Guyana chronicle epaper 01 15 2017

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Guyanese-American pushing her ‘Books’ dream

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Veronica (extreme left) pose with representatives of the organisations to which books were donated and her local support team

Dr. Riyad Insanally

Forging stronger ties ► Page

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Ambassador Insanally ready to promote Guyana’s interests in USA

See inside: A MAN OF ACTIONIII

Retired

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Changes needed for a better Drama Festival ► Page

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Flowers, Seashells XI and Feathers ► Page

No. 104794

SUNDAY JANUARY 15, 2017

Price: $140

(VAT Inclusive)

...Justices Cecil Kennard, Prem Persaud to leave office by March

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100 not out!

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally (left), sticking the cake with Iris John at her 100th birthday celebration, while John’s adopted son, Felix Nestor and Regional Chairperson of the Demerara-Mahaica Region, Genevieve Alleyne, look on. [Delano Williams photo]

…‘Cousin Iris’ wants to live a few more years

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Nand Persaud scores another first Page 20

– becomes first company to go 100% green

A plea for help ‘Survivors’ of Cummings – Plastic City residents ready to relocate but need financing Lodge fire seek relief Page 12

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

‘Survivors’ of Cummings Lodge fire …say complaints were made to seek relief landlord about faulty wiring

By Vishani Ragobeer

JUST about two weeks into the new year, numerous students who resided in an apartment building located at Lot 46 Third Street, Cummings Lodge, lost many of their belongings as a fire engulfed the building Friday night.

A few of the occupants returned to the site on Saturday in an attempt to recover any valuables; however, they all noted that they are now displaced and have received no reassurance or even any comfort from their landlord.

“I’ve lost everything and right now I don’t know what I will do,” second-year medical student of the Texila American University, Randy

Persaud, said.

Randy, who disclosed that he moved from Essequibo so that he would be able to attend the university, noted that his only option now is to stay with his grandparents on the West Coast of Demerara.

This incident, according to Randy, will be hard to recover from since he was unable to save any of his belongings. He said grimly, “I expect to get compensation from the owner, but he’s not saying anything.”

Navin Manohar, another occupant who resided in the apartment building for 14 months now, said, “The fire broke out from the bottom room which was right below my bed.” He said too, that he attempted to extinguish

Jewel La Fleur and her family packing away items which were saved from the fire as they prepare to head back to Berbice

the fire along with the help of other occupants but they failed.

“I rushed back to my room and all I managed to save were a few pieces of clothes, my laptop, my phone and my passport,” Navin recounted. He also attested,

“It took a while for GPL to switch off the power and that may have contributed further to the building being aflame longer.”

Crestfallen, Navin said, “What we were expecting is that our landlord at least show us some courtesy… at

least enquire last night if we have somewhere to sleep or something to eat.” Instead, Navin explained that the landlord, whom he identified as Mr. Balgobin, “came this morning uttering that his insurance has expired.”

The young man, barely

keeping his tears at bay, highlighted that he too hails from the Essequibo Coast and this 14-month period was the first time he spent away from home. Navin is a teacher at the Richard Ishmael Secondary School, a Biology Major and is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Education at the University of Guyana.

Sachin Persaud, who is studying to become a Medical Lab Technician at the Georgetown School of Nursing Annex, highlighted that he and his brother resided in the room which is situated just after the one where the fire originated.

He also recounted that they tried to extinguish the fire, but realised that doing so was not possible. Heroically, Sachin said he helped one female occupant to remove her belongings from the building but in so doing, he was unable to save much of his own belongings.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

...Justices Cecil Kennard, Prem Persaud to leave office by March

By Ariana Gordon THE services of Chairmen of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Justices Cecil Kennard and Prem Persaud respectively are coming to an end as both are expected to retire by the end of March.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that the administration considered the age of both men who are approaching 80 or have already attained it. The distinguished retired jurists have been employed by the State for years, with Kennard a retired Chancellor of the Judiciary being at the helm of the PCA since 2001. This publication understands that both men were appointed and served with open contracts which allows for their termination at any point.

In the case of Justice Kennard, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan told the Guyana Chronicle on Friday that the former

Outgoing Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, Justice Cecil Kennard

Outgoing Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, Justice Prem Persaud

Chancellor will retire next month.

“He is going…he would be leaving at the end of February,” said Ramjattan, under whose purview the PCA falls; he noted that Justice Kennard has served in the post for a long time.

Asked about likely can-

didates for the post, Minister Ramjattan said he is not the person to speak to that, as President David Granger will select the next Chairman of the PCA. The PCA was established by the Police Complaints Authority Act in 1989 under former President

Hugh Desmond Hoyte’s administration to be an independent investigative institution, which would receive complaints from members of the public about alleged criminal offences committed by members of the Guyana Police Force.

However, the PCA has never functioned with full autonomy in accordance with the functions prescribed by the PCA Act. The body is neither independent nor investigative, as it relies on the government through the Ministry of Public Security for staff and financing and is also dependent on the Guyana Police Force for the conduct of investigations.

Meanwhile, Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes, has confirmed the retirement of Justice Persaud. She told the Guyana Chronicle that the outgoing chairman of the PUC is nearing 80 years of age and the time has come for him to retire.

She denied that he was sacked and said, “No, not

let go. He is retiring; he is close to 80 years old and will retire soon. We are in transition and he will retire

by March 2017.”

Minister Hughes said Justice Persaud’s contribution over the years is valued not only by her, but by the administration.

“I have spoken with him and he will always be a mentor to the organisation,” Minister Hughes added.

The Public Telecommunications Minister said candidates will be explored in the coming weeks and an announcement made at the appropriate time. The PUC is a body established by the Public Utilities Commission Act No.26 of 1990, which came into effect on October 1, 1990. The legislation was subsequently amended thrice; in 1991, 1994 and 1999.

The commission consists of a chairman, who serves on a full-time basis and three other commissioners, who are appointed to serve on a part-time basis.

In accordance with Section 5 of the Act, a fourth commissioner can be appointed by the commission, if it is necessary.

The commissioners who serve on the commission alongside Justice Persaud are Maurice Solomon, Dela Britton and Rajendra Bissessar and are mandated to establish and enforce rules and procedures for the regulation of the public utilities, commensurate with internationally accepted regulatory standards and promote and regulate the efficient longterm provision of utility services for national , consistent with government’s policies.

Additionally, the commission is mandated to provide a fair environment conducive to business interests, investment in the public utilities sector and the interest of consumers; to investigate and seek to resolve in a timely manner, complaints filed with the commission against any public utility and to carry out its function in a fair, transparent and independent manner.

‘Survivors’ of Cummings Lodge...

“All I could’ve done is watch the place burn,” Sachin said, while he noted that he lost all his documents, electronics, clothes and much more. He noted too that he made several complaints about the electrical problems in the building.

Unfortunately, even the luckiest person in this situation who managed to be residing in the only room left unharmed by the fire is still faced with a grim situation.

First-year dental student at the University of Guyana, Jewel La Fleur, said, “I’m

going to have to look for somewhere to stay.”

Jewel hails from Berbice and this is definitely going to present some problems, especially since the new semester begins in just about two weeks.

Fire electrical in nature

Meanwhile, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle said that the fire was indeed electrical in nature, since each of the 30 apartments had their own GPL feed. He said too that the fire spread quickly through the ceiling and since the building was energised,

it affected the process of extinguishing the fire, coupled with the inadequate water supply.

The occupants claimed that they had made several complaints to their landlord regarding the faulty wiring of the building. They said

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too that due to negligence, they are left displaced and those hailing from areas such as Linden, Essequibo and Berbice are most affected, since they want to continue their pursuit of tertiary education, but will find it difficult to do so.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

Trump attacks civil rights leader who questioned his election win P R E S I D E N T- E L E C T Donald Trump began a long holiday weekend that honors slain black civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. by attacking another rights activist and politician who had said he doesn’t see Trump as a “legitimate President”.

Democratic Representative John Lewis, of Georgia, said on a segment of “Meet the Press” released by NBC on Friday he thought hacking by Russians had helped Trump, a Republican, get elected in November.

Lewis said he does not plan to attend Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration, the first time he would miss such an event since being elected to the House in 1986.

O n S aturday Trump tweeted that Lewis had falsely complained about the election results and instead “should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible

shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested).”

“All talk, talk, talk no action or results. Sad!” Trump tweeted.

During the campaign, Trump said Democrats had failed African-Americans and Hispanics. “What the hell do you have to lose?

Give me a chance,” he said at a rally last year in Ohio.

Trump won the presidency with less support from Black and Hispanic voters than any President in the last 40 years, only eight per cent and 28 per cent respectively, polling data showed.

Lewis, who has been a civil rights leader for more than half a century, was beaten by police during a march he helped lead in 1965 in Selma, Alabama, drawing attention to hurdles for blacks to vote. He protested alongside King that day and on other occasions.

“I believe in forgiveness,” Lewis said in the NBC

President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the lobby of Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York City, January 11, 2017. REUTERS/ Lucas Jackson segment about Trump. “I believe in trying to work with people,” he said. “It’s going

to be very difficult. I don’t see this President-elect as a legitimate President.”

At least 10 other Democratic U.S. politicians have also said they plan to skip the inauguration including representatives Raul Grijalva, Lacy Clay and Mark Takano.

Supporters of Trump see him as a brash person who tells things as they are.

His comments about Lewis came ahead of an anti-Trump march in Washington headed by the Rev. Al Sharpton.

The protest by about 2,000 marchers kicked off a week of rallies planned by dozens of groups against Trump before, during and after the inauguration.

DisruptJ20, which is working with Black Lives Matter and other protest groups, said they are planning to disrupt balls celebrating the inauguration in Washington.

FIX A BRIDGE Several of Trump’s fellow Republicans also criti-

cised the President-elect’s tweets.

Michael Steele, who served as the first Black chairman of the Republican National Committee until 2011, said Trump’s tweets were unfortunate.

“John Lewis has a walk that very few people in this country, least of all Donald Trump, have ever walked, so you have to respect that,” Steele said on MSNBC. If Trump is looking to fix a bridge to Black voters, their expectation is he “will do so in a way that shows respect for our leadership,” Steele said.

Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska tweeted that “John Lewis and his ‘talk’ have changed the world.”

Conservative critic Bill Kristol tweeted “It’s telling, I’m afraid, that Donald Trump treats (Russian President) Vladimir Putin with more respect than he does John Lewis.” (Reuter)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

– say stories about watchman’s death do not add up A FAMILY of 102 Rampoor Village, Corriverton, East Berbice-Corentyne, are seeking answers into the death of their loved one who was discovered with a wound to the throat and lying face-down at his workplace last Tuesday.

Vickram James, 62, a watchman with VP Baichan Business, was on duty in Pigeon Island, located some 200 miles up the Corentyne River, when he was discovered by another watchman who went to the work site after several calls to him went unanswered.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that owner of the business, Vishwa Persaud Baichan, popularly called “Francis,” would usually check on his security daily, but when he tried to make

Dead: Vickram James

contact with James on the fateful day, his calls went unanswered.

A worker who was subsequently sent to check on him made the gruesome discovery.

According to Baichan, the worker upon arriving at

the site saw James in a pool of blood with a wound on his neck and informed him that James appeared dead.

The businessman said he immediately contacted the Springlands Police Station and informed them of what he was told by his worker.

It was around 22:00 hrs he said, and given that it was late and the journey would take some time, an arrangement was made for a rank to accompany them early the following day to the site with the intention of retrieving the body.

However, upon arrival, they found James in a semi-conscious state and he was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital late Wednesday afternoon.

He was subsequently transferred to the New Am-

Future outbreak of ‘Gastro’ could be prevented THE cause of the recent Gastroenteritis outbreak in Region Nine has been identified and contained.

Doctors, Health Officers and Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) operatives carried out investigations in the areas of the reported outbreak and revealed that the outbreak was due to water borne disease contracted by residents.

In the cases of the outbreak in Aishalton, Shea, Maruranau and Awareranau, based on their findings water contamination was suspected to be the cause. Minister within the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Karen Cummings, who visited the Region, was informed by GWI representatives that in some areas, the code for setting up water pumps and wells were not adhered to.

Minister Cummings pointed out that, “What we found also is that they have this surface water and the well, it’s not covered so we hope that they would cover the wells (short term solution) and of course hygiene, wash hands, basically, hygiene to improve in that area and of course in terms of our medical supplies ensure that we have adequate oral rehydration salts (and other medication to treat with these cases).”

Water supplying wells, pumps and any pipe where water can be sourced should be erected at least 100 yards from

sanitary blocks and bathroom facilities. Also it was stressed that water treatment practices should be efficiently carried out, according to the GWI. “We were able to disseminate information in terms of how we can improve water quality, improve the hygiene, we were able to look at some wells, some pumps with Mr. Gomes, one of the Toshaos in one of the areas (Maruranau).

We are hoping that we would be able to not have a reoccurrence in the future. We have sent in some medical supplies (and) we have given them bleach,” Minister Cummings added.

Meanwhile, District Doctor, Tenecia Marks, stationed in the South Rupununi told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that after receiving reports of a number of gastroenteritis infected cases, an investigation followed to determine the cause of the

outbreak.

“From the water samples taken from the wells within Shea, the main bacterial colony was the E. coli bacteria and we also found Entamoeba histolytica (a protozoan parasite) in the stool samples taken from patients.” Dr. Marks explained. ( E. coli are a large and diverse group of bacteria. Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, other can cause diarrhea and vomiting.) (GINA)

sterdam Hospital and later to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed early Thursday morning.

Since the incident, James’s relatives say they have been kept in the dark and have received conflicting stories from the owner of the company on what had transpired.

They also say that doctors were surprised that James managed to survive that long, despite the wound he had received and having lost a lot of blood.

Shirley James, a sister of the deceased, said they initially heard that her brother was attacked and killed by bandits.

She said her family was suspicious at first as they were under the impression that there were no valuables at the site where her brother worked.

UPSET They were also upset that they were not invited to go in to identify or retrieve the body.

“They boss man never

Shirley James

even tell we anything that he going in to get James; he just gone in and come out wid James and we gotta be searching to find which hospital he deh, what happen to he,” the sister said.

She said it became more suspicious when the owner came out with her brother and he was still alive and told her family that James hurt himself after an attack by bees.

“The boss man seh how bee attack James and he went in he hammock wid he knife and he try fuh fan off the bee dem and fall down with the knife in he hand and it cut he neck.”

Shirley is questioning how Baichan got this information, since her brother could not speak and finds it strange that he would try to deflect the bees using a knife.

“Who does use a knife fuh chase bee? He feel people mad; he story changing every time,” Shirley said, as she called on the police to thoroughly investigate her brother’s death.

She told this publication that the family was not even informed of her brother’s passing and learnt of it when her son checked at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

A source close to the investigation revealed that the weapon suspected to have been used to inflict the wound to James’s neck, a hunting knife, was found on a table at the camp.

It is being dusted for prints. One person has been detained and is assisting police with their investigations.

Baichan has described James as honest and hardworking.

A team will be sent to the crime scene to conduct a thorough investigation to determine if James’s death was a result of foul play or an accident.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

OP-ED: The Red House controversy

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

By Moses V. Nagamootoo, Prime Minister & First Vice President I HAVE read the rash reactions to the re-possession by the State of Red House and the erroneous impression being conveyed that our administration has thrown out “Jagan’s papers”.

The action by the State is now the subject of litigation, and I ought not comment on the merit of the case. Howev-

Editorial

Asset Recovery

IT is not unfair to say that there are strong misperceptions about what constitutes corruption and appropriation of state assets for personal use. Whereas attention is being directed at the acquisition of Pradoville properties whereby government officials, elected and appointed, have used their positions of power and influence to possess state assets outside of legal requirements and below market value, the problem is much wider.

Theft, embezzlement and misappropriation of state assets take many forms. Some include denial of revenue to the state through non-payment or underpayment of taxes, white collar crimes and evading the regulatory and oversight functions of the state as prescribed by law.

The idiom that there is no excuse for ignorance under the law -- though not disputed -- would be more meaningful should persons be aware what the laws require of them. Here there may be utility in establishing an information reservoir, easily accessible, and understood by the public. It may be useful to advance some form of public education that includes delivery of literature, public service announcements and online access.

Laws such as the Integrity Act are vital to the process of holding public officials accountable. The principle of upholding ethical standards while in service to the people should not be trifled with. And here is where Guyanese look forward to the APNU+AFC Government honouring its commitment to strengthen the Integrity Act and establish the Integrity Commission.

