Guyana chronicle epaper 12 18 2016

SEE INSIDE

E.R. Braithwaite; my mentor and friend XIII

PPP must reform ► Page

Author and Diplomat, E.R. Braithwaite strikes a pose with Writer, Francis Quamina Farrier

No. 104769

SUNDAY DECEMBER 18, 2016

Price: $140

(VAT Inclusive)

‒ Jagdeo tells party’s 31st Delegates Congress

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Major breakthrough in murder of elderly couple

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Ganja, cellphones, weapons found in Camp Street jail

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U.S. Occupational Therapist training local UG students …Guyana to have six therapists by next year

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‘Tough decisions’ made in Budget 2017 Page 8

…to correct Jagdeo’s mistakes – VP Ramjattan

A masquerader dancing on one foot while the others solicit money from drivers on Camp Street, Georgetown.

[Delano Williams photo]

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 18, 2016

Health care in hinterland regions to improve …infrastructural projects in Budget 2017 will boost health care – Dr Norton

By Svetlana Marshall MINISTER of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, has noted that the infra-

structural projects outlined in the 2017 Budget, coupled with the health projects and programmes that would be rolled out, mean well for the

health sector.

Speaking during a televised programme, Budget in Focus, the Public Health Minister explained that the

construction of roads and bridges will make the hinterland areas of Guyana much more accessible, noting that millions of dollars are spent

each year to medivac residents from far-flung communities to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

In fact, in 2016, the Public Health Ministry spent $48.8M on medical evacuation services for 93 cases that were unable to be treated in their respective regions, and which were referred to the GPHC, the national referral hospital.

Minister Norton said that in 2017, his ministry will take steps to improve the quality of services being offered by health care facilities in the coastal and hinterland regions, in an effort to reduce the large number of cases that are seen at GPHC. While GPHC is the national referral hospital, it is currently battling with the issue of overcrowding, because many persons fail to utilise the services of their regional hospitals and community health centres.

“We are hoping that if we can improve the quality of health care that is given to these outlining areas, then the overcrowding of the Georgetown Public Hospital will not be as demanding as it is at the moment,” Dr Norton said.

This, he said, forms part of the ministry’s primary health care approach, explaining that there are times when people arrive at GPHC too late, resulting in death.

As such, he said construction and even upgrades to roads and bridges can link communities, thereby creating greater access to health care facilities.

In keeping with this agenda, the Public Health Ministry will be moving to upgrade the services provided at regional hospitals, such as those in Lethem and Mabaruma.

“We need in no uncertain terms the availability of a functioning operating theatre which will include not only infrastructure in terms of having anaesthetic machine, and the different medical supplies and medical equipment but also the personnel,” Minister Norton explained.

For Guyana, he said the Bartica Regional Hospital is a model regional hospital. At that hospital, the operating theatre is fully functioning.

Additionally, it is equipped

Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton

with a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) along with eight specialists, including a general surgeon, cardiologist, orthopaedic surgeon, paediatricians, air, nose and throat specialists, a dermatologist and an anaesthesiologist.

“We are hoping that we can get medical personnel into the hinterland areas, above the level of the general medical practitioner. Bartica is a model for the regional hospitals and we have to move in that direction,” he added.

However, he said while the Government through the Public Health Ministry is taking the necessary steps to increase capacity and enhance facilities such as the Leonora Regional Hospital and the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, the attitudes of some health care providers are less than desirable, particularly at the health centres.

“We have got a lot of situations that we are not happy[with],” he posited, noting that while some health centres may periodically experience challenges, health care providers must strive to provide the best level of service available. “A little bit of interest, care and dedication,” he said, would go a far way in improving services being offered.

Nevertheless, he said there are those health care givers who continue to show tremendous dedication and love for their profession and should not be overshadowed by those who fail to live up to the oath.

The health sector has been allocated $31.2B or 12.5 percent of the $250 Billion 2017 Budget. The allocation is to prioritise focus mainly on achieving universal coverage for health care.

PPP must reform 3

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 18, 2016

‒ Jagdeo tells party’s 31st Delegates Congress

By Tajeram Mohabir THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) 31st Delegates and Observer Congress opened on Saturday with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo issuing a clarion call for reform of the party as it sets sights on regaining power in 2020.

Addressing a packed, but a bit lacklustre gathering at Cotton Field Secondary School, Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, the former President said alleged electoral discrepancies apart, other factors led to the PPP losing office in the May 2015 general and regional elections.

The electoral defeat ended the PPP’s 23-year reign.

While Mr Jagdeo did not delve into or even mention the ‘other’ factors for the PPP’s electoral loss, it has been widely proffered that it was precipitated allegedly by widespread complacency, corruption, cronyism and nepotism.

He told the congress, the first since the party lost office

less than two years ago, that Guyana has to steadfastly abide by its founding principles, which is to exclude no one based on their race, religion or gender. And on that note, in a militant tone, he declared, “We will be taking our campaign to our traditional supporters,” as well as [to] “those [who] did not support us,” to loud applause.

Mr Jagdeo, who energised the gathering in his speech, said the message of the PPP will be taken far and wide, to every street, every village and every community.

BROAD-MINDED “We have to be an Opposition for Guyana, not only for the PPP. We have to create space for those who did not support us, we have to be broad-minded and have a sympathetic ear to all suffering Guyanese,” he said, contending that the party needs to decentralise its operations.

This approach, the former President said, would be useful in helping the PPP to regain power from the cur-

rent Government, which he deems “bereft of ideas” and “totally incapable of leading Guyana.”

The journey to be in power again, he said, begins at congress, and the party will “work day in” and “day out” to achieve this goal, regard-

less of attacks and persecution. Trials, discrimination and attacks, he said, are not strange to the PPP, and it has never lost hope, as he praised Dr Cheddi Jagan, the founding leader of the party for his inspiration and leadership.

The Opposition Leader said the struggle continues today, and against the Government which has instituted

‘THEY MISS US’ “In 19 months, people have started to miss us badly, our supporters miss us and their supporters miss us too,” he said, stressing that the PPP has to be united and use the opportunity while in Opposition to strengthen itself. The former President also told the gathering that whenever

jobs, even though he did not elaborate on this assertion.

He also warned about a secret plan by Government to sell out GuySuCo, which began to decline during his presidency. Earlier, Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) Leader Irfaan Ali welcomed the delegates, drawn from the 10 administrative regions, and said the youth

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo addressing the gathering at congress on Saturday

Delegates and Observers sing the party’s song on “Fighting Men” before the formal commencement of the 31st congress

more taxes and would be borrowing more, with little hope of any significant financial returns. The Government has defended the implementation of the suite of new taxes, contending that it is necessary to raise money to improve the services it provides to citizens.

But according to Jagdeo, the across-the-board taxing of women, vendors, the rich and the poor is imprudent and reflects little or no empathy from the “governing cabal.”

the PPP is in power, Guyana always experiences progress, and as such, it is proud of its track record.

For the 19 months the Government has been in power, he noted that progress has slowed, reflecting the opposite of what they had promised on the 2015 campaign trail. Mr Jagdeo went on to claim that so far under the current Government, no new investor has come to Guyana and over 10,000 Guyanese lost their

arm of the PPP is prepared and looks forward to reforming and re-energising the party in the next three years.

In the next three years the PYO, he said, will be partnering with every like-minded youth organisation, seek to broaden its membership, rebuild party groups at district and community levels, fight youth discrimination, create widespread awareness of abuse, create safe houses to tackle suicide and domestic Turn to page 19 ►

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 18, 2016

Suicide attack kills 13 soldiers in Turkey [BBC] - A suicide car bomb in central Turkey has killed 13 soldiers aboard a bus and wounded 56 more, officials say.

The blast destroyed the bus carrying soldiers visiting a local market in the city of Kayseri. An army spokesman said civilians may also have been injured.

No group has admitted carrying out the attack, but Turkish officials say it bears the hallmarks of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

It comes a week after 44 people were killed in a PKK attack in Istanbul.

Regional governor Suleyman Kamci said the blast in Kayseri, a usually calm industrial hub in Central Anatolia, was carried out by a suicide bomber parked next to the bus near the entrance to Erciyes University. The soldiers were

said to be on leave from a nearby military base.

Seven people have been arrested in connection with the blast Images from the scene showed the bus reduced to a smouldering wreck with a massive hole punched in one side.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said the materials used were similar to those used in Istanbul.

“All indications at present point to the PKK,” he said. President Tayyip Erdogan said that Kurdish militants were attempting to “trip up Turkey, cut its strength and have it focus its energy and forces elsewhere”.

Turkey has suffered a series of fatal bombings in 2016 at the hands of both the Kurdish militants and jihadists. Later on Saturday,

a crowd stormed the Kayseri offices of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), parliament’s second-largest opposition party.

The HDP condemned the bombing in the city and called for an end to “the politics, tone and language that creates tension, polarization, hostility, chaos and conflict”.

The government imposed a temporary blackout on media coverage in the wake of the Kayseri blast.

An instruction from the prime minister’s office urged the media to refrain from publishing anything that may cause “fear in the public, panic and disorder and which may serve the aims of terrorist organizations”, the Associated Press reported.

The bus could be seen on fire after the blast

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE december 18, 2016

Venezuela postpones currency move after chaos, protests [Reuters] - VENEZUELAN President Nicolas Maduro suspended on Saturday the elimination of the country’s largest denomination bill, which had sparked cash shortages and nationwide unrest, saying the measure would be postponed until early January.

The surprise pulling of the 100 bolivar note from circulation this week - before new larger bills were available - led to vast lines at banks, looting at scores of shops, anti-government protests and at least one death.

Maduro, speaking from the presidential palace, blamed a “sabotage” campaign by enemies abroad for the delayed arrival of three planes carrying the new 500, 2,000 and 20,000 bolivar notes.

“One plane, contracted and paid for by Venezuela, was told in flight to change direction and go to another country,” he said, without specifying who had given the orders. “There’s another which was not given flyover

The 100-bolivar note is worth just two US cents on the black market permission.”

The 100 bolivar bills, officially out of use since Thursday and worth just 4 U.S. cents at the black market currency rate, can now be used until Jan. 2, Maduro said.

Many Venezuelans had found themselves without the means to pay for food, gasoline or Christmas prepa-

rations in a country already reeling from a profound economic crisis. About 40 percent of Venezuelans do not have bank accounts, and so cannot use electronic transactions as an alternative to cash.

Adding to the chaos, Venezuela has the world’s highest rate of inflation, meaning large bags of cash must be humped around to

pay for basic items.

expected to issue a ruling in early January.

Since the 43-year-old took over the colonial city of 350,000, opponents have questioned his attendance record at city hall meetings and his political experience, saying that advisers make decisions on his behalf.

“He might be a good man, but he is not qualified to rule,” said constitutional lawyer Raul Carranca, who filed the impeachment petition before the state’s legislature.

Blanco, who played for Club America and the Chicago Fire, was a part of the national team at three FIFA World Cup tournaments, and is Mexico’s second leading scorer of all time with 38 goals. Off the field, he has made headlines for his hot-temper, including a 2007 incident where he was filmed hitting a Mexican sports journalist.

Carranca has also alleged that Blanco cannot adequately prove his residency in Cuernavaca. Speaking by telephone from Cuernavaca, where he began his protest at dawn, Blanco told Reuters that elements of the trial were baseless.

“What they’re doing is outrageous,” Blanco said. His hunger strike, he added, would continue indefinitely.

‘STUPID AND DESTRUCTIVE’ In the southern mining town of El Callao, a 14-year-old boy was shot dead during looting on Friday, authorities confirmed.

An opposition legislator reported three fatalities.

The Democratic Unity

opposition coalition said the socialist leader should resign for incompetence and for inflicting yet more suffering on Venezuelans.

“We have a government utterly stupid and destructive in economic management, whose only goal is to keep power at whatever price,” said opposition leader Julio Borges.

Maduro had justified the 100 bolivar note’s elimination as a way of strangling mafia and smugglers on the frontier with Colombia. He has also closed border crossings with Colombia and Brazil until Jan. 2. Earlier on Saturday, about 400 people in western Tachira state jumped fences and defied security personnel to surge into Colombia in search of food and medicines, which are scarce in Venezuela, witnesses said.

In southern Bolivar state, people broke into dozens of shops and warehouses in various towns, witnesses and business leaders said. Authorities declared a curfew in Ciudad Bolivar and the state

governor said 135 people had been arrested.

Security forces fired teargas in Venezuela’s largest second city, Maracaibo, to stop looters, witnesses said.

Some protesters burned 100 bolivar bills. Addressing thousands of supporters at a rally in Caracas, Maduro blamed the opposition for stirring violence and said some members of the Justice First and Popular Will parties were arrested for colluding with mafias.

The 54-year-old successor to Hugo Chavez, whose popularity has plunged during three years of recession, says domestic political foes supported by the United States are sabotaging the economy to undermine his government.

Critics say it is time for Maduro to go after 18 years of socialist policies have wrecked the economy. But authorities have stymied an opposition push for a referendum to remove him before the next presidential election due in late 2018.

Mexico soccer star-turned-mayor goes on hunger strike

[Reuters] - THE former Mexican soccer star Cuauhtemoc Blanco declared a hunger strike on Saturday to protest an impeachment process that seeks to remove him as mayor of the city of Cuernavaca, a state capital near Mexico City.

The proposal to unseat Blanco, who became mayor of Cuernavaca in December, was approved Thursday by the Morelos state legislature and was sent on to state supreme court judges who are

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

PPP’S CONGRESS AND ALLIANCE POLITICS THE Opposition People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) 31st Triennial Congress, last held in August 2013, is being held this weekend on the Essequibo Coast. This is the first time since 1992 that the PPP is holding a congress (a) out of government office and (b) without any of the Jagans in the leadership.

The Jagdeo-led party will, however, lean heavily on the image of its founder, the late iconic Cheddi Jagan, and will make observance of the 20th anniversary of his death next year a main event for mobilization.

