Issuu

THURSDAY 13th DECEMBER, 2018

No.105487

Guyana monitoring deployment of Russian bombers to Venezuela PAGE

'The force is in good hands'

SEE STORY ON PAGE 08

Sugar workers to get bonus

…Top Cop commits to further reducing crime …says archaic standing orders being reviewed

…GuySuCo set to surpass 2018 target

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NY-based group presses gov't on Jagdeo-era killings

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Nursery students of the Marian Academy get ready to take the stage at the school’s annual Christmas Concert held on Wednesday in the school’s auditorium located on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown (Amanda Richards photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 13, 2018

Guyana monitoring deployment of Russia bomber aircraft to Venezuela

The Guyana Government said it is monitoring the deployment of two Russian bomber aircraft to Venezuela. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge said his ministry has been approached with regards to reports of the deployment of two TU-160 supersonic bombers from the Russian Federation to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. “The Ministry is monitoring ongoing related developments. It is important to note that military exercises are a regular feature of state relations and do not in themselves constitute a threat,” Greenidge who is also the Second Vice President said. Further, he said Guyana is fully committed to the rule of international law, including the peaceful resolution of disputes. “Notwithstanding the ongoing border controversy, Guyana remains open to pursuing meaningful functional cooperation with Venezuela whenever that

opportunity arises. Guyana and Russia have had cordial diplomatic relations since December 17, 1970,” Vice President Greenidge said. Meanwhile, according to a BBC report Russian and US officials have been involved in a spat over the landing in Venezuela of the two Russian bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The two Tu-160 bombers landed in Venezuela on Monday in a Russian show of support for the government of socialist President Nicolás Maduro. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it amounted to "two corrupt governments squandering public funds". The Russian government called his words "completely inappropriate". The long-range strategic bombers landed at Simón Bolívar airport outside of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, on Monday along with two other Russian planes. Venezuela and Russia have long been close allies, and the Russian bombers - as well as a missile cruiser - were sent to the Lat-

the deployment of the Russian bombers on Twitter. Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Mr Pompeo's comments were "very undiplomatic". Mr Pompeo was not the only one to criticise the Russian move to send the bombers

ages of goods and medicine in their home country since 2014. "Contrast this with Russia, whose approach to the manmade disaster in Venezuela is to send bomber aircraft instead of humanitarian assistance," Col Manning said, accord-

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge

in American country in 2008. The supersonic bombers also visited Venezuela in 2013. The latest visit comes just days after President Maduro met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino said they were part of air force exercises with its Russian allies: "This we are going to do with our friends, because we have friends in the world who defend respectful, balanced relations." "We are preparing to de-

fend Venezuela to the last inch when necessary," the minister said in a reference to his government's frequent accusations that imperialist powers are trying to topple it. President Maduro said on Sunday that there was an attempt under way "directly co-ordinated from the White House to disturb democratic life in Venezuela and to try to launch a coup d'etat against the constitutional, democratic and free government of our country". Mr Pompeo denounced

One of the two TU-160 supersonic bombers

to Caracas. US defence department spokesman Col Rob Manning noted the US recently deployed a navy hospital ship to Latin America to offer medical support to the millions of Venezuelans who have fled hyperinflation and short-

ing to NBC. But Russia is not the only one sending its military jets to other countries. The US has also sent planes to its allies, including Ukraine, whose relations with Moscow remain tense following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 13, 2018

GTT loses bid to hike landline rates

…PUC ties decision to monopoly on telecoms services

By Lisa Hamilton THE Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has declined the application for an increase in landline service charges made by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T) some two months ago. The decision was disseminated to media in a release on Wednesday. The telephone company had made the application on October 1, 2018 and, in summary, requested approval to implement bundled packages for its wireline services, increased wireline access charges and increased landline-metered charges for intra-calls. It would have seen increases in wireline access charges for customers with 1-2 lines from $750 to $800, with an increment of $50 to be added six months after implementation. Residents with more than two lines, the old charge of $1,500 would have been moved to $1600, with

$50 increment to be added six months after implementation. Meanwhile, businesses with 1-4 lines which previously paid $2,250 were proposed to pay $2,500; and those with more than four lines will remain at $4,500, as no rate adjustment was requested of the PUC. GTT also proposed a ‘Lifeline’ package and customers who requested it would have not been subject to the proposed second rate adjustment. It was to come along with an offering of 10 minutes free intra-calls and five minutes free inter-calls per month for all customers, along with a voicemail service. All minutes thereafter, on both inter and intra-exchanges, would have been charged twice the new call rate. The new intra-exchange call rate then proposed was to move from peak rates of $0.80 to $1.25, while offpeak rates were proposed to be moved from $0.40 to $0.75. GTT was represented by

Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Mark Reynolds; Director of International Regulatory and Governmental Affairs, Delreo Newman; Manager/Financial Planning Analyst, Tianna Roberts; and Vice-President of Finance and Corporate Controller, Mark Singh. Together, they put forward that the increases were needed to facilitate rebalancing of the prices of GTT’s telecommunications services. Presenting its 2017 Cost Allocation Methodology (CAM), they stated that the net after-tax profit in 2017 was below the company’s entitled rate of return of 15 per cent on capital rendering the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) to be provided at a significant loss to the company. Reynolds said that the changes were recommended to the Guyana Government by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in a policy document some 17 years ago, adding that failure to implement

prior to liberalisation would compromise the company’s financial ability and threaten existence of the PSTN. The Guyana Consumers Association (GCA) was represented by its President Patrick Dial and Adviser and former GTT head Yog Mahadeo, who rejected the company’s application. “GTT in its filing is slyly trying to lead the PUC into the trap of fundamentally negating the functioning of the free market. We emphasise that the PUC must never allow itself to go against the government’s free-market and liberalisation policy; and more particularly, to undermine the price-equilibrium mechanism of the free market,” Dial had communicated to the PUC by way of letter. They also posited that the telecommunications company must first provide information on the impact of the increase on subscribers and the accrual of the anticipated incremental revenue to the company. The hearing on the