Chairman of the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU), Professor Clive Thomas, has publicly made known this unit’s limitations of pursuing justice in the absence of enforcing laws. In his writings within recent years on the health of the economy, he has referred to Guyana as a “criminalised state. ” Speaking to the issue in Kaieteur News (8th January), Thomas said by 2006 capital flight had doubled to US$173million and doubled yet again to US$575million by 2010. This is a staggering amount of money -- in four years -- that has fled Guyana and by extension its development.

More and more each day there is certainty of Guyana’s ‘El Dorado’ potential, in oil and gold. The values of these resources in the global market and to a country’s economy carry with them long tales of skimming off the people’s wealth to the benefit of a few. These resources have also created wars to either access them or maintain them, and see the inequitable distribution of wealth among the people.

It is not unusual in societies such as Africa and the Middle East -- where these resources exist -- to see the vast wealth and opulent lifestyles of those in the corridors of power, or close proximity to, as the masses live in squalor, deprived of basic necessities. Leaders in maintaining the inequity are often brutish and known to deny citizens their rights and freedoms.

Multinational and transnational corporations that invest in the identified resources of these countries, their executives are not shy in engaging in enticing or collaborating with indigenous government officials in unethical practices in furtherance of their business interests.

Robbing the people of what is theirs is to also rob them of their growth and development. Where the people’s

Former President, Cheddi Jagan er, I wish to reflect briefly on the character of the Cheddi Jagan that I knew and how this controversy could impact on his image.

In 1961 when I joined the Victory Motorcade in Crabwood Creek, I barely caught a glimpse of Cheddi Jagan, as our lorry was way behind the procession of vehicles. But, like everyone else in the procession, I embraced him as the people’s hero and did so, until his death in 1997.

Over the many years of my association with “Comrade Cheddi” I found him to be frugal in the use of public resources and disinterested in personal material acquisitions.

He had lived at rented premises and state buildings for almost 20 years before he built his own, modest house. He didn’t take state land though he could have done so as a former Premier. He bought a piece of Ramkarran’s land and

started to build his house in 1965, mostly by self-help. I was there as part of the voluntary brigade from Berbice to do land-fill in what was then a swampy area in Bel Air Village. Today, the Bel Air house is a Heritage Building and could be used, if the beneficiaries so wish, as the President Cheddi Jagan Library.

GENTLE PERSUASION Though Dr. Jagan was always dapper and exquisitely dressed, he clung to the clothes he had worn over many years. I used every gentle persuasion I could have mustered in 1978 to get him to buy a new safari jacket in Hungary whilst we were en route to Africa. With me at his side, the Guyanese leader navigated almost a dozen state stores in Budapest before he settled on an acceptable, low priced outfit.

This was a leader who insisted on the proper use of the public purse and restricted what might appear to be excesses in the discharge of public functions.

Upon assumption of office as President, he immediately abolished excessive pomp and ceremony such as what I had described as the “Timehri Pantomime” that required Ministers and Diplomats to travel to the airport every time the President left the country.

assets are not used for their benefit, they are denied quality education, healthcare, public transportation, road infrastructure, livable wages/salaries, health and longevity, to name some.

All of the above and more are vital in addressing, through recognition and putting systems in place, to not only stamp out the theft of state assets, but also hold those responsible for such misconduct to account. At the same time, it ought to be said that the people’s support in recovering what are duly theirs should not allow this pursuit for justice to be blinded by racial, political or other non-incidental considerations.

It ought not to be forgotten that those who sought to compromise the state’s integrity, were doing so out of selfishness and refusal to comply with their civic duty under

He scoffed at the idea of being conferred with the nation’s highest award on the basis of what was dubbed “the Nagamootoo principle” of not accepting honours from the State whilst holding Cabinet portfolio. Whilst he lived, he would never erect or have erected in his name a statue or bust, in his likeness.

LEAN AND CLEAN ATTRIBUTES I could go on and cite numerous other examples that testified to Cheddi Jagan’s “lean and clean” attributes. But suffice to say that that was why he did not readily accept the idea of a Cheddi Jagan Research Centre when I presented to him, during 1993, a proposal from my high school friend, Errol Arthur, whom I had met in Maryland.

I had discussed the concept during separate meetings with Dr. Odeen Ishmael and Dr. David Dabydeen, but it never floated in the lifetime of Dr. Jagan. I handed the proposal to Mrs. Janet Jagan, and didn’t pursue it any further. I was to play no role whatsoever in the setting up of such a Centre or its operations though I applauded the sterling efforts of all those who did so.

It was sometime after the death of Cheddi Jagan that his works were

Moses Nagamootoo removed to Red House as a temporary collecting centre. The Trustees had stated intention to BUILD a permanent edifice to house Jagan’s works. Initially, Michael Khan inventorised most of Dr. Jagan’s publications and later, Dudley Kishoore returned from Canada to serve as curator at the Centre. A prominent businessman who was close to the Government, was handsomely footing the bill for the centre which was officially launched sometime after with a keynote address by Prof. James Millette, a long-time friend of the late President.

NO LEASE As far as I am aware, See page 7

the law. As it is in other countries where these persons would not have been allowed to disregard the law and as citizens, our support would be with that government for enforcing the law; likewise, it helps by taking similar approaches to ensure law, order, growth and development in Guyana.

Recovering the state’s assets is an Herculean task, equivalent to dis-entangling a knotted rope, strand by strand.

But if this is what is required to return to the people what rightfully belong to them, it must be pursued. The longest journey begins with the first step and where steps are being made as in the instance of SARU, legislation realisation and enforcement will make the journey fruitful.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

Gov’t should move now to capitalise on future of oil revenues Dear Editor, WITH oil production projected for 2020, the coalition government would be foolish-- both politically and economically-- to wait until then to capitalise on its projected oil revenues.

The time is ripe for government to collateralise Guyana’s God-given oil wealth for extensive but calculated borrowing on global financial markets.

We are talking about pre-production, resource-based borrowing to be repaid by future oil proceeds.

Loans can be used by the administration to make early moves to boost growth-enhancing sectors, infrastructural development, social welfare and, yes, personal

incomes of workers, as well as to implement comprehensive solutions to intractable problems such as D&I and the sugar industry.

The government indeed had the right mindset when Minister Trotman spoke in November 2015 of seeking upfront payments from ExxonMobil. While that horse did not run, other sources of advance financing are readily available.

To be sure, the international record on pre-production borrowing has not been heartening. And Ghana is offered as the most recent case to illustrate the economic mayhem associated with oil-induced cutting of corners and spending binges. Quickly after major oil finds there in 2007, Ghana moved to access

global financing using its future oil revenues as collateral. On the back of these loans, successive Ghanaian governments -- among other excessive budgetary outlays -- boosted public sector salaries and employment. When oil (and gold) prices dipped, however, the unabated overspending and pork-barrelling led to an economic crisis. In 2015, the IMF, with its bag of bitter pills, was invited in to bring order to the mess.

Meanwhile, Uganda— whom Guyana has chosen as its mentor for oil-sector development—is touted as the model of patience and preparation. While onshore oil was discovered there in 2006, production is set to begin only in 2018, as the government took its time

OP-ED: The Red House...

From page 6 the occupation of Kamana Court or Red House was not effected by any Presidential Order or Cabinet decision.

No lease was secured for the use of the building. Neither Jagdeo nor Ramotar, whilst they were Presidents, issued any lease for Red House.

That didn’t speak well for these two Jaganite pretenders. They would know that the processes by which they ascended to presidential office would put Cheddi Jagan to shame.

It was after I resigned from the PPP and Government that an iron-clad PPP outfit, styled the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre Inc., extracted from the then Commissioner of Lands a 99-year lease for the expansive plots of land on which the Red House stands.

The land rent was fixed at G$1,000 or US$5 per month.

Red House which houses the Cheddi Jagan Rearch Centre was NOT included in the lease and it cannot properly be the subject of the present litigation. “Red House” is a heritage building. It could not be appropriated by a private company without the consent of the National Trust.

It is clear that the pos-

session of a state asset in the name of Jagan’s legacy, in the manner that it was done, is nothing more than a mockery of all the lofty ideals for which that great leader stood. The Red House Heist was tainted with the obsession by the Pradoville Gang to seize state lands or to own same at less than basement price. It was a daylight theft of public property in the name of the revered Cheddi Jagan.

SENSE OF HISTORY If I learned one thing about David Granger it is that as an historian, he treasures not only records but the image of our history.

It must be that sense of history that led him to rename after our first President, the Convention Centre as the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. A similar consideration would have applied to the renaming of the Ogle airport as the Eugene Correia International Airport.

President Granger almost unilaterally named every office at the Ministry of the Presidency after a river in Guyana and adorned the walls with replica of photos that captured historic moments when Guyana became an

independent state. He caused to be posted in the chambers of Cabinet the portraits of all of Guyana’s Presidents. I was impressed by that poignant act of inclusion and respect.

It was therefore an eminently fair proposal by President Granger for a single complex to house the works of all of Guyana’s past and/or late Presidents. The response from the PPP that Cheddi Jagan’s legacy would be contaminated if his works co-exist with those of Burnham, was nothing but trash talk. In spite of their political differences Cheddi Jagan wanted since 1955 to re-unite with Forbes Burnham. He spoke incessantly to the “new beginning”, of “racial and political unity” and about a Government of National Unity.

Jagan saw as integration what Ramotar recklessly deemed “contamination” when he proposed “critical support” for the Burnham government, post 1973 rigged elections. He had defined the positive side of

to put in place an array of petroleum legislation and institutions. But patience has its limits; Uganda, in addition to increasing domestic borrowing, has recently entered into agreements with the EXIM Bank of China for multi-billion dollar loans to construct roads, railways and pipelines. As one report puts it, while Uganda may deny it is borrowing on its projected oil revenues, the generosity of its lenders is based solely on that calculation.

The bad experiences of developing countries with pre-production financing should not be seen as deterrents, but as cautions. While Minister Trotman correctly stated a few months ago that “We have entered the petroleum industry at a con-

servative and watchful time,” these early financial opportunities should not however be missed.

Indeed, this year is the ideal time for Guyana to make its play, as several factors are in perfect alignment.

For one, two sizeable deposits have already been found (Liza and Payara), with further appraisal and wildcat drilling scheduled before year-end. Secondly, ExxonMobil has taken concrete steps towards production and further exploration investment (such as green-lighting a floating production and offloading platform).

Thirdly, oil prices are recovering. Fourthly, the intensified activity in Guyana’s offshore basin by other companies increases the like-

lihood of more finds and thus more government income.

Fifthly, the country is soon to emplace legislation and other mechanisms for petroleum-revenue management and oversight.

Given the political and economic stakes, the 2018 national budget should reflect major watershed decisions. The lengthy gestation time for large infrastructural and other growth-inducing projects demands no later a launch. Time will tell whether the coalition government intends to inch its way timidly towards 2020, or to make decisive and decent haste with its future oil revenues.

Burnhamism, that was anti-imperialist, and wanted to embrace it as progressive.

He braved internal party dissent when he initiated talks with Burnham, then President, to form a united government just before Burnham died, and Hoyte killed the initiative.

the scaremongers would know that there is no fear that Cheddi Jagan could be forgotten. Our first international airport and the state’s dental institution are named after him.

It is now up to the beneficiaries of the estate of Cheddi Jagan to preserve the image and legacy of this great freedom fighter by accepting the concept of a Presidential Library; and perhaps, down the road, a monument in the Botani-

cal Gardens or somewhere else, to the lasting memory of both Cheddi and Janet Jagan.

The least they should want is to allow Bharat Jagdeo to mount on the shoulders of Cheddi Jagan as a platform for his own racist-opportunistic campaign.

The Jagdeo-touch would taint Jagan’s incorruptible political career with the stench of pervasive corruption that had characterized his (Jagdeo’s) reign.

PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY That political backdrop should have been the context in which the post-Jagan PPP ought to accept the proposal of an all-inclusive Presidential Library. But no. It was arrogantly rejected and the proposal was rubbished to excite crude ethnic division and deepen political polarisation. Even

Regards SHERWOOD LOWE

8

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

‘Burial Ground Road’ a nightmare

By Telesha Ramnarine FOR some time now, the stretch of road inside Le Repentir Cemetery between Sussex and Princes Streets, commonly called the “Burial Ground Road,” has been repaired and is in more frequent use by motorists and pedestrians.

The road is a continuation of Louisa Row on which sits the relatively new crematorium.

Although many are appreciative of the road, which serves as a key link out of the Albouystown community, some motorists are concerned about the many speed bumps that it features.

The social rejects (junkies)

and other questionable characters are also frequent users of this road and hence, having to cross the bumps can put motorists in danger of being robbed.

The opening of the road has also seen some residents creating new mini- dumpsites, contributing to an ugly sight and a stench that one has to endure while pass-

ing though.

In fact, for the past few days, some have been wondering whether a corpse has been dumped somewhere outside a tomb.

The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) contributed to the dumping when the workers dismantled the Merriman Mall stalls

on Wednesday and placed all of the stuff alongside the said road.

In the past, when the road was seldom in use, the Chronicle had observed the skeleton of a human face alongside the road, and others reported that they would often see bones and other parts of the body at the same location.

The stretch of road in between Le Repentir Cemetery, between Sussex and Princes Streets

The M&CC has recently contributed to the dumping by placing the dismantled Merriman Mall stalls alongside this road

Urgent repairs were needed …to prevent at Harbour Bridge collapse THE management of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) has apologised to commuters for the extended opening of the bridge on Thursday.

People travelling to the West Demerara were affected and long lines of traffic also affected people travelling along the East Bank of Demerara. Maintenance Engineer, DHBC, Christopher Grannum, said routine maintenance was being carried out when they realised that extended work was needed.

This resulted in the maintenance taking longer than scheduled.

“Due to the critical nature of the work we carried out, we encountered some difficulties and we would like to apologise for the problems on the East Bank road, but it was regular maintenance work that escalated to critical works,” Grannum explained.

The maintenance engineer noted that when an in-

spection was carried out on Wednesday, it was realised that work had to be carried out to prevent a section of the bridge from collapsing.

An additional welding team was called in to complete the works. He added that had this not been done, it would have resulted in the bridge being out of operation for days.

“We found that the post at Span 37 and 38 of the bridge was damaged. It had various problems. The eyes of the post were enlarged and it had a crack, so we had to change it due to the severity of the situation. While changing the post, we encountered some difficulties in extracting and installing the post, so that’s why we went over the time limit,” Grannum underlined.

Meanwhile, the night retraction which restarted last November is expected to reduce the amount of traffic on the bridge during peak periods. This would result in less

maintenance. Grannum said it is too soon to determine whether the night retractions would have actually resulted in a decrease in traffic at peak periods. He said efforts are intensifying to ensure that the traffic is reduced to decrease the amount of retractions and maintenance.

In December 2015, the government received expressions of interest from 23 companies for undertaking a feasibility study and design of a new bridge across the Demerara River.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, revealed that during the first six months in 2017, the final study on a new bridge will be completed by the Lievense CSO, an engineering firm from the Netherlands. Thereafter, the tender process for the construction of a new bridge will commence.

(GINA)

9

Not too much to handle SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

…Minister Ally settles in at Social Protection Ministry “I can cope; I am a strong

By Ariana Gordon working more would be acwoman, it is not too much” complished.

THOUGH the task is enorAlthough she is going – Minister Ally mous, newly appointed through a familiarisation Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, maintains that it is not too much to handle.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Friday, Minister Ally outlined her areas of focus, along with the work programme for her ministry, which encompasses many sectors, including labour.

Ally also serves as the Government’s Chief Whip in the National Assembly; Assistant General-Secretary of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Chief Scrutineer at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for the APNU+AFC and even continues to manage President David Granger’s 5Bs initiative.

“I can cope; I am a strong woman… it is not too much,” she asserted, while noting that the best way to overcome challenges is by networking.

She does not micro-manage and believes that by net-

phase, Minister Ally has a clear vision of the direction in which she wants her ministry to go.

She explained that the move by President David Granger to make shifts in his Cabinet and more so, remove her from the Ministry of Social Cohesion to the Ministry of Social Protection, was unexpected.

“I accept all the challenges; this ministry is by far larger than Social Cohesion and I have to focus my mind on many areas, including child protection, domestic violence, the elderly, youth empowerment, sexual abuse, trafficking in persons, Old Age Pension and the list goes on.”

Since being relocated, the minister said she has been able to observe the overwhelming number of persons who visit the Difficult Circumstances Unit of the ministry. She believes that through her ministry,

Social Protection Minister Amna Ally

the lives of many Guyanese would be made better.

“I intend to visit all of the areas and I have started meeting with all of the Heads of Department to get an understanding of how they work and the programmes they intend to execute.”