The spirit of Cheddi Jagan would, however, fade into the distance as delegates would firstly blame the loss of the party’s parliamentary majority in 2011, and secondly its ouster from office in 2015, on a departure from his “lean and clean” principle. Delegates would also question the almost total abandonment of Dr. Jagan’s multi-ethnic and class alliance approach for what has increasingly become reliance on racial politics. Note would be taken of the open advocacy by new ideologues close to Mr. Jagdeo for the PPP to abandon its politics of “tokenism”, under which a handful of prominent Afro-Guyanese has been incorporated into the electoral slate of the party, without any power or influence at the party’s leadership level.

As an alternative to the so-called multi-ethnic alliance, there is a lobby for incorporation of another form of tokenism from among the strident rightwing Indian rights advocates. This is unlikely to find favour with the Moscow-trained apparatchiks, the Marxist-Leninist old guards who, though dwindling in number and influence, would expose any strengthening of alliance with racist elements as a betrayal of Dr. Jagan’s ideals.

Observers believe that a compromise would be made as a concession to Mr. Jagdeo, who favours a strategic partnership with the business community, especially its Indo-Guyanese component.

The more immediate concern, however, would be to

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 18, 2016

NFMU responds to Tony Vieira Dear Editor, THE National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) has noticed several letters written by Mr. Tony Vieira appearing in the daily newspapers. The most recent letter appeared in the December 9, 2016 edition of the Stabroek News, and it was titled “We do not have to go digital”.

We feel compelled to respond for two main reasons: this is a national issue, and Mr. Tony Vieira speaks while he is a member of the Board of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) and Chairman of the Licensing, Fees and Legal Matters Sub-committee of the GNBA Board.

Let us state clearly that the statements made by the board member constitute attacks on the NFMU, are dishonest, far removed from reality, and even violate the protocols of the Board of the GNBA. The flurry of attacks began in May of this year. We are compelled to issue a public response now, since it appears that the board is welcoming to the idea of dealing with Mr. Vieira. We will deal specifically with technical matters on which the NFMU has a direct mandate. We do not wish to detail arguments about Mr. Vieira’s competence or lack thereof.

Guyana must embrace digital technology if we, as a country, are to move forward. The television broadcasting sector is one of the areas that have benefited from the rapid advancement in technology.

The global transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television broadcasting started several years ago. The developed world and many developing countries have already completed the transition, or are actively in the process of transitioning.

Digital terrestrial television

(DTT) not only delivers superior quality services compared to analogue broadcasting, but is also much more spectrum-efficient. In this Information Age, where the limited radio spectrum is increasingly becoming scarcer, efficiency in its use is a key element in the success of a business, and ultimately the development of a country. In addition to its technical superiority to analogue TV, Digital TV is inevitable; unless, of course, any country or operator wishes to remain anchored in the past, in mediocrity, and manufactures analogue TV transmitters and receivers for their own use, since OEMs will cease to produce analogue equipment sometime in the future.

Mr. Vieira’s statement that “The evidence is that one man, Valmikki Singh, is making this decision (to go digital) for all of us…” is false.

The Government of Guyana was offered, and accepted, assistance from the International Telecommunication Union (funding was provided by the Republic of Korea) to develop a roadmap for the transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television broadcasting in Guyana.

The ITU identified and hired an expert, Dr. Andres Navarro, to assist Guyana in developing the roadmap. A National Roadmap Team comprising representatives of the GNBA, GNBS, MTIC, GRA, NCN, the Guyana Consumers Association and the NFMU was established in 2013. Public consultations as well as consultations with TV broadcasters on the development of the roadmap for the transition to digital terrestrial television (DTT) were held in July 2013 and January 2014.

In November 2014, Cabinet approved the final draft report being used by the Government of Guyana in its activities to transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television broadcasting.

strengthen the lacklustre political leadership of the party, especially after the departure of key lieutenants of Cheddi Jagan, such as Ralph Ramkarran, Moses Nagamootoo and the late Navin Chandarpal. The party would also have to contend with the possible exit from covert political presence of former executives like Dr. Roger Luncheon, Harry Persaud Nokta, Clinton Collymore, Ally Baksh, Philomena Sahoye-Shury and Cyril Belgrave.

Observers feel it is possible that former General Secretary (and ex-president) Donald Ramotar could fade away, which would leave at the leadership level only Gail Teixeira, Clement Rohee, Komal Chand and Indra Chandarpal as credible pro-Jagan survivors.

As always, the focus would be on personalities, not policies or programmes. The race for the 35-member Central Committee will take centre stage. It is hoped that the process would not be characterized by smear campaigns and mudslinging in the manner complained about by Mr. Ramkarran after the 2008 Congress. At the 2013 congress, the spectre of fraud surfaced when it was discovered that there were 1,097 delegates but 1,599 ballots were cast.

This final report was delivered to the NFMU in January 2016, and was promptly sent to the Ministry of Public Telecommunications for discussion and further action. The NFMU sent copies of the Roadmap Report to the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority in February 2016, and this report was subsequently sent to all board members in early April, 2016.

In its letter to the GNBA, the NFMU proposed to meet at mutually convenient times to discuss the implications, impact, and actions necessary as a result of the imminent transition to DTT (this was also expressed to the Board). To date, there has been no response to NFMU’s request to meet.

Mr. Vieira had the Roadmap Report for the transition to DTT for approximately eight months.

He did nothing with it, but now states boldly that Guyana does not have to go digital. This is the kind of unprofessionalism and recklessness that will stymie and retard the development of the Broadcasting, Telecom and ICT sectors in Guyana. It is unbelievable that in this day and age of computers, tablets, smart TVs and the Internet, we have to still debate the benefits of digital over analogue.

DEFINITION OF BROADCASTING The current definition of broadcasting, as contained in the Broadcasting Act 2011 and later included in the Telecommunications Act 2016, is just fine. Mr. Vieira’s proposed definition of broadcasting is nothing short of Jurassic. It does not consider convergence, new technologies such as over-the-top services, the various platforms that provide television See page 7

The election of the Central Committee and post-congress composition of the 15-member Executive Committee become crucial, since looming large is the 2020 general elections. The next congress is not on the cards until 2019, which would be too close for the selection of the party’s presidential candidate. Control of the Executive Committee is therefore critical.

The PPP, however, has an excellent opportunity to turn the congress away from personality politics, and to use the occasion of the congress being held in Essequibo to unambiguously declare support for Guyana’s sovereignty.

Congress is an occasion for the PPP to bury the notion by any of its leaders that Guyana could cede an inch of territory to Venezuela. It is also an occasion for the PPP to re-invent Cheddi Jagan and place on the front burner the party’s alliance policy of forging national unity.

The Congress could swing Guyana’s politics away from potential conflict and confrontation if its preferred outcome is to advocate for a Government of National Unity instead of pandering to calls for ethno-racial consolidation.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 18, 2016

GuySuCo responds to Hydar Ally Dear Editor, THE Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) hereby responds to Mr. Hydar Ally’s letter published in the Stabroek News of 16 December, 2016 under the title “What the sugar industry needs is a higher level of efficiency”.

We invite the author to undertake a deeper analysis of the realities of the Guyana sugar industry, so that his contribution to the debate on the best possible solutions can be reflective of a more objective understanding of the issues.

It is important to note that Booker Tate Limited was brought in by the Desmond Hoyte Administration to reposition GuySuCo for possible divestment. Its mandate was the sugar business. Contrary to views expressed, GuySuCo was making real progress with its diversification activities through the Other Crops Division, but given the mandate of Booker Tate, this was discontinued.

The management of the Guyanese economy was regulated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program in place at the time, and Booker Tate, with the support of the then Guyana Government, obtained the approval of the IMF to increase wages up to 75%, in order to attract workers back into the Corporation.

What is noteworthy is that the state of GuySuCo’s agricultural infrastructure in 1990 was significantly better than it is at the moment. Also, the cadre of technical skills and experience which obtained in 1990 was significantly greater than that which currently exists.

In order to successfully deliver on its

mandate, Booker Tate brought in a team of expatriate administrative and technical staff which peaked at over twenty in number. This team was supported by Booker Tate’s corporate office in the United Kingdom, which had some of the best technical expertise in the sugar world.

Fundamental to this review is that GuySuCo and Booker Tate had, in those years, the benefit of the EU Preferential Market. Given the direction in which sugar prices and costs were trending, in particular the latter, the Booker Tate management, during the mid-1990s, recommended the rationalization of the industry -- fewer factories and rationalization of cane hectarage -– to reduce costs, increase productivity, and better secure the future of the industry. However, this strategic plan was not approved.

The dominant criterion was increasing production while restructuring of costs was not entertained.

Over the years, Booker Tate was required to reduce its numbers. At the same time, skilled and experienced Guyanese were leaving -- retiring, resigning or migrating. The local and international environment within which sugar as a business exists has been changing over the years, particularly over the past 10 years. During this period, the EU preferential price was lost; there was the loss of skills and experience as a result of the reduction in the number of Booker Tate technical staff and the exodus of Guyanese skills and experience, both of which resulted in the overall weakening of the technical and management team across the industry; the under-capitalization of the sugar industry was severe; there was

NFMU responds ...

From page 6

services/programs etc. There are several other areas in which the truth has become alien to Mr. Vieira’s ramblings; the paper does not have enough space to print them, but here are just two: 1: He claims there is no spectrum left to offer a competitor of E-Networks Inc. There are sixteen (16) UHF channels (between ch.14 and 50) in the Georgetown area that have not been assigned. Many more channels are available in outlying areas.

2: He wants to know why channels 51 to 83 are not available for broadcasting in Guyana, and claims: “…after months of delay and grandstanding by the NFMU, I was told that it was not our business.” This is not true. On several occasions, I informed the GNBA Board (which included Mr. Vieira) that channels 51 to 83 are referred to as the digital dividend (spectrum released worldwide as a result of the transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television broadcasting) and are meant to be used primarily for mobile communications.

The Board was informed that the users within this band include the mobile operators and trunked radio users.

FORWARD LOOKING, OR TRAPPED IN A TIME WARP? It is indeed unfortunate that a prominent member of the GNBA Board, Mr. Tony Vieira, wishes to keep Guyana rooted in the 1980s from a technological standpoint. Analogue technology was prominent then; not now.

Analogue terrestrial television broadcasting is antiquated and inefficient.

CONCLUSION Unless Guyana follows the trend of technological advancement and employs and utilizes modern technologies such as DTT, its goals of poverty reduction, better livelihoods for its citizens, achievement of the sustainable development goals etc. cannot be realized.

The NFMU is committed to working with the GNBA, its Board, and indeed all stakeholders in advancing the broadcasting and telecom/ICT sectors for the benefit of all Guyanese.

VALMIKKI SINGH Managing Director National Frequency Management Unit

the granting of increases in wages and salaries despite the financial difficulties being experienced by the Corporation; not to be underestimated was the havoc wreaked by the floods of 2005, the effects of which were felt in subsequent years; the escalation of cost of production and financial losses, including cash deficits continued.

Another area which has impacted negatively on the sugar industry is the adversarial industrial relations’ environment. Man-days lost due to strikes from January 2000 to end September 2016 exceeded one million. From 2005 to 2015, there were 2,019 strikes, with an average of 150 per year. The number of strikes that occurred to 31st October, 2016 is 139; as at 31 October 2016, man-days lost amounted to 43,693. This situation continues to have a significant negative impact on the industry’s health.

Cane yields reported on the basis of tonnes cane per hectare (tc/ha) is an important indicator to measure the health of the cultivation. For the period May 1976 to December 1979, the tc/ha was approximately 71.5. From January 1980 to December 1989, it was approximately

71.0. From January 1990 to December 1999, it was approximately 66.8. From January 2000 to December 2009, it was approximately 66.2; and for the period January 2010 to date in 2016, the average yield approximates 57.6 tc/ha.

Finally, it is important to note that significant rationalization and reorganization is necessary for the corporation to become viable. Mr. Ally is correct in saying that higher production would reduce unit cost, but this is only to a degree.

With the best of marketing strategies, the existing preferential markets cater for about 70,000 tonnes of sugar, with any additional production having to be sold at prices which are based on the World Market.

The world to which Mr. Ally alludes, albeit very incompletely, is very different from that which presently obtains. In the interest of the employees of the industry and the economy at large, different remedies are required.

Regards, AUDREYANNA THOMAS Senior Communications Officer Communications Unit, GuySuCo

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 18, 2016

‘Tough decisions’ made in Budget 2017 …to correct Jagdeo’s mistakes – VP Ramjattan

By Svetlana Marshall TOUGH decisions had to be made in crafting the 2017 National Budget to correct the mistakes made under the Bharrat Jagdeo Administration when it had taken a decision to introduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) at a rate of 16 per cent, Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan has said.

Speaking during the televised programme – Budget in Focus 2017 – hosted by the Director of Public Information Imran Khan on the National Communications Network (NCN), the vice-president said the $250B Budget was remarkably crafted by Finance Minister Winston Jordan when the global economy is neither contracting nor increasing.

Here in Guyana, the country recorded a 2.6 per cent real economic growth for 2016, a decline from the 4.4 per cent projected earlier

this year. At mid-year, a real economic growth rate of 2 per cent was achieved, but several industries and sectors, including sugar, rice, construction and wholesale and retail trade, were showing signs of distress. As such, the projected growth rate for 2016 was revised downwards to 4 per cent. Notwithstanding these challenges, he said the Government for yet another year will be bailing out the sugar industry with a $9B injection.

Nevertheless, he said very hard decisions had to be made by Minister Jordan in order to take the country in the right direction. Explaining the much-talked-about revised tax regime that will take effect on January 1, 2017, Minister Ramjattan said, “Revenue streams” are critical to the development of any country, and as such while the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government had taken a decision to fulfil its manifesto

promise of reducing VAT, it was similarly important for the Government to maintain its revenue stream.

