Guyana chronicle epaper 12 12 2017

President plugs education to transform Berbice River Page 15

No. 105124

TUESDAY DECEMBER 12, 2017

Price: $80 (VAT Inclusive)

Contempt in the House – Opposition MP disobeys Speaker; defies police, Sergeant-at-arms – Scotland declares, ‘The buck stops with the Speaker’ Pages 3&8

Broomes flays PPP for trivialising rape Page 12

No need to rush

…Min Jordan warns against rushing SWF legislation Pa9ge PPP MPs manhandled this policeman during his attempt to evict Bishop Juan Edghill from the Parliament Chambers on Monday (Adrian Narine photo)

Abdulla jailed for dousing Freddie with faeces

Page 10

Mutilated Qualfon teen found in cemetery Page 14

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Minister Jordan explains reasons …says Guyana was at for redirecting IDB loan risk of losing US$60M

By Svetlana Marshall

MINISTER of Finance Winston Jordan said Guyana was at risk of losing more than US$60M when a decision was taken to redirect the Inter-American Development Bank(IDB) loan that was originally intended to be used to upgrade and maintain several road networks, including the Sherriff Street-Mandela Avenue corridor.

Approximately $63M of the IDB loan had remained untouched after four years of signing the US$66M agreement. The loan agreement was signed in 2012. Howev-

er, one year before the loan comes to an end in 2018, Government in consultation with the IDB, took a decision to redirect US$30 for the purpose of housing.

During the budget debates last week, Opposition Member of Parliament, Bishop Juan Edghill, had accused the Government of selecting Sophia, Georgetown, for the execution of the housing project for partisan reasons, but Minister Jordan rubbished the argument.

Minister Jordan told the National Assembly last Friday, that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Parliamentarian, in a letter

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan

dated November 30, 2017, requested details on the use of the loan. It was noted that though the letter was dated November 30, it was only received on December 6, and a response was drafted on December 8. However, even before the response could have been given to the MP, he had raised the matter in

Parliament.

In putting Edghill’s concerns to rest, the Finance Minister said subsequent to the signing of the contract in 2013, 11 firms submitted bids but only four were shortlisted as having met the requirements. “Nothing happened between December 2013 and October 2014. October 2014, four short-listed firms were invited to submit full Request for Proposals (RFPs),” he pointed out.

It was noted too that once the agreement had been signed, the loan began to attract interest.

The Finance Minister further detailed that by the close of tender in December 2014, two Brazilian companies had responded. However, one was deemed to be substantially non-responsive. In a subsequent due diligence,

the other company, prior to being awarded the contract, was found to have submitted falsified bidding documents.

In March 2015, the bidding process was cancelled by the IDB. The second tender was launched in May 2015 shortly after the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government entered office with the process closing in July 2015.

“Five bids were submitted; none of the bids, none of the five bids, met the minimum requirement for the bids to be considered as responsive,” the Finance Minister noted. A third tendering process was launched in January, 2017, with the processing closing in March 2017.

“At this stage the programme was just one year away from its final disbursement deadline, and at that time over US$63M had remained unused on the loan.

Four years, US$63M had been unused on this loan,” Minister Jordan pointed out.

Determined not to have the loan go “down the drain,” the Finance Minister said after consulting with the IDB, a decision was taken to redirect parts of the loan.

“We had to find a quick disbursing project,” he posited, noting that housing was ideal. However, the project was required to be done along the same route of the original project; hence, the inclusion of the Sophia, Turkeyen, and Cummings Lodge areas being covered under the remodel projects.

It was noted that in Oc-

tober 2017, when the tenders were opened, 10 bidders responded, and the Sheriff Street- Mandela Avenue Enhancement Project was awarded in November 2017 to SinoHydro Corporation for US$31M. The project stretches from the Rupert Craig Highway on the East Coast of Demerara, along Sheriff Street and Mandela to the East Bank Demerara.

That aside, US$30M was set aside for the Affordable and Sustainable Housing Project – an initiative which provides affordable housing solutions for low income households, and home improvement subsidies. This component includes the construction of core houses for vulnerable households. The second aspect of the project will focus on infrastructure development, inclusive of road and habitation and installation of street lights.

Minister Jordan said the other projects which formed part of the original loan agreement, are still being actively considered and alternative financing is being sought.

“The Linden-Soesdyke Highway, this is now being earmarked to be done with alternative resources,” he pointed out, explaining that an international development partner is being engaged to facilitate the resurfacing of the highway. The Linden to Ituni road network in Region 10 is under discussion, but a source of finance has not been identified, along with several other projects.

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Contempt in the House GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 12, 2017

IN what was another show of contempt in the National Assembly, a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament (MP) on Monday refused to obey an order by Speaker Barton Scotland, dragging the House into its worst crisis yet where police guards were summoned to the chambers.

The MP-Juan Edghill during the consideration of the 2018 budget estimates showed open disrespect to the House by refusing to take his seat at the expiration of the two-hour time limit that was set for the examination of the provisions for the Ministry of the Presidency, and insisted that more time was needed while arguing that he must continue to speak.

Earlier Speaker Scotland had circulated the schedule for the examination of the estimates, between 10 am-10pm of each sitting for five days, and told the House that no further time would be allowed at the expiration of the time allotted for each agency. The House had approved the schedule and it was the violation of the time restriction by Edghill that led to the Speaker ruling him out of order.

Edghill then tried to shout down the Speaker and in what was seen as open contempt of the ruling, he bellowed that

…PPP MP disobeys Speaker …defies police, sergeant-at-arms

populace. After they were unsuccessful, the police officers exited the Parliament Chambers.

Edghill for his part maintained that he will not remove from his position until 22:00h when the sitting was expected to conclude on Monday.

Meanwhile, shortly after the scuffle between the police and the MPs, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo arrived in Parliament. He told reporters that the Speaker should be held “personally responsible” for that which transpired between the Opposition MPs and the police.

“Members of Parliament are assaulted in the Chambers of this House. This is not going to go down easily…this

Opposition MP Juan Edghill is surrounded by fellow parliamentarians who made a human cordon Monday

ment, opposition and parliamentary officers, including the Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs, met to consider the allocation of time for the consideration of Estimates of Expenditure for 2018 by the said Committee of Supply this week.

The sub-committee considered a proposed draft schedule which was circulated by Isaacs, and also considered and agreed

Opposition MP, Juan Edghill speaks to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo Monday

he would neither sit nor leave the Chambers. It was that behaviour that resulted in the fracas that led the Speaker to suspend the sitting and exited the Chambers.

Monday’s actions by the opposition came in the wake of the infamous November 2, 2017 disruption, when the PPP unsuccessfully tried to shut down the traditional annual address to Parliament by President David Granger.

It should be noted that last Thursday, at the seventh meeting of the Business Sub-Committee of the Committee of Supply, a gathering of govern-

him from the House. “I will not leave this chair,” yelled Edghill, a former junior Minister of Finance. “Come and put me out…I am not moving I am an elected member of this House called to scrutinise this budget …” declared Edghill.

“Call the police to put me out,” said Edghill as the sergeant-at-arms attempted to escort him out of the House.

Subsequently, two officers clad in khaki uniforms entered the House and attempted to have Edghill removed. He, along with his colleagues, told the police officers that he will not be moved and it is against the law for them to remove him.

The two officers then left the Chambers.

Shortly thereafter, six of-

that a maximum of five days be allotted for the consideration of the Estimates. However, the sub-committee was unable to reach a consensus with respect to the allocation of time for the Ministries of the Presidency, Natural Resources, Public Infrastructure, and Public Security, as well as Regions One to 10. The Speaker in the minutes of the meeting said, “The Sub-Committee, after a lengthy discussion, agreed that the time to be allocated for the consideration of the estimates of the aforementioned five agencies should be referred to the Committee of Supply for

decision.”

The Opposition contends that the two hours allocated to the House for the deliberations was insufficient. It was Edghill’s objection, and the manner in which he objected that resulted in the Speaker deeming him “out of order” “Mr Chairman, I noticed that you are putting the question without allowing any questions on this side on the capital…Mr Speaker my question is under line item …” said Edghill, before he was interrupted by the Speaker who said, “Honourable Member, under the question that is being put we are allowed for each agency a specific time.

What that meant was that when that time is reached I would put the question. We cannot have it both ways…we cannot make an agreement, accept the time” and don’t follow through. He then asked Edghill to take his seat as he proceeded to put the question to the House for agencies under the Ministry of the Presidency to stand as part of the budget.

“Sir could I be heard for one moment,” asked Edghill to which the Speaker replied, “I am not entertaining questions.”

Edghill, notwithstanding, continued to speak. He told Dr Scotland, that there are four additional programmes added under the Ministry of the Presidency that was not there last year. “So we are not going to be allowed scrutiny in the House Sir? asked Edghill as he continued: “Mr Speaker, I have a response to this…I don’t like.” But before Edghill could go further, the Speaker said, “Honourable Edghill, you are out of order” “How am I out of order Sir, as a matter of principle I stand here out of order because if we have four additional programmes added to the Ministry of the Presidency and the same

Government MPs stand at the suspension of the Committee of Supply Monday

The Sergeant-at-arms stands alongside Opposition MP, Juan Edghill in an attempt to escort him out of the Parliament Chamber Monday (Adrian Narine Photos)

two hours that was given last year was given this year with four additional programmes, it means the government don’t want scrutiny!” he shouted with much support from his colleagues.

In response, Dr Scotland said, “Honourable Member, I must order you to leave this House and take no further part in the business.”

It was the Speaker’s order that further riled up Edghill. He refused to leave the Chambers, forcing the Speaker to instruct the sergeant-at-arms to remove

ficers clad in blue uniforms arrived in the Chambers and sought to penetrate the human cordon comprising mostly women who burst out into singing several songs of unity. In their attempt to get to Edghill, a scuffle ensued resulting in screams emanating from MP Manickchand. “You are hurting me! You are hurting me.” At that time, PPP, MP Neil Kumar began screaming “rape, rape, the police raping women in the Parliament!” a clear attempt to mislead the

is unprecedented. I think this is all carefully worked out,” said the former President who suggested a sinister plot by the government. He called for an apology to all of his party’s MPs by the Speaker and called on President Granger to order a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into Monday’s incident.

Jagdeo then met with the Speaker privately for approximately one hour after which, he reported that there was no compromise and he and his parliamentarians will sit in the dark chamber until the scheduled close of day. “I suggested to the speaker that we should from his Chamber, or, if he wishes have another MP adjourn this session until tomorrow so that we can diffuse this entire situation,” he said, while noting that the opposition’s frustration was with the government’s seeming refusal to answer questions.

“The speaker is insisting that Edghill leaves and I told him that the issue is gone beyond his ruling…the subsequent actions of agents of the parliament have led to police coming here…so it is not a straight forward issue of a breach of the standing order any longer,” noted Jagdeo.

The Speaker did not agree to the adjournment, he stated.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday December 12, 2017

Man held after Manhattan blast --in attack on New York Port Authority

A MAN is in police custody after an attempted terror attack at New York City's main bus terminal.

"Terrorists won't win," Mayor Bill de Blasio said after a blast at the Port Authority terminal in Manhattan during the morning rush hour on Monday.

The suspect, Akayed Ullah, a 27-year-old Bangladeshi immigrant, was injured by a "low-tech explosive device" strapped to his body, officials say.

Four other people suffered minor wounds when it blew up in an underpass.

A photo circulating on social media shows a man, said to be Akayed Ullah,

lying on the ground with his clothes ripped and lacerations on his upper body.

Mayor De Blasio said he was believed to have acted alone.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said: "This is New York. The reality is that we are a target by many who would like to make a statement against democracy, against freedom.

"We have the Statue of Liberty in our harbour, and that makes us an international target."

The explosion occurred at about 07:30 (12:30 GMT). Andre Rodriguez, 62, told the New York Times: "I was go-

ing through the turnstile; it sounded like an explosion, and everybody started running."

Another eyewitness, Alicja Wlodkowski, told Reuters news agency that she had seen a group of about 60 people running.

"A woman fell, and nobody even went to stop and help her because the panic was so scary," she said.

Nearby subway stations were evacuated, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal temporarily shut.

It is the biggest and busiest bus terminal in the world, serving more than 65 million people a year.

(BBC)

Manhattan last night

Tuesday, December 12, 2017 - 13:30

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday December 12, 2017

Gov’t MPs roundly condemn Edghill’s defiance

5

--see it as ‘an evolving pattern of disrespect’ for the House

GOVERNMENT ministers and Members of Parliament on Monday condemned the actions of Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Bishop Juan Edghill when he defied the orders of Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland.

Dr Scotland had ordered Edghill out of the Committee of Supply following outbursts he made in objection to the Speaker’s decision not to allow the Opposition more time to deliberate on the Estimates of the Public Sector (current and capital revenue and expenditure).

Edghill refused to comply, and the police were called in to remove him, which proved unsuccessful.

As such, the Speaker resolved to suspend the sitting.

The Opposition was allowed two hours to question the government on issues falling within the budget agency, but felt that the time allotted was insufficient. Former Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman, who has been a parliamentarian for 20 years, said this is the first time he has experienced such levels of disrespect in the National Assembly.

“I have never witnessed anything like this,” he told reporters in the corridors of Parliament. “The Speaker has always been shown respect; and when the Speaker has invited a member to sit, be quiet or refrain or withdraw, that has always been complied with, so we have set a new precedent today,” he said.