ADDRESS FRONTALLY The minister recognised that the Labour Department

has its hands full with the plethora of issues before it, but noted that the challenges facing that sector will be addressed frontally.

“I will spend lots of time addressing the labour issues and I want to adopt an approach where we [the ministry and the unions], can work together on labour matters,” she said, while adding that she will

be meeting with union representatives soon.

“I intend to meet with [them] so we can talk and collaborate on the way forward,” Minister Ally said.

When asked whether she will lobby President Granger to meet with the unions via a request made when he took office in 2015, Minister Ally said, “The President has his own agenda and I cannot speak to that, but I as the minister must reach out to them… I will reach out and have a meeting.”

She also made it clear that all aspects of social protection deserve attention and vows to “tackle all of them at the same time.”

Minister Ally is very optimistic that she will be successful in her endeavours to provide quality service to the people of Guyana through her ministry.

She said it is impossible for her to do it alone and is looking forward to collaborating with all stakeholders.

Speaking specifically to her 2017 budgetary allocations, Minister Ally said while she may have new initiatives, she has to work within the budgetary allocations, but noted that in certain areas, such as youth empowerment, there is more room for developing new projects within the allocations provided.

“In the area of youth empowerment, you have to come up with your projects.

I have started by interacting with the regions to see what are some of the things they would like to work on,” she told the Guyana Chronicle.

Some $16.6B was allocated to the Ministry of Social Protection in Budget 2017.

Africanised bees vital for crops – but very destructive when threatened

By Shauna Jemmott WITH the deadly African honey bees in the capital city, the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has embarked upon a double role, launching public education campaigns highlighting precautionary measures for safety and preservation of the productive insects for agricultural and economic benefits.

Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GLDA, Michael Welch, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, said African honey bees are the most aggressive of bees, but contribute significantly to the country’s agricultural development.

“Bees are pollinators [and] without bees we wouldn’t have 70 per cent of our crops,” he said.

Welch said though the insects are the most aggressive, contrary to the “African killer bees” stereotype which has been attached to them by movie creators and other

tween destroying the bees -- which can negatively affect agriculture -- and protecting people’s livelihoods, protecting people’s safety, protecting animals. As a consequence of that, we have a unit at GLDA, a small unit of two very big people who would tend to respond. The objective of the unit is to preserve the industry and what we try to do as far as possible is to capture and

GLDA acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Michael Welch

individuals, the honey bees launch vicious attacks only whenever they feel threatened and their own methods of warning suspected enemies fail.

He said his department has a unique role in trying to preserve a healthy presence of the African bees and protecting the lives of individuals and animals, and has created a unit to deal specifically with apiculture.

“We have to balance be-

relocate the bees as far as we can,” he explained.

However, Welch said there are some swarms which must be destroyed.

“There are feral swarms, wild hot swarms, which based on their position and based on the threat they pose, we may not be in a position to capture and to relocate so we will have to destroy. But we try as far as it’s practical not to kill them.”

EDUCATION Honey bees become

problematic when they are misunderstood and feel threatened and people can prevent becoming their vic-

tims by educating themselves about the bees and how to deal with them.

Turn to page 14 ►

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

2,000 houselots to be made available

By Svetlana Marshall

CLOSE to 2, 000 houselots will be made available in 2017, Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for Housing, Valerie Adams-Patterson has disclosed.

Speaking during a recent press conference at her Brickdam Office, Minister Adams-Patterson explained that 21 areas will be regularised in 2017, paving the way for a total of 1,852 lots to be made available for regularised housing.

The Housing Minister said as of now, there is no residential lot available in Region Four and just a few

in Region Three, primarily residential-commercial lands ranging from $1.2M to $1.5M. “There is nothing low-income, moderate-income or middle-income,” Minister Adams-Patterson told reporters present.

She said it is for that reason that the Government through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) from this year will be utilising the available space remaining for the construction of duplexes, town houses and condominiums to accommodate the increasing number of applicants.

“We cannot continue to give one houselot per person,” she posited, noting

Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for Housing, Valerie Adams-Patterson

that if such trend continues, the Government may never be able to accommodate the more than 25, 000 applicants.

The Housing Minister said that by April, CH&PA will commence the construction of the first set of duplexes and town houses at a cost of $1.6B, noting that a number of persons and companies have already submitted expressions of interest. These will be reviewed shortly before a decision is made.

The overall project allows for the construction of approximately 3,300 apartment units in three locations, as well as 1000 duplexes in 12 areas spread across five coastal regions.

Some of the areas at ref-

erence include the communities of Little and Great Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara; East La Penitence in central Georgetown; and Cummings Lodge on the East Coast of Demerara.

This year, the CH&PA has set aside $2.5B for the consolidation of existing housing schemes, and the upgrading of roads, drains and structures in low-income, regularised squatting areas and other planned housing areas, in Regions One, Three, Four, Five, Six Seven and 10.

Additionally, the CH&PA has budgeted some $120M for the installation, construction, and upgrading of social facilities in planned housing areas.

Teen to be charged with sugar worker’s death A SIXTEEN-year-old boy who reportedly stabbed a sugar worker during a

drinking spree at Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD), resulting in his

death, will be charged with the capital offence, police said.

Kawall Shivnauth, 37, also called “Rupee,” of Wine Bush, Leonora, WCD, was stabbed to the heart and sustained slashes to his lower abdomen and hand during an altercation with the teen on Monday.

The teenager was arrested Tuesday while hiding out in Matthew’s Ridge, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini), where he resides.

He was preparing to travel farther into the interior

when the police swooped down on him.

During the argument on Monday, Shivnauth collected a bottle and struck the teenager to his forehead. The teenager reportedly walked away, but after he realised that he was bleeding, he confronted Shivnauth, whipped out a knife and stabbed him.

The injured man was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Dead: Kawall Shivnauth

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

100 not out! …‘Cousin Iris’ wants to live a few more years

Centenarian, Iris John, poses with her birthday cake

By Vishani Ragobeer IRIS Estella Martin-John was born January 14, 1917 and decided to usher in her 100th birthday with a grand celebration at her Beterverwagting (BV), East Coast Demerara home with family and friends.

Also joining the celebration was Minister Amna Ally, who made the event her first official duty as the new Minister of Social Protection. Iris or ‘Cousin Iris’ as she is fondly called by all ages, recollected that she grew up in #10 Village on the West Coast of Berbice before moving to BV, where she still resides after she got married.

She remembered that she attended the Beterverwagting Primary School at age 16. Cousin Iris noted that had loved Arithmetic and a little English, but unfortunately left school shortly after her favourite teacher resigned.

In her younger years, she recalled that she loved , but said that now she doesn’t do that as much anymore. She also recalled being fond of the domestic work she did.

The centenarian highlighted too that she loves eating rice.

“How I love eating rice,” she said and added, “I could eat rice with anything… with plantain, with potato or with some provision.”

Despite not having her own children, Iris said that she raised her husband’s children like her own. She remembered always encouraging them to go to school and to church.

One man she raised as her own, Felix Nestor, who also addresses her as his mother,says that he is the eldest of her three children.

“She is the best person you would want to live with.”

Felix said that Iris raised him from the tender age of five.

“She was fair...She always treated us fairly.” He also recalled that she was very religious and encouraged him and his two brothers to attend almost all the church services.

He said her willpower and the will of God are the main contributing factors to her long life, but attributed that it could be her genes since many of her close family members were well aged.

Iris, though busy with her birthday celebrations, sought to encourage all about the importance of education.

“Sit down in school and learn more,” she urged and added, “stick to your religion too.” She also said that while she does not know the secret to long life, she wants to live for just a few more years.

Iris joked that she was

overwhelmed with her birthday celebrations, but she would gladly give a more detailed account of her 100 years of life some other day.

Meanwhile at the birthday celebrations, Minister Ally said, “I feel humbled.”

The minister also recollected that she grew up with the centenarian in a neighbouring village in Region Five and hopes that she would be able to “take a leaf out of Aunt Iris’s book”, to age to 100 years and to do so in good health.

As the Minister of Social Protection, she mentioned that it is now her duty to ensure that all citizens -- even senior citizens -- are taken care of and she intends to do this to the best of her ability.

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12

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

A plea for help

– residents of Plastic City ready to relocate but need financing

By Svetlana Marshall GAZING into her water-logged, garbage-faeces-strewn surroundings, Pinky Ganga said she is ready to pack up and leave but is often faced with the sad reality that the pittance she earns is barely enough to feed her four children.

Ganga is among those living in Plastic City – a constantly flooded, insect-infested squatting settlement situated on Government’s reserve on the West Bank of Demerara. The drug-infest-

her, police would raid the area 24/7.

“I living here long now, since I was a small girl growing up,” Ganga murmured.

This year marks 23 years since she was brought to the settlement by her parents, and though the living conditions are less than desirable, she said there is not much she can do.

“Me family dem, all of us live right here, meh mother live over deh, my sister live over deh and all a we in de same situation, no one can’t help nobody,” the mother of

to go work and you come home dem children deh in de water a swim, and when dem tek sick you got to run with dem to de hospital,” she added.

Though she has endured a long and hard life, Ganga is hoping that her children would one day have better lives. Ganga is among several persons in the squatting settlement who were offered lands in other areas by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), but due to the lack of finance she, like many others, was

Pinky Ganga just outside of her one-bedroom shack

ed community is not only plagued with a number of social and environmental issues but lacks the most essential necessities – electricity and potable water. According to

Amanda Alfredo

four said as she pointed to neighbouring shacks erected just over the Sea Defence commonly called the ‘Jetty.’

“It is really hard to know that when you left some days

left behind.

Her plight is similar to that of 62-year-old Ronaldo Alfredo, a single parent father of three. Alfredo, a former rank of the Guyana

Ronaldo Alfredo

A typical scene in Plastic City

Defence Force (GDF), who hails from South Rupununi, settled in the area in 1992.

With a glow on his face, Alfredo said while most of his family resides in Brazil, he would never forsake his children.

“I just can’t leave them here to punish,” he said as his daughter embraced him.

As his two teenage sons looked on a short distance away puffing away on their cigarettes, the security guard said he too was offered a plot of land in another community but had no money to pay for it.

“I work every day just to survive. It is just enough to make ends meet,” he said.

According to him, he works for $5,000 a week but sometimes he gets less.

His eldest child, 22-yearold Amanda Alfredo said life beyond the Sea Defence is simply hard.

“If the rain ain’t fall, we does got to go fetch water, we don’t have electricity and when the high tide come, is the water, garbage and mess, all in one in we house, we don’t have flush toilet round here, is pit toilet,” she posited.

The very outspoken mother of one said for those persons who were unable to purchase their lands, the Government had promised

to step in and provide them with houses, but according to her, they are still waiting.

“We still wait…everybody in here glad to move out this place for the sake of their children but…”

ESCAPE Unlike Ganga and the Alfredos, Stanley Persaud was among those who were able to escape the miseries of Plastic City.

“I use to live here before.

I come in here in 1990. Back then there were more than a hundred people living in here but the Government give out lands, so most people move out,” he said.

According to him, as some people move out of the area, others move in, erecting shacks along the Sea Defence in an effort to keep their heads above the rough waters.

Director of CH&PA’s Community Development Department, Gladwin Charles, said the Housing Department has made tremendous strides in relocating the residents of Plastic City by providing them with not only house lots but core houses as well but while some have relocated, others refused to move because of various reasons.

According to him, those reluctant to move had complained that the lands provided were not close enough to their

place of work. Pointing to a report which was submitted to the former Minister of Housing Irfaan Ali, Charles said in March 2012, when the Plastic City Relocation Plan was crafted, there was a total of 166 households recorded in the area.

He said during several meetings it was explained that the area did not qualify for regularisation and was environmentally unfit for dwelling, a situation which remains the same today.

In that report, Charles had informed the then Housing Minister that in 2001 Minister Shaik Baksh had offered the squatters an opportunity to move to a Housing Scheme in the region where water supply, roads and electricity are available, and some had expressed their willingness to move.

As a result, the squatters were encouraged to apply for their house lots in order to facilitate the relocation process. By March 2012, only 60 persons had applied.

According to Charles, less than 50 persons were allotted lands in other parts of Region Three. For more than 20 years, squatters have been occupying Plastic City, an area regarded as a Protected Area because of the dense Mangrove Vegetation which aids in protecting the Sea Defence.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

13

Brazilian fined for being in possession of cannabis

A TWENTY-ONE-yearold Brazilian man was fined $20,000 by Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan, after pleaded guilty to possession of narcotics.

Gustavo Dos Santas pleaded guilty to having 4.7 grams of cannabis in his possession on January 12 at Tabatinga, Central Rupununi.

According to reports, the police on patrol in the Ta-

batinga area saw the defendant acting in a suspicions manner and conducted a search,as a result of which the narcotic was found in his right-side pants pocket.

The chief magistrate fined the Brazilian $20,000,failing to pay which, he will have to serve four weeks in prison.

Sunday, January 15, 2017 - 05:00 hrs Monday, January 16, 2017 - 08:30 hrs Tuesday, January 17, 2017 - 08:30 hrs

14

African bees vital...

The bees are black with yellow bars across their lower bodies and if anyone notices an invasion of their residence, office, or any place close by, they are encouraged to contact the GLDA on 220-2864 for assistance.

Welch said the unit also collaborates with private bee-keepers in all regions throughout Guyana to safely remove or destroy hives.

Thousands of bees -- even up to more than 120,000 of the venomous insects -- can live in one hive, with the queen bee being a “laying machine,” producing

between 1500 to 3000 eggs daily.

The department has a limited budget, and as such, provides free services only to schools, hospitals, Government offices, senior citizens and the financially challenged.

“But the problem with the bees is that they are all over the place. It’s a challenge and we contribute to that when we throw our old stove outside and our old fridge outside or we have a derelict vehicle. Keep your environment clean, because if you don’t do that you are creating a haven for the bees

to come,” he advised.

Anyone who sees African honey bees in his/her home must immediately secure themselves under a mosquito net. Lights outside the house should be left on, so that the bees can remain on the outside of the building, since they are attracted to lights.

However, if someone is attacked by such bees the best thing to do is run as far away as possible. Do not jump into a trench for cover.

SUICIDE COMMANDOS “You can run, any quarter mile or half mile is out of the

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017 From page 9

zone, and they will not pursue you. These bees are very dangerous. They are suicide commandos. They rather sacrifice themselves for the good of the hive. So if a 100 die and 10,000 are saved, then mission accomplished.”

“The bees generally try to go into your nostrils, your mouth and your ear, because they came from the plains of Africa – Africanised bees – initially they were not domesticated in hives, [but] would find crevices and cracks and there is where they would normally live. So when they come into contact with you, that is the first place they

would try to enter, so one of the things people need to do is cover their head as they try to come out the area.”

He said too that a fire can be lit to use smoke as a way to calm the bees, but the use of insecticide will aggravate them. When a bee is being attacked, it sends a stress signal which invites reinforcement from thousands and a deadly attack can result. Pets must also be kept away from the bees, or they will be stung if they come into contact with them.

African bees migrated across the border to Guyana in the 1970s after escaping

from 26 different hives on a bee farm in Brazil. They were taken there from Africa to mix with the Italian strain for the production of a better quality honey.

Italian honey bees which were at the time prevalent in Guyana were overpowered by the African honey bees.

“Because [the African bees] are so aggressive, they bred with the female queens from the Italian strain and eventually they bred out most of the Italian blood from the bees – so what you get now is mainly Africanised honey bees,” Welch said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

God’s Cathedral turns 37

By Shirley Thomas

GOD’S Cathedral of Praise, formerly Lamaha Park Church of Christ, situated at Lot ‘H’ Lamaha Park, East La Penitence, today celebrates its 37th anniversary as a church, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and winning souls for the kingdom, while playing a

key role in responding to the psycho-social needs of the community.

Founded by the late Pastor Harry Norton and wife Elder Louise Norton, the cornerstone of the church was laid in December, 1980, and

by January 15, a shed was built by the pastor and male church members before they were able -- through tithes

and donations from members and other well-wishers – to provide decent accommodation for the small congregation.

With Pastor Harry having brought 22 years of experience in pastoring previously gleaned in the Pilgrim Holiness Church of Guyana, what began as bottom-house services in the neighbourhoods

(At left) Late Pastor Harry and Louise Norton (Founders)

of Tuc Ville, Lamaha Park and Meadow Brook, soon burgeoned into a permanent house of worship at Lamaha Park.

The lone church in the scheme played a key pioneering role in development of the community and maintains a close link with residents -- members and non-members alike. Together they would address community problems, ending in positive results for the community and

farther afield.