He said it is in this context that Budget 2017 must be viewed, explaining that while VAT has been reduced to 14 per cent from a high of 16 per cent, other taxes had to be raised and the tax base expanded to maintain the revenue stream.

“Very tough decisions had to be made and they had to be made this year,” the vice- president said as he applauded the Finance Minister for his “bold” steps.

He said the steps being taken by the Finance Minister are not only bold, but are also corrective measures.

The statesman, who has been a Member of Parliament for approximately 25 years, further explained that in 2005 VAT was introduced to Guyana, aimed at raking in approximately $17B. He said when the overall tax was introduced, it was advised by the experts that it be

Vice-President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan

12 per cent or less, but then President Bharrat Jagdeo had set the rate at 16 per cent.

“What Mr. Jagdeo and his Government, the PPP then, did…in 2005 although they passed that Act, did not enforce VAT for the entire year 2006, because it was an elections year, but as soon as 2007 came however, on the 1st January, VAT literally came on stream. And you know what was the rate?

Sixteen per cent, four more,” Minister Ramjattan posited.

According to him, what the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration had done at the time was to “loot the poor people of this country.”

It was noted that the increase imposed by the Jagdeo Administration had racked up approximately $18B in taxes.

“When they are talking about we are ripping the people off, I want the people to understand, the rip-off happened in 2005,” Minister Ramjattan lamented.

Subsequent to the implementation of VAT, the former President took a decision to place a number of items on a zero-rated list, the vice-president further explained, noting that it was possible for the PPP Administration to do so because of the huge surplus it had acquired.

Approximately 10 years after, the ill-advised decision taken by the then president, is being rectified with VAT being reduced, the vice-pres-

ident said, while noting that it would have been economically wrong for the Government to retain all of the zero-rated items.

He said if such a decision had been taken, the revenue stream would have shrunk, and as such would have taken a toll on infrastructural and other programmes such as the construction of schools, roads, bridges and hospitals.

“We don’t have that luxury and so we have to make sure that in order to do our social programmes and social projects we have to have that revenue stream,” he emphasised.

Minister Ramjattan also used the opportunity to warn Guyanese about Jagdeo. According to him, Jagdeo, who is now the leader of the Opposition, is a very smart and clever individual with “many faces.”

“He has a face for everything. It is a remarkable trait that he has which is going to impress you,” Minister Ramjattan posited, while further warning Guyanese not be deceived.

Police hunt Marijuana, cellphones, weapons …following Joint found in Camp Street jail gang members Services raid

…involved in robbery of Plaisance businessman POLICE are on the hunt for two suspects, who are part of a gang operating on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) and which is responsible for a spate of robberies.

Businessman Kenneth Earle of Prince William Street, Plaisance, ECD, who was a victim of one such robbery Friday afternoon, was shot by bandits, who escaped with more than $4M in cash.

Reports revealed that the father of four is contracted by Qualfon to provide transportation services to the company’s employees. At the time of the robbery, he had withdrawn money to pay the other drivers who work with him. According to police the businessman, accompanied by a friend, went to a city bank on Friday afternoon and withdrew a large sum of cash to pay his workers.

Having withdrawn the money, the two then travelled to Plaisance via Earle’s motor car. Upon arrival, they exited the vehicle and were immediately confronted by two armed bandits, who discharged their firearms,

Kenneth Earle

hitting Earle in both legs.

The bandits them relieved the two men of the cash, and escaped in a tinted vehicle. The incident reportedly occurred about 15:30hrs.

Police in a statement said that Earle was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), where he was treated and admitted. He is said to be in a stable condition.

Investigators have retrieved several spent shells from the scene, as investigations continue in an effort to apprehend the two suspects.

A JOINT Services raid of the Georgetown Prison on Saturday morning unearthed narcotics, cellphones and phone cards, Commander Clifton Hicken has confirmed.

The search ended at approximately 11:00hrs and saw the prison being cordoned off and monitored by both police and soldiers.

The raid, which started in the main prison cell blocks about 05:00hrs, saw prisoners being taken out of their cells so that the search could be conducted.

The seized items include 448 grams of cannabis, 18 cellular phones, 39 improvised weapons, 39 lighters, 53 packs of cigarettes, 126

razor blades, 14 SIM cards and three memory cards.

Several raids were carried out throughout the year, the most memorable of which was in the month of May, when “Operation Restore Order” resulted in the seizure of 44 mobile

phones, over 150 improvised weapons, scissors, a quantity of marijuana and tattoo machines, among other items.

This resulted after the deadly March 3, 2016 prison riot, which saw prisoners setting the remand section of the jail alight, leaving 17 prisoners

dead.

A Commission of Inquiry was set up by President David Granger following the riot, and the report from that inquiry contains recommendations for managing the country’s prisons.

‘F’ Division Commander fetes Agatash youth group IN an effort to promote positive lifestyles for youths in Bartica, Region Seven, the Commander and ranks of ‘F’ Division hosted a Christmas party on Saturday for the Agatash youth group.

Eighty-five youths between ages 5-16 years were treated to a good time which included gifts, food and songs.

The event was held at the Agatash Community Centre and was supported by parents,

residents and the business community.

Commander of ‘F’ Division, Senior Superintendent Ravindradat Budhram, said the event is one of the many activities planned for the youths who are engaged throughout the year.

“They youths are the future and therefore we have to engage them at an early stage in their life to aid in a safe and healthy environment,”

Commander Budhram said.

The commander explained that youth leadership camps provide an opportunity for police departments to teach, inspire, and motivate future community leaders.

“Law enforcement officers play a vital role in encouraging youths to become positive role models, enabling them to realise their full potential to lead and become better citizens. Police youth

leadership camps are an effective way for departments to influence these young lives and improve police-community relations,” the senior superintendent said.

He explained that the camps offer participating youths greater responsibility and an opportunity to provide public service, enhanced community awareness, and a positive purpose in life.

9

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 18, 2016

Major breakthrough in murder of elderly couple …four in police custody

Murdered: Mohamed Munir and his wife Bibi

By Rabindra Rooplall FOUR men are in police custody as new information has surfaced into the death of the elderly rice-farming couple, Mohamed Munir and his wife, Bibi Jamila, who were burnt to death in their Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo home in April.

Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum confirmed that the men are in custody as the police investigation continues.

Munir, 75, and his Bibi, 69, perished shortly after 23.00 hrs on April 17, 2017, after they were trapped in the raging fire which destroyed their heavily grilled, two-storey house. Their badly burnt corpses were retrieved from the debris after the fire was finally extinguished. Eye-

witnesses said that the blaze started in the upper flat and spread throughout the house within minutes.

This newspaper was reliably informed that one of the suspects in custody was also recently held in connection with the November 19, 2012 murder of 20- year-old Sadeek Jumanat at Double Day Hotel, Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo.

However, he was released from police custody, while manager of the hotel, Bhojnauth Bhola, and his employee, Leyland Johnson, were recently charged with the mechanic’s murder.

GANG FORMED Meanwhile, as it relates to the murder of the elderly couple, reports indicate that one of the suspects, who lives

at the back of the Munirs, revealed to a friend that the couple had $20M cash in their home. A deportee was then contacted and a gang of six, which included a driver and a lookout, was formed and the plan was hatched to rob the couple. Three of the suspects are from the Good Hope neighbourhood and another is from Tuschen, EBE. Police investigators have learnt that the men, upon breaking into the couple’s house, hunted for valuables and in the process, the couple woke up. This newspaper understands the perpetrators then attempted to gain access to the couple’s bedroom at the rear of the building, but because of the security feature, they were unable to do so.

The angry bandits then decided to light a sofa afire and threw a gas bottle into the fire, resulting in a loud explosion minutes after they fled the scene. Police have received reports from a neighbour, who said that she saw two persons in the couple’s verandah before the fire broke out. The neighbour also claimed to have heard Mrs. Munir screaming that ‘bandits’ were in the house. Ranks from the force’s Major Crimes Unit are spearheading the ongoing investigation.

The gutted couple’s house where their bodies were found

Baby Heart Foundation completes 95 heart surgeries for 2016 THE International Children’s Heart Foundation (ICHF), commonly known as the Baby Heart Foundation, has completed its fourth and final exercise in Guyana for 2016, providing free heart surgeries for infants born with congenital heart defects.

Babies benefiting from the surgeries were mostly from hinterland locations.

Paediatric Cardiologist Dr. Rodrigo Soto told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the results of those surgeries were favourable, and encourage much more support from the foundation in 2017.

“We have completed 95 surgeries with very good results -- with extremely low morbidity and with mortality of only two per cent. That compares very (favourably) with even the US or Europe,

Dr. Merissa Seepersaud, Paediatric Cardiologist of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

Dr. Rodrigo Soto, Paediatric Cardiologist of the Baby Heart Foundation

so we are very happy we have seen this programme grown exponentially, and we look forward to our work in 2017,” Dr. Soto explained.

Dr. Soto added that the ICHF will be signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Government, through the Ministry of Public Health, to perform surgeries on infants born with heart defects and abnormalities.

“We have -- we are in the process now -- to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Public Health, and certainly the minister and the ministry understand pretty well the relevance of developing this programme, not only for the children with congenital heart disease, but…. We are also building local capacity to manage a paediatric intensive care unit,” he disclosed.

Once the MoU is signed, volunteers from the foundation in the United States will continue making trips to Guyana four times annually until 2020.

Dr. Soto has said that what matters for 2017 is the quality of care, level of results, and education being meted out to the local team of health care professionals and workers.

The Baby Heart Foundation has thus far trained 40 nurses, two surgeons, seven paediatric registrars, six scrub nurses, four anesthetic cardiology residents, and other local personnel with the aim of having the local health system equipped with specialists in the area.

When the programme began two years ago, no public health doctor had been exposed to paediatric cardiac surgery. One local doctor who benefited from

the training, Dr. Merissa Seepersaud, told GINA of the overall intention of the foundation. “The whole aim of Baby Heart care is to not just operate on children, but to make sure that they train the local team, so that at some point in the future we will be able to take over and have ourselves a self-sustained unit. And we have been working towards that for the last two years,” Dr. Seepersaud said.

Dr. Soto told of the most recent case that was operated on. “We did a small (child) 2.4-kilogramme patient that had a coarctation of aorta, which is a narrowing of the aorta that, if it’s not treated, the patient will die in a few weeks to a month. He was operated on five days ago successfully, and he probably will be able to go home in the next two days.”

Congenital heart disease occurs at a rate of 0.8 to one per cent per year in the birth of babies, which means that infants born in Guyana among these statistics will have Congenital Heart Disease, Dr. Soto said.

“That would put Guyana in anything between 60 to 70 patients every year, new patients every year with congenital heart disease that require surgery.”

Once these statistics are taken into consideration, more lives can be saved with significant declines in infant mortality. The line of surgeries performed by the Baby Heart Foundation is a start to ensuring the babies born with heart complications and defects are identified and treated in a timely manner.

(GINA)

10

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 18, 2016

You cannot undo the wrongs of the past without displacing the regime which facilitated them THERE has been quite a lot of political drama in Guyana these past few weeks. From the Home Stretch Development Incorporated (HDI) revelations to the tax-laden budget to the City Hall fiasco to the scholarships for the ministers, we, the political junkies, have had a lot to contend with. The opposition PPP has had a field day; they have managed to use the budget to inflict some serious body blows to the government. The government, for its part, has been slow to react and in the process has lost the propaganda war and the political battle.

The latter does not bode well for a government, which from all accounts should be doing much better than it has done. In real terms, it has to be admitted by even staunch supporters, of which I am one, that the government is in trouble.

I have never seen a government in the modern Caribbean, which has lost its advantage in such a short period of time. For a one-seat majority government, it enjoyed the goodwill

of a super-majority administration.

Its leader, President Granger, was elevated to a super-star status that would earn the envy of the political titans of yesteryear. It is a government that has two political enemies of the past singing the same praises and the new Never-PNCs serving under the PNC maximum leader.

The faithful were singing songs of joy in a strange land that they hoped would in short order become not so strange.

But, in the space of one year, it all seems to have come tumbling down and six months later there are no signs of resurgence. What went wrong so quickly? What has the government done or not done to undermine itself and in the process allowed space for the discredited opposition to regain some semblance of credibility? I think a few crucial errors were made which are grounded partly in Guyana’s larger political culture and partly in some unwise political decisions made by the government. There is a relationship between the two elements—the political culture informs the nature

and content of policy formation and decision-making. Today, I want to zero in on one of those errors which I think is important to an understanding of why the government has tripped up so badly.

The larger political culture to which I refer is one in which successive post-independence governments have relied on a mixture of great-man politics and authoritarian governance as the preferred model.

The leaders assume a god-like role in which critical national decisions begin and end with them. The consequence has been a very narrow power space. Insofar as “outsiders” are consulted, those outsiders must be prepared to become the consummate cheerleaders of the anointed and appointed. In such a culture, the abuse of power is inevitable and hostility to dissent is constant.

This government has, unfortunately, fitted neatly into the above model. It has not broadened the web of decision-making beyond its traditional narrow confines, nor has there been any concerted effort to democratise power to include other

national stakeholders. In fact, one may argue that despite its coalition form, this government has further narrowed the power space. The current government’s conception of governance and formal power has not veered away from the old discredited conception. In short, it has not touched the regime and political culture that it had railed about when in opposition.

This is so critical to the failure of governments in the Anglophone Caribbean to move our countries beyond where we are currently.

This government has not separated itself from previous governments as far as the conception and exercise of power are concerned. It has not sought to change the character of government and governance—the old regime is still firmly entrenched.

Basically, we have had a change of government but not a change of regime. The State institutions and their fundamental roles have not been touched. So the wonderful promises cannot be operationalized, largely because that requires some fundamental changes to the charac-

ter of the State. You simply cannot expect to undo the wrongs of the past without displacing the regime which facilitated those wrongs.

