Guyana chronicle epaper 10 16 2016

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What future for

Guyana’s beef industry?

► Centre

‒ How farmers are being helped to modernise their operations

Anjanie Boodnarine at the police holding facility at Moleson Creek (Royston Drakes photo)

Dataram back home No. 104706

SUNDAY OCTOBER 16, 2016

Price: $140

(VAT Inclusive)

...drug lord, wife handed over to Guyana police

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Probe launched into fake passports of Dataram, wife 60-year-old killed in Bagotville accident P.2

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Granny ‘Nen,’ 102, still does her own laundry 13 and makes breakfast P.

Barry Dataram being escorted by police after he arrived at Moleson Creek (Royston Drakes photo)

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60-year-old killed in Bagotville accident SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

‒ fireman in custody A SIXTY-YEAR-old man, who was pedalling his bicycle home, was killed Friday evening after a car, driven by a fireman, crashed into him at Bagotville, West Bank Demerara.

Dead is Clement Skeete, 60, called “Rastaman” or “Trooper” of Lot 111 Bagotville. Police said the accident occurred at 19:30hrs Friday night on the Bagotville Public Road.

Enquiries disclosed that the cyclist was riding across the road from west to east and ended up into the path of a motor car, PGG 1235, which was proceeding south

along the eastern driveway.

As a result of the impact, the cyclist fell onto the roadway.

He was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted but later succumbed while receiving treatment.

The driver, who identified himself as a fireman, is in police custody. He was given a breathalyzer test but no trace of blood alcohol was recorded, the police stated.

According to the dead man’s wife, Shelon Cameron, her husband was a father of five and a ship-builder who Dead: Clement Skeete

worked hard to provide for his family.

She said that when she got news of the accident, she rushed down to the West Demerara hospital.

She said it was there that the police informed her that her husband was being transferred to the Georgetown hospital, but that took a while.

She explained that after waiting two and a half hours,

The vehicle that was driven by the fireman was taken to the La Grange Police Station

there was no doctor present to look at the patients.

“I start keeping noise and behaving bad,” the woman related. It was then that her husband was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

According to an eyewitness, he was at his stall selling when Mr. Skeete was returning from the shop

across the road while riding his bicycle.

“I see him coming across the road then suddenly I hear a car speeding coming and I saying to myself, this driver will knock this man down at that speed - and he did crash into the man.”

The eyewitness said the impact caused Mr Skeete to be flung several feet away from his residence.

Probe launched into fake passports of Dataram, wife

‒ harsh action will be taken against perpetrators GOVERNMENT, through the Ministry of Citizenship, has launched an investigation to determine the circumstances under which convicted drug lord Barry Dataram and his reputed wife Anjanie Boodnarine were issued fake passports.

According to a release from the Ministry of the Presidency, subject Minister Winston Felix said those

found culpable will face the harshest possible action.

Dataram and Boodnarine were arrested in Suriname on Friday and handed over to Guyanese authorities. The fake passports which were found in their possession bore the names David Persaud and Christine Persaud with the year of issue being 2013 and 2016 respectively.

Minister Felix said the passports are now in the

possession of the police, and the investigation which has been launched will seek to determine the circumstances under which the passports were issued, who and what documents were involved in their preparation, and the method of the husband and wife’s departure from Guyana.

“The Ministry of Citizenship, which has responsibility for immigration services, inherited a number of challenges related to the integrity of systems when the new administration took office in May 2015, and (has) been working to correct these issues”, the release noted.

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Dataram, wife handed over to Guyana police

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

CONVICTED drug kingpin Barry Dataram and his reputed wife Anjanie Boodnarine were handed over to the SWAT Unit of the Guyana Police Force at Moleson Creek, Upper Corentyne, East Berbice on Saturday, hours after they were caught in neighbouring Suriname.

The self-confessed drug lord and his spouse Boodnarine were apprehended by the Surinamese authorities, Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine confirmed on Friday afternoon.

Under heavy police escort from Region Six, East Berbice/Corentyne, the duo was transported to Georgetown, and the self-confessed drug lord was taken straight to the Camp Street prison while his spouse was taken to an undisclosed location.

According to Surinamese media reports, the couple was arrested in the region of Latou, South Paramaribo, on Friday morning by the Arrestatie Team, a special law-enforcement squad.

Dataram was, in late September, found guilty by Magistrate Judy Latchman of being in possession of a quantity of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking; but prior to the magistrate handing down her decision, Dataram and Boodnarine fled the jurisdiction while on bail. In his absence, he was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment and fined one hundred and sixty-four million, two hundred and sixty-eight dollars (Gy$164,268,000). However, the charge was dismissed against his common-law wife and two others who were also charged.

FAKE GUYANESE PASSPORTS The Guyana Chronicle understands that the drug lord and his spouse had left the country with Guyana passports issued under a different name. Dataram’s passport – RO376916 - was issued by the Central Immigration and Passport Office in George-

The Guyanese passport issued to Boodnarine under the name Christine Persaud

Self-confessed drug lord Barry Dataram at the police holding facility at Moleson Creek, Corentyne shortly after being handed over to local law enforcement authorities

town on April 15, 2013 under the name “David Persaud”, while Boodnarine’s passport – RO341097 – was issued on January 15, 2016 under the name “Christine Persaud.”

Following their escape from Guyana, President David Granger had instructed law enforcement authorities to “bring them back” to Guyana. At the time, information had suggested that Dataram could not have been using a Guyana passport to escape. “…after his disappearance, and we weren’t aware of his disappearance, we continued to work with our partners in the Caribbean to bring him to justice. If he is in Suriname, as is suspected, the Commissioner of Police has been instructed to try to ascertain his whereabouts in neighbouring countries, but he is not using a Guyana passport, that much we know,” the Head of State had said.

An investigation has since been launched to determine how Dataram and his reputed wife ended up with the fake Guyana passports.

Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine, in a statement issued on Saturday, commended “the excellent collaboration between local law enforcement units and our counterparts in Suriname” in recapturing Dataram.

According to the Police Commissioner, the collaboration represented the best efforts “and sends a clear message that with the use of science and technology in law enforcement, and (with) personnel who are consummate professionals, the pub-

The passport issued to Dataram under the name David Persaud

lic interest is well served.”

On April 16, 2015, at Dataram’s house located at 661 Silver Dam, Fourth Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demer-

ara, 33 parcels of cocaine were found in an upstairs bathroom, while 180 pieces were found in a blue baby tub and 92 pieces in a black garbage bag in the down-

stairs dining room. A further 142 pieces were found in a freezer with shrimp in the outer yard area. The cocaine amounted to 129.230 kilogrammes.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

Clinton heavily favoured to win Electoral College: poll [REUTERS] - AFTER a brutal week for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, Democrat Hillary Clinton maintained a substantial projected advantage in the race to win the Electoral College and claim the U.S. presidency, according to the latest results from the Reuters/Ipsos States of the Nation project released on Saturday.

If the election were held this week, the project estimates that Clinton’s odds of securing the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency at more than 95 percent, and by a margin of 118 Electoral College votes. It is the second week in a row that the project has estimated her odds so high.

The results mirror other Electoral College projections, some of which estimate Clinton’s chance of winning at around 90 percent.

For the Trump campaign there are a handful of states the Republican candidate must win if he is to cobble together enough states to win the White House. Among them is Florida, but numerous recent visits to the Sunshine State by Trump and his vice-presidential running mate Mike Pence did little to dent

U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks at a fundraiser in Seattle, Washington, U.S., October 14, 2016. [REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson] Clinton’s advantage in the contest for the state’s 29 Electoral College votes. She leads by 6 percentage points, about the same lead she enjoyed last week.

Still, the race tightened in Ohio, another important state for Trump. Both Ohio and Nevada were leaning toward Clinton last week but are now toss-ups. However, Clinton’s

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support grew in North Carolina and Colorado, both of which moved from toss-ups to leaning Clinton.

In the last week, the Trump campaign struggled to respond to allegations from several women that Trump had groped them or made unwanted sexual advances over several decades. Trump said the reports were lies and part of a media conspiracy to defeat him. All of the allegations came after The Washington Post disclosed a video from 2005 of Trump describing how he tried to seduce a married woman and bragged in vulgar terms how his celebrity allowed him to kiss and grope women without permission.

The accusations overshadowed what might otherwise have been a difficult week for Clinton. Her campaign manager’s email account was apparently hacked and thousands of his emails were released by Wikileaks. U.S. officials say the Russian government sanctioned the electronic break-in.

The emails have been trickling out for two weeks. Included in the hacked emails were undisputed comments that Clinton made to banks and big business in a 2014 speech.

In those comments, Clinton said she supports open trade and open borders, and takes a conciliatory approach to Wall Street, both positions she later backed away from. Since that release, waves of other emails have been released, among which were some that suggested Clinton had inappropriately received questions in advance of a debate with Bernie Sanders during the Democratic primaries.

Without Trump’s own woes, the Clinton emails may well have become the central issue in the campaign. Yet with just over three weeks to go until the Nov. 8 election, Trump does not have much time to turn the race around. According to the project, Trump trails by double-digits among women and all minority groups. Among black voters he trails by nearly 70 points.

To a large extent his support is almost entirely dependent on white voters. And while Trump’s support among white men is strong, among white women his lead is negligible.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

Storm-hit Haiti to vote in November

[BBC] - HAITI will hold its long-delayed presidential and parliamentary elections on 20 November, electoral officials have announced. The first round in both elections, due to be held due last week, was postponed because of Hurricane Matthew, which has killed 900 people.

The country has been in political limbo since the polls in 2015 were scrapped because of violence and fraud.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will visit Haiti on Saturday. This comes as it was revealed that only 5% of $120m (£98m) requested in a UN appeal had so far been raised.

Haiti says more than 1.4 million people urgently need humanitarian aid in the wake of Matthew. The new election date was announced

by Leopold Berlanger, who heads Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council.

“We want to be able to organise elections in all regions for all citizens, especially at the presidential level,” he said, adding that the second round of the presidential poll would be staged on 29 January.

“We want to organise credible, transparent and democratic elections; we cannot organise elections that will be contested,” Mr Berlanger said.

President Michel Mar-

Haiti had been due to vote last week, but the polls were postponed due to Hurricane Matthew telly left office in February.

The parliament later elected interim President Jocelerme Privert, but his mandate technically expired in June.

Last year’s presidential elections were cancelled after the first round in October,

amid opposition protests over alleged massive fraud - a claim later confirmed by electoral officials. Ahead of Mr Ban’s visit, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric appealed to donors to provide more aid for Haiti, the poor-

est country in the Americas.

He said Mr Ban would travel to one of the worst-affected towns - Les Cayes on the southern coast, and meet Haiti’s political leaders and aid workers. Some 120,000 homes were either damaged

or destroyed when Category Four Hurricane Matthew swept through on 4 October with winds of 145mph (230km/h).

Mr Ban has called for a “massive response” to help the country. But Mr Dujarric said only $6.1m had been raised from the UN’s appeal to cover work in the country for the next three months.

He also said there had been a number of security incidents involving humanitarian aid, including one in which peacekeepers opened fired to disperse a crowd trying to loot a convoy. Carlos Veloso of the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) told AFP news agency: “Unfortunately, there are people trying to take advantage of humanitarian efforts and we have lost food to theft.”

A Haitian motorcyclist was also reportedly hit and killed by a UN lorry in the coastal town of Saint-JeanDu-Sud on Thursday. Power, transport and communica-

tions links are still difficult and the threat of an extended cholera outbreak remains.

Commenting on the rapid rise in suspected cholera and acute diarrhoea cases, Marc Vincent, Unicef Representative in Haiti, said: “This is everyone’s worst nightmare.

“Less than two weeks after the hurricane, cholera may be spreading in areas where it previously barely existed and diarrhoea is preying on already vulnerable children. Immediate action is essential.”

Mr Privert has said famine could take hold within three to four months if the situation were not managed properly. Mr Veloso of the WFP added: “Many people I have met are surviving by eating fruit from fallen trees.” Separately on Thursday, the UN Security Council extended the mandate of the UN’s Minustah mission in Haiti for another six months, until April 2017.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Sunday Editor

Neil Marks

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

Editorial

Cubana air disaster FORTY years ago Sabrina Harrypaul, Eric Norton, Ann Nelson, Raymond Persaud, Margaret Bradshaw, Gordon M Sobha, Rawle Thomas, Rita Thomas, Violet Thomas, Jacqueline Williams and Seshnarine Kumar were among 73 who perished when Cubana flight CU-455 was bombed and crashed off the shore of Barbados.

This incident occurred in the heightened period of the Cold War that saw efforts to influence alignment to and support for the Western or Eastern bloc.

Guyana distinguished herself during this period by embracing the Non-Aligned Movement and policies, which allowed for the pursuing of national interest on the international stage independent of having to side with either bloc, though working with both in pursuit of our development agenda and making the world a better place. The non-aligned principles allowed Guyana to play a leading role in the fight against apartheid in Southern Africa, a system the Western powers gave support to because those African governments supported that bloc.

As the Fidel Castro government provided military support to fight against the apartheid system, Guyana made available its airport for planes to stop and refuel on their journey to and from Africa.

While the West was distrustful of Cuba’s communist government,-- which had come to power through a revolution that ousted the United States (U.S.) supported Fulgencio Batista government -- isolated the country and repeatedly accused its government of violating human rights, they embraced Southern African governments that practised apartheid and denied the masses their fundamental rights and freedoms as a matter of law.

Guyana over the years has shared close relations with Cuba which was informed by our non-aligned policy. This relationship, more than any other, has resulted in scholarships for Guyanese in the field of medicine, veterinary, engineering, pharmacology, agriculture and other technical areas. Such support contributed significantly to improving the intellectual capacity of the nation’s human capital to pursue our national developmental goals.

The bombing of Flight 455 was an act of terrorism not unlike attacks the U.S. suffered on the 11th

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

Minister Trotman did not refer to any internal or external difficulties of ExxonMobil

Dear Editor,

IT WAS with great dismay that I read the latter section of an article (18 companies eyeing oil & gas facility) in your Saturday, October 15, 2016 edition, which stated: “However it was revealed that Exxon has been over the past few months faced with varying internal and external problems, hence the minister stressed that the company needs to find money fast and the earnings from Guyana would be ideal for their continued success.”

