Guyana chronicle epaper 12 23 2016

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Show me your CVs No. 104774

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––President requests CVs for Jagdeo GECOM nominees

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A group of Cubans shopping for toys on Regent Street, Georgetown on Thursday (Samuel Maughn photo)

Three 9 years for human trafficker Page

No bail for accused 9 drug trafficking cops Page

Surinam Airways to introduce cargo 14 service Page

SBB churns out 600 jobs in two years Page 2

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

SBB churns out 600 jobs in two years

SOME 600 jobs have been created under the Small Business Bureau (SBB) over the past two years and in 2017 the semi-autonomous agency has plans to expand its services to assist budding entrepreneurs.

The SBB has been in operation for the past six years and according to Gillian Edwards-Griffith, the officer incharge of the entity, during an address to members of the media at the Island Style Café and Juice Bar on Brickdam on Thursday, the bureau has made significant strides over the past several years as it continues to undertake its mandate.

Under the SBB a total of 80 clients have accessed loans to a total value of US$1.5M while 211 clients accessed loans via grants totaling US$301,270. As a result, a total of 600 jobs

were created via financing made possible by the bureau.

Edwards-Griffith said that the Macro and Small Enterprise Development (MSED) project which supports the body’s goals in assisting small businesses and entrepreneurs, allowed the SBB to deliver significantly.

The first phase of the MSED comes to an end in December next year.

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin in a brief address, said that the SBB’s objectives are aligned with those of his ministry. He assured that he has confidence in the work being done by the bureau.

Valrie Grant, Managing Director of GeoTechVision Enterprises, heads the Small Business Council, a body which oversees the operations of the SBB. Grant said that the aim

of the SBB is to create competitiveness, growth and attract sustainable investment through its mission. She said that entrepreneurship is recognised as one of the important drivers of job creation and economic growth, adding that it enhances productivity.

Entrepreneurship also fosters growth and leads to practical solutions to social and environmental challenges, Grant said. She added that currently many of the entrepreneurs can be classified as “necessity entrepreneurs”, individuals who are “pushed” into entrepreneurship because they have no other alternative in terms of work.

She pointed out that there is no entrepreneurship policy or a direct policy to support entrepreneurship. As such the small business council has on its agenda the for-

Gillian Edwards-Griffith, the officer-in-charge of the Small Business Bureau addresses the media, while Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin looks on.

Seated next to the Minister is Valrie Grant, who heads the oversight body – the Small Business Council mation of a small business policy and reform agenda, which she said will ensure a regulatory environment, the ability to facilitate technology exchange and awareness,

as well as networking opportunities for business persons.

In addition, she said that there is need for a national entrepreneurship strategy, which will lead

to the development and prioritising of actions and strategies which align with the overall policies of the country’s developmental agenda.

Logos Hope opens its doors in Guyana

DUBBED the World’s largest Book Fair, the Logos Hope has opened its doors to the Guyanese public commencing from Thursday and will be docked at the Guyana National Shipping Wharf in La Penitence until January 8, 2017.

Once inside, Guyanese can expect to be thrilled by a large expanse of books for all ages, an interactive ‘walk-through-life’, a theatre that will be showing live plays at selected times and an international café.

There are also souvenirs on sale throughout the library for visitors to take away after their trip inside the ship. The ship also features a crew of volunteers from about 55 different countries.

Visitors examine some of the collectibles found in the library area of the Logos Hope

Guyanese about to enter the Logos Hope which is docked at the Guyana National Shipping Corportation Wharf in La Penitence

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

Show me your CVs ––President requests CVs for Jagdeo GECOM nominees

PRESIDENT David Granger has asked Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to provide curricula vitae for the six persons he has nominated to fill the post of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

And his office has also reminded that one of the

candidates. Jagdeo said the candidates were arrived at during his round of consultations with civil society recently. He said too that all of the candidates have consented to serve if offered the post.

However, in a release issued by the Ministry of the Presidency, President

161 (2) of the Constitution which states that “…the Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds or who has held office as a Judge of a Court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a Court having jurisdic-

Professor James Rose

Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram

Indian Rights activist, Rhyaan Shah

constitutional requirements for the post is that the person must hold, has held or can be appointed to the office as a Judge of a Court.

Jagdeo on Wednesday submitted his six candidates to be considered for the post and among them are controversial Indian rights activist, Rhyaan Shah and a two-time elections candidate for the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Professor James Rose. The other nominees include, Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Consultant, Lawrence Latchmansingh; business executive, Ramesh Dookhoo; former chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Norman Mc Lean; and Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram. Under the Constitution, President Granger does not have to accept the nominees and can send the list back for the opposition leader to furnish him with other

Granger said he has responded to Jagdeo, requesting him to provide the resumes of the nominees, so that he can determine their suitability for the post according to the requirements outlined in the Constitution of Guyana. “I replied to him right away, because although those six names might be known to the public, I could not be sure that their nominations were in accordance with the Constitution. I have asked him to let me have copies of the Curriculum Vitae of each one, so that it can guide me in making my decision. So that is where we are now and I would say that the ball is in his court. I would say let me have the resume for the persons so we can go ahead with this process. It is very important that we have a chairman as early as possible,” the President said.”

The Ministry of the Presidency quoted Article

tion in appeals from any such court, or who is qualified to be appointed as any such Judge, or any other fit and proper person, to be appointed by the President from a list of six persons, not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after meaningful consultation with the non-governmental political parties represented in the National Assembly. Provided that if the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list as provided for, the President shall appoint a person who holds or has held office as a Judge of a Court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a Court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such Court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge.”

The Constitution also outlines that the post of chairmanship must be a full-time appointment and

the holder must not engage in any form of employment.”

The former Chairman of GECOM, Dr. Steve Surujbally’s resignation became effective as of November 30 after 15 years of holding the post.

Speaking at a news conference at Parliament Buildings on Wednesday, Jagdeo said all of the candidates are qualified for the chairmanship of GECOM, noting that he hopes President Granger soon chooses one of them. “I think they all are strong people and courageous people and people who have demonstrated that they are prepared to serve the country’s interest, not partisan interest, so that is my sense. I did not go into any great detail about their manage-

Wednesday whether he had another list of candidates should the President reject his list, Jagdeo responded: “I don’t want to deal with that at this point in time, because it is our expectation that given that these names enjoy such broad support in civil society and they are people who have a track record of acting independently and fearlessly, that the President will find it fit to choose one of them,” he said.

Shah, a businesswoman and writer was the co-founder of the now defunct and divisive Guyana Indian Heritage Association (GIHA). Latchmansingh is the former P r o g r a m m e M a n a g e r, Social Cohesion Programme, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Guyana. Since

Major-General (rtd), Norman McLean

Consultant Lawrence Latchmansingh

ment styles or anything of that sort, but their names came forward from civil society, [I] reviewed these names, thought that they had some character traits that are necessary…,” the opposition leader said. “A significant number came from the list proposed by civil society,” he said. The PPP/C, he said, consulted with more than 30 civil society and religious organisations, private sector, labour movement, youths and women.

Jagdeo was asked on

May 2003, Latchmansingh has managed activities to build local capacities for the peaceful resolution of disputes and promote the rule of law and democratic governance. Latchmansingh has an MBA from Dalhousie University in Halifax (Canada) and a BA in Theology from the University of the West Indies (Jamaica).

Chartered Accountant Ram is also a lawyer and has worked for many years with the local Elections Observer Bureau. A critic

of both the former and present governments, Ram was recently hired as a forensic auditor by the current government. Ramesh Dookhoo is a business executive and former chairman of the Private Sector Commission, while McLean served as both Commissioner of Police and Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defenfe Force during the Forbes Burnham years. Since the early 1990s, McLean has been Human Resources Manager of Omai Gold Mines, a subsidiary of Canada’s Cambior Inc. A fixture in the business community, McLean has occupied a number of positions, including President of the Guyana Manufactures Association, member of the Security Sub-Committee of the Local Organising

Ramesh Dookhoo Committee for the 2007 Cricket World Cup, Deputy Chairman of the Ethnic Relations Commission and recently chairman of the Private Sector Commission. Dr Rose for his part is a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana and is currently director of Culture.

Management of GECOM has always been fraught with deep political concerns over the years, given the history of elections here and their aftermath.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday , December 23, 2016

Tourist arrivals up from last year

- 170,318 visitors arrived during the first three quarters MINISTER of Business with the responsibility for Tourism, Dominic Gaskin, said that the year 2016 has been a good one for the tourism sector and that all citizens should be proud to know that Guyana has a product that attracts visitors.

Gaskin highlighted that at the end of September, Guyana had seen an 11 percent increase in tourist arrivals. This is expected to increase over the Christmas holidays. “We have a product that is unusual in this day and age and we are probably one of the most ignored countries on the planet and has been for a long time, which makes us special in a sense that not a lot of people know about Guyana, so this sudden discovery gives us a certain prominence, a certain mystique that we have to play on and utilise,” Minister Gaskin said.

Gaskin said that Guyana’s nature and Eco-Tourism are second to none. The Minister pointed out that Guyana is a large country when compared to its Caribbean neighbours, and when persons fly over Guyana

all that they will see is vast un-spoilt natural habitat for miles and miles.

Minister Gaskin stated that the un-spoilt habitat has its attractions such as the amazing bio diversity, the plant life, animal life, the rivers and “anyone who visits the hinterland comes away with a refreshing sense that it is something really special and that is what we want to promote,” Minister Gaskin said.

50th Golden Jubilee celebrations Minister Gaskin said that the May Jubilee celebrations created quite a buzz not only locally but around the world.

He noted that the country had a huge influx of visitors in May and June. “This year has been a very good year to tourism; a lot of work went into promoting Guyana for the jubilee year and that work began last year under the previous Minister Catherine Hughes and a lot of what happened in May must be attributed to her hard work. I only took over in July and I am reaping the benefits of her hard work,”

ing of an imposing national flag on the eve of May 26, to the pageantry of the Float Parade, to the other activities and events that were held, the significance of what it means to be Guyanese was truly on display.

In true Guyanese style, the over 27,000 diaspora Guyanese reconnected, mixed, and mingled with their friends and families at home, their expressions of joy and patriotism heavily felt through their actions and spending.

Minister of Business and Tourism, Dominic Gaskin

Minister Gaskin said.

A total of 170,318 visitors arrived in Guyana during the first three quarters of 2016, when compared to the same period in 2015. Visitor arrivals peaked in May, with over 24,000, which is double the number from May 2015.

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan during the 2017 Budget presentation said, “The year 2016 will be remembered, as the year when we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of our Independence. From near and afar, Guyanese as well as foreign dignitaries and visitors came to celebrate our significant milestone.” From the hoist-

GuyExpo 2016 Minister Gaskin said that this year’s trade show was a huge success and that his Ministry and the GuyExpo Committee were very appreciative of the hundreds of attendees that attended the exposition.

Minister Gaskin explained that GuyExpo was well aligned with the objectives of the Ministry of Business, as well as the economic development priorities of the government, and was designed to nurture and promote business growth and development in Guyana. The Minister also revealed that development of micro and small enterprises was a focus of the ministry in 2016.

Minister Gaskin noted that GuyExpo provided openings for growth of small business-

es, giving them the opportunities needed to grow and develop. The annual trade fair saw an estimated 500 exhibitors who showcased their enterprises. The hosting of this business event in May was part of the range of activities commemorating Guyana’s 50th independence anniversary.

Coconut Festival “Awakening a Sleeping Giant”, that was the theme of Guyana’s very first Coconut Festival that was staged during Agriculture Month 2016. The Guyana Coconut Festival was held from October 28 to 30 at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre. The last week of October 2016 was designated Coconut Awareness Week. Among the range of activities were product exhibitions, cooking and processing demonstrations, and presentations by Guyanese, Surinamese and American stakeholders on the multiple use of coconut. Some of the countries that participated in the festival included Suriname, Brazil, Mexico and India.

Tourism Awareness Month Tourism Awareness Month, which was observed in November under the theme “Tourism for AllBuilding Partnerships for Tourism Development”, saw a number of activities being held. Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh said that tourism contributes significantly to the country’s image and visibility. Minister of Tourism, Dominic Gaskin in the interview with GINA expressed joy

in meeting the photographer Rene Kaster and journalist Marco Barnveld from National Geographic who visited Guyana and were mesmerised by the country’s beauty which he (Barveld) described an “un-spoilt gem”.

Another highlight for the month was the International launch of the Wilderness Explorers at the World Travel Market Fair in London. The Guyanese booth received remarkable response relating to Guyana as a Tourism Destination. “There were no copies of the magazine left in London, President of THAG, Andera De Caires said. The annual South Rupununi Safari saw about 50 persons participating, engaging in a six- day trip, moving through Regions Four, Eight, Nine and 10 and in the process touching 10 villages. The event took place from November 24 to 29, 2016. The convoy left Georgetown and ended at Achiwuib in Region Nine.

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan in his budget presentation said that the first ever Coconut Festival held in 2016 shows the Government’s willingness to explore and promote new tourism initiatives. The festival complemented other expositions such as Building Expo, and Wedding Expo, and served to bring together innovative entrepreneurs while attracting new tourists. Another highlight for the year has been the launch of SURINAME-based airline Fly All Ways. The airline made its inaugural flight from Guyana to Barbados on August 9, 2016. The airline provides three nonstop flights per week from Guyana to Suriname to Barbados.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

Dynamic Airways flight woes

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All passengers to have baggage today –– says Gouveia

By Shauna Jemmott CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of Roraima Airways, Captain Gerald Gouveia, has announced that all passengers stranded as a result of the Dynamic Airways flight delays have been flown to their respective destinations – New York and Guyana – but several passengers whose baggage has been left behind, will be flown in Friday morning.

At a press conference held at Roraima Duke Lodge Thursday, Captain Gouveia said he is pleased that Dynamic Airways has fulfilled its promise and accomplished the task of ensuring disappointed passengers were brought to Guyana or taken to New York safely for Christmas.

He said, however, only 85 per cent of the passengers have received their baggage and while a large pile of baggage still remains at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, waiting to be claimed, the remainder of the baggage will be available for pick-up at the airport today.

Captain Gouveia said though,that delays had already resulted when two of the Boeing 767 aircraft experienced different mechanical problems. Gouveia said he had advised New York to send passengers with their respective baggage, but weight restrictions at CJIA and customer choice also prevented that.

“I had actually advised New York not to send people to Guyana without their bags, that if their bags cannot come, then don’t bring the passengers… New York took a decision to ask the passengers whether they would like to go and their bags come after. And my understanding is that a lot of the passengers agreed to that,” Gouveia told the local press.

He said the last flight which travelled out of Guyana on Wednesday returned to New York empty, and had also travelled to Guyana with some seats empty.

“The aircraft had empty seats and no baggage space… because of the landing restrictions here at the CJIA for 767 loaded to capacity… it would have exceeded the landing- weight specifications for this runway,” he said, if passengers on previous flights were to have their bags on the same flights.

Captain Gouveia said he

is thankful that the Service Recovery and Strategy plans he outlined to the media at a press conference Monday had been successful.