So whether its corruption, asset-recovery, crime, wages or jobs, there can be no big changes unless they are prepared to alter the character of the State institutions. Crime continues, police shake-downs have not abated, the economy is still shaky, education still ails and the menu of social ills are still as evident as before May 2015 in large part because the government has not signalled to the rest of the society that it intends to make a decisive break with the past. If you come to power promising fundamental change and don’t deliver on them, you will be judged more harshly than your predecessors.

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

Water sector saw key achievements in 2016 STEADFAST and committed to providing potable water to citizens, the Government expended approximately two billion dollars in 2016 to improve and expand access to water.

Given the investment, the following outputs have been achieved, according to Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Dawn Hasting-Williams, who has responsibility for the water sector: In 2016, residents in more than 43 communities received water for the first time, and more than 45,300 people benefited directly. This intervention also significantly reduced the risk of contracting water-borne diseases.

Moreover, beneficiaries saved considerable amounts of time and money previously spent on buying and transporting water for their daily domestic use.

Residents of ‘D’ and ‘E’ Fields, Sophia are among those who can now boast of having access to water

through their taps in their homes for the first time in many years. The project entailed the extension of transmission lines to Sophia from newly rehabilitated wells in North Ruimveldt and Turkeyen. More than 20,000 residents are benefiting from the completion of works.

COASTAL WATER PROGRAMME The sum of $585 million was expended under the Coastal Water Programme in 2016. The many outputs that have been achieved include the installation of transmission mains and expansion of distribution network at Kuru Kururu.

According to Minister Hastings-Williams, prior to this intervention, the residents were, on a daily basis, saddled with high costs to procure and transport water for their daily use. Approximately 500 persons have benefited from this improved level of service.

Officials from GWI & the Suriname Water Company during a visit to the Amelia’s Ward Water Treatment Facility

There was also the installation of water supply system at Waikabra, Soesdyke. Min-

ister Hastings-Williams said that prior to the intervention, residents were using water

from a nearby creek. Approximately 1000 residents are now benefiting from newly

installed pipes and a new well.

Completion of the distribution network in Friendship Squatting Area has benefited more than 1,250 residents.

Prior to this intervention, the residents’ only source of water was rain. According to Minister Hastings-Williams, during the dry season, these residents had to seek alternative sources, which exposed them to water-borne diseases.

The residents can now receive potable water for the first time at a level of service of four metres.

Also under the Coastal Water Programme, there was the drilling of a new well and installation of transmission and distribution lines at Lima Sands Housing Scheme in Region Two. This project has benefited approximately 1,000 persons. Prior to the intervention, residents were using water from the nearby creek.

Turn to page 14 ►

11

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 18, 2016

The diaspora plays a vital role ‒ in this nation’s stability and development ACCORDING to international reports, approximately 17 per cent of our Gross Domestic Product comes from remittances.

This amount is not a true representation of the diaspora’s contributions to Guyana and the standard of living of resident Guyanese.

International reports could not have counted the numerous ‘small pieces’ a friend or loved one sends when someone is coming home, or the value of the clothing and barrels that supplement the incomes of those here.

There is no denying the diaspora’s investment in Guyana, which takes many forms, including the creation of entrepreneurial avenues, the boosting of self-esteem, and presenting a sense of well-being -- of being able to provide for self and family. That contribution, in several instances, determines whether someone can have a meal on the table, a bus fare to get to work, meet a medical expense, keep a roof over one’s head, pay a bill, or even save a life. In short, remittances have become a significant tool in fighting poverty and other social ills.

When Guyanese migrate, irrespective of the circumstance under which they did, their hearts never leave Guyana. They take their love for country, its people and way of life with them to their adopted homes, even though they may express reservations about our politics. Their offspring are, from very

early, socialised about life in Guyana, including the foods, customs, morals and history, thereby internationalising our culture.

Businesses in the diaspora have sprung up as a result of the felt need to preserve Guyanese culture, even in a foreign land -- maintaining that bond between those who have left and stayed. Products from the native land, when exported to adopted countries, create employment and economic opportunities for those at home, given that there exist more markets to ply their trade. We cannot ignore or take this love and symbiotic relationship for granted.

Some of the investments are not necessarily obvious, are taken for granted or simply ignored, but all are of equal importance.

When overseas-based Guyanese bring teams into Guyana on trade missions to provide free information technology training, medical services, etc., they are investing in the country and its people.

Remigrant Guyanese are also part of the investment community. The spending of foreign currency, be it from their pensions, establishment or expansion of businesses, add value to the society. And though some overseas loved ones have come to see that a telephone call made to them would invariably lead to their being asked to send something rather than to just say hello, this relationship,

notwithstanding, adds value.

In our politics, the diaspora continues to play a vital role. Their residency in societies where the system of governance and standard of living may be considered better than ours causes critique of our system, leadership and standard of living, but also adds value to the society. This does not mean that the diaspora is always right in the things they say or do, but in acknowledging that they foremost are Guyanese and the love of country remains can inform having an open mind.

Man is foremost a social being, and interacts with his fellow man through language.

Guyanese at home had benefited, and can continue to benefit, from numerous conversational exchanges; for these not only spring idle chats and condemnations, but create vistas for knowledge-sharing, mobilising, and getting things done.

Last week I learnt from a social media posting by USA-based Guyanese Wesley Kirton that President Barrack Obama would soon see a bill on his desk to sign into law measures that would strengthen that country’s relations with the Caribbean. Advisedly, this bill would require the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide the legislature with a multi-year strategy to enhance engagement between the two sides.

This U.S/Caribbean development could have only been possible through love for

country. It is as a result of this love that ideas of this nature would spring from those in the diaspora who are resident in the region, leading to engagement with the lawmakers, which resulted in a specific action, and now awaits a signature to bring to fruition.

None can deny the role of the diaspora in our recent elections. With the presence of social media, this group was engaged in cyber campaigning, getting out the vote, providing financial assistance to those at home to do likewise, and some came home to campaign.

There have been open support, defence and representation for political party, group or individual of their choice; the planning and hosting of events, including fundraisers; and setting a bar, based on experience in their societies, as to what Guyanese at home should demand and expect.

The relationship between the diaspora and resident Guyanese is a valued investment that should see continuous effort to improve, strengthen and deepen. Neither side is always right. Building a relationship of mutual respect requires acknowledgement that both sides have a right to speak about things relating to Guyana, what each considers best for the country, and the measures to be put in place to achieve these. The only constraint in such engagements should be that of ensuring that our laws and time-honoured principles are not trampled in the process.

Veteran journalist bestowed with Roraima Airways’ highest award RORAIMA Airways has honoured three journalists and two media entities with awards at the company’s Inaugural Correspondents Awards and Appreciation Dinner (RCAA) held on December 16, 2016 at the Roraima Duke Lodge.

The recipient of Roraima’s Highest Award, the Captain Alvin Clarke Award for Militancy and Innovation, was bestowed upon Denis Chabrol of Demerara Waves online News. Hits and Jams Entertainment received the Corporate Media Award for Excellence, 2016; the Corporate Influencer Award was bestowed upon Guyana Times; Outstanding Business Journalism Award was given to Arnon Adams from the

Stabroek News and outstanding Journalism in Travel and Tourism to Shauna Jemmott, from the Guyana Chronicle. ???Roraima Correspondents’ Awards and Appreciation Dinner (RCAA) was attended by Directors and Managers of Roraima, ViceChair of the Private Sector Commission, Desmond Sears, Directors of the Private Sector Commission, and members of the media fraternity.

Speaking at the event, Roraima’s CEO, Captain Gerald Gouveia, said; “We wanted to say thank you to the media, I don’t believe too many people say thank you to the hard work the media professionals do, so this event is for the media who work day

after day, sometimes beyond the call of duty to keep the world updated with current news. Roraima will make the Roraima Correspondents’ Award and Appreciation Dinner a tradition.”

Other than the awards ceremony, the RCAA was a formal dinner and also featured a talent segment and prize giveaways such as: a return ticket to New York; a return ticket to Curacao; a return flight to Havana, Cuba; a day tour to Arrowpoint Nature Resort and Dinner for two at the Roraima Duke Lodge, compliments of Dynamic International Airways, InselAir, Easy Sky, Arrowpoint and the Roraima Duke Lodge, respectively.

Denis Chabrol of Demerara Waves receiving Roraima’s Highest Award, the Captain Alvin Clarke Award for Militancy and Innovation, from Captain Gerry Gouveia

12

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 18, 2016

Visiting U.S. occupational therapist training local UG students …Guyana to have six therapists by next year

By Telesha Ramnarine

OCCUPATIONAL Therapy (OT) in Guyana is hardly known, but thanks to visiting OT from the United States of America, Mr. David Thomforde, Guyana can expect to have six local students of the University of Guyana (UG) trained by next year.

Thomforde, originally from Los Angeles, is here in Guyana for one year as a volunteer for the U.S. Peace Corps and apart from lecturing at UG, he works with patients at the Palms Geriatric Home, while at the same time helping to train others in becoming occupational therapists.

“Other students who are in their fourth year of occupational therapy training are here to practise under my guidance. So next year when they graduate, they can work with patients on their own,” he told the Guyana Chronicle in an interview at The Palms on Brickdam.

Thomforde is the only OT in Guyana at the moment, although there are OT technicians who have a lot of experience in the field. One of the students practising under the guidance of Thomforde, Ms. Deoranie Babulall, also sat in on the interview and explained that OT is a holistic client-centred approach that sees a patient being evaluated in every aspect of his life.

It takes into account their environment and their ability to function and do the activities of daily living such as grooming, self-care, bathing, dressing, cooking, etc.

Visiting Occupational Therapist David Thomforde interacting with a patient

“Occupation is anything you do; it’s not just a job. A lot of people think occupation is your job, but occupation is everything you do from the moment you wake up to when you are ready to go back to sleep. So we address any interference to those activities; whatever it is that is preventing you from functioning normally,” Babulall explained.

“Apart from physiotherapy, which focuses on rehabilitating the body, OT gets into the details and fine-tuning -- so to speak-- of what a person’s needs are. “Even the person with a disability can get back into the working world; we can adjust the

working environment for them,” Babulall noted.

Occupational Therapy is also needed in schools, as conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and autism, among many other disabilities, have become popular. “With OT, we can start from as young as the nursery age so as they grow into adolescents, they will not have such a struggle. So it’s really, really important for Guyana,” she said.

Babulall is one of the Guyanese who was unaware of OT and started at UG with the goal of becoming a physiotherapist. For Career Day, though, when she was

Two OT students in training: Deoranie Babulall (left), and Afeeza Khan

asked to do an awareness programme on OT, her indepth research taught her how important the field is to Guyana.

“It’s a field of therapy that is really needed in Guy-

ana and it would be nice if other persons can become involved in it. About five of us are expected to graduate in 2017. So from having no occupational therapists in the country, we will have about

six, because one person has already graduated,” Babulall informed.

Afeeza Khan, another student in training at The Palms, also sat in on the interview and shared that she too found the field to be important and interesting.

“It’s an interesting field and there’s not a lot of persons who know the difference between an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist; it’s a field that deals with the person as a whole.

So it’s not about just getting them back to functionality, but it’s about getting them to do what they want to do as much as possible,” Khan offered.

Meanwhile, Thomforde rejoined and noted that OT can have both an economic and psychological benefit to a family.

“Looking after someone with disabilities can take someone out of the economy--- so to speak -- because they have to care for that person. So OT, helping to restore someone to their normal functions and to independence, can relieve a family from the need to take care of the person.

“From an economic point of view, when a mother has to look after a child with disabilities, she can’t work outside of the home or she can’t pay as much attention to the other children. So when we can help people with disability regain independence, then it has an economic benefit, a psychological benefit, and the family dynamics can improve,” Thomforde said.

E-Gov’s Centre of Excellence to be completed in January THE eGovernment Agency’s Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT) is expected to be officially opened in February.

Representatives from the agency, the High Commission of India, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Public Telecommunications and board members of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), recently visited the construction site where the CEIT is to be housed.

Located on the Turkeyen Campus of the University of Guyana, CEIT is occupying the NDMA building. Renovations began in August and were expected to be completed in December, but

CEIT Project Manager and Director of Policy and Training at the eGovernment Agency, Malcolm Williams

setbacks have seen the completion date pushed back to January 15, 2017. The CEIT

is a collaborative initiative between the Government of India and the eGovernment Agency. Second Secretary of the High Commission of India, S.M.Joshi, represented the Indian High Commissioner on the site visit.

CEIT’s Project Manager and Director of Policy and Training at the eGoverment Agency, Malcolm Williams, told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the delays in completing the works were many, “but those issues, we’ve overcome them now so we expect that there won’t be any further delays.”

The building had to be renovated to accommodate classrooms and other facilities for the teaching of

The CEIT building located at the NDMA on the University of Guyana Turkeyen campus

ICT courses. The eGovernment Agency will furnish the CEIT, while the Indian government will provide the ICT equipment.

The CEIT will offer advanced ICT in the areas of networking, cyber security, software development,and IT project management among

others, Williams said. The eGovernment Agency will be the administrator of the facility. The Indian Government will also conduct training sessions for staff of the CEIT, Williams told GINA. “Initially, the Indian Government, they’ve promised to train up to 20 trainers, so they will bring their trainers from India to prepare the set of trainers who will then become the permanent staff for the CEIT,” Williams explained.

The training is expected to begin by early March 2017. There will also be training of eGovernment Agency ICT professionals.

The CEIT is looking to begin training of ICT professionals by 2018. (GINA)

13

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 18, 2016

Towards a Good Life in a Green Economy

Determining climate change adaptation finance …for small developing states: (Part 2)

Examining the Green Economy Pathway …the role of Interests, Identity and Norms (Part1)

IN this three-part series we will look at the role of interests, identity and norms in the context of the green economy pathway. In this first part the role of interests will be examined and in Parts 2 and 3, the role of identity and norms will be examined. We agree that the green economy is a wide developmental concept whose pillars mirror those of sustainable development. In fact, sustainable development and green economy are sometimes used interchangeably, since both rely on environmental efficiency, social equity and economic prosperity.

