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No. 105174

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2018

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Joe Singh urges total vigilance by citizens on border controversy

Justice within your reach

…President tells Rupununi residents at opening of Magisterial District, courts

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Biker dies 15 after crashing into utility pole PAGE

LMTC seeks new start after fallout with ‘Right Start’ 13 PAGE

Siemens 14 wants to help modernise health sector PAGE

President Granger assists a student of the St Ignatius High School to cut the ribbon as he declares open the Rupununi Magisterial District. Also in photo are: Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards; Chief Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire and Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

Over 3000 receive severance pay

--help gov’t ‘do more with less’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 3, 2018

Justice within your reach

…President tells Rupununi residents at opening of Magisterial District, courts

RESIDENTS of the Rupununi region have hailed the opening of a new magisterial district as well the courts in some villages, and President David Granger said all Guyanese must have access to justice regardless of geographic location, socio-economic status, ethnicity or educational level. On Friday the Guyanese leader commissioned the Rupununi Magisterial District Court Office at Lethem, as well as courts at Annai, Aishalton and Karasabai. Speaking at the opening ceremony, where Resident Magistrate, Allan Wilson will preside, the President said there can be no equality before the law without access to justice. “The law should be a great leveller. It should not be a divider. It should not be an instrument of oppression of the rich against the poor, or of the strong against the weak. It emphasises citizens’ basic human right to have legal recourse and redress for wrongs committed against them and their property and for the preservation of public order,” the Head of State said.

President Granger noted that ensuring equal access to justice under the law in the Rupununi has always presented a challenge with residents being forced to travel from far-flung communities in the Region to the Magistrates’ Court Office in Georgetown; some 425 km

that it was critical that justice be brought to the door steps of the residents of the 89 communities in the Rupununi. “Prior to this office… court was held occasionally and I’m being modest. For the Lethem area, court was held once every three

President David Granger and Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Yonette Cummings-Edwards unveil the plaque of the new Rupununi Magisterial District

away. Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards described the difficulties residents faced as a result of those challenges and noted

months, once quarterly, maybe two weeks within the quarter… Justice is not onesided. Justice has to be for both sides. For residents of the region, persons coming

all the way from Karasabai or even Aishalton, most of the time the court will be held here in Lethem and they will have to travel sometimes two days just to get to court. And if water is high, you’re familiar with that phrase, it would take even longer for them to get to this court. We in the Supreme Court, we do not sit in an ivory tower. We are in tune with what is going on the ground and we care,” she said. INFREQUENT SITTINGS The Chancellor also described the challenges faced by the Guyana Police Force as a result of infrequent court sittings. “This project also will bring enormous benefits for the police because out of that system, if someone who was charged with an offence, if it was a serious offence or a non-bailable offence, the Guyana Police Force had to find money to take that prisoner out to Georgetown before Her Worship, the Chief Magistrate, who would take the plea and commit that person on remand to prison or put that person on bail…Also, apart from that,

President David Granger poses with Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards; Chief Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire and other judges of the Supreme Court during the opening of the Rupununi Magisterial District (MoTP photo)

Lethem residents give President Granger a warm welcome to the township

if someone wanted to take advantage of the system, they would have known that court will not be sitting in for the next three months so they can fight and do all they wanted to do and know very well that the police cannot do anything much but just give them a warning because court won’t be there anyway and… the maximum time the police could hold them is 72 hours,” she explained. Quoting Article 149 D (1) of the Constitution, which states that, “…The State shall not deny to any person, equality before the law or equal protection and benefit of the law.” Equality before the law is the essential element of justice. It ensures that all citizens enjoy “… equal protection and benefit of the law,” President Granger said that access to justice is a public good and that the State has the responsibility to ensure that it is available to every citizen. “Residents – including victims of domestic abuse trapped in loveless relationships with their abusers; mothers denied access to their children because they cannot take their husbands and children-fathers to court

a hundred kilometres away; small miners and businessmen facing bankruptcy because they cannot reach the court to claim unpaid debts or wages–should not be ignored. Access to justice, including ease of access, is every citizen’s legitimate expectation. Residents should not have to travel long distances to access public services, including legal services in other Regions. They should enjoy these services in their respective regions,” he said. NEVER FELL ON DEAF EARS Chief Magistrate, Her Worship Ann McLennan told residents gathered at the ceremony that their complaints never fell on deaf ears. “Today your dreams and the dreams of your fore parents have become a reality. The representation made and hard work done by your fore parents and your Toshaos and your regional representatives was not in vain. Today with the opening of this district court office, access to justice will be easy for the residents Turn to page 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 3, 2018

Get involved

Joe Singh urges total vigilance from citizens on border controversy

By Svetlana Marshall RETIRED Major General Joe Singh said Guyanese near and far should be vigilant in defence of the Guyana’s territorial integrity, noting that such is not reserved to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF). “This is not reserved only for the military and the police, we all have to be vigilant. We all have to recognise, read and listen, and that includes our diaspora who have access to information which may be very helpful to us and our diplomats,” he said. At the time, the former Army Chief-of-Staff was delivering remarks alongside Ambassador to Suriname, Keith George and Ambassador Cedric Joseph at the University of Guyana’s second conversation on Law and Society titled “Guyana’s Borders: Boundaries, Barriers, or Bridges” at Theatre Guild Thursday evening. The retired Major Gen-

eral recalled that in the past, the military and the police had developed linkages with the pork knockers, loggers and even fishermen who had frequented the country’s borders. “Most of our information on which we then developed our intelligence was provided by ordinary citizens who had a very patriotic fervour, saying literally not a blade of grass,” he posited. Additionally, the former Army Chief-of-Staff said as Guyana moves to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to resolve the territorial controversy with Venezuela, major emphasis should be placed on educating the populace. It is no secret that Venezuelans have been falsely indoctrinated into believing that Essequibo forms of part of their country. “We have produced a lot of stuff which perhaps need to be republished. I remember very little books produced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

Major General (Rtd) Joe Singh

speeches by Sir Shridath Ramphal, research on Ankoko Island… So we need to revive and resuscitate that form of education,” Singh told his audience. Meanwhile, in a statement on Friday, Ambassador Emeritus, Dr.Odeen Ishmael alluded to the fact that Venezuela’s demand has grown progressively over the years. “It requested before the arbitral tribunal all the territory west of the Essequibo River with the exception

of an area marked by a line stretching from the mouth of the Moruca River to the junction of the Mazaruni and the Essequibo. The claim also included the Essequibo watershed south of the junction of the Essequibo and the Rupununi rivers. “Today, the claim has extended to all territory west of the Essequibo River, including the islands in the river. It has also been expanded to include Guyana’s maritime region rich with oil deposits,” Dr. Ishmael explained. He said it is not secret that Venezuela seized Guyana’s half of the border Ankoko Island and its armed gunboats brazenly venture into Guyana’s section of the Cuyuni River. IDEAL VENUE But in all of its actions Venezuela has failed to adequately defend its position that the 1899 Arbitral Award is null and void. According to him, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is an

Justice within... of the Rupununi Magisterial District and simultaneously because of the opening of this office and the courts in the villages of Annai, Aishalton and Karasabai, we the magistrates are better equipped to perform our duties efficiently and effectively because we now have the tools to do so,” she said. McLennan said that opening is intended to improve court operations and services to court users. “There will also be weekly court sittings at Lethem and eventually in the villages of Annai, Aishalton and Karasabai. On the days in which these courts sit, filing of documents and all other transactions will be facilitated... Therefore, from today residents of the Rupununi will be no longer be required to travel to Georgetown to file documents; instead filing will take place right here in this district,” she said, adding that the proposed schedule for Court in the Region is a sitting the first week of the month in Lethem, the second week in Annai, third week in Aishalton and the fourth week at Karasabai. INDEPENDENCE The current Government, over the past 32

months, has been unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding the autonomy and independence of the judicial branch and this is evidenced by the passing of the Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Act of 2015, the appointment of judges to both the High Court and the Court of Appeal, in accordance with the provisions of Guyana’s Constitution and the appointment of an acting Chancellor and acting Chief Justice after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. The Government has also initiated consultations for the substantive appointments to these posts. The President also pointed to the restoration of the ‘independent’ offices of the Ombudsman, support for the establishment of new buildings for the Land and Commercial Registries, a new wing for the High Court and the creation of the Upper Demerara Magisterial District and now the Rupununi Magisterial District. Respect for the rule of law was also demonstrated through Government’s commitment to continue to comply with the decisions of the Judicial Service Commission and court rulings

and respect for the legal profession through regular and meritorious appointments of Senior Counsel. While Government is doing its part to provide access to the physical and legal side of the justice system President Granger issued a call to the civil society and, particularly members of the legal profession to establish regional legal-aid centres in order to assist poor people to secure adequate legal representation. He said, “Access to affordable legal services is a cornerstone of access to justice. Experience has demonstrated that, while legal services, provided by attorneys-at-law may be available, they are not always affordable, particularly for poor hinterland and rural citizens.” ONE NATION President Granger said that his Government has adopted the ‘One Nation’ approach aimed at reducing inequalities, opening new opportunities to the disadvantaged and uniting the coastland and the hinterland. This, he said does not only include access to justice but all public services. “Rupununi residents, despite the Region’s spatial differences to the rest of the country, are entitled to the

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full gamut of public services which are available to citizens. The Government is keen to ensure that the residents of Rupununi have access to public services. The Region’s size and its several scattered settlements and villages present formidable challenges for the efficient delivery of public services. The proclamation of Lethem as a capital town was intended not only to propel this Region’s economic development but, also, to provide access to public services,” he said. Along with access to justice, the President said that Government’s regionalism approach is built on ensuring every region has equal access to public education, public health, public information such as the new radio station, public security with the establishment of a police divisional headquarters, public utilities including electricity and clean water and citizenship services such as birth and death registration, passports and naturalisation and social protection. The Head of State said he is happy that the Judicial Branch of Government has adopted this regionalism approach. (Ministry of the Presidency)

ideal venue for Venezuela to make its argument. United Nations General Secretary (UNSG) Antonio Guterres has referred the Guyana/Venezuela Territorial controversy to the ICJ but the Spanish-speaking nation has rejected the decision, holding fast to its position that the Good Offices process should be allowed to continue, having commenced since 1990. Ambassador Ishmael said Venezuela’s position on the UNSG decision comes as no surprise. “When the UNSG announced his proposal in December 2016, the Venezuelan Government at first expressed its satisfaction, but within a month it backtracked and insisted on the continuation of the Good Offices process, which had failed to produce any tangible forward momentum for the past quarter of a century. Guyana, since 2014, had informed the UNSG of its decision to abandon the Good Offices process and urged the involvement of the ICJ—a proposal now op-

posed by Venezuela. Therefore, that country’s recent statement on January 31 has not come as a surprise to anyone,” he explained. It was pointed out that the 1966 Geneva Agreement conferred upon the Secretary-General the power and responsibility to choose a means of peaceful settlement from among those contemplated in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations. The Geneva Agreement, signed by the Venezuelan, British and Guyanese Governments, also provides that if the means so chosen does not lead to a solution of the controversy, the Secretary-General will choose another means of settlement. In this respect, the last means in Article 33 is judicial settlement. Stating that the member states of the United Nations are no doubt hoping for a judicial solution, he said it is possible that their quiet diplomacy can help to propel Venezuela to work along with Guyana towards this direction.

Regulations on tint could see repeal with renewed policy orientation -- Min Ramjattan MINISTER of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan said there is a need for renewal of a policy orientation on the regulations governing the use of tints on motor vehicles. The minister noted that a decision would have to be made at the level of Cabinet on whether to have the traffic rule reversed. According to Minister Ramjattan, the issue has been the cause of some amount of criticism against his ministry and the Guyana Police Force (GPF), especially since sections of the population are allowed to have tinted vehicles. “It’s a difficult decision,” he said last Friday, while speaking to journalists on the sideline of a meeting at Enmore, East Coast Demerara. According to Minister Ramjattan, the ministerial discretion is a difficult thing. Persons who are suffering from a range of health conditions have also been granted approval to use tints on their vehicles. “As it is, I have restricted it to people who suffer skin disease and ultraviolet rays affecting their eyes and also for certain public officials who for security reasons, need it and some businessmen. But it is very narrow right now, but a lot of people are asking me how I can give others and not give them.” He said while many people approach his ministry with health issues as the reason for their need to use tints, the police have pointed out that some persons are using tints so dark, it has become a threat to security. “I will have to prepare a paper and probably give it to Cabinet to make a decision. I don’t want to make the decision as one minister,” he said. “But what is the view of the people out there?... we need to talk to the people and get their views on what should be the policy…How can I give the businessman and not give them... there is a need for renewing a policy orientation on the problem,” Minister Ramjattan noted.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 3, 2018

ICJ rules in Costa Rica’s favour --in border controversy with Nicaragua

THE HAGUE/SAN JOSE (Reuters) - Costa Rica claimed victory over Nicaragua on Friday, after the United Nations’ highest court awarded Costa Rica disputed territory along the coastal border shared by the two Central American countries. Nicaragua was ordered by the International Court of Justice in The Hague to remove a military base from a contested coastal area near the San Juan river, which the judges said violated Costa Rican sovereignty. The court’s panel of 15 international judges also found that Costa Rica has sovereignty over the “whole northern part of Isla Portillos, including the coast,” but excluding Harbour Head Lagoon. Costa Rica’s President Luis Guillermo Solis called the decision “historic,” while Foreign Minister Manuel

Gonzalez said it was very close to what the country had asked for. In a separate case heard at the court earlier on Friday, Nicaragua was ordered to pay Costa Rica nearly $379,000 dollars - less than it had asked for - in reparations for environmental damage to parts of its wetlands at the mouth of the disputed San Juan river. Costa Rica should be compensated by April 2 for damage caused, the cost of environmental restoration, expenses and interest, the court said. “The amount is not what we hoped for, but we accept fully and respectfully what the court decided,” Gonzalez said. “Nicaragua has a valuable opportunity to rebuild trust between the two countries and close the chapters that have distanced us in recent years.” Nicaragua’s government