Trotman, who now serves as Minister of Natural Resources under the APNU+AFC coalition government, said “We have descended to a new low.”

He said that as far as he knows, the Speaker had taken all of the correct procedural steps, and it was up to the Clerk of the National Assembly, if he felt the Sergeant-at-arms was incapable of enforcing the Speaker’s ruling, to invite the police.

“I also want to say that none of us would like to see chaos erupting further in the House, but at the end of the day, the parliamentary system is one where the Speaker is a presiding officer, and that presiding officer must be shown respect.”

“The dignity of the House has to be maintained,” he stressed, adding that it is important for the members of the Opposition to try to defuse the situation. “The

Speaker cannot be expected to assume the chair where there has been a breakdown of order, so we are in new territory here,” declared Trotman.

AN EVOLVING PATTERN “We are quite distressed that what we see is an evolving pattern of disrespect; it was meted out against the President on November 2.

No matter how bad relations got between the two main parties in this country, there has never been a disrespect of the kind seen in parliament on November 2.”

He noted that in the 1970s, parliamentarians hurled objects at each other, but by today’s standards, that sort of behaviour is uncharacteristic in the local parliament. He also spoke about the recent incident whereby a woman dressed as Santa Claus was able to give security the slip and enter the Parliament Chamber just as Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo was making his budget presentation last Friday.

“I see a fast slippage into disorder,” Trotman told reporters, while opining that the Speaker has a duty to call in the Chief Whips and maybe speak to the Leader of the Opposition and President David Granger about whether “We want to continue to be a parliamentary democracy, or whether we want to be labelled internationally as hooligans.”

Moreover, Trotman explained that the opposition’s contention that they are not being given enough time is a red herring. He noted that the Standing Orders say that the consideration of estimates can occur for a maximum of seven days, but it is not mandatory.

“By starting at 10am, we have actually gained more than seven days. The Standing Orders are set in such a way that Parliament meets at 2pm and ends at 10pm…

“We have actually been gaining more time in the two weeks than the normal 2pm to

10pm; we are now enjoying more hours for the estimates,” the government official said, adding:

stay in there for as long as they want, but it has to be obeyed,” he said.

Reflecting upon what

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

“It is really a red herring, and it is a ridiculous assertion.

Enough time has been afforded, and we have not adopted any more or less time than we have enjoyed in this House during the last 20 years.”

Similarly, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, said the matter is not about the Opposition and Government, but about what is the lawful position. He reminded the media that Edghill was warned repeatedly by the Speaker, and when asked to leave the Chamber, he refused.

“This has nothing to do with who can speak; it is a question of the rule of law.

The Speaker is the person who controls the business in this House, and Edghill or no other member of the House can decide that they can violate these rules of the House by refusing to take action when the Speaker tells them to do so.”

Harmon posited that should such behaviour be allowed, the National Assembly would descend into a place of chaos, as no one respects the Speaker’s ruling and can do as they desire.

MUST BE OBEYED “So, Mr Edghill must know, the PPP must know that the Speaker’s ruling must be obeyed. And they can

happened on November 2 when the Opposition chose to stage a protest, placards and all, while the President was addressing the National Assembly, Minister Harmon declared: “They were very disrespectful; the Speaker came subsequently and made a written ruling on their behaviour. So, what you’re seeing is a pattern that is continuing, and I believe we have to take a stand on this matter.”

Minister of Public Communications, Cathy Hughes described the opposition’s behaviour in the House as “shameful”, while noting that she is really upset by such

blatant acts of disrespect.

“I think it is a shameful moment; we have literally washed our dirty laundry not only in Guyana and the Caribbean, but the entire world.”

The Minister said that regardless of our political differences, mutual respect is mandatory. She, like Trotman and Harmon, said she was offended by the Opposition’s behaviour while the President was addressing the House on November 2.

“I was most offended when the President, the highest officer of this land, came to parliament and did not have the opportunity to be heard. We invited Guyana from the international community to sit in the parliament to listen to him, and the smallest courtesy that should have been extended to a sitting president was not extended to him,” she stated.

“Never in the history have we disrespected a president to that extent. Protest, we always do outside; everybody has a right to protest.

Even if you come in and hold your placards, you still have no right to make it impossible for those who want to hear, not to hear,” declared Hughes.

She made the point that the opposition has a habit of asking one question several times, in a “deliberate attempt to waste time, and to frustrate

the work of the Parliament.”

“That’s why there are specific limits on the time.

Come prepared with your questions; ask your questions and they will be answered,” Hughes stated. According to the minister, who was passionate about Monday’s events, Edghill had started shouting when addressing the House, so the Speaker had cause to upbraid him.

In response, Edghill said that’s the way he speaks.

“Be very careful,” she warned. “What appears to look one way is not necessarily that way. There are strict rules governing the operation of the parliament; the Speaker asked the Opposition member to sit, and he refused. He then asked him to leave and he refused.

“Any decent individual would have gotten up and removed; we cannot have a free-for- all in the parliament.”

As to how she felt about the opposition’s non-participatory behaviour, Minister Hughes said: “I am really upset. Every single Guyanese has a responsibility to stand up against this nonsense.”

Several other Members of Parliament from the governing side of the House expressed grave concern over Monday’s events which unfolded in the National Assembly.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday December 12, 2017

Community spirit and local governance A COMMUNITY is the product of the citizens who reside within. What shapes and identifies a community is recognition and appreciation of its unique collective culture, which includes the way the residents do things, the demographics, established structures and infrastructures, socio-economic status and/preference, value systems, and interaction within the fold.

Basically, a community is a cohesive unit which is welded together by common strands and respect for each other, inclusive of diversity. While there may exist commonalities in communities across the country, there will always be something unique in each village or district. This can be seen from our historical development, wherein citizens, for instance on the Essequibo Coast, tend to gravitate towards agricultural economic pursuits; Georgetown citizens tend to gravitate towards commerce and service; and Linden citizens tend to gravitate towards technical vocations and a mining orientation.

The growth and development of a community is dependent on the vision, passion, and involvement of its citizens, which will inform conceptualisation and development of programmes and activities for the benefit of that community’s citizens. The success of any task is dependent on its ownership by the people, inclusive of the leadership they identity to realise it. In any community, the greater the involvement of the citizenry in birthing their ideas for their development, the easier these are assimilated, worked upon, and have interest vested in their success, maintenance, and future development.

The Village Movement was birthed out of the post-emancipation period, wherein a people, to ensure their existence, human dignity and equality, pursued what has arguably remained a potent model for community development in post-slavery societies. The strength of the village movement is still alive. It is the undercurrent/base of an economic model in our tri-sectoral economy (the cooperative movement), and informs the local government structure. It has touched every sector of de-

velopment in this society, and has influenced the naming of our country as the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

The cooperative spirit identifies a common trend of working together, inclusive of acknowledging and supporting diverse pursuits for personal and national growth and development. It underpins our motto of One People, One Nation, One Destiny, and is the value upon which independent Guyana is built.

Consequently, it becomes important — as conversations are being held about communities — to revisit what happened during the post-slavery period. Such revisiting should also have the input of renowned historians such as Dr. Melissa Ifill, whose examination of history is done through living lens, drawing on comparisons and the relevance/irrelevance of application to today’s reality.

Personnel in similar areas of competency should also be factored in to benefit the building of communities.

The experiences of the immediate post-emancipation era and that of local government boundary demarcation not only stand out for the villages that were bought and desired to forge cohesive relations, but notably the spirit, vision, drive and strategy that imbued the people with determination to succeed. And while these experiences happened long ago, what ought not to be lost sight of is the innate desire to enjoy the right to self-determination, which is timeless, and is the essence of human development.

Among man’s basic desires is one of having a say in determining what happens in his/her life, primarily in the home and immediate surroundings. Imposition by the colonial masters of district commissioners and community development officers, with blueprints of what they considered to be development for communities, violated this. The negative net result was such imposition subdued, and in some cases destroyed, the collective spirit and determination in villages and communities.

Within recent times, there have been similar experiences, as seen with the disrespect for the will of the people

and their right to self-determination through the imposition of Interim Management Committees, and political assaults on councils not won by the then government.

Instead of development, there were protracted back-andforth, finger pointing, refusal by the state to pay rates and taxes for government properties, garbage build-up, infrastructure deterioration, emotional trauma, and loss of the sense of community.

Having had these negative experiences, it augurs well when the country held Local Government Elections in 2016.

This is a right citizens had been denied since 1997. Putting power back in the hands of the people would allow for each and every group to have opportunity to commence their programme of rebuilding, based on indigenous resources, needs and visions. This focus also will be consistent with the spirit and intent of local government, as enshrined in Article 71 (1) of the Guyana Constitution, which made pellucid that, “Local government is a vital aspect of democracy, and shall be organised so as to involve as many people as possible in the task of managing and developing the communities in which they live.”

Citizens are urged to recognise the importance of local government to their well-being by getting involved and electing leaders who can best work with them in the development of their community. Ultimately, community development is the responsibility of the people within the community. In that local government is a vehicle that can be used for the attainment of the community’s goals, maximum use ought to be made of it. Its net positive result for Guyana can realise a greater sense of nationhood through the building of communities, based on each community’s unique dreams and aspirations.

Was never part of any committee discussion on proposed law school for Guyana- Carl Singh A release from Attorney General Basil Williams and/ or the Ministry of Legal Affairs, has identified me by name in what the Guyana Chronicle in a report has captioned “Law School Conspiracy”. The troubling parts of this release so far as it makes reference to me are that: (a) I have been a member of the Review Committee of the Council of Legal Education.

(b) The Review Committee, with me a member, issued a report to say that the CLE (Council of Legal Education) never gave permission to Guyana to establish its own Law School. (c) I was allowed to serve on the Review Committee even after I demitted judicial office in February of this year.

In response to the matters set out above, I wish to say that I was indeed a member of

the Review Committee of the Council of Legal Education.

However, it is a gross inaccuracy and a complete falsehood for the Attorney General / Ministry of Legal Affairs to assert that I was a participating member of the Review Committee which issued a report to say that the Council of Legal Education never gave permission to Guyana to establish its own Law School.

This assertion has no basis

in truth or in fact. Indeed such a statement was recklessly made without consideration for its consequences. The fact is that for several months prior to my retirement in February of this year, I had stopped attending meetings of the Review Committee. Additionally, my retirement marked the end of my membership of the Review committee.

All of the meetings of the Review Committee which I

attended were chaired by Mrs. Jacqueline Samuels-Browne, QC. I never attended or participated in such meetings chaired by Mr. Reginald Armour, SC the current Chairman of the Council of Legal Education either in person or by electronic means. I certainly did not attend or participate in a Review Committee meeting Chaired by Mr. Armour,SC in January of this year in Jamaica.

I was never part of any Review Committee discussion on a proposed Law School for Guyana nor have I ever contributed in any form or manner to the preparation and release of any report by the Review Committee which addressed the proposed Law School for Guyana.

Regards Carl Singh

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday December 12, 2017

7

Minister Patterson sets record straight on Windfarm project Dear Editor, I WRITE in response to an article carried in the Guyana Times on Monday, December 4, 2017, titled, “US$50M Windfarm--PPP demands answers on controversial project”.

The article is blatantly duplicitous and misrepresents the facts of the transaction, while imputing corrupt motives on the part of this Government in supporting the project. It should be known that the said project originated in 2000 and was supported by the PPP administration up to the time of that party’s exit from office. In 2014, the then Government approved the entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the project (Mr. Lloyd Singh being a major partner) to pursue power purchase agreement (PPA) negotiations for the sale of power to GPL at an approved price of US$18 cents kW. The specific claims in the article attributed to Mr. Juan Edghill and Leader of the Opposition are as follows: 1. That the Granger administration, on coming into office “announced that it would facilitate a US$50M, 25 MW windfarm project at Hope Beach….but, with intense criticism about a party-affiliated investor behind the project, such talk eventually died down.”

2. That the PPP “Remained concerned about the transparency and accountability of the project. “The issue with the windfarm is that they must be able to come clean and show what

price GPL will be buying[at].

Is it cheaper than hydro?...Or would it be a cash cow for an AFC financier…Because with hydro we are bringing down the cost of electricity to 10 to 12 US cents per kilowatt. If we are buying from the windfarm for higher than that, [then they are using it] to pass off money to an AFC financier as against bringing cheaper, renewable energy to the Guyanese consumer.

3. “….That if the Government persisted with it, the [PPP] would vigorously challenge it in court if needs be. “Imagine a man who built the AFC Headquarters is now negotiating with ….[Minister David Patterson] for a PPA that was never tendered and announced long before the power mix study…..This smacks of corruption.”

The article continues with a number of other falsehoods and the determination of the PPP not to support the project, to do everything within its power to challenge it in court, and otherwise if it does not meet the Party’s satisfaction. While it is not the Ministry’s policy to publicly disclose details of transactions that are engaging the Government in the interest of confidentiality and the sensitivity of investors’ interests, I am forced to clarify the misrepresentations and hypocrisy in the article which can have significant adverse impact on investors’ confidence in Guyana.

The following are the facts in reference to the particular claims of Mr. Edghill and Leader of the Opposition: 1. The Hope Beach Windfarm project saw its

origins in 2000 as a private sector initiative to introduce wind energy in Guyana, and complement Government’s policy for renewable energy becoming the main source of electricity supply, with wind becoming part of Guyana’s energy mix.

2. In 2001 and 2007, the Government entered into a MoU and Heads of Agreement respectively, with the developer granting the developer exclusive rights, for a limited period, to develop the project. There was no public tender of the project.

