Guyana chronicle e paper 12 23 2017

President Hoyte hailed as ‘true son of the soil’ at memorial

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No. 105135

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2017

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

Rice exports top US$200M Page 3

… Min Holder says new approaches to be undertaken next year

Linden elects new mayor, deputy Page 11

President pardons five female prisoners Page 5

‘Drugs’ man gets four years, fined $28.6M

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President David Granger on Thursday evening delivered an address on Continental Security Cooperation in South America: Changes and Challenges in the 21st Century- Perspectives from a Small State. The event was held at the Paulo Nogueira Batista Auditorium in the Brazilian capital, Brasilia. Here, in this Ministry of the Presidency photo, President Granger is seen greeting Brazil's Under Secretary General for Latin America, Ambassador Paulo Estivalla de Mesquita

Eight juveniles set free from NOC

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Presidential reception

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday December 23, 2017

President David Granger addressing the gathering at a reception hosted in his honour

by Guyana’s Ambassador to Brazil, Mr George Talbot at the Guyana Embassy in Brasilia

Ministers Carl Greenidge, David Patterson and Raphael Trotman, who were part of the President's delegation, mingling with guests at the reception

Ambassador of Guyana to Brazil, Mr. George Talbot greeting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge upon his arrival at the reception

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 23, 2017

Rice exports top US$200M … Min Holder says new approaches to be undertaken next year

THE Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has revealed that export figures for 2017 have surpassed 2016 and are expected to surpass that of 2015. Exports for 2016 stood at 500,000, while as of December 18, 2017, exports were recorded at 535,843 tonnes with a value of about US$200,000,000.

General Manager of the GRDB, Nizam Hassan, related this while giving an overview of the entity’s commendable performance for 2017.

“Guyana’s rice sector performed excellent [sic] for 2017 in terms of both production and export. Ex-

port figures as at December 18th, 2017, have surpassed the 2016 figures and are very close to surpassing the 2015 figures. Based on our projections, we are going to surpass the exports for 2015. This will mean that the export of rice products for 2017 would have been an all-time high.

So far, exports for rice and rice products are recorded at 535,000 tonnes,” Hassan said.

As a result of an increase in global rice prices, the board was able to enjoy an increase in its export earnings which also saw farmers benefiting from increased prices paid per bag of paddy. Export earnings for 2017 is almost US$200,000,000 as opposed

to 2016 earnings which was GY$179,000,000.

The period also saw rice farmers across the country being able to receive higher prices for paddy. Farmers received up to $3,300 per bag of paddy as opposed to $3,000 per bag prior to the 2015 general election.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder in an invited comment, expressed satisfaction at the work of the rice board in not only guiding farmers to incorporate best practices, but also for taking the lead role of quality control and pest and disease management.

He added that while much has been achieved in 2017, new approaches to be un-

dertaken by the board will augur well for production and productivity.

Hassan also indicated that production figures were favourable despite several unavoidable challenges faced during the period. He added that Region Five was the highest paddy-producing region for 2017.

“With regards [sic] to production, so far 966,000 tonnes of paddy were produced – very close again to 2015 figures which were just over 1,000,000 tonnes. There are still a couple hundred acres of paddy to be harvested. All in all, the sector has performed well despite the challenges faced. The

GUYANA’S second Executive President Hugh Desmond Hoyte, SC, was hailed as a true son of the soil who had dedicated his life’s work to development of the country and its people, at the commemorative ceremony to mark his 15th Death Anniversary.

At the Place of Heroes in the Botanical Gardens, several senior government officials, including the Ministers of State, Communities, Public Health, Social Cohesion, Social Protection and Legal Affairs gathered to pay tribute to the former president.

Hugh Desmond Hoyte, SC, was born on March 9, 1929 and served Guyana in several capacities, including Home Affairs Minister from 1969 to 1970, Finance Minister from 1970 to 1972, Economic Development Minister

in 1974 to 1980, Prime Minister from 1984 to 1985 and President of Guyana from 1985 until 1992. He died on December 22, 2002.

For Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence,the late President Hoyte was a patriot who lived for the people and the country. “Hoyte was a judicious leader, an unsung hero, whose shrewdness, astute political insight and profound concern for the people charted a resolute cause to forge a united people with a firm resolve to achieve national development”, Minister Lawrence told those present.

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Basil Williams, said the late President played a critical role in Guyana’s economic development and that of the Caribbean. The attorney general recalled that when Hoyte

was appointed President of Guyana in 1985, “he had become one of Guyana’s most important leaders in the West Indian economic integration movement. He was Guyana’s Governor on the Caribbean Development Bank and the ACP spokesman on sugar.”

In underlining Hoyte’s legacy, he further pointed out that the former president, “more than any other minister on economic development, recognised the importance of maintaining a viable economic block.”

Hugh Desmond Hoyte, SC, was also described by the attorney general as a people’s person who recognised that the working class was vital to the development of Guyana. “By his own upbringing, he was painfully aware that the middle-class leadership, in spite of the fact that many of them had

emerged from the working class, could easily ostracise this most important and powerful group by their actions and attitudes”, the attorney general explained.

The former President and Senior Counsel, was husband to the late Joyce Hoyte and father to the late Amanda and Maxine Hoyte, who both died tragically, after their vehicle had crashed into a tractor trailer, en route to the town of Linden.

During his time in office, the late president had responsibility for African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) affairs under the Lomé Convention and was the ACP spokesman on sugar from 1981 to 1983.

As a member of the Heads of Government of CARICOM Conference, he was charged with promoting freedom of movement with-

weather has oftentimes been unfavourable to production.

Pest and diseases were also challenging, but these issues were addressed by the farmers based on the technical support of our field and extension staff. .” Hassan said.

Rice production by regions are as follows: Region Five -- 201,552 tonnes of paddy as of December 18th; Region Six -- 95,000 tonnes; Region Two 81,000 tonnes; Region Three 40,000 tonnes and Region Four 21,000 tonnes.

GRDB is also working towards increasing yields and securing more markets and better deals for Guyana’s rice and rice products in the coming year.

Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder

President Hoyte hailed as ‘true son of the soil’ at memorial

Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Minister of Social Cohesion Dr. George Norton, among other government officials in attendance at former President Hugh Desmond Hoyte’s 15th death anniversary observance.

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Basil Williams in the Community and for coordinating CARICOM’S policy on the environment for the Earth Summit in Rio

in 1992.

He was also nominated CARICOM’s spokesman on sugar.

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, paying his respects to former President Hugh Desmond Hoyte.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday December 23, 2017

U.N. steps in

PRATICA DI MARE, Italy (Reuters) - The United Nations began bringing African refugees to Italy from Libya on Friday, evacuating them from detention centres whose conditions have been condemned by humanitarian groups as inhumane.

Hundreds of thousands of migrants have fled conflict or poverty at home and are now trapped in Libya, where they had hoped to pay people smugglers for passage to Europe via Italy.

It is the first time the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Libya has evacuated refugees directly to Europe. An Italian C-130 military plane landed at an airport south of the capital, carrying 110 women and children, and a second flight is expected to bring more than 50 people later in the day.

The African migrants, including many small children,

were covered in blankets or bundled in coats as they disembarked from the plane on a chilly evening.

“We really hope other countries will follow the same path,” Vincent Cochetel, UNHCR’s Special Envoy for the Central Mediterranean said in a statement after the first plane arrived.

“Some of those evacuated suffered tremendously, and were held captive in inhumane conditions while in Libya. Five of these women gave birth while in detention, with only the very limited medical assistance,” Cochetel said.

The UNHCR estimates that about 18,000 people are being held in detention centres for immigrants that are controlled by the Tripoli government, and it aims to evacuate as many as 10,000 next year.

Italy’s Catholic Church will house many of the new arrivals in shelters across

--begins evacuating refugees from Libya to Italy

the country, Church charity, Caritas said as the migrants from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and Yemen go through the country’s asylum request process.

Migrant arrivals to Italy

riod last year, after officials working for the U.N.-backed government in Tripoli persuaded human smugglers in the city of Sabratha to stop boats leaving.

Italy is also bolstering

Italy’s move to open a safe corridor for some of the migrants follows criticism by rights groups who have condemned the country’s efforts to block migrants in Libya in exchange for aid,

Operation Evacuation underway Friday from detention camps in Libya for relative freedom in Rome (Reuters photo)

have fallen by two-thirds since July from the same pe-

the Libyan coast guard’s ability to turn back boats.

training and equipment to fight smuggling.

“This should be a point of pride for Italians,” Interior Minister Marco Minniti told reporters on the tarmac.

“This is the just beginning,” he said. “We will continue to try to open this humanitarian corridor.”

Migrant smuggling has flourished since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, with more than 600,000 making the perilous journey across the central Mediterranean in four years.

Tens of thousands of migrants are estimated to be detained by smugglers, and the African Union says that as many as 700,000 migrants are in Libya. The UNHCR has registered more than 44,000 as refugees and asylum seekers.

It classifies Friday’s arrivals as “vulnerable” refugees, which means they are children, victims of abuse, women, the elderly or have disabilities.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday December 23, 2017

President pardons five female prisoners FIVE females from the New Amsterdam Prison will be re-united with their families on Christmas day, following pardons from President David Granger.

The discharge is made possible under article 188(2) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, which permits the president to pardon those he deems fit and proper.