matter ran from October 24 to November 19, 2018 at Duke Lodge, Georgetown. During the period the PUC had also made known its position that a forensic audit should first be undertaken prior to consideration of increases, while the quality of the company's landline services still leaves room for improvement. On the matter of liberalization, the commission stated: "The concept of rate re-balancing is triggered when there has been the dismantling of a monopoly on telecoms services. As it stands, the company retains the monopoly on landline services which is the subject of this application." Added to this, the PUC has not approved GT&T’s position on CAM. The commission stated that it is unclear whether the expenses used in the process accurately reflected the utility taking into consideration its size and scope of operations. It was also unsure whether the values of the

non-current assets were acquired at market value at the time of acquisition. Another reason the PUC declined GTT's application had to do with whether it had adhered to the tenets of the licence which makes provisions for universal service, especially as it relates to rural areas. Coupled with this, the release stated: "The company has purported to have invested heavily in non-current assets for more than a decade, but same is not reflected in expected profit progression or in the quality of the company’s services to its customers." It later added: "Having regard to all the factors as mentioned above, it is the view of the commission that the company has not presented a convincing case for the proposed price increases for its land line services. Therefore, the application is denied in its entirety."

School feeding programme to be expanded ...Min Henry assures every vulnerable child, community will benefit THE government will continue to expand its school feeding programme until the needs of every “vulnerable” and “disadvantaged” child is addressed. This was made clear on Thursday by Minister of Education Nicolette Henry when the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly continued its consideration of the estimates of the 2019 national budget. Minister Henry told parliamentarians that, “We would have said to the nation that we intend to expand the school feeding programme, and we did just that and we will continue to expand the programme further until we address those that are most vulnerable and disadvantage. We will go to every vulnerable child and every vulnerable community in this country.” She was at the time responding to a range of questions on the budgetary allocations under the Education Ministry in the 2019 budget. Opposition MP, Priya Man-

Minister of Education Nicolette Henry

ickchand asked why the ministry was unable to spend the total budgetary allocation of $1.097B for this year on primary education dietary expenses. Henry said the students catered for under the expansion could not be

reached because the programme had to be audited. The Former Education Minister also asked whether any special consideration was made for areas where the children of former sugar workers live. “I wish to say

that sugar workers children were given special consideration as they fall into the category of children that would require this support,” Minister Henry said. Minister Henry told the committee that she would be

happy to provide information on the expansion of the school feeding programme to the National Assembly. Since assuming office, the government has been placing emphasis in improving the conditions at President’s College on the East Coast of Demerara. Among the programmes catered for in the national budget is the feeding programme at the school. During intense grilling by the Opposition, Minister Henry said that regarding the composition of the meals for students at the President’s College, she would also be “more than happy” to share the school’s menu with the Opposition. Henry noted too that the cost per meal per student at President’s College is now $1800. She said the previous government spent $800 per meal and the coalition government has increased it by $1000. She said a further breakdown is possible at the Opposition’s request. On Thursday, Manickchand, a former Edu-

cation Minister, attempted to include comments on a $10,000 cash grant which the PPP administration previously administered, in her line of questioning of Minister Henry. The cash grant is being peddled by the Opposition in its messages to the population ever since the government changed in 2015, but Minister of State Joseph Harmon stated last week during the budget debates that the grant was ceased under the PPP on the grounds that the initiative was “fiscally unsustainable”. “So this question about bringing back cash-grant; what are you asking for, bring back something that you stopped yourself?” Harmon asked. He said that a call for the return of the grant is all the Opposition has in mind, in the face of “a stellar performance “by the Education Ministry under the current administration.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 13, 2018

British PM May survives party confidence vote British Prime Minister Theresa May survived a confidence vote by the Conservative Party on Wednesday, but a mutiny by more than a third of her lawmakers indicated parliament was heading towards deadlock over Brexit. While 200 Conservative lawmakers voted in support of May as leader, 117 dissented, indicating opposition not only from several dozen supporters of a hard Brexit but also from many more pragmatic lawmakers - and signalling that she was no nearer to passing her EU divorce agreement. It was not the robust affirmation she needed as she heads to Brussels on Thursday to ask the other 27 EU leaders, who have made room for her at a summit, for clarification of the deal to reassure the doubters.

On Monday, May had cancelled a parliamentary vote on her deal, struck after two years of negotiations and designed to maintain close future ties with the bloc, after admitting it would be heavily defeated. With Britain due to leave the EU on March 29, parliament’s opposition has suddenly opened up possibilities including a potentially disorderly exit with no deal or even another referendum on membership. Speaking in Downing Street after the vote, May said she would listen to those who had voted against her and seek legal assurances on the most controversial part of her deal - an insurance policy to prevent a hard border between EU member Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland. Many in her party fear that these “backstop” measures

could last indefinitely. “A significant number of colleagues did cast a vote against me and I’ve listened to what they said,” May said. “We now have to get on with the job of delivering Brexit for the British people.” However, EU leaders have lined up to say they have no intention of changing the agreement. And diplomatic sources in Brussels told Reuters the draft of a document being prepared for May included only the possibility that the bloc would look into giving Britain more assurances over the Irish backstop, without offering any immediately. Eurosceptic critics of the deal within May’s party triggered the no-confidence vote hours after she returned from a whistle-stop tour to meet