“I came here on Mon-

prevention of lengthy flight delays in the future.

“We have asked Dynamic to submit a report to the authority,” he said, noting that this will entail reviewing the operations.

He said based on reports received, one of the company’s Boeing 767 air-

terday told reporters that his company welcomes the official review of Dynamic’s operations by the GCAA, since he is confident the airline has done more good than harm since it began operations here, but such investigation was prompted by the sensa-

Roraima Airways CEO, Captain Gerald Gouveia and Operations Manager,Captain Leary Barclay, at the press conference on Thursday day and I gave you my word on what we’re gonna do and today I wanna tell you that we did it. After our two planes were unable to complete our two flights on Saturday and Sunday, we activated a third Boeing 767 into the system and we were able to do a flight on Monday, a flight on Tuesday, and a flight on Wednesday. We have cleared up the backlog,” he explained.

UNACCEPTABLE The season was a challenging one for Dynamic Airways, with Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson labelling the delays unacceptable, and calling for an investigation to be launched into the operations of the airline.

“Obviously, this is something that is very unacceptable…It’s an unfortunate situation, [and] we have to look into [it],” he told radio host Stan Gouveia on HJ’s 94.1 FM Radio. Patterson said the necessary measures will be implemented once he receives the report.

Regarding sanctions, Patterson said he has asked the GCAA to determine what legislative authority it has and can act on regarding penalties and fines for airlines.

D i r e c t o r- G e n e r a l o f GCAA, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired), Egbert Fields had told the press that the agency is reviewing the operations of Dynamic Airways and examining the disruptions to determine the exact cause of the delays and to ensure the

craft had sustained a mechanical problem, while another collided with a ground-handling truck. He said a third aircraft was used to begin servicing the New York –Guyana route here.

REVIEW WELCOMED Captain Gouveia yes-

tionalism of the two flight cancellations.

He said he also believes that all operations that affect the public should be reviewed under such circumstances.

“We will cooperate 100 per cent and we have no reservations about it… and I believe that the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) must

equally review all operations that affect the consuming public… that suffers operational delays I would expect an even hand and a level playing field; so I would want to see an equal review done to other carriages as well… 100 per cent we will cooperate with the authority and present them with all the information that is required.”

He confirmed that Dynamics officials here met with the GCAA DirectorGeneral and presented a report on the circumstances which led to the delays.

The company, he said, has confidence in the director -general since he is a man who is well-learned and highly-accomplished in the aviation field.

“This is a pilot who has flown 767s, who has flown 757s and he is not guessing, he knows exactly what is happening, and there is no operation in Guyana that is going to be able to pull wool over his eyes. If we were in fact not as factual as we would have been, he would have known it immediately, because this is the man who trained me,” Gouveia assured.

He said Dynamics has delivered on promise and upon completing the assignment of alternative transporting of passengers, the New York to Guyana route, has kept him informed through the recovery process.

“We did give him our

commitment that by the end of the business day on Wednesday, we would have cleared the backlog; we presented our word to him and strategy to him on Monday, and yesterday we were able to say to him exactly what I am saying to you,” Gouveia told reporters.

The airline is now back on schedule with planes flying the Georgetown to JFK and JFK to Georgetown routes five days weekly – Friday through Tuesday, and will work on its shortcoming of poor customer communication, among other things.

For 2016 alone, the airline flew close to 40,000 passengers to New York from here and some 60,000 from JFK to Guyana.

“Dynamic will continue to work hard in serving the Guyanese public, improving our service. These are huge Boeing 767s, we are jumbo jets.

These are not small 737 taking 160 passengers… these are planes taking 280 passengers and Dynamics has been contributing in no small way to the travel and tourism industry in Guyana, to the diaspora and to our economy, and Dynamic Airways is committed to this market and we will continue to diligently serve the Guyana market and work hard every day to improve our services,” Captain Gouveia said.

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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

New DHB tolls

THE recent push-back by some citizens against the planned increase in the tolls to cross the Demerara Harbour Bridge could have hardly been informed by facts on how much it costs the bridge corporation to maintain that decades-old facility and even how economical fares have been kept over the years.

The opposition People’s Progressive Party, which just under two years ago was in government would have known this, yet that party’s leaders were the loudest in denouncing the proposed increases, considered to be very nominal when compared to those being charged to cross the Berbice River Bridge.

In fact, there has been no increase in the toll for minibuses, the main vehicle used by the masses to commute.

This must have been a very careful and well thought out decision and the government must be commended for this.

The other increases are marginal. Motorcyclists now pay a mere $20; the proposed increase takes this to $40. Motor car drivers will pay $100; the proposal is to increase this to $200. There is no proposed increase for minibuses and SUVs, which currently pay $200.

The DHB facilitates commerce, access to markets for farm produce and allows for thousands of workers and students to travel to work and school on a day-to-day basis. The current floating Harbour Bridge is, however, well over its intended shelf life. It has been kept going with intense monitoring, renovations, and a considerable amount of finances injected from the public purse.

A feasibility study will commence next month for the construction of a new, modern bridge across the Demerara River, to serve the residents of Regions Two, Three, Four, and Seven, who are the principal users. The Demerara Harbour Bridge was commissioned with a lifespan of 25 years, but, through repairs and upgrades, this has since been extended by 13 years. In the meantime, it is interesting to note that, in the five years between 2010 and 2015, enormous sums as subsidies were doled out

by Government to the 38-year-old Demerara Harbour Bridge, to ensure its continued operation. This totalled two billion, two hundred and forty-eight million, five hundred thousand dollars ($2,248,500,000), which was funded by the taxpayers of Guyana.

The breakdown is as follows: 2010: seven hundred million, five hundred thousand dollars ($700.5M); 2011: five hundred and fifty million dollars ($550M); 2012: two hundred and seventy million dollars ($270M); 2013: three hundred million dollars ($300M); 2014: three hundred and thirty-eight million dollars ($338M); 2015: ninety million dollars ($90M).

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure, which has oversight for the bridge, has said that given that the life of the bridge has been extended for such a significant period, the maintenance costs are particularly high and onerous.

In light of these constraints, the proposal to nominally

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday , December 23, 2016

Gov’t needs to rethink strategies, policies to remain relevant Dear Editor AS someone who was instrumental in engineering the formation and victory of the PNCR-led administration, I have over the term of the new government had cause for reflection on its conduct and the policy positions it has adopted. This has reached the stage where at times I almost feel I have to apologise to Guyanese, particularly those who suffered tremendously at the hands of the current administration, but I recognise that we were all in this together - the former government had more than overstayed its welcome after disseminating the lives of many Guyanese and making corruption a system of government unto itself.

I contemplated that the economy needed time to adjust, that in its first year or two the new government would need some latitude to sort itself out and make a few administrative decisions to guide its policy framework. It is now appropriate to seriously take stock of what has transpired and the direction in which the country is going.

The PNCR-led administration seems intent on continuing to perpetuate the myth that it was principally responsible for the coalition’s victory at the last election, that it had developed all the right policies and had developed the original strategy of linking with the AFC to beat the PPP. This is being accomplished by not incorporating individuals like myself who highlighted the systematic corruption within the PPP and pointed out their failures in responding to the needs of Guyanese during their reign, who articulated a broad economic policy framework from which to draw, and who actually engaged both parties for the formation of the coalition.

The fallacy of the first issue is evident in the vast disparity between the commitments to investment, job-creation and good governance on the campaign trail and what currently obtains.

Letters to the press have already pointed out that job-creation and investment, among other things, have been buried in the administration’s national policy

phrase of a Green Economy, and the commitment to good governance has been replaced by the scandalous bond deal and the reckless chaos that continues to prevail at City Hall. What is worse is that the very individuals responsible for these affairs find themselves incorporated into the central executive of the PNCR itself, clearly sending the message that the PNCR itself has taken responsibility for the bond deal and what is going on at City Hall.

To rub salt in its political wounds, the mayor has been returned for another year of her three-year term after some behind-the-scenes political pressure. Prior to this was the Budget 2017 about which much of the country is very much up in arms. The budget is an entire issue all by itself, but in a nutshell, as has been pointed out, the restructuring of VAT as presented will undoubtedly cause inflation, something which Guyana has battled to keep in check since the early 1990s. Further, these represent permanent increases in prices, the type economies could do well without them being a result of deliberate government policy.

While it is recognised that many businesses, particularly professionals such as doctors and lawyers, do not pay their fair share of taxes, applying VAT on water and electricity, which are primary inputs into the production of virtually all goods and services, deserves revisiting, since businesses will very likely pass much of the upfront cost of the tax on to an already overtaxed, low-income population. Quite frankly, the budget is counter intuitive, since it raises costs of businesses, makes our goods and services more uncompetitive, and by taxing an overtaxed population, reduces real incomes, which in turn reduces consumption, and thus growth. The addition of parking meter fees will further reduce growth prospects. To rectify this, Finance just needs to retain the old VAT structure and reduce expenditure by the corresponding amount of lost revenue.

Finally, City Hall’s gung-ho style of managing the city’s affairs without consultations with stakeholders will not cut it. Notwithstanding the issues sur-

rationalise the tolls, for two main reasons: to ensure that the DHB generates enough revenue to cover its annual operating costs without having to be dependent on taxpayer subsidies.

(Being dependent on taxpayers’ subsidies to the tune of over two billion dollars is an obvious burden on the taxpayers of Guyana.

These funds could be utilised in other areas, such as

rounding the award of the contract for parking meters, talking with the private sector would have brought out the point that the parking meters will now be a financial burden on our new and growing middle class. One of the things the administration and City Hall needs to realise, is that Guyana has not reached that level of financial maturity that can allow it to afford such punitive taxes as parking meter fees that are a norm in well developed economies. Also, if City Hall takes a dim view of businesses because of underpaid taxes, they should also consider that businesses and the entire population of the city are unhappy with the management of City Hall.

The nonsense at City Hall coupled with discontent with the budget has emboldened Jagdeo and the PPP to start preparing their campaign for the next election. Jagdeo is not joking.

The coalition administration has managed to engineer a political crisis all by itself in less than two years. It is time the PNCR recognises the need for new, modern ideas and leadership and incorporate people like myself into its administration.

Much more needs to be done to impress the world and attract the kind of new foreign investment that will create much-needed jobs.

One of the facts that the coalition administration needs to recognize, is that Guyanese have just about had it with their national politics. Guyana is a young nation on a journey of economic and social transformation in a global environment that is engaging in rapid technological progress.

We cannot afford to be left behind in the fishbowl of our petty national politics.

Both the PPP and the PNCR have demonstrated for us that we need new political leaders, individuals who have risen to the pinnacle of their careers, who have influence and can exert that influence and secure the respect and confidence of the masses, who can deliver on developing and managing a sturdy economic framework founded on sound governance principles in our government.

The last 50 years were part of that journey, a stepping stone to our future, the growing pains of a nation at

birth. The call has already been made for us to break out of the mental chains of our national politics and present and consider new leaders and political alternatives. One of the realities about which I am certain is that the coalition’s supporters do not want to see a return of the PPP to administration with the same crop of jokers we just threw out.

Yet this is exactly what will happen if the coalition does not integrate new leaders and ideas into its administration.

On the score of my being reintegrated into the government’s economic management framework, I had spoken to the President since September 2015, and prior to that his advisor on youth, Aubrey Norton, who has known me since the early 1990s. I had also chatted with the Minister of Finance himself, and even the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Guyana, and had filed applications at the Ministries of State and Foreign Affairs, respectively. The Minister of State was kind enough to acknowledge my application.

I imagine these esteemed gentlemen looking at my CV and saying to themselves, “But he just has a first degree in economics. He’s not qualified for the job he’s asking for.” To this I say, “Neither were many of your government’s ministers on entering office.”

And secondly, people with a first degree in economics don’t engineer the defeat of a government that has been in power for 23 years.

The old ways are done with. Finished. Gone. And rigged elections are not an option, because the ABC countries, and now Europe, are unwilling to use their taxpayers’ monies to extend financial support to illegitimate and corrupt governments.

A friend of mine was jibbing me recently that I should give the presidency a shot. While it might have been a joke, if the coalition seems intent on handing government back to the PPP, then maybe my countrymen would consider me in the goat race. Season’s Greetings! And May Love, Peace and Prosperity be your blessing in the new year!

Regards, Craig Sylvester

education, job-creation, salary increase, infrastructural development, security services, better roads, provision of potable water, better electricity supply etc.) and to begin preparing for the process of building a new bridge across the Demerara River, to better service the residents of Regions Two, Three, Four, and Seven in their access to Georgetown, Demerara, and Berbice, especially.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday , December 23, 2016

End this nonsense of one-term government Dear Editor, I WISH to bring to the attention of APNU+AFC members and supporters, an important political point made by Mr Bharrat Jagdeo in his opening address to the PPP/C Congress at Cotton Field Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast.

A report which appeared in Kaieteur News on Sunday, 18th December, 2016, credited the Opposition Leader as saying to the Congress when the PPP/C wins the 2020 general and regional elections, they are planning to be in power for 25 years.

The political importance of this statement is not about

whether the PPP/C can win the next election – I believe this is wishful thinking on the part of Jagdeo - it is located in the expressed intention of the PPP/C to rule the country for the next 25 years, post2020 elections. Jagdeo has, in very clear language, made known his and his party’s intentions for the future of Guyana. To my mind this would be a disaster of unimaginable proportions, the worst thing to happen to Guyana, particularly when the 23 years of the PPPC’s rule of Guyana – 1992 to 2015 – is taken into consideration.

It cannot be denied that Jagdeo is a politician who not only understands the importance of power being located in the hands of a ruthless person and party,

but, more importantly, he has demonstrated that he has the ability to use power, ruthlessly. Consider what this means when we examine fully the clear, unadulterated message, which he directed to his party members and supporters in his presentation at the just-concluded Congress. It is this – when we in the PPP/C get back into the power stream, we will do whatever is necessary to ensure that we hold unto it for at least 25 years.

The difference between the political mentality displayed by the opposition party and its leadership as it relates to power and that of many APNU +AFC members and supporters is very clear.

On the one hand, we see the PPP/C demonstrating that by

Stop using workers for political work Dear Editor GUYSUCO is appealing to organisations to desist from using its employees for political work while they are on the job The Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) wishes to state that, it was observed that organisations have been misusing agreements with the corporation, as well as its accommodating posture, to engage our employees in overt political acts on the job and on its premises. While it is understood that some of our stakeholders are closely aligned to political entities, the corporation would prefer if these organisations desist from encouraging our employees during their working hours and on our premises, to carry out political work.

Today December 21,

2016, three protests were held at three Estates – Skeldon, Albion and Rose Hall.

The placards at two estates – Skeldon and Albion basically displayed the same messages, such as, ‘APNU+AFC Manifesto on sugar - work of Confidence Tricksters’ and ‘APNU+AFC betrayed us – denying us pay increase in 2015 and 2016’.

These statements are considered by the corporation to be of a political nature and while employees have a right to protest as citizens in accordance with Section 147 of the Guyana Constitution - Protection of freedom of assembly and association, employees are reminded that this right has a responsibility attached to it.