Saturday, February 3, 2018 Sunday, February 4, 2018 Monday, February 5, 2018 Sunday, February 6, 2018

THE 68-year-old son of Cuba’s former leader, Fidel Castro has killed himself in Havana, according to Cuban State media. Fidel Ángel Castro DíazBalart was found on Thursday morning, and is said to have suffered from depression. The first-born son of the late president was nicknamed “Fidelito”, or Little Fidel, after his father. He was a nuclear physicist, trained by the former Soviet Union. “Fidel Castro Díaz-Balart, who had been treated by a group of doctors for several months due to deep depression, took his life this morning,” Cuba’s official newspaper, Granma reported, little more than a year after the death of his father. State television said he had been receiving medical treatment as an outpatient in recent months, following a hospital stay. As much as the death itself may shock ordinary Cubans, it was those unexpected circumstances which caught them by surprise. As the personal lives of members of the Castro family

are generally kept away from the public eye, almost no-one will have known he suffered mental health issues prior to the announcement of his death. At the time of his death, he was a scientific adviser for the Cuban Council of State, and served as vice-president of Cuba’s Academy of Sciences. He headed the island’s nuclear programme from 1980 to 1992, before it was suspended after the Soviet Union’s collapse. He was married to María Victoria Barreiro, and had three children from his previous marriage, namely: Fidel Antonio Castro Smirnov, Mirta María Castro Smirnova, and José Raúl Castro Smirnov. Fidel Castro Díaz-Balart was born in 1949, during his father’s brief first marriage to Mirta Díaz-Balart, the daughter of a prominent pre-revolution politician. His father went on to overthrow the US-backed dictator, Fulgencio Batista, in 1959, when his mother’s family fled the island and went to Florida. His parents divorced, and “Fidelito” spent some of his

early years in the US before his father managed to bring him back to Cuba. This history explains why some of his close maternal relatives are among the most committed critics of the Cuban government - such as his cousin, Mario Díaz-Balart, a US congressman. Fidelito himself was loyal to the ideals of the Cuban revolution, but was said in recent years to have grown weary - both of living in his father’s shadow and having been sidelined from Cuban decision-making on energy resources, said reports. His ideas for developing renewable energy on the island were not incorporated into state policy, an academic colleague, Jonathan Benjamin-Alvarado, told Reuters. “I imagine that was disappointing for him,” Mr Benjamin-Alvarado said. The TV announcement said his funeral would be planned by his family, but no further details were given. His father, Fidel Castro, a revolutionary figure and one of the world’s longest serving political leaders, died aged 90 in 2016. (BBC)

05:00 hrs 08:30 hrs 09:00 hrs 09:30 hrs

DATE: Wednesday, January 31, 2018

called the environmental verdict a “major defeat for Costa Rica” in a statement. It did not comment on the other cases. As part of the border settlement, the court drew a new maritime boundary between the states, who have had rival claims since 2002, when Nicaragua published maps detailing oil concessions. Some of those were in waters claimed by Costa Rica. Costa Rica had filed the suit in 2014, asking the court to determine its borders with Nicaragua in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean. In 2010, Nicaragua sent soldiers to open an artificial waterway to divert water from the San Juan River that divides both countries to a nearby Nicaraguan lake, in what Costa Rica saw as a move to shorten its territory. Nicaragua said it was dredging a natural waterway.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 3, 2018

Caribbean to lend to the conversation --at international conference on culture

BRUSSELS, CMC – A two-day conference examining the impact, achievements and lessons learned in promoting the cultural sector in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) gets underway here next week. The organisers said that the February 8-9 event will critically assess

five years of implementing more than 50 projects in various ACP countries. They said that the delegates will hear various presentations from beneficiaries, including the Barbados-based 3D Distribution Project, on market access for Caribbean audio-visual products, and even a regional project of the Pacific Community

on strengthening cultural policies and regulatory frameworks in several Pacific Island countries. The Brussels-based ACP Secretariat said that the international conference forms part of the strategy behind a new ACP-EU programme to support the cultural sector, due to be launched this year with funding estimat-

ed at Euro40 million (One Euro=US$1.29 cents). “Funded by the European Development Fund, the programme’s overarching aim is to fight poverty in ACP countries through the development of viable cultural industries. Projects focused on the creation and production of ACP cultural goods and services, enhanced

access to local regional and international markets, capacity building of professionals in the culture sector and improving the regulatory environment.” The ACP said that the conference, open to cultural professionals, institutions and anyone interested in the ACP-EU cultural cooperation, will bring together nearly 80 representatives of beneficiaries and partner organisations

involved in the implementation of 54 completed projects. ACP Secretary-General, Dr. Patrick Gomes and the European Commission’s DEVCO Director General Mr. Stefano Manservisi, are expected to address the conference which also includes a special panel on cultural heritage, various workshops, debate sessions, and film screenings.

Fitch revises Dutch gov’t to help revive tourism Jamaica’s ratings --on hurricane-ravaged Caribbean islands KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The international ratings agency – Fitch Ratings has affirmed Jamaica’s long-term foreign and local currency issue default ratings at ‘B’ and revised the outlook from stable to positive. In a release on Thursday, the Ministry of Finance said the rating was based on improvements in the macroeconomic and fiscal indicators. They were also supported by the country’s structural strengths such as relatively high income per capita and social indicators, policy consensus and relatively strong institutional capacity, it added. The Fitch report highlighted that macroeconomic

stability continues to improve and the public debtto-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio continues on a downward trajectory. The ratings agency findings were also based on the belief that government is on course to record another primary fiscal surplus of around 7.0 percent of GDP for fiscal year 2017/18, which is equivalent to an overall balanced budget. The ratings also reflected the appreciation of the Jamaican dollar relative to the US dollar, the lowering of the Bank of Jamaica benchmark overnight rates, the sustainable path of external finances, and improvement in external liquidity.

AMSTERDAM, CMC – The Dutch government Thursday unveiled a US$3 million plan to compensate tourism businesses on two Caribbean islands, left reeling after last year’s hurricane. “I saw with my own eyes the devastating effect that Hurricane Irma had” on the islands of Saba and Sint Eustatius, deputy interior minister Raymond Knops said. Under the scheme, businesses which relied entirely on tourism such as hotels, restaurants and bars, taxi services and even diving schools, could claim up to 25 percent of their expected annual turnover in compensation, reported Expatica, an online news and information portal that specifically serves English-speaking expatriates and the international community founded by Canadian Bram Lebo in 2000. “The tourism sector is

an important provider of jobs and income for many families,” Knops said in a statement, referring to the islands which are part of the Kingdom of The Netherlands. The scheme would help affected companies “to bridge this difficult period during reconstruction.” In November, the Dutch government announced in November that some 67 million euros will be given to the two small islands to help with reconstruction,

according Expatica. It said power lines were downed, trees uprooted and buildings torn apart when Irma whipped across the islands, including St. Martin, as a rare Category Five storm in September. According to figures from the national statistics body, 11,000 tourists visit St. Eustatius annually, while 9,000 visitors travel to Saba. Both islands are popular diving spots, Expatica said. It said eligible companies must lodge a claim by

April 25 for the period from September 2017 to February 2018. They must also provide turnover figures from 2014, 2015 and 2016. Plans to help the Dutch part of St. Martin been have bogged down amid a row over the disbursement of some 550 million euros in aid, which forced the resignation of the territory’s prime minister. Elections for a new Sint Maarten government are now due to be held in late February.

Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 3, 2018

Justice and human rights THE period 2002-2008, was characterised by the most frightening example of criminal violence to have been experienced in the modern history of this country. Referred to as the “troubles,” it will long be remembered as the time when bullet-riddled bodies were found daily around the city and its environs and massacres taking place. In addition to murderous drug wars and gangs, one led by a notorious drug lord who proclaimed by way of newspaper advertisements that he had been assisting the then government to combat the criminal siege. With no official explanation being given by

the powers of the day as to what was clearly perceived as the activity of an armed group, labelled the notorious “Phantom”, there are still many unanswered questions and grievous hurt, particularly for families that had lost fathers, sons, brothers, and other relatives to that epoch of carnage. One does not need to be a social scientist to understand that the above scenario had been clearly one of a total breakdown of the State, so much so, that there was panic, anarchy, and a lost will on the part of the legitimate, designated protective force to defend society against the heavily armed killers. Any state that is premised on the Rule of Law

and which government understands that accountability is an enduring facet of governance, should endeavour to enquire as to the causes of such wanton violence on such a scale, if only to bring closure to the families of the victims. Any executive owes such explanations for such a hellish period, not only to the families, -- many of whom are still experiencing pain and harbouring vengeful feelings -- but to the nation at large for the causes, and for those responsible to be brought to justice. This much is expected by the nation. There are those, perhaps, not expecting the executive to carry through to its promise, have gone on

the defensive, alleging that such Commissions of Inquiry, will only serve to divide the nation, apart from other inexplicable defences. This can only come from those who, apart from being indifferent in relation to this matter of grave national import, never understood their national responsibilities. It has to be a government that did not care even about the death of one of its cabinet ministers, to have refused an offer from the Canadian government to assist in determining how that cabinet officer – a Canadian citizen -- met his death, much less in seeking to criticise the President’s decision for a Commission Of Inquiry. President David Grang-

er is on record as saying “the killings, the troubles, the death squads, ministers using state letter heads to sign for people to get permission for equipment. That is what polarised this nation. The role of the government under President Jagdeo polarised this nation more than anything else in our history.” The nation still bears the deep scars, suffering the pains, from the brutalities of such a phase. There can only be healing for those who have lost

relatives to the murderous reign of this period, when these official processes have been completed, and those found responsible for inflicting such murderous damage, be made to face the full force of the law to answer for their acts. We will urge all Guyanese who have knowledge of what took place during this period to go to the hearings and say what they know. They have a duty to themselves, to the numerous families, and the nation to be truthful.

A more constructive analysis of City Hall needed Dear Editor,

I WRITE with reference to an article captioned “At City Hall the policy is do as I say and not as I do,” penned by Sean Levius and placed in the Staborek News 27, 2018 edition of that newspaper. As a citizen, I have observed the apprehension of the writer. However, I do not wish to engage my acumen in a plethora of negativism and bitter diatribes about the Council, but rather give my suggestions on how the Council can improve its service to the citizenry. Every organisation has it strengths and weaknesses and City Hall is no exception. I wish to point out some of the positive

things attributed to the Georgetown Council: the restoration of Le Repentir cemetery is a breath of fresh air. The Council should therefore, implement rigid maintenance to prevent a return of the area to its former state. In moving forward, the Council should put in place an enhancement committee comprising persons from the religious community, business community, residents and councillors. A divergent group would bring a wide cross-section of expertise and experiences which would help to advance the Council in this area. On the issue of markets, I wish to point out that for years the Kitty market was left to disinte-

grate and deteriorate by the previous administration, who was neither concerned about the constituents it represented, neither did it show any interest in the restoration of the market has an economic hub. H o w e v e r, R o y s t o n King came into office with a passion and zeal to restore the city and its environs, commenced a rigorous plan to restore several buildings owned by the council including the Kitty market. It is obvious that the repairs of other buildings were hindered because of lack of financial resources, which is no secret to all. Therefore, I want to make a clarion call for the Ministry of Finance to urgently operationalise the valuation of

properties, so that all the municipalities in Guyana can benefit from increased rates which would allow them to be more financially buoyant, subsequently allowing them to provide vital services to communities within their spheres. Further, it is not rocket science that if rates have not been increased for over 20 years, the current financial intake of the municipality could not suffice to meet financial obligations; this includes payment to the Guyana Revenue Authority and the National Insurance Scheme. Hence, I want to suggest that the Council implement other means of revenue collection to supplement its income: establishing toll stations at strategic entrance and exit

points in the city, and seeking central government’s intervention to access a percentage of its environment tax. I am sure that the Council is not the only entity that has outstanding payment to utility companies and the Guyana Revenue Authority. The fact that the Guyana Revenue Authority is offering amnesty shows that there are other agencies that are in default. Further, if the writer had been paying keen attention to the news, he would have known that the date for elections for mayor and deputy mayor has been announced as March 15, 2018; this was carried in the Guyana Times newspaper January 12, 2018 edition. Also, even though

the other municipalities have conducted elections for the mayors and deputy mayors, the elected cannot hold the offices until the time for their predecessors have legally expired, so Mr Levius what is the point? In conclusion, we are cognisant that it is a democratic society and every person is entitled to his views, but criticism must provide an opportunity for both the readers and organisation to learn and provide a sense of direction. The content of the letter by Mr Levius is an invective that is bankrupt of ideas, weary of old tales and a waste of space that could be otherwise constructively utilised. ASHLEY NIXXON

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 3, 2018

City Hall is Sam Hinds takes objection to ‘Jagdeo-era killings’ just a comedy of errors Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

There is a new lake in Georgetown, it is called ‘Bel Park Lake’ and it has been created through the foolishness of the Georgetown Municipality. With the City Council having a bulldozer owned by a private contractor mow down all of the trees and foliage there but more importantly making two deep a cut, there is now the creation of a huge basin that has been filled up with rainwater and water from the surrounding trenches. City Hall is just a comedy of errors. They seek and obtain foreign funding to the tune of USD$41,000 to repair the Stabroek Market clock only to realise later that the entire area that houses the clock would have to be rehabilitated first before they repair the clock. They have comprehended they don’t have the money to rehabilitate the area that houses the clock’. Then there was the brilliant idea of air conditioning of the bottom flat of the reconstructed Kitty Market placing extractor fans and other means of ventilation.

