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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 3083 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Granger promises a new year with hope – Jagdeo calls for higher standards of living for Guyanese January 1, 2017

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

NICIL hires special lawyers to go after P9 debtors

Govt eyes cassava flour, plantain chip facilities P14

Amaila will stand as another monumental APNU/AFC P18 scandal – Ramsammy …says Norway report exposes Govt as “pathological liars”

Ushering in the New Year: Members of the Faith Miracle Ministries, Sussex and Lyng Streets, Charlestown on Old Year's Night engaged in the celebration of praise service as they ushered in 2017

Ministry of the Presidency being repainted in green

Linden roads in deplorable condition P10

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President appoints 9 Senior Counsels …appointments reek of political biasness – Nandlall

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Jagdeo pleased Govt rehires Harper Page 11

P17 Govt, Opposition, unions meet to discuss future of sugar industry

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NEWS

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, January 1 – 05:30h-07:00h and Monday, January 2 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, January 1 – 06:00h-07:30h and Monday, January 2 – 07:00h-08:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Sunday, January 1 – Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the day, while light cloud cover and light rain showers can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.

Monday, January 2 – Light to heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the day, while light cloud cover is expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.

Sunday, January 1 – North Easterly to East North-easterly between 3.12 metres and 4.91 metres.

Monday, January 2 – North Easterly between 3.12 metres and 4.91 metres.

Sunday, January 1 – 06:20h and 18:34h reaching maximum heights of 2.55 metres and 2.66 metres respectively and on Monday, January 2 – 07:02h and 19:19h reaching maximum heights of 2.53 metres and 2.61 metres respectively.

Sunday, January 1 – 12:07h reaching a minimum height of 0.67 metre and on Monday, January 2 – 00:35h and 12:51h reaching minimum heights of 0.57 metre and 0.70 metre respectively.

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Granger promises a new year with hope

– Jagdeo calls for higher standards of living for Guyanese

G

uyanese can look forward to the New Year with hope President David Granger promised in his message to the nation when the clock struck midnight – signalling the end of 2016.

“We welcome the New Year 2017 with supreme confidence and with a strong conviction that we’ve chosen the correct course to advance our country,” the Head of State expressed.

The President reflected on the past year and made promises to improve on the efforts employed to make Guyana a better place for all: “National pride was evident at home and in the Diaspora as we celebrated our jubilee year 2016.

We shall be even prouder as we apply our assets and abilities in this New Year to move faster and further along the path of economic growth.”

Granger focused most of his speech on plans for the development of a green economy, reiterating most of what he propagated throughout his presidency.

He said the population can begin to see concrete measures in place towards the realisation of a green economy, with more solar panels being installed in Government buildings and the shift to cleaner energy.

The President also spoke of the need for a better information communication technology (ICT) sector: “ICT will facilitate greater connectivity between the coastland and hinterland, it will stimulate the services sector and improve the delivery of public services and enhance competitiveness of our economy.”

Granger also said that in 2017, much focus will be placed on protecting Guyana’s sovereignty, especially with the Venezuela/Guyana border

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

controversy being at such a delicate stage.

“Our vigilance to protect our people and our patrimony against all threats to our territory will not be diminished,” he stated.

President Granger promised that with the new year, Guyanese will witness the acceleration of the transition towards improvement in our citizens’ quality of life.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has extended New Year greetings to all Guyanese at home and abroad. He wished a year that will deliver goodwill, higher standards of living, equity and justice as well as massive economic development for our people regardless of their race and ethnicity, religious beliefs and political persuasions.

"As we reflect on the significant challenges encountered in 2016, we must recommit ourselves to redoubling our efforts to ensure that we overcome those that lie ahead this year," he stated.

Jagdeo said 2017 must be used as the year to achieve national healing and reconciliation, racial harmony, unity and cohesiveness: " As a nation we

must also strive to work together to achieve our broad objectives of creating an economy that is resilient, diversified, green and capable of withstanding the shocks caused by international financial crises and generating jobs and income for our people. Social services, including the delivery of quality health care and education and the welfare of the elderly and disadvantaged must be given greater priority."

He continued: " We can ill-afford this year to have more executive lawlessness, divisiveness, poor economic management and partisan 'social cohesion’ initiatives. It is my hope that our National Assembly will rise to a new level where more meaningful consultation, political cooperation and consensus are the order of the day."

Jagdeo noted that the People's Progressive Party/ Civic which is the main opposition parliamentary

President David Granger

party will continue to lobby and fight for the rights of Guyanese at every level.

"We will seize every opportunity to ensure that good governance prevails and higher levels of transparency and accountability are evident in Government’s business and undertakings," he stated.

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2017

Views In the spirit of the season!

Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Hubris and Nemesis

T

he three key elements in Greek tragedy were “hubris, nemesis and catharsis” and it appears Guyana is about to unfold its own tragedy after the hubris displayed by the PNC-led Government’s leadership at Red House last Friday. Earlier this month, one research into hubristic leadership warned: “Hubris is a potentially dangerous cocktail of over-confidence, over-ambition, arrogance and pride. It is the malaise of the powerful which, when allied to contempt for the advice and criticisms of others, causes leaders to over-reach themselves significantly. As a consequence…if left unchecked, hubristic leadership undermine institutions, threaten society’s wellbeing and destabilises global security.”

The tragedy, as they tend to do, began rather innocuously.

Sometime in 1999 the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (CJRC) was formed to house the papers of the leader of the PPP and former Premier and President of Guyana, Dr Cheddi Jagan. It was to be institutionalised at the state-owned “Red House”, where Jagan lived as Premier in the 1960s and run by an executive drawn from the PPP’s hierarchy. A 99-year lease was executed at a nominal rate of $1000/monthly.

In August 2015, during the Budget debate for that year, Attorney General Basil Williams claimed the PPP had “privatised” Red House. A month later, the newlyformed “State Assets Recovery Agency” (SARA) under Dr Clive Thomas, signalled that the “peppercorn” lease by the previous Administration to the private group was vitiated because it did not reflect “market rates”. They indicated the Government should challenge the lease in the courts. The Government, through the Minister of the Presidency Joseph Harmon concurred.

Towards the end of October 2015, the AG took an even more confrontational tact and insisted the Red House lease arrangement was illegal and amounted to the theft of Government property. “It’s misconduct in public office for the criminal office side and misfeasance in public office on the civil side.” He revealed that negotiations had been initiated between officials of the CJRC and himself, representing the Government. He had met two directors of the Institute: they suggested renegotiation of the terms of the lease and its consideration and he proposed that its mandate be altered to accommodate the papers of all past presidents.

After this suggestion was rejected, the AG never got back to the CJRC representatives as he had promised, but in March of this year, reiterated his Government’s position on the lease. Rather curiously, he denied meeting representatives of the CJRC. And there the matter stood until a letter from the President to his Minister of State on December 30, 2016, ordered that the CJRC must vacate the premises the very next day, December 31, to make way for the occupancy by the Secretariat of the National Trust.

Previously the Ministry of the Presidency (MoP) had identified the building that housed the National Trust as being earmarked for its own expansion. But the thunderbolt on the summary eviction, which most pertinently involved the records of the man universally acclaimed as one of the leading pioneers of the independence movement, and housed on three floors of Red House, was evidently not hubristic enough.

When the legal representative of the CJRC immediately rushed to file a conservatory for staying the eviction, even as the Chief Justice was listening to arguments from both sides, employees from the MoP refused to listen to the objections of a director of the Centre, broke down a sign with its name and installed a new lock on the gate of the fence. It is now clear from the timelines of the actions, that the AG had sought to mislead the CJ by informing her that the MoP was already in occupancy of Red House.

It is clear that the hubristic behaviour of the Government will inevitably invoke its nemesis that will eventually destroy it – even as it did its predecessor regime. The PPP matches the coalition in popular support and the disagreement should have been handled more sensitively.

The problem is, the catharsis will only come after our country would have suffered.

Nirvana Humanitarian Society hosted its annual children's party at Kastev which attracted over 150 children from lower West Coast Demerara. At the party, the children were treated to a concert and provided with dinner and toys

The Red House fiasco

Dear Editor, I believe this entire fiasco will have serious repercussions for Guyana. As a nation which would have surpassed 50 years of independence, whose past would have had many instances of racial division and political adversity, this fiasco is not needed as we move forward. I think that the modus operandi of the Government and certain actions of the Opposition were both misguided and could have been avoided.

I think that the Government is viewing this incident as a problem which instead can be solved by a simple solution. However, I believe that this fiasco will ignite more racial disunity and tension between the supporters of the Coalition Government and those of the PPP/C Opposition.

I am of the opinion that most Guyanese only become racially inclined during periods of elections when political parties campaign for votes. This Red House affair is likely to have a similar effect especially on the developing minds of our youth population; it will bring pain, suppression and fear in their minds.

I would like to give my opinion on a few details surrounding this issue. Please note the following: 1) There is currently a lease that exists and the Coalition Government is attempting to recapture the building from the former PPP/C Government which had occupied and used the

compound for its work. This is a fact, but it seems to be a case of emotionalism on the part of the Government and for some, it appears to be political hate with an intent to break the morale of the Opposition’s supporters.

The termination of the lease should be instructed by the Court which interprets the laws of Guyana.

2) I think that the termination of this lease (if given the signal by the Court) will motivate the supporters of the PPP/C Opposition to do everything in their power to break down the Coalition Government. It was my wish for this present Government to bring development and a way forward for all Guyanese; that they would attempt to make strides with Social Cohesion and Political Unity with the Opposition.

The Universal Peace Federation Guyana Chapter in 3 prong plan in 2016 had strived to bring the opposition and government into a common place where all of our races, religions and cultures could have been celebrated and honored.

Although programs and activities were held, we are aware that more is needed in 2017. I believe the Red House Fiasco was an opportunity was presented to the Government to show their maturity politics. What have we learned over the past 50 years?

3) Red House has a significant connection to the PPP as it was the first residence of their leader, the

late Cheddi Jagan when he became the Premier. It is believed by some that the Government of the day wishes to embarrass the Jagan legacy. This is an opinion of more than 50% of Guyanese inclusive of Government supporters.

4) The Government in Guyana had approached the Red House management team with a proposal to have the compound established into a facility to accommodate all former Presidents and their work. I believe that the PPP/C should have “bit the bullet” and waited to see what could have developed from it. With this, Jagan’s legacy would have been saved. I think that the Opposition should have bit the bullet, and therefore avoiding any conflict. Just as Saddam Hussein was stubborn in not withdrawing from Kuwait and refused the order to move Iraq troops out of Kuwait, saving his country resources, grief and shame, Similarly, if the PPP/C would have accepted the deal to host all former Presidents in the compound, there would have been no conflict between the parties and it could have function as a unifying factor in enforcing communication and intra-respect.

5) The issue now is what happens from this.

It is likely that the PPP/C Opposition will use all of its clout and international media links to show the infringement by the Coalition Government on the Court

system. Any Government should be careful when going against a court ruling even if it has the flexibility in its Executive power; we must never forget to enforce the separation of powers. I know that this Government is not intentionally embroiling this atmosphere of conflict and I know that it does not wish to disrespect the law. As I am a trained law enforcement officer, trained to upkeep and protect the laws enshrined into our constitution, all Guyanese should become law enforcers; with respect for Parliament and the coats.

It is my view that the Government is headed in the wrong direction, and the Opposition is going adamant.

I think that the Red House should have become a landmark of recognition and a place of study for all of our former Presidents. As a lover of peace and harmony, I still think that a positive result can occur, once our leaders listen to cries of the people. To our excellencies, President David Arthur Granger and Former President and Opposition Leader, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, let us find a way to cooperate and maintain the peace and love we have obtained. Let us strive to turn this fiasco into a future that all of us can be proud to work towards.

Yours sincerely, Hajji Roshan Khan National Chairman – UPF Guyana

guyanatimesgy.com

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

‘Hair Stylists/Cosmetologists Red House should have been gifted to Jagan Centre Row’ an eyesore Dear Editor, The PPP is its own worst enemy when it comes to looking after the interests of its supporters and protecting the legacy of the party’s iconic leaders. It is because of PPP’s many blunders while in Government that today the PNC could eject, without worrying about the consequences, the Dr Cheddi Jagan Research Centre from a public property leased by the NGO (of same name) to host the Jagans’ papers.