The duo, passionate about living for the Lord and winning souls for His Kingdom, embarked in earnest upon their evangelical pilgrimage, never waning, but maintaining their Christian walk with the Lord – always trusting and submitting to His will and purpose for their lives.

Joining them as foundation members were at least six pastors from among their 11 children who, together

with residents of Lamaha Park and others, worked resolutely towards the growth and development of the church – whether they were at home or abroad.

SPIRITUAL GROUNDING Prior to setting up church in Lamaha Park, Pastor Harry’s missionary journey started around the mid-1950s, when, as a young carpenter living at Pouderoyen, Turn to page 16 ►

16

God’s Cathedral...

West Bank Demerara, he would travel all the way to Vreed-en-Hoop on bicycle for church services.

He was later called to take up the position of pastor at Adelphi, East Canje, Berbice. While at Adelphi, he conducted Bible Studies and Sunday School in all the neighbouring villages, moving next to New Forest. Other communities in which Pastor Norton worked include: Vergenoegen, Uitvlugt, Parika and Mahaicony.

In the early 1980s, Pastor and Mrs Harry Norton travelled to the United States, where they spent a few years.

Over the next few years and in their absence, the church was pastored by their eldest daughter, Assistant Pastor Eunice and husband Donald

Alleyne, assisted by her sister Naomi, and later by Pastor Kwesi Henry, before being taken over by the founders’ eldest son, Timothy Norton, senior Pastor for the last 17 years.

After faithfully discharging their duties as leaders of the church, both Pastor Harry Norton and his wife Louise migrated to the United States.

In the dawn of the 1920s, ill health took its toll, resulting in their passing, both at the age of 90.

He transitioned on August 21. Four years later, on November 7, 2016 and two months after her 90th birth anniversary, Elder Louise passed on, dealing the church a devastating blow.

The congregation also mourns the recent loss of its

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

From page 15

second oldest member, Neville Gilbert, who was known to have served the church well. He died at age 82.

GRATITUDE God’s Cathedral of Praise and Worship, Lamaha Park, reflecting on providence and goodwill down through the years, and acknowledging that “every little bit counts,” wishes to express gratitude to the countless persons and organisations who have lent support to it through the years.

Among them are: the Kurr family of Meadow Brook; the Bostons; the Mosleys; the Stewart and Hope families who initially made their homes available for the holding of church services; the Ministry of Housing and

Co-Founder of God’s Cathedral of Praise, Elder Louise Norton, flanked by her children: Pastor Timothy Norton, Glennis Smith and Assistant Pastor, Eunice Alleyne

the late Joyce Gill,former MP, for helping to acquire

land on which to build the church and others who helped in any form.

Sincere thanks to Banks DIH; Aubrey Retemyer; Nagasar Sawh Sawmills; Toolsie Persaud; A Gafoor and Sons; Brother and Sister Bob Muter of the USA and Norton family members, including their daughter Naomi Williams and husband for regular financial donations to the church.

Sincere thanks also to the late President of Guyana, Mrs Janet Jagan, for her visit to the church around 1986; to Pastor Frederick Flatts and Dr Timothy Critchlow, monthly guest preachers; Directors Romeo and Glennifor Hellpioms Smith.

Gratitude to sibling, Pastor Joseph Norton, owner of Norton Taxes of New York for recently refurnishing the church and providing musical instruments; for other gifts from AGAPE House of Prayer, Praise and Worship, Brooklyn, New York.

To the faithful congregation, musicians, worship leaders of God’s Cathedral

of Praise; the entire community of Lamaha Park for their support in whatever form, as well as the supportive pastors in Guyana.

Pastors from the United States of America who -- from time to time -- visit the church with large delegations to carry out medical, educational and other outreaches here and to conduct life-changing crusades. Kudos to Bishop Roberts and team from Brooklyn, New York, currently in Guyana to hold crusades in observance of the Church’s 37th anniversary.

Faithful servants of the Lord, Pastor Harry and Elder Louise Norton, daughter Yvonne Retemyer Williams who later pastored her own Church in New York; Beryl Dennis and others have all gone to rest, but their labour has not been in vain. The Church lives on and will continue to grow from strength to strength, for Christ said: “I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against It.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

Parking meters operational from January 23

By Vishani Ragobeer SINCE their appearance in the streets of Georgetown last December, there has been much uncertainty surrounding the parking meters and their mode of operation.

In response to this, Smart City Solutions, the company contracted to conduct the parking meter project, has stationed demonstration officers at some of the locations of these meters to explain to potential users how the system will work.

Explaining how to use the system, Demonstration Officer Clinton Walkes noted that drivers must first be in possession of a “parking card,” which can be purchased from the Smart City Solutions Office, or other vendors such as gas stations and supermarkets.

“These cards will be rechargeable and can be purchased with balances of $500, $2500, $5000 and

parking space and confirm with another press of the green button. Then, they must select the amount of time that they require (maximum time being six hours) and present the card in front of the sensor. Thereafter, a ticket will be printed for the driver.

Walkes cautioned: “You must take this ticket and

place it in a visible manner on your vehicle’s dashboard.”

He also warned that failure to comply will result in a transit officer “booting” the vehicle, which in other words means placing a lock on the vehicle’s wheel.

A “grace time” of two hours will be given, whereby users can come and pay for

Demonstration Officer Clinton Walkes swipes the parking card at the parking meter in front of City Hall

$10000,” Walkes said.

He highlighted that when drivers purchase or recharge with $5000, they will receive one hour free parking time, while they will receive two and a half hours parking time for purchasing $10000.

These cards will be available for purchase this week, according to the demonstration officer, as the parking meter system becomes operational from January 23.

Clinton also explained

that in addition to having this card, drivers must also be cognisant of the various markings on the roadways allocated as parking spaces.

These markings, he said, are accompanied by a combination of numerals.

At the meter, Walkes showed that there is a panel explaining the process of using this meter.

He said drivers must first press the green button and enter the numbers for the

The ticket received from the parking meter along with the parking card required to use the system

the time they were parked, if not, vehicles will be towed away.

These transit officers, he mentioned also, will be stationed at all locations to ensure security of the vehicles and the meters and to ensure that users comply with the system.

Another demonstration officer, Denzel Beckles, noted that both Smart City Solutions and the City Council are currently looking at attaching a fine for misdemeanours.

Drivers will pay for parking from Monday to Saturday only, between 07:00 hrs – 19: 00 hrs and will be required to pay $50 for every 15 minutes or $200 for every hour in the designated areas of Georgetown.

18

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

NOTICE

The Guyana Revenue Authority hereby advises taxpayers that based on the Amendments to the Value-Added Tax Act, Cap 82:05, the following is the new list of zero-rated supplies as contained in Schedule 1 to the Act. These amendments will take effect from February 1, 2017.

Zero-rated Supplies for Purposes of Section 17 1. In this Schedule – “export country” means any country other than Guyana and includes a place which is not situated in Guyana, but does not include a specific country or territory that the President by proclamation in the Gazette designates as one that is not an export country; “exported from Guyana”, in relation to any movable goods supplied by a registered person under a sale or a credit agreement, means – (a) consigned or delivered by the registered person to the recipient at an address in an export country as evidenced by documentary proof acceptable to the Commissioner; or (b) delivered by the registered person to the owner or charterer of a foreign-going aircraft when such aircraft is going to a destination in an export country and such goods are for use or consumption in such aircraft, as the case may be; and “intellectual property rights” means a patent, design, trade mark, copyright, know-how, confidential information, trade secret, or similar rights; EXPORT OF GOODS 2. The following goods are zero-rated for the purposes of section 17 – (a) a supply of goods in the course of repairing, renovating, modifying or treating goods including goods temporarily imported into Guyana under the exemptions under the Customs Act and the goods (i) are wrought into, affixed to, attached to, or otherwise form part of those other goods; or (ii) being consumable goods, become unsalable or worthless as a direct result of being in that repair, renovation, modification or treatment process;

(iii) the transport of goods including ancilliary transport services within Guyana. (f) a supply services to a non-resident person who is outside Guyana at the time the services are supplied, other than a supply of services (i) comprising the refraining from undertaking any taxable activity in Guyana; (ii) comprising the tolerating of another person undertaking any taxable activity in Guyana; (iii) directly in connection with immovable property situated in Guyana; or (iv) directly in connection with movable property situated in Guyana at the time the services are supplied unless the movable property is exported from Guyana subsequent to the supply of services; (g) a supply of services comprising (i) the filing, prosecution, granting, maintenance, transfer, assignment, licensing or enforcement of any intellectual property rights for the use outside Guyana; (ii) incidental services necessary for the supply of services referred to in sub-paragraph (i); or (iii) the acceptance by a person of an obligation to refrain from pursuing or exercising in whole or part any intellectual property rights for use outside Guyana.

OTHER IMPORTS 4. The following supplies are zero-rated for the purposes of section 17 (a) importation of raw materials to be used in the production of goods which will be subsequently exported by a taxable person who, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner, exports at least 50% (fifty percent) of all its products;

(b) a supply of goods under a rental agreement, charter party or agreement for chartering where the goods are used exclusively in an export country;

(b) importation of packaging materials to be used in the production of goods which will be subsequently exported by a taxable person who, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner, exports at least 50% (fifty percent) of all its products;

(c) a supply of goods where the Commissioner is satisfied that the goods have been exported from Guyana by the supplier;

(c) importation of raw materials and packaging materials to be used in the production of exempt goods to the satisfaction of the Commissioner; or

(d) a supply of goods where the goods are not situated in Guyana at the time of supply and are not to be entered into Guyana for home consumption pursuant to the Customs Act by the supplier of the goods;

(d) all bio-degradable containers used in the packaging of food and beverages.

(e) a supply of goods where the supplier has entered the goods for export, pursuant to the Customs Act, and the goods have been exported from Guyana by the supplier; and

INVESTMENT/LOCAL MANUFACTURING 5.

(f) a supply of goods financed from proceeds of a donor agency.

EXPORT OF SERVICE 3. The following supplies are zero-rated for the purposes of section 17 (a) a supply of services directly in connection with land or any improvement to land situated outside Guyana; (b) a supply of services directly in respect of (i)

movable property situated outside Guyana at the time the services are rendered;

(ii)

goods temporarily imported into Guyana under the exemptions in the Customs Act;

(iii) a supply of goods referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of “exported from Guyana”; or (iv) the repair, maintenance, cleaning or reconditioning of a foreign-going aircraft. (c)

a supply of services directly to a non-resident person who is not a taxable person, otherwise than through an agent or other person -

(i)

comprising the handling, pilotage, salvage, or towage of a foreign-going aircraft while situated in Guyana;

(ii)

provided in connection with the operation or management of a foreign-going aircraft; or

(iii) comprising the storage, repair, maintenance, cleaning, management, or arranging the provision of a container temporarily imported under the Customs Act, or the arranging of services. (d) a supply of services physically rendered elsewhere than in Guyana; (e) a supply of services to a non-resident person who is not a taxable person comprising the arranging for the person of (i)

Exempted for the purposes of section 18 is a supply by a registered person to another registered person of a taxable activity, or part of a taxable activity, as a going concern, provided a notice in writing signed by the transferor and transferee is furnished to the Commissioner within fifteen days after the supply takes place and such notice includes the details of the supply.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES 6. The following medical supplies are zero-rated for the purposes of section 17 (a) a supply of medicines and drugs of a kind available only by prescription; (b) any of the following medicines for human use (i) analgesics in the form of liquids, tablets, capsules, or other solid dosage forms for oral or rectal use; (ii) cough and cold preparations in the form of liquids, tablets, capsules or other solid dosage forms for oral and nasal use; (iii) antacids and anti-flatulants in the form of liquids, tablets, capsules and other solid dosage forms for oral use; (iv) laxatives in the form of liquids, tablets, capsules or other solid dosage forms for oral or rectal use; (v) anthelmintics in the form of liquids, tablets or capsules for oral use; (vi) oral rehydration preparations in the form of salts or solution of W.H.O./Pharmacopoeia standards. (c)

Diabetic -

(i)

glucometers (glucose blood test machines) and glucose blood strips made for use with such machines; (ii) insulin syringes with needles and devices for the administration of insulin. (d) spectacles prescribed by an optometrist in the treatment of the human eye and visual system; (e) crutches.

a supply of goods referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of the definition of “exported from Guyana”;

(ii) a supply of services for repair, maintenance, cleaning or re-conditioning of a foreigngoing aircraft; or

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE 227-8222 227-6060 Ext. 1201-04

www.gra.gov.gy

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GRA HEADQUARTERS 200-201 Camp Street, South Cummingsburg Georgetown.

19

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

NOTICE

The Guyana Revenue Authority hereby advises taxpayers that based on the Amendments to the Value-Added Tax Act, Cap 82:05, the following is the new list of Exempt supplies as contained in Schedule 11 to the Act. These amendments will take effect from February 1, 2017.

Exempt Supplies for Purposes of Section 18 1. In this Schedule – “ancillary transport services” means stevedoring services, lashing and securing services, cargo inspection services, preparation of customs documentation, container handling services and storage of transported goods or goods to be transported; “export country” means any country other than Guyana and includes a place which is not situated in Guyana, but does not include a specific country or territory that the President by proclamation in the Gazette designates as one that is not an export country; “foreign-going aircraft” means an aircraft engaged in the transportation for reward of passengers or goods wholly or mainly on flights between a location or locations in Guyana and an airport or airports in export countries, or between airports in export countries; “international transport services” means – (a) the services, other than ancillary transport services, of transporting passengers or goods by road, rail, water or air – (i.) from a place outside Guyana to another place outside Guyana where the transport or part of the transport is across the territory of Guyana; (ii.) from a place outside Guyana to a place in Guyana; or (iii.) from place in Guyana to a place outside Guyana; (b) the services of transporting passengers from a place in Guyana to another place in Guyana to the extent that transport is by aircraft and constitutes “international carriage” as defined in Article 3 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation; (c) the services, including any ancillary transport services, of transporting goods from a place in Guyana to another place in Guyana to the extent that those services are supplied by the same supplier as part of the supply of services to which paragraph (a) applies; or (d) the services of insuring or the arranging of the insurance or the arranging of the transport of passengers or goods to which paragraphs (a) to (c) apply.” “residential dwelling” means a building, premises, structure, or any other place, or any part thereof, used predominantly as a place of residence or abode of a natural person or which is intended for use as a place of residence or abode of a natural person, together with any appurtenances belonging thereto and enjoyed therewith, but does not include a hotel, guest house, inn, or other establishment that in the usual course of business provides lodging primarily to guests whose typical stay is less than thirty days.

The following supplies are specified as exempt supplies for the purposes of section 18– (a) a supply of financial services to the extent provided in regulations issued by the Minister; (b) a supply of international transport services;

(c) school supplies of student-use quality, including file paper (loose leaf ruled three-holed filler paper), crayons (wax and wooden), dividers and compasses for school use, erasers, chalk (white and colored), chalkboard erasers, hand held pencil sharpeners, simple protractors used by students, scientific calculators only, rulers, pencils, student’s paints (whether in tablets, tubes, jars, bottles, sets or similar forms and packages), lunch kits, lunch packs, lunch bags and geometry sets.

4. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

bread made with wheat flour or whole wheat flour whether plait or sliced and tennis rolls; raw brown rice, raw white rice and parboiled rice; raw brown sugar; cooking oil - vegetable, corn and coconut oil; cow’s milk and milk powder, evaporated milk, liquid cow’s milk including Ultra High Temperature (UHT) milk and fully and partially skimmed milk, powdered milk (skim and cream) but not including other milk such as flavoured milk; (f) baby formula; (g) baby cereal including Nestum, Gerber, Cerelac; (h) fresh fruits, but not including apples, grapes, dates, prunes, peaches, plums, strawberries and other assorted berries; (i) fresh vegetables, including onions, garlic, potatoes but not including olives, radishes, broccoli and cauliflower and similar assorted vegetables; (j) dried split peas, pigeon peas (not including canned pigeon peas), dried kidney beans (not including canned kidney beans), dried chick peas (not including canned chick peas), dried black-eyed peas (not including canned black-eyed peas); (k) unprocessed wheat; (l) flour (all types of flour including high fiber, flour made from durum wheat, wheaten flour excluding other exotic flour); (m) (n) (o) (p) (q) (r) (s) (t) (u) (v) (w) (x) (y) (z) (aa)

(c) a supply of – kerosene oil; liquid propane gas; gasoline; and diesel.” (d) a supply of– (i)

accommodation in a residential dwelling; or

(ii) leasehold land by way of lease (not being a grant or sale of the lease of that land) to the extent that the subject land is used or is to be used for the principal purpose of accommodation in a residential dwelling erected or to be erected on that land; or (e) a supply of any goods or services by the State, a local authority, or a charity where the consideration for the goods or services is nominal in amount or not intended to recover the cost of such goods or services. (f) a supply of all goods and services by budget agencies named in schedule to the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003 and by state agencies that perform regulatory functions by statute; or (g) a supply of locally mined raw gold or diamonds certified by the Guyana Gold Board, the Geology and Mines Commission or other approved authorised dealers in gold and diamond.