It is most distressing that a jour-

Editor’s Note: After reviewing statements made

by Minister Trotman, it was found that the minister made no attribution to any internal or external difficulties of ExxonMobil. The Guyana Chronicle apologises for suggesting such

nalist could have so easily, simplistically, and irresponsibly recreated my response to a question posed by Mr. Denis Chabrol of Demerara Waves -- which was whether Guyana anticipated difficulties with ExxonMobil proceeding to develop the Liza well in light of a fine issued against it in another jurisdiction.

My short answer was that I had no such indication, and that it was my belief that if there was a debt to pay, the best way to liquidate it would be to raise revenue by proceeding apace with developments here. At no time did I speak about, or

in our article. Regarding a fine imposed against the company by a court in the country of Chad, Minister Trotman said: “We saw with interest, and it reminds us that we have to be vigilant…I believe Exxon needs to find some money fast, and it will spur them to continue develop the well so it can help to pay

September, 2001. The fact that a few exiled Cubans who despised the Castro government had the support of the Venezuela Secret Police to commit a cowardly act was designed to send a message. Undoubtedly the message to Cuba, Guyana and other Caribbean allies was a clear warning that there are forces prepared to destroy you rather than talk with you if they dislike your politics, influence and relations. In that era, the superpowers and their allies were jostling for world dominance. Cuba being in the West’s backyard, reaching into the Caribbean and on the African continent presented a geopolitical threat to one bloc and empowerment to the other.

That threat seen through the lens of the superpower in either bloc led to acts of violating others, including invading countries, on the justification to crush or spread an ideology. In this environment newly independent, small-state societies found it complex and problematic pursuing political, economic, social and cultural self-determination having to navigate a bipolar politics that placed greater importance on alignment.

The support and protection offered to the terrorists by Venezuela, while the U.S. intelligence agency though possessing knowledge of the plan well in advance of the attack did not share the information with the Cuban Government, make the point of the nature of the politics at the time. During this period, U.S. and Cuba relations were hostile; the U.S. had severed diplo-

“reveal”, anything regarding alleged internal or external difficulties the company was facing, and that the company “needed to find money fast”, as these are totally outside of my knowledge.

This is an extraordinarily reckless style of journalism.

Editor, I would expect that, following a review of the transcript, a clarification and retraction of the misrepresentation would be printed.

RAPHAEL TROTMAN, Minister of Natural Resources

some of their fines.” He added: “I don’t believe it will interfere with any operation here, or cut back…if you have to pay debt, you have to be able to earn to pay…so Guyana remains one of the few places where Exxon’s ability to earn exists…I don’t see them cutting back on operations in any way.”

matic relations, imposed a trade embargo, and restricted its citizens from travelling to the country.

In revisiting Venezuela’s role it would be recalled that in 1962, that country had made known to the United Nations that it no longer accepted the 1899 Tribunal Award that settled the Venezuela border dispute with Great Britain. Though Guyana is being seen as a nation not befitting its full sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the controversy remains a factor in relations between the two countries, ours has always been the quest for peaceful resolution.

Forty years hence, though the Cold War is considered over, acts of terrorism have grown more complex and continue to wreak havoc around the world. In reflecting on those who were never allowed to live out their dreams and gave of their contributions to the society’s development, it becomes more important to work harder to secure worldwide comity. October 6,1976, should be integrated into the education curriculum, serving not only as knowledge, but more so the importance to continue the quest for global justice and not cower in the face of adversity. Where the misplaced belief is held that someone has the right to determine for the other and there exists intolerance for the views and values of another, work remains to be done.

Consequently, our 11 that perished must not be a marker in our history, but leading motivation to overcome.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

Stabroek News is hostile towards the Attorney General, Gov’t Dear Editor, OVER the past months, there has been a clear trend of the Stabroek News adopting what can be termed a hostile position against the Attorney General, and by extension the APNU+AFC Administration.

From its refusal to carry my response to Zana Frank’s allegations in her court challenge case, on which it had reported extensively, to the watering-down of my statement on the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, a clear trend can be discerned.

I am not one who criticizes the work of the media, as I recognise the important role the media play as the Fourth Estate in our democracy. I also know that our Government has stood side by side with the media over the years, and will continue to do so.

In fact, President David Granger, at a media workshop earlier this year, declared: “The Government of Guyana is committed to the promotion of a high degree of media professionalism. The administration will not undermine the professionalism of state media workers by subjecting them to political direction or interference in their work.” He added: “Independent media act as watchdogs of Government. They promote transparency

by ensuring that information is provided to the public on the work of Government.

They are a source of valuable feedback on the effectiveness of the efforts of the Government. There is no good reason for the state to interfere in the work of the private media.”

However, when a newspaper of the ‘stature’ of Stabroek News could allow itself to be duped and clearly used by persons who have ulterior motives, it is a case for much concern. The extant matter before us -- the Carmichael Street lands and the misinformation being reported to this nation by the Stabroek News -- cannot go unnoticed. How can a reputable newspaper (Stabroek News), as it claims it is, publish the kinds of articles it did over the course of this week, relying solely on “sources”, as it claims, and not even doing what should be routine in standard journalism -- verifying the information it has received?

What further exposes this narrow and weak type of journalism being practised by this newspaper is when, instead of checking the Laws of Guyana on the issue of compulsory acquisition -- what it sets out and the procedures that ought to be followed -- it ran along with the line of Anil Nandlall.

A newspaper that was founded by a lawyer, David DeCaires, and enjoys the

company of several other members of the bar, some at the level of senior counsel, ought to have known and done better. As I said in my statement on Thursday “… any lawyer worth his salt would first seek to read the relevant law on the subject, and not be hysterical after leaping into darkness.” I now add: “Any newspaper worth its salt would first seek to read the relevant law on the subject, and not be hysterical after leaping into darkness.”

There were three separate articles in the Stabroek News this week on the issue of the lands. The first one, on Monday, was headlined “Ramotar flays move on Riehl’s land; slams AG over claims PPP/C started process.” On Wednesday, the newspaper reported: “Cabinet asks AG to explain move to takeover private lands”; and then on Thursday, “Cabinet axes land takeover.”

The first story, with former President Donald Ramotar’s reaction, I believe I have dealt with in my statement on Thursday. However, the last two, on Wednesday and Thursday, expose the blatant fabrication of a national newspaper.

On Wednesday, Stabroek News reported: “Cabinet asks AG to explain the move to take private lands”, quoting a dubious source close to Cabinet. First of all, the AG did not attend Cabinet, and his colleagues informed him that there was

no discussion or decision on this matter.

The state-owned Guyana Chronicle has also reported on this issue, adding that it had verified this with three other Cabinet members.

Less than 24 hours later, Stabroek New reported again on the same Cabinet meeting, this time going even further to say that “Cabinet axes land takeover”.

Now, isn’t this kind of reporting suspicious, confusing, and fabricated? Why would the source not tell Stabroek News on Tuesday after Cabinet meeting that Cabinet axed the “land takeover”, when that would have been the biggest story coming out of the meeting? But, rather, the newspaper was told the AG was asked to prepare a report; and then the next day, almost as if it were an afterthought, “Cabinet axes land takeover” I believe it is clear for all to see the level to which some media houses are willing to stoop in their attempt to embarrass this Administration.

The Attorney General has since contacted his lawyers, and will take the appropriate legal actions to safeguard the integrity of himself, party and government.

BASIL WILLIAMS Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs

Crisis at Tagore High School Dear Editor, THE Tagore Memorial Secondary School is an educational institution of distinction and dynamism. It is just one of the organizations that I attended, but it is a school which had a tremendous influence on my growth and development, even at such a tender age.

The school itself is named after a great poet and internationally recognized philosopher, one who conceptualized wisdom and the greatness of this school. Past students, both young and old, can be found worldwide in all spheres of employment -- business, science, agriculture, politics, entertainment or trade.

The school has produced a plethora of well-equipped men and women

engaged in all sectors of life. As such, it came as a grave surprise and disappointment to learn of the teacher who is involved in the distribution of drugs to students of the school. It was a further disappointment to learn that he is still teaching at this fine institution.

It was, moreover, incontrovertibly disappointing to discover the weak stance of the Government in dealing with him and persons of his ilk. It is my view that persons who sexually, emotionally, physically, or verbally abuse our children should have their names and pictures published on a website so that the general public can know who to be on the lookout for; and they should be labelled personae non gratae (unwelcome persons).

After being prosecuted by the law,

they should have to seek permission from the authorities and citizenry in any area in order to set up housing and seek jobs and health care.

The ferocity of my feelings on this matter may not be adequately expressed in this letter, but I must remind the public of the landmark establishment that is the Tagore Memorial High School. It is my alma mater.

I recall attending extra lessons on Saturdays and Sundays for free, and this was done despite the low–paying salaries at that time. Teachers were highly motivated for the success of their students, and were well respected in those days. They would even encourage students to visit their homes for corrections and further reading materials.

Today, teachers are abusing our females and corrupting the minds

of our males. We must come to a place of care for our young people, in whom we should instill positive values without impeding compulsory learning and education methods.

I call on Government to investigate this ongoing matter at the Tagore institution. The persons who are afraid to speak out and those who may be afraid of job loss and victimization must remember that they are the framers and protectors of our children. The Tagore Memorial High School and any other educational institution must be cleansed of unsavoury characters.

HAJJI ROSHAN KHAN National Chairman of UPF- Guyana

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Gossai Jr. addresses corruption allegations ‒ denies forging signature of former Gold Board Chairman

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the newly formed Guyana Oil and Gas Association (GOGA), Bobby Gossai Jr

CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of the newly formed Guyana Oil and Gas Association (GOGA), Bobby Gossai Jr, has sought to clear his name following allegations of corruption levelled against him while he served as Secretary of the Guyana Gold Board (GGB).

In a letter to the press, Gossai Jr threatened to take “appropriate actions” against media entities which he accused of attacking his character and reputation.

A few days after the Association was launched, an article appeared in the Kaieteur News, quoting sections of the report into a forensic audit conducted by accounting firm Ram and McRae. The audit report allegedly revealed that, during the course of their engagement, the auditors were advised that the Board’s Secretary had improperly lifted the signature of the former Chairman, Dr. Gobind Ganga, from one document and

used it to purport that a letter had been sent from the former Chairman to the then General Manager.

But Gossai Jr has vehemently denied forging the former Chairman’s signature, and has declared that sections of the media want to hamper his professional career. He claims that he acted within the confines of his job on all related matters for the Guyana Gold Board, and discharged his responsibilities professionally and in accordance with the directions of the Board of Directors.

“At no given time did the Secretary use, reuse (“lift”), misrepresent or disguise the signature of the former chairperson for any undertaking in his capacity on the Board for professional or other benefits,” Gossai Jr said.

He further noted: “Moreover, let me underscore that during my tenure as Secretary to the Board of Directors of the Guyana Gold

Board, I performed my duties, which were directives from my seniors. At no time did I undertake any task (financial, procurement, managerial, human resources, or otherwise) on my own accord. All tasks were done with the full knowledge of the Guyana Gold Board’s management team, its Directors and Chairperson, and the subject Minister at that time. I served the Board with honour. I was never terminated or dismissed from the Board. My terms were all fulfilled for each period that I served on the Board.”

Gossai Jr noted that he has always executed his job with honour, integrity and respect; and is of the view that there is a “personal mission” to tarnish his professional character.

“We are living in serious times in a country that is looking for serious developmental principles. As such, we must focus on the issues that matter for our growth as a nation, and not on personal agendas that may seek to disrupt someone’s integrity,” he said.

Following the allegations, the Guyana Oil and Gas Association noted in a statement that it is considering the contents of the audit report, and pointed out that it was not aware that Gossai Jr had been accused of forgery.

The Association stated that Gossai Jr has been retained as its Chief Executive Officer, and his employment is part of its start-up process.

Gossai Jr is currently on a probationary period which has not ended.

“The Board would like to assure the public that it is committed to the highest levels of transparency and disclosure in its efforts to develop a viable, successful Oil and Gas Industry in Guyana,” the GOGA has said.

Man drops gun after seeing police A THIRTY-FOUR-year-old miner of Providence, East Bank Demerara, is in police custody after he was found with an unlicensed firearm and 12 rounds of ammunition at “War Lock,” East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, during the early hours of Saturday morning.

Enquiries disclosed that the suspect

was standing in his girlfriend’s yard, about 00:30 hrs on Saturday, when a team of policemen, acting on information, swooped down on the location.

In the process, it was alleged that the suspect dropped an object which was retrieved and found to be a 9MM pistol with 12 matching rounds.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

Body found on Craig sea dam….

Advanced decomposition makes post-mortem inconclusive A POST-MORTEM performed on Infant Forrester, whose body was discovered Wednesday at Craig sea dam, East Bank Demerara, was inconclusive because of its state of decomposition,the police have said.

The decomposed body of the 53-year-old Timehri, East Bank Demerara farmer/

handyman was in such a state of decay that the police were unable to verify if there were any marks of violence.

Reports reveal that Infant Forrester, called “Bolt and Nut,”had suffered from random seizures. His body was discovered by a fisherman who was on the sea dam.

The dead man’s son,

Dexter Forrester, said his father was a hardworking man who was peaceful and was not known to be a trouble-maker. The man with whom Forrester last worked told this publication that he did manual labour for anyone in the community who required a handyman.

Infant Forrester in happier times on a farm at Timehri

Ramlakhan to perform duties of Traffic Chief POLICE Public Relations and Press Officer Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan will be performing duties of Traffic Chief, effective from Thursday in the absence of Traffic Chief Dion Moore.

Moore will be attending an International Conference on Alcohol, Drugs and Road Safety, in Gramado, Brazil, from October 16-19.

He will be joined by a representative from the National Road Safety Council.

The event is the triennial conference (since 1950), organised by the International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety (ICADTS).

These are premier international meetings on impaired driving and attract scientists and policy-makers from around the world.

Attendees will have an

Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan

excellent opportunity to meet all those involved in road-safety research, and to promote integration and

interaction with investigators, academics and professionals working in this area.

9

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

$83M Bagotville sluice commissioned A NEW sluice constructed at Bagotville, West Bank Demerara was commissioned on Friday by Agriculture Minister Noel Holder.

