Guyana chronicle e paper 22 03 2017

SEE INSIDE

Cops called out No. 104860

WEDNESDAY MARCH 22, 2017

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

– parking meters by-laws suspended – police to prevent clamping of citizens’ vehicles

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Government has suspended the parking meter by-laws and has called out the police to prevent clamping of citizens’ vehicles (Adrian Narine photo)

Gov’t takes US$11M for aim at TIP hinterland agriculture –– Gov’t, IFAD sign pact to drive network small-scale farming in interior Page 4

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Cops burn large ganja farm at Moco Moco

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 22, 2017

Gov’t takes aim at TIP network – partners with IOM in fighting migrant-smuggling

By Ravin Singh

EFFORTS will be intensified by the Ministry of Social Protection to dismantle criminal networks and have criminals, both traffickers and smugglers, prosecuted, as they represent a direct threat to the lives of people.

This was the assurance of Alicia Jerome-Reis, Ministerial Advisor to the Minister of Social Protection, who said that “…we are committed to the process of implementation Alicia Jerome-Reis, Ministerial Advisor to the Minister of Social Protection renews the commitment to implementing strategies to arrest trafficking of human beings and smuggling of migrants. Seated at the head-table are: (L-R) Rosilyne Borland of the International Organisation for Migration (IMO); Derek Lambe, Head of the Political, Press and Information Section of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Guyana and Suriname; Robert Natiello, IMO Chief of Mission for Guyana and Regional Coordination Officer for the Caribbean of the 2015 recommendations of the ACP-EU (African, Caribbean and Pacific – European Union) Dialogue on Migration and Development.”

She was at the time speaking at the opening session of a peer-to-peer exchange meeting on trafficking in persons (TIP) hosted by the Social Protection Ministry at the Guayna Marriott Hotel.

The event was organised by the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and funded by the European Union (EU). The programme will be implemented by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

The recommendations of the 2015 ACP-EU Dialogue were elaborated on at an experts’ meeting in July 2014 and validated by the Ambassadors’ meeting in January of 2015. One of the nine recom-

mendations emerging from that dialogue was the need for criminal networks linked to TIP to be dismantled.

It was acknowledged at that forum that trafficking in human beings and the smuggling of migrants are first and foremost about making money, which translates into benefitting from the vulnerability of others.

For that purpose, experts agreed that setting up systems of financial tracking and conducting proper financial investigations going beyond the freezing of assets are of the essence. Additionally, they identified the need for corruption among public officials and other relevant bodies to be tackled, since it is an effective part of the strategies to dismantle and prosecute criminal networks.

Some other recommen-

dations validated at the 2015 forum were: the need to raise awareness regarding trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants; promotion of cross-border and international cooperation among the countries of origin, transit and destination; improved coordination among the different services involved in the field of trafficking at a national level; and enactment of comprehensive legislation on both trafficking in human beings and the smuggling of migrants.

Guyana has in effect the 2005 Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act which prohibits trafficking in all forms, and prescribes sufficiently stringent penalties, ranging from three years to life imprisonment for the See page 5

Cops called out

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 22, 2017

– parking meters by-laws suspended

– police to prevent clamping of citizens’ vehicles GOVERNMENT has mandated police to protect the vehicles of citizens from being clamped by enforcers of the parking meter project even as it slammed the City Council for not taking action to have the initiative suspended.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of the Presidency Tuesday evening, headlined” Statement of the Cabinet on the Georgetown Mayor and City Council’s lack of action in response to the decision to suspend the Parking Meter Project,” Cabinet said it deliberated on the actions taken by the Georgetown City Council (GCC) subsequent to its decision to have the Parking Meter Project suspended for three months to allow for the review of the agreement and was disappointed with the lack of action taken by the GCC. “As a consequence, the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan was directed to formally suspend the operation of the By-laws governing the Parking Meter project with immediate effect. The Minister of Public Security, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan was also

instructed to advise the Commissioner of Police to ensure that as of today (Wednesday, March 22, 2017) citizens and their vehicles would receive the protection of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to prevent them and/or their vehicles from being unduly hindered or restrained in any way, whatsoever, by the GCC and/ or its agents.”

Meanwhile, Guyana Chronicle was told that Cabinet was incensed by the Council’s decision to disobey the order of the minister and such the decision was made to suspend the by-laws. This newspaper was also told by a reliable source that an advisory will be issued for citizens not to pay for parking. According to the source though the new order did not indicate the duration for suspension, it may last for such time until the city presents a better and affordable option for use of municipal streets.

Guyana Chronicle also understands that there were strong views for the revocation of the by-laws, which would have in effect terminated the arrangements between City Hall and the contractor.

On Monday a majority of city councillors voted in favour of a motion that sought to defy Bulkan’s “order” to have the parking meter by-laws suspended for three months. The councillors, who did so on the basis of a document containing legal advice that was sought to counteract the minister’s order, felt they needed time to “study” such advice.

In deciding how much time the councillors will be facilitated to peruse the four-page document, Deputy Mayor, Sherod Duncan, who chaired the meeting as Acting Mayor, said it seems that the issue is not one that is as urgent as Town Clerk, Royston King told him it was. For this reason, he fixed the next meeting for Monday when Mayor Patricia Chase-Green will be presiding. From now to Monday, when asked what is the position of Smart City Solutions (SCS), King would only tell this newspaper: “The Council has not given any new or further direction to SCS. We have a contract that is in force.” This essentially means that motorists should continue

to pay for parking and that enforcement measures will continue to be applied.

In an interview with this paper on Saturday, Duncan had expressed confidence that no one would oppose the advice of Cabinet, which would have resulted, yesterday, in the suspension of the by-laws.

He reasoned that since APNU (A Partnership for National Unity) councillors represent the majority in the Council, there could not have been any other outcome, other than them following through with the minister’s advice.

According to the legal advice City Hall received from lawyer Roger Yearwood the Municipal and District Councils Act “does not permit the honourable minister to direct the council to suspend any contract or by-laws enacted by it as the honourable minister purports to do by his order dated 17th day of March, 2017.” Yearwood continued in the document that it is important to note that the minister’s order does not suspend the by-laws, but directs the council to do so. “As such, if the council accedes to this

mandate, it is the Act of the Council that will be effective to suspend the by-laws and not the order of the honourable minister. This would necessarily leave the Council susceptible to a claim for breach of contract by Smart City Solutions (SCS).”

Before the minister’s direction, Town Clerk, Royston King, had written to Minister Bulkan asking him to consider that there is no provision in the contract between M&CC and SCS to suspend it in part or in its entirety. “The suspension of the contract operates as a breach of contract and would therefore trigger the compensation clause.”

At the start of Monday’s meeting, APNU Councillor, Heston Bostwick, moved a motion requesting that city councillors be granted time to study the legal advice, and for a copy of it to be forwarded to Minister Bulkan. Those who voted in favour of Bostwick’s motion are: Councillors Chow-Chee, Oscar Clarke, Welton Clarke, Yvonne Ferguson, Junior Garrett, Gregory Fraser, Andrea Marks, Linda Gomes-Haley, Winston Harding, Linden Hilliman, Ive-

-Trotman

Nations, access to clean water by the world’s citizens by the year 2030 is an ambitious undertaking by the United Nations. Ambitious...but attainable.

This year’s World Water Day theme “Why Waste Water?” is in support of SDG 6.3 on improving water quality and reducing, treating and reusing wastewater.

Clean water is vital for sustainable development and for quality of life. However, too many of the world’s poorest citizens have little or no access to clean water, thereby exposing them to waterborne diseases and restricting their chances of living a life that is fulfilling and healthy.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO),

there are over 663 million people living without a safe water supply close to home and who spend much valuable time queuing up or trekking to distant sources to access water.

Guyana should not take for granted that it is blessed with an abundance of this natural resource and we must do our part to augment global efforts to combat the lack of access to clean water. We must take a moment to appreciate what we have and to commit to its protection and sustainable utilisation for the development of our country and its citizens.

In the mining sector, our water resources are sometimes affected by gold mining operations, which can lead to

mercury contamination and higher than acceptable turbidity levels. For this reason, the Ministry of Natural Resources through its agency the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) takes a strong regulatory stance against actions that can lead to mercury contamination in water, high turbidity levels or the degradation of freshwater quality. There are also restrictions on riverbank mining, since it can lead to changes in the physical characteristics of rivers.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is always on the lookout for complaints from the various communities in the mining districts, especially as it relates to the quality of water in rivers and streams.

In response, teams are dispatched from the GGMC with support from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to investigate.

Water has many benefits, chief amongst which are its functions in ecosystems and human wellbeing. Hence, a recent announcement by the Guyana Water Inc. that a new wastewater facility is to be constructed in Georgetown is welcome news. While the aim of such facilities is to treat wastewater from our homes, restaurants, hotels, municipal markets and businesses before it is released into the Atlantic Ocean, we can envisage a day when such facilities can treat wastewater to a stage where it is safe enough for human consumption.

Access to clean water priority for government

Access to clean water is a major priority of the APNU+AFC Government, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman has said. He made the comments in a message in observance of World Water Day being celebrated today.

BELOW IS FULL TEXT OF THE MESSAGE World Water Day is a day dedicated to focusing attention on the world’s water crisis. Elevated to a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of the United

law Henry, Desiree Liverpool, Ron Persaud, Trichria Richards, James Samuels, and Monica Thomas.

Those who opposed the motion were Councillors Selwyn Smartt, Lionel Jaikarran, Bishram Kuppen, Alfred Mentore, Akeem Peter, Phillip Smith and Sherod Duncan.

Abstaining were Carlyle Goring and Sophia Whyte.

Chairman of the Finance Committee Oscar Clarke, who is also the General Secretary of the People’s National Congress (PNC), offered that after the minister communicated Cabinet’s recommendation, City Council thought it necessary to seek legal advice.

This, he said, is due to the fact that the decision regarding parking meters has to be taken by the Council and not the minister.

Clarke said it is clear that everyone will want to know of the legal implications of suspending the by-laws, including Minister Bulkan himself. He said the City Council will not want to follow the route that Cabinet has recommended without legal advice.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will continue to take steps in ensuring that all communities have access to clean water, and through the Ministry of Natural Resources, ideas will be explored on how the country can achieve a green economy through responsible and sustainable stewardship of our natural resources including water.

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US$11M for hinterland agriculture

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 22, 2017

–– Gov’t, IFAD sign pact to drive small-scale farming in interior

THE Government of Guyana and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) signed a US$11.1M agreement to boost small-scale farming in hinterland communities.

This move is expected to positively impact the lives of more than 30,000 residents in Region Nine as well as Mabaruma and Moruca in Region One. The financial agreement was signed on Tuesday by the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, and IFAD President Kanayo Nwanze at IFAD headquarters in Rome.

IFAD is providing a US$7.9 million loan and a US$500,000 grant, while the Guyana Government is investing US$2.4 million in the project. The beneficiaries will also be contributing US$300,000.

The Hinterland Environmentally Sustainable Agricultural Development Project, also referred to as the ‘Hinterland Project’ will initially focus on the North Rupununi in order to capitalise on current government efforts to exploit the agricultural potential of the area, but will also be conducted in Central and South Rupununi, areas most affected by climate change.

At the signing, Minister Jordan said, “The Guyanese economy has remained undiversified. Guyana’s “bread and butter sector,” the agricultural sector, also remained unchanged with heavy reliance on sugar and rice, [so] this operation is expected to boost the Government’s efforts in diversifying the economy as well as open up new markets and new trade agreements for Guyana.”

He posited that Guyana’s small business sector has remained largely under- developed with many smallscale farmers still utilising unsophisticated tools.

Despite these challenges, however, Minister Jordan said growth in the agricultural sector has always been seen as an important element in the plan to reduce poverty, develop financial resilience and to provide the good life for all Guyanese.

He said the multi-million dollar project is expected to significantly boost Government’s efforts in diversifying the economy. Through the project, small farmers who depend heavily on traditional crops, will widen their scope to include the farming of non-traditional and ‘in-demand’ crops, with high value- added potential.

This move, the Government strongly believes, will open up new markets and new trade agreements for Guyana.

“The impending loan will also support Government’s drive to link the coastland to the hinterland by opening up new farming communities in the hinterland region, Region Nine, and the higher interior lands of Region One,” the Finance Minister added.

IFAD’s Country Programme Manager for Guyana, Ladislao Rubio, said, “Guyana has set an ambitious goal of exploiting the country’s potential in the agricultural sector and devoting special attention to hinterland areas through the efficient and sustainable use of the country’s natural resources.”

According to him, the project will help to improve the communities’ resilience to climate change through the fostering of social, human and natural capital, while addressing the issues of climate change and malnutrition.

Under the project, communities and producer groups will receive support in the identification of investment opportunities. This move is expected to benefit some 4500 households.

Additionally, the project will see the development of business plans and investments and income-generating opportunities and increased market access.

Under this aspect of the hinterland project, approximately 2000 households are being targeted.

It will also facilitate increased access to assets that build community resilience and create enabling productive environments such as water, energy and ICT and ensure that poor, indigenous and non-indigenous rural households living in the project area, whose livelihoods are threatened by economic and environmental risks, are direct beneficiaries. At least 15 per cent of these households will be female-headed households – a reflection of the reality in the project area.

The lead agency for implementation of the Hinterland Project will be the Ministry of Agriculture through its Agriculture Sector Development Unit (ASDU) and will be assisted by the Ministries of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Natural Resources & Energy, Communities and Business and other government agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations, Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) and

Wednesday, March 22, 2017- ––13:00hrs Thursday, March 23, 2017- 1:30 hrs ––14:00hrs Friday, March 24, 2017- 2:30 hrs ––14:30hrs

local educational institutes.

IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialised United Nations agency based in Rome – the UN’s food and agriculture hub. It invests in rural people, empowering them to re-

duce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition and strengthen resilience.