In like manner, ‘green growth is used interchangeably with ‘green economy’. However, an examination of the literature on the green economy revealed, among others, the following emerging concepts and variables that are relevant to Guyana, as a small developing state (SDS), in its pursuit of a green economy. While we will examine SDSs as a grouping, we do assert that its findings are relevant to Guyana.

SOME EMERGING VARIABLES The following variables have emerged from exploring the characteristics of Guyana as a SDS. In terms of UNFCCC obligations, we observed the existence of limited technology transfer; doubts about what constitutes new and additional funding and the application of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

With respect to climate adaptation finance (CAF) for SDSs, we found insufficient availability of financial funds; limited innovative financing; difficulties in differentiating between overseas development assistance (ODA) and new and additional finance; uncertainty about funding beyond the green climate fund (GCF); uncertainty about quantity of adaptation funds; different approaches to estimating adaptation costs; uncertainty about the actual costs of adaptation and definition of incremental costs.

In the context of international finance, an examination of the literature revealed a high degree of unpredictability of pledged funds;

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.

tiple variables, we now look at our findings on the role Interests play in the pursuit of a green economy in Guyana.

absence of verifiable, measurable and reportable indicators of new and additional finance; limited micro-financing opportunities; asymmetries in international financial cooperation; high international and financial transaction costs. With regard to adaptation, we found uncertainty about adaptation measures, adaptation deficits and adaptation abatement.

Whereas, in the context of the economics and the environment, we observed a north-south divide on interrelationship between economic development and the environment; an unclear understanding of the interdependence of ecological, social and economic systems; unequal balancing of economic activities and enviromental sustainability and difficulties in balancing assimilative and regenerative capacities of the biosphere.

Finally, on governance, we found uncertainty of the meaning of vulnerability; an academic view that SDSs, as a generic category, was too small a group for analysis; fragmented global climate governance; difficulties mainstreaming adaptation into development; limited cognition and climate policy integration; deficiency in balancing information flow to and from citizens through institutions; too much influence of non-state actors; imposed emissions reductions on SDSs and protection of intellectual property as a barrier to technology transfer.

Against this backdrop of mul-

INTERESTS ODA, ADDITIONAL FINANCE AND MAINSTREAMING ADAPTATION We believe that a significant number of the emerging variables within this study represent interests within the context of states, nonstate actors and institutions. We found that difficulties in differentiating between ODA and new and additional finance is a constructed interest influenced by state and non-state actors for the benefit of the powerful actors and agents within the International Climate Change Regime (ICCR). Consequently, this interest enjoys only inter-subjective meanings and shared understandings amongst the powerful actors and agents within the ICCR, excluding the SDSs grouping in the process, who continue to argue that new and additional funding as provided for under the UNFCCC convention excludes ODA. Equally, verifiable, measurable and reportable new and additional finance, as an interest, represents inter-subjective understandings and relationships amongst the powerful actors and agents within the ICCR. In fact, the levers of control to measure, verify and report new and additional finance are located within the institutions of the powerful actors.

Similarly, mainstreaming adaptation into development planning is an interest viewed by SDSs as constructed to benefit international financial institutions, which in turn leverage national financial mechanisms within the SDSs grouping.

The mutual, constitutive relationship between agents and this ideational structure is limited to the

influential international financial organisations. However, SDSs continue to advocate that mutuality and acceptance of a full understanding of adaptation is necessary for this interest to be construed as universal.

Interdependence, Inter-relationships and Technology Transfer Likewise, climate policy integration, as an interest, is driven by the concerns for reducing green house gases (GHGs)- a climate change activity not required by SDSs under the UNFCCC- but yet imposed on SDSs by the ideational structures within the ICCR. We found that there is no mutually constitutive relationship between these actors (within the ICCR) and SDSs. Correspondingly, interrelationship between economic development and the environment; interdependence of ecological, social, and economic systems; interdisciplinary collaboration among key sectors and balancing economic activities and enviromental sustainability are interests constructed for the benefit of the powerful within the ICCR, especially since SDSs have no real endogenous capability of realizing these outputs without international assistance and cooperation. We believe these interests should enjoy shared understandings and mutually constituted relationships across all actors within the ICCR, in aprticular SDSs and be allowed to develop into norms of substance within the environmental regime.

We found that technology transfer is an embedded provision within the UNFCCC and a declared expectation in the outcomes of the major SDSs conferences. Ideally and, using a norm development pathway, technology transfer should have reached norm status by now. Historical conditioning of technology transfer residing in the developed ‘north’ also contributed to shaping its characteristics. Nonetheless, this

interest enjoys wide inter-subjective meaning and understandings, but is still more material than ideational.

We also believe that protection of intellectual property is a competing interest to technology transfer and consequently inhibits the growth of technology transfer into an ideational structure. Of course, the powerful actors and agents enjoy asymmetrical technological advantages over SDSs. INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS COSTS AND GLOBAL CLIMATE GOVERNANCE We believe that high international transactions costs is a constructed interest, which results in increased financial transactions for SDSs. Inter-subjective meanings and understandings and mutually constituted agents and structures are limited to the key actors in the ICCR. We found that high international transactions costs are conditioned more by financial security considerations rather than objective calculation.

Here again, the ICCR has constructed other complimentary interests such as ‘lack of confidence in financial and accounting institutions in SDSs’ with shared meanings amongst the major actors within the ICCR. Additionally, micro financing is an important interest for SDSs. Though there is evidence of mutual construction, inter-subjective meanings and ideational congruence, we believe that interests such as lack of confidence in financial institutions and high transactions costs serve to militate against the benefits therefrom. We also believe that other financial-related interests helpful to SDSs, such as innovative financing, promoted by academics in the literature, is unable to be socially constructed by SDSs, since it represents a contrasting position to the major financial actors within the ICCR. Capitalizing the GCF is undoubtedly a keen interest of SDSs and of the key actors within the ICCR. However, we found that the ideational structures that shape the quantum of CAF is exclusive to the SDSs grouping. In many Turn to page 14 ►

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Water sector saw key...

URBAN WATER Under the Urban Water programme, the 2016 budgeted amount of $226.1 million was expended to achieve the following: the supply and installation of distribution mains and service connection upgrade in Lamaha Park; along Duncan Street, Campbell Avenue and Durey Lane, benefiting more than 8,000 residents. Residents from these areas now have access to a high level of water service for the first time in 10 years.

Meanwhile, the replacement of a distribution main at Meadow Bank has benefited approximately 350 households.

Under the Hinterland Water Programme, $178.4 million were expended. Res-

idents of Monkey Mountain, Region 8, now have access to potable water supply for the first time. This intervention has precluded them the arduous task of walking long distances to access potable water. Over 750 residents have benefited from this intervention.

Also under this programme, 2016 saw improved access to potable water in Campbelltown, Region 8.

Residents in this village as well as in Mahdia can now access potable water even if there is drought. This project has benefited more than 600 persons.

Further, the hospital in Mahdia is now receiving safe water. Also benefiting from improved access to potable water in 2016 were the resi-

dents of Princeville, Region 8. Prior to this intervention, residents used to walk long distances to access potable water, or rely on rain water harvesting. More than 2,000 persons from this community can now access potable water for the first time.

Another plausible output of the Hinterland Water Programme, which will be realised shortly, is the installation of mains and reconfiguration of systems at Paramakatoi.

Not only will this project bring relief to the poor in terms of access to water, but it will add to the village’s economy, since the laying of pipes will be done by residents.

Residents in Mahdia, Port Kaituma, Koko, Moruca, Mabaruma, Tassarene and Karrau have been among

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 18, 2016

From page 10

others that benefited in 2016 from improved water supply under the Hinterland Water Programme.

The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has responded to a diarrhoeal outbreak in Region 7. A team of GWI officials distributed 17 lifesaver filters to the Karrau and River’s View villages where reports of the outbreak were more prevalent.

GWI also deployed two engineers to Arakaka, Region One, to address the lack of water supply there, caused by cloud cover over the photovoltaic system in the community.

LINDEN WATER PROGRAMME Under the Linden Water programme, a budgeted

Water flowing from a stand pipe following completion of works in Arakaka, Region One

amount of $150.2 million has been expended in 2016, and as a result, residents within the mining town have benefited from improved access to potable water by way of decommissioning of old mains, construction of bypass mains, rehabilitation of overhead tanks, and the upgrading of transmission and distribution mains.

LINDEN WATER SUPPLY REHABILITATION PROJECT Under the Linden Water Supply Rehabilitation Project, $99.4 million were expended instead of the initially allocated amount of $79 million.

The increase in expenditure covers rehabilitation of the two water treatment plants, constructed in 2015 under this project at a cost of $1.8 billion.

They had to undergo in 2016 substantial remedial work to the value of $54 million. The newly constructed treatment plants were experiencing operational challenges. To rectify the flaws, GWI had to install additional filter nozzles, air scour system, and protective covering for chemical pumps, among other things.

Further, three mini-laboratories were established at the water treatment plants in West Watooka, Mackenzie and Amelia’s Ward. The aim of this exercise was to monitor more frequently important parameters of water quality, such as pH, turbidity, colour, metals, and chlorine residual and microbial contamination. The laboratories were equipped with the essential monitoring equipment and requisite reagents to monitor the water quality round-theclock.

Under the Linden Water Supply Rehabilitation Project, as part of an effort to continuously improve the flow of potable water to residents, there was also the rehabilitation of the Mackenzie and West Watooka treatment plants, done at a combined cost of $49 million.

During 2016, the GWI hosted a number of training programmes as part of efforts to improve its overall service to customers. Staff underwent training in areas such as team building and telephone etiquette, and on water quality improvement.

The latter was facilitated by experts from the ‘World is our Water Foundation’ out of Holland. (GINA)

Examining the...

From page 13

respects, the funding regime within the ICCR seem to have developed an identity which suggests that the task of quantifying CAF is a deliberative, peculiar to the funding regime.

Finally, we found that global climate governance, as an interest, reflects in SDSs and the wider ICCR. However, global climate governance is dominated by the developed states within the ICCR through identity formation within groupings such as Conference of the Parties (COPs), International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and others, even though there is also identity formation within SDSs, such the OASIS grouping. Consequently, ideational structures to support

these identity formations are compartmentalised into shared meanings, rules, practices and norms reflected of the more powerful actors.

As a SDS, Guyana should concentrate on embedding within its foreign policy its green development pathway as a critical vehicle to develop a green state and influence its CARICOM colleagues to adopt a similar pathway in order to develop inter-subjective and ideational meanings and symmetry towards constructed interests relevant to the green economy.

Next Sunday we will look at the role Identity plays in greening Guyana’s economy.

Comments can be sent to towardsagoodlife@gmail. com

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 18, 2016

President accredits new ambassador of the world’s oldest humanitarian mission PRESIDENT David Granger recently received Letters of Credence from His Excellency Roland de Rosière, accrediting him as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Malta to Guyana.

The President told the new ambassador that his decision to be resident in Georgetown would allow for him to be better acquainted with Guyanese, their culture, and the challenges they face. He said

which has the potential to trigger catastrophic humanitarian and environmental crises.

“Guyana looks forward to finding pathways of humanitarian cooperation with the Sovereign Military Order of Malta as we pursue our green development agenda,” he said.

Ambassador de Rosière, in his remarks, said, “My hope is that, as I reside in Guyana and I come to know your country and its people, I can become an advocate for Guyana.”

Ambassador Roland de Rosière presenting his Letters of Credence to President David Granger at State House

Guyana is keen to cooperate with countries that share its values and commitment to addressing common threats to humanity.

“Guyana remains wedded to the ideal of friendly, respectful and mutual cooperation among states. We subscribe to respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity; non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations; the peaceful settlement of international disputes; and the right to every sovereign state to pursue its development free from aggression and threats of aggression,” President Granger said.

He said that one such threat is global warming,

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta has been a lay religious order of the Catholic Church since 1113, and to date has diplomatic relations with more than 100 countries and 54 associations around the world. It is headed by Grand Master Fra’ Robert Matthew Festing.

The ambassador informed that the Order is active through its emergency response arm, and is committed to upholding faith and helping the poor and the sickly. Guyana and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta established diplomatic relations on May 19, 1999.

(GINA)

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From left: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge; Ambassador Roland de Rosière; President David Granger; and Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Audrey Waddell

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 18, 2016

Commander Hicken celebrates with ‘Youths of tomorrow’

HUNDREDS of children from Georgetown to Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD), were treated Saturday to a Youth Group Children Christmas party which was sponsored by Force Commander of ‘A’ Division, Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken at Durban Park , Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.

According to Commander Hicken, the police force has enjoyed working with the communities through the formation of youth groups over the years and those efforts were largely successful, since the police did not impose itself on communities, but rather adopted a collaborative approach.

Several youth groups were brought together from different communities with each of them showcasing

In giving introductory remarks, Deputy Commander of ‘A’ Division Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus underscored the benefits and role of the police force, while urging the youths to have goals and dreams for positive development. Chairing the event was media personal-

ity Mondale Smith, while performances were also done by the famous Linden “Jumbie” Jones. Youth groups from Agricola, Albouystown/Charlestown, Timehri, Alberttown, Ruimveldt and Tiger Bay also provided entertainment in the form of songs, dance and poems.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken interacting with a young lady

song, dance and poetry. Hicken noted that while the Guyana Police Force is reforming itself, it is also working to ensure that it reforms the

youths. Hicken said that he loves to help children, as they are the future leaders and helping them in any way will always be his goal.