The sluice was designed to drain an area of 1,060 acres and benefit approximately 2,500 residents, especially farmers. Of its constructed cost of approximately $83M, almost $18M had been earmarked for consultancy services provided

by SRK N’gineering and Associates.

In brief remarks at the commissioning ceremony, Minister Holder said the sluice will bring much needed relief to residents of Bagotville and nearby communities, as it should reduce instances of flooding.

“This investment will allow farmers to increase their acreage and yield, and reduce the losses they would have experienced in times of flooding. With the commissioning of the sluice, farmers can be assured that the fear of flooding would now be minimal,” Minister Holder said.

Holder said the construction and commissioning of the sluice come at a time when the Ministry of Agriculture, through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), is focusing on water management, since almost all of Guyana’s agriculture is practised on the flood-prone low-lying coastal regions.

Region Three Chairman Julius Faerber and Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder unveil the plaque to commission the Bagotville sluice (Delano Williams photo)

“The theme for 2016 reflects on building a resilient agriculture as a means of adapting to the effects of climate change. This sluice at Bagotville is very timely and necessary, since for approximately 25 years your old sluice was abandoned. This resulted in your experiencing numerous periods of prolonged inundation due to intensive rainfall,” Holder noted.

He encouraged that climate change be taken seriously and lifestyles adapted to mitigate the effects of flooding and other resultant conditions.

The minister assured residents that Government remains commitment to im-

proving their livelihoods through necessary infrastructural works that would aid their return to farming and other economic activities previously affected by flooding. “…rest assured that we are actively working to provide the necessary investments in infrastructure to raise your quality of life through proper drainage and irrigation. While there is much more to be done, I can assure you that my government is resolute in building more relief channels, more sluices, to release water into the ocean and rivers; installing more pumps to complement the sluices, and increasing the holding capacity of water conservan-

cies,” Holder said.

He added that Government plans to expand the present irrigation system through greater connectivity to water sources, providing more capacity for irrigation canals, and improving the irrigation pump capacities.

Regional Three Chairman Julius Faerber encouraged the NDC to take good care of the new sluice, which Dr. Krishna Narine of the consultant agency said can last for about 75 years.

Faerber further called on the NDIA and the Ministry of Agriculture to do all that is possible to ensure other defunct sluices in the Region are rehabilitated and operationalised.

Meanwhile, Chairman of

the Neighbourhood Democratic Council, Isaac Bhagwandin, recalled making an approach to the then government in 2005, following a major flood which affected Bagotville, Nismes and nearby communities, to have the sluice constructed. This was to no avail.

Bhagwandin encouraged the residents to return to the productive use of the farmlands, since the government of the day has made it possible for the lack of drainage to be addressed.

Farmer Leroy Evans said he remembers that when he was age seven, the main economic activity in Bagotville was farming. He said farmers abandoned the land

as flooding became worse.

He pleaded with Minister Holder and representatives of the NDIA to assist in clearing the lands of vegetation, so that residents of the community can return to farming as a major economic activity in the West Bank Demerara community.

The newly-constructed sluice replaces an arrangement which saw water from the Bagotville community being channelled to the Nismes drainage system, an arrangement which proved inadequate to drain both areas.

Chief Engineer of the NDIA, Dave Hicks, had previously explained that, when it rained, most of the water was channelled to the Canal Polder area, “but it couldn’t take off the capacity. During the rainy (season) there’ll be flooding in the farmlands and some residential areas, and there were a lot of calls to install pumps,” Hicks said.

The NDIA realized that it would be more cost effective to install a sluice in the area where there was a good flow and less siltation to the Demerara River. This was a better option when compared to installing a pump.

The senior engineer noted that the construction of the sluice was completed three months ago through a collaborative effort between the NDIA and the Regional Democratic Council. (GINA)

National response being mounted against greenheart ban AN INTER-MINISTERIAL team has been working to reverse the UK ban on greenheart lumber from Guyana.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has said that the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE) is working along with the ministries of Business and Foreign Affairs to seek a reversal of the ban.

“Greenheart is literal-

ly at the heart and soul of Guyana’s timber industry.

It represents, in a sense, the strength of Guyana; and to us, we have a reputation to protect, and we have to ensure that those who produce logs for use in marine construction and for lumber that we give them what they desire, and that is markets in the United Kingdom,” Trotman said on Friday at a press briefing held at Cara Lodge in Georgetown.

A ministerial delegation will travel to the UK early next year to press Guyana’s case. “We’re very interested in restoring the smooth trade and (in) lifting the ban.

We’ve had communication with the British High Commission,” Trotman said.

The ban on greenheart lumber came in May, 2015.

Minister Trotman said he believed it was a “combination of us being, I believe, outmanoeuvred,” that led to the ban.

The ban on greenheart exports to the UK saw a dramatic slump in exports to

that country, moving from US$3.2 million in 2014 to US$1 million last year.

In a statement two Saturdays ago, the Guyana Manufacturers and Services Association (GMSA) and other stakeholders blamed the ban on incorrect labelling of Guyana’s forest management practices by activists.

“Given that markets for tropical forest products are declining and challenging, incorrect labelling of our forest management practices in this negative way can only be detrimental to the future lives and livelihoods of the

25,000 people directly employed in this industry,” the GMSA and other stakeholders have stated.

The ban, imposed by the UK Environment Agency with effect from May 2015, came as a surprise to the local industry, especially since the private sector and Government were in communication with CPET, the Central Point for Expertise on Timber, which advises UK Government agencies on timber procurement policies for over four years previous to the “note to provide evidence of legality and sustain-

able timber practices.”

The GMSA and other stakeholders noted that, because of the need to prove legality and sustainability and meet certification standards, the industry had entered into negotiations under the European Union Programme for Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT), which aims to reduce illegal logging by strengthening sustainable and legal forest management, improving governance, and promoting trade in legally produced timber.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

Towards a Good Life in a Green Economy

Global environmental governance in the context of Guyana’s green economy (Part1) NB: last week we inadvertently published Part (11) of this article, here is Part 1 and the original Part 11 will be carried next week)

By Rear Admiral (Rtd.) Gary A. R. Best Presidential Advisor on the Environment THE greening of Guyana’s economy will not be successful if it is conceptualised, developed and implemented in isolation from a wider world view of practices, norms, rules and global environmental governance mechanisms (GEGM). This two-part series contexualises the green economy within the wider global environment governance mechanisms.

The concept of global environmental governance is wide and encompassing. However, asccording to Mazi (2009) “Global environmental governance is a comprehensive concept in that it takes in several kinds of organizations, associations, instruments for policy and decision making... to protect the environment from deterioration.” Ford (2003) on the other hand suggests that global governance can be explained as intergovernmental relationships, which now involve non-governmental organisations, citizens’ movements, multinational corporations and the global capital market. A combination of these two definitions appears to cover the expansive nature of the term global environmental governance.

However, there is little doubt that this expansive nature of the term global environmenatl governance is not yet finite.

How does this definition relate to greening Guyana’s economy?

Adopting the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) definition, “A green economy is one that results in increased human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities” and comparing it to the expansive

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.

definition of global environmental governance, one can easily recognise the need for a global governance mechanism to deal with the global environmental problem of climate change and the green economy response. It is important to note also, that the core concept of both global environmental governance and the green economy is protecting the environment from environmental risks, ecological scarcities and deterioration. In that context, understanding global governance principles is pivotal to the success of greening Guyana’s economy.

Further, Ford (2003) posited that global environmental governance was established, at the international level, through the influence of global civil society and there is general agreement that global environmental cooperation and management are crucial inputs in dealing with global environmental degradation. We note also that global society itself is characterised by persons who act voluntarily to pursue various objectives where such global societal organisations are located above the individual, below the state, and across international boundaries. We

therefore see global society as an institution of actors impacting citizens interests in diverse ways.

According to Sanwal (2007), strategic planning is the new approach to successful global environmental governance. These planning mechanisms require a strong cross-sectoral approach including non-governmental associations. Strategic planning offers governments and other international institutions an opportunity to integrate environmental planning and protection with sustainable development. In other words, global environmental governance cannot be linear. Therefore, the strategic framework for global environmental governance should incorporate new tools and instruments, including knowledge management, involvement of the private sector, regional thematic partnerships and SouthSouth cooperation.

Similarly and within the context of the greening of Guyana’s economy, a key activity is mainstreaming. In this context, Guyana must consider mainstreaming adaptation, mitigation, financial planning, disaster risk reduction, environment and alternative energy activities into its national development processes while, at the same time, climateproofing all projects and investments. Guyana must integrate its efforts at meeting, for example, its REDD+ indicators using the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility as its strategic framework for preparation of its Readiness Package.

Meeting international indicators

is a global governance action which redounds positively in many ways: firstly, it will qualify the country for international funding from Global Financial Facilities such as the Global Environment Facility, the Green Climate Fund, the Adaptation Fund and others; secondly, it will demonstrate Guyana’s ability to set and achieve key indicators; thirdly, it will provide confidence at national and international levels of the country’s ability to set green economy indicators and its ability to meet them and fourthly, it will provide a solid base for Guyana to attract international funding to drive its green-economy pathway. The funding I speak of here includes the obligatory financing by developed countries of developing countries’ adaptation to and mitigation of climate change.

Meeting international indicators also means that we will have to interact with the global governance systems. The global governance system is an integrated one and, in like manner, a key pillar in greening Guyana’s economy is the establishment of an integrated data-management system that allows for horizontal and vertical integration of policies and actions, nationally and internationally. Establishing an integrated data management system will enable action such as green economic modelling across sectors in order to arrive at the best green economic mix for the country.

There is yet another view of global environmental governance which suggests that it may well be

the presence of international agreements, institutions and numerous non-state actors should be seen as today’s primary global environmental governance mechanisms in the absence of a world environment organisation a la World Trade Organisation (Winchester 2007). Further, global environmental governance will have to take cognizance of the critical role played by private capital, private firms, non-governmental organisations, sub-units of government and transgovernmental networks.

In similar manner, so is the greening of Guyana’s economy.

Outside of the call for a world environment organisation, Guyana is signatory to most of the key global environment instruments, particularilry, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. Our responsibilites under these conventions are quite challenging to the extent that global governance mechanisms such as non-state actors serve, ostensibly, as enablers at national and international levels.

Consequently, various sub-offices of non-state organisations operate in Guyana, which include Conservation International and World Wide Federation. The key national environmental governance activity is to integrate Guyana’s national green agenda into the global environmental mechanisms. Having the right mix, therefore, between the efforts of global governance instititions and national institutions is pivotal to greening Guyana’s economy.

In Part 11, we will look at the United Nations Development Programme as a global governance environmental mechanism. (Comments can be sent to towardsagoodlife@gmail.com)

11

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

Government’s Social Cohesion initiatives MY ATTENTION was drawn to a news item put out by GINA a few days ago, announcing that 700 Guyanese citizens would be trained to become Social Cohesion advocates. At first glance I was elated, but as I read the news story closer, my elation turned to disappointment.

The lead trainer for the project was quoted as saying the following: “For too long, when we talk about diversity, we only look at racial and political factors; and we need to look beyond that to other differences. So these workshops are really to broaden the view of persons and they will also help to bring the biases out to our consciousness, because once we are aware of it, we can do something about it.”

She said that while the importance of diversity is usually recognised, it is the power of the diversity that needs to be explored.

“We have to bring the power of diversity into communities; because if we don’t, we are depriving ourselves of something special.”

I have been a strong supporter of the Ministry of Social Cohesion from the time the initiative was taken by President Granger.

My support is grounded in the belief that, in our fractured society, there is a major role for Government in facilitating cohesiveness.

Governments in the past have paid lip service to reconciliation in Guyana, but this Government has invested in it.

EDUCATION AND ETHNIC RECONCILIATION I believe there are two aspects of national life in Guyana that are indispensable as far as

national development is concerned: education and ethnic reconciliation. If we get education right and we move closer to ethnic reconciliation, we give our country a fighting chance to overcome the challenges of smallness, colonial and neo-colonial domination, and globalization-structural adjustment.

I have said before that my understanding of Social Cohesion is that it is a construct that is geared to target and break down the obstacles to national cohesion. I understand that the term social suggests a construction that is broader than the political, and I fully support that broader construction. But if you were born in Guyana and live here and study the country, you would know that while politics and ethnicity are not all that defines the country, they influence almost every aspect of public life. So I am arguing that that is where the discourse on national cohesion has to begin.

For example, the discourses on social class and gender are muted because of the overpowering nature of ethnicity and race.

Serious gender and social class activists have had to learn how to advance those discourses within the context of race and ethnicity. In the same way persons like the lead trainer quoted above have to learn that you are never going to get anywhere with cohesion in Guyana by downplaying the two major obstacles to it —- ethnicity and politics.

I have always been suspicious of a certain strand in Guyanese discourse that believes that Guyana’s problems can be solved outside of politics and ethnicity. While I have sympathy for that formulation, I believe it

is useless in a country such as Guyana. That formulation is grounded in Western Liberal Democracy that privileges the individual and downplays the collective. If you start there, then you miss the structural realities in the society.

Ethnic and social divisions are built into the structures and collective culture of our society. Our individual biases arise out of larger ethnic, social and gender narratives. We are going nowhere with Social Cohesion if we do not begin by engaging those narratives.

RED FLAG That explanation by the lead trainer raises a red flag. It calls into question the seriousness of the Ministry of Social Cohesion in its bid to make a difference. They seem to have started off on the wrong foot. The ministry is yet to provide the nation with its definition of Social Cohesion, and what, as a government department, it hopes to achieve. It also has not said how Social Cohesion fits into the larger vision of the Government. We have heard about these meetings of stakeholders, but I know of many individuals and groups which have not been included in these gatherings.

The political opposition has already dismissed the Ministry as a joke. Many East Indians will take the hint from the PPP and similarly dismiss it. Many African Guyanese leaders and organizations which I am in touch with are either skeptical or dismissive of the very notion of social cohesion. You play into the hands of your detractors when you skirt around the problem rather than confront it.

You do not train people about social

cohesion; you educate them about the obstacles to social cohesion, and about how to overcome them. Social cohesion is not a game. I was not at the training sessions, but I ask the following questions. Did the trainees learn about the history of ethnic relations in Guyana and the evolution of ethnic biases in the country? Did they learn about the evolution of social classes and the attendant class biases in Guyana? Did they learn about the role of patriarchy and male domination in the evolution of Guyanese society? Did they learn about the intersections of those three areas of our history?