Another placard stated, ‘One top man salary in GuySuCo - $5.2 M per month.’

The corporation has taken note that this is the second

occasion where our employees were engaged in a picketing exercise and were highlighting this matter.

This statement is untrue, and the corporation would like to request that the responsible organisations discontinue their efforts to fuel discord between management and employees.

Management wishes to reiterate to employees that these are no doubt challenging times and the corporation is not oblivious to the impacts these challenges are having and may have; however, let us continue to work together, work harder and remain focused, while we explore the possibilities together, in our quest to find solutions.

Regards Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc

the time of the 2020 General and Regional elections, power will be theirs once again.

On the other hand, we see some APNU members and supporters seemingly buying into the propaganda of Jagdeo, the PPP/C and other detractors of the government who feel emboldened to claim that the present coalition is a one-term government.

This says a lot about our constituents’ political culture and political gullibility. In trying to understand this negative response of our supporters, it is obvious that we have short memories and there are cultural influences, and conditioning at work. Our people at all levels, leaders and masses, seem not predisposed to understand power, or, how to use it in the way the PPP/C leadership and supporters are culturally equipped to do.

Instead of thinking how to consolidate the political gains we made in 2015 after being shut out for 23 years

with all of the known hardships and degradation, too many of us are engaged in promoting the self-destructive “enemy propaganda” of a one-term government for APNU+AFC. Jagdeo‘s declaration of impending PPP/C domination of the country should serve as a, “wake up call” to all of our supporters and the country at large. To all of those members and supporters who have latched on to the propaganda that the APNU+AFC coalition is a one-term government, I say to you think of the atrocities committed by the PPP/C in the 23 years of their stewardship of the

state resources that took place under Jagdeo; think about all of the horrors we experienced under Jagdeo and the PPP/C and if after having done so, you continue to see the missteps which have occurred under the incumbent government as a basis for political change in 2020, then as a people we are suicidal. In closing, I want to say that the PPP/C was never a party with a democratic political culture. It has always had a culture and an ideology of absolute power and absolute domination. We experienced their style of governance for 23 years and its consequential destruction

country; think about the disappearance of the over 400 persons whose fate is still unknown; think about the role of Roger Khan and his state-sponsored killers; think about the criminalisation of the state, the corruption and theft of

of the country. My call is therefore directed to all those who suffered. Wake up sleeping people! End this nonsense of a one-term government.

Regards Tacuma Ogunseye

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

Caribbean children represent significant number of TIP victims

–– New UN report says A NEW United Nations report says a significant number of children in the Caribbean and Central America are victims of human trafficking.

The report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released here on Wednesday, says while worldwide 28 percent of trafficking victims are children, children account for 64 percent in Central America and the Caribbean.

CHILD TRAFFICKING Sixty-two per cent of the children who are victims of human trafficking are in sub-Saharan Africa and 69 countries detected trafficking victims from sub-Saharan Africa between 2012 and 2014. The report says that the vast majority of all human trafficking victims – 71 per cent – are women and girls and one third are children.

“Trafficking for sexual exploitation and for forced labor remain the most prominently detected forms,” said UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov. “But victims are also being trafficked to be used as beggars, for forced or sham marriages, benefit fraud, or production of pornography.”

The 2016 UNODC Global Report disaggregates data on the basis of gender, finding that women and girls are usually trafficked for marriage and sexual slavery. Men and boys, however, are trafficked into exploitative labor, including work in the mining sector, as porters, soldiers and slaves, the report says.

Fedotov emphasized the

link between armed groups and human trafficking, noting how armed groups often engage in trafficking in their territories of operation, coercing women and girls into marriages or sexual slavery, and pressing men and boys to act as forced labor or combatants. “People escaping from war and persecution are particularly vulnerable to becoming victims of trafficking,” he said. “The urgency of their situation might lead them to make dangerous migration decisions.”

The report documents patterns among trafficking and regular migration flows that share the same destination country. It also identifies trends within countries, between neighboring States and across continents. Factors that tend to aggravate rates of trafficking include transnational organized crime in the country of origin and a victim’s socio-economic profile, the UN said.

While 158 countries have criminalized human trafficking – “a huge improvement over the past 13 years,” according to the UN, Fedotov, nonetheless, warned that “the rate of convictions remains far too low, and victims are not always receiving the protection and services countries are obliged to provide.”

He, therefore, called for more resources to identify and assist trafficking victims, and to improve the criminal justice responses to detect, investigate and successfully prosecute cases.

The UNODC releases a report on trafficking every two years.

This September, during the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants in New York, UNODC emphasized that, as more people become migrants and refugees, “there is a greater risk for trafficking,” adding that “States must respond accordingly.”

On Tuesday, Haiti joined global countries in condemning, in the strongest terms, all instances of human trafficking, as the United Nations’ Security Council heard from more than 70 speakers during a day-long open debate on the subject.

Drawing attention to the link between conflict and human trafficking, former Haitian Prime Minister, JeanMax Bellerive said the crime “heightened vulnerability and undermined human rights all over the world.” While mak-

ing progress against human trafficking, Bellerive said it was “crucial to bolster security, create conditions that were conducive to development and dismantle terrorist networks.

“Alleviating poverty was also critical,” he said, acknowledging that, as a long-term solution, it would mitigate underlying factors.

By unanimously adopting resolution 2331 (2016), the 15?member Security Council, responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security, stressed that human trafficking contributes to other forms of transnational organized crime, “which could exacerbate conflict and foster insecurity and instability.”

The Council also stressed that acts of human trafficking

Thief gets 35 months A FATHER of five was on Thursday sentenced to 36 months imprisonment by Magistrate Faith McGusty after the completion of a trial in which he was found guilty for break and enter and larceny.

Thirty- year-old Keion

Crandon, of D’Urban Backlands, Georgetown, denied the allegation which stated that on October 5, 2016 at Sheriff and Enachu Streets, Section K, Campbellville, he stole from Dianna Panday: three gas bottles valued at $20,000 and a four-burner

during armed conflict, as well as sexual and gender-based violence, could be part of the strategic objectives and ideologies of certain terrorist groups by, among other things, “incentivising recruitment, supporting financing through the sale of women, girls and boys, and use of religious justifications to codify and institutionalize sexual slavery.”

By the resolution, the Council has called on UN Member States, among other things, to “investigate, disrupt and dismantle the networks involved, including through the use of anti-money laundering, anti-corruption and counter-terrorism laws,” underscoring in that regard the importance of international cooperation in law enforcement. By other terms, the gas stove valued $50,000; a Dell desktop computer worth $200,000; a 42” television set valued $100,000; three flower vases worth $20,000 and articles of clothing to the tune of some $60,000.

According to the police report, on the day in question, Panday secured her residence and left for her place of business when Crandon

UN Security Council urged Member States, including Caribbean countries, to build strong partnerships with the private sector and civil society, including local women’s organizations.

In addition, it encouraged the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and regional bodies to include analyses of financial flows associated with human trafficking that financed terrorism. The Council affirmed that victims of trafficking and sexual violence should be classified as victims of terrorism, and further expressed its intention to consider imposing targeted sanctions on individuals and entities involved in human trafficking in conflict-affected areas. (CMC)

invaded her residence. The police received information that Crandon had served a sentence before for simple larceny. According to the police, he was removing the said items from the house when ranks confronted him with the gas stove and several irons.

He was arrested and later charged with the offence.

Bandit caught trying to rob fireman

ONE of three bandits was apprehended Thursday afternoon in a daring robbery in which they tried to rob a fireman at the Diamond Fire Station, East Bank Demerara, police confirmed.

In police custody is the

driver and the vehicle that was used during the act.

Reports revealed that the desperate bandits decided to enter the fire station compound to commit the robbery on plain clothes firemen when an alert was raised by one of the fire-

men, resulting in the gate being locked.

The robbers who panicked decided to flee the scene when they were pursued by the firemen and police and were cornered.

One was apprehended while the others escaped.

The police were commended for their prompt response. Firemen have expressed frustration about the incident, calling on the authorities to installed surveillance cameras and backup generators.

Anglican Diaconate, Priests ordained THE Anglican Diocese of Guyana on Wednesday evening consecrated and ordained to the Diaconate, Bernard Amsterdam and John Rodrigues, and to the Priesthood, Deacon Eric Bassante and Deacon Andrew Hoyte during a solemn ceremony conducted at the St. George’s Cathedral.

Chief Celebrant was the Right Reverend Charles A. Davidson, Bishop of Guyana, Suriname and Cayenne.

Presenting Deacon John Ro-

drigues were the very Reverend Andrew Carto; Canon Thurston Riehl and Warden.

Deacon Bernard Amsterdam was presented by Ven Randolph Reynolds; Ven Terry Davis and Reverend Carl Peters.

Presenters for the Priests, Rev Eric Bassante were Father Randolph Reynolds and Theodore Demonick, and presenting Reverend Andrew Hoyte were the Very Reverend Andrew Carto, Canon Thurston Riehl and Venessa.

Meanwhile, Vesting of

the Deacons and Investiture of the Priests were performed by other officials of the venerable and distinguished clergy.

Others officiating included concelebrants Gospeller, Reverend Raymon Cummings and Litanist, Canon Evan Semple.

The ceremony was attended by a sizeable congregation comprising family members of the deacons and priests consecrated and ordained; well-wishers and other members of the laity.

Standing before The Right Reverend Charles A. Davidson, Bishop of Guyana, Suriname and Cayenne are the Priests and Deacons consecrated and ordained at St. George’s Cathedral on Wednesday evening

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

Three years for human trafficker

AN East Coast Demerara businesswoman was on Thursday sentenced to three years imprisonment after she was found guilty of human trafficking by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

It was alleged that at Pattensen, Greater Georgetown, Sharlene Oxley, 51 recruited, transported and harboured a woman for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Oxley, a mother of four had pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was first read to her.

Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers had told the court that Oxley recruited the woman and illegally transported her from Guyana to French Guiana under the pretext that she would be looking after her daughter in French Guiana, but in French Guiana, the virtual complainant was forced into prostitution. Oxley also demanded half of the proceeds from the woman.

Attorney Dexter Todd, who represented Oxley, maintained that the only reason his client took the virtual complainant (VC) to French Guiana was to look after her daughter. The defence also claimed that the virtual complainant was not forced into prostitution by the defendant, but in fact it was a plan between one of his defendant’s family members and the virtual complainant to put his client in jail.

In her ruling, the magistrate stated that the prosecutor had proven that Oxley had recruited, transported and harboured the (VC). In the evidence, it was proven that the (VC) was recruited by Oxley to go to French Guiana to look after her daughter and Oxley had transported her from Guyana to go to Suriname and French Guiana. The evidence also showed that Oxley provided housing for the virtual complaint (VC), while she cared for her daughter and while she prostituted.

In the court’s opinion, Oxley had deceived the VC,whom she intended to exploit. Along with deceiving the VC, Oxley had also caused her to prostitute and she took half of the proceedings.

However, the evidence did prove that the VC knew what she was doing. The court felt that the VC was aware of the activities in which she was engaged.

Oxley was also ordered to pay $2 million in restitution -- one million for psychological treatment and the other for emotional distress. However, Oxley’s lawyer Dexter Todd informed the court by oral notification that his client would be appealing the matter.

No bail for accused drug trafficking cops TWO police constables attached to the traffic department in New Amsterdam, Berbice will now spend the Christmas holidays in prison after being remanded for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking on Thursday.

The B Division constables attached to the Central Police Station: Bharat Chattarpaul, 28 of Lot 47 Princeton, Corriverton and Delroy Fraser, 24 of Belladrum Village, West Coast Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Charlyn Artiga at the Whim Magistrate’s Court Thursday and pleaded not guilty to the charge. Chatterpaul’s Attorney Chandra Sohan in his application for bail stated that his client was not a flight-risk and has been suffering from bronchial asthma for over 10 years.

The two lawmen were arrested on Monday afternoon after they were seen standing next to hire car HC 3179 reportedly owned by Chatterpaul. Their behaviour caught the attention of a senior officer who questioned their presence at that time. Their response did not please the officer and he requested the keys to the heavily-tinted vehicle. However, the constable refused and the officer decided to break the driver’s side window to gain entry into the car. The senior officer carried out a search inside the car but found nothing. He later opened the trunk and found a rice bag

Camera-shy drug trafficking accused police: Bharat Chatterpaul (left ) and Delroy Fraser as they make their way out of court that concealed a shoulder bag.

Upon checking the shoulder bag the officer discovered two transparent plastic bags inside which contained leaves, stems and seeds believed to be marijuana. The contents weighed in the presence of the two men amounted of 5KG. Meanwhile, Sohan further argued that at the time the car was broken into his client was not present. Sohan stat-

ed that his client was on an assignment from the Deputy Divisional Commander on the Corentyne and his co-accused constable Fraser was using his car the entire day.

Sohan who also represented Fraser in the absence of his attorney Kim Kyte stated that consideration should also be given to the fact that his clients may be placed in the same section as prisoners

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that they may have helped put away in the execution of their jobs. Police Prosecutor Phillip Sheriff however argued that the facts of the case differ from that which the defense attorney presented. Further, the prosecutor argued that given the nature and prevalence of the offence coupled with the quantity of marijuana discovered bail should be refused for both lawmen.

Magistrate Artiga after listening to both sides refused bail and stated that due to the fact that both men are law enforcement officers is reason alone to refuse bail. She further addressed the concerns presented by attorney Sohan stating that the men will be kept away from prisoners whom they claim to have come in contact with in the past. The magistrate stated that Chatterpaul’s alleged medical condition can be treated from prison should he suffer an attack.

The men were then remanded until 30th December when they will make their second appearance.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

LaRocque says reform of Prosecutor closes case after voir dire regional body is taking shape Murder of Prof Mars

POLICE Prosecutor, Corporal Bharat Mangru, on Thursday closed his case against five teenagers after a voir dire (a trial within a trial) that was conducted to determine the admissibility of a caution statement reportedly given to the police by them.

The five teens – three boys and two girls -- are currently on remand for the murder of 75-yearold retired professor Pairadeau Mars, who was bound, beaten and strangled in May in his home. The preliminary inquiry is still ongoing.

Corporal Mangru closed his case with the teens’ attorneys expecting to make their submission on the voir dire. The matter has been adjourned until January 5,2017. The teenagers are charged jointly for the murder of the former University of Guyana Professor on Thursday, May 12, at his Lot 395 Bissessar Street, Prashad Nagar home, during the course of a robbery.

Mars was killed by a gang of teens, who beat and bound him in his home. The teens are between the ages of 15 and 17 and reportedly confessed to the murder/robbery, while in police custody. On the day in question, at about 18:30hrs, the professor was found in his home by his wife with his hands and feet duct-taped and with injuries to his

head. The house was ransacked, and a number of articles and cash were missing. He was pronounced dead on arrival at a private hospital.

According to reports, the teens were known to Professor Mars.

They were arrested after neighbours observed the group leaving the retired professor’s residence with suitcases and entering a car, which left the scene. Subsequently, his wife returned home and found his bloodied and lifeless body in the house.