In 2007, the developer was granted a 50-year lease of State lands at Hope Beach for the development of the project to supply power to GPL. 3. Notwithstanding much effort, the project failed to get off the ground due primarily to lack of financing.

Mr. Lloyd Singh became a major partner of the project in 2014 and has since been engaged with the Government in advancing the project.

4. Also in 2014, after Mr. Singh’s partnering, the Government renewed its support of the project by approving the execution of a new MoU as a preliminary step to negotiations and conclusion of a full PPA and all other related agreements. The terms of the MoU and the negotiated PPA included, inter alia, the development of the 25 MW Hope Beach Windfarm Project under a 5-year BOOT arrangement and power generated from the project being sold to GPL at a price of US$0.18 per kW. 5. The other major investor (foreign) pulled out of the

project due, inter alia, to the Government not agreeing to provide a sovereign guarantee deemed necessary to secure a particular source of financing for the project.

6. On assuming office in 2015, the new administration was introduced to the project. The Coalition Government agreed to continue the support of the project due to the project’s history; the fact that the developer already had a lease of the property; in effect limiting the options of the Government with respect to the project; the complementarity of the project with Government’s policy for renewable energy development towards a “Green Economy”; and the sustainable development of the electricity sector.

7. In this regard, through the support of the German Government (REETA-GIZ), a wind energy expert was contracted to build capacity within the MPI and other agencies associated with the project, advise the Government on the project’s feasibility, and to support the Government in any resulting PPA negotiations. This engagement has been fruitful and the developer advised on the necessity of meeting international standards as they complete their full feasibility study. PPA negotiation has not yet commenced.

8. The authors of the article question the justification of a windfarm – relative to hydro – serving the national grid, deliberately ignoring the fact of the PPP’s previous support of the project, and the complementarity of wind energy with hydropower. Further, it gives no

Santa’s visit to the Parliament Dear Editor IN this the season of gift-giving, the invading female Santa, who broke security protocols and the sanctity of the

hallowed Chamber to give the Opposition Leader a gift of a dictionary was indeed selective in her gift-giving.

A gift of another book, this time the Hindu Book,

which explains the difference and meaning in the Hindu holidays and observances should have been given at the same time to the educator who is not a Chatree. The

silence from the majority side of the aisle on the invading Santa issue is indeed deafening.

Regards Shamshun Mohamed

recognition that wind energy is recommended in the recent GPL Power Generation Expansion Study conducted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

9. Without going into the technical and economic fit of the various renewable energy sources for power generation for the national grid – which in any case have to be satisfied before any credible project – it should be noted that the abovementioned GPL/IDB study does recommend hydro, wind, solar and bio-fuels being part of Guyana’s energy mix for power generation. The study is currently being reviewed to update the energy mix, considering natural gas, a valuable indigenous and clean energy resource now available, and the timing of each development.

10. The prevailing view is not a question of choosing either hydro or wind energy for Guyana’s future power requirements, but what combination of the abovementioned resources, the timing, and appropriate financing

for each coming on stream.

While these and other issues are being resolved, the Government is moving forward with the development of projects that are feasible and supported with financing.

11. The updated draft National Energy Policy has been shared with stakeholders, including the PPP. This policy, along with the draft Energy Transition Roadmap, is awaiting the outcome of the updated IDB Power Generation Expansion Study for the role natural gas is to play for their finalization.

12. The Government is also pursuing the development of the legal and technical framework to support renewable energy development with private sector participation, including distributed generation in which residential and business owners can supply their excess power to the grid.

Regards David Patterson, M.P. Minister of Public Infrastructure

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday December 12, 2017

‘The buck stops with the Speaker’ --Dr Scotland says in face of Edghill’s unprecedented break with parliamentary tradition

OPPOSITION Member of Parliament Juan Edghill remains suspended from the business of the National Assembly.

This is according to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, who noted on Monday night, “This is the first time in the history of our Parliament that a member has refused to withdraw from the Chamber on the orders of the Speaker.”

Speaking at a press conference at Parliament, Dr Scotland told the media that as the head of the National Assembly, “The buck stops with the Speaker”, and ac-

cording to him, he acted in accordance with the Standing Orders.

He recounted that Edghill attempted to ask a question after the time allotted for the agency under review had expired.

The Speaker said the procedures regarding time for consideration for each agency was discussed prior to the sitting, and it was agreed to during a meeting of the Committee of the Whole.

He said that on Monday, he indicated to Edghill that he would not allow further discussion beyond the time that was allotted, and the MP

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, as he addressed the media late Monday night

was ordered to take his seat, which he refused to do.

He said Edghill was ruled “out of order”, and he later

informed the MP to take no further part in the business of the House for the remainder of the sitting. This was done

in accordance with the Standing Orders of the National Assembly.

He said he directed the Sergeant-at-arms to take steps, as required, to enforce his order and he withdrew from the National Assembly while the sitting was suspended for the day.

The Speaker told the media that the Standing Orders existed before his entry into Parliament, and they have been in place for many years. He said all members of the National Assembly have agreed to abide by the Standing Orders.

Dr Scotland noted that

he subsequently met with Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo and one Chief Whip, whom he did not identify, to discuss the matter.

When asked under what circumstances can Edghill continue to partake in the business of the National Assembly, the Speaker noted that the MP knows what he has to do.

Today, the consideration of the estimates will continue as normal. “We have to continue with the consideration of the estimates,” the Speaker said, noting that each head of agency has to be examined.

Ignorance is no excuse for not knowing the rules of the Procurement Act Dear Editor I TRUST that the rank and file at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), particularly those that participate at the public opening ceremony and the evaluators are cognizant

that qualified bidders could submit with their bid, bid securing declaration and an alternative to the bid security and the reason(s) for doing so.

Further, the grounds for enforcement of the bid securing declaration and the concomitant penalties are

much more severe than those for the bid security.

Sometime in 2015, the Ministry of Finance hosted a seminar for bidders at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre. During the proceedings, the question of bidders not using the bid securing declaration in the form of

a bid security came up; one of the presenters opined that the commitment bidders would have to make when the bid securing declaration is used as an alternative to the bid security is scary and the fear may have influenced their decision not to submit the bid securing declaration

in place of the bid security when the need to do [so] arises.

Be that as it may, it would be unfair for the evaluators to disqualify/ reject a contractor’s bid for submitting a bid securing declaration instead of a bid security, owing to

ignorance; for ignorance is no excuse for not knowing the rules and regulations of the Procurement Act (2003) and the Procurement Amendment Regulations (2004).

Regards Julius Williams

PPP MP disrespectful to The Speaker and National Assembly Dear Editor, IT's a shame and disgrace to see a man, who claims to be a messenger of God, behaving in such a manner by disrespecting the Speaker who is the head of the House.

As I watched the unfolding of what never happened in the National Assembly, I felt as if it’s a place where people just fighting for power and not for the people. The PPP seems to be power-hungry now that they hear of the bonus from ExxonMobil. It's shameful and very disturbing when I heard a female PPP MP telling MP Trotman "You want for us to go in a private room for you to see my body", what a shame the PPP has brought the Parliament to. But the videos show that none of the police punched that MP as she claims. They all started to shout and cry as if they are being beaten. The PPP MPs were shouting "Rape! Rape!

Rape!" when no one was trying to rape them and take off their clothes; it shows their lawlessness.

It's a disgrace by the PPP and laws to prevent Guyana from moving upward in positives things. Imagine the lies shouted during the ordeal that leaves one wondering, "How truthful is the PPP to their supporters.”

It is more than shameful to see a man that called himself God's messenger and a Bishop behaving in such a way. This man preaches to obey law and order when someone who is higher and in leadership position orders you to. He preaches that God says to obey, but yet he is doing the opposite to what he preaches. How can he preach to a congregation and claim to be God’s messenger for peace and upholding of truth when he himself is lying and making false claims within the highest law-making place in the land? This man seems to be no less than a "hypo-

crite, sheep in wolf clothing, unreligious and ungodly.”

How can a man who claims to be the messenger of God create division amongst the people for political gains and his personal wellbeing?

Beware of those that will come to you in the Lord's name and want to live a life as a king through the church’s tidings and offerings. The PPP is a total disgrace to the nation and moreover is very shameless. Imagine the police doing what they came to do but yet the PPP MPs were shouting "Police state and dictatorship in the House". We must understand that the police were there at parliament and wasn't called from their Headquarters to arrest those law-breaking MPs. The Police were also harassed by the PPP MPs. One was seen throwing cuffs to the back of a police. What will happen to that matter? It was so good to see the leader of the AFC, MP Trotman, trying to bring an amicable

solution to the matter, but tell you what, there came the lord of destruction, Bharrat Jadgeo. It must be known that the leader of the opposition was not in parliament all day, but all of a sudden showed up and asked "Who are the ones the police harass?" He went on to say that the Speaker solely must be blamed for what happened.

But Jagdeo never asked how it happened or what cause this to happen. Well Bharrat, it is your MP--the Bishop--that disrespected the speaker's order. He has no respect for law and order or the national assembly. So the Opposition Leader should now scold him for disrespect; but no, that won't happen.

He will be commended for bringing shame, disgrace and lawlessness to the House.

Guyanese must understand that all this is planned by the PPP because of the oil money.

The PPP is behaving as if they are running the country and can do what they want and no

one can tell them what to do.

How can those people be called honourable members of the House, when they have no respect for the House they sit in to make laws for this land?. The PPP is sending a wrong and racial message to the peaceful Guyanese nation. They are stirring up problems for political power.

I call on all right-thinking Guyanese, those abroad and all organisations to condemn the lawless behaviour of the PPP in the National Assembly. We must all stand united against those that want to divide the nation for their political gains.

We must all condemn MP Edghill and the PPP for disobeying the leader of the National Assembly.

We must all stand with the Speaker for upholding the rules and practices of the National Assembly and not to allow anyone to disobey the House at no time. Every time there is sitting of the National Assembly, it is very

much evident that the PPP will shout at the speaker, disrespect him and the House again and again. This time they went too far. Guyanese, the PPP wants power and at any cost. They will do anything now that they hear of the oil money. They will try everything to make the government look bad and create unrest in this land.

When that happens, they will blame the government, especially our African brothers and sisters, all because the President is an African. But let's not be fooled, the PPP is after power and not after the good and betterment of Guyana. They can do want they want, they cannot bring this government down. We now see the motives and true side of the PPP. Development breeds enemies.

Regards Abel Seetaram Regional Councillor Region 5

No need to rush

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 12, 2017

…Min Jordan says enough available to set up Sovereign Wealth Fund

By Svetlana Marshall THERE is no need to rush the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund here, Finance Minister Winston Jordan said as he poured ‘cold water’ on Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo’s more than three-hourslong presentation in the National Assembly last Friday.

It was three hours of mindless, aimless ranting, Minister Jordan told the National Assembly as he responded to the Opposition Leader as the 2018 National Budget debates culminated.

Jagdeo, during the budget debates, had accused Government of dragging its feet on the finalization of the bill to govern the establishment and operation of a Sovereign Wealth Fund. However, Jordan, who vowed to remain a “thorn in Jagdeo’s side, said there is no need to rush the process. “The Sovereign Wealth Fund being in place in 2015 don’t mean anything to us, there is nothing to put in it, doesn’t mean anything to us. Last time I heard the oil is going to flow sometime in the first quarter of 2020, this is December 2017,” the

Finance Minister Winston Jordan making a passionate presentation as he wrapped up the 2018 National Budget debates on Friday

Finance Minister pointed out while declaring to the House that “We have to get it right.”

Minister Jordan said it would have been an issue if the country had started receiving oil revenue with

nowhere to put it, but as of now, there is enough time to have the legislation in place and the fund established, making it clear that this Administration will not rush the process.

Government, however,

is anticipating that the Sov- According to him, the Natu- The International Moneereign Wealth Fund Legis- ral Resources Minister sub- tary Fund (IMF), the Inlation would be presented sequently did a redraft and, ter-American Development to the National Assembly in January 2017, handed Bank (IDB) and the World before the end of 2018. Ex- over both drafts to him as Fi- Bank (WB) were among othplaining the process, the nance Minister, including the er development partners that Finance Minister noted that original document submitted provided extensive “comupon entering Office in by the Commonwealth Sec- ments” on the draft submit2015, the A Partnership for retariat. ted to the Commonwealth National Unity + Alliance “I invited a number of Secretariat. Those comments for Change (APNU-+AFC) our development partners to have been handed over to the Administration was cogi- take a look at the Common- secretariat. tating the establishment of wealth Secretariat’s draft to Even as the Governa Sovereign Wealth Fund see how we can improve it ment paves the way for the on the basis that a substan- and strengthen it,” Minister establishment of a Sovertial amount of oil had Jordan further explained. eign Wealth Fund, he been discovered offsaid President David shore Guyana. With Granger had thought Minister of Natural it best to have a Green Resources, Raphael Paper that would inTrotman, spearheadclude the country’s ing the process, Minperspective on the ister Jordan said the Sovereign Wealth Commonwealth SecFund and how it could retariat was invited evolve. “We are workto assist Guyana in ing on that, something the formulation of we wish to get to Cabthe Sovereign Wealth inet sometime in the Fund legislation.

New Year and our “When we went to thinking is to get this Uganda last year, and green paper into the we saw what Uganda Parliament by middle was doing, we looked of next year,” Minisat the draft the Comter Jordan said while monwealth Secretarassuring that the Soviat gave us and we ereign Wealth Fund thought that it needed Legislation will be in a lot of work,” the place before the end Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo Finance Minister said. of 2018.