Red House should have been gifted to the Jagan Centre because of his enormous contributions to the nation. He gave his entire life and earnings to the country. What is a building in return for those contributions?

It would never be enough to repay the Jagans for their complimentary work on behalf of the nation.

The PNC is seeking to tarnish the legacy of the Jagans and unfortunately will get away with it.

Had the PPP done the right thing when in office, the centre would not have found itself in the predicament it is in today – without a proper home.

This is not a party that takes advice from experts and scholars on how to do things right that would have long-term positive effects on its supporters and the party itself. Instead, it does things haphazardly and without serious intellectual discussion from independent figures – that is why it lost its majority in 2011 and toppled by the US in May 2015.

Had the party done the right thing and gave the sugar workers GuySuCo land, the industry would have been prosperous and workers still on the job. Instead, the PNC has removed the PPP from office and is dismantling GuySuCo and re-

warding its supporters and financiers with the land.

The PPP did not want its supporters to become a kulak class.

Well, the PPP supporters are increasingly becoming a jobless, homeless and landless class today. The PPP needs to learn from its errors. The PNC, in and out of office, looks after the interests of its supporters; PPP should have done same.

And AFC should have followed suit.

The AFC brought its 11 per cent (from Indians) to put PNC into Government.

So AFC should insist that the Indians get their fair share, including retaining the Red House as the Jagan Centre.

A property should have been gifted by the PPP Government to the Jagan Foundation to house the papers of the Jagans and the PPP freedom fighters and staffed at taxpayers’ expenses. The Red House would have been ideal for such a venture.

It should have been gifted, not leased, similar to how Jagdeo gifted five acres of prime land for the Burnham foundation at the national park. The Burnham family sold the land and pocketed the proceeds. Now they want the Jagan building (Red House) to host Burnham and Hoyte papers.

No one would have opposed a Jagan Centre, comprising of individuals from the private sector, Jagan’s party, and scholars from abroad as well as at home.

The Jagan Centre would have got broad-based support and international funding. The Jagan Centre should have been a non-partisan research institute welcoming scholars and students from everywhere.

Instead, the Centre was packed with party hacks, making it appear like a party affair.

This has made it a difficult job to defend the Centre.

It is all the more an arduous task for independents (those not with PPP) to join the struggle to combat the PNC as it seizes the centre and moves against Jagan’s legacy.

The PNC plans to move against the Jagan’s name of the airport very soon.

Imagine Jagan liberated Guyana and the PNC, WPA and AFC do not see it fit to donate or lease a public property to house Jagan’s papers.

Yet, this same PNC had the audacity to award its members state properties when it was in office. And the WPA and AFC have political eunuchs on the matter.

The PNC’s move to revoke a lawful lease is undemocratic and a violation of judicial norms. Its action must be condemned by all democratic loving people regardless of political ideology.

Now is the time for all forces to unite to protect Jagan’s legacy including saving Red House as the depository of the Jagans’ papers.

The PPP did not do the right thing in granting the Jagan Centre the Red House and state funding for its staff.

The PNC-led regime should now do the right thing that the PPP failed to do - gift the centre the property to embarrass the PPP. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Dear Editor, The person(s) from the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown who is/are responsible for conceptualising, creating and maintaining the ‘Hair Stylists/Cosmetologists Row’ on the Merriman Mall should be utterly ashamed of his or herself.

This area has not only become an absolute eyesore, but indeed a national disgrace from an aesthetic and public health perspective.

First, removing these unlicensed, unregistered and itinerant vendors from around the downtown area and dumping them on the mall, was a most irresponsible, hasty and thoughtless act by a municipal official whose responsibility it

is to ensure the integrity of the city.

Second, providing them with those cheap, flimsy, impermanent tents, could not have been a serious solution for vending for a period exceeding three months.

They have now been all but completely destroyed by the vagaries of our weather systems, with the collapsible aluminium poles replaced by wooden and galvanised steel pipes, with wooden pallets being used for the flooring but worse, the polyester that formed the cover has been replaced by hideous pieces of vinolay, plastic, plywood, and every other conceivable material the vendors can lay their hands on.

Quite recently we had

the President unveiling a bust on this very mall to commemorate the life of Claude Alphonso Merriman to whom this mall is named, but still the City Council chooses to take a divergent position by desecrating the mall.

This is quite simply an insult to the memory of Merriman, his family and the Guyanese public. But then again it is quite clear that the bigwigs at City Hall have been given carte blanche to do as they feel, as they proceed down a road of the destruction of our capital, privation on the citizens and dishonour to the Government of the day.

Sincerely, Sean Levius

Guyanese inability to articulate Dear Editor, Not too long ago I watched several “Man on the street” interviews by several television stations.

I observed that everyone had either the same response to a particular question but could not provide examples or further explanation/clarification.

For example, folks in the popular shopping areas were asked, how was business? Response was business bad! When asked to add some colour to their responses, they were unable to articulate, even on a rudimentary basis, why business was bad or why the increases in VAT will negatively affect them. It is no wonder why there are no referendums.

There were other interviews, including mothers who sons were killed by gun shots allegedly by police. Their responses sounded like there are never due process.

I believe there is serious crisis with regard to citizens understanding on a factual basis their current circumstances. For this reason, no amount of investments into grandscale projects would result in positively affecting a majority of the masses if they cannot articulate

what it is they want and to put it into proper verbal communication.

I suggest more frequent discussions of common subjects on radio and television as well as print and social media. The variety of point of views should cultivate an environment of articulation.

A good starting point is why many citizens felt business was bad during Christmas 2016.

Sincerely, Keith Bernard

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Foundation

Ways to help children make New Year’s resolutions

— New Year’s resolutions aren’t just for adults! Here are simple and practical ways to help your growing children make New Year’s resolutions

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Anu Dev

ew Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are two of my favourite days of the year. It's probably because of that feeling of freshness that accompanies the thought of a new year. Rather weirdly (I now realise!), I also used to be excited about the start of a new school year or term. I think I just really like fresh starts.

Interestingly, though the “New Year” was celebrated more than 4000 years ago, it was only celebrated in Western cultures from about 400 years ago. For instance, in India, New Year is celebrated in the Hindu month of Chaithra (Mid April) and it’s been observed for many millennia: the Yuddhistir Shaka started around 5500 BC! In fact, even the cur-

BY WENDY SCHUMAN

rent date celebrated as “New Year’s” day in the west was chosen in 153 BC

by Julius Caesar. If you’re a fan of Roman and Greek mythology, you’ll be interested to know that the month January was named after the God of Doorways - Janus. He was given two faces - one which looked ahead to see what the new year would bring, and the other looked backward to see what happened during the past year. You really can't move forward if you completely ignore what happened in your past.

New Year’s Day is that day where we can all pat ourselves on the back for making through yet another year. Some of us may still be resting on our laurels if it was a successful year. And some of us may still be battle-scarred if it was a tough

year.

But we all have something in common; we've pulled through it all to be here to ring in the New Year.

The New Year represents a new beginning - a chance to start afresh with new resolutions for the New Year (unfortunately, I’m as guilty as anyone else of conveniently forgetting those resolutions by the next week!).

Everyone has their traditions for the new year when we were very young my father insisted that we be up and outside to see the “Old Year Clouds” move over and be replaced by the “New Year Clouds”.

There’s a special joy in counting down those last few seconds until you light off the fireworks to usher in the New Year. And then the invariable hugs, shouting

and general pandemonium as everyone celebrates making it through yet another year - another year full of possibilities.

For me I'm looking forward to spending six weeks this year in my native land, doing an optional elective at GHPC. Have a safe and happy New Year.

"For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup! and surely I’ll buy mine!

And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne."

"Auld Lang Syne", Robert Burns, 1788

N

ew Year’s Day is the traditional time to celebrate a new beginning, and children age seven to 12 are at the ideal stage to learn to make resolutions, experts say. “They’re still young enough that their habits are not firm,” says Christine Carter, PhD, author of Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Children and Happier Parents.

Making resolutions with your children can be fun and exciting, a time for growth and change, and an opportunity for family bonding.

Be resolution role models

As parents, it’s important to practice what you preach.

“Do you believe in, make, and keep resolutions?” asks Robin Goodman, Ph.D., a Clinical Psychologist and Art Therapist who has written books on children and stress. “You have to walk the walk and talk the talk to be most effective.”

Bring your own resolutions to the kitchen table. “This is a great thing to do as a whole family,” Kolari says.

Suggest – Don’t dictate resolutions

The big question parents have at this point: Should you make resolutions for your child? Most experts say no. You can guide and suggest general categories for change, help your child clarify goals, and make sure they’re age-appropriate, but children should come up with resolutions themselves. This is how they take ownership of their goals and learn to plan.

The first step is to listen, Kolari says. “Ask them what they want for themselves. If it’s your agenda that’s driving the conversation, you’re not listening.”

Still, most children need a little guidance. Come up with three or four broad categories – such as personal goals, friendship goals, helping goals, and school goals – and let them fill in the specifics. list

Narrow down the resolutions

The important thing is not to end up with too many resolutions.”Honestly, two or three are reasonable,” Kolari says.

“We don’t want to teach our children it’s about making a huge list of resolutions and not

following through,” Dr Carter says. “So help your child narrow them down to a couple of things to focus on.”

Take a fresh sheet of paper and have your child write down her top three resolutions, leaving a large space between each one for inserting smaller steps. Help your child make them realistic and age-appropriate.

Take turtle steps toward big resolutions Turning a good intention into a habit is “one of the most important skills we can teach our children,” says Dr Carter.

“It’s the key to happiness in life.”

She suggests that parents help children break their resolutions down into “ridiculously easy turtle steps.” “Self-discipline is like a muscle that grows slowly,” she says. “If you do too much at first, you will get fatigued and not be successful.”

Dr Carter says it takes six weeks to create a habit. For instance, if your child’s resolution is “I’m going to keep my room neater,” he should write down six tiny, easy steps and practice one each week.

Follow up but don’t nag about resolutions Check in periodically with children on how they’re doing.

“Don’t worry about lapses.

Expect them. A lapse is forgetting for a day or two, or having a week in which a turtle step didn’t work.

Or maybe you went on vacation and couldn’t practice. That’s not failure; that’s just trying. No big change is ever accomplished perfectly,” Dr Carter says.

“Try not to be a big nag about this,” Kolari says. If your child isn’t making progress on a resolution, “first affirm how hard it is: It seemed like a great idea, but it’s not easy to stick to. Ask, ‘What’s getting in the way for you?’ Help them get excited about it again.”

To avoid parental nagging, she advises framing the resolutions on a wall as a reminder.

Make family resolutions together

Resolutions also bring families closer, especially when you decide to set goals together.

Families could plan to do one charitable thing a month and brainstorm about what that might be. You could pick up trash in the park or donate used clothes and toys to a shelter.

“As long as you’re working on it together, that’s great,” Kolari says. (Parents.com)

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

President appoints 9 Senior Counsels ... appointments reek of political biasness – Nandlall

P

resident David Granger has announced the appointment of several judges and lawyers as Senior Counsel (SC). This is the first time in some 20 years such appointments have been made.

The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Ministry of the Presidency on Saturday morning. According to the release, the appointments will be effective from January 1, 2017, and were made taking into account the exemplary experience, erudition, excellence and diligence in the practice of the law.

The newly appointed Senior Counsel are: Neil Aubrey Boston, a trial lawyer for over 34 years; Charles John Ethelwood Fung-A-Fat, a Parliamentary Counsel and Deputy Chief Parliamentary Counsel for over 33 years; and Justice Alison Roxane McLean George-Wiltshire, who was admitted to the bar in 1990 and served as a Senior State Counsel, Assistant Director of Public Prosecution, Deputy Director of Public Prosecution and Director of Public Prosecution.

Also named Senior Counsel was Clifton Mortimer Llewelyn John, who was admitted in 1952 first as a solicitor and then as a barrister; and Rafiq Turhan Khan, admitted to the Bar in November 1984, appointed for his service as an advocate, member and Co-Chairman of the Legal Practitioners Committee.