Excited children with Commander Clifton Hicken (in the Santa Claus hat) along with other senior law- enforcement officials of ‘A’ Division during the Christmas party at Durban Park

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AFC hails UN decision on resolution of border controversy

United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon

THE Alliance For Change (AFC) has welcomed the decision of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on moving towards a resolution of the border controversy raised by Venezuela against Guyana.

The AFC in a statement congratulated the outgoing Secretary-General Mr. Ban for “being forthright in his choice of options to continue with the mediation process for another year. Should the controversy remain unresolved after this time, the issue would then be taken before the International Court of Justice.”

The AFC urged all political parties along with labour, business and other social partners to show support for this process as a prelude to protecting the integrity of Guyana’s sovereignty.

“AFC further expresses appreciation to His Excellency, President David Granger, Vice- President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, and the entire Guyana team that prosecuted the Guyana case, especially over the last 18 months since the assumption to [sic] office of the APNU+AFC coalition Government.”

The UN has decided that Guyana and Venezuela are to return to the Good Officers Process for another year, with the hope of the two countries coming closer to a resolution on the ongoing border controversy. Outgoing Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has indicated that based on the various assessments done over the years, a return to the Good Officers Process is the best option at this point. Guyana has since indicated its acceptance of the decision of the UN Secretary-General.

Guyana said it will do everything in its power to ensure that the UN SG’s expectations, and those of his successor to whom the mandate of implementation now falls–as well as our expectations are fulfilled.

“The Government calls upon all Guyanese to support the process that now lies ahead in the confidence that it will lead to a just and binding resolution of the discord that have plagued our development for so long. It is a fitting advance in this 50th year of our independence. May God continue to bless our nation in this noble cause,” a statement on Friday noted.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 18, 2016

Legislation to strengthen U.S. Region Six will be enhanced ‒ Caribbean engagement heads to President Obama’s desk with $6.1B budget REPRESENTATIVE Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), a former Chair of the Committee recently announced that their legislation to enhance U.S. engagement with the Caribbean has passed the House and Senate and is headed to the President for signature into law. According to a release from CARICOM, the United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act (H.R. 4939) calls for a new, long-term strategy to strengthen ties between the United States and its Caribbean neighbours.

“At a time when our friends in the Caribbean need us more than ever, this bill will prioritise our partnership with the sub-region for many years to come. It is long past time to have a multi-year strategy that will allow us to increase engagement with the Caribbean, especially when it comes to energy and security. The

countries of the Caribbean are profoundly important to the United States, and particularly to the many Caribbean-American citizens in our country. I look forward to working with the Caribbean-American diaspora to ensure that they can provide inputs to the State Department and USAID on U.S. relations with the Caribbean in the years ahead.

With constant crises around the globe that demand U.S. attention, we must not lose sight of our long-term interests close to home,” said Rep. Engel.

“I am honoured to work alongside my friend and colleague Eliot Engel in order to send this important legislation aimed at prioritising our bilateral relationships with allies in the Caribbean to the President’s desk.

We must strengthen our relationship with Caribbean nations so that they view the U.S. as a reliable partner and push back against the negative influence of Maduro’s corrupt regime in the region. It is vital to

PPP must...

work proactively and collaboratively with Caribbean nations to promote close cooperation in the areas of security, trade, illicit trafficking, and energy and I look forward to seeing this important legislation implemented in order to advance our own national security interests,” said Rep. Ros-Lehtinen.

According to the release, the United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act (H.R. 4939) will strengthen relations with the Caribbean by requiring the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to submit to Congress a multi-year strategy focused on enhancing engagement with the countries of the Caribbean. The legislation puts particular emphasis on energy security, countering violence, expanding diplomacy and providing educational exchange opportunities for citizens of the Caribbean.

From page 3

The top PPP leadership at the 31st Delegates and Observers Congress at the Cotton Field Secondary School on Saturday

violence, provide extra lessons to help underprivileged students and slow learners and prepare for every struggle and battle ahead.

“We will stand side by side of the people to grind oppression to the dust,” he said to a loud round of applause.

‘FIGHTING’ NOT ‘FRIGHTENED’ PPP General-Secretary Clement Rohee, who spoke after him, wasted no time in reminding the delegates that the PPP is a “fighting” and not “frightened” party and will mobilise to give the APNU+AFC just a single term

in office.

During the PPP’s tenure in office, he said all benefitted from the overflowing cup of the PPP, and all must be mobilised to restore the benefits in 2020. The party’s union representative, Komal Chand, lamented the state of the sugar industry and the closure of the Wales Estate, which he said will add to the unemployment woes of the country.

But Government had said that some of the workers will be integrated into the Uitvlugt Estate, while others received over $80M in severance pay.

Indra Chandarpal, of the

Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) in a brief address, emphasised the need for honest and fair party leaders, and persons who put the party above personal interest.

This, she said, is also important in helping the PPP to win back power in 2020, and urged all members to use social media to spread the PPP’s message, build support and unite the party. Dharamkumar Seeraj, another PPP Member of Parliament (MP), also addressed the 31st congress held under the theme, “Strengthening the party, defend democracy, onward to victory”.

SEVERAL regions’ budgets were recently approved by the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly.

With the approved sum of $6.1B, Region Six, East Berbice-Corentyne, will benefit from improved infrastructure in the areas of roads, bridges, agriculture, healthcare delivery and educational facilities.

The allocated sum will be spent as follows: Regional Administration and Finance – $169M; Agriculture - $823M; Infrastructure – $414M; Education delivery - $2.882M; Health services -$1.809M. Under infrastructure, several roads, bridges and government buildings will be rehabilitated, constructed and maintained. Bridges, including the Vibert Bridge at East Bank Berbice (EBB), the Calber Bridge and the New Vigilante Bridge, among others, will be repaired; while a heavy-duty bridge at Whim and a footpath

bridge at Chesney, Albion will be constructed to benefit the residents in those areas.

Several roads in New Amsterdam, on the East Bank Berbice and at Blairmont, among other areas across the region, will be rehabilitated and constructed into concrete and asphaltic roads.

For agriculture, drainage and irrigation works will be carried out, including backfilling and repairs to revetments and excavators. Some of the funds allocated for agriculture will also go towards providing lubricants for excavators and mini-excavators, and fuel for drainage and irrigation pumps, among others.

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Zulfikar Mustapha then questioned the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, on whether the excavators are operational and what measures will be put in place to deter pilfering of fuel. Minister Bulkan re-

sponded that all the excavators catered for are operational, and pilfering is not considered a major issue for the region, since fuel is currently being transported by boat and is being monitored by an officer, and routine checks are made periodically.

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo asked the Communities Minister how much from the budgeted $385M in 2016 was spent on drugs and medical supplies. Minister Bulkan responded that approximately $60M were spent for the acquisition of all medical supplies except oxygen gas for the New Amsterdam Hospital. The oxygen was purchased through the Ministry of Health.

The remainder of the money was given to the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC) and Caribbean Meditron, among other agencies. (GINA)

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Sunday, December 18, 2016 - 08:30 hrs Monday, December 19, 2016 - 09:30 hrs Tuesday, December 20, 2016 - 10:30 hrs

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PCL 4-Day Tournament …

Jaguars ride on Chanderpaul’s unbeaten ton

By Rajiv Bisnauth

THE second day of the fifth round Regional FourDay Championship fixture between hosts Guyana Jaguars and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force uniquely belonged to the implacable veteran left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

At the National Stadium, Providence,yesterday, the 42-year-old Chanderpaul, the oldest player in the Jaguars’ line-up showed the younger men around him the big difference between batting and scoring runs, when he carved out an unbeaten 141.

Chanderpaul walked out at No.5 and very early sent out his own distinct signal of how to be the controller of a situation.

Guyana,the two-time defending champions ,closed the day on 357, a healthy first innings lead of 195, largely due to Chanderpaul’s second consecutive century in the tournament and his 73rd First-class ton, and 69 from skipper Leon Johnson.

The West Indies most capped Test player has so far batted for 292 minutes, faced 221 balls and struct 14 boundaries and a six. Anthony Bramble is unbeaten on 18, and was partnering Chanderpaul when bails were lifted.

Chanderpaul and Johnson batted determinedly after the Jaguars lost three wickets in the morning session to share a fourth-wicket stand of 149.

Resuming at 9-0, Test opener Rajendra Chandrika started the day’s play in style when he stroke Marlon Richards to the extra cover boundary, but he unnecessarily swiped half-heartedly at the next delivery, which pitched just outside the off-stump and held its line to kiss the edge of the bat to wicket-keeper Steven Katwaroo.The 27-yearold Chandrika, who has five Tests to his credit, made

12;another disappointing display with the bat.

Fellow opener Shimron Hetmyer along with Johnson joined forces and the intention was clear from the 19-year-old Hetmyer. He dominated the 32-run partnership,hitting five boundaries along with a six off of spinner Jon-Russ Jaggesar.

However, Hetymer fell victim to his own ultra aggressive style, pulling a long hop to short mid-wicket off Jaggesar.

He made 31 off 27 balls.

In some bother at 45-2, the hosts rebounded through Johnson and Vishaul Singh, who put together 49 for the third-wicket before leg-spinner Imran Khan changed the tone of the innings, when he trapped Singh leg before wicket for 26.

With conditions far better, the pitch far truer, Johnson and Chanderpaul made the most of it to ensure the hosts kept their foot firmly on the visitors’ throat.Lunch was taken with Guyana on 137 - 3, with Chanderpaul on 29 and Johnson on 28.

After the interval the pair picked their battles shrewdly.

Both batsmen played freely and gradually began to open up without taking any undue risks.

They eventually took the hosts past the Red Force’s first innings score of 162 before Chanderpaul’s 76-ball half-century came up with his seventh four, when he lifted Jaggesar straight over his head to reach his 136th fifty in First-class cricket.

Johnson then blasted a six off the same bowler to bring up his half-century off 143 balls.

The left-handed duo continued to frustrate the visitors and during that period, Captain Yannick Ottley began shuffling his spinners.

There was not much turn or bounce on offer, and nothing threatened the two well-set batsmen.

Johnson then smashed left-arm spinner Khery Pierre for a four and six, but perished soon after when he stepped out to loft Jason Mohammed to the long-off boundary. Roshon Primus completed a welljudged catch, which ended Johnson’s 190-ball innings.

The 29-year-old batted for 250 minutes and hit eight boundaries and two sixes.

Christopher Barnwell went cheaply when he was trapped leg before to Pierre, but Raymond Reifer gave Chanderpaul good support in another productive stand of 89, with both batsmen collecting some easy boundaries.

During that period Chanderpaul reached his century off 163 balls. However, Reifer’s 74-ball innings came to an end when he was trapped leg before wicket to Khan for 38. The 32-year-old Khan was the most successful bowler for the visitors, with 2-70.

Anthony Bramble joined Chanderpaul and the pair batted to the close.

Play resumes at 09:00hrs today, with the Red Force facing an uphill task.

SCOREBOARD GUYANA JAGUARS 1st innings R Chandrika c wk Katwaroo b Richards 12 S Hetmyer c Carriah b Jaggesar 31 L Johnson c Primus b Mohammed 69 V Singh lbw b Khan 26 S Chanderpaul not out 141 C Barnwell lbw b K Pierre 3 R Reifer lbw b Khan 38 A Bramble not out 18 Extras: (nb-7, w-1, b-8, lb-3) 19 Fall of Wickets: 1-13, 2-45, 3-94, 4-235, 5-243, 6-332 Total: (for six wickets; 101 overs) 357 Bowling: Richards 13-3-53-1, Primus 8-0-33-0, Jaggesar 28-7-99-1, Khan 20-1-70-2, Mohammed 15-2-44-1, Pierre 17-2-47-1

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 18, 2016

Dawson delivers before India make good reply to England’s 477

(REUTERS)-India made a strong reply to England’s first-innings total of 477 after half-centuries by debutant Liam Dawson and number nine Adil Rashid underlined the tourists’ batting depth in the fifth and final Test yesterday.

India claimed three wickets on the second morning but the 108-run partnership between Dawson and Rashid in a productive second session for the touring side frustrated the hosts.

India’s Murali Vijay hurt his shoulder while fielding and could not come out to bat but the makeshift opening pair of Lokesh Rahul and Parthiv Patel did a decent job, adding 60 runs without being separated.

Rahul was unbeaten

on 30 at stumps and the right-hander will be eager to make amends with the bat having dropped centurion Moeen Ali before he had scored on Friday.

Patel was on 29 at the other end with India, who have an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series, 417 runs

behind on a pitch which has grown easier to bat on.

Earlier, resuming on 284-4, England got an early jolt when Ravichandran Ashwin struck with the day’s fifth delivery at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

The leading wicket-taker in the series had

Liam Dawson flays the ball through the covers during his unbeaten 66.

endured a rare wicketless day on Friday but he lured Ben Stokes on to the front foot to edge a fuller delivery which Parthiv Patel caught behind the stumps.

Paceman Ishant Sharma trapped Jos Buttler lbw for five while Moeen, who resumed on 120, looked ill at ease against the shortpitched deliveries.

The left-hander virtually walked into a trap when Umesh Yadav forced him into playing a pull shot, which the batsman mistimed to find Ravindra Jadeja at deep mid-wicket.

Moeen faced 262 balls for his 146, hitting 13 fours and a six.

Dawson endured a tough Test initiation, the second ball he faced from Sharma smacking him on his helmet but the 26-year-old grew in

confidence as he and Rashid shared the second century-plus stand of the English innings.

Rashid hit eight fours before edging Yadav to Patel

for 60.

Dawson was stranded on 66 not out, including five fours and a six, when Amit Mishra bowled Jake Ball with a googly.