The women are identified as: 54-year-old Reina Vargas; 37-year-old Shabana Asgar, 27-year-old Ronella Junor; 27-year-old Maxine Baird-Sampson and 24-yearold Shellon David.

They all served a portion of their sentences and were

Shellon David and Ronella Junor

convicted for non-violent offences such as larceny, fraud and giving false oath.

According to a release coming out of the Ministry

of Public Security, the president’s prerogative of mercy will allow the women to be reintegrated into society as productive members. “It is

Maxine Baird-Sampson

expected that this expression of compassion and humanity

by His Excellency will result in families being re-united, and the pardoned offenders

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Shabana Asgar and Reina Vargas

leading good and useful lives from here on,” the release stated.

This year, some 19 prisoners in total have been

granted presidential pardons during Guyana’s 47th Republic Anniversary, 51st Independence anniversary and now, for December 25th.

Girl on a mission!

–– as Miss Bartica Regatta launches foundation to inspire other girls

AIMING to empower young girls to be a positive force in society, the ‘Girl Build Girl Foundation was launched on Thursday at the National Cultural Centre (NCC).

Created by Miss Bartica Regatta 2017, Gabriella Chapman said that the Foundation will be targeting girls across Guyana in an attempt to hone their skills or “assets” and mould them into leaders.

According to 22-year-old Chapman, “I believe that they are the leaders of tomorrow,

and I believe that we don’t wait until tomorrow to make them leaders.”

The Foundation, according to Chapman, also seeks to create a “sisterhood” of sorts, whereby girls will help each other to overcome their challenges, in addition to empowering and motivating females to always be the best they can ever be wherever they go.

And it is because of this vision that the Foundation is mandated under the motto: “Moulding minds to chal-

lenge and conquer.”

Chapman also sought to clarify that this Foundation was created because as a young woman herself, she felt as though females can empower each other by working alongside each other.

“This is not a pageant project,” she said, adding: “It irks me to know that people actually think when my reign ends, this will all fade away.”

Aligning itself with the President’s Youth Award, Republic of Guyana

(PYARG) scheme, the programme will allow young girls to be proactive and engage in community service while simultaneously focusing on their personal development.

At the launch, the audience was treated to an evening of female-centered performances highlighting the talents of some of the The logo for the recently launched ‘Girl Build Girl’ Foundation

Bandits attack auto sales manager A MANAGER attached to Yokohama Auto Sales escaped with his life following a daring armed robbery at Carmichael Street, Georgetown, on Thursday night when he was shot at and relieved of $1.4M in cash by two gunmen in a car.

It happened at about 19:00hrs when Deepak Balradj, 24, was driving along Carmichael Street and was forced to stop after he reversed his car into another vehicle when the robbers opened fire at him. His path was however, blocked by a silver Premio motorcar they were in and exited it and discharged rounds at Balradj.

The unsuspecting victim was then confronted by the bandits who took away the money he had in his pockets and in the glove compartment of his car and escaped with the booty along Middle and Carmichael Streets soon after.

Sleuths recovered one 9mm spent shell at the intersection of Carmichael and Middle Streets and one .380 live round was found on the floor of the victim’s car. No

arrests have yet been made up to press time.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, the police are looking for two men who robbed a farmer and his wife of $1M in cash outside their Windsor Forest home on Thursday afternoon, after they had made a withdrawal at a bank on the West Coast of Demerara.

According to reports, the farmer Ramadhar Singh and his wife, Pranpattie Singh had made a withdrawal at a bank at Vreed-en-Hoop after which they went about doing some errands.

It was when they reached their residence that the robbers descended on them while they were unloading from the trunk of the car, some items they had purchased from the car.

The couple were about to enter their home when the bandits discharged a round in the air while his accomplice held the 51-year-old man at gunpoint and took away the money. The robber then relieved Singh’s wife of a handbag and a cellphone.

young women who have already joined the Foundation.

But the young men were not to be left out, as they too did their thing in solidarity with the females.

Chapman later stressed that the Foundation is not seeking to take a feminist stance, but just responding to a need to empower women.

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Editorial Promotions on merit

THE Commission of Inquiry into the plot to assassinate President David Granger and its findings, with specific reference to the manner in which the country’s law enforcement agency investigating this very serious allegation revealed what the departure of professionalism from its standard operating procedures, can do to its daily operations.

But even prior to this occurrence, there were non-stop public complaints levelled against the conduct of Guyana Police Force (GPF) members, both senior and junior.

Thus, it would have been remiss of the Commander-in-Chief, President David Granger, to turn a blind eye to these complaints received from citizens. Of significance were complaints from within the GPF about recommendations for promotions not done in accordance with laid-down procedures.

Disturbing, also, were the recommen-

dations sent to the Police Service Commission, regarding promotions for the top-echelon positions within the police force.

Those recommendations were of the kind that were bound to generate not only controversy, but also great dissension, with the possibility of factionalism which no service organisation could have afforded, for the negative effects it would have on its daily operations.

For President David Granger, a distinguished former army commander and an expert on national security matters, such a situation, untenable in every way, would have been unfair for him to ignore, much less to accept. Further, to have allowed such promotions to proceed would have meant accusatory fingers from sections of the police force, which no chief executive would want. There would have been, undoubtedly, similar views from sections of the public.

What those recommendations did re-

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday December 23, 2017

veal was the sordid state of affairs of the Guyana Police Force that were finally exposed by the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the alleged assassination plot against the President. Such a sorry, but very dangerous state of affairs, are not surprising, given what had been constant political interference by the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic(PPP/C) government into the professional management of the force.

In simple language, promotions given on considerations other than merit in any service institution should not be countenanced, or be allowed, because of the attendant serious consequences, leading to a diminution of professional standards; a disincentive for wanting to give the kind of daily personnel service -- all with the cumulative effect of dissatisfaction, impacting on the totality of the GPF’s effectiveness. Also, no service should be led by leaders whose promotions have not been merited.

This can only result in a leadership crisis, which is not good for a national police force.

Certainly, President Granger understands what promotional merit means; and since he has been profoundly consistent in advocating for a very professional police force, he would not have wanted those concerns which were brought to his attention, to be shunted aside.

Of course, we subscribe to the understanding and fact that constitutional commissions and their functions ought to be respected. However, when very critical issues as relating to promotion of service institutions’ top brass, especially against the background of what has come to the President’s attention, do arise, it is submitted that as commander-in-chief, there ought to be a mechanism that should allow him to legally act, without being seen to infringe constitutional edict. And this must be seen as acting in the national interest.

Mr. President, please use your executive power and free this calf

Dear Mr. President

I DO hope that you will give due regard to my concerns raised in this letter and I am positive that you will do everything in your power to bring resolution to a grievous wrong being done to a pitiable calf, which has been impounded at the #51 Police Station for the past four months.

This matter has been ventilated in the press by various letters and articles, but despite assurances given by the Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Police Force, no progress has been made

to alleviate the sufferings of this poor animal.

Everyone in the police force is cognisant of the plight of this calf, including the Public Security Minister, yet the matter is now becoming an embarrassment to our coalition government. Some Berbicians are questioning the ability of our law enforcement agency to deliver a good service when such cruelty to animals is being perpetrated by the very people who (are) supposed to afford protection. There are many instances where animals have died in the pounds due to thirst

and starvation. Only recently, two goats died at the Albion Police Station. The atrocious conditions and the refusal of the police to feed these animals are quickly transforming these pounds into slaughterhouses.

I am living at Skeldon and I would normally travel to #51 Police Station in order to feed this animal when Mr. Harbhajan, the PM’s representative of Region Six, is unable to do so.

Your Excellency, this is not a ‘disputed animal’ as the public relations officer claimed in the press; this calf was struck down by a motorcar driver and only his

mirror was broken, while the calf suffered a broken back leg and no one was injured. Since then, no one came forward to claim the animal and it has been tied with a short piece of rope since early September and to date it remains in the sun, rain and not to mention the season of mosquitoes.

Many versions of the police file were given and yet the animal remains impounded-sometimes the file went to the DPP; sometimes it went to the Public Security Minister and sometimes it is with the divisional commander (royal run-around with the Guyana

Police Force as usual). No one seems to give a straight answer.

I beseech you Mr. President, to use your executive power and free this calf. I saw you feeding the baby elephant in Kenya and I conclude that you love animals and that you are a kind, compassionate and humane person. I am sure that you will express your Christian sentiments and free this poor calf before Christmas.

Regards Mrs. Leila Hazell-Bhudial 336-6984/622-2083/658-6563

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday December 23, 2017

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Kudos to the Guyana Police Force Dear Editor, THE Guyana Police Force deserves our compliments for acting to ensure that traffic ranks are regularly posted in the South Turkeyen area. This follows two of my articles in mid-November highlighting chaos, disorder and misuse of the

roadway, particularly at the Dennis Street, D-Field and UG access road junction. The police’s presence has been a huge success in regulating the road usage. Some errant motorists have even been charged for non-compliance with road signs and markings in that vicinity.

Left to be seen are similar corrective actions by those who sit on their laurels at City Hall and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

Roaming horses, along Dennis Street from the Eastern Highway to sections of the D-Field Road, continue to pose a hazard to road users. Lighting along most

What changed between Dear Editor

then and now?

SO pressure, even from senior officials seeking to fully enjoy the season, has led to the curfew being relaxed for a period

of time.

I seem to recall how the official with responsibility for this portfolio, adamantly insisted last year that come Christmas 2017 the curfew would

not be relaxed.