Since 1987, IFAD has provided over US$22.9 million in financing for three rural development initiatives, reaching over 12,000 households.

New order to suspend paid parking a done deal

– Minister Bulkan

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan on Tuesday evening, signed a new Order to effect the suspension of the Parking Meter Project as of today for a period of three months.

Noting that the Georgetown Mayor and City Council had failed to act on the previous Order following legal opinion, the minister said, “It appears that there was some ambiguity and the legal opinion that was proffered was that if the Council proceeded on the basis of that Order then it would be a decision of the Council…

The Council did not seek to proceed on the basis of executing what it understood clearly as a Cabinet decision to withdraw this paid parking project. Instead it sought a way to frustrate the decision of the Cabinet and this is why I have expressed public dissatisfaction with the action of the Council.”

Minister Bulkan added

that the new Order is unambiguous and leaves no room for discretion on the part of the City with regard to conformity, the Ministry of the Presidency quoted him as saying. “This is a done deal and on the basis of this new Order, the Council would be clearly advised to inform the company [Smart City Solutions] that paid parking would be suspended. The company would be invited to enter into negotiations and at that stage it would be up to the company to determine what its response to this new action of the Government would be,” he said.

In addition, at its statutory meeting on Tuesday Cabinet directed Minister of Public Security, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan to ensure that the Guyana Police Force provides protection to citizens and their vehicles from being unduly hindered or restrained in any way, either by the Council or the parking meter company.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 22, 2017

Gov’t takes aim at TIP...

From page 2

said acts.

Just a few months ago, the Government also launched its National Plan of Action for the Prevention and Response to the Trafficking in Persons 2017-2018. And according to the ministerial advisor, the issue of trafficking and smuggling is a global one which can be remedied only through robust, and sustained interventions.

Jerome-Reis also weighed in on Government’s approach to the issue, which she said is manifested through the adoption and implementation of relevant legislation and signing on to International Treaties and Conventions which address trafficking and smuggling.

“The Guyana Constitution explicitly prohibits trafficking in migrants and smuggling of migrants. As a small developing country, we have experienced challenges, but nevertheless Guyana remains committed to the process of combating the trafficking of persons and smuggling of migrants” she said.

The ministerial advisor explained that evidence of Guyana’s efforts is the fact that traffickers are being prosecuted, shelters are being financed and psy-

cho-social services to victims are being enhanced.

While acknowledging that “more needs to be done” in this area, she renewed the ministry’s commitment to implementation of the 2015 recommen-

of migrants and trafficking in persons.

Speaking at the event too was IMO Chief of Mission for Guyana and Regional Coordination Officer for the Caribbean, Robert Natiello, who highlight-

world. Divulging further, Natiello explained that the IMO trans civil society groups and government officials including police officers, prosecutors, immigration officers and border officials.

Some of the participants at the peer-to-peer meeting held at the Marriott Hotel on Tuesday (Samuel Maughn Photos) dations of the ACP-EU Dialogue on Migration and Development.

According to the Government Information News Agency (GINA), in June 2015 Guyana sought technical assistance under the (ACP-EU) Migration Action Programme to improve its visa-processing and issuance system and immigration services to prevent the unregulated inflow of illegal migrants that can leave loop holes for the smuggling

ed the various push factors which contribute to human trafficking and smuggling of migrants. Among the factors he identified were: natural disasters, poverty, poor governance, conflict and instability.

However, he was keen to point out the work of the IMO, stressing that the organisation has implemented 182 projects in 110 countries to assist vulnerable migrants around the

He also mentioned the promotion of dialogue and cooperation to counter trafficking at the local, national, regional and international levels.

Like Jerome-Reis, the IMO representative committed, on behalf of the organisation, to work towards effective protection of trafficked women, men, girls and boys as well as the prevention of trafficking, exploitation and abuse of

human beings. Participating in the session too, was Guyana’s First Lady, Sandra Granger, who, according to a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency, did so with the aim of gathering information for her initiatives and programmes which focus primarily on women and young girls.

According to the statement, the First Lady shared her belief that the workshop will provide critical information and resources, which she can use in future programmes and projects.

“It [Trafficking in Persons] is something I really wanted to understand and see what I can learn from the other countries and the participants. There is an aspect on protecting the victims, which I am very interested in. It is a victim-centred approach, which I want to understand,” Ms. Granger said.

Meanwhile, Head of the Political, Press and Information Section of the European Union Delegation to Guyana and Suriname, Derek Lambe, emphasised the need for all local agencies, government entities and organisations to work together and in unison to adequately address these pertinent issues.

The EU representative

said that this is the aim of the ACP-EU Dialogue, which is considered a sound basis in the development and implementation of joint resolutions on migration policy.

He too acknowledged that trafficking and smuggling are “very profitable,” multi-million dollar businesses for the criminal networks, which pose challenges not only for the EU and its member states, but also for partner countries.

An optimistic Lambe explained though that the real challenge is to translate the dialogue’s recommendations into concrete action.

“Only in this way the authorities can be supported to provide the most comprehensive response to trafficking and smuggling, [to have] the criminal networks dismantled and victims supported. Our objectives are simple: to stop traffickers and smugglers networks taking advantage of people in distress; to disrupt their structures and business models; and to deprive them of their profits,” he said, adding that the peer-to-peer meeting is an excellent opportunity to work towards those objectives.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 22, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Action of policeman should serve as societal inspiration

Dear Editor

IN the light of deteriorated service standards, an exceptional event was captured and published on the front page of Kaieteur News, Monday, March 20, 2017 edition, captioned ‘Steady as she goes.’

It was the photograph of a young policeman, in full gear, using his free hand to assist a senior citizen to cross the roadway.

The scenario served as a timely reminder of what the Guyana Police Force’s motto ascribes, ‘Service and Protection.’ The action of that policeman is particularly commendable, since it is often worrisome when some servicemen are observed turning a blind eye to matters within their mandate. Hence, his exceptional service is not just noteworthy, but exemplary.

We are all too familiar with shoddy customer service even from representatives of supposedly reputable entities. Most of the disservice is directly

related to a lack of professionalism. There are a number of factors that contribute to poor professional behaviour.

The most common factor often cited as a justification by defaulters is inadequate remuneration. What I suspect though is that complacency, arrogance, incompetence and insensitivity are the main evil forces that haunt our service sectors.

Service ethics, practices, standards and recourse mechanisms seem to be at an alltime low in probably all sectors. With regularity one can write to an entity or enter an office and the service staff seems unreservedly reluctant to provide the relevant attention. When and if they do, without prompting, standard courtesies or greetings a r e o f t e n f a i n t t o a bsent. The service one receives thereafter is often guided by the initial greeting, or mood of the providers.

A troubling reality is the evident oblivion, where our so-

ciety seems to be in an advanced stage of acceptance of those unsatisfactory and uncultured substandard trends of disservice.

It has become so endemic across sectors that there is often stout resistance or retribution to anyone who dares object to poor quality of service and standards. Such is the situation in some minibus zones. Such is the situation with a nine –month-old report to GPL under reference # 344235 (which I shall detail in a subsequent article).

Government is urged to engage key representatives within the public and private sectors to implement mechanisms that will require their agents, staff and representatives to provide good service and serve the Guyanese public with deserving courtesy and professionalism. The implementation of corrective systems, whether meritorious or punitive as means of attitudinal improvement, should be considered.

Poor service stan-

dards have adverse socio-economic effects.

They create discouragement, dissatisfaction and frustration.

They stymie entrepreneurship and affect investors’ confidence.

The action of that captioned policeman

assisting a member of the public should serve as a societal inspiration to those of us who serve. Individual and corporate service-providers should challenge themselves daily to serve with honour, despite any

underlying personal or institutional challenges.

Service should be dispensed the way we would like to receive it!

Regards Orette Cutting

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 22, 2017

Pres Granger lays out criteria for GECOM chair

PRESIDENT David Granger has laid out the criteria for the position of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), among them being that the person must have no political affiliation and that the person should have the general characteristics of honesty, integrity, faithfulness, and diligence.

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, had sent to President Granger an earlier list which the Head of State found unacceptable. The list included the likes of Rhyaan Shah and the PPP’s candidate, Dr James Rose.

In a release, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo noted that he had received from President Granger a list of criteria which must be fulfilled by persons nominated for the position of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The letter which contains the requirements was received by the opposition leader on March 16, 2017.

This became necessary after the President had stated that the qualifications of the six persons on the first list did not match the criteria set out in the Constitution.

Article 121 (2) of the Constitution states that, “Subject to the provisions of paragraph (4), the Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds or who has

Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Tuesday met with civil society groups as part of the consultation process with regard to the submission of a further six names from which the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is to be selected (PPP photo) held office as a judge of a court ed of the President to explain mation, the opposition leader these representatives included having unlimited jurisdiction what he interprets as “fit and said in a statement that he had religious leaders; members of in civil and criminal matters proper” before a second list “grave reservations” on the the private sector; trade unions, in some part of the Common- could be submitted. The letter legality and constitutionality including the Guyana Trades wealth or a court having ju- he (Jagdeo) received on March of these criteria and intended Union Congress (GTUC) and risdiction in appeals from any 16, 2017, details the “qualities having these concerns brought the Federation of Independent such court, or who is qualified that the candidate to be Chair- to the attention of the Presi- Trade Unions of Guyana (FIto be appointed as any such man of the Guyana Elections dent.

TUG); Indigenous organisajudge, or any other fit and Commission should possess.”

The opposition leader said tions, including the National proper person, to be appointed Among the requirements too that after receiving the Toshaos Council; the Indian by the President from a list of were, inter alia, that the indi- letter, he decided to return to Action Committee (IAC); and six persons, not unacceptable vidual must not be an activist and consult with civil society the Justice Institute. to the President, submitted by of any form (gender, racial, bodies which had participated According to the statethe Leader of the Opposition religious, etc); that the person in the December 2016 consul- ment, the letter received from after meaningful consultation must have no political affilia- tations with him.

President Granger was shared with the non-governmental tion; and that the person should These consultations were with the representatives of political parties represented in have the general characteristics held on Tuesday, March 21, these bodies at the consultation the National Assembly.” of honesty, integrity, faithful- 2017, when he met with 55 exercise and they were asked Having had his first list ness, and diligence. representatives of 33 civil to discuss the contents and rejected, Jagdeo then requestHaving studied this infor- society organisations. Some of possible candidates for con-

sideration by Monday March 27, 2017.

Although given until March 27 to come up with names, the statement highlighted that “participants found it difficult to come up with candidates who would fulfil all of these criteria.”

“In fact, persons doubted if the President himself could find anyone who fulfilled his own criteria. Some wondered what the reasons were for the President making the range for selection so extraordinarily restrictive. In fact, these criteria were seen as an imposition on the constitution which makes no such demands,” the statement read.

Further, it was noted that what was more “disconcerting to all” was the clause in the letter which states that: “(d) that a person will not be an activist in any form (gender, racial, religious, etc.,)”.

Jagdeo expressed the view that this is thought to be “discriminatory” and violated the anti-discrimination articles of the constitution.

However, he was keen to note in the statement that he remains committed to submitting six more names as requested by the President, and urged that the civil society bodies respond by March 27, 2017, as this was an urgent and critical issue for the entire nation and its stability.

Prisoners break out of handcuffs –– create ruckus at Magistrates’ Court IT was chaos at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday when three high-profile prisoners freed themselves of their handcuffs and disposed of them in the compound of the St

Andrews Kirk.

The three murder accused: Steven Prescott, also known as ‘Assassin’, Orin Arthur and Uree Varswyk, are well known for creating a ruckus in the court.

Murder accused Orin Arthur consults with his attorney, Jed Vasconcellos

Tuesday’s series of events started as soon as the men arrived at the court from the Camp Street Prison and disembarked the vehicle. An on looker, after seeing the prisoners discard the handcuffs in the churchyard, quickly ran across the road and retrieved them for the police.

Police, armed with high-powered guns, flocked the court’s outpost in an attempt to get the men under control, as they refused to be placed in the holding cells.

The inmates revolted against the police, hurling derogatory remarks at the lawmen.

Arthur had pleaded with the officers for his lawyer, Jed Vasconcellos, but was ignored. Furious, Arthur made use of threatening behaviour, after which the police finally summoned his attorney. The ruckus had caused a crowd to gather on the court steps,

but officers quickly removed them and placed special emphasis on the court reporters as an officer ordered: “members of the media please go inside the courts.”

The prisoners however objected to the reporters’ removal and requested that their mistreatment be witnessed. After an hour, the three inmates were then placed into the police truck and escorted back to the Camp Street prison.

It is being alleged that the regular officers at the court would routinely allow the three murder accused to smoke marijuana in the holding area and walk around without handcuffs. The officer, reports state, has been observed many times being friendly with the murder accused. Orin Arthur, 27 of One Mile Wismar, Linden; Steven Prescott, 44, called ‘Assassin’ of Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara; and Yori Varswyk, 26 of Mahaicony, East

A police officer with a high-powered gun on guard at the outpost Coast Demerara were jointly charged with the murder of a Guyana Geology and Mines Commission engineer, Trevor Abrams in December 2015.

The preliminary hearing into Abrams’ murder is currently ongoing before city Magistrate Judy Latchman and has been adjourned until

March 30.

Last November, Arthur and Varswyk were committed to stand trial at the High Court for the murder of Sterling Products Limited (SPL) security guard, Wilfred Stewart, who was killed during a robbery at Providence in 2014.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 22, 2017

Secularity and religious programming

By Akola Thompson FOR a while, I have made a conscious decision to not comment on anything religiously-related. Often, I find I come off preachy and condescending when I talk about such things and that is not something I want.

But, I feel that we need to call out these things when we see them, no matter how it may come across.