Additionally, Vidyanand Persaud, called to the Bar in London in July 1976 and admitted to the Bar in Guyana the same year, was appointed for his service as an arbitrator in disputes and in private practice for 40 years; and Rosalie Robertson, a Legal Advisor and Corporate Secretary for 33 years as well as Registrar of Lands.

Justice Claudette Singh, called to the Bar in London in 1973 and admitted to the Bar in Guyana in 1976, was made SC for her service as the Deputy Solicitor General and as a Puisne Judge as well as a Justice of Appeal. She was also appointed for her lead-

Attorney Neil Boston

ership in spearheading the Modernisation of the Justice Reform Project, and as the Guyana Police Force’s Legal Advisor.

The ninth person to be appointed Senior Counsel by President Granger is Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams, who has over 33 years of law practice in both criminal and civil law.

The last appointment of Senior Counsel were done in 1996. Back in May 2014, the Supreme Court of Guyana had advertised for attorneys to take up the post of Senior Counsel.

The notice invited attorneys who meet its criteria, which includes over 15 years of active practise at the Bar and are desirous of being elevated to the dignity of Senior Counsel, to make written applications.

However, no such appointments were made until President Granger’s announcement on Saturday.

Meanwhile, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall has since expressed “shock” at the sudden appointments of Senior Counsel by the President.

“These appointments were obviously done in a very opaque fashion. Some of the appointments reek of political bias and baseless favouritism. Persons deserving were spitefully and discriminatorily omitted,” he posited.

According to Nandlall, the fact that a sitting Judge was appointed runs contrary to every canon of practice and precedent which dictates that Senior Counsel must be practicing

Deputy Chief Parliamentary Counsel Charles Fung-A-Fat

Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire

Attorney CM Llewellyn John

Attorney Rafiq Turhan Khan

Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams

Justice Claudette Singh

Registrar of Lands Rosalie Robertson

Attorney Vidyanand Persaud

lawyers. He noted that it was for this reason that the Chief Justice of Trinidad and Tobago, Ivor Archie, was forced to relinquish his appointment as Senior Counsel because he was a Judge and not a practicing lawyer when he was appointed.

Likewise he added, the same obtained when Kamla Persaud-Bissessar was appointed Senior Counsel while being Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

Moreover Nandlall outlined that one of the persons appointed has never done a case of substance at the Bar. He went on too to question the rationale behind the omission of certain individuals, which he said are glaring.

“On what basis was the current DPP, Shalimar Ali-Hack, omitted? As irregular as I believe it is for a Judge to be appointed, on what basis was one Judge appointed and the other Judges not, especially the Chancellor and Chief Justice?”

asked the former Legal Affairs Minister.

Furthermore Nandall enquired of the consulta-

tions done by the Coalition Government and/or President Granger in making the ap-

pointments, while adding that the slide into authoritarianism by this administration is moving faster than anticipated.

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NEWS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PSC calls for GNRSC to educate public on traffic matters

T

he Private Sector Commission (PSC) has called on the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) to take up the challenge of educating the public more on traffic matters.

The call was made by former Chairman of PSC and retired Traffic Chief, Norman McLean, as he addressed the press at the Council's press conference on Wednesday, at the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department Head Quarters, Eve Leary.

It is McLean’s view that Guyana had a very bad year when it came to road fatalities.

“Every year we must look to bring down the number of fatalities, we must bring

down the number of fatal accidents, we must bring down losses of children and young people and really make this a much safer place on our roadways,” he said.

He added that the current situation with congestion and other road problems are proving to be a great challenge to Guyanese, and as such, more in needed to have the public educated on proper road usage.

“This is not a Police function, this is a function that we all need to take on and so it is all of our jobs to make the roadway a safer place”.

He noted that the traffic department has been doing its part; however, he stated that the issue is reckless road

users.

He said, “We have tried to put in breathalysers, speed traps, speed bumps and everything conceivable and it is really a human issue. The issue is the people themselves who are using the road to be conscious that lives are at stake, that when you drive and drink and when you drive recklessly that you are putting lives at stake”.

McLean asserted that the current issue lies in traffic education which is poor in Guyana. “And I think that it is very serious that we take this seriously in the upcoming year and that we take up the challenge to ensure that education, because that is where the issue lies, in traf-

fic education. We talk about a lot of things but education is the issue because even if you have poor engineering and bad roads, your mental capacity will guide you”.

The former Traffic Chief noted that it is a sad situation to see those whose lives have been impacted by road fatalities.

“What we are doing on the roadways is impacting people’s life so even if we have bad conditions, if your education and your mental capacity impacts on you, then you will drive to suit the different conditions’.

McLean concluded “these are the issues that we have to deal with and I welcome the opportunity for us to do so”.

Year of renaissance… …or spite? he Government had dubbed 2016 as “The Year of Renaissance”. It is clear that this lot has a twisted sense of humour. A “renaissance” is supposed to mirror the initial age that unfolded in Europe starting in Italy and spreading across the continent by the 17th century. Mankind witnessed revolutions in every facet of human endeavour – be it internally through scientific thinking that wiped out the chains of superstition from their backward Middle Ages – or externally through new modes of production, governance and art.

So, what have we taken to greater heights this past year that we may even dare to whisper “renaissance”?

New modes of production? They still haven’t gotten Skeldon to function anywhere near optimum. And in fact, sugar production plummeted to its lowest point in the last quarter of a century. Rice? The poor farmers are keeping up production against all odds – but the Government abandoned them to the dogs after making absolutely no attempt to resuscitate the Venezuela market that gave them TWO TIMES THE PRICE we now get.

We won’t even get into other sections of the economy that’ve also faltered – safe to point out the gold production the Government trots out at the drop of a hat, just leaves us with five per cent royalty. And most of the foreign revenues are drained to the homes of the foreign companies! What’s more useful is to dissect the mindset of this Government that was shaped by folks who made what they call “political investments” and are now demanding their ton of flesh.

Like the Muckraker whose owner, the founder of FUCOP – Funding a United Candidate for Opposition President – only yesterday repeated his charge that the NEW GPC hadn’t paid dividends on the 10 per cent Government shares retained at privatisation. He, of course, was encouraged by that fraudster Goolsarran who repeated the libel after the “forensic audit” he claimed to’ve conducted of NICIL. When in fact NICIL – under this regime – showed NEW GPC had shelled out billions in dividends, Goolsarran claimed he hadn’t been SHOWN those records. A forensic auditor depends only on the audited entity to show him figures?!! Has Guyana Stores EVER paid dividends on the 10 per cent shares held by Government/employees?

Sorry…your Eyewitness’ bad: they haven’t even bothered to pay their purchase price to the Government!!

Anyhow, back to the “renaissance” issue. Do these jokers appreciate the billions NEW GPC has – and continues to pay – in taxes? Do they know that dividends are only paid by prudent investors AFTER ensuring there are enough funds for strategic investments – or a rainy day?

Or do they just spend whatever they make and then expect their “political investments” to deliver them from starvation?

T

…and vow of Volda

Volda Lawrence is the Social Protection Minister.

While her colleague Amna Ally has the “Social Cohesion” portfolio, you’d expect Volda to show some sensitivities to social realities, wouldn’t you? But after the poor workers were scared off by some toughs from the Ministry of the Presidency, who but the protector of the social - Volda shows up.

But rather than commiserating in “social solidarity”, Volda behaves big-and-bad like she just came out of the bush! Who does she think she is? “I-is” Broomes? Schuups!!

She storms over to the PPP folks holding candles in their vigil to protect Red House from the depredations of that bully AG Basil Williams. He, of course, is very frustrated he couldn’t seize Clarissa Reil’s property and is not to be denied!

Anyhow, staunchly Volda vowed to remain in front of Red House for “three days’ if necessary – or until the PPP “vigilers” beat a retreat. She claimed to have walked with her chair!

Thing is…she couldn’t be seen half hour later!!? Was discretion the better part of valour?

…and struggle

The lesson from the original Renaissance is it takes a lot of struggle to make all those changes. And it’s not done by “one-man” shows.

Not like Dr Frank’s solo petition against the Red House attack.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NICIL hires special lawyers Ministry of the Presidency being to go after debtors repainted in green W

ith hundreds of millions owed to the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), the State’s holding company has hired special lawyers to “aggressively” go after its debtors.

Only a few days ago, Finance Minister Winston Jordan, in an interview with another media entity said “there is nothing to hide at NICIL, beyond the fact that they are not as rich as they used to be.”

Currently, there are about 30 agencies that owe the holding company millions of dollars and according to Officerin-Charge of NICIL, Horace James, they already have several of them before the court.

“We even hired special lawyers who will be chasing down behind those persons who owe us… We are aggressively pursuing those debtors,” he posited at the organisation’s yearend press briefing on Friday.

In fact, James noted there was already a judgment in one such case filed against a Berbice company while adding that NICIL has also embarked on repossessions.

Moreover, the NICIL official outlined that most of the holding company’s monies are tied up in the Marriott Hotel, which is owned by Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI). He said NICIL has invested some US$30 million in the five-star hotel but is yet to receive any returns.

Topping the list of NICIL’s debtors are several State agencies including the Public Infrastructure Ministry which has some $174 million out-

Officer-in-Charge of NICIL, Horace James

standing. According to James, these monies were spent on road works leading to the Marriott Hotel in Kingston.

These works were done before the opening of the hotel.

Another big buck is owed by the Central Planning and Housing Authority (CP&HA).

This agency has some $74 million outstanding for works done at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara.

The cash-strapped Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) also owes NICIL some $61 million for the rental of a building located at Lot 191 Camp Street, Georgetown.

With regards to the heavily-indebted sugar company, NICIL’s Officer-in-Charge explained that they wrote Finance Minister Winston Jordan indicating those Government agencies that owe the holding company.

“We didn’t take them to court at first, we think it was wise for us to initially go to the Minister of Finance, let him know the situation given him the numbers and the

background. He did indicate that he will meet our Board to discuss those matters,” James said.

NICIL is currently operating under the chairmanship of Dr Maurice Odle along with Board members – Minister of State Joseph Harmon, and Head of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Berkley Wickham.

On this note, Minister Jordan said that holding company will get a new Chief Executive Officer in the New Year.

In the 2015 Auditor General’s Report; Deodat

billion from NICIL represented more than half of what was supposed to be collected

by Government as part of its revenues on dividends from non-financial institutions.

According to the 2015 Audit Report, an amount of just over $1 billion was reflected as dividends from non-financial institutions, as received from NICIL for the Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) for 2015 as an interim payment.

It was found after an examination of the financial statements for Guyoil that in 2015 just over $2 billion was in fact handed over to NICIL

The Ministry of the Presidency, formerly the Office of the President, is being repainted in green

T The State’s holding company, NICIL

Sharma, the Auditor General, had disclosed that NICIL collected some $2 billion on behalf of Government but only turned over half that amount to the Treasury.

Sharma outlined that NICIL continues to function in a manner where it retains significant bulks of its proceeds. This state of affairs has since been adversely reflected on the national accounts since a shortfall of $1

which in turn handed over only half of that amount to the Treasury.

However, NICIL’s Officerin-Charge told reporters at Friday’s yearend press briefing that the holding company has transferred some $2.2 billion to the Consolidated Fund. These are dividends, he said, received from Guyoil – that is $1 billion in 2015 and $1.2 billion at the end of September 2016.

he Ministry of the Presidency is being repainted green – the colour symbolic of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) arm of the coalition Government.

The building, located on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive in Georgetown, is currently barricaded with plywood boards as rehabilitation works are being undertaken.

Earlier last year, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Member and Parliamentarian Priya Manickchand had called on the APNU/AFC Government to desist from “greening and yellowing” Guyana.

She had expressed con-

cerns over the subliminal message Government is sending and the fact that the Administration appears to be forcing its politics on Guyanese who do not subscribe.

Manickchand said the “greening and yellowing” of Guyana is reminiscent of the days when the flag of the former People’s National Congress (PNC) was flown over the Court of Appeal – a signal of party paramountcy.

Government had painted in green and yellow some bridges, benches, sections of public infrastructure and even the boats, buses and bicycles distributed by the Administration.

10 news

SunDAY, january 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Linden roads in deplorable condition

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he aftermath of the inclement weather has left countless already deplorable roads across the Linden community in an even more deplorable state, with Regional Chairman Renis Morian blaming the lack of remedial work on the rain. As is evident, numerous roads have been destroyed due to erosion and exhausting potholes have become even larger.