What changed between then and now? Or is it a case of never say never?

Regards Shamshun Mohamed

IN 1959, Perry Como made popular a song called "There's no Place like Home for the Holidays" that is commonly associated with the Christmas season.

In Georgetown in 2017, I think this song should be rewritten and called “There is no place like the City Council for the holidays” and sung by the Fantastic Four.

All year the Council workers had to live a beggarly life like Scrooge Mc Duck pleading with their Landlords, the furniture stores and other creditors as their salaries are always paid very late each month, even when Guyana celebrated its Jubilee celebrations last year. But to have to do this at Christmas time is just too much to ask.

But to add salt to an already gaping wound, the Finance Chairman has suggested that the municipality consider downsizing the number of these very battered staff members, since salaries account for 68 per cent of the council’s revenue.

He does not suggest that the ‘Fantastic Four’ put a freeze on their frequent travels that is costing the city millions of dollars almost every month; he does not suggest letting go of the contractors that are costing the city tens of millions of dollars each month (and I am not referring to the garbage contractors); he does not suggest that they stop buying sports utility vehicles for the ‘highfalutin’ at City Hall; he does not suggest that they cut back on expensive retreats, fancy dinners at posh restaurants, and profligate use of cell phones and the making of overseas calls and the attachment of bodyguards to the ‘Big Ones’. He does not mention the guards, gardeners and drivers that are provided by the Council to a former Mayor. Instead, he suggests that the poor workers take the fall. How cruel.

To justify his callous approach, he then makes reference to the salaries received by two low level positions.

For example, an office assistant and a clerk 2 general and a mid-level position

such as the accountant, but keeps studiously away from mentioning the heads of departments and sections and other top tier positions, many of whom receive hundreds of thousands each month; but whom he will never fire as they are seen as kith and kin.

Persons have been complaining in the press for two and a half years now about the featherbedding at the Council, where nearly two hundred family members, friends, church pals and paramours have been hired to top flight positions; many recently created and sectional heads made into departmental heads after their sections were inflated into large useless departments. But no one listened and now suddenly the Finance Chairman has an epiphany. At least the Madam Mayor is not so insensitive and duplicitous, as she knows that downsizing would mean many relatives and friends getting pink slips.

Regards Sambu Jacobus

affected. The parapets along the D-Field road are unkempt and neglected, with some unscrupulous persons adding to the poor state by dumping garbage ad nauseum.

Since members of the Guyana Police Force cannot be omnipresent, the least the authorities at M&CC and Public Infrastructure

can do is clean the parapets and seek to correct the lighting situation, which will inevitably decrease the temptation and likehood of criminal activity along that unlit portion of roadway at nights.

Regards, ORETTE CUTTING

Police role is to restore law and order Dear Editor

There is no place like the City Council for the holidays Dear Editor,

of the D-Field road from Dennis Street southwards to the Mosque also remains deficient, and there have been some allegations of robberies in that unlit corridor at nights.

For months, these issues have been ventilated, and failure by the relevant authorities to deal with them are huge disappointments to those

THE duty of the Guyana Police Force is to protect and serve.

If disorderly behaviour is taking place anywhere in Guyana unabated, I would

expect that the agency for maintaining law and order in the nation would step in.

Can the commissioner of police tell the nation why the police should not have been in Parliament to restore order? And

under what laws can that prohibition be found?

And further, who should enforce order in Parliament?

Regards Apostle Rev. O Brian Welch

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday December 23, 2017

Natural disasters warrant equal attention as armed conflicts --President says at security forum in Brazil

PRESIDENT David Granger has outlined the importance of defence cooperation in not only augmenting the military capability of small states, but in strengthening their capacity to deal with natural disasters and other humanitarian crises and conducting peace-keeping exercises.

He also believes that strong defence cooperation can serve to deter aggression, promote respect for international law, improve the defence capabilities of smaller states, strengthen regional integration, and confront non-state threats.

Speaking at a forum on Thursday during his state visit to neighbouring Brazil on Continental Security Cooperation in South America, which focused specifically on the changes and challenges in the 21st Century.

President Granger said that the devastation that the world has seen during the recent hurricane season in the Caribbean Region has exposed the need for the creation of a platform for small States to be able to respond to such crises.

He explained that there have been instances where there was a complete breakdown in law and order after a natural disaster.

“I just ask that consideration be given not only to situations where there is armed

conflicts, but to situations of natural catastrophes in which disorder could follow,” he told the audience at the Paulo Nogueira Batista Auditorium at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brasilia, where the forum was held.

Noting that small states have limited resources, and some of the same serious problems faced by larger states and must rely on multilateral cooperation, the President said: “The security of South American states, particularly small states with limited mil-

deter aggression, such as the peaceful settlement of disputes, the prohibition on the use of force or the threat of the use of force and respect for international treaties and agreements.”

PEACE AND SECURITY On the subject of the the South American Defense Council, which was established on December 15, 2008 in Brazil with the aim of ensuring peace and security in the continent, President Granger told the gathering of

as a defense community, however, can use diplomatic suasion and peace-keeping initiatives as a means of deterring interstate conflict, including conflicts between states of asymmetrical capabilities.”

More importantly, he said that defence cooperation can lay the foundation for the creation of continent-wide collective security mechanisms that would deter internal interstate conflict.

In this regard, he noted that Brazil has already played a significant role in

peace and security in South America; South America must be preserved as a Zone of Peace,” President Granger said, adding: “The South American Defense Council, by promoting defense cooperation, can reduce threats, build trust and graduate towards the eventual goal of continental collective security.”

TRANSNATIONAL CRIME After his presentation, the President fielded questions from the audience, and

President David Granger (seated second left) with members of the panel at the forum (Photos courtesy Ministry of the Presidency)

itary capability, is best guaranteed through a multilateral system which, as a form of functional cooperation, can strengthen peace-promotion norms by encouraging greater respect for principles, which promote peace and

diplomats and foreign service officers: “The South American Defense Council is an idea whose time has come. The Council has not yet graduated towards providing collective security. The Council,

conceiving the Council, and must now move to make it operational.

“The Continent looks forward, with Brazil’s partnership, to the invigoration of the South American Defense Council as a vehicle for

when asked about measures Guyana and Brazil can take to tackle transnational, organised crime, he said that given that the Guyana-Brazil border is over 1300 kilometres long, it is extremely difficult for security forces in Guyana to

police the entire area.

This makes it easy for criminals to conduct nefarious activities such as trafficking in arms and narcotics, people smuggling and even illegal mining.

In this regard, he called on the Brazilian authorities to deepen cooperation in the areas of joint surveillance and the sharing of intelligence.

“There has to be sharing of information; there has to be cooperation among the security force,” President Granger said, adding: “They may not threaten the State, but they may create local disorder. They can take over zones and use those zones for platforms for narco-trafficking; they can create airstrips for planes to land, and this has happened in my country.

“Transnational crimes could become big if it is not stopped when it is small, and it is the duty of the States and the intelligence agencies and security forces to prevent them for degenerating.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge, Minister of Public Infrastructure, Mr. David Patterson and Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Raphael Trotman, Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Audrey Waddell were also present at the forum.

(Ministry of the Presidency)

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman; Brazil Ambassador to Guyana, Mr Lineu Pupo De Paula; and Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms Audrey Waddell (seated first, second and third left respectively) were part of the gathering on Thursday at the security cooperation forum at the Paulo Nogueira Batista Auditorium in Brasilia

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday December 23, 2017

9

Guyana, the Netherlands foster closer ties --with appointment of new non-resident ambassador to the Hague

THE commitment to strengthen mutually beneficial relations between Guyana and the Kingdom of the Netherlands was renewed on Wednesday when Ambassador David Hales presented his Letter of Credence to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander at the Noordeinde Palace in the Hague.

Ambassador Hales, who is Guyana’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, has been accredited non-resident Ambassador to the Netherlands, succeeding former Ambassador, Dr Patrick Gomes.

Prominent in the discussion between the Dutch Monarch and Ambassador Hales was the impact of Climate Change on the Caribbean, including the

Ambassador David Hales presenting his Letter of Credence to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander

Dutch Overseas Territories, particularly the devastation

wrought by the passage of Hurricanes Maria and Irma

during the 2017 hurricane season in the Atlantic.

The King visited the affected Dutch islands immediately after the passage of Hurricane Maria to get a first-hand sense of the damage that was done.

Ambassador Hales expressed his deep appreciation to the Monarch, on behalf of the government, for the Netherlands’ commitment of US$702M towards helping Guyana with disaster preparedness and relief efforts.

The pledge was made in early December at the CARICOM-UN High-Level Pledging Conference at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The agreement also involves the Netherlands designing a model of an effective and efficient drainage system for the city of

Georgetown, and the involvement of Dutch businesses in Guyana’s new oil and gas sector.

King Willem-Alexander also showed keen interest in the current status of the Good Offices Process under the aegis of the United Nations Secretary-General regarding the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy.

Ambassador Hales also held discussions with the Deputy Director, Western Hemisphere Department; Director, Multilateral Organisations and Human Rights Department and other top level officials of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Guyana and the Netherlands established diplomatic relations on May 15, 1970.

CARICOM records noteworthy successes in 2017 despite challenges THE over US$2 billion pledged at the CARICOM-UN Conference for long-term recovery for hurricane-affected countries and the establishment of the regional renewable energy center are among the successes CARICOM recorded for 2017 in spite of the year’s challenges.