Neglecting to do that often creates an unchallenged space for one to incite fear and hate. I saw two examples of this this week. The first was of ‘Brother Peter,’ who is a part of a team of missionaries from ‘Faith World Baptist Church,’ preaching about damnation in a public school.

The second was of “Pastor,”

Nigel London, preaching on his programme about “Gender disorientation.”

Often, in our debates about what is considered right or wrong and what should be condoned or not, we tend to forget that Guyana is a secular state, as laid out in our constitution. A lot of people have weird views about secularity and I gather that this is because they are not particularly sure what it is. Many believe that promoting secularity means that one is trying to stifle religion when in actuality it does the opposite. Secularity ensures that no one religion gains supremacy over another so everyone can practice their own religious beliefs without state involvement. It ensures that no one feels pressured

to be in a religion that is not their own. This was why I found the incident with “Brother Peter” particularly disturbing.

In Guyana, a multi-cultural and multi-religious country, we should never have Christian evangelicals and the likes entering our school system and preaching about Christianity’s theories of fire and brimstone. We should not have students being told to bend their heads in prayer for a prayer that is not their own. We should not have children having to hear “There is one true God that created everything,” in a school that should respect their rights to freedom of religion and beliefs.

Aside from the fear-mongering that is so common in

religious teachings, it was hard for me to even keep my mind open and take him seriously as he said and I quote, “If you go down far enough, you’ll reach hell,” because hell is a physical place of course. I can understand the wish to have children wait until marriage before engaging in sexual intercourse, but when we infer that the child who does not wait is somehow lesser than the one who did it, is here that the line is drawn for me. Is there no vetting or anything required from the persons we bring into our nations schools to speak to our kids?

On the issue of Nigel London, I have long since found this man an interesting character. Not so long ago, he reposted a photograph of

The clamps are still out IN TOTAL defiance of calls for it to suspend the parking meters project the Smart City Solutions, Mayor and City Council initiative remains in full force with even the Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Sherod Duncan confirming that the contract is still in effect and persons found culpable of breaching the by-laws will have the wheels of their vehicle clamped and other requisite actions taken against them.

The reason behind the continuation of the project is still sketchy but the Deputy Mayor

reiterated that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) had voted on Monday in favour of a motion that sought to defy Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan’s “order” to have the parking meter by-laws suspended for three months.

Councillors, who did this on the basis of a document containing legal advice that was sought to counteract the minister’s order, felt they needed time to “study” such advice. And, Duncan stated that he granted them (the councillors) two weeks to peruse the document, after which the substantive Mayor,

Patricia Chase-Green will return and have her say in the matter.

Meanwhile, workers of Smart City Solution (SCS) took to the streets once again on Tuesday. During a drive around Georgetown the Guyana Chronicle observed workers clamping the wheels of vehicles that did not possess a receipt from the parking meters.

Between the hours of 07:00hrs and 19:00hrs, if drivers wish to park in any of the demarcated spots, they are required to purchase a parking meter card, which is

then used to pay for parking via the parking meters. The prices for the cards vary from $570 to $11,400. These prices are inclusive of the recently adjusted 14 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT). Rate for parking is $50 for 15 minutes.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, a group of persons expressed their disappointment in the fact that the project is still ongoing.

Some were highly optimistic that after the deliberations at City Hall on Monday, a decision would have been taken to end the project

two men kissing and spoke against it in condemnation on his Facebook page. When his followers followed suit and the heat began to rise from allies and members of the LGBT community, he changed his tune to that of love and respect.

Now again, during which I presume to be a regular programme, London criticised President David Granger, who is a Christian, for his commitment towards LGBT rights. He stated that the will of the people should be taken into consideration and majority must rule. The will of the people should definitely be considered yes, however when we unilaterally decide that because someone is in a minority group they do not deserve the same rights

then we are treading into dangerous territory. President Granger is not the president of the majority; he is the president of the people. As such, it is his duty to ensure that every citizen is protected and has equal rights.

We cannot continue refusing to provide services, jobs and justice to people because of their sex, sexual preferences or gender identity. While you as a citizen and individual have a right to your beliefs, this does not give you the power to impose it on others with differing opinions. That is not how democracy works, that is not how a secular state works. You can uphold your own rights and values without infringing on the rights of others.

Body found in Woolford Avenue gutter THE body of an unidentified male was found early Tuesday morning floating in a gutter opposite the Richard Ishmael Secondary School on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.

The body was found by a woman attached to the school, who told reporters that she was about to park her vehicle when she made the discovery.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Three reported killed in explosion in St Lucia

PRIME Minister Allen Chastanet Tuesday night expressed condolences to the families of those killed in an explosion at a construction site in Cul de Sac, four miles east of here. st luciaexplo“It is a very sad situation whenever somebody loses his life whilst working with some-

thing that’s a hazard, it’s always heart breaking when it does happen,” Chastanet told reporters at the scene of the explosion.

“So whilst I don’t know the names of the individuals as yet, my sympathies go their families,” he added.

The explosion which occurred at around 5.00 pm (local time) was heard for

miles with some residents describing it as the “loudest explosion ever.

“They must have used dynamite. Everybody came out; miles away and my house shook” one person told the St. Lucia News Online publication. The incident occurred at Rayneau Construction with media reports indicating that workers

were performing welding work on the top of a container containing dynamites.

Hospital sources say several other people have been injured and there are also reports of damage to properties within the vicinity of the construction site. The police have not issued any statement on the incident. (CMC)

The body of the unidentified man was pulled from the gutter and placed on the grass

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Bartica, the town --One year on

CLOSE to a year after being declared a town by President David Granger, Bartica is well on its way to becoming the first “green” town in the country.

Millions of dollars have been pumped into the town to aid its transformation,

while tackling critical issues such as the poor waste disposal management system which had plagued the residents of Byderabo for decades.

In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Bartica’s Deputy Mayor, Ms Nageshwari

Kamal Persaud readily admitted that the dumpsite at Byderabo was a major health and environmental hazard.

“Garbage was literally overflowing to the road when we took office last year, and this is an area where people live,” Ms Persaud recalled. The stench was unbearable, she said.

“There was no proper system in place; people back then just dumped garbage anywhere, and that had created a major problem. But today, all that has been resolved,” Madame Deputy Mayor said.

Back in July 2016, she said, the Council managed to secure $20M from Central Government to restore the dumpsite, and establish a long-term plan for the relocation of the landfill site to 12 and 14 Miles up the Potaro Road, given that Byderabo is a residential area.

“I am happy to say that the Byderabo Dumpsite is now fenced and monitored,” the Deputy Mayor

One year ago, this area was highly vegetated. Today it’s months away from being commissioned as the first ever ‘green’ park in Bartica. (Photo by Collin Joseph)

For the Bartica Mayor and Town Council, the rehabilitation of the Byderabo Dumpsite is a major achievement, she said, given the significance of the problem.

“I am very proud of the achievements through the Bartica Town Council,” the Deputy said, adding:

of the Band Stands and the construction of a multi-million-dollar park in the West Indian Housing Scheme.

According to the Town Clerk, Ms Phebe Wallerson, the $31M ‘green’ recreational park in the West Indian Housing Scheme is more than 90 per cent completed, and is soon to

Bartica’s Deputy Mayor, Ms Nageshwari Kamal Persaud

The new and improved Byderabo Dumpsite (Photo by Collin Joseph)

reported.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! “In fact, there is a maintenance crew that operates there not only a daily basis but on a weekly basis to control the manner in which the garbage is dumped,” she said, the feeling of accomplishment evident in her voice.

“The works that have been done through the constituencies, not just in Byderabo, are a testimony of our commitment; a testimony of the hard work of the Mayor and Councilors, and the supporting staff.”

Another major project the Council has taken on since taking office is the Greening and Beautification Project, which includes the rehabilitation

be commissioned.

“There is still some landscaping work that needs to be done; we are planning to commission it on the very anniversary of our township, so it will be commissioned on May 7, 2017,” Ms Wallerson explained.

‘GREEN’ SPACES The ‘green’ park, the first of its kind for Bartica,

is being powered by solar energy, and comprises a three-tier fountain, a playground with walkways, benches, benabs, arched (kissing) bridges, and a ‘green’ space for trees.

The water for the fountain is being sourced from a natural fresh-water spring that was found at the backlands, while the mechanics of fountain itself has been engineered to function like a waterfall in motion.

Wallerson said the park, when opened, will create safe spaces where residents can hold barbecues, receptions, weddings, anniversary celebrations and other public events.

She said while there were residents who objected to the park in the past, many of them are now on board with the Council.

“That was a complete swamp,” Wallerson said of the site where the park is located. “When the initial works began,” she said, “at the time I wasn’t attached to the Council, but I, too, had my skepticism as to how they were going to actually transform this area into a park.

“So I think the first achievement is the vision that went into this project.

As residents, many of us could not see where the Council was going with it at the time.”

The community in

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Out and about in Four Miles --where life couldn’t get any better FOUR miles away from the hustle and bustle, on the outskirt of central Bartica, lies a community where residents are no longer waiting around for jobs in the public sector; or even the mining industry for that matter.

In the Four Miles Housing Scheme, which is situated along the Potaro Road in the town of Bartica, residents are creating employment of their own, capitalising on other traditional and not-so-traditional fields, from agriculture to housing.

“Years ago, people in Bartica depended heavily on the mining sector. Many went into the ‘Interior’; others remained in the public sector, and others set up cook shops, hotels and even clothes stores, all suited for the mining industry,” Debra Brown said.

Brown, the constituency representative, posited that while many still depend heavily on the two primary sectors, the economy is gradually diversifying.

A case in point, she said, is communities like the Four Miles Housing Scheme where residents are turning more to agriculture, housing, tourism, social services and even the water industry to generate employment.

Constituency Seven Representative, Ms Debra Brown

that particular fruit had approximately 12 pounds, many of the soursops on the farm average about 20lbs.

In addition to fruits, Sash said his brother-in-law, who employs men from the neighborhood during harvesting time, plants a wide range of cash-crops. These include wiri-wiri pepper, tiger-teeth pepper, sweet potatoes, cassava, yam, squash, egg-plant, pumpkin, cucumber and bora among many other vegetable.

“We have a stall in the market at Bartica, but we sell to a lot of business places. We supply the Chinese restaurants, the Brazilians, the Hospital, and ‘The Dorms’,”

water behind here,” Soamnauth said.

He further explained that while those in the community proper are able to access water, those on the fringes of the scheme are unable to do so because of low pressure and leakages.

As a result, they are made to buy water, for as much as $8,000 a tank, whenever the need arises.

Forty-two-year-old Melissa Sue, whose husband is a farmer, said that while there is a lucrative market at Four Miles, her husband experiences similar difficulties with respect to access to water.

“My husband would mainly do the planting; right now, we have bora, pumpkin, squash, cucumber and

vides fresh fruits, ground provision and vegetables to the restaurants, hotels, the hospital and dormitory in Central Bartica.

Ms Patricia ‘Dawn’ Hall with one of her creations

BOTTLED TO GO! The father of two, Onesimus Griffith is now providing residents with purified bottled water.

“I started this business in January; it is a little investment I put into place, and it cost me like three million dollars,” Griffith told the Guyana Chronicle while standing outside his ‘Progressive Youth Crystallite Purified Water’ establishment.

Griffith’s vision of providing his community with

FARM-FRESH Obindernauth’s son, Sash, said approximately four years ago, his brother-in-law, Premnauth Soamnauth, a former Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) employee, began farming on the land.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited the farm, the trees were laden with fruits such as pears, mangoes, oranges,

purification system and had an expert install it. Now, he is providing residents with purified water from a nearby well.

“I recently purchased a PH tester to test the water,” he said, “and the test shows that the water is very good. People have been giving me reviews about the water and they say it tastes great.”

The budding entrepreneur also owns a radio system that provides calls to the ‘Interior’ at a small fee.

Turn to Page 14

Sunil Singh, a family-friend of the Obindernauths, picking one of the many soursops; in this case, the 12-pounder at reference

Sash said.

“Every day, we provide them with fresh fruits and vegetables,” he added.

When the demand is high, or when buyers are demanding fruits and vegetables that are not readily available at a given time, Sash said they would purchase from other farmers in the neighbourhood.

Onesimus Griffith at his ‘Progressive Youth Crystallite Purified Water’ establishment

About seven years ago, Ramkumar Obindernauth’s 10 acres of land on the border of Four Miles Housing Scheme was merely demarcated with coconut trees. Today, it pro-

soursops, sugar apples, custard apples, cashews and coconuts just to name a few.

Pointing to what he described as a ‘medium- size’ soursop, Sash said that while

WATER SHORTAGE However, his brother-inlaw, Soamnauth, who manages the farm, said the lack of water can be a real bother at times.

“The mix weather is good: A little rain; a little sun, that is good! But too much dry weather would dry up the crops, because we don’t get

tomato now coming up... And pepper,” Mrs Sue said as she walked through the family’s 12-acre plot of prime farmland with her children.

Like the Soamnauths, the Sues also have a wide variety of fruit trees. They sell to residents in the community.

Including the Soamnauths!

On a light day, Mrs Sue said, she and her children would cook-out on the farm while enjoying the peace and tranquility of Four Miles Housing Scheme.

A short distance away from where the farming activities are taking shape, another industry is popping up in the community.

Sash Obindernauth standing in a small section of the 10-acre plot where squash is grown

purified water was born more than two years ago. “It just came to me like that more than two years ago,” the young entrepreneur said, adding: “So I bought a ‘Canter’ and started selling water for people to bathe, and clean and farm.”

After generating sufficient money, he next bought a water

“People would come here and make calls, contact their families in the ‘Interior’, and I know how important that is,” Onesimus said.

CONCRETE IDEAS A stone’s throw away from Griffith’s, 63-year-old

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12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

‘Radio Bartica’ near ready --all set for May opening

PREPARATORY work for the establishment of a radio station in Bartica is moving apace, according to Director of Public Information, Mr Imran Khan.