Less than 24 hours later, the police arrested the suspects and recovered a sum of cash,a laptop computer, iPod and PlayStation that were taken from Mars’ home.

Mars specialised in African Studies at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, USA, having studied history at the University of Guyana and Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. He was also credited with developing an international academic exchange project between Africana Studies, the College of Urban Labor and Metropolitan Affairs (CULMA), and the University of Guyana.

A post-mortem performed on Mars had revealed that death was due to manual strangulation, compounded by multiple fractures to the head and face.

SECRETARY General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Irwin LaRocque says the framework of the regional body’s reform process has started to take shape.

In his end of year message, LaRocque noted that reform is challenging but it is essential in order to confront the ever-changing nature of the global environment.

“This reform is not an end in itself but a means of ensuring that the citizens of CARICOM derive the maximum benefit from our integration process. At the end of it all, our regional integration process would be much more efficient and effective, in serving the interests of our people.”

He said one major factor in advancing those interests is the operation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and heads of Government have called for a comprehensive review that is currently being undertaken. “We are also looking at how we can re-calibrate the CSME to make it more responsive to address issues of growth and competitiveness.

In this regard we will work with Member States to accelerate implementation of the elements of the CSME and in utilising its provisions give our Community the best chance of establishing

the socio-economic platform for prosperity.”

He added that CARICOM is using information technology to simplify some of the administrative procedures, which allows citizens to benefit from the CSME. The CSME Application Processing System (CAPS) streamlines and harmonises the skills and services processes and allows persons to apply for their skill certificates online and will eventually allow for payments to be made and all approvals, including issuing of the certificates online.

LaRocque said the roll out has begun and will be in more countries in the coming year. The Secretary General also pointed to the power of unity and the instinctive togetherness of Caribbean citizens particularly in times of disaster.

“This was amply demonstrated once more as we went into action to assist those of our Member States affected by the passage of Hurricane Matthew. The hardest hit countries, Haiti and The Bahamas, are still in recovery mode, particularly Haiti where the storm cut a wide path of devastation.”

He praised the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) as the organisation co-ordinated the recovery efforts and also noted that the

Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF), honoured their financial commitments to those countries whose level of destruction triggered the compensation clauses in their insurance policies.

The Secretary General also made note of milestones – such as the Golden Jubilee celebrations in Barbados and Guyana and the region’s success at the Rio Olympics.

He said as the Caribbean prepares to greet 2017 with the uncertainties on the international scene and the continuing issue concerning correspondent banking, “the strength of our integration movement gives us a solid platform upon which to build our resilience.”

“In that regard, our Heads of Government, Ministers, Officials and staff of our regional Institutions continue to demonstrate their leadership and commitment to the integration process. From my interaction with our stakeholders in civil society, the private sector and among the youth there is widespread support for creating the viable Community for All that we are working towards. The same is true in respect of the many International Development Partners who are engaged with us.”

(CMC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

Minister Scott apologises for ‘Freudian Slip’

MINISTER within the Ministry of Social Protection, Mr Keith Scott on Thursday apologised for his “Freudian Slip” during Tuesday’s budgetary debates in the National Assembly.

He did so at a press briefing called specifically to address the matter, where he said that having given careful thought to what he

at the briefing, among them Messrs Lincoln Lewis and Kenneth Joseph, and Chief Labour Officer, Mr Charles Ogle.

It was preceded by a letter sent the ministry, titled “Calling workers’ organisations impotent”, in which both FITUG and GTUC said they view the remark as being very distasteful and disturbing.

of the Administration with respect to the trade union movement.

“The distasteful comment further opens speculation as to whether your utterance, which is clearly contemptuous of a major stakeholder in this society with a constitutional right to exist, has informed your Administration’s decision to dismantle the Ministry of

Minister Keith Scott with employees of Social Protection and representatives of FITUG and GTUC at Thursday’s press briefing (Photo by Adrian Narine) said, to the effect that the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) were impotent, he felt that an apology was in order.

“It takes nothing from me to say I am sorry,” Scott said, adding: “Who among us has never been liable for a Freudian Slip? Who among us is not infallible? And who among us can claim to be flawless?”

The apology was duly accepted by representatives of said trade unions present

The unions said, inter alia, “This most incredulous labelling by you of our organisations as `impotent’ begs the question whether this is the level of regard that the government has for the labour movement and by extension the workers of Guyana.

“As Minister, it is hoped it has not escaped your attention that workers represent a most decisive force in our country. We wonder whether your remark, as a representative of the Government, inadvertently conveys a clandestinely held view

Labour, which is relegated to a department headed by you.”

In his defence, however, Minister Scott said Thursday that while the situation is unfortunate, he has always been committed, and will continue to be dedicated towards trade unions and the principles of trade unionism and brotherhood.

He said that since assuming office, he has been pursuing the goals of trade union unity, even among unrecognised unions.

“Some unions had issues with the people they

represented and employers.

Whenever we have been invited to participate, though we tried to avoid interfering, even though we have the power to interfere in any dispute with or without in-

vitation, I have played my part. Under my watch, we always tried to wait until we are invited by parties, employers or employees, and I have always tried to show a balance,” Minister

Scott said.

He said, too, that he has always made full representation for workers, and fought tirelessly to provide a balance between employees and their employers.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

‘Big’ plans for Parliament View Mall –– says King

By Telesha Ramnarine

TOWN Clerk Royston King has said that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has “big” plans for the vendors at the Parliament View Mall who were relocated there temporarily from in front of the Stabroek Market Square.

He, however, refused to state specifically what plans are in place for the perma-

nent relocation of the said vendors who are now occupying the site on Hadfield Street that once housed the old Royal Castle Building.

“We have big, big plans for those vendors,” is all he would say when asked by the Chronicle recently on the sidelines of the council’s statutory meeting.

But a source at City Hall has informed the Chronicle that the M&CC has asked the Ministry of Public Infra-

structure to occupy an open lot that is close-to the Ministry of Social Protection, in the vicinity of Public Buildings.

The M&CC is reportedly awaiting a response.

Meanwhile, vendors at the Parliament View Mall are currently allowed to vend at certain locations that have been prohibited recently, but only until December 31.

They will be given further directions in the new year, the source offered.

Vendors were allowed to

go back to the ‘Dread Shop’ area that is next to K&VC and is opposite the Soesdyke minibus park. Some other vendors were allowed to occupy spaces in front of the old GNCB Bank, while others were permitted to vend along America, Longden and Commerce Streets.

Although it may not be easy for these vendors to remove from these spots at the end of the month, the source said they are fully aware that this is a temporary arrangement in place and hence they are expected

Town Clerk Royston King to cooperate and move.

Chairman of the Markets and Public Health Committee Mr. Lionel Jaikaran had recently told the council that the committee has completed its work with regard to the permanent relocation of the said vendors, and it is now up to the Town Clerk to proceed with the matter.

The Town Clerk had in the past said that the City Council had explored the

ideas of installing a double-decker on the ‘Bourda Green’ and extending the Stabroek Market in order to accommodate the ultimate relocation of the vendors.

“We have received an extension at Parliament View Mall that will go until December. Again, I wish to publicly announce my gratitude to the owner for his support and understanding of our efforts at the M&CC,” King had said.

“We are not in any way attempting to take bread from anyone, but we’re trying to organise the city in a way that will make it (comparable to) modern cities and that would allow it to stand shoulder to shoulder with the great cities of the world,” he said.

The Town Clerk said he is hoping at the expiration of this extension not to have to seek any further extensions.

“There are several options on the table. We are looking at a double-decker in Bourda Green, and we’re looking at the extension of the Stabroek Market, among others.”

Skeleton found on Soesdyke/ Linden Highway THE skeletal remains of an unidentified male were discovered Thursday morning after an anonymous caller made a report to the police. The bones were discovered on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway 400 yards from Splashmins Resort.

Reports reveal that a bottle suspected to contain a poisonous substance was found some 40 feet away from the remains. Next to the bottle were cigarettes, a lighter, sneakers, socks and a t-shirt.

Police confirmed the find and said investigations are ongoing.

The skeletal remains discovered on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

Drama after drama festival –– participants accuses Chief Judge of bias

By Telesha Ramnarine THE results of the National Drama Festival (NDF) which were announced at the National Cultural Centre last Monday were viewed as flawed and biased by some who participated and one actor has even called for the removal of Chief Judge Al Creighton.

But Creighton has since said that he stands ready to defend the judging of the competition and that the results were fair.

Mr. Ron Robinson’s play “Miriamy” won and was tied with “The Legend of the Silk Cotton Tree” directed by Sonia Yarde.

Speaking with the Chronicle on Wednesday, actress Sheron Cadogan-Taylor, who entered the competition with “Till ah find a place 1”, and won third place, said this year’s festival was the worst of all.

“We have had differences of opinion and incidents of bias in the past, but this year

it was so blatant and disrespectful; it’s beyond anyone’s imagination for a festival, one that should be nationally acclaimed based on standards and credibility.”

The second place prize was given to the play that tied with Mr. Robinson’s.

Taylor said it has become laughable that the NDF cannot even attract viewers to the National Cultural Centre anymore despite entry is free of charge. This, she opined, is a result of the populace losing confidence in the festival.

“If they get one thing right this year, they get ten things wrong the next, and deliberately so,” she said.

“When the Chief Judge can look me in the face and say to me that I should not be upset because…I had won the Festival on three occasions in the past that tells you that the judges have no problem rewarding mediocrity over quality, especially as it relates to the Open Full Length Category.

“What it told me person-

ally is that no matter how good my productions are henceforth, I will never be awarded accordingly because I won before, and that is indeed sad. That is the level to which our Drama Festival has sunk,” Taylor stated.

After nominations came out, Taylor said Mr. Robinson penned a letter to the committee voicing his concerns about those that were selected. She therefore believes that in an effort to pacify Robinson, his play was tied with the other.

She continued that she has been a pioneer for the festival over the past years and has tried to encourage her fellow actors not to give up on the festival with the hope that it will get better.

“I have handled every unfair decision meted out against me in the past with dignity and decorum, not even speaking anything negative against the festival or the judges, but I am afraid that it was my mistake because they seem to have taken me for granted, as clearly depicted in

‘Homeboy’ gifts Pomeroon school $1M

––to help start school-feeding programme

L I LY D A L E P r i m a r y School on the Pomeroon River in Region Two (Pomeroon- Supenaam) was recently given $1M to help start and sustain a school-feeding programme.

The money was donated to the school last Thursday by the United Investments and Management Services on behalf of the Trevor Daniels Enterprise, and was received by the head teacher, Ms Genevieve Howard.

The school, which has a population of about 76 children, also received sev-

eral pricey pieces of kitchen equipment, including a freezer, kitchen utensils and a sum of $200,000.

According to Ms Janelle Lee and Mr Jerome Andrews of United Investments, the school had reported to Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport officials stationed in the Pomeroon area that many children were forced to drop out of school, because their parents could not afford to upkeep them.

Being born and bred in the Pomeroon, Mr Trevor

Daniels of the Trevor Daniels Enterprise was sought out to assist these children, and has since committed to the school by sponsoring their school-feeding programme and providing cash to offset some of the additional expenses.

Lee said that Daniels intends to continue providing support to the school on a monthly basis to sustain the feeding programme, so that children would not have to drop out of school because they could not afford a meal.

Some Lilydale Primary School children, their headmistress and teachers, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport Pomeroon officials, and ‘United Investments’ officials following last Thursday’s handing-over ceremony

Chief Judge Al Creighton this year’s results. I will however continue to write, direct and produce, but I would not be a part of the festival until I can be sure that drastic changes have been made to ensure fairness, credibility and all other requisite components befitting a national festival are in place.”

Taylor congratulated her fellow actors, directors and producers who were also awarded this year and noted that she did not wish to lash out at anyone.

AN ‘UGLY’ SYSTEM “But this was to highlight of a system that has allowed itself to become more and more corrupt with each passing year. The Ministry of Education and the major sponsor – Digicel, should ask themselves whether this is what they desire of this NDF.” Other local actress, Leslyn Bobb-Semple who also spoke with this newspaper, said it was time for the entire NDF committee to have a new set of members.

She accused the Chief Judge of micromanaging each play although there are other judges who would be sitting at the same table but not saying a word.

“Sometimes you hear people whispering, ‘Did he just watch the same play I did?’…He comes across as

Leslyn Bobb-Semple biased and has favourite plays that were worse than some others that made it to the finals. And this is like a slap in the face.”

Bobb-Semple said she is very hurt that she puts in a lot of work into her plays but is not acknowledged.

“It’s like you’re wasting your time. I took on the role in Miriamy very late in the festival, about three to four weeks before, and with very little rehearsal, we pulled it off. And not even getting a mention because I’m not liked or because someone didn’t want me to win is a slap in my face and on my talent and I resent that.”

Bobb-Semple said it is her belief that the person at the helm of all of this is the Chief Judge. “And I would like to put in a request for his removal since it seems to me that his professional views on theatre have been compromised.”

Meanwhile, NDF Committee Member, Margaret Lawrence did not wish to comment on the issues raised and referred all questions to the Chief Judge.

JUDGING WAS FAIR In an invited comment, Creighton told Guyana Chronicle that he can surely defend the judging of the NDF and that the nine

Sheron Cadogan-Taylor judges on the panel were all strong, intelligent people who think for themselves.

“The judging was done fairly. The decisions were not always unanimous but in the end, we went with the majority.”

Creighton said there is a system in place that the judges use and if those complaining can come up with a better system, that will work better, then he is quite willing to listen.

“The judges saw all of the plays and so were able to compare them. Did those questioning see all of the plays? What makes their judgement better than the judgement of the panel?”

Asked to respond to the words uttered by Ms. Taylor, Creighton offered that Ms. Taylor implied that there was some sort of bias against but said her that it couldn’t be true as she had won three times before. It was in this context, he said he spoke to Taylor.

With regard to the letter that was penned

by Robinson, Creighton said that letter reached long after the judges had made and documented their decisions. In fact, he said the orders were sent to Trophy World long before the letter reached him.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

Surinam Airways to introduce cargo service

SURINAM Airways plans to offer a cargo service out of Guyana beginning January 2017, as its General Manager, Henk FitzJim pledged the airline’s continued commitment to serving the Guyana market with the highest levels of safety, comfort and overall customer service.

Fitz-Jim announced that during the course of 2016,

Guyanese had been trained to handle cargo in accordance with U.S. Department of Homeland Security standards and the airline will offer cargo service out of Guyana into the United States. It already offers cargo service into Guyana out of Miami.

“We have also demonstrated our commitment as a good corporate citizen by

Ministry of the Presidency hosts Christmas caroling event PRESIDENT David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon and staff of the Ministry of the Presidency, on Thursday enjoyed an exhilarating caroling session performed by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) band and choir. This activity is a holiday tradition at the ministry.

The Head of State in his brief remarks after the performance, thanked the band, which will be celebrating its 60th anniversary next year, and said that it has proven that not only is it deserving of the Medal of Service (MS) it has received, but that it has also improved significantly over the years. “At this time of the year, several things come together: the food and the drinks and the short working hours, the shopping; but most of all it’s the music that tells us something special is happening that does not happen at any other time of the year,” he said.