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said in his End of Year Message that the Community is ending 2017 with several other noteworthy achievements, including a change in posture by International Financial Institutions and some Development Partners with respect to access to concessionary development financing.

“It is encouraging to note that our relentless advocacy with respect to the lack of access to concessional development financing appears to be bearing fruit. There is some re-thinking on this issue taking place at the level of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and some of our international development partners (IDPs),” the Secretary-General stated.

He said that CARICOM

will continue to advocate for this change. Moreover, he observed that the Region’s vulnerability to external shocks, which the hurricanes laid bare, emphasised the urgent need for the international community to dispense with GDP per capita as a primary criterion for access to concessional development financing. Ambassador LaRocque noted significant advances in human resource development highlighting the July 2017 endorsement of Heads of Government of the Human Resource Development (HRD) 2030 Strategy. The HRD Strategy is intended to prepare the Community to address the requirements of its 21st century economy and society through actions for basic education, from early childhood through secondary, the tertiary sector and life-long learning.

With regard to energy, in July 2017 CARICOM Member States signed the Agreement establishing the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE). The Centre is based in Barbados and is the implementation hub for sustainable energy

(l-r) CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque; Head of UNDP, Achim Steiner and UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres

activities and projects within the Region. It will play a major role in the Community’s thrust to increase the renewable energy share in power generation to 47 percent by 2027, with the resulting lowering of costs to the consumers and benefits to the environment, the Secretary-General stated.

He highlighted the range of opportunities now opened to the Private Sector with the signing of the Second Protocol to the CARICOM-Cuba Trade and Economic Co-

operation Agreement. This Protocol allows for duty free access to Cuba for CARICOM producers of approximately three hundred items including meat, fish, dairy produce, fruits and vegetables, beer, rum, cement, soaps, articles of apparel and clothing.

Ambassador LaRocque said that CARIFESTA XIII in Barbados under the theme ‘Asserting our Culture: Celebrating Ourselves’ was another highlight of 2017.

“The enthusiasm for the

cultural extravaganza was not dampened by the threat of Hurricane Harvey as the people of the Caribbean showcased their creativity at various venues across the island. The business aspect of the creative industries took center stage in keeping with the Heads of Government endorsement for exploring the potential of the cultural and creative industries to contribute to the economic development of the Region,” he stated. As he looks ahead to 2018, he said it was with

expectation of closer regional unity, reminiscent of the kindred spirit that fueled the outpouring of support post hurricanes Irma and Maria.

He commended the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) for performing their respective roles “magnificently” and promptly. “The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Community’s specialised institution, performed magnificently as it coordinated the relief efforts and helped to set the stage for recovery.

I must extend the Region’s gratitude to the Agency for a job well done. The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) was also prompt in meeting its commitments to the affected countries with the appropriate policies,” he said.

While the hurricanes will have a lasting impact on the Community, he lauded the “yeoman support” rendered to the hurricane-stricken countries by the governments, people, institutions and the international community.

(CARICOM Secretariat)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 23, 2017

Cops: Probe into ‘Saga’ death incomplete

POLICE Investigations into the murder of 64-year-old Godfrey Scipio called ‘Saga’ - a popular D’Urban Street, Georgetown businessman, is still incomplete even though two serving members of the Guyana Police Force are currently on remand for the offence.

DEAD: Godfrey Scipio called ‘Sagga This was disclosed by police prosecutor Inspector Neville Jeffers on Friday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. He explained that the police investigations were still incomplete and there were still issues which needed to be cleared up.

The magistrate adjourned the matter until January 22, 2018.

Former ‘Best Cop’ Detective Corporal Derwin Eastman and Constable Jameson Williams are jointly charged with

the allegation which stated that on October 12 at Kitty, the duo murdered Scipio during the course of a robbery.

The allegation leveled against the cops stems from Aubrey Bobb, who is also charged and on remand for Scipio’s murder. Ranks from the Major Crimes Unit were able to arrest the two cops days after the alleged trigger man, Bobb, was placed on remand.

Bobb is reported to have claimed that Eastman was the mastermind behind the businessman’s murder, and that he (Eastman) also went as far as providing him (Bobb) with the gun to carry out the hit.

Police managed to arrest Bobb a day after the shooting and after reviewing the CCTV footage attached to the Kitty hotel where Scipio was shot and robbed. The gold jewelry reportedly stolen from Scipio during the robbery has not been recovered.

Scipio was shot once, just after being attacked and robbed allegedly by Bobb outside of a Kitty hotel. He was leaving the hotel in the company of a female friend, and was about to enter his car which was parked in front of the building when he was accosted by Bobb.

According to the Police the suspect “discharged a round hitting Scipio in the abdomen, then relieved him of his jewellery and escaped on foot in a northern direction.”

Scipio was rushed to a private city hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Reports indicate that the motive for the killing of the businessman appears to be an execu-

Ex-convict, Aubrey Bobb tion instead of a robbery and it may be linked to the recapture of notorious prison escapee, Mark Royden Durant, also known as Royden Williams and `Smallie.’

Scipio was a popular vendor at the Berbice bus park and the prison escapee was caught in a minibus at Weldaad, West Coast Berbice on October 9, after joining a minibus at the Berbice Park.

Eastman who turned himself in at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary had posted on his Facebook page: “Good Day all, God is in charge, all will be well, I am innocent of the allegation.”

‘Drugs’ man gets four years, fined $28.6M A 63-YEAR-OLD man was on Friday sentenced to four years in jail along with a fine of $28.6M for attempting to smuggle over 23 pounds of cocaine through the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC).

Dennis Jones of Caneview Avenue, South Ruimveldt Park, was found guilty by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for the attempt made on January 20, 2017 at the GPOC. The magistrate ruled that Jones had knowledge that there were drugs in the package and his behaviour of hiding in the ceiling also showed that he knew about the items.

However, Jones’s attorney, Eusi Anderson, told the court that since his client was released on bail for the offence, he has been attending church and hoping to be baptised to turn his life around.

Anderson further noted that the father of two was currently working with the Government of Guyana in the “green” economic market.

Anti-narcotics agents had intercepted a box containing a total of nine kilos in baking powder bags and 1.62 kilos of liquid cocaine in two Banko wine bottles found in mail destined for Canada. The package was due to leave Guyana on January 20 via a Fly Jamaica flight in its mail consignment.

Jones was arrested the following day by Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU)

ranks after they found him hiding in his ceiling. In a caution statement, the accused admitted to placing the drugs for a “lil hustle.”

Back in 2012, Jones had pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in jail after he was busted attempting to ship over 700 pounds of cocaine to Niger, Africa.

The cocaine was hidden in soap powder packets.

Jones was deported to Guyana from the United States, after being convicted of conspiracy to traffic cocaine.

Dennis Jones

The intercepted baking / custard powder bags and Banko wine that contained cocaine

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 23, 2017

Linden elects new mayor, deputy –– Holland skips vote to attend President Hoyte’s memorial

By Naomi Marshall

WANEKA Arrindell was on Friday morning elected the new Mayor of Linden, while Wainwright Bethune was elected deputy mayor as the council ended the two-term stint of businessman Carwyn Holland at the municipality.

However, the new officers will not take up their positions until next year March. The election was done at the Linden Mayor and Town Council building by way of secret voting.

During the nomination period, which was slated for 10 minutes, Arrindell was the only nominee for the position of mayor. Due to this, she was declared the Mayor of Linden.

Nomination for deputy mayor 2018 was done seconds after, whereby Wainwright Bethune and Leroy James were nominated for the position. However, Bethune was elected Deputy Mayor of Linden after receiving five votes to James’s three.

When asked how it feels to be elected mayor, Arrindell said: “It means being at a higher level of servan-

thood; being able to serve this Council well and to serve the people of Linden.

It’s more of giving back.”

Come 2018, Arrindell hopes for more cooperation from the Council, and wish-

the vision we want to go forward with in 2018; to make sure that we deliver on our mandate to the people.”

Bethune said he looks forward to working with the councillors as a team, and

and try to improve it,” the deputy-elect said, adding: “I guess the same feeling as a councilor, because one of my mottos is that regardless of if I’m sitting as a councillor or as a mayor,

Unfortunately, Carwyn Holland was absent from the ceremony due to being out of the district at the time of the election. Holland was seen on Friday morning attending the 15th death

Ms Waneka Arrindell as she accepts the position of Linden Mayor es to fulfil promises made to the people of Linden.

“We have roads to do, we have garbage to pick up,” she said.

“We have businesses we should develop, and that’s

that they will be cleaning up and improving Linden. “All the other things that we’ve campaigned on, some of the things we would have been doing for the past two years are just to take it from there

as a deputy mayor, where I am, once I would have lent myself to this process of municipality, is to give my best at all time [sic], be respectful of what capacity I function in.”

Linden youths land temporary jobs –– helping out elderly with Christmas chores SEVENTY-ONE youths from the Wismar-Linden area were on Thursday employed during the launching of the ‘Elderly Care Programme’.

The Elderly Care Programme is a partnership with outgoing Mayor of Linden Carwyn Holland and the Linden Youth Leaders Group.

The purpose of the programme is to bridge the gap between young people and the elderly, and to also build cohesion.

“At the end of it, we are building cohesion in our communities,” Holland said. “The young people will learn to work together; they will learn also to work and respect the elderly, take care of their community, take care of the people of their community.”