European leaders at the start of the week. Supporters said the result showed the party should now get behind her. But the eurosceptics who see her deal as a betrayal of the 2016 referendum said she should now quit. “It is a terrible result for the prime minister,” Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of a hard Brexit faction, told BBC Television. “The prime minister must realise that, under all constitutional norms, she ought to go and see the queen urgently and resign.” May, who voted to remain in the EU in the referendum, had warned opponents of her withdrawal deal that if they toppled her, Brexit would be delayed or stopped. Shortly before the vote, May sought to win over wavering lawmakers by prom-

ising to step down before the 2022 election. But the confidence vote was also a proxy for the party’s divisions over Europe. “If you’re a PM and a third of your MPs vote against you, that is very bad news,” eurosceptic lawmaker Mark Francois told Reuters. ARITHMETIC UNCHANGED The Northern Irish party that props up her government - and strongly opposes her withdrawal deal - said the fundamental arithmetic in parliament was unchanged. The opposition Labour Party said she must now bring the agreement back to parliament. Brexit is Britain’s most significant political and economic decision since World War Two. Pro-Europeans fear the departure will weaken the West as it grapples with the U.S. presidency of Donald Trump and growing assertiveness from Russia and China. The outcome will shape Britain’s $2.8 trillion economy, have far-reaching consequences for the unity of the kingdom and determine

whether London keeps its place as one of the top two global financial centres. Supporters of Brexit admit there may be some short-term pain for the economy, but say it will prosper in the long term when cut free from the EU, which they cast as a failing German-dominated experiment in European integration. May, 62, won the top job in the turmoil that followed the 2016 EU referendum, where Britons decided by 52 per cent to 48 to leave the EU. She promised to implement Brexit while keeping close ties to the bloc, to heal a divided nation. Sterling jumped as high as $1.2672 GBP=D3 as the result came in but then fell to $1.2605, still up one per cent on the day, after it emerged that the number of lawmakers who had voted against May was higher than many in the markets had expected. “It is right at the top end of the number of people who were expected to be against her,” said John Curtice, one of Britain’s leading polling experts. “It is not unlikely that she will go by some point in April-May time.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 13, 2018

Former Trump Lawyer Cohen jailed US President Donald Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen, who once said he’d take a bullet for him, has lashed out at his ex-boss’ “dirty deeds” as he was given a 36-month prison sentence. Cohen is the first member of Mr Trump’s inner circle to be jailed over the special counsel’s inquiry into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election. He admitted lying to Congress, campaign finance violations and tax evasion. In a New York court Cohen, 52, blamed his crimes on Mr Trump. The disgraced attorney told Judge William Pauley on Wednesday that Mr Trump had caused him to “follow a path of darkness rather than light”. He told the court his “weakness was a blind loyalty to Donald Trump” and that he “felt it was my duty to cover up his dirty deeds”. Cohen will serve his term concurrently with a two-month sentence he was given for lying to Congress about a possible Trump Tower project

in Moscow, a charge levelled by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. The judge gave Cohen until 6 March to report to Otisville prison in upstate New York.

to two separate cases brought by the Southern District of New York and Special Counsel Mueller’s Russia investigation. Mr Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations for his role in making hush

Michael Cohen arrived for his sentencing with members of his family

In addition to the jail term, he was also ordered to forfeit nearly $2m (£1.6m). As he left the court, Cohen did not pause to speak to journalists. Mr Trump ignored reporters as they asked for his reaction later at the White House. The sentencing was related

money payments to women who alleged affairs with Mr Trump. One of those payments was made by American Media Inc (AMI), the parent company of the National Enquirer, to suppress a woman’s allegations of an affair with Mr Trump. On Wednesday, the Depart-

ment of Justice also announced it had reached a deal with AMI to forego prosecution as long as the company admitted it made the $150,000 payment “in concert with a candidate’s presidential campaign, and in order to ensure that the woman did not publicise damaging allegations about the candidate before the 2016 election”. The tabloid publisher also agreed to continue co-operating with investigators. Mr Trump has acknowledged the payments despite denying the affairs, and called them a private transaction unrelated to his campaign. The special counsel reached a plea deal with Cohen on one count of lying to Congress given his co-operation with the Russia inquiry. The president’s former lawyer admitted to making false statements to Congress about a Trump property deal in Moscow during the 2016 election. During Wednesday’s sentencing, Cohen’s lawyer, Guy Petrillo, said the special counsel probe “is of utmost national

significance, no less than seen 40 years ago in Watergate”, referring to the scandal that brought down Republican President Richard Nixon in 1974. Cohen’s other convictions for tax evasion and bank fraud charges are unrelated to the president. In exchange for a more lenient sentence, he had offered information regarding his campaign finance violations, including paying adult film star Stormy Daniels hush money at the behest of “the candidate”, in what is understood to be a reference to Mr Trump. Relations between Cohen, once considered Mr Trump’s right-hand man, and the president have soured over the course of Cohen’s criminal trials. Mr Trump, who calls Mr Mueller’s inquiry a “witch hunt”, has repeatedly criticised his former ally since he began co-operating with investigators. He told reporters last month that Cohen was “weak” and “not a very smart person”.

In other Russia investigation developments, former US National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who admitted to lying to the FBI about his talks with the Russian ambassador, has asked for leniency. Flynn’s attorneys requested he serve no prison time as he has co-operated with the special counsel’s investigation from the start. Last week, the special counsel’s team announced that they would not be pursuing jail time for Flynn as he provided “substantial” details regarding the Trump campaign team and Russian officials. Cohen, Flynn and exTrump campaign chief Paul Manafort are among a number of the president’s aides being investigated by Mr Mueller’s team. Mr Manafort - who has been convicted of fraud - had been co-operating with the special counsel’s inquiry. But last Friday, Mr Mueller’s team released a memo alleging he had breached a plea agreement by lying to investigators. (BBC New)

Rowley will not be rushed into making decision on Chief Justice PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Dec 12, CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley Wednesday said he would not be rushed into making any decision regarding the future of the embattled Chief Justice Ivor Archie after the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) Tuesday night agreed to send him a report of alleged misconduct that could possibly begin the process of having him removed from office. “Decency would have dictated that this question be a little delayed. The vote of the Law Association occurred last night and I am now being asked what decision I intend to take. I have no matter in front of me at this time and therefore I have nothing to report on,’ Rowley told Parliament after an opposition legislator, Dr. Roodal Moonilal had questioned him on the issue. Moonilal had asked Prime Minister Rowley to “indicate his course of action in relation to the request by the Law Association to consider triggering Section 137 of the Constitution” that begins the process of impeaching Archie. But while he acknowledged that the issue is a “ a serious constitutional matter” Prime Minister Rowley insisted that he was not prepared to make