As part of the grand plan there was also to be the installation of an automatic switchover generator to cater for power outages. They also planned on having the meat and fish sections of the market equipped with refrigeration facilities, so as to meet public health standards. Alas! what has happened? The Council discovered that they had no money to do any such thing. In fact they have no money to even to finish the building, and had to go cap in hand and beg for money to finish the building. The situation where they bought one stun gun instead of two as is required to alternate when slaughtering to avoid over use and overheating and without enough ammunition is another amusing if not wretched situation. And what of the City Constabulary which was given 30 bicycles by a foreign embassy and which had eight of its own only to discover that the patrol unit consists of just 11 members, due to its purported cash-strapped state.

Regards DEODARIE PUTULALL

There is a lot in a name and we need to get names right. Assuming that our President HE. Mr. David Granger and the majority of us Guyanese would welcome one (or more) Commission of Inquiry (COI), which would provide our nation an understanding, as true as can be, and would take us along a path of revelation, redemption, resolution and reconciliation, then the names we start with and the terms of reference are important. The term ‘Jagdeo era killings’, which has even been repeated by President Granger, is to be regretted, as it is misleading. That submerged subterranean killing wave has its origin in the rejection of the PPP/C win at our 1997 election by an opposing and extreme criminal fringe with ethno-political pretensions and links, which, when our national security forces were not having any success in apprehending them, evoked a similar irregular counter-force. The period from1998 to 20008 should be enquired into as a whole and that would naturally be in chronological sequence. One cannot help, but be suspicious of the Coalition Government’s move in embarking on enquires into spliced-out pieces, starting near the end and proceeding in an order known only to themselves. Starting at the end indicates

an attempt to negate and escape the logical deductions, which would be inherent in a chronological review of events over that period. The period from 1998 to 2008 was one of great testing of our peoples and our country. Rather than make it appear that Jagdeo and/or the PPP/C was the cause of those troubles, I submit, that it should be recognised that our (PPP/C) handling of that period, though criticised from many directions, saw our nation through as a whole avoiding the intensified polarisation, which was intended by the opposing and extreme criminal fringe with ethno-political pretensions and links. Editor you may recall the rising tensions in our country as our 1997 (December 16) elections approached. I was President then. Our National Poet, Mr Martin Carter, had died earlier that month and our (PPP/C) Prime Minister and Presidential Candidate, Mrs. Janet Jagan, was being particularly hounded by crowds as she sought to pay her respects at the various ceremonies honouring her colleague of many decades. On her way to Mr. Carter’s internment at ‘Seven Ponds’, she was advised to pause at the Office of the President and she sat with me. She revealed that it seemed to her that we were re-running the 1957 to 1961 period – that after the uproar at the PPP win in 1957, the people of Georgetown, overwhelmingly Afro-Guyanese and supporters

of the PNC at that time, settled into a toleration of the PPP Government, but as the elections of 1961 approached with prospects of another PPP win in their consciousness, they just couldn’t take it and all hell seemed to break out! Following the 2001 jailbreak and their projection by key political factions as ‘Freedom Fighters’, the attacks on assumed supporters of the PPP/C were taken to a higher level. When the national security forces showed remarkable inability to apprehend them it was inevitable that a similar irregular counter-force emerged. We have been reminded by our President about the seeming compelling evidence about one of my colleagues, sitting with me at Cabinet, obtaining and providing high-tech equipment to the phantom force. We could be reminded similarly about that conversation (illegally taped, yes) between a PNCR executive and a senior official of the Guyana Police Force. Ms. Gail Teixeira, then the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, was assailed by our Cabinet enquiring what the then Commission of Police was saying about that conversation. She reported that he did not refute that the voice was his but that he was playing along the VC to learn what the PNC knew and was thinking. Mr. Editor most of us Guyanese have been focused, for decades, on making a steadily better living and would be hard put to recall every significant

event, every turn during this period in correct sequence. Hopefully, any of us, would be able to put hands on storages of our four newspapers, which taken together should give a fair picture of events as they occurred. We, PPP/C stayed away from holding a Commission of Inquiry, waiting on a time when it could have been healing. And we would have expected that such a COI would have been structured similarly to the one established by our Government in consultation with the then opposition, to enquire into the 2012 disturbances in Linden, with international Commissioners and nominees of various national stakeholders. There is a common saying in an eastern country, that the east wind is blowing and the west wind is blowing and who knows which will prevail? All through this period the winds for division were blowing strong but we, the PPP/C have been heartened that all along this period, too, there have been occasions when Indo-Guyanese have acknowledged assistance and protection from Afro-Guyanese and vice-versa. The sense of being Afro or Indo or Amerindian or whatever though slowly, is gradually and steadily being encompassed in the sense of being Human and being Guyanese. Enough said. Regards SAMUEL A. A. HINDS

A more constructive analysis of City Hall needed Dear Editor,

I write with reference to an article captioned “At City Hall the policy is do as I say and not as I do” penned by Sean Levius placed in the Staborek News 27, 2018, edition of your newspapers. As a citizen I have observed the apprehension of the writer. However, I do not wish to engage my acumen in a plethora of negativism and bitter diatribes about the Council, but rather give my suggestions on how the Council can improve its service to the citizenry. Every organisation has it strengths and weaknesses and City Hall is no exception. I wish to point out some of the positive things attributed to the Georgetown Council; the restoration of the Le Repentir cemetery is a breath of fresh air. The Council should therefore, implement a rigid maintenance to prevent a return of the area to its former state. In moving forward, the Council should put in place an enhancement committee comprising of persons from the religious community, business community, residents and

councillors. A divergent group would bring a wide-cross section of expertise and experiences which would help to advance the Council in this area. On the issue of markets, I wish to point out that for years the Kitty market was left to disintegrate and deteriorate by the previous administration; who was neither concerned about the constituents they represented neither showed any interest in the restoration of the market has an economic hub. However, Royston King came into office with a passion and zeal to restore the City and its environs, commenced a rigorous plan to restore several

buildings owned by the council including the Kitty market. It is obvious that the repairs of other buildings were hindered because of lack of financial resources which is no secret to all. Therefore, I want to make a clarion call for the Ministry of Finance to urgently operationalise the valuation of properties so that all the municipalities in Guyana can benefit for increase rates which would allow them to be more financial buoyant. Subsequently, allowing them to provide vital services to communities within their sphere. Further, it is not rocket science that if rates have not been in-

crease for over 20 years the current financial intake of the Municipality could not suffice to meet financial obligations; this includes payment to the Guyana Revenue Authority, National Insurance Scheme. Hence, I want to suggest that the Council implement other means of revenue collection to supplement its income; establishing toll stations at strategic entrance and exit points in the City Council, and seeking Central Government’s intervention to access a percentage of its environment tax. I am sure that the Council is not the only entity that has

outstanding payment to utility companies and the Guyana Revenue Authority. The fact that the Guyana Revenue Authority is offering amnesty shows that there are other agencies that are in default. Further, if the writer was paying keen attention to the news he would have known that the date for elections for Mayor and Deputy Mayor has been announced as March 15, 2018, this was carried in the Guyana Times Newspaper January 12, 2018 edition. Also, even though the other Municipalities have conducted elections for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, the elected cannot hold the offices

until the time for their predecessors have legally expired, so Mr Levius what is the point? In conclusion, we are cognizant that it is a democratic society and every person is entitled to his views but criticism must provide an opportunity for both the readers and organisation to learn and provide a sense of direction. The content of the letter by Mr Levius is an invective that is bankrupt of ideas, weary of old tales and a waste of space that could be otherwise constructively utilised. Regards ASHLEY NIXXON

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 3, 2018

GPF sharpens investigative skills - modern police techniques taught in major-case investigations, interviews

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) last month benefited from Canadian experts Superintendent Douglas Kiloh (retired) and Superintendent James Hardy (retired) who visited Guyana to conduct the major case management for investigators’ training. Under the auspices of the Justice Education Society (JES), the training is part of building capacity to use modern police techniques in major case investigations and interviews The U.S. Government through the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs launched the Strengthening the Criminal Justice System in Guyana project in September 2016. The goal of this project is to strengthen the integrity and responsiveness of Guyana’s justice system. A large part of the project focuses on enhancing the knowledge and skills of the GPF. According to the JES, the project continues to work with the Force to improve the capacity of GPF ranks to conduct investigations of major crimes and to interview witnesses and suspects in major crime cases. Several activities were

Crime Chief, Assistant Commissioner Paul Williams poses with Strengthening the Criminal Justice System in Guyana project team .(L-R) Judge Michael Hicks (retired), Rolinda Kirton, Evelyn Neaman, Paul Williams, Sonia Poulin, and James Hardy.

held in January 2018. They included: a five-day training on major case management for investigators for 31 ranks on January 15-19; a five-day training on major case management for investigators for 34 ranks on January 22-26; a five-day coaching activity on interviewing for previously-trained ranks on January 15-19 and another five-day training on interviewing witnesses and suspects in major crime cases on January 2226. Both Supt. Kiloh and Supt. Hardy have over 30 years of experience in polic-

by local GPF trainers, Mr. Adam used a mock scenario to engage participants in a range of hands-on exercises, which enabled participants to put their interviewing techniques to the test. When asked his view on the impact of the training Adam said that he was “heartened to observe the GPF ranks who are in the courses increase their capacity to interview both suspects and witnesses with modern police techniques. This approach will not only benefit the GPF but the citizens of Guyana.” In addition to these training activities, the project conducted a mid-term eval-

ing, and extensive exposure to major criminal investigations. Drawing on the wealth of their experience and using a mock robbery scenario and real-life examples, the trainers led sessions on the principles of major case management, as well as the tools and techniques available to investigators to aid them in conducting investigations. The trainers also focused on soft skills essential in policing, including leadership, accountability to the public and commitment to ethical

Inspector Don Adam (retired) demonstrating best practices in interviewing skills for investigators during the coaching session.

conduct. Superintendent Douglas Kiloh (retired) reports that “the detectives in the training sessions are showing great interest in building new skills using the concepts of major case management and investigative techniques.” Superintendent James Hardy (retired) feels that the training “will go a long way to improving the quality of investigations for the GPF.” Consistent with its commitment to local ownership and sustainability of project results, the project involved four local GPF trainers to assist in the delivery of the January 15-19 course and to conduct and facilitate several sessions. These trainers will eventually take over the teaching of the entire course. In addition, the project

drew on a cadre of local project-trained GPF ranks to expose participants to other areas of expertise within the Police Force that may be relevant to investigations of major crime. In particular, the Head of the GPF Forensic Video Analysis (FVA) unit conducted a presentation on forensic video, while a project-trained police prosecutor came in to answer participants’ questions on elements of offence. Canadian interviewing expert Inspector Donald Adam (retired) conducted training and coaching sessions for GPF ranks on interviewing witnesses and suspects in the context of major crimes. Twenty-two ranks participated in the interviewing training course. Assisted

uation for the project to document progress made to date and any issues and improvements that the project can introduce in its last year. Over the course of one week, Judge Michael Hicks of the Provincial Court of British Columbia (retired), along with Project Manager Evelyn Neaman, JES Executive Director Sonia Poulin and JES Country Representative Rolinda Kirton, met with a wide range of stakeholders. These included representatives of the Judiciary, the Guyana Police Force, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and members of the media. Results of this evaluation will be used to identify lessons learned in the project and to further improve its quality.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 3, 2018

OP-ED

Venezuela’s objection only to be expected --as border controversy goes to World Court

By Dr Odeen Ishmael AS expected, the Venezuelan government rejected the January 30 decision of the UN Secretary General (UNSG) to refer the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), also known as the World Court.

Dr Odeen-Ishmael

When the UNSG announced his proposal in December 2016, the Venezuelan government at first expressed its satisfaction, but within a month it backtracked and insisted on the continuation of the Good Offices process, which had failed to produce any tangible forward momentum for the past quarter of a century. Guyana, since 2014, had informed the USSG of its decision to abandon the Good Offices process and urged the involvement of the ICJ—a proposal now opposed by Venezuela. Therefore, that country’s recent statement on January 31 has not come as a

surprise to anyone. Interestingly, the statement by the UNSG also stated that the two countries could benefit from the continued Good Offices of the United Nations. This conclusion was arrived at even though the UNSG admitted that the Good Offices made no significant progress during 2017 towards arriving at an agreement for the solution of the controversy. Clearly, by interjecting the use of “the continued Good Offices,” he seems to be attempting to appease the Venezuelan government which wants the continuation of that process. Guyana’s foreign ministry welcomed the UNSG’s decision in a communique: “Guyana will not allow factors extraneous to the controversy to influence its referral to the Court, but it will continue the advancement of peaceful relations with Venezuela whose people are the brothers and sisters of Guyanese. In this context, Guyana acknowledges the Secretary General’s suggestions for the immediate future.” On the other hand, Caracas expressed concern over the decision in an official foreign ministry statement, and insisted on the recognition of the Geneva Agreement to resolve the dispute. “It is fitting to wonder the reasons why they recommended the International Court of Justice to two states that do not recognise its jurisdictions, and given

that the Geneva Agreement contemplates the political mechanisms for the solution to this territorial controversy,” the ministry stated. But, the Geneva Agreement of 1966 conferred upon the Secretary-General the power and responsibility to choose a means of peace-

settlement. In this respect, the last means in Article 33 is judicial settlement, which clearly points to a judicial settlement by the ICJ. Why doesn’t Venezuela want the controversy to be handled by the ICJ? It claims that the 1899 arbitral award that defined the boundary

state-party. Obviously, therefore, it presents the spectre of a refusal to accept the decision of the ICJ if it deems it unfavourable. If this occurs, it would mean that the border controversy will again continue for an indefinite period. However, Venezuela is not too interested in the

Guyana Defence Force ranks beside a boundary marker established back in the 1800s during a demarcation exercise to define the border between Guyana and its north-western neighbour, Venezuela. The marker, which was rediscovered recently, is on Guyana’s side of the border in Region One, in the Barima-Waini area

ful settlement from amongst those contemplated in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations. The Geneva Agreement, signed by the Venezuelan, British and Guyanese government, also provides that if the means so chosen does not lead to a solution of the controversy, the Secretary-General will choose another means of

between the two countries is “null and void” but, at the same time, refuses to present its case to show such nullity. The ICJ will surely be an ideal venue to make its argument. Significantly, the Venezuelan government has raised the issue of its non-compliance with the rulings of the ICJ of which it is not a

legal aspects; it hangs on to the idea of a settlement by which it wants Guyana to unilaterally cede nearly twothirds of its land territory. Actually, Venezuela’s demand has grown progressively over the years. It requested before the arbitral tribunal all the territory west of the Essequibo River with the exception of an area marked by a line

stretching from the mouth of the Moruca River to the junction of the Mazaruni and the Essequibo. The claim also included the Essequibo watershed south of the junction of the Essequibo and the Rupununi rivers. Today, the claim has extended to all territory west of the Essequibo River, including the islands in the river. It has also been expanded to include Guyana’s maritime region rich with oil deposits. And as is widely known, Venezuela seized Guyana’s half of the border Ankoko Island and its armed gunboats brazenly venture into Guyana’s section of the Cuyuni River. It will be interesting to hear the response of the UNSG to the Venezuelan rebuff. At the same time, the member states of the United Nations are no doubt hoping for a judicial solution. It is possible that their quiet diplomacy can help to propel Venezuela to work along with Guyana towards this direction. [Dr. Odeen Ishmael, Ambassador Emeritus (retired), historian and author, served as Guyana’s ambassador in the USA (1993-2003), Venezuela (2003-2011) and Kuwait and Qatar (2011-2014). Among his books is the trilogy, The Trail of Diplomacy—The Guyana-Venezuela Border Issue. He also currently serves as a Senior Research Fellow of the Washington-based Council on Hemispheric Affairs.]