Holland believes that young people need “to have that connection with the older folk before they go to the Great Beyond.”

He further noted, “We have to take care of the elderly; it is they who took care of us when we were younger, and Christmas is the best time for us to show our care and our concern for these persons.”

The 71 youths were all chosen from the Wismar Shore area, and will commence work today at 06:00hrs, helping some 70 to 80 senior citizens from Third Alley to Waterlily Street who are in need of help, and will end

on Christmas Eve. The youths will be working for at least $10,000 each over the two days. Some of the work they will be doing is: cleaning up the environment, the cleaning of senior citizens’ yards, nailing fences, and changing of zincs.

In addition, medical professionals will be visiting the seniors over time to check on their health and to generally attend to their needs.

Present at the launch was Dr. Astell Collins, Youth Adviser, who spent his time empowering and motivating the young people through his speech. He said to them, “All of you are dynamic; you are magnificent, and you were born for such a time as this, but you have to understand why...

“Don’t allow anyone -- any politician --to tell you what you should be doing; understand why, the reason for your being.”

He went on to say, “We as a people have struggled for years. You can have political power, but true power lies in self-love and self-governance…

“We are depending on you; you are probably our best and brightest hope, but if you are unaware of that, you would indulge in self-limiting activities.

Don’t indulge in activities that would limit your potential.”

anniversary observance of the Late President Desmond Hoyte at the Botanical Gardens.

Holland had indicated on Sunday that he would not have contested the mayor-

ship, declaring that he was not interested in running for a third term.

“I have interest in furthering my studies, so that I can better contribute to Linden and Guyana’s development,” he said. “I’ve already set out to have my studies next year, from next September.”

Holland said he is happy with the job that he had done during his time as mayor.

“When I took over Linden, you would recall that Linden was in dire need, and I think I would have achieved quite a lot,” he said.

He told the Guyana Chronicle that he is grateful for having had the opportunity of serving Linden up until March 2018, and intends to make the best of his time left as mayor.

Weeks ago, councillors of the Linden Town Council had accused Holland of treating staff with disdain and flouting the laws of Guyana. The accusation was denied by Holland.

The latter accusation has to do with his instructing his secretary not to allow then Deputy Mayor Arrindell into his office in his absence.

Reckless driver fined $50,000, licence suspended … near collision with President’s escort

A 37-YEAR-OLD man who drove his truck in a reckless manner and almost crashed into a police vehicle in President David Granger’s escort was on Friday fined $50,000 and had his licence suspended for three months.

Ewart Darlington of Linden appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and confessed that on December 22, at Friendship Public Road on the East Bank of Demerara, he drove motor lorry GWW 806 in a dangerous manner.

Police Prosecutor Arwin Moore told the court that on the day in question Darlington was driving his vehicle on the northern side of the road at a fast rate while the President’s convoy was proceeding south in the other lane with a police vehicle leading with its beacon lights and siren on.

It is alleged that when the police vehicle was about to pass the lorry the defendant overtook a car and ended up in the path of the police vehicle. The driver of the police vehicle quickly swerved to avoid a collision.

The unrepresented man explained that he did no hear the siren but saw the lights instead and while he was about to pass a parked car in his lane then he realised that the police car was coming in the other lane.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 23, 2017

GRA to go state-of-the-art by January –– upon completion of cutting-edge container scanner facility at GNIC wharf

CONSTRUCTION of a facility at the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC)’s Lombard Street wharf to accommodate the scanning of containers is reportedly moving apace.

According to a release from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the construction of the facility was agreed by way of a Memoradum of Understanding with GNIC. GRA said that when completed, by January 2018 as anticipated, the site will enable it to utilise cutting-edge technology to scan not only imports, but also merchandise destined for foreign jurisdictions which meet the criteria for trading with some of Guyana’s major partners.

One such jurisdiction, the GRA said, is the United States, which requires universal scanning of all containers entering their territory.

The Authority says that it became somewhat limited in this capacity after the stationary scanner at the Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC) wharf, also

on Lombard Street, became inoperable in 2014, and the mobile x-ray imaging scanner acquired in 2014 also experienced some operational challenges during 2016.

The mobile X-ray imaging scanner will now be relocated to the GNIC facility, as will a new fixed container scanner, which is being procured through grant aid from China, and projected to become operational by mid-2018.

The acquisition of container scanners, the GRA says, is a way of complementing its efforts to reduce trade transaction costs and time, improving international competitiveness, and promoting international maritime security and safety.

In pursuit of these objectives and the estimated projected increase in container traffic, the GRA has been having ongoing discussions with wharf owners and other stakeholders about investing in such equipment so that container scanning will form part of their routine operations.

The container scanner site being prepared at the GNIC wharf

Enjoy the season to the fullest –– but in a lawful manner, Top Cop urges

WITH the long Christmas weekend already upon us, Acting Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine on Friday cautioned citizens to approach their celebrations with a sense of self-preservation.

He also urged in a press release that they refrain from using squibs and firecrackers, the excessive drinking of intoxicating liquor, loud and obnoxious behaviour, and that they remember to wear their seat belts at all times, and to leave early to get where they’re going, as

opposed to leaving late and being in a hurry to get there.

The Top Cop also had a word of caution for the driving public during this rainy season, saying that people should be fully alert and exercise good care and commonsense, consideration, courtesy and caution as they traverse the roadways.

“If we all endeavour to bear these things in mind at all times, we surely will be well on our way not only to have an enjoyable season of peace, good health and

prosperity, but one in which individually and collectively we would have contributed significantly to public safety and security,” the Commissioner said, adding: “To the shopping public and even those engaged in widespread window shopping, be careful of how you carry, handle and display your finances, including your precious bits of jewellry; And, do not leave your hard earned cash in vehicles without security.”

He also reminded citizens to secure their homes in their absence, and to be ever mindful of, and report, not only the presence of strange or suspicious characters in

their neighbourhoods, but while travelling as well, and in particular if driving.

Said he in closing: “The peak of the festive season is upon us; everywhere there is a general feeling of euphoria as citizens and foreigners commute to and fro in order to enjoy their fair share of fun, frolic and homecoming.

“And while there is no other occasion in the world such as the Christmas Season, from the side of law enforcement, safety and security, the Guyana Police Force must still caution or remind citizens of this beautiful country that self-preservation is nature’s first law.”

Jagdeo denies turning away Baron Foods FORMER President and Leader of the Opposition, Bharat Jagdeo, has denied having any knowledge of applications from owner of Baron Foods, Ronald Ramjattan, to do business here.

“I don’t know how many applications he made…I don’t know who he applied to,” said Jagdeo during a press conference at the leader of the opposition’s office on Thursday.

Ramjattan reportedly had applied under the PPP administration six times for land to erect his business, but was unsuccessful. In a Stabroek News article dated December 17, 2017,

under the heading, “Guyana lost out on US$5M investment – Baron Foods Head still hoping to set up factory here,” the Baron Foods owner said he believes politics had a role to play in him not being able to access land to establish his business here.

“I did six, yes six, applications under the last government and I want to think that it is because of Khemraj (Ramjattan, Minister of Public Security) that I never got through,” said Ramjattan in a recent Stabroek News report.

His remarks were contended by Jagdeo, who said that the businessman was

possibly looking for special treatment that the law does not allow him to get. The opposition leader pointed out that they (the party) were not vindictive to persons who were against the party because persons like Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall, the owner of CNS Channel Six, Chandra Narine Sharma and owner of the Pegasus, Robert Badal, became wealthy under the PPP administration.

The businessman however believes that Guyana missed out on a US$5M investment which he diverted to Trinidad and Tobago.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Of-

fice for Investment (Go-Invest), Owen Verwey, said that energy costs among other factors contributed heavily to the decision

by Baron Foods to make a US$5M investment in Trinidad rather than Guyana. “Part of his operation is very energy-intensive. In Guyana you are looking at somewhere between 22 and 28 cents per kWh; where he is at in Trinidad, you are looking at some six cents per Kwh. That’s a very big difference and one that is very difficult to compete with at this time, hence government [here] looking at a [natural] gas to energy strategy,” Verwey said in

a response to questions on Monday on the issue.

Jagdeo also accepted that indeed energy prices are high and the prices for energy in Trinidad are more favourable, but he pointed out that there were thousands of investors who invested in Guyana under the PPP. On Monday, Minister Jordan made it clear that under his administration’s watch business investments would not be lost.

“This must never be allowed to happen, again,” he said, noting that all “investors, whether foreign or local, must be treated equally and

Leader of the Opposition, Bharat Jagdeo with respect,” said the minister, while delivering the feature address at the opening of the Burger King franchise here.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday December 23, 2017

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Some vendors to do business Christmas Day --to beat Christmas blues in Linden

Well-stocked stalls, but no customers

Tameka Thomas’ mobile stall

By Naomi Marshall

WHILE most people will be at home with their loved ones on Christmas Day, some will be out in the streets of Linden hustling to get a dollar.

Apparently, business was not as good this year as other Christmas seasons for the vendors of Linden. So, instead of being at home on December 25, some have decided that they will be opening their businesses in order to gain a little extra cash.

The Guyana Chronicle took to the streets a week ago to speak with some of these vendors, and what they had to say sure proved that things were indeed bleak this Christmas.

“Well for this month, business is not so much like the other Christmases,” began one clothes vendor who has been in the business for well over ten years.