any pronouncement on the issue based on the information in the public domain as he has no intention of running the business of the country in that manner. LATT president Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes emerged from the closed door meeting to tell reporters that the membership had agreed by a margin of 150 to 32 to send the report and would ask Prime Minister Rowley to use the findings of the report to consider whether Section 137 of the Constitution can be triggered to establish a tribunal to investigate the allegations against Archie. “The report will be sent to the Prime Minister with great alacrity,” Mendes said, telling reporters he had no idea whether it would be sent in time for Thursday’s Cabinet meeting. “I don’t know. We’ll do our best to get it off to him as soon as possible,” Mendes said, adding that he had no personal views about the vote. He told reporters that Archie would be made aware of the vote, adding “as a matter of fact, his lawyers were present during the proceedings.” Under Section 137 (3) of the Constitution, Rowley has the power to advise President Paula-Mae Weekes to appoint a tribunal to investigate the al-

legations against Archie. The President can refer the question of whether a judge should be removed from office to the Judicial Committee. Earlier this year, Archie, lost his case at the Privy Council in which he had sought to stop the LATT from inquiring into the allegations made against him. The Chief Justice has maintained that there was apparent bias, bad faith and procedural unfairness in the LATT’s investigation but in its 16-page judgement, the London-based

Privy Council, the country’s highest court, agreed with the Court of Appeal that the LATT’s investigation cannot be equated with a judicial or quasi-judicial determination of legal rights and liabilities to which the conventional rules of natural justice apply. “Nor was it necessary for the Board to consider the more difficult question of the extent to which public bodies are required to be impartial in carrying out their statutory functions,” the judgement

read. The LATT had asked former Grenada attorney general Dr. Francis Alexis and Belizean Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay to advice on whether there was sufficient grounds to petition Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley to invoke the relevant constitutional requirement that could lead to the embattled Chief Justice being removed from office. M e d i a re p o r t s h a d linked Archie to discussing security arrangements

for judges with a personal friend and late last year, the friend, Dillian Johnson, told police that he had information on individuals who want to kill him. Archie was also accused of attempting to fast-track Housing Development Corporation (HDC) applications for various people. He has only responded to the allegations once and denied discussing judges’ security, but admitted to recommending people for HDC housing.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 13, 2018

Pride in community

NE cornerstone of good governance is decentralisation. The APNU+AFC coalition has made clear that the entirety of Guyana’s lands must be developed, all peoples must have equal opportunities for a good life, and regardless of where we live, Guyanese should take pride in, and ownership of their communities. One of President Granger’s initiatives, to foster and nurture that pride, is the introduction of regional flags and emblems. Those symbols of regional identity will give Guyanese a sense of belonging to their unique landscape culture, and particularly art, music, ethos, and philosophy. Guyana is a vast and diverse country; under the colonial system, Guyana was divided into areas that served the purposes of the colonial masters. No thought was given to the development of the people. On August 5, 1980, then Minister of Economic Development and Co-operatives, Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte, tabled a document in the National Assembly titled, “STATE PAPER ON THE RE-ORGANISATION OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM IN GUYANA.” About the colonial system, the document stated, “The Local Government System has for many years now attracted widespread criticism. Councillors and others who administer or are closely associated with the system have complained about its inadequacies and problems. Citizens who should be the beneficiaries of a properly administered and effective local government system have complained about its virtual ineffectualness. Undoubtedly, the problems are legion and deep-seated and, on all sides, there is unanimity that these should be resolved as urgently as possible. Indeed, for some time now, the Guyana Association of Local Authorities has been urging with persuasive insistence that the extant system is outmoded and should be replaced. On an objective analysis, it has been generally agreed that the problems are inherent in the very structure of the system and cannot be resolved by merely tinkering with it. What is required is a complete thorough-going re-organisation.” The document, which forms the basis of the first constitution which was formulated by Guyanese for Guyanese also states “The existing system has had its origins in colonial times, was cast in a colonial mould and is riddled with the inhibiting defects of a colonial institution. The worst of these defects is a lack of self-reliance and self-sufficiency

and a resulting dependence on the political centre.” The document proposes to solve the problem by the following clause: “The development of Local Government areas should not depend upon accidental circumstances; for example, whether or not they are fortunate enough to have a sugar factory or a mining enterprise within their boundaries. The revenue of local authorities should not depend merely or primarily on rates or taxes. Hence the importance of ensuring that local authorities areas have an ample economic base.” All Local Authority Areas (LAAs) under our constitution, therefore, are configured to be self-sufficient, independent, autonomous, and proud. As such, President Granger has proposed that each region has a dignified and nationally-recognised flag and emblem. Such symbols will instil pride of ownership in our various communities as we work towards national unity in a diverse social environment. President Granger wrote the following: “The Barima-Waini region gets its name from its two main rivers. The region is predominantly forested highland, bordered at the north by a narrow strip of low coastal plain . . . The colours will be green and gold to represent the two main economic activities-- gold and diamond mining-- and forestry. The symbol on the flag will be the leatherback turtle which is found on the famous Shell Beach. “The Pomeroon-Supenaam region comprises highland and low coastal plain, but also takes in a small portion of the hilly sand and clay region. The gold and green colours will represent the many waterways and the main economic activity-- rice farming. The symbol will be a rice stalk. “The Essequibo Islands-West Demerara Region is made up of the islands in the Essequibo River such as Leguan and Wakenaam, and the western portion of mainland Demerara. It is made up of low coastland, hilly sand and clay, and a portion of forested highland regions. The colours for this flag are green to represent the rich agricultural value, black to represent the endurance of the people, and white to depict the water resources. The symbol is the M.V. Malali. “The Demerara-Mahaica Region extends east of the Demerara River to the western bank of the Mahaica River, and is predominantly low coastal plain, with a small portion of the hilly sand and clay region. Since Region 4 is the main economic centre of Guyana, the colours of the flag