CARICOM SG lauds Dominican heading PAHO for second term Dominican Dr Carissa Etienne was sworn in for a second term as Director of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) on Thursday and was commended for the achievement by CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque. Delivering an address at the inauguration ceremony at PAHO Headquarters in Washington D.C the CARICOM Secretary-General credited Dr. Etienne’s re-election to her achievements over her first five years in office. “Reward for good work is more hard work,” he stated lauding her leadership of administrative and management changes to improve the efficiency of PAHO. He commended its successful response to public health emergencies such as Zika, Chikungunya, and cholera in the Americas which saw a dramatic decline in the number of reported cases of those diseases. While also applauding her leadership of PAHO during its prompt response of relief and recovery following hurricanes

Harvey, Irma and Maria, he expressed “heartfelt appreciation” for the continued assistance it continues to render to the Region. The role of health organisations such as PAHO is critical in disaster management and recovery, he stated, noting the serious threat to the well-being of people in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters such as hurricanes. “The psychological trauma which afflicted those

devastated by the loss of loved ones, as well as their property and belongings also had to be addressed. Again this Organisation, under your leadership, was instrumental in providing assistance in that regard,” the CARICOM Secretary-General said. He also praised Dr. Etienne and her team for their support of the goal to eliminate Mother to Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis, which since 2015, sev-

Dr Carissa Etienne was sworn in for a second term as Director of PAHO

en Caribbean countries, led by Cuba, the first in the world, have achieved. The Secretary-General recalled Dr. Etienne’s praise last December that the Region had made a “remarkable achievement” and had placed the Americas at the forefront of the global effort to ensure no child is born with HIV or congenital syphilis. He also applauded the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) for leading the Region in combating the disease. Dr. Etienne’s achievements during her first term in office, Mr LaRocque stated, have “surely served to further burnish” her sterling reputation which was evident in the quality of leadership she displayed while serving in Dominica. “Your dynamic leadership transformed the primary health care system in Dominica, bringing health care to the communities,” he said, adding that it was a focus she maintained at the international level when as Assistant Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), she led the global re-

newal of the primary health care (PHC) approach. “You also led WHO’s work on universal coverage. This was highlighted by the development of an action agenda for countries at all stages of development to achieve universal coverage and improve health outcomes. That agenda also proposed ways that the international community could better support efforts in low income countries,” the CARICOM Secretary-General said. He noted that PAHO’s programmes to eradicate tuberculosis, malaria and other related diseases have been making significant headway, but cautioned that those could easily be frustrated, highlighting the recent outbreak of diphtheria. “The outbreak of an old disease, diphtheria, is a reminder that if we fail to maintain high levels of vaccine coverage these diseases can re-emerge,” Secretary-General LaRocque said. Describing PAHO as a valued partner to CARICOM, he said it continues to play a significant role in the Caribbean Cooperation in Health, the mechanism

through which Member States collectively focus action and resources to achieve agreed goals in health. Additionally, he said PAHO’s co-operation with Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has been invaluable to the Region. Dr. Etienne was first elected Director of PAHO by the countries of the Americas in September 2012 during the 28th Pan American Sanitary Conference. She was re-elected for a second term in September 2017, and began serving that term on February 1 2018. In her native Dominica, Dr. Etienne began her career as a medical officer at the Princess Margaret Hospital, where she eventually became the Chief Medical Officer. She has also served in other high-level posts in Dominica, including Coordinator of the National AIDS Program, Disaster Coordinator for the Ministry of Health, Chair of the National Advisory Council for HIV/AIDS, and Director of Primary Health Care Services. (Caricom Secretariat)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 3, 2018

India willing to assist Guyana with oil, gas preparation

INDIA has agreed to work and share its experience in the oil-and-gas sector with Guyana, as the latter

prepares for production in 2020. This was according to India’s Minister of Petroleum

and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan in a tweet two days ago. Minister Pradhan made

the tweet during the Guyana/ India Joint Commission and Inter-Ministerial Consultation in India, which is being attended by several government officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge and Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. The Indian official stated in one of his tweets that: “[India] agreed to work with Guyana and share our experience in the entire gamut of hydrocarbon sector.” He went on to add that: “[we] will share India’s cumulative experience in refinery, petrochemicals and capacity-building in the oil-and-gas sector.” In another tweet, Minister Pradhan said that he “had a useful discussion” with the Guyana delegation and that they “discussed the possibilities of E&P (exploration & production) activities by Indian companies in Guyana.” ExxonMobil, the oil company which has discovered oil deposits just offshore Guyana, has said that production is expected to commence by 2020. The tweets, which were more than 400 times, prompted mixed reactions, with most Indian nationals welcoming the move and encouraging greater cooperation

India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan, is flanked by Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge (L) and Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman (Photos taken from Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s Twitter page)

petroleum and natural gas.” He also touched on sugar, offering that: “We are in [the] process of reconstructing [and] rationalising the sugar industry. We are looking at ways India can help in the provision of knowledge and expertise with respect to the sugar industry. “On a personal level, the visit has been amazing, and on a technical level, we have had a good meeting with the Indian government. I go back with great expectations for the way forward” the minister said. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the oil-and-gas sector is among the six core

related to energy demand; therefore, the need for oil and gas is projected to grow more, thereby making the sector quite conducive for investment. India’s oil consumption grew 8.3 per cent year-on-year to 212.7 million tonnes in 2016, as against the global growth of 1.5 per cent, thereby making it the third largest oil-consuming nation in the world. Further, data released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), indicate that the petroleum and natural gas sector attracted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) worth US$

Guyanese and Indian officials during discussions in India last week

between the two countries, given their historical connection. During the engagements, Minister Trotman had shared that: “There is great enthusiasm from both sides of the ocean for petroleum and natural gas. There are cases for collaboration, for exploration to marketing. There is also a possibility of Indian companies engaging with us for

industries in India and plays a major role in influencing decision-making for all the other important sectors of the economy. IBEF is a trust established by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The Foundation explains that India’s economic growth is closely

6.86 billion between April 2000 and September 2017. Meanwhile, during other engagements, three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were signed between the Governments of Guyana and India in the area of renewable energy, for a cultural exchange programme and a Framework Agreement on International Solar Alliance (ISA).

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 3, 2018

Guyana has an excellent case AFC

THE Alliance For Change (AFC) said it is confident that Guyana will emerge victorious when the time comes for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to rule on the decades-old Guyana/Venezuela territorial controversy. In a statement on Friday, the AFC – a key partner in the coalition government -- said it welcomes the decision of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General (SG) António Guterres to refer the territorial controversy to the ICJ, saying that Guyana has an excellent case against Venezuela. “The party is confident that Guyana’s case will result in an unequivocal juridical

settlement which will uphold the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award,” the AFC stated. The UNSG’s Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric on Tuesday announced that Mr. Guterres after carefully analyzing developments in 2017, concluded that significant progress had not been made at the level of the Good Offices, and as a result, took a decision to refer the territorial controversy to the ICJ. The decision was made in keeping with a commitment made by the former SG Ban Ki-moon in December 2016. In its statement, the AFC saluted the government of the day, in particular President David Granger and Second Vice-President and Minis-

ter of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge, for their steadfast and robust pursuit of the course of action in response to Venezuela’s illegal claim to Guyana’s sovereign territory, which was settled since 1899. The 1899 Arbitral Tribunal Award gave more than 90 per cent of an area to then British Guiana (now Guyana) – a decision that Venezuela accepted for more than half a century. “The AFC stands with its coalition partners and all other patriotic Guyanese in adamant defence of Guyana’s patrimony. The party is confident that Guyana’s case will result in an unequivocal juridical settlement which will uphold the

Scott: Co-ops the way to go --a viable alternative for ailing sugar industry

MINISTER within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, has said that cooperatives can possibly take the place of the ailing sugar industry once persons realise the true value of the long-forgotten practice. As a reminder of what that practice was, the minister said a cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations, through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. “We need to foster this in our communities, villages and even towns,” said the minister at the launch of the Guyana National Co-operative Union Limited (GNCUL)’s training of co-operatives trainers’ programme on Friday. The minister made direct reference to communities affected by the ailing sugar industry, in that only recently, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) had to lay off 4000 sugar workers in order to keep it viable. He believes that those communities such as Wales, on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD), and those on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) and other areas could thrive again once they form cooperatives. Scott encouraged persons to work together in order to form subsistence economies

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott (left), refers to some of his documents as a representative of GNCUL looks on

and joint ventures that will earn them incomes. Persons were reminded that the co-op movement started after the abolition of slavery in 1838, when the former slaves pooled their resources to purchase the plantations and make a living. The minister went on to say that understanding and appreciation of this society’s evolution would recognise that cooperatives play in social, economic, political and cultural development. “Cooperatives speak to joint ownership and management, where the benefits and profits are shared. This also fosters commitment to achieve success, and where challenges exist to work together to resolve them,” he said. In the light of what was

said, the minister announced that they intend to form cooperatives in Ithaca, Buxton, Beterverwagting and Mocha-Arcadia. Scott said he hopes that after noticing the transformation in those villages, other communities would be willing to adopt a similar practice. GNCUL Chairman Derek Cummings echoed similar sentiments, saying that after the 1970s, cooperatives disappeared but they are hoping to resurrect it. He said that the training, which will run up to April this year, will educate persons on how to form and manage cooperatives. Those persons will then be tasked with training persons from their various communities to adopt that practice.

validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award,” the alliance stated. It reaffirmed that Venezuela’s contention that the 1899 Arbitral Award is null and void lacks basis, credibility and is inconsistent with the tenets of international law and sovereignty. “The party remains in resolute defence of Guyana’s territorial integrity and will not countenance any country seeking to strongarm our beloved nation out of what is our own legal and internationally recognised territory,” the AFC stated. The UN SG’s spokesman, in making the announcement had explained that the 1966 Geneva Agreement empowers the UN Secretary-General

to choose a means of peaceful settlement from amongst those contemplated in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations. “The Geneva Agreement also provides that if the means so chosen does not lead to a solution of the controversy, the secretary-general is to choose another means of settlement,” he further explained. He said it was on that basis that the former UN SG Ban Ki-moon communicated to the parties on December 15, 2016, that the Good Offices process, which had been conducted since 1990, would continue for one final year, until the end of 2017, with a strengthened mandate of mediation. Ban Ki-moon

had said too that if by the end of 2017, his successor, Secretary-General António Guterres, concluded that significant progress had not been made towards arriving at a full agreement for the solution of the controversy, he would choose the ICJ as the next means of settlement, unless the Governments of Guyana and Venezuela jointly requested that he refrain from doing so. Mr. Guterres has concluded that no significant progress had been made and that judicial settlement was the next best option for a final settlement of the long-standing territorial controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 3, 2018

NDIA brings relief to Basket Plimpler farmers By Clifford Stanley

RICE farmers in the Basket Plimpler area aback of Perth Village, Mahaicony, Region Five, earlier this week breathed a collective sigh of relief when the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) deployed a functioning excavator there.

The machine will clear irrigation channels, thereby allowing over 1000 acres of water-starved rice cultivations to gain access to water. David Hicks of the NDIA confirmed that the machine was deployed to the area last weekend and prominent rice farmer Sampson Gibbons said it commenced work on Monday last, much to the

relief of affected rice farmers. Gibbons said farmers were hoping that three main irrigation channels would be cleaned within the next few days and that another channel which would allow irrigation from the Biaboo Main Canal to the Basket Plimpler plots would also be excavated/desilted within this same time frame.