(3) The following educational materials are exempt for the purposes of section 18 (a) printed books, including children’s picture books, children’s drawing books, children’s story books, coloring books, instructional newspapers and newsletters, textbooks, dictionaries, atlases, music manuscripts, recipe books, religious books, novels, exercise books, notebooks (spiral and composition), graph books and graph paper; (b) educational charts, alphabetical charts, numbers charts, maps, globes;

The following food items are exempt for the purposes of section 18 -

5. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) 6. (a) (b)

barley flour; plantain flour; roti-mix; self-rising flour; cassava bread; casreep; cheddar cheese but not including grated, powdered or single sliced cheese; farine; margarine; uncooked bird’s eggs; baking powder, including Champion, Lion and all other brands of baking powder; cooking salt such as Iodine, Dec, Kosher, black, table salt etc.; uncooked fresh, chilled or frozen chicken; baby chick and live chicken; fresh, chilled or frozen pork, beef, shrimp, prawns, mutton; fresh, chilled or frozen fish, salted fish, but not including canned products The following consumer items are exempt for the purposes of section 18 diapers such as pampers for adults and babies; kerosene stoves; sanitary napkins or panty liners; toilet tissue in rolls; bleach; soap powder; laundry soap; matches; and mosquito nets.

The following domestic services are exempt for the purposes of section 18 funeral services; human remains.

7. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g)

The following agriculture items are exempt for the purposes of section 18 paddy; vegetable seeds (used for garden purposes); fertilizers; fish hooks, sheet lead, fishing floats, cotton and styrofoam for use in the fishing industry; harrows, cultivators, scarifiers, weeders and hoes; ice for fishing purposes; knotted netting twine, cordage or rope made up of fishing nets and other made up nets, of textile materials; (h) machinery used for preparing animal feeding stuffs; (i) machinery, equipment or components used in the generation of renewable energy in the agriculture sector using agricultural by-products.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE

www.gra.gov.gy 227-8222 227-6060 GRA SECRETARIAT | TAX OPERATIONS & SERVICES DIVISION | CUSTOMS AND TRADE ADMINISTRATION

GRA HEADQUARTERS 200-201 Camp Street, South Cummingsburg Georgetown.

20

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

Nand Persaud scores another first – NPIC becomes first company to go 100 percent green NAND Persaud International Communications (NPIC) of the Nand Persaud Group of Companies, on Friday commissioned a $110M solar facility, becoming the first major company in Guyana to go 100 percent solar.

The 220 KW solar plant

powers the entire operations of NPIC’s Call Centre which has the capacity to employ 500 representatives plus management and supervisory staff on a 24-hour shift basis.

The 12,000 square feet panels were sourced from the US and currently produces 1000 KW of power daily,

more that what is required for the high-powered servers, computers, lighting and all other equipment that the company utilises.

The excess power produced is relayed to the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL).

Speaking at the com-

NOTICE

The Guyana Revenue Authority hereby advises taxpayers that based on the Amendments to the Value-Added Tax Act, Cap 82:05, the following is the continuation of the list of exempt supplies as contained in Schedule 11 to the Act. These amendments will take effect from February 1, 2017.

missioning, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo congratulated the company directors as he hailed the investment as significant.

The principals of Nand Persaud Group of Companies moved from being simple rice harvesters to establishing one of the leading companies across Guyana and the Caribbean.

According to the Prime Minister, the investment is in keeping with the Government’s vision for a green country and sets the pace for others to follow.

for Guyanese, especially Berbicians.

The Norwegian Counsil Desmond Sears was also high in praise.

“The use of byproducts

by Nand Persaud and Companies to power its operations instead of fossil fuel is a good example and testimony of the role companies can play in achieving a green economy in Guyana for the improvement of human wellbeing…”

COST EFFICIENT NPIC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rajindra Persaud, said the company was always interested in green

power it produces and the remainder goes to GPL. GPL is currently getting this excess free of charge, since meters have been installed.

NPIC Managing Director Darren Ramdial said the company in the past 14 years has moved from strength to strength.

“Nand Persaud International Communications was founded in the year 2002; it commenced its operations with just 18 reps, one manager, one supervisor and an accountant. We became the first company to commence business in the telemarketing/communications sector

8.

Exempted for the purposes of section 18 are a supply of medical, dental, hospital, optical or paramedical services, other than veterinary services.

9. Exempted for the purposes of section 18 are a supply of computers, computer accessories, notebooks, laptops and printers for personal use.

10. The following supplies of import of motor vehicles are exempt for the purposes of section 18 (a) importation of motor vehicles that are at least 4 years and older from the date of manufacture; (b) motor vehicles for persons qualifying for exemption from customs duties under section 23 of the Customs Act; (c) motor vehicles when imported by any diplomatic mission or consulate or diplomats accredited to Guyana - who qualify under the First Schedule, Part III B2 item 6 made under the Customs Act; (d) all-terrain vehicles for use in the mining industry and by Toshaos from Amerindian communities, approved by the Commissioner; (e) motor vehicles imported by or for the use of the President; (f ) motor vehicles imported by or for the use of the Prime Minister.

11. The following supplies of sports gear and sports equipment are exempt for the purposes of section 18 (a) a passenger vehicle as shown to the satisfaction of the Commissioner to have been won abroad, or bestowed as an honorary or prize to a sports personality; and (b) a supply of cup, medal, shield or similar trophy, which is shown to the satisfaction of the Commissioner not to be of general utility, not bearing any advertisement, not imported or stocked for the purpose of trade, imported for the purpose of bestowal as an honorary distinction or prize, either won abroad or awarded by a donor resident abroad.

12. Exempted for the purposes of section 18 are a supply of machinery or equipment for generating electricity from renewable sources (including solar panels, solar lamps, solar generators, solar cookers, solar water heaters), power inverters, water turbines, wind turbines, energy efficient lighting.

13. The following supplies of transportation and travel are exempt for the purposes of section 18 (a) bicycles; (b) river and land crossing services subject to the signing of an agreement between the provider of the service and the Government of Guyana; and (c) services of transporting passengers or goods by air from one place in Guyana to another place in Guyana subject to the signing of an agreement between the Government and the provider of the service for persons living in rural areas.

14. The following are exempt for the purposes of section 18 (a) goods and services under an investment agreement entered into on behalf of the Government with the taxable persons with a per unit price greater than G$200,000; (b) coins, bank notes and other monetary instruments imported by or on behalf of the Government; (c) importation of personal effects by re-migrants who qualify for exemption from customs duties under section 23 of the Customs Act; (d) goods imported for non-commercial purposes and contained in a passenger’s baggage or imported in gift parcels sent by air or sea or by parcel post, of which the cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value does not exceed the Guyana dollar equivalent of US$200.00, subject to the provisions contained in Annex I of the First Schedule Part I of the Customs Act. 15. Exempt for the purposes of section 18 are supplies of items, as approved by the Commissioner, (excluding motor vehicles and all-terrain vehicles), imported or acquired for use by charitable organisations or non-governmental organisations or for free distribution to the less fortunate.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE

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GRA Headquarters 200-201 Camp Street Georgetown

GRASECRETARIAT | TAXOPERATIONS&SERVICESDIVISION | CUSTOMSANDTRADEADMINISTRATION

Sakuntie Persaud, wife of the late Nand Persaud, with assistance from Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo cuts the ceremonial ribbon to officially commission the $110M solar facility as family and staff look on

“Today, I want to congratulate the Nand Persaud Group of Companies for their innovation, vision and foresight and we hope that by 2025 to transition Guyana to renewable energy, to cheap energy, to clean energy.”

Prime Minister Nagamootoo said in a bid to achieve this goal, the Government this year budgeted $250M to power Madhia, Bartica, Lethem, Maburama, and all areas earmarked to be towns, by solar panels and other sources of renewable energy.

With Guyana set to be among the largest oil-producing nations, Mr Nagamootoo said all traditional sources of energy must not be abandoned.

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin said for businesses to thrive, they have to be able to be innovative in combatting challenges of cost, of production, and noted that the Nand Persaud Groups of Companies has been doing well in this regard.

The company has won numerous awards and praises for ventures undertaken, a testament to their commitment towards providing employment and opportunities

technology but moved to solar energy because the current market trends have made it a “cost efficient investment”.

“Recently with the global rise for solar power has caused us to invest in solar technology, the cost for solar energy in the world has become very, very competitive, the technology has improved and has become cost efficient,” he said.

Current market trends put solar usage at two per cent but that figure is expected to grow to 25 per cent in the next 10 years.

Persaud said Guyana should not be left behind and urged the Government and businesses to seriously think about it, noting that plans are afoot to partner with the company that installed the system to make it available to anyone in Guyana. Financing options could also be considered, he said.

The US$528,000 investment generates approximately 1000 KW of power per day, saving the company some $50,000 every day, making it very competitive and allowing the company to recover the investment within three to five years.

The company consumes some 70 per cent of the

introducing this type of industry to Guyana. I am proud to say we still stand strong maintaining the lead with 14 plus years of experience, and staying current in the world of technology,” he said.

He added: “People are critical to a company’s success. I wish to first thank the management and staff for all the hard work that has help to contribute to our success as a company. And I also wish to thank everyone else who has in whatever way contributed to our growth.”

The company has been the recipient of the Reed Business Information Gold Medal plaque and Quality Recognition Award in 2006, and is the first commercial establishment to go green in Guyana.

“We won the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Presidential Award – for Investment in Green Technology 2016 and the Caribbean Export Development Agency -Special Award for Excellence in Service Exports 2016,” Persaud said.

Among the attendees at Friday’s commissioning were Regional Chairman David Armogan and former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.

21

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

A Tribute to Kathy Wills, a little-known Guyanese Heroine TODAY, I dedicate my column to a little-known activist, Kathy Wills, who died this past week in Florida, USA. Kathy, as we called her, was a WPA activist during the heady days of the 1970s-1980s. Kathy was the true matriarch of our party and movement. She was a fearless fighter and an example to the rest of us. On a personal note, when I was incarcerated as a political prisoner, Kathy, for 15 months, cooked my meals and personally brought it every day to the Georgetown Prison. She did the same for other political prisoners of that time.

Often, we remember the big names, the leaders of movements, but there could be no formidable movements without the inputs of the often-unknown workers who perform the tangible and intangible tasks that make the ultimate difference.

As a tribute to Kathy, I reproduce an article written by my colleague, Dr Nigel Westmaas, based on a conversation with her. The article was first published in the June 2008 edition of Dayclean Global.

“IT IS IN THE EYES”: A CHAT WITH KATHY WILLS, ULTIMATE WPA ACTIVIST IT was around 1970 or 1971. Kathy Wills was strolling on Vlissingen road when she saw Prime Minister Forbes Burnham inside The Residence and decided to go ask him a few things that were on her mind for years. Burnham, charming as ever, entertained her questions. She asked him why there was still division between Africans and Indians in Guyana after all that time and another query she could not recall, concerning the system in place. She recollects Burnham stating, among other things, that when he returned from England in the 1950s, division was not what he desired. For Kathy, however, his “eyes didn’t look good to me.” She explained from her early adult life she had picked up an instinctual manner of looking into people’s eyes to test their sincerity. She had in fact drifted away from the norm for a person of her race in the period by gravitating towards the People’s Progressive Party.

Kathy would frequent the PPP’s bookshop in Robb Street to visit her friend Indra Chandarpal. Later, she ventured upstairs at Freedom House for chats with Janet and Cheddi Jagan.

At the time, in the early 1960s, Kathy said she was more or less a supporter of the PPP. She was actually walking close to Freedom House on the same day and time of the bombing that claimed the life of the bookshop’s eventual namesake, Michael Forde. It was at a PPP public meeting on the Bourda Mall that she met Andaiye –- whom she claimed appeared curious about Kathy’s presence at a PPP event. They struck up a discussion and long friendship from that point. It was during the chat she learnt that Andaiye was the daughter of her own family physician, Dr Frank Williams.

Kathy Wills was born in Mahaicony. Her parents died when she was two and an aunt took care of her. At one point, they lived in Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Kathy later moved to Cane Grove after her marriage to George Wills. She also lived for a while in Gordon Street, Kitty, from where she took her daughter Avril to dance lessons at the Taitt house (Woodbine) at 294 Quamina Street (then Murray street) and struck up a friendship with Helen Taitt. Kathy disclosed that she became great friends of the Taitts and was invited to stay. There she assisted the family with Dr Jabez Taitt (former general practitioner at GT hospital) when he fell ill.

Taitt’s house was a magnet for people of all walks of life and it was there she met with Pat Rodney, whose two little girls attended the very dance school. Through Pat, Kathy eventually met Walter Rodney. The ’eyes’ again did it. She saw ‘honesty and commitment’ and soon began to follow Rodney and the WPA in its early stages.

The camaraderie and energy the new organisation generated was contagious for someone like Kathy, who herself enjoyed hearing people talk and public meetings. Kathy formally joined the WPA and became more and more active in party activities including meetings, distribution of handbills and Dayclean, talking with people, and visits to other parts of the country. She also assisted in taking food to WPA prisoners in

jail at the time, including Tacuma Ogunseye, David Hinds and others. Kathy also announced public meetings in the WPA’s Tapir vehicle along with Karen de Souza, Adeshina and others.

She was particularly fond of the public announcement refrain, “Come one, Come all.”

At the high point of WPA meetings at the mall young people would come up and ask her why she was not at home cooking; she would reply, “what are you doing liming, you should join us and stand up for rights…” Fearless in crowds

and under attack, WPA members cannot remember a time when Kathy was not in court pews in solidarity with party activists or one charged with one offence or another at the height of WPA militancy. Eusi Kwayana said Kathy Wills, after joining the Working People’s Alliance, “Became one of its living banners, set an example in street action such as picketing, demonstrations and placing herself as a human barrier to wrongdoing. Sister Kathy placed herself in the court room whenever human rights and Turn to page 23 ►

22

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

Towards a Good Life in a Green Economy

The Amaila Falls Report (Part 2)

Solar Farms as an additional option IN Part I, we looked at whether there was a deliberate intention, on the part of Norconsult, the consultant firm hired to do the report on the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP), to resuscitate the AFHP. We concluded that, based on the terms of reference of the consultancy, the consultant firm had no other choice but to recommend the feasibility of the AFHP, but subject to technical and other upgrades due to inherent uncertainties. In this part, we will look at solar farms as an additional option to the AFHP, given these uncertainties. But first, let us examine some of the significant uncertainties within the report.

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES OF THE AMAILA FALLS HYDROPOWER PROJECT A good place to start would be the terms of reference (TOR) of the Norconsult consultancy. The TOR required that Norconsult delivered to the Governments of Guyana and Norway, “A report presenting possible gaps in the present project reports regarding technical, geological, hydrological and financial risks.” This is a clear indication that risks were inherent. In addition, the TOR mandated Norconsult to “… provide advice on the need for additional studies, including safeguards assessment related to IDB fiscal, transparency, fiduciary, social and environmental safeguards.” Clearly, uncertainties were anticipated. Further, the TOR required Norconsult to present an “…alternative, restructured project design regarding financing options and ownership… [with] a list of possible candidates or procedures to attract appropriate sponsors to partner with the GoG. Against this backdrop, let us examine the main risks and uncertainties to the AFHP. According to the Norconsult Report, there is uncertainty surrounding the energy production for the AFHP, because of the absence of water-flow records “…since continuous series of direct flow measurements in the Kuribrong river at the project site do not exist.”

Instead, water-flow records for the Kaieteur Falls on the Potaro River are used as opposed to water-flow records for the Amaila Falls, which is located on the Kuribrong River.

We will call this uncertainty, the

Mr. Gary A. R. Best is a retired Rear Admiral and former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force. He is an Attorney at Law and is the Presidential Advisor on the Environment. He is a PhD. candidate at the University of the West Indies. He holds a BSc in Nautical Science (Brazil) and Masters Degrees from the University of the West Indies and the University of London. He is also an alumnus of the National Defence University and the Harvard Kennedy School.

His research areas include climate change governance, climate change finance, international relations and environmental law.

hydrological risk.