You have to understand the problem before you can begin to solve it. If you diagnose the problem outside of ethnicity, class, gender and politics, you are bound to dispense the wrong treatment.

There is a tendency in Guyana to rely on civil society bureaucrats to do serious organic work. This has been counter-productive. I know of dozens of serious people in Guyana who know more about social cohesion than all the bureaucrats in the world put together.

Most of them are not even invited to the social cohesion gatherings.

Something is deadly wrong with this social cohesion thing. If it is not fixed, another of this Government’s initiative faces a rock road.

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

GGMC implementing CoI recommendations for safer mining THE Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is strengthening its capacity to address deficiencies it faces in enforcing safe mining practices.

The GGMC has begun training its officers in ground structures safety and general occupational safety and health practices in mining. Director of Compliance at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Derrick

Lawrence, told the Government Information Agency (GINA) in a recent interview that the measures are being taken to address deficiencies identified in various Commissions of Inquiry.

There have been several CoIs in relation to mining-related deaths. The reports from those CoIs revealed deficiencies in the geo-sciences behind mining, occupational

health and safety, the regulations governing mining and enforcement and, the need to strengthen enforcement.

Lawrence told GINA that the Ministry of Natural Resources has facilitated training for GGMC officers to build their capacity in pit engineering. He said, this year, mines officers of the GGMC took part in a course titled, ‘Ground structures

Director of Compliance at the Ministry of Natural Resources Derrick Lawrence

Acting Commissioner of the GGMC Newell Dennison

safety training for mining engineers.’ “This course was one of the actions taken to deal with the capacity-building that we determined to be necessary at the engineering level,” Lawrence explained.

Darcy Walrond, Senior Environmental Officer of the GGMC, told GINA that a ground control document would be developed out of the training as a guideline to mining operations. It would provide information on how to conduct proper camp and Turn to page 12 ►

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

Realising the Green Economy through action

AS we ponder Government’s pronouncement of pursuing a Green Economy, it becomes overly important that the public conversation be intensified with a view of bringing clarity and direction to this major policy. Development in a green economy is measured by using the Human Development Index as a tool with the prime objective of reducing poverty, rather than measuring growth using the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is more pre-occupied with balancing of the National Budget.

Recognising the policy is premised on three pillars, which are Sustainable Development, Environment and Labour Policies,as efforts are being made in aiding a practical understanding of each. It must be understood that the pillars are intertwined and cannot operate independent of each other.

For instance, if we are looking at a programme in forestry development, such has to factor in how trees are going to be felled, the number to be extracted over a period,the impact on surrounding communities, what measures will be put in place to protect workers involved, including the minimum remuneration, the measures to ensure reforestation, and direct benefits the nation that will derive from the project. These considerations are elements needed to guide policy on forestry.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT This pillar attends to using the available resources to develop a nation in a manner that caters for future generations and simultaneously protecting and respecting citizens’ rights, be they workers or those in the com-

munity. Pursuing this objective, the nation’s resources need to be properly managed within the parameters of the Guyana Constitution and Laws, International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions and international and regional charters, supported by time-honoured principles and practices.

In fact, what I am saying here is, you cannot be mining for gold and not remunerating workers highly, not taking care of legal responsibilities such as NIS and Income Tax, being inattentive to protecting the environment in circumstances such as where the water being used is contaminated and affecting adjoining communities.

Guyana is endowed with an abundance of natural resources such as fresh spring and river water, gold, diamonds, bauxite, manganese, precious metals, and being forested has the opportunity of developing a plan to ensure that for generations to come these areas are sustainably developed.

In the area of gold and diamonds it is necessary for mining to be conducted using modern technology that can optimise our extraction process. It may also be opportune for plans to be put in place to regulate mining by way of laws and ensuring that gold- bearing lands are not exploited willy-nilly, but with an eye towards benefiting both present and future generations.

Guyana is known as a major producer of gold and the time has come for plans to be developed and put in place towards creating a jewellery industry which would put another group of people to work, and also increase the nation’s return on this valuable product.

Public debates on the exploitation and future of our pristine forests have been raging for years. Outside of the Forbes Burnham government that sought to develop a national policy and give leadership to an indigenous furniture industry using our forests, no other government has looked in this direction. Our forests comprise several species of wood and nearly all are exported as raw products. Can’t there be an institution that studies our forest products to determine the use of each variety, how they can be dried, with the expectation of developing a furniture industry that can challenge the products coming from elsewhere?

In agriculture, the nation continues to be driven by the old methods of using chemicals in the production of food when the world has shifted to organic, given proven health benefits including longevity and reduction in some illnesses. There exists “climate-smart agriculture,” which is preparing food products absent of chemicals. Based on the market available, it is prudent for a programme to be developed which mobilises Guyanese throughout in major farms and the use of their backyards. Such a programme requires aggressive mobilisation and marketing and can put another group of citizens to work, and in some cases subsidise the earnings of the employed.

Coconut is today being heralded as a health product and a U.S. multi-billion dollar industry. When the Burnham government emphasised the development and protection of this industry, it was demonised and criminalised by opposing political forces, to the point where Hope Estate was virtually disbanded by subsequent governments. The time has come

GGMC implementing CoI... working-ground assessment, equipment use and maintenance, personal protective equipment among other safe practices miners need to adhere to. “This document would be a standard,” Walrond said.

GGMC officers are also receiving specialised training in Occupational Health and Safety that is specific to mining operations. “We took a step to start certifying our officers in relation to Occu-

pational Health and Safety using international standards,” Walrond explained. There are 25 GGMC senior officers and managerial staff currently being trained for OSH/ILO certification.

The capacity-building efforts of the GGMC are to meet calls by miners’ associations and stakeholders in the sector to be more proactive in providing safer alternatives in mining. “So our role has to be in that regard, to demonstrate,

educate, evaluate and as far as possible ensure that the message gets over,” Acting Commissioner of GGMC, Newell Dennison, told GINA. Dennison cautioned however, that miners themselves must exhibit a heightened level of self-monitoring. “There is still a very strong need for miners to be aware that they have to bear some responsibility for treating with the risk elements that are inherent in mining. There must be a sense

From page 11

of self-regulation in the sector if together we are to move forward to have a sensible treatment that affects mining,” the Acting Commissioner added.

Dennison said it is important that stakeholders work along with the GGMC to ensure that when the new measures are implemented, they are effective. He said monitoring of mining practices across the six mining districts remains a challenge, but the GGMC has been rely-

for the revisiting of projects such as this.

Recently, the government awarded a contract for the supply of fruit juice in its schoolfeeding programme to a Suriname-based company. It needs to be said in the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), a company in any participating member-state has the same right as a local one. That having been said, nothing prevents Guyanese businesses from vying for markets here and in other member-states. The production of fruit juices, absent additives, is healthy and we must take the opportunity to become a major player in this market. This requires a national programme buttressed by leadership to ensure the increasing of production and improving of harvesting, storage, marketing, and packaging capabilities.

The thrust for a Green Economy is commendable, but we need to move beyond theories and counter-theories. Also, it needs to be recognised that the major challenge posed to enacting this policy is that those tasked with responsibility for developing a programme and strategy around it are steeped in seeing development through the eyes of using the GDP as the tool for measuring growth.

The Granger/Nagamootoo administration needs to bring together a team that understands and believes in this new policy to advise them in conceptualising and developing a programme with an eye towards short, medium, and long- term development.

Instructively, the emails being leaked on Hillary Clinton reveal her desire to work for the achievement of a Green Economy.

To be continued ...

ing on new technology to aid in this effect.

“We have been trying to use hotspots by virtue of looking at aerial surveillance, that’s not necessarily drones as being advocated by many, but we do over-flights from time to time,” Dennison revealed.

Senior Environmental Officer of the GGMC, Carlos Todd, said the commission has been conducting education and awareness sessions in mining areas. “… we need to emphasise to the miners that safety is important and there are certain things that you

need to do during and before a mining operation,” Todd said.

Meanwhile, the GGMC is in the process of reviewing its regulations to ensure that sanctions to errant miners are more effective. “There are prosecutorial eventualities that we are addressing in the law right now,” Dennison said.

The government has expressed a need for more enforcement to reduce deaths from mining accidents. This year, there were four fatal mining accidents. Two of these were at illegal mining operations. (GINA)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

Granny ‘Nen,’ 102, still does her own laundry and makes breakfast

KATHLEEN Headley, the comical centenarian with an impeccable memory from Norton Street, Werken-Rust, Georgetown, celebrated her 102nd birthday Saturday.

Often called “Nen,” she was born at New Supply, East Bank Demerara, or as she puts it - 28 miles from Georgetown.

She was born the eldest of six children - two brothers and four sisters – with her only surviving sibling being the youngest.

Granny Nen recalled that her sister Lynette is exactly 19 years and 12 days younger than she is, and boasted that she mothered this sister after her mother, Rebecca Elizabeth Arthur-Norton, had passed away.

She also recollected that she attended the Canadian Missionary Primary, but did not attend secondary school and later worked as a nurse at the Demerara Bauxite Company and then later worked elsewhere as a nanny. She was married twice also: first to James Forde and then to Albon Headley.

Granny Nen noted that

Granny Nen celebrated her 102nd birthday Saturday (Delano Williams photo)

since she was younger, she always knew that she had an affinity for children and taking care of children. While she never had any children of her own, she cared for numerous children of her family and close friends.

“Any child could’ve come here and stayed with me,” she said.

At school, she recalled also that she loved making cakes, watching cricket, and reading, something which

Granny Nen flanked by her daughter-in-law Jean Joseph (third left) and cousins(from L-R) Vibert Norton, Eunice Alleyne, Bishop Norton and Joseph Norton. (Delano Williams photo)

she still does daily. She also loved geography, because she always wanted to know where every place was found.

This love for geography later translated into her love for travelling.

“I can’t stay in one place,” she declared. She

has travelled to the United States of America, Canada, Barbados and even spent her 80th Birthday in Lethem. She and her family members recounted too that she used to walk from her home to go to Stabroek Market and walk to her church, Smith’s Congrega-

tional Church.

Now, however, Granny Nen has trouble with her “balance” and is unable to move around as she used to, but remains cheery and well-abled to make breakfast and do her own laundry.

Kathleen said her life was great, but her only re-

gret was not having at least three children of her own.

She encourages all young folk to “eat properly” and “love one another.”

She shared this message: “If you pray and ask God, and you’re honest, he will help you.” (Vishani Ragobeer)

A teen volunteer gets to be Canadian High Commissioner for a day KENDRA Warner, a teen volunteer, was Friday given the chance to act as the Canadian High Commissioner after winning a social media competition to take the seat.

Miss Warner was given the seat as part of an initiative by Mr. Pierre Giroux, the High Commissioner, to commemorate the fifth International Day of the Girl.

High Commissioner Giroux’s gesture mirrored Canada’s Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, Marie-Claude Bibeau, who led the charge this October to give girls a seat at the decision-making table by giving up hers for a day to a dynamic Canadian girl.

Four other Canadian ministers were similarly inspired to give up their seats to girls in recognition of the day.

The Canadian High commission here said that the High Commissioner believes that girls are powerful agents of change and need to be included as full participants in decisions that affect their lives.

“Everyone has a role to play in making gender equality a reality,” he told Warner.

Warner volunteers with the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association and is currently leading an anti-bullying campaign for the month of October. She wants to be a doctor when she grows up and strongly believes in sexual and reproductive health education in schools.

“I was so excited to be High Commissioner for the Day,” she said. “It was the best day of my life!”

As High Commissioner for a Day, Kendra was given

a tour of the High Commission to meet with “her” staff.

She had meetings with Minister Rupert Roopnaraine and UNICEF’s acting country representative, Paolo Marchi.

According to the High Commission, Minister Roopnaraine agreed with her that more focus is needed in schools regarding the particular issues that girls face given the “male-centric” society we live in.

She discussed the need for child marriage legislation with Mr. Marchi. She also hosted lunch at the Official Residence with guests such as Minister Garrido-Lowe, Member of Parliament, Vindhya Persaud and founder of Youth Media Guyana, Andrea Bryan-Garner. All expressed keen interest in keeping in touch with Kendra and readily joined her

anti-bullying campaign by donning the blue ribbons she had brought with her.

“I was able to have my voice heard by key decision-makers which is important to me because I think that girls’ voices need to be heard,” she stated.

Kendra also got to meet with the runners-up of the competition and a lively conversation about issues facing girls today in Guyana ensued.

The High Commissioner decided that more conversations like these are needed and intends to nurture a network of girls and young women to build on the day’s initiative.

“In Canada, there is a growing recognition that, in addition to children’s issues and women’s issues, the intersection of age and gender in girls gives rise to unique issues requiring special at-

Canadian High Commissioner (for a day) Kendra Warner (centre) meets with Pierre Giroux (right) and Mr. Paolo Marchi, Deputy UNICEF Resident Representative (Canadian High Commission photo)

tention. The International Day of the Girl provides a mechanism to enhance awareness and understanding of girl-specific issues,” he shared. “But we have to build on this and continue the conversation and intervention even after the commemoration is over,” he stated.

The International Day

of the Girl is a special day designated by the United Nations to raise awareness of girls’ rights around the world. Canada led the call for an International Day of the Girl at the United Nations to help raise awareness of the discrimination girls face, as well as their tremendous potential.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

Mercy Hospital observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month IN observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital held a “Men and Women’s” Health Clinic Saturday and offered a number of free services to the public.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, Helena Browman, Chief Executive Officer of the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, noted that the clinic provided persons with blood pressure monitoring, blood pressure testing, breast examinations, prostate checks, depression screening and diet counselling.

“We have these health fairs at least three times a year,” Ms. Browman highlighted and added that the clinic was the third and final medical outreach done by the Hospital for this year. The two previous clinics, she noted, were held in observance of Valentine’s Day and Father’s Day. “It’s our way of giving back to the community we serve,” she stated.

Also speaking to this newspaper was the Nursery Services Director, Laurelle Daw. She noted that almost all the services offered at the clinic were free.

However, she noted that the Breast Ultrasounds and Prostate Screening Tests had a cost attached to themthough persons were given a “special” price. Both she and the CEO highlighted that there was another special deal which entailed persons getting a 5% discount if they brought a friend to the clinic with them.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is being observed this year under the theme, “I have Hope” and a number of screening activities targeting the detection of numerous forms of cancer, especially breast cancer, are being conducted nationwide.