“The other Christmases, you have more sales; but for this Christmas, things haven’t picked up as yet so much; it wasn’t so exciting.

“But maybe it might improve, because what I notice in Linden, is that people like a lot of late shopping.”

Another vendor said: “Things slow right now, but it should pick up later down; coming on like next week time, hopefully. We ain’t too sure how things running right now...”

Asked what he will be doing on Christmas Day, he replied, “Selling; mekking money. Yuh gaffuh mek de money; de money ain’t circulating right now, suh at least we gon do it the honest way.”

But while some feel that the money isn’t circulating in the town, others like Mrs. Campbell, have a different take on things. “Business was indeed very slow for the few months gone by, and I don’t know if it gon pick up, ‘cause people keep saying them ain’t

got money,” Mrs Campbell said, adding somewhat optimistically: “Mussy de bonus wah dem waiting pon.”

Asked, however, if she thinks business will pick up

by Christmas Eve at least, she replied: “I don’t think suh, you know, ‘cause fuh de last few days, yuh barely catching some sales; and you gaffuh sell yuh t’ings dem cheap, cheap, cheap fuh reach de people dem pocket.”

She, too, will be out on the streets selling for the entire holiday “cause things might leave back, and people might get dem money then. Then they might do de li’l fine shopping.”

Just like Mrs Campbell, Tameka Thomas, another vendor, will be selling for the entire holiday, including on Christmas Day, to catch those late shoppers.

“Business slow,” she said.

“It ain’t really going as a normal. Every year things getting slow.”

Asked if she thinks business would improve closer to Christmas Eve, Thomas said from the look of things, it was hard to tell.

“I gaffuh sell Christmas Day,” she said, “because if things ain’t do nice Christmas Eve, I gaffuh see how I could push off some of meh things them Christmas Day, because people does come and shop Christmas Day.” However, the Guyana Chronicle did meet up with one vendor, Sherwin Johashen, who said he couldn’t complain.

Johanshen is from Berbice, but has been selling in Linden for the past eight months, and hopes that the Christmas season will be even better.

When asked why he chose Linden to establish his business, the young Berbician said: “I see the exploitation the people gaffuh go through in Linden, so I does come with a reasonable price one day, and go back.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday December 23, 2017

Four win in Chronicle’s Christmas promotion

FOUR winners were on Friday awarded with their prizes won from the ‘Chronicle’s Christmas Giveaway’ organised by the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL).

Emerging the winners from a pool of over 1500 entries garnered from the

month-long competition, were Nicola Softly, who won a fruit basket; Rajendra Khemraj, who copped a printer; Mobeena Amin, who won a $10,000 gift voucher and Kenneth Assanah, who copped a cake hamper.

Softly said that she usually buys the daily Chronicle

to “keep updated” with the news and the Sunday Chronicle because it’s filled with “a little bit of everything”.

Since the competition was launched, she has collected more than 20 of the promotional ads and submitted them, hoping to win.

Khemraj expressed many thanks to the newspa-

pers and commended it on giving back to its customers.

He too is an ardent supporter of the newspapers. “Together, my mom and I submitted over three dozen entries,” he said.

“For years I’ve been reading the papers,” winner Assanah said and related that upon seeing the

Winners: Nicola Softly, Mobeena Amin and Rajendra Khemraj pose with their prizes at the Guyana Chronicle on Friday

Kenneth Assanah showcases the cake hamper he won, compliments of the GNNL staff

promotion he decided to “take a chance”. When he found out that he won, he was surprised but grateful.

And finally, Amin who won the voucher related that it was her husband, Sheik Persaud who encouraged her to enter the competition after he had won a printer in last year’s competition. Reading the newspapers every day at home and at work, she was able to amass over 50 entries to position her to score a prize.

The prizes were donated by the Guyana Chronicle staff and affiliated Guyana Chronicle customers.

V-net communications located on Delph Street, Campbellville sponsored the gift voucher; D. Singh Trading located at 36 Delph Street, Campbellville, donated the fruit basket; Riaz

Computers of Church Street, South Cummingsburg donated the printer; the cake hamper was donated compliments of the Advertising Department of the Guyana Chronicle.

GNNL Marketing Coordinator, Akash Persaud said the competition is in its fourth year and the reception from customers has increased significantly from 300 in 2015, to 1200 entries last year and now to over 1500 this year. Persaud stressed, “The response we’ve been receiving is overwhelming,” and stated the newspapers commitment to interacting with its customers. He pointed out that the publication has launched few of these promotions and will be seeking to add a Mashramani giveaway to its promotions in the New Year.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday December 23, 2017

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Eight juveniles set free from NOC

ACTING under Article 188 (1) (a) of the Constitution of Guyana, which states that the President has the power to grant any person concerned in, or convicted of, any offence under the laws of Guyana, a pardon, either free or subject to lawful condition, President David Granger has ordered the release of eight students from the New Opportunity Corps (NOC), so that they can be re-integrated into their families.

In addition, the Head of State has pardoned five females from the New Amsterdam Prison under Articles 188, 189 and 190 just in time for Christmas. (see other story on page) In a release, the Ministry of the Presidency quoted Article 189 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana which states, ”There shall be an Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, which shall consist of (a) The Minister for the time being designated under paragraph (2) of the preceding article, who shall be Chairman, (b) the Attorney General (if he or she is not the Chairman) and (c) not less than three and not more than five other members, who shall be appointed by the President, and of whom

at least one shall be a person who is a qualified medical practitioner.”

Article 190 states, “Where under the law of Guyana any person has been sentenced to death by any court other than a court martial for any offence against that law, the Minister designated under Article 188 (2) shall cause a written report of the case from the trial judge, together with such other information derived from the record of the case or elsewhere as the Minister may require, to be taken into consideration at a meeting of the Advisory Council, and after obtaining the advice of the Council, the Minister shall express his or her own deliberate opinion to the President as to whether he or she should exercise any of his or her powers under that article in relation to that person.”

The President may also grant to any person a respite, either indefinite, or for a specified period, of the execution of any punishment imposed on that person for such an offence. He may also substitute a less severe form of punishment for any punishment imposed on any person for such an offence, or remit the whole or part of any

New generators for Anna Regina, Bartica early next year GUYANA’S official supplier of electricity, the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL), is aiming to further improve its service-delivery in 2018.

The utility company is striving to provide citizens with quality and adequate electricity distribution, especially the vulnerable groups in Bartica and Essequibo.

Acting Chief Executive Officer, (CEO), Renford Homer told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that new generators will be commissioned in Bartica and Anna Regina, early next year. Further, new generators will be commissioned in Canefield and East Bank Berbice (EBD) by September of 2018.

“Even though we have

received engines for Anna Regina and we expect to have engines for Bartica during the month of January; and we have started preparatory works at those locations, we will not be able to do that before the end of the year, but we have made provisions as far as generation is concerned.”

Back in 2016, Bartica and Anna Regina endured long outages because their multiple generators broke down unexpectedly. As a result, GPL had announced that four 1.7 MW generators are to be purchased – three for Anna Regina and one for Bartica. The Bartica and Anna Regina stations are managed exclusively by GPL. (DPI)

punishment imposed on any person for such an offence or of any penalty or forfeiture otherwise due to the State on account of such an offence under Article 188.

The release of the eight students of the NOC comes on the heels of a visit by President Granger on June 16, 2017, where he had indicated that he has commenced a process to look at the early release of girls and boys housed at the New

Opportunity Corps (NOC) at Onderneeming in the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region (Region Two). The Head of State had visited the facility to speak with the 85 young people, the majority of whom have been committed to the institution for Wandering. He said that as part of an overall plan to ensure improvements to the physical conditions and the programmes offered, government will be in the short term be setting up criteria

and a system to ensure that regular, early release is an option for those who qualify.

The ministry said President Granger remains focused on education and youth empowerment and strongly believes that children are better off in educational institutions, rather than in incarceration or detention. “Going to school is important for me and staying in school is important for me and it is import-

ant for you too, because in whatever you do, you must be able to read, write, spell and count… You must be literate. We cannot build a country with illiterate persons and that is why I want all of you to take your education seriously.

It is my vision that you must get the best possible preparation for when you are ready to take over this country,” the President told the children.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 23, 2017

G.S.S.F completes successful Publik Sponsored Steel Challenge

STEEL Challenge Matches worldwide are a speed shooting competition governed by the Steel Challenge Shooting Association.

This gives the G.S.S.F. a SCSA affiliate organisation, the ability to pick from eight standardised stages with steel targets, ranging in size from 10” (25 cm) round plates to 18x24” (45x60 cm) square plates.

Competitors are scored solely by the time it takes them to complete each stage, and the match winner is the competitor with the lowest overall time.

The Guyana Sport Shooting Federation introduced Steel Challenge in Guyana and has been hosting these matches on a regular basis with the assistance of eager sponsors such as Publik.

Publik, a popular name in the food industry, known especially for their tasty wings and burgers, assisted the G.S.S.F. in serving to local steel shooters a “phenomenal” competition to end the year 2017.

This match saw shooters competing in the Limited and Production Divisions (9mm or higher caliber pistols are required).

Trophies were up for grabs for the Overall 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in both divisions, and special category medals for those in Law Enforcement who were competing amongst themselves within the divisions.

The match was declared

open by Match Director Dr. Pravesh Harry and then commenced with two squads shooting simultaneously in the Showdown and Roundabout Stages.

Shooting concluded with the Smoke & Hope stage, which is the most popular one consisting of the largest targets thereby allowing the shooters to really exercise their trigger fingers in the fastest display of the day.

Ryan McKinnon proved to really smoke this stage with timings of just over three seconds per string.

In every stage competitors were required to shoot five different steel targets set out at various angles and distances, one of which is designated as a “stop plate” which is shot last.

Registering a hit on the plate stops the time. The total time it takes to hit all five plates is used for the score with every miss and penalty adding three seconds to the time.’

Scoring was done using a digital timer which records the times according

to the shots fired.

The competitor’s best four scores out of five strings of fire on each stage was then be added together for a collective score. The lowest total time/score for all stages wins the overall match.

Scoring was done using a specialised scoring application called Practiscore which is then posted online at www.practiscore.com for all to access.

At the closing ceremony, President of the Federation, Ms. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon commended the match officials for the high standard of the match and thanked Publik for their sponsorship. She wished members and spectators present a Merry Christmas.

The official scores of the Publik-sponsored match were then announced to a highly anticipating group of members and prizes were presented

by GSSF Director, Mr. David Dharry and the Match Director, Dr. Pravesh Harry.

Match Results of the G.S.S.F. Steel Challenge Competition sponsored by Publik PRODUCTION DIVISION 1st – Ryan McKinnon (54.97 seconds) 2nd – Pravesh Harry (56.78 seconds) 3rd – Michael Blake (87.46 seconds) LIMITED DIVISION 1st – Rajiv Latchana (71.07 seconds) 2nd – Vidushi Persaud (73.90 seconds) 3rd – Harold Hopkinson (83.38 seconds) Law Enforcement Category Winners in the Limited Division: 1st – Harold Hopkinson (Time: 83.38 seconds) 2nd – Odel August (Time: 102.94 seconds) 3rd – Dallas Thomas (Time: 133.17 seconds) Match Winner – Ryan McKinnon followed by Pravesh Harry and Michael Blake in third.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Shannon Gabriel-4/119 (Hamilton) (2) Neil Wagner-7/39 (Wellington) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many dismissals NZ wicketkeeper Tom Blundell

effected in the recent Test series against WI? (2) How many dismissals WI wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich effected?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

South Africa Racing Tips Kenilworth American Racing Tips 08:25 hrs Green Archer Aqueduct 09:00 hrs Bernie Race 1 Peculiar Sen- 0 9 : 3 5 h r s We s t e r n sation Storm Race 2 Pence 10:10 hrs Al Mariachi Race 3 Lady Suebee 10:45 hrs Lord BalRace 4 Blewitt moral Race 5 Fox Rules 11:20 hrs The High Life Race 6 Flash Drive 11:55 hrs Amarosa Race 7 Chief Lion Race 8 Senior Invest- English Racing Tips ment Ascot Race 9 Soxy Ruby 08:40 hrs Comely

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24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 23, 2017

IOC bans 11 Russian athletes for life

Albert Demchenko and Tatyana Ivanova both won silver medals in Sochi in 2014

(BBC) - ELEVEN Russian athletes have been banned from the Olympics for life after committing doping offences at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.

Silver medal-winning lugers Tatyana Ivanova and Albert Demchenko are among those to have been disqualified.

The others include bobsledders, speed skaters and ice hockey players.

The bans come as a result of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) investigations into the country’s doping scandal.

The IOC announced the first Russian bans, based on the findings of the 2016 McLaren report, on 1 November.

“To date, the number of cases opened by the [IOC] disciplinary commission [for Sochi 2014] has reached 46 after additional findings

from the re-analyses,” the IOC said.

“All 46 of them have been handled, of which three have been filed. As some investigations are still ongoing [notably the forensic analysis of the bottles], it cannot be excluded that there might be new elements that would justify opening further new cases and holding more hearings.”

The 11 athletes banned on

December 22: Tatyana Ivanova and Albert Demchenko, lugers Ivan Skobrev and Artyom Kuznetsov, speed skaters Nikita Kryukov, Alexander Bessmertnykh and Natalia Matveeva, cross-country skiers Liudmila Udobkina and Maxim Belugin, bobsledders Tatiana Burina and Anna Shchukina, ice hockey players.

Sharma equals fastest T20 ton

(Reuters) - INDIA’S Rohit Sharma on Friday equalled the fastest century in Twenty20 International cricket from only 35 balls to set up the hosts’ massive 88-run victory against Sri Lanka and a series win with a match to spare in Indore.

Opening batsman Rohit, leading India in the absence of the newly-wed regular captain Virat Kohli, matched the record South Africa’s David Miller set against Bangladesh in October Rohit, the only batsman to hit three double hundreds in the 50-over format, added 165 with fellow opener Lokesh Rahul to power India to 260-5 in their 20 overs for the joint-highest total by a team in what is the shortest format of the game.

In reply, Sri Lanka, who lost the opening match by 93 runs at Cuttack on Wednesday, were bundled out for 172 in the 18th over to go down 2-0 in the three-match series after also losing in tests and one-day internationals.

India’s wrist spinners once again did the damage for the hosts with leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal taking 4-52 while left-armer Kuldeep Yadav picked up 3-52.

Angelo Mathews could not bat due to an injury as

Sri Lanka’s chase screeched to a halt after they lost six wickets in two overs from the spinners.

Kusal Perera topscored with 77 off 37 balls for the touring side, who had also gone down 9-0 across formats to India at home earlier in the year.

The 30-year-old Rohit smashed 10 sixes and 12 fours before he was eventually dismissed for 118 in 43 balls on a featherbed of a wicket at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, where Sri Lanka captain Thisara Perera won the toss and opted to field.

Four of Rohit’s sixes came in consecutive deliveries off Thisara which took him to 97 and he completed his second hundred in the format with a four on the next ball he faced from seamer Angelo Mathews.

Rahul took charge after Rohit’s dismissal and added 78 for the second wicket with former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni before falling for 89 off 49 balls.

India were well on course to eclipse the highest T20 International total of 263-3, which was set by Australia against Sri Lanka in 2016, but lost their way by losing four wickets in the last two overs of their innings.

Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium will host the final match of the tour on Sunday.

Real Madrid forwards fully fit ahead of El Clasico (BBC) - REAL Madrid forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale are both “100%” ready to play in El Clasico against Barcelona after fitness problems, says boss Zinedine Zidane.

Fourth-placed Real are 11 points behind unbeaten league leaders Barcelona.

Ronaldo worked alone earlier this week, with a calf knock, but trained properly on Friday - while Bale is recovering from a calf problem.

“He’s OK. He’s 100%. He’s trained today,” Zidane said of Ronaldo.

Bale has not played in La Liga since September, but featured twice off the bench in the recent Club World Cup, which Real won.

“I’ll not choose a player because I want him to play in a Clasico,” said Zidane.

“I trust my players and they can get injured, but the important thing is that I think he is 100% to play. We’ll see

Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to play, but Gareth Bale is expected to be on the bench

if he plays or not tomorrow.”

Barca has not lost a league game this season under coach Ernesto Valverde, who said: “I don’t think we are favourites, the league table has no influence on games like this because of the tension there always is.

“Madrid are such a powerful team that they can strike you down even when you’re in your best moment of form.

Also, they will be at home.”

Zidane does not think a defeat ends his side’s hopes of defending their title: “We have to not think about the

difference in points. I don’t think it’s a decisive match in terms of the league.

“You have to think positively. We’re very good and better in each area of ​​the field. Even if we lose, the league will not be over.”

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 23, 2017

GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF)

Extra Time

“GFF-CORONA SUPER 16 YEAREND CLASSIC” CONTINUES The “GFF-Corona Super 16 Yearend Classic” is at the midpoint with the seventh and eighth matches (Victoria Kings vs Police FC and Buxton United FC vs NA United FC), which were played yesterday at the Buxton Community Centre Ground.

Here’s a recap of the tournament to date (less last evening’s games): MATCH 1: Winners Connection FC 3 – 2 Campton FC MATCH 2: Milerock FC 3 – 0 Cougars FC MATCH 3: Pouderoyen FC 0 – 1 GDF FC MATCH 4: Den Amstel FC 2 – 1 Indigenous All Stars

COUGARS FC

DEN AMSTEL FC

INDIGENOUS ALL STARS

HAYNES’ WINNER’S CONNECTION

GDF FC

MILEROCK FC

Matches #5 and #6, which were rescheduled from Wednesday to due inclement weather, will be played on Sunday at the GFC Ground, Bourda. They are as follows: MATCH 5: Western Tigers FC vs Grove Hi-Tech FC @ 18:00hrs MATCH 6: Fruta Conquerors FC vs Ann’s Grove FC @ 20:30hrs

PRODUCED BY THE GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF) AND DESIGNED BY THE GUYANA CHRONICLE For further Information or should you have questions/comments , please contact: General Secretary Guyana Football Federation (GFF) 17 Dadanawa Street, Section “K” Campbelville, Georgetown TEL: +1 592 227 8758 ext. 102 FAX: +1 592 225 2096

e-mail: gff@networksgy.com WEBSITE: www.gffonline.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/GuyanaFootballFederationInc INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/guyana_football_federation_inc/ SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/guyana-football-federation-inc LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/guyana-football-federation-inc TWITTER: @GFF_Inc_

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 23, 2017

West Dem cops DCB U-15 Inter-Association tournament

WEST Demerara emerged Champions of the Demerara Cricket Board Under-15 Inter Association Tournament, when they edged out Georgetown on a superior net run rate, after both claimed two wins each.