There is also uncertainty about the amount of sedimentation (siltation) of the required 23 km2 reservoir since “…only a limited number of spot measurements of sediment transport exist and the project design does not include any facilities for future sediment handling.” This means that by the time [ a period of 20 yrs] the AFHP would have been handed over the Government of Guyana (GoG), the entire reservoir could be silted beyond economic use. We will call this uncertainty, the sedimentation risk.

The construction of the Amaila Falls access road, given the amount of uncertainty surrounding the execution of AFHP, now pose a [sic] significant ecological and environmental risks “…due to potential secondary impacts from non-Project related activities exacerbated particularly by…” uncontrolled mining and forestry operations. The Norconsult Report indicates that there was a high political risk to the main sponsor of the AFHP, because of non-support from the main opposition party in Parliament. However, the absence of joint parliamentary support for the AFHP is in itself an uncertainty to the project.

There are uncertainties surrounding the capacity of the generating units and whether the entire 1540-metre long water tunnel should be lined with steel or only a 960 metres of it should be steel-lined, since this “…can only be confirmed by in situ rock stress measurements from inside the tunnel during excavation.”

We will call these uncertainties,

technical and geological risks.

According to the Norconsult Report, there is a political risk insurance of USD34.0 million in case GPL does not meet its obligations under the terms of the AFHP. There is also a credit-risk imbalance in favour of the GoG, instead of the building contractor and main financier of the AFHP. Further, Sithe Global, a U.S.-based investor in the energy market, the main financial sponsor, pulled out of the AFHP, triggering the search for a new financial sponsor.

China Rail First Group (CRFG), the building contractor for the AFHP, applied to replace Sithe Global as the main financial sponsor, in addition to being the building contractor.

Despite obvious conflict-of -interest possibilities, the IDB entertained CRFG’s application to be sponsor.

However, the application was never approved. The Norconsult Report is also very specific in recommending that, in any new, reworked version of the AFHP, it is doubtful that the Government of Norway will agree to CRFG participating as building contractor or main financial sponsor, due to corruption charges. Sithe Global continues to own the intellectual property of the AFHP and a purchase of it is required to continue this project.

It important to note that addressing various types of risks identified above will require substantial additional funding to meet these additional costs. Importantly also is that the Norconsult Report is very silent on these costs. Who will pay for the technical upgrades in order to avoid technical and geological risks is a fair question that requires an answer.

These additional costs may well run into hundreds of\ millions of U.S. dollars. We will call these uncertainties, financial risks.

SOLAR FARMS AS AN OPTION Against the backdrop of these

uncertainties, it is necessary that we examine some options for the AFHP. Firstly, as pointed out in Part 1 of this series, we would disagree that a commitment to go 100% renewable should be based only on a single hydro project, such as the AFHP, and rather suggest an energy mix that takes into consideration Guyana’s physical and demographic peculiarities. In fact, the Demerara- Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS), which the AFHP was expected to power, does not connect the entire Guyana to one grid.

The DBIS excludes our island and isolated communities (IAIC) such as Leguan, Wakenaam, Hogg Island, the Essequibo Coast, Lethem, Mabaruma, Mahdia, Bartica, Kwakwani and other independent grid- operated communities. Therefore, the AFHP is no silver bullet, neither is hydropower. A well planned alternative and clean energy mix comprising hydro, solar, wind, natural gas, tidal and even geothermal sources should be pursued.

It is incumbent that while the GoG finalises studies on hydropower, options such as solar farms should be considered for island communities and some coastal interconnected villages, as test cases, for solar-generated power to the grid. However, the issue of base-load power requires some attention, which we will address later in this article.

We believe that establishing solar farms present an opportunity for the GoG, whether through public/ private partnerships or independent power producers, to apply and test new solar-power technology, particularly, flexible generation, demand management and energy- efficiency systems. Secondly, the literature seems to suggest that it may well be cheaper to source power from independent solar-grid connections, due to the high cost of transmitting power over long distances to isolated communities. Finally, we assert that solar farms, with storage, are suitable

for Guyana’s IAIC. In fact, most of our IAICs, in terms of electricity consumption, fall within the range of 1-5 megawatts (MW) of power, which includes GPL’s “…forecast power demand (base case) for 2025.”In addition, the population of these communities is close to 200,000 persons with a GoG annual subvention in support of their power generation totalling in excess of G$500 million.

SOME FACTS ABOUT SOLAR FARMS According to recent literature (Solar Trade Association and others), Solar farms can generate electricity locally and feed into the local electricity grid using the sun, a free source of energy, to generate electricity on bright cloudy days as well as in direct sunlight. For every 5 x MW of installed solar power, a solar farm could power approximately 1,515 homes for a year, based on an average annual consumption of 3,300 kWh of electricity for a house.

These ratios fit well within the solar energy needs for Guyana. Generally, approximately 25 x acres of land are required for every 5 x MW of installation. This also redounds well, in the case of Guyana, since land is available for solar- farm construction. Though apparently small, every 5 x MW solar power installation will save approximately 2,150 tonnes of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere.

Solar farms can also “…represent time-limited, reversible land use…” while providing an increased, diversified and stable source of income for landowners. In many instances, they may serve dual purposes, where small- animal grazing can be allowed between rows along with biodiversity support through the maintenance and establishing of ecosystems. Farmed-out lands in our communities are excellent choices for solar farms. Interestingly, in solar farms installation, there are no moving parts. Maintenance is minimal and there are no by-products or waste generated, except during manufacturing or dismantling. Finally, solar farms have lower visual and environmental impacts than other forms of power generation.

Imagine if 100 x MW of solar power were installed in Guyana, Turn to page 25 ►

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

A Tribute to Kathy Wills, a little-known... freedom of expression were on trial.

“Those who sat in judgment always knew that at least a mature pair of bespectacled eyes watched them and weighed their words.” Walter Rodney recounted in one of his speeches, Kathy’s feats of everyday activism and compassion when teargas blasted the crowds at the height of the civil rebellion; there she was in the thick of things, with water and napkins in hand amidst the commotion to assist –- washing the teargas away from activists and supporters. She remembers preparing meals late at the Catholic school on the evening of June 13, 1980 with Pat Rodney, when Fr Malcolm Rodrigues brought the fateful news of Walter’s assassination.

Later, she and others accompanied a bleeding Donald Rodney to the care of Dr Horace Taitt, at the place which she knew as home and which was always abuzz with “so many faces and comings and goings.” Kathy Wills was co-founder of Women against Terror, established in September 1980 at St Andrew’s Kirk church with the purpose of re-creating “a healthy, safe and just society for our children.” Among her co-founders

and colleagues she recalled in the organisation were Tchaiko Kwayana, Doris Loo, Daphne Johnson, Gwennie Kissoon, Mudas Rajkumar, Brenda Koama and Olga Bone. A year later, on September 17, 1981, she and other WPA women became targets of hockey-stick charges of the police who broke up a WPA demonstration against Apartheid in South Africa and against the sharply rising cost of living in Guyana. The police arrested some 20 women and detained, that is, imprisoned them at Eve Leary overnight. As Kwayana put it, “the right of protest against Apartheid had also been nationalised.” In June 1983, Kathy was chairperson of a Women against Terror discussion, “Family Care of the child in Guyana and its implications for Society.” At which Olga Bone was the main speaker. In October 1984, she represented the WPA at “Encounters” of Caribbean women in Antigua. The programme there dedicated itself to the Grenada Revolution and to the memory of Maurice Bishop.

Kathy was elected to the WPA’s Central Committee in 1985, along with Andaiye, Lallbachan Arjune, Sidney Benja-

From page 21

min, Bonita Bone Harris, Norman Dalrymple, Eusi Kwayana, David Hinds, Stanley Humphrey, Tacuma Ogunseye, Ameer Mohamed, Wazir Mohamed, Bissoon Rajkumar, Rupert Roopnaraine, and Nigel Westmaas. Whether at Taitt house, WPA headquarters, or other events, Kathy Wills was a stable, sunny presence with a trademark smile, friendliness, optimism and empathy as broad and with the deep roots of the huge landmark sapodilla tree that was a symbol of the famous Taitt residence in Quamina Street. Legions of WPA activists -- if you ask them about Kathy Wills -- will speak with one voice about the true goodness of this remarkable woman. And yes, her eyes too were warm, generous and honest. Kathy now lives with her daughter Avril and family in Florida. Her son, Mark Wills, who had also been active with the WPA, also resides in the USA. More of Dr. Hinds’ writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com

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End of a presidency and cementing of a legacy to build on TEN years ago when Barack Hussein Obama signalled his intent to contest the Democratic Party presidential nomination, with his eyes set on becoming what is considered the world’s most powerful politician, his ambition was viewed with scepticism by many.

Obama represented many things the American society and world felt were improbable. He was African-American, coming up against the formidable Clinton political machinery, where Hillary Clinton too was contesting the nomination.

He was young and wet behind the ears, a politician with no significant experience or national fame, other than a speech at the 2014 Democratic Convention. He had all the makings of an upstart and probably the only conviction presented to the world was his catchy and resonating slogans:- Yes we can, Hope, Change and Believe.

But this was the man who went on to confound his challengers. He drew the admiration of people from across the spectrum, home and abroad, held us spell bound as he toppled stereotypes and myths, and some who questioned their abilities causing them to believe that they too can be what they want to be.

His first victory came in winning the nomination. This did not come without challenges as seen in his confrontation with the party in

arguing the point that the will of the ordinary voters (which he secured) takes primacy over the super-delegates, where a significant amount was already pledged to his main challenger, Clinton.

When the primary was over he set about mending internal fences and his eyes on winning the presidency. He united the party around his ideals, mended the contention fight with Clinton, who not only became one of his main surrogates, but also his Secretary of State (equivalent to Foreign Affairs Minister). Joe Biden, who was also a challenger, became his vice presidential pick.

On 4th November, 2008, Obama and Biden were elected President and Vice President of the USA and again on 7th November 2012. The 2008 victory came 40 years after Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, 45 years after his famous “I Had a Dream” speech, where hope was held that persons would be judged by the content of their character, not by the colour of their skin. That victory came 43 years after the Voting Rights Act where universal adult suffrage came to a society.

Having won the elections by the sheer sense of a campaign beautifully executed and a people inspired to look past his skin and to the content of his character, the issue of race

dogged him from his campaign and through his presidency. His successor, Donald Trump, entered the political limelight by seeking to delegitimise him, hinting that he may not have been born in the USA, which that society felt carried strong racial undertones. Then there was the Tea Party movement and some Republicans in Congress who did not accept his legitimacy to govern.

Obama was judged for what was considered offensive racial comments of his pastor, Jeremiah Wright, whom he not only distanced himself from, but turned the incident into an opportunity to address racial tensions in the society. There was also the issue of the publicised so-called beer summit, where without having all the information on an incident relating to a renowned black Harvard University Professor, he expressed his opinion, subsequently revealed to be pre-matured, and brought in the parties (white police officer and black professor) along with Biden to mend fences.

As a black man this aspect of Obama’s presidency would forever resonance. For what he exemplified is the strength of character to stand up and be identified for who he was and not run from the issue of race and racism but confronted these not only in acknowledging them, but also lending his thoughts and political muscles to the public dis-

course in addressing and bringing about equality.

When you look in our society there is notable dissimilar approach by the political leadership though there remain many similarities with the two societies in this regard.

Some seek escape by positioning any public conversation or identification to race as offensive or to be identified as black as demeaning.

Where leaders are not prepared to give leadership to these issues, race will always be exploited for self-serving purposes, racism will prevail, and denial of equal share to the nation’s pie justified.

Globally Obama lead fearlessly.

He revisited estranged USA relations and the wisdom of maintaining such in light of changed times as seen in Cuba and attempted to reset relations with Russia. On the wars that he sought to wind down those in Iraq and Afghanistan, he lent the impression that the USA can establish relations with others and resolve conflicts without having to go to war. One sense too as a matter of foreign policy, though I disagree with continued drone attacks that have not spared the innocent, that such was driven as a matter of national interest to reduce the number of USA soldiers’ boots and casualties on the ground and as cost saving measures.

In governance Obama has set

a bar, which I hope will be continued for the good of humankind, where he insisted on governance built on rights and the rule of law, a campaign the Guyana Trades Union Congress has been waging since 2001. It is his conviction, of which the wisdom cannot be denied, that when these universal principles are upheld they augur well for improved human relations, equality, growth and development, and reduction of poverty and corruption. This was one of his administration’s clarion calls when any representative, including him and Biden, travelled abroad or served in international institutions such as the United Nations.

Obama played a shrewd and compelling politics and what makes it even more outstanding is his decency and belief in the ability of man to respect his fellowman and treat each other with dignity.

Throughout his terms while he demonstrated that he did not have to compromise his core beliefs he could treat foes and friends with dignity and respect. His is a legacy the world will continue to discuss, but it is hoped such also translates to others taking up the baton and we who have been positively impacted by it continue to give legs to it.

Come Friday, 20th January at 12:00 p.m. he hands over the reins of government to Donald Trump.

RPA condemns hike in MMA/ADA rent THE Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA) has condemned what it described as the “draconian” increase in land rent and other charges for farmers by the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary/ A g r i c u l t u r a l D e v e l o p-

ment Authority (MMA/ ADA).

According to a release from the RPA, the increase in some of these charges is in excess of 600 per cent and is being implemented at a time when farmers are getting “low prices for

their produce.” The RPA noted that rice farmers in the “project area” are now required to pay $15,000 per acre, as opposed to $3,500 which was the initial price prior to the increase.

“Cattle and other-crops farmers are not spared the

wrath of this uncaring Authority and their rent and services charges have also been increased by more than 100% in many instances,” the statement noted.

As such, the RPA is calling on all farmers to re-

sist the increase and show solidarity with the association as they join in the call for the reversal of this decision which was taken allegedly without any consultation with farmers, their association or any other stakeholders.

“The fact that the Minister of Agriculture is equating these increases to ‘three beers’ per day is insulting and demeaning to the farming population and an apology to the farmers is being asked for,” the RPA said.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

Solar Farms as an...

From page 22

that would utilise only 0.000009% of Guyana’s territory; but the solar farms would be able to power approximately 30,300 Guyanese homes.

SO HOW DOES THE CONCEPT OF BASE-LOAD POWER RELATE TO SOLAR POWER? THE CONCEPT OF BASE-LOAD POWER The Norconsult Report makes the assertion that “…from a system point of view, solar power is not sufficiently stable and can therefore not be recommended as the main source of power in the main grid. Solar may be used in off-grid areas with battery back-up and or in the main grid for generation during day-time, but it cannot function as [a] source for base-load power.” We respectfully disagree with this aspect of the report and suggest that the concept of base-load power is attracting new international attention.

THEREFORE, WHAT IS BASE-LOAD POWER? According to the energy dictionary @www.EnergyVortex.com, base load is “…the minimum amount of power that a utility or distribution company must make available to its customers, or the amount of power required to meet minimum demands, based on reasonable expectations of customer requirements.” This is, in essence, a system of minimum, constant power. Others see base-load as a concept that acts against the integration of alternative energy sources into power generation, because those sources are not stable.

LET US NOW LOOK A LITTLE CLOSER Firstly, according to Tim Buckley, from the Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, the idea of “baseload” generation, as an essential part of the energy mix, is becoming redundant, and turning into a myth dreamed up by the fossil fuel industry to protect its interests. While it means that supply is dependent on other factors, including a connection to the main grid, culture, not technology, is the biggest challenge here. In fact, one of the biggest network owners, China State Grid Corp, operating in the biggest energy market in the world (China), believes that base-load power is a myth used to defend the fossil-fuel industry.

Further, Ed Smeloff, writing for GTM Research, acknowledges that the removal of a large base-load unit during periods of peak solar production will lessen the need for the intermittent curtailment of renewable resources and encourage regulators to give serious consideration to the development of large-scale energy storage projects, including pumped hydro storage.

Secondly, “base-load is not a technical concept, it is an economic concept and a business concept of the coal industry that is no longer feasible,” says Sven Teske, an analyst with the Institute for Sustainable Futures in Sydney. And thirdly, according to Giles Parkinson of RE neweconomy, base-load is a myth and it will take a number of years to change that perception. It is a different way of operating the system, more like going from analogue to digital. The focus is now on renewable energy, flexible generation, demand management, and energy efficiency.

Finally, the high cost of transporting that centralised power to consumers is a key reason for this recent uptake of solar and storage. In addition, a major study conducted by the CSIRO suggested that up to half of all generation could be supplied locally and current high tariff costs make solar and solar storage very attractive. It is now possible to envision an energy future, whereby the grid will be balanced moment to moment by a combination of energy storage, responsive load and fast-ramping technologies like fuel cells.