A visitor has her blood pressure tested at Saturday’s clinic

15

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

Iwokrama forest receives int’l certification

THE forestry operation currently ongoing in the protected Iwokrama forest in the heart of Guyana has received international certification, giving credence to its work as being sustainable and environmentally friendly.

On Friday last, the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development announced that it has received certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for meeting international best practices in forest management, and is the only area in Guyana to receive such certification.

The Iwokrama Inter-

Mendes to undertake a second project to test the sustainable use of the forest, essentially that you can use the forest without destroying or losing it.

“FSC certification is the highest international accolade that Forest Managers can receive, and it is testament to the Centre’s application of international social, ecological and environmental best practices in its management of the Iwokrama Forest,” the Centre stated.

Iwokrama noted that key to the adherence to FSC guidelines is that forest managers must follow all national rules, laws and

ted to correcting the areas deemed non-compliant before the annual surveillance visit, within the next 12 months,” the Centre stated.

According to Iwokrama, in recent years, many international buyers and consumers have increased demands for proof of forest products being sourced from well-managed forests; and currently, all of the major global markets require some sort of certification for imports.

To w a r d s t h i s e n d , Iwokrama noted, the European Union and the Government of Guyana are also pursuing a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA)

Auditors with staffers (Dr. Raquel Thomas photos)

The Iwokrama forestry operation practises safety first national Centre (IIC) was established in 1996 under a joint mandate from the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat to manage the Iwokrama forest, a unique reserve of 371,000 hectares of rainforest, “in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general”.

Iwokrama received similar recognition by the international auditors in 2008, and maintained those credentials throughout the first phase of its timber harvesting operations, Iwokrama noted, adding that the Iwokrama forest is the only area in Guyana to receive such certification.

Last November, the Centre announced that it had teamed up with local company Farfan and

guidelines, including the Guyana Forestry Commission’s comprehensive Codes of Practice.

The assessment team evaluated all elements of Iwokrama’s operations applicable to the standard to determine compliance against national and international benchmarks, the Centre noted.

It was noted that non-compliances are categorized as “observations,” “minor corrective actions,” or “major corrective actions”; and Iwokrama received only minor non-compliances and observations.

“Non-compliances” are a normal part of any assessment process, and based on the severity of the non-compliance with the standard, it could prevent the applicant from being certified.

“Iwokrama is commit-

on Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT), which would allow more access of Guyana’s wood to EU member countries.

The FSC brand in particular is highly recognized globally for its independent assessment and for its opinion on products that have been produced in a more environmentally friendly manner, Iwokrama stated.

The Centre expressed its gratitude to the German Government for providing support through the Deut-

sche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) implemented Caribbean Aqua-Terrestrial Solutions Programme in preparing for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification.

The Iwokrama forest is zoned into a Sustainable Utilization Area (SUA) and a Wilderness Preserve (WP) in which to test the concept of a truly sustainable forest where conservation, environmental balance and economic use can be mutually reinforcing.

During a previous in-

terview with the Guyana Chronicle, Andrew Mendes, Managing Director of Farfan and Mendes, said his company adheres to the rules governing the forest and follows Iwokrama’s highly selective harvesting programme. As such, only three to four trees are cut in each hectare, and each harvested hectare will not be revisited for 60 years.

The harvesting operation creates no aerial or on-the-ground visual impact, and there are no noticeable gaps in the forest canopy in harvested areas.

16

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

Address of His Excellency Brigadier David Granger President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to the National Assembly of Guyana 2016.10.13 THE QUALITY OF LIFE ‘Quality of life’ is a measure of citizens’ satisfaction with their lives. People’s personal values and life experiences determine their level of satisfaction. This includes health, independence, participation in community and civic activities, personal development, physical and material well-being, recreation, relationships with other people and social support.

Citizens, usually, are uncomfortable with high levels of crime; insanitary conditions in the countryside and city and incivility by officials, all of which contribute to lowering the ‘quality of life.’ These conditions should not be regarded as a permanent state but as temporary problems to be solved.

The State, regional administrations, the media, municipalities, trade unions and civil society can do much to enhance the quality of life, to give citizens the feeling of satisfaction and to solve the problems that affect them.

Public services are essential to citizens’ ‘quality of life.’

Public services involve public trust. Citizens expect public servants to serve the public interest with integrity and reliability in order to manage public resources efficiently.

Public trust encourages active citizen participation in society and the economy. It makes public agencies more accessible and more accountable. Reliable public services inspire public trust and create a favourable environment for human safety and for the functioning of businesses thereby contributing to well-functioning markets, economic growth and, consequently, a high ‘quality of life.’

PUBLIC TRUST Dreams of a ‘good life’ turned into a horrible nightmare at the dawn of the new millennium. The most unforgettable experiences and most frightening evidence of our descent into chaos were the bloody, drug-driven, decade-long ‘Troubles.’

The ‘Troubles’ will be remembered as the darkest hour in our history. It was a time of the un-investigated assassination of a Minister; of the investigation into the alleged implication of another Minister in the direction of a ‘death squad’; of the alleged implication of yet another Minister in the acquisition of a computer to track the telephone communication and location of adversaries targeted for assassination.

It was a time of arbitrary arrests; of disappearances and of torture of young men; of the surge in armed robberies, narco-trafficking and gun-running. During that first, deadly decade, there were 1,317 murders and 7, 865 armed robberies.

It was a time of deception and the cynical rejection of £4.9 million UK Security Sector Reform Action Plan for which a memorandum of understanding was signed in August 2007; of the rejection of recommendations of numerous security reform reports and total disregard for the implementation of the National Drug Strategy Master Plan.

The evidence of the impact of the man-made criminal crisis is still visible. The damage is most manifest in the demoralisation of the public and security services, the erosion of public trust and the lowering of the ‘quality of life.’

The grisly security situation was accompanied by a parlous economic situation. The undermining of public infrastructure by the encouragement of cronyism led to serious, costly, serial scandals as seen in the construction the Kato Secondary School; the Hope Canal bridge; the river-front revetment at Kumaka, Barabina road and Moruca bridge; Supenaam stelling and the still unusable Ministry of Social Protection building in Georgetown.

The paralysis of public telecommunications became evident in the incompetent or corrupt implementation of the US$ 70 million Fibre Optic Cable Project and the misapplication of computers under the ‘One Laptop per Family’ Project.

The environmental policy will be remembered, forever, but not fondly, by the administration’s responsibility for the most destructive environmental disaster in Guyana’s history — the catastrophic 2005 flood. This was an event of incalculable damage, disease, discomfort and, in some cases, death.

The exaggerated emphasis on narrow elements of the Low

Carbon Development Strategy obscured the absence of strategic thought and action. Guyana’s rich biodiversity, wildlife, wetlands, coastal zone, rivers were not adequately protected against the ravages of lawless logging, mining and solid waste mismanagement.

ECONOMIC POLICY Your Government entered a depressing financial landscape in May 2015. The economic legacy that this nation inherited was characterised by a lack of strategic planning and whimsical decision-making. The absence of a policy to provide employment opportunities for youth and to reduce extreme poverty and the failure to energise the manufacturing sector weakened the economy.

Economic mismanagement was accompanied by huge debts for unpaid international obligations and court judgements. The most grave financial problem was the bankruptcy of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) which owed $89 billion in debts. Your Government was forced divert money from economic development and social projects to rescue the ailing corporation with an immediate injection of $12 billion. An additional $11 billion had to be provided the next year, 2016, making a total of $23 billion bailout in 18 months.

These transfers exclude the servicing of GUYSUCO's debts in respect of the Skeldon Estate Modernisation Project – a monstrous and monumental US$ 200 million mistake and, probably, Guyana’s single most costly industrial catastrophe of all time.

Paddy farmers in the rice industry were not spared the previous administration’s reckless mismanagement. The PetroCaribe Fund – used to meet payments to farmers for rice and paddy shipped to Venezuela – contained less than US$1 million in May 2015. Your Government was forced to make available nearly $4 billion immediately so that poor paddy farmers could be paid.

Your Government inherited a large number of liabilities, including judgements in excess of US$34 million (or G$7 billion) in favour of NH Elias, in respect of the East Bank Demerara Road; judgement for $1.3 billion in favour of Rudisa Beverages; judgement in favour of Trinidad Cement Limited; settlement for$1.4 billion with B.K. Tiwari on Haags Bosch Project and several other judgements that will cost the State over $1 billion.

Your Government, also, was obliged to provide another $5.4 billion bail out the National Insurance Scheme as a consequence of the previous administration’s irresponsible CLICO investment.

Your Government, despite encountering this immense mountain of debt, was able to meet commitments to the nation’s hard-working public servants. The minimum wage grew from $39,520 in May 2015, to $55,000 in January 2016, an increase of 39.2 per cent in 7 months.

Public servants have benefitted, in addition, from the raising of the tax threshold, from $600,000 in May 2015 to 660,000 in January 2016; the removal of income tax from workers' contributions to the National Insurance Scheme and a tax-free payment of $50,000 to all workers earning less than $500,000, in December 2015.

These benefits, taken together, augmented workers disposable income significantly. Collective bargaining with public servants’ unions could result in additional benefits in the form of increased increments, allowances and adjustments made for ‘de-bunching’. Old-age-pensions have been increased from $13,120 to $18,200 or by 38.7 per cent, and Public Assistance increased by 24 per cent during the same period, May 2015 to April 2016.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY Your government’s overarching objective is to ensure a ‘good life’ for all of our citizens. We have chosen a ‘green’ pathway to achieve that higher ‘quality of life’.

Guyana’s ‘green agenda” is a comprehensive, multi-secto-

rial development programme. It is not limited narrowly to low-carbon initiatives but is a broadbased development programme, which incorporates:

► management of our unique biodiversity; ► management of our vulnerable coastal zone and our valuable protected areas ; and, ► management of solid waste and sanitation.

Guyana’s ‘green agenda’ will promote ‘green’ economic sectors such as the development of climate-resilient agriculture, ecotourism and information communications technology and promote renewable energy generation. It will ensure a diversified and resilient economy while promoting ‘green’ growth and ‘green’ employment and secure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.

Your Government announced, on 1st October 2016 – National Tree Day, the establishment of the Department of the Environment within the Ministry of the Presidency. The Department will ensure more effective communication, cooperation and coordination among the agencies concerned with climate change, energy generation, environmental protection, forest conservation, national parks, protected areas, rivers and wildlife protection. The Department has been tasked with developing a master plan to achieve the objectives of the ‘green agenda’.

Guyana established itself as a global leader on the environment as early as 1989. We accorded to the international community the use of 371,000 hectares of our forests – an area larger than Malta – for research into the sustainable management of forest resources.

The Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development (IICRCD) remains in the vanguard of our campaign to conserve our forests, to counter the adverse effects of climate change and to conduct research into our rich biodiversity.

Iwokrama will be the site, from the next financial year, for the establishment of an international institute for biodiversity.

The institute will allow local, regional and international students to research out rich and diverse flora and fauna.

We will set aside, also, an additional two million hectares of forests and wetlands for conservation, in accordance with the commitments we made under the Paris Agreement on climate change. Protected areas will be established in every Administrative Region of Guyana.

Environmental degradation caused by reckless logging and mining remains a source of concern. We will continue the process of reclaiming mined-out areas in our country and of restoring the ecological integrity of our forested areas.

Loggers and miners will be under a legal obligation to ensure sound environmental practices. Your Government will reboot the fledging ecotourism sector in 2017. Our unmatched biodiversity is a world-class product which will allow us to create a globally-competitive ecotourism sector.

PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE Public infrastructure, connecting our hinterland communities to each other and to the coastland, is pivotal to the development of the ‘green’ state. Our ecotourism destinations are located in the hinterland. Infrastructure is needed to access these attractions.

We will continue to advance, in 2017, initiatives for climate adaptation. A programme to bolster and better manage and maintain our sea defences will be developed with our international partners. It will form part of the matrix of measures in the 2017 National Budget. We will guard, also, against the effects of flooding by strengthening our drainage systems, particularly along the coastland. We will also counter the effects of prolonged dry weather on our wildlife by establishing protective sanctuaries for them.

Your Government will intensify its improvement of aerodromes, bridges, roads and stellings in order to enhance communication between the hinterland and coastland. We will begin negotiations with national and international parties to build a bridge across the Essequibo River in 2017.

We aim at improving the pace of economic development by removing bottlenecks to the implementation of infrastructural projects. Planning units will be established within ministries. National procurement procedures will be strengthened to address the institutional deficiencies which led to poor implementation and monitoring of public infrastructural projects.

Public contracts are a key concern. We will seek inter-

17

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016 national support to streamline our procurement systems and methodologies within Ministries and Budget agencies. A Bid Review Committee has been established and has begun work.

The Public Procurement Commission will soon be brought into existence to improve the integrity of public procurement.

PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS Your Government established the Ministry of Public Telecommunications in January 2016. We are proud of having passed legislation which will allow for the further liberalization and modernization of Guyana’s telecommunication sector. We will extend telecommunication services to all ten regions.

The e-governance programme will eventually network all government agencies and will facilitate efficient data-sharing between government agencies. This network will then be extended to citizens so that they can access government services online. Information communication technology (ICT) is integral to our ‘green agenda’. It will become a major driver of economic diversification.

Internet connectivity of government buildings will be extended. Every government building – including airports, hospitals, markets, police stations, post offices and schools – will have access to the internet in coming years.

ICT will impact positively on our educational system.

We have reconfigured the One Laptop per Family (OLPF) Initiative into the One Laptop per Teacher (OLPT) Initiative in order to allow our teachers – the guardians of quality assurance in education – to be better equipped to improve educational attainment in our schools.

We will continue the nationwide distribution of computers to our teachers – an initiative which commenced, appropriately, on 5th October – World Teachers Day. PUBLIC SECURITY Your Government intends to make Guyana safe for this and future generations. We will do so not only by combatting crime and criminals but in uprooting the causes of crime and its links with transnational crime.

We established a National Security Committee. We are in the process of establishing a new National Anti-Narcotics Agency (NANA) to address the mother of all crimes – the trafficking in narcotics. We will establish a new National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) to ensure better surveillance of our borders and coasts.