Exxon says fully prepared to handle any oil spill US OIL firm, ExxonMobil says it is fully prepared to handle any oil spill here even as Guyana gears up to go into oil production in 2020.

The American oil giant ExxonMobil says its systems are always at ready to respond to an oil spill, should one occur and while government is also working to improve its own capability to address such occurrences.

Speaking at a public lecture at the Queen’s College auditorium on Sunday afternoon Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman told those gathered that the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) is the lead agency as regards environmental issues and it receives support from the ministry as well as the

GGMC and Maritime Administration Department and the Environmental Protection agency (EPA).

He said the CDC has benefited from training regarding oil spills and he noted that there is a draft plan which is constantly being revised. He said it is universally accepted that there be a standard response. “So it is not as if we are coming up with our own plan but what we are coming up with of course is what unique features we would have to build in or overlay to the standard plan,“ Trotman said.

As regard funding for response activities, the Minister noted that there is a percentage of revenue from the oil earnings which will be channeled into the Envi-

ronmental Trust Fund which has been established by law to address potential risks or accidents. Speaking on the present situation where monitoring is concerned, he said that GGMC officers are on board the oil vessels engaged in oil exploration on a 24 hours basis. “This will likely to be ramped up as we go into further explorations and production,” Trotman said. He said other agencies including the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) are likely to play a similar role.

In addition, Trotman noted that government is working with the Caribbean Disaster Environmental Management Agency (CDEMA) and has established a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the govern-

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

ment of Trinidad and Tobago on the issue of response.

He said in the first year of oil production, the government may not have the income to respond as it would wish, however from year one

the country will earn some US$380M and this would strengthen Guyana’s capacity to respond as time progresses. Speaking on Exxon’s preparedness in the event there is an oil spill, Thomas Tomblin, Oil Response Advisor of the oil company noted that there is no other place that is anymore prepared than Exxon Mobil in Guyana. ”We are prepared,” he said. He said there are a host of experts including biomedical scientists, toxicologists and other highly trained staff in the company’s employ and they are ready to respond if a spill ever occurs and offer advice to the population to prevent persons from being harmed.

Tomblin noted that the company has employed

experts to evaluate its oil response plans adding that it has also contracted agencies to evaluate such plans.

“So we use third parties all the time, to test and evaluate the validity of all our firms,” he told those gathered. Exxon’s Country Manager, Rod Henson told the gathering that the company has undertaken “extensive mapping“ of Guyana’s coastline to identify sensitive areas should an oil spill occurs. These include residential areas, birding and nesting grounds as well as the beaches. In terms of meeting its obligations in the event of a spill, he said “we have the financial strength to deal with any event, even a tier three event.”

10

Jason Abdulla takes the rap – for dousing Freddie Kissoon with faeces

PEOPLE’S Progressive Party (PPP)’s Jason Abdulla will be spending Christmas behind bars, after being convicted and sentenced to six months in jail for throwing faeces on newspaper columnist, Freddie Kissoon.

His two cohorts, on the other hand, former government information liaison officer, Kwame McCoy and confessed death squad member, Sean Hinds were allowed to go free.

The decision was handed down by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman on Monday at the conclusion of the trial into the matter at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

Magistrate Latchman ruled that based on a caution statement given to police by Abdulla, there was enough evidence for a conviction.

She said that though Abdulla had implicated both McCoy and Hinds in committing the act, there was insufficient evidence to prove it, as the two never made any statement nor confessed.

The Magistrate further revealed that Abdulla, in his caution statement, gave a detailed account about his involvement in the assault on Kissoon.

In his statement, Abdulla gave such details as his getting into a car with Hinds, his witnessing the assault, and afterwards calling McCoy to report that the job was done.

It also detailed that Hinds should be paid the $100,000 that was on offer to do the job.

Magistrate Latchman

Daring Sheriff Street car chase leads to drugs find A 45-YEAR-OLD taxi driver, who the police say was recently busted with almost 14 pounds of cannabis in his car trunk following a daring chase by police, was on Monday remanded to prison by Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Carlos Edwards of Berbice denied that on December 8, at Georgetown, he had 6,252 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor, Gordon Mansfield told the court that on the day in question police while on mobile pa-

trol in the Sheriff Street, Georgetown area saw the defendant driving his car and acting in a suspicious manner.

The police ordered that Edwards pull over but he sped away and subsequently crashed into another car.

The ranks then apprehended Edwards and searched the car. The illicit drugs were found in a multi-colored bag in the truck.

Prosecutor Mansfield said that Edwards in a caution statement admitted to the ownership of the drugs.

The magistrate re-

Carlos Edwards

manded him until December 18.

Gunplay in East Rumveldt; shot shop owner remanded Jason Abdulla leaving the court yesterday on his way to serve his six-month sentence

said she made her decision after considering the need to discourage the commission of such a crime, and the fact that the incident will forever be in the memory of the victim.

After the ruling was handed down by the Magistrate, Hinds and McCoy exited the courtroom immediately, while Abdulla stood transfixed, a blank stare on his face.

Reports are that on May 24, 2010 at around 19:00hrs, Kissoon had just emerged from Nigel’s Supermarket on Robb Street and had already entered his vehicle when a man walked up to him and threw the faeces in his face.

Kissoon managed to drive behind the perpetrator, who ran north along Light Street, then west into North

Road before jumping into a waiting white AT 192 Toyota Carina motorcar and escaped.

A soiled Kissoon tried to intercept the car, but was forced to back off to avoid a collision.

Police sources later revealed that McCoy had been identified as the alleged mastermind behind the attack on Kissoon, and that Abdulla and Hinds confessed to the crime while in custody.

Hinds had provided security services to a number of PPP personalities, while Abdulla, who also worked at the then Office of the President, was, up until his sentencing yesterday, a functionary at the PPP’s Freedom Radio, housed at the party’s headquarters on Robb Street, Georgetown.

56 months for stealing women’s cell phone A 27-year-old man was on Monday sentenced to 56 months in jail by Magistrate Judy Latchman for stealing a woman’s cellphone.

Junior Allen admitted that on December 8 at Waterloo Street, Georgetown he stole a $35,000 cellphone from Ester Vanfield, with the use of personal violence.

According to reports the victim is a security guard and on the day in question she was on duty. She saw what

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Allen did and attempted to stop the theft. However the accused dealt the woman several cuffs to her head before escaping.

Other security guards came to the woman’s rescue and apprehended him.

Allen disclosed to the court that he was charged and convicted last year on a break and enter with larceny charge. This prompted the Magistrate to impose the 56-month sentence on him.

Junior Allen

A 33-year-old Railway Line, Kitty businessman was on Monday remanded to prison by Magistrate Judy Latchman for two illegal firearm-related charges.

Paul Chow is charged for having an unlicensed .32 pistol in his possession on November 9 at Avocado Square, East Ruimveldt.

He is also charged for having 13 live rounds of .32 ammunition in his possession without being a licensed firearm holder.

The businessman denied both charges and his attorney, Glen Hanoman pointed out that his client was robbed last year and also on the day in question.

Paul Chow

According to the facts presented in court by Police Prosecutor, David Mansfield, on the day in question Chow

was standing outside his business place at Avocado Square when a man advanced towards him armed with a gun.

The gunman demanded that Chow hand over his jewellery but the businessman refused and, is said to have pulled out a firearm from his waist. It however fell to the ground.

The robber shot Chow to the abdomen, the injured man was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, the unlicensed gun was retrieved from the crime scene and Chow was charged.

The Magistrate remanded him until December 18.

Public urged to report police misuse the handing over, at the tabase and system of daily of vehicles atBartica Police Station, of 11 inspections.

COMMANDER of ‘F’ Division (Lethem and other interior locations), Senior Superintendent Ravindradat Budhram is urging the public to report any misuse of police vehicles so that condign action can be taken against the errant rank.

“If any accidents occur, an investigation will be done and whoever is at fault actions will be taken against,” he said over the weekend

new All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and three pickups to the Division.

Noting that reckless behaviour will not be tolerated under his watch, Commander Budhram said the new fleet of vehicles is a godsend, particularly at this time of year when crime is at its highest.

He assured his audience that a maintenance plan is in place at the Division to adequately take care of the vehicles, as well as a da-

Noting that those who will be driving the vehicles have undergone a two-day refresher course on use and maintenance, Commander Budhram said that in order for the vehicles to be put to use, ranks will have to sign for the keys and fill out a handing-over form after every shift. The name of the station and emergency number will also be printed on the sides of each vehicle.

Ranks in prayer during the handing over of the vehicles at the Bartica Police Station

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 12, 2017

CCJ rules in favour 1.5 million records digitised

by Ministry of Citizenship of miner – says GGMC had no right to serve him cease order

THE Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) had no authority to order Wayne Vieira in November 2010 to cease all work at his Chinese Landing operation, when he had a valid mining permit.

This is according to a ruling issued last Thursday by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), which overturned a decision made by the Court of Appeal here.

According to the ruling, which was seen by this newspaper, the CCJ’s decision rests on the fact that Vieira had no agreement with the Chinese Landing-Tassawini Village Council in Region One at the time the Cease Work Order (CWO) was issued.

As such, what the CCJ’s ruling has done is to effectively restore the High Court’s decision and awarding Vieira costs to this effect.

According to the facts presented before the court, a GGMC mines officer issued the order, dated November 26, 2010, to Vieira under Regulation 98 of the Mining Act.

Vieira testified that the day before he was issued the CWO, the then Prime Minister, with whom he had previously engaged, called him by telephone and told him to pay to the Village Council a tribute of 10%.

Vieira said that after finding that the Prime Minister was reneging on an agreement in writing that he and other miners like himself they should only pay 7%, he objected to the new directive.

Vieira said he told the Prime Minister that he’d already gone to the Village Council to make payment at the agreed rate, but that neither they nor the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs would accept it from him. He said it was the day after that conversation that he was served with the CWO. The Commission, however, had a different take on the matter, in that they are saying that it would have been pointless giving the miner a hearing, as, having spent over two years trying to get an agreement with the Village Council and having had two meetings with the

Prime Minister and meetings with other officials, he should have seen the decision coming.

The CCJ noted in its judgment that when the CWO was issued on November 26, 2010, it was done under the Mining Regulations because of the absence of an agreement with the Village Council, as was required under Amerindian law.

It was noted also that Vieira had made several attempts to secure a new agreement with the Village Council, but his efforts had proven futile.

In the High Court, Vieira had successfully challenged the decision on the issuance of the CWO and won. Judgment was duly passed by Justice Diana Insanally, who determined that the order could only be issued in relation to breaches concerning the Mining Act and not the Amerindian law.

The GGMC responded by taking the matter to the Court of Appeal, and won.

It was at this point that Vieira took the matter to the CCJ.

THE Ministry of Citizenship has so far digitised some 1.5 million records of births, deaths and marriages among others, subject minister Win ston Felix has said.

Felix, who made the comments on Monday while responding to queries during the consideration of the estimates for the 2018 National budget, said his ministry is in the process of digitising records of all Guyanese and has employed 80 young persons to complete the project over a two-year period.

They include clerical and office support staff, transcribers, data processing clerks, confidential secretaries and a range of transcribers, which is a necessary function. The 80 workers are divided into two shifts. “So far 1.5 million records have been inputted into the system.

The period was divided into two. From June 1987 to present. So far 372,252

birth records have been inputted, 95,032 deaths records, 97 206 marriage records; making a total of 868,151,” From 1987 to 1940 there have been 906 adoption records inputted, 22 immigration marriages, 7 overseas deaths and 18 overseas births. Minister Felix explained that the system is now off the ground, and his ministry is working towards a system that will be accessible to persons seeking information from the past and present.

Meanwhile, also at Monday’s sitting, the sum of $784,248M was approved for youth development as part of Budget 2018 to fund the provision of key planned interventions in the upcoming year. However, this was not before it was scrutinized

by Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs). Of the over $700M approved, $205M has been allocated

for training, which includes the provision of scholarships. Opposition MP Neil Kumar questioned why such a large amount has been allotted for the training of youths. He then demanded answers as to how the monies will be spent.

Minister of Social Cohesion, with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. George Norton explained that the monies will go towards further developing the - Kuru Kuru Training Centre, Sophia Training Centre and Vryman’s Erven Training Centre. Some of the developmental sessions that will be undertaken include crime prevention workshops, mentorship, career guidance sessions, job-readiness training, entrepreneurial development, leadership and capacity building training, mental health sessions, parenting skills training and life planning sessions, among others.

12

Broomes flays PPP for trivialising rape

By Lisa Hamilton THE mayhem which erupted during Guyana’s 79th Sitting of Parliament resulting in members of the opposition shouting ‘rape’, despite the absence of any form of sexual activity, is disrespectful to women, says Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes.

Broomes made these comments in reference to Day 1 of the Consideration of Estimates of Budget 2018, during which Member of Parliament (MP), Bishop Juan Edghill, refused to be removed from the building despite an order from the Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland.

The matter escalated to the point whereby the police were summoned to remove Edghill, but

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, speaking to the media on the fake cry of the PPP of ‘rape’ during the standoff in Parliament (Photo by Adrian Narine)

were unsuccessful after other opposition members formed a human shield around him, resulting in a scuffle between the members and the law enforce-

ment officers.

