Guyana Chronicle Epaper 23 11 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 23, 2017

Construction of new Demerara bridge by September Page 3

AFC concerned No. 105105

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

Price: $80 (VAT Inclusive)

...as more leaked emails surface

...Ramjattan blames rogue elements

Ansa opens Suzuki franchise

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Political buy-in crucial …in implementing Green State Development strategy

Chinese Gov’t to upgrade CPCE science lab Minibus driver charged for having sex with minor

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Ansa McAl Country Manager, Beverly Harper addressing the gathering at the opening of Ansa Motors Guyana Inc., which will for the first time be selling the Suzuki brand of motor vehicles here (Samuel Maughn photo)

No stone to be left unturned -says Min. Henry on allegations against Bishops’ teacher

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 23, 2017

Political buy-in crucial …in implementing Green State Development strategy

By Svetlana Marshall PRESIDENT David Granger has demonstrated the highest level of leadership and commitment to the development of a Green State but buy-in from all stakeholders, including political parties is among issues critical for the effective implementation of the Green State Development Strategy, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mikiko Tanaka, said on Tuesday.

The UN Resident Coordinator was at the time speaking during the opening ceremony of the first meeting of the Green State Development Strategy Multi Stakeholder Expert Group at Ramada Princess Hotel. President Granger; Regional Coordinator for Resource Efficiency for the United Nations Environment Programme, Adriana Zacarias; and Director of the Department of Environment, Ministry of the Presidency, Ndibi Schwiers; were among the high ranking officials present.

Tanaka said Guyana has been a leader on the international platform with regards to environmental conservation and climate action, and as such, it is not surprising that the Green State Development Strategy will be Guyana’s future National Development Strategy and response to Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Green State Development Strategy will chart the way forward for the “greening” of Guyana –a transition that will allow for a green economy built on

the renewable, clean and cheaper sources of energy. According to the UN Resident Coordinator, if the Green State Development Strategy is developed effectively as a road map to achieving the SDGs in Guyana, it will promote shared prosperity and ultimately trigger paradigm shift between economic prosperity and human wellbeing.

“It will transform Guyana into an inclusive, equitable and cohesive society founded on principles of good governance and environmental sustainability,” she added but said the strategy’s success is dependent on several important factors.

the process must entail the broadest possible consultation that is truly inclusive and empowering.

Tanaka emphasized that citizens should not be passive beneficiaries of development but rather should be “active shapers and contributors of development.”

“Buy-in from across the political spectrum is critical for continuity and consistency in implementing the strategy towards promotion of the goals by 2030,” the UN Resident Coordinator added while underscoring that the strategy cannot and should not be addressed in silos.

Importantly too, Tanaka said no one must be left behind in

President David Granger delivering the keynote address during the Green State Development Strategy Multi-Stakeholder Expert Group Meeting at the Ramada Princess Hotel

“Strong National Leadership and broad-based ownership is a perquisite,” Tanaka posited. While acknowledging the high-level commitment made by the President to the effective implementation of the Green State Development Strategy, she said

the process. “A wide range of exclusions, discriminations, and societal divisions would need to be tackled. Gender inequality, rural-urban, coastal-hinterland disparities, marginalisation of vulnerable groups, disenfranchised youths, people with dis-

abilities, and minorities of all kinds, their voices must be heard and their diverse challenges and needs have to be understood to identify solutions that enable people access to opportunities and services,” the UN Resident Coordinator stated.

In delivering the keynote address, President Granger pointed out that long before the Paris Agreement, during the 11th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malaysia in October 1989, Guyana committed 371, 000 hectares of its forest – an area larger than Malta, the Maldives or Monserrat – to be used as a model for conservation and sustainable development.

Today that area is known as the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development (IICRCD) – located at the centre of the Guiana Shield.

Additionally, in signing the Paris Climate Agreement, President Granger said Guyana further committed two million hectares for conservation purposes. In its pursuit of a Green Economy, the country has committed to contribute to both a sustainable future and to an effective global response to climate change.

He said as Guyana transitions into a Green State, transformation must take place at all levels – at the level of the household, community, region, nation and the international community. He noted that the establishment of the Department of Environment in October 2016 was a step in that direction.

“It represents our resolve to ensuring a holistic and rational approach to environment conservation and management,” he posited.

United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mikiko Tanaka

“The Green Statement Development Strategy is intended to impact on the livelihood of every citizen in our country by allowing for the protection of our biodiversity and the promotion of ecotourism, eco-education, by allowing for the promotion of energy generation from renewable sources and the introduction of low emission, low carbon manufacture…,” President Granger further added.

It was noted too that through the implementation of the strategy, the country will develop greater economic resilience through the diversification production and the simultaneous reduction of the country’s dependence on fossil fuels. The President is optimistic that the country will be significantly powered by renewable energy

by 2025.

Director of the Department of Environment said the strategy is the country’s vision for inclusive growth of every sector of society. “It represents our response to a changing climate, it represents our model for achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals,” she explained.

The main objective of the strategy, she explained, is to reorient and diversify Guyana’s economy by opening up new and sustainable investment opportunities. Schwiers noted that wide spread consultations with stakeholders had resulted in the formulation of a Framework of the Guyana Green State Development Strategy and Financing Mechanism.

“This framework outlines the seven thematic areas to be examined and consulted upon, as we embark on the Green State Development Strategy, the elaboration of these seven thematic areas is based on the principle of inclusivity, as it provides the opportunity for the participation of every Guyanese,” she stated.

Added to that, a UN Environment Coordination Desk has been established to provide technical support to the process. Multi stakeholders Expert Groups have also been formed to provide guidance and feedback on the seven thematic areas. These groups consist of representatives from the Government, Private Sector, Faith Based Organisations, Cultural Groups and Non-Governmental Organisations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 23, 2017

Construction of new Demerara bridge by September …Min Patterson pleased with tendering process

WITH tenders in for the financing, designing and building of the new Demerara Bridge, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure is aiming to have construction start by the third quarter of 2018 through a Public- Private Partnership Agreement.

are the 11 companies that submitted their tenders.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson said his ministry is pleased with the submissions. “Eleven is good sample to choose from,” he posited. From the

ducted between January 1, 2017 and August 17, 2017, the best option would be a low bridge at Houston-Versailles (West Bank Demerara), with three lanes and a movable section to transit seagoing vessels.

Dutch consulting company, Lievense CSO,

which conducted the feasibility study has advised that the bridge be designed with a minimum clearance of 17.5 m above Chart Datum (CD) to allow uninterrupted passing of trawlers, tugs and barges and smaller coastal and service vessels. A

low bridge is reportedly about 20 per cent cheaper than a high bridge (with a reduced height of 43.5 m CD). Compared to the high bridge, the low bridge also has an estimated 15 per cent higher lane capacity and less risk on the breakdown of trucks and

cargo falling off. Without the interest for pre-financing, the bridge’s estimated cost is US$150 million, including contractors cost and additional costs for services, land acquisition for the approach roads, and limited budget for a first phase of link roads.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson

On Tuesday the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) disclosed that 11 companies -- the majority being Chinese -- submitted tenders to prequalify for the financing, designing and construction of the bridge. According to a feasibility study conducted by LIEVENSE CSO, the new bridge is estimated to cost US$170M. BAM International of the Netherlands, Ballast Nedam of the Netherlands, AFCONS Infrastructure Ltd. of India, Coema Pais Landscaping Organization and Services Limited of Brazil in Partnership with Sanches Tripoloni Limited of Brazil, China Civil Engineering Corporation of China, China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group Company Limited and AVIC Intelligence Measurement Company of China in a Joint Venture, China Communication Construction Company Ltd., CITIC Construction Company Ltd. and China Railway 17 Euro Group Company Ltd. in a Joint Venture, China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd., SINO Hydro Corporation Ltd of China, Puentes y Infraestructuras of Spain, Oas engenharia e construcao of Brazil and China TIESIJU Civil Engineering Group Co. Ltd.

lot, three companies will be shortlisted from extensive evaluations. That process is expected to last approximately six weeks.

Criticisms have been made about Chinese firms benefiting from millions of U.S. dollars in state contracts, but Minister Patterson told this newspaper that it is not where the company is from, noting that the selection would be based on the company’s qualification, experience and ability to produce. According to him, the best three companies will be shortlisted for the multimillion dollar project.

He acknowledged, however, the concerns expressed over the decision, to allow only three of the pre-qualifiers to submit bids, is unfair.

Patterson said the Public Infrastructure Ministry is addressing the concerns, but emphasised that only the absolute best would be selected. On the basis that the companies are expected to submit proposals for the financing, designing and building of the new bridge, Minister Patterson said no significant funds will be included in the 2018 National Budget for the project. He reiterated that the project is being funded through a Public-Private Partnership.

According to the feasibility study, which was con-

An artist’s impression of the low bridge at Houston-Versailles (West Bank Demerara) with three lanes and a movable section

Community Relations Officers meet to discuss strategies THE importance of building lasting relationships with organizations, institutions, businesses, schools, the media and residents was re-emphasised when Community Relations Officers met with Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Guyana Police Force, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan on Monday.

The meeting, held at the PRO’s Office at Parade Street, Eve Leary, Georgetown, was called to discuss strategies to strengthen community relations, examine negative and positive publicity and the sharing of information in a timely manner.

Superintendent Ramlakhan urged the officers to identify issues and concerns that affect the quality of life and safety of residents in their neighbourhoods.

“Their focus is on social groups or the most vulnerable individuals in terms of being victimised and feel-

ing safe. On a regular basis, the community relations officer gets out to meet the many partners. The officer should meet residents and business people and regularly visit schools in the

problems and putting lasting solutions in place.

“Community relations officers apply corporate prevention and intervention programs. They also develop local prevention

areas of expertise, due to their in-depth knowledge of the features of their division and their relationships with local partners,” he explained.

As youth intervention

(From left) Assistant Superintendent Yonette Stevens of Berbice; Sergeant Michelle Colder of Bartica; Inspector S. Isaacs of Essequibo; Inspector F. Peter of Linden; PRO Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan; Superintendent Walter Stanton; Inspector J. Grant of West Coast Demerara and divisional correspondent of East Coast, Audrey Kelier

particular division’s area, homes for the elderly and community centres as a few examples,” Ramlakhan noted.

The Superintendent also pointed out that community relations officers are valuable resources in resolving

programs that are adapted to the reality of their own local station. They therefore contribute their expertise and knowledge to maintaining safety in their division. They also provide support to officers at their local station in their

experts at their stations, the Superintendent issued a call for the community officers to regularly visit schools and identify young people at risk of being involved in or affected by a criminal activity.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 23, 2017

Ex-Bosnian Serb commander Mladic convicted of genocide, gets life in prison

THE HAGUE (Reuters) - A U.N. tribunal on Wednesday convicted ex-Bosnian Serb military commander Ratko Mladic of genocide and crimes against humanity for massacres of Bosnian Muslims and ethnic cleansing campaigns to forge a “Greater Serbia”, and jailed him for life.

Mladic was hustled out of the court minutes before the verdict for angrily shouting, “This is all lies, you are all liars!” The outburst occurred after Mladic returned to the courtroom from what his lawyers described as a visit to the bathroom, then a blood pressure test which held up proceedings. The U.N. Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) found Mladic guilty of 10 of 11 charges, including the slaughter of 8,000 Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica and the 43-month siege of the Bosnian capital Sarajevo, in which more than 10,000 civilians were killed by shelling, mortar and sniper fire.

The killings in Srebrenica of men and boys after they were separated from women and taken away in buses or marched off to be shot amounted to Europe’s worst atrocity since World War Two. “The crimes committed rank among the most heinous known to humankind, and include genocide and extermination as a crime against humanity,” Presiding Judge Alphons Orie said in reading out a summary of the judgment. “Many of these men and boys were cursed, insulted, threatened, forced to sing Serb songs and beaten while awaiting their execution,” he said.

Mladic had pleaded not guilty to all charges. His legal team said he would appeal against the verdict. Called the “Butcher of Bosnia” by survivors of his actions, Mladic was the most notorious of 163 ICTY indictees together with Radovan Karadzic, the former Bosnian Serb nationalist leader and political mastermind of ethnic cleansing, and their patron,

Ex-Bosnian Serb wartime general Ratko Mladic appears in court at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in the Hague, Netherlands November 22, 2017. REUTERS/Peter Dejong/Pool

then-Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic.

The tribunal found Mladic

“significantly contributed” to genocide committed in Srebrenica with the goal of destroying its

Muslim population, “personally directed” the bombardment of Sarajevo and was part of a “joint criminal enterprise” aimed at purging Bosnian Muslims and Catholic Croats from Bosnia.

“GREATER SERBIA” Prosecutors said the ultimate agenda of Mladic, Karadzic and Milosevic was what came to be known worldwide as ethnic cleansing, to carve out an Orthodox “Greater Serbia” in the ashes of multinational federal Yugoslavia. ICTY Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz called the verdict “a milestone” in holding

Mladic accountable not just for massacres but the detention of tens of thousands of non-Serbs in camps where many were beaten and raped, and the forced displacement of over one million to remake Bosnia’s demographic map.

The Mladic case is the last major decision by the ICTY, which plans to close its doors soon after sentencing 83 Balkan war criminals since opening in 1993. In Geneva, U.N. human rights chief Zeid Ra‘ad al-Hussein called Mladic the “epitome of evil” and said his conviction after 16 years as an indicted fugitive and five years of trial was a “momentous victory for justice”.

“Today’s verdict is a warning to the perpetrators of such crimes that they will not escape justice, no matter how powerful they may be nor how long it may take,” Zeid said in a statement.

President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia, whose 1990s strongman leader Milosevic died in a tribunal prison in 2006 before the end of his genocide trial, said Serbia “respects the victims”. “I would like to call on everyone (in the region) to start looking into the future and not to drown in tears of the past... We need to look to the future...so we finally have a stable country,” Vucic told reporters when asked about the verdict. Serbia, once the most powerful Yugoslav republic, is now democratic and seeking ties to the European Union.

(Reuters)

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AFC Concerned

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 23, 2017

…as more leaked emails surface

...Ramjattan blames rouge elements SENIOR members of the Alliance For Change (AFC) had raised grave concerns over President David Granger’s selection of Justice (ret’d) James Patterson to be Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), citing his age and other issues, but party Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan has slammed whom he described as “rogue elements” for leaking confidential emails to the public.

The AFC has been at pains over the past few weeks to explain its role in the selection of the GECOM Chairman although at all times, it has distanced itself from the selection process. Party officials through leaked emails indicated the fledgling political party at the level of leadership has had a hand in at least advising President Granger on how the selection could be done.

This latest leak comes only two days after the party, which forms a major part of the coalition government at the weekend during its quarterly National Executive Committee (NEC) which was attended by the national leadership and representatives from all regions and the diaspora, formally endorsed the party’s decision to lend support to the decision of President Granger in appointing Justice Patterson as GECOM Chairman. Back in October, the AFC in a statement shortly after Justice Patterson’s appointment had said it is in full support of the President’s decision to appoint him (Patterson) while noting that the appointment had averted a looming constitutional crisis.

CONCERNED ABOUT LEAKS Contacted on the issue Wednesday, Ramjattan told the Guyana Chronicle that the party is concerned about the leakage of emails but noted that the emails of themselves demonstrate that there is full democracy within the party. “There must be concerns because indeed this was a conversation to educate and edify members and executives within the various chapters as to the reasons why we did what we did,” he told this newspaper, while noting that “certain matters would be private and confidential” and there is a reasonable expectation that responsible membership would not leak such correspondence, and moreover in totality, to the public.

“In the thinking process—in coming to decisions-- very frank and without prejudice views are generally the method used to make decisions. We want frank debates—the frankness is now exhibited here -- only for rogue elements to leak them to the public,” the party chairman stated.

He said though it is an unfor-

tunate situation, he is happy that the public is able to see the nature and quality of debating and deliberations within the leadership of the AFC before major decisions are made. “A very liberal, democratic mode,” he stated, while assuring that the views of each member is heard. Ramjattan said it is very unfortunate and quite distracting that people from the party are going to leak exchanges but stressed that it is democracy at work. “…that is what is going to platform this party to greater heights in the future, because its leadership allows all manner of views to be ventilated, we are not going to confine anybody,” he assured.

NOT FIRST LEAK This is not the first leaked email correspondence of the AFC executive. In the first leaked email, Ramjattan disclosed that he and AFC Leader Raphael Trotman had advised the President that he could constitutionally appoint someone of his preference.

Meanwhile, in the second missive seen by the Guyana Chronicle, party executives expressed strong concerns over the President’s appointment of Justice Patterson. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had submitted three lists, all of which were rejected by President Granger.

However, in keeping with a proviso in the constitution, the President after consulting with the opposition leader can of his own select someone he deems ‘fit and proper’ to chair the commission if the nominees put forward were to him unacceptable. It was under those circumstances that the headof-state selected Justice Patterson.

But the President’s decision did not find favour with members of the AFC’s Canada Chapter. In fact, in a document compiled by General-Secretary of the Canada Chapter, Laurence Williams, a string of emails attached showed that former AFC General-Secretary and Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, had expressed concerns about the appointment. In the email, Patterson said “I have serious concerns with the decision to unilaterally appoint the chairman; interestingly, it has less to do with rigging of elections or the person but more to do with the process and the AFC principles.”

Patterson continued: “Another troubling issue is that our leaders (both past and present), have recommended a decision without the benefit of the collective. Surely you guys would have anticipated what the reaction of the members of this group would have been, if the President, as he has not done, heeded your advice and appointed a person outside of the submitted lists; you should

have been aware that such a decision would not sit well with some members (me in particular) yet, it was given anyway.”

He described the appointment as ‘anti-AFC to the core,’ while noting that the AFC has been the party of choice for youths and progressive thinkers.

“We have made it our duty to always nominate candidates who were not only academically qualified, but who also represented our vision of inclusiveness in areas such as gender, race, religion and of course, youth.

Please recall that we opposed the appointment of now Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland on the sole basis of his age, we recommended the more youthful Stephen Fraser and Abiola Wong, we provided strong, passionate arguments why youth should prevail,” declared Patterson.

Additionally, the AFC executive member said it appears that the party has lost sight of the ‘big picture’ while pointing to it contesting the 2006 and 2011 elections. “GECOM was never a friend to the AFC’ and pointed to issues faced in Region 10 which had affected the party directly.

“Recall also that we used every available opportunity to highlight our issues; by us now agreeing to this appointment, I fear that we in effect lose our right to object, if on the offchance we decide to contest the 2018 or 2020 elections as a single party,” said Patterson, who noted that he fears the party is no longer the one “I love and will go down fighting to keep alive.” He reminded that all is not lost, while stressing that the episodes only make the party stronger.

DIFFICULT TO GO AGAINST Ramjattan in response to Patterson’s concerns thanked him for being frank and noted that it was difficult for him to argue against them (the concerns) now that they are deemed unpopular.

“But when I advised the President as I did, I was motivated by the war of attrition Jagdeo was taking to him and our coalition government by providing those ‘unfit and improper’ persons he did…the attrition was causing us to suffer delays in the function-

ing of GECOM, which would have put us to the brink of a precipice…which would have been another more unpopular development.”

Ramjattan said too that he advised the President as best as possible in the then circumstances. “But if by that there was a mea culpa then I apologise.” He urged his party members to ‘nail the lie that elections will be rigged and express clearly what the AFC will do to prevent that.”

Meanwhile, chairman of the AFC- USA Chapter Dr Rohan

Somar in the exchange said the party’s announcement that it played no part in the selection process but yet supported the decision to avoid a constitutional crisis, makes ‘The AFC look weak and impotent.’

Former AFC Treasurer Dominic Gaskin, who is also Minister of Business acknowledged the constitutional process for the selection of a GECOM Chair. He said the said process allows the President to independently select a GECOOM Chair outside

of the list provided by the opposition leader. He said as Jagdeo elaborated on the matter of the appointment, the President “has been issuing cryptic one-liners presumably to maintain some strategic advantage over Jagdeo.” Gaskin believes the President’s posture “backfired badly, since Jagdeo had predicted a unilateral appointment and it has now come to pass making him the more credible messenger in the eyes of a large section of our population.”

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday November 23, 2017

City Hall and payment of taxes “GARBAGE is killing me,” a statement by the Mayor of Georgetown, Her Worship, Madame Patricia Chase-Green; and a protest by workers from the city municipality, protesting on the pavement outside City Hall, about late payment of their salaries.

This signals that the Mayor & City Council is in very deep financial crises, and not for the first time.

This has now become perennial, apart from other problems of an administrative nature which we are of the opinion, can only be addressed by the Council.

We can appreciate criticisms with regard to the problem of the garbage threat, since it involves environmental issues, although some of the criticisms do not take into account the reasons why the M&CC cannot meet

its obligations: paying its workers on time; and honouring its obligation to the garbage contractors, for the consistent, daily removal of garbage.

It is non-payment of taxes.

There was even a letter published in the media which purported to warn central government about advancing monies to the Council for its debt to the two terminated contractors. So, from whom should Mayor Green and council seek help?

In a previous editorial, captioned “A better, cleaner, greener city,” it was stated… “it costs the city authorities huge sums to perform daily sanitation and other maintenance functions. The latter can only be possible if citizens, especially defaulters in the business community, pay their share of taxes.”

We add to this, other citizens as well. In fact, a recent report said

some $5B is owed to the city. This must be another first in the CARICOM region. No city, in any other part of the world, would be able to honour its civic obligations to its citizens, with the kind of recalcitrance that has become the norm among our ratepayers and taxpayers in this city. Umpteenth times the Council has granted amnesty to defaulters, with another one recently given; so many times have there been appeals to these persons to go to City Hall for payment plans to be facilitated, so as to allow for resumption of servicing the debts owed. Even this has not received the response as it should. The recent case of the Council accepting a debt payment of $7M, minus the interest of $19M, illustrates the grave challenges facing the M&CC. Though we do not judge the rea-

sons for such an accumulated debt, we are of the opinion that such a situation ought not to have been allowed by City Hall.

Clearly, the defaulter ought to have been made to pay, even if it were a fraction of the interest as penalty. Here again, Council has lost money.

It is time that the M&CC ceases imploring citizens to pay debts which are lawfully due, for such talk is falling on deaf ears. We are of the view that it is deliberately ignored, particularly since many in the business category would have used the impasse that had existed between the previous council and the then PPP/C Government, as an excuse not to honour their due. For these are not debt sums that have been made overnight–they have been decades in the making. City Hall must begin to take firmer action now. There are laws that give it such a legal ground.

Justice Patterson’s appointment was by fiat of the constitution Dear Editor: ON October 19, 2017, President David Granger appointed 84-year-old former Guyana Supreme Court Justice James Patterson, Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission. This appointment, although controversial, was intra vires the constitutional powers of the presidency, pursuant to Article 161 (2) of the constitution. Justice Patterson’s qualifications are impeccable; with 40 years’ experience in the law as a barrister, legal counsel, prosecutor and jurist.

Article 161 (2) decrees two formulae for the President to appoint a Chairman.

They are: (I) The President shall appoint the Chairman from a list of six persons, not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition. Each of the six candidates must either be a judge, former judge, qualified to be a judge or any other fit and proper person. (II) The proviso in Article 161 (2) mandates the President to autonomously appoint a Judge or former Judge to be Chairman, “if the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list “as provided for.”

The clause “As provided for” means the Leader of the Opposition must comply with both genres of qualifications, i.e., (I) each

candidate must be a judge, former judge, qualified to be a judge or a fit and proper person, and (II) each candidate must not be “unacceptable” to the President. Neither the Opposition Leader nor the courts can define who is acceptable to the President. Only the President is empowered by the constitution to so determine. Thus, a list that does not satisfy these qualifications violates the constitution and may be “unacceptable” to the President. Futuristically, the Opposition Leader should probably consult the President on names in deliberation to secure a preliminary agreement first, before the formal submission.

Background: Dr. Steve Surujbally resigned as Chairman on November 30, 2016, creating a vacancy. The President caused Opposition Leader, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, to submit a list as provided for in Article 161 (2). The constitution mandates “a list;” meaning one list of six names. President Granger rejected the first list Mr. Jagdeo submitted but thereafter allowed him to submit two additional lists. (I believe this was an error and extra-constitutional act). Mr. Jagdeo apparently engaged in brinkmanship to limit the President’s selection to persons of a sympathetic political persuasion, and not the ability to dispassionately and impartially

execute the law. Consequently, the President rejected all three lists; thereby triggering the proviso.

The mandates in Article 161 (2) have unambiguous, dual applicability. The President is compelled to appoint a Chairman and the Opposition Leader is compelled to submit a list “as provided for.” Additionally, the Article grants the President a provisional mandate to, “if the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list as “provided for,” supersede the main provision and autonomously appoint a judge or former judge to be Chairman. Justice Patterson’s appointment, therefore, was by fiat of this proviso. The obvious ratiocination is that the proviso vitiates the preceding provision if the Opposition Leader either (I) fails to submit a list. (II) fails to submit a list of persons with the enumerated qualifications or (III) fails to submit a list of names that are acceptable to the President.

Any or all of these failures is a breach of the constitution.

The commission comprises seven members; three from the government, and three from the parliamentary opposition. The Chairman - a creature of the aforementioned bipartisan process - is intended to be independent. These extant laws, derive from a 1992 modus vivendi (the Carter formula),

were intended to foster engagement and consensus between the government and opposition, to import bipartisan confidence in the electoral process. These terms were enshrined into the constitution in 1996 and enhanced in 2000, to fully realise the original intent.

Consequently, the lack of consensus between the President and Opposition Leader has inevitable consequences; (I) the list will be rejected and (II) that rejection automatically triggers the proviso which compels the President to act independent of the Opposition Leader.

The Opposition Leader cannot for political expediency breach the constitution by abdicating his responsibilities, and then demand that the President countenance his violation by accepting the defective list.

The law expressly directs the President to pursue an alternate process if the list is not acceptable. That is to invoke the proviso to guarantee continuity of governance at the commission. Ironically, the proviso was enacted during Jagdeo’s presidency.

ERROR: My own view is that although Justice Patterson has expansive knowledge of, and fidelity to, the rule of law and is fully qualified for the position, a younger person, who is Turn to page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday November 23, 2017

There should be no cover-up of this matter

Dear Editor,

THE verbal reactions of the Headmistress of the Bishop’s High School about her female students being “slack” and “loose,” sums up why such a scandal reported to have been taking place in her school for so long, could have happened. It is about the well-known culture of covering up very grave issues, a method so prevalent in many of our state schools.

This is not personal, for I am not an acquaintance or colleague of the school’s head. But, I claim the right as a citizen to express my dismay and utter disgust at what I would describe as a callous and grossly irresponsible response from the head of one of this nation’s premier schools. Those past heads have to be shocked beyond belief. And the alumni, certainly speechless.

I am neither judge nor jury in this issue that is indeed a shocking scandal; as well as, there is the presumption of innocence until otherwise proven. However, the reports are definitely overwhelming and very grave, pointing to allegations that are to be answered by the school, the subject ministry, and above all, the educator at the centre of the allegations.

Our schools have become a thriving ground for many a pervert, under

the cover of being educators. They thrive and feast on the many young female students. It is well known that many of these male educators use the authority at their disposal to impose themselves on their mostly powerless charges, especially the academically weak. Those forthright enough, to stand their ground have been able to escape the sexual clutches of these fiends.

However, there are others who are gradually worn down by subtle harassment, such as verbal embarrassment, and threats of being marked down in exams. All this is common knowledge to the many heads of these schools, and they do absolutely nothing, probably because it is not their daughters at the receiving end of such debasing.

That such criminality has continued is because these heads have either been feeble in their attempts at instituting disciplinary proceedings against such predators, or are afraid to do so, lest such unsavoury acts publicise their schools.

The latter reason, I believe, is at the forefront of their dangerous inaction which is a very serious dereliction of duty.

Such condemnation of the female students as uttered by the school’s head

is unconscionable, reckless, and reeks of victim-blaming. Heads of schools must be reminded that apart from being responsible for the academic side of their administrative duties, they are chief guardians of those young students in their schools, and are duty-bound to defend and protect their emotional and physical well-being.

All heads of schools must be reminded of the very high incidence of sexual abuse and low conviction rates which unfortunately, have become the norm in our society. It means that they have to be very pro-active as far as supervision of their staff is concerned.

This moves adequately to the question of, how much authority does a school’s head have in engaging such serious matters?

So many times when these heads are asked about such incidents at their respective schools, inquiries are always referred to the Education Ministry, which is said to be dealing with the particular matter.

Without being judgmental, one gets the distinct impression that whatever it is, is often swept under the proverbial carpet.

I am in full support for adhering to a line of command, in terms of notification of incidents.

However, what if there is

From page 6

Justice Patterson’s appointment ...

similarly qualified, should have been appointed.

The Granger administration demonstrates a troubling appetence for abandoning qualified younger people in favour of the dinosaur class.

This will continue to fuel the brain drain among young people.

Mr. Jagdeo has launched a campaign to assassinate Justice Patterson’s character, and is engaging in seditious and xenophobic demagoguery to engineer polarisation and instability. The Granger administration’s response has been pathetic and nugatory.

The void has only enabled Mr. Jagdeo’s echo chamber. Mr. Jagdeo apparently believes he has a juridicial right to

appoint the Chairman, and has petitioned the Supreme Court to uphold that presumed right.

He has also threatened to take to the streets to make Guyana “ungovernable.” He must recall that his administration imprisoned, shot and killed hundreds of Guyanese who fought him for their human

rights and dignity.

The work of the Elections Commission must proceed. Mr. Jagdeo will protest if he must. That is his constitutional right!

Rickford Burke President, Caribbean- Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID)

no further movement in terms of an issue that is serious enough, such as sexual abuse, what should a school’s head do? This, I do perceive, is a serious hindrance for some heads who may be willing to take further action against the particular staff.

It is time that the min-

istry confronts this monstrosity that is alive and well within schools. It is endemic, and needs radical measures. Wherever it is perpetrated and those of its lascivious agents must not only be removed, but be placed before the courts for judicial action. Those heads who have been

aware and deliberately covered up such abuse, should also face similar action. They have been failing to protect their charges in the schools. That is the reason why the Sexual Offences Act (2010) was enacted.

Regards Earl Hamilton

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 23, 2017

Police cracking down on firecracker vendors AS part of the crackdown on the illegal sale of firecrackers, the police will be raiding and seizing such items and other contraband being sold by shops and businesses.

This is according to acting ‘C’ Division (East Coast of Demerara) Commander, Senior Superintendent Stephen Mansell during his presentation on Christmas Policing for the division on Tuesday, at the Cove and John Police Station.

The commander said squibs and firecrackers are prohibited items and shopowners and other persons found selling them will be arrested.

“Their items will be seized and they will face prosecution. It must be noted that the use of squibs and fire crackers disturb the peace; squibs and firecrackers can be determined as an explosion from a firearm and it can result in person/persons receiv-

ing grievous bodily harm,” Commander Mansell said.

He explained that policing arrangements in ‘C’ Division

were intensified from November 15, 2017 and will run

Acting Commander of ‘C’ Division, Senior Superintendent Stephen Mansell, addressing ranks and members of the business community on security plans for the Christmas season during a meeting at Cove and John Police Station (Rabindra Rooplall photo)

until January 15, 2018. This is in order to ensure that citizens carry out their activities in a safe and secure environment.

Mansell said it is expected that there will be an increase in commercial and economic activities in the division, along with an increase in traffic (vehicular and pedestrian).

According to the senior superintendent, there was an overall decrease in serious crimes in the division by 14 per cent from the period January to October 2017.

He noted that there was also a 30 per cent decrease in gun robberies for the corresponding period January to October 2017, in ‘C’ Division.

He said the division will be divided into three sections in order to adequately police the East Coast of Demerara and its environs.

“Each sector will be commanded by an officer, inspector with subordinate officers and other ranks. There

will be an increase in patrols around commercial areas and car parks and continued focus on noise nuisance, roadblocks and raids,” Mansell explained.

He told members of the business community that there will be anti-crime patrols by day and by night, as well as motorcycle patrols throughout the division during the Christmas season, focusing on commercial businesses.

Members of the community policing groups throughout the division will lend support to the police by conducting patrols in their different sectors.

Commander Mansell also indicated that noise nuisance would not be tolerated and persons will be charged.

“Making loud and continuous noise contrary to section 174 (A) of the summary Jurisdiction (offence) Act will be enforced,” he said.

City Hall yet to engage major garbage contractors -- but mayor said City in garbage crisis over a week ago

By Telesha Ramnarine ALTHOUGH Mayor Patricia Chase-Green had declared Georgetown is in

a garbage crisis just over a week ago, City Hall’s two major garbage contractors are yet to be engaged.

“We’d love to start back

our operations, but they have to show us some respect and engage us formally,” Manager at Puran Brothers Disposal Services,

Kalesh Puran, told Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday.

Cevons Waste Management, the other contractor, has also rejected a statement from Solid Waste Director, Walter Narine, that the company will be back on board with the City Council before Christmas.

“The garbage is killing me. Narine can’t tell me there’s a red carpet out there. There is garbage everywhere. We are in a crisis. He is not directing me right,” the mayor lamented at a meeting last week.

On Tuesday, Deputy Town Clerk, Sharon Har-

difficulties with household garbage and we are working overtime where we are mopping up those areas,” she said.

Harry-Munroe conceded that the contractors have not yet been engaged.

“We will have to engage them first; we have

With no regular clearance from the City Council, some residents are using social rejects to dump their garbage on empty lots and other public places across the city

He too said that City Hall has not contacted his company.

City Hall Public Relations Officer, Debra Lewis, told reporters on Tuesday that the schedule for garbage collection remains once a week for households and once daily for businesses.

But garbage continues to pile up in the city, with residents paying the social rejects to collect and dispose of same.

ry-Munroe, told reporters that City Hall is now tidying up arrangements as it relates to payments to the contractors.

“So we shouldn’t have a problem with payment to the contractors. However, Council is currently tidying up the garbage situation we are seeing around the place; pockets here and there. We know we have some difficulties with that but we are addressing it as we speak.

We are experiencing some

not done so. I don’t know when they will be paid.

What I do know is that the Government is working out the modalities for payment.

What we do know is that it was approved and they are working out the modalities.”

Harry-Munroe does not know if the Government will be paying the contractors directly or whether the money would be going to the City Council first.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 23, 2017

Two arrested in separate gun finds Prison escapee recaptured

The firearm found at Number 63 Village, Corentyne, Berbice

The firearm found on the recaptured prison escapee

The firearm found at Crabwood Creek

AN intelligence-led operation by ranks at ‘D’ Field Sophia, East Coast Demerara, has resulted in the arrest of a male vendor on Wednesday.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in a release said it found on the vendor an unlicensed revolver with four live matching rounds.

The suspect, 28, of ‘D’ Field Sophia Reserve, is being processed for court.

According to the police blotter, on Tuesday, ranks

also acting on information received, went to a camp at Crabwood Creek Backdam, Corentyne, Berbice about 17:30hrs and arrested a 41-year-old farmer of Grant 1778 CWC, after he was found in possession of an unlicensed single barrel shotgun along with an empty cartridge and a small quantity of pellets.

On Tuesday as well, the police reported that about 12:20hrs, a cattle farmer grazing his flocks along a partial-

The firearm found at Sophia

ly dried-out trench in Number 63 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, observed a single barrel shotgun wrapped in plastic.

He quickly summoned the police who responded promptly and took possession of the weapon.

A 17-year-old robbery suspect, who last Sunday escaped from a police station in ‘A’ Division, was recaptured in Middle Road, West La Penitence, Georgetown, inside a hire car on Wednesday.

The prisoner was recaptured around 10:50 hrs and a search of his person revealed a .40 Smith and Wesson Pistol without ammunition. The driver, 35, of

South Ruimveldt Park, is in custody assisting with investigation.

At the time of escape, the suspect who resides at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was charged with four counts of armed robbery and scheduled to appear before a magistrate the following day.

An investigation has since been launched into the circumstances surrounding the escape.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 23, 2017

No stone will be left unturned -- on allegations against Bishops’ teacher, says Min. Henry

EVEN as the Ministry of Education has indicated that measures have been put in place to investigate the alleged sexual misconduct and grooming of school- age girls of the Bishops’ High School by Coen Jackson, an Economics and Business teacher, authorities are yet to make contact with Jackson.

When contacted Wednesday, Jackson’s attorney Jerome Khan told the Guyana Chronicle that his client as far as he is aware has not been contacted by the authorities.

“When last I spoke to him, he was not contacted… so I am unaware of anybody contacting

my client. I am sure the process is in place and they will contact him at the right time,” the attor-

against him are a result of ‘serious disagreements’ he has had with Cultural Policy Advisor,

Minister of Education Nicolette Henry

Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson

ney said.

Jackson has since maintained his innocence and posited that the allegations levelled

Ministry of Social Cohesion, Ruel Johnson, who on Monday dispatched a complaint to the Chief Education Officer (CEO)

Marcel Hutson on the matter.

That letter was copied to Nicolette Henry, Minister of Education; Khemraj Ramjattan, Vice-President and Minister of Public Security; Amna Ally, Minister of Social Protection; Volda Lawrence, Minister of Public Health; Basil Williams, Minister of Legal Affairs; and George Norton, Minister of Social Cohesion (Culture, Youth and Sport) on the issue.

Jackson has disclosed that he is currently in an intimate relationship with a former student of the senior secondary school.

He did not specifically state when the relationship started, but noted that the woman is now 21 years old.

Additionally, prior to his current relationship, the teacher, who is currently on leave of absence shared another intimate relationship with a former student. It is this student Jackson alleges, with whom Johnson now shares a relationship and threated him to stay away from her.

Several past students of the school have since spoken out against Jackson’s alleged conduct, noting that his behaviour spans his 15 years as a teacher.

The teacher who has taught at the Bishops’ High School for approximately 11 years, at a news conference on Tuesday said the allegations made public

by Johnson has tarnished his unblemished reputation as an untrained graduate teacher.

He said too that it is unlikely that he would be able to return to the teaching profession, given the stain on his name and character.

“Over my teaching years, I have developed close relationships with both male and female students whom I taught.

These relationships transitioned from teacher-student to mature platonic relationships, even with former students who live overseas. Many would seek me out when visiting Guyana to have social meetings, including a drink,” Jackson stated, while noting that his relationships with former students are always respectful.

the upgrade of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) Science Lab, Henry said, “Presently, there are rules in place for misconduct, as it were, on the part of the teacher. The ministry has mechanisms in place, whereby people can address different issues whether it has to do with discipline, whether it has to do with misconduct, sexual or inappropriate behaviour.”

The minister said too that once cases of sexual misconduct or harassment exist, then there is need for comprehensive awareness on the subject, especially in the case of children who are vulnerable.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that many females who attended the Bishops’ High School and other public and private institutions at which Jackson taught have indicated that they were victims of sexual predation.

Henry stressed that educating persons on how to report such sensitive matters is critical, while noting that Monday’s alleged instances of misconduct illustrate a disconnect in the system between children and their access to counsellors in whom they can trust and confide.

“This incident in itself is a demonstration of perhaps a gap that exists where things can happen and we can have improper behaviour being perpetuated without a clear mechanism of reporting and alerting people…” said the minister, who reminded that the issue is a criminal one that involves culpability based on evidence.

“These issues are not only criminal in some cases, they’re also confidentially sensitive so you’ve got to have the right training and skills to address issues like these,” the minister indicated.

That aside, the education minister, who reminded that such cases can easily become sensational must be dealt with seriously and condignly and that is her ministry’s intention.

She stressed that the matter will be dealt with in the appropriate way using existing and appropriate channels.

INVESTIGATION STARTED Minister of Education Nicolette Henry told the Guyana Chronicle that an internal and external process of investigation has begun and noted that the CEO is responsible for the handling of the matter, as he is the technical person.

Henry briefly indicated that the process must begin with a report after which Hutson is required to call in the Welfare Department of the CC&PA. It is after Hutson meets with the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) officials that forensic interviews are conducted. Thereafter, a report will be made to Minister Henry.

Additionally, Tuesday morning on the sidelines of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Guyana Government and the People’s Republic of China for

NO TOLERANCE She noted that regardless of its nature, misconduct will not be tolerated, and such reports will be investigated according to established procedures.

“Anything considered outside of good discipline and good conduct will have to be dealt with by the ministry, sexual and otherwise. There are procedures to deal with these issues.”

Meanwhile, addressing the issue of the headteacher of the Bishops’ High School berating the female students of the school after the allegations of sexual predation became public via social media and the news, Minister Henry said that matter will also be investigated by the Hutson.

In an audio recording heard by this publication, the headteacher was heard telling the students that they were “slack”

and “loose” and failed to defend their teacher on social media.

“Certainly the way in which the headmistress addressed it may not have been the gold standard or the ideal way and, therefore, the chief education officer who is responsible for teachers will have to intervene and make the appropriate judgement call in keeping with the rules and regulations,” Henry told reporters.

The remarks by the headteacher also sparked a public outcry and have since resulted in protests by several activists and concerned persons outside of the senior secondary school.

HAVE NOTHING TO SAY Contacted, chairperson of the Board of Governors Ruth Lee, said, “I have nothing to say to the media, good afternoon” after which she disconnected the call.

Several former students of the country’s second highest secondary institution in a letter published in the Stabroek News Wednesday called for the immediate resignation of the headteacher “whose recent public tirade against the girls under her care, was not only unprofessional and inappropriate, but re-victimised every woman and girl affected by abuse.”

The former students continued: “There are no words to describe how saddened and dismayed many of us felt to hear her blame children for the actions of an [alleged] adult predatory [sic]. She has failed in her duty to create a safe learning environment for the students under her care.”

Additionally, the past students indicated that they are in support of a complete and thorough investigation by the relevant authorities, while noting that the school administrator and teacher who may be found to be complicit by not taking action against the abuse and further victimising students, must be removed and held accountable.

“To the board and administration of Bishops’ High School, we can no longer say Bishops’ with the pride we once did until measures are put in place to foster the healing of victims, and to ensure that all forms of abuse and harassment of students never happens again. Step up and do what’s right! Schools are meant to be safe spaces, to groom boys and girls for success, not for exploitation!”

As a result of the unfolding situation, Henry disclosed that she plans to address access to counselling and psychosocial support to schools during the upcoming 2018 Budget debate slated to begin in the first week of December.

“I will speak about the implementation of mobile services. We don’t have enough human capacity, fiscal resources to put a counsellor nor the accompanying environment for the counsellor to function, in every school,” the minister said, while committing to ensuring every school has access to the service.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 23, 2017

Chinese gov’t to upgrade CPCE science lab …$46M set aside to fund three-phase project

THE Science Laboratory of the Cyril Potter College of Education will undergo major upgrade through a $46M grant from the Chinese Government.

The official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Governments of Guyana and the People’s Republic of China to kick-start the project, took place at the Ministry of Education’s boardroom on Wednesday.

have a great impact on the country as it seeks to diversify and expand its technologies to meet the needs of the oil industry.

“There is now more than before an ever increasing need for new and innovative technologies, which will translate to a highly-skilled and competitive workforce that will contribute meaningfully to the country’s economy,” Welch indicated.

Charge d’Affaires of the

cation is an investment in the future,” the Chenqu said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry who supported the ambassador’s vision, said that teachers needed to be exposed to the necessary resources that will enable them to excel. “…Education is and will remain a major focus of this government,” the minister emphasised, adding, “…

When we speak about teachers’ training, we’re speaking

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Vibert Welch and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun signing the MoU (Photo by Adrian Narine)

Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, shakes hands with Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun. (Photo by Adrian Narine)

The three-part project will see US$95,000 being released in the first phase while the additional sums will be released after a review of the works completed.

This latest agreement resulted from prior engagements between President David Granger and the Chinese Government. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Vibert Welch, said the agreement is a demonstration of China’s support of Guyana’s initiatives as well as the ministry’s commitment to students. Welch added that the signing of the MoU will

Chinese Embassy in Guyana, Chenqu Yang said that both parties have pledged to work diligently in the utilisation of the funds and advised that education be the key focus as Guyana begins its economic take off. “…China has witnessed a tremendous economic and a social transformation from one of the poorest countries to the second largest economy in the world. If there is any two cents regarding the experiences that China can share with its developing partners, it is the emphasis on education, education and education. Investment in edu-

of teachers’ preparations and teachers’ support. And so, the money will be used to procure efficient amenities that will strengthen the science labs… because we know that if our teachers are dealt with… then we will be better able to develop content classrooms.”

Minister Henry also thanked President Granger for singling out the education sector as the recipient of China’s donation, which she said would serve to further fuel the country on its journey from poverty to prosperity. Principal of CPCE, Viola Rowe said that

the majority of the funding will go towards the procurement of resources for the development of an effective science programme, serving the 1000 plus CPCE trainees across the country.

Rowe said that there are presently 56 items on the list for purchase that covers

the biology, chemistry and physics subject disciplines.

President Granger earlier this year had met with students and staff of the CPCE as he continues his outreach to educational institutions in what he calls fact-finding missions, to hear from the administrators and bene-

ficiaries directly, even as Government zeroes in on modernising and reforming the educational sector. The Head-of-State explained to students and instructors at the college that his administration recognises the importance of these consultations.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 23, 2017

Agricola 2008 murder

Victim’s hands were raised when she was shot--pathologist testifies GOVERNMENT Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, on Wednesday testified that he had performed the post -mortem on the body of Melissa Payne, who was shot and killed on November 15, 2008 at Agricola Public Road.

Dr Singh, who took the stand in the Georgetown High Court before Justice James Bovell-Drakes and a 12-member jury, gave the cause of death as perforation of the lungs and artery due to a gunshot wound. The post-mortem report was then marked, tendered and admitted as evidence in the trial after Dr. Singh was deemed an expert in pathology. Upon examination of the body, Dr. Singh told the court that he observed a circular wound on the right side armpit and during dissection, he observed that the bullet had entered the chest cavity, pierced the artery which caused the lungs to collapse, and also fractured the sixth rib, after which it was lodged in the left shoulder.

Dr. Singh testified that he extracted the bullet and lodged same with the police and also noted that there were no soot or residue on the body, which means the shooter had to be standing about three to five feet away from the victim. He said that for Payne to be shot in the armpit, she would have

had to have her hand up in defence and the gunshot wound caused massive internal bleeding.

During cross exam ination, defence attorney Maxwell McKay asked Dr. Singh whether the bullet was slightly damaged upon impact into Melissa Payne’s body and he replied in the affirmative.

Deceased: Melissa Payne

However, a voir dire was called to determine the admissibility of evidence in the trial on Wednesday. It is alleged that on November 5, 2008 at Agricola, East Bank Demerara, Jermaine Savory murdered Melissa Payne at Agricola Public Road.

According to reports, Payne was killed after she attempted to put up a fight with gunmen who attacked

her and a male friend at Agricola Public Road, at about 08:30hrs on November 5, 2008.

The gunmen escaped with some $110,000 in cash that was in the woman’s bag, along with her jewellery.

At the time of the robbery, she was in the company of a male friend, David Fraser, as they were heading to Georgetown to conduct business.

It is reported that as they approached Agricola, the Canter truck they were in encountered mechanical problems. Fraser came out and tried to fix the truck, as Payne stood and watched him. A few moments later, a man came up to them with a gun and demanded their money. The armed man snatched Fraser’s gold chain and attempted to pull away Payne’s handbag. She attempted to turn back and go to the truck, but was stopped in her tracks by the other bandit, who demanded the bag from Payne but the woman resisted and the armed man shot and killed her. In November 2008, Jermaine Savory of 97 Second Street, Agricola, was charged with the murder of Payne. Savory reportedly confessed to sleuths that he had participated in the robbery but was not the trigger man.

GT man found dead in Berbice THE decomposed body of Sterling Products Limited employee Rajendra Persaud, who was missing since November 11 was found at the Brighton foreshore, Corentyne, Berbice, on Wednesday by villagers.

Reports indicated that a cattle farmer had ventured out to the bushy area and was drawn to the stench coming from a clump of bushes. When he went to have a closer look, he spotted what appeared to be a human body.

The cattle farmer alerted the police and the body was removed. A post-mortem is expected to be performed on the remains.

According to relatives who reside in Berbice, the last time they saw Persaud was last month when he visited his father to celebrate his birthday.

Relatives told the Guyana Chronicle that they recently learnt that Persaud, 58, who was single and lived alone at Da Silva Street, Kitty, Georgetown, had been diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension.

They believe that Persaud did not commit suicide and was the victim of foul play.

Employees of Sterling Products Limited said Persaud was a shift manager and had not shown up for duty since November 11.

A senior official of Sterling Company Limited in a Facebook post on November 20 issued a missing person alert, accompanied by a photograph of Persaud.

The police have since launched an investigation into his death.

Dead: Rajendra Persaud

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 23, 2017

Ansa opens Suzuki franchise

By Rawle Toney ANSA McAl Group of Companies on Wednesday opened the doors of their Ansa Motors Guyana Inc., where they will, for the first time, be selling the Suzuki brand of motor vehicles here.

merara-based business.

Harper at the time was addressing an audience that included Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, other high-level officials of her company and representatives from several commercial banks.

Harper reflected on a con-

when excise taxes were considerably reduced or eliminated for vehicles below 1600cc, we immediately looked to our sister companies in Trinidad (and Tobago) to consider exploring

Trading Corporation (ITC), Suzuki will be their first of many brands of vehicle being sold at Ansa Motors Guyana (Inc.), at a starting price, according to Harper, that will be approximately

kin, in congratulating the entity, highlighted that one of the indicators of the well-being of Guyana’s economy is the extent to which international companies and international brands

Staff of Ansa McAl testing one of the brand new Suzuki Vitara vehicles

“Since I was appointed as Country Head of the Ansa McAl Group of Companies in January 2017, one of my roles has been to seek opportunities where Ansa McAl can expand in Guyana. At the time this had less to do with the oil directly, but more so the investments, infrastructure and increased business activity”, Beverly Harper said at the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon to mark the opening of the Beterverwagting (BV), East Coast De-

versation she had with Minister Gaskin prior to the 2015 General Elections, about the cost to import a vehicle, which was “prohibitive unless one was entitled to duty-free concessions. Hence the reason for the proliferation of ‘reconditioned’ cars being sold in Guyana since the 1990s. She said Gaskin was of the opinion that everyone should have an opportunity to purchase a new vehicle at a more reasonable cost and that duties and taxes be lowered.”

“Prophetically, in 2017,

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin and Country Manager of Ansa McAl, Beverly Harper, along with other officials preside over the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon to open the Ansa Motors Guyana Inc.

the possibilities of acquiring vehicles distribution in Guyana.

Ansa Motors has been part of both Trinidad and Barbados for years and through these relationships, we have approached many manufacturers, but the first we have acquired is that of Suzuki,” Harper said.

Through the Interamericana

25 – 30% lower than a five-yearold model coming from Japan.

“Brand new doesn’t mean new paint job, but a new car in totality that is guaranteed as trouble-free for five years. We are about to launch a campaign that states that buying a car should not be a lottery,” said Harper.

Meanwhile, Minister Gas-

can establish viable operations.

“The point being that no one is going to come to Guyana to establish a retail business if the economy could not sustain it. So there must be a sense within this company that the Guyana market can sustain this venture,” Gaskin opined.

Minister Gaskin recounted

expressing the views, pre-election, that the sixty-five persons whose votes were required to change the laws that made it costly for Guyanese to own decent vehicles, were all entitled to duty-free vehicles, and therefore were not particularly concerned about that issue.

“Today, I am one of those persons and I’m happy to say that our Government has taken some small steps in the right direction to make new vehicles more affordable to Guyanese and to do so within the context of a green agenda.” “We expect to see more and more cars on our roads in the coming years and we would like those to be safer, more reliable, cleaner, greener and more energy-efficient. And this is why we have introduced measures to encourage the automotive industry and its consumers in this direction. And so I am happy to see that the private sector is responding to policy changes,” Gaskin said.

On Saturday, November 25, between 10 – 12:00 hours, Ansa Motors Guyana Inc. will be hosting an Open House event for potential customers. The public will be able to test-drive the vehicles at the showroom, and also find out about financing from the several money-lending institutions who are expected to be present.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 23, 2017

IOM to help build capacity to combat TIP THE government is collaborating with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to strengthen the country’s capacity to effectively combat trafficking in persons and assist victims of trafficking.

At the official launch of the project on Wednesday at the Cara Lodge Hotel, Minister of Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, noted the project continues the work of the National TIP Action Plan which was launched earlier this year. The three-year project will see workshops and consultations being conducted to develop standard operating procedures for victim-centred investigation, prosecution, identification and protection of victims of trafficking.

“It is an important step in the implementation of the overall project and a key intervention

which will help to guide local stakeholders in the execution of their duties and avoid grey areas…regarding their respective roles and responsibilities.”

The SOPs are also important if Guyana is to maintain its tier one ranking on the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report, Minister Ramjattan stated. Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally pointed out that the SOPs will be instrumental in the protection of children. “The standard operating procedure will act as a guide for all stakeholders and relevant persons responsible for combating human trafficking in Guyana, with an emphasis on child-trafficking as well as improve their efficiency to protect victims of human trafficking within our country.”

First Lady Sandra Granger, who is a strong anti-TIP advo-

cate, applauded the efforts of the government to protect its citizens against trafficking crimes.

“It is, therefore, in my view, imperative that comprehensive standard operating procedures be developed, widely publicised and implemented so that we in Guyana can eliminate the scourge of trafficking in human beings.”

Also commending Guyana for taking action against TIP was US Ambassador, Perry Holloway. “The prevalence of human trafficking globally presents an enormous challenge for us all. The Government of Guyana undoubtedly has taken a robust stand against human trafficking, and the standardisation of its operating procedures is a positive step towards facing its challenges.”

The consultations have already begun and are being

spearheaded by international consultants, Linda Baca and Lori Mann. “One of the things that the standard operating procedures are going to be able to provide is a formalised approach to these aspects which mean more formalised reintegration plans

and relationships between agencies that can foster more effective collaboration and cooperation,” Mann explained.

The finalised SOPs will be aligned with international standards and best practices and integrated into specialised training courses aimed at

building the capacity of police, prosecutors, criminal judges, magistrates, and front-line officials from the Ministries of Social Protection, Public Security, National Resources, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and Foreign Affairs, among other agencies. (DPI)

(From left to right): Linda Eriksson, International Consultant; Lori Mann, International Consultant; U.S Ambassador, Perry Holloway; First Lady Sandra Granger; Robert Natiello, Chief-of-Mission at IOM; Regional Coordination Official for the Caribbean, Chairperson, Pauline Welch; Minister of Social Protection, Hon. Amna Ally; and Minister of Public Security, Hon. Khemraj Ramjattan

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 23, 2017

GWI to minimise costs by purchasing drilling rig THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) will be purchasing a drilling rig to reduce the cost of well-boring, Managing-Director, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles has said.

He made the announcement during an inspection tour of a well under construction at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, on Wednesday.

When the well is completed by year-end, it will serve thousands of Sparendaam residents.

The managing-director said water production in the existing well has been dropping and with the new well, it will double. The cost for the well is $30M. “This would be a good Christmas gift for the people of Sparendaam and Plaisance,� he said.

This is the second of three wells to be completed.

Some $40M was spent on the first well that was drilled at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) in order to

supplement water supply, owing to the growing population in that community.

The other well will be drilled in Sophia and when completed, will provide improved water quality and services to the residents in that and surrounding areas.

were Dr. Van-West Charles, Managing-Director of De Ruiter Doringen Frans Heinis and Managing Director of Rook South-American B.V Martin Bloemscheer and other GWI representatives.

The wells are construct-

The drill being used on the new well at Sparendaam.

(Rabindra Rooplall Photo)

March last a contract to the tune of 552,855 euros was signed between GWI and the Dutch firms of De Ruiter Doringen and Rook South-American B.V for the construction of the wells.

Signing the contract

ed employing drilling technologies new to Guyana that would significantly increase their yield and efficiency.

This is necessary to meet the demand for the service from communities such as Diamond and Sophia that

Pastor, contractor robbed after separate bank withdrawals

A 6 6 - y e a r- o l d p a s tor of Haslington, East Coast Demerara was on Wednesday robbed of $1.8M in cash on Church Street, Georgetown, in the vicinity of Assuria Insurance by three bandits.

The pastor was identified as Eldon Anderson.

According to reports, the victim left his North Haslington home about 08:45hrs with $400,000 in his possession, using motor vehicle PVV 3830. He then visited a city bank where he withdrew $1.4M which was to be sent overseas.

Upon visiting a bank on Camp Street to send the money, the pastor was told that he needed additional information before the transaction could have been honoured. The pastor who was hesitant to leave the bank with the money, left the bank and was driving in the vicinity of Church Street when a silver grey Toyota Spacio reversed into the rear of his vehicle.

Upon exiting his vehicle to inspect the damage, the two armed men reportedly approached the pastor with guns pointed at him, demanding the money which was in his vehicle.

The pastor was assaulted and his car was searched. Upon finding the cash, the bandits discharged a round in the air before escaping in their vehicle. Police recovered a spent shell from the scene. Investigations are ongoing.

Meanwhile, a contractor was also robbed after visiting a bank in Diamond, East Bank Demerara on

Wednesday. The victim was identified as Richard Maughn. After withdrawing $400,000 from the bank, Maughn was accosted on

the public road in front of the bank by armed bandits. Police are requesting CCTV footage, as investigations continue.

have large populations, Dr. Van West-Charles explained The agreement provides for De Ruiter Doringen to drill the wells and for Rook South-American B.V to develop them. The contract also covers onsite training for GWI engineers and local contractors to enhance local technical capacity.

About a dozen local contractors and GWI engineers are set to benefit under the agreement.

Since last year, the water company would have begun the process of familiarising its staff with the new approaches to well-drilling.

Dr. Van-West Charles recalled that in 2016, a number of GWI employees attended a special well-drilling workshop in the U.S. that focused on several areas, including the drilling of new wells and the geology of well development.

Another group of GWI staff will undertake training this year.

In the construction of the wells, De Ruiter Doringen will be advancing the tried and tested reverse circulation drilling technology.

Managing-Director Heinis explained that the

company has been using the technology for over 50 years in the Netherlands and over 10 years in Suriname.

He said since the soil conditions in these countries are similar to those of Guyana, the drilling technique should be easily applied here.

The reverse circulation well-drilling system is used for large diameter wells on loose alluvial soils. It consists of returning the drilled material and flushing medium to the surface inside the drill pipes.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 23, 2017

Minibus driver charged for having sex with minor

A 23-year-old Route 42 minibus driver was on Wednesday charged for engaging in sexual penetration with a13-year-old girl.

Kevin Loaffe, 23, of Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, who appeared

before City Magistrate Judy Latchman, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which was read in camera.

The charge alleged that between March 1 and March 2 at the Timehri Circuit,

EBD, Loaffe engaged in sexual penetration with a child under the age of 16.

The magistrate released Loaffe on $150,000 bail and transferred the matter to the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for December 4.

According to reports, Loaffe and the underage teen shared a relationship.

It is alleged that during March the 23-year-old man took the 13-year-old to the Timehri Circuit and had sex with her.

Kevin Loaffe

Rejected suitor remanded over attempted murder of sales clerk

Narainie Gopaul

F i f t y - e i g h t - y e a r- o l d Samuel Williams was on Wednesday charged with the attempted murder of a 23-year-old woman, whom he allegedly brutally chopped after she refused to be in a relationship with him.

Williams appeared before Magistrate Roshell Liverpool at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleges that on November 19 at Meten-MeerZorg, West Coast Demerara , he wounded Narainie Gopaul with intent to commit murder.

He was remanded to prison until January 9, 2018. According to

reports, the incident occurred about 23:00 hrs at Gopaul’s Meten-MeerZorg home as she returned from her sales clerk job at a store in Parika, East Bank Essequibo.

The woman was allegedly attacked by Williams who was hiding in the yard before he chopped her with a cutlass about her body and escaped. According to reports, Gopaul had spurned a number of advances by Williams, who became annoyed and brutally attacked the woman.

The woman’s thumb and index finger on her right hand were severed, causing her to receive more than 25 stiches.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 20, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 23, 2017

Clear Waters backs internationally ranked table tennis player CLEAR Waters, handed over a cheque yesterday to the equivalent value of US$1200 to Yeudistir Persaud, internationally ranked table tennis player out of the Titan Tennis Club, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

Yeudistir a student of Mae’s Secondary, stated that this money will be used to cover airfare and accommodation for his stay in Washington, DC as he tries to reclaim gold in the Joola Table Tennis Championship.

Yeudistir will be playing in the Open category competing against over 1 000 participants from 48 different countries where

he earned gold in the 2015 championship and then a bronze in 2016.

He is confident that he will reclaim his title as a gold medallist.

Mr Hardat stated that Clear Waters stands strong behind young local talent and is confident that Yeudistir will make Guyana proud. Mr Hardat further emphasised the importance of sports in the development of today’s youths and that Clear Waters will always be here to support in whatever way possible.

The Joola North American Table Tennis championship kicks off November 29, 2017 in Washington, DC.

Dover ‘cautiously optimistic’ ahea...

From Backpage

them.”

Dover said upon their arrival he “saw some discomfort because of the difference in time and the guys are battling to adjust. We saw a little

better adjustment in the latter part of the day when we went to our training sessions and they were eager to go and that was a good sign.”

Looking at the composition of the team, Dover said the team is a mixture of youth a n d e x p e r i e n c e, a d ding: “It’s very nice to have so many young players in the squad, because, you know, the GFF is aiming for the 2018/2019 season.

We will embark and depend on the young players to take us through that phase and that’s a good plus for us.”

“Indonesia will be our last game for the year and, given the fact that a lot of young players will be chosen for exposure at some time in the game, it gives us the best possible working group,” Dover pointed out.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 23, 2017

Chelsea breeze into last-16 by brushing aside 10-man Qarabag

(REUTERS) - Chelsea breezed into the last-16 of the Champions League after being helped to their 4-0 stroll over 10-man Qarabag by the award of a hotly-disputed first-half penalty and sending-off in Baku yesterday.

The match turned decisively in the English champions’ favour midway the first half when Qarabag captain Rashad Sadygov was dismissed for pulling down Willian in the box, allowing Eden Hazard to convert coolly from the spot.

Subsequently, forced to play with 10 men for the next 69 minutes, the Azeri champions, who had made a promising start in Baku’s Olympic Stadium, were outplayed with two brilliant goals from Willian and a Cesc Fabregas penalty completing the rout.

Chelsea’s win put them on top of Group C on 10

was taken.

The Portuguese referee Manuel De Sousa, though, had felt the defender had tugged on the Brazilian’s left arm.

The visitors inevitably then took command with a dazzling four-man combination ending with a Hazard back-heel, setting up a 37th-minute finish from Willian.

Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas scores their third goal from the penalty spot. (Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra)

points to guarantee their place in the knockout rounds, two points clear of AS Roma, who were due to play at Atletico Madrid later yesterday. Qarabag remain rooted to the foot of the table on two points.

The sending-off, which enraged Qarabag and a 68 000-capacity crowd, came soon after the home side’s Spanish midfielder Michel

had hit the bar.

Yet everything changed in the 20th minute when Willian, trying to latch on to Hazard’s slick pass, tumbled under what looked an innocuous challenge from the vastly experienced 35-yearold Sadygov, leading to a lengthy protest and an impromptu Qarabag team meeting before the penalty

Williams laments poor T&T batting in loss to Guyana TRINIDAD and Tobago Red Force coach Kelvin Williams has lamented the team’s failure at the crease in an innings and 217 runs loss to Guyana Jaguars in the recently concluded round of the WPCL Regional 4-Day competition.

The Red Force were crushed by an innings and 217 runs loss to league leaders Guyana Jaguars at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. Chasing a massive 484 runs the twin island republic were dismissed for 120 in the first innings and 147 in the second innings. Williams admitted that injury had played a role in the team’s demise ad-

Red Force coach Kelvin Williams

mitted that the team’s choices at the crease were poor.

“It is a bit disappointing that we came out and we lost this game and the manner in which we lost the game,” Williams told T&T

Newsday.

“Basically our batting (was poor). The toss was very important which we lost, Guyana went out and scored 484 runs which was a lot.

Losing the skipper (to a hamstring injury) also within that period of time (was crucial), he is our most consistent batsman. It put a lot of pressure on the other batsmen, but the shot selections from the batsmen were poor in this game,” he added.

“We played three fantastic games before this one.

(It was) just one bad day.

We cannot be a bad team from one bad day which was (Saturday).”

Barca leave Messi on the bench and qualify with 0-0 draw TURIN, Italy (Reuters) Barcelona allowed themselves the luxury of starting with Lionel Messi on the bench and still held out comfortably for a 0-0 draw at Juventus to reach the last 16 of the Champions League yesterday.

Barcelona, who brought on Messi early in the second half, enjoyed long

spells of possession against a lack-lustre Juve in a dull Group D match which saw both teams apparently happy to play for a draw.

Juventus, who are second, will qualify for the last-16 unless they lose at Olympiakos in their final game and Sporting beat Barcelona away.

Sporting kept alive

their hopes by beating Olympiakos 3-1 in Lisbon in the other game with Bas Dort scoring twice.

Barcelona, 3-0 winners over Juve in their previous meeting in the group, have 11 points followed by Juve on eight, Sporting on seven and eliminated Olympiakos on one.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, who had started with striker Alvaro Morata on the bench and brought back out the out-of-favour David Luiz, was content largely to sit on the lead after the break as the match meandered to its inevitable conclusion.

Still, another foul on Willian in the 73rd minute

by Maksim Medvedev led to Fabregas scoring from a penalty that he had to convert twice after his first successful attempt had been ruled out for encroachment.

Willian, who had been involved in all four of the goals then completed the demolition job by riding a challenge and thundering home a 20-metre strike with five minutes left.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 23, 2017

Ashes captains continue war of words on series eve

By Ian Ransom

BRISBANE (Reuters) - The war of words that has added spice to the lead-up to cricket’s oldest enduring Test series will give way to genuine hostilities today when bitter Ashes rivals Australia and England march out in front of a packed crowd at the Gabba.

A temporary ceasefire was

called on Wednesday as Australia captain Steve Smith and his England counterpart Joe Root paused for photos under a blinding blue sky at the Brisbane stadium, but both captains have been looking to land a psychological blow on the eve of the first test.

The customary photo opportunity may have been the only chance to get a clear image from the entire day,

with smoke and mirrors employed liberally by the captains during the pre-match media conferences.

Root steadfastly declined to name his side but the element of surprise was lost some four hours later when the England and Wales Cricket Board released the team on its website, with Nottingham bowler Jake Ball beating out Craig Overton as the fourth seamer.

Australia’s cricket team captain Steve Smith holds a replica of the Ashes urn with England’s team captain Joe Root during an official event ahead of the Ashes opening Test match at the GABBA ground in Brisbane,.

(REUTERS/David Gray)

Smith had earlier thrown a curve-ball by saying David Warner, his vice-captain, opener and best batsman, remained in doubt for the test as he battles to recover from a neck strain.

Compounding the drama, Cricket Australia later revealed batsman Shaun Marsh had suffered a back strain at training on Wednesday and was also uncertain for the match.

As to how Australia would deal with Warner’s absence, Smith gave no answer.

The board later said

all-rounder Glenn Maxwell had been rushed to Brisbane in readiness to slot in if Warner failed to prove his fitness.

Quite how Marsh’s potential absence would be covered remains up in the air.

Before the Marsh news broke, Root had said Warner’s injury would do nothing to change his team’s preparations.

STRAIGHT BAT Root has seemed impervious to the pressure of leading a team regarded sceptically by cricket media in both countries,

and he has played a straight bat to the usual provocations from Australia’s pundits and players.

Having taken one on the chin for England after a clash with Warner at a Birmingham bar in 2013, Root has gladly stuck it out again on the tour Down Under.

Yet as calmly as he praised his players for refusing to rise to Australia’s bait, his voice strayed briefly from its dependable monotone as he chided the home side’s spinner Nathan Lyon for an attack on the team.

Taking no prisoners, Lyon said on Tuesday that England’s former wicketkeeper Matt Prior had wanted to fly home early during the 2013/14 series, which the tourists lost 5-0.

He also joked that he wanted to see Root, who was omitted for the Sydney test during that series, “dropped again”.

“That’s not how I’d want my players to go about things but that’s up to him to come out and say that,” Root said in response, a hint of a frown crossing the 26-year-old’s face.

“I think it’s slightly out of character. I know Nathan from playing club cricket but it doesn’t seen very real.”

Port Mourant teams dominate BVA one-day club tournament PORT Mourant Training Centre-1 (PMTC-1) and Port Mourant females dominated the Berbice Volleyball Association’s (BVA) Inter-Club one-day tournament which was played at the PMTC’s Hostel compound, Corentyne, Berbice last Sunday.

Four teams contested the male category while three teams participated in the female category. At the end, PMTC-1 males and Port Mou-

rant females emerged victorious in the respective categories.

After a round-robin playoff in both categories, PMTC-1 and PMTC-2 came out as the top teams in the male category.

The two teams then engaged each other in a play-off to decide the winning team and PMTC-1 came from behind to win 2-1 after three intensive sets. They had lost the first set at 14-25, but rebounded to win the other

two sets 25-18, 15-11.

The other two teams in this category were Corriverton Jets and GUYSUCO Training Centre/Port Mourant.

In the female category, Port Mourant females defeated Corriverton Jets 30-18 in the final to claim the top prize.

The other female team who contested the tournament were the Falcons of Orealla.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 23, 2017

‘We have a lot of work to do,’ says North Georgetown as they get ready for Nationals ALTHOUGH North Georgetown (District 11) will definitely be looking to shine for another year with a strong swimming team and an ample athletics team, it’s the cycling that will be the Achilles heel for them when they turn out to compete at the National Schools Cycling, Swimming and Track & Field Championships which will begin next week Monday in Georgetown.

Speaking with Chronicle Sport, District head Mark Wills confessed that it will be another trying year for the District, who have been struggling for some years now to overcome their arch rivals Upper Demerara/Kwakwani (District 10).

“We have a lot of work to do to put ourselves in that position where we can come out victorious,” Wills said.

Despite continuing to defend their title in the swimming competition, North Georgetown finished in second place behind the Linden District last year, largely due to an overall dismal performance in the track and field competition, which was won by District 10. Their cycling did nothing to alleviate the situation.

With not much hope on the cycling team again this year, the District would like to do as much damage as possible in the teachers’ competition to stay afloat against Linden, eager that this might even help lead them back to glory.

“The cycling is going to hit us hard and that’s one of our concerns. The thing is that they (District 10) have track and field and we have swimming, so we have to look at how we fare with them in the other two competitions. That’s what will determine who will win. So we have to try our best to put some distance between them and ourselves in the teachers’ competition, because Linden is known to have strong cyclists,” Wills explained.

North Georgetown will be fielding a team of 108, just two short of the maximum 110 persons allotted to each of the 15 districts competing at the Championships.

Wills shared that just like other Districts, his District also had a hard time putting together their team, but unlike some teams that struggle to make up their numbers, he struggled with narrowing his list down within

The District 11 team at last year’s Nationals

the 110-person limit.

“It was extremely hard. There were a lot of students who just did one event so it was kind of stressful, because if we are to take everybody who got first in every event, we would have ended up with like 160. We had to check across to see who covered multiple events and try to multitask to reach that quota,” he noted.

The swimming team of course have their full complement with 18 swimmers, most of whom are national swimmers, with experience, so Wills is not at all worried about defending the District’s title in the swimming competition.

“I have confidence in the

Crawford makes timely donation to top Berbice juvenile cyclist Ralph Seenarine FIFTEEN-year-old Ralph Seenarine of the Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC) was the lucky recipient of a spanking racing bike, compliments of former National cyclist Franco Crawford who now resides in England.

The simple presentation was made on Tuesday at the New Amsterdam Town Hall.

Present at the handing-over were former Mayor of New Amsterdam and Patron of FACC, Errol Alphonso, Manager of COURTS NA Branch Stanley McKenzie, FACC coach Randolph Roberts and former National female cyclist Marica Dick.

Crawford’s kind gesture comes after noticing the young FACC cyclist and realising he has talent.

The former National cyclist contacted Seenarine’s coach Randolph Roberts and offered to make the donation.

ability of our swimming team and we will defend our swimming title.

The core of swimmers is there.

Most of these persons are all in clubs and they are seasoned in their abilities,” he shared.

With 14 persons, the teachers’ team is two persons short of the full complement, but Wills is not too worried about this area either.

The athletics team, however, is another story. Last year was not a good year for the District, and Wills is hopeful to at least see an improvement from that.

“Saying we did badly is an understatement, we did horrible,” Wills declared.

“I think we finished sixth or seventh (in track and field compe-

tition). Maybe I think the athletes tend to get complacent in what they are doing, plus the other Districts are getting stronger.

“They are actually putting in the work, whereas our athletes go in knowing that they are in North and thinking they will just do well but other districts are putting in the work.

“Most of our athletes they have the natural talent, so we would normally implore of our athletes to find themselves in clubs.”

However, this is where the challenge comes, Wills says. He pointed out that quite a large number of senior secondary schools land within the North Georgetown

District, and at most of these schools academics is the main focus, making it a struggle to get the students to take sports seriously.

“And it’s not that the district has not even tried mitigating measures. Wills noted that over the years efforts have even been made to bring the selected athletes together to train prior to going to Nationals. However, the support for the initiative was not there.

“It didn’t work out because just two or three persons turn up, because they just focus on the academics. They feel that the time they could be at practice training they could instead be out at lessons or focusing on their academics,” Wills pointed out.

“The same goes for the cyclists, and Wills reminded that at the end of the day, it’s all voluntary and nothing can be done to compel the athletes when they just don’t want to.

“We try to encourage them to join some clubs, but at the end of the day we can’t force them to do something that they don’t want to. There’s nothing we can do if at the end of the day they just focus on the academics,” he said.

ARG surface still a problem

The Antigua Recreation Ground

Young cyclist Ralph Seenarine (blue shirt) receives the donation of a racing bike, compliments of Franco Crawford.

Seenarine resides in the Corriverton area and has been riding for a twoyear period representing the FACC. His pedalling expertise has so far propelled him to a position of third-best Juvenile cyclist in the country and the number one Juvenile cyclist in Berbice.

In addition, Seenarine will have the opportunity to further prove his worth as he suits up to represent the Corentyne District in the 57th National Schools Championship in the cycling events which will be staged at the National Park.

THE surface of the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG) continues to cause headaches for groundsmen, politicians, players and coaches even as the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) Premier Division has got under way.

Rowan Isaac, coach of Asot’s Arcade Parham and former national player, is concerned about the surface and wonders how the ground staff will ever get it back to the days when the pitch was sublime.

According to reports, the decline of the ARG was brought about by the 2017 Carnival celebrations.

“The eastern end is definitely heavy so a lot of the teams defending that end would get stagnant. I was listening to the discussion and I would not want Batow’s (Everton Gonsalves) job right now because that field is in no good condition because I see a ball was passed to one of our players in a straight line and then the ball just shift,” said Isaac.

Derrick Edwards, coach of Sandals Grenades is also in agreement regarding the pitch, saying the ground staff may not have enough to work with.

“First, you must have the material to get the job

done because if you don’t have the material it makes no sense, and that’s the first aspect. The second aspect is to have time to do the job because if you don’t have the time to do the job then you won’t get a proper job,” he said.

“Looking at the surface with the sand, I think it should have gotten some more time to get the grass to grow into those areas and it is going to take a lot of water and so on. And at the moment, I don’t know if they are watering it every day in the evenings because it’s better to water it in the evenings,” the former striker said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 23, 2017

USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar pleads guilty to sex charges

FORMER USA Olympic gymnastics sports doctor Larry Nassar has pleaded guilty to seven charges of sexual assault against women and girls in his care.

He was charged with molesting seven girls, many of whom are gymnasts, while working for USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University.

As part of the plea deal, Nassar, 54, could face at least 25 years in prison.

The hearing comes after a third former US Olympian, Gabby Douglas, accused him of sexual abuse.

Douglas reveals abuse by team doctor In a statement to the court yesterday, Nassar said he was pleading guilty to “move the community forward and stop the hurting”.

“I’m so sorry that this was like a match that turned into a forest fire, out of control,” he said.

“I want them to heal. I want this community to heal.

I have no animosity toward anyone. I just want healing.

It’s time.”

“You used that position of trust that you had in the most vile way - to abuse children,” Ingham County Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina said, noting that sex abuse is a nationwide “epidemic”.

“You violated the oath that you took, which is to do no harm, and you harmed them. Selfishly.”

Many of his accusers testified that they were abused while he was examining the young athletes, and sometimes while their parents were nearby.

At least 140 women are suing (at centre) former USA Olympic gymnastics sports doctor Larry Nassar.

He has been accused of abusing more than 130 women - including Olympic gold medallists Ms Douglas, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney - during his time as team doctor for the US women’s gymnastics team.

Ms Douglas, who was one of the so-called Fierce Five that won gold medals

at the London Olympics in 2012, revealed her accusation on Instagram.

“I didn’t publicly share my experiences as well as many other things because for years we were conditioned to stay silent and some things were extremely painful,” she wrote.

During the hearing Ms

Raisman, a member of the 2012 and 2016 Olympic teams, tweeted that she was “disgusted” that Nassar, who lost his licence, was referred to as a doctor.

Nassar’s case was part of a scandal which saw USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny resign last year. Mr Penny was accused by victims of failing to quickly notify authorities about abuse allegations.

In a statement after the plea deal was announced, USA Gymnastics - the organisation which determines the US Olympic team - said it is “very sorry that any athlete was harmed” by their former doctor.

They added that it was “important” that he acknowledged “his appalling and devious conduct” in court

and said the deal “permits punishment without further victimisation of survivors”.

Nassar has already pleaded guilty to multiple charges of child pornography in federal court and could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Before accepting the plea, Judge Aquilina asked him to confirm that he did not wear gloves when abusing his victims between 1998 and 2015, when he was fired.

The alleged examinations were “not for any medical purposes: is that right? It was for your own purpose, is that right?” the judge asked. Nassar responded: “Yes.” He is due to be sentenced on January 12.

(BBC Sport)

Rain reschedules Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ to tonight FOLLOWING the rescheduling of matches from yesterday, due to the consistent rainfall, the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Georgetown Zone will commence today at the National Cultural Centre tarmac, Mandela Avenue with 14 matches.

According to an official release from tournament coordinators Three Peat Promotions, “The

decision to reschedule the matches from the East Ruimveldt tarmac to the National Cultural Centre tarmac was due to the heavy rainfall which inundated the playing area and environs.”

The release added, “The opening night will now witness an increase in matches from the original 10 scheduled fixtures.. 14 games will be staged on the opening

night and we expect an electrifying atmosphere as the teams tussle for the early momentum heading into the latter stages of the tournament.”

In the opening match at 19:00hrs, Bad-A-Yard will oppose GTI Ballers, while Broad Street will oppose Stabroek Ballers at 19:20hrs and Kingston battle North East La Penitence from 19:40hrs.

At 20:00hrs, West

Front Road will battle Smyth Street, while North Ruimveldt tackle Judgement Yard at 20:20hrs, Bent Street engage Norton Street from 20:40hrs and Tucville face-off with Sophia Bullies at 21:00hrs.

In the eight fixtures from 21:20hrs, Channel-9 Warriors will match skills with Gaza Squad, while Alexander Village lock horns with Upsetters at

21:40hrs and Festival City battle New Market Street from 22:00hrs.

In the final four fixtures, California Square oppose Queen Street Tiger Bay at 22:20hrs, East Front Road clash with Future Stars at 22:40hrs, Back Circle confront Trap Squad from 23:00hrs and Sparta Boss meet Ol Skool Ballers at 23:20hrs.

The event will continue on Saturday at the Al-

bousytown tarmac. Winners of the overall event will walk away with $500 000 and the championship trophy along with automatic qualification for the National Playoffs.

The runners-up, thirdand fourth-placed finishers will receive $250 000, $200 000 and $100 000 respectively.

The event is also sponsored by Colours Boutique.

T&T head coach hints at role for retiring Kenwyne Jones PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago head coach, Dennis Lawrence, has left the door open for retiring national forward Kenwyne Jones to play a role in the country’s development programme.

Speaking following Jones’ shock retirement from the game earlier this week, Lawrence said the 33-year-old possessed an abundance of experience which could be used to help develop the new generation of players.

“It’s not just about being on the football pitch.

People play different roles and sometimes it’s off the football pitch,” Jones told the Guardian newspaper here. prolific Kenwyne has an undisputed amount of experience and it’s something he can pass on to this generation so as long as Kenwyne is around and willing, he will always have a part to play with me because I think we cannot afford to let these type of people walk out of our football.”

Jones played 89 times for T&T, scoring 23 goals, and was involved in the national team as recently as

Kenwyne Jones announced his shock retirement from the game earlier this week.

their failed qualifying campaign for next year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia.

He was also a member of the historic squad which qualified for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, while suiting up for three CONCACAF Gold Cups.

The six-foot, two-inch striker played extensively in the English Premier League, representing the likes of Sunderland and Stoke City, and also turned out for Bournemouth and Cardiff City in short stints.

Lawrence said it was this type of quality record

that was hard to ignore.

“He played the highest level you could get in world football. This guy has been involved in the English Premier League, he’s been at a World Cup and he’s done himself no in-favours whatsoever; so I think he’s done well and I’m delighted for him,” said Lawrence, who has played alongside Jones in the past during his time as a national defender.

“We need to focus on every positive thing he’s done for himself, he’s done for T&T football and let that be the legacy that Kenwyne has left.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 23, 2017

Law says Windies relishing NZ conditions as they look to surprise the home side CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (CMC) – Head coach Stuart Law is expecting a tough challenge from the Black Caps in the upcoming two-Test series but believes the conditions here will still favour the West Indies brand of cricket, as they look to spring a surprise on the home side.

The Caribbean side are coming off a 1-0 win over minnows Zimbabwe in a similar two-Test series earlier this month in Bulawayo but nevertheless struggled on the low, slow wickets there.

With the bouncier pitches in the southwestern Pacific expected to provide better surfaces for stroke-makers and seamers, West Indies are confident of lifting their performances.

“The series win against Zimbabwe was in difficult conditions, really slow, low pitches. Didn’t really suit our style of play but we’re looking forward to the wickets we get here in New Zealand,” Law told reporters yesterday.

Kemar Roach

“They’re a very aggressive team, they love playing aggressive cricket. Our boys are really looking forward to that challenge.

It’s very similar to what we faced in the UK earlier in the year as well. We didn’t win the series but we won the second Test match and we made great strides, which is what we’re trying to do.”

Law said resurgent seam bowler Kemar Roach and speedster Shannon Gabriel had found life difficult on the flat pitches in Zimbabwe, with even leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo struggling with the slowness of the

Shannon Gabriel

Head coach Stuart Law conducts throw-downs to batsman Shai Hope during a training session yesterday. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

turn.

With the two Tests here scheduled for the Basin Reserve in Wellington from December 1 to 5 and at Seddon Park in Hamilton

from December 9 to 13, Law said his bowlers were relishing the chance to exploit these surfaces.

“They are looking forward to these conditions

that will probably suit the way they want to play better,” he pointed.

“Normally in New Zealand, they back their quicks and their batters to play on wickets that have a bit in it.

It’s a bit more of a contest between bat and ball which not only livens up the game of cricket but also promotes good skill and better learning.

“We’re not expecting them (pitches) to be flat roads; we’re expecting wickets that have a little bit of life in them. That’s what we’re looking forward to.” “(The pitches) are going to help our bowlers more than the ones in

Zimbabwe did, playing in Bulawayo. Hopefully the ball does bounce above knee height and gets through to the wicketkeeper on the first bounce,” Law laughed sarcastically.

“But we’re prepared for any sort of conditions.

Traditionally here they do have a little bit more grass on the pitches than most places around the world and we look forward to that.”

West Indies touched down here Tuesday following a preparation camp in Australia and underwent their first training session yesterday in cool 20 degrees Celsius conditions.

The side are preparing for their only warm-up game of the series, a threeday fixture against New Zealand A in Hamilton starting Saturday, and Law said the Windies were in good spirits.

“We’re fully here and appreciative of the opportunity to come here and play New Zealand as well. We’re here fully fit, so looking forward to get cracking.”

Hurricanes snap up Barbadian Archer for Big Bash campaign MELBOURNE, Australia (CMC) – Barbadian fast bowling all-rounder Jofra Archer has been snapped up by Hobart Hurricanes for the seventh edition of Australia’s Big Bash League which bowls off next month.

The 22-year-old has been called up to replace England’s Tom Curran who was drafted into the Ashes squad following injury to fellow speedster Steven Finn.

Archer, a former Barbados Under-19, made his name for English County Sussex in the recent first class

season, claiming 61 wickets at 25 runs apiece and scoring 638 runs at an average of 45.

“It was a big honour to be asked, firstly. Some of the best players in the world play in the tournament and it’s a great opportunity for myself to keep learning about the game and to get better,” Archer said I’ve watched the Big Bash every year so far and had a couple of team mates and friends play in the competition – every year it continues to get better.”

Archer’s rise to promi-

nence has been a fairy-tale one. Brought in at the latter stages of the 2016 season for his first class debut, he snatched 23 wickets in six matches to secure a contract extension for the following season.

The right-armer then led the Sussex attack brilliantly, taking 84 wickets and scoring 764 runs across all three competitions, to emerge as the club’s Player-of-the-Year.

Cricket Tasmania chief executive, Nick Cummins, said there was already excitement at the Hurricanes

Barbadian Jofra Archer is set to turn out in the Aussie Big Bash.

surrounding Archer’s arrival.

“We’re excited to see what Jofra can bring to our side and we think our bowling stocks are looking really healthy with Jofra and Tymal Mills playing for us this season,” Cummins noted.

Archer, currently representing Khulna Titans in the Bangladesh Premier League, will join the likes of West Indies stars Kieron Pollard, Carlos Brathwaite, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine who are all down to contest the December 19 to February 4, 2018 tournament.

Law says Windies relishing NZ conditions as they look to surprise the home side See Page 27

Dover ‘cautiously optimistic’ ahead of Indonesia International Friendly WAYNE Dover, head coach of Guyana’s Golden Jaguars, said he’s cautiously optimistic of a positive outcome against Indonesia, when the two clash on November 25, at the Patriot Chandrabhaga Stadium, in Bekasi, West Java.

Guyana arrived in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on Monday evening, for their historic game, since it’s the first time the Golden Jaguars will be playing on the Asian continent.

Dover admitted that he’s clueless about the Indonesian team and their composition, but stated that the experience is one that the entire team and staff will cherish.

“We will make the GFF and the country as a whole, proud of this moment where we will triumph … it’s a moment we will approach with caution because we don’t know the opponent,” said Dover.

Guyana held their first session yesterday , where Dover said, “What has actually stood out was the fact that the end of the session, the guys wanted to continue because they started to feel good about themselves and I’m looking forward to the next session to get the best reaction from The Golden Jaguars during their training session last evening in Indonesia.

Turn to Page 22

Skeete to officiate at Clear Waters backs CONCACAF Women’s internationally ranked table tennis player U-20 Qualifiers

GUYANA’S lone female FIFA referee, Maurees Skeete, departed for St Kitts and Nevis last Monday to officiate in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association (CONCACAF) 2017 Caribbean Women’s Under-20 Quarter-Finals from November 22 to 26.

Skeete is one of 12 female referees from the Caribbean at this five-day competition that will determine the fixtures for the Finals of the CONCACAF Caribbean Women’s Under-20 Championship set to take place

Maurees Skeete

in 2018.

In an invited comment, head of GFF’s Refereeing Department, Stanley Lancaster, said Maurees’ par-

ticipation should serve as an inspiration to young female referees, stating: “This is a great achievement for Maurees and Guyana as well. She is following in the footsteps of Diane Ferreira-James who officiated in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. My desire and goal are that other females aspire, not just to be referees, but to achieve as much as these women.”

The referee delegation arrived at the Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino, St Kitts and Nevis, November 20 and will depart on November 27.

Turn to Page 22 Mr Amarjeet Hardat (Clear Waters Marketing/Sales & Distribution Manager) hands over sponsorship cheque to Mr Yeudistir Persaud standing beside a proud father Mr Latchman Singh.

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THURSDAY,NOVEMBER, 23 , 2017