We have taken a decision, also, to re-engage the United Kingdom with a view to restoring the aborted Security Sector Reform Action Plan (SSRAP). The Plan will commence soon with the arrival of experts from the United Kingdom to advise us on crafting a national security response to domestic and transnational crime – including narcotics-trafficking and gun-running.

Aerial surveillance over the maritime zone over the past year led to a reduction in the incidence of piracy. We will continue to augment the Guyana Police Force’s Marine Branch.

The Mounted Branch will also be expanded to enable it to conduct patrols in the savannahs and back-dams, which are not easily accessible by vehicular patrols. The Corps of Wardens will enforce the law with regard to mining, logging, hunting wildlife and trafficking in persons in the hinterland.

The ‘green’ economy will require significant new local and foreign investment. We recognize the importance of human safety, a secure environment and legal framework for attracting such investment. We want to protect our citizens, fisher folk, households and farmlands.

PUBLIC SERVICES Public services – including cultural development, education, health, justice, recreation, security, sport and social protection – are provided by the state. The provision of quality public services forms the basis for increased opportunities and well-being of citizens and communities.

Public services must be accessible to every citizen, in every town, in every Region. No citizen should have to leave her or his Region in order to access public services. We will accelerate the decentralization of public services alongside the development of ‘capital towns’ in 2017.

The provision of quality public services is associated with enhancing the ‘quality of life’ of citizens. We are mindful of the need to improve public administration to make public services more accountable, accessible and affordable.

Continuous training and filling resource gaps in the public service will be integral to the process of reforming our system of public administration. We will improve the professionalism of the public service in 2017.

The establishment of the Public Service Staff College will enable the training of a corps of public officials who will be

better equipped to ensure quality and timely delivery of public goods and services. Attention will be paid to filling human resource deficits, particularly in our rural and hinterland regions.

procedures in place for non-nationals applying for a Special Marriage Licence. The Tobacco Control Bill will contribute to the protection of the health of our citizens.

PUBLIC POLICY Your Government is committed to good governance. It is committed to reforming the Constitution. It will, in this regard, convene a Consultative Constitution Reform Commission in 2017.

We have demonstrated our determination to ensure that local government elections are held. We will, without fail ensure that elections are held every three years as required by the Constitution. Citizens’ right to elect the representatives of their choice at free and regular elections will not be suspended again.

Public policy will be undergirded by an inclusionary political process. The empowering of local communities through the holding of the historic local government elections of 18th March, 2016 created a platform for government to be brought closer to the people and for authority to be exercised through their own elected representatives.

The derailment of public policy, marked by the previous administration’s bizarre determination not to conduct local government elections, by uprooting neighbourhood democratic councils and by imposing a perverse form of dictatorial on local government organs has been brought to an end.

The previous administration’s disrespect shown to the public service by abandoning the principle of collective bargaining with the Guyana Public Service Union demoralised the Service. The arbitrary imposition of salary increases damaged the Service’s professional ethos undermining the careers of public servants through the appointment of political permanent secretaries.

GOOD LIFE We aim at the development of a cohesive society in which confrontation is replaced by cooperation. The removal of inequalities based on geography and ethnicity will lay the foundation for a better ‘quality of life’ for everyone. We will work to reduce prejudice and violence. We will fashion a multicultural society characterized by tolerance mutual respect.

The projection of our national interest abroad will ensure the protection of our interests at home. This requires a professional Foreign Service to ensure that the national interest is advanced internationally. Our principal foreign policy objective is the safeguarding our territorial integrity and sovereignty. Our diplomats will be aggressively pursuing, also, increased trade and investment.

Your Government will assume the Chairmanship of the Caribbean Community in January 2017. We will use that opportunity to continue the process of the strengthening of the pillars of regional integration and advance the development of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).

We adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of which the 17 Sustainable Development Goals are compatible with Guyana’s social agenda. The 2017 National Budget will reflect the harmonization of the SDGs with our national development plans, particularly in the social sector.

The 2017 National Budget will be laid in this House in a few weeks time.

The preparation of this Budget started several months ago and has been characterised by an inclusive and consultative process. It will be designed around a results-based format.

It will be guided by the objectives of fiscal sustainability, institutional sustainability and environmental sustainability.

Budget measures will include renewable energy generation and improved energy efficiency – key initiatives of our green agenda. Guyana’s future is linked to renewable energy generation and increased use of energy-efficient technologies.

We will graduate our economy increasingly towards greater renewable energy use across all sectors of Guyana. Government buildings will be powered, eventually, by renewable energy sources and will utilize energy-efficient technologies.

Incentives will be offered to the private sector to follow the government’s lead.

The 2017 National Budget will evince measures aimed at developing a more diversified and climate-resilient agricultural sector. We will: ► promote agricultural expansion further inland by introducing mega farms in the Intermediate and Rupununi savannahs; ► promote the expansion of non-traditional agricultural production such as coconuts, fruits and spices; and, ► promote the increase of aromatic rice production which will add to the crop production in rice sector at a higher end of the value chain.

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Your Government’s legislative agenda, for the next year, is aimed at correcting these aberations and will protect the interests of Guyanese by strengthening Guyana’s legal architecture.

Your government, in this regard, is committed to promoting standards of probity in public office. We will ensure, also, that those who unlawfully expropriate state property are brought to justice. We will pursue the recovery of all stolen State assets.

We will amend the Integrity Commission Act which will provide for a revised Code of Conduct for public officials, inter alia. The State Assets Recovery Bill will establish a State Asset Recovery Agency to recover State property that has been unlawfully acquired, through civil proceedings.

Your government will seek, also, to improve the efficacy and efficiency of our immigration services by tabling the Immigration (Amendment) Bill to delink the Immigration Department from the Guyana Police Force. The National Registration (Amendment) Bill will guard against identity theft by allowing for inclusion of the biometrics of citizens to be recorded on their national registration cards.

The justice administration system will be fortified by the promulgation of three important pieces of legislation.

The Witness Protection Bill will give effect to the Caribbean Community’s Agreement Establishing the Regional Justice Protection Programme (1999) which came into force in 2006.

The ‘Bill’ provides for the establishment of a programme to protect certain witnesses and other persons.

The Protected Disclosures Bill, referred to as the ‘Whistleblowers Bill,’ aims at combating corruption and other wrong doing by encouraging and facilitating persons to make disclosures of improper conduct. The Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority (Amendment) Bill will provide for a change in membership of the governing board of the Deeds and Commercial Registries.

Your Government will pay greater attention to safety in the aviation sector and on our roadways. The Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Bill will provide for the establishment of an authority to investigate aircraft accidents and incidents.

A safer aviation sector will be pursued through the modernizing of civil aviation legislation and the amendment of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation Act to strengthen the airport’s executive and operational functions and capabilities. The Road Act (Amendment) Bill will place emphasis on the removal of derelict vehicles and impose weight limits.

A stable industrial climate is integral to protecting the rights of our workers and ensuring an environment that is conducive to workers’ well-being. The Industrial Relations Tribunal Bill will provide, inter alia, for the establishment of an independent tribunal to settle industrial and labour disputes.

Your government will amend the Marriage Act to put new

PUBLIC TRUST The ‘green’ state will ensure that we bequeath to our children and grandchildren a secure and safe future and a higher ‘quality of life’. The ‘green’ pathway to development will allow for us to sustain economic growth, generate new sectors and additional jobs, build a more resilient and diversified economy, promote human development, reduce inequalities and ensure the safety, security and general well-being of our country.

The discovery of large petroleum reserves in our offshore waters is an exciting development. The emergence of a petroleum sector, however, will not derail our march towards establishing a ‘green’ state. We are wedded, irrevocably, to that mission.

Guyana celebrates its fiftieth anniversary of Independence this year. We are celebrating the Year of Renaissance. We owe it to future generations to use the remaining months and days of this year to build bridges across the abyss of discord.

The two sides of this House have not always disagreed.

They have found common ground in the pursuit of the common good at times. The avenues for compromise and consensus remain open.

Guyana is pursuing a people-centered ‘green agenda’.

This agenda can become a platform for increased political cooperation. Our legislative agenda is evidence of the scope for consensus.

I trust that this House will consider these words and will lend its support to the goal of attaining a higher ‘quality of life’ through a ‘green’ development trajectory.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

AG for Paris FATF meeting

GUYANA will soon have an opportunity to be removed from the list of countries with deficiencies in its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing (AML/CTF) framework.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, will be attending the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) conference in Paris.

“So we hope now that in Paris that report will be conveyed to the ICRG (International Cooperation Review Group )meeting and plenary and [we] have an opportunity to be removed from the list,” Williams told members of the media on Friday at his office on Carmi-

chael Street, Georgetown.

Last month, President David Granger met with the FATF/ICRG officials who were in Guyana to conduct a site visit to assess the progress made by the country to bring it into compliance with the requirements of the FATF and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).

Williams noted on Friday that the team subsequently indicated to the authorities that Guyana had successfully implemented all the recommendations the body had made regarding strengthening of the country’s AML/ CTF framework.

The visiting delegation last month included CFATF’s Financial Adviser Roger Hernandez, CFATF’s Executive Director Calvin Wilson, Americas Regional Review Group (ARRG) Assessor Gonzalo Gonzalez de Lara and FATF’s Senior Policy Analyst Kevin Vandergrift.

Last month, Assessor from the ARRG, Gonzalez de Lara, said that the team is pleased with the Guyana Government’s efforts and the work being done by the various law-enforcement agencies. He also said that the FATF/CFATF recognises that all of these changes have been achieved in a relatively brief period of time.

President David Granger reiterated his Government’s commitment to compliance and its importance to Guyana’s security. “We welcome your coming here and the work you are here to do and we look forward to favourable outcomes… We are committed to ensuring that there is full compliance in every respect,” President Granger said.

He reminded the team that as a small country with porous borders, Guyana is vulnerable to transnational crimes such as human trafficking and contraband smuggling and as such, the country has been doing its best to tackle these problems within the limit of its resources.

Williams noted last month , that while there is still some resistance to the new measures, the Government has been doing a lot of work to ensure that the population gets a better understanding of the importance of fighting money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

Former Supreme Court clerk admitted to practise law IMTIAZ Baig, a former Supreme Court clerk, was on Friday admitted to the bar by Justice Rishi Persaud.

Baig’s petition for admission was presented by Attorney-at-Law Kashir Khan, who said the new lawyer had been successful in his studies and was assured of success.

The admission ceremony of the lawyer attracted a crowded courtroom of family and friends.

Baig began his stellar rise in the world of academia at Central High

School in 2003, when he was successful at the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations.

The young lawyer had previously worked as a Supreme Court clerk and even served Justice Persaud. Attorney Khan, during his petition, deemed Baig as “a fine example of someone who holds both knowledge and experience that is required for the job.”

Justice Persaud said he was pleased to accept the application without any

reservation for Baig to practise law in the courts of Guyana.

“Your focus must be on representing your client and to ensure that justice is served,” the Judge urged the new lawyer “When my father admitted me to the bar, he told me the path that you take in life will follow you by the footprints you leave in the sand,” the judge stated.

Baig thanked the Judge for his words of guidance, and Mr. Kashir Khan for presenting his petition.

Attorney-at-Law Imtiaz Baig and Justice Rishi Persaud “Today, for me, represents a journey that started seven years ago and I’m here today.

“Praise and thanks to Allah, who has given me the strength and perseverance to witness today,” the lawyer said, before thank-

Imtiaz Baig being admitted to the Bar.

ing his wife and children, whom he deemed his rock.

“My love for law began in these same walls,” the lawyer said, as he looked around the courtroom at the High court. “ I was once a clerk and my love for law started here’’

He said he would not have been where he is today without the assistance, guidance and sacrifice of many individuals along this journey.

“I always told myself if others can do it, I can do it too” he added.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

Linden youths on a mission to reduce unemployment A GROUP of young people in the town of Linden, being cognizant of the high unemployment rate and the unavailability of tertiary institutions and business investments, has created a non-profit organization to assist Linden residents in this regard.

Calling themselves Linden Youth Leaders (LYL), these youngsters intend to officially launch their group on October 17. According to Vice President Esther Innis,

merce, Kevin De Younge, are expected to speak at the event.

The target group for this forum comprises the unemployed youths and secondary school students who will graduate soon.

According to Innis, Linden is ripe for investment.

“The private sector should invest in the community, moreso the youths of Linden, because they are skillful. Linden provides cheap electricity, land is very accessible,

Members of the Linden Youth Leaders pose with Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland (right)

the LYL aims to transform the Linden community by empowering youths to establish their own businesses, upgrading their education and transform their communities.

Motivated and supported

by Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland, the youths are also organizing an investment forum which is slated for October 18-19.

The main feature of the forum is the launch of a $10M programme which would see 100 Linden youths each benefiting from grants of $100,000 to commence their own small business.

After participating in a onemonth training programme in small business management and financial literacy, the youths will be given the grant; and, with continuous mentorship, will be owners of their very own businesses.

The investment forum will feature top ranking national investors and businesses such as Gafoors, Toolsie Persaud Ltd and Demerara Distillers Limited. Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, and President of the Linden Chamber of Com-

and there are a number of facilities to accommodate workers,” she posited.

First vice president of the organization, Lynndon Lamott, has taken a leap of faith and recently invested in a movie theatre and entertainment hub called Paradise Entertainment. Lamott, a pilot by profession, said: “I wanted to give the people of Linden the opportunity to enjoy the same amenities that many other people worldwide enjoy.”

The 27-year-old who was born and raised in Linden now lives and works abroad as a pilot, but returned to his hometown to invest in its development, and is encouraging others to do likewise.

Vice President Esther Innis is also of the opinion that the Government of Guyana should play an integral role in providing investment opportunities for Linden youths, and open avenues for enterprises. “Currently, there is a serious youth unemployment dilemma on hand in Linden, because students leaving school and

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

Passport application system soon to be improved

THE Ministry of Public Telecommunications will be collaborating with the Ministry of Citizenship to make a more effective passport application system.

Public Telecommunications Minister Catherine Hughes told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) would be used to make the process easier and faster.

Hughes said the ministries are working together to get to the stage where persons would not only have the passport forms, but would be able to fill them up online and then the staff at the Pass-

port Office would be able to view those forms to ensure all the necessary information is provided.

