/Vlissingen Road route.

In other adjustments last year, the parade took place on Brickdam, beginning at the Stabroek Market, and ended at the newly commissioned Durban Park facility, after a previous proposal to have the parade take place on the East Coast of Demerara

Highway.

While some had endorsed the change to Brickdam, several persons, however, had misgivings about this new route. Some contended that it was too short, providing less space for vendors, who usually look forward to the business that the float parade provides.

There were also traffic concerns. In response to criticism, Junior Minister responsible for Culture, Youth and Sport, Nicollette Henry said that the parade was moved to capitalise on the Staborek Square as the assembly point because it provided a more spacious area.

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GECOM Chairman

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 11, 2017

– a look at previous lists

THE issue of the appointment of a new Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission has recently been brought into national focus following the announcement this week by His Excellency, President David Granger that he had found the list of names submitted to him by Opposition Leader, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo to be unacceptable.

The list submitted by Dr. Jagdeo is: 1. Ramesh Dookhoo 2. Lawrence Latchmansingh 3. Maj. Gen. Rtd Norman McLean 4. Christopher Ram 5. Prof. James Rose 6. Rhyaan Shaw Since the Carter formula was implemented prior to the 1992 elections and subsequently enshrined in the constitution, there have been no prior instances of a President having found the list submitted him to have been unacceptable. We are therefore now in unchartered territory as a nation.

The list submitted by Dr. Jagdeo however can be reasonably deemed unusual and noticeably different from those which were previously submitted by opposition leaders which resulted in the GECOM Chairmen who presided over General and Regional elections.

In 1991, then Opposition Leader, Dr. Cheddi Jagan submitted the following list to then President Desmond Hoyte. In 1991, the list submitted by Dr. Jagan included attorneys-at-law Edward Luckhoo, Bryn Pollard (who is also a former Chief Parliamentary Counsel) and Joey King.

1. Ambassador Rudy Collins 2. Jules DeCambra 3. Joey King 4. Edward Luckhoo 5. Bryn Pollard 6. David Yankana Ambassador Rudy Collins was named GECOM Chairman by President Hoyte.

In 1995 when the tables had turned the then Opposition Leader Hoyte submitted the following list to then President Dr. Jagan.

1. Justice Rudolph Harper 2. Edward Hopkinson 3. Randolph Kirton 4. Ambassador Charles Liburd 5. Justice James Patterson 6. Doodnauth Singh Mr. Singh was nominated by Dr. Jagan and sworn in as GECOM Chairman.

In 2000, Mr. Hoyte once again submitted a list to Mr. Jagdeo who had been elevated to the presidency.

This list was as follows: 1. Prof. Dennis Craig 2. Harold Davis 3. Dr. Gem Fletcher 4. Brig. David Granger 5. Justice Rudolph Harper 6. Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Joe Singh Maj. Gen. Singh was named as GECOM Chairman

by Mr. Jagdeo.

After the resignation of Maj. Gen. Singh following the March 2001 elections, Opposition Leader Hoyte submitted another list to then President Jagdeo.

This list was identical to the one previously submitted, save for one change – Maj. Gen. Singh’s name was replaced by Dr. Steve Surujbally who was appointed GECOM Chairman by then President Jagdeo.

1. Prof. Dennis Craig 2. Harold Davis 3. Dr. Gem Fletcher 4. Brig. David Granger 5. Justice Rudolph Harper 6. Dr. Steve Surujbally Justice Harper, a former Chief Justice, puisne judge and Justice of Appeal, features on all three lists submitted by Mr. Hoyte.

The list submitted by Dr. Jagdeo therefore is historic and unusual in that it is the only such list which does not include a former judge or a Senior Counsel who would have been qualified to be appointed as a judge (though it does include the eminent accountant Mr. Ram, who was also admitted to the bar as an attorney-at-law on October 5, 2009).

Bandits nabbed after attack on fruit vendor

By Ravin Singh TWO of three suspected bandits were on Tuesday afternoon apprehended by police following the execution of a daring robbery at a popular fruit and vegetable stand on North Road, Boarda.

According to the proprietor Chaterpaul Bharrat, at about 17:30hrs, he received a call that his business, ‘Bharrat’s fresh vegetables’ was being robbed. He was at the Harbour Bridge at the time.

He said that once he arrived at the fruit stand, which is located on North Road, he learnt that two men approached the stand and told a female worker to take off her valuables. One of the men reportedly had a gun in his possession. Bharrat said that they then approached his wife, Daveeka Seenarine and attempted to “bust off” her apron which had money, but

A seemingly composed Chaterpaul Bharrat details the series of events which led to the apprehension of the two suspected bandits a Brazilian customer who was there questioned “why would y’all want to do that?”

He revealed that the two men then turned their attention to the customer and re-

lieved him (the customer) of two gold rings and $100,000 in cash. Hurriedly, they then left on foot, heading east of North Street, where another suspected accomplice was waiting with motorcycle CG 8631.

The proprietor said though, that the customer, who is a license firearm holder chased the men, but stumble and fell, which allowed for two of them to escape.

“He [the customer] get up and run one who run around to Regent Street and back and was eventually caught” Bharrat said, adding that by this time, he had arrived at the business.

A few seconds later, he said Police were able to apprehend a second suspect on Robb Street and the two were taken to Alberttown Police Station.

“The Police did a very good job because in no time they catch the second person.

And they weren’t patrolling,

A police vehicle arrives on the scene where the botched robbery took place somebody call them. So they reacted fast” a seemingly composed Bharrat said.

He said that when the two men were taken to the Police Station, the apron his wife was wearing was recovered but not the articles stolen from the customers.

He believes that these may have been handed to

the third suspect who escaped. He was unable to say how much money was in his wife’s apron.

“They does target this area steady cause for last month alone we get rob three times. It was not a lot of money but the amount of times was a lot” he said, adding that he has always been sup-

portive of the police and their work and he is thankful for their intervention on Tuesday.

Up to press time, the witnesses were giving statements at the Police Station, while the two suspects had been handcuffed and escorted to a cell. They are expected to appear before the court shortly.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 11, 2017

Rights of minorities

By Akola Thompson ALL human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” - Article 1 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

It has been one year and four days since it was reported in the media that President David Granger said he was “prepared to respect the rights of any adult to indulge in any practice which is not harmful to others,” when the issue of LGBT rights was broached.

While it is commendable that the President, despite his strong religious views accepts the fact that despite us all not being the same in terms of class, gender and sexual orientation, we deserve equal rights.

He has appeared non-committal on it since his ascendancy to office, as have

some in his Cabinet. This was seen particularly in the difference between former Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge.

Lawrence on several occasions touted the need for LGBT rights, once saying “we have to wake up to the realisation that these are human beings whose human, political and social rights are being violated.” Whereas Greenidge as of recent, in defending the government’s move to vote against funding for UN gay rights stated that “in the absence of pronouncement supported by public opinion, Guyana has consistently refrained from taking positive action on sexual orientation matters in the international arena.” What Greenidge essentially says here is that minority rights

depend upon which direction the majority goes.

I guess I can see the rationale behind this, even if it is a blatant disregard for human rights because with a narrow win in their last election, we can see why the coalition may not necessarily want to vex conservatives with the “liberal agenda.” Even while they have progressive members they have done or offered nothing other than words of support rather than actively lobbying for equal rights.

When one looks at the Guyanese atmosphere, we see once again how LGBT rights will continue to be curtailed.

It does matter if the laws rooted in our oppression are not currently enforced, their very existence alone tramples upon the equal right to exist and choose who we love and what we wear.

We need leaders that ar-

Duo charged with murder of Corentyne labourer TWO men on Tuesday appeared at the Albion Magistrate Court charged with murder.

The men: Ravindra Ramnauth 28, and Rocky Ramoo 30 were not required to plead to the indictable charge which was read by Magistrate Marissa Mittleholzer.

They were both remanded to prison.

It is alleged that on December 29, 2016, the accused reportedly beat Mohan Ball popularly called ‘Uncle Ball’ and tried to dispose of his body at Williamsburg, Corentyne, Berbice. Ball was discovered around 13:30 hrs by a group of children who were playing in the vicinity where his body was found. His body was pulled up against the banks of the Williamsburg Sideline trench. The body bore several wounds about his back and abdomen.

This publication understands that Ball was beaten to death at a house on the main access road and his attackers attempted to dispose of his body by taking it over the main drainage canal in an effort to conceal it among the bushes. The men were arrested a few days after the murder since investigators found that Ball was last seen in the company of the two men. Ball’s sister Annie Fraser, told the Guyana Chronicle that the men were her brother’s drinking buddies and she managed to identify a few personal effects of her brother at the scene where the alleged murder may have taken place.

The two accused were unrepresented and were remanded until 30th January, 2017, when they are scheduled to make their second court appearance.

Woman arrested after police raid in Charlestown POLICE ranks acting on information received, conducted several raids in the Broad Street, Charlestown Neighborhood on Monday for illegal drugs and firearms.

During the exercise, which com-

menced at 16:30h and concluded at 17:45h, in excess of 10.3 kilograms of cannabis were found at separate locations. A female has been taken into custody and is assisting with the investigation.

en’t just giving lip service to placate us, we need leaders willing to follow through despite of the backlash they might receive from the religious community because despite popular opinion, Guyana is a secular state.

Guyana has been pandering to the religious sector for way too long on this issue, and while I

know those in office are hindered by their own religious views, their religious convictions should not supersede the secularity of the State as defined by the Constitution.

In closing I’d like to quote myself in a similar column last year when I still held out hope that the coalition would act on ensuring all its citizens and not only the majority, have the same human rights following the President’s words.

“Asking for equal rights

is not an issue of the minority trying to impose their lifestyle on the majority.

This is about the minority’s civil rights, and the right to love and marry whomever they choose being respected. Many don’t see the reason behind fighting for LBGT rights; but that’s only because they have been privileged to grow up in societies in which their heterosexual orientation is considered normal; and as such, they have not had to fight for their rights.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 11, 2017

West now 10th chief-of-staff –– Granger says due process was followed

By Navendra Seoraj

PRESIDENT David Granger on Tuesday justified appointing Brigadier George Lewis to head the army for three months, insisting that the decision ensured due process was upheld and it also staved off any internal conflicts in the 52-year-old organisation.

Granger was at the time

speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of Brigadier Patrick West who succeeded Lewis as the 10th Chief-ofStaff of the military.

The Commander-in-Chief‘s comments seem to have been harking back to 2007 when then President, Bharrat Jagdeo side-stepped several senior officers in a move that angered some in the army and promoted Gary

Best from Commander of the Coast Guard to Commodore and Chief-of-Staff. Andrew Pompey, Bruce Lovell and Mark Phillips all lieutenant colonels at the time were elevated to substantive colonels.

The supersession of the officers then meant that Lawrence Paul a Colonel at the time, with just about a year left in the army was overlooked to replace Brigadier

Edward Collins, while Colonels Linden Ross, Frank Bishpam and Gordon Benn were superseded. The four men were offered secondments to the public service but only Ross had taken up the offer at the Carifesta Secretariat. Jagdeo had defended his decision saying he had acted in accordance with the Defence Act which gave him the authority to appoint the Chief-of-Staff.

Meanwhile, West’s appointment was deemed a symbolic day, taking over from Lewis, who served the “shortest” tenure ever, according to President Granger during his presentation at the ceremony at GDF’s Mess Hall. “This represents due process…the decisions of the Guyana Defence Board will ensure that officers retire when they ought to and those who deserve to be promoted get what they deserve,” Granger himself a retired brigadier said.

He said acting in this manner shows the commitment of the Defence Board, in ensuring that there is no

President David Granger and Former Army Chief of Staff, George Lewis decorate Brigadier Patrick West with his new badge of rank 2010 became Guyana’s first officer to have earned two masters degrees simultaneously; one in Military Arts and Science and the other in Administration. That year he returned from the US where he attended the United States Army Command and General

Chief of Staff, everyone will be given a chance to serve in authority once they have earned it, despite their race, creed and religion.

However, although they might rise in the hierarchy, they still need to remember that all members of the

President Granger signing the instruments which West received upon being appointed as the GDF’s Chief of Staff future disruption to the professional development of the GDF. “Therefore, the benefits of a professional system will see to it that ranks serve a fair tenure without fear.

“This is the 52nd year of the GDF and yes over the years they have been faced with many challenges but, I do not want internal problems to be one which affect members of the force,” stressed the President.

As such, he said while professionalism is paramount for an efficient unit, officers were reminded that professionalism is centered on certain pillars, one which includes military education.

“You would not fly in a plane that is piloted by an untrained pilot.”

President Granger used Brigadier West as example of what he is speaking of, noting that the new Chief of Staff has offered 33 years of service to the force , during which he completed all his military studies both locally and internationally. West in

Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and the Central Michigan University, through the bilateral co-operation agreement between the GDF and the US Military.

He recorded phenomenal performance in all his assigned duties and was also lauded for his immeasurable contribution to the success and professional development of the Army, Air Force and International Military students last year, while taking advantage of every opportunity to enhance his own professional development.

Thus, in an effort to recognise the Brigadier’s service to the military, he was given the Military Service Star (MSS) by the Chancellor of Orders of Guyana, President Granger. “His service and qualification is comparable to any of the past persons who held the post which West filled,” said the President, as he indicated that West’s appointment can be justified at any time.

And, similar to the new

force have a social responsibility and are responsible for the entire society.

PLANS Meanwhile, asked what his plans are for the Force, the new Army Chief said that he intends to effectively transform the force for national defense, by exerting sheer professionalism in what he does. He indicated that the environment at GDF has changed considerably and every strategic direction is now decided by the Defence Board. “An environment like this is healthy to work in and I realised that a few years ago, the possibility to become Chief of Staff, hence I completed all my professional military education and academic education,” said the new Brigadier.

The Brigadier promises to be a just Chief of Staff who intends to work cohesively with his colleagues and officials to ensure that national defence is a priority.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 11, 2017

Bedridden robbery accused released on bail

AFTER almost two months on remand at the Georgetown Prison, a bedridden 18-year-old was released on $150,000 bail by City Magistrate Dylon Bess after his mother pleaded with the court.

Mark Anthony was charged on November 2, 2016 with robbery under arms, possession of illegal gun and ammunition and shooting at a policeman. He was remanded during his first appearance.

Anthony, during his court hearings, would have to be brought to court by the police ambulance and carried by police officers in a stretcher. He was shot in the back and is now paralyzed from the waist down.

The trial is currently ongoing before Magistrate Bess, however when the matter was called on Tuesday, Antho-

ny’s mother begged the court for a more lenient bail for her son and for him to be released in her care.

The Magistrate granted him bail at $150,000 and adjourned the matter until January 17, 2017. For the armed robbery charge, it is alleged that on September 26, 2016 at Laing Avenue, Georgetown while being armed with a gun, he robbed Tevin Williams of two cellular phones valued $67,000.

It is further alleged that on the same day, he discharged a loaded firearm at Police Officer Roger Pilgrim with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm. Anthony was also charged with having an unlicensed .38 revolver with three live rounds and a spent shell. He pleaded not guilty to this charge.

Mark Anthony in a stretcher being escorted by the police in the Georgetown Magistrates Court yard

Vendor busted with 5 kilos of ganja remanded A RESIDENT OF Westminster, Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, was on Tuesday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, for the possession of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Moraino Wilson, 23, a vendor, pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that between January 6 and January 7, 2017 at Sussex Street, he had 4.624 kilograms of cannabis in his possession

The Cannabis that was found in the boxes for the purpose of trafficking.

Wilson’s lawyer, Madan Singh in his application for

bail, explained to the court that the alleged package containing the illicit drug was

West Coast Demerara murder

Confession statement handed in 8 months late

By George Barclay MURDER accused Sudesh Makeram of La Jelousie, West Coast Demerara, went on trial Tuesday for the murder of his lover Rajkumarie Persaud.

But star witness for the prosecution, Cobeer Persaud, a dentist and Rural Sergeant of the Guyana Police Force, handed in the alleged confession statement eight months

after the killing, the presiding Judge Madam Jo-Ann Barlow and jury heard yesterday.

Persaud, a dentist and former employer of the accused, admitted that after the accused had confessed to him in September that he had killed his girl following an argument between them, he took Makeram to the station but did not arrest or charge him.

The Sergeant who was cross-examined by defence

counsel Miss Sonia Parag admitted under cross-examination that he did not write the confession statement until eight months after the incident and claimed that he had depended on his memory to execute the statement.

Sgt. Persaud who is expected to leave the country shortly was the first witness to be called Tuesday.

The hearing is continuing.

Ceremonial Parade marks opening of January sessions JUSTICE Navindra Singh inspected the Guard-of- Honour and took the salute during a march past in South Road to mark the opening of the January

Criminal Session in Demerara yesterday.

Justice Singh and Justice Jo-Ann Barlow are assigned to this Session.

Justice Roxanne George is continuing

with the murder cases involving the Bartica onslaught.

Justice Singh is seen inspecting the Guard of Honour and is later seen taking the salute.

not found in his client’s possession.

Singh further pointed out that the package was left at a location and Wilson was called to collect it, not knowing what was inside.

However, Police Prosecutor Inspector Neville Jeffers strongly opposed to Wilson being released on bail.

According to the Prosecutor, upon his arrest, Wilson confessed to owning the drugs, and told the police, “It’s a small hustle I trying to do.”

The Chief Magistrate denied bail and transferred the matter to City Magistrate Judy Latchman for January 23, 2017.

According to reports, on January 7, 2017, at about 13:20 ranks of the Police Narcotics Branch intercepted two boxes with cannabis at a Sussex Street Wharf waiting

to be shipped to Port Kaituma, North West District (NWD).

Acting on this information, the boxes were searched and 13 kilograms of cannabis were discovered.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 11, 2017

A GROUP of employees representing the workers of the Bauxite Company Guyana Inc. (BCGI) on Monday met with the central executive of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) in Linden and expressed the need for the matter concerning their tax-free overtime payment to be dealt with urgently.

Present at the meeting were also representative from the Labour Department of the

Social Protection) and Finance (Ministry of Finance) are handling. “ In December 2016 at a meeting between RUSAL’s executives and Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Keith Scott, he had mentioned that the delay is no fault of the government.

The representatives of RUSAL had retreated from its earlier decision not to pay the tax-free overtime to workers based on the claim that it does not support the workers’ representative-the GB&GWU, as a signatory to the pact. Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman at a bauxite centennial symposium in October, revealed that when all legality is cleared up, the workers will be paid retroactively.

He also made it clear that his Government will not allow foreign companies to disrespect the laws of

RUSAL workers demand early settlement of tax-free overtime issue Ministry of Social Protection, Mr. Lincoln Lewis General Secretary of the GB&GWU and its President Mr. Leslie Gonsalves. Following the meeting Lewis told the Guyana Chronicle that the matter of the tax-free over time payment was deemed pertinent to the workers and they pleaded with the Labour representatives to look into the matter with urgency as the outstanding implementation is worrying. After hours of deliberations, both parties

agreed that the matter needs to be dealt with but in a manner that will not affect the progress already made. He posited that the workers left in confidence that this will be done earliest. “The workers were heartened that RUSAL has already signaled by way of a proposed memorandum that they would pay the overtime,” Lewis said.

He added that the Union’s leadership will continue to engage the technical staff and the Department of Labour for General-Secretary of the GB&GWU, Lincoln Lewis the benefit of the workers.

When asked about RUSAL’s initial request for a Government order before honouring the instruction to pay the tax-free overtime, Lewis responded, “that is something the Ministry (Ministry of

Guyana and the workers that serve them. “I’ve said that the government’s position is that one: you must respect the laws of Guyana, two you must respect the contracts of agreements you entered into with the Government of Guyana and thirdly you must respect the workers of Guyana, that position is not going to be changed at all,” Trotman posited.

Tax-free concession on overtime work was implemented in 1988. This concession was enjoyed by workers up until 2007, when it was taken away by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Administration. The move by the PPP Administration had adversely affected the earnings of bauxite workers from Linden and Kwakwani, and was viewed by critics as a punitive exercise for not supporting the PPP.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 11, 2017

Gastro outbreak in Region 9 … medical team dispatched to arrest situation

MINISTER of Public Health, Volda Lawrence has reported that a medical team has been dispatched to Aishalton, Shea Village and Areunaw in Region Nine in response to reports of an outbreak of Gastroenteritis.

The team which includes the Acting Regional Health Officer, (RHO) Dr. Roland Cho Yoe, an infectious disease nurse,

an environmental assistant and two pharmacy assistants travelled to the three villages and held meetings with the Toshaos and residents on how to resolve the issue and prevent further contamination.

Minister Lawrence said that there were 58 cases of the infection in the three villages of patients who are predominately school children. Samples from the residents were taken and

sent to Lethem for testing.

The Ministry is awaiting the results to decide on the way forward.

The new Public Health Minister noted that the team also conducted house to house visits and there were no reports of any fatality. “The infectious disease staff was sent in to look at all the elements to ascertain which element was the cause. We looked at the animals, drinking

Dataram’s ‘wife’ goes on trial again CITY Magistrate, Reneta Singh is expected to commence trial today against Anjanie Boodnarine, the reputed wife of convicted drug trafficker, Barry Dataram, who is facing charges of forgery, fleeing the jurisdiction and leaving the country illegally.

Boodnarine pleaded not guilty to the allegation which stated that she conspired with others to commit a felony by forging a Guyana passport, attempting to defeat the administration of the law and departing Guyana without presenting herself to an immigration officer.

Police Prosecutrix Innis informed the court that the prosecution witnesses were present but she was unable to start the trial since she had only received the matter on Tuesday. It was transferred to her court from the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Boodnarine was also charged with

conspiracy to commit a felony, where it is alleged that she attempt to defeat the administration of law charge when she left the jurisdiction pending the outcome of a drug charge. That matter is before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The third charge against Boodnarine which alleged that she failed to present herself to an immigration officer, is being heard at the Springland’s Magistrate Court.

Boodnarine and Dataram were caught by authorities in Suriname and were subsequently arrested and handed over to the police at Springlands.

The two departed Guyana for Suriname via backtrack route at Springlands, pending a decision in their trial for cocaine trafficking. Dataram was found guilty of that charge, however Boodnarine was acquitted.

water and mining,” Lawrence told the Government Information Agency (GINA).

The team discovered that most residents were not sterilising their drinking water. According to Lawrence, the villages had medication on hand to deal with the outbreak

of Gastroenteritis. “On Christmas Eve, former Minister of Health, Dr. George Norton visited the villages and took medication, including those for Gastroenteritis,” Lawrence explained.

On January 06, 2017 Dr. Cho Yoe reported that he received messages from the Community Health Workers (CHWs) that in Aishalton, Shea

Village and Areunaw there were a number of persons who had shown signs of Gastroenteritis.

Currently the Ministry is collaborating with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ministries of Natural Resources, Agriculture, Communities and Indigenous People’s Affairs to address the issue.

(GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 11, 2017

Behavioural change needed to safeguard population’s health

–GWI CEO

PROTECTION of the population’s health is not limited to the Public Health Ministry but extends to citizens who need to adjust their behavioural patterns, Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Richard VanWest Charles has said.

The CEO was at the time addressing engineers and other participants at the opening of phase (one) of a five-day Biological Wastewater training programme being executed by GWI. Upon completion, participants are expected to be able to analyse and

(L-R) Facilitator - Dr. Carlos M. López Vázquez, Executive Director of Customer Services & Customer Relations; GWI’s Executive Director of Project Implementation & Partnership Building, Ramchand Jailal; Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Dawn Hastings-Williams and Managing Director of GWI, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles

assess the characteristics of wastewater originating from urban environments as a basis for the design, operation and control of wastewater treatment facilities.

GWI has announced that it is moving in the direction of treating wastewater through the implementation of various technologies.

Therefore, as part of its efforts to explore the ways and means through which this can be done, the agency on Monday launched the programme.

Wastewater is water which has been contaminated with waste material from industrial and domestic activities. As such, the principal objective of wastewater treatment is generally to allow human and industrial effluents to be disposed of without danger to human health or unacceptable damage to the natural environment.

The biological treatment of water is a secondary treatment using a wide variety of micro-organisms, primarily bacteria. These micro-organisms convert biodegradable organic matter contained in wastewater into simple substances and additional biomass. And having announced that GWI is moving in the direction of treating wastewater, Dr. Van WestCharles revealed that GWI is aiming to discontinue the disposal of untreated wastewater into the Atlantic Ocean by the end of 2017.

He also pointed to the need for the redesign and in some cases, the replacement of septic tanks with wastewater treatment plants.

Additionally, old sewerage systems are expected to be replaced by using new technologies that are unique to both rural and urban communities.

H o w e v e r, A s s o c i a t e Professor of Wastewater Treatment Technology at the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Dr. Carlos M. López Vázquez noted that while all technologies might be considered useful, it is determining which applies to the specific situation that counts.

He advised that the chosen technologies must outline what wastewater is and how to remove the contaminants in it. And with GWI’s agenda already crafted, the Biological Wastewater training was therefore introduced as the first component of the exercise, which Dr. Van West-Charles said will help to guide agencies to determine the best option

for treating wastewater in Guyana.

But in addition to these efforts, he underscored the role of ordinary citizens in the safeguarding and protecting the nation’s health.

According to the CEO, the move to treat wastewater comes with the need for behavioural change among citizens. To support this, he highlighted the need for better disposal of medical waste and educational programmes in schools on proper waste disposal.

“We have a great challenge in terms of trying to safeguard and protect the population’s health and it is with this in mind that we are conducting this training but this is not the end. This has to continue with respect to water and wastewater… and next month we’ll be doing some work in terms of trying to lift the capacity of staff with respect to conducting research and that is critical if we are going to up our game”, Dr. Van WestCharles told the participants.

Offering brief comments too, was GWI’s Executive Director of Operations, Dwayne Shako who stressed the need for engineers to practically apply the knowledge they would have gained, in order to fulfill the vision set out to be achieved.

Weighing in also was Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Dawn Hastings-Williams, who contended that Guyana has been struggling for too long with water resource management. As such, she offered that the time has come for systems to be implemented to safeguard the country’s water resources against future conditions such as climate change.

She also alluded to the need for ensuring water security in areas where streams are unpolluted and untapped, while urging participants to capitalise on the experience and knowledge offered during the training.

The Biological Wastewater training programme is a collaborative effort among GWI, the Ministry of Communities, UNESCO-IHE (Delft) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), which will continue for the next two days. Other participating agencies include the Environmental Protection Agency; the University of Guyana; the Mayor and City Council, as well as the Central Housing and Planning Authority.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 11, 2017

Govt to build low-cost houses for squatters

By Svetlana Marshall

LOW cost houses will be erected in the capital city to aid in the relocation of squatters, but for those who are bent on squatting on government’s reserves, their dwellings will be dismantled, the Minister responsible for Housing, Valerie Ad-

Adams-Patterson said, stating clearly that such action will not be tolerated by the Housing Authority.

“We are going to break them down if they do not remove…We will be serving them with notice, and if they don’t remove, we are going to take the structures down,” she warned.

The Housing Minister said she is cognizant of the fact, that there are persons whose applications for house lots have been in the system for several years and are awaiting approval, and as such they have turned to squatting. Thought that should not be an excuse to squat, she said that argument has been advanced and it is quite understandable, and as

–– to get tough on squatting

such those persons will be given preference when the very low cost wooden houses are built in the capital city. “I don’t believe that you should break down those people’s building and leave them on the road,” she posited.

However, she said once the low cost houses have been built, they will be offered to squatters particularly in Sophia, East and West Ruimveldt as an alternative. “If you don’t take it we will have to move you,” the Housing Minister further warned.

In 2016, 221 regularised squatters received allocation letters of the targeted 400 regularised squatters. It

was noted that while some squatting areas can be regularised, others such as those in Sophia, West and East Ruimveldt cannot be regularised. Squatting in some areas not only pose a threat to the drainage and irrigation systems but also to the health of citizens, Minister Adams Patterson said as she alluded to cases in which latrines have been erected over canals often used as source for water for washing and even bathing. “If we don’t deal with it, we are just as guilty,” she said while noting that necessary actions must be taken to restore order in the city.

Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for Housing, Valerie Adams-Patterson ams-Patterson has warned.

Patterson made the announcement on Tuesday at a news conference at her Brickdam Office. In an effort to curb the issue of squatting, which is an environmental and health hazard, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) will be implementing an Urban Renewal Programme in Georgetown which will primarily involve the relocation and resettlement of squatters to facilitate the restoration of the previously occupied sites.

“We are currently exploring a site to build very low cost wooden houses to accommodate squatters firstly in central Georgetown particularly areas such as Sophia, East and West Ruimveldt among others,” Minister Adams-Patterson explained while noting that the project will have some element of self-help.

The minister said she had met with the Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan on Monday, and had gotten his approval for the Urban Renewal Programme, following an intense discussion on the need for such an initiative. The logistics such as the number of houses to be built and their design are still to be worked out. According to the minister, there are approximately 700 squatters spread across Sophia and East and West Ruimveldt.

She said CH&PA has received credible information that a percentage of the squatters was allocated lands and have since built on those lands. Those houses are now being rented, while the owners continue to squat.

“We are going to deal with those persons!” Minister

Squatting in Sophia. Two of the 700 shacks erected in Sophia, East and West Ruimveldt by squatters.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 11, 2017

Still being pulled by a tug … Canawaima not closing soon, says Terminal Manager

Story and photos

by Nafeeza Yahya EVEN though the M.V Canawaima is in dire need of a new engine, the terminal Manager Dayne Harry is advising commuters and the public that there is no closure or suspension of the ferry service between

tinues seamlessly” Engineers had said that the ferry is experiencing numerous mechanical challenges among them being: burnt engine heads, broken propellers, damage to pistons and rings, broken drive shaft and gears, damaged gear box, starboard engine was completely overhauled,

but Suriname has indicated that it is not in a position to do so. What has happened to the money they’ve collected?” said the source.

Asked whether Guyana would consider undertaking the expense for the purchase of the engine, the foreign affairs official responded, “No, we have a

The MV Canawaima departing the Moleson Creek Stelling Guyana and Suriname in the near future.

This disclosure was made in an interview with Guyana Chronicle on Saturday, even though the vessel is being assisted by a tug due to one of its engine being damaged. According to Harry, should the vessel need to be grounded for any reason, provisions will be made as was done in the past to have another “roll-on-roll off” vessel from the Transport and Harbours Department to ply the route until the MV Canawaima is fixed. “There is no need for people to panic, the vessel is being assisted by a tug at the moment but should we have to ground it for any reason, there is provision in place to ensure the service between Guyana and Suriname con-

and electrical malfunction resulting in loss of steering. This newspaper was informed that a meeting has been arranged with the Surinamese counterparts for January 16. The location of the meeting has not been revealed. Meanwhile, Guyana Chronicle understands that the matter was raised recently when Suriname’s President Desi Boutrese and his delegation visited Guyana to discuss bilateral matters with President David Granger. According to sources within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Surinamese delegation had promised to “sort it out”.

“At this point, major maintenance is required and there is need to purchase a new engine…this should have been done a long time ago

legally binding agreement, there is a 50-50 split…

Guyana would not be operating the ferry alone.”

Guyana’s experience with Suriname in similar matters has been described as “troubling”, the source added. Notwithstanding the challenges affecting the operation of the service, Harry during a recent presentation at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s end-of-year media brief said traffic is projected to increase by 2 per cent this year. The Canawaima Ferry Service was established since 1998 to connect travelers en route from Moleson Creek- 10km south of Corriverton- to the South Drain in Suriname. It is the only legal marine travel connection between the

two countries.

IT WON’T BE EASY Meanwhile, Guyana Chronicle met with several passengers, minibus and taxi operators as well as cambio dealers who were busy plying their trade as the ferry came in from Suriname in the morning and they all agreed that should the service be terminated or suspended even for a short period it would severely affect their livelihoods. “Them better don’t deh pon nonsense…cause I been working here for over 15 years everyday with me bus and me whole family depend on this cause it ain’t easy out deh,” said a Route 63 A minibus operator. Another taxi driver ‘Fineman’ said he works from Moleson Creek to New Amsterdam on the ferry service and has established a good relationship with his passengers,

years said she hopes what she heard is not true since she also runs a business.

“I own fishing boats and would come over for my business every week. If it stops or is suspended my costs would go up cause I would need to hire boats to do my business and I don’t like the backtrack service cause to me it ain’t safe.”

ENORMOUS IMPACT Meanwhile, President of the Upper Corentyne Chambers of Commerce Hemchand Jaichand said should the service be disrupted for any reason, it would have an enormous impact on the upper Corentyne area especially economically. “The private sector would suffer increases especially since the cost of freight is already high at the moment and any setbacks with the service would only push the cost upwards”

that at the moment the M.V Canawaima, which is the lone authorised passenger ferry service between Guyana and Suriname is operating on one engine since the Portside engine is in need of major repairs. As a result a tug has been assisting the vessel for the past few weeks to moor and steer.

Harry stated that even though the Starboard engine was recently overhauled the Guyanese authorities have made recommendations to have both engines(starboard and portside) replaced with new ones since they would provide better service. However, the Surinamese authorities have since indicated that they are in no position to purchase new engines. “The Surinamese know the agreement we have with repairs and don’t have a problem with that where we spilt the cost 50-50 but we have recommended to have both engines replaced with new ones

The Moleson Creek Ferry Stelling any disruption or closure would be difficult for him since it would mean moving to another location.

Sherry Rojan a passenger who has been utilising the service for several

The current woes affecting the ferry service has worsened over the past two weeks after the portside engine gave up completely affecting its ability to moor and steer. Harry indicated

and where we will purchase one but the Surinamese will have to purchase the other and they have indicated that they are not in any position to do that,” Harry said.

By virtue of a memorandum of understanding between the Governments of Guyana and Suriname on the formation and operation of the joint ferry service along with a management agreement, the two countries are to jointly provide funds for the maintenance of the ferry.

In this case, Guyana and Suriname are to fit the bill 50-50. Suriname has however indicated that it does not have the requisite sums to purchase the new engine that was recommended by their Guyanese counterparts. The Canawaima Ferry Service was established since 1998 and has an estimated 330 passengers utilizing the service daily with at least on trip per day between the two countries with a projected 2% increase for 2017.

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Back to school again

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 11, 2017

––And raring to go

By Shauna Jemmott MONDAY January 9 was the day all doors leading to the classroom were thrown open countrywide, and by the look of things, it couldn’t have happened at a better time.

Baldeo munching on a bag of ‘chicken foot’ as he left school, walking along the road with his mom.

GOOD TO BE BACK Honesty written all over his face, he said that although he never missed

Little Alex Baldeo munches on a bag of chips as he and his mom make their way home Monday afternoon after school All seemed excited to meet up with friends again, and as one student said, to start a new school term, the highlight of which is the Annual Children’s Mashramani Competition.

Sattie Udhi, a fifth former of Richard Ishmael Secondary, flashed a brilliant smile when the Guyana Chronicle approached her and two other schoolmates yesterday.

The thought that the Children’s Mash Competition is just around the corner has filled her with much joy, she said.

“I dance every year,” Sattie said, giving a clear indication that dancing was truly her passion and pleasure.

Her first day at school was great, she said, as she had the opportunity to share with her friends how the holidays were spent, but the mere thought that Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC)’s just around the corner has tended to dampen her spirits.

“It’s nice to see friends again and talk about how we spend Christmas, but then again, by we get CXC, you can’t face the fact; like you’re stressed out that it’s this close,” Sattie said, adding: “By we’re fifth formers, we didn’t really have a holiday because you had to get work done.”

Over at Stella Maris Primary, on the same Woolford Avenue as Richard Ishmael’s, the Guyana Chronicle caught up with little Alex

school for a moment during the holidays, he is happy to return to the classroom where he’s one of the top three performers.

He enjoyed the rain as much as he did the times of sunshine, with the joys December brings at home, but is not sure what exactly he loves so much about school.

“I’m just happy to be back,” he said.

“I’m meeting back my friends again,” said Linda

Prosper Jacobus (right) and his friend, Lindon Sharks chatting on their way home

Fifth-former, Sattie Udhi, left, and her friends (Photos by Adrian Narine)

Johnney of Tutorial High.

She feels great, because she has been particularly missing her ‘besties’ and other classmates over the holidays.

Linda said she is looking forward to “working together with friends most of all” this term.

Prosper Jacobus and his friend, Lindon Sharks, were on their way home when the rain came down on Woolford Avenue. But in spite of the deluge, they were still anxious to let the Guyana Chronicle know, “I like school.”

The two boys are in Grade One at Stella Maris Primary, and anticipate a great term’s work, and lots of fun.

But there was one Richard Ishmael student who begged to differ. “Auntie,” she began quite candidly,

home with nothing much to do but eat, drink and have fun. Her one fear, however, is having to deal with a boring Maths teacher.

School was reopened

“reopening for school boring.” Her friend, however, came to her rescue, saying, that what she really meant was that it was good to be back after weeks of being

Monday after being closed for three weeks by the Ministry of Education to accommodate the Christmas Boxing Day and New Years’ Day holidays.

Tutorial High School children after school Monday afternoon

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 11, 2017

Wings Aviation seeks flag carrier status

By Zena Henry

WINGS Aviation is confident that they can bring excellent aviation service to the Guyanese public and has made a formal application to be the country’s national carrier.

Wing’s Aviation’s Managing Director, Roxanne Reece confirmed the move to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to have one of its junior companies, Air Guyana serve the nation under a Guyanese banner.

The company also operates

Fly Jamaica Airways which experienced significant increase in passengers according to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) 2016 performance report.

Benefits of a national carrier include the pride in one’s country having their own plane, but the carrier would be based in Guyana and ready for service based on the movement of the Guyanese public. In countries where national carriers are subsidised by government, like Trinidad and Tobago, ticket prices remain reason-

ably low as well as constant service. Such a carrier would reduce Guyana’s dependency on foreign airlines or charter companies that would not necessarily accommodate passengers in the same manner they would those of their base country.

Reece said that Air Guyana would be well branded to reflect its country of origin.

“Everything is already in place,” she said. “It’s now just a matter of paper work.”

When asked, the (GCAA) had indicated Wings Aviation’s interest in being the

national carrier but said at the time, that no formal application had been made to the Authority.

Expanding service The company’s application comes at a time when Guyana is much closer to attaining Category One status and the discovery of oil which is expected to increase airlift movement in the country. Air Guyana is expected to fly the Cuba and New York routes from Guyana, while Fly Jamaica will continuous its current route. Reece noted however the setback following an incident that occurred at CJIA involving a Caribbean Airlines plane. The Caribbean Airlines carrier had knocked off the tail cone of the parked Fly Jamaica Boeing 767. Reece explained that the company was supposed to commence its regional charter service to Cuba and Bermuda last December, but given that incident, they were unable to do so.

Reece highlighted the increase in passenger traffic from Cuba to Guyana

for shopping purposes and explained the difficulty that they face in moving their items. “Sometimes they (Cubans) must go through another country to get their goods home after purchasing in Guyana.” It is expected that come next month Fly Jamaica’s damaged carrier will be back in service and ready to operate the new charter routes. Further expansion of the aviation company include the ongoing six week training seminar currently taking place at Fly Jamaica’s head office for its second batch of Guyanese flight attendants.

These new flight attendants are said to be necessary for the increased service that the airlines would be offering.

Guyanese could see Fly Jamaica’s larger Boeing 757 and 767 operating in Guyana and Cuba under its new banner while an additional 737 is set for Jamaica. Wings Aviation prides its success and continued growth less than five years on the Guyana-NY, Canada and Jamaica routes to “quality service

and reliability.” “We really have a wonderful staff and great flight attendants,” The Managing Director charged.

She said the company’s motto “First class anywhere onboard,” really means what it says as every passenger is treated to the same excellent service. Wings Aviation says it is ready to deliver quality service to the aviation sector in Guyana since not only do they just operate airlines, they are well equip to render the auxiliary services. The agency provides training for all its flight attendants, mechanics and engineers among, workers.

They maintain close ties with their Jamaican counterparts since that country provided the opportunity for the birth of Fly Jamaica when Guyana could not. Jamaica achieved the highest ranking for implementing international civil aviation standards, in the English-speaking Caribbean last June. They are 83.38 percent ICAO compliant.

Guyana to improve debt management through global programme GUYANA will be represented at the World Bank’s Global Secondment Programme during the period February 13 to March 19, 2017.

This was announced by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon at the first post-Cabinet press briefing for 2017 at the Ministry of the Presidency last Friday. The programme

will be held in Washington D.C, United States, Minister Harmon said.

“This programme is a peer learning initiative intended to facilitate the sharing of technical knowledge and experiences among peer debt managers and World Bank staff. It would also expose debt managers to a wide range of cross-country practices

through participation …training and outreach events.”

Minister Harmon noted that, “It is expected that participation in this programme would improve the government’s debt management capacity.” An Economic and Financial Analyst of the Ministry of See page 20

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 11, 2017

Female City Constables suspended for fighting

A decision was taken on Monday by the City Council to suspend two female officers of the City Constabulary Department who had a scuffle at City Hall last September in the view of councillors.

A majority of councillors voted in favour of Mayor Patricia Chase-Green’s recommendation that Inspector Petal Bankroft be suspended for seven days and Constable Crystal Barton for two days.

It was on the afternoon of September 26, 2016 when the statutory meeting was in session that a loud commotion was heard in City Hall’s compound. It is alleged that Barton was not on duty and may have been loitering in the compound.

According to a source, Bankroft asked Barton to leave and when she delayed in following through, a scuffle ensued and the inspector chucked the constable. The source offered that Bankroft does her work diligently and is quite firm.

But another constable, on the day in question, told

this newspaper that it was time for someone to “put the inspector to her place, so to speak.” The constable said Bankroft was in the habit of “making life hard” for others and speaking to them in a harsh manner.

The Legal Affairs Committee had met on the matter and had recommended that the two officers be charged internally. However, the mayor on Monday asked councillors not to take this decision.

“This whole thing here (the report) is untrue. Totally untrue! For the report to say that she gently touched the young lady is not right. There are eyewitnesses of councillors who saw the whole incident.

The officer held the young woman by her uniform and chucked her in the yard,” said the mayor.

“This council will now take a decision as to the disciplinary action to be taken against the officers. I am not accepting anything else. Had I not been behind this matter to come here to bring finality to it, it would not have been here today,” Chase-Green

continued.

The mayor said if Chief Constable Andrew Foo knew that the matter could have been dealt with departmentally, he should have charged

Patricia Chase-Green both of them at the said time.

“That has not been done and I am not stepping backwards,” she said.

Meanwhile, Councillor Noelle Chow-Chee offered that she could not understand how persons in such senior positions can get into a fight.

Banks DIH sees $1.7B profit increase DESPITE recording an increase of $1.7B in profits after tax for 2016, Banks DIH Limited will have to adjust its operations and re-examine its core competencies to deal with continuing international economic uncertainty.

This is according to Managing Director Clifford Reis in the company’s 2016 annual report.

For the year at reference, it was revealed that profit after tax was $4.3B compared to $2.5B in 2015, an increase of $1.7B. Included in this profit is a gain of $1.4B arising from the sale of its holding of ordinary shares in Banks Holdings Limited and Desnoes & Geddes (Jamaica) Limited, and the dissolution of BCL (Barbados) Limited which resulted in a surplus of $29.2M over the cost of the investment.

According to Reis, profit after tax from the company’s operating activities was $2.9B compared to $2.5B in 2015,an increase of $379M or 14.7 per cent.

He mentioned, too, that from the $4.3B profit, a dividend payment of $1.4B is proposed, leaving $2.8B for transfer to Retained Earnings.

The total shareholders’ equity amounted to $28B compared to $25B in 2015, an increase of over $3B or 11 per cent.

“These improvements were attributed to increases in revenues and physical unit sales, improvement in cost reduction and prudent management of our capital, human and financial resources,” Reis said.

But despite recording this success, Reis said that during the year, the company operated in a global environment where “sluggish economic growth” in most advanced economies continues, due in part to the decline in commodity prices and incremental increases in oil prices.

He was keen to point out, too, that the reduction in export earnings for sugar, bauxite, rice and timber has negatively affected the domestic environment.

“This, in combination with reduced public spending, caused consumer uncertainty which led to reduced demand,” Reis said.

Notwithstanding these conditions and factors, Reis was able to boast that the company rose above these challenges and achieved growth through investment in quality brands, and by strategically placing its resources against the biggest growth opportunities.

But, he said, the continuing international economic uncertainty and changing global weather patterns are projected to have negative macroeconomic consequences on the nation.

And as such, the company might very well have to make some adjustments in its operations to deal with these economic conditions.

“This will affect the way in which we manage our company in the future,” Reis said, adding: “We have to continue to re-examine our core operational competencies; the exercise of prudent fiscal management and preparation of succession planning, to respond to the future challenges of managing our company.”

Meanwhile, the report has also revealed that revenue for Citizens Bank (Guyana) Inc, a subsidiary of Banks DIH, stood at $3.2B compared to $3.7B in 2015, a reduction of almost $500M. Profit after tax was $479M compared to $907M in 2015, while the total asset moved from $43.1B to $50.2B, a 16.5 per cent or $7.1B increase.

However, loan assets decreased from $30.7B to $29.2B, and customers’ deposit increased from $34.9B to $42.1B.

“If I am placed in a senior position, I have to conduct myself with a certain amount of dignity. I cannot see someone in such a position getting into a fight. I figure that this person should not even be there.”

The councillor unsuc-

cessfully urged the mayor to increase the penalty to send a strong message to the officers.

“If we are going to discipline this person, it has to be meaningful and seven days don’t cut it. For me, I would give her 21 days.

The minute you tell them seven days and they coming back to do the same thing, is nonsense. These people have to know they serve our city and we cannot accept this indiscipline. If I was the Chief Constable, I would have sent her home.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 11, 2017

Education Ministry heads in strategy session

PROGRAMME heads from the various departments of the Education Ministry, met to lay out their work plans for 2017.

The meeting allowed the Education Ministers the opportunity to ensure the education sector is heading in the right direction, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported. The four -day meeting, which came to a close on Friday at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Kingston, allowed

for collaboration and cooperation among cross-cutting units within the Ministry.

Minister within the Ministry of Education Nicolette Henry told the Government Information Agency (GINA), that the meeting served to ensure better performance of the various units. The meeting, according to the Minister will help the units to “traffic light” their programmes.

This will allow for focus of programmes that should be engaging the attention of the Education Ministers as prior-

ity programmes.

“When you traffic light the work plan, it gives you a great sense of urgency of what needs to happen now.

If its red lighted it means it is a danger area and therefore it requires action, if it is green lighted then it means that’s okay, they are working as they should and therefore you do not need to pay as much attention,” Minister Henry explained.

While most of the units were on track with their work, the Minister pointed

out that their plans did not reflect “green activities”.

The Minister stated, “I particularly mentioned that I need to see a deliberate effort on the part of Programme Heads to include in their work plans activities related towards Guyana moving to this green state because it is only through the work that you do, and the activities that you carry out that you can really achieve it… a lot of them are thinking it but they haven’t pretty much articulated it in the work plan.”

Programme Heads were urged to get familiar with what is inside the 2017 National Budget. Minister Henry explained, “you cannot be planning your work plan and you have never seen the budget. This is where your financial resources are allocated. Anything that is in the budget for the Ministry of Education must be somebody’s work plan.”

Minister Henry noted that once all the units are working well, the Ministry will be able to keep a better handle on the performance of the education sector, ensuring that the units are specific in their programme selection and that their plans are realistic in the context of the Education

Ministry and the country. All work plans according to the Minister are expected to be finalised by the end of January. The Education Ministry was allocated $43.1 billion to carry out its mandate, and improve education delivery and quality.

The nine programmes of the Ministry of Education are: Policy Development and Administration; Training and Development e.g. CPCE, Distance Education and Allied Arts; Nursery Education; Primary Education; Secondary Education; Post Secondary/Tertiary Education; Cultural Preservation and Conservation and Youth and Sport.

Sierra Leone man charged with illegal entry into Guyana ALMOST three days after he was nabbed at a City Jewelry store purchasing an engagement ring with a suspected fake credit card, 38-year-old Samuel David appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, charged with illegal entry into Guyana.

David of the Republic of Sierra Leone, confessed that on December 22, 2016 at Lethem he entered Guyana by a land frontier and failed to present himself to the nearest immigration officer.

David’s lawyer, Nekeisha Singh pleaded with the court for her client to be given a non-custodial sentence since he did not waste the court’s time with his early guilty plea.

Singh further pointed out that the father of two is a Sierra Leone national but moved to Brazil 15 years ago where he operates his business.

According to police prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers, on January 7, 2017, David attempted to purchase a gold jewelry at King’s Jewelry World with a suspected forged credit card.

As a result, a report was made at the Criminal Investigation Department headquarters where police ranks arrested the defendant in the store. The ranks, upon checking David’s passport, found there was no record of him entering Guyana legally. During the investigation, the credit card was proven to be authentic.

The defendant told the court that he lives near the Guyana border and would often travel from Brazil to Lethem to spend time with his Guyanese girlfriend.

The man further explained the he is willing to pay his fine and also a plane ticket immediately back to Brazil. The Chief Magistrate fined David $30,000 or in default, four weeks imprisonment after which he will be immediately taken to the nearest port of exit for deportation. His passport, credit card, and Brazilian driver’s license were seized and will be returned to him.

Guyana to improve debt ...

From page 18 Finance will be attending this programme. The Global Secondment Programme provides an opportunity for officials of a member country, regional agency, development bank, international organisation, or private enterprise to be appointed on a special assignment to the Bank Group for a specific period of time.

This programme allows for skills enhancement, knowledge sharing, strategic alliances, cultural exchange, and diversification to contribute to the Bank’s group work programme. (GINA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 11, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 11, 2017

Guyanese athletes start year on high with wins in Suriname GUYANESE distance athletes Cleveland Thomas, Devaun ‘Scooby’ Barrington, and Inter Guiana Games gold medallist Claudrice McKoy started their 2017 season on a bright note when they all landed gold medals at the annual Bigi Broki Waka last Sunday in neighbouring Suriname.

Th omas an d M cKoy dominated the Dutch event’s men’s and women’s10km run, respectively, while Barrington won the men’s 5km run.

Thomas ran 34 minutes 40 seconds to lead the race ahead of Lorenzo Main, who finished in 35 minutes 15 seconds.

Though not completely impressed with his time, Thomas thought it was a good start to the season, as he aspires to bigger things, like the South American Championships in July “It was a good start to the year. The timings weren’t that impressive, but it was good enough for a start,” he expressed.

For the women’s win McKoy clocked 43 min-

utes 38 seconds, beating out Carolien Marlet (45:30.00s) and Ilsida Toemere (47:10.00s).

Also pleased with how his year is starting off was Barrington. He won the men’s 5km in 17 minutes 9 seconds, some distance ahead of Sijverijo Simison, who took another 29 seconds to reach the finish line.

“Feels great to start off on a winning note, it sets the tone for the season,” Barrington said in an invited comment.

He too has big hopes

for the year, but Barrington also wants to keep cautious.

“I’m hopeful of (IAAF) World Championships, but my main focus is to remain injury-free and put together some strong performances. Mainly looking to win our Senior National 800m, and also to reclaim the 800m Aliann Pompey Invitational title, and there’s the South American Senior Championship; so hopefully I qualify for that too.”

Barrington shared.

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Kenilworth 08:20 hrs Volatile Energy 08:55 hrs Ferrero Rocha 09:30 hrs Cortada 10:05 hrs Wake Up Maggie ENGLISH RACING TIPS Taunton 09:05 hrs Overland Flyer 09:35 hrs Bags Groove 10:10 hrs Troika Steppes 10:40 hrs Sleep Easy 11:10 hrs Mon Parrain 11:40 hrs Tobacco Road HEREFORD 09:20 hrs Bring Back Charlie 09:50 hrs Boutan 10:20 hrs Rayvin Black

10:50 hrs Sir Will 11:20 hrs Kapricorne 11:50 hrs Lady Karina NEWCASTLE 10:00 hrs Jan Smuts 10:30 hrs Doctor Bartolo 11:00 hrs Outlaw Torn 11:30 hrs Brittanic 12:00 hrs Marquee Club 12:30 hrs Snuggy AMERICAN RACING TIPS Gulfstream Park Race 1 To Honor and Love Race 2 Doctor J Dub Race 3 Divine Miss Grey Race 4 Golden Pirate Race 5 Inchargeofme Race 6 Cuddle Kitten Race 7 Xanto Race 8 Preservationist

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Afghanistan approaches ICC regarding Full Member status THE Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is understood to have expressed a keenness to the ICC to apply for Full Member status, though is yet to formally apply, ESPNcricinfo has learned.

The application is likely to be made in February and considered at the ICC meeting then, with Afghanistan currently preparing a comprehensive report to satisfy the ICC’s requirements.

According to the ICC’s criteria, a team applying for admission as a Full Member must have a full-fledged cricketing and administrative infrastructure in the country.

The ICC’s guideline criteria for Full Membership states: “A country must play regular first-class cricket (domestic 3-4 day competition) before playing Test cricket.

Number of teams and players - sufficiently large pool of players to draw from capable of performing at the highest level of the game.”

Afghanistan gained Affil-

iate membership in 2001 and were granted Associate status in 2013. In 2009, the team was given ODI status and, over the last few years, the ACB has undergone extensive organisational restructuring to provide better leadership and find qualified staff to run cricket administration in the war-torn country.

The ACB is also upgrading its cricket infrastructure.

There is a four-day tournament between five regional teams, and four one-day tournaments (three provincial and one national, featuring regional teams). There is at least one cricket ground in every region and a national cricket academy in Kabul, along with a development structure for teams from the youth to the senior levels.

An ACB spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo that the four-day tournament was yet to get first-class status, but the board has applied to the ICC for this. “We don’t have that recognition yet; in 2011 we started the three-

England beat India A in Dhoni’s captaincy farewell

SAM Billings’ 93 from 85 balls helped England to a three-wicket victory over India A, in MS Dhoni’s final game as captain of an Indian team.

Dhoni has stood down before the one-day series but signed off with a brutal 68 off 40 balls, as India A posted 304-5 from their 50 overs in Mumbai.

Jason Roy (62) and Alex Hales (40) got England off to a fast start, before Billings took them close to the target.

England face India A again tomorrow, before the ODI series begins on Sunday.

India are fielding two completely different XIs for the two warm-up matches, but both are full of international caps and quality.

After the early loss of Mandeep Singh (8), the hosts progressed steadily with experienced opener Shikhar Dhawan (63) putting on 111 with Ambati Rayudu.

Rayudu reached his century off 97 balls, before retiring to give veteran teammates Dhoni and Yuvraj a chance at the crease.

Both men took advantage, as first Yuvraj (56) and then captain Dhoni acceler-

ated to power India A above 300, with the latter taking 23 off the final over, delivered

by Chris Woakes.

Seamers David Willey (2-55) and Jake Ball (2-61) were the only England wicket-takers.

Despite Dhoni’s fireworks, the score never looked enough to contain a formidable England batting line-up, although soft dismissals threatened to derail an otherwise straightforward chase.

Five men reached at least 40 - with Jos Buttler hitting 46 off 38 and Liam Dawson 41 off 47 - but it was Billings who played the crucial knock, hitting eight boundaries before being bowled seven shy of a deserved century

by Hardik Pandya.

The tourists left Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow on the sidelines, rested after a taxing 2016, with Liam Plunkett nursing a calf injury and Joe Root yet to arrive after the birth of his son.

The three-match ODI series will be followed by three Twenty20 matches, starting on January 26.

(BBC Sport)

day tournament and then in 2014 we started the four-day tournament.

“We have a grade-three 50-overs tournament between 16 provinces, a gradetwo tournament between 16 provinces and a grade-one competition between eight provinces and the regional

one-day cup. The proposal is sent to the ICC and we are hopeful to get the recognition in the ICC meeting in February.”

Afghanistan have played 70 ODIs so far, winning 35 games, and played at their first World Cup in 2015. In T20Is, they have

Afghanistan have progressed rapidly through the Affiliate and Associate ranks after their induction in 2001.

won 32 out of 51 matches and have played in four editions of the World T20.

The team currently rank tenth in ODIs and ninth in the T20I rankings.

28

Warner slams ‘very, very poor scheduling’

AUSTRALIA vice-captain David Warner has labelled as “very, very poor” the scheduling decision that will lead to Australia playing a Twenty20 international at home the day before they begin a Test series in India.

The Test players will have a long preparation for the first Test in Pune, spending up to two weeks training on spinning pitches at the ICC Academy in Dubai before heading to India for a warm-up game in Mumbai.

However, while the Test players are acclimatising in Asia, a T20 team will be representing Australia in three internationals at home against Sri Lanka.

The T20s take place in Melbourne, Geelong and Adelaide on February 17, 19 and 22, and the first Test in India begins on February 23.

That means several members of Australia’s first-choice T20 side - including Warner, captain Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Starc - will be unable to play in the T20s, while others such as Glenn Maxwell could yet

David Warner

find themselves in the Test squad too.

“Scheduling is obviously Cricket Australia’s area,” Warner said in an interview with Fox Sports. “They play the big role in putting that on.

“For me, it’s about going out there and playing the game and not worrying too much about that. In saying that, it is very, very poor scheduling. To have your Test team going away to play a Test match ... it doesn’t make any sense to us.

“I don’t like it. Those of us who are part of the T20 team have a bigger goal and bigger picture, and that is to win a World Cup. You want to be putting your best team on the park all the time. At the end of the day, you’ve got Big Bash and IPL. “If me, Smithy, Starcy, Ussy, Shaun Marsh -- all these guys that are in the Australian T20 team from the previous World Cup -- if we are not playing any T20 cricket in Australia where the next World Cup is meant to be, it becomes quite a tough thing for selectors to work around.

“We have one-day stuff where you can put your foot down and prove some things, but for me it’s about playing my best in any of the three formats that you play.”

A World T20 is scheduled to be held in Australia in 2020, but there remains the possibility of an event in 2018 as well. Australia are yet to win a World T20 title, having only once made the final, when they were in 2010.

(ESPNcricinfo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Sharapova to return from doping ban in April MARIA Sharapova will make her professional comeback at the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart on April 26 after her 15-month doping suspension.

The 29-year-old former world number one was given a two-year ban in March after testing positive for meldonium.

Her suspension was then reduced in October following an appeal.

The tournament in Germany starts two days before the Russian’s suspension runs out and she will not be allowed to attend until the day of her match.

Sharapova, whose main sponsor is Porsche, will return to tennis without a ranking and needs a wild card to enter the tournament.

“I could not be happier to have my first match back on tour at one of my favourite tournaments,” she said.

“I can’t wait to see all my great fans and to be back doing what I love.”

The five-time Grand Slam champion won the Stuttgart title for three years in a row from 2012 to 2014.

She last played a professional tournament at the Australian Open 12 months ago, where she failed the

doping test.

Sharapova was a longtime user of meldonium and says she was unaware it had been added to the banned list at the start of 2016.

She has already taken part in two exhibition events since her ban was reduced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. (BBC Sport).

Maria Sharapova has not played a professional match since the Australian Open in January 2016.

Saintfiet begs for patience to develop Soca Warriors

COUVA, Trinidad (CMC) – Tom Saintfiet appealed for more time to shape the Trinidad & Tobago Soca Warriors into a formidable force following elimination from the CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifiers.

An extra-time brace from Andrew Jean-Baptiste upstaged a hat-trick from Shahdon Winchester and saw Haiti continue on the road to the Gold Cup, following a 4-3 victory over T&T on Sunday at the Ato Boldon Stadium in this central Trinidad town.

The result followed the Soca Warriors splitting a pair of friendlies with Nicaragua and losing 2-1 in extra time against Suriname in another Gold Cup qualifier.

“I had very limited time,” said Saintfiet. “I came here a week before the games started and I had to select a squad, so I was seeing some matches and I was counting on advice.”

Many of the top Soca Warriors players were not

Tom Saintfiet

available, due to one reason or another and Saintfiet said this affected the competitiveness of his side.

“We had no FIFA dates and we invited Khaleem Hyland, Jan-Michael Williams, Levi Garcia, John Bostock, Kevin Molino, Joevin Jones, Cordell Cato and Mekeil Williams (and all of them could not show up),” he said.

“We invited a lot of players who were not available for several reasons, not released because of FIFA dates or personally not ready to perform for

the team.

“There are consequences if you have a lot of good players missing for such important games. On the other side, I saw in these two weeks the boys growing, working very hard and I think even the local people discovered some local players that they never expected to play at this level.”

Saintfiet said the matches allowed him to get a better grasp of the depth of the playing assets available to the Soca Warriors.

“I have some good experiences of working with the boys and for sure some of the players proved that in the future they have to be on the squad, but in the four matches in two weeks’ time, I learnt that some people are maybe not yet ready for it,” he said.Saintfiet will now turn his attention in the coming weeks to fine-tuning the side for resumption of World Cup qualification in March, when they are due to face Panama.

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Bedford ‘disappointed’

by Coe over Russia doping mail

By Mitch Phillips

General view of the Maracana Stadium during the FIFA Club World Championship in Rio de Janeiro

LONDON, England (Reuters) - David Bedford, the former director of the London Marathon, said yesterday he was “surprised and disappointed” that IAAF president Sebastian Coe had not read an email he sent warning of the Russian doping scandal.

Bedford, a former 10 000m world record holder, told a British Parliamentary Committee that he thought it strange that Coe would have instead forwarded the 2014 mail and unread attachments directly to the IAAF’s Ethics Commission.

“I didn’t ask him to do

up positive doping tests.

Coe, an IAAF vice-president at the time, says he sent the mails to the Ethics Commission without opening the attachments.

After yesterday’s hearing, the Culture, Media and Sport Committee announced that it had recalled Coe to appear before the end of the month.

“David Bedford gave very measured evidence but it raised clear and important questions over the timing and extent of Lord Coe’s knowledge of these allegations, and what action he took about them, especially in light of the evidence he gave to us in

Rio authorities call for urgent action after Maracana looting (REUTERS) - Football officials in Rio de Janeiro have called on police to take urgent action to stop what they called “the destruction of the Maracana” after valuables were looted from the famous old stadium.

Fire extinguishers, hoses, televisions and even a bronze bust of Mario Filho, the journalist after whom the stadium was named, were among the items stolen, the Rio de Janeiro Football Federation said in a statement yesterday.

“The worries over the

present and the future of the stadium are only increasing,” the Federation said.

The stadium, which underwent costly modernisation for the 2014 World Cup and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympic Games, has been unused since late last year with noone taking responsibility for its upkeep.

Pictures published in Rio newspapers showed seats missing and the turf dry, worn and filled with ruts and

holes.

O Globo said that windows inside the stadium were smashed, doors will not shut properly, and copper wiring has been stolen from walls and ceilings.

The Federation has arranged to meet with the city’s clubs on January 17 to discuss what to do about managing the stadium, but its president said more urgent action is required or that meeting will be too late.

“If there is not an im-

mediate government intervention to stop the looting and the destruction of the Maracana then it might not even be worth meeting on the 17th,” Ruben Lopes said.

The ground, which also hosted the final match of the 1950 World Cup, was used by all of Rio’s big four teams, Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense and Vasco da Gama, but has lain empty as clubs and authorities fight over who will manage it.

THE West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) yesterday met with members of the corporate community in Antigua and Barbuda with a view of attracting potential sponsors for the upcoming Regional Super50 competition.

The competition is currently without a sponsor, as NAGICO Insurances, the sponsors for the past three years, did not extend its agreement with the WICB, believed to be valued in excess

of US$2M. Corporate entities were given final details for packages on offer which will include access to commercial properties for the rest of the calendar year.

The meeting also highlighted ways in which those entities can acquire commercial relationships with the Coolidge Cricket Ground (Sticky Wicket).

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda and the WICB have entered into an agreement to

co-own and manage the facility and the WICB’s outgoing CEO, Michael Muirhead, spoke about the “exciting opportunities that will become available with the acquisition of the property and how both the island and cricket will benefit as a result.”

The Sticky Wicket facility will be redeveloped into a full-service space which will cater to a range of services including cricket matches, camps, entertainment and an

exquisite dining experience.

“The transition will take place in phases over a three-year period,” Muirhead noted.

Coolidge Cricket Ground along with the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium will share Zone A matches of the Super50.

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, Windward Islands Volcanoes, West Indies Under-19 and Kent Spitfires will play in that zone.

(Sportsmax.com)

WICB woos corporate Antigua

IAAF president Sebastian Coe that. And I guess, like you, I find it strange that he did that,” Bedford, 67, told the hearing into combating doping in sport.

“When I heard that he hadn’t opened them (the email’s attachments), it’s fair to say I was very surprised and quite disappointed.”

B e d f o r d , h o w e v e r, declined to say whether he believed Coe’s claim, which he told the same Committee in December 2015.

“I don’t think it matters if I believe him or not,” he said after being pressed on the issue several times. “I was surprised that he said that and that goes some way to answering that question.”

Bedford, one of the greats of British distance running and one of the driving forces behind the London Marathon since its inception in 1981, sent Coe details of how Russian marathon runner Liliya Shobukhova had sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to the IAAF to cover

December 2015,” Damian Collins, Chair of the Committee, said.

The IAAF responded to yesterday’s hearing by saying the evidence offered nothing new to the inquiry.

“All information including the emails central to their questioning today were sent to their committee chair in June 2016 and acknowledged. Based upon this Coe has no further information he can provide to the inquiry,” the IAAF said in a statement that included a copy of Coe’s email forwarding Bedford’s to the Ethics Committee.

“As we have previously confirmed, Coe’s number one priority was to ensure that the right people in the right place were aware of any allegations and were investigating them. This was confirmed when his office forwarded the emails to the man Coe trusted the most, Michael Beloff, the chair of the-then recently established IAAF Ethics Commission.”

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Juan Mata has scored three goals in his last four EFL Cup games for Manchester United.

Mata and Fellaini put Man United in charge J0SE Mourinho moved a step closer to a major trophy in his first season as Manchester United manager as goals from Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini secured a first-leg victory yesterday over Hull City in the semi-final of the EFL Cup. A near full-strength United struggled to break down resilient Hull in a first half in which the hosts had just two shots on target - Mata forcing a good save out of goalkeeper

Eldin Jakupovic before Paul Pogba’s long-range effort was tipped over.

The visitors had chances of their own against a side who had won their eight previous games in all competitions, Robert Snodgrass causing United problems from set-pieces.

However, Mata got the breakthrough just before the hour mark when the midfielder was on hand to tap in from Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s

knockdown.

Substitute Fellaini then scored a second late on, heading in from Matteo Darmian’s cross to put United in command heading into the second leg on January 26.

With Manchester United 10 points behind leaders Chelsea in the Premier League and their FA Cup campaign only just starting, the League Cup represents a genuine opportunity for

Pollard’s Adelaide Strikers suffer fourth loss of big Bash season MELBOURNE, Australia (CMC) – Kieron Pollard failed to make an impact and Adelaide Strikers suffered their fourth loss of the Big Bash League season, when Melbourne Stars edged to a two-wicket victory yesterday.

Pollard conceded 17 runs in two wicket-less overs, as the Stars successfully chased 153 for victory in the 22nd match of the tournament at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Discarded Australia fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus notched the Stars over the finish line, when he chipped a delivery from medium-fast bowler Michael Neser through square leg for a single with three deliveries remaining.

Earlier, Pollard struck a couple of boundaries in 16 from 13 balls before Hil-

fenhaus had him caught at mid-on in the penultimate over from a miscued pull, as the Strikers reached 152 for eight from their allocation of 20 overs, after they were put in to bat.

Kieron Pollard The result meant that the Stars now have six points – the same number of points as Perth Scorchers – but they are third in the standings, due to a superior net run rate.

The Strikers, whose squad also includes the Barbados-born, England all-rounder Christopher Jordan, are one of four teams with four points. They are however, sixth in the standings, due to net run rate.

Brisbane Heat, whose squad includes West Indies Twenty20 star leg-spinner Samuel Badree, and Sydney Sixers are the current front-runners with eight points each – but the Heat have the superior net run rate.

The BBL continues today, when Badree and the Heat face the Scorchers at the Gabba, while Pollard and the Strikers have to wait until next Monday to see further action when they host the Melbourne Renegades, whose line-up includes star West Indies spinner Sunil Narine, at the Adelaide Oval.

Mourinho to claim a major trophy to add to the Community Shield collected last summer.

He has named strong sides throughout the competition and it was no different against Hull as several firstteam regulars, including Wayne Rooney, Paul Pogba and David de Gea, started.

With Hull bottom of the Premier League and struggling badly with injuries - they could only name six

substitutes - a first Tigers victory in 65 years at Old Trafford seemed unlikely.

They were given odds of 20-1 to win before kick-off and their prospects looked even bleaker when midfielder Markus Henriksen went off injured inside 20 minutes.

But since new Portuguese boss Marco Silva - described by some as the new Mourinho - took charge last week the Tigers have looked

much improved. They beat Swansea in the FA Cup at the weekend and more than held their own for long periods of the game against the Red Devils despite having to field a makeshift defence.

F e l l a i n i ’s l a t e g o a l means a turnaround in the second leg might be too big a challenge, but their overall performance will give their fans hope in the battle to stay in the Premier League. (BBC Sport)

SPRINTER Michelle-Lee Ahye and javelin thrower Keshorn Walcott were on Saturday named Trinidad and Tobago Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Year respectively.

The awards were presented during a ceremony hosted by the National Association of Athletics Administrators (NAAA) at the Festival Ballroom of the Radisson Hotel.

Ahye was a finalist in the women’s 100-metre, women’s 200m and women’s 4x100m events at the Olympic Games in Rio in August 2016 while Walcott, the 2012 gold medallist, won bronze and was the only medal winner for his country at the Olympic Games.

“It is a very proud moment for me,” Ahye said after receiving her award.

“I did really good last year and these awards mean a lot to me and it encourages me more to push harder for the season upcoming.”

Meanwhile, Cleopatra Borel, Walcott’s training partner at Rebirth track club was named Most Outstanding Female Athlete. Walcott was named Most Outstanding Male Athlete.

Khalifa St Fort captured the Junior Athlete-of-theYear award (female) with Akanni Hislop, currently on scholarship at Louisiana State University (LSU), won the Male Junior Athlete-ofthe-Year.

Rae Anne Serville of Memphis Pioneer Club, won the President’s Rising Star Award, one of two new awards presented on the

night.

The other – the Academic Achievement Award – went to Che Richards of Oasix.

Ahye, Walcott named T&T Athletes-of-the-Year

Keshorn Walcott

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday January 11, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Today’s Quiz: (1)

Which wicketkeeper has effected most dismissals in Tests?

(2)

Which wicketkeeper has effected most dismissals in ODIs?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 11, 2017

GHB eyeing host status for Pan-Am 2017

By Stephan Sookram THE Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) is aiming to host the 2017 edition of the PAHF indoor championships, with a real eye to securing a more firm footing on the international stage.

With the tournament suffering a delay in the announcement of a host nation, the GHB through president Philip Fernandes and his executive, is looking to seize the opportunity before it closes this month-end.

He told the media, “We have the Pan American Championships and we are looking at that as a possibility. That would be in 2017 so there isn’t an awful lot of time and some preparation and improvement works to the gymnasium would have to be done.”

Flashback! Hikers Krezia Layne being challenged by Leigh Sandison of the Toronto Toros during this year’s Diamond Mineral Water International Indoor Hockey Festival.

Gajanand Singh pilots DCC to UWIT20 quarter-finals

By BRIJ PARASNATH GAJANAND Singh showed that he has not lost much of the class that once made him a favourite Guyana youth player who displayed the class and aptitude to do big things in his cricketing career.

He produced two scintillating half-centuries in backto-back matches and in the process sparked Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) to two convincing victories which pushed the Guyanese club to the St Augustine Campus UWIT20 quarterfinals round.

DCC will clash with Police in the second match of the double-header today.

This will be a day-night encounter starting at 18:00hrs.

Merryboys will do battle with DHB United in the first match at 14:00hrs.

DCC had to play both Group D matches on the same day at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial ground, St Augustine Campus and showed that they will be a major force to be reckoned with during the tournament.

It is their first outing and they made a strong impres-

sion that they are capable of doing well and vie for top honours.

Gajanand Singh was the batting hero in both matches.

He top-scored with an unbeaten 64 and skilfully guided DCC to an impressive sev-

Gajanand Singh

the man-of-the-match award for his positive attacking stroke-play which ensured that DCC maintained their winning ways and topped their group in the preliminary round matches.

DHB United defeated Moosai Sports by 103 runs in their first match. They were led to victory by former T&T opening batsmen Nicholas Sookdeosingh, who smashed an unbeaten 102; and William Perkins (58) as they amassed 229 for 2 in 20 overs. Moosai Sports were restricted to 127 for 8 in 20 overs. Former Trinidad and Tobago pacer Uthman Mohammed captured four wickets for 25 runs.

Sookdeo was voted manof-the-match.

en-wicket victory over Moosai Sports which mustered only 101 all out in 18 overs in the second match played under floodlights.

DCC replied with 103 for 3 in 12 overs. Guyana’s national Under-15 captain Sachin Singh also contributed 16. Adrian Geeban picked up two wickets for 21 runs.

Gajanand Singh collected

GROUP D (FIRST ROUND) Match 2: DBH United – 158 for 8 from 20 overs (William Perkins 56, Yannick Ottley 31; Shurfane Rutherford 2 for 19, Cohen Ismond 2 for 26, Keemo Paul 2 for 31) vs Demerara Cricket Club 162 for 4 in 16.5 overs (Gajanand Singh 64 n.o., Kemol Savory 58;

Uthman Mohammed 2 for 29, Stephawn Solomon 1 for 11).

Result: DCC won by 6 wkts.

Man-of-the-match: Kemol Savory (DCC) Match 3. MOOSAI SPORTS 101 all out in 18 overs (Johann Lezama 41, Alden Daniel 14; Keemo Paul 3 for 18, Kellon Carmichael 2 for 20, Sherfane Rutherford 2 for 26) vs DCC 103 for 3 in 12 overs (Gajanand Singh 55, Sachin Singh 16; Adrian Geeban 2 for 21).

Result: DCC won by 7 wickets.

Man-of-the-match: Gajanand Singh (DCC) Match 1: DBH United 229 for 2 wickets in 20 overs (Nicholas Sookdeosingh 102 n.o., William Perkins 58, Yannick Ottley 37 n.o.) vs Moosai Sports 127 for 8 in 20 (Lyndell Nelson 27, Ryan Inniss 20, Adrian Geeban 16; Uthman Mohammed 4 for 25, Stephawn Solomon 2 for 10, Dillon Mungal 2 for 29).

Result: DBH United won by 102 runs.

Man-of-the-match: Nicholas Sookdeosingh (DBH United)

“We do host our Diamond Mineral international club tournament but we are talking about something with more national teams from all the Americas (like) Argentina, Canada and the United States etc.,” the GHB boss confirmed recently.

However, he is already of the view that the decision for this does not lie solely with the GHB. “We are hoping to discuss it with the Director of Sports and maybe find a way that Guyana can in fact be considered as a host.”

And should Guyana be considered as a host the venue for the one of the Western Hemisphere’s biggest tournaments, the spin-off benefits would be phenomenal, of course, apart from saving the GHB the cost of taking two teams

abroad.

“In addition, we would be able to raise the profile of the game locally; expose all of our young players and our new players and even spectators and fans to top level hockey at an indoor tournament, a Pan American tournament,” Fernandes beamed.

The Veteran player contended, “We would also establish Guyana as an international host so whenever we are to approach the international body for funding and artificial surface and that sort of thing; once land is made available and we are to approach the federations for funding then it would go very well to show that Guyana has a capability, a track record of hosting internationals and has done a good job at it.”

WICB confirms Adams as Director of Cricket THE West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has confirmed the appointment of James ‘Jimmy’ Adams as its new Director of Cricket.

Adams, who from 2012 to 2016, was the head coach at Kent County Club in England, assumed his position yesterday on a three-year contract. He will oversee and manage all cricket matters to include development of all teams, all coaching and cricket education and other technical programmes, the WICB said in a statement confirming his appointment.

He will have the support

Jimmy Adams played 54 Tests for the West Indies.

of an operations department.

“I am very excited to be directly involved in Caribbean cricket once again, and I look forward to working with all those committed to moving the game forward in the West Indies,” he said in reaction to his appointment.

Adams brings a wealth of experience to his new assignment having served West Indies cricket in a variety of positions.

He made his Test debut in April 1992 and played 54 Tests during which he scored 3 012 Test runs at an average of 41.26. He had a top score of 208 not out at the Antigua Recreation Ground against New Zealand in the 1995-1996 series.

Adams also played 127 ODIs and 202 first-class matches. During his almost 20-year playing career he also represented Jamaica, Nottinghamshire, Orange Free State and Berkshire.

While at Kent, Adams oversaw a period in which the club invested heavily in its home-grown talent via a strong academy system; the success of which can be seen in the number of players, senior and junior, who have gained recognition in national squads and the team narrowly missing out on promotion in 2016.

Outgoing Director of Cricket, Richard Pybus, who was a member of the selection panel, believes Adams’ experience comes at the right time for regional cricket.

“I look forward to Jimmy bringing the breadth of his international experience and knowledge of cricket in the Caribbean to continue the work of rebuilding West Indies Cricket,” Pybus said.

“It is an exciting time for cricket in the region, with the momentum of the World Cup’s success and the professional cricket structures beginning to produce players capable of competing and excelling at international level.”

(Sportsmax.com)

GHB eyeing host status for Pan-Am 2017 See story on page 31

FIFA approves 48-team World Cup

By Brian Homewood ZURICH, Switzerland (Reuters) - Soccer’s governing body, FIFA, voted yesterday to expand the World Cup to 48 teams from its current 32, brushing aside concerns that the expansion would lower the overall standard of the tournament and make it too big and unwieldy.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, fulfilling a promise he made during last year’s election campaign, said the move meant that “more can participate and many more will have a chance to dream”.

FIFA’s 211 member associations each hold one vote in the presidential election, and 135 of them have never played at a World Cup, so expansion of the tournament was always likely to appeal.

The new format, to be introduced in 2026, will feature a first round of 16 groups of three teams, with the top two in each qualifying for a round of 32. From then on, it would be a straightforward knockout

FIFA president Gianni Infantino contest.

The hosts of the 2026 tournament will be decided in May 2020. The CONCACAF Confederation, representing North and Central America and the Caribbean, is seen as a strong contender, possibly providing a joint bid from at least two of the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The new-look tournament

will increase the number of matches from 64 to 80, but Infantino said it would require the same number of match days and stadiums as now: “This format can be played in exactly the same number of days as today, 32, and the winning team will play the same number of games, seven, as today, and in the same number of stadiums, 12, as today,” he said.

Former Police officer appointed General Secretary of GFF THE long-awaited appointment of a General Secretary (GS) for the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has been finally made following extensive interviews last October for the position that became vacant after Diedri Davis was dismissed in June of last year.

In a Press release to the Media from the GFF early yesterday morning, it was disclosed that former Assistant Superintendent of Police Althea Scipio has taken up the post since January 1.

The newly appointed GS who served in the Guyana Police Force for eight years was also the Honorary Secretary of the Georgetown FA for just over a year.

The release added that Scipio during her tenure in the Police Force ‘honed her management and man man-

agement skills while performing various functions in the Police Force, including forensics, community relations, media relations, security management and

New General Secretary of the GFF Althea Scipio secretariat management’.

‘Ms Scipio will now play a pivotal role in the

ongoing restructuring process of the GFF’s Secretariat, which has been embarked on by the Executive Committee, and, ultimately, the football fraternity as a whole. She will have the critical task of spearheading the successful and timely implementation of the Committee’s vision’, the release concluded.

Prior to the appointment of the new GS there were two acting GSs in former assistant GS, Merson Jones who later resigned and was succeeded by Trevor King.

In her brief comments, the new head of the GFF’s Secretariat told Chronicle Sport: “I am delighted to be part of the Guyana Football Federation and look forward to aiding the restructuring process that has been initiated. I expect challenges but am duly prepared for them.”

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Critics have said that FIFA is tampering with a winning formula; the last World Cup in Brazil was widely regarded as one of the best in the competition’s 87-year-old history, featuring shock results, last-minute drama and outstanding individual performances.

NEGATIVE FORMAT? One of the concerns is that the new format will make the

group stage merely a matter of avoiding elimination, and so encourage negative play.

Infantino said it had not yet been decided whether penalty shootouts could be used to decide drawn group-stage matches.

The qualifying competition, meanwhile, is likely to become a mere formality for many of the strongest teams.

The number of extra slots for each continental confederation, as well as formats for the qualifying competitions, will be decided at a later date, Infantino said.

He had initially suggested a 40-team tournament, but then added another eight to that total in October.

Those who have never qualified include 41 out of FIFA’s 54 of its African members and 10 out of 11 members in the Oceania region.

The ECA, the association that represents more than 200 European clubs, most of which dislike releasing their players for international duty, said the decision had been taken for

“political reasons rather than sporting ones” and “under considerable political pressure”.

“We fail to see the merits to changing the current format of 32 that has proved to be the perfect formula from all perspectives,” it said in a statement.

Reinhard Grindel, head of the German federation (DFB), said he saw a danger that “in the future we will see more defensive-minded teams”.

“If the World Cup stops being as attractive, then fan and sponsor support suffers, as does its marketing.”

The pressure group New FIFA Now, which has campaigned for reform of FIFA, said the move “will make a mockery of the qualification process for most confederations”.

The inaugural World Cup, staged in 1930 in Uruguay, featured just 13 teams and 17 matches. Sixteen teams took part from 1934, eight more were added from 1982 onwards and, finally, another eight in 1998.

Guyanese athletes start year on high with wins in Suriname

See story on page 26

Winners row! Devaun Barrington, Claudrice McKoy and Cleveland Thomas WEDNESDAY JANUARY 11, 2017