Expressing his best wishes to the staff, President Granger reminded them that Christmas is not unique to any particular group or religion. Instead, it is a time when people of all backgrounds come together to celebrate in fellowship and friendship.

The band played yuletide classics such as: O Holy Night, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night, Jingle Bells, along with several more modern renditions. President Granger, Prime Minister Nagamootoo and Minister Harmon even took turns to conduct the band, much to the delight of the staff.

giving back to the communities that support us. We have been sponsors of several events to mark the 50th anniversary of Guyana’s independence, in addition to supporting the efforts of several Guyanese-American charitable organisations that do good work in areas such as health care, education, trade and investment promotion, sport and cultural preservation,” Fitz-Jim is quoted as saying in a release from Surinam Airways.

The general manager further noted that the airline boasts a 92 per cent on-time departure record from Miami International Airport to Guyana. He also apologised to those customers who had been inconvenienced as a result of the carrier’s eight per cent delays.

“Our goal remains to be the travelling public’s first choice and to ensure this by providing safe, reliable, affordable and top-class service to our customers.

We increased our flights

from Miami to Guyana from two to three flights weekly earlier this year, as well as seasonal service from Orlando. We have also reached out to Guyanese communities in other states around the U.S., including Atlanta, in response to their requests for the introduction of service and we are looking at the feasibility of some of these routes in keeping with our commitment to customer- oriented route schedules,” Fitz-Jim reported.

He also noted that for

the holiday season, the airline has been fully booked and thus far there have been no delays or any other problems that would have inconvenienced passengers.

“It is our sincere hope that this trend continues indefinitely and that our customers continue to enjoy the Surinam Airways experience.”

Surinam Airways, he said, “looks forward to offering its superior level of service to Guyana and Guyanese in the New Year and be-

yond. We welcome any feedback which our customers have about our service.”

Meanwhile, the airline moved an increased number of passengers on its Florida/ Guyana routes so far this year compared to 2015. The airline offers non-stop flights from Miami to G u y a n a t h re e t i m e s weekly and seasonally out of Orlando. The increase in passengers this year on each leg of the route is estimated at about 40 per cent.

Always maintain public trust –– ‘F’ Division commander urges ranks

COMMANDER of ‘F’ Division (interior locations) Ravindradat Budhram has urged ranks to always put the public first and to follow up on reported cases since communities are partners in crime prevention.

He issued the charge at a breakfast he hosted for his ranks on Thursday at the Bartica Recreational Centre,

Region Seven.

It was a first for the division and saw ranks receiving incentives for outstanding work done throughout the year.

Commander Budhram said supervisors must work to ensure officers perform their duties efficiently and effectively, pointing out that stimulating motivation is a

constant process that leaders in any career can always improve.

The profession of law enforcement is no different from others that require ambitious and productive employees to serve effectively, but some aspects of motivation are unique to the professional police officer.

“The community holds the

police to a high level of public trust while expecting them to prevent crime, maintain order, and provide an equal and unbiased application of law enforcement.

To be an equal opportunity enforcement officer, the individual must be motivated to do the job and be held accountable to the highest standards at all times,” he explained.

Commander Ravindradat Budhram (sitting at the head of the table) with some of the ranks at the Christmas breakfast at the Bartica Recreational Centre

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

Eight more trained as air traffic controllers

AS the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) boosts its human resource capacity, a recent audit of the country’s umbrella aviation body is seen as an encouraging sign while the country works towards achieving Category One aviation status.

On Wednesday, eight young air traffic controllers were officially added to the roster at the country’s two airports after successfully completing several months of training on the island of Jamaica.

The controllers were introduced to the media on Wednesday at the GCAA headquarters on High Street, Kingston, Georgetown.

GCAA Director of Air Navigation Services (ANS), Rickford Samaroo, told the media that development of the human capacity of the body is key to its advancement, and training will play a major role in the activities of the body in 2017.

At the same time, the

GCAA Director-General, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Egbert Fields, said that the aviation body is working overtime towards developing its status.

“We just completed an audit to determine where Guyana is in terms of compliance,” he said.

The audit was undertaken by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The results saw Guyana achieving a 64.44 per cent mark, which is above the average in the Caribbean and represents a marked improvement from the 44.44 per cent it had previously obtained.

According to Fields, the oversight systems within the GCAA are being examined as key towards advancement of the body’s status.

“We are moving forward by trying to establish a robust oversight system, a robust authority,” he said.

On the contrary, he said that if the body does

Sugar production stands at 126,167 tonnes

––some 12,000 tonnes shy of second-crop target DESPITE the many challenges facing the sugar industry, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is close to meeting its overall production target of 188,000 tonnes for 2016.

This is according to the company’s Senior Communications Officer, Ms Audreyanna Thomas, who told the Guyana Chronicle by telephone on Tuesday that they are close to 12,000 tonnes shy of meeting their second-crop target of 137,764 tonnes of sugar.

Noting that the second-crop target had initially been pegged at 159,000 tonnes, Thomas said the company was forced to settle for 137, 764 tonnes, a shortfall of a whopping 93,307 tonnes on last year’s output, due to the inclement weather.

The same holds true for the original overall target for 2016, which was initially pegged at 239, 513 tonnes.

Thomas reported that some of the estates have completed grinding for the year, with some having surpassed their production targets. One of the estates confirmed to have completed its operations for 2016 is the Wales Estate on the West Bank of Demerara.

As to how the first crop has done, Thomas confirmed that GuySuCo had missed its target by some 29.3 per cent, due to the dry El Nino-like weather conditions.

A review of the first crop for this year has shown that of the projected 80,270 tonnes, actual production was listed at just 56,825 tonnes.

Further, reports have indicated that last year, the first crop had been extended. The revised crop target of 83,000 tonnes which GuySuCo had set was matched by 81,194 tonnes.

Back in 2014, GuySuCo’s first-crop target was set at 74,616 tonnes and the industry recorded 74,842 tonnes.

The Government had expended $9B at the start of the year on the sugar industry, but later made another billion-dollar bailout, with members of the National Assembly in October approving $2B for the cashstrapped corporation.

not strengthen its position, it would not be in a position to face the challenges which could arise in another two to three years.

He said the GCAA is looking towards the prospects of employing experts to assist in further strengthening its capacity, adding that the Government has thrown its full support behind development of the sector.

After the audit, Fields said the ICAO auditor expressed satisfaction with the aviation regulation body’s performance.

He said the assessor observed that Guyana is moving “in the right direction” and the official pointed to training as

GCAA Director-General, Egbert Fields, sits alongside head of the body’s training division, Courtney Frank, with the new air traffic controllers well as the acquisition of additional skills as pivotal towards enhancing the semi-autonomous body.

Meanwhile, GCAA Training School Manager, Courtney Frank,

noted that selection of the newly trained controllers came from an initial batch of 14 persons.

Jamaica’s aviation sector was chosen for the training since it was

seen as the most competitively priced institution at the time of selection.

Frank said another 35 persons are currently undergoing training to enter the profession.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

4 win ‘Chronicle’s Christmas Giveaway’

By Vishani Ragobeer

THE Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) has honoured four winners from some 1224 entries in its month-long ‘Chronicle’s Christmas Giveaway’ promotion on Thursday.

The promotion by GNNL Advertising Department ran for three

weeks and the lucky winners took away a gift set with a teddy bear, a fruit basket, a printer and cake hamper.

The participants were required to choose a number representing one of the four prizes after the drawing was done on Wednesday, and were presented their prizes yesterday.

Winner of the fruit basket, Pearl Tucker was surprised to have won.

She related that she is an ardent reader of the Chronicle newspapers and due to this, she was able to collect many coupons over the period in which the competition ran.

Another winner, Farida Mahatoo said she submitted about 50 coupons the day before the competition ended, but did not expect to win.

Mahatoo, who won herself the cake hamper, said, “I read the papers every day and I just thought it would be fun to enter the competition.”

Sheik Persaud of Blankenburg, West Coast Demerara was super exited to have won the printer.

“This is the first time I’ve won anything like this,” he told Guyana Chronicle, pointing out that he felt that he had nothing to lose, and decided to collect the coupons from friends and relatives so that he could win the printer.

“I have a computer but no printer,” Persaud said, “so I decided to try my luck.”

The other winner was Deshawn Semple of Lovely Lass, West Coast Berbice. She won the gift

Winners of the Guyana Chronicle’s ‘Christmas Giveaway’ with their prizes. From left to right: Farida Mahatoo, Sheik Persaud and Pearl Tucker set and teddy bear.

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

NS&R Computers, located at 105 Regent Street, Bourda donated the gift set and teddy bear; D. Singh Trading located at 36 Delph Street, Campbellville, donated the fruit basket; Riaz Computers of Church Street, South Cummingsburg donated

Friday December 23th, - 13:30 hrs Saturday December 24th, 14:30 - 1:30 hrs Sunday December 25th, 14:30 - 2:30 hrs

the printer and the cake hamper was donated compliments of the Advertising Department of the Guyana Chronicle.

GNNL Marketing Coordinator, Akash Persaud said the competition is in its second year, and the reception has been far greater compared to last year.

This year, some 1224 entries were received compared to around 300 last year.

“This is something we [at the Guyana Chronicle] want to do more often, to make the readers interact more often with the papers,” he said, pointing out that in the new year several more competitions will be held.

He extended gratitude to the entities that sponsored the prizes and all those who participated in the competition, as well as warm Season’s Greetings to all.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

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President Hoyte honoured at memorial

President David Granger pays his respects to former President, Hugh Desmond Hoyte, S.C PRESIDENT David Granger Thursday morning attended the 14th Death Anniversary Commemoration Service of former Executive President of Guyana and Leader of the People’s National Congress/ Reform (PNC/R), Hugh Desmond Hoyte, which was held at the Seven Ponds, in the Botanical Gardens.

Mr. Hoyte had served as President of Guyana from 1985 to 1992 and before that he held several ministerial posts between 1969 and 1984, including Home Affairs, Finance, Works and Communications, and Economic Development.

In 1984, he became first vice-president and prime minister. During his presidency, he initiated far-reaching electoral and economic reforms, which strengthened the bases of the democratic

culture of Guyana, promoted market-oriented policies and stimulated economic growth, the Ministry of the Presidency said in a release.

Attorney General and Chairman of the PNC, Mr. Basil Williams, in his brief remarks at the memorial said that the late President was a “dynamic” individual and led the transformative revolution in Guyana. “He was iconoclastic and he was really the purveyor of a revolution in a way, in Guyana; an economic revolution,” he said.

As a Minister of Government, he held on several occasions, responsibility for African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) affairs under the Lome Convention and was the ACP spokesman on sugar for 1981 to 1983.

His portfolio also included Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Affairs.

President Granger (seated in front row) along with Government Ministers: Raphael Trotman; Carl Greenidge and Volda Lawrence and attendees at the commemoration service of the 14th death anniversary of the former President Hoyte

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

ARIES With one foot in a world of righteous rules and one foot leading you to a radical new concept of self, there is a delicate balance between what you used to think and who you are becoming. The nearly inaudible rumble of change in the atmosphere may drive you to reflect on issues of power and control lurking beneath the surface. There’s no need to isolate yourself; today’s events are lively and enjoyable when spent with the people closest to you. However, it’s helpful to remember the words of Maya Angelou who wrote, “If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.”

TAURUS Often change is good for stirring up the energy, but it still can be uncomfortable while it is occurring. The deep cosmic shift you sense drives you to seek emotional intimacy while the Moon travels through your 7th House of Partners, activating intense interactions and heart-tugging connections. Despite the deep undercurrent today, the holiday cheer is like a bright light in the dimness of winter. Holding a space for your old ways of thinking while accepting brilliant new realizations paves the way for relationship growth in the days ahead.

GEMINI Happily, the tension between a new group of friends and your long-established social network is temporarily alleviated. Your optimism seems to twinkle through the rush of the day at just the right times. However, the Moon moves into melancholy Scorpio and your 6th House of Daily Routine, so don’t ignore any sniffles or headaches today. Put your body first even though there are many more exciting attractions calling out for your attention. Gandhi said, “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”

CANCER Emotions run high as you do your best to adapt to changing demands in a blink of an eye. The Moon slips into fellow water sign Scorpio today, heightening the intensity with which you express your feelings. Fortunately, the tenuous balance between your previous priorities and your current goals triggers unlikely inspiration and the determination to take your ideas to the next level. Old ways won’t open new doors. Overcome your resistance to change if you want real transformation to take root.

LEO You possess the surprising ability to incorporate tried-and-true methods of expressing yourself with a blast of unconventional thinking today. Your tendency to talk big may work in your favour as you frame your message with a creative twist. However, the Moon swims into secretive Scorpio and your 4th House of Home and Hearth, drawing your energies back to the safety of your own space. Once you call it quits for the day, you’re likely to want nothing more than to sit in silence and travel to your happy place. Recharging your batteries is essential, and quieting your mind is one of the best paths to rejuvenation.

VIRGO There are times to tear down your old psychological foundations and times to build something new, but today there is space for both. You are passionate about an innovative approach to saving or earning money while a fortunate Sun-Jupiter connection inspires you to grow your wealth. However, you may be single-minded now, so make sure you don’t come across as overly fanatical in your communications with others. As Dorothy Sarnoff advises, “Make sure you finish speaking before your audience finishes listening.”

LIBRA Ironically, your possessions may begin to possess you today when the obsessive Scorpio Moon casts her light into your 2nd House of Material Things. It could be easier to get what you want now, but you still must choose your words and actions with integrity. The cosmos gives the gift of balance between your typical ways of communicating and a fresh new slant on how you interact with others. Use this moment of grace as a catalyst for personal growth while you temporarily can juggle both the old and the new.

SCORPIO A creative insight may come seemingly out of nowhere today, prompting you to see yourself in a whole new fashion. As you stop to reconsider where you stand, you’re able to acknowledge your old value systems while seeking an innovative new method of working for what you want. In the meantime, the Moon enters your introspective sign, inspiring you to keep your burgeoning insights close to the chest as they grow and mature. Author Aldous Huxley wrote, “There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.”

SAGITTARIUS Although you move through the day with your characteristic exuberance, on the inside you may be longing to retreat into the sanctuary of your own mind. The Moon’s shift into brooding Scorpio activates your 12th House of Secrets, which could provoke dark thoughts and feelings. Thankfully, you can count on your friends to lift you up and out of your own shadows with the cosmic assistance of a cheery Sun-Jupiter connection. The most memorable people in life are those who love you when you have trouble loving yourself.

CAPRICORN You may feel possessive of your friends today, and even a little jealous if they are busy with plans that don’t include you. However, people are just trying to uphold their social obligations now and it’s unwise to take their preoccupation personally. When you stop to think about it, you recognize the transitory nature of the world at large and are prepared to overhaul your psyche to match the external changes. Nevertheless, there’s no need to sink too far into your depths when you could be enjoying the precious time you have with the ones you love.