include red for the zeal and dynamic nature of the people, black for their strength and endurance and the symbol is the iconic Stabroek Clock. “The Mahaica-Berbice Region extends east of the Mahaica River to the west bank of the Berbice River. The colours for this flag will be green to represent their strong agricultural economic value and black to represent the strength of the people. The symbol is an image of a rice farmer planting rice. “The East Berbice-Corentyne Region is the only one to include parts of all the four natural [geographic] regions: coastal plain, intermediate savannah, hilly and sandy clay area and forested highland. The colours used for this flag are green, to represent the rich agricultural heritage and red to represent the zeal of the people. The symbol is the sugar cane. “The Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region contains two of the four natural regions: forested highlands and a small portion of the hilly sand and clay geographic region. The colours of this flag are yellow, for the obvious and significant mineral wealth; white for the water resources and green for the heavily forested areas. The symbol is an illustration of traditional gold mining, a key economic earner for the region and country. “The Potaro-Siparuni Region gets its name from the Potaro and Siparuni Rivers, which are tributaries of the Essequibo River. The flagship tourism product of Guyana is found in this region, so this will be used as the symbol. For colours, they will be green, black and yellow for forestry, strength of the people and mineral wealth respectively. “The Kanuku and Kamoa highlands and the vast Rupununi Savannahs make up the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region. The symbol is proposed to be the national bird-- the Harpy Eagle-- in flight, and the colours green for forest wealth, red for zeal of the people and white for the water resources. “The inland region of Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice contains the largest portion of the hilly sand and clay area. Bauxite is what Region 10 has been well known for, so the plant or bauxite mining site will be the symbol. The colours will be yellow because of the mining history of the region and black for the strength of the people of that Region.” Guyana has a richly diverse heritage. We, as a people, must celebrate and be proud of our diversity.

Did Sam Hinds ever resign? Dear Editor,

N calling for the ouster of Prime Minister Nagamootoo from the National Assembly on the grounds that he is performing the functions of President, the opposition PPP relied on Article 178 (4) of the Guyana Constitution. Article 178 (4) states that “During any period when a Minister is performing the functions of the office of the President… his or her seat in the National Assembly shall be

regarded as vacant…” I want the PPP to tell the Guyanese people on what occasions, if any, during the 20-odd years that Mr. Sam Hinds was prime minister and he had acted on behalf of the President, has he either vacated his seat, or his seat was considered vacant, in the National Assembly? It would be easy for the PPP to produce the records, but I suspect that there is none. This strengthens the arguments by both Senior Counsel and former Speaker Mr.

Ralph Ramkarran and his son Kamal, who is President of the Guyana Bar Association, that Article 178 (4) does not apply to the prime minister. It becomes clear that the PPP wants to destabilise Parliament and to create a constitutional crisis in Guyana. I hope that the international community and the internal security forces are taking note. Regards Earl Hamilton

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 13, 2018

OP-ED Scaring pets during festivals and festive seasons By Dr. R. S. Surujbally Veterinary Surgeon

AM convinced that there are more squibs/ firecrackers/miscellaneous explosive devices now than ever before — notwithstanding the fact that many of these noise-makers are actually banned or are controlled by restrictive import legislation. A few weeks ago, during the Diwali celebration, there seemed to be more squibs and firecrackers and fireworks than diyas; gone are the days when kids produced noise for short periods from carbon, spittle and an ovaltine tin. Well, whether it is a firecracker or a squib or any type of noise-making explosive, they all hurt and create distress in animals, especially our socialised companion animals. Dogs and cats have very sensitive ears and eyes. The noise and sudden/repetitively brilliant lights from the explosions disorient and traumatise animals. They run indoors and try to hide in secluded places where they think there is security (bathrooms, under beds, in

cupboards, etc). They hurt themselves. They jump off verandahs. They run away from home (you can see them wandering around our roads lost and with anxious looks). They are struck down by uncaring motorists and left to die agonising deaths at the side of the road. These are the gruesome scenes after every fireworks-laced celebration.

Phagwah, Diwali celebration by increasing concomitantly the decibel and light levels of our explosive “toys.” Consequently, we must now turn our attention to the protection of our pets (wards) by applying methodologies which can reduce their anxiety disorders and general suffering. Firstly, let us look at the symptoms exhibited by our

Dr. Steve Surujbally, Veterinary Surgeon

Year after year, we have pleaded with revellers to reduce/cease the use of fireworks/squibs during holidays and festive seasons. I must admit that it seems now to be an embedded part of our “Kultcha” to enjoy a “good” New Year’s Eve, Independence Day, Republic Day,

companion animals (as a reaction to explosive devices) that can reveal the level of distress which the animals are enduring. Some symptoms can be long-lasting, even so indelibly etched in their brains, as to be irreversible. In such cases, we speak of Post Traumatic

Stress Disorder (PTSD). [We have gotten to know this term from afflicted soldiers returning from wars].

SYMPTOMS of noise / light- related anxiety. [Please note that pets show different signs of stress than humans]. * Uncontrolled urination (incontinence)/defecation. * Incessant barking/howling/whining. * Heavy breathing (panting). * Attempting to run away from their normal environments (jumping over the fence, running into/out of the house, etc). * Hiding (running into the bathroom, under the bed, in the wardrobe, etc). * Inappetence (loss of appetite). * Drooling (streams of saliva hanging from the mouth). * Actually trying to cover their ears and eyes. * Trembling (uncontrollable shaking). * Tucking tails under their bellies. * Dilated pupils of the eyes are obvious. * Exhibition of behavioural patterns not usually associated with your pet (e.g. increased water intake; unusual aggression; running

away from humans, even their owners; etc).