The multi-million-dollar,

state-of-the-art facility is expected to serve the more than 15, 000 residents of Bartica, in addition to those in outlying communities not only in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni District, but in Region 10 (Upper De-

merara-Berbice) as well.

Among areas in Region that will be serviced are Goshen and Rivers View, both of which are close to Bartica.

In a brief interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Khan disclosed that the project for the renovation of sections of the Bartica Research Centre,

The Community Radio Project team along with regional officials assessing the compound of the resource centre to determine the best location for the dish

The Bartica Resource Centre where the Radio Station will be housed

where the radio station will be housed, is currently open to tender until around the end of March.

He explained that major works will be done to the walls, ceiling and floor of the upper flat of the building, where the station will be located, to make it studio-ready.

The necessary equipment are also being procured.

“In the case of Bartica, it would require the installation of a tower and the transmitter, along with all the components

for the studio,” Khan said.

Residents of Bartica and neighbouring communities are being enlisted into the training programme. Following the training, those with broadcast potential will be shortlisted.

ALL SYSTEMS GO Khan is optimistic that all systems will be in place for the launching of the radio station in May to mark Bartica’s first anniversary as a town.

Last month, Khan paid an

onsite visit to Bartica. He was accompanied by Coordinator for the Community Radio Project and Consultant to the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr Rovin Deodat, and Assistant Production Manager (Studios) of the National Communications Network (NCN), Devon Roberts.

The community-oriented radio station, Khan explained, will be established via a “three-way partnership”

Turn to Page 16

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Steeped in history

--St. John the Baptist Anglican Church DID you know that the St. John the Baptist Anglican Church is the oldest church in Bartica? Or for that matter that Bartica was formerly known as Bartica

Grove?

In fact, Bartica Grove, which took its name from the Amerindian word, Bartica or ‘red earth’, was one of the earliest Anglican missionary

settlements in the then British Guiana.

In 1843, seven years after the Bishop of Barbados paid a visit to Bartica, a church that was built in honour of

Mr Eustace Boyan and his wife, Arlene

The monument erected in the church-yard in honour of The Reverend Pierce and his family who perished on the Essequibo River while on a mission (Photo by Collin Joseph)

St. John the Baptist was consecrated by the Bishop of Guiana.

The wooden structure was built along the bank of the Essequibo River in the area now known as Triangle Street.

“Because of the establishment of the Parish of

the Anglican Church, families who lived along the Mazaruni River came to take up residence in Bartica,” says Lydia Elizabeth Moonsammy.

“They came not only for church attendance, but mainly to access schooling for their children, since it

was also the Anglicans who started the first school in Bartica,” she told the Guyana Chronicle.

CHRONICLING THE HISTORY Moonsammy, who at-

Turn to Page 16

14

Out and about...

Mr Desmond Stoby makes concrete blocks for a living.

“When I came in here to live about eight years ago, I started making blocks, because a lot of people were building during that time,” Mr Stoby recalled.

Back then, he would make more than 300 concrete blocks per day, but business has slowed down of late, and as such he currently makes a little over 100 blocks per day.

“Two or three years ago, business became a little slow; only one-and-two people would come and order blocks,” he said.

He only makes six, four and three-inch blocks, but his neighbour, Ms Patricia ‘Dawn’ Hall, baby-sits some of the children in the community while building on her passion for the arts.

“I am a caregiver, but I love craft,” Ms Hall said, adding that she’d been helping her mother since a child with her differently abled sister. And now that their mother has died, it is she who is taking care of her sister.

“I can’t work as per normal, so while at home, I would baby-sit some children in the community until their parents get home from work,” she

said.

But while she may enjoy taking care of the little ones, Hall says that deep inside she has a flair; a passion for craft.

“I don’t get to do as much craftwork as I want to because I have to babysit, but I am working on a collection for the Regatta,” she said.

Her collection of chair cushions will be on display during the Annual Easter Regatta in Central Bartica.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

From Page 11

And while the residents of Four Miles Housing Scheme are satisfied with the paths they have chosen, it is their belief that the community could be further developed to include better roads with drains, and a play field for the children.

To date, the community boasts a health centre, two churches, and a newly-built nursery school that is soon to be opened.

Mr Desmond Stoby and his son, Shem, making blocks for sale

Bartica... which the park can be found, she said, is home to hundreds of children, so they all would be able to benefit from its many facilities.

POWERING IT UP In February, news of another major investment unfolded: The using of renewable energy to power street lights and the Three Miles Secondary School.

The Ministry of the Presidency’s Climate Change Office was able to secure a US$300, 000 grant under the Japan-Caribbean Climate Change Partnership

programme to execute the project in Bartica.

“LED street lights will be installed from One to Four Miles, and this is a first for the people living there, because, right now, they have none,” said Chairman of the Council’s Finance Committee, Mr Kenneth Williams.

Additionally, 12 solar street lights will be installed at strategic locations in Bartica, while solar panels would be used to power the Three Mile Secondary School, in particular the

From Page 12 dorms.

The final aspect of the project is the training of six youths from the town to install, repair and maintain the solar panels. This project is expected to be rolled out within the next two months.

Aside from these projects, Bartica, like many other towns and communities across the country, is benefiting from a series of infrastructural projects, such as the rehabilitation of several main and internal roads, and the installation of much-needed drains.

Bartica’s Town Clerk, Ms Phebe Wallerson (second left) and three of the Council’s 18 members who often work beyond the call of duty to get things done.

They are, from left: Mr Lloyd Garraway; Ms Hazel Allicock; and Mr Mark Ambrose

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Miss Bartica Regatta

Contestants to tackle major issues through platforms

EIGHT beautiful ladies are in the line-up for the much anticipated Miss Bartica Regatta Pageant set for April in town of Bartica.

Pageant Coordinator, Angelica Fredericks, who is no stranger to pageantry after being crowned Miss Bartica Regatta 2002 and Miss Town Day 2003, said through the highly-competitive event, the delegates will bring to the fore a number of serious social issues.

Currently, the delegates who are all Barticians are preparing for their community projects–the majority of which are in keeping with the green agenda being led by President David Granger.

However, it is only until March 26, 2017 that the points will begin to trickle in when

the Costume Extravaganza is held during the sashing ceremony. “The Costume Extravaganza is about them choosing

a costume that is either relevant to their platform or the green agenda,” the Pageant Coordinator explained.

Delegate No. 4 Miss Candia Paul

In April, days before the penultimate event, the intelligence segment would be conducted. “For this segment, the delegates will pull statements out of a bag and make an impromptu speech. They will think for two minutes and speak for one minute.”

The swim wear and

evening gown segments will take place on the night of the pageant.

Recently, Guyana Chronicle had the opportunity of meet with six of the eight delegates.

Delegate No. 1 – Shyan Beaton is a proud daughter of the soil with a passion for road safety.

She said it is sad to know

that persons are still reckless in their driving and as such, her platform is “the consequences of drinking and driving.”

“You can lose your license, you could pay a fine or you would probably have to live with the fact that you would have injured someone or taken

Turn to Page 17

16

Steeped in... tended St. John’s since a child with her grandmother, Catherine Garraway Boyan, has spent years chronicling the history of Bartica.

Her intention is to compile a book, dating back to 1829 when the Church Missionary Society established the area to conduct missionary work, to the present.

According to Ms Moonsammy, while the St. John’s has been in existence for close to two centiries, there is not much written history on its genesis and growth.

“Over the first century of its existence,” she said, “much was not really written

on the history of the Church; and some may have been journalled by priests and canons, but have not found their way into our history books.

“Most of what is known locally is drawn from the stories passed on from the generations of its Founding Families, many of whom have served in one capacity or another over the years in the parish, either as altar servers, lectors or vestry members.”

What is public knowledge, however, is that the church had a cemetery within its yard, but following the establishment of the Sorrow (Sarah) Hill Cemetery, it was

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017 “This was started in the 1960s; and upon completion of the new building, it was dedicated in March 1970.”

From Page 13 closed. Today, the tombs are a poignant reminder of what once was.

Also erected in the compound is a monument in honour of The Reverend Pierce and his family who perished amongst the rapids of the Essequibo River in the mid-19th Century whilst on a mission to minister to residents in a small community along its banks.

“With the coming of the famous priest, Father Dorman in the late 1950s,” Ms Moonsammy said, “the parish saw a revival; and plans were made to rehabilitate the old wooden structure using concrete.

BY SELF-HELP Seventy-one-year-old Mr Eustace Boyan, who’s a member of St John’s since he was nine, recalled that the church was rebuilt through self-help; that he and his wife, Arlene, were among members who helped in its reconstruction.

At the time it was rebuilt, he said, the church had a large following; but as Bartica continues to expand, some of the followers have opted to attend other denominations.

“On the first Sunday of the month; Mother’s Union Day, the church would have

a lot of people,” Mr Boyan said.

“It would be packed! But on regular days, many of the people you see are the older folks like us.”

Currently, St. John’s is headed by Father Alfred David, who is originally from the village of Kaburi, some 72 miles up the Potaro Road.

According to Father David, despite the changing trends, the church remains as relevant as it did 174 years ago when it was established.

According to him, on special occasions like Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, the church would be full to capacity; with over 300 persons. But during regular services, however, an aver-

age of 160 persons would be in attendance.

Additionally, the parish consists of 13 “daughter churches” in the Essequibo, Mazaruni and Cuyuni Rivers.

Notably, St. John’s has had a long line of priests and canons who have given distinguished service over the years.

These include Father Dorman, Canon Goodridge, Father Dick-Grant, and Father Roland among others.

In addition to the priests and canons, there were many other members who played critical roles in keeping the church alive.

Among those persons was the late Mr Oscar Smart, a long-time organist at the church.

The St. John the Baptist Anglican Church (Photo by Collin Joseph )

‘Radio Bartica’ near...

From Page 12

among the Office of the Prime Minister; the executing agency, NCN; and the Region.

In addition to local content, the station will be supported with content from NCN. “Outside of the local programmes, the station will carry NCN’s content; the national programmes, including the news, some of which you get through 98.1 and VOG,” he said.

“But now you will get a stronger signal and a wider reach, once the radio is set up,” he told regional officials during his visit.

Using the radio station, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the Bartica Mayor and Town Council would be able to broadcast public information, while educating the populace of the rich history and culture of the region.

A WELCOME DEVELOPMENT Regional Chairman, Mr Gordon Bradford, upon hear-

ing the “good news” said it is a step in the right direction, and will serve the people well.

He said that currently, regional officials would have to either broadcast local information through NCN, or travel to the various communities in order to update themselves on developments within the region.

But when established, he said, the radio station will play a critical role in keeping residents informed. “It will help us tremendously, in terms of disseminating information, particularly to the riverine communities,” he told the project team. The Mayor of Bartica, Mr Gifford Marshall echoed similar sentiments.

“Communication, we will all agree, is the fuel of any progressive society; without such, democracy can easily be derailed. It allows for consultation, participation and inclusion of programmes and ideas,” Marshall posited.

But unfortunately, the work of the municipality, he said, is significantly hindered

due to the lack of effective and constant communication.

“We have long struggled with communicating our vision, programmes and developmental agenda to the people of Bartica,” Mayor Marshall said.

However, he noted that with the radio station coming on stream, the Council will be able to effectively communicate with its people.

“The community radio will be a major asset to the people of our town; it reflects Government’s commitment to the transformation of Bartica.

Our social, economic, and developmental landscape will be boosted,” he said.

In addition to Bartica, community-oriented radio stations will be established in Mahdia, Orealla and Aishalton for 2017 at a cost of $150M. In 2016, two radio stations were operationalised in Lethem and Mabaruma at a cost of approximately $50M.

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Contestants to tackle major...

someone’s life,” Beaton said as alluded to the consequences.

“If you are going to drink, have a designated driver, call a taxi, it is as simple as that.”

In the lead up to the pageant, Beaton will be bringing awareness to the issue. Additionally, as part of her community project, she will erect a sign board in Constituency Seven, welcoming visitors and reminding them not to drink and drive.

Meanwhile, Delegate No. 3 of Mongrippa Hill Bartica, Lakeshia Christian is looking at the negative effects of suicide.

“Suicide is the act of deliberately ending your own life. Some people don’t understand that suicide does not end the chance of life getting worse, it eliminates the possibility of life ever getting better,” the 19-year-

old aspiring medex said.

Throughout her campaign, Christian would be reassuring the residents that there is hope and no need to commit suicide.

“If you know someone thinking of committing suicide, you should talk to them and get some professional help. Let that person know that suicide is never the answer.”

Delegate No. 4 is the very eloquent Candia Paul – an English teacher attached to the Bartica Secondary School. The 25-year-old beauty has been teaching for close to five years at the school.

Based on her observations in the classrooms, Paul’s platform is “the negative impact of technology on literacy in Bartica. Based on her assessment many of the children’s “reading and writing skills are poor.”

My platform is focus-

Delegate No. 3 Miss Lakeshia Christian

ing on the negative impact of technology on literacy in Bartica. Based on her observations in the classroom, many of the children’s “reading and writing skills are poor.”

“Technology is a helpful thing, no doubt, but in the hands of our children who are not using it wisely, it is creating quite a negative stir here in Bartica. You find persons basically using technology for social media use and they are posting all sort of negative pictures and comments instead of using it to help themselves, uplift themselves,” explained Paul.

She is of the option that technological devices such as smart phones, encourage use of short hand texting and do not allow for critical thinking.

“Our children no longer have to spell out words these days. They type in

Delegate No. 1 Miss Shyan Beaton

two letters and the entire word pops up,” the English teacher pointed out.

To promote literacy among children, Paul would be distributing a collection of books to a nursery school. She will also have reading sessions targeting the children.