The minister noted that improvements to the system would fast-track the process, and the waiting time would be reduced. “The end result is that the whole process, (which entails) that you would have had to come down to the passport office, line up, take a number and sit there for five hours; not forgetting that unfortunately we have people not from Georgetown, but as we saw recently people from Berbice, Essequibo that come down and wait, and all those hours

Linden youths on a mission... training institutions are not getting jobs, (and they) lack the skills and expertise to create their own stream of business. If the Government invests jointly, at least private investors will not be afraid to invest in manufacturing and agricultural sectors of the Linden community,” she opined.

Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland is the overall overseer of the organization, and is pushing for youths who are

From page 20

academically inclined to benefit from scholarships. “I am on a drive to motivate our young Lindeners to aspire to higher heights: to become entrepreneurs, to be inventive, serve your community, to be good leaders, and to work hard to achieve great things,” he said.

He will be soliciting funding from established corporations both locally and internationally to fund the initiatives of the Linden Youth Leaders.

Sunday, October 16, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Monday, October 17, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Tuesday, October 18, 2016 - 05:00 hrs

waiting to be able to get there to hand over their form…,” Minister Hughes explained.

Hughes said that part of her Ministry’s vision, is to set up a system wherein more of the stages for the passport application can be done online, which would allow for less time spent at the passport office.

Earlier in the year Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, announced that passport services would be decentralised to Linden, while, services in Anna Regina and

New Amsterdam would commence soon.

Information from the Ministry of Citizenship stated that persons in these locations can apply for renewals of passports and uplift them in the regions. First-time applicants would still have to travel to Georgetown.

The Ministry of Public Telecommunications was established in January of 2016 with a mission to have a strategic placement of ICT in Guyana’s development agenda. (GINA)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

Pakistan late surge undermines Bravo’s performance (ESPNCricinfo) - Having enjoyed the first two days of their 400th Test, piling on the runs on another Dubai featherbed, Pakistan were made to toil for their gains for much of the third day.

Those gains came gradually in the first two sessions, before a hostile spell from Wahab Riaz after dinner helped Pakistan make quick inroads into the West Indies’ middle order. Darren Bravo’s resolute 87 and Marlon Samuels’ attacking 76 led the resistance, but Pakistan’s bowlers were able to maintain control and ultimately leave West Indies on 315 for 6 by stumps, trailing by 264 runs.

Starting the day on 14, Bravo was content to proceed at a stately pace, exhibiting patience, determination and a very

solid defensive game. He brought up his fifty off 176 balls and showed no inclination to accelerate thereafter.

His concern was in occupying the crease as long as possible. While he occasionally took his eye off the bouncer and once edged a full-blooded cut shot past first slip off Yasir Shah, Bravo’s knock was largely chanceless. He provided a fine counterpoint to Samuels and was barely ruffled by the fall of wickets either side of the dinner break. It was only within half an hour of stumps that Bravo’s long vigil ended, when debutant Mohammad Nawaz had him caught at short-leg to claim his maiden Test wicket.

Samuels, for his part, was not quite as convincing as Bravo, but played the dominant role in the pair’s 113-run third-wicket partnership. Having announced his arrival with consecutive fours off Yasir, he continued to pepper the off-side boundary with excellent cuts and drives. He hit 13 fours in all, the best of which was probably an exquisitely timed on-drive after skipping to the pitch of a ball from left-arm spinner Nawaz.

But Samuels’ habit of staying leg side of the ball and his general lack of foot movement caused him occasional problems and ultimately led to his downfall.

He had an early slice of luck when an outside edge off Mohammad Amir’s bowling fell short of Babar Azam at second slip. In the second session, he played a loose drive against Wahab, throwing his hands at the ball, and was lucky the edge did not carry to the wicketkeeper. Eventually,Sohail Khan bowled an indipper that wrapped Samuels on the pads in front of middle; he was rooted in the crease

and falling over. It was the first wicket by a fast bowler in the Test match.

After the dinner break, bowling with the second new ball, Wahab cracked the game open for Pakistan with a venomous short-ball barrage. Jermaine Blackwood was given an intense working over, before he gloved an attempted pull to Sarfraz Ahmed behind the stumps. In Wahab’s next over, Roston Chase fended a well-directed bouncer to Azam, who had just been moved to leg slip. West Indies were 266 for 5 at this stage and suddenly looked vulnerable once again. The late wicket of Bravo, just after West Indies brought up 300, capped off a good day for Pakistan.

That said, they might have anticipated an easier day when Yasir dismissed Brathwaite in just the second over. He got a flighted delivery to drift into middle stump before turning away slightly to beat the outside edge and hit off stump.

While it was a good ball, it was made to look even better by the batsman, who lunged forward and played down the wrong line.

Thereafter, Samuels and Bravo frustrated the bowlers with their third-wicket stand for 43.3 overs. Pakistan’s concerns were exacerbated when Nawaz was warned twice for following through in the danger area shortly after tea. They grew even further in the next over when Samuels drilled the ball back at Azhar Ali, who took a blow to his right hand and had to go off for treatment.

But Sohail broke the century stand and Wahab inflicted further damage after dinner, Azhar came back to take up his position at short leg and Nawaz went on to take a crucial late wicket. Pakistan ended up with most boxes ticked.

SCOREBOARD West Indies 1st innings (Overnight: 69-1) K. Brathwaite b Shah L. Johnson lbw b Shah Da. Bravo c Az. Ali b Nawaz M. Samuels lbw b So. Khan J. Blackwood c S. Ahmed b Riaz R. Chase c B. Azam b Riaz S. Dowrich not out J. Holder not out Extras (b-9 lb-8 nb-7 w-1) Total (for 6 wickets, 109 overs) To bat: D. Bishoo, M. Cummins, S. Gabriel Bowling M. Amir 19 - 4 - 48 - 0(nb-1) So. Khan 16 - 2 - 56 - 1 Y. Shah 36 - 14 - 97 - 2 W. Riaz 19.3 - 3 - 53 - 2(nb-5 w-1) M. Nawaz 16 - 5 - 38 - 1(nb-1) Az. Ali 2.3 - 1 - 6 - 0

32 15 87 76 37 6 27 10 25 315

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

Murray eases into Shanghai Masters -Djokovic loses

(BBC)- Andy Murray is through to the Shanghai Masters final and will play Roberto Bautista Agut, after Novak Djokovic smashed his racquet and tore his shirt as he lost to the Spaniard.

The world number one, 29, lost 6-4 6-4 to world number 19, Bautista Agut.

Murray reached his 10th final of the year with a determined 6-4 6-3 semi-final win over France’s Gilles Simon.

The 29-year-old Briton, seeking his sixth title of the year, saw off world number 32, Simon in a confident display.

If Murray wins Sunday’s final he will be just 915 points behind Djokovic in the annual rankings points, increasing his chances of finishing as the year-end world number one.

Andy Murray has won 18 straight sets in ATP World Tour matches

WI Women must fight harder to secure an ICC World Cup berth

By BRIJ PARASNATH WEST Indies Women team must apply themselves better, and fight harder; against their English counterparts, to get valuable points and to qualify for next year’s ICC World Cup in England.

Both teams will be engaged in royal battle during the Fourth ODI to be contested today at Sabina Park, Jamaica.

The touring English team completely outplayed the West Indians in every department of the game and overwhelmed the host by 112 runs in the third ODI on Friday last.

England’s batters, especially opener Lauren Winfield, skipper Heather Knight and Natalie Sciver; displayed the right temperament and attitude to put their team in a strong position to attack the West Indian players whose technique and shot selection brought about their demise and conceded victory by a huge margin.

Winfield registered her second career fifty which became the team’s highest individual score. She contributed 79 runs and featured in two significant partnerships. She and Knight, who made 22 (1x4 off 38 balls); posted 46 for the third wicket.

The 26-year-old Winfield found another solid partner in Sciver, who lived a charmed life but mustered an invaluable 58; as they recorded a 96-run fourth wicket partnership that pushed their total from 72 for three (19.5 overs) to 167 for 4 (38 overs). Their last six wickets added 53 runs in 12 overs but their efforts were not needed as West Indies folded up for a meagre 108 all out in 35.4 overs.

It was a shocking display by the West Indian players who were never allowed the liberty to play their own natural attacking game against tight defensive bowling by newball medium-pace bowlers Katherine Brunt and Jenny Gunn, both of whom are England’s most experienced bowlers with a combined 238 ODIs wickets between them.

Brunt has played 90 matches and claimed 115 wickets ,while Gunn appeared in 130 matches and taken 123 wickets. Spinners Laura Marsh (2 for 31) and Alexandra Hartley (2 for 25) were also difficult customers to handle, and they were well supported by brilliant outfield cricket, by their fellow English players; who together applied immense pressure, in their quest to cement their place among the first set of

qualifiers for the ICC World Cup tournament, that will be in their own front yards next summer.

Different game situation requires good tactical application to achieve the desired results. England’s 220 runs was a gettable total but the WI players failed to build useful partnerships and were unable to rotate the strike to keep up with a better run rate.

They were too defensive for longer periods, and when they played their attacking shots, they gave their hands away with careless strokeplay, that brought about their demise.

Shaquana Quintyne (21), Deandra Dottin (20), Campbelle (18) and Anisa Mohammed (10) were the only West Indians who got double figures. Those incremental returns made little impact when much bigger scores were required to win and stay ahead in the competitive race for ICC Championship title race and World Cup qualifying place.

England holds the overall advantage over West Indies with their tenth victory in 16 encounters. The 112-run win was their 176th ODI victory from 306 matches while Windies recorded their 68th defeat in 144 ODIs. WI have won 71 ODIs,

tied 1 and there were four no-result matches.

They must win today to move back into second spot behind Australia who leads the ICC Championship table with 30 points. England is second on 21 points while West Indies and New Zealand have 20 points each but West Indies hold third spot with a marginally better net run rate of +0.313 to +0.279.

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Dhoni sees ‘finishing’ as hardest cricketing role (ESPNCricinfo) - Ahead of India’s home ODIs against New Zealand, captain MS Dhoni has said it is difficult to find players to slot into a finisher’s role. The nature of cricket in the subcontinent, he said, meant lower-order batsmen had few opportunities to get used to the pressure of finishing games.

“You talked about [the examples of Jos] Buttler and [Glenn] Maxwell. You have to see consistent performances,” he said. “It [finishing] is one of the most difficult things to do in cricket. It’s not about six months or one year. You have to be used to that role and responsibility, and you have to have that self-confidence to keep on doing what is required of you, usually over a period. Once you find a good finisher, they are the ones that will keep batting at that slot for 8-10 years.

“I think one of the biggest challenge is that the cricket that we play in the subcontinent, more often than not, a finisher is

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someone who bats at 5, 6 7, to some extent, maybe No. 4. A lot of times in India, the lower-order doesn’t get a chance to bat.

Dhoni himself had made his reputation as a finisher but, with his striking power having dimmed over the last few years, he has indicated a preference for batting higher up the order; his reasoning is he can hold the innings together before hitting out in the end, while the batsman coming in at numbers 7 or 8 could go for the big hits from the start. He said the team management had identified a few players for the finisher’s spot, but refused to divulge their names so as to not put pressure on them. “ I t b e c o m e s m o re and more difficult for a youngster to come in and fill in that place. The reason being he may not get an opportunity, but you start counting opportunities - say if we are four or five down for 40 runs, it’ll be counted as a big opportunity by you. In 15-20 games, [the youngster] gets an opportunity like that and you expect the youngster to do well, score a 100-150; you say” ‘That was a perfect opportunity in front of you.’”

Dhoni is averse to using the word “experimentation”, but with India having only eight ODIs to play before the 2017 Champions Trophy in England, he admitted to there being pressure to identify the best combination of players in a short span of time.

“Quite a few of them would have gone to Zimbabwe. All of a sudden, 14 or 15 were there and then a few injuries here and there... It’s not a realistic number but at the same time, there are a few individuals who we are very keen to see what they have on offer.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

WADA instructs cancellation of Greaves cycle race

THE much anticipated Alonzo Greaves birth anniversary 30-lap cycle race which was scheduled for the inner circuit of the National Park yesterday was called off,according to the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF).

According to a GCF source, the reason for the cancellation is the fact that Greaves is still serving a one year ban in accordance to the Union of Cycling International (UCI) rules.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport yesterday, Greaves said he feels very depressed because the two previous events which were organized in his name,the local cyclists were very happy and enthusiastic to be a part of the activity.

“I am not staging this event to make money, rather, I’m am putting money into the cyclist’s pockets as a reward for their hard work and dedication” Greaves stated, adding “I just want to give back to the sport and assist with the development of the

sport local. It’s not that I want to party or anything like that for my birth anniversary.”

Greaves said the sus-

ALONZO GREAVES pension will end on November 1 and he will either stage the event just after or probably wait until next year.

Once a cyclist has been served with a ban, that cyclist cannot in any way be associated with the sport until that

ban is over.However, he/she can train in isolation but not alongside any cyclist/s.

The much talked about event, carried in all the dailies over a three-week period,had attracted great support from the cycling fraternity and other persons right up to yesterday morning,just prior to the scheduled 11:00hrs start Guyana’s leading wheelmen,including defending champion Geron Williams, Raynauth Jeffrey, Raul Leal, Orville Hinds, Michael Anthony, Mark Harris, Jamal John, Andrew Hicks, Romello Crawford and Akeem Wilkinson,were among the attendees.

Greaves was suspended for one year by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), after he failed a doping test. He was one of 10 identified by the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO) for random testing at the conclusion of the Tour of Guyana Five-Stage race in

November 2015.

The Disciplinary Panel noted that Greaves admitted to the charge, but stated that the infraction was not intentional. This is his first violation and he waived his right to have the “B” sample analyzed.

It was decided that Greaves shall be disqualified in respect of the Tour of Guyana Five-Stage Cycle Race and any prize money and ranking points obtained therein shall be forfeited. The 12-month period of ineligibility started on November 1, 2015 and ends on November 1, 2016.

During this period, Greaves would be barred from participating in any capacity in any event or activity or competition authorized, organized or sanctioned by the Guyana Olympic Association, and is ineligible to participate in any capacity in any national, regional or international sport activity for a period of 12 months.

ICC approves USACA proposed governance structure (ICC)- THE ICC Board meeting concluded in Cape Town on Friday with ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar wrapping up the week of committee meetings with a full ICC Board meeting.