TREATMENT The treatment should mostly mirror the cause of the symptoms. For example, if the pet is fixated on removing itself from the stressor (noise/ light), then we must provide such accommodation. The focus is to calm your pet and reinforce its self-confidence. 1) I mostly advise that during the celebrative silly season, allow your dog to hide in the bathroom when the necessity arises. You can visit him often with treats and general TLC. Let him/her have his/her accustomed toys. Do not be abusive to your dog if he/she defecates/urinates in your bathroom. Give cats a pet cage/box with their favourite blankets and toys. 2) Ensure water is always available. 3) Days prior to the expected increase in decibel/ light intensity levels, take your dog for walks on a leash (exercise). In fact, play games (“fetch”, wrestling, etc) with your pet. Reinforce his confidence. 4) I swear that the text books advise playing soothing melodies/music to ease the stress. It seems that turn-

ing on the TV also works well. (N.B. it has been proven that both dogs and cats have favourite T.V. shows). Actually, there are apps that create soothing sounds. Video-streaming websites also have playlists of calming music or ambient noise. 5) Close the curtains. 6) One wise and caring suggestion is to play, at a lower noise level, recordings of fireworks explosions regularly (prior to the expected fireworks show) to help desensitise your dog to unaccustomed loud noises. 7) Ask your vet for advice. He/she may, after discussion with the pet owner/ care-giver, recommend medication to keep your companion animal calm during excessive fireworks displays. In conclusion, let it be clear: in a civilised world, the incessant and unrelenting terrorising of companion animals, our fellow travellers on this spaceship Earth, should not be considered a joke, giving us some weird form of joy. Subjecting/exposing animals to unnecessary cruelty via long-term use of squibs/ firecrackers/fireworks is one of the great cruelties we can administer to animals.

Bevon Currie was a PNCR and GYSM patriot

Dear Editor,

T is with profound sadness that I take time out to reflect on a comrade and a former youth leader of the GYSM and PNCR, who passed a few days ago. Bevon Currie’s passing has left me in a state of perpetual reflection and denial of his death. As I reflect, I keep seeing his calm demeanour, his willing and supportive spirit and his humble disposition. Bevon was a true youth leader, patriot, comrade and a decent human being. I have known Bevon for many years. My first interaction with him was at a meeting of the Werk-en-Rust GYSM group, when I served as the group’s chairperson. The group attracted many visitors and members and was known for its Saturday nights; healthy political debates, fish fry and souse lime. Of course, Bevon was one of those visitors and debaters who visited. Later on in our GYSM life, we both were elected to serve on the national executive committee of the organisation. This elevation into the organisation’s leadership was no ordinary achievement for Bevon. He truly wanted to be among the leaders of the party’s youth arm and to contribute to the policy direction of the movement. He seemed particularly enthused to be able to have the opportunity to interact with youth leaders in various parts of Guyana. This new position afforded this opportunity to him. His passion and his heart were with youth development and youth work and he saw this promotion as a means of advancing his passion. When I served as National Secretary of the GYSM, Bevon and I worked closely on many projects, including policy position papers, youth programmes, leadership retreats and camps. His dedication and commitment to the organisation were beyond question! I do not recall him ever making excuses or saying no when asked to do work for the GYSM or its members. In fact, it was because I knew he would not say no, that I asked him to stand in for me at meetings and events, whenever I encountered schedule conflicts. Sometimes the swiftness with which Bevon said yes caused him to miss a basic detail regarding the meeting he was asked to attend. For instance, once I asked him to represent me at a certain meeting that was scheduled for a specific location on Brickdam but Bevon, for some reason, ended up on Main Street. About 10 minutes after the scheduled start of the meeting I received a call from Bevon, he said, in his usual chuckling way, “Madam Secretary, like you set me up or wah, nobody ain’t deh hay.” I told him I did not get any notice that the meeting had been

cancelled, so I found it strange no one was there. About two minutes into the conversation, he asked that I repeat the direct address; as soon as I mentioned Brickdam he blurted out, “Oh shucks, ah gon get a taxi and go there now; I deh on Main Street at this place”! Bevon went to the meeting, made his contribution and came back with the title “facilitator” for the next meeting. This was the attitude of the comrade of whom I speak. He always believed that he could contribute and he never let the opportunity to do so pass by. His willingness to lead at the slightest opportunity often landed him in many unsuspecting leadership roles. Some thought he was always in auditioning mode for the roles he often landed, most of which were volunteering opportunities. Bevon also served as the national secretary of the GYSM when I served as the organisation’s chairperson. I could not have asked for a more supportive and dedicated secretary. He took his responsibility seriously. It was in this role that I truly came to realise just how unselfish and kind-hearted Bevon was. Sometimes I believe he bit off more than he could have eaten and made too many commitments, all of which I believed had to do with his attitude of always wanting to assist or contribute. Bevon was the kind of person who gave because he felt compelled to give. He was humble and contented; one who faced difficulty with a sense of calmness. He loved a spirited political debate, loved to argue; even if he was losing the argument he would make his point. However, when all arguments were over he skilfully conjured up a light conversation to remind you that his argument was over. His sense of camaraderie and friendship reminds you that he did not bear malice or see others as his foes. He had an ability to move on, on spot! He had a unique ability to make friends easily. I am quite sure his friends’ list spans the entire country. New members to the GYSM quickly got to know Bevon and appreciated his friendship very quickly. Many confided in him and trusted his judgement. Bevon was a tough politician. He took many political punches, he gave some also, but he never seemed to take any of it personal. We have both been on different sides of the internal “PNCR politicking.” We rooted and campaigned vigorously for different candidates for leadership at various times of our activism and we have spent time trying to convince the other to support the other’s candidates. We reasoned, we discussed, and we argued. We debated, but at the end of the day, we remained comrades who were always respectful to each other. We supported each other in our roles as leaders in the GYSM. My last text message from him on PNCR

politics came on August 5, 2018, when he asked me to support a certain candidate for a particular position at the 2018 PNCR Congress. He was a true political “go getter”; he did what he needed to do to support his preferred candidate; he worked all the blurred lines or obscure paths. He had no enemies, even if they thought he was enemy. Bevon Currie was a deliberative and thoughtful individual. Comrade Currie was the kind of comrade who gave even when they had nothing to give. He respected everyone and tried to work with whatever or whomever he was asked, to work with; he made no excuses. His passion to serve in the PNCR and his commitment to the party’s youth arm were remarkable. We were fortunate to have such a humble and decent human being as one of us. I am fortunate that I had the opportunity to know and work with Bevon Currie. He gave more than he ever had. The GYSM and the PNCR are better today because of the contributions people like Bevon Currie made. Too often, the contributions made by these true patriots go under the radar because of their quiet personal demeanour. Too often we wait until the dedicated have fallen and are no more to recognise and appreciate their contributions. Too often, we fail to express the simple gesture of appreciation to those who not only gave us their best, but also gave all they had. Too often our show of gratitude and display of love come at a time when the fallen can least appreciate that outpouring of appreciation. Bevon Currie was the kind of comrade who stuck it out; after consecutive electoral defeats at the polls he still had the confidence that his party will emerge victorious one day. Like the truly faithful, he kept that fate and passed his optimism onto others. Comrade Currie has made his mark on PNCR politics and the nation; he made his contribution and his service should be acknowledged. My sincere condolences to his family and many friends. We love you Bevon, but God loves you more. Sleep on my friend, sleep on. It will be difficult to come to grips with speaking of you in the past tense. You were a bright light to many who experienced dull moments. Your optimism was rare. You were a decent, caring, kind and respectful human being anyone would have been happy to have as a friend. Like all of us, Bevon was no perfect human being, but his faults pale in contrast to his strengths and positive energy. May your soul rest in peace. Regards Lurlene Nestor