SCOREBOARD ENGLAND 1st innings (Overnight: 284-4) A. Cook c Kohli b Jadeja 10 K. Jennings c P. Patel b I. Sharma 1 J. Root c P. Patel b Jadeja 88 M. Ali c Jadeja b U. Yadav 146 J. Bairstow c Rahul b Jadeja 49 B. Stokes c P. Patel b R. Ashwin 6 J. Buttler lbw b I. Sharma 5 L. Dawson not out 66 A. Rashid c P. Patel b U. Yadav 60 S. Broad run out (Rahul, P. Patel) 19 J. Ball b Mishra 12 Extras (b-4 lb-5 w-1 pen-5) 15 Total (all out, 157.2 overs) 477 Fall of wickets: 1-7 K. Jennings,2-21 A. Cook,3-167 J. Root,4-253 J. Bairstow,5-287 B. Stokes,6-300 J. Buttler,7-321 M. Ali,8-429 A. Rashid,9-455 S. Broad,10-477 J. Ball Bowling: U. Yadav 21 - 3 - 73 - 2(w-1),I. Sharma 21 - 6 - 42 – 2, R. Jadeja 45 - 9 - 106 – 3, R. Ashwin 44 - 3 - 151 – 1, A. Mishra 25.2 - 5 - 87 – 1,K. Nair 1 - 0 - 4 – 0.

INDIA 1st innings L. Rahul not out 30 P. Patel not out 28 Extras (lb-2) 2 Total (for no loss, 20 overs) 60 Fall of wickets: To bat: M. Vijay, C. Pujara, V. Kohli, K. Nair, R. Ashwin, R. Jadeja, A. Mishra, I. Sharma, U. Yadav Bowling: S. Broad 5 - 2 - 6 – 0,J. Ball 3 - 0 - 9 – 0, M. Ali 7 - 1 - 18 – 0, B. Stokes 2 - 0 - 12 – 0,A. Rashid 2 - 0 - 13 - 0 L. Dawson 1 - 0 - 0 – 0.

Aussies move into winning position in Gabba Test AUSTRALIA moved into a winning position on a rapid day three of the first Test against Pakistan at the Gabba, though the tourists showed greater grit in their second innings.

Starting the day on 97-8 in their first innings, Pakistan ended yesterday on 70-2 in their second innings, with Australia scoring a rapid 202-5 declared in between to stretch their lead to 489.

A shocking collapse on

day two had put Pakistan behind the eight ball, though Sarfraz Ahmed’s belligerent 59 not out alongside Mohammad Amir (21) and Rahat Ali (4) at least put Australia captain Steve Smith off enforcing the follow on when the tourists were 142 all out, 287 runs in arrears.

Smith (63) instead turned the screw with the bat, putting on 111 for the third wicket with Usman Khawaja Steve Smith

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10:25 hrs Not For Burning 10:55 hrs Effernock Lad 11:25 hrs Samcro THURLES 08:30 hrs Royal Caviar 09:00 hrs Capture The Drama 09:35 hrs Winter Magic 10:10 hrs Asthuria 10:40 hrs Bull Ride 11:10 hrs Dounikos 11:40 hrs Mind’s Eye SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Scottsville 08:35 hrs Victory Cross 09:05 hrs Baltic Amber 09:40 hrs Viento 10:15 hrs Modernsta 10:50 hrs Roy Is Second 11:25 hrs Scent Of The Tiger

(74) as Australia batted just 39 overs before hoping for magic under the lights from their bowlers.

Azhar Ali (41 not out) ate up deliveries with an assured performance, but there was little sign of those around him being capable of seeing out either a record-breaking chase or block-a-thon.

Opener Azhar’s good work was mirrored earlier in the day by Sarfraz, who had faith in allowing Amir to face Australia’s quicks but the tail-ender’s 69ball resistance was broken when Jackson Bird (3-23) cut him in half and Smith sharply reviewed a not-out decision, which proved a nick on its way to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade.

Sarfraz got a deserved fifty off Nathan Lyon but the innings was concluded in the next over as Rahat failed to get his bat on the

ground when scampering through for a single and David Warner effected the runout with a direct hit.

The hosts were not hanging around as they came out to bat, with Warner (12) and Matt Renshaw (6) both undone while trying expansive efforts.

At 24-2 there could have been panic, but Australia were still more than 300 runs in the lead, allowing Khawaja and Smith to settle things down early in their partnership.

From 40-2 at tea, the pair put on 95 runs in 106 balls before Smith, who reached his fifty with consecutive fours off Rahat, got a leading edge off Yasir Shah (1-45) to Rahat at long on.

Six balls later, Khawaja raised his bat after reaching 50 for the fourth Test in a row and he kept the pedal down alongside first-innings centurion Peter Handscomb before Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq defied his full 42 years to take a superb diving catch and remove Khawaja.

Nic Maddinson (4) fell in the over before dinner, when Smith declared, hoping to repeat the 7-24 collapse of the previous day, but it failed to materialise.

Not that there was a lack of encouragement for the Australians. Sami Aslam (15) and Babar Azam (14) were removed and Younis Khan failed

to score from 19 deliveries that saw him hopping in defence of short balls and tumbling to keep Yorkers out, although Azhar’s

104-ball 41 not out at least showed the tourists have the technique required to compete in the remainder of the series.(Omnisport)

SCOREBOARD AUSTRALIA 1st innings 429 (S. Smith 130, P. Handscomb 105, M. Renshaw 71; W. Riaz 4-89, M. Amir 4-97) Pakistan 1st innings (Overnight: 97-8) S. Aslam c Wade b Bird 22 Az. Ali c Khawaja b Starc 5 B. Azam c Smith b Hazlewood 19 Y. Khan c Wade b Hazlewood 0 Misbah-ul-Haq c Renshaw b Bird 4 A. Shafiq c Khawaja b Starc 2 S. Ahmed not out 59 W. Riaz c&b Hazlewood 1 Y. Shah c Khawaja b Starc 1 M. Amir c Wade b Bird 21 R. Ali run out (Warner, Warner) 4 Extras (lb-3 w-1) 4 Total (all out, 55 overs) 142 Fall of wickets: 1-6 Az. Ali,2-43 B. Azam,3-43 Y. Khan,4-48 Misbahul-Haq,5-54 A. Shafiq,6-56 S. Aslam,7-66 W. Riaz,8-67 Y. Shah,9-121 M. Amir,10-142 R. Ali Bowling: M. Starc 18 - 2 - 63 - 3(w-1), J. Hazlewood 14 - 1 - 22 – 3,J. Bird 12 - 6 - 23 – 3, N. Lyon 11 - 2 - 31 – 0.

Australia 2nd innings D. Warner c Riaz b Amir 12 M. Renshaw c Y. Khan b R. Ali 6 U. Khawaja c Misbah-ul-Haq b R. Ali 74 S. Smith c R. Ali b Shah 63 P. Handscomb not out 35 N. Maddinson c B. Azam b Riaz 4 M. Wade not out 1 Extras (b-2 lb-4 nb-1) 7 Total (for 5 wickets declared, 39 overs) 202 Fall of wickets: 1-12 D. Warner,2-24 M. Renshaw,3-135 S. Smith,4-188 U. Khawaja,5-199 N. Maddinson Did not bat: M. Starc, J. Hazlewood, N. Lyon, J. Bird Bowling: M. Amir 8 - 0 - 37 – 1,R. Ali 10 - 1 - 40 - 2 Y. Shah 10 - 1 - 45 – 1, W. Riaz 7 - 1 - 47 - 1(nb-1) Az. Ali 4 - 0 - 27 - 0 PAKISTAN 2nd innings (Target: 490 runs) S. Aslam c Renshaw b Starc 15 Az. Ali not out 41 B. Azam c Smith b Lyon 14 Y. Khan not out 0 Extras 0 Total (for 2 wickets, 33 overs) 70 Fall of wickets: 1-31 S. Aslam,2-54 B. Azam To bat: Misbah-ul-Haq, A. Shafiq, S. Ahmed, Y. Shah, W. Riaz, M. Amir, R. Ali Bowling: M. Starc 8 - 3 - 28 – 1, J. Hazlewood 11 - 8 - 5 – 0, J. Bird 8 - 3 - 24 – 0, N. Lyon 6 - 2 - 13 – 1.

29

SUNDAY CHRONICLE december 18, 2016

Volcanoes put Pride on their heels after Matthew late burst ROSEAU, Dominica, (CMC) – A two-wicket burst from Mervin Matthew allowed Windward Islands Volcanoes to defy the loss of a large chunk of playing time and make hay while the sun shone to put Barbados Pride on their heels in the WICB Regional 4-Day Tournament here yesterday.

Matthew has been the pick of the Volcanoes bowling so far, taking 3-32 from 11.2 overs, as the Pride reached 137 for six in their first innings on a rain-shortened second day of their fifth round match at Windsor Park in the Dominica capital.

Generating appreciable bounce and movement from the surface which spent lengthy periods under the covers due to the weather, the Dominica-born fast-me-

dium bowler removed the overnight pair of West Indies batsman Roston Chase for 35 and Shai Hope for 43.

Barbados-born fast-medium bowler Kyle Mayers added the scalp of West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman Shane Dowrich for one, as the visitors lost three wickets for nine runs in the space of 34 deliveries.

This brought Kevin Stoute, the Pride captain, to the crease and he batted out the remainder of the day and was not out on three, along with Jonathan Carter, not out on 14, before the umpires offered them bad light with 4.4 overs left.

Earlier, rain restricted the two teams to just four deliveries in the morning session which started an hour and 45 minutes later than scheduled, as the Pride

Yassin’s campaign gains PASO funding THE construction of a massive headquarters being built by the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) was recently given a shot in the arm as the Pan American Sports Organisation (PASO) has agreed to release $US200,000 (G$40M) to the local association to assist in the completion of the building.

GOA president K. Juman Yassin made the disclosure at the last monthly General Council meeting which was held on the bottom floor of the Liliendaal building earlier this month.

The funding is the first from PASO and was acquired following a yearlong campaign by Yassin.

It adds to the G$153M already spent by GOA on the structure. When completed the two-story facility is set to house over 10 rooms, including a museum, several conference rooms, and offices in addition to a kitchen and three self-contained apartments on the lower level.

GOA president Upstairs will comprise K JumanYassin two patios for hosting social events, another three self-contained apartments and a spacious hall that is expected to seat approximately 400 persons.

The GOA commenced construction approximately five years ago and Yassin assured that once more funding is available for the G$300M building which should be completed within 36 months and be available to all sport disciplines.

The GOA plans to host Wednesday’s Annual General Meeting at the headquarters.

Mervin Matthew: late burst leaves Barbados Pride reelin added just one run to their overnight 101 for three.

A succession of intermittent showers meant that

the umpiring crew of Joel Wilson, Jonathan Blades and reserve Ericson Degallerie spent the next five hours conducting a handful of inspections of the conditions.

It also meant that the 15-member ground-staff, under the supervision of Richard “Pablo” Letang, worked above and beyond the call of duty either pulling covers or removing excess water from the tarpaulins or the outfield.

A late cessation of the showers and a burst of sunshine allowed the umpires usher a start time about 40 minutes before the scheduled close and this was enough time for Matthews and Mayers to do some damage.

Chase was caught at first slip driving loosely in Matthew’s first over, the fourth of the day, before Dowrich was

caught low at second slip off Mayers five overs later, playing forward, and Hope was caught behind off Matthew in the following over, playing a similar shot.

The Volcanoes missed two chances to inflict further pain on the Pride, when Carter edged Peters and Matthew

between wicketkeeper Sunil Ambris and first slip fielder, the veteran Devon Smith, four boundaries in successive overs just before the close.

Pride entered the match in third place in the standings on 43.2 points – eight points more than fifthplaced Volcanoes.

SCOREBOARD

PRIDE 1st Innings (overnight 101 for three) O. Phillips c Theophile b Peters 28 A. Alleyne b Matthew 0 S. Hope c wkpr Ambris b Matthew 43 S. Brooks c Charles b Sebastien 1 R. Chase c Smith b Matthew 35 S. Dowrich c Sebastien b Mayers 1 J. Carter not out 14 K. Stoute not out 3 Extras (b6, lb3, nb3) 12 TOTAL (6 wkts, 48.2 overs) 137 K. Williams, K. Roach, J. Warrican to bat Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-44, 3-45, 4-109, 5-118, 6-118 Bowling: Matthew 11.2-4-32-3; Mayers 13-6-26-1; Peters 7-1-17-1 (nb1); Sebastien 13-1-33-1; Alexander 4-0-20-0 (nb2)

King century helps Scorpions pile misery on Hurricanes

THE Jamaica Scorpions continued to pile on the pressure on the Leeweard Islands Hurriances in their fifth round Digicel Regional 4-Day game at Warner Park in St Kitts on the second day.

Brandon King, unbeaten on 155, led the way for the Scorpions as they wracked up 461 for 4 and a lead of 218 runs.

King has so far slammed nine fours and gone over the ropes 13 times in a 175ball knock. He is partnered with Devon Thomas, who is on 73.

On day one, Jahmar Hamilton, 103, and Rahkeem Cornwall, 66, had helped the Hurricanes recover from 96 for five to 243 all out.

While the total was not the best, it was challenging enough to make a game of the encounter.

The Scorpions though, made light work of it.

First John Campbell, who has been having a good tournament this year, scored 88, in an opening

partnership of 90 with Shacaya Thomas, 54.

Thomas was the first to go, before Jermaine Blackwood went one better to score 55.

The only bit of bright news for the Hurricanes, was when Cornwall had Andre McCarthy stumped without scoring, but that result left King and Thomas at the crease, the score at 209 for four.

251 runs later, the Scorpions still have the dangerous Rovman Powell in the dug out.

The best bowler for the Hurricanes has been Cornwall, who has figures of 2-68 from 21 overs of bowling. Young Alzarri Joseph has bowled well under the circumstances as well, taking the wicket of Shacaya Thomas to end the day with figures of 1-75 from 20 overs.

Gavin Tonge is the only other Hurricanes bowler to have taken a wicket. He, so far, has figures of 1-48 from 14 overs.