During the clash, both male and female members of the opposition could be heard shouting ‘rape’ quite a number of times

as several police officers attempted to break through their arm-locked barrier to remove Edghill from the premises. Thereafter, as the opposition held their ground within the parliament chambers, Broomes expressed to the media her level of disappointment with regards to what had transpired.

“I have had personal encounters with persons who were raped. It’s a real hard thing and rape is not a joke, something to be mocked at,” the minister said. “Regardless of what has happened, I sat there and male and female members of Parliament shouted ‘rape, rape, rape’ as if rape is a joke!”

“Where are we really going as women? Where are we? Rape is a serious problem. Just day before yesterday…was Human Rights Day and you’re talking about ending violence against women and to come in the Parliament today and throw down yourself and people shouting rape. I am really hurt by that,” Broomes said.

Broomes told the media “Who feels it knows it” and that the opposition’s false cry of rape was disrespectful to women who have been actually raped.

“We have women feeling that pain out there, we have a child before the court, we have a woman before the court somewhere in this country right now who was really raped,” the minister indicated.

She then questioned, “As members of Parliament, as former ministers of government, ‘rape’ is the word? You’re just showing us women in this country that women’s problem and violence against women is not serious for you, because you’re taking it to make it fun.” She then concluded: “Today, I’m the voice for those women who were raped around the world and in Guyana.

And I want to be that voice to say, today, in this parliament, that rape is a serious word. Rape kills the lives of women and boys…even those persons who yelled it as a mockery, I feel your pain and I’m going to continue to raise my voice against violence against women.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Manickchand accused of faking assault …video evidence shows no attack

V I D E O footage from Monday’s ruckus in the Parliament chambers has revealed no physical assault on PPP’s frontbencher Priya Manickchand, although the MP was seen screaming and crying in front of t h e t e l e v i - Opposition MP, Priya Manickchand cries after the commotion in the National sion camerAssembly Monday (Adrian Narine) as.

Manickchand being punched by chand broke down in tears police officers. Instead, and accused the police of there is video evidence of physically assaulting her. several PPP MPs attacking As she cried, Manickchand, a policeman and even ripa former Minister of Edu- ping his shirt. cation under the PPP said, The Department of “The police is supposed to Public Information, in a protect us and if the police facebook account of the is making an arrest or is fracas, said at the time attempting to make an ar- when the police attempted rest of someone who is not to remove PPP MP, Juan threatening any harm, that Edghill, from the chamshould not include punch- bers there were no less ing me in my chest and my than 15 video cameras belly.” rolling and stationed at “It should not include all angles of what turned pushing us into chairs and out to be a melee. Many tables…the same police of these cameras, the DPI who was unable to deter- said, belong to the oppomine who Santa was along sition aligned media. In the long meters of this addition, there were more corridors…the police have than half a dozen photogbeen protecting and serv- raphers furiously snaping us, and we are proud ping away. “I patientof them, but you had your ly await the video footcameras on and you saw age/evidence to surface the ones that pushed our of the female PPP MP faces into the table…he who claims to have been punched me…this is male punched by a policeman police sent in here to deal in the stomach. Surely, with us,” she continued as it must have been caught she asked why government on camera. It would be is afraid to answer ques- impossible not to have tions on its own budget. been caught by at least The video recording seen one of the 15 or so camerby the Guyana Chronicle as which were there,” the does not show Manick- DPI added.

Police uncover live rounds in abandoned house POLICE recently descended on an abandoned house in the Marudi and Swan backlands, off the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, where a search unearthed several live rounds and cartridges belonging to a 9mm pistol 12-gauge shotgun.

The commanding officer later arrested a suspect with several grams of cocaine and marijuana at Soesdyke Hill Foot.

The suspect was later charged for possession and trafficking in narcotics.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 12, 2017

PTA lobbies for washroom facilities – at White Water primary, near Venezuelan border THE Parent Teachers Association (PTA) of White Water Primary, in the North West District is calling on the authorities to address several concerns at theirs, including the construction of washroom facilities for the children.

At the moment, the school, which is located near the Venezuela border, has a population of 171 pupils, and has been without Parents discuss their concerns at last week’s Parent Teachers Association (PTA) meeting

The White Water Primary School in the North West District

Bandits hijack businessman’s car

– right under his nose A BUSINESSMAN who got out of his car to open the gate of his Block X, Westminster, West Bank Demerara (WBD) home on Sunday, got the shock of his life when he was accosted by two bandits, one of whom had a gun.

Their mission was to relieve him of his Toyota Allion motorcar, PVV 8590.

Reports are that the one with the “shiny handgun” held him at bay, before entering the car and driving off.

According to the police, no shots were fired.

Meanwhile, last Friday a 65-year-old taxi driver of Goed Intent, West Bank Demerara (WBD)was robbed of his Toyota Fielder Wagon bearing registration number HC 6999. The incident reportedly occurred at Flamboyant Avenue, Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Reports are that the taxi driver was plying his trade

at the Stabroek Market car park when he received a call via his cellphone from an unknown number.

On the other end of the line was a female requesting to be picked up at Regent Street and Orange Walk, Bourda, Georgetown.

Upon arrival at the location, the taxi driver collected two persons: A man, who sat in the front seat, and a woman who sat in the back seat of the vehicle. They both requested to be dropped off at the said Flamboyant Street where the hijacking occurred.

On arrival at the destination, the man exited the vehicle, walked over to the driver’s side of it, took out a handgun from his pants waist and ordered the driver out.

Fearing for his life, the pensioner complied. The robber then jumped into the car and made good his escape.

a washroom for almost a decade.

Reports from the village are that several years ago a new washroom facility was built at the school, but it was never used since it was erected below the level of the surface of the school’s environs. As such, the facility would often be flooded whenever it rains. It was also discovered that the flushing mechanisms installed at the

facility were unserviceable.

Village Toshao, Mr Cleveland DeSouza told the Guyana Chronicle that the matter was reported to the Regional Education Department at Mabaruma on several occasions in the past.

He said the village council also made representation on behalf of the residents to the education authorities there, but their calls have been falling on deaf ears.

DeSouza said that parents have been complaining about the issue at every

meeting of the PTA. The village is also calling on the Education Ministry to have the school gazetted, since it was established as an annex to the Wauna Primary School. He said three years ago, the regional authorities made promises to gazette the institution, however, such plans never materialised.

DeSouza noted that residents were prepared to assist the authorities in remedying the situation at the school.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday December 12, 2017

Mutilated Qualfon teen found in cemetery

Dead: Raynelle Benfield

FIVE persons are being questioned following the brutal murder of 18-yearold Raynelle Benfield whose body with her face mutilated was discovered in the Muslim Cemetery along Beterverwagting main road on Monday morning.

Police said she was last seen alive by her colleagues at 18:00hrs on Saturday.

Detectives are of the opinion that she was the victim of a heinous crime in which she knew her attacker(s) and was probably held

at gunpoint or knifepoint and taken forcefully into the cemetery where she was beaten to the point where her head was smashed in.

The body was found with her hands resting on her stomach near one of the many tombs in the burial ground.

Sleuths said a handbag which relatives said belong to the teen was retrieved near the body but her cell phone was not among the items in it.

Police are optimistic that

The Muslim Cemetery in which the body of Raynelle Benfield was found on Monday morning

they will soon crack the case since her relatives are assisting with the investigations.

The body was found shortly after 08:00hrs on Monday when a passer-by decided to check after experiencing a strong stench emanating from the cemetery.

After that individual made the discovery the police were summoned and they cordoned off the scene and the body was removed.

As news of the young woman’s homicide began to spread in Beterverwag-

ting, East Coast Demerara, residents were thrown into a state of grief and shock.

The Qualfon employee of Lot 66 Republic Drive, Beterverwagting was last seen alive when she left home for work on Saturday morning by her relatives, who told police that it was unlike her to stay away from home.

When she failed to return home Saturday night they launched a search for her and began making enquiries.

However, they were of the opinion that their loved

The home of Raynelle Benfield

one was working an extra shift and she would eventually show up.

Family members only learnt of her murder when the police showed up at their home after which the elder Benfield upon hearing the dreaded news of his daughter’s demise collapsed.

He was taken to the Beterverwagting Health Centre where he received medical attention and was later escorted to the nearby police station where he gave a statement.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday December 12, 2017

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President plugs education, agro-processing to transform Berbice River

PRESIDENT David Granger on Sunday visited the villages of Kimbia and Hururu, located along the Berbice River in Upper Demerara- Berbice (Region 10) as part of his annual tradition of distributing toys to children across the country during the Christmas season.

The Head of State used the opportunity to tell residents that emphasis on education, agriculture and value-added production along with the preservation of the environment, will play a leading role in the transformation of the villages and Region into booming economic hubs.

At Kimbia, where he became the first sitting Head of State to visit the village, President David Granger, while addressing residents from surrounding villages, including Calcuni, Maria Henrietta, Sand Hills, Ebini and Hururu at the Kimbia Primary School, said that the Berbice River possesses vast natural resources. However, he believes that in order for communities to take advantage of those resources to improve economic prospects, education is key. The President pointed out that this is the reason he has ensured that school boats have been provided to the children of their communities under the ‘Boats, Buses, Bicycles plus Breakfast and Books or Five B’s Programme.

“The children of Guyana must lead us to the future but to do that, we must have an educated nation. The first thing is education. You must stay in school. Every single child must go to school. You must go to school and when we get enough money, we will put more boats in this river. No child should stay at home because they can’t get to school, but education must not stop at nursery. It must go on to Primary and Sec-

ondary and I want children from Kimbia to be graduating from the University of Guyana. Don’t drop out and don’t quit and whatever we can do to get you to school we will do that,” he said.

The President said that more innovative approaches, through education, must be taken to further develop Guyana’s agricultural potential and this is where investment in education and technology transfer becomes

the Head of State was echoed by a resident of the village, who called on the residents of the Berbice River to focus on becoming self-sufficient.

“We have the resources and let us exploit it and work for the development of Guyana.

I have confidence in President Granger and I know what he came into office and met but let us be patient. I have seen progress in such a short time. We have to work to help ourselves. We

President David Granger engages a pupil during his visit to Kimbia on Sunday

critically important. “Here in this Berbice River we have abundant resources and we hope to discuss with the Chairman and his councillors how we are going to generate agro-processing in the Berbice River. Everything you can grow let us process these goods and get them out to New Amsterdam, Georgetown and the Caribbean. To do these things you need power; solar energy and so I will be discussing with the regional administration and the Member of Parliament how we can start getting electricity into these communities,” he said.

The President also committed to exploring the possibility of providing transportation for the movement of local produce to market centres. This call to action by

have coconut trees here and I am seeing coconut sugar, coconut flour, coconut oil, coconut milk and coconut milk powder on the market.

These are things we can produce right here,” she said.

President Granger called on residents to take a more responsible approach to the protection of the environment, since this is what they rely on for their livelihoods.

He added that all Guyanese should be proud of the nation’s patrimony and become stewards of what he called ‘the land of giants’.

“I want to call on you to protect the environment.

Without the environment we won’t be able to plant and grow food. So I ask you to look after your education, employment of the young people and environment.

President David Granger poses with some of the students and teachers of one of the riverine schools

You have to live but do not destroy the environment,” he said. Toshao of Kimbia Village, Mr. Ashton Boyle lauded the President’s stance on education and youth development. “Our President is especially interested in the future of this country. That is why he is placing emphasis in our youths. President Granger you have done well being the first President to ever visit Kimbia. We are overjoyed to have you here with us and you are always welcomed,” he said.

Meanwhile, at Hururu, the President met with workers from the bauxite company, RUSAL Guyana (Russkiy alyuminiy), who used the opportunity to appeal to him to bring a resolution to ongoing issues related to outstanding payments and tax-free allowances. The Head of State Committed to looking into the matter and working to ensure that workers get what is owed to them.

During his address to

President David Granger presents a gift to this little girl in the presence of parents, teachers and other officials

residents there, the President also issued the call for them to make sustainable use of their abundant resources. He told the residents that while much of his year is spent visiting other parts of the country, he takes pleasure in visiting the villages along the Rivers at Christmas time, which are often forgotten and bringing cheer to the many faces. “We have come to celebrate with you and brings gifts for the children.

We are celebrating the birth of Christ and we have come to celebrate that with you. In celebrating this season, we want to honour our children because they represent our future. The children here at Hururu represent the future of this country,” he said.

More than 300 children from Aruaima, Calcuni, Coomacka, Lonsdale, Wiruni received Christmas gifts at Hururu, while in excess of 100 children at Kimbia received toys as well. President Granger was accompanied during the visits by Minister of Public Affairs in the Ministry of the Presidency, Mrs. Dawn Hastings-Williams; Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Ms. Annette Ferguson; his granddaughter, Ms. Athena Gaskin; Member of Parliament, Mr. Jermaine Figueira; Regional Chairman, Mr. Renis Morian; and Chairperson of the People’s National Congress-Region 10, Ms. Sandra Adams. (Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Guyana, China to research ‘folk’ medicine – talks afoot to establish research lab

MINISTER of Public Health, Volda Lawrence has called for a joint research on the use of alternative medicine between Guyana and China using Guyana’s “untapped resources” in the Amazon rainforest.

Lawrence told a Chinese delegation during a courtesy call at her office Monday, that Guyana has vast resources in the Amazon, which extends some six to eight million square kilometers, covering much of northwestern Brazil, extending into

Colombia, Peru and other South American territories, including Guyana.