The tournament saw four teams competing among each other, namely, Georgetown, West Demerara, East Bank Demerara and East Coast Demerara.

Over at Enterprise, East Coast Demerara Under-15 won the toss against East Bank Demerara Under-15 and decided to bat, compiling a competitive score of 185 all out off 46.1 overs.

Romel Datadin stroked a solid 50 before being caught off the bowling of Varun Mangal.

Mangal also had Chanderpaul Ramraj caught for 45. The only other batsmen to reach double figures were Ajay Gainda and Sanjay Persaud.

Bowling the East Bank Demerara quartet in Joshua Thomas, Saurav Singh, Krisna Singh and Varun Mangal took two wickets for 40, 20, 22 and 20 runs, respectively.

In reply, East Bank Demerara found themselves in a spot of bother against the penetrative bowling of the East Coast trio, Romel Datadin, Chanderpaul Ramraj and Davindra Sukhu, who grabbed 4 wickets for 20 runs, 3 for 8 and 2 for 17 re-

spectively.

They received valuable support from bowlers Daniel Gulab, Rudranauth and Ajay Gainda, as East Bank Demerara folded for 74 all out off 24.1 overs. Only opening batsman Varun Mangal and the number 9 batsman Saurav Singh for the East Bank team reached double figures, with 16 runs each. East Coast Demerara Under-15 won the match by 111 runs.

At the Enmore Community Centre ground, East Coast Demerara Under-15 came up against Georgetown Under-15.

East Coast Demerara won the toss and sent Georgetown in to bat first. A brilliant 78 from Mavindra Dindyal and Inderjert Nanan, 17, took Georgetown to a commanding score of 164 all out off 38.3 overs.. Bowling for East Coast Demerara Shafeek Khan took 4 for 17 and Chanderpaul Ramraj 3 for 34.

When it was East Coast Demerara took to the crease the team could have only managed a mere 110 all out off 32 overs.

Only Chandrapaul Ramraj, Rudranauth Kissoon and Joshua Chandrika offered any resistance and were able to reach double figures of 13, 11 and 11, respectively. Bowling for Georgetown, Inderjert Nanan returned the brillabt bowling figures of 4 for 7 and was ably supported by Darius Andrews who took 2 for 32. Georgetown Under-15 won by 54 runs.

In another match played at the Enterprise ground, West Demerara won the toss but decided to take the field. An unbeaten 44 from Thaddes Lovell guided Georgetown to 149 all out off

saud and Shaahid Viere.

In reply, West Demerara reached 29 for 2 off 12 overs, before unfavourable rainy weather caused the match to be abandoned. At the crease then

West Demearra coach, Dhanpaul receiving the DCB U15 Championship Trophy from newly-qualified umpire Flemroy Lambert

36.1 overs. Lovell was well supported by Jonathan Adams who was run out for 22. Bowling for West Demerara, Aaron Mohabir grabbed 2 for 30, while there was one wicket each for Daniel Roberts, Alex Ali, Vishal Per-

were batsmen Mark Mohabir yet to score and Daniel Roberts on 1. Darius Andrews and Aryan Persaud had so far taken 1 for 5 and 1 for 2 respectively.

Over at the Enmore Community Centre ground, East

Coast Demerara Under-15 won the toss and decided to take first strike, a decision that proved unfavourable, as the East Coast batsmen found it difficult to gather runs against the West Demerara bowlers. They were eventually being bundled out for 82 from 32.2 overs. Chandrapaul Ramaraj top scored with 26, while Shafeek Khan made 13 and Navindra Singh 11.

Vishaul Persaud captured 2-9 and Aron Mohabir 2-13.

West Demerara replied with 83-4, including 47 extras.

In reply, West Demerara Under-15 reached their winning target of 83 with the loss of just four wickets off 26.1 overs.

Rezekiel Reny and Alex Ali were unbeaten on 15 and 12 respectively. Bowling for East Coast, Mark Sharma grabbed 2 for 6 and Shafeek Khan 1 for 14. West Demerara Under-15 won by 6 wickets.

Over at the Zeeburg ground in West Demerara, West Demerara won the toss against East Bank Demerara and decided to take first strike, posting a competitive score of 180 all out, off 34.3 of their allotted overs. Opening batsmen Mark Mohabir and Nicholas Rajpat made 38 and 25 respectively.

They were supported by Alex Ali and Daniel Roberts who made 20 and 18 respectively.

Bowling for East Bank Krishna Singh took 4 for 19 and Varun Mangal 2 for 17.

In reply, East Bank could only record 133 for 6 off their allotted 35 overs. Rahul Singh notched 53, while Rinaldo Phillips made 26. Bowling for Wesrt Demerara, Alex Ali took 1 for 26 and Aaron Mohabir 1 for 19.

West Demerara won by 47 runs.

At the GCC ground, Bourda in the city, Georgetown Under-15 won the toss and sent East Bank Demerara Under-15 in to take first strike. The East Bank batsmen did not apply themselves well to the challenging bowling of Georgetown and were bundled out for a meagre 41 off 22.3 overs. Only opener Varun Mangal reached double figures with 13. Lovell was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 13, while Nanan supported well, to record the remarkable figures of 3 for 2.

In reply, Georgetown grafted their way to victory off 8.2 overs, reaching 42 for 2. Opening batsmen Dindyal and Nanan made 16 and 11 respectively.

Bowling for East Bank, Varun Mangal took 1 for 10. Georgetown won by 8 wickets.

The matches in the Demerara Under-15 Inter Association Tournament, saw West Demerara and Georgetown ending on an equal number of wins. However, the West Demerara teams emerged as winners of the tournament due to a superior net run rate of 2.88 as against Georgetown’s 1.55.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 23, 2017

Bravo credits T10 League CMC – TWENTY20 specialist Dwayne Bravo has credited the recent inaugural T10 League in Sharjah for sharpening his skills with the ball.

He believes he will bring this improvement to bear on the ongoing Big Bash League.

The discarded West Indies all-rounder picked up the second five-wicket haul of his T20 career as Melbourne Renegades beat Hobart Hurricanes by seven wickets at the Bellerive Oval on Thursday.

“It’s really to test your skills. For me, I used it as preparation to challenge myself,” Bravo told Channel 10 of his outing in the T10 League.

“Some of the better players in the world [were] playing in that tournament at a very small ground so basically I [had to] get my variations and my yorkers right. It gives me confidence coming into this game.”

Trinidadian Bravo was limited to just two matches in the 2016/17 Big Bash, after sustaining a hamstring

Nicholls propels New Zealand to 325 in Second ODI

The West Indies will have to make 326 runs if they are to square the series against host New Zealand in the second One Day International (ODI).

Winning the toss, the tourists opted to bowl and got off to a fruitful start before a sixth-wicket stand that began as a recovery and finished in a hail of boundaries, as clean striking from Henry Nicholls and Todd Astle propelled New Zealand to 325 for 6.

Up to press time, the Windies were 24/3 after 7.1 overs.

Twenty20 specialist, Dwayne Bravo.

injury a couple days before New Year’s Day, and being forced to undergo surgery.

Fit again and already displaying top form, the 34-year-old said he was hoping to compensate for having missed the bulk of last season.

“I challenged myself with my preparation coming to the Big Bash because I wanted to do well,” he noted.

“Last time I missed out because of injury. I always want to start well in any tournament and [I am happy

that I did well in a winning performance.”

He added: “[My] fitness is good. [I am a] bit cautious because of what happened last season, so definitely I’ll be taking my time,” he said.

“I think as the tournament progresses I’ll gain more confidence moving around. I have a good medical team with the Renegades so I feel comfortable with my body.”

Thursday’s five-wicket haul saw Bravo become the first bowler to reach 400 wickets in T20s.

Windies captain Jason Holder

SCOREBOARD New Zealand Innings G. Worker c R. Powell b Beaton 58 C. Munro c J. Mohammed b Cottrell 30 N. Broom c Holder b Cottrell 6 R. Taylor c K. Hope b Holder 57 T. Latham c K. Hope b Holder 20 H. Nicholls not out 83 T. Astle b Cottrell 49 D. Bracewell not out 5 Extras: (lb-3 w-14) 17 Total: (for 6 wickets, 50 overs) 325 Fall of wickets: 1-50 C. Munro;

2-66 N. Broom; 3-124 G. Worker; 4-169 T. Latham; 5-186 R. Taylor; 6-316 T. Astle Did not bat: M. Henry, L. Ferguson, T. Boult Bowling: S. Cottrell 10 - 0 - 62 - 3 (w-2) J. Holder 10 - 0 - 52 - 2 (w-1) R. Beaton 8 - 0 - 60 - 1 (w-3) S. Gabriel 10 - 0 - 75 - 0 (w-3) A. Nurse 10 - 0 - 45 - 0 (w-4) R. Powell 2 - 0 - 28 - 0 (w-1)

Bravo credits T10 League

See Page 27

G.S.S.F completes successful Publik Sponsored Steel Challenge See Page 23

The Publik 2017 Winners

See Pag e 24

Sharma equals fastest T20 ton Rohit Sharma’s 35-ball century is the joint-fastest in T20Is © BCCI

Nicholls propels New Zealand to 325 in Second ODI See Page 27

Henry Nicholls displays the full face of the bat. (Getty Images)

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2017