Meanwhile, a machine which had been deployed to the Basket Plimpler area since December last remained on site in an inoperable condition. Hicks said the machine had developed a major breakdown almost immediately on arrival at the site. It had not cleaned a single rod since early December and this has been cause for concern among rice farmers whose crops need irrigation. Hicks also said that en-

hancement of the dam on a drainage channel between Profitt and Foulis villages, which had been a source of controversy, had been a legitimate NDIA operation and was no cause for alarm. He disclosed that the dam had been placed over drainage tubes in the canal to keep them from being washed away, flooding the nearby access dam. “The dam doesn’t go right down to the bottom of the canal. It rests on top of the tubes and the tubes had

been there for years,” he said. “There was a misconception as to the purpose of the dam,” he noted, adding that he hoped that this concern would abate. Concerns about the “blocked” channel between Foulis and Profitt Villages and water-starved young rice crops in the Basket Plimpler Branch Road, Mahaicony area had been raised with Regional Executive Officer Ovid Morrison. This matter has now been resolved.

Couple robbed outside High Street hotel THREE bandits robbed a 42-year- old security guard and a 27-year-old woman of their electronic devices and cash, recently. They were on High and Princes streets in the vicinity of Sea Island hotel.

Enquiries revealed that the couple was having a conversation outside of the hotel when the three robbers approached them from a southern direction on High Street, Georgetown. One armed perpe-

trator drew the weapon from his waist and pointed it at them, while the others relieved the victims of their valuables. The perpetrators then escaped on foot and no shots were fired.

Inmates beat man accused of fondling girl, 3

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Judy Latchman on Friday remanded a 34-year-old man to prison for allegedly engaging in sexual activity with his three-year-old relative. The indictable offence against William Gomes alleged that during the month of May, 2016 at Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, he engaged in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16. He was remanded to prison until February 13. Gomes, when taken into the prisoners’ lock-up at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court was badly beaten by other inmates when they heard about what Gomes had allegedly done to the female child. According to reports the

William Gomes

three-year-old girl went to stay with Gomes at his Diamond Housing Scheme residence during the month of May, where it is alleged that he fondled the child.

The child confided in her mother about being ‘troubled’ by Gomes and when the mother examined the child it was discovered that she had been molested.

Sexagenarian businessman robbed, beaten

A 60-YEAR-OLD businessman was robbed and beaten at his business place at Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Friday. Reports indicate that the businessman was in his shop when the suspects approached and ordered two beverages.

Soon after, the two men pulled out handguns and forcefully entered the secured area of the shop, assaulted and relieved the sexagenarian of a sum of cash and jewellery. Police Press Officer (PRO) Jairam Ramlakhan said as law enforcement officers were making dil-

igent efforts to quickly apprehend two robbery suspects, their victim who was assaulted, received medical attention and was sent away. After carrying out the daring daylight robbery, the robbers fled the scene in a waiting silver Toyota Blue Bird motor car.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 3, 2018

LMTC looking for new ‘All-Black’ franchisee

--after breach-of-contract fallout with ‘Right Start’ THE Linden Mayor and Town Council has terminated its agreement with Right Start Foundation to host the All Black Concept Party as part of the Linden Town Week, citing breaches of the pact by the promotions company. In August 2017, the Council reserved the right to host Linden Town Week 2018 in honour of the Town’s 48th Anniversary, with the aim of stimulating economic activities to the direct benefit of the residents of Linden, and to garner funds to address waste management issues in the township. It is on this premise that the Council moved to award event franchises, one being the Linden Town Week All-Black Party, which has grown to become the largest such event in the country, and an economically viable exercise to promoters. “This event soon became a source of contention among promoters, and eventually was awarded on Saturday 30th December, 2017 by way of the highest-bidder process to Right Start Foundation, who won at the tune of $3,600,000,” the Town Council said in a release. But according to the Council, contrary to accepted bidding procedures, the winner was not required to make any payment on the day of bidding, and was given time to review the Event Fran-

chisee Agreement and to offer in writing, proposed amendments to the Council for consideration, upon signing the franchise. After that, it would have been required to pay 60% of the sum within one week, and the remaining 40% on or before 31st January, 2018. But on Friday 12th January, 2018, after dispatching proposed amendments, the Council considered and Right Start Foundation proceeded to sign the said agreement. As guided by Clause 4 (Franchise fee) of the Event Franchisee agreement, the first installment should have been paid within one week of signing, but was not upheld by the Franchisee. This led to the Linden Town Week Secretariat calling and writing Right Start to remind them of their obligations. When that failed to elicit a response from Right Start, the LMTC took a decision during its Wednesday, 24th January, 2018 statutory meeting (the highest decision-making forum in the Local Government organ) to amend the clause that stipulated the 60% and 40% payment method to now reflect that 100% of full payment be made by the already established 31st January, 2018 deadline. Then, one day before the deadline, Right Start decided to collect their copy of the Agreement

(despite being reminded in writing of its availability), and to write the Council proposing amendments of their own, which they submitted at approximately 16:00hrs on 31st January, 2018 but without any reference to money. Now the Council, having exhausted all options to amicably resolve the situation, was forced to terminate its agreement with Right Start to host the All Black Concept Party, effective 1st February, 2018. It said it did so in accordance with Clause 12 of the agreement which states: “The Franchisor may terminate this Agreement forthwith by notice in writing to the Event Franchisee under the following circumstances: a) If the Event Franchisee shall have committed any material breach of his obligations hereunder or shall have failed to remedy any remediable breach within a period of 28 days of the receipt of a notice in writing of the Franchisor requiring him to do so; b) if any sum or document required under the terms of this Agreement is not paid or submitted at the latest within the stipulated deadline; except in the case of written permission by the Franchisor; and c) if the Event Franchisee challenges the Franchisor’s intellectual property rights, then: “The termination or expiry of this Agreement

Guyana holds consultative forum on migration A CONFERENCE to boost Guyana’s contribution to the Global Compact – a comprehensive approach to migration – will be held in Georgetown on Monday. Concepts developed during the meeting will be presented at an intergovernmental conference at United Nations Headquarters later this month, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. In 2016, 193 United Nations (UN)

member states adopted the New York Declaration at the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants. In adopting the declaration, the member states signalled their readiness to develop a global compact for migration that not only aligns with Goal 10 of the Sustainable Development Goals, but also coordinates the efforts of member states, the International Organization for Migration (IOM)

and the UN. to protect and empower migrants through policies that ensure safe, orderly and regular migration. Jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Office for Migration (IOM), the event will commence at 9 a.m. at the Pegasus Hotel. Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, will deliver the featured address.

shall be without prejudice to any rights and obligations conferred or imposed by this Agreement in respect of any period after such termination, and shall also be without

prejudice to the rights of either party against the other in respect of any antecedent breach of any of the terms and conditions hereof.” That done, the Council says it now “wishes to proceed with making Linden Town Week 2018 a success,

and is currently exploring measures to re-award the All Black Concept Party to the second highest bidder.” Linden Town Week 2018 is slated for April 21-May 1, 2018 under the theme, “Celebrating culture, talent, and creativity in a clean, green 2018”.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 3, 2018

Siemens wants to help modernise health sector --help gov’t ‘do more with less’

SIEMENS, a German conglomerate company, has signalled its intent to invest in the local public health sector. The company, which is headquartered in Berlin and

Munich, is the largest industrial manufacturing company in Europe with branch offices abroad. The principal divisions of the company are Industry, Energy, Healthcare and In-

frastructure and Cities, which represent the main activities of the company. It is a prominent manufacturer of medical diagnostic equipment and its medical health-care division, which

From left (front row), Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence and CEO of Siemens South America, Daniel Fernandez flanked by other members of both teams

generates about 12 per cent of the company's total sales, is its second most profitable unit, after the industrial automation division. According to a press statement from the Ministry of Public Health, a three-member delegation from the company met with Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence and a high-level team recently. The delegation from Siemiens proposed a tentative plan, which they felt could help accelerate modernisation of the local public health system. “Our purpose is to make healthcare providers succeed, and to do more with less,” said Business Partner Manager at Siemens Healthcare, Roberto Tovar during the meeting. Tovar assured the subject minister and members of the ministry that the German conglomerate is not opportunistically angling itself to maximise profits from the financial fortunes of the much-anticipated transition to a petro-based economy, following huge offshore oil finds by the American giant, ExxonMobil. “We want to be part of a society we get there to boost social impact,” said Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Siemens South America, Daniel Fernandez. Fernandez said that in Colombia, Siemens implemented programmes which helped provide some 300,000 nationals with access to potable water, and worked in the education system to help make science and technology attractive to learners because, globally, people are not attracted to those disciplines. Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr.

Karen Cummings, challenged the German firm to familiarise themselves with the University of Guyana (UG), especially its Natural Sciences department, to help strengthen programmes there. “This should not be a challenge; I see no limitations,” Fernandez assured the ministerial team. Since its election to office in 2015, the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition government has pushed leasing and, where appropriate, retrofitting of equipment to improve health-sector services. “We are looking at the leasing of an entire laboratory to bring improved service to our people,” Minister Lawrence said. She said there are also projections to fully equip the local reference laboratory to deliver a large range of services to Guyanese. Lawrence said through the likely partnership with Siemens, they hope to prioritise fighting cancers, cardiovascular ailments and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as part of a wider long-term vision, which includes upgrading systems in the sprawling hinterland. Siemens started in 1896 with the manufacturing of industrial X-ray appliances for medical diagnostics. Since then, the German firm has added a wide range of other products such as CLINISTIX-dry chemistry for testing for glucose in urine; the first real-time ultrasound scanner; trackbased laboratory automation system; diagnostic analyser integrating four technologies in one system; robotic-assisted angiography system; multi-modality 3D imaging

system; and wide-angle image acquisition breast Tomosynthesis among other hi-tech services, a company document said. Tomosynthesis is “a method for performing high-resolution, limited-angle tomography at radiation dose levels comparable with projectional radiography. It has been studied for a variety of clinical applications, including vascular imaging, dental imaging, orthopaedic imaging, mammographic imaging, musculoskeletal imaging, and chest imaging,” an online source explained. It said in its 120-year existence, the company has been granted some 12,500 patents globally; amassed over 46,000 employees; has access to 1.2 billion of the world’s population; operate with an annual revenue of some £13.5B and is determined to add Guyana to the other 75 countries in which they have a permanent presence. Importantly for the ministry, Siemens offers point of care (POC) services which, according to the document, include multiple sites, hundreds of instruments, thousands of operators and “provides full control over our customers’ testing environment”. The POC, the document said, also provides end-to-end eco-system solutions in prevention, critical care and consolidation and standardisation. While in Guyana, the team also had discussions with Minister of State, Mr. Joe Harmon; Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson; and Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 3, 2018

Over 3000 receive severance pay

ACTING Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Sugar Cooperation (GuySuCo), Paul Bhim said that all workers who were affected by the corporation’s re-organisation have received severance pay. “About 3,700 employees were issued with severance letters and the government had approved the partial pay-

ment of the severance of 50%, but there was an adjustment to that because anybody with 500,000 or less were paid in full, the payments went through on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, those have all been completed,” Bhim said. Despite the large number of cheques the organisation was required to prepare and

the logistics involved, Bhim relayed that the process went “fairly well” and that the respective payments were in keeping with an undertaking made by the Government and the announcement made by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo that payments were going to be made available from Monday last. The acting CEO said

there have been a few queries made by some workers and the Corporation is currently in the process of assessing these. However, so far, 1,400 ex-employees have received their severance in full with the remainder awaiting the remaining 50 percent. That outstanding fifty per cent severance will be paid to all entitled workers as soon

Tip leads ranks to firearm, stolen car

IN what can be seen as an indication that the Police Force is gaining the public’s trust, on Friday, acting on information, ranks in ‘C’ Division went to an abandoned vehicle at Tony’s Drive, Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara and found a Taurus pistol with a magazine and six live matching rounds. Investigations are in progress. Meanwhile, cops in recent times have been making significant progress in the recovery of stolen vehicles, as well as in the apprehension

The firearm found

and prosecution of several alleged carjackers. On November 04, 2017, a 66-year-old resident of Irving Street, Queenstown, Georgetown, was robbed of her Toyota Allion motorcar by three males as she was about to drive into her yard. On Friday, the victim positively identified her stolen property which was impounded recently at an ‘A’ Division station. Her registration matched that of the engine and chassis numbers with the only exception being the colour, which was

changed. The said vehicle was found in possession of a male who claimed ownership and even produced a valid registration, but investigators had their own suspicions and impounded the vehicle, pending further investigations. A short while later, the said driver along with another suspect were fingered in a series of armed robberies, during which some of the victims were relieved of their vehicles. The duo have since been charged and remanded.

Local fish feed production closer GUYANA could soon see the production of local fish feed with the acquisition of feed machine. This was disclosed by Head of the Fisheries Department, Denzil Roberts. The Fisheries Head disclosed to the Department of Public Information (DPI), procuring the machine will aid in reducing the cost of importation. With the cost of local feed production in aquaculture

sector being prohibitive, importation was seen as the better option since there was not much demand for the locally manufactured feed because of the high cost of production. “In our budget, we had placed a request for a feed machine capable of producing 30-40kg of feed per hour. So, when it arrives we will try to develop feeds using local ingredients. If you can develop

something specific to an area it would be better than having to import,” Roberts explained. Last year, with the assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a volunteer from the Fisheries Department received six months training in local fish feed production. According to Roberts, the department has also been successful in terms of retaining the feed’s physical

characteristic in their trial runs. They are currently developing more ideas for a local feed product. The manufacture of fish food will incorporate local inputs with the use of mostly indigenous materials. This effort will aid in government’s drive to diversify agriculture in the hinterland regions and reduce the cost of production.

as additional funds are made available, Bhim explained. An estimated 3,700 GuySuCo employees, including senior staff, were recently issued with severance letters. Many of these workers hail from Skeldon, Wales, Enmore and Rose Hall sugar estates. The Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and Rose

Hall, Berbice factories will be closed by year-end. The Wales Estate was closed in 2016. Already 389 sugar workers have been made redundant and paid their severance. The “New GuySuCo” as it is being called will soon comprise three estates and three factories at Albion, Blairmont, and Uitvlugt. (DPI)

Motor cyclist dies after crashing into utility pole

The motorcycle Mohamed was riding when he crashed into the utility pole.