Brandon King

SCOREBOARD

HURRICANES 1st Innings 243 Scorpions 1st Innings (overnight 33 without loss) J. Campbell c Powell b Cornwall 88 S. Thomas c wkpr Hamilton b Joseph 54 J. Blackwood c Hughes b Tonge 55 A. McCarthy st Hamilton b Cornwall 0 B. King not out 155 D. Thomas not out 73 Extras (b14, lb10, w9, nb3) 36 TOTAL (4 wkts, 99 overs) 461 R. Powell, D. Jacobs, +N. Miller, M. Mindley, R. Leveridge to bat Bowling: Cornwall 21-5-68-2; Joseph 20-3-75-1 (w1); Tonge 14-3-48-1 (nb1, w6); Louis 9-2-48-0 (nb1, w1); Boatswain 12-1-51-0 (w1); Powell 7-0-63-0 (nb1); Willett 13-1-71-0; Hughes 3-0-13-0 Position: Scorpions lead by 218 with six first innings wickets standing

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 18, 2016

STAG Nations CUP KO Football

Den Amstel and Northern Rangers advance after match day 3 …Tucville ground to host day 4 double-header today

DAY four rivalry in the STAG Nations Cup knockout football championship is set for the Tucville ground this evening when three City sides and one from the East Bank will be showcasing their skills.

The opening match at 18:00hrs will see East Bank’s number two side, Herstelling Raiders matching skills with Santos for the third available spot in the quarter-finals;the first two having been decided last evening at the #5 ground, West Coast Berbice.

Tonight’s feature match is an all Georgetown affair between Western Tigers and Flamingo who had defeated Mahaicony Thunders in the first match of the tournament, thanks to the best goal of the championship so far which came off

the boot of elder statesman, Shem Porter.

Porter will be relishing the chance to lead his side to another win but will surely know that coming up against the Tigers is not easy and they will have to bring the A+ game to the field in order to create a huge upset.

Dwayne Ali will be leading Western’s quest to move one step closer to the championship match as all the other teams will be harbouring similar thoughts.

In results from match day 3 which was contested at the Leonora Track and Field Facility on Friday evening last, home team Den Amstel eased to a 4-2 win over Kuru Kururu Warriors while City side Northern Rangers pummeled West Dem’s Young Achievers, 7-0.

Both Den Amstel and Northern Rangers have eased into the round-of-16 which kicked off last night in Berbice.

Den Amstel was led to the win compliments of double strikes each from Gavin Graham (27, 71min) and Kevaughn Ward (31, 72min).

The Warriors was able to draw level on account of goals from Oliver Denny (44min) and Collin Messiah (48min) but the home team pulled away again and never looked back.

Northern Rangers was large and in charge from the first whistle against an ordinary looking Young Achievers side which is based in Pouderoyen on the West Bank.

Steven Sankar led the Rangers with a brace (3min,

Den Amstel eased to a 4-2 win over East Bank’s Kuru Kururu.

55min) whilst there was one apiece for Telfon Daley (23min), Devon Caesar (46min), Stephon Reynolds (57min), Colin Clark (60min) and Sunil Logan (83min).

Wednesday,the penultimate day of the round-of16,will see teams battling again at the Leonora Track

and Field Facility where Pouderoyen (West Dem.) tackle Mahaica Determinators (East Dem.) in the first match at 18:00hrs to be followed by a showdown between Uitvlugt Warriors, the best side in the West side,and Northern Rangers.

Final day round-of-16

play will be hosted at the Diamond Community Centre ground, East Bank Demerara where the East Bank flagship team, Grove Hi Tech battle Berbice’s New Amsterdam United.The supporting match brings together Ann’s Grove and Den Amstel from 18:00hrs.

More medals for Guyana Milerock out-shoot Eagles 3-2, in Trinidad and Tobago UDFA/GT Beer football

Simon’s goal pilots Panthers past Champions

By Joe Chapman BIRTHDAY boy Marlon Simon handed his team their first full points when Amelia’s Ward Panthers upended defending champions Federal Winners Connection 1-0, while Milerock likewise earned their first win by overcoming the challenge of Eagles United 3-2 when the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA)/ GT Beer Christmas football championship continued at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground Friday night.

Milerock was first to record their victory after recovering from a 1-0 deficit created after a lapse in defence which allowed Kendolph Lewis to reach a through pass and score in the 44th minute, as the first half ended in favour of Eagles United.

After two losses,the Milerock team was determined not to make it three in a row and seven minutes after the break Clarence Huggins collected a good

pass in the box to score the equalizer and seven minutes on, Miller was able to split two defenders and send a left foot shot into the back of the net for a 2-1 Milerock lead in the 59th minute.

Milerock stretched the lead further in the 64th minute when Collyer Daniels calmly patted the ball home at the last post. Eagles pulled back a consolation strike when Seon Barrett unleashed a powerful shot from the top of the 18 yards box to score in the 84th minute for a 3-2 advantage for Milerock, which remained unchanged when the final whistle came.

The second game also resulted in a first win for Amelia’s Ward Panthers as they halted the unbeaten run of the only Champion of the tournament, now in its 4th consecutive year, Winners Connection by the slimmest of margins 1-0.

The game’s decisive strike for Panthers came in the 41st minute and off the

Collyer Daniels boot of Marlon Simon whose quickly taken free-kick from about 20 yards out breached the citadel of the Cup holders..

The defending Champions tried valiantly to get back into the game, but were met by stout defending from the Panthers who were unlucky not to add to the score despite some clear chances.

The tournament continues tonight at 18.00hrs when Silver Shattas take on Net Rockers, followed by Hi Stars against Blueberry Hill.

By Daniel Haynes IT appears to be a personal best marathon for the Dorado Speed Swim Club members representing Guyana on Friday at the Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad & Tobago (ASATT) Invitational.

As the afternoon’s action got underway, all five swimmers in the 100M Freestyle topped their personal bests with the swimmers in the 50m Butterfly following suit.

I n t h e G i r l s 11 - 1 2 100M freestyle,Lian Winter finished with a time of 1:08.74,improving on her entry time of 1:11.20.

In the Girls 9-10 of the same event,Maiya Ifill and Monique Watson both improved on their entry times.

Ifill clocked 1:25.13,improving on her 1:42.44 while Monique clocked 1:23.58, improving on her entry time of 1:27:21.

Also improving on their times in the Boys 13-14 100M Freestyle were Alex Winter and Ethan Gonsalves.

For Winter,he finished with a time of 1:02.92 after posting an entry time of 1:02.92; meanwhile Gonsalves finished with a time of 1:11.94 improving on his entry time of 1:15.14.

In the 50M Butterfly,

L-R Medal winners Daniel Scott, Soroya Simmons and Alex Winter Ifill also improved on her Daniel Scott taking home entry time of 42.45 finishing silver in their respective age with a time of 41.26. Lian groups. For Scott it was andropped .50 of a second other personal best as he finishing with 33.36 while finished with 9:57.95 after an teammate Leah Terborg entry time of 10:47.10. logged a 41.16, improving In the Boys 9-10 200m on her entry time of 42.23 Freestyle, Ethan Gonsalves For Gonsalves and Daniel along with Elliot Gonsalves Scott, the improvements were both had personal bests of marginal; Gonsalves finished 2:43.45 and 2:52.57 respecwith 38.87 while Scott fin- tively. Daniel Scott also finished with 29.63; their pre- ished with a personal best vious best times being36.95 of 2:12.20. and 29.86 respectively.

In the Girls 15 and over The fine form displayed 200M Freestyle it was anby the Guyanese during the other medal for Soroya first two days continued into Simmons, to add to her yesterday with the 800M collection, this time earnFreestyle seeing Soroya ing a bronze with a time of Simmons, Alex Winter and 2:24.13.

31

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 18, 2016

St Angela’s crowned Smalta Girls U-11 champions

By Stephan Sookram ST Angela’s produced a breakaway performance to be crowned champions of this year’s Smalta girls U-11 schools football tournament which concluded yesterday at the Ministry of Education’s Carifesta Avenue ground.

Not even the overnight rains could have stopped the final or the display that St. Angela’s student seemed to have planned for their teachers and supporters as they overcame West Ruimveldt 2-1.

Nikasie St Jules opened the scoring for the Champs in the 6th minute before Carletta Ross’ 27th minute strike doubled the lead.

However,Gabriella McGarrell pulled one back in the 29th for West Ruimveldt who tried valiantly to level the score but time expired.

Meanwhile,in the third place play off, South Ruimveldt beat St. Pius 1-0 thanks to Raven Jacobs who scored in the 18th.

North Georgetown beat St Stephen’s 2-0 to take the fifth spot thanks to Tiffany John-

son (27th) and Kezia Parkinson (30th) while Enterprise who took seventh spot overcame St. Agnes who finished eighth.

Smith Memorial won the ninth spot over F.E. Pollard after winning 3-1 on penalties following a two goal regulation time tie. Aliyah Beverly (1st and 18th) marked the spot for Smith’s while Talia Wharton (5th) and Alicia Ollievierre (7th) scored for F.E Pollard.

11th place belonged to Winfer Gardens who won via walkover from 12 th placed Tucville while the Redeemer vs St Gabriel’s game was a no-contest as was the St. Margarets vs Stella Marris.

Meanwhile,St Angela’s carted off the hog’s share of individual prizes as well with Wayne St. Jules being awarded with the best coach award,with Most Valuable Player being jointly shared between Carletta Ross and Nikasie St. Jules.

St Angela’s Theria Bishop was nominated the Best Goalkeeper while Gabriella McGarrell of West Ruimveldt was the tournament’s highest goal scorer with 10 goals.

Guyana’s sole female FIFA referee nominated again for CONCACAF award SERGEANT Maurees Skeete of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF),and the country’s only female FIFA referee, has been nominated for the 2nd consecutive year by the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) for the Female Referee of The Year Award.

This is the second CONCACAF award nomination for Skeete in this category, having been nominated last year. She is among nine other female referees who have been nominated for this award, which is in its fourth year and is one of the two Caribbean referees nominated this year.

In an invited comment, Skeete expressed her pleasure at the nomination, “Since being appointed as a FIFA referee in 2014, I’ve trained and worked very hard

Sergeant Maurees Skeete-Guyana’s only female FIFA referee to deliver my best on the pitch at every tournament at which I was appointed to officiate. It is a distinct honour for me to have been nominated for CONCACAF Female Referee of the Year. This is a good feeling and I’m grateful for this recognition. I could not have done it without the creator, my family and my

organization, the Guyana Defence Force which has supported me throughout this (journey).”

The two-time Guyana Football Referees Council ‘Female Referee of Year’ recipient is a consistent performer at local, regional and hemispheric tournaments.

Other nominees for the Female Referee of the Year are: Carol Ann Chenard (Canada), Kimberly Moreira (Costa Rica), Marie Soleil Beaudoin (Canada), Melissa Borjas Pastrana (Honduras), Mirian Leon ( EL Salvador), Ekaterina Koroleva ( USA), Princess Brown (Jamaica), Quetzalli Alvarado( Mexico) and Shirley Perello ( El Salvador).

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) urges local football supporters to vote for Ms. Skeete via http://www.concacaf.com/ awards.

Ibrahimovic scores twice as Man United beat West Brom 2-0 ZLATAN Ibrahimovic scored his tenth goal in nine matches as Manchester United eased to victory over West Brom.

The former Sweden international headed home from a brilliant Jesse Lingard delivery after only five

minutes to put the visitors ahead.

Ibrahimovic struck again just after the break when his effort from inside the box went in off Baggies defender Craig Dawson.

United are now unbeaten in 10 matches in all compe-

titions and have drawn level on points in the Premier League with fifth-place Tottenham, who play Burnley today.

The Baggies remain in seventh place and are now seven points off the European places.(BBC Sport)

The victorious team St Angela’s pose with their trophies

St Angela’s crowned Smalta Girls U-11 champions See story on page 31

Colours/Guinness Greatest in the Streets Football

Sparta boss complete three-peat

Sparta’s Devon Millington on the move during the team’s 1-0 triumph on Friday evening at the National Park

PCL 4-Day Tournament ...

Jaguars ride on Chanderpaul’s unbeaten ton

See story on page 27

Shivnarine Chanderpaul acknowledges his teammates after reaching his 73rd first class hundred.

By Stephan Sookram THROUGH rain and shine, Sparta Boss showcased its true potential to return as champions of this year’s Guinness Greatest of the Streets Georgetown leg after downing Tucville 1-0 last Friday night.

In front of a large crowd gathered at the National Park’s Tarmac, the defending champions were put to the test by the Tucville side which had its fair share of chances.

The lone goal came early off the boot of national forward Eusi Phillips in the second minute and that lone goal proved to be the decider of the evening.

Sparta missed several other opportunities to advance the lead as Tucville missed chances to level it up; with the skies blessing the proceedings minutes into the second half.

As the rains continued; the chances became more and more closer for both sides to score with Millington skewing one just above the goal and another just to the right of the post.

However, when the final whistle sounded Sparta had

emerged champions, a third time for the Georgetown champions en route to possibly their third overall title.

With the win, Sparta will cart of $500,000 while their Tucville opponents will pocket $200,000.

In the third place play-off between Back Circle and Broad Street, penalty kicks needed to be employed to determine a winner after both regulation and extra time could not.

Both teams advanced cautiously, looking to exploit a flaw in the other’s tactics and while a few goal mouth scrambles were met with long clearances and sighs of relief, it only meant that the game would remain scoreless.

Two four minute periods of extra time also proved futile in the determination of a winner with the penalty kicks deciding that Back Circle would take the third place and Broad Street fourth.

Back circle will take home $150,000 and Broad Street $75,000.

There are also legs billed for the West Coast Demerara, West and East Coast Berbice, Linden and Bartica.

A drenched Sparta Boss team pose with their trophy and fans following Friday evening’s Colours/Guinness Greatest in the Streets Football Georgetown leg. (Delano Williams Photos)

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2016