Residents have voiced concerns over the state of these roads, however Morian said Thursday that the weather is to be blamed for works not being carried out in a timely manner. The Regional Chairman has noted for several months now that this has been the issue.

While numerous roads in the community have benefited from upgrade works, some have remained in deplorable state. Notably, residents in areas such as Block 22, Wisroc, Half Mile, and Amelia’s

Ward have criticised the deplorable state of roads in their communities, noting that with the rainy season, the effects are even more damaging.

Passengers have also voiced concerns, emphasising that some minibus and taxi drivers refuse to take them directly to their homes due to the deplorable condition of several roads.

A driver indicated to this publication that they cannot stand the risk of causing damage to their vehicle and as a result would refuse to take passengers into locations where the roads are deplorable.

In areas such as Block 22 and Victory Valley, several roads are in terrible state due to erosion caused by heavy rains. With the recent budget, residents are hoping that roads in the community which have been neglected for years will receive much needed remedial works.

Fat cats enjoying the GOOD LIFE

A road at One Mile, Linden. Tyres have been placed to slow erosion

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Revoking all hope

By Ryhaan Shah

T

he new year begins with the revocation of all hope for Guyana’s future development and it comes from no other than President David Granger.

Days ago, I began to write today’s column as an uplifting piece that would have ushered in the new year on a note of hope and optimism.

I wrote: President David Granger does have before him a perfect opportunity to show true graciousness and Ryhaan Shah goodwill as we start the new year. He can allow for the regularising of any deficiencies in the lease agreements for the lands on which the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre stand rather than revoking the lease and reclaiming Red House.

I wrote: Red House has been synonymous with both Presidents Jagan – Cheddi and Janet. It was the young couple’s official home when Dr Jagan became the first Premier of British Guiana. The history and sentiment attached are priceless and there is a natural justness in having this particular building bear his name.

I wrote: We could begin this new year with a common resolve to do better especially since we all know that we can.

Granger has the perfect chance to show us how it’s done.

I wrote all that before the news broke that Granger had revoked the Red House lease and in a move of what could only be seen as gratuitous vengeance gave the staff of the Research Centre one day to remove all documents, artefacts, books and records from the premises.

Granger is often touted as a historian even when he shows a distinct lack of the professionalism required for such a title.

Historians respect history and would not participate in any act or deed that displays callous disregard for historical sites, documents or personages.

The move to erase Jagan’s name from Red House could be concomitant with Granger and the PNC’s plan to rehabilitate and build a positive image around Burnham. There is every likelihood that renaming the Cheddi Jagan International Airport could be next on their agenda.

Whatever Granger and his Government does, however, they will never be able to rewrite the facts and the truth of Guyana’s history. Burnham’s villainy which wrecked this country is well known even by hardcore PNC supporters.

They were among the thousands who lined the streets and mourned Cheddi’s death because he was a man universally admired as an honest and humble politician who was always a champion for the people he served.

He was not perfect but he has been the one politician who still stands as a hero for all Guyanese and especially so for the Indian-Guyanese supporters of the party he founded, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

In fact, he is also Prime Minister Moses Nagamoottoo’s hero. Does Nagamoottoo agree with this mean-spirited move of his Government? Is this what he signed on for?

The revocation is nothing less than a hostile act of the Granger Government that is directed at the Indian-Guyanese population to whom Jagan was and is a symbol of everything fine and decent. That this Government can stoop so low as to deny someone of his stature an archival space of notable significance is beyond all reason and an act of indecency.

Since the National Trust is mandated to preserve and protect this country’s patrimony, they should do the right thing and refuse to accept the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre as their new home.

Granger proves himself a most insensitive “leader” by failing to understand or, worse, not caring about the significance that Red House as the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre holds for a majority group of Guyanese citizens.

It is leaders who set the standards for charity and goodness for us to follow – such as Jagan always did – and Granger fails miserably in this regard.

Coming on the heels of the closure of the Wales Estate and state policies that signal an uncertain future for sugar workers, rice farmers, and the business sector, the revocation brings the year to a close on a note that promises dire prospects ahead for the Indian-Guyanese population in particular.

However, all attempts to remove Jagan’s name from the national consciousness are bound to fail. Cheddi Jagan is central to Guyana’s history and Red House is a significant part of that legacy.

Granger and his Government can serve eviction notices and order up thuggery to rip down signage but Cheddi Jagan’s name, character, and his record as a political leader and a decent human being will always stand supreme and heroic above them all because he lives in the heart of the people and no one can ever remove that.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to shah@guyanatimesgy.com

Jagdeo pleased Govt rehires Harper

… sees her as competent Foreign Service Officer

O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said he is pleased that Government strayed from its typical behaviour and recognised the value of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper by rehiring her at the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Ambassador Harper, a career diplomat, was the Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry before stepping down last year to run alongside PPP/C Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar for the 2015 General and Regional Elections.

Jagdeo, during the parliamentary Opposition’s yearend press conference, described Harper as a competent Foreign Service Officer and expressed satisfaction that Government rehired her.

“We believe that competent people should be in the public service regardless of

Elisabeth Harper

their race and political affiliation. We’d like to see more of this because the trend over the year has to dismiss people because of their race and politics and remove them capriciously and supplant them with cronies who are incompetent,” he stated.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge told media operatives on Thursday that Harper was retained by the Ministry to work in the areas of documentation and border issues, which he said she has “unique skills” to match.

The Minister noted that as Director General and a staff member within the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Harper had worked very closely on the matters pertaining to sovereignty, which they have already begun capitalising on.

Prior to her entering the political arena, Ambassador Harper held the post of Director General at the Foreign Affairs Ministry since 2001. She was also an Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (Caricom) at the time of retirement.

Harper, who also holds the Golden Achievement Award, began her career at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in 1976 as a Registry Clerk and moved her way up to hold the title of Director General.

She has previously served as Director, Department of the Americas and Asia at the Foreign Affairs Ministry from 1996 to 2001; a Consular at the

Guyana High Commission in London from 1991 to 1995, and Head of the Frontier Division, Foreign Affairs Ministry from 1990 to 1991.

Described as a distinguished public servant, Harper has been a member of Guyana’s delegation to various meeting of Caricom, the Latin American Economic System, the Association of Caribbean States, United Nations, the Commonwealth and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), among others.

Harper has served in several other positions as Ambassador to Caricom (2003 to present), Nonresident High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago (2003-present), Nonresident High Commissioner to Barbados (2004-present), Non-resident High Commissioner to Grenada (2006-present and Nonresident High Commissioner to St Kitts and Nevis.

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt eyes cassava flour, plantain chip facilities Younge’s Take

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griculture Minister, Noel Holder has announced that Government is moving to establish a cassava flour producing facility. These comments were disclosed at the Agriculture Ministry’s press conference where it was stated that the move is to reduce the high import wheat bill, which is US$21 million per annum.

Holder noted that cassava, grown mostly in hinterland locations, is one of the most cultivated staple foods in the region, and not exported. He therefore reasoned that there are often gluts in the local market which lead to “depressed prices”. As such, he announced that the Agriculture Ministry will establish and operationalize at least one processing facility to produce high quality cassava flour: “We will work in tandem with the bakeries to have the cassava flour incorporated with wheat flour.”

The Minister told the media that this initiative is part of the Guyana Marketing

Corporation’s moves to encourage an environment for the promotion and exportation of non-traditional agriculture products such as plantain chips.

“In 2017, the establish-

is consumed with very little transformation,” he explained.

Other plans he noted, for this year, include establishing coconut nurseries at

ment and operationalization of a chips and flour processing facility at Parika will come into fruition. The rarity of cassava processing and the limited value added products that are produced on a commercial scale speaks of the high percentage of this staple crop that

Pomeroon, Mon Repos and Wakenaam and to continue to treat palm plants that were affected by the red palm mite disease in 2016. He added that this programme was facilitated by a $49 million allocation in last year’s budget.

In August 2016,

Coconut nurseries

Government announced the move to establish a plantain chip factory in the Essequibo Island of Leguan. Back then, the Business Ministry had issued an advertisement, inviting interested investors to submit Expressions of Interest along with their business proposals for this undertaking.

The size of the property was given as 8625 square foot and included machines such as slicing processors, blanching, de-watering, frying, de-oiling, seasoning and packaging equipment.

The move to establish a plantain chip factory, in order to push the local manufacturing sector, was touted by former President Donald Ramotar in the lead-up to the 2015 General and Regional Elections. These projects initially comprised the construction of two call centres – one in Tuschen in Region Three and one in Enmore in Region Four, and two chip factories, one in Leguan and one in the neighbouring island of Wakenaam.

L

Respecting the elderly

ast week, I had the unique opportunity of listening to a group of elderly men and women share stories about the life they lived when they were younger.

They told tales about the hardships they faced as well as the sacrifices they had made for their children and their siblings while explaining that it was a mixture of perseverance and commitment that helped them accomplish things that seemed out of their reach at various points and time.

While some blamed the system and prevailing conditions as well as the policies of the Government of the day for their inability to accomplish more or lead Michael Younge better lives, others admitted that they had wasted their youth pursuing all of the wrong goals and ideals which they found out too late in the end were not really important ingredients for leading happier and financially sound lives.

To my surprise, all of these elderly people appeared to be very patriotic when questioned about how they felt about being Guyanese. They were optimistic that Guyana sometime in the future under the right leaders and in the right conditions could develop into a world power in the Caribbean and South American region with some even opining that the country is blessed with all that is necessary to accomplish such an ambitious goal.

For next hour, over cold gingerbread, I heard some really good proposals as to the kind of policies that a modern Government should implement given the experiences of these elderly folks and the missteps of past leaders. They were bursting with energy and eager to lend a hand here and there so that more youths could become grounded and prepared for the task of leading.

But one of the seniors remarked, “Our ideas and experience doesn’t matter. We are old. Nobody really listens to us. We are good as dead to younger folks and just look at how we are disrespected and cast aside.”

The tone of the conversation changed and almost everyone was in agreement that the country was suffering because there was a need for a paradigm shift among younger adults about their perception of the elderly.

There was also agreement that generational gaps were causing conflicts and rifts between the young and old in many parts of our country.

It was ripping families apart and resulting in the decline of traditions and culture which promoted respect, mores and moral values which had in the past strengthened communities and the moral compass of their inhabitants. These gaps were also responsible for a massive decline in the passing of critical historical, religious and cultural knowledge from the old to young.

Suddenly it dawned on me that indeed younger folks need to do much more to tap into the expertise of the elderly who are undoubtedly more experienced, resourceful and knowledgeable in certain respects. We, therefore, do not invent a new wheel but continue to build with newer ideas in mind. Youths need not fear their elders but respect them and work with them to create a better and more prosperous Guyana.

Also, I quickly believed that the elderly needed to exhibit more confidence in their younger counterparts, stepping aside and down when necessary so that newer and more modern forms of thinking could be allowed to flow into the policy development processes of our country.

It is therefore necessary for more compassion, love and dedication to be shown to our seniors in 2017. We must build more homes, resign retirement homes and retain as many of them as advisors in critical areas. They do not have to serve as frontline ministers or heads of constitutional bodies but rather must be allowed to continue assisting from the background.

We need to care more for our elderly. They must not die washing up teacups. They must not die feeling lonely and neglected. They must not die because of our shortcomings and failure to provide for them as they have provided for us.

Let 2017 be the year where the Government further increases their Old Age Pensions, benefits and standard of living.

Let 2017 be the year when we achieve enlightenment and accept atonement for our sins against the elderly.

When we have done this, we can then address our shortcomings in other areas.

MESSAGES

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

New Year’s message from Government

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s we reflect on 2016, Guyana’s Golden Jubilee year, we are pleased with the accomplishments of our nation. We are inspired that 2016 was both a celebratory and foundational year for our nation. It was a year in which we reconnected with tens of thousands of our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora who visited Guyana, many after being away for decades, as we joined hands and hearts in celebrating our historic 50th Independence

Anniversary with fervour.

The majestic rising of the Golden Arrowhead at D’Urban Park on May 26th laid patriotic emotions bare and renewed the nation with hope and a spirit of enthusiasm for Guyana’s future.