Meanwhile, Delegate No. 5, Crystal Williams – a 17-year-old originally from Batavia, a neigbouring village will be looking at the issue of street harassment. She explained that Street Harassment is a form of sexual harassment that involves unwanted comments, ‘catcalling,’ and other unacceptable actions by strangers in public spaces.

“Street harassment limits people’s access to public spaces and lower their comfort level there,” she explained.

Additionally, the 17-year-old who is still in

From Page 15 school will be promoting the green agenda in the execution of her community project which specifically deals with proper waste management.

Child Labour is another issue that will take centre stage and Nalini Baptiste, Delegate No. 6 will be focusing her efforts on the “Effect of Child Labour in my community.”

The 17-year-old said enough is not being done to stop child labour.

“Child labour is the employment of child,” she posited.

According to her, “child labour deprives children of their childhood, interferes with their ability to attend regular school, and is mentally, physically, socially dangerous and harmful.

She too will be installing bins in the area.

Meanwhile, Dele-

Delegate No. 5 Crystal Williams Delegate No. 6 Miss Nalini Baptiste

gate No. 7, an 18-yearold teacher attached to the Bartica Secondary School, Leah Smith will be focusing on the “Importance of education in my community.”

Smith, who describes herself as outgoing and team player, said children are showing worrying signs that they no longer need education.

“Education is the basic for anything you would like to do, that is how you have doctors, you have nurses…it sets the foundation and without education we can’t see our community going anywhere. And if we are talking about development and all the things that we want to do then we must educate,” Smith emphasized.

Smith said while her platform is focused on education, her community project is aimed at beautifying the newly built park at the West Indies Housing Scheme.

The other two delegates are Gabriella Chapman and Shania Thom.

Delegate No. 7 Miss Leah Smith

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 22, 2017

Pressure mounts on Yarde to step down

PRESSURE is building on long standing President of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Patrick Yarde, to step aside and allow fresh faces to run that trade union organization.

Yarde has been at the helm of the GPSU for decades and challenges to his presidency by younger members have not been successful over the years.

On Monday members of the union gathered outside of its Shiv Chanderpaul Drive headquarters voicing their dissatisfaction with Yarde’s leadership.

One of the protestors, Jermaine Hermanstine , explained that the leadership of the GPSU has not been changed for approximately 30 years. They are of the view that Yarde is too

Some of the protesters on Monday morning ‘comfortable’ in his seat as President.

This comfort, the protesters say have been abused.

“The representation for public servants has been minimal and they are “not getting what they deserve,” Herman-

stine said. He also noted that persons are being discriminated against by the Union despite paying their dues.

“This has gone unnoticed for too long and it is time we take back our union,” said another protestor.

The demonstrators pointed out that in-house transparency is lacking, in terms of the executive body of the GPSU. As such, the protesters indicated that it is a concern that they will continue to fight to address once they receive the requisite support from their fellow public servants. Hermanstine said if their ‘peaceful’ protest does not work, they will resort to legal actions against Yarde.

Efforts to contact Yarde for a comment were unsuccessful. However, the union has sent out a media advisor for a news conference slated for today.

The conference will address matters relative to the GPSU’s election of office bearers and other related and relevant matters.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 22, 2017

Fighting the floods

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–– major drainage works for South, North Ruimveldt

By Vanessa Braithwaite IN an effort to alleviate flooding in North and South Ruimveldt Gardens the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, on Tuesday launched a comprehensive drainage programme.

The programme, which is expected to commence today, will be completed in two months and will see strategic mechanisms being undertaken to address the failing drainage system in the communities.

According to Ministry of Public Infrastructure Community Coordinator, Neilson Mckenzie, the request was made by Deputy Mayor, Sherod Dun-

while the City Council will provide the necessary machinery. Mackenzie said that the project aims, not only to bring relief to the residents of South and North Ruimveldt, but will allow the engineers to learn the faults in the system, while ensuring the canals and kokers are cleaned to create a clear channel for the water to pass when it rains.

He explained that currently North and South Ruimvelt have a two-fold drainage system, with the frontal portion draining forward, while the backward portion is draining backwards.

Acting Mayor of Georgetown, Sherod Duncan, expressed optimism that the project will alleviate the flooding

Deputy Mayor, Sherod Duncan and MOPI Community Coordinator, Neilson Mckenzie, observing the flood-waters at Festival City Entrance, North Ruimveldt can, for the Ministry’s intervention since the communities continue to be inundated after light showers, despite several programmes were undertaken in the past.

“As you know that North Ruimveldt has almost forever been inundated and our determination is based on the fact that all the preliminary interventions have failed, so we have determined that we are going to do a drainage project that envisages draining North Ruimveldt. Phase 1 would entail doing the desilting, the weeding of culverts, drainage and alleyways into South Ruimveldt to ensure that when North Ruimveldt is drained, there will be immediate adequacy and sufficiency of drainage space,” McKenzie said.

He also revealed that the Georgetown Drainage Authority was formed by Cabinet and functions under the supervision of the Ministry of Communities and Public Infrastructure and has been putting mechanisms in place to address these issues. “Investigation and analysis have been completed, the way forward has been charted and we are now getting the necessary infrastructure in place to move forward,” Mackenzie told media operatives.

The project will incur a high cost on the MOPI, which is the sole financier,

experienced by the residents.

“This drainage project seeks not only to do the drainage, but also focuses on fixing the roads, fixing some of the culverts, doing some of the alleyways and also doing portions of Cane View Avenue and the drains at the back there, so it is a comprehensive drainage programme in South Ruimveldt Gardens and then the project goes across to North Ruimveldt and hopefully in another month or two we see some change with the amount of water on the land even when there is no rain,” he said.

The project will also provide employment opportunities for residents of North and South Ruimveldt and some of the contractors awarded contracts are also residents of the communities. Residents on Tuesday remained hopeful that the programme will alleviate the flooding that has been plaguing their communities for many years. “I hope this time something is done because lil water does just gah sprinkle and the whole place flood, it don’t be easy to get in and out, we are suffering for years in South here and the relevant authorities need to come and see what is going on, the drains need cleaning, the place does be stink, you have to be traversing through water, people yard flood out, people losing how much money, it is

sickening, so I hope this time something happen and no lowclass wuk in do,” said Melissa, one South Ruimveldt resident.

When this project is completed the other communities that are identified as disaster-prone areas and will benefit from similar programmes, are Albouystown, Newtown, Alberttown, Queenstown, Kitty, Subryanville and parts of Bel Air Park.

Residents of North Ruimveldt traversing the inundated Festival City Entrance

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 22, 2017

Oil and gas conference opens on Sunday

THE Guyana Oil and Gas Association (GOGA) will be staging its first Oil and Gas Conference and Exposition set to take place at the Guyana Marriott Hotel on Sunday.

The event will promote long lasting business relationships and unlock possibilities that will deliver the ultimate business setting to succeed in today’s competitive hydrocarbons marketplace for the local and international partners, GOGA said in a release. According to the association, the Conference and

GOGA and other Executives in the Oil & Gas industry pose for a photo at a Lecture held at the Pegasus Hotel recently exposition will bring together professionals with corresponding goals and visions for future success. A number of these companies and key stakeholders in the industry from around the world will be participating in this activity, which GOGA expects to be Guyana’s premier annual Oil and Gas event.

Commenting on the event, Chief Executive Officer of GOGA, Bobby Gossai, Jr. said, “This forum will provide the mechanism for information sharing to those who are interested in the development of the local oil and gas sector.

The event will allow for the building of business collaborations to drive the growth of our new oil and gas sector and for all participants to be better able to understand the business of oil and gas for our world class reservoir.

The three-day forum will give both individuals and businesses the opportunity to explore the areas of potential along the supply and value-chain of the oil and gas sector.”

Presentations and panel discussion will be made in

areas such as technologies for offshore development, environmental, regulatory and safety standards, experiences from other territories, among others.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, will deliver the feature address at the official opening ceremony on the evening of March 26. The Conference and Exposition is currently attracting participants from Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Canada, USA and Norway, among other countries. The event has, as its major sponsors – Edison Chouest Offshore, Ernst & Young and Massy Energy.

The conference will commence at 8:30hrs the following day and will see presentations from companies such as INTECSEA, Ernst & Young, General Electric, TechnipFMC, Edison Chouest Offshore, among others. INTECSEA is a global company within the WorleyParsons Group, offering capabilities for floating systems, offshore pipelines and subsea production systems.

Presentations will also be made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.

Trinidad and Tobago’s former Minister of Energy, Kevin Ramnarine, and Managing Director of Suriname’s Staatsolie, Mark Waaldijk, among several other consultants and executives in the industry will make presentations.

The exhibition will be open to members of the public on the final day, which is March 28, from 10:00hrs to 16:00hrs.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 22, 2017

Pay hike, business school high on UG agenda

A MULTI-YEAR pay hike and the establishment of a new school of entrepreneurship are among topics high on the agenda when the Council of the University of Guyana meets on March 30th.

During that meeting, the council is expected to decide on several key aspects of the Vice-Chancellor, Ivelaw L. Griffith’s forward-looking plans for the entity’s renaissance, UG said in a statement on Tuesday.

In an invited comment, Professor Griffith said there are several critical items on the Council’s agenda aimed at addressing some of the long standing insufficiencies plaguing the faculties, staff and students. This includes a multi-year pay hike for the faculties and staff beginning 2017.

“The fact of the matter is that UG has been unable to attract the desired complement of qualified staff because of salaries that are not competitive. The staff deserves better and the students deserve better.

We have to do something about that and we have to do something now,” Professor Griffith said.

According to him, hard realities will be faced and tough decisions will have to be made in order to get the university to where it should be. “If we don’t face it, we can’t fix it. I am in the business of facing and

fixing. I have been here for only 8 months and there is a lot of that to do. We have to keep focused on the work to benefit our students and our staff.”

The historical budgetary

UG Vice Chancellor Ivelaw Griffith shortfalls at the university, coupled with unrealistic fee structure, have affected every aspect of operations, the university’s administrator said in a statement. The administrator believes that critical revenue earning measures ought to be adopted to correct the deficiencies within the system. These measures will also come up for discussion and approval when the council meets.

“These include bringing UG’s tuition closer to the cost of its delivery over a period of years, introduc-

ing several sought-after and critical higher-education programmes, such as the Masters in Psychology, Masters in Visual Communication and Masters in Agro business, training in Oil and Gas, as well as bringing online several revenue generating ventures,” the administrator said.

Two of these ventures are the much-anticipated School for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI), as well as the Centre for Diaspora Engagement, proposed to be launched this year. These are expected to be housed at the proposed UG Downtown Campus.

Another proposed revenue earner is the development and re-purposing of the University’s Pere Street building, whose project name is UG-IN. Phase 1 is set to be completed by the end of 2017.

Several developments are also expected to be housed at the Turkeyen and Tain Campuses, including a student-directed multi-purpose students centre, which is also in the design phase and is expected to be completed by October 2017, in addition to a student faculty housing on donated property in Berbice.

In addition, students and staff of the University have seen improved Internet capacity, a fiber optic link between the University’s campuses at Tain, Turkeyen and Johns, as well as the hir-

ing of several better qualified staff in priority areas.

The launch of The University of Guyana Press

late last week, is also expected to serve a two-fold purpose of revenue-generation and promotion of re-

search and publication by faculties of the University and other important works of Guyanese interest.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 22, 2017

Cops burn large ganja farm at Moco Moco

TWO men were Tuesday morning arrested in Moco Moco, Rupununi, Region Nine, after the police discovered a marijuana camp, one acre in size.

Police made the discovery at 03:30hrs Tuesday, stumbling on thousands of marijuana plants from seedlings to nine feet in height.

The field was subsequently destroyed along

with the tents, hammocks and containers.

The cultivation was an estimated 2.5 kilos. When contacted, Divisional Commander Senior Superintendent Ravindradat Budhram confirmed that there was a bust and two suspects were in custody.

He explained that the division recently received an increase in resources

and ranks which contributed to the discovery. The commander also thanked members of the community for assisting the police.

He said that networking, teamwork and communication are important aspects of policing in addition to the valued feedback of members of communities and society.

The camp where the marijuana was found before it was destroyed.

Ex-cop charged with forging $7M GBTI cheque A FORMER policeman was remanded to prison on Tuesday after he was charged with uttering a forged cheque.

Haniff Hakeen Peters, 34, of Freeman Street East, La Penitence, Georgetown denied the allegation when it was read to him by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, at

the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

It is alleged that on January 17, 2017 at Water Street, he uttered to a Teller of Bank of Baroda, a Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry (GBTI) cheque [number 025836942] dated January 16, 2017 valued $7,000,000 in favour of New Wave Hardware and Engineering Services,

knowing same to be forged.

The police prosecutor objected to bail, citing the nature of the offence and the fact that Peters may tamper with the prosecution’s witnesses.

The matter was adjourned to April 12, 2017 and transferred to Court 3, where Magistrate Judy Latchman presides.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 22, 2017

New building for Foreign Service Institute

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun the process of establishing a new building to house its Foreign Service Institute, with the demolition of Ramphal House.

Located on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Ramphal House was scheduled for demolition and reconstruction in the 2017 National Budget.

During the presentation of the budget estimates in December, Minister of For-

eign Affairs, Carl Greenidge noted that, “The Ministry has been struggling with that building for quite some time and the various attempts at renovation seem not to have been effective.”

The government will expend $100M this year for the demolition and construction of the new building. Last year, the Ministry spent $50M in preparation for the demolition. The overall investment for the new building totals

Cops beat back criminals at Stabroek square THE increased police presence around the Stabroek Market area, which was initiated earlier this month, is having a positive impact on the crime rate. Over 30 police officers are now stationed around the market area on a daily basis.