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 13, 2018

'The force is in good hands'

…Top Cop commits to further reducing crime …says archaic standing orders being reviewed

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo addressing the officers as Commissioner of Police Leslie James (left) and Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan (right)listen

COMMISSIONER of Police Leslie James said there will be a review of some aspects of the Guyana Police Force’s standing orders because some “appear to be archaic” and he assured citizens that the organisation is in good hands. This was disclosed on Thursday during the annual Police Officers’ Christmas Breakfast at Eve Leary. “We will not spare any effort to discipline any rank. What we have recognised, however, is that the standing orders were

not always executed. We have recommended that there be with immediate effect a restoration of the training and the promotion boards. We have also recommended that there should also be a traffic advisory board. These boards will ensure the functionality of the Guyana Police Force. I should also report to you that we have taken steps to revise some aspects of our standing orders, because when reviewed, some of these orders appear to be archaic,” the commissioner explained.

The commissioner sought to reassure the nation of the force’s commitment to higher standards, saying they stand resolute to ensure the continuity of good governance. “The force is in good hands and I wish to assure the nation that we will continue to take strides to maintain the nobleness of this organisation. I have reminded the ranks of the need for professionalism. I have reminded them of the need to have exemplary conduct,” James said. In addition, the commis-

sioner said no effort will be spared to discipline errant members and steps are being taken to revise the GPF’s Standing Orders. He also said systems are being implemented to ensure that ranks are motivated. James also highlighted that the current thrust of the hierarchy of the force is one of working towards reform and efficiency. “We have embarked on a reformation plan, compliments of the government. Consultations have been held

City Hall promises to pay in part --but one week on Cevon’s et al still waiting

FOLLOWING a meeting last Thursday with City Hall, it was agreed that Cevon’s and Puran Brothers would, in the immediate future, receive partial payment of the amounts owed to them for services provided during 2018. The meeting was held with officials of Cevon’s and Puran Brothers and representatives of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), including the Chairman of the Finance Committee, the acting town clerk, and the city treasurer, as well as Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan. The companies have said in a joint press statement that they said at the meeting that they were prepared to resume work immediately under the existing contract they have with the

Georgetown municipality. They, however, said that their resumption is subject to City Hall giving them the ‘green-light’, but while up to press time last night, no such go-ahead was forthcoming, they said they’re still on standby to resume work. Noting that timeliness of payment has always been the issue with the M&CC, the companies said: “We cannot, we submit, be expected to provide services without reasonable assurances of timely payment. “Where there is slippage we are prepared, as we have, over time, to exercise some measure of understanding to an extent that is reasonable.” Noting that the issue of

withdrawal of services only arises when their material ability to provide services, as a result of lengthy payment delays, is exhausted, at which point they have no option but to withdraw their services as a regrettable necessity rather than a form of some insidious action, the companies said: “Accordingly, we vigorously reject any suggestion that we are inclined to use outstanding payments as an excuse to ‘play games’ with our garbage disposal responsibilities. “Indeed, our acceptance, over time, of late payment as a fait accompli is linked to our understanding of the critical importance of the service we provide; it is not an undertaking from which we have ever walked

away without the most careful and deliberate contemplation. “We have only ever withdrawn our services when a point is reached when, to borrow a time-worn Guyanese saying, ‘water more than cornflour.’” With the approaching Christmas season, the companies said, their concern at this time of year is with ensuring that the citizenry does not have to endure garbage-related inconveniences. They said, in closing, that it is against the foregoing backdrop that they repeat their earlier undertaking that they stand prepared to resume work immediately upon receiving City Hall’s clearance.

and those recommendations have been submitted and are currently being implemented. We have embarked on three main pillars, these are Training, Infrastructure and Human Resource Management. You would have seen some movements, some shifts of persons in the force; this is in keeping with our position that we need to have continuity and proper governance of the force. In addition, Commissioner James said there has been a continued reduction in crimes and the situation is not one of gloom and doom as is being touted by certain sections of the society. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the crime-fighting agency and noted that the force has seen a reduction in crimes in the year 2018 when compared to that of 2017. “The year commenced with some issues, but through a collective effort, we have pulled through to this point. I am happy to report that serious crime is down by 11 percent. We have seen a marked decrease in serious crimes – last year we had 289 and this year to date we have had 228.”

POLITICIANS CLOTHED IN ‘PHANTOM’ SQUAD Meanwhile, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo commended the GPF for lowering the crime rate. He reiterated that the country is doing better. “…two days ago we observed International Human Rights Day and when you look at the reports coming out focusing on Guyana, the country has been removed from categories where you

have extra-judicial killings, where you have death squads, where there are summary executions involving whatever you may want to call it … black clothes, blue clothes… or politicians clothed in ‘Phantom’ Squad uniforms, … Guyana has been removed from that. Sometimes we beat ourselves up so much that we do not recognise that we are better than we have ever been before,” the prime minister said. The prime minister said the GPF has lowered the crime rate from the obscene levels experienced under the former administration. “You have reduced crimes from 1,403 or thereabouts in 2014 to a three-digit number. Nine hundred and sixty five (965) was the last figure I have seen. You did a good job because as policemen your job was always to avoid reaching four numerals … You removed the levels of obscenity.” In addition, Prime Minister Nagamootoo also commended the force for increasing the number of lawbreakers prosecuted, compared to the immediate past. “I give kudos to the leadership of the police force for having worked diligently to produce this result. I can tell you that over the last two years you have had more prosecutions than any time before,” he said. The prime minister noted that notwithstanding the increased number of prosecutions by the GPF, under the current government there has not been any credible accusation of prosecutable torture levelled at the force.