As the single largest remaining tropical rainforest in the world, and home to some 10 per cent of the world’s known biodiversity, Lawrence told Mr Huang

Yuanzheng, Vice-Mayor of the populous city of Lianyungang, that she is looking forward to the agreeing of a pact between Guyana and China to establish a research laboratory, utilising the rich flora and fauna of the Amazon.

“China has a lot to offer

Minister of Public Health, Ms Volda Lawrence (right) receives a gift from Mr Huang Yuanzheng, Vice-Mayor of Lianyungang

after blazing the trail for the last 300 years,” Minister Lawrence told the Vice-Mayor, whose country has popularised the use of folk medicine as part of the regimen offered patients of one of the most populated countries on the Asian Continent.

Since taking over the public health portfolio almost a year now, Minister Lawrence has been exploring ways of guaranteeing the acceptance of local alternative, folk or traditional medicine within the governmental structure.

“China has a huge advantage in the use of traditional medicine,” Mayor Huang said.

Traditional Chinese medicine is a broad range of medicine practices sharing common concepts which have been developed in China, and are based on a tradition of more than 2,000 years, including various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, exercise and dietary therapy.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines traditional medicine as the sum of the total knowledge, skills and practices based on the theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis improvement of treatment of physical and mental illness.

The global health agency

has highlighted the difference between alternative medicine and quackery, noting that “inappropriate use of traditional medicine” can be harmful to users.

Guyana and China established diplomatic relations in 1972, and both Minister Lawrence and Mayor Huang, who is Vice-Mayor of a city whose population is more than five times that of Guyana, spoke of deepening their ties and strengthening their bonds. And, to quote Mayor Huang, it’s also about “pushing for better understanding of each other.”

He was elated Monday that both the Prime Minister, Mr. Moses Nagamootoo and Minister Lawrence spoke glowingly of the contributions of Chinese medical specialists to the local health sector.

Minister Lawrence said the expertise of the Chinese doctors has helped reduce maternal deaths nationwide in the last two years. Public Health Ministry statistics show that maternal death fell from 111 per 100,000 in 2015 to 101 per 100,000 last year.

Part of the delegation accompanying Mayor Huang on Monday were: Mr. Xiaoming Li, of the No.1 Hospital; Mr. Hui Shi, of the No. 2 Hospital; Mr. Wei Zhou, Director of the Health Bureau and Mr. De Yong Fan, Director of International Exchange.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Venezuelan boat captain killed during fight at Eteringbang AN argument between two friends resulted in the death of a Venezuelan boat captain on Friday at Eteringbang Landing, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Dead is Owen John, of San Martin, Caracas, Venezuela. Police have arrested a 37-year-old suspect of

Kuru Kuru, Linden/Soesdyke Highway. Police visited the scene on Monday and statements were taken.

Reports indicate that John and his friend were consuming alcohol at a shop when an argument ensued over a request for a loan. It is said that John refused to loan his

Maduro bans main opposition parties – from running in 2018 elections

Venezuelans looking for their names on the electoral list Sunday

VENEZUELA’S President, Nicolás Maduro says the country’s main opposition parties are banned from taking part in next year’s presidential election.

He said only parties which took part in Sunday’s mayoral polls would be able to contest the presidency.

Leaders from the Justice First, Popular Will and Democratic Action parties boycotted the vote because they said the electoral system was biased.

President Maduro insists the Venezuelan system is entirely trustworthy.

In a speech on Sunday, he said the opposition parties had “disappeared from the political map”.

“A party that has not participated today and has called for the boycott of the elections can’t participate anymore,” he said.

In October, the three main opposition parties announced they would be boycotting Sunday’s vote, saying it only served what they called President Maduro’s dictatorship.

President Maduro says his party won more than 300 of the 335 mayoral races being contested. The election board put turnout at 47%.

Venezuela has been mired in a worsening economic crisis characterised by shortages of basic goods and soaring inflation.

Mr Maduro said he was

following the criteria set by the National Constituent Assembly in banning opposition parties from contesting next year’s election.

But the Assembly, which came into force in August and has the ability to rewrite the Constitution, is made up exclusively of government loyalists. Opposition parties see it as a way for the president to cling to power.

The presidential vote had been scheduled for December 2018, but analysts say it could now be brought forward.

Venezuela, in the north of South America, is home to more than 30 million people. It has some of the world’s largest oil deposits, as well as huge quantities of coal and iron ore.

But despite its rich natural resources, many Venezuelans live in poverty.

This led President Maduro’s predecessor, Hugo Chávez, to style himself as a champion of the poor during his 14 years in office.

Now the country is starkly divided between supporters of President Maduro and those who want an end to the Socialist Party’s 18 years in government.

Supporters of Mr Maduro say his party has lifted many people out of poverty, but critics say it has eroded Venezuela’s democratic institutions, and mismanaged its economy.

(BBC)

friend some money and he was allegedly cuffed in the face, resulting in him bleeding through the nose.

John then fell onto the ground and the suspect stomped him several times and kicked him to the head

until he became motionless.

The body was left lying on the ground with blood gushing out his ear and nostrils.

Persons in the area reported the matter to the police.

The body is to be transported to Georgetown.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 12, 2017

ACP backs Guyana, Belize BRUSSELS, CMC – The African Caribbean and

Pacific (ACP) Group has adopted resolutions calling

for a peaceful settlement to the border disputes involv-

ing Guyana and Belize.

A statement following the

– adopts resolutions supporting border disputes 106th ACP Council of Ministers meeting here noted that the ministers had “adopted resolutions in full support of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of ACP member states, urging just and peaceful resolutions of territorial disputes between Guyana and Venezuela, as well as Belize and Guatemala.”

Guyana has maintained that Venezuela’s claims on the nullity of the Award is a legal matter that must be resolved in the court. In 1962, Venezuela refused to recognise the 1899 Arbitral Award, saying it was null and void.

Earlier this month, Georgetown said the recent exercise to identify the markers demarcating the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela is important, as it gears up to litigate the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge said the country is awaiting the final decision from the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, now that another year of the Good Offices Process is winding down.

The Secretary-General’s personal representative, Norwegian Diplomat, Dag

Nylander is to submit his report on the meetings he facilitated between the two countries to Guterres.

Guatemala and Belize have had a long- running border dispute with Guatemala, claiming the whole or part of Belize since 1940.

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders at their last summit in Grenada in July expressed support for the two Caribbean countries in their respective border disputes.

“Heads of Government emphasised their unflinching support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of Belize. Heads of Government reiterated the firm and unequivocal support of the Caribbean Community for the maintenance and preservation of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” they declared.

The ACP also noted that the ministers from the 79 countries had also expressed their full support and solidarity with Cuba in its fight against the economic, commercial and financial blockade and extra-territorial measures imposed by the United States.

St. Lucia to introduce new tax measures

– to deal with EU blacklisting CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – The St. Lucia government says it will soon introduce new tax reform measures after the island was included among 17 countries worldwide on a new global list of tax havens by the European Union.

Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Ubaldus Raymond said the new tax rules are likely to be unveiled in the new budget, and denied that the island is a tax haven.

Raymond said that Castries has complied with all the requirements of international regulatory institutions, and that Prime Minister Allen Chastanet signed the automatic exchange of information in November 2016.

Raymond said the main issue involves a harmonisation of taxes, which St Lucia is currently working to improve.

“St Lucia and other countries that were blacklisted, I

want to make it clear, these were not institutions dodging the agreement or the requirements of these international institutions; that it had more to do with the imbalance in the tax regime,” he said, adding: “Fortunately for St Lucia, our government, the Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, we have already been engaging our local departments, Ministry of Finance, Inland Revenue Department, in working on a more harmonized tax system.”

Raymond said St. Lucia is hoping to be off the European Union tax haven blacklist “very soon”, and that the island is awaiting official notification of the blacklisting from the European Union.

“I can say safely, and very confidently,” he said, “it will not take long before we are off that list, because we are already, as a government, thinking in line of harmonized tax system.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 12, 2017

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Guyana could lose out on retaining CBC title due to funding

By Michael DaSilva GUYANA stand to lose their Caribbean Boxing Championship (CBC) title which they secured in 2015, and successfully defended last year in Barbados, due mainly to funding for the initially proposed 13-member team of boxers.

Additionally, Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) was hoping to send two referee/judges along with four coaches to the championship which commences tomorrow in St Lucia and concludes on Saturday.

According to president of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle, the association’s efforts to solicit funds from corporate Guyana proved futile, as the response was very poor. As of yesterday, the association was able to garner only $1.2M, some $2.8M short of the budget it needed to ensure a full 13-member team, along with officials, to travel to the Eastern Caribbean Island for the championship.

Of the amount secured, the Guyana Olympic Association led the way with a $700 000 donation and the National Sports Commission contributed $300 000.

The other $200 000 came from private individuals.

“I’m very, very disappointed that we would not be able to send a full complement of boxers and officials to this championship, but we’re not unique to this problem, it happened before, but what we’ll have to do this afternoon (yesterday), is select the boxers we can afford to send in a matter of priority.” Ninvalle informed.

Asked who are the pri-

ority boxers, Ninvalle said that question will have to be directed to the Association’s Technical Director, Terrence Poole, but efforts to contact Poole for an answer were futile.

However, the Guyana Olympic Association which contributed $700 000 to the GBA’s cause has asked that Guyana’s Youth Commonwealth Games silver medallist Keevin Allicock be given priority.

Ninvalle said the team will definitely be drastically reduced; a manager and coach or a manager/ coach is definitely one of our priorities.

“We would have liked to send the two referee/ judges who were both hoping to secure their One Star Badges, but this does not seem likely right now.”

Ninvalle lamented.

According to the GBA president, the return tickets to St Lucia is $300 000 per ticket and along with that, accommodation and meals will have to be met for the three-day tournament.

Ninvalle pointed out that besides representing Guyana at the championships in St Lucia, many of the boxers who were shortlisted would have used the tournament as a warm-up for next year’s Central America and Caribbean Qualifiers scheduled for Mexico next year.

St Lucia’s Boxing Association president David `Shakes’ Christopher is quoted as saying “the entire Caribbean would be disappointed if the `power house’ (Guyana) cannot send a full team to the championship.

Among the boxers that were shortlisted were Allicock who won gold medal at last year’s championships in Barbados and Colin Lewis and Desmond Amsterdam who also won gold medals at last year’s championships.

Last year the GBA was represented by a 11-member team and of that number, 10 of the boxers won gold medals while the other secured a silver.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday December 12, 2017

ASHES TEST

Iconic WACA Stadium in Perth prepares for final bow

By Joel Dubber PERTH, Australia (Reuters) - A ground rich with cricketing history but wanting of modern comforts will take its final Ashes bow when Australia host England in the third Test at the WACA on Thursday.

Australia’s pace bowlers will hope to make England’s last visit a forgettable one for their batsmen on a wicket renowned as one of the world’s fastest and bounciest.

Future Ashes contests will be held at the shiny, new Perth Stadium on the opposite bank of the Swan River, a 60 000-seat arena that will use a drop-in pitch, host rock concerts and share tenancy with two Australian Rules football teams.

The 22 000-capacity WACA will remain a cricket venue but host only lower-profile internationals, having fallen behind the standards of rival stadiums around the country.

Fans seeking a ‘state-ofthe-art’ viewing experience may be glad to head across the river and leave the WACA’s bland terraces and ageing facilities behind.

England may also be happy to move on from a venue where they have won only once in nearly 50 years of Tests.

Of the rest of those matches, most have been painful defeats, including the last visit in 2013/14 when Michael Clarke’s side thrashed Alastair Cook’s tourists by 150 runs to reclaim the Ashes.

England will march out on Thursday facing the same 2-0 predicament that weighed on Cook’s men but Joe Root’s team can draw little inspiration from recent history.

The last time the English

won at the WACA was in 1978, against an Australia team left threadbare by the World Series Cricket rebellion.

DESTRUCTIVE BATTING As forgettable as the WACA experience has been for England, it has been mostly glorious for Australia, and the backdrop for

with an aluminium bat made by a business partner.

He faced a few balls from Ian Botham before the match paused for 10 minutes as the umpires demanded he swap the metallic bat for a wooden one.

“It was against, if not the rules, all expectations,” said Tony Barker, a historian commissioned by the WACA to write a book

The WACA stadium in Perth, regarded as one of the fastest wickets in the world will host its final international match when Australia take on England in the third Test of the Ashes series. (Reuters photo)

some classic, comical and quite bizarre Ashes moments since the first Test between the teams in 1970.

England batsman Brian Luckhurst holds the distinction of scoring the WACA’s first Ashes century with his 301-ball knock of 131 in that drawn first Test.

Australians, however, may remember the match as the arrival of one of the game’s rarest talents when Greg Chappell, batting at number seven, scored 108 on debut.

Adam Gilchrist’s 57ball century in the 2006 win against England set an Ashes record that still stands and ranks as one of the most destructive batting displays in Test cricket.

Fast bowler Denis Lillee made his mark in Australia’s win in the 1979 Test by striding out to the crease

about the ground.

“He got into a lot of strife about that -- and a lot of ridicule from the English team at the time.”

In the heated atmosphere of the 1982 Test, Australia seamer Terry Alderman suffered a calamitous shoulder injury when he tackled a crowd invader after a number of spectators leapt onto the turf.

Greg Chappell led his team off the ground and police arrested dozens in the crowd for unruly behaviour.

The injury set Alderman’s career back years.

‘FREMANTLE DOCTOR’ Alderman notwithstanding, seam bowlers have usually thrived at the WACA where an afternoon sea breeze known as the ‘Fre-

mantle Doctor’ provides additional assistance to the pace and bounce.