AQUARIUS There is a subtle but persistent hum in the background that’s a harbinger of imminent social change. However, more immediate circumstances draw your attention to managing personal issues in the here and now. The Moon enters ruthless Scorpio and your 10th House of Status, magnifying your desire to be on top. Although your ambitions drive you to reach great heights, there are still jovial moments which break through the intensity.

Take the opportunities to lighten the mood as they come but don’t let down your guard.

Author Paulo Coelho writes, “Love everybody, but never sell your sword.”

PISCES Although you are busy attending social events and spreading holiday cheer, there’s a sneaking suspicion in the back of your mind that something isn’t quite right. The Moon’s shift into leery Scorpio might raise fears of deception or betrayal. In fact, paranoia could hijack your fun festivities if you give it your permission. Luckily, a trusted friend holds the key to helping you view things in a totally different manner. Author Dan Brown writes, “Sometimes a change of perspective is all it takes to see the light.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

The Conflicts of Christmas THAT there are conflicts in every religion on earth would be an understatement, yet to not address those close to home would be to just allow the stagnant pool to ferment and discharge its dangerous spawn, to the detriment of our mental and symbolic consciousness. To do nothing would render us, in the face of religious ignorance and its legions of tricksters, mere hypocrites and procrastinators.

Christmas, Christianity and their conflicts all revolve around the narrative of the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. In fact, these names don’t even sound like Hebrew names. However, it is the drama of this young man, ‘Jesus’ whose revolutionary utterances challenged the religious status quo of his land, and the pretentious doctrines that were sustained by the perennial survivors, embodied at that moment in time by the Pharisees.

Though we cannot say if everything that was allotted to Jesus did occur and how much was embellished, what we do know is that this was a new philosophy; a new way of engaging each other.

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” was not a common way of doing business in the old world; nor is it in our new world.

“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”; that assertion that instructs us to contemplate the redemption of the soul in those we are ready to hasten to the doors of oblivion, has not yet reached home in its full understanding today.

And the most profound revelation of all, “Look not for signs and an observation, for the Kingdom of Heaven is within you...” Yep! The ball is, and always was, in your court!

ANNO DOMINI Jesus the Christ lived almost 1,700 years before the first slave ship brought many of our ancestors into the New World, and about 900 years before Rome adopted the teachings of the Christ and invented

Byzantine Christianity.

The first nations to become followers of his doctrine were most likely the Ethiopians [Aksum-Kush], because they saw in his teachings semblances of older doctrines of their belief systems.

The disillusionment for many of us among the New World’s disenfranchised emerged in the 19th Century with the forced mutation of the Bible to justify African slavery, and with its reconstruction of the ethnicity of Biblical populations, including Jesus and his villagers, into Europeans through paintings, the art of children’s books and movies that still persists today as a more subliminal intellectual method of racism.

Though the fact is, the first peoples to be smothered and persecuted

by Christianity were the landless peasant classes of Europe by the Church exalted nobilities; and the first to be exterminated were the European sects that had embraced Christ’s teachings but disagreed with Rome’s adjustments. Those systems, tried and proven against European populations, were transplanted to the Plantations.

All this might seem confusing if you haven’t explored it before; but if you do, a lot of inner confusion can be put to rest, a nd a better understanding of religion, the history of the old world and the debate with Science will most likely be interesting incentives.

THE CHRISTMAS STORY Whether we celebrate Christmas as the literal or symbolic birth of Christ, the concepts Hollywood has defined as The Greatest Story ever told [that originally began as a radio series in 1947] has changed the world, stirred the imagination of peoples with justifications for oppression, and by the same token the logical interpretations for salvation and forgiveness.

Positive words do carry a significant and healing effect when expressed with sincerity. Over the next few days, we will use such expressions as “All the best!”

“Peace and Goodwill to all!” “Best wishes!” “Have a wonderful...!” as the spirit of Christmas envelopes us.

Both good and bad people will give gifts, some to atone for a past year of trickery and trampling on “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, in the interest of self, while some will share because they are compelled to by the needs of the obvious less fortunate, and the fact that they can extend a little of themselves.

We humans need a celebration that can invoke in us sinners of greater and lesser transgressions a compulsion to do better. Strange enough, a Christlike personality is recorded on every continent among every people, proving that we don’t know everything about the forces that inspire, and are expressive in the collective organism of human-kind.

But what is evident on Plantation Guyana is that the overpowering Biblical imagery mentioned above has fragmented the core of the self esteem of many who are unaware of its damage.

THE CONTRADICTIONS Some years ago I was paralyzed with disbelief as a female pastorperson on Channel 9 [on a paid

programme] emphasised that the Afro-Guyanese community should be thankful for slavery as it had brought us to Christ.

Then the goodly Bishop Edgill assured us that if Christ was on earth today, he would have joined the PPP. Whether arrogant ignorance with the former, and the gross hypocrisy of a deceitful earthbound soul playing with religion with the latter, they are not alone; ‘they’ are

legion, and our indifference makes it worse. That’s why I have crafted this article.

As we enjoy the season over the weekend, what is real will be taking the time out to communicate with friends and family across the planet, as we embrace those close to us and contemplate where our contribution will be directed towards helping to change what has gone wrong, within and without.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

Hidden Treasures Puppet Show – to air on Christmas Day

EVERY Christmas, Guyanese anxiously tune into their local TV stations to get some much-needed comedic relief by way of the renowned and beloved ‘Stretched out Magazine’.

This year, thanks to the enthusiasm of one young woman, local Christmas content will be amplified by the Hidden Treasures Puppet Show.

The show is the brainchild of Esther Sobers, a young puppet enthusiast who felt that local content in Guyana is lacking. “I wanted to add to the local content on television, because everyone just looks at Cable.

“So I think people need to be creative and look at what people are attracted to on the foreign market, and try to incorporate it into local content so people will gravitate more towards it,” Esther told The Buzz.

The 30-minute show will showcase a mix of several skits, and will introduce the audience to a variety

of loveable and funny characters. Each skit will help to tell the story of Christmas with a comedic twist. As for the puppets, Characters such as ‘Mr. Lee’ and ‘Professor Grumps’ have been creating quite a stir on social media and in interviews, and as the lineup includes well-known names like Mark Kazim and Leon Cummings, viewers can expect to be surely entertained.

Other participants include puppet expert, Neville Ramkissoon, Jermain Grimmond, Jamila Braithwaite and Esther herself, who admitted that though she doesn’t have prior experience in puppetry, she just couldn’t help being part of the production.

“I’m fascinated by puppets; I grew up watching Sesame Street and the Muppets and always loved them, and I wanted to do something different for the families; something that Guyanese would enjoy this Christmas. And I thought that puppets would be a great

addition,” Esther said.

She is sure that with the quirky personalities of the characters, and the storylines, the show will be one that viewers are sure to remember.

Esther revealed that some of the characters will also be featured on Stretched out Magazine and that come next year, the Hidden Treasures Puppet Show will also be featured as a regular television programme. “I have already written more episodes, so this Christmas special will serve as an introduction,” she said.

The show will air on Christmas Day and Boxing Day on HJTV Channel 72 at 19:30hrs; on Vision TV, Channel 46 (Cable 102) at 11:00hrs; and on SafeTV Guyana, Channel 2 at 12:00hrs.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

Bringing Joy this Christmas –‘Give Another Chance Foundation’ spreads Christmas Cheer AT this time of year, it is important that every child feels loved, and is given a chance to experience the joy of Christmas. And this year, the Give a Chance Foundation is doing its part to ensure that children in different Regions receive some Christmas cheer.

Acting President of the Foundation, Melissa Roberts, said that taking care of children’s needs forms part the mandate of the Foundation. “At Christmastime, it’s all about bringing joy to children, so we just want to make them happy.

“We do this at Christmas, and it is all in keeping with the season of giving and sharing,” she said.

Last Saturday, the Foundation hosted a Christmas Tree light-up and party for over 250 children of the island of Wakenaam. The children were treated to games and rides via a fun park, and over 1,000 gifts were distributed. This is the second year that this event was held by the Foundation.

The Foundation then brought the festivities to Georgetown to entertain another 350 children with visits from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, games, food and presents at the DCC Ground.

Children hailed from Berbice, Hertelling, West Coast Demerara, Soesdyke, East and West Ruimveldt.

FOUNDING The Give a Chance Foundation was founded seven years ago by Wakenaam native, Miranda Thakurdin. And while for the first five years the activities centered on benevolence for women and children on the island, the last two years have seen the Foundation extending its reach to Georgetown, Region

Mr. and Mrs Claus and their helpers were also present at the DCC Ground to help spread some Christmas cheer

Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Region One (Barima-Waini).

“Our primary objective is to provide basic food, clothing and financial aid for women and children, so during year, we do things like this,” Melissa said.

At Wakenaam

The 40-foot Christmas tree that was erected on Wakenaam

These year-round activities include counselling sessions, provision of financial aid for lessons, and other educational initiatives. “Most of the work we do focuses on underprivileged children, so that they can be a bit more successful in life; children who don’t have opportunity to access basic resources.

“So we want to work with people in order to help them to succeed,” she said.

The Foundation also works with students who perform well at examinations, and help to pay the tuition and other educational expenses as they progress through school.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

Argentina indicts Bieber – For beating paparazzi in 2013

IT’S finally here! Christmas is here, and while spending time with the family is important, it’s also time to amplify your social life with all the festivities that are about to go down. Here’s what’s Buzzing this weekend.

FRIDAY

Music Unlimited, in collaboration with Cre8tive Arts Festival and The Courtyard Mall, presents a two-day Christmas Event: Christmas at the Courtyard.

Barbecue will be served from 11:00hrs, then from 16:00hrs, there will be a live show featuring contestants from The Spotlight, Collage the Band, Gavin Mendonca, SURU and many other Guyanese artistes.

Looking for makeup classes? Then come to Sharon’s Building from 18:00hrs to 21:00hrs for Vincent Shelto’s Wine and Makeup Affair.

Come and enjoy wine and cheese while getting makeup tips from male makeup artist, Vincent Shelto. You can also purchase all your favourite makeup brands.

Pulse Entertainment presents its annual Christmas party, Naughty or Nice. Which list do you fall on this year?

Santa will be there to take pictures and spread the Christmas cheer while you take your holiday shots.

Palm Court will be transformed into a winter wonderland; experience ‘snow’ all night long!

Are you naughty, or are you going to be nice? Admission $2,000 before 22:00hrs.

Gravity Lounge will open its doors for the largest EDM Concept Party.

Calling all ravers! It’s all about ELECTRO! Everyone free before 22:00hrs

704 Bar and Lounge presents Soca in Christmas. It’s your two favourite things combined!

Come and start off the holidays with a wild mix of Soca music to get you in the celebration mood! Event starts at 21:00hrs.

SATURDAY

Christmas at the Courtyard continues. Enjoy a Guyanese Pepperpot for breakfast and enjoy caroling, live music and all the activities the festival has to offer!

On both days, you can also get a chance to enjoy discounts on Music Unlimited Music courses for 2017!

Learn to Play an Instrument This Year!

SUNDAY

It’s Christmas! And you know what the old folk say? You don’t go anywhere on Christmas Day! It’s time to stay home and spend some quality time with your family! Merry Christmas!

JUSTIN Bieber will not be going to Argentina anytime soon after being indicted in the South American country for a paparazzi beating incident from 2013.

The pop star allegedly ordered his bodyguard to beat down a photographer during an incident in Buenos Aires.

A judge indicted the Canadian singer on assault charges, TMZ reported. Justin Bieber has maintained his innocence, and plans to appeal the indictment.

The singer’s lawyers are saying that the judge is just out to get ‘The Bieb’.

This means that if Bieber sets foot in Argentina, he will be arrested. Now he has another problem, because he is about to start a major South American tour that will see him performing in places like Brazil.

His fans in Argentina better hope that this case is resolved soon before the tour gets underway, or else he is unlikely to perform in that country. He could also lose some money from tour, since

his biggest fan base in South America is in Argentina.

50 Cent to call it a day 50 Cent is strongly suggesting that he will be retiring from rap after his last album, “Street King Immortal”.

The New York rap mogul is dropping a lot less music these days, and you can’t blame him. With the success of his acting career, things seem to be moving towards Hollywood for 50 Cent.

This year he had one of the hottest shows on TV, Power. Speaking with Muscle & Fitness magazine, the hip hop titan didn’t just talk about how he built and maintained his muscles, but he also opened up about his rap and acting career.

“I want to finish with Street King Immortal,” he said. “I don’t want to write another record after that. You know how some artists got to have confirmation that they’re right; I have that confirmation in

35, 40 million [albums] that I already sold.”

50 Cent first announced the project from back in 2011, and went on to release one album since then, Animal Ambition, in 2014.

That last project didn’t see the same success as his previous platinum releases.

‘50’ also recently hinted that he will be quitting his hugely successful TV series, Power, after getting snubbed by the Golden Globe.

“I’m off the POWER train, champ is gonna do the show,” he wrote on Instagram. “Go to him for more info, I gotta do something different.”

Whether or not he is serious, we will have to wait on Season 4 of Power to see what will happen to his character, Kanan.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

Buffon’s 600th Juventus game will not be his last landmark Gianluigi Buffon is ready for his 600th Juventus outing while Massimiliano Allegri warned of AC Milan’s threat in the Supercoppa Italiana.

Gianluigi Buffon

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon insists his 600th appearance for the club in Friday’s Supercoppa Italiana will not be his last landmark outing.

Buffon will lead Juve out against AC Milan in Doha as he looks to add another prize to an already packed trophy cabinet.

The 38-year-old joined Juve from Parma in 2001 and has gone on to win seven Serie A titles - including in each of the past five seasons.

Friday’s Supercoppa clash may not be held in quite the same regard as those Scudetti, but Buffon is not lacking in motivation.

“It’s great that someone is counting [my appearances] for me!” he told a media conference on Thursday.

“It’s a great landmark but it will not be my last.

My will to win remains exactly the same. Playing important finals like this helps to keep you hungry.

“Playing in a team like this gives you every motivation you need.”

Juve head into Friday’s

clash with a seven-point lead atop Serie A, with Milan a further two back in fifth.

Their respective positions mean Juve start as firm favourites, according to head coach Massimiliano Allegri, who warned his players to be wary of a Milan side that prevailed 1-0 when the teams met in the league in October.

“We’re in excellent form, but we mustn’t assume that will be enough to win,” he said. “We know what Milan are capable of.

I’m looking for us to play with humility, respect and focus.

“Anything can happen in a final. To win, we’ll need to deliver a performance befitting of a truly top side. Our defeat in October came from a defensive error. This will also be decided by a mistake or a moment of class.

“For various reasons we’ve been made hot favourites. Milan can come and play without fear. I’m looking for the boys to bring us home another trophy. It would be the perfect gift for me!”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

Ravichandran Ashwin is ICC player of year, Alastair Cook captains team of 2016 India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been named the International Cricket Council’s world player of the year.

The 30-year-old is the third Indian to win the Sir Garfield Sobers trophy and is also ICC Test cricketer of the year.

Alastair Cook was named captain of the ICC Test team of 2016. The voting period closed in September, before England’s Test series defeat in India.

Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes also feature but India’s Virat Kohli and Australia’s Steve Smith missed out.

Ashwin took 48 wickets and scored 336 runs in eight Tests, as well as 27 wickets in 19 T20 internationals.

“It feels great to follow Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in being ICC Cricketer of the Year,” said Ashwin.

Ashwin dedicated the award to his family and

Ravichandran Ashwin believes India “had a great transition” and “fell on the right track” since Kohli took over as captain following MS Dhoni’s retirement in 2014.

ICC chief executive David Richardson said Ashwin “is justifiably now being counted among the best spinners of his generation”.

Ashwin, who made his Test debut in 2011, now has 248 wickets from 44 Tests, and also averages 34.92

with the bat.

He joins Jacques Kallis (2005), Ricky Ponting (2006), Kumar Sangakkara (2012), Michael Clarke (2013), Mitchell Johnson (2014) and Smith (2015) by winning both the ICC world player and Test cricketer awards in the same year.

The ICC’s voting period covers play from 14 September 2015 to 20 September 2016.

Brathwaite’s four sixes

Boxer Amir Khan to launch mixed martial arts league in Britain in 2017 Boxer Amir Khan is planning to launch a teambased mixed martial arts league in Britain in 2017.

The Super Fight League will see eight teams from different parts of Britain competing in a league format.

“MMA is big and getting bigger,” Khan, a financial stakeholder in Indian MMA promotion Super Fight League, told BBC World Service.

“Fighters like Conor McGregor are making a lot of noise. MMA is hitting some high numbers on pay per view.”

Irish fighter McGregor, 28, became the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s first dual division champion in November.

Earlier this year, Khan said he would be willing to “put friendship aside” and fight McGregor in the UFC. The Bolton fighter, 30, added: “I am always going to be involved in boxing but to have my foot in the door with MMA is

Amir Khan lost to WBC middleweight title holder Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in May. brilliant.

“The market is massive for us. We want to reach countries like India with a population of 1.2 billion people.”

KHAN ON KELL BROOK Last week, Kell Brook’s camp revealed they were in talks with Khan about a fight in May 2017.

Khan had said that Brook, 30, was not a big enough name for him to fight but has since

changed his mind after the Sheffield fighter’s battle with Gennady Golovkin, who stopped Brook in September.

“It’s a fight that I would love to have,” added Khan.

“I have changed my mind because of the Triple G [Golovkin] fight.

“Kell was smart taking that fight. He knew he was going to get beat but he still took it because he knew he was going to get paid well and make a name for himself.”

win award The ICC’s other 2016 award winners are: South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock - ODI Cricketer of the Year Carlos Brathwaite of the West Indies - T20I Performance of the Year award for his match-winning 34 off 10 balls in the ICC World Twenty20 final against England in Kolkata Brathwaite’s last-over heroics - hitting four consecutive sixes - saw West Indies beat England in the World Twenty20 final Bangladesh fast bowl-

er Mustafizur Rahman ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year Afghanistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad - ICC Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of the Year Who’s in the team of the year?

England skipper Cook was named as captain for the ICC’s Test team of the year after guiding his side to an away win over South Africa and defeating Sri Lanka and drawing with Pakistan at home during the voting period.

The 31-year-old’s role for England is under scru-

tiny after he said he would “go home and do some thinking” after the 4-0 Test series defeat by India that followed the historic Test loss in Bangladesh in the first part of the winter programme.

Smith is named only as 12th man while Kohli does not appear at all, with New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, Root and Adam Voges of Australia filling the middle-order berths.

The Australia and India captains are currently ranked first and second respectively in the ICC’s own Test batting ranking.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

Phil Simmons appointed Head Coach of St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots The St. Kitts & Nevis (SKN) Patriots announced yesterday that former West Indies Coach, Phil Simmons, will become the new head coach of the franchise for the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season.

“We are happy to announce that Phil Simmons is the new head coach of the SKN Patriots”, said Co-Owner & Principal, Uday Nayak.

“We expect that Phil’s experience and local knowledge will help the Patriots achieve

improved performances in our 2017 Hero CPL campaign, and will bring the ultimate success that our fans and sponsors deserve”.

The Patriots owner described Simmons as “the right coaching choice at this very crucial time in the development of our Franchise.”

Commenting on his new role, Coach Simmons said, “I am delighted to take up the role as Head Coach of the SKN Patriots. I would

like to thank the owners and management for offering me this exciting opportunity to lead the squad.

I am aware of the immediate challenges we are facing and I will do all possible to ensure that we achieve improved results”.

The new Patriots coach expressed his delight that the franchise had just last week signed star batsman Chris Gayle, “I am very pleased with the recent signing of Gayle.

This is a major boost for me coming in as the new coach and I look forward to working closely with Chris to bring the desired success to the St. Kitts & Nevis franchise”.

Phil Simmons is himself a former explosive West Indies batting a l l - r o u n d e r. H e r e t i r e d from being a professional player in 2002, before embarking on a successful coaching career.

Simmons is former

England appoint Chelsea coach Steve Holland as assistant on permanent basis Steve Holland has been named England assistant manager on a permanent basis after an interim spell in the job.

The 46-year-old, who is currently Chelsea’s assistant first-team coach, will work with England for the games against Germany and Lithuania in March.

He will leave his role with the Premier League club in the summer to join Gareth Southgate’s team full-time.

“If we want to be successful then we have to employ the best people and for me, Steve is the best,”

said Southgate.

Holland has worked as Southgate’s assistant since 2013 - first with England Under-21s and more recently with the senior squad, following Sam Allardyce’s departure as boss in September.

“We have worked very closely for three years and I have upmost respect for the way that he works, his professionalism and the detail of his preparation,” added Southgate, who was made permanent England manager in November.

“I’d like to thank

Steve Holland (right) has worked with England boss Gareth Southgate for the past three years.

Chelsea for allowing Steve to join up with us

over the last three years.

“It’s great that Steve is able to work with us on the March camp but getting him on a full-time basis is very important and I was more than prepared to wait until May for that to happen.”

Holland, who managed Crewe from 2007 to 2008, joined Chelsea in 2011. He was part of the Blues’ backroom team for their Champions League and FA Cup double in 2012, the Europa League win in 2013 and the Premier League and League Cup double in 2015.

Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey handed five-game racial abuse ban Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has been banned for five games after he was found guilty of using racially abusive language by an independent panel.

He has also been fined £100,000 and ordered to attend a Football Association education course.

Shelvey, 24, had a personal hearing to challenge the charge after an incident with Wolves’ Moroccan midfielder Romain Saiss in 17 September’s 2-0 defeat.

The player has seven days to appeal.

Newcastle said in a statement they will wait to see the FA’s written reasons “before making any further comment on the matter”.

The FA’s sanctions will

Jonjo Shelvey

be set aside pending consideration for an appeal.

What happened?

Newcastle were losing to Wolves in their Championship match at St James’ Park, when in the 87th minute an incident occurred between Shelvey and Saiss.

The breach, according

to the FA’s charge against the former Liverpool and Swansea player, related to Rule E3(1), and was an “Aggravated Breach as defined in Rule E3(2), as it included reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/ or nationality”.

BBC Sport’s Pat Murphy said the matter was brought to referee Tim Robinson’s attention by one of Saiss’ team-mates immediately after the game.

What will Shelvey miss?

If Boxing Day’s visit of Sheffield Wednesday becomes the first game of the suspension, the England international will miss four league games and the FA Cup third-round tie at Birmingham.

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez would next be able

to name him in the squad for the Championship game against Rotherham on 21 January.

Five games a ‘minimum’ punishment FA guidelines, which were revised in 2013, state any player found guilty of racially abusing an opponent or discriminating on religion, sexuality or disability, should be banned for at least five games.

Prior to that, Chelsea’s John Terry was handed a four-match ban and a £220,000 fine for racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, while Liverpool’s Luis Suarez received an eight-match suspension and a £40,000 fine for his abuse of Manchester United’s Patrice Evra - both in 2011.

Phil Simmons

coach of the Ireland national cricket team from 2007 to 2015, a period of significant improvement for Ireland’s ranking in world cricket. Simmons

is best known for coaching the West Indies team to victory in the ICC World T20 in India earlier this year. (CPL Media Release)

NBA to open academy in Africa in 2017

The NBA will open an academy in Africa next year, its latest move to unearth talent from outside the United States and extend the league’s reach into new territories.

The African academy will be based in Thies, Senegal, and follows similar NBA projects opened this year in China, which has three academies, and Australia. Another academy in India is set to start operating in April.

The NBA aims to open the Senegal academy, its sixth, in May. The international academies, elite training centers for boys and girls at under-16 and under-18 level, are “the biggest investment the NBA has ever made in basketball development globally,” said Brooks Meek, NBA vice president of international basketball operations.

“We are moving full force ahead and are really excited by the progress we’ve made,” Meek told The Associated Press.

A record 26 international players were selected in the 2016 NBA draft. Along with the new players, the NBA’s push into Asia and Africa, specifically, provides significant new audiences and marketing opportunities for the league.

The NBA has made two big plays in Africa over the last year-and-a-half, holding an exhibition game in South Africa in August 2015, the first on the continent, and signing a new trans-African broadcast deal in April.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was in Johannesburg for the exhibition game and said it was part of the league’s plan to have a

pre-season and then regular-season game in Africa.

At the time, Silver said the NBA was on a “fast track” to build a brand in soccer-crazy Africa.

The new academy in Senegal will focus on elite talent development, said Amadou Gallo Fall, NBA vice president and managing director for Africa. For the last 15 years the NBA has laid the foundation, using its international Basketball without Borders camps to develop the game at a grass-roots level in Africa and elsewhere.

Those Basketball without Borders camps have already provided nine NBA players from Africa, including Luc Mbah a Moute of the Los Angeles Clippers, who is from Cameroon. For its new academy, the NBA will work with and use existing facilities set up by Sports for Education and Economic Development, an international NGO, which has also had success after producing the Minnesota Timberwolves forward Gorgui Dieng. The NBA will provide NBA-trained coaches and other support staff for the academy.

“We’ve had a growing number of players coming from the continent and this is really without a concerted effort or focus on elite talent development,” Fall said.

“Now we’re deciding to focus on that. Not only is the number of players coming into the league from Africa going to increase, but they’re going to come better prepared.”

The NBA will begin scouting for the African academy’s first class of 12 young players this week, Fall said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

Coach ‘Running Man’ disappointed … in need of assistance

By Ras Wadada “To be honest, while I was not expecting much I am disappointed to some extent in the team’s performance for the first round of matches in the Elite League.” These were the words of head Coach of Monedderlust FC, Floyd ‘Running-Man’ Cadogan when he reflected on the team’s showing in the first half of season two.

“We have improved defensively and in attack, but our main problem is in finishing and that is most important in any game since football is about scoring goals. What is disappointing is not that we lost games but how we lost those games where most of the times we scored first but just couldn’t maintain the lead or find the right attitude to score more and this is an area we will definitely be working on hard in the off-season. Losing is all part of sports, but when you lose

without putting up a fight to the end then it is cause for concern”, Cadogan lamented.

“I think the concentration of the players must be at the highest in the opening and closing minutes of each half because it is here we have been having problems and have lost games. It means that our mental capacity is lacking, while there is also work to be done technically and tactically. I definitely need some assistance because as a one man you can be limited in positively executing training drills while not interfering with the smooth flow of the session. It is important help for coaching and preparing the team so we can function as a whole and not in parts.”

The Number Five Village club ended second from last at the completion of their quota of games with just a solitary win against bottom side Topp XX and four defeats and coach Cadogan

informed that since the death of the manager and financier of the club, Kevin Layne Snr. very little support has been given to the team and his absence could be a contributing factor for the team’s poor performance.

“The management of the club and support for team is a far cry from what it used to be when Mr. Layne was alive and that must be addressed urgently. The success of the Club must start with proper management and administration or we will continue to go downhill.

Having said that, I must complement the players, especially the younger ones, for their commitment and hard work they have put in. I have also had good support from senior players Alwyn McDonald and Harry Watts, but very little or no support from the Club officials”, Cadogan reiterated.

Cadogan hinted that he

Floyd ‘Running-Man’ Cadogan is not expecting much to happen for the club in the transfer window.

“The culture of football in Berbice is a divided one and this no doubt stems from the disharmony that exists among the FA, so it is difficult to attract talents from other parts of Berbice to be part of Monedderlust. Also our location and lack of finance does not help in bringing new players so I do not anticipate much changes from the transfer window”.

Cadogan, a former national striker who earned

the nickname ‘Running-Man’ due to his consistent speed in his playing days is not too impressed with the 6-team Elite League, citing the work with players on their technical, tactical and physical abilities and understanding of the game at this level is too demanding on coaches and this makes the job very difficult’.

“What I would like to see is a draft system introduced and it should be done in the upcoming transfer window as we have close 100 players who are out of the Elite League because of their clubs withdrawals. These players should be placed in an ordered pool: goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards. The teams could then choose to trade or keep who they wish after securing players through the draft and with that we could very well have a more balanced League. Think about this present League and how many national players are participating. There is also definitely need for more than six teams in your top League”.

Cadogan was also critical of the League and the long break: “ Yo u c a n n o t h a v e a League with an almost twomonth break in between, this is craziness. I just don’t understand the logics. Imagine this is the halfway mark of the season and no player has accumulated ten hours of playing time. Six teams for your top League is a joke. Another observation that needs addressing is the attitude of referees towards players. I have played outside of Guyana and it is a totally different environment where it is much friendlier and it helps the flow of the game”.

Coach Cadogan remains upbeat despite the disappointing first round and promised a better second half: “We have agreed collectively that we will be more committed to a better second half and as soon as the holidays are over we will get down to serious training in order to be better prepared for the second round challenges which will be tough”.

South Africa sacks Ephraim Mashaba Africa Cup of Nations: Liverpool’s Joel as coach for misconduct Matip among seven to snub tournament

Sacked coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba South Africa’s FA (Safa) has sacked coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba for “gross misconduct”.

He was also found guilty of insubordination and violating communication policies.

Mashaba was suspended last month after making strong comments about Safa president Danny Jordaan.

“Due to the seriousness of [his] actions, we had to release our head coach with

immediate effect,” a Safa statement said.

The incidents all followed South Africa’s 2-1 win over Senegal in a 2018 World Cup qualifier on 12 November.

That result left Bafana Bafana second in Group D on four points, behind Burkina Faso on goal difference.

Only the group winners qualify for the finals in Russia in 2018.

“It is regrettable that

we had to face the events of the past month at a time when the National Team is experiencing a resurgence in its quest to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup”, Safa chief executive Dennis Mumble said in a statement.

However South Africa failed to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Gabon next month.

Mashaba was also accused of having a verbal altercation with Mr Mumble and insulting the media.

The suspension meant he missed a friendly against Mozambique in November, when assistant coach Owen da Gama took charge.

Safa says it will “immediately institute a search for a new head coach, familiar with African football competition.”

The new coach would be charged with continuing the “quest to qualify for the world’s apex football competition”, the statement said.

Safa appealed to fans to continue to support Bafana Bafana.