It evoked the lyrics of Dave Martins’ song – “Clear the way, Guyana comin’ back.”

Despite some challenges and hiccups, 2016 was a year in which two national budgets were presented and the groundwork for achieving

New Year’s message from Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee

F

ellow Guyanese, I would like to take this opportunity to extend best wishes to everyone on the dawn of a new year, 2017.

In this new year let us remain committed to working through the difficulties and overcoming the challenges our people face on a daily basis.

A new year always brings with it renewed sense of optimism and hope for a brighter future. For this to be realised, the government needs to act in a responsible manner, respecting the laws and the constitution of Guyana, instead of the dictatorial manner we have witnessed in the recent past.

There is much to work towards in the coming year. We cannot hide from the realities that face us; the economy posted the lowest growth in eight years. This was due to the contraction in all the major sectors; sugar (19 per cent decline), rice (14 per cent decline), forestry (33 per cent decline), and manufacturing (7 per cent decline). Evidence shows that the economy is regressing at lightning speed.

The harsh reality is that every major economic sector recorded lower output except the mining and quarrying sector. The manufacturing sector contracted by 14.1 per cent during the first half of

2016, largely as a result of the decline in output of rice and sugar. This economic decline has touched all the major economic sectors, and is being felt by all Guyanese.

The ‘good life’ that the economic growth the Guyanese people were promised has turned out to be nothing more than a mirage. The average Guyanese is unsure of job opportunities, the future of their livelihood, and prices that continue to escalate for local commodities. Even the once booming housing sector has come to a halt.

The continued will, faith and resilience of all Guyanese, the dedication and hard work in the face of constraints and challenges, the endurance and the unending sacrifices for the development of our country must continue.

Let us not be swayed from believing that better days in our individual and collective lives are still ahead of us.

There can be no doubt that the foundations for a strong and secure Guyana has been firmly laid, and we will continue to charter a path towards racial and working-class unity, growth and development.

I take this opportunity to also wish the entire nation and visiting families and friends a Happy and Prosperous 2017…

Happy New Year.”

Private Sector Commission New Year's message

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s the year 2016 draws to a close, the Private Sector Commission reflects on achievements during the year and looks forward with confidence to the year 2017. The Commission has achieved much in 2016, in its collaboration with Government, Government agencies, labour and civil society. It values the bonds which have been created and strengthened with these.

We have worked closely with all Government Ministries in 2016 and particularly the Ministries of Natural Resources, Public Security, Foreign Affairs, Business, Finance, and Public Infrastructure. Together we were able to establish the pivotal role that the private sector plays in nation building.

We would like to express our gratitude to our members for their support throughout the year. In 2017, we will continue

to engage all businesses going forward and we would work steadfastly to ensure their voices are heard. We encourage more investment in Guyana, and we will provide assistance to potential investors, as we feel that business plays an important role in the growth and development of any country.

As 2017 is here, the Private Sector Commission looks forward to an even closer and more productive collaboration with Government in all areas, and particularly in oil and gas, judicial reform, appointment of judges, examination of the feasibility of the Amaila Falls Project and an overall improvement in the investment climate.

The Private Sector Commission takes this opportunity to wish all a peaceful and prosperous 2017.

the good life for all Guyanese commenced in earnest.

Structural changes, institutional re-organisation and re-focusing were necessary.

The Coalition Government looks forward to intensifying this work in 2017 in expanding the horizon of all Guyanese. It is planned that 2017 will be the year in which we both complete the foundational work for future development and commence the transformational work in pole vaulting Guyana towards the good life.

This process will be neither automatic or without hurdles.

It will require the talents, intellect, skills, commitment and contribution of all patriotic Guyanese.

In the new year constitutional reform will take centre stage, as will major infrastructural projects such as the bridging of Essequibo River, a new bridge across the Demerara River, building of the Parika to Goshen road, paving of the Linden/Mabura phase

of the Linden/Lethem road and waterfront developments in the city and at Vreed-enHoop. Our social services, health care, education, public security, utility services, foreign service, telecommunications, business, housing, hinterland development, public service and other sectors will undergo transformation and modernisation.

The theme of Budget 2017 – ‘Building a diversified green economy; Delivering the good life to all Guyanese’ – sets the tone for the year ahead.

The Coalition Government encourages all to set aside partisan interests and join the effort to work towards achieving a better quality of life for all Guyanese.

The Coalition Government sincerely expresses best wishes for a safe, productive, inclusive, progressive and successful 2017 to Guyanese, at home and overseas, as we work together in fulfilling the mandate of a good life for all.

IAC 2017 New Year’s message

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he Indian Action Committee (IAC) wishes all Guyanese a Happy and Prosperous New

Year.

The IAC is fully cognisant that national unity, which is absolutely necessary for the economic development of Guyana, can only be attained by everyone actively pursuing the policy of genuine social cohesion.

The IAC in its vision for a happy and prosperous 2017 is to have a safer and secure society; to observe improved relations between the government and the opposition; to see the retraining of and issuing of former sugar lands to retrenched sugar workers; to witness the allocations of commercial space for small vendors; to see the urgent repair of the crumbling Linden Soesdyke Highway; to have more overseas markets for Guyana’s rice production; to view drastic reductions in incidents of spousal abuse, substance abuse, and suicide; to observe increased gold production to offset decline in gold prices in 2017; to notice improved educational standards to counter declining results especially in Mathematics and

English; to have increased youth employment both on the Coast and the hinterland; and to see improved living conditions for the less fortunate elderly citizens.

The IAC wishes to inform all Guyanese, especially those of Indo-Guyanese origin that the organisation will continue to pursue vigorously its three foci: cultural, educational, and social work.

The IAC will be involved in a number of historical events in 2017 including the commemorations of the 1998 Georgetown Atrocities (January 12), 2008 Lusignan Massacre (January 26), the 1913 Rose Hall Sugar Estate Massacre (March 13), the 1917 Abolition of Emigration of Indian indentured labourers (March 21), the 1917 arrival of the last Coolie ship SS Ganges (April 18), and 1838 Arrival Day (May 5).

A high point will be the observance of the 100th year since the last batch of Indian indentured immigrants was brought to these shores.

The IAC encourages all citizens and leaders to make 2017 one in which a climate of unity and tolerance is improved.

16 NEWS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Lima Sideline Dam residents want new road, bridge - say current conditions hampering development

R

esidents of Lima Sideline Dam are calling on the Region Two Administration (Pomeroon-Supenaam) to make the rehabilitation of their access road a priority in 2017. They explained

that their standard of living has declined due to lack of adequate infrastructure and poor drainage in the area.

The access road is covered with weeds and the bridge to the area is on the verge of collapse.

During interviews conducted recently, residents explained that drainage canals are clogged with overgrown bushes, which causes the entire area to become flooded whenever it rains.

Several reports were made

to the Anna Regina Town Council, which has sole responsibility for drainage in the area, but according to the disgruntled inhabitants, their complaints always fall on deaf ears.

One resident said he

Jasmattie Kissonlall points to the condition of the main entrance into the village

wanted to purchase a vehicle for the new year but could not, due to the condition of the road. The road is almost impassable to vehicular traffic and whenever purchases are made, residents would have to manually transport the

items.

An elder, Jasmattie Kissonlall, said that on numerous occasions, she cleaned the clogged up trenches. Residents living in the area are calling for the Administration to urgently address the situation.

The access road covered with grass

NEWS

17

SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ANNA'S

Burnham is back!

Anna Correia

B

asil Williams never figured among the brightest of the PNC scholars, but instead, is just another indoctrinated descendant of the late dictator Burnham, intent on applying Burnhamite methods to govern Guyana.

And by Burnhamite methods, one understands racist and divisive tactics destined to favour party supporters and exclude anyone else. The mere fact that someone like Williams is allowed such high offices in the coalition, speaks to the PNC’s inability to reform itself into an inclusive government built on the principles of participatory Anna Correia democracy.

As I’ve always maintained, if someone like Williams can be allowed to attack democracy in such an unrestrained manner as we’ve seen this past week, it is only because the President himself refuses to govern impartially over Guyana’s human diversities. The subsequent deterioration of the ethnic fissures since the APNU/AFC took over in 2015, is a reminder of the party’s heinous myopic agenda that blots out any potential of minority coalition parties, which technically serve no other purpose but to maintain the PNC in power. History repeated itself in the form of a coalition victory in 2015, teaching us that the PNC is nothing more than a self-serving parasite which can achieve nothing on its own, and is a herald of destruction and gloom. Whatever its nemesis the PPP builds, the PNC will try to destroy.

We witnessed this with the PNC’s objection to the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project (AFHEP) drafted under Jagdeo’s LCDS Agreement, at a cost of some US$80 million of which not a cent would have been borne by taxpayers.

The project aimed to provide up to 90 per cent of domestic energy and would have launched the industrialisation of our economy while stimulating growth. But in its usual backward Burnhamite mentality, the coalition came up with the idea of taxing citizens with a 14 per cent increase on GPL’s miserable services. Interestingly, all eyes are now riveted on the coalition to see its response to the Norad Final Report on the AFHEP, which recommends the implementation of the project through consultation with its architect, the PPP. A sure stab in the pride of the PNC. Almost as if unable to contain its thirst for vengeance, the AG last Thursday, December 29, by some obscure manipulation of the Law, decided that the lease on which is premised the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (Red House) was invalid. In his spiteful haste, the unlearned AG didn’t take the time to realise that never is a lease signed by the President of Guyana.

In my tenure as Project Manager for the Amerindian Land Titling Project, I have seen enough leases to attest to this. The President of Guyana on the contrary, signs on permanent ownership documents such as Titles.

President Granger on Friday then ordered the eviction of the CJRC by Saturday, December 31, 2016. Several questions come to mind, especially since the extremely short lapse of time between the AG’s announcement and the President’s eviction notice, suggest that the entire process was a planned coup. The Government claims it attempted to negotiate with the Opposition, but in reality, what it wanted was to change the purpose of the establishment so that it would honour all former Presidents, particularly Burnham.

If it really wanted to resolve this conflict, it would have negotiated to regularise whatever inconsistencies are associated with the lease. Instead, like the self-serving parasite that it is, it prefers to bulldoze its way to insult Jagan’s legacy and the will of Guyana’s largest electorate.

The PNC’s disregard for democracy attained its climax when the Social Protection Minister herself, Volda Lawrence, led a group of brawling trouble-makers to disrupt the peaceful candle-light vigil held by the Opposition and its supporters in front of the CJRC on Friday night. In the typical aggressive, ratchet behaviour so characteristic of PNC mobs, verbal and physical assaults described the scene which ensued.

Minister Lawrence by abusing the civil rights of the people, has permanently tarnished her own reputation which already finds little favour among the Guyanese civil society.

With the videos of this tragic event going viral on social media, one can only expect to see more ethnic and political divisiveness among Guyanese. Among the slogans and invectives which sprung from the mouths of Lawrence’s counter-protesters, the name “Burnham” dominated.

Burnham is indeed back. And his “visionary” ruthless ambitions have set the tone for 2017.

Govt, Opposition, unions meet to discuss future of sugar industry

A

fter months of reiterated calls for engagement, several Government ministers met with the Parliamentary Opposition, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), on Saturday to discuss the way forward for the sugar industry.

The consultations which were held at the Agriculture Ministry, and saw GuySuCo putting forward proposals, and Government through an issued statement late Saturday, stated that it encouraged the Opposition, People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and the Unions to make their “own recommendations” after perusing the documents.

The Ministry of the Presidency release noted that, after the documents have been perused, a suitable date and time for the next meeting will be determined. The statement quoted Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan as saying that it was at the last sitting of Cabinet that it

was decided, to “have the consultations begin at the soonest possible time.”

State Minister, Joseph Harmon, stressed that the sugar industry is one of national significance and reasoned that decisions that are made must take cognizance of this fact.

Meanwhile, Opposition member, Clement Rohee “expressed thanks to the Government” for the invitation to engage in the consultations and noted that the livelihood of thousands of Guyanese will be affected by any outcome. According to a statement, GAWU president Komal Chand noted that the union and its members are “satisfied” that the Government agreed to host the consultations.

“We were assured by the Government delegation that what they have are mere proposals and the proposals are for discussions and it is not a case where decisions are made and we are going through an exercise and that is satisfactory to us. We recognise that consultations have taken place and we take fact that the proposals are not final. That is acceptable to us,” Chand expressed.

Head of NAACIE, Kenneth Joseph, noted that the discussions were “appreciated”.

The Government team was led by Minister Ramjattan and it included the Minister of State, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin and Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma.

Apart from the PPP’s General Secretary, others of the Opposition included Irfaan Ali, Dharamkumar Seeraj and Juan Edghill. Additionally representatives from the various sugar estates, including soon-to-be defunct factory at Wales, Albion, Skeldon, Enmore, and Uitvlugt.

It was as late as Friday that Komal Chand at GAWU’s end-of-year address, explained that his union had “no clue” what the Administration intended to discuss at the high level consultations on sugar.

These end-of-year consultations were held on the very day that sugar operations at Wales ceased, which was Saturday (December 31).

Speaking on Thursday,

GuySuCo’s Finance Director, Paul Bhim, had explained that some 100 of 1000 workers were identified for the conversion plans and noted that ploughing of land and husbandry practices – weeding and cleaning of canals were being done. Bhim had also shut down claims of weed overgrowth at lands prepared by the sugar corporation but Komal Chand acting on reports he received, noted that only 35 out of 480 acres, were levelled off.

The Wales Sugar Estate is the oldest of the country’s estates and the shutting down of sugar operations were only confirmed after the story broke in a Guyana Times report last year January. The closure has affected over 1000 workers directly and thousands more in the Wales area and surrounding communities.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo met with the workers and their families on Wednesday last. At that meeting, the workers expressed frustration about the uncertainly of how their future will unfold, while calling for subsidy for water and electricity to ease their burden as a result of the closure of the factory.

18 NEWS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Amaila will stand as another monumental APNU/AFC scandal – Ramsammy … says Norway report exposes Govt as “pathological liars”

F

ormer Government Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy is calling out the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government for lying about the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, particularly its distortion of the contents of the independent fact-based assessment of the initiative.

“Their spin on the Norway technical report on Amaila exemplifies just how much APNU/AFC rely on lies to misinform and fool people,” he stated, noting that the document exposes the party and its members as “pathological liars.”

Government insists that the Norway report confirmed the APNU/AFC’s long held position that the Amaila project is flawed and is a mistake.

Ramsammy, in a public statement, joined count-

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

tion that the BOOT arrangement is the preferred option for financing the project.

“The report does make reference to certain technical flaws in the design of the project, but pointed out these were previously identified and were in the process of being revised,” he noted.

Additionally, Dr Ramsammy opined that it is the responsibility of those in charge to seek better finan-

An artist's impression of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project

less others in deeming Government’s position a lie, highlighting that the report urges the immediate restart of Amaila as the only and fastest way to achieve a noemission electricity system and the most sensible way to guarantee the Low Carbon Development Strategy and a green economy.

He noted too that the report reaffirms the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) posi-

cial arrangements, if possible.

“It is clear from the report, however, that the cost estimation is similar to other projects of this scale,” Ramsammy outlined.

He pointed out that the report also supports the PPP's position that Amaila alone cannot meet Guyana's long-term requirements.

Ramsammy remind-

ed that from the initial moments, APNU/AFC maximally impeded the project.

“When the investor requested a consensus position from Parliament, APNU/ AFC rejected the motion to support the construction of Amaila in 2012. They presented one scurrilous objection after another, but the only pertinent reason remains APNU/AFC's fear that Amaila promised a monumental transformation of our country and the lives of our people. They feared Amaila was too richly endowed with the footprints and DNA of Jagdeo and the PPP. Our people once again became collateral damage in the political mischievousness of the PNC/APNU/AFC nexus,” he surmised.

He detailed that having done everything to stop Amaila in Opposition, APNU/AFC then announced unequivocally they will discontinue Amaila soon after they assumed the seat of government.

Ramsammy noted also that Guyana has already invested major resources on building the roads to Amaila and Guyana does not have to invest a single dollar in the construction and operation of hydropower plant.

“We simply have to purchase the energy generated at an agreed cost starting from about half of what we generate energy at presently and then up to 66 per cent savings. In addition, the annual subvention of more than $9 billion to GPL would end, freeing up these resources for community development projects and initiatives. Our highways and streets could be affordably lighted up everywhere in Guyana,” he explained.

Ramsammy emphasised too that there are more pressing reasons for Amaila, in-

cluding that more than 90 per cent of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) is dependent on fossil fuel.

“For two major reasons, Caricom countries must pursue a new paradigm: one is purely economics for all the above reasons and the other is environmental and climate change... The high and volatile price of electricity is "sucking the blood" out of Caricom economies. Electricity prices

in the Caribbean are among the highest in the world, and they fluctuate greatly with the global price of oil,” he stated.

Moreover, Ramsammy reiterated that terminating Amaila disregards the pursuit of a new energy paradigm for Guyana and Caricom.

“APNU/AFC has a huge propensity to distort the truth and simply lie in order

to confuse and distract the Guyanese people. The truth is the Norway Amaila Report reaffirms the PPP's position that Amaila is sound and urgent. APNU/AFC is true to form and absolutely lying about the report,” he asserted.

To this end, Ramsammy maintained that Amaila will stand as another monumental scandal of the coalition Government.

SunDAY, january 1, 2017

19

Williamson, Broom secure New Zealand’s 3-0 sweep

N

inety-somethings from Kane Williamson and Neil Broom ensured New Zealand whitewashed Bangladesh with a crushing eight-wicket victory in the third ODI in Nelson. Their fluent 179-run stand, which came after Martill Guptill had retired hurt on 6 because of a hamstring strain, helped the hosts ace their chase of 237 with 52 balls to spare.

New Zealand were also aided by poor shot selection from Bangladesh, who suffered a collapse of 7 for 77 after opting to bat on a slow surface. After Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes put on 102 for the first wicket, their middle and lower order fell away. That the visitors lasted 50 overs and reached 236 for 9 was down to rookie Nurul Hasan’s cameo of 44 off 39 balls.

Mustafizur Rahman then trapped Tom Latham in front in his first over, and Bangladesh might have sensed an opening when Guptill retired hurt for 6 at the start of the third over in the chase.

Imrul Kayes, an iffy choice at slip, then dropped a dolly and reprieved Broom on 0.

Broom and Williamson combined to slam the doors on Bangladesh. After playing out a few quiet overs, Williamson kick-started the chase when he struck Shakib Al Hasan for back-to-back fours through point in the 10th over. Four overs later, the New Zealand captain lofted Shakib for a straight six.

Taskin Ahmed wasn’t spared either and was taken for back-to-back fours. Williamson moved to his fifty off 56 balls and continued

to pepper the point boundary.

Broom, meanwhile, reached his fifty off 66 balls.

He profited from

pulls, drives, and sweeps and raced worst ODI series of his career. towards a second successive centuTamim was next to go in the 31st over ry. He moved into the nineties with when Broom ran back from point and a pulled four, but fell three short of tracked a top-edged slog. The shot encapa century when he was caught by sulated his frustration; he had not scored Mashrafe at gully off Mustafizur a boundary in ten overs leading up to the in the 35th over. dismissal. The wickets of Shakib, Mosaddek With him needing six to Hossain and Tanbir Hayder then hastened reach his ninth ODI hundred the collapse. and the team three for the seMashrafe and Nurul negotiated the next ries sweep, Williamson took 6.3 overs for the addition of 33 runs. The a single off the first ball stand ended when Mashrafe holed out to of the 42nd over before long-off. Nurul, however, boosted his team Jimmy Neesham complet- with sensible batting before opening up in ed the win with a four the slog overs. He moved Matt Henry over over mid-on. midwicket at the start of the last over of Broom had sparkled Bangladesh’s innings, then hooked him on the field earlier in the over square leg. He fell to an excellent reday. He ran back from turn off the next ball, but proved a bright short third man and spot for Bangladesh amid the gloom in New pulled off a stunning Zealand. (ESPNcricinfo) one-handed catch to s e n d Imrul Kayes back for 44 Bangladesh innings (w-2), JS Patel 10-0-40-1 (w-1), off 62 (50 overs maximum) MJ Henry 8-0-53-2 (w-4),

SCOREBOARD

balls.

Kane Williamson and Neil Broom put on a 179-run stand to deflate Bangladesh

New Zealand pose with the series trophy

Luke Ronchi, the wicketkeeper, took a good catch and effected a crucial run out of Shakib, while Jeetan Patel, playing his first ODI after more than seven years, also made his presence felt with a fine running catch at long-off.

Sabbir Rahman had an eventful 14-ball stay in which he struck four boundaries, copped a blow on the chest, and then got strangled down the leg side. Two overs later, Mahmudullah pulled Southee to short midwicket to finish the series with only four runs, rounding off the

JDS Neesham 4-0-28-1 (w-1), Tamim Iqbal c Broom b Neesham 59 MJ Santner 10-0-38-2 (w-1), Imrul Kayes c Broom b Santner 44 KS Williamson 8-1-24-1 Sabbir Rahman c †Ronchi b

Henry 19 New Zealand innings Mahmudullah c Neesham b (target: 237 runs from 50 overs) Southee 3 MJ Guptill retired hurt 6 Shakib Al Hasan run out TWM Latham lbw b Mustafizur (†Ronchi) 18 Rahman 4 Mosaddek Hossain lbw b Patel 11 95 KS Williamson* not out Nurul Hasan† c & b Henry 44 NT Broom c Mashrafe Mortaza b Tanbir Hayder b Williamson 3 Mustafizur Rahman 97 Mashrafe Mortaza* c Patel b JDS Neesham not out 28 Santner 14 Extras (lb-3, w-6) 9 Taskin Ahmed not out 4

Mustafizur Rahman not out 0 Total (2 wickets; 41.2 overs) 239 Extras (b-1, lb-7, w-9) 17 Did not bat; C Munro, L Ronchi†,

MJ Santner, TG Southee, MJ Henry, Total (9 wickets; 50 overs) 236 JS Patel Fall of wickets 1-102 (Imrul Kayes, Fall of wickets 1-10 (Latham, 1.5 21.2 ov), 2-127 (Sabbir Rahman, ov), 1-16* (Guptill, retired not 24.5 ov), 3-133 (Mahmudullah, out), 2-195 (Broom, 34.1 ov) 26.3 ov), 4-141 (Tamim Iqbal, Bowling: Mashrafe 30.1 ov), 5-168 (Shakib Al Hasan, Mortaza 7-0-36-0 (w-4), Mustafizur 36.1 ov), 6-170 (Mosaddek Rahman 9.2-2-32-2 (w-1), Hossain, 36.5 ov), 7-179 Taskin Ahmed 7-0-41-0 (w-1), (Tanbir Hayder, 39.5 ov), 8-212 (Mashrafe Mortaza, 46.2 ov), 9-235 Shakib Al Hasan 8-0-55-0, Tanbir Hayder 2-0-20-0, Sabbir Rahman (Nurul Hasan, 49.3 ov) 3-0-20-0, Mosaddek Hossain 4-0Bowling: TG Southee 10-2-45-1 26-0, Mahmudullah 1-0-6-0

Chelsea beat Stoke for record win

P

remier League leaders Chelsea equaled the top-flight record of 13 consecutive wins in a single season by beating valiant Stoke 4-2 in a thriller at Stamford Bridge.

An exceptionally entertaining second half included five goals as the Blues were twice made to retake the lead by a Potters side who gave them one of their toughest tests this season.

Gary Cahill gave Chelsea the lead when he headed in shortly before halftime, but Stoke defender Bruno Martins Indi levelled only a minute after the break when he poked in from close range.

Willian handed the Blues the advan-

tage again only for Peter Crouch to level with a side-foot effort high past Thibaut Courtois.

Stoke barely had time to celebrate, as moments after the restart Chelsea drove towards goal with Willian applying a fierce, angled finish.

With five minutes remaining, the Blues all but sealed the three points when Diego Costa - magnificent as a target-man - shrugged off the attentions of Martins Indi to fire in the fourth.

Chelsea have a six-point lead over second-place Liverpool who defeated Manchester City 1-0 in the late Saturday game.

Chelsea’s Gary Cahill celebrates after scoring the opener for the leaders

20

guyanatimesGY.com

sundAY, january 1, 2017

Strikers beat Sixers handsomely D

espite the best efforts of Sean Abbott who avenged his mauling by Travis Head here last New Year - the Adelaide Strikers saw in 2017 in style by comfortably defending their modest total of 152 with an outstanding bowling display that gave them their first win of the Big Bash League in a match that was attended by 45,741 fans.

Abbott recorded just the fifth five-for in BBL history, and the competition’s best figures since 2012, but Sixers’ batting crumbled in a heap at Adelaide Oval to lose six wickets inside 25 runs as they were bowled out 104 in the 19th over.

The 2015 edition of this fixture - a quite extraordinary game - will be remembered longest for Head’s assault on Abbott; 51 runs from 16 balls gave Strikers the unlikeliest victory and sent Adelaide into raptures.

It was a different story this time round. Abbott came on for the first time in the tenth over, with the Strikers with Brad Hodge backing up Ben Dunk - 89 for 1 and cruising. With his fourth ball, Abbott made Dunk pick out short cover, then dismissed Hodge - caught well by the sprinting Johan Botha at cow corner - and that man Head, who Will Somerville dived athletically to catch at fine leg, in his next over. Next over, Jake Lehmann played all around Somerville - who cancelled a holiday celebrating his wedding anniversary to play - and the Strikers were suddenly and improbably at 102 for 5.

Abbott returned for two more overs of clever variations at the death - picking up the wickets of Chris Jordan and Tom Andrews, both skying - and his figures read 5 for 16. Perhaps his parsimony turned the game most: none of his four cost more than seven, he did not concede a boundary and half his deliveries were dots. Abbott’s was a mighty contribution; alas it did not prove enough.

After a steady if unspectacular start (Jason Roy’s reverseslog-swept six aside) the Sixers lost a wicket in each of the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth overs - all of which were delivered by different bowlers - to lose five wickets for 12 runs.

The Sixers were under the pump and, as if to illustrate the point, when the fourth of those wickets fell (Brad Haddin treading on his stumps to the effortlessly awkward Billy Stanlake), Sam Billings was greeted by a slip, gully and short leg.

The trouble did not stop Chris Jordan took two crucial wickets of Daniel Hughes and the dangerous Sam Billings to finish the game on a high

t h e r e .

After two safe overs break, Botha cut Ben Laughlin - who had begun the rot with the wicket of Roy - straight to point, then Abbott prodded back to Liam O’ Connor. At 64 for 7, it looked a good game to win for the Sixers. All this from a batting line-up that, bolstered by the return of Nic Maddinson whose dismissal, caught at point, was perhaps the tamest of all - looked extremely strong.

Billings has just one more match for the Sixers before he joins up with England in India but his three innings so far have seen him score 42, 40 and 40 more here. He was left to do the job alone and, after a ropey start in which he could have been caught, stumped or chopped on, it proved too much. That does not mean there wasn’t time for some outrageous strokeplay as the fireworks roared overhead - twice he swept seamers into the members’ section, while there was a beautiful drive down the ground, too. With 54 required from 19 balls (a situation not unlike Head’s last year), it took a special moment from his mate Jordan to dislodge Billings, with a magical caught and bowled.

The Strikers should not have had enough runs to win this game. That they did was down to their varied bowling at-

tack. Hodge used seven bowlers (three spin, four seam), and did not need to call upon Keiron Pollard until the 16th over of the innings.

The spinners flew through their overs, with O’Connor particularly impressive. Of the seamers, Jordan was excellent up top, and Stanlake’s pace, bounce and tricky angle made him difficult to hit. Laughlin, though, with his run and pace becoming ever shorter and slower, was the pick of the lot, conceding just 10 runs from his four.

If the Strikers continue to bowl like this, they could make another final, despite losing their opening two fixtures.

SCOREBOARD

Adelaide Strikers innings Sydney Sixers innings (20 overs maximum) (target: 153 runs from 20 overs) BJ Hodge* c Botha b Abbott 36 DP Hughes c Hodge b Jordan 16 J Weatherald c Hughes b Dwarshuis 18 JJ Roy c Jordan b Laughlin 18 37 NJ Maddinson c Weatherald b Head 2 BR Dunk† c Hughes b Abbott TM Head c Somerville b Abbott 7 MC Henriques* c Pollard b O’Connor 5 KA Pollard b Dwarshuis 29 BJ Haddin† hit wicket b Stanlake 1 0 SW Billings c & b Jordan JS Lehmann b Somerville 40 CJ Jordan c †Haddin b Abbott 18 J Botha c Head b Laughlin 5 TD Andrews c Maddinson b Abbott 2 SA Abbott c & b O’Connor 2 0 BJ Dwarshuis c Jordan b Stanlake 9 B Laughlin run out (†Haddin) B Stanlake not out 0 WER Somerville c Hodge b Stanlake 3 1 DE Bollinger not out LN O’Connor not out 0 Extras (lb-2, w-2) 4 Extras (b-1, w-2) 3

152 Total (all out; 18.2 overs) 104 Total (9 wickets; 20 overs) Fall of wickets 1-37 (Weatherald, Fall of wickets 1-34 (Roy, 4.1 ov), 2-37 4.2 ov), 2-91 (Dunk, 9.4 ov), 3-100 (Hughes, 5.5 ov), 3-39 (Maddinson, (Hodge, 11.2 ov), 4-100 (Head, 6.1 ov), 4-44 (Haddin, 7.5 ov), 5-46 11.3 ov), 5-102 (Lehmann, 12.3 (Henriques, 8.4 ov), 6-59 (Botha, ov), 6-128 (Jordan, 16.4 ov), 7-141 11.2 ov), 7-64 (Abbott, 12.4 ov), 8-99 (Andrews, 18.6 ov), 8-151 (Pollard, (Billings, 16.6 ov), 9-104 (Dwarshuis, 19.4 ov), 9-151 (Laughlin, 19.5 ov) 18.1 ov), 10-104 (Somerville, 18.2 ov) Bowling: J Botha 4-0-38-0, BJ Bowling: TD Andrews 2-0-17-0, TM Dwarshuis 4-0-34-2, DE Bollinger Head 2-0-14-1, CJ Jordan 3-0-27-2 (w4-0-40-0, WER Somerville 4-02), B Stanlake 3.2-0-17-3, B Laughlin 22-1, SA Abbott 4-0-16-5 (w-2) 4-0-10-2, LN O’Connor 3-0-12-2, KA Pollard 1-0-6-0

Liverpool 1-0 Man City G

Georginio Wijnaldum scored his second goal for Liverpool

eorginio Wijnaldum’s header was enough for Liverpool to defeat Manchester City and move clear in the pursuit of Premier League leaders Chelsea.

In a poor game, Wijnaldum rose to meet Adam Lallana’s cross to score with the first half’s only effort on target.

City improved slightly after the break, had more possession and more efforts on goal, but barely troubled Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet.

Second-placed Liverpool are six points behind Chelsea and four ahead of City.

Arsenal, in fourth, are two adrift of City before their game against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

RHTY&SC congratulates Harper and Cadogan on appointments

T

he Management and Members of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S would like to offer warmest and heartfelt congratulations to our dear friends and honorary members Beverly Harper and Troy Cadogan on their new appointments at Ansa Mcal Group of Companies. Harper was appointed as Country Head of Ansa Mcal in Guyana while Cadogan was named as the new Beverly Harper Managing Director.

The RHTY&SC, M.S is very proud of both of them and we are very confident that under their guidance and leadership, the company would not only continue to excel but would retain its tradition as one of Guyana’s finest.

Harper served as our Club’s Patron during the period 2011-2015 and under her wise council, the RHTY&SC was able to cement its status as Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation. Cadogan was inducted as our 34th Honorary Member in 2006 and over the years has been a tower of strength to the RHTY&SC, M.S. With both of their support, Ansa Mcal (Guy) Ltd has been supporting numerous Club programmes including Ansa Mcal Award of Excellence, Annual Awards Ceremony, Annual Youth Review Magazine, Annual Cricket Academy, Tribute to Outstanding

Troy Cadogan

Mothers and Fathers, Annual Christmas Village, Christmas Charity Programme, Tribute to Outstanding Head Teachers and Ansa Mcal 5/5 Cricket Tournament.

Their combined assistance to the Club has also assisted us to produce a long list of outstanding cricketers including Assad Fudadin, Esuan and Royston Crandon, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Eon Hooper, Shawn Perriera, Delbert Hicks among others.

As the Ansa Mcal Company extends its operation in Guyana, we are confident of both of our Honorary Members ability to lead by example and wishes to reassure them of our support, love and prayers. On a personal note, my entire family joins me in congratulating both of them on their welldeserved promotion.

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sports

21

Misbah ‘thinking about’ retirement ...undecided about Sydney Test

Misbah-ul-Haq has raised the possibility that he may leave international cricket, even as soon as before the third and final Test of Pakistan’s series against Australia.

Pakistan’s most successful Test captain was speaking in the immediate aftermath of a dramatic and demoralising final-day collapse at the MCG - which ended in a defeat by an innings and 18 runs - and a day during which concerns over his own lack of runs came to the forefront once again.

Already struggling for Test runs, Misbah lasted two balls, sweeping both, the second straight into the hands of Nic Maddison at short fine leg. That brought to a grand total of 20 runs in his last four innings, and would seem to have pushed him to the brink of calling it a day.

“I think I need to think about it,” he said, when asked what the immediate future held for him.

“I always believed that if I couldn’t contribute to the team then it’s no point staying there. This is a point where I need to think about that, even before the next game [in Sydney] and after the series. Next couple of days I will think about it and decide what to do. There is no point in hanging around and doing nothing. I haven’t Misbah-ul-Haq: ‘I always believed that if I couldn’t decided [about Sydney] but let’s see.” contribute to the team then it’s no point staying there’ The conversation around Misbah’s retirement has been a long-running one. It began in earnest after he ball in the second innings to deep midwicket. That, led them to a series victory in the UAE against England ultimately, didn’t prevent Pakistan from winning the in the winter of 2015. At the time, the prospect of a Test. But in the second innings in Sharjah, against West series against India kept him from retiring. But when Indies, he pulled a long hop straight to deep backward that did not materialise, he decided to stay on to lead square leg off his sixth ball, when Pakistan were in some trouble.

Pakistan in a clutch of difficult away series this year.

He did well in leading them to a 2-2 draw in England, In Christchurch in November, with Pakistan effectively arguably the high point of his six-year tenure and, 26 for 4 and Misbah relatively settled, he top edged an crucially, also a series in which he performed with the attempted hook off Tim Southee straight to long leg. bat. Since then, however, Pakistan have lost a series Today came the second-ball sweep and he admitted in New Zealand and now in Australia - a run of five that his thought process as a batsman is “not right”. successive Test defeats that includes a dead-rubber “That is what has happened with me,” he said. “Quite a few innings now in which the shot that isn’t on, or loss to West Indies in the UAE. “I was thinking about my retirement long ago, even the wrong shot for the wrong time… I don’t know, as a when I was playing against England in Dubai,” he said. cricketer, as a batsman, it is hard.

“I was thinking then that we had possibly Tests against “Especially when you are not scoring regularly, when you go in [to bat], making the right decisions becomes India, so I would play that and that’s it.

“But then we had difficult tours like England, New a bit more difficult. Maybe that is happening now.

Zealand and Australia, I thought that is not right time. What I feel I should be playing like, I am unable to play I’ve been there for last six-seven years, developing this that way.” team. I have to face these difficult series. That is why Misbah’s future is not the only one that will come under I hung around. Even at that stage my plan was not to scrutiny. Younis Khan, his great partner in Pakistan’s play for another two-three years. I have to think about triumphs, fell two balls before Misbah for 24. That left him averaging 15.75 from the two tours down under. that, haven’t finalised it.”

What might play a key role in any decision he makes is “It hurts you because as a senior player you have the nature of some of his dismissals through the year. more responsibilities,” Misbah said. “Whenever Though he has built up a reputation over the course of you don’t perform, you don’t come up to your own his career both for odd and untimely dismissals, a rush expectations and [those] of all the fans and team, that of poor decision-making in the last six months or so has is disappointing. You don’t play a game for those sort of failures, you want to stand up and perform in these left him questioning his batsmanship.