“Never underestimate how important that sea breeze is because when you’re batting from the far end and there’s a fast bowler running from behind it, it’s quite intimidating,” former Test batsman and Western Australia coach Justin Langer told Reuters.

Left-arm pacemen, particularly, enjoy the conditions, as Mitchell Johnson would attest.

The retired quick took six wickets to help beat England in the 2013 match and had nine victims in 2010, Australia’s only win in the dreary 3-1 series defeat.

The WACA may yet be the backdrop to further definitive moments in international cricket but will only welcome fans, ironically, when not enough of them are expected to turn up to the new stadium.

Western Australia state’s sports minister Mick Murray said the two grounds could co-exist but suggested the WACA would need some measure of renewal.

“Over a period of time I think the interface between the two stadiums themselves will become special,” he told Reuters. ”Nobody wants to go to a big stadium if there are only 10 000 people there. You’ve lost that atmosphere.

“But you put 10 000 at the WACA, if there’s redevelopment there; you’ll make that a place to be.”

As cricket in Western Australia enters a new era, Langer expressed a personal desire for the ground where he scored 711 Test runs, including two centuries, to continue hosting matches.

“I hope it remains the hub of cricket in Western Australia, that’s very important,” he said.

Essequibo Coast/Pomeroon Umpires and Scorers Association to hold AGM Saturday THE Annual General Meeting of the Essequibo Coast/Pomeroon Umpires and Scorers Association will be held on Saturday, December 16, at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground, commencing at 13:00hrs.

The Association which comprises members from various constituents along the Essequibo Coast and Pomeroon will install new office-bearers for 2018.

Among the order of the day will be the presentation of the progress report-2017

by the Secretary, Financial Report, President’s Report and Elections.

During the year the Association was unable to attract new umpires and will embark on a drive to encourage and train prospective umpires in the

new year. The incumbent president of the Association is Deva Dass.

Former senior National umpire Dasroy Balgobin and former inter-county umpire Wazeer Dhanraj and Muneshwar Rup are current members.

‘Sons of Champions’ will be a knockout promoter Seon Bristol THE December 26 Sons of Champions boxing card will attract the cream of young pugilists from Guyana and will deliver a knockout blow.

That is the belief of promoter Seon Bristol who has collaborated with the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) to stage the card on a day traditionally set aside for boxing in Guyana.

“The quality of fighters and matching of fighters definitively state that Guyana will be having a present after Christmas. It is going to be nothing less than a classical boxing experience for fans,” Bristol said in a telephone interview from New York.

The Sons of Champions has ten fights carded. Youth Commonwealth Games silver medallist `Lightning’ Keevin Allicock is expected to lead the pool of talented local fighters. Allicock was named Best Boxer at last month’s Terrence Ali National Open competition.

Moving up from flyweight, the 18-year-old orthodox fighter barged into the bantamweight division where he was able to dethrone Clairmont `Kartel’ Gibson to take the national title.

Quizzed on the possible matchups, Bristol said that

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the entire card would be made public on Friday. “I can tell you that there will be a few surprises. We have the best of the best coming up against the best of the rest.

Ten fights and 30 rounds of boxing. It will be a knockout.”

The card was named Sons of Champions as offspring of former notable fighters would be on show.

Bristol signalled out Alex Murray, the son of former world-rated welterweight Andrew Murray as one of the elite fighters set to lace up gloves.

“We are exhibiting pedigree. Andrew Murray was an excellent boxer. His son Alex is just as good as his father was at the same age.

We will also have Desmond Amsterdam and Colin Lewis doing battle,” Bristol added.

Both boxers won gold medals at the last Caribbean Championship with Lewis being crowned national light welterweight champion following a two-round destruction of Diwani Lampkin in the National Open finals last month.

Sons of Champions is scheduled for the National Gymnasium and will see the return of boxing on the said day following years of absence.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday December 12, 2017

25

Real Madrid face formidable PSG test when Champions League resumes in February

By Martyn Herman REUTERS) - Holders Real Madrid will have to overcome a sizeable obstacle when the Champions League resumes in February after yesterday’s draw pitted the 12-time winners against Paris St Germain.

Bidding for a third successive title in Europe’s elite club competition, Real paid a heavy price for not winning their group as they were drawn with the big-spending Parisians who were tipped as many people’s favourites ahead of the draw in Nyon.

Five-time champions Barcelona will face English champions Chelsea, one of five Premier league clubs in the draw.

Tottenham Hotspur, who topped their group ahead of Real Madrid thanks to a 3-1 victory at Wembley, will face Serie A champions and last seasons’ runners-up Juventus.

Manchester City, who clocked up a record 14th successive Premier League victory on Sunday, are now listed as favourites after being handed a last-16 clash with Swiss club Basel.

Five-time winners Bayern Munich, who finished below PSG in the group, will be happy with a two-leg clash with Turkish outsiders Besiktas.

Europa League champions Manchester United take on Sevilla, Liverpool will meet Porto and AS Roma’s reward for winning their group ahead of Chelsea is a tricky tie against Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Champions League has proved beyond even the vast riches available to PSG and last season they were stunned in the last 16 by Barcelona, losing the second leg 6-1 after beating the Spanish side 4-0 in the French capital.

A clash with Real is hardly what they would have

Anna Regina Town Council to host Futsal 5-a-side football tourney AN exciting day of street football is anticipated when the Anna Regina Town Council hosts its first-ever 5-a-side Futsal-sponsored football competition at the Anna Regina car park, commencing at 10:00hrs on Friday.

The competition will include teams from Henrietta, Queenstown, Dartmouth, Suddie, Wakapoa, Mainstay and Charity.

Over $80 000 in cash incentives and trophies will be at stake. According to one of the organisers, the tournament will be unique since it will be staged on the tarmac of the car park which will provide fans from all villages to witness the games in an open atmosphere.

It is the first time that such an event will be staged at the venue and all plans are in place to make the scene attractive and engaging. In addition, there will be other attractions including a BBQ sale.

The Anna Regina Town Council has responsibility for the jurisdictions between Walton Hall and Three Friends.

Three grounds within the Township namely Lima, Richmond and Reliance were upgraded recently by the Council.

Proceeds from the event will also assist in developing more grounds and will benefit the sporting communities.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte

desired at such an early stage but with Neymar and Edinson Cavani having scored six goals apiece in the group, they will be hopeful - if they can keep Real’s nine-goal Cristiano Ronaldo quiet.

“This could have been the final, given the power of the two clubs. The last 16 is a bit early, we could say. Logically, we are both challengers for the trophy,” Emilio

Butragueno, Real’s director of institutional relations, said.

“I don’t think it’s a good draw for them either. It will be a thrilling tie.”

PSG and Real have played six times in Europe, most recently in the 2015-16 group stage when the sides drew 0-0 in Paris and the Spanish side edging the return match 1-0.

ONLY TROPHY

Chelsea and Barcelona will renew a regular Champions league rivalry that last surfaced in the 2012 semi-final when Chelsea won 3-2 on aggregate before going on to claim the trophy for the only time in their history.

Barcelona won the 2009 semi-final on away goals, Andres Iniesta breaking Chelsea’s hearts with a 93rd-minute decider.

“We’ve had some great times at Stamford Bridge, haven’t we?” Barcelona said on Twitter.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte said past events were of no consequence.

“Our reaction must be positive. The past is the past, the present is another story,” he said.

The other English qualifiers fared better, especially Manchester City. While Basel are a formidable side at home and have taken big English scalps in the Champions League before, Pep

Guardiola’s side will be firm favourites to progress.

“We have to be careful, they deserve to be here,” City’s technical director Txiki Begiristain said.

Tottenham will face Juventus for the first time while Manchester United and Sevilla have also never met before.

Bayern Munich will face Besiktas for the first time since winning 2-0 home and away in the 1997-98 group stage.

“Bayern are a powerful team but we are not a piece of cake either,” Besiktas president Fikret Orman said.

The first legs, with group winners PSG, Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester United, Roma, Manchester City, Barcelona and Besiktas away first, take place on February 13-14 and February 20-21 with the returns on March 6-7 and March 13-14.

Afghanistan to make Test Debra Daniels appointed debut against India in 2018 Sports Organiser in Region 2

AFGHANISTAN will play their inaugural Test match against India in 2018. Rahul Johri, the BCCI chief executive officer, confirmed that India would host Afghanistan, and that the two boards would work out the venue and the dates shortly.

Since being inducted as an ICC Full Member in June, alongside Ireland, Afghanistan have been looking for an opponent to play their maiden

its chairman Atif Mashal and CEO Shafiqullah Stanikzai, met Johri in Mumbai, requesting India to consider playing against Afghanistan.

“The ACB requested us to play their first Test match,” Johri said, after attending the BCCI’s special general meeting in Delhi yesterday. “The BCCI has agreed.”

It is understood that both boards will meet in a week’s time in Dubai to finalise the schedule.

Newly appointed Sports Organiser for Region 2 Debra Daniels

Test match against.

Ireland have already confirmed that they will play their first Test against Pakistan in May 2018. Initially, Zimbabwe were scheduled to play Afghanistan in the UAE before travelling to Bangladesh early next year. However, Zimbabwe Cricket informed the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) that it wanted to focus on the World Cup Qualifiers in March and therefore not increase its players’ workload.

This October, the ACB, led by

With India travelling overseas for most of 2018, the Afghanistan Test is likely to be scheduled ahead of India’s trip to Australia in late 2018.

For the moment, the ACB is excited. “It will be a historic Test match,” Stanikzai said. “We would like to thank the BCCI for granting this opportunity to us and accepting our request.”

Afghanistan will become the fourth side to play their first Test against India. (ESPNcricinfo Ltd)

A NEW Sports Organiser has been appointed in Region 2 recently by the National Sports Commission (NSC) after a void was left following the resignation of Darshan Persaud from the post.

After an absence of almost two years, the post has now been filled by Debra Daniels whose task will be to organise sporting activities in the Region.

Daniels, who hails from Zorg on the Essequibo Coast, has considerable experience in sports, as she is a member of the Zorg Female Cricket club as well as an organiser

for several sporting disciplines within the Region, including cycling, volleyball, cricket and dominoes.

She is also involved in Youth development within her community and has been instrumental in the active undertakings of several youth groups.

A priority now for the sports official will be to attract clubs to formally register with the NSC so as to benefit from resources including training, gear and technical support.

Region 2 has seen a decline in sporting activities and according to a sports enthusiast; Daniels’ appointment is ‘timely towards developing sports in the Region’.

Previously Region 2 Youth and Sport Department was admirably served by Carl Brandon and Winslow Patterson during which period sports dominated the calendar of activities and a number of outstanding athletes emerged on the national scene.

Daniels is the daughter of Essequibo Senior Inter-County cricket coach Forbes Daniels. (Elroy Stephney)

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday December 12, 2017

Batting let us down, says Griffith

By Rajiv Bisnauth GUYANA Jaguars manager/assistant coach Rayon Griffith blamed his batsmen for the historic tie in round six of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Four-day encounter against the Windward Islands Volcanoes on Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The title-holders’ batsmen folded at the hands of off-spinner Shane Shillingford, who bowled the visitors to the first tie in 152 years of regional first class cricket.

Beginning the fourth day with 61 runs behind for victory, the hosts failed to step up to the pressure, and were bundled out for 164, with

the ex-West Indies spinner snatching his 40th five-wicket haul.

“While the batting let us down, I think it was reckless cricket … we had enough time to win that game, it was a game we should have won,” Griffith, the former Guyana fast bowler noted.

Griffith added, “The application wasn't there at all, which is something that is very surprising. I think it was nerves … we haven’t held our nerves at all … the crucial point was when Keemo Paul was run-out, I think that was the turning point of the game, but having said that the Volcanoes bowled well, especially Shillingford.”

Despite the shocking result, the Jaguars remained at

Jaguars manager/assistant coach Rayon Griffith

the top of the table, moving to 97.2 points, having earned 10.8 from the match.

However, Griffith stressed the importance of

keeping focus at this crucial stage of the season.

"The next game is definitely important. Our focus is on the next game as we must take maximum points to make sure of maintaining our lead … the Hurricanes (Leeward Islands) will not be easy opponents," the 38-year-old said.

The Jaguars have been the most dominant team in the history of the PCL, losing three of their 36 games played to date. They lost twice to Leeward Islands Hurricanes and once to the Barbados Pride.

The Jaguars now host the Hurricanes in round seven from Thursday before the tournament breaks for the Christmas season.

Guyanese players depart for U-19 World Cup preparation THE five Guyanese youth players selected in the West Indies Under-19 World Cup squad departed on Sunday for St Kitts and Nevis, where they will be a part a preparatory camp ahead of the 2018 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Bhaskar Yadram, Raymond Perez, Ashmead Nedd, Ronaldo Alimohamed and Joshua Persaud are the Guy-

anese players selected for the tournament which will be played in New Zealand from January 13 to February 3.

The players are expected to return on December 20 for a break after which they leave the Caribbean on December 28 for a one weekcamp in New Zealand prior to the start of the world cup.

West Indies are the defending champions and are

installed in Group A alongside Kenya, South Africa and the hosts.

Full squad: Emmanuel Stewart – captain (Windward Islands, Grenada), Kirstan Kallicharan – vice-captain (Trinidad & Tobago), Ronaldo Alimohamed (Guyana), Alick Athanaze (Windward Islands, Dominica), Cephas Cooper (Trinidad & Toba-

Topp XX blitz Kwakwani...