A MOTOR cyclist lost his life after crashing into a utility pole on the Atlanticville Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), Friday morning. Dead is Zahid Mohamed, 26, a mason of 197 Pineapple Street, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown. The fatal incident occurred in the wee hours of the morning. Mohamed was riding motor cycle CH 6696 heading west along the southern

carriage way at a fast rate of speed when he lost control of the vehicle and collided with a utility pole. As a result of the impact he received serious injuries and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The motor cycle was lodged at the Sparendaam Police Station and the body is at the hospital awaiting a post-mortem.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 3, 2018

Crime and Security Cooperation Programme for CARICOM countries SEVERAL institutions across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are set to undertake the implementation of the 10th EDF CARIFORUM Crime and Security Cooperation Programme, Director of Human Development at the CARICOM Secretariat Myrna Bernard said. “The programme adopts a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to crime and security. In doing so, it focuses on drug demand and supply reduction, crime prevention and social development, capacity-building of law enforcement and security agencies, and en-

hanced cooperation with third states,” she said. During her presentation at the recently launched programme in Barbados, Bernard said, in a joint move to address the problems, CARIFORUM and the European Union (EU) concluded a Financing Agreement for the 10th EDF CARIFORUM Crime and Security Cooperation Programme in November 2014. “It is intended to address institutional responses to major crime and security challenges, which pose increasingly serious threats to our development.” According to Bernard, the overall programme is

being implemented through several major institutions, including the Regional Security System (RSS), the Implementing Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), the National Drugs Control Directorate of the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean Community Secretariat (CCS). The RSS 10th EDF Programme of activities seeks to contribute to capacity-building and institutional response to illicit drug trafficking, by strengthening capacities of law enforcement/border security officials to address

illicit trafficking and enhance existing rehabilitation initiatives in correctional facilities for drug offenders. “Under the CARIFORUM/EU initiative, the RSS focusses on drug supply reduction, through a plethora of capacity-building activities among border security personnel,” she explained. According to Bernard, beneficiary states will receive Advance Cargo Information in electronic format through a centralised portal, through Advanced Cargo Information Systems (ACIS). Law Enforcement Officers were also provided with data on passengers and crew mem-

Export restrictions on smoked, salted catfish to U.S.

Stakeholders at the meeting

WITH effect from February 3, 2018, the exportation of smoked and salted Siluriformes species of fish to the USA will be restricted until the necessary requirements as outlined by the Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are met, according to Chief Fisheries Officer, Mr. Denzil Roberts. This was disclosed recently when the Fisheries Department, Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Veterinary Public Health Unit (VPHU), Ministry of Public Health, held a meeting in the boardroom of the Ministry of Agriculture with local seafood exporters to provide an update regarding restrictions on the exportation of smoked and salted Siluriformes species (catfish, gillbacker, cuirass, cuma cuma, hassar, kukwarri) to

the United States of America. Representatives from the VPHU, which is the Country Competent Authority to ensure the wholesomeness,

safety and that the seafood products are fit for human consumption, informed the exporters that to access the USA export market, there is

Chief Fisheries Officer, Mr. Denzil Roberts.

need to have accredited laboratories to test and certify every aspect of the preservation process involved in processing the fresh Siluriformes species into the smoked or salted product and Guyana presently does not have any such facility to perform this function. The Chief Fisheries Officer further outlined that the Fisheries Department and the VPHU are in the process of completing the FSIS’s Review of Guyana’s Siluriformes Self-Reporting Tool (SRT), so as to ensure that Guyana would continue to export fresh and frozen Siluriformes species to the USA. Exporters present expressed their concern with the development and committed to working with local authorities to ensure that Guyana maintains access to the U.S. market for its seafood products.

bers prior to arrival and departure from the CARICOM Member States, through Advanced Passenger Information Systems and monitored if considered high-security threats to the region. At the opening ceremony of the programme last week, CARICOM Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque zeroed in on the grave impact of crime and security, saying that the issue is a regional one which requires a regional solution. He said Crime and Security is an issue that is having an impact on all Member States. “It is a regional problem that demands a region-

al solution. It requires the full co-operation of all our Member States,” he told the attendees of regional leaders and officials from the European Union (EU). Back in July of last year, several Member States signed the CARICOM Arrest Warrant Treaty which simplifies the procedure of returning fugitives to the country where charges have been laid. The Ambassador said CARICOM is close to reaching agreement on the return and sharing of recovered criminal assets that is moved around the region.

Gov’t to pour more resources into Night Shelter

T H E re i n t e g r a t i o n and rehabilitation programme at the Night Shelter located at Arapaima Street, East La Penitence has been restructured, according to Director of Social Services, Wentworth Tanner. The Night Shelter, under the auspices of the Ministry of Social Protection, is a 24-hour refuge for those without a place to stay. It provides a roof over their heads, meals, and other amenities. It also offers skills-training and other programmes to reintegrate those persons back into society. Tanner explains that the ministry recognised that some of the competencies that were needed at the Night Shelter were limited, hence the need to restructure the programme. “…So that is something that we did identify and we are going to be placing the resources there so that we can facilitate the successful reintegration and rehabilitation of those persons at the shelter,” the Director explained. The shelter also facilitates persons with

chronic illnesses, and according to Tanner, the ministry is collaborating with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to ensure that those residents receive the requisite medical care. The Night Shelter introduced its medical examination system to check for infectious diseases in 2017. The check-up informs the Night Shelter of the health condition of the resident and how best they can be treated if the need arises. “…We have a very strict intake procedure. This is not to identify illness with the aim of stigmatising, but to ensure that we are not putting other persons at the institution at risk,” Tanner explained. Other efforts to improve the Shelter included infrastructure upgrades, improvement to the security system with the installation of closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and a newly built security hut, building staff capacity and providing more efficient medical interventions.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 3, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 3, 2018

Cops recover car stolen from Ryhann Shah …bandit changed colour, produced valid registration

The Guyana Police Force said in recent times ranks have been making significant progress in the recovery of stolen vehicles as well as the apprehension and prosecution of several alleged carjackers. The police said on November 04, 2017, 66-yearold, Ryhaan Shah a resident of Irving Street, Queenstown, Georgetown was robbed of

her Toyota Allion motorcar by three males as she was about to drive into her yard. However, on Friday Shah positively identified her stolen property which was impounded recently at an ‘A’ Division Station. Her registration matched that of the engine and chassis numbers with the only exception being the colour which was changed, the police release stated.

According to the police the said vehicle was found in possession of a male who claimed ownership and even produced a valid registration but investigators had their own suspicions and impounded the vehicle, pending further investigation. A short while later, the said driver along with another suspect were fingered in a series of armed robberies

during which some of the victims were relieved of their vehicles. The duo has since been charged and remanded, however they will now face additional charges. Additionally, police said another stolen vehicle has been traced and found impounded at the Brickdam Police Station more than six months after it was stolen during an armed robbery in

Georgetown but with fake registration numbers and a colour change. On November 27 last the vehicle was intercepted with three persons following the robbery of two persons in Georgetown; they were charged but subsequently freed after their victims refused to offer evidence against them. The driver (acquitted accused) made several un-

successful attempts to uplift the vehicle since he had been unable to provide proof of ownership. However, on Friday the vehicle was positively identified by its owner and efforts are currently being made to have the suspect known as 'Bourda Rat' re-arrested and charged with the June 6,2017 carjacking committed on the Roxanne Burnham Garden resident.

Serious accident at Lusignan A SERIOUS accident occurred on Thursday on the Lusignan Public Road, E.C.D, involving motor pick-up # PPP9289 driven by a resident of Track "A" Coldingen E.C.D and pedestrian Ram Singh of Courbane Park, Annandale, E.C.D. The driver reported that he was heading east along the northern side of

the road when he noticed a male standing in his path wearing a black top. He swerved but the left front of the vehicle collided with the pedestrian who fell onto the roadway and received injuries about his body. He was picked up in an unconscious state and conveyed to the Georgetown Public Hospital to receive medical attention.

Jamaica to host CTM next year KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaica will host the next Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) annual Caribbean Travel Marketplace (CTM), scheduled for the first quarter of 2019, Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, said Friday. “I am very pleased to announce that Jamaica will once again play host to an important tourism event, which will see thousands of delegates, stakeholders and investors in attendance from across the region. It is an incredible achievement for our country and I am certain we will reap significant benefits,” said Bartlett. A statement from the Ministry of Tourism noted that the CTM is the largest and most prominent tourism marketing event in the Caribbean, which serves as an important platform to enhance exchanges between tourism suppliers from around the world. It said the CTM gives thousands of suppliers the opportunity to meet face-toface with wholesalers from the Caribbean over the course of two days. It showcases

hotels, tourist boards, destination management companies, tour operators, airlines among others related to the travel industry. Bartlett, who is in Puerto Rico attending the CHTA annual CTM and the statement noted that he gave an update on the Global Resilience Centre, which should be situated at the University of the West Indies, with oversight from United Nations World Tourism Organisation, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, the World Travel & Tourism Council and CHTA. The centre, which was recently endorsed by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, will be designed to assist affected states to combat disruptive events and strengthen capacity to predict and manage crises. It will also include a Sustainable Tourism Observatory, which will assist preparedness, management and recovery of crises which impact tourism and threaten economies and livelihoods. Bartlett also announced plans to host another international conference in Montego Bay, with special focus on Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises in January 2019.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 3, 2018

Caesar returns as GAPLF top boss at AGM - 2018 competition gets underway today with Novices/Juniors

FOR a third consecutive year, Ed Caesar has been re-elected as the top boss for the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF), while current Masters 1 lifter, Nadina Taharally, has ascended to the position of Vice-President. At the federation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on January 27, the new executive body was elected. Andrea Smith returned as the General Secretary while Runita White and Andrew Austin took the positions of Public Relations Officer (PRO) and treasurer respectively. To complete the executive, Erwyn

Smith; Martin Webster and David Gomes were elected committee members. Taharally replaced Gordon Spencer, White replaced Osmond Mack and Austin replaced Colin Austin. During his presidential remarks, Caesar urged all in attendance to observe fairness, transparency, and utmost accountability in promoting and participating in the sport. He also reiterated the federation’s proactive stance on all matters of anti-doping and urges all athletes to become acutely aware of all that is required of them. This impetus being placed on anti-doping aligns with

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)’s guidelines. Also at the AGM, was the final ratification of the GAPLF’s revised constitution. As mentioned to the Guyana Chronicle previously by committee member Webster, the constitution used was very vague and as such the previous executive would have set out to revise it. In the revised constitution, notable changes include clearly defined criteria for the selection of national athletes, as well as a detailed disciplinary section. Anti-doping guidelines and sanctions have also been explicitly stated, thereby

forcing compliance of the athletes. With the new executive in place, the federation is now set to host its first competition of the year: the annual Novices/Juniors Powerlifting Championship. About 22 athletes will be participating and they will be afforded the opportunity to prove their worth for international meets schedules for later this year. It is expected to be quite the show as new athletes seek to lift the standards and shatter old records. The action is set to kick off with Flight A from 09:00 hours at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Sherone Simpson would consider Commonwealth Games – Coach Wilson

AFTER two years away from competition, 2006 Commonwealth Games 200-metre champion Sherone Simpson will be taking a measured approach to the coming season. She also plans to make herself available for selection for the 2018 Games. After almost two years off during which she gave birth to her daughter in 2016, Simpson opened her 2018 season last week Saturday at the Queens/ Grace Jackson meet at

the National Stadium with a modest 55.45s run in the 400 metres.

Sherone Simpson

Maurice Wilson, Simpson’s coach was satisfied with the run and thinks it sets her up for a strong comeback season. “It was a reasonable

performance by her,” he said of last weekend’s opening run. “She actually didn’t want to run last week but I felt it was very important for her to get in a couple of runs having not run for almost two years.” Wilson said he expects her to improve as the season progresses. “I think the season is going to progress well for her,” he said, revealing that the athlete who had been suffering hamstring problems just prior to her pregnancy now seems to be a thing of the past. “I have not heard of any form of injury concerns from her and I expect for us to go through 12:05 hrs Baroot

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Irish Racing Tips Leopardstown 09:10 hrs Dortmund Park 09:45 hrs Min 10:20 hrs Footpad 10:55 hrs Blast of Koeman 11:30 hrs Supasundae 12:05 hrs Mind’s Eye 12:40 hrs Rapid Escape English Racing Tips Wetherby 09:00 hrs Blue Valentine 09:35 hrs Knockgraffon 10:40 hrs Captain Chaos 11:20 hrs Red Rising 11:55 hrs Top Wood 12:30 hrs Tupolev Sandown 08:40 hrs Ainchea

the season without worrying too much about injuries this year.” Wilson said he expects she will next compete at the Western Relays in Montego Bay and she could be running in an individual event at Gibson Relays at the end of the month. He suggested that while she is not necessarily concentrating on the Commonwealth Games, she would make herself available for selection. “We have always supported the Commonwealth Games but I think this year is a year when she gets back in tune in relation to her track and field.” 09:15 hrs Cepage 10:25 hrs Cyrname 11:00 hrs Dashing Perk 11:35 hrs Sametegal 12:10 hrs Palmers Hill Lingfield 08:50 hrs Paparazzi 09:25 hrs Author’s Dream 10:0-0 hrs Double Up 10:35 hrs Brother Tiger 11:05 hrs Intern 11:40 hrs Mouchee 12:15 hrs American Gigolo

South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:50 hrs Bondiblu 09:25 hrs Unagi 10:00 hrs Yakeen 10:35 hrs San Fermin 11:10 hrs Dromedaris 11:40 hrs Tigerlace

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 3, 2018

Pollard fails as Strikers reach Big Bash final with dramatic final-ball win

KIERON Pollard failed to deny his former club Adelaide Strikers a place in the Big Bash League final as Melbourne Renegades crashed out. Adelaide Strikers beat Melbourne Renegades by just one run in a nail-biting climax to set up a home Big Bash League final against Hobart Hurricanes. Kieron Pollard needed three to win or two off the final ball from Ben Laughlin to take a tense semi-final into a Super Over, but failed to deny his former team a place in their first BBL decider at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

Pollard failed to make contact with Laughlin’s last delivery, prompting jubilant scenes and a crescendo of noise from the Strikers fans who used to worship the West Indies all-rounder. Travis Head, released from Australia duty to captain the Strikers, made a brilliant 85 not out off 57 balls and the in-form Jake Weatherald struck 57 from 43 balls in Adelaide’s total of 178-5. Marcus Harris top scored with 45 for the Strikers but was dismissed by Head, while spin sensation Rashid Khan took 1-28 in his final match of the

tournament before jetting off for Afghanistan duty.

Jake Weatherald sweeps the ball fine (Getty Images)

Jake Lehmann breathed a huge sigh of relief after

Victims’ father charges at ex-U.S.A. Gymnastics doctor in court By Steve Friess

(Reuters) - THE enraged father of three daughters sexually abused by Larry Nassar charged toward the former USA Gymnastics national team doctor and tried to attack him during a sentencing hearing in a Michigan courtroom on Friday. He was nearly within striking distance of Nassar before court guards tackled him roughly to the ground in front of his shocked daughters. The chaotic scene began after sisters Lauren and Madison Margraves had finished tearfully reading their victim statements on the second day of hearings at a court in Eaton County, much as nearly 200 women have done before them at earlier hearings. Standing alongside his daughters and wife, Randall Margraves, a tall man with an intense gaze dressed in an electricians’ union sweatshirt, then asked to speak. “I would ask you as part of the sentencing to grant me five minutes in a locked room with this demon,” he said to the judge, gesturing toward Nassar, who has already been sentenced to up to 175 years in prison at an earlier hearing after pleading guilty to molesting young women under the guise of medical treatment. Judge Janice Cunningham told him he knew she could not do that. He asked for one minute alone instead. The judge demurred as some in the courtroom laughed uncomfortably. Margraves then bolted toward Nassar, seated in an orange jump suit behind a nearby table. His daughters’

hands flew to their mouths, and one of Nassar’s lawyers moved to shield his client. Gasps, cries and shouts filled the courtroom as Margraves was wrestled to the ground, knocking things off a desk on the way down, and put in handcuffs while Nassar was taken out to safety. “One minute!” he demanded repeatedly, his head pinned to the floor. As court officers pulled him from the room, he implored them, “What if this happened to you guys?” Some victims fled the room in tears.

cannot react by using physical violence,” she told the courtroom, noting she could not imagine Margraves’ pain as a father. Nassar was back in his seat, looking downcast. The hearing then reverted to the ritual established at earlier sessions: woman after woman rising to confront Nassar with accounts of a revered doctor they trusted making them strip naked and penetrating them with ungloved hands, and affirmations that they are no longer victims but survivors. Margraves was being

Randall Margraves, father of three victims of Larry Nassar, lunges at the disgraced doctor (bottom right) during a sentencing hearing.

Looking distressed, the lead prosecutor, Angela Povilaitis, turned to the victims and relatives in the courtroom and tried to restore calm, saying she did not want to see anyone else end up in handcuffs. “I understand Mr. Margraves’ frustration but you cannot do this,” she said. “This is not helping your children.” The hearing resumed after a short break, with the judge addressing what she called a “scary” scene. “My heart started beating fast and my legs started shaking,” Cunningham said. “We

dropping both Dwayne Bravo (26) and Pollard, who was

held in a cell at the courthouse, according to a corrections officer, but it was not immediately clear whether he would face any charges. People reacted on social media with empathy for Margraves, with some offering to help cover any legal costs he faces. Views were more mixed at the courthouse. “If he had gotten some licks in, I wouldn’t have cried over it,” Lavonda Simon, whose daughter was among Nassar’s victims, said. “I totally understand the feeling of wanting to hurt him. You bet.”

unbeaten on 29 along with Tom Cooper (36 from 29) as the Renegades suffered a heart-breaking defeat. Weatherald came into the last-four contest in inspired form and that continued as he made a third half-century in four innings.

The 23-year-old opener and Head set the Strikers well on the way to posting an imposing target with a second-wicket stand of 104 in only 12.4 overs. Weatherald dispatched Cooper over the ropes and found the boundary on another seven occasions in an excellent knock before falling to Pollard from the final ball of the 14th over. Head fell just four short of a one-day hundred in Australia’s only victory of the series against England and delivered again under pressure at the same venue. The skipper hammered Bravo over midwicket for six in the final over and struck eight boundaries, keeping the Strikers motoring as they posted a challenging target. Head then played a key role with the ball, sending the

dangerous Bravo on his way when the all-rounder tried to slash him through the off side but was caught by a diving Jono Dean. Lehmann’s heart must have been racing faster than anyone when Laughlin stood at his mark to bowl the final over with the Renegades needing 13 to win. The Strikers batsman put Bravo down on 15 and watched him smash the next ball into the stands before totally misjudged a skier from Pollard when he had only eight. Pollard was unable to punish the Australia head coach’s son, swinging and missing at a Laughlin delivery which was in the slot but went through to wicketkeeper Harry Nielsen as the batsmen went through for a single. (Sportsmax)

2-IN-2 - As Hetmyer stars with ton to flatten USA

NORTH SOUND, Antigua, Feb 2, CMC – Rising West Indies star Shimron Hetmyer smashed a maiden regional one-day hundred as Guyana Jaguars made light work of USA Cricket, with an uncomplicated eight-wicket victory in their second match of the Super50 here Friday. Chasing a simple 189 for victory at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Jaguars endured little headache in overhauling their target in the

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 3, 2018

33rd over, to register their second win in three days. The left-handed Hetmyer spearheaded the run chase with a typically aggressive 103 from 69 balls – lashing eight fours and seven sixes – while captain Leon Johnson chipped in with an unbeaten 50. USA Cricket had earlier been restricted to 188 for eight off their 50 overs, after they chose to bat first. Former West Indies Test batsman Xavier Marshall kept up his decent form with 51 while tail-enders Elmore Hutchinson (45) and Mrunal Patel (43 not out) provided resistance down the order. Seamers Keemo Paul (232) and Raymon Reifer (2-43), along with left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul (2-29), all picked up two wickets each to stall the USA’s progress. The overseas unit was in trouble from as early as the second ball of the innings when Paul had Sunny Sohal caught at the wicket without a run on the board. West Indies left-armer Reifer then knocked over Jaskaran Malhotra and captain Ibrahim Khaleel, both without scoring, as USA Cricket stumbled to 10 for three in the fourth over. Two partnerships then rescued the innings. Firstly, Marshall and Timil Patel (16) added 60 for the fourth wicket, stemming the flow of wickets in a patient partnership that required 88 deliveries. The right-handed Marshall was the aggressor, striking five fours and a six off 83 balls

but he was then one of four wickets to tumble for 29 runs, to leave USA on 99 for seven in the 31st over. However, Hutchinson brandished his bat to good effect, striking a pair of fours and three sixes as he put on 89 for the eighth wicket with Mrunal Patel who anchored the latter part of the innings with an 87-ball knock, which included a four and a six. The total was never going to be enough and even though Jaguars lost Chandrapaul Hemraj cheaply for seven in the seventh over with 19 runs on the board, they were propelled

by the impetuous Hetmyer who dominated. He put on 30 for the second wicket with veteran lefthander Shiv Chanderpaul who made eight before retiring hurt in the 12th over, and then added a further 118 with Johnson. The 21-year-old Hetmyer reached his half-century off 39 balls with six fours and two sixes and required only a further 25 deliveries to reach triple figures. Johnson was content to play second fiddle to Hetmyer, and ended with four fours and a six in a 63-ball knock.

SCOREBOARD

USA Innings S Sohal c wkp Bramble b Paul 0 J Malhotra c Hetmyer b Reifer 0 X Marshall c Hetmyer b Permaul 51 *+I Khaleel c Hetmyer b Reifer 0 T Patel b Pestano 16 R Silva c Hetmyer b Permaul 3 M Patel not out 43 U Rafiq lbw b Bishoo 0 E Hutchinson c Chanderpaul b Paul 45 Extras: (b2, lb6, w21, nb1) 30 Total: (8 wkts, 50 overs) 188 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-1, 3-10, 4-70, 5-79, 6-96, 7-99, 8-188. Did not bat: S Netravalkar, N Kenjige. Bowling: Paul 8-1-32-2, Reifer 8-1-43-2, Pestano 7-1-19-1, Rutherford 7-1-42-0, Permaul 10-1-29-2, Bishoo 10-1-15-1. Guyana Jaguars innings C Hemraj c Silva b Hutchinson 7 S Chanderpaul ret. hurt 8 S Hetmyer c Marshall b Netravalkar 103 *L Johnson not out 50 R Reifer not out 11 Extras: (b1, lb7, w3, nb1) 12 Total: (2 wkts, 32.2 overs) 191 Did not bat: +A Bramble, K Paul, S Rutherford, C Pestano, D Bishoo, V Permaul. Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-167. Bowling: Hutchinson 6-0-14-1, Netravalkar 10-0-461, Rafiq 6.2-0-38-0, Silva 4-0-23-0, Patel 4-0-30-0, Kenjige 2-0-32-0. Result: Jaguars won by eight wickets.

Sri Lanka pile on the runs and eye big lead HUNDREDS from Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis have put Sri Lanka in the driver’s seat at the end of day three of the first Test against Bangladesh at Chittagong. Both had opportunities to record their respective double tons, but the pair threw it away, especially Mendis, who fell four short. Roshen Silva, playing his second Test, notched up his second successive fifty and looks set for a hundred of his own.

With wickets in the bag, Sri Lanka will look to gain a massive first innings lead that would put the pressure back on the home side.

Bangladesh managed only two wickets in the day and both came in the second session, they looked flat throughout.

SCOREBOARD Sri Lanka 1st Innings

0 B. Mendis c Mushfiqur Rahim b Taijul Islam 196 D. de Silva c †Liton Das b Mustafizur Rahman 173 A. Silva not out 87 L. Chandimal (c) not out 37 Extras: (b 7, lb 3, w 1) 11 Total: (138 overs) 504-3 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-308, 3-415 Bowling: Mustafizur Rahman 25-5-88-1, Sunzamul Islam 37-2-128-0, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 19-0-97-1, Taijul Islam 51-13-144-1, Mosaddek Hossain 3-0-24-0, Mominul Haque 2-0-6-0, Mahmudullah 1-0-7-0 F. Karunaratne c Imrul Kayes b Mehidy Hasan Miraz

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 3, 2018

Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club to stage post-Phagwah horse race meet on March 18 THE Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club will stage its annual post-Phagwah horse race meet on March 18 at the club’s racing facility, Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice. Six races are carded for the day with the feature event being a seven-furlong race for horses classified E and Lower and carries a first prize of $700,000 for the winner. The second to fourth place finishers will earn $350,000, $175,000 and $88,000 respectively and the entrance fee per animal is $85,000. Another seven-furlong race will be staged for animals classified H and Lower with a first prize of $300,000 up for grabs. The second place finisher will receive $150,000, while the third and fourth place finish-

The Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club Post Phagwah, horse race meet is billed for March 18

ers will collect $75,000 and $38,000 respectively. Entrance fee is $35,000. Two five-furlong races as

well as two six-furlong races are also carded on the day’s programme. The first five-furlong race

is open to horses’ classified L - non winners with $120,000 up for grabs for the winner of the event. The second to

fourth place finishers will earn $60,000, $30,000 and $15,000 respectively. The other five-furlong race is for animals classified L Open and will see the winner taking home $150,000, while the second place finisher will draw down $75,000. The third and fourth place finishers will receive $38,000 and $19,000 respectively. The first six-furlong race is open to horses classified I and J and Lower and the winner of this event will earn $200,000, while the second to fourth place finishers will take home $100,000, $50,000 and $25,000 respectively. The other six-furlong race is for animals classified K and Lower and carries a first prize of $160,000. The second place finisher will earn $80,000, while the

third and fourth place horses will take home $40,000 and $20,000 respectively. These races are being held under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority. Owners of horses will be required to pay $5000 for each horse at the point of entry. If not paid, the horse’s name would not appear on the official programme and the horse would not be allowed to run. Entries close on February 11 and no late entry will be entertained. For further information interested owners/trainers are asked to make contact with Ivan Dipnarine (3310316), Justice Kennard (623-7609, 225-4818, Fazal Habibulla (657-7010), Dennis Deroop (640-6396) or Compton Sancho (602-1567).