The literature seems to suggest that as we go forward in developing alternative energy, such as solar power and solar power storage, more and more technical support is for its integration into existing grid is available. Further, solar can operate alongside hydro as a major source of power, given the right technical parameters. The AFHP presents too many uncertainties! It is not a silver bullet neither is hydropower. Against this backdrop, we recommend that the GoG proceed with solar power and solar-storage development, particularity for its island and isolated communities.

Next week I will look at who really owns the US$ 80 million equity.

Comments can be sent to towardsagoodlife@gmail.com

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ENGLISH RACING TIPS Kelso 08:40 hrs Perfect Pirate 09:10 hrs Red Indian 09:40 hrs Two Smokin Barrels 10:10 hrs Sleepy Haven 10:40 hrs Ash Park 11:10 hrs Snapping Turtle 110 hrs Black Thunder IRISH RACING TIPS Fairyhouse 09:00 hrs Barra 09:30 hrs Mengli Khan 10:00 hrs Logical Song 10:30 hrs Pairofbrowneyes 11:00 hrs Ballyoisin 11:30 hrs Laid Back Luke 12:00 hrs Moyross SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Scottsville 08:15 hrs Intercept 08:50 hrs Humidor 09:20 hrs Vision To Kill 09:15 hrs Shirley V alentine 10:30 hrs Stormy Eclipse

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Cameron renews Latham ton commitment ... helps Kiwis From back page to remain commercially viable.

“At this point in time we are no longer called the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) but Cricket West Indies and we have also formed a company to deal with the commercial matters of West Indies cricket and this is called Windies,” Cameron “We continue to explore ways to take West Indies cricket forward and this rebranding is necessary as we move along.”

He continued: “I am a businessman, so I understand what it takes to make it successful.

One thing you need to understand is that sport is a business and we at Cricket West Indies is like a government.

“We need to manage the affairs of the sport not only in terms of improving the performances of our various teams, but also the financial aspect in order to gather what we all want, which is success.”

Cameron has faced pressure over the last year to scrap the body known as the WICB and replace it wisth an entity proposed by regional nation grouping, CARICOM. In a CARICOM-commissioned report which was produced by a panel headed by Principal of the UWI Cave Hill Campus, Professor Eudine Barriteau, the board was blasted as having an “obsolete governance framework” which did not “prioritise accountability and transparency.”

In response, the board criticized the CARICOM report as “limited in scope” and argued it had “triggered findings and recommendations … which are not supported by the facts.”

Cameron, who has remained unmoved in the face of the heavy criticism, said the governing body would continue to make necessary changes to remain relevant.

“We want to do things right and do it in a way that would keep us up to date with the changing face of sport management,” he said.

“Every day the world of sports management and administration is changing and you need to keep up with this or face serious problems.

We at the Cricket West Indies is ready for the challenge and we will be successful.”

Yadram, Paul to play ...

From back page of him ascending to the highest level; like they did with other outstanding youth players over the years.

Paul played in the last Regional Super 50 tournament with the West Indies U-19s,in which he scored 15 runs from three matches while be bowled without capturing a scalp.

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

The Under-19s will do battle in Group A of the Super50 which runs from January 24 to February 18 in Antigua and Barbados.

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

to 292 for 3 in reply to Bangladeshs’ mammoth 595-8

(REUTERS)-Tom Latham scored his sixth Test century as New Zealand made a steady 292 for three in reply to Bangladesh’s mammoth first innings total when bad light stopped play with three overs remaining on the third day of the first Test yesterday.

Latham was on 119 not out with Henry Nicholls on 35.

The visitors had declared their first innings closed at 595 for eight before lunch, shortly after Sabbir Rahman had brought up his second test half century.

Sabbir was 54 not out when captain Mushfiqur Rahim brought his side’s innings to a close about an hour into the day’s play.

Tom Latham is a happy man after getting to his ton in Wellington yesterday and his sixth in Tests.

Mushfiqur (159) and Shakib Al Hasan (217) had essentially batted New Zealand out of the test with a record partnership of 359 runs for the fifth wicket on Friday.

Bangladesh’s total was their second highest in Test cricket, having scored 638 against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2013.

Mushfiqur, who is also the wicketkeeper, did not take the field yesterday after being struck in the hands twice while batting, with Imrul Kayes taking the gloves and Tamim Iqbal leading the side in his absence.

Tamim produced something of a surprise with off-spinner Mehedi Hasan opening the bowling and while he got some drift in the blustery northerly wind and some turn from the Basin Reserve wicket he was unable to make an early breakthrough.

Latham and Jeet Raval (27) put on 54 for the first wicket before Kamrul Islam had Raval caught by Imrul just before the lunch break.

Captain Kane Williamson looked keen to get his side scoring quickly in an effort to drive the game on after the break as he raced to his 25th half century, but fell shortly afterwards for 53 when he became Taskin Ahmed’s first Test wicket.

Ross Taylor continued the counter-punching approach with six boundaries in his first 27 runs from 17 balls but he had slowed down when he became Kamrul’s second wicket, holing out to square leg for 40 to leave New Zealand on 205 for three.

Nicholls and Latham, who brought up his century with three runs off his hip, then safely negotiated the rest of the day.

Scoreboard BANGLADESH 1st innings (Overnight: 542-7) T. Iqbal lbw b Boult 56 I. Kayes c Boult b Southee 1 M. Haque c Watling b Southee 64 Mahmudullah c Watling b Wagner 26 S. Al Hasan b Wagner 217 M. Rahim c Watling b Boult 159 Sa. Rahman not out 54 M. Hasan c Southee b Wagner 0 T. Ahmed c Southee b Wagner 3 K. Rabbi not out 6 Extras (b-2 lb-6 nb-1) 9 Total (for 8 wickets declared, 152 overs) 595 Fall of wickets: 1-16 I. Kayes,2-60 T. Iqbal,3-145 Mahmudullah,4-160 M. Haque,5-519 M. Rahim,6-536 S. Al Hasan,7-542 M. Hasan,8-566 T. Ahmed Did not bat: S. Roy Bowling: T. Boult 34 - 5 - 131 – 2, T. Southee 34 - 5 - 158 – 2, C. de Grandhomme 20 - 2 - 65 – 0,N. Wagner 44 - 8 - 151 - 4(nb-1), M. Santner 17 - 2 - 62 – 0, K. Williamsom 3 - 0 - 20 – 0.

NEW ZEALAND 1st innings J. Raval c Kayes b Rabbi 27 T. Latham not out 119 K. Williamson c Kayes b Ahmed 53 R. Taylor c Mahmudullah b Rabbi 40 H. Nicholls not out 35 Extras (b-1 lb-1 nb-1 w-15) 18 Total (for 3 wickets, 77 overs) 292 Fall of wickets: 1-54 J. Raval,2-131 K. Williamson,3-205 R. Taylor To bat: C. de Grandhomme, B. Watling, M. Santner, T. Southee, N. Wagner, T. Boult Bowling: M. Hasan 26 - 4 - 82 – 0, S. Roy 16 - 4 - 46 - 0(nb-1), T. Ahmed 15 - 2 - 79 - 1(w-2), K. Rabbi 13 - 2 - 53 - 2(w-1), S. Al Hasan 7 - 0 - 30 – 0.

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Sri Lanka crushed by innings as Proteas complete whitewash (REUTERS)-South Africa took 16 Sri Lanka wickets in a little over two sessions to secure a ruthless victory by an innings and 118 runs in the third and final Test at the Wanderers yesterday.

After posting 426 in their first innings on Friday, South Africa bowled Sri Lanka out for 131 before lunch on day three, before dismissing the outgunned sub-continent side again for 177 to complete a 3-0 series sweep.

All of the home seam-

ers claimed wickets on a pitch that had plenty of steep bounce and more than enough lateral movement to leave the Sri Lanka batsmen flailing.

Left-arm fast bowler Wayne Parnell, who took six wickets for 89 runs over the two innings, was perhaps the pick, while Kagiso Rabada (5-94) was unlucky not to pick up more with some hostile spells.

Debutant seamer Duanne Olivier (5-57) will be pleased with his return

in helpful conditions, while Vernon Philander (4-63) also pitched in.

“Once again it was a complete performance,” South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said at the post-match presentation.

“It started with the bat on a tough wicket and our bowlers were once again spectacular.

“We wanted to make sure we step up in this game and dominate and do so 3-0... right through the series Sri Lanka didn’t have a session where they

Skipper Faf du Plessis took a world-class slip catch to remove Angelo Mathews for 10. were controlling us.

“Consistency in test cricket is very hard, so I am proud with how the boys played.”

South Africa made short work of wrapping up the tourists’ first innings after Sri Lanka resumed the day on 80 for four.

Rabada grabbed the key wicket of Sri Lanka captain Angelo Matthews (19) as wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock produced a magnificent diving catch in front of first slip.

Olivier then claimed his first Test wicket when Herath top-edged a vicious bouncer and the home side then tore through the tail.

Du Plessis enforced the follow-on and Sri Lanka were quickly on the back foot again as Rabada accounted for opener Kaushal Silva for a first-ball duck.

The impressive Olivier snapped up two more quick wickets, with Du Plessis leaping to an almost impossible height at second slip to pluck the ball out of the air as Mathews was dismissed for 1 The game was up for Sri Lanka when Rabada rattled the stumps of opener Dimuth Karunaratne (50), who had a provided lone resistance.

“Congratulations to South Africa, they outplayed us in every department,” Mathews said.

“We kept repeating the same mistakes. We knew we would not get slow, turning wickets in South Africa and that we would have to play really good cricket, but unfortunately we haven’t.”

Scoreboard

SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings 426 (J. Duminy 155, H. Amla 134; N. Pradeep 4-78, L. Kumara 4-107) Sri Lanka 1st innings (Overnight: 80-4) D. Karunaratne c de Kock b Philander 0 K. Silva c de Kock b Rabada 13 K. Mendis c Duminy b Rabada 41 D. de Silva c Bavuma b Philander 10 A. Mathews c de Kock b Rabada 19 D. Chandimal c de Kock b Philander 5 U. Tharanga c Elgar b Olivier 24 R. Herath c Cook b Olivier 8 S. Lakmal c Rabada b Parnell 4 L. Kumara not out 1 N. Pradeep c&b Parnell 4 Extras (lb-2) 2 Total (all out, 45.4 overs) 131 Fall of wickets: 1-0 D. Karunaratne,2-47 K. Silva,3-62 K. Mendis,4-70 D. de Silva,5-90 D. Chandimal,6-100 A. Mathews,7-108 R. Herath,8-126 S. Lakmal,9-126 U. Tharanga,10-131 N. Pradeep Bowling: V. Philander 14 - 5 - 28 – 3, W. Parnell 10.4 - 2 - 38 – 2, D. Olivier 9 - 3 - 19 – 2, K. Rabada 12 - 3 - 44 - 3 SRI LANKA 2nd innings D. Karunaratne b Rabada 50 K. Silva c de Kock b Rabada 0 K. Mendis b Parnell 24 D. de Silva c du Plessis b Olivier 12 A. Mathews c du Plessis b Olivier 10 D. Chandimal c Amla b Philander 10 U. Tharanga c Duminy b Parnell 26 R. Herath c Bavuma b Parnell 10 S. Lakmal c Philander b Parnell 31 L. Kumara c Cook b Olivier 0 N. Pradeep not out 0 Extras (lb-2 nb-1 w-1) 4 Total (all out, 42.3 overs) 177 Fall of wickets: 1-2 K. Silva,2-39 K. Mendis,3-59 D. de Silva,4-87 A. Mathews,5-108 D. Chandimal,6-108 D. Karunaratne,7-134 R. Herath,8-177 U. Tharanga,9-177 L. Kumara,10-177 S. Lakmal Bowling: V. Philander 10 - 1 - 35 – 1, K. Rabada 12 - 3 - 50 - 2(w-1), W. Parnell 10.3 - 1 - 51 – 4, D. Olivier 9 - 2 - 38 - 3(nb-1,) J. Duminy 1 - 0 - 1 – 0.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday January 15, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Adam Gilchrist-AUST (5570 runs) (2) Kumar Sangakarra-SL (13,341 runs)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Which wicketkeeper has made the most runs in a Test series to date?

(2) Which wicketkeeper has made most ODI centuries to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

33

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

African Cup of Nations …

Guinea-Bissau stun hosts Gabon by pulling off 1-1 draw

DEBUTANTS and shock qualifiers Guinea-Bissau stunned hosts Gabon by pulling off a 1-1 draw yesterday in the opening match of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

Juary Soares scored the equaliser for the Wild Dogs with a diving header from a free-kick in the 90th minute.

Gabon had taken the lead on 52 minutes when superstar Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang turned in Denis Bouanga’s crossshot.

Home fans jeered loudly at the end, making their discontent evident.

But the draw was no more than a spirited Guinea-Bissau side deserved as they frustrated their opponents throughout and took their chance to continue what has been a fairytale run in getting to the finals.

Few predicted they would take anything from their group games at the tournament but they arguably looked the more dangerous side in a game that only livened up after halftime.

While Aubaemyang showed his predatory instincts to finish off Bouanga’s ball across the face of the box, the Dortmund striker was less clinical when he volleyed over on 69 minutes.

It would have doubled Gabon’s lead and might have ended Guinea-Bissau’s

would have to be content with a brave defeat.

But when they won another free-kick, Soares connected brilliantly to send his side into raptures.

Gutsy Guinea-Bissau After going 1-0 down, they might have folded. But the tournament debutants

Guinea-Bissau’s players celebrate after Soares got a late equaliser. Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/ Getty Images resistance. Instead, they fought back and began to impose themselves on the game.

A clear chance came on 83 minutes but substitute Frederic Mendy headed straight at goalkeeper Didier Ovono and it seemed they

continued to plug away and, if they show the same grit and determination, they may pull off a few more surprises.

They pressed high, snapped into their tackles and former Everton youth player Junior Francisco par-

ticularly caught the eye on his first cap, prowling the midfield and breaking up play effectively.

Toni Silva, once at Liverpool, also impressed, showing glimpses of skill and creativity - if he grows in confidence he could be a key figure for the team.

Hosts Gabon must improve Largely pedestrian, perhaps suffering from nerves, but most definitely below the level of performance the home crowd - and manager Jose Antonio Camacho - expect of them.

Having a world-class striker in Aubemayang will only get Gabon so far. While he was not at his very best, service to him was poor. And Juventus midfielder Mario Lemina was particularly disappointing.

The moment that summed up the Panthers perfectly came when Merlin Tandjigora swiped at a clearance, completely missed the ball and clattered Francisco Junior. So wild and inept it was comical. Gabon need to find their timing and rhythm - fast.(BBC Sport)

UFC chief offers $25 M each for Mayweather-McGregor bout (REUTERS) - UFC president Dana White on Friday weighed in on talk about a possible bout between Floyd Mayweather and mixed martial ar`ts champion Conor McGregor, saying he would offer $25 million (£20.5 million) to each plus payper-view money.

“I’ll tell you what Floyd, here’s a real offer and I’m the guy that can actually make the offer and I’m actually making a real offer,” White said on Colin Cowherd’s “The Herd” radio talk show on FS1.

“We pay you $25 million, we’ll pay Conor $25 million and then we’ll talk about pay-per-view at a certain number. There’s a real offer,” White said.

Despite the sum, the offer Floyd Mayweather is not likely to stir enough interest from Mayweather.

Earlier lasts week, Mayweather said he would fight McGregor for a guaranteed $100 million while offering the UFC lightweight champion $15 million and a share of pay-per-view buys.

“I’m a businessman and it makes business sense,” the 39-year-old American, who retired in September 2015 after compiling a 49-0 record, told ESPN this week.

“Bring him over to the boxing world, and I’ll show him what it’s like.”

Irishman McGregor, the UFC’s biggest pay-per-view draw, has been challenging Mayweather to a showdown for months.

Mayweather, who won world titles in five weight divisions, took home earnings in excess of $800 million over his 19-year boxing career including an estimated $230 million total from his 2015 “Fight of the Century” against Manny Pacquiao.

Open letter from GFF president Wayne Forde on the non-participation of Alpha United FC & Slingerz FC in the 2017 Caribbean Club Championship I am saddened that two of our top teams – Alpha United and Slingerz FC – will not be able to participate in this year’s Caribbean Club Championship, the premier tournament for the CFU region.

This would have been a great chance for some of our best players to showcase their skills on an international platform.

I am disappointed that the actions of these clubs have resulted in this lost opportunity for our boys.

Rest assured, the GFF stands ready to support the players so their personal development is not held back. We will intervene to protect the interests of the players, if necessary.