Corentyne toddler electrocuted A FIVE-MONTH-old baby was electrocuted at his Number 76, Housing Scheme, East Berbice-Corentyne home on Tuesday. The infant was identified as Mason Crush, of Lot 207 Number 76, Housing Scheme, East BerbiceCorentyne. According to reports, the child came into contact with a live wire that was allegedly taped together. This publication was told that the mother of the child, Onessa Johnson, had the infant on a bed but briefly put him on the floor to make up the bed when he came into

contact with a wire. The baby was immediately rushed to the Skeldon Hospital at around midday on Tuesday, but was pronounced dead on arrival. This publication was told that the infant’s mother was crying uncontrollably as she brought the baby to seek medical attention and is still in a state of shock. When this publication visited the home on Wednesday afternoon, the family were still in a state of shock and were reluctant to speak with the media.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 13, 2018

Sugar workers to get bonus …GuySuCo set to surpass 2018 target

THE Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) is poised to achieve its production target for the year 2018 which is 103, 000 tonnes of sugar and will be paying a bonus to workers, the corporation said in a statement. As at December 12, 2018, 100,485 tonnes of sugar has been produced

for the year. This is 12,000 tonnes more than what was achieved for the entire year, 2017, from the three estates – Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt. Thus far, the three estates have collectively surpassed their weekly targets on 26 occasions for the year which translates to payment of Weekly Production Incen-

tive (WPI). The qualified employees will therefore receive a bonus for the year 2018, as a reward for their performance and the value of which would be dependent on the final production. “The Corporation would like to thank all employees for remaining focus on the task at hand and delivering a successful

target. With a few weeks left for the second crop, employees are encouraged to maintain the team spirit and managers must continue to show strong leadership and management in 2019,” GuySuCo said. Sugar workers also recently received the remainder of their severance package.

Caught trying to sell ‘ecstasy’

A MOTHER of two appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ court on Wednesday for possession of ecstasy pills. Tamara Akara, 22, of Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD), appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore and denied the charge, which alleges that on December 8, 2018 at Croal Street, Akara had in her possession five grams of ecstasy pills for the purpose of trafficking. The woman was represented by Attorney-at-Law Paul Fung-A-Fat, whose bail application on her behalf was granted in the sum of $50,000. The matter has been adjourned to January 9, 2019.

Medal of Service recipient Ferreira succumbs to cancer PPP racked up $1.1B in FORMER headmaster of the Bina Hill Institute Victor Ferreira has passed on after a battle with cancer. The 69-year-old, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer last year, succumbed Wednesday morning at his Moruca home after prolong sickness due to the disease. Ferreira served for the last six years as headmaster of the Annai, Region Nine institute and is well known in his home community. He started his career in 1966 and taught for several decades in the North West District. Ferreira also served for almost two decades at the Kamwatta Primary school while after college, he spent a considerable amount of time at the Santa Rosa Pri-

mary. Sir Vic, as he was known to his students, is also partially responsible for the development of the secondary school programme in Santa Rosa, which started in 1991. Ferreira was then appointed as headmaster of the Kamarang Primary School (1998); there he also helped in the groundwork for the establishment of the Waramadong Secondary School. The father of seven then returned to Santa Rosa, where he worked at the secondary school until 2004. Ferreira produced a large number of graduates from Bina Hill before his retirement in June, and fittingly when news reached the institute of his death, the flag was flown at half-staff while

a tribute was held in his honour. Many in his family were preparing for his death, since his condition had deteriorated over the last few weeks. One of his daughters, Nadia De Abreu, said that last Tuesday she asked him to wait just one more week in a plea to prolong his life. “I asked him for at least one more week last Tuesday, my small sister said he told at least two visitors that he was going to die at 2:00hrs on Wednesday, because I asked him for one more week.” Ferreira passed away at 1:40hrs after calling his wife of 42 years to tell her that he was leaving. According to De Abreu, her father served with distinction all his life.

Health post for St. Ignatius …$2B approved for Region Nine Over 2000 residents from St. Ignatius, Region Nine, Upper akutu-Upper Essequibo will soon have easier access to health services as a new health post is to be constructed in the community. From the approved $2.7Billion for the region, the sum of $59Million was granted by the Committee of Supply on Wednesday evening, for the construction of the health post at St. Ignatius along with a pharmacy bond and living quarters at Lethem. The money also carters for the extension of the Lethem Regional Hospital and maternity ward at the Annai Health Centre. Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan explained to the Committee of Supply that the region’s health sector can expect a major boost. He pointed out that $34Million was provided for the purchase of microscopes, a phlebotomy chair, electrocardiograms, cardiac monitors, defibrillators, otoscopes, spinal boards, stretchers, nebulisers, por-

table oxygen concentrators, refrigerators, patient screens, foetal dopplers, beds, dining sets and stoves.” Additional funds were approved to further develop the region’s agriculture, infrastructure, health and educations sectors. Under the education sector, several schools will be constructed and upgraded. These include the completion of a Primary School at Paipang and living quarters at Sand Creek, construction of Secondary School at Aishalton and living quarters at Annai and construction of sanitary blocks at the Nursery and Primary schools at Kumu, Katoonarib, Shiriri, Sowariwau, Apoteri, Maruanau, Awarewaunau and Yakarinta at a cost of $117Million. An additional $15Million was also provided for school furniture and equipment including equipment for Smart classrooms, musical and sports equipment. For agricultural projects in the Upper Takutu-Upper Es-

sequibo, the sum of $26Million was approved for the provision of a spray race system at Kurupukari Crossing and 150 black giant poultry birds at Rupertee, Crash Water and Rewa villages. Funds set aside for the construction of bridges at Moco Moco. Meanwhile, under the region’s infrastