Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 17 01 2017

NDIA 14 deployed to Linden for the first time P.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

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‘Palpably defective’ No. 104796

(VAT Inclusive)

– Justice Pollard backs President’s rejection of Jagdeo’s list

Not here!

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One of the parking meters installed in front of the Bishops’ High School

GTU objects to parking meter at schools

A plea for lands

– small miners up calls Page 2 for unworked lands

CHPA takes aim at unused lands – seeks legal advice to repossess from developers

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Suspects remanded for estate worker’s murder Page 9

A plea for lands 2

By Ariana Gordon

THE cry of small-scale miners for adequate lands for mining seems to be falling on deaf ears as they have been awaiting word from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) since June 2016.

The miners have complained that while they await word from the GGMC on available, unworked lands, large-scale miners are being granted as many as 30 blocks to work in the country’s mining districts. “This is grossly unfair,” declared one miner as another demanded answers. “This is not the change we voted for…there was corruption under the previous administration…why are we being punished? The miner asked.

Desmond Hamer, a miner who operates in the Puruni backdam, Region 7 told Guyana Chronicle on Monday following a meeting with Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes that the situation is getting from bad to worse. He explained that

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

– small miners up calls for unworked lands …say facing heavy debt, bankruptcy

many miners are on the verge of bankruptcy because of what he perceives to be favouritism. Hamer explained that alternatives are handed out to large-scale miners with the aim of “covering the real issue of allocating lands to the real people who need it for mining; it is corruption.”

“It is being given to people who already have blocks.

They are paying to get the lands that are richer for mining; they are getting the better lands and we aren’t getting any,” he added. The frustrated miner said the system is unfair and called on Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman to address the issue with some level of urgency. “It is very unfair to small miners who are left with lands they can’t survive on… in fact we are not even getting lands,” said Hamer who said he was forced to park his dredge and excavator before the Christmas season

as the lands at the Puruni backdam are all overworked.

“The big miners with money are paying up to $10M for alternative blocks…It is matter of greed…we really thought when we voted that corruption would have been reduced …very disappointed with the way things are going.”

Hamer added that the land he worked on at Puruni is land that was worked by Alfro Alphonso and noted that much mineral cannot be found on it. “You have to pay seven ounces to him

a month and the place is not producing lots of gold because it was worked out.

I haven’t started working for this year because it makes no sense to reinvest in the same area…I owe a lot of people including my 11 workers,” he explained. Like Hamer, Holberts Knights, also a miner in the Puruni area told Guyana Chronicle that with the price of gold dropping considerably from 2013 to present miners are not seeing “the concomitant level of efforts to cushion the fall in revenue for miners.”

GGMC TOO SLOW He is concerned about the slothfulness of the GGMC to make lands available to small miners. “A lot of us are home not working because we don’t have anywhere to work…we know there are new lands to be opened and we are concerned about the pace at which they are being opened and made available.”

Knights pointed to the issue of new technology to assist miners in the recovery of mines; he said under the previous People’s Progres-

sive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration, miners expected a “significant investment through GGMC in more efficient technology” to recover gold. He explained that with what is being used by miners currently, only 40 to 50 per cent of the gold is being trapped and this makes the process inefficient. “We were hoping by now there would be significant inroads with technology- ensure more gold is trapped and hence a profitable operation,” he added.

Echoing both Hamer and Knights was David Daniels who said he is on the verge of bankruptcy. He said he has been struggling to pay his bills for a long time and

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Miners who operate in the Puruni Backdam, Region 7 met with Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes in Bartica on Sunday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Yupukari cocaine plane

CoI recommends upgrade of GDF’s air corps

By Zena Henry

GUYANA must find better ways to man its borders to maintain territorial integrity and provide a safe environment for locals and visitors. This is especially necessary and proving to be of greater concern as Guyana battles claims by neighbouring Venezuela, even while figuring out ways of preventing illegal aircraft and even submarines from making their way into the country undetected.

Guyana is opening itself to the world as a business destination and more recently, a rising oil-producing nation which has led some officials to reiterate calls for better equipment of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF); the agency constitutionally

designated to protect the country’s borders from any illegal entries.

The call comes after the Commission of Inquiry into the landing of an illegal aircraft in the southern part of the country. The inquiry’s report which is not yet publicly available was conducted by Retired Brigadier Edward Collins to ascertain how the aircraft got to Guyana, whether communication between the relevant security agencies was effective and whether the intelligence system should be reviewed.

The Guyana Chronicle has learnt however that some of the COI’s findings included poor or non-existent communication chains that would allow for the flow of information. It was noted that, “there is no existing

structure in the Joint Services to disseminate information received by either of the Services deployed in the region.” It was also found that in regard to this matter, persons; police officers, regional officials and GDF ranks did not act within their priories, and disciplinary action was recommended.

The COI report also found that the State’s aviation authority is in no position to locate illegal aircraft within the country’s territory, despite the use of the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) which the aviation industry adopted some two years ago.

The report said that although the ADS-B system is capable of monitoring Guyana’s airspace, it is not suitable to monitor or detect the intru-

sion of illegal aircraft.

Both Director General of the GCAA Egbert Field and Collins told the Guyana Chronicle that the ADS-B system requires communication between the ground team and the pilot to ensure the operation of the system.

“They (pilot and Air Traffic Controllers) have to cooperate,” Collins told the newspaper. He opined that unless the pilot activates his system and communicate with the ground crew then the system is useless. Collins was adamant however that the best way to protect the borders, “air, land and sea,” the GDF needs to be better equipped. He agreed that did Guyana have an active Air Force, it would have been their responsibly to protect Guyana against any intrusion by air.

Some two years back, the GDF expressed optimism in re-fleeting its air wing. It was pointed out then that the GDF was utilizing a 1960s British-made Skyvan with several years of operation, a “corroding” Chinese Harbin Y-12, purchased in 2001, a single-engine Cessna 206 seized during a drug raid and helicopters that included a Bell 412. Veteran pilots suggested the sourcing of new airplanes such as short C-23 Sherpa and the Polish light cargo and passenger PZL M28 Skytruck, deemed ideal for the relatively short and sometimes rough interior terrain. When then Opposition Leader, and retired Brigadier David Granger was asked about the army’s air fleet he too noted that, “Given our perception of the current

threats to Guyana’s national defence and security, there needs to be more attention paid to deal with territorial issues; border and territorial security.”

The then Opposition Leader had endorsed the need for additional financing to develop specifically the country’, Air Corps and Maritime arm, given piracy reports and banditry in interior locations. The illegal aircraft found at Yupukari, Rupununi, was found last September. Officials have concluded that the plane originated from Columbia and was being used to transport drugs; cocaine specifically. The submarine found in the Waini River in 2014 was also believed to have been connected to Colombians.

CHPA seeks legal advice on repossessing large blocks of land THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) has sought legal advice on repossessing lands given out by the previous Administration to developers who have failed to honour their contractual agreement.

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, said that advice has been sought

from the Attorney General’s Chambers “to see what efforts towards repossessing of a number of those areas, if it may be necessary.” The minister was speaking at a press conference held at the Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown, on Friday.

The Minister explained that the CHPA is in talks with the developers and

repossession will only occur if engagements and discussions indicate that the developers cannot complete the infrastructural works and housing units that they had committed to under the Agreement of Sale.

Hundreds of acres of prime lands were sold to private developers under the previous administration

to be developed as housing areas.

Minister Bulkan said the present Administration is disappointed over the lack of progress made since the lands were sold. “It is clear that the commitments that were given by a number of those private developers to develop new housing areas and the allocations that they

would have received, that there is very little progress to show in those areas,” Bulkan said.

The CHPA recently indicated that there are no available house lots in Region Four to allocate to persons. Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valarie Adams-Patterson, who has responsibility

for housing, noted that the government will be investing in housing units.

The town houses, duplexes and low income accommodations are to address the growing population density while effectively utilising diminishing land space until the issues with housing developers is resolved.

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‘Palpably defective’

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

– Justice Pollard backs President’s rejection of Jagdeo’s list RETIRED Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) believes that the decision made by President David Granger to reject the list of nominees to serve on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is well founded.

In a letter to the Editor, Justice Pollard who is a onetime nominee for the position outlined why the President’s decision to reject the list of nominees which included controversial Indian rights activist, Rhyaan Shah, Professor James Rose, Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Consultant, Lawrence Latchmansingh; business executive, Ramesh Dookhoo; former chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Norman Mc Lean; and Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram was a good move.

The distinguished jurist in his missive said the intent of Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana is to “secure impartiality and even-handedness in the appointment of the Chairman of GECOM.” Article 161 (1) of the Constitution makes provision for the Elections Commission which consists of a chairman who is to be a full-time chairman and who should not engage in any other form of employment, as well as other members. Subsection 2 of Article 161 says, “Subject to the provisions of paragraph (4), the Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds or who has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such

court or who is qualified to be appointed as any judge, or any other fit and proper person, to be appointed by the President from a list of six persons, not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after meaningful consultation with the non-governmental political parties represented in the National Assembly.”

In light of the aforementioned provisions of the Constitution, Professor Pollard said that in context the criteria that are applicable for selection is a judge with specified experience, a person who is qualified to be a judge or any other fit and proper person. “The employment of the pronoun “other” speaks volumes and must be interpreted to mean that such “other fit and proper person” must possess the characteristics of the twonamed preceding persons.

In effect, such person must possess the generally accepted distinctive characteristics of a judge, namely, autonomy of decision-making, consid-

Justice Duke Pollard

erable jurisdictional reach, impartiality, integrity and the disposition to act judicially,” said Justice Pollard.

He submitted that by virtue of that which has been expressly stated in the constitution, President Granger must be provided with nominees, who at the very least meet the criteria outlined by the supreme law of the land.

“In effect, if he is to make a fair and balanced choice he must be given in equal number persons possessing

Tuesday, January 17, 2017 - 08:30 hrs Wednesday, January 18, 2017 - 09:30 hrs Thursday, January 19, 2017 - 10:30 hrs

the attributes described above and in the present circumstances two persons from each category.”

In the case of the rejected nominees, none would have met the criteria set by the Constitution; Rhyaan Shah was the co-founder of the now defunct and divisive Guyana Indian Heritage Association (GIHA), which the then PPP government had neutralised by creating the Indian Arrival Committee, now renamed the Indian Action Committee while, Latchmansingh is the former Programme Manager, Social Cohesion Programme, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Guyana.

Since May 2003, Latchmansingh has managed activities to build local capacities for the peaceful resolution of disputes and promote the rule of law and democratic governance. Meanwhile, Chartered Accountant Ram who is also an attorney and former head of the Bar Association has worked for many years with the local Elections Observer Bureau and has been an outspoken critic of both the former and present governments. He was recently hired as a forensic auditor by the current government.

Former Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Ramesh Dookhoo was also identified by the Opposition Leader as a potential candidate for the chairmanship at GECOM. He is a business executive and has worked closely with former

President Bharrat Jagdeo, now Opposition Leader.

Another of the candidates put forward by Jagdeo was retired Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). He worked with the former administration, and served as a member of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry that had cleared former Minister of Home Affairs, Ronald Gajraj of involvement in extra-judicial killings by the Phantom Squad.

McLean also served as both Commissioner of Police and Chief of Staff of the GDF during the Forbes Burnham presidency. Since the early 1990s, McLean has been Human Resources Manager of Omai Gold Mines, a subsidiary of Canada’s Cambior Inc. Back in 2009, he and his wife, Evelyn Sita Ramlal, were charged with four counts of conspiracy to defraud when they appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate, Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and were granted bail totalling $850,000.

It was alleged that on December 10, 2004 and March 18, 2009 at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, Ramlal and McLean conspired with each other and person or persons unknown to forge an adoption order with respect to a girlchild, purporting to show that the said adoption order was issued on December 14, 2000 knowing same to be false. However, in 2011 the case was dismissed by Magistrate Fazil Azeez. Azeez had found that a prima facie case had not been made out Turn to page 14 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

GTU objects to parking meter at schools

By Ravin Singh STRONG objections to the installation of parking meters outside of public schools are expected to greet the Georgetown Mayor and City Council later this week when the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) meets the local government body.

This was according to President of the GTU, Mark Lyte, who told this publication that the union does not and will not support any adjustment to the parking meter fee for teachers. The rate announced is $50 for 15 minutes and is expected to take effect from January 23.

What this means is that teachers will be required to pay approximately $1,250 per day or $25,000 per month for parking, since the meters have been installed around some schools in Georgetown.

And according to Lyte, the union is strongly against this move, since it places a great burden on teachers.

He said in light of this, GTU is expected to meet with the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) this week where he will propose that the parking meters be removed.

“Teachers are upset about this move and we [the union] do not agree with it either; to have parking meters at schools and have teachers pay to park. Teachers shouldn’t have to… it is wrong” the union’s President said.

Economics teacher Coen Jackson also expressed his reservation with the parking meters, noting that “it is going to be a problem.”

He explained that the average teacher with a Bachelors’ Degree earns about $100,000 a month and the parking meter will incur a cost of $25,000 per month, which represents about 25 per cent of their salary.

“That is ridiculous” he said.

However, cognizant of the fact that the council has to find ways of generating revenue, Jackson, unlike Pauldon

Bishops’ High School Economics Teacher Coen Jackson

And indeed teachers are upset about this. This newspaper spoke to two teachers from the Bishops’ High School, where parking meters have been installed, and both objected to the move which they too contended, would be “burdensome.”

Candyss Pauldon, a Science teacher was the first to register her concern. Pauldon said she is aware and understand fully that City Hall need to raise revenue. However, she finds it hard to understand why the council would want to charge teachers, who are public servants, working for the government and the state.

“It makes no sense to

me because it’s like you’re asking teachers to come to work, but to come and do their work, they have to pay.

Does that make sense?” she questioned rhetorically.

The Bishops’ High School teacher said that even though reports are that teachers will get a discount, even that doesn’t make sense because it comes back to the fact that they are asking teachers to pay to do their work.

As such, she issued a call for authorities to reconsider the introduction of this fee, not only at school, but all government ministries and agencies where public servants will be affected.

believes that some form of concession needs to be granted to public servants.

He revealed that staff of the Bishops’ High School have proposed building a parking lot in the school, but this is not an alternative for other schools which lack space to develop same.

With regards to City Hall and its management of finances, the economics teacher said that there are things that the council will need to spend money on and so they are justified in attempting to raise revenue in a way which will not pose hardship on the

average Guyanese.

However, he pointed out that the issue is whether the local government body is spending more than it should.

“Are those monies being allocated in an efficient way? I don’t know. City Hall has been a disaster for many years. I don’t know when last they had an audit so we know nothing about revenue collection and revenue allocation,” he lamented, adding that this is the practice with many public corporations and it is a culture which nobody seems eager to change.

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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

Thinking about think-tank

OVERSEAS-based Guyanese Paul Tennassee last month advised that with financial backing from another US-based Guyanese, Floyd Haynes, he has launched a think-tank organisation called The Roraima Institute (TRI).

Demerara Waves reported the intent of TRI is to influence policy-makers through best practices of other countries and original findings, utilising the collaborative skills of Guyanese, at home and in the diaspora. Tennassee is no stranger to Guyanese politics. He was the leader of a political party and played a role in the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy, which represented an amalgamation of political parties and individuals in the 1980s to bring about electoral reform. His presence comes after a notable absence from local politics for more than two decades.

In the intervening years Guyana has seen challenges in its governance structures, political discord, the nation ranking the most corrupt in the English-speaking Caribbean by Transparency International, mismanagement of the state’s money and disregard for accounting principles as presented in the Auditor General Reports, testy race relations, the rule of law assailed in the presence of a parallel economy that operated in broad daylight, turf wars and death squads, where citizens came to rely on countries such as Trinidad and the United States to deliver justice.

There have been allegations of inequities in the society, some of which are not without merit. Where other nations would have imploded Guyanese by virtue of our resilience have withstand in the conviction that better must come. Should our institutions of government and the management of the State see determined commitment and will on the part of all, most notably the political leadership, navigating the proverbial ship back into safe waters where the horizon beckons is doable.

The recognition of these major setbacks for the period under review does not deny that there have been some positive movements such as in road infrastructures, REDD, schools construction and the initial Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act. Ignoring these facts would be hypocritical and self-serving. Too long our politics and the people have been held hostage to the simplistic good/bad binary. This is dependent on whose party held/holds the reins of government or who is speaking about whom or which party, when reality is complex and have nuances, and when acknowledged would enhance public discourse.

This is the environment the TRI will find and arguably democracy is much more complex than the touted free and fair elections. In addition to elections being considered free and fair-though it cannot be ignored, the 1997 vitiation, 2006 court challenge and misappropriate awarding of parliamentary seat- equally important is that it must also be free from fear and the vote must translate not only to an expression of will, but also the safeguarding of the

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

President was correct in characterising Jagdeo’s list as unacceptable

Dear Editor,

GIVEN the apparent disposition of our competent decision-makers to eschew determinations based on the applicable law, it is not without considerable significance that suggestions were made for the current controversy regarding the appointment of a GECOM Chairman to be referred to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) for resolution. In this context, it is pertinent to remind ourselves that our courts are the appropriate institutions to be tasked with the resolution of differences concerning the interpretation of our Constitution or other important issues of statutory interpretation. It is not open to any Head of State to arrogate to himself responsibility for construing the national Constitution.

This is not to deny that the Head of State or govern-

ment may legitimately act on the legal advice of the Attorney General and to so declare.

Concerning the matter at hand, reference may be made to the authoritative perception of Professor H. L. A Hart that definitions are not solely concerned with the employment of words but, even more importantly, with the realities words are intended to portray. The same applies to legal language!

For present purposes Article 161(2) of our Constitution is not only concerned with the employment of words but, more importantly, with the enhanced awareness of words to sharpen the perception of relevant phenomena. In construing the provisions of Article 161(2) of our Constitution it is important to ensure that a purposive approach championed by Lord Denning and strongly recommended by some regional authorities is employed to “promote the

general legislative purpose underlying the provision in issue”. And given the context of this article it is difficult to deny that the intention of the draftsperson was to secure impartiality and even-handedness in the appointment of the Chairman of GECOM. In this context the applicable criteria of choice are clear, to wit, a judge with specified experience, a person qualified to be such a judge, or “other” fit and proper person. The employment of the pronoun “other” speaks volumes and must be interpreted to mean that such “other fit and proper person” must possess the characteristics of the two-named preceding persons. In effect, such person must possess the generally accepted distinctive characteristics of a judge, namely, autonomy of decision-making, considerable jurisdictional reach, impartiality, integ-

rity and the disposition to act judicially. And for the President to make the determination within the contemplation of our Constitution he must be placed in a position so to do. In effect, if he is to make a fair and balanced choice he must be given in equal number persons possessing the attributes described above, and in the present circumstances two persons from each category. In the premises, the list submitted is palpably defective in omitting persons qualified as judges or possessing requisite qualifications to be appointed as such. And it is submitted that the President was correct and principled in characterising the list as unacceptable.

Regards Professor Justice Duke Pollard Department of Law University of Guyana

Delay in appointment of GECOM chairman worrying Dear Editor

THE Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has taken note of the public discussions which now surround the agreement for a new Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Those discussions evoked memories of a period when free and fair elections, a main pillar of modern democratic societies, were denied to the Guyanese people. Electoral reforms were finally won and we celebrated the return to democratic life, especially transparent elections, run by a respected Elections Commission.

Our Union is of the firm view that GECOM has a

primary role to play in upholding and promoting a democratic culture. We see the Chairman playing an important role in ensuring that GECOM lives up to the expectation of holding free, fair and transparent elections in our country. Consequently, we see any delay in the appointment of the Commission’s Chairman as one which can, in all likelihood, affect the several tasks which the Commission must be engaged in, in the preparation for future elections.

In recent days, various interpretations have been proffered concerning the process of appointing Elections Commission Chairman. That process, it is well known, was influenced by former US President Jimmy Carter in the

individual’s right, including opportunities for advancement.

Where Guyanese continue to experience socio-economic challenges, and where attention to these should be primarily driven by qualitative decision-making, think-tanks are important repositories in aiding the process. The society, domestic and external, has become more complex. In this complexity there remains limited resources and ensuring that these are distributed in a manner that can bring about the best yield, scientific formulation is helpful.

Where persons, given the array of disciplines, can combine their diverse talent to influence national policy making, and where the proposed feedback from the grassroots will be driven by direct interaction and through scientific polls, decision-making could be better informed. Guyanese are known for their oral culture. The average man in the street has an opinion on what is taking place in governance and would passionately represent it, and thinks his view should

lead up to the 1992 elections and received the support of both the then Opposition and the Government. President Carter, a respected statesman, could be approached, if needs be, for clarification of the formula which may put an end to the different interpretations. Moreover, we are not oblivious of the view, that Mr Carter’s formula was meticulously followed by the then President, Desmond Hoyte, an astute legal mind, who chose from the nominees proposed by the then Opposition Leader, Dr Cheddi Jagan. Also, during his sojourn as Opposition Leader, Mr Hoyte’s nominees for the post would have taken into account the intent and spirit of the Carter formula, from which a Chairman was

chosen.

To go the way of litigation, which is a possibility, can very well prolong the delay. Such a concern is not unfounded as we see the Elections Petition filed by the Opposition – People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) – still not being adjudicated despite promises that it would receive ready and speedy attention. Faced with such a scenario we could very well see Local Government Elections due in 2019 and National and Regional Elections due in 2020 facing hurdles.

Such a situation, we hold, will not be in the interest of our democracy or our people and our country.

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be factored in. This is all well and good, because as citizens such involvement is important in protecting and strengthening systems of democracy. Where polling of opinions will form part of TRI’s modus operandi, in adhering to scientific model, it can reveal a more representative landscape of the people’s wishes and by extent of their input.

Given the competitive nature of our people, it is hoped that TRI will enthuse persons to get involved and others to form liked organisation, with specific interests. In the information/knowledge driven era and with multiplicities of disciplines, including ideologies and room for bi-partisanship, structured extrapolations that would bring to bear from these factors will not only improve the body politics but also the role of the people in the process. And may it be said that the think-tank approach to decision-making will be bringing Guyana into the 21st century and it is better late than never.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Everything that glitters is not gold Dear Editor, THE recently held PPP Congress and the subsequent first meeting of that party’s Central Committee are now history – in the process, former President and now Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has emerged as the Party Leader and the dominant political force in the party.

An examination of the CC election results published by the party show that the majority of its members voted for Jagdeo. In so doing they have chosen to entrust the party’s future to him because they see him as tried and tested.

A PPP insider told me that, “everything that glitters is not gold”. He indicated that during the elections for the position of General

Secretary of the party, many of the CC members felt that the best way to deal with Jagdeo is to allow him to hang himself politically.

However, Jagdeo’s election as General Secretary of the PPP may represents a genuine vote of confidence in him and it means that the majority of CC members have endorsed his criminal excesses, corruption and dictatorial governance during the period when he held the office of President of Guyana. Apparently, they have seen his actions during the period of his presidency as being part of their collective endeavours and therefore, there was no need for them to halt his ascendency by breaking ranks with him.

For those in the leadership ranks of the PPP uniting around the most ruthless politician and demagogue

is paramount at this point in the party’s history. The nation was informed that in electing Jagdeo as the General Secretary the CC was expressing its unwavering belief that with him at the helm, the party would be guaranteed victory in the 2020 General and Regional elections.

In party politics the choice of leaders is an internal matter, but in electoral politics the leader is expected to have an appeal beyond the confines of the party. This becomes even more important when that person, whoever he or she may be, aspires to be President of the country. The more acceptable he or she is at the national level enhances the party chances of winning an election. It is doubtful that Jagdeo, given his tainted history, fits this

Delay in appointment...

GAWU recalls that the Guyanese working people, among others, played a pivotal role in the restoration of democracy in our society. It is important that we seek to avoid engagement in anything that can reverse our demo-

cratic gains or which can cast a shadow on our constitutionally required elections which must be conducted in a free and fair manner. We urge strongly, at this time, that our nation’s leaders seek to resolve this important issue in an amicable

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and just manner that would ensure our cherished democratic norms and institutions are upheld.

Regards Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union

bill. It is true that he won elections while the party was in office, but to do so from the position of the opposition is difficult, since given the changed demographics in the country, the PPP cannot win elections by relying only on Indian votes. In 2015, they lost the General and Regional elections in spite of having the advantages of incumbency.

2020 will demonstrate to them that winning without this advantage will prove to be an impossible task to achieve. At this point in time the PPP party leadership is not prepared to admit to this reality.

While many will not agree with me, I am of the view that the unity in the Central Committee is not without its contradictions.

I believe that in “Freedom House” there are some persons who genuinely want to see the demise of Jadgeo and desire the party to move beyond him. And

there are persons within the PPP leadership hierarchy who are aware that victory at the next election is not a done deal. These persons recognise that Jagdeo within the party is too strong politically to be confronted frontally. They are prepared to bide their time. The suggestion that some CC members have opted to let Jagdeo destroy himself seems to be based on their calculations that, in promoting himself as the PPP strong man, he will in the process, create contradictions which will be counterproductive to his political ambitions.

It is no secret that the PPP leader is at the top of the Coalition government’s list of corrupt former government officials, and in the context of real politics, it is inconceivable to think that the APNU+AFC government will want to run the high stake risk of going to the 2020 elections without honoring its commitment to

take action against corrupt officials. In the context of Guyanese politics the credibility of the government’s anti-corruption fight will rest on how it deals with Mr. Jagdeo. Natural justice requires that the Leader of the Opposition must answer in a court of law for his criminal conduct, and corruption during his time as President. Politically, this will undo the growing myth among party supporters of his invincibility.

I wish to conclude by saying that Bharrat Jagdeo has unwittingly manoeuvered himself into a collision with the powers that be, and in doing so he has created a political situation which is more likely to result in his political demise. When this happens the plotters in the CC will prevail and open the party to more realistic politics.

Regards Tacuma Ogunseye

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Duo remanded over armed robberies TWENTY-SIX-YEAROLD Ivor Billingy and his 16-year-old accomplice were on Monday remanded to prison by City Magistrate Annette Singh on a spate of armed robberies they alleged committed in the North Georgetown area.

Billingy, a father of two of Lot 67 Uitvlugt Pasture, West Coast Demerara, pleaded not guilty to three joint charges of armed robbery.

It is alleged that on January 10 at North Road, while in the company of others and armed with a gun, they robbed Daveeka Seenarine of a cell phone, $240,000 cash and an apron valued $6,000.

It is further alleged that on the same day at North Road, Georgetown, while in the company of another man and armed with a gun, they robbed Pedro Lewis of a gold and diamond ring, $100,000 cash and a Samsung Galaxy S6 among other items, to the value of $520,000.

It is also alleged that on January 10 at North Road, Georgetown they robbed Dalmattie Rajram of $11,000 cash while armed with a gun

and in the company of others.

The 26-year-old mason was charged separately for robbing Loris James of an iPhone, MAC make up set, $1,300 cash among other items all totaling $192,000 on September 2, 2016, at Robb and Water Street, Georgetown. Billingy pleaded not guilty.

The duo was represented by attorney Clyde Forde who requested that his clients be released on reasonable bail.

Forde explained that Billingy was charge before for simple larceny.

Police prosecutor Gillian Simmons strongly opposed the defendants being released on bail citing the fact that a gun was used during the commissioning of the offences. The prosecutor also pointed out the seriousness and penalty attached to the offences.

Magistrate Singh ruled in the prosecution’s favor and remanded the pair until January 30.

According to reports, on January 10, the duo armed with a toy gun was caught red-handed robbing a fruit vendor at the corner of Cum-

Piranha-eaten body fished out of Zorg canal THE body of a man supposedly eaten by piranhas was fished out of a canal in Zorg, Essequibo Coast in a decomposed state Sunday.

The man was identified as Deodat Lakeram, 39, called ‘Krishna’ or ‘Corila’ of Zorg, Essequibo Coast. Reports indicate that Lakeram, who was unemployed, was last seen in the company of a 52-year-old fisherman on Saturday last.

Police said that the man is suspected to have drowned between January 14 and 15.

His face and left arm was presumably damaged by piranhas.

One resident said that the man, who returned from Trinidad last November, appeared to have been drunk when he fell into a canal in Zorg. “This man is an alcoholic that drinks all the time; and he lives alone.” A post-mortem is expected to be done on the body this week.

The body after it was recovered from the canal

Ivor Billingy

mings Street and North Road.

The two men were nabbed by members of the Presidential Guard Service.

One was captured immediately while the other ran away but was subsequently found hiding under some mattresses in a house on Robb Street.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Miners charged with stealing raw gold from dredge owner TWO MINERS accused of stealing 11 pennyweights of raw gold from a dredge owner were on Monday placed on $15,000 bail each

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Markey Williams, 19 of Kamarang Village and O’Neil Melbourne, 20 of La Grange, West Bank Demerara, both pleaded not guilty to the joint charge of simple larceny.

Particulars of the charge alleged that the duo on January 9, at Kaikan Backdam, Cuyuni River, stole a magic mat valued $100,000 along with 11 pennyweights of raw

gold valued $110,000 property of Edwin Bess.

According to the prosecutor Deniro Jones, the items were recovered at Crabwood Backdam, in Kaikan. Jones further pointed out that the dredge owner had signaled to the officers that he did not wish to proceed with the matter.

The Chief Magistrate subsequently placed the men on bail and bonded them on good behavior. The matter is transferred to the Kamarang Magistrate Court for March 21.

Last Friday, three gold miners accused of stealing

four and a half pennyweights of raw gold from their employer were put on $50,000 bail by the Chief Magistrate.

The men: Steve James, 25, of Charles Housing Scheme, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara; Shemmy Bernard, 19, and Junior Bascom, 23, both of St. Cuthbert’s Mission, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, are accused of stealing fourand-a-half pennyweights of raw gold from Prince Bowman on January 11, at Arangoy Backdam, Cuyuni River. The matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

Man said he used ganja to cure sick niece A 19-YEAR-OLD Paramakatoi farmer was Monday sentenced to three years in jail and fined $40,500 by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after pleading guilty to marijuana possession.

Neville Melville, of

Paramakatoi Village, Upper Demerara Berbice Region, confessed that on January 11 at his home he had 27 grams of cannabis in his possession.

According to reports, police ranks acting on information received went to Melville’s home and conducted

a search during which the marijuana was found under his bed.

In court, the unrepresented accused explained that he had bought the marijuana for $500 which he uses to make tea for his sick niece.

Bartica Massacre trial...

Pathologist says victims couldn’t survive injuries GOVERNMENT pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh as good as said Monday, there was no way any of the 12 victims of the Bartica Massacre could have lived, given the extent of their injuries.

Giving a detailed testimony of the cause of death of the nine civilians and three cops who were slain en masse on the night of February 17, 2008, Dr. Singh told the court, for instance, that Bartica resident, Edwin Gilkes, whose lungs were shot to smithereens, had just about half-an-hour to live, if so much; while Ashraf Ally Khan of Middlesex, Essequibo, who took several bullets to the head, died instantaneously.

Dr. Singh went on to say that Khan’s body bore at least three entry wounds to the head, back and middle.

One bullet, he said, exited via the right nostril, while

two flattened ones were recovered from the skull.

And from all indications, Abdool Yasseen of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, was also shot in the head, and at close range, as his brain had multiple cuts, causing splits and bursts in the blood vessels.

In the case of Errol Thomas, who, like Yasseen, hailed from Tuschen, Dr. Singh said “the cause of death was multiple gunshots to the head.”

Constable Shane Fredericks also died of multiple gunshot injuries, at least 10 of which were accounted for during the autopsy.

And, from all indications, those shots “came from all angles.”

As for Constable Ron Osborne, his cause of death was ruled as intra-abdominal hemorrhage due to multiple gunshot wounds. Dr. Singh said he took four shots: One

through the abdomen, severing the aorta before passing through the kidney to the liver and exiting the body.

All four bullets, the doctor said, exited the body.

In the case of Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir, he too died of multiple gunshot injuries, but the one shot that killed him was the one to his head.

Irving Ferreira, of Bartica, was shot thrice in the head, while his countryman, Dexter Adrian, took seven bullets.

Deonarine Singh of Wakenaam, was shot twice, at close range, in the back of the head, with one bullet ending up being lodged in his wrist, while Baldeo Singh, of Montrose, East Coast Demerara, died of gunshot injuries to the head as well.

Lastly was Ronald Gomes of Kuru Kururu, who, according to the pa-

thologist, died as a result of gunshot injury to the head.

Several witnesses also testified, one of whom was recalled for cross examination on Monday.

On trial are Mark Royden Williams called “Smallie”, Dennis Williams called “Anaconda” and Roger Simon called “Goat Man” who are each indicted for the murders of nine civilians and three policemen at Bartica on February 17, 2008.

However, two of the five accused, Michael Caesar and Clebert Reece, have since pleaded guilty to manslaughter separately and have been sentenced.

Mark Royden Williams, is being represented by Roger Yearwood, Dennis Williams by Saphier Hussain, and Roger Simon by Peter Hugh.

The state is being represented by Diana Kaulesar and Stacy Goodings.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Exemplary standards …Scott hails high industrial relations standards at Banks DIH, NAMILCO MINISTER with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott on Monday praised two local manufacturing firms for exemplary industrial relations standards while maintaining high staff morale and experiencing low worker turnover.

Scott made the remarks following the end of familiarisation tours to the National Milling Company (NAMILCO) and giant beverage conglomerate Banks DIH, both located south of the capital, his office said in a release.

The Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection assured that the government “will do everything to help the company maintain their high industrial relations standards and will detail Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) officers to help strengthen that sector

in the two local companies.

“Overall, both companies are doing very well,” Scott said at the end of Monday visits.

While at the beverage giant, Scott and his team of MOSP officials from the labour, OSH and the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA) examined several aspects of the operations at both NAMILCO and Banks DIH Ltd. At the latter the officials examined the new technologies used in the production of the Banks beer which produces some 14,000 to 18,000 bottles of the product daily.

They also benefitted from guided tours of the beverage and alcohol, pastry and biscuits and the machine shop.

While at NAMILCO, Scott held formal discussions with executives where he unveiled plans “to meet with

all employers (and unions) individually” this year to sensitise them on the “new levels of industrial relations Guyana is currently experiencing.

Unions, Scott explained have to “adjust to the new psychological atmosphere” enveloping the local labour sector. Without naming companies, Scott said “some large employers are on a confrontational path” with the Labour Department.

Nevertheless he reminded that he will maintain his ‘open door’ policy with employers.

“It is in all our interest for Guyana to have a stable industrial relations climate... and the government’s position is not to intimidate but to help companies fulfil their goals,” Scott said. “We want to bring down the unemploy-

Suspects remanded for estate worker’s murder MAGISTRATE Clive Nurse Monday remanded two men to prison after they were charged with the murder of 38-year-old Kawal Shivnauth, of Wine Bush, Leonora West Coast Demerara (WCD).

It is alleged that on January 09, Roopnarine Persaud, 18, called ‘Helicopter’ and Deonarine Lakan, 23, called ‘Pascal’ assaulted Shivnauth stabbing him about the body resulting in his death.

It is alleged that the victim was about to exit a shop at Anna Catherina, when the suspect advanced towards him and reportedly lashed him to the head while another man advanced towards him and stabbed him several times about the body.

The accused were not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge when they appeared at Wales Magistrate’s Court, West Bank

Dead: Kawal Shivnauth

Demerara. They were remanded until February 20th.

Reports indicate that Shivnauth, a sugar estate worker, was killed a few days after he reportedly approached his stepson Roopnarine Persaud, warning him about harassing his 5-yearold daughter.

The victim’s mother,

Radha Lalchand, said that her son indeed spoke to his stepson sometime back about harassing his daughter. “It wasn’t anything big, he just talked to him about troubling the girl,” Lalchand said.

The woman said that her son was dating the suspect’s mother for about three years. “The woman doesn’t live with him (victim) but she goes there and spends time with him.”

Lalchand said that her grandchildren reside with her and two Sundays ago, Shivnauth called and asked that the children spend the day with him, since it was his birthday.

Residents raised an alarm when the altercation occurred and the police were alerted. Shivnauth was pronounced dead on arrival at the Leonora Cottage Hospital.

ment rate in Guyana,” Scott told NAMILCO executives, urging them to utilise the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and the CRMA, both agencies within the MOSP. NAMILCO’s Managing Director, Mr Bert Sukhai praised Scott for initiating Monday’s visit and said afterwards that Guyanese should expect no price increases for flour even though the company will be hit by higher corporation taxes this year.

“NAMILCO will absorb the (higher) corporation tax under the new VAT (Value Added Tax) regime” Sukhai promised. He reiterated stable prices in 2017 for the company’s 20 products, notwithstanding a higher wage bill from November 2016. NAMILCO and the Guyana Labour Union (GLU) brokered a three-year wages pact which guarantees workers a 21 per cent pay hike over the period. NAMILCO workers received the first increase in November 2016, Sukhai said.

Suspect who allegedly killed Guyanese man during Queens robbery caught

Ricky Kalisaran, 31, was killed during a robbery in Queens on Jan. 2

[NY Daily News] - A MAN sought for shooting a 31-year-old man to death during a robbery in Queens — marking the first homicide of the New Year — was behind bars Saturday after being tracked to Pennsylvania, officials said.

Members of the Pocono Mountain Regional Police picked up Dreshaun Smith, 22, in Monroe County on Thursday, according to the website The Morning Call.

Smith was captured about 110 miles from where he allegedly shot Ricky Kalisaran while trying to rob him and his brother in South Richmond Hill, on Jan. 2.

The brother, 24-year-old Sunny Kalisaran, was shot in the back but survived.

He was wearing a flashy

Sunny Kalisaran was shot in the back, but survived the attack

gold chain believed to have caught the shooter’s eye. The brothers were shot on 124th St. near Liberty Ave. about 3:25 a.m. Ricky Kalisaran, 31, was fatally shot in the chest and bicep after arriving in New York from Guyana just two days earlier to attend his grandmom’s funeral.

Cops identified Smith as the gunman early in the investigation. The NYPD confirmed the arrest and said detectives were in the process of extraditing him back to New York, where he will be charged with murder, officials said.

As of Friday, there have been six murders citywide this year, compared to 10 during the same period last year, a 40% drop, according to NYPD statistics.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Man found dead at city eatery THE lifeless body of a man was on Monday afternoon discovered in a washroom at the busy Demico House outlet on Croal Street, Stabroek.

Reports are that around 1700hrs on Monday, customers were awaiting their turn to use the washroom at the outlet near the Route 40 minibus park ,when persons realised the man had occupied the facility for a considerably

long time.

Several customers told this publication that the man spends time daily at the outlet.

One person noted that he may have suffered a seizure as some described him as “sickly”.

The man’s body was removed by undertakers shortly after the discovery as customers continued their purchases and staff cleaned the sanitary facilities at the location.

A plea for... has been finding it difficult to take care of his family.

The frustrated miner told Guyana Chronicle on Sunday while at a meeting with the Minister within the Ministry

of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes in Bartica that he wants the government, through GGMC, to put systems in place to ensure that small-scale miners are able to work.

“Lands should be made accessible and they should be affordable…Permission is not an easy thing to get from GGMC and you always hearing that the Commissioner has lots of files on his desk.

Lands have not been given out in a long time; there used to be more lottery in the past,” said Daniels.

He continued: “All small miners want is land to work; we will work the lands and sell our gold to the gold board. Things are hard… everything is slow and not because of the world price… the most important thing is the land...right now is bankruptcy…some months I don’t even reach my mortgage.”

Ava Abrams, another miner said she closed her dredge off on or around December 20, but was unable to pay her staff. She explained that her equipment is stationed in the Puruni backdam and is being overlooked by security. “We don’t even have money to turn out back to work. Just have security there watching our things.

We are not getting anywhere to work, not getting gold when you find land… it is really tight and I owe a lot of people and I can’t clear bills because I can’t work. I have my excavator and engine but just stall up there. I have to get my things out of the backdam but if I have nowhere to go,” she told Guyana Chronicle as she noted that this is the worst situation she has faced since she started mining 15 years ago.

FORM SYNDICATES Meanwhile, Broomes told this newspaper that several small scale miners had approached her to relate their struggles. She said that as a former miner she

From page 2

empathises with them and noted that the problem is not one without solution. The minister said she is examining available lands for the miners to work but informed them that it was necessary for them to form a syndicate and apply to the GGMC to be able to work the land.

“They have formed themselves in syndicates and have complied and applied. The area they applied for is not owned it is with the state; it is favourable on their side. I encouraged them to go to the area and examine it.”

“I hope it is a gold bearing area and of course there would be no landlordism and bullyism,” she stated.

On the concerns raised by small miners about alternative blocks being given to medium and large scale miners, the Minister said she is against such action. “I was against it while the PPP was in government and I am against it now. It is an unfair system that is part of a larger scheme of corruption,” the minister said. Broomes noted that there are genuine miners who are in dire need of lands to work and although they would have applied they were not given preference. “Some of the miners take it (alternative blocks) as a business… this is big money business,” she declared adding that the time has come for there to be an investigation into the persons who are being granted alternatives and those who have been granted Power of Attorney for the said lands.

“The miners have approached me on the matter and I have asked them to speak with Minister Trotman because he deals with land and the closed areas committee; that is not within my ambit.” Attempts to contact Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman on Monday were unsuccessful as his mobile went unanswered.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Guyana updated on status of proposed regional training centre – for young people with disabilities

MINISTER within the Ministry of Education, Ms Nicolette Henry has been brought up-to-speed on the cooperation and technical assistance Agreement between CARICOM, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Cuba and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the establishment of the Regional Training Centre.

This project is aimed at stimulating the development of children, adolescents and young people with special educational needs associated with disabilities.

The appraisal was done on Monday during a courtesy call paid to the minister

by Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Mr Julio César González Marchante and Professor Jorge Duvalon Ramirez.

The Agreement for this initiative was signed in December 2016 by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Carl Greenidge, Ambassador Gonzalez Marchante and CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque.

The proposal to finance this project was made by the Government of Cuba at the Fifth Cuba-CARICOM Summit in 2014.

Some of the specific

Minister within the Ministry of Education, Ms Nicolette Henry (centre), with her guests, Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Mr Julio César González Marchante (right) and Professor Jorge Duvalon Ramirez

objectives of the project are to:1. Improve the evaluation, diagnosis, and counseling of people with disabilities in any context in which they are, from the earliest ages.

2. Promote educational training strategies to improve the prevention, correction, compensation, and rehabilitation and socio-professional integration services offered by pro-

fessionals, based on social cooperation.

3. Promote cooperation among various social welfare institutions and educational leaders in the transfer of strategies, methods, and techniques in the transformation of comprehensive attention provided to persons with disabilities.

4. Improve professionals, technicians and other educational agents training

No 2017 target yet for sugar …consultation among stakeholders ongoing THE Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has confirmed that a sugar production target for 2017 is yet to be decided on.

Last year the Government had expended $9B at the start of the year on the sugar industry, but later made another billion-dollar bailout, with members of the National Assembly in October, 2016 approving $2B for the cash-strapped corporation.

However, despite the challenges the industry faced, it was last reported that the industry was 2,000 tonnes shy of meeting

their second-crop target of 137,764 tonnes of sugar.

It was also disclosed by Sugar Corporation’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ms Audreyanna Thomas, that the second-crop target had initially been pegged at 159,000 tonnes. Thomas said the company was forced to settle for 137, 764 tonnes, a shortfall of a whopping 93,307 tonnes on 2015’s output, due to the inclement weather.

The same holds true for the original overall target for 2016, which was initially pegged at 239, 513 tonnes.

Nevertheless, the strug-

gles of 2016 have seemingly entered 2017, with GuySuCo still in the process of finalising the targets, although in the past projections were already finalised and cultivation of the first crop would have commenced.

Thomas however indicated that the industry is moving forward given that stakeholders met in December to decide the way forward for the industry.

The second meeting of the stakeholders is yet to be decided but, the Corporation’s PRO said that things are still happening in the industry at the moment.

and preparation involved in the educational attention of persons with disabilities in the region.

5. Develop programmes for Education and guidance of family and community members who interact with persons with disabilities.

6. Stimulate the realisation of research to improve the quality of educational attention of persons with disabilities.

7. Promote scientific production that contributes to socialise the best experiences of managers, teachers, and specialists from CARICOM countries.

The implementation of the project has five stages, among them Awareness and Diagnostic Comprehension; Design of the Training Centre and Counseling to People who will work

on it; Implementation of the Planned Development Centre; Performance of Regional Training Center for Educational Attention of Persons with Disabilities and Monitoring and Evaluation.

The expected results are to improve teachers training for providing education to persons with disabilities; improve diagnosis quality and effectiveness and stimulate the development of children, adolescents, youth and adults with disabilities; improve the life quality of persons with disabilities in any context in which they are, and model validation of regional training centre to provide comprehensive educational attention to children, adolescents and youth with disabilities.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Westford, Cummings silent on fraud allegations-police FORMER Public Service Minister, Dr. Jennifer Westford and Personnel Secretary Margaret Cummings, in the presence of their lawyer, Eusi Anderson had remained silent when the allegation involving the theft of over $600M from the State of Guyana was put to them.

This is according to Detective Inspector Richard Frank who is attached to Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). He testified yesterday when the trial continued before Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The policeman testified that he assisted with investigations into a $10M theft and a series of 13 other similar investigations that were going on at the Ministry of Public Service (MPS), which amounted to over $600M. Frank further explained that on July 2, 2015 he contacted Alvin William, an accountant at the Office of the President (OP), who handed over to him a memorandum from the PSM dated June 7,

2012 captioned ‘financial assistance of Ministry of Public Service evaluation.’

The document was purportedly signed by Dr. Westford. A voucher dated June 8, 2012 payable to Westford personnel Secretary, Margaret Cummings for the sum of $10M was also handed over to Frank.

Additionally, a Bank of Guyana (BoG) cheque dated June 8, 2012 number 05023815 payable to the permanent secretary of the MPS for the sum of $10.255M was handed over to the officer.

Frank noted that on August 13, 2015 at Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Eve Leary, Georgetown a confrontation was held between him and Westford in the presence of her attorney, Eusi Anderson. “I told her of the allegation that she, while being a Minister within the Ministry of Public Service stole $10M property of the state… Westford remained silent” the officer told the court.

The police man further

Dr Jennifer Westford

pointed out that he showed Westford that memorandum and asked her a series of questioned which she replied “No comments” and remained silent. The police witness told the court that on August 13, 2015 at CID headquarters he contacted Margaret Cummings in the present of her lawyer, Anderson and told her of the allegation that she stole $10M from the state during June 12, 2012. “She told me that she chooses to remain silent,” Frank said as he

Region Six completes 97% of 2016 works programme REGION Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), has completed 97 percent of its 2016 infrastructural programme. The Regional Chairman, David Armogan told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that of the $5.8B allocated to Region Six in 2016, $5.7B was spent.

The Region Six Chairman explained that there were some difficulties when the previous Regional Executive Officer (REO) Dr. Veerasammy Ramayya resigned, but the new REO Kim Williams-Stephens worked very quickly to ensure that many of the Region’s programmes were on track.

“We had some savings which was $6M at the end of the year and this amount was spent on the East Bank Berbice Road. You know that was a road that has been in contention for many years

and a road that has seen many protests too, but we did some work on that road,” Armogan explained.

Armogan said that due to heavy traffic, the road went back to a deplorable state.

Works on the Road will be completed under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, since no funds were allocated in the Region’s budget for the road.

Meanwhile, projects that were not completed in 2016 will be completed soon, Armogan said. These include works on the Number 36 Primary School valued at over $30M, the wharf at Skeldon that will allow persons at Orealla-Siparuta to bring out their produce with ease and the outpatient building and High Dependency Unit at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Armagon said these projects are set to be completed in the first quarter this year.

Further, the Regional Chairman pointed out that the $74M which the Region did not spend was as a result of savings made when the price of fuel was reduced. In addition, heavy rainfall resulted in less need for the irrigation pumps to be put into operation in the Region. “The money that was not spent and went to the treasury is from savings and fuel, because of prudent measures we have put in place. We didn’t have to pump too much for drainage and when the crops started we were assisted by the rains so that would have accounted for a fair amount of the savings we have,” Armogan underlined. Armogan said that overall, Region Six has had a successful 2016 and efforts will be intensified for an even better performance in 2017. (GINA)

stood in the witness box. He explained that he was given the same answer when he showed her the memorandum and payment voucher.

He further testified that later that day, he held a confrontation between the Chief Accountant, Peter Moore from Office of the President (OP) and Cummings. Moore confronted the woman, stating that on June 12, 2012 he made payment to her and she (Cumming) signed the voucher. “She replied I have nothing to say.” The witness told the court that he assisted with the investigations into the 13 other similar charges against Westford and Cummings. He also added that he submitted statements into all of the 14 investigations.

However, the women’s lawyer, Senior Counsel, Neil Boston, argued that a total of 13 statements were submitted to the defense and not the 14 allocated. State Prosecutor Tashana Lake was quick to rebut Boston’s claims saying that work has been rigorously done to ensure that all of the statements in the file were

corresponding correctly.

Based upon the legal argument Magistrate Latchman adjourned the matter until January 19 for her clerk to check on how many statements were handed over.

Meanwhile, during yesterday hearing, Jenni-

Margaret Cummings

fer Chapman, the Deputy Accountant General at the Ministry of Finance continued her testimony from last November into the matter.

Chapman during her testi-

mony explained that the personal secretary from the MPS is responsible for the signing of cheques or she could have authorised someone on her behalf but would have to send a letter to the accountant general department before.

The deputy accountant general had handed over 23 cheques to the police to facilitate their investigation into the alleged $600M at Public Service Ministry.

The witness in court had given detailed explanation about non sub-accounting agencies and sub-accounting agencies.

Dr. Westford and Ms. Cummings face 24 charges alleging that they stole more than $639M from the Government of Guyana. The charges state that between October 19, 2011 and April 28, 2015, Westford and Cummings, while being employed at the then Public Service Ministry, stole $639,420,000 belonging to the Government of Guyana, which they received by virtue of employment.

1,000 Essequibo residents to get free eye tests, spectacles OVER 1,000 residents of Anna Regina, Essequibo are expected to benefit from the Canadian Vision Care Medical Team’s outreaches.

The team will conduct their work from January 29 – February 5, 2017, when they intend to perform eye examinations and dispense various prescription spectacles to the general public.

According to a release from the Ministry of Public Health, persons will be able to have their eyes tested and screened for various eye diseases, while spectacles will be distributed free of cost.

Moreover, persons requiring surgery will be referred to the Suddie Regional Hospital for further examination and analysis by an ophthalmologist.

The team, headed by Dr. David White and Mr. Robert

Sentner, includes optometrists, opticians and assistants, who visit Guyana annually to conduct medical outreaches at various locations in the hinterland.

The clinic is expected to benefit residents who are unable to afford eye care services, the release said. This year’s outreach is being done in collaboration with the local Lion’s Club which is expected to provide administrative and logistical support to the

team.

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence lauded the team’s initiative in wanting to contribute to Guyana’s vision care.

Canadian Vision Care was formed in 1981 as a federally chartered non-profit organisation that provides primary eye care and surgical care to hundreds of thousands of the less-fortunate in Third World countries around the world.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Rock Stone road threatened by erosion – residents concerned also about dilapidated bridges

By Vanessa Braithwaite THE main access road heading to the small fishing community of Rock Stone in Region 10 is currently virtually impassible as a result of erosion.

Sections of the clay road have been completely eroded by the water running from a nearby creek coupled with the heavy downpours.

There is a buildup of water on the right corridor of the road and with the blocked koker the water has been channeling its way on the road with extreme pressure thus causing it to be washed away.

When Guyana Chronicle visited the road on Saturday, it was as if there was a stream running across the road and vehicles and pedestrians were experiencing extreme difficulty passing. The residents made a call to the regional authorities to have the situation fixed and the Regional Works Committee visited the community on Saturday and described the situation as an emergency.

Calls were made to have the koker cleared earliest and to construct a proper revetment work so that the water will be correctly drained off. “We are moving from here and we are going and secure a mini excavator and we want to bring two tubes here and build a revetment,

A build up of water at the corridor of the road as a result of the blocked koker

build up the shoulder so that we could channel this water over that side because with the buildup over here and the continuous rain fall, the whole road would wash off so this is another emergency we dealing with here,” Regional Chairman Renis Morian said.

In addition to the drains, the main access bridge in the fishing community is in need of urgent repairs as residents fear that very soon, one of the lumber trucks that traverse over it daily may fall in. One resident explained to this publication that the support base for the bridge is the sand and that has separated from the foundation

of the bridge. “Something is moving the foundation from the sand so you find that about three feet of the bridge is exposed and this means that this bridge can break and collapse any time,” the resident said.

A similar situation is occurring at the Paramakushi Bridge that is located over the Paramakushi Creek that runs through the community. Residents are claiming that the large volume of water running under the bridge, coupled with the impact of the lumber trucks may be the cause of its dilapidated state. Given the fact that the near-

A section of the main access bridge where the sand has been separated from the bridge’s foundation

est hospital is in Linden, which is approximately 18 miles away, residents are afraid that if the public infrastructures are not fixed

An eroded hole in another section of the road

earliest, there may be loss of life and limb. They were promised by the Regional

Authorities that repairs will commence as soon as possible.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

CSME training for Guyana’s secondary school teachers SECONDARY school teachers in Guyana are set to be more knowledgeable about the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

This is due to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat’s hosting of a two-day CSME training workshop from today at the Church View International Hotel in Berbice, the Caricom Secretariat said in a release.

Approximately thirty (30) teachers will be attending the workshop which is funded under the European Union’s 10th European Development Fund CSME and Economic Integration Programme. The official opening ceremony on Tuesday morning will be addressed by Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of

FLASHBACK: Secondary school students and teachers in Guyana with CARICOM Secretariat staff members in 2015

Foreign Affairs, Mr. Neville Totaram and Senior Education Officer, Ms. Carol Benn.

The workshop’s objective is to train teachers of first to third form students, in how to stimulate interest in and

encourage identification of career and skills development based on an understanding of the opportunities offered by the CSME. Education consultant, Dr. Heather Johnson, has been contracted by the

Secretariat to develop and conduct the training session.

Coming out of this activity and based on participant feedback, a training module will be finalized and it is anticipated that this will be

a tool for teachers in CARICOM Member States. A similar workshop was held successfully in Saint Lucia in December 2016, with approximately twenty-five (25) secondary school teachers. It

is hoped that this intervention will equip the next generation of CARICOM citizens to view the CSME as their preferred choice for employment and entrepreneurial activity.

This training workshop is part of a wider public education programme on the CSME as the Secretariat promotes the benefits of a single market and economy among member states.

Other activities undertaken under the 10th EDF include a series of private sector and rural community workshops, travel facilitation public sensitisation sessions and tertiary student CSME field missions across participating member states.

Details of these activities and more may be found at www.csmeonline.org.

NDIA deployed to Linden for the first time TWENTY seven communities in Region Ten will benefit from works to be done by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA). This is the first time that NDIA will be working in the area.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NDIA, Frederick Flatts, said that a large

excavator and two smaller ones have been deployed to the Region to assist with drainage and irrigation works. “We are seeking to do enough works in Linden to make it possible for people to plant and so people can be more self-sufficient,” Flatts said.

Flatts, however not-

‘Palpably... against the defendants and so the charge levelled against them was dismissed.

An assessment of the qualifications of the six nominees, Justice Pollard posited illustrates that “the list submitted is palpably defective in omitting persons qualified as judges or possessing requisite qualifications to be appointed as such.”

He continued: “And it is submitted that the President was correct and principled in characterising the list as unacceptable.”

The Opposition Leader has said he wants the CCJ to interpret the law on the appointment of a GECOM Chair; a move Justice Pollard said is not surprising. At a press conference last week, Jagdeo said the President’s interpretation of the law is wayward, noting that the

ed, that residential areas including Block 22 and Coomacka, have drainage problems that require long term solutions. He said the NDIA is prepared to assist in those long terms solutions.

Work by the NDIA in collaboration with Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NCDs,) started in the sec-

From page 4

inclusion of “or any other fit and proper person” was aimed at broadening the category from which the GECOM Chairman could be nominated and thereafter appointed.

“The President said the Constitution is quite clear and it is clear to me too, that outside of judges, others can be appointed to the post,” Jagdeo said.

He argued that practice has shown that his interpretation is not flawed as several past presidents including Desmond Hoyte, SC, had submitted four lists comprising individuals who were not judges or did not have the qualifications to become a judge.

The Opposition Leader reminded that President David Granger himself had accepted nomination by Hoyte,

even though he (Granger) was not from the legal fraternity.

Notwithstanding those arguments, the President maintains that he will follow the guideline set by the Constitution.

“So the point is, even if the Constitution had been breached, or a nomination been made in breach of the Constitution — 10 or 20 years ago — there is no need to repeat it, so that’s not a precedent. I am accepting now as President that the constitutional provisions must be applied,” the Head of State said subsequently.

Jagdeo has since written President Granger requesting an explanation on what constitutes “fit and proper” and has also requested a meeting with the head-ofstate.

ond half of 2015. Residential and farming communities had suffered from silted waterways which led to persistent flooding.

Flatts said this is the first time that the NDIA would have executed drainage and irrigation works in the region. He further noted that significant improvements

in the drainage systems have been recorded. However, there is still more to be done, taking into consideration the important roles that other key farming and agriculture stakeholders play in the process. “In terms of persons being able to plant more in Linden, it takes more than just drain-

age and irrigation. There are other areas that have to be addressed but we are seeking to do our part from the NDIA in terms of drainage and irrigation.

If they need to do more works, we have the ability to hire equipment and to get those works done,” the CEO said. (GINA)

Indian national among occupants affected by Cummings Lodge fire

– owner returns security deposits, January rent AFTER the 30-room apartment building which housed about 40 students and other occupants went up in flames last Friday, January 13, several persons have been left homeless.

Indian national, Sagar Patil, said that he has lost everything in this fire. He recounted that he has been in Guyana for four years now studying medicine at the Greenheart Medical University, located at Lot 139, 4th Street, Campbellville, and he had been staying in this apartment building for about three and a half years.

“When you travel to another country, you carry everything with you,” Patil noted, as he explained that he lost a number of household

appliances, $200,000 worth in schoolbooks from India, his medical equipment and all his personal belongings.

In a state of helplessness, Patil and three other male occupants of the building who are now sharing another apartment visited the owners of the apartment building, Mr. and Mrs. Balgobin. The young men said their security deposits were returned to them, along with the rent paid for January.

When the Guyana Chronicle contacted the owner of the building, who was identified only as “Mr. Balgobin”, he assured that he will be returning the security deposits given to him initially and the rental payment for this month to all occupants of the build-

ing. “I have started to give back them [the occupants of the building] their money,” he said.

Balgobin said further, “I am just trying to be fair within the circumstances I am faced with. This is a difficult time for me as well.”

Occupants of the apartment building told the Guyana Chronicle of their concerns on the morning after the fire (Saturday, January 14) when the owner observed that his insurance had expired, creating anxiety over the likelihood of compensation for the occupants.

However, the owner did not disclose the status of the building’s insurance to the Guyana Chronicle.

(Vishani Ragobeer)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

DCC fall at final hurdle as Cane Farm lift UWI T20 UNICOM trophy

By Brij Parasnath GUYANA’S Gajanand Singh impressed again with an attractive 64 runs and copped the Player-of-the-Series award but Cane Farm Sports Club lifted the UWI UNICOM T20 crown when they overpowered Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) by 67 runs in the grand final contested under floodlights at the Sir Frank Worrell ground, St Augustine campus on Sunday night.

DCC fell at the final hurdle when their frontline bowlers Keemo Paul, Ashmead Nedd and Singh were put to the sword by West Indies ODI and T20 opener Evin Lewis.

Carnival is four weeks away but Lewis added some real Trinidadian tempo and immediately stamped his authority on the proceedings when Cane Farm were asked to take first strike, after DCC captain Derwin Christian won his fifth consecutive toss

and asked his opponents to face some music.

Left-handed Lewis went on the rampage from the very first ball delivered by Paul as he smashed it for a blistering boundary to open the floodgates for boundaries and sixes galore that had the appreciative crowd of over 3 000 spectators enjoying the batting fireworks on display.

The attacking left-hander added another powerful boundary followed by a mighty six in the first over.

Surprisingly, Gajanand Singh with his gentle off-spinners was given the second over and he was warmly greeted with four towering sixes off his first five balls. Only the fourth and sixth were not dumped outside the playing area.

Sharfane Rutherford replaced Paul and he brought joy to DCC supporters when he removed Imran Khan with the third delivery of his first over. But he did not escape punishment as Lewis added

a double and a four off the final two deliveries of the third over.

Kellon Carmichael briefly stalled the batting momentum and bowled a maiden over to Lendl Simmons. But Lewis soon was on the charge again in the very next over bowled by leftarm spinner Ashmead Nedd, whose deliveries were belted out of the playing area for four more massive sixes off the his first five balls.

Lewis had already raced past his fifty off 18 deliveries and counted five sixes and five fours. He blasted two more sixes and departed for a hurricane 90 with ten sixes and six fours off 35 deliveries.

The pulsating batting waned following Lewis’ exit. But it quickly picked up momentum when burly Roshon Primus joined skipper Denesh Ramdin and together they put on another fine exhibition of power-hitting.

Primus took the leading role and slammed a quick-fire

43 that contained three sixes and four fours off 18 balls while Ramdin blazed four fours and a six for his 23 runs. Simmons hit three fours in his 26 made off 27 balls.

Cane Farm amassed 217 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs while DCC folded for 150 all out in 17.1 overs.

While wickets tumbled at regular intervals around him, the pugnacious leftie blazed to 64 with the aid of two sixes and ten elegant fours and took his overall tournament aggregate to 327 for an amazing average of 327.

Carmichael and Paul raised hopes of helping Singh to carry DCC as close as possible to Cane Farm’s challenging total but they perished through reckless strokeplay. Carmichael made 34 while Paul was smartly stumped by Ramdin off Imran Khan for 25.

Paul delighted the crowd with three huge sixes off Khan who deceived him with the doosra that had him groping

down the track as Ramdin had the bails off in a flash to end DCC’s chances of a rear-guard fightback.

Gajanand, who batted throughout the series with a troubled right shoulder and injured left elbow on his strong hand, sought to up the scoring rate but perished when he was brilliantly caught by Rayad Emrit at extra cover off Primus who demolished the lower batting order to give Cane Farm an impressive victory over the Guyanese team.

Primus finished with four for 39 from four overs and collected the Man-of-the-Match award while Ravi Rampaul (2 for 19 from 3.1 overs) and Khan (2 for 34 from 4 overs) helped in the demolition of DCC, who collected the runner-up prize of TT$20 000.

Cane Farm Sports Club captain Denesh Ramdin received the champions’ prize of TT$40 000 and the Challenge Trophy.

GCB gets $1.5M towards development of NSSCL THE Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Education signalled its commitment towards the continued development of cricket with the contribution of $1.5M to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) yesterday.

The cheque was presented to the secretary of the GCB, Anand Sanasie, by Minister within the Ministry of Education, Hon. Nicolette Henry at her Main Street office.

The funds are intended to be used by the GCB to purchase cricket balls for the National Secondary Schools

Cricket League (NSSCL).

During the presentation Minister Henry said this initiative follows one of the Ministry of Education’s mandate to promote a wider student participation in sports. This is the first official donation to sports from the Ministry for 2017.

The GCB expressed elation and commended the efforts of the Ministry of Education and its National Sports Commission for conducting and promoting the NSSCL and dubbed the partnership a fruitful and purposeful exercise.

The GCB/MoE NSSCL has enabled the GCB coaching personnel to identify and groom young talent and where necessary, to align student-players with Association Country and/or National teams.

The NSSCL structure has been absorbing young talent while ensuring that at the school cricket level enough quality cricket is played countrywide, thereby enabling the technical staff access to measure talent, track and promote such talent along a systematic pathway of development.

More robust players... that we are trying to take into this Hong Kong game. We’re

trying to take it so much higher; I don’t think size will be much to worry about.”

“Nevertheless we are still trying to get some robust men of good quality and size in the line-up. Hopefully we get Kevin McKenzie and Rupert Giles. One of the guys out here Rondel McArthur could match those body types,” the coach added.

Meanwhile the cohesiveness of the final team was also a question raised to the coach who contended that the amount of time the players spend together in training does

Such a systematic development pathway has allowed the NSSCL structure at an early age of students’ life, to promote a culture of professionalism among and between teams and players, make them more recognised and marketable, as well as making the NSSCL a more marketable activity.

The GCB noted that the NSSCL has also encouraged and demanded higher levels of youth players’ investment and productivity, as many more students have an interest in cricket and are willing and able to dedicate more

From back page

not depent on him.

“It is for the union to put together the team earlier, bring all the players who have to come in early so we can have that togetherness. We are basically doing fitness. Mr Barrington Brown is taking them through mostly strength and conditioning.”

With training set for today, tomorrow, Thursday and Saturday, the shortlisted squad have just under three months to get themselves ready for their third chance in the spotlight among the big teams.

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time, energy and finances on their game, which has led to higher levels of productivity.

This collaborative effort between the Education Ministry and the Guyana Cricket Board is a critical developmental initiative which continues to promote a positive impact on structure of school cricket and its participating student-players.

These efforts have made school cricket more organised, competitive, and have created a wider pool of players for the GCB to monitor and make its selection.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Top seed Kerber overcomes nerves, Tsurenko to advance

By Nick Mulvenney MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - Defending champion Angelique Kerber battled her nerves and blew a match point in the second set before finally overcoming Lesia Tsurenko 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 to reach the second round of the Australian Open tennis yesterday.

The top-seeded German was starting the defence of a grand slam title for the first time and made harder and longer work than she might have of advancing to a meeting with compatriot Carina Witthoeft.

“I was actually feeling not too bad,” the 28-year-old said after basking in the applause on Rod Laver Arena, where she beat Serena Williams last year to win her first grand slam title.

“From the beginning, I was trying to play my game.

I played a good match. There was a little bit where I didn’t play too good. I make some simple mistakes in the second set, at the end of the second set.

“But first round matches are always tough.”

Kerber perhaps had good reason to fear the embarrassment of becoming only the second woman to fall at the first hurdle in her title defence at the Australian Open.

She had spoken before the tournament about feeling the pressure after her stellar 2016 season, during which she won two major titles, reached the Wimbledon final and became world number one.

Knocked out in the first round at Melbourne Park two years ago, even last year Kerber was match point down against Misaki Doi in her opener before recovering to reach the final.

After losing the first six points of the match, though, Kerber gradually found her range and proved too strong for Tsurenko, who was reduced to scrapping to save her serve and the odd pearl of a consolation point off her rasping backhand.

The nerves returned when Kerber was serving for the match, however, and the world number one angled a backhand into the net on her single match point before her Ukrainian opponent broke back for 5-5.

World number 51 Tsurenko grasped her oppor-

tunity with both hands and broke the Australian and U.S. Open champion again after a marathon nine-minute game to send the contest into a decider.

The third set developed into a battle of wills but lefthander Kerber grabbed the key break for a 4-2 lead before rattling off the next two games to advance after more than two hours on court.

“I think it’s always good to have a match like this in the first few rounds,” said Kerber.

“I mean, it’s always tough for everybody to get the rhythm and to start the tournament, especially the grand slam, the first grand slam of the year.

“So I think it was not so bad to have a match like that in the first round.”

Germany’s Angelique Kerber waves after winning her Women’s singles first round match against Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko. (REUTERS/Thomas Peter)

Kenyan athletes welcome anti-doping initiative

By Isaac Omulo

ELDORET, Kenya (Reuters) - Kenyan athletes yesterday backed a plan for a team of six internationally accredited doctors to take care of the country’s top-level runners and be responsible for examining samples in an effort to end a series of doping scandals.

The doping cases threatened to derail Kenya’s participation in last year’s Rio Olympics, but its athletes were eventually allowed to compete and brought home a haul of long-distance running medals.

“This is a good step and a major development for our country. I am happy with it, although authorities still need to make athletes aware of the dangers of doping,” Olympic marathon champion Eliud

Kipchoge, 34, told Reuters.

Athletics Kenya, the governing body for track and field in the East African country, says elite athletes should only use the six doctors vetted by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) if they want to compete.

“You have to go through this network, inside or outside the country. They will be writing monthly reports to the IAAF,” said Athletics Kenya Chairman Jackson Tuwei.

Tuwei said 49 Kenyan athletes had violated doping rules in the past five years.

Kenya is still on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s watch list.

“Athletes who won’t conform (to the plan) won’t be allowed to compete,” he told around 100 top athletes at a meeting in Eldoret, 350 kilo-

metres (217 miles) northwest of the capital Nairobi.

Olympic champion and London marathon winner Jemima Sumgong said the plan would help honest athletes.

“It will make it easier and faster to do a medical, now that there are six doctors whose contacts have been given to us,” she said. “This is a good start to eliminate doping.”

The IAAF said the initiative was not intended to vet athletes, but to provide good quality medical support.

“The network comes as part of the preventive measures intended to address the proliferation of rogue doctors, limit poor medical practice, and address the supply of prohibited substances,” Chris Turner, a spokesman for IAAF, told Reuters.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Bottas to partner Hamilton, Massa returns to Williams Mercedes said Rosberg had accepted an ambassadorial role with the team for 2017, with his first commitment an appearance with Hamilton on

By Alan Baldwin

LONDON, England (Reuters) Valtteri Bottas replaced retired Formula One world champion Nico Rosberg at Mercedes yesterday, with Brazilian veteran Felipe Massa coming out of retirement to take the Finn’s seat at Williams.

Appearing at the factory with team boss Toto Wolff, Bottas promised to push new teammate and triple world champion Lewis Hamilton as hard as possible.

“I’m sure we are going to be close and both pushing each other forward,” said the 27-year-old, who has yet to win a grand prix in four years at Williams but has appeared on the podium nine times.

Wolff, who helped guide the Finn’s early career and also has close ties with Mercedes-powered Williams as a former shareholder, said Bottas would fit in well.

“He’s very fast as a driver, and he shows our values,” added the Austrian, who has had an unexpectedly busy winter following Rosberg’s shock decision to quit 45 days ago, less than a week after winning his first championship.

“He’s modest, humble and hard-working.”

Williams had earlier announced that Massa, who left at the end of last season at the age of 35, had agreed a one-year contract to end the shortest of retirements.

Mercedes have been dominant for the last three years, winning both the drivers and constructors’ titles, and will start as favourites again despite major aerodynamic rule changes.

MAIN MAN While Hamilton, 32, can

Williams Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland smiles during a news conference at the Shanghai International Circuit ahead of the Chinese F1 Grand Prix. (REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo)

expect to be the team’s main man - with many tipping the Briton to romp to a fourth title after winning 10 races in a rollercoaster 2016 - Bottas can be a genuine contender.

“Now it’s time for the next level, to see how he can step up to challenge for race wins and for Championships,” Wolff said.

“We know that we are already behind the curve in terms of preparations for the new season, so we’ve got a busy programme to get him integrated into the team. One thing is for sure: as I know Valtteri, he will give it everything.”

Massa, a former race winner with Ferrari and 2008 world championship runner-up, will partner 18-year-old Canadian rookie Lance Stroll at Williams.

“I always intended to race somewhere in 2017, but Williams is a team close to my heart and I have respect for everything it is trying to achieve,” said the Brazilian,

who made a tearful farewell to his home crowd last November.

“I certainly have not lost any of my enthusiasm for racing and I’m extremely motivated to be coming back to drive the FW40.”

Sauber earlier set the day’s merry-go-round in motion by announcing that German driver Pascal Wehrlein, who was the Mercedes reserve and Bottas’ main rival to replace Rosberg, would race for them this year.

Wehrlein, 22, drove for struggling Manor as a rookie last year but Mercedes felt they needed a more experienced replacement.

Bottas’ arrival means Mercedes will have no German driver in their line-up for the first time since the German carmaker bought the former Brawn GP team at the end of 2009 and returned as a constructor.

Rosberg was partnered by seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher until Hamilton arrived in 2013.

Ivory Coast, Togo play out dour draw

DEFENDING champions Ivory Coast and Togo drew 0-0 in their opening Group C match yesterday at the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

Jonathan Kodjia came close for Ivory Coast but his toe-poke was well saved by goalkeeper Kossi Agassa.

At the other end, Sylvain Gbohouo rushed out of his goal to save smartly at the feet of Mathieu Dossevi.

Late on, Ivory Coast defender Serge Aurier headed

wide from an unmarked position in a rare clear-cut chance.

Neither side found their fluency - not helped by a poor pitch - and even from early on the game had the look of a stalemate.

Wilfried Zaha, making his competitive debut for Ivory Coast after switching international allegiance from England, looked just about the liveliest player on show.

Switching wings regularly, he cut in off the right to send a

shot just over and later ended a good run from the left with an effort that was well blocked.

Both sides were guilty of wasting set-piece opportunities. Togo’s corners left a lot to be desired, while Ivory Coast fared no better from a series of free-kicks.

Aurier should have snatched a winner for the Elephants but nodded wide from six yards. Four of the five games at the tournament have now been drawn. (BBC Sport)

Tuesday for watch sponsor IWC Schaffhausen.

The day’s announcements left tail-enders Manor, who are in administration

and seeking a rescuer, as the only team with any potential driver vacancies for the season starting in Australia on March 26.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Williamson seals unlikely win for Kiwis with brilliant ton

BANGLADESH claimed an unwanted world record as they lost to New Zealand in the first Test in Wellington.

The visitors scored 595 in the first innings but were bowled out cheaply in the second before New Zealand chased down a 217-run target to win.

It meant Bangladesh broke a 123-year record for the highest total made by a losing side in a Test.

An unbeaten century from captain Kane Williamson and 60 from Ross Taylor led New Zealand to a seven-wicket victory.

Bangladesh had earlier been bowled out for 160-9 - captain Mushfiqur Rahim was taken to hospital for checks after being struck on the head by a bouncer and retired hurt.

Mushfiqur, who hit 159 in

Kane Williamson is embraced by Henry Nicholls after he raises a century on the 5th day in Wellington.

the first innings, had scored 13 in the second innings when he was hit on the helmet by a Tim Southee delivery.

New Zealand lost both openers before Williamson and Taylor’s third-wicket stand of 163 secured victory.

“To bounce back and achieve that was brilliant,” Williamson said.

Mushfiqur, who confirmed he was fine after being struck on the helmet, added: “Probably we let ourselves down in the bowling department.”

Australia previously held the record for the highest first-innings total by a losing side, with 586 against England in Sydney in 1894 before being beaten by 10 runs.

DR Congo hold on to beat Morocco DR Congo put their difficult Africa Cup of Nations buildup behind them to beat Morocco yesterday in their Group C opening fixture, despite finishing with 10 men.

Florent Ibenge’s side, who went on strike over unpaid bonuses on Friday, almost trailed early on at Stade d’Oyem when Mbark Boussoufa struck the bar.

Junior Kabananga put them ahead before substitute Lomalisa Mutambala was booked twice in 16 minutes.

Morocco’s Youssef El-Arabi missed with two headed chances late on.

The substitute glanced wide from a set-piece delivery and then met a cross

Katich replaces Helmot as Trinbago Knight Riders head coach

Former Australian Test player Simon Katich T R I N B A G O Knight Riders (TKR) management announced yesterday that former Australian Test player Simon Katich has been appointed head coach for the forthcoming Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) campaign.

Katich replaces Simon Helmot, who has accepted a long-term role as the head coach of the Bangladesh High Performance Programme.

Helmot was with

the Trinidad & Tobago franchise for three years during which they won the Hero CPL championship in 2015.

“I would like to sincerely thank the entire TKR family for all the support during my three years with the franchise,” he said.

TKR management thanked Simon Helmot for his contribution and welcomed Simon Katich.

Simon Katich was an outstanding international player for Australia and has had different coaching assignments. Among these is his current role as assistant coach of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL. “It’s an exciting opportunity to coach a successful franchise like TKR in the Hero CPL and also great to extend the association with the Knight Riders Family from KKR to TKR,” he said.

(Sportsmax)

SCOREBOARD BANGLADESH 1st innings 595 for 8 decl.

(S. Al Hasan 217, M. Rahim 159, M. Haque 64, T. Iqbal 56, S. Rahman 54 n.o.; N. Wagner 4-151) DR Congo finished with 10 men in Gabon and spent several minutes with nine, prompting wild celebrations when the match finished

cleanly to force a parry from DR Congo keeper

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

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Ley Matampi.

The Leopards were down to nine men for several minutes in the closing stages when they lost defender Gabriel Zakuani to injury having made all of their substitutions.

The Northampton Town player returned for six minutes of injury time, as Ibenge’s side saw out pressure to ensure Kabananga’s guided finish from 10 yards put them top of their group.

Morocco - managed by two-time Cup of Nations winner Herve Renard - are

bottom of the group after the first round of fixtures, as defending champions Ivory Coast and Togo Renard, who guided Zambia to the title in 2012 and Ivory Coast in 2015, has been told by the country’s FA that reaching the quarter-finals is a minimum requirement.

But despite managing 62% of possession and 15 shots against a side eight places above them in FIFA’s rankings, they were unable to turn their numerical advantage into a positive start. (BBC Sport)

NEW ZEALAND 1st innings 539 (T. Latham 177, M. Santner 73, H. Nicholls 53, K. Williamson 53) BANGLADESH 2nd innings (o/n 66-3) T. Iqbal b Santner 25 I. Kayes not out 36 M. Haque c de Grandhomme b Wagner 23 Mahmudullah c Watling b Wagner 5 M. Hasan run-out (Santner) 1 S. Al Hasan c Williamson b Santner 0 Sa. Rahman c Watling b Boult

50 M. Rahim retired hurt 13 T. Ahmed b Boult 5 K. Rabbi c de Grandhomme b Southee 1

S. Roy b Boult 0 Extras: (nb-1) 1 Total: (all out, 57.5 overs) 160 Fall of wickets: 1-50 T, 2-63, 3-66, 4-66, 5-96, 6-137, 7-148 8 -152, 9-160.

Bowling: T. Boult 13.5-353-3, T. Southee 13-5-341, M. Santner 16-5-36-2, N. Wagner 15-3- 37-2 (nb-1).

NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings (Target: 217 runs) T. Latham b M. Hasan 16 J. Raval c & b M. Hasan 13 K. Williamson not out 104 R. Taylor c M. Hasan b Roy

60 H. Nicholls not out 4 Extras: (b-14, lb-6) 20 Total: (for 3 wickets, 39.4 overs) 217 Fall of wickets: 1-32, 2-39, 3-202.

Bowling: K. Rabbi 7-0-310, M. Hasan 11.4-0-66-2, S. Al Hasan 10-0-30-0, T. Ahmed 6-0-38-0, S. Roy 5-0-32-1.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Paul confident of doing well in Super50; Yadram wants to make impact

By Rajiv Bisnauth

KEEMO Paul, one of the three overaged players selected for the West Indies Under-19 squad, said that the daily training with the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) academy coaches has given him great confidence to perform to his expectations during the 2017 NAGICO Regional Super50 tournament.

Paul, the 18-year-old who was the vice-captain of the victorious West Indies Under-19 team at the 2016 International Cricket Council (ICC) Youth World Cup in Bangladesh, will make up the Regional youth side as one of the players who will not feature in the 2018 Youth World Cup. “I have been doing a lot of training with the Guy-

Keemo Paul

ana Cricket Board (GCB) academy coaches both in the gym and in the nets. It helped me to improve my strengths and work on my

weaknesses so I am confident,” he pointed out.

Paul played in the last Regional Super50 tournament with the West Indies U-19s, in which he scored 15 runs from three matches while be bowled without capturing a scalp, but this time around the all-rounder feels he is better prepared to deliver.

“I am confident of doing well,” he said.

He added, “These players are preparing to defend the U-19 World Cup so I will be happy to share my experience and render assistance in other areas which will help them going forward”.

According to a West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) source, the all-rounder was selected because the WICB wants to continue to nurture his talent with hopes of

him ascending to the highest level like they did with other outstanding youth players over the years.

Meanwhile, Paul’s Guyanese counterpart, Junior Cricketer-of-the-Year 2016, Bhaskar Yadram wants to hit the ground running, and make an immediate impact.

“I’m very excited,” said the opening batsman.

He added, “My main aim is to score as many runs as possible, and at the same time get wickets. It’s a great opportunity so I want to make full use of it”.

The duo will depart today for Antigua. While the final squad is yet to be confirmed by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), a source close to the WICB selection panel informed Chronicle Sport that the

WICB boss meets with New York local organisers and players

BROOKLYN, New York – President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Dave Cameron was the special guest at the New York Metropolitan District Cricket Association (NYMDCA) last Wednesday (January 11). The occasion was the professional business networking session.

In the president’s remarks, Cameron noted that the visit to New York was to meet with local cricket organisers and players, as well as with city government offi-

cials to explore ways of further developing the growth and popularity of cricket in the Diaspora.

It was pointed out that securing a stadium for cricket in New York City is one of the goals of the NY Metropolitan District Cricket Association, which the WICB encourages and supports.

Cameron also highlighted that in managing the WICB as a business, there are some key priorities which include

meeting players’ needs to facilitate best performances on and off the field. “The team I am a part of now has helped the organisation to move from a deficit to having a surplus of funds,” Cameron noted.

Additionally, he mentioned that currently all West Indian cricketers registered with the WICB are enjoying improved salary arrangements with reasonable wages, which ensure that they can give cricket full-time

From left, James Archibald, Dave Cameron, Charles Simpson, John Melbourne (93.5 FM/formerly of WLIB) and Gerry Hopkin.

attention, without the need for a second job.

Currently, compared to four years ago, where there were only 15 full-time players employed by the WICB, there are now 120, with entry-level players getting at least US$30 000 per year.

The event was organised by After Networking Wednesdays (ANW) Coordinating Cohost Gerry Hopkin and Primary Cohost, Edmund Sadio.

The meeting was also addressed by Cliff Roye, the president of the New York Metropolitan District Cricket Association, who expressed optimism for the future of cricket in New York.

Michael Roberts of Commonsense Strategies, who, along with James Archibald, worked with the leadership of NYMDCA and Charles Simpson in planning the media and other government engagements of Cameron’s Itinerary.

Other planned events on Cameron’s three-day itinerary, included visits to various cricket playing fields, a press conference on the steps of City Hall in Manhattan with NYC officials on Thursday and a Meet & Greet session.

Bhaskar Yadram

Guyanese duo will be part of the 14-man squad.

The Under-19s will do battle in Group A of the Super50 which runs from

January 24 to February 18 in Antigua and Barbados.

Title-holders Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, along with Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Windward Islands Volcanoes and visiting English County Kent Spitfires,have also been installed in Group A. Group B, meanwhile, comprises last year losing finalists Barbados Pride, Guyana Jaguars, Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners, Jamaica Scorpions and ICC Americas.

The Super50 tournament will serve as part of the build-up for the Under-19s as they ready themselves for the defence of their ICC Youth World Cup title captured last year in Bangladesh.

Essequibo Cricket Board AGM postponed due to lack of a quorum THE Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) could not take place on Sunday due to the lack of a quorum.

According to the president Fizul Bacchus, the AGM has been postponed to a later date as only representatives of four area committees reported for the meeting.

It requires the participation of at least six of the eight area committees to fulfil the legal requirement for holding an AGM. Those area committees attended were: East Bank Essequibo Cricket Committee (EBECC), North Essequibo Cricket Committee (NECC), Pomeroon Cricket Committee (PCC) and Central Essequibo Cricket Committee (CECC).

But according to Bacchus, there were no excuses for the other four area committees: Bartica Cricket Committee (BCC), Leguan Cricket Committee (LCC), South Essequibo Cricket Committee (SECC) and the Wakenaam Cricket Committee (WCC).

Prior to Sunday’s AGM, secretary of the ECB, Aotto

Fizul Bacchus

Christiani, had contended that due procedures were followed regarding the Notice of Meeting. Notices were sent to all eight area committees,” Christiani said.

Asked when the notices were made available to the respective area committees, the ECB secretary said, “I can’t remember the specific date the Notices were sent out, since some of the Notices were by postal, but subsequently, I made contact via telephone to all area committees informing them of the meeting.”

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Paul confident of doing well 23 in Super50 P.

DCC fall at final hurdle as Cane Farm lift UWI T20 UNICOM trophy

See page 19

Cane Farm Sports Club pose with UWI UNICOM T20 trophies. Skipper Denesh Ramdin (centre) stoops while Roshon Primus (man-of-the-match) is at extreme right, back row.

More robust players needed GCB gets $1.5M towards for Hong Kong Sevens development of NSSCL

By Stephan Sookram GUYANA’S green machine must up their style of play if it is to match with the best in the Rugby world when they head to the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens series, according to head coach Kenneth GrantStuart.

Stuart, in an invited comment said that the National side, who were hampered over the December period due to weather, will need to pick up if they are to take the game to their opponents.

“What I’ve encountered

Coach Kenneth Grant-Stuart

in December in Trinidad and Tobago, we realised that our game has to be more robust,

more physical, going into Hong Kong because it’s a higher level of competition,” the head coach stated.

“The guys are aware of their requirements and I think everyone is mentally prepared.

Just that we have to do the work now and get ourselves to that level.”

Another key factor heading to the April 7-9 event will be the physical stature of the Guyanese players.

Grant-Stuart stated, “We have other stuff that we are working with in terms of speed and mobility and the fitness Turn to page 19

See page 19

In photo, Minister Nicolette Henry presents the cheque to GCB secretary Anand Sanasie. Looking on is GCB’s Territorial Development Officer Colin Stuart.

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TUESDSAY, JANUARY 16, 2017