The responsibility for this regrettable situation lies solely with the leadership of those clubs that failed to adhere to the agreed structure of football, and put political ambition above the collective good.

There are rules for football on the pitch, and there are rules off the pitch. All members of our fraternity must respect these rules in a spirit of fair play.

All of our members have signed the 2015 GFF Constitution, which gives the GFF the authority and mandate to regulate football in all its forms in Guyana, including how competitions are organised and structured.

The clubs in question have betrayed the spirit of our constitution by refusing to participate in the expanded, domestic Elite League, despite numerous attempts by the GFF to find a solution, including the approval of accommodative measures requested by the clubs.

As these teams have failed to honour their constitutional obligations, the regional governing body CONCACAF has had little choice but to take the decision to exclude them

GFF president, Wayne Forde from regional competition.

We have to respect this decision and work together to ensure that it never happens again.

The GFF Executive Committee took the decision to expand the Elite League to accelerate the development of football, by spreading its reach, increasing participation, and improving the commercial opportunities

necessary for the sustainable growth of the game.

The vast majority agree that an expanded league is in the best interests of Guyanese football, and we certainly have the full support of CONCACAF and FIFA in this matter.

The only opposition to this necessary expansion came from clubs led by individuals that unsuccessfully contested the 2015 GFF elections.

Their recent actions are an example of the kind of politics that we must move away from if we are to restore credibility to football.

My job is to concentrate on the future of football and not to engage in the negative politics of the past. I am determined to make up for all the damage that years of infighting, misdirected personal ambition and vested interest have inflicted on Guyanese football.

FIFA expects me to ensure that its financial resources are invested di-

rectly and responsibly into football development. We know that this has not always been the case in Guyana, but it is now.

The global football community is working to rebuild the integrity of the game, and to get the focus back on football.

Most of our members here are doing the same, and we support them in those efforts.

We were elected on that mandate. It is our goal to lay the foundation for sustained development by investing carefully in all areas of the game, from youth to senior levels.

My track record shows that I am in football for the right reasons, and not for personal gain. I want to make a genuine difference so that our young boys and girls can fulfill their potential, and so we can all be proud of Guyana’s football.

I look forward to working with all the members of the GFF to develop football and to leave the prob-

lems of the past behind us.

We will announce, in due course, the way forward for clubs that have boycotted this year’s Elite League, so that their players can have a chance to get back into top-level football as soon as possible.

The GFF is greatly disappointed by the clubs’ actions, but we are ready to work with them again in good faith, and to put this matter behind us in the interests of the game.

The GFF has already made extremely encouraging progress in football over the last year. This is only just the beginning.

We l o o k f o r w a r d to making further announcements that will show we are leading football in the right direction and away from the problems of the past.

Yours sincerely, WAYNE S. FORDE, President, Guyana Football Federation.

34

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

New Stadium pitches will be ready for WI/Pakistan ODI’s will benefit fast bowlers – Habib

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Flashback: Head curator Wasim Habib putting in the final touches to the re-layed pitches.

N AT I O N A L S t a d i u m Manager, Anthony Xavier ,yesterday confirmed that the re-layed international pitches at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence will be ready for the One Day International (ODI) three-match series between West Indies and Pakistan.

Guyana will be the host country for the ODI series, which will be played on April 7, 9 and 11.

“Definitely the four international pitches which were recently re-layed will be ready for the ODI games,” Xavier said.

The management of the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, recently completed a massive overhaul of the four international pitches.

During a recent visit late last year, head curator, Wasim Habib explained that

Anthony Xavier roughly five inches of sand from under the original pitches were replaced with “Crush and Run”, the same material which is used to build roads.

Further, Habib disclosed that the old soil was replaced with eight inches of soil with higher clay content.

This, according to Habib,will definitely assist the faster bowlers, since

Wasim Habib a livelier track can be expected.

“By changing the foundation of the pitch it will assist the faster bowlers.We have a history of low and slow pitches, so definitely I feel the pitches will be better when completed,” Habib disclosed.

The most pressing cricketing issue, among a host of others in the Caribbean, is

pitches, both at the regional and international levels.

For several years, pitches in the West Indies have aided spinners to an unfair and damaging extent, and since its establishment in 2007, the Providence pitches is no different and have come under immense scrutiny.

Meanwhile, the West Indies and Pakistan Cricket Boards have agreed to play three Tests, three One-Day-Internationals and two Twenty20 matches in the Caribbean from Monday, March 27 to Monday, May 15.

The series is scheduled to start in the twin-island of Trinidad and Tobago and end in Dominica.

The Twenty20 matches are scheduled for T&T and the three ODIs in Guyana.

The teams will then travel to Jamaica, Barbados and Dominica for each of the Test matches.

Gajanand Singh rallies DCC to UWI T20 final … to meet winner of 2nd semis between Cane Farm and Merryboys

By Brij Parasnath TO be a batting star in one T20 match takes a special effort.

To be the shining star in two consecutive T20 matches on the same day, takes extraordinary mental, physical and emotional strength and resolve. But to repeat and shine in three consecutive matches is certainly a phenomenal occurrence in modern-day cricket.

Well, Demerara Cricket Club’s Gajanand Singh has gone that step further and carved a unique niche accomplishment with three consecutive unbeaten fifties in three matches for the Georgetown-based club in their first outing of the UWI UNICOM T20 series.

With those heroics he carried a depleted DCC team, without the services of Guyana’s stalwarts Christopher Barnwell,Paul Wintz and youthful Sharfane Rutherford,to the semi-final encounter against the defending champion team, Club Crusoe, in the much anticipated match which was contested on Friday evening at the Sir Frank Worrell ground, St Augustine Campus.

Barnwell and Wintz are members of the Guyana national senior 50-overs squad preparing for the WICB Super50 tournament while Rutherford returned to Guyana to play in the Super50 practice matches at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Many real cricket connoisseurs and followers were asking the question if such heroic batting feats have been recorded before at any level.

With the proliferation of so many T20 tournaments globally within the last decade, it is not easy to track that type of information,except for T20 Internationals and sanctioned T20 franchises.

It is a rare occurrence and Gajanand Singh has found himself in a new league and created a new interest in T20 batsmanship.

Surprisingly, the left-handed Singh maintained his high level of consistency and elevated his amazing prolific batting form to yet another stratospheric level by chalking up his fourth consecutive match-winning fifty, a stunning undefeated 88 that propelled DCC to the grand finale, which is scheduled for tonight, at the same venue, from 18:00 hrs.

DCC will meet the winner of the second semi-final match between the star-studded Cane Farm United and Merryboys which was scheduled to be decided last night under

DCC’s Gajanand Singh receives Man- of- the- Match award from Dr Trevor Alleyne (left), Co-ordinator of the UWI UNICOM T20 tournament being staged at the Sir Frank Worrell ground, St Augustine Campus, T&T. floodlights.

Having been set a challenging victory target of 188 in 20 overs, DCC, led by the still unconquerable Singh,rose to the occasion and pulled off a sensational win with one full over to spare.

Overall, the 29-year-old Singh has now amassed 263 runs without being dismissed on any of the four occasions. His match-winning scores of 64no, 55no, 56no and 88no gives him an incomparable average of 263.00.

DCC are now on the cusp of an historic achievement, mainly due to the glorious batting heroism of Gajanand Singh and former Guyana and West Indies player Derwin Christian,who battled through to the end and remained undefeated on 42,when

the seven-wicket victory was achieved and celebrated.

DCC raced to 193 for three wickets in 19 overs,with Singh once again being the batting mainstay and chief scorer. The elegant left-hander stroked two sixes and eleven fours off 46 balls while Christian smacked two sixes and four fours off 23 deliveries.

Together, they entertained and raised the hopes of Guyanese during their unbroken 95-run fourth wicket stand that destroyed the Tobagonians dreams of another T20 crown and the grand first prize of TT$35,000.

Singh had earlier shared three useful partnerships:35 runs with Andrew Lyght jnr (21 runs 4x4s off 21 balls) in a first wicket stand;31 with Kemol Savory (19 runs, 1x6 and 2x4s off 12 balls) in a second wicket stand,and 33 with Cohen Ismond (5 runs off 13 balls),in a 33-run third wicket partnership that moved the score to 97 for three in 11.1 overs.

Skipper Christian joined Singh and together they batted positively and defied everything that the Tobagonians had to offer and rallied to an impressive victory. The Guyanese outfit will definitely take that momentum into tonight’s final when they face their sternest test,against much higher quality opponents, who are better suited to this type of cricket.

The other two semi-finalists are Cane Farm United and Merryboys. Cane Farm United comprise West Indies and T&T stars Denesh Ramdin, Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis, Ravi Rampaul, Rayad Emrit, Imran Khan, Jon Russ Jagessar and Roshon Primus,while Merryboys have Lincoln Roberts, Aniel Kanhai, Marlon Richards, Isaiah Rajah, Ricky Jaipaul and Rishaard Harris in their line-up.

During the Club Crusoe innings, Gajanand Singh also starred with the ball and picked up two wickets for 41 runs while pacer Kellon Carmichael claimed two for 32 from his four overs. Singh bowled the dangerous Christopher Vincent for 34 that included two sixes and five fours off nineteen deliveries and did likewise to Keon Celestine who made two runs.

Navin Stewart topscored for Club Crusoe with a belligerent 47 that was studded with six massive sixes and one four off twenty two balls,while the other contributors were Iraq Thomas 25 (2x6s and 2x4s off 15 balls) and Leron Lezama 39 (3x6s and 1x4 off 30 balls).

Christian (2-0-21-1) and Ashmead Nedd (4-0-21-1) also got a wicket each and much will depend on them along with Keemo Paul (4-0-38-0) and Ismond (2-0-27-0) to stem the flow of runs in the showdown for the top prize.

35

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 15, 2017

2017 Limacol Round Robin knock-out Football …

Milerock, Winners Connection … Police, Camptown drawn in Group A in Group D action

DEFENDING champions Milerock will have to contend with their Linden compatriots,Winners Connection,along with Grove H i Te c h a n d N o r t h e r n Rangers in Group A for the 2017 edition of the Limacol Round-Robin knock-out football tournament.

The fixtures were drawn yesterday at the Bransville Hotel in Campbellville,with representatives of the sixteen teams on hand to learn their fates and to know about their fixtures.

Group B will feature Western Tigers, Uitvlugt, Eagles United and New Amsterdam United.Group C has Santos, Pouderoyen, Den Amstel and Anns Grove.Meanwhile,group D will have Mayor’s Cup winners Police,along with Riddim Squad, Camptown and Mahaica Determinators.

Troy Mendonca,co-director of Petra,which is co-ordinating the tournament ,said yesterday’s event was done publicly so as to assure all stakeholders that the fixtures were drawn fairly and in a transparent manner.

He continued by reminding of the reason for the tournament format, which features a group stage and then a knock-out stage, instead of straight knock-out, saying “If you could remember,Milerock last year lost their opening game and came back strong to win the tournament. You could have a bad day, you never know.”

Mendonca said the tour-

nament’s aim, with the blessing of the Guyana Football Federation, is to provide support to the STAG Elite league as a Division two fixture,from

Amsterdam United at GFC while Group C’s Santos opposes Ann’s Grove.

The following evening will see action at the MacK-

trophy, while the second, third and fourth placed teams will collect $250,000, $125,000 and $75,000, respectively.

… Assanah is secretary

RAMONA Agard,a leading local referee/judge,was yesterday appointed Chairperson of the Guyana Boxing Association Referee/Judge Commission.

Agard, who has over a decade of experience and a number of international competitions under her belt, was chosen to lead a team of five that will manage the affairs of the Commission and report to the executive RAMONA AGARD

Part of Yesterday’s Draw for the 2017 Limacol Round Robin knock-out Football tournament. where teams can be elevated.

Meanwhile,the tournament’s first playing date,January 23rd,will see Group D action when Police play Mahaica and Riddim Squad oppose Camptown; both games being played at the GFC ground, Bourda.

Action returns again on the 27 th when Group B’s Western Tigers play New

enzie Sports Club ground as Milerock play Northern Rangers and Winners Connection play Grove HiTech in Group A. On January 29, the games shift to the West Side where Uitvlugt plays Eagles United and Pouderoyen takes on Den Amstel.

The winning team will take home $500,000 and a

Additionally, the team that tops each group will get $100,000, second place $50,000, third place $30,000 and fourth place $20,000.

The tournament will feature Trophies and in excess of $2million and will be contested in a round-robin format initially, before the knockout phase commences.

GMR& SC to host ceremony for the late Eric Vieira

THE Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) will this afternoon host an appreciation ceremony for its former President,Eric Vieira,at the Club’s Thomas Lands Facility.

Vieira, one of the longest serving presidents of the club,passed away last week in London.He was an avid local racing fanatic.

He is remembered as the ‘pilot’of the popular and locally assembled car ‘beast’,among several other racing cars.

This afternoon’s ceremony will begin at 15:00hrsand will feature speakers such as Kit Nacimento, Stanley Ming and others.

Agard leads GBA Referee/Judge Commission

Flashback: Eric Vieira sits in the ‘Beast’.

of the association.

Agard’s assistant is vice- chairman Max Massiah while Guyana Defence Force officer Lawrence Assanah was appointed secretary.

Dexter Patterson and teenager Denola Bristol make up the five-member body which GBA president Steve Ninvalle branded as a mixture of youth and experience with LAWRENCE a gender balance.

ASSANAH He extended gratitude to members of the last commission,which he declared served with dignity and dedication and noted that they still have an important part to play in the development of the fistic sport in Guyana.

Agard and her team were immediately flung into action as the GBA prepares for an International competition on February 18. The event is being sponsored by overseas based Alford McDonald and Seon Bristol.

Ruggers ‘de-rust’ with friendly fixture

Lancelot Adonis runs with the ball during a play in yesterday’s North Vs South XV game at the National Park (Delano Williams photos)

RUGBY players ‘de-rusted’ their system with a North Vs South XV game at the National Park’s surface yesterday afternoon.

Following an almost two-month layoff, the locals opened the season with a friendly game which featured mixed teams.

In the end, the North reigned supreme with Rondel Mc Arthur scoring three tries, Patrick King two and Avery Corbin one,while Godfrey Brooms had four conversions in a total of 38.

For the south, Lloyd Anderson scored two tries while Blaise Bailey, Lancelot Adonis and Jamal Angus each scored one. Adonis had one conversion to Ryan Gonzalves two in the team’s 31 total.

Yadram, Paul to play in Super50 tournament

By Rajiv Bisnauth JUNIOR Cricketer-ofthe-Year 2016, Bhaskar Yadram, and Keemo Paul will be playing for the West Indies Under-19 when the

KEEMO PAUL

2017 NAGICO Regional Super 50 tournament starts on January 24.

While the final squad is yet to be confirmed by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), a source close to the WICB selection panel informed Chronicle Sport that the Guyanese duo will be part of the 14-man squad.

The 17-year-old Yadram who was among the West Indies Under-19, 20-man training squad last month in Grenada, was outstanding for Guyana last year in Regional youth cricket.

He was the Most Valuable Player in the Regional Under-19 tournament,in which he scored the most runs, while he collected the most wickets in the Regional Under-17 tournament.

Later that year, Yadram continued that form at the

local senior level, hitting 547 runs for the East Coast Demerara franchise in the inaugural Jaguars Franchise League Three-day tournament.

His aggregate was the fifth highest in the competition, and he created history along the way, becoming the first, and only player to date, to score two centuries (118 and 121 against Essequibo) in the same match.

Meanwhile, Paul, th e 18 year old who was the vice-captain of the victorious West Indies Under-19 team at the 2016 International Cricket Council (ICC) Youth World in Bangladesh, will make up the Regional youth side as one of the players who will not feature in the 2018 Youth World Cup. According to the WICB

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

source, the all-rounder was selected because the WICB wants to continue to nurture his talent with hopes Turn to page 31

BHASKAR YADRAM

Part of the action in yesterday’s North Vs South XV game at the National Park

Cameron renews commitment to make WICB profitable … name-change announced for the organization to Cricket West Indies PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president, Dave Cameron, has renewed his commitment to making the embattled regional body profitable, even as he announced a namechange of the organisation to Cricket West Indies.

While no formal announcement of the WICB president name-change has been David Cameron made, Cameron told the Guardian newspaper here that the WICB would now be known as Cricket West Indies and that an entity named Windies had also been created to deal with the commercial aspect of the operation.

The controversial Jamaica administrator, who has come under fire over the last two years for his leadership of the WICB, said rebranding was a necessary move if the institution was Turn to page 31 SUNDAY JANUARY 15, 2017