The enhanced police presence was due to the constant reports by vendors about the

now… And I glad for that and they keep away the boys from the market who liming and who does sell them lil drugs and them thing so the police keeping them away from the market.”

Commander of ‘A’ Division, Clifton Hicken, confirmed that the presence of the police has impacted on the criminal activities that usually

Police Officers around the Stabroek Market area increasing rates of criminal activity in the area. The Stabroek Market square is populated with vendors and public transportation service providers and is known for being a “hotspot” for criminal activity.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) visited the Stabroek area and spoke to a few vendors who lauded the move by the Guyana Police Force (GPF). They said this initiative has already impacted positively on the crime situation. David, a vendor said, “To be honest with you, the police presence out here is good. That is something good the commissioner has done, it ease down a lot of crime, you know men does snatch people thing, pick people pocket, you do not see that out here now because police too much… and that is very good, especially for us businessmen, at least the people would not be scared to come and buy,” the vendor explained.

Thomas, another vendor pointed out that, “The police doing a good job so far up to

occur around the Stabroek area. However, the commander noted that the Division is keeping an eye out for ballooning effects. Only recently, the Commander pointed out that two arrests were made on Main Street, Georgetown after the perpetrators were intercepted. According to Commander Hicken, the men once dwelled around the Stabroek Market area.

“We can say that we have had a drastic decrease in all levels of crime in the market because of our posture, but we are still looking for evidence for ballooning effects, having prevented them from going on the market, they are looking for other opportunities,” the Commander explained.

Hicken reiterated that the GPF is not working in isolation and called on members of the public to continue cooperating, to help eradicate crime. Persons who see any suspicious activities are being asked to contact the nearest police rank or station. (GINA)

$282.5M. The new building, which will be erected on the same site, will also house the Protocol and Consular Affairs departments. It is expected to improve accommodation and operational efficiency of the departments it will house.

In the meantime, staff who worked in Ramphal House have been relocated in the Ministry’s Takuba Lodge, South Road location for the duration of the construction. [GINA]

Workers demolishing Ramphal House (Adrian Narine photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 22, 2017

White Paper on housing being prepared NEW Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Lelon Saul, has begun work to compile government’s White Paper for its new housing programme, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan has said.

He said the document is expected to table the White Paper in the National Assembly very soon, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported. The White Paper will provide the National Assembly with a clear understanding of what the government is seeking to achieve with its new housing programme. It will provide information pertaining to the construction techniques, the method of payment for units, mortgage arrangement for recipients and the criteria for allocation, among others.

Bulkan told GINA that the White Paper would also speak to all of the lessons that would have been learnt in the recent past. “It would seek to take advantage of both the successes and having identified what were the deficiencies or failures out of that past policy, it would identify what would be the strategic direction and where the government’s priority should be,” the minister explained.

The preparation of the white paper is in keeping with the new data-driven policy of outlining and planning development in the housing sector.

The minister explained that this absence of having timely and reliable data in relation to the usefulness of the inherited housing programme, resulted in inaction of the CH&PA in 2016. The minister explained that the previous board of the CH&PA, as part of critically reviving and evaluating the housing programme that was inherited, needed to satisfy themselves that continuation of the programme was in the best national interest.

“They [do] not feel compelled on the basis of business as usual and to continue the programme that [was] inherited and …it is not an approach that I could find fault in, because once these resources are committed and the funds are spent, it cannot be recalled,” the minister highlighted.

He noted that the extraordinarily high rates of un-occupancy in many of the government schemes were reason enough for the board to question, and have a second look at the continuation of the inherited programme and to look at having a different housing priority. “It is a result of that examination that the resources are now on hand that they can be committed to this first phase of the construction of housing units,” the minister pointed out.

As part of ensuring proper planning for housing development, the CH&PA recently concluded a housing profile.

The Housing Authority is also working with the Inter-American Development Bank to support the development of a national housing strategy, which in addition to ensuring that the housing needs of the public are properly identified, will reaffirm government’s trust and confidence that it is moving in the right direction, with regard to its national housing programme.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 22, 2017

Guyana shuts out 2000 cartons of BUIWICK tuna

THE Government Analyst- Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) is advising consumers and the General Public that the Department, in collaboration with the Customs and Trade Administration, had refused entry of 2000 cartons, 48 X 170 grams of tuna imported from China, which are labelled “BUIWICK” instead of “BRUNSWICK”.

The exact address of the manufacturer in the country of origin is not stated. According to the GA-FDD the action of the department was prompted by an Inspector’s report on samples taken from a container on March 9, 2017. Consumers are therefore being advised to always take a second look at labels/brands and to ensure the country of origin and the exact name and address of manufacturers are stated on the label.

The GA-FDD serves as a regulatory body, ensuring that consumable goods (drugs, food and beverages) meet international standards and requirements, and are healthy for human consumption. The department also ensures that when these items are imported they are screened, meeting local standards before being released to the market for sale.

The Department has since written to the Commissioner of Customs to suspend the processing of documents of a known third party agent out of the United States that knowingly and deliberately facilitates the importation of products into Guyana that are substandard and/or are with inadequate labels.

The department explained to the Government Information Agency (GINA) that according to the Laws of Guyana, Food and Drug Act chapter 34:03 part (2) section (6), this label is prohibited because it is false, misleading, and deceptive.

In addition, the product’s label was found to be inadequate, according to the Food and Drug Regulation of 1977, Regulation 18 part (2) (a) clause (3) – Labels. This company , the department explained would have on many occasions exported items of food to Guyana in the absence of documentation (Free Sale Certificate) in the prescribed Form from the country of Origin and this is a breach of the Food and Drug Act chapter 34:03 Section 32 (11).

The department said it will notify the regulatory agency of the People’s Republic of China on their findings and action, because official documentation with attestation was used to facilitate the shipment of falsely labeled tuna to Guyana.

The department will also be notifying Environmental Officers and Public Health Officers in the respective regions and municipalities on their findings and action.

Consumers are asked to notify the department or any Environmental Health Officer and/or Public Health Officer/Inspector of products that they suspect to have misleading or inadequate labels.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

GUYANA’S referees and assistant referees underwent a series of gruelling fitness tests at the Leonora National Track and Field Centre last Saturday, as part of ongoing assessments to ensure match officials are able to cope with the demands of top-flight and international football.

Five out of six elite group male referees, all six elite group male assistant referees and three out of five female assistant referees passed the tests.

“Fitness tests are very essential,” said Guyana Football Federation executive committee member and president of the Guyana Football Referees’ Council Dion Inniss, who further noted that “the game demands very fit match officials – as fit as the players. We administer these tests at least three times a year to

ensure that our match officials are in peak condition.”

FIFA toughened up the fitness tests for referees last year, as part of efforts to ensure that match officials could keep pace with the intense energy of top-flight international football.

Within a short time limit, referees are required to complete a test for “repeated sprint ability” with six bursts over 40 metres, and an “interval” test of a series of 40 consecutive high-speed runs over 75 metres that are interspersed with 25-metre recovery, walking sections.

Assistant Referees must also complete a “change of direction ability” test, which corresponds to the particular demands of running the line.

“You have to prepare to officiate in any conditions,” said 29-year-old former football

player and referee Gladwin Johnson from Berbice.

“The game demands fitness from the referee – the modern game is much faster, so we have to keep ourselves fit as referees,.”

Johnson highlighted.

The tests are part of FIFA’s continuous worldwide assessment of member association-affiliated match officials, alongside an annual medical examination. Failure to pass the tests means that match officials are not eligible to take part in elite professional competitions or matches organised by the national member association, CONCACAF or FIFA. Some of Guyana’s lower level male referees and assistant referees did not meet the strict fitness requirements for international referees, giving an overall pass rate for the group of 27 tested of 63 percent.

US to host summer Manchester derby

MANCHESTER City will play Manchester United in a pre-season friendly in the United States on 20 July.

A venue is still to be decided for the game, which will form part of the annual International Champions Cup. It will be the first Manchester derby to be played outside the United Kingdom.

City should have played United in the Chinese capital Beijing last July but the match at the Bird’s Nest was cancelled due to heavy rain.

City will face another Premier League rival, Tottenham, in Nashville on 29 July before playing Spanish giants Real Madrid in

More than 100,000 fans saw Manchester United play Real Madrid in Michigan in 2014.

Los Angeles on 26 July.

Barcelona in Washington Spurs also play French DC on 26 July. champions Paris St-GerMeanwhile, Internamain, winners of the tourna- tional Champions Cup ment for the past two years, games in Singapore this in Orlando on 22 July and summer will see Premier Italian side Roma in New League leaders Chelsea Jersey on 25 July. play German champions The event also features Bayern Munich on 25 July only the second El Clasico and Serie A side Inter to be played outside Spain Milan on 29 July, while when Real Madrid meet Arsenal will feature when Barcelona in Miami on 29 tournament games are July - the teams met in Ven- played in China. ezuela in 1982.

London matches at United will also play Wembley are also to be Real Madrid in Santa Clara announced in the coming on 23 July before they meet days.(BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Paper declares ‘death of Sri Lankan cricket’ … Sri Lankan media react to historic Test defeat to Bangladesh in Colombo

SOME 135 years after English cricket was declared dead and the Ashes shipped to Australia, Sri Lankan cricket was killed off by a newspaper mourning the loss to Bangladesh, the youngest Test-playing nation.

The Island newspaper on Monday published an obituary for Sri Lankan cricket following the loss. “RIP Sri Lanka,” read the headline.

The paper carried a Notice saying: “In affectionate remembrance of Sri Lankan cricket which died at the Oval on March 19, 2017.

“The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Bangladesh,” read the notice.

The Daily News was also full of praise for Bangladesh, but described the loss as “Sri Lanka’s darkest hour in Test cricket”.

“For Bangladesh this win was special because it showed how much they

Bangladesh recorded a historic Test win over Sri Lanka. (Getty) Sri Lanka Cricket president Thilanga Sumathipala and the country’s sports

The obituary on the island The sports page also carried a cartoon depicting

minister carrying a casket with ‘Sri Lankan cricket’

written on it.

Bangladesh won the second Test by four wickets on Sunday to secure a first win over Sri Lanka in 18 attempts. Sri Lanka have won 15 of those matches and two have been drawn.

In 1882 The Sporting Times newspaper in England famously published a satirical obituary of English cricket after Australia beat England on English soil, creating the Ashes legend.

Bangladesh’s victory also coincided with the country’s 100th Test and helped the team to even a two-match series.

Bonus for women cricketers as Australia offers big pay deal (REUTERS) - Cricket Australia (CA) has proposed a new pay deal to players which offers large salary increases, particularly for women, but breaks with the 20-year model of a fixed percentage of revenue from the game going to the cricketers.

The A$419M (£259.21M) offer is a 35 percent increase on the current five-year deal, which expires in July, and was laid out by CA chief James Sutherland yesterday.

CA said the new deal meant international men’s players, taking into account bonuses, match fees and domestic Twenty20 wages, would be earning an average of $1.45M a year by the 202122 season.

“We have placed the emphasis on increasing the guaranteed amount that the men will receive, rather

than rely on any projected increase in revenue,” Sutherland said. “... CA believes that the model devised in the 1990s, which is based on a fixed percentage of revenue, has served its intended purpose -- to make Australia’s cricketers some of the best paid sportspeople in the country.”

The Australian Cricketers Association (ACA), the player’s union, responded by saying they needed to scrutinise the small print of the offer and reiterated its stance that any new deal should include a revenue-sharing model.

“CA has responded to the ACA’s calls for improved pay and conditions for all cricket players regardless of gender and of the need for more investment in grassroots cricket,” ACA chief Alistair Nicholson said.

“The ACA has fought long and hard for these causes. Men and women have stood united for a fairer deal for all and for the next generation of cricketers. The ACA commends our members for their resolve.”

The biggest winners under the new deal would be women players, who will be included in the “memorandum of understanding” for a first time.

“Under the proposal, women will receive an immediate average pay increase of more than 125 percent,” Sutherland added.

“As a result, our international women cricketers will see their average pay increase from A$79 000 to A$179 000, as of July 1 this year. By 2021, we expect to see our international women cricketers earning an average of A$210 000.”

have improved as a Test nation,” it said.

Unless some radical actions are taken and changes made to improve their game, Sri Lanka will struggle to beat teams like Bangladesh,

Afghanistan and Ireland, the newspaper said.

The loss to Bangladesh comes less than a year after Sri Lanka completed a historic clean sweep of Australia in their threematch Test series.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

OSCL attempts to re-introduce white balls flop

By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada -- Attempts by the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) to reintroduce white balls into the 2017 season, set to commence in May, were met with mixed reaction by its members at Sunday’s annual general meeting, held at the Agincourt Community Centre, Scarborough here.

Confusion reigned over whether the balls should be used for all three of the league’s tournaments, namely the T10, 15-over and 20-over regular season matches with some teams maintaining they should be used for all three while some reasoned they should only be used for the T10 as was done in 2015.

On the other hand, some teams complained bitterly that the white balls shouldn’t be used at all, citing safety as their main concerns since they felt the conditions of the grounds here weren’t suitable to that type of balls.

After heated debates and deliberations, the OSCL executives decided to shelve the idea, thereby reverting to the use of the supreme balls for the upcoming season.

The white balls, which are used exclusively in Guy-

OSCL executive members: Sitting (from left) are Vish Jadunauth, Albert Ramcharran and Terry Mathura. Standing (from left) are Frederick Halley, Bobby Ramlagan, Kim Sue, Ranjan Persaud and Patrick Prashad. ana, New York, Florida and Orlando where international tournaments are being held annually, were introduced here by the OSCL in its T10 tournament in 2015. However, following complaints by members at the 2016 annual general meeting, the league discontinued their use.