Floodlights X1 win’s Trophy Stall Softball Twenty/20 title FLOODLIGHTS X1 were crowned champions of the Trophy Stall sponsored Twenty/20- Softball cricket competition by defeating Wellman by 30 runs when the tournament climaxed on Sunday last at the Demerara Cricket Club. Batting first, Unnis Yusuf (59) and Anil Beharry (22) were the lead scorers for Floodlights X1 who reached 121-9 from their

allotted overs. Bowling for Wellman, Jadesh Persaud and Latchman Kallicharran picked up 3-21 and 2-11 respectively. In reply, Wellman were

Jailall Deodass (right) accepts the winners’ trophy from Wayne Jones in the presence of Ricky Deonarine

Hamilton Green birth anniversary football final slated for tomorrow THE Hamilton Green 83rd Birth Anniversary Ninea-Side Inter-Ward/Village football tournament will conclude tomorrow at the Den Amstel ground, West Coast Demerara with quarter-final, semi-final and the final, beginning at 14:00hrs. In the opening game, Pouderoyen will face Plaisance, while Crane will do battle with Soesdyke half an hour later. From 15:00hrs, Uitvlugt faces Sara Lodge and from 15:30hrs, Crane Rovers takes on Tiger Bay. For the semi-finals which is slated to start at 16:30hrs, the winner of the Den Amstel versus Uitvlugt match will face the winner of the Uitvlugt versus Sara Lodge encounter, while in the other

semi-final, the winner of the Crane versus Soesdyke fixture will oppose the winner of the Crane Rovers versus Tiger Bay encounter and the winners of the semi-final will clash in the final from 17:30hrs. The winning team in the final will receive

Hamilton Green

$70,000 and the Hamilton Green trophy, while the runner up will earn $30,000. The winning team will also receive nine food hampers, compliments of Ricks and Sari Agro Industry, as well as nine blankets, compliments of Food for the Poor. China Trading will give the player who scores the highest number of goals in the tournament a dinette set and A.H. & L. Kissoon will give the second highest goal scorer a Lazy Boy chair. Bakewell has contributed the fees for the referees. The trophies for the tournament have been donated by B.K. International, Banks DIH Limited and Trophy Stall.

restricted to 91-8. Nandram Samlall made an unbeaten 22, while Imtiaz Mohamed claimed 2-6, Robindra Singh and Anil Beharry 2-22. Floodlights X1 defeat-

ed Fisherman X1 by 39 runs in their semi-final encounter to reach the final, while Wellman got the better of Savage with a nine-wicket win to book their place in the final.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 3, 2018

Sports Personality

OF THE WEEK

Despite late start, John looking to remain cycling’s top athlete By Michelangelo Jacobus

“ONE Saturday when I was about fifteen-years-old I decided to go along with a friend to the National Park where I competed in the BMX race. I got second place in my very first race and after then I was hooked; I went back every Saturday since because this one guy kept beating me. I eventually got better and kept winning.” That is how Team Coco’s Jamual John began his career in cycling. The lanky rider whose slender frame belies

his stamina has stuck with Team Coco’s for the five years that he has been on the cycling scene and recently in an interview said that his future lies with Team Coco’s. Reflecting on 2017, a year in which he racked up the most wins by a Guyanese cyclist, went undefeated in road races on the West Coast of Demerara and finished as the Best Senior Cyclist of 2017, John revealed that while he did not get to go overseas to compete, he instead decided that he would go all out to win everything that he could in Guyana on the local circuit.

Jamual John is adamant that he will not relinquish his title as Guyana’s best cyclist in 2018

GHB sourcing new Technical Director

This came as no easy task with John having his hands full; a rivalry with Paul DeNobrega that provided great entertainment to cycling fans and the riders themselves. John attributes his success

to hard work, dedication and his drive to win, as well as improvement in certain areas of his cycling repertoire; one area that he improved greatly in has been his sprinting, which was one of his weaker attributes. The increased speed along with his already insane endurance and uncanny ability to stick with the pack and use it to his advantage ensured that he tore up the local circuit last year. This year however, John maintained that he is looking to go one better by strengthening his grasp on the top rung of cycling in Guyana as well as going overseas to compete. With an eye on the Caribbean Cycling Championships slated for the first half of this year, John has been

putting in extra time on the roadways training twice daily. The 20-year-old often rides as far as the Linden/Soesdyke Highway and back to Georgetown as he seeks to condition his body for the rigors of the international circuits. In addition, the youngster has aspirations of training in Colombia but has hit a snag in terms of sponsorship, something that has long been a major obstacle in local cycling. John has pledged that once he secures sponsorship and the requisite support from the relevant authorities and individuals he will go above and beyond to ensure that he helps to pedal Guyana onto the international cycling scene. However, this cannot be done without a proper support system.

King of the Strip Drag race set for February 11 By Stephan Sookram

The Guyana Hockey Board will continue its search for a Technical director after the unavailability of Australian-born Jerome Buck THE Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) will continue its search for a new technical director following the unavailability of Australian-born Jerome Buck. Buck, who had indicated an interest in the position early last month pulled out due to personal reasons, according to the GHB president Philip Fernandes. “Due to personal reasons, he had to cancel his visit. We are disappointed, he is disappointed also, but now we have to put heads together to see where we go from here.” The GHB president added, “We have with our men’s national team, the traditional coach in Robert Fernandes, who

has been doing a good job so we think that he can continue to do the same.” Buck was slated to be the women’s national coach as well and this recent fallout has left the GHB with a void to fill. “With the women’s team, it’s a little bit more difficult because right now, we are without a women’s national coach, and we need to find resources that can fill that hole.” Commenting on the state of the women’s game, Fernandes added that there are some shortcomings when compared to the international standard but they are fixable. “We have a good crop of

original players who have some experience but we’ve had some retirees so we have new players coming in. He added, “Those players need to be taught the basic principles of how the team will play and to understand the other players so we can have a cohesive team.” “So there is some work to be done and the new person coming in will certainly have his or her hands full to try to see what they can do with that,” were his words of advice to anyone attempting to take the post. The GHB is preparing for the CAC games in August in Colombia. (Stephan Sookram)

DRAG racing action returns to the South Dakota Circuit on February 11 for the first ‘King of the Strip’ event. The event will feature nine classes of time bracket drag racing events, including and unlimited class and a superbike class. According to president of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) Rameez Mohamed, plans are already on-stream to attract international competition. “We have been in talks with Suriname and we have competitors coming from there for this event. The hype is building and we have a lot of cars coming out of this one,” he said. “We also have a lot of local grudge matches like the east side and west side battles and a lot of oneon-one-jabs being thrown so we feel it’s going to be big,” he said. The time bracket system

will remain the classing factor, according to Mohamed, with classes starting from 15 seconds all the way to nine seconds. Those cars with faster times will be thrown into

sponsors are: Mohamed’s Enterprise, Tropical Shipping, Stag Beer, B.M Soat, Nexus Machining and Fabrication Workshop, E-Networks, Prem’s Electrical, Palm Court, White Boy

Flashback! Team Mohamed’s Enterprise GTR (right) and Shawn Persaud’s (Caldina) will be back in action for the Caribbean Invasion. (Rohindra Mahase photo)

the unlimited class. “Bikes are going to be an open event,” according to Mohamed with no classification being conducted for them. Among the event’s

Auto Spares, Rent-a-tent, Windjammer, JR Burgers, Special Auto, Transpacific Motor Spares and Auto Sales and Ramchands Auto Body Shop and Detailing Center.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 3, 2018

Suriname, St Lucia, French Guiana on board for GBA’s Feb 17 boxing card World Cup 2018

- Ninvalle preparing for a busy 2018

By Rawle Toney WITH a busy 2018 ahead, the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will host their first card for the year which will have an international flavour to it, according to President Steve Ninvalle. Ninvalle told Chronicle Sports that Suriname, French Guiana and St Lucia are expected in Guyana for the February 17 event, which will be held at the National Gymnasium. Qualifying for the Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Games, as well as featuring at the May 19 – 27 AMBC Youth American Confederation Boxing Championships in Colorado and ensuring that Guyana

give a good account of themselves at the Commonwealth Games are seen as priorities for Ninvalle, which makes the up-coming tournament important. Ninvalle, an Executive Committee Member at boxing’s world governing body International Boxing Association (AIBA) also noted that this year’s Caribbean Championship is also yet to find a host, but, Guyana will be willing to host in last resort. The Guyanese is the lone English speaking Caribbean official on AIBA’s decision-making body, and stated that the sustenance of the Caribbean Championship is important to the development of the sport in the region. Apart from Guyana’s

Keevin Allicock’s silver medal at the Youth Commonwealth Games, boxers in the Caribbean had not seen the podium in a number of international events, and Ninvalle pointed out that

the Caribbean should come together at every opportunity given. AIBA named its longest-serving Vice-President Gafur Rahimov as its new

GBA president Steve Ninvalle (Samuel Maughn photo)

Magnum mash cup expected to set off fireworks -12 games on tonight

Interim President on Saturday last, according to their statues, following the unexpected resignation of Interim President Franco Falcinelli at the Extraordinary Congress held in Dubai. Ninvalle was among the 109 National Federations, including USA, Russia, France, China, Brazil, South Africa and Cuba. “AIBA is not in the best financial state at the time,” Ninvalle related, as he spoke about lobbying for assistance for several programmes in the Caribbean. Indeed, AIBA is facing some financial difficulties, since Rahimov correlated that an out-of-court settlement has been reached to end a legal fight over a critical $10 million

loan by one of the biggest creditors to WSB Americas Operation that had been guaranteed by AIBA. The agreement calls for the reimbursement of part of the funds, beginning in 2021, while another portion of the amount will be converted into sponsorship. The boxing federation has been plagued with financial mismanagement and a lack of transparency, which led to the resignation in November of AIBA President CK Wu. Accounting irregularities at AIBA also raised concerns with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which in December asked AIBA to submit a plan to address its governance and financial issues by January 31.

Four-a-side Brian Tiwari Cup football tournament is on tomorrow

FORMER national football coach, Lennox Arthur, will tomorrow run off a foura-side football tournament sponsored by businessman Brian Tiwari of the B.K. International Company. The tournament will take the form of a winner-takeall format and at stake is $20,000 for the winning team and will involve four teams – Zeelugt, Wales, Den Amstel and Bagotsville. The tournament slated for the Den Amstel ground,

will run in conjunction with the Hamilton Green ninea-side tournament which is billed for the same venue. From 13:00hrs, Zeelugt will oppose Wales and from 13:30hrs, Den Amstel faces Bagotsville. The winner of the Zeelugt versus Wales game will oppose the winner of the Den Amstel versus Bagotsville fixture at 16:00hrs and the two winning teams will clash in the final from 17:30hrs.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday February 03, 2018) The National Gymnasium will come alive tonight with the Magnum ‘Mash Cup’ Futsal Classic getting under way.

THE inaugural Magnum ‘Mash Cup’ Futsal Classic which is being held in collaboration with Legacy Entertainment will kick off tonight at the National Gymnasium and is expected to be full of high octane encounters and fireworks. With over $800,000 in prize monies and trophies up for grabs, the 32 teams involved will all be rearing to go in the first tournament for the year with the bragging rights for being the first champions of 2018 also at stake. Among the teams that will be in action tonight are Sparta Boss, Bent Street, Gold is Money and Broad

Street. It was revealed by Esan Griffith who is part of the organising committee that a number of other teams had been in constant contact with the organisers to book a spot in the invitational tournament; however it was no easy task arriving at the final selection of teams which surpassed the agreed allotment. Most of the top sides in the format include Sparta Boss, West Front Road, ‘Gold is Money, Leopold Street, North Ruimveldt, Broad Street, Sophia, Silver Bullets, NK Ballers and Swag. Entertainment out of Linden and fireworks are

expected from the opening night. The winning team will receive $400,000 and a trophy; the runner-up will receive $200,000 and a trophy; third place will receive $100,000 and also a trophy and fourth place will receive $50,000. Fans will also have an opportunity to win big in prizes when they purchase the Magnum tonic wine. Prizes include speakers, headphones, buckets and jerseys. TONIGHT’S FIXTURES ARE: MBK All-Stars vs Broad Street-19:00hrs Sophia vs Team Extreme-19:20hrs

Channel-9 Warriors vs Ansa McAl All-Stars19:40hrs Bent Street vs YMCA All-Stars-20:00hrs Silver Bullets vs Kingston-20:20hrs North Ruimveldt vs Showstoppers-20:40hrs H u s t l e r s v s T i g e rbay-21:00hrs New Market Street vs Ol Skool Ballers-21:20hrs Gold is Money vs Rugby Team-21:40hrs Albouystown-A vs Swag Entertainment-22:00hrs California Square vs NK Ballers-22:20hrs Sparta Boss vs Buxton Diamond-22:40hrs.

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Shamar Springer-106 (2) Gidron Pope-4/24 Today’s Quiz: (1) Who are the ICC Under 19 World Cup Champions 2018? (2) Who was declared ‘Man of the Match’ in the final? ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Suriname, St Lucia, French Guiana on board for GBAâ€™s Feb 17 boxing card See Page 31

Regional Super50 See Page 28

2-IN-2

Skipper Leon Johnson chipped in with an unbeaten 50

- As Hetmyer stars with ton to flatten USA

Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul was again among the wickets, taking 2-29

Left-hander Shimron Hetmyer struck his maiden regional one-day hundred (File photo)

Triple header on today in Milo Schools Football Barnwell to replace Reifer

Milo Schools Football returns today at the Ministry of Education Ground (Adrian Narine Photo)

THREE games are scheduled today for the third playing date in the Milo Sponsored Under-18 schools football tournament. The first of the three will feature Anns Grove Secondary which would take on Dolphin at

12:00hrs at the Ministry of Education ground, while Pure Masters will oppose Bishops High School at 13:30hrs. The final match of the day will put Lodge Secondary against Queens College. The tournament is

sponsored by the Ministry of Public Health and is being organised by the Petra organisation. The tournament winner is set to collect $1.1M along with a school developmental project of choice worth $500 000. Second-place will have

a $300 000 budget; thirdplace $200 000 and fourthplace $100 000. The tournament is also benefiting from the assistance of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) which is providing support for the school coaches.

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Christopher Barnwell (File photo)

THE Guyana Jaguars team which commenced their mission to claim the 2018 CWI Regional Super 50 title with victories against Kent Country Cricket Club and USA thus far will enter their fourth round of matches without Raymon Reifer, due to Windies duties. However, the Jaguars will benefit from a fitting replacement of all-rounder, Christopher Barnwell, who will depart Guyana tomorrow to join the Jaguars team in Antigua. The Jaguars next match will be on tomorrow at Coolidge Cricket Ground in a day and night match against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2018