Liverpool’s Joel Matip is one of seven Cameroon players who have said they do not want to go to the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins on 14 January.

The defender cited a “bad experience” with the previous coaching staff, according to a Cameroon football association (Fecafoot) statement.

The federation reserves the right to take action against the players.

CAMEROON STATEMENT West Brom full-back Allan Nyom is also among the seven.

Fecafoot can ask Fifa to suspend the players at club level for the duration of the three-week tournament.

Cameroon coach Hugo Broos said: “These players have put personal interest above those of the national team and the federation reserves the right to take action against the players in accordance with Fifa regulations.”

Savage: Barkley needs

German-born Joel Matip (right) has not featured for Cameroon since the 2014 World Cup

to leave Everton.

Centre-back Matip, 25, joined Liverpool on a free transfer in the summerhaving previously been at Bundesliga club Schalke. He has made 14 appearances for the Reds this season.

Nyom, who told Broos he wanted to stay at West Brom to keep his place in the team, joined the Baggies from Watford in the last transfer window. The 28-year-old has also made 14 appearances for the club so far.

The other five Cameroon

players are Andre Onana (Ajax Amsterdam), Guy N’dy Assembe (Nancy), Maxime Poundje (Girondins Bordeaux), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Olympique Marseille) and Ibrahim Amadou (Lille).

All seven had earlier this month been named in a preliminary list of 35 for the tournament - the final 23man squad will be named next week.

Cameroon are drawn in Group A with the hosts Gabon, Burkina Faso and Guinea Bissau.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

Tokyo Olympics unveils $16.8 billion budget, to seek more savings

(REUTERS) Tokyo 2020 organizers unveiled on Wednesday a budget of $16.8 billion for hosting the next Summer Games and vowed to seek further savings in co-operation with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) which has been calling for them to cut costs.

At an a open meeting of a four-party working group that includes the IOC, organisers said they estimated overall costs of 1.6 to 1.8 trillion yen ($15-$16.8 billion), the first official figures they have released since winning hosting rights.

At a previous meeting about three weeks ago, organisers had said costs could run to as much as 2 trillion yen, a level that IOC Vice President John Coates had

deemed too high.

“We are pleased with the progress we are continuing to make,” Coates said via video conference on Wednesday.

He noted the $4.7 billion portion for the organising committee’s budget would all be paid for through sponsorship, IOC contributions and other private funds, at zero cost to the public, meaning they were really looking at a budget of $12.1 billion.

“The four-party political working group will continue to operate and play an important role going forward in the budget process,” Coates said.

Tokyo won hosting rights largely on its reputation for efficiency, but organisers have been embarrassed as budget projections were seen soaring far beyond the 734

billion yen that was estimated during the bid process.

A Tokyo city government panel commissioned by Governor Yuriko Koike warned in September that expenses could balloon to as much 3 trillion yen. The IOC is worried such lofty figures could scare off future bidders, after cities like Rome and Boston dropped out of the 2024 race.

“I appreciate we have reached a very significant milestone,” Koike said. “We are still keen to see further savings.”

The Tokyo panel had recommended using existing facilities for three venues instead of building new ones, in line with the IOC’s “Agenda 2020” initiative which calls for utilizing more existing infrastructure to ease the burden of hosting.

Tokyo 2020 Emblems Selection Committee Chairperson Ryohei Miyata (R) and committee member Sadaharu Oh present the winning design of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games during its unveiling ceremony in Tokyo, Japan April 25, 2016. (REUTERS/Thomas Peter)

Koike ultimately abandoned plans to use existing venues for the rowing/canoeing, swimming and volleyball but cost-cutting steps,

such as reducing the number of seats at the swimming arena, will save around $400 million.

Organizers noted a rise

in construction costs, which have jumped due to rebuilding from Japan’s earthquake and tsunami five years ago.

They also said the projected cost of temporary facilities had more than doubled as the bid file had not accounted for items like design costs, surrounding greenery and temporary toilets.

In addition, they have now set a budget of $1-$2.8 billion for contingencies and a $3.8 billion service budget for transport, security and other costs that had not been included in their bid.

Coates does not think such a large amount for contingencies will be required and that the service budget could provide additional cuts.

“The feeling we have is there are savings to be found there,” he said.

Geoffrey Boycott feels Alastair Cook should step down as captain EX-ENGLAND batsman Geoffrey Boycott feels Alastair Cook should step down as Test captain to give his likely successor Joe Root time to settle in before the 2017-18 Ashes in Australia.

Cook says he will “go home and do some thinking” before deciding his future after the 4-0 series defeat by India.

But Boycott said: “If we are to have a new captain, he needs all seven Tests to get his feet under the table.

“We don’t want Alastair giving it up after three or four Tests.”

Before the series, Cook hinted that he could step down as skipper after the India tour, and last week - with the series lost - the Essex left-hander admitted vice-captain Root was “ready” to succeed him.

“This hasn’t just happened. It must have been on his mind for some time,” Boycott said.

“After we’ve lost the series, he says Joe Root is ready for captaincy, and nobody forced that out of him.

“He’s a top professional and a top batsman,” added Boycott. “But I don’t think it’s helpful to him or the team or English cricket if he’s in two minds what to do.

“Whoever captains in England this summer has seven Tests [against South Africa and West Indies] be-

Alastair Cook says he will “go home and do some thinking”. fore the biggest series of all in the Ashes.

“If it is going to be Root - which it will be - he needs seven Test matches to put his stamp on it. Players need to get with his style.”

Four years after he replaced Andrew Strauss now England’s director of cricket - as captain, Cook is facing increased pressure to return to the ranks, although his place as opening batsman is secure for now.

“It’s got to be a decision I’ve used a bit of time to make,” Cook told BBC Test Match Special.

“If you sit here now after the nine weeks we’ve had you might make the wrong call. I’m going to give myself a bit of time to think about it and try and make the right

decision.”

Assistant coach Paul Farbrace added: “Probably he will need a few days but Cooky will do what is right for the England team as he always has done.

“We hope he continues, but ultimately it is his decision.”

Is it too early for Root?

Root, who made his Test debut in India in 2012 and is now seen as England’s best batsman, will be 26 on 30 December, but Boycott does not feel his fellow Yorkshireman’s youth should count against him.

“There’s many a player who got the captaincy when he was young - Ted Dexter, Peter May. Some people thrive on it,” he said.

“Michael Vaughan and

Nasser Hussain weren’t county captains, and they did well.

People either rise to the challenge or they don’t.

“But Strauss has to

make a decision, that’s what he’s paid for. What about the chairman Colin Graves, and the chief executive?

They run the business, but the performance out here has been pathetic.

“England pay the coaches and the director of cricket fortunes, but nothing will happen. They will beat people in England on seaming pitches and everything in the garden will be rosy.”

Another batting collapse frustrates Boycott was also characteristically scathing of England’s batting performance after they lost their first four wickets for 26 runs in Chennai, and their last six for 15.

“We gave it away with awful cricket,” he fumed.

“The worst thing is, we’ve

seen this before - like dominoes going down, you push one and they all go down.

“They got to lunch doing everything they needed to do, but then Cook poked one to short leg that was missing leg stump, and Keaton Jennings pushed one back and was caught and bowled.

“Root was sweeping off the stumps which is dangerous these days with DRS. Poor shot, poor thinking. I love Jonny dearly but I can’t excuse the terrible shot he played, Ben Stokes tried to push it to mid-wicket, and Moeen Ali was the worst of the lot - tried to slog it for six and gets out. Atrocious.

“I don’t blame people like Dawson, Rashid, Broad and Ball - it’s not the tailenders’ job.”

How India and England’s spinners compared NAME R ASHWIN (IND) RA JADEJA (IND) A RASHID (ENG) M ALI (ENG) J YADAV (IND) A MISHRA (IND) Z ANSARI (ENG) J ROOT (ENG) L DAWSON (ENG) K NAIR (IND) G BATTY (ENG)

GAMES 5 5 5 5 3 2 2 5 1 3 1

WICKETS 28 26 23 10 9 5 3 2 2 0 0

AVERAGE 30.25 25.84 37.43 64.90 29.55 55.00 54.33 28.50 64.50 -

ECON 2.75 2.31 3.70 3.44 3.26 3.62 3.79 3.56 3.00 4.00 3.0

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 23, 2016

$4.5M for grabs at Boxing Day horse race meeting KENNARD’S Memorial Club will be kicking off its annual Christmas Horse Race Meeting on (Boxing Day) December 26, 2016.

For its 50th anniversary of competition the event is slated to be one of the committee’s biggest yet with more than 70 horses competing, and jockeys from throughout the region participating in a total of seven events.

Committee member, Justice Kennard wished to extend gratitude to “Ansa Mcal, through Stag beer, for coming on board”; going on to say that this would be their “third meeting for 2016, and the company has supported every single one. We see corporate sponsorship as integral to the sport’s success and look forward to Stag’s continued support in the future.” Justice Kennard also mentioned that spectators could look forward to a fun filled day of racing, with

Beverage Manager Robert Hiscock as he hands over cheque to Justice Cecil Kennard. well-known horses such as Golden Blue Echo, Climate Change and Spitfire, among others, expected to keep the crowd entertained.

Ansa Mcal’s Beverage Marketing Manager, Robert Hiscock also expressed his excitement about the club’s

Fruta’s U-19 semis postponed until next year The much-awaited conclusion of the Fruta Conquerors FC Academy U-19 League has been postponed until next January, according to a Press release issued by the club yesterday.

The semi-finals which were scheduled for today had to be called off after

the ground in Tucville was left water-logged in certain parts due to the inclement weather. The release added that dates for the games will be disclosed shortly.

In the first semi-final, GFC will oppose Uitvlugt Warriors and in the second, the hosts will entertain Santos FC.

South Africa Racing Tips Jebel Ali 07:45 hrs Skygazer 08:15 hrs Pictograph 08:45 hrs Pollination

Greyville 11:35 hrs Brave Knight 12:15 hrs Damali 12:55 hrs Captain Ellio 13:25 hrs La Di Var 13:55 hrs Brave And Bold 14:25 hrs Magical Bet 14:55 hrs Music World

South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:15 hrs Steel Magnolia 08:50 hrs Soviet Cosmonaut 09:25 hrs Jets-A –Blazing 10:00 hrs Golden Crisp 10:35 hrs Love Without End 11:05 hrs Oh Boy

Irish Racing Tips Dundalk 12:30 hrs Reddot Express 13:00 hrs George Boole 13:30 hrs Time Constraints 14:00 hrs Sir Danilo 14:30 hrs Chestnut Fire 15:00 hrs Train Time 15:30 hrs Shake The Bucket 16:00 hrs Song Of Love

upcoming meet stating that; “We at Ansa Mcal see sport as crucial to developing our local communities. Horse racing is no different, and it is because of that, that we are happy to be on board with Stag as a sponsor of this event. We anticipate a great turnout as horse racing is incredibly popular in this part of Guyana”.

The Kennard’s Memorial Club, Xmas Race Meeting, is slated to take place at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice from 13:00hrs on December 26, 2016. The event will see more than 70 competitors go head to head for a total prize pool of over $4,500,000 in seven races.

Ashwin is ICC player of 2016, Braithwaite among the stars See Page 31

GOA received $136M from grants in 2016

By Tamica Garnett The Guyana Olympic Association of Guyana (GOA) income for its financial year ending November 30 was reflected as being just over $139 million, and expended just over $85.5 million, reporting a surplus of $53.89 million, according to the financial statements tendered by TSD LAL & Co Chartered Accountants.

As is always the case the bulk of the GOA’s income approximately $136 million – came from grants received from the “IOC, Olympic Solidarity, the Commonwealth Games Federation, Pan American Sports Organization, the TOP Sponsorship Programme and organizing committees of Games.

The grant for the Olympic Games was $12,330,532, of which $10,517,723 was expended, making up the largest piece of the $12.1 million consumed for Games/Tournaments. A $999,436 was income for scholarship awardees.

The expenditure included $21.7 million spent on coaching/training programmes, which includes Olympic/

K. A. Juman-Yassin

Pan Am Training expenses, this covers monies expended on Olympic athletes Winston George, Brenessa Thompson, Aaliyah Abrams;

Jaguars Franchise 50-over league postponed THE JAGUARS Franchise League 50-over segment which was scheduled to start yesterday has been rescheduled to January 3 next year due to the inclement weather.

According to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) release, the league is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, January 15, 2017, and will be used to prepare players for the 2017 West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Super 50 tournament,

which runs from January 24 to February 18, 2017 in Barbados and Antigua.

According to the Territorial Development Officer (TDO) of the GCB, Colin Stuart, each team will play against the other, then the top team at the end of the round stages will go straight to the final on January 15, while on January 13 there will be a playoff between the second and third place teams to see who will progress to the final.

and $470,000 going towards scholarship recipients.

Under other expenses $12.72 million was towards conferences meetings, and

$19.58 million towards donations, and $3 million for the upkeep of the GOA owned Michael Parris Gym located at the National Park.

In several cases when it comes to getting the money GOA is expected to spend for the events and then apply for the reimbursements from the IOC and other organizations.

This year’s income registers an increase from the $136, 223, 388 that the Association registered for the preceding fiscal year. That year - ending November 30, 2015 - the body had a total expenditure of $91, 857,030, for a calculated surplus of $44,366,358.

The surplus for the years is registered under the Accumulated Fund, which has a balance of $258, 684, 073, as at December 1, 2016. This balance marks a 62% increase from the December 1, 2014 balance of $160,425,871.

The largest sum for the grant, some $41.3 million, was from the Olympics/Pan Am Training Grant. There’s also $33.8 million received for Paso Activities.

Outside of the grants,

Garfield Wiltshire t h e i n c o m e f ro m o t h er collections amounted to $2,517,981. The other collections can be broken down into interest earned ($31,096), subscription ($51,000), income from the Michael Parris Gym ($250,500) and miscellaneous receipts ($2,185,981).

The Pan American Sport Organisation (PASO) provides on a yearly basis US$169,146 to the Association to assist with the organizing of its activities and US$40,000 to assist with the organization of its admin matters. The IOC provided and annual sum of US$19,980 from the TOP sponsorship programme. The latter is revenue which is generated from the commercial partnership agreements

entered into with the business community and the IOC and provide support to the whole of the Olympic family.

The total IOC/Olympic solidarity sum of $101, 487,600 is under the label “Other Receivables” accounted for in the Balance sheet. The amount for the IOC/Olympic Solidarity for 2015 is $76,694,426.

Also not in the income and expenditure account is a deferred income of $4,253,400 from the Commonwealth Games Federation which provided an initial sum of US$21,267 to be used as training assistance for the 2018 Golden Coast Commonwealth Games, set to be held in Australia.

The financial statements for the year was discussed at the GOA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was held last Wednesday night at the Association’s headquarters in Liliendaal, which is still under construction.

The financial statement was read by the Association’s treasurer, Garfield Wiltshire. President for the GOA is attorney-at-law, K. A. Juman-Yassin.

Phil Simmons now Head

Coach of St. Kitts & Nevis

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016