Among the other major decisions taken at the meeting were to separate the A and B conferences for the T10 and

15-over tournaments with each conference having its own play-off and championship game, all no-balls be free hits and no-balls be called for deliveries above the shoulder in a standing position. Super overs will also be used in case of tied games and no games shall go beyond the scheduled time, except in the case of a tie-breaker.

Previously, the A and B conference teams were

Provisional programme released for Guyana Cup Fever horse race meet ORGANISERS of the Guyana Cup Fever horse race meet released a provisional programme for the event set for April 16 at the Port Mourant Turf Club, Corentyne, Berbice.

The eight-race programme, which carries cash prizes and trophies totalling over $8M and other incentives, is being organised by

the Port Mourant Turf Club in collaboration with Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Racing Stables.

The feature event is for horses classified `B1’ and Lower and carries a first prize of $1M and a trophy for the 1900m race.

There will be a 1200m race for `E1’ and Lower West Indies-bred and `E3’ and

Pakistan to West Indies 2017 SCHEDULE OF MATCHES

MARCH Sun 26 1st Twenty20 International Kensington Oval, Bridgetown Thu 30 2nd Twenty20 International Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad APRIL Sat 1 3rd Twenty20 International Queen’s Park Oval Sun 2 4th Twenty20 International Queen’s Park Oval Fri 7 1st One-day International National Cricket Stadium, Guyana Sun 9 2nd One-day International National Cricket Stadium Tue 11 3rd One-day International National Cricket Stadium Sat 15 to Mon 17 Tour Match Trelawny Stadium, Jamaica Fri 22 to Tue 26 1st TEST Sabina Park, Jamaica Sun 30 to Thu, MAY 4 2nd TEST Kensington Oval Wed 10 to Sun 14 3rd TEST Windsor Park, Dominica

Lower US and Canadian non-winners for the 2016 and 2017 season. The winner will earn $600 000 and a trophy.

The other events are for horses classified `G3’ and Lower four-year-olds over 1200m. `G3’ and Lower fouryear-old horses will battle in a 1200-metre event and `H3’ and Lower animals that are three years old and are Guyana-bred will contest a 1200m event also.

There will also be events for `I’ and Lower three-yearold Guyana-bred maiden horses, `J2’ and `K’ and `L’ class open races.

The top horse, the top stable and the top jockey will be rewarded with trophies, compliments of Trophy Stall of Bourda Market.

There will also be added attractions on race day such as Bouncy Castle, trampoline, and free kites for the kids.

Horse trainers/owners are asked to register their animals with Chandu Ramkissoon (624-9063, 2320633) or Irshad Mohamed (664-1650).

bunched together for the T10 and 15-over tournaments and played against the other, depending on the draws but several B division teams felt it was an unfair advantage.

Giving an overview of his stewardship, long-standing president Albert Ramcharran described 2016 as one of the most challenging seasons “but thanks to the efforts of our hard-working executives

and the sober heads of most of our players, we have been able to overcome most of the obstacles.”

According to Ramcharran, there are a few members within the OSCL ho are bent and making every effort to bring disrepute to the league. He referred to incidents on and off the field as ample proof of his disclosure.

Ramcharran however pointed out that he would like to reiterate that while overall, the discipline could be considered quite satisfactory during the last season, a few issues still remained unsettled and worrying but the league intends to deal with them very firmly. “We have no intentions of sitting idly by and let anyone ruin what we have striven to build in 21 years.”

Ramcharran also announced that the OSCL will once again engage the umpires prior to the start of the new season to explore and find a common ground on several matters, including the contentious issue of pelting.

The OSCL, Ramcharran pointed out, has embarked on an initiative to assist the needy in Guyana on an annual basis and late last year donated cash to the Red Cross

Convalescent Home and for this year, another charitable organisation will benefit.

The OSCL president extended sincere thanks to the several sponsors, including Home Trust, Harri Sukhu and Norman Sue Bakery for their continued support.

Based on the constitution, only three posts were contested at the meeting, that of vice-president, assistant secretary/treasurer and assistant registrar/statistician. All three incumbents, Terry Mathura, Bobby Ramlagan and Ranjan Persaud respectively were returned unopposed.

The entire executives read: Albert Ramcharran – president; Terry Mathura – vice-president; Frederick Halley – secretary/Public Relations Officer; Kim Sue – treasurer; Vish Jadunauth – East end coordinator; Patrick Prashad – registrar/statistician, Bobby Ramlagan – assistant secretary/treasurer and Ranjan Persaud - assistant registrar/statistician.

The five members of the disciplinary committee, which is being chaired

by Mathura, were also returned unopposed. They are Ian Baldeo, Nandalall Bodo, Nazir Khan, Rudy Bhoopaul and Pooran (Rajin) Roopchand.

Third leg of Cheddi Jagan cycle road race set for Sunday

THE third leg of the Dr Cheddi Jagan Memorial Cycle Road Race is scheduled for Sunday on the Essequibo Coast, beginning at 07:30hrs from Supenaam.

According to race organiser Hassan Mohamed, the third leg (which was rescheduled from last Sunday), after wheeling off from Supenaam, the competitors will proceed to Charity before turning back to finish at Suddie.

Mohamed explained that the rescheduling of the event was because of the fact that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) which was founded

by Dr Jagan had organised a Memorial Walk in honour of the party’s late leader and founder as well as a former President of Guyana.

The 20th annual event which is eagerly anticipated by local wheelsmen saw Shaquille Agard win the first leg, which was staged along the Corentyne Coast, Berbice, on March 5, in a time of two hours 6 minutes and 54 seconds.

The other top positions were occupied by Alonzo

Jamal John Ambrose, Hamza Eastman, Sundays ago, in a winning Paul DeNobrega, Orville time of one hour 54 minutes Hinds and Michael Anthony 34 seconds for the 50-mile leg. Anthony settled for secrespectively.

Junior Niles won the ond, Ambrose, Christopher veterans’ category in that Griffith, Dey and Mark Harleg while Curtis Dey won ris were the other top four the junior category and finishers in that order.

Dey was the first junior Shane Bourne the mounto cross the finish line while tain bike category.

Jamal John won the sec- Niles won the veterans cateond leg, which was staged gory and Shane Bourne the on the West Demerara two mountain bike category.

37

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

NSC looking to restore abandoned sports complex in New Amsterdam By: Isaiah Braithwaite

THE National Sports Commission (NSC) is looking to resuscitate the abandoned sports complex in New Amsterdam, Berbice to provide another avenue for youth development.

The complex was once the sporting hub for New Amsterdam, and was used for facilitating events such as wedding receptions, parties, and sporting activities and even housed a large pool.

The complex, which was formally operated and owned by the Berbice Mining Enterprise Limited (BERMINE), is

now the responsibility of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

Director of Sport Christopher Jones and a team from the NSC, along with the Mayor of New Amsterdam, visited the complex last Saturday. The intention is to take control of the site and make it the NSC’s subcommittee headquarters in New Amsterdam.

Jones told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the NSC, through the Ministry of Education will be writing to NICIL in an attempt to acquire the building.

Jones noted that the building will cost approximately $200M to rehabilitate.

However, he pointed out that once rehabilitated, the sports complex will be able to generate revenue.

There is need for rehabilitation works to be done on the building. Downstairs there is a sports bar that could easily be rented out for income generation for the commission. There are several spaces that could accommodate persons wanting to host wedding receptions and parties. So therefore, we recognise that this space here can generate income on its own and pay for itself,” Jones explained.

The dilapidated sporting complex in New Amsterdam, Region Six The sports complex is initiatives will be undertaken expected to be the main hub in Regions Seven, Eight, Nine for sports-related activities and Ten. in Regions Five and Six, and Mayor of New Amsteraccording to Jones, similar dam, Kirt Wynter is delighted

that the NSC will acquire the building. The Mayor said that the complex was once a vibrant building but after the mining company left the town, it was left to deteriorate.

The Mayor stated, “I am glad now that the National Sports Commission is embarking on this venture of taking it up, restoring it and opening it up back to the public where we can all enjoy the facility once again.”

Wynter said that once the building is acquired, the council will be supportive in ensuring that the facilities are up and running again.

(GINA).

Jamaican Blake steers Lady Budapest to eight-length win in KMTC’s feature JAMAICAN jockey Brian Blake rode a well-timed race to steer Lady Budapest to a commanding eight-length victory in the feature event of the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club’s (KMTC) Phagwah Horse Race Meet which was staged last Sunday at the club’s facility, Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice.

Contesting the feature `D’ and Lower one-mile event that carried a first place cash prize of $900 000 and a trophy, compliments of Demerara Distillers Limited, Lady Budapest trailed the field of nine others in the early stage of the race, but as the field straightened up for home, Blake urged Lady Budapest on and surged to the front nearing the finish line and never relinquished

Lady Budapest (extreme left) in action during a recent KMTC’s horse race meet at the Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice that lead, winning with eight third and Keep On Swing- demolished the field in the lengths in hand ahead of ing of the Jumbo Jet Sta- `E’ and Lower non-winners for 2016 and 2017 and `F’ Goodwill Boy of the Jagdeo ble ended fourth.

Randolph Richmond, and Lower animals.

Stable.

Dark Sky, Got To Go Easy Flow of the Nand riding aboard Jumbo Jet Persaud Stable finished Stable’s Release the Beast, and Climate Change oc-

Windies begin preparation for Pakistan T20 series today BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) - West Indies players will assemble here today as they begin preparation for their four-match Twenty20 series against Pakistan starting next Sunday.

The 16-man squad, headed by captain Carlos Brathwaite, will undergo training sessions from tomorrow, Friday and Saturday, before being whittled down to 13 for the opening encounter at Kensington Oval.

The training group includes newcomers Jonathan Carter, Jason Mohammed and Veerasammy Permaul but missing is superstar opener Chris Gayle along with all-rounders Dwayne Bravo

Jason Mohammed and Andre Russell. lation while no explanation Russell is serving a one- has been given by selectors year suspension for an an- for the exclusion of Gayle ti-doping whereabouts vio- and Bravo.

Trinidadian Bravo recently underwent surgery last January for a hamstring injury sustained in the Australia Big Bash but there has been no indication about the status of his recovery.

West Indies will be looking to rebound after suffering a heavy 3-0 whitewash in the recent one-day series against England in the Caribbean.

They will also be looking to make amends for a similar whitewash by Pakistan when the two teams last met in the United Arab Emirates last September.

The remaining T20s will be played at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad on March 30, April 1 and 2.

cupied the other top three places respectively.

The `H 1’ and Lower event was declared a dead heat for the first position between T&T of the Nand Persaud Stable and Isn’t She Charming of the Jumbo Jet Stable. Cat Messiah, It’s My Turn and Firing Line occupied the other top places in that order.

The `I 3 and Three-YearOld Guyana-bred race was won by Seven Dust, ridden

by Colin Ross. Party Time, Mary Ann and Puppy Tail Wagging occupied the other top places respectively.

Mischievous Maker of the Shariff Stable, with Trinidadian Nicholas Patrick on board, won the Guyana-bred maiden race from Miss Anjalie, Saria and King Stanley respectively.

The `J 3’ event saw Red Jet with Prem Chandra in the saddle blaze to victory with Miss Olympic finishing second. Third was Plane Land and Red Region placed fourth.

Slim Shady won the `L’ class open race ahead of Royal Son Confusion and Secret Thinkers respectively.

The `L’ class non-winners event was won by Flow Joe and was piloted by Kevin Paul.

Lil Dude, East Lion and Royal Blaze ended second, third and fourth respectively.

The Nand Persaud stable won the Champion Stable award, while Mohendra Persaud was adjudged Champion Trainer and Prem Chandra the Top Jockey with Randolph Richmond as the runner-up.

Big public, private sector dominoes competition set for Friday THE Foreign Ministry Promotion team will be staging what is anticipated to be the biggest Public and Private Sector dominoes competition, at the Ministry of Agriculture canteen, Regent Street, Bourda from 16:00hrs on March 24.

According to a release, at stake are cash incentives and trophies for the winners, runners-up, and player with the most games in the finals.

Meanwhile, the release also stated that on Sunday March 26, at D’Urban Park, there will be a six-overs-aside knockout tapeball competition for trophies and cash incentives, donated by several government ministries.

Closing date for registration for both competitions is today, Wednesday March 22, at 16:30hrs.

Interested teams can pay their entrance fees to coordinator James Lewis at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Registry Department.

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Carib signs 3-year deal with CPL

THE Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is delighted to welcome Carib Beer as the Official Beer of the biggest party in sport for the next three years at a launch in Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain last Monday night.

Headquartered in Trinidad, Carib is established across the Caribbean and overseas and will work together with the tournament’s marketing and sponsorship team this summer to deliv-

Chief Executive Officer of the Hero CPL Damien O’Donohoe

er outstanding fan-centred events around the various stadia. In addition, this year fans across the Caribbean can relish specially-themed ‘tailgating’ parties, which will hype up the colour and carnival atmosphere off the field even further.

We l c o m i n g t h e a n nouncement, Damien O’Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer of the Hero CPL, said: “Carib are passionate about this partnership and they are an innova-

tive and socially aware company who have strong core values, such as leadership, accountability and going the extra mile, which are also a big part of the Hero CPL’s own values.

“Carib Beer has a long-standing association as the number one beer in the Caribbean and we are delighted to team up together for the next three years. We believe that this association will enable both brands to ramp up the biggest party in

sport this summer, in this, the Hero CPL’s fifth year.”

Chief Executive Officer at Carib Brewery Ian MacDonald, said: “The importance of cricket to Caribbean people is beyond doubt and at Carib Brewery we have, over the years been at the forefront of supporting local, regional, cultural, sporting, charitable and social activities throughout the diaspora.

Carib Beer and cricket are firmly rooted in the way of life of our people and

with T20 being the most exciting form of modern day cricket, it gives us great pleasure to come on board as the Official Beer of the Hero CPL.” The CPL will bowl off in the first week of August and will end with the finals in the first week of September. There has been no announcement of where the finals will be played but there has been interest shown from as far away as Singapore.