XX asserted themselves well and gained some momentum, which saw them take the lead in the 49th minute. Under pressure the Strikers goalkeeper was unable to collect a square ball from Topp XX’s Andre Meyers cleanly as the ball slipped through his grasp.

Topp XX’s second goal was created through Duquan Hercules as he raced down the left flank to cross to the top of the 18-yard box where Travis Waterton collected and with a single motion gave the Kwakwani goalkeeper no chance, for a Topp XX 2-0 advantage in the 63rd minute.

Still in control against a

game Kwakani unit Topp XX secured their third goal. This time the promising Hercules cut in from the left wing and after beating two defenders was heading goal-wards inside the box where he was brought down. Ryan Noel took the resultant penalty to score in the 78th minute and Topp XX eventually triumphed by a 3-0 score-line in their Group A match.

The second game saw the Eagles United team being held at bay from a spirited young Hi Stars team who matched their opponents with some brave match-ups early in the game.

The first half was somewhat closely contested. In the second

session in the 50th minute, Eagles United’s Kellon Primo went deep inside right and in trying to pierce inside the 18 yards box, his marker kept his watch as they shouldered each other.

As Primo targeted inside, the assistant referee raised her flag which suggested a foul being committed by his defender.

Referee Shavin Green pointed to the penalty spot and Trenton Lashley made no mistake to send his side into a 1-0 lead.

Thereafter things intensified with aggressive play on both ends of the field and this ended up with players bringing the game into disrepute.

The match officials then decided to abandon the game

go), Jarion Hoyte (Barbados), Kimani Melius (Windward Islands, St Lucia), Ashmead Nedd (Guyana), Kian Pemberton (Leeward Islands, St Kitts & Nevis), Raymond Perez (Guyana), Joshua Persaud (Guyana), Jeavor Royal (Jamaica), Keagan Simmons (Trinidad & Tobago), Bhaskar Yadram (Guyana) and Nyeem Young (Barbados).

From Back Page with just about five minutes remaining and Eagles United ahead, 1-0, as fans witnessed the sudden clash of fists on the field between opposing players.

Guyana’s Refereeing Council head Stanley Lancaster who was present commented that an informed ruling on the state of the game would be made after the Referee’s Report is obtained from referee Shavin Green.

Tomorrow two more matches will be played at 19:00hrs when Blueberry Hill and Amelia’s Ward Panthers clash. At 21:00hrs Topp XX will again be in action when they face reigning champions Silver Shattas.

Charles hundred puts Rangur Riders into BPL final

Johnson Charles

DHAKA, Bangladesh, (CMC) – West Indies opener Johnson Charles stroked his maiden Twenty20 hundred to propel Chris Gayle’s Rangpur Riders to a 36-run over Comilla Victorians and into Tuesday’s final of the Bangladesh Premier League(BPL).

The right-hander, with a mere 38 runs from four previous knocks in tournament, chose the ideal time to unveil his best of an unbeaten 105, as Riders tallied 192 for three off their 20 overs.

Playing at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Sunday, Charles belted nine fours and seven sixes in a 63-ball knock while New Zealander Brendon McCullum blasted 78 from from 46 deliveries, with a four and nine spectacular sixes.

Sent in, Riders suffered a massive blow when superstar opener Chris Gayle departed for three in the fifth over but Charles and McCullum came togeth-

er in a 151-run, second wicket stand to drive the innings.

Charles raced to his half-century off 34 balls before reaching three figures off another 28 deliveries, when he struck the penultimate ball of the innings from medium pacer Mohammad Saifuddin to the point boundary.

In reply, Charles’s Windies teammate, Marlon Samuels, could only muster 27 from 30 balls as Victorians struggled to 156 all out off their 20 overs.

Liton Das top-scored with 39 in a opening stand of 54 with Tamim Iqbal (36) but once they were separated the innings failed to find momentum again.

Samuels, batting at number five, struck two fours and a six but perished at the end of the 18th over, caught at short fine leg by Charles off Ravi Bopara’s medium pace.

Riders will face Dhaka Dynamites in the final

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday December 12, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Jason Holder (2) Matt Henry Today’s Quiz: (1) Which WI is currently playing in the second Test against NZ but did not play in the first game?

(2) Which NZ is currently playing in the second Test against WI but did not play in the first game?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday December 12, 2017

27

Taylor hits record ton as Windies chase mammoth total

ROSS Taylor joined Martin Crowe and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson atop the country’s list for hundreds after finishing 107 not out on day three in Hamilton.

Ross Taylor celebrated a record-equalling 17th Test century for New Zealand to leave West Indies fighting to avoid a series whitewash.

The 33-year-old raised his bat during the final session of yesterday’s play at Seddon Park before the hosts declared on 291-8 in their second innings – a lead of 443.

The Kiwis – who won the series opener by an innings and 67 runs – wanted to have a crack at West Indies’ vulnerable batting line-up late in the day, having skittled the Caribbean visitors for 221 in the first innings.

And it proved to be a wise decision by Williamson as Trent Boult (1-11) claimed the wicket of opener Kieran Powell, who finished with a pair. Shimron Hetmyer (15) fell victim to Tim Southee (1-18) following a poor shot – the Windies reaching 30-2 at stumps, still needing 414 runs to win.

New Zealand were in control upon the resumption

of play yesterday, with the Windies resuming at 2158 in response to the Black Caps’ 373.

West Indies only added six runs to their overnight score as Boult (4-73) cleaned up the tail via Miguel Cummins (15) and Shannon Gabriel (0).

The Windies, though, made a bright start with the ball after openers Jeet Raval (4) and Tom Latham (22) fell cheaply.

Raval – who missed out on a century in the first innings – was caught and bowled by in-form paceman Cummins (3-69), while Latham was trapped lbw by debutant Raymon Reifer (1-52) as the Black Caps slumped to 42-2.

That brought Williamson (54) and Taylor together, and the pair steadied the ship, with the former bringing up his 26th Test fifty before a Cummins yorker shortly after lunch sent the skipper back to the pavilion.

Henry Nicholls’ (5) stay at the crease was brief, dismissed by Cummins in his very next over after edging to wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich.

Mitchell Santner teamed up with centurion Taylor and

With his 17th Test ton, Ross Taylor equalled the New Zealand record for number of hundreds, jointly held by Kane Williamson

he added 26, though he never looked comfortable after being struck in the helmet in a nervy moment.

Santner tried to get under the ball and ducked from a Cummins delivery but he misjudged the length as the ball cannoned into his helmet.

Colin de Grandhomme (22) was the other notable scorer for New Zealand before he was dismissed in bizarre and confusing circumstances.

De Grandhomme was

Sparta Boss, Leopold St square off today for final spot FOLLOWING the abandonment of their semi-final clash, defending champions Sparta Boss and Leopold Street will clash for a place in the final of the Georgetown Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ competition this afternoon, at the National Cultural Centre tarmac, starting at 17:00hrs.

The winners will meet West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’ in the final set for Saturday at Demerara Park, opposite Thirst Park.

The reigning title-holders will look to players such as Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, Eusi Phillips, Sheldon Shepherd, Cleon Forrester and Denis Edwards to lead their charge for victory.

On the other hand, Omallo Williams and Okanie Fraser are the marquee players for Leopold Street and how they perform could prove pivotal in their quest to make the final.

The overall winners of the

Gregory Richardson

G/town Zone will receive $500 000, a trophy and an automatic berth in the national playoffs, while second-, third- and fourthplace finishers will take home $250 000, $200 000 and $100 000 along with trophies.

Colours Boutique on Robb Street is also on board the event.

The organisers and coordinators commend the ranks of the Guyana Police Force for their solid support throughout the tournament.

Patrons are being urged not to attend the games with firearms or any offensive weapon.

hit on the pad by Gabriel and the Windies’ appeals for lbw were turned down by umpire Rod Tucker, leading to a review and TV umpire Ian Gould instructed the on-field boss to stick with his original decision after looking at ‘Snicko’ technology.

However, Gould forgot to check ‘ball tracking’ for lbw, which showed the delivery was going on to hit the stumps just as West Indies were about to protest the not-out decision.

SCOREBOARD NEW ZEALAND 1st innings 373 WEST INDIES 2nd innings (overnight 215 for eight) K. Brathwaite c Southee b de Grandhomme 66 K. Powell c Blundell b Southee 0 S. Hetmyer c & b Boult 28 S. Hope c Taylor b Southee 15 R. Chase b de Grandhomme 12 S. Ambris hit wkt b Boult 2 S. Dowrich c & b Wagner 35 R. Reifer not out 23 K. Roach c Boult b Wagner 17 M. Cummins b Boult 15 S. Gabriel b Boult 0 Extras: (b-1, w-7) 8 Total: (all out, 66.5 overs) 221 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-46, 3-90, 4-112, 5-117, 6-135, 7-169, 8-204, 9-221, 10-221.

Bowling: Bowling: Southee 19-9-34-2 (w1), Boult 20.5-5-73-4 (w2), de Grandhomme 12-1-40-2, Wagner 15-2-73-2.

NEW ZELAND 2nd innings J. Raval c & b Cummins 4 T. Latham lbw b Reifer 22 K. Williamson b Cummins 54 R. Taylor not out 107 H. Nicholls c wkp. Dowrich b Cummins 5 M Santner c Ambris b Chase 26 C de Grandhomme lbw b Gabriel 22 T. Blundell c Powell b Gabriel 1 N. Wagner c Hope b Chase 8 T. Southee not out 22 Extras: (b-4, lb-2, w-2, nb-12) 20 Total: (8 wkts decl., 77.4 overs) 291 Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-42, 3-100, 4-111, 5-161, 6-212, 7-235, 8-257.

Bowling: Gabriel 15-0-52-2 (nb-8), Roach 6-1-28-0 (nb-1), Cummins 17-1-69-3 (w-1, nb-2), Reifer 13-152-1 (w-1, nb-1), Brathwaite 9-0-33-0, Chase 17.4-151-2.

WEST INDIES 2nd innings (target: 444 runs) K. Brathwaite not out 13 K. Powell c Southee b Boult 0 S. Hetmyer c Wagner b Southee 15 S. Hope not out 1 Extras: (lb-1) 1 Total: (2 wkts, 8 overs) 30 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-27.

Bowling: Southee 4-0-18-1, Boult 4-0-11-1.

Position: West Indies require a further 414 runs for victory with eight wickets remaining.

Regal Masters claim I-Cup softball title REGAL Masters claimed the I-Cup softball title last Sunday at the Demerara Cricket Club with a four-wicket win over Fishermen Masters in the final.

The game virtually brought an end to the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. (GSCL Inc.) 2017 season.

The Fishermen Masters batted first and reached 95-6 from their 12 overs. Opener Unnis Yusuf top-scored with 38 which included one four and a six. Jagdish Persaud made 23 while Troy Ramsaywack contributed 16 to the total.

In the run chase, Regal Masters lost Eon Abel early, but resolute batting from Raymond Harper, Eric Thomas and Khalid Haslim saw their team home as they finished on 97-6 in 11.3 overs.

Harper who slammed three fours and two sixes, top-scored with 39, while Thomas made 22 with two sixes. The pair added 57 for the third wicket to steady the innings with level-headed batting.

The victorious Regal Masters team

Haslim struck two fours and one six in scoring 24. Pooran Singh took 2-23.

Earlier, Regal Masters beat HS Masters by 25 runs in their preliminary round game. HS Masters responded with

95 all out in 15 overs.

Fishermen Masters overcame HS Masters in their encounter. Raymond Harper was named man-of-the-match in the final.

Taylor hits record ton as Windies chase mammoth total Page 27

Topp XX blitz Kwakwani Strikers 3-0 as Eagles United/Hi Stars match abandoned

By Joe Chapman

THREE unanswered second-half goals

by Topp XX saw them to an enterprising 3-0 win over Kwakwani Strikers, but controversy brought an abrupt end to the second game in this year’s opening night of the 5th edition of the Upper Demerara Football Association’s GT Beer year-end football at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, Sunday night.

Fist cuffs marred a feisty clash with about five minutes left in the game, featuring Eagles United who were leading Hi Stars 1-0, courtesy of a dubious foul in the box, The first game followed the March Past of the nine clubs contesting this year’s championship, after three-time winners Haynes Winners Connection were withdrawn from the competition after being included in the Guyana Football Federation’s Top16 tournament which kicks off on Friday in Linden.

The first half of the game between Kwakwani Strikers and Topp XX began well with Topp XX on a positive note. In the opening five minutes they were able to gain two half-chances, one from a chip cross which was sent outside of the goal and another which saw the Kwakwani side’s goalkeeper holding after a corner was won by the Topp XX side.

In the 27th minute a Kwakwani player was able to collect the ball but with the defender closely marking he was unable to control a right-foot shot that went wide.

Topp XX got two openings in the final two minutes of the game but still the scores remained nil-all at lemon-time.

As the game resumed Topp

Turn to page 26

Topp XX scorers from left Andre Meyers, Travis Waterton and Ryan Noel

‘Sons of Champions’ will be a Guyana could knockout - promoter Seon Bristol lose out on retaining CBC title due to funding Page 24

Keevin Allicock is expected to lead the pool of talented local fighters on the Sons of Champions boxing card.

Promoter Seon Bristol

… GBA president Ninvalle extremely disappointed

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

Page 23

Guyana Boxing Association president Steve Ninvalle TUESDAY, DECEMBER, 12, 2017