He said: “We have had a productive week working with our Members for the long-term benefit of cricket. We are continuing our work on the whole ICC governance structure, including the revenue share model, and I expect a proposal to go to our board next year.

“A number of decisions have been taken, particularly around the governance of cricket in the USA, women’s cricket and funding of associate cricket to drive up playing standards.”

USACA The ICC Board considered a proposed governance structure prepared by the USA Sustainable Foundation Advisory Group, together with USACA’s comments and approved a modified version for incorporation by USACA. The proposed governance structure, which also includes a new board structure with representation from across the cricket community, independent directors and elite players, is aimed at unifying the sport in the USA. The governance structure and underlying constitution will now be shared with USACA who will be requested to approve its implementation by 15 December 2016.

ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar said: “We have spent considerable time working towards the unification of the USA cricket community and making USACA compliant with the reinstatement conditions imposed by the ICC Board in June 2015.

ICC Women’s World Twenty20 2020 Cricket Australia, hosts for the men’s and women’s ICC World Twenty20 in 2020, proposed holding the women’s tournament as a stand-alone event six months ahead of the men’s edition. The ICC Board approved this request considering it a big step forward for the women’s game in a market where there is a clear appetite for women’s cricket given the success of the WBBL.

NSC, GOA lend support to Kaysan Ninvalle THE National Sports Commission and the Guyana Olympic Association are the latest entities to support Guyana’s National Table Tennis 11-13 years champion Kaysan Ninvalle.

Ninvalle will be attending the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Hopes Training and Selection Camp in Lima, Peru.

The young prodigy, also the Caribbean 11 and under Table Tennis Cadet Champion, departed Guyana yesterday for the camp which runs from October 17 to 23.

The Director of Sport,Christopher Jones, indicated that his organization and by extension the Guyana Government, is committed to sports development and

supporting young talents like Ninvalle,with the view of helping them to realize their potential in both sports and academics.

He also added that he was happy in addition to being compelled to have the NSC support Ninvalle upon receiving the request for support from the Guyana Table Tennis Association

L-R Linden Johnson, Kaysan Ninvalle, Garfield Wiltshire and Juman Yassin

L-R Coach Linden Johnson, Christopher Jones, Kaysan Ninvalle and GTTA President Godfrey Munroe.

(GTTA),since he was aware of the exploits of young table tennis talents who brought Guyana regional honors.

GOA President,K. Juman Yassin,also indicated his pleasure in supporting Ninvalle at a small presentation ceremony at the GOA Headquarters in High Street. Ninvalle and his coach Linden Johnson were presented with cheques by Yassin and GOA Treasurer Garfield Wiltshire.

Yassin also spoke on the

implementation of the National Athlete Development Program-Table Tennis for Schools Project. The project is a collaborative effort soon to be implemented. The program will see a structured platform with programs which would aid in producing and developing a greater nucleus of Guyanese athletes.

The World Hopes is one of the new projects of the ITTF Education & Training Program for young talent-

ed players in the U-11 age group that have already showcased their abilities and skills in international arenas,and are aspiring candidates in the route toward excellence. Once selected and under the ITTF preview ,the program offers a comprehensive and continuous pathway for players’ development from the age of 11 until they become Olympic candidates, while still under 21.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

National Secondary School Cricket League 2016-2017…

Defending Champions Chase opens account -Singh records first century

DEFENDING champions, Chase Academy,made a successful start of their title defence in the National Secondary School Cricket League 2016-2017 tournament.

The side defeated St Rose’s High School by 183 runs in the opening round on Friday while the Bishop’s High School and St John’s Collage also registered wins in the Georgetown Zone of the tournament.

Summarised scores of the three games are as follows: At GCC, Bourda, Chase Academy were asked to bat first and amassed 242-3 off 30 overs. National Under-15 captain, Sachin Singh,scored a classy 101, stroking 10 fours and two sixes.

Also among the runs

were Lester Lepidare, who made 44 before he was forced to retire hurt after suffering from cramps,and national Under-17 left-arm spinner, Asmead Nedd,who made an entertaining 34 not out. Bowling for St Rose’s High school, Alex Ramotar took 2-39.

St Rose’s High reached 59-9 in 12.4 overs, with one batsman unable to bat because of an injury. Bowling for Chase Academy, Dwain Dick had 2-10, Shem Persaud 2-12 and Tyrese Trescut 2-16.

At DCC, St John’s College got the better of St George’s College. St John’s College won the toss and asked St George’s College to take first strike. Their decision worked well as the routed St George’s College

for a paltry 49 in 15 overs.

Bowling for St John’s College, Johan Blair took 5-9.

In Reply, St John’s College raced to 50-2 in just 6 overs with Darian Dickson scoring 24.

In another game played at GCC, Bishop’s High School registered an easy victory, when the defeated the Business School by 111 runs. Batting first, Bishop’s High made 146-5 in their 30 overs. Troy Persaud was the main scorer with 74 not out, including nine fours and a six. Bowling for the Business School, Teelack Baliram had 2-14.

In reply, the Business School could only muster 37 in 12.5 overs. Arian Persaud took 4-10, Daniel Singh took 3-7 and Kanpta Seepersaud had 3-1.

SACHIN SINGH The competition continues on Tuesday, with Queen’s College playing Richard Ismael Secondary at DCC,and Kingston High School coming up against School of the Nations at GCC,while Marian Academy will play St Mary’s High at Muslim Youth Organisation ground (MYO) and Chase Academy will face Bishop’s High at GNIC.

STAG/GFA premier League winners awarded

Courts Petra Pee Wee football…

Thirty five goals in round two

THIRTY five goals were scored in the second round of the Courts/Petra Under-11 Pee-wee football competition at Thirst Park on Saturday.

In the first game, St. Stephen’s put Comenius Primary to the sword 3-1,with strikes from Omali Xavier (14th and 26th) and Jequan Cole (28th),while the fourth came through an own goal(defence error).

Four goals were again scored when South Ruimveldt routed F.E Pollard 4-0,thanks to Antonio Leitch’s back to back goals in the 1st and 2nd minutes while John Simon (7th) and Treyvon Duncan (14th),slotted in one each.

St Agnes overcame Rama Krishna by the same margin,with a brace from Nikhail Carter (13th and 22nd) and single strikes from David Xavier (1st and Antawn McKay (27th).

Stella Marris needled Redeemer 1-0 in their game,thanks to Dakari Douglas,while North Georgetown contrastingly beat out School of the Nation’s 5-0 with strikes from Shaquan Walters (11th and 24th), Nigel Lowe (17th), Aken DeSantos (21st) and Kellon King (33rd) Malik Darker’s 22nd minute strike was enough to Give Marian Academy the win over Success elementary in game six with a 1-0 result.Tucville also secured a win against St Ambrose in game seven.

St. Angeles had no trouble over-coming St. Gabriel’s as they won 2-0,with Antwoine Vincent and Seon Cato finding the back of the nets;while Enterprise could not hold off St Margaret’s,losing 2-3.

Margaret’s had Mickelle Andrews (1st and 28th) as part of their score sheet with Joshua Abel scoring the third in the 29th,while Enterprise scored through Shamar Richardson and an own goal.

West Ruimveldt spared no shots when they beat J.E. Burnham 4-0 with Tyrese John, Jermaine Park, Tafrel McAllister, and Kenneth Gordon finding the back of the net.

Winfer Gardens drew with St Pius 1-1 with the former seeing Calvin Bowling’s 9th minute strike being cancelled out four minutes later by Kaden Wellington.

Meanwhile,Maes completed the round with a 2-0 win over Smith Memorial through Joshua Bentick and an own goal.

Matches continue next Saturday.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday October 16, 2016) The various winners of the 2015/2016 GFA/STAG premier league stand with GFA president Clifton Hicken THE Georgetown Football Association (GFA) on Friday evening presented trophies and individual honours to the various recipients of the 2015/2016 edition of the GFA/STAG Premier League tournament.

Jobe Ceaser of FC San-

tos was adjudged the most promising player while Rommel Legal of Western Tigers FC was adjudged the Best goalkeeper.

Santos FC’s Samuel Hunt picked up the Best defender award while the Western Tigers duo of Randolph Wagner and

Philip Rousley won the awards for highest goal scorer and Most Valuable Player respectively.

Present at the ceremony were newly appointed Technical Director of the Guyana Football Federation,Ian Greenwood,as well as president Wayne

Forde, GFA President Clifton Hicken,as well as executives and STAG Brand Coordinator,Lindon Henry Friday’s presentation will be followed by the issuance cheques to the clubs and individuals on Monday at the Police Officers Mess, Eve Leary

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:

Edgbaston, Birmingham, 1975 Javed Miandad-100* (Bourda, 1988)

Today’s Quiz:

What is the highest score by a WI player in a Test innings against Pakistan?

What is Haniff Mohammed’s highest Test score?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

31

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 16, 2016

Hemraj Targeting PCL call-up

By Rajiv Bisnauth AFTER a solid performance is the just concluded Jaguars Franchise League three-day tournament, talented batsman, Chanderpaul Hemraj, feels he stands a good chance in reviving his first-class career.

Hemraj is aiming for when the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Professional Cricket League (PCL) fourday tournament bowls off next month.

The 23-year-old batsman, who hails from the village of Cane Grove on the East Coast Demerara, smashed the highest individual score in the eight-team tournament, 250, and was the fourth highest run-scorer, with 562 runs.

Dubbed as one of the most promising cricketers of the Region, Hemraj has had little success in his short first-class career to date.

The former West Indies Under-19 batsman, who has the ambition of representing the West Indies in all formats at the senior level, has appeared in five first-class matches, but played his last game in April 2014,against the Leeward Islands.

Four of those matches have been played on foreign soil, and Hemraj has managed 131 runs at an average of 13.10 with a highest score of 34.

However, the talented batsman,in an exclusive interview yesterday,said he is pleased with his overall performance and feels his chances of a first-class return is just around the corner.

“Before the start of the tournament, I had my goals set out. My goal was to produce a solid performance with the bat, and I think I have achieved that,” Hemraj Chanderpaul Hemraj said.

He added “With that performance, I hope it sent a message to the selectors, and I am confident that my first-class career will be back on track”.

Hemraj, who is among the academy’s players named by Cricket Guy Inc (CGI) in November last year, can only make his first-class return this season on a ‘Pay-for-Play’ basis, since he is not a contracted player with the Guyana Jaguars nor was he a part of the Player Draft for the 2016-2017 season, which took place on June 16, at the Coppin/Cozier/Short Media Centre at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Meanwhile, the 2016-2017 PCL is set to begin on November 11, and veteran West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul heads the list of the Guyana Jaguars contracted players.

Chanderpaul, the region’s most capped Test player (164 Tests), is expected to play a mentor role, since Chairman of Selectors and former national fast bowler, Rayon Griffith,opted for a number of young players.

However, the Guyana Jaguars opted for its local players, with only 21-year-old Trinidad and Tobago all-rounder Vikash Mohan,being the only new imported draft choice.

Barbadian left-handed all-rounder,Raymon Reifer,is the other foreign player, but he was one of ten players retained by the Guyana Jaguars.

The other contracted players for the new season are: Shimron Hetmyer, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Vishaul Singh, Assad Fudadin, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Keon Joseph, Anthony Bramble, Steven Jacobs, Paul Wintz and Romario Shephard.

Further, it must be noted that batsmen Leon Johnson and Rajendra Chandrika, along with leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, were not considered for contracts since they all have WICB retainer contracts.

GMR&SC Launches International meet

By Stephan Sookram

MOTOR racing enthusiasts are gearing themselves for the biggest event of the sport’s calendar, the Seaboard Marine, Fly Jamaica, GTT and Stag

countries,according to president of the GMR&SC, Mahendra Boodoo.

“This year, teams representing Barbados, Canada, The Cayman Islands, Jamaica Trinidad, Suriname and the United States as well

Fly Jamaica, another of the title sponsors of the event, indicated its pleasure at being involved, with CEO,Carl Bowen saying, “I can’t imagine its 60 years already, it’s a little older than I am.I congratulate

tence. This is no small feat for the company or the championship but we are very proud to be associated with the name and brand,” said representative Jeremey Fernandes.”

Meanwhile,Guyana’s

Members of the GMR&SC executive committee stand with sponsors and CMRC representatives.

International sponsored Race-meet, billed for November 12th and 13th.

Launched last evening at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) Thomas lands facility, the short ceremony featured words from the event’s main sponsors and officials.

The race-meet, which will double as the final leg of the Caribbean’s premier inter-country motor-racing series, the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC), will see participation from several

as Guyana will be racing at South Dakota,” he said.

He continued, “Through sixty years of racing, we are proud to bring about November meet, filled with excitement.”

Meanwhile,Robert Hiscock, representative of Ansa McAl,said “Racing,like any sport, is integral to the development of youths and plays a particularly important part in youth development as well, particularly as it relates to team-work, how to win graciously and lose graciously

you guys for maintaining and sustaining this sport, it’s a very difficult thing to do,especially in rough economies.”

Meanwhile,CMRC series title sponsor Seaboard Marine, through the local branch, John Fernandes Limited,disclosed its investment in the series, adding that they continue to be delighted with the series.

“Seaboard is proud to inject approximately 125,000 USD into each year of motor racing that CMRC has been in exis-

representative on the CMRC board,Shairaz Roshandin,said, “So far we have covered Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad. At this point, Trinidad is leading the Championship and Guyana being the final leg,will see the most representatives and we would expect to see high level of competition.”

The race weekend begins on Friday with free practice before Saturday’s qualification with Sunday’s races beginning from 08:00hr, with the lap of honour.

GMR&SC Launches International See story meet on page 31 Courts Petra Pee Wee football…

Thirty five goals in round two

See story on page 30

Pakistan late surge undermines Bravo’s performance See story on page 27

Asad Shafiq drops Darren Bravo at slip, Pakistan v West Indies, 1st Test, Dubai, 3rd day, October 15, 2016©AFP Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

Part of yesterday’s second round of the Courts/ Petra organised Pee Wee Football competition at Banks DIH,Thirst Park (Photo by Delano Williams)

WADA instructs cancellation of Greaves cycle race See story on page 29

WI Women must fight harder to secure an ICC World Cup berth See story on page 28

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016