Sabina Park pitch comes under the microscope once again ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) - Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA) president Leon Rodney has criticised the Sabina Park pitch and called on the West Indies Cricket Board to pay closer attention to the preparation of pitches for the ongoing Regional four-day championship.

His calls come after Leeward Islands Hurricanes beat Jamaica Scorpions by 34 runs at the venue in a low-scoring affair that ended on the third day, despite the abandonment of the first day due to rain.

Both teams were dis-

missed below 100 in their first innings, with Hurricanes managing 133 in their second innings and Scorpions falling for 114 in pursuit of 149 for victory in the last innings of the day/night fixture.

“If our first class competition is going to operate like that, then the West Indies Cricket Board (has) to look into the preparation of the grounds, especially in Jamaica,” said Rodney, a former Leeward Islands coach.

“There are just too many issues of that happening in Jamaica for us not to be concerned and maybe the West

Indies Cricket Board needs to give a special eye.

“You can’t tell me that two first-class teams playing – one is out for 71, one is out for (56), one for 133 and one for (114) so there is not even 500 first class runs in the match.”

Bowlers thrived in the contest with rookie seamer Jeremiah Louis finishing with an eight-wicket match haul and Test seamer Alzarri Joseph claiming five wickets in the second innings.

All told, a mere 374 runs were scored across four innings, with only 12 double-figure scores registered and a highest score of 47

Scorpions pay the price for poor batting, ‘under-prepared’ pitch, says Miller KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) - Jamaica Scorpions captain Nikita Miller said his side paid the price for their poor batting but also blamed the pitch for its role in the defeat to Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the seventh round of the Regional four-day championship here Sunday.

Playing in the day/night contest at Sabina Park, Scorpions were bowled out for 56 in their first innings - their lowest-ever total in the history of first class competition - to concede a lead of 15 runs.

Asked to chase 149 for victory after Hurricanes chalked up 133 in their second innings, Scorpions collapsed for 114 to lose by 34 runs.

“I am not happy. I am very disappointed because we shouldn’t have lost that game,” Miller lamented.

“We lost based on the fact that our first-innings total of 56 runs was very unacceptable; even on that pitch, that total is very unacceptable.

“With that said, I think the pitch played a very huge role in

Jamaica Scorpions captain Nikita Miller the outcome because it was under-prepared as first-class status. But we could have batted a little better because the pitch was a little better for batting in the second innings, but I think we didn’t show enough fight and it led to the loss.

The defeat for Scorpions was their second on the trot since the resumption of the tournament earlier this month, after they also went down last week by seven wickets to two-time defending champions and tournament leaders Guyana Jaguars.

Scorpions, who led the

standings at the mid-season break for the Regional Super50, have now slumped to fourth on 63 points with three games remaining, and Miller told the Observer newspaper here his side needed to make the most of the upcoming fixtures even though the title was now virtually out of reach.

“Unfortunately, we are back at square one because we had a good run at the top of the season and in the Super50, but like I said, we have to pick ourselves up, keep our heads up, believe in ourselves some more and try to finish the season on a high,” the leftarm spinner stressed.

“So I am expecting significant improvement going forward. I don’t believe we can win the title from here … mathematically it is possible, but it will require a high level of consistency in both bowling and batting departments.

Scorpions travel to Port of Spain to take on Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in the eighth round of the tournament beginning Friday at Queen’s Park Oval.

President of the Antigua & Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA), Leon Rodney

by Test batsman Jermaine Sabina’s recent history, Blackwood in the Scorpions’ there were obviously issues with the pitch which needsecond innings.

Rodney said based on ed to be addressed.

“When I was coaching Leeward Islands in 2010, as a matter of a fact we had two games stopped in Jamaica and the pitch had to be re-organised,” he noted.

“And one was against Guyana in Sabina and then the England Test match that was stopped, so when I saw these figures I am saying that something has to be wrong.”

The second round game at Sabina Park involving Windward Islands Volcanoes was also a low-scoring affair but the second and third round games both saw totals of above 200 in every completed innings.

Former National captain Nurse signs with Sutton United CHRISTOPHER Nurse, Guyana’s most successful National football captain, will make a return to Sutton United, the club that signed him 14 years ago.

Sutton United, who will be remembered for their run in this year’s English FA Cup where they were beaten by Arsenal via a 2-0 score line last month, announced that they have signed the former Guyana National captain Nurse for a second spell at Gander Green Lane.

The 32-year-old has made 48 appearances for the Golden Jaguars since signalling his intention to play for Guyana in 2008.

Nurse last played for Puerto Rico Football Club – managed by former Portsmouth and Orient defender Adrian Whitbread - for their inaugural season in the North American Soccer League in March 2016.

Nurse was well known to Puerto Rico as he was a suc-

Christopher Nurse cess during previous spells with the Puerto Rico Islanders FC where he twice was a champion and also was a runner-up in the NASL final with Fort Lauderdale Strikers in 2014.

While playing for FC Edmonton, he was not only voted team MVP by his peers, but was also nominated for the NASL Hu-

manitarian-of-the-Year award for his non-stop efforts in raising money in support of breast cancer awareness.

Before embarking on a full-time career over the Atlantic, Nurse started out with Kingstonian before signing briefly for Sutton for the first time in 2003.

He also has spells with Aldershot Town, Moor Green (Solihull Moors), Hinckley United, Tamworth, Stevenage Borough, Halesowen Town and AFC Telford United.

Sutton United competes in the National League, the fifth tier of English football.

In the 2016-17 FA Cup, Sutton reached the 5th Round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history, beating three Football League teams (Cheltenham Town, AFC Wimbledon and Leeds United) on the way before losing 2–0 at home to Arsenal.

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Limacol winners receive prizes

WESTERN Tigers were presented officially with their winnings and trophy on Monday evening after winning the second Limacol Round-Robin Knockout Football competition.

At a simple presentation ceremony held at the Brandsville Hotel, Campbellville, the Tigers, along with the second-placed finishers Police, Winners Connection, the third-place team and Santos, were given their accolades, Petra Organisation co-Director Troy Mendonca during brief remarks said, “Petra Organisation has seen the staging and conclusion of another effective event which is the hallmark of the organisation,” adding that this is their contribution to

Winning coach Calvin ‘Flu man’ Allen collects his prizes from Petra co-Director Troy Mendonca during the presentation ceremony.

the sporting fraternity and the society as a whole.

“We would like to express thanks to the Limacol brand, GT Beer brand, Star Party Rentals, Trophy Stall, GFF, Guyana Football Referees Council, the clubs, the players, fans, administrators of GFC, Leonora, Victoria and MSC ground,” he added.

Banks DIH Communications Officer Troy Peters said, “We are extremely proud to be a part of the event. At the start we had anticipated that it would be a success and we saw it happen.”

The Tigers picked up the title after needling the Guyana Police Force (GPF) 1-0 via a Colin Nelson strike at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, Bourda

on March 4.

Thanks to Nelson, the team was $500 000 and a trophy richer with the boys in blue taking the runners-up trophy and $300 000.

Winners Connection copped the third place package of $200 000 and a trophy, after defeating Santos 5-3 on penalty kicks in the third-place playoff with the later collecting $100 000 and a trophy.

On the individual side of the presentation, Philip Rowley of Western Tigers was adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) while teammate Troy Carrington copped the Best Goalkeeper award.

Quincy Holder of GPF collected the Highest Goalscorer (4 goals) accolade.

Dover appointed National coach for historic clash against Martinique

By Rawle Toney

WAYNE ‘Wiggy’ Dover will return to the helm of Guyana’s National football team – The Golden Jaguars – for their March 28 first-time encounter against Martinique at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground in Linden.

While the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is yet to make an official announcement on the composition of the technical staff and squad for the game, Dover yesterday confirmed his appointment with Chronicle Sport.

Dover, when contacted

and asked about his being named National coach, stated “Yes, I was appointed (as National coach), but I think the GFF will make an official announcement tomorrow (today), and I’m here for any comments after that.”

The GFF has been tightlipped about information surrounding the Golden Jaguars ever since announcing that the team, who were inactive since their exit from the Caribbean Cup last year, will be facing the French Island of Martinique.

As an overseas depart-

ment of the French Republic, Martinique is not a member of FIFA and is therefore not eligible to enter the FIFA World Cup or any competition organised first-hand by the organisation. Martinique is, however, a member of CONCACAF and CFU and is eligible for all competitions organised by both organisations.

While Guyana, despite being a powerhouse in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), have never qualified for the Gold Cup (male version), Martinique are preparing to make their fifth ap-

pearance at the CONCACAF showpiece this year.

Martinique will be placed in Group B of the 2017 Gold Cup alongside five-time champions USA, Panama, and Haiti/Nicaragua.

The French territory will play their first game against Haiti or Nicaragua (pending play-off game between the two countries) on July 8, the USA on July 12 and Panama on July 15.

Dover was named national coach for the Golden Jaguars in 2009 – 2010 after serving as an assistant to Trinidadian Jamaal Shabazz

Caribbean happy with Montagliani visit CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani recently held a series of visits to the Caribbean that included stops in Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Guyana, and St Kitts and Nevis.

Montagliani finalised his trip in Kingston, Jamaica, where he officially opened the new Confederation’s office.

The president had the opportunity to meet with member associations and government officials, in addition to witnessing the advance of football development projects. The meetings go to the heart of Montagliani’s ONE CONCACAF Vision, which is focused on key strategic pillars to further grow the game.

“My visits and meetings with member associations’ presidents served as reaffirmation of the direction

CONCACAF president at the opening ceremony of the new location in Kingston, Jamaica of the ONE CONCACAF “This visit by the CON- continue its hard work in Vision and the partnerships CACAF president has been reforming and developing forged as the foundation of a fantastic boost for GFF football in Guyana,” said a new Confederation built and for the profile of foot- Forde. on integrity, transparency ball in our country. It was “We are fully commitand unity.” an honour for us to have ted to working together Guyana Football Fed- president Montagliani with president Montagliani eration (GFF) president launch the new, nation- and the rest of the region to Wayne Forde expressed wide Under-15 league, and deliver his ONE CONCAhis support to the Monta- his positive message to our CAF Vision so that we can gliani’s vision. team was a motivation to rebuild trust in football and

for four years (2005 – 2009).

When Shabazz returned for another stint in 2011, Dover was once again his

right-hand man (assistant coach), but the ‘Trini’ fell out of favour with the-then GFF. Ahead of the CFU Caribbean Cup (Gold Cup qualification), Shabazz was hired by the Clinton Urling-led Normalisation Committee and so too was Dover as his assistant.

Dover is one of the most decorated coaches in Guyana, with an illustrious record as head coach of Alpha United Football Club – one of the country’s most storied and accomplished teams.

create more opportunities.”

These visits also presented the chance to emphasise the need of a collaborative effort with the government to advance football from grassroots to world-class competitions.

“We had an excellent meeting with president Montagliani. We looked at the current state of football and future ways to come together and collaborate on sports policies and development aspects to increase participation in the game,” said St. Kitts and Nevis Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Stanley Knight.

In the Dominican Republic, Montagliani joined the Federación Dominicana de Fútbol (FEDOFUTBOL) in celebrating 100 years of football in the country.

On the occasion, FEDOFUTBOL president Osiris Guzman highlighted the importance and growth of football within the Dominican Republic.

“Counting on the presence of Montagliani, CONCACAF’s top official, in addition to Luis Hernandez (Cuba), Eric Labrador (Puerto Rico), and Yves Jean Bart (Haiti), offers a perspective of ​​the relevance of this moment.

Montagliani visited the country during his electoral campaign. We support the current administration and the president’s plans for football development throughout the Caribbean.”

O n We d n e s d a y, March 15, CONCACAF conducted the official opening ceremony of its new location in Kingston. Montagliani was joined by the Confederation’s General Secretary Philippe Moggio, Director of Caribbean Football Horace Reid, Jamaica Football Federation officials, former Prime Minister Edward Seaga, State Minister in the Ministry of National Security, Senator Pearnel Charles Jr, and other government officials.

Wayne Dover

Limacol winners receive prizes See story on page 39

Local referees complete ‘gruelling’ fitness test One of the Caribbean’s leading referees, Sherwin Johnson (left), during the recent fitness test

See story on page 34

Elite referee Mars (left) looks focused during the fitness test.

Nasrudeen riding 2016 high into 2017

Nasrudeen Mohamed’s Toyota rounds the clubhouse bend during a qualifying session last year.

WITH the racing season off to a flyer thanks to the Reaction drag meet last weekend, competitors are now shifting gears to the first circuit race of the season, the first National Race of Champions set for April 2.

One such competitor is Nasrudeen Mohamed, who will be competing in the sport tuner class as well as making his debut in group two with a Honda Civic.

Chronicle Sport caught up with him yesterday as he was getting some work done on the machine and he spoke of his plans to hit the season running, adding

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that he is looking forward to his continued fortunes from 2016.

“So far, I haven’t had any time to get onto the track and do any practice. But the mechanics are doing their job. In that (sport tuner) class, it stays standard. Nothing much I have to do but to get some time on the track and I’ll be good,” he added.

“The biggest threat would be the same person when we were down in Group 1, Daniel Deokie.

He’s the only person I see as a threat. “ Group two is just to get the experience in that class

with the better drivers, gain that experience. I mean I’m going to win but it’s going to be hard because the more experienced drivers are there.”

His car is sponsored by Jumbo Jet. Meanwhile, the event’s sponsors include Ansa McAl through the STAG Beer brand, ExxonMobil, Fly Jamaica, Seaboard Marine, Tony’s Auto Spares, Japarts, Choke Gas Station, CARICOM Auto Sales, E Networks, S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies, Truck Masters and Jialing.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2017