At Lord’s in the summer, he slogged Moeen Ali second pressure situations. That is disappointing and it hurts a lot.”

Newly elected GOA VP touts inclusive governance

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using our diplomatic relations to he December 22 elections bring in coaches among other of the Guyana Olympic things.”

Association (GOA) saw Munroe noted that there a President of the Guyana Table lot of programmes on the IOC Tennis Association Godfrey provision that we can benefit Munroe being elected Vice from and using the skills and President for the next four-year collective capacity of each other term with Munroe stating that he to have these sports for all. will be aiming to attain inclusive governance from all associations.

The new executive, who will team up with five-time President In an interview with Guyana of the GOA, K.A. Juman Yassin Times Sport the newly elected stated that during one of the initial Vice-President said that firstly conversations on the way forward it was a privilege to take up the for the Association was firstly to new position “I think we can remove the shadow of perceived utilize a lot more resources in secrecy that surrounds the GOA terms of one of the things I’d and be more engaging with the like to incorporate the collective GOA Vice President public. capacity of all the council Godfrey Munroe “A lot of the times the Olympic members of the Olympic family to formulae committees weather marketing, association saw themselves locked in based on their role but more and more in the world we as funding, developmental or so.”

Munroe went on to say that based on the leaders are required to disseminate information funding the GOA receives, while there is a and become more accessible because the public wants to know and we are accountable,” the Vice perception of it being a lot this is not the case.

“A lot of people look and say the GOA gets President said.

Looking to the Olympics come 2020, Munroe $136 million, but realistically is that enough to fund 23 sports? I don’t think so.” He gave the shared the opinion that four years is not such a long example of the plans they have to collaborate time and it is not enough when you don’t have the with schools to garner athletes and will consume proper training.

“A lot of times we say well next 2020 but really half of the funds from that budget.

It is based on this that Munroe shares the and truly next four years doesn’t give you enough view point that the GOA must now look at ways in time to really plan for athletes if you don’t have which they will create other avenues to generate framework domestically to move your sports, income and help develop the athletes that fall teams and athletes to the next level because it requires 10,000 training hours at the elite level under the GOA umbrella.

The new VP related that another aim during to make Olympics and if you calculate an athlete his tenure is ‘to twin with other International training 265 days a year at four or five hours a day Olympic Committees (IOC) where we can find which I don’t think any of our athletes are able to support and have good relations with to extend make and you calculate by four years it’s just 1000 training opportunities for our young athletes and hours, far below.” Munroe said

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sundAY, january 1, 2017

Jaguars skipper to lead Georgetown in Franchise League 50-Overs Tournament

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guyanatimesgy.com

EBSC congratulates its GCB 2016 awardees

eorgetown will be led by Guyana Jaguars captain and West Indies player Leon Johnson as the franchise earlier this week released an 18 member squad to play in the Jaguars Franchise League 50 over edition.

Johnson, who was recently named as the cricketer of the year at the recent Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Annual Award Ceremony will have the duty of three players with regional experience-namely vice-captain Christopher Barnwell, Shemroy Barrington and Robin Bacchus.

The remainder of the squad is made up of familiar faces and consistent performers that play in Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) tournaments.

Shemroy Barrington and Elton Baker are making a return in Franchise cricket after a hiatus due to professional duties in Trinidad and Tobago, Canada and the United States of America.

The tournament was slated to start on December 22 2016 but was push back to January 3 2017 due to the consistent rainfall. On Saturday it was confirmed that the tournament has been rescheduled for a second time for the said reason it was postponed for initially.

The tournament is being used by the GCB to select its squad to contest in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) 50 over tournament scheduled to start on January 24.

The Georgetown 18 member squad reads; Leon Johnson (C), Robin Bacchus, Sachin Singh, Andrew Lyght Jr., Christopher Barnwell (vc), Shemroy Barrington, Ronaldo Ali-Mohamed, Kellon Carmichael, Dexter Solomon, Devon Lord, Andre Stoll, Gajanan Suknanan, Joshua Persaud, Kwame Crosse, Ovid Richardson, Jeetendra Sookdeo, Shone De Souza, Elton Baker.

Bhaskar Yadram's proud parents share the spotlight at the Umana Yana on Thursday

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he Enterprise Busta Sports Club (EBSC) has extended congratulations to two of its members, who excelled at the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) annual awards ceremony on Thursday evening at the Umana Yana.

National youth cricketer Bhaskar Yadram was named Junior Cricketer-of-the-Year and received the Roy Fredericks Trophy. The 17-year-old also copped awards for Most Valuable Player in the Regional Under-19; Most Runs in the Regional Under-19; and Most Wickets in the Regional Under-17, an accolade he shared with Kevin Sinclair.

During 2016, Yadram was outstanding for Guyana in Regional youth cricket and continued that form at the senior level, hitting 547 runs for the East Coast Demerara franchise in the inaugural Jaguars Franchise League Three-day tournament.

His aggregate was the fifth most in the competition, and he created history along the way, becoming the first, and only player to date, to score two centuries (118 and 121 against Essequibo) in the same match. Yadram also collected medals for being part of the Guyana Under-17 and Under-19 teams.

He was subsequently drafted into Cricket Guy Inc. Academy set-up and was one of two Guyanese in the West Indies Under-19 training camp in Grenada last week to prepare for the West Indies Under 19 World Cup title defence which will take place in 2018 in New Zealand.

The other EBSC member whose efforts were recognised in 2016 was Chatterpaul Singh, who is the head curator at the Enterprise Cricket Club. He received a plaque for his outstanding contribution to the sport as a curator.

The club, in a statement on Saturday, expressed how elated the members and executives were of the duo’s achievements. The EBSC said it is indeed proud to have provided an avenue for both Yadram and Singh to improve on their skills.

The club wished both awardees continued success in 2017, and advised them to never give up on their dreams to be the best at what they do.

guyana-times.com

sundAY, january 1 2017

23

UDFA/ GT Beer Football Championships final…

Eagles seeking to soar over Shattas for $1M prize

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ilver Shattas must fancy their chances against Eagles United when they clash this evening in the final of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) organized GT Beer 4th annual Christmas championship final after failing in their quest last year when they were beaten by the lone holder of the title over the years, Federal Winners Connection.

They square off for a first prize of $1M, the huge winners’ trophy and replicas as the losing finalist receives $600,000 following the third position match. Wrapped up in this also will be bragging rights Seon Brackett for a year as they go head-to-head at 21:00h but that will be preceded by the third placed game between the dethroned Winners Connection and Botafago who battle for third place worth $300,000, as the loser gets $200,000, in what could be an interesting affair at 19:00h, after the brief remarks by selected officials at 18:30h.

Minister Responsible for Sport Nicholette Henry, Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valerie Patterson, Regional Chairman Renis Morian of Region 10 (Upper Demerara/ Berbice), Mayor of Linden Carwyn Holland, Members of Parliament Jermaine Figuiera and Audwin Rutherford, President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde, Director of Sport Christopher Jones, President of the UDFA Sharma Solomon and Banks DIH officials Outdoor Events Manager Mortimer Stewart, GT Beer Manager Geoff Clement, Communications Manager Troy Peters and their Linden Branch Manager Shondel Easton are among those expected to witness the grand finals.

Interesting is the fact that Eagles United won their game against Silver Shattas to hand them their lone loss so far in the tournament and must be confident that they can repeat that performance.

But this is a championship game and Silver Shattas will be hard to beat as they are the more

Colwyn Drakes

experienced side. Their coach Felix Inniss feels that their strong area is in the midfield while he also has great confidence in the defense. However, up front is where the potent scorer and leading goal scorer Colwyn Drakes is stationed in tandem with Damian Williams as they have goals against their names.

Drakes has five goals so far. Inniss acknowledged that they lost 1-0 to Eagles in the preliminary round and certainly will not underestimate them saying the youths knocked out the reigning champions Winners Connection. But he said he expects his side to prevail in this return clash.

Coach Inniss said that there were some surprises in this tournament and the lead up was not an easy one for them even though they came through finally to battle once again for the top prize. He said emphasis is concentrated in their midfield where they have solid players like Michael Wilson, Deon McAllister, Jermaine Samuels and up front are

Slingerz, Alpha participation in CFU Club Championship in hands of CONCACAF

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lingerz Football Club and Alpha United earned the right to represent Guyana at the regional tournament after finishing first and second, respectively, in the inaugural edition of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Stag Beer Elite League.

However, controversy brew when Pele and Georgetown Football Club (GFC) together with Alpha United and Slingerz FC pulled out of the second edition of the league after the federation took GFF President Wayne Forde a position to increase the number of teams in the 2016/2017 season.

The glooming question is now whether the qualified clubs will represent Guyana at the 2017 CONCACAF Caribbean Club Championships and according to Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde the participation of the teams will be decided by CONCACAF. Forde, at a press conference held at the GFF’s headquarters said, “The participation of the two teams, Alpha United and Slingerz is a decision that will be taken by CONCACAF. It is not a decision that the federation is expected to make because it’s not a GFF Tournament, so we await the decision of CONCACAF on that”.

Asked if sanctions will be meted out to the clubs for their non-participation in the league, Forde said, “In terms of sanctions being meted out against the clubs by the GFF, we have written to the clubs formally and indicated to them that their actions have affected their standing with the federation.

Beyond that it is not expected that any further action will be taken.”

According to Forde “The board will be meeting early in the new year to discuss and figure out exactly what pathway we can show these clubs in terms of their reintegration into the sport but again in any resolution you need to have a willingness on both sides and ultimately what we want is to have the players, which is our major concern.”

“They are too many players being denied the opportunity to play football and it certainly doesn’t help them or Guyana, because some of our best players are within those teams so we are going to be identifying a course of action that we think is necessary for the reintegration at whatever level they need to return at, but that will be done early in the new year” he added.

Forde further revealed “There is no one walking back into anything, ultimately we need to show these clubs a path to reintegrate themselves into national football at whatever level the path will lead them to.”

He further added that exclusive of bans and suspensions, “They are other measures that are not necessarily bans and suspensions, I am not going to get into the specifics at this moment but the clubs have been written to and we are awaiting their response before any further action is taken.”

The regional club league which begin in August will see a total of 24 teams participating with the winners qualifying as the CONCACAF representative at the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

had exposure at the junior national level. In goal is another bright prospect in 16 years old Shamar Gittens while on the sidelines so far has been their most lethal player Omar Brewley who is still to be given his chance to parade his skills. Brewley could be a surprise package tonight.

Coach Aswatt Barrett reminisced that they were knocked out by Milerock last year in the first round and again this year lost to Milerock in the preliminary round but advanced as Milerock failed to progress. Against Milerock Barret said his team did not play Deon Mcalister Yonnick Hercules to their game plan and he is bent Williams and Drakes while in the back there are on ensuring that his team plays to Romel Matthews and Tony Gilbert while in goal their strengths this time in the final. there is Kellon Major.

The Botafago versus Winners Connection game The Eagles United side is one that is bustling will see the former champions hoping to come out with youths and most of them have played at the in a positon of holding their pride and not being junior national levels either for the national under relegated to fourth position after dominating the 17 or Inter Guianas teams. The average age of this tournament for three years. But Botafago is another team, coach Aswatt Barrett said is 18 years and they youthful side coming through and the clash is one are confident that they can achieve this title for the between experience and youths wanting to climb to first time. Barrett his team has a compact middle to the next level. lead their game plan as he singled out Kevin Deere Before these matches, however, there will be as one to watch. the closing remarks to be given by some key officials Up front he noted is the strapping forward who have been invited to witness the grand finale Yonnick Hercules Simon who has had a tournament come tonight and all must hope that the weather to remember with four goals, while in their defense would allow for a great brand of football this time there are Kedolph Lewis and Seon Barrett who have around.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2017

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

guyanatimesgy.com

EBSC congratulates its GCB 2016 awardees

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The winners pose with their accolades along GCB officials and Government ministers at the Umana Yana

Slingerz, Alpha participation in CFU Club Championship in hands of CANCACAF

Pg 23

Alpha United and Slingerz FC have some of the country’s most talented players but whether they will get to showcase their talents on the international scene is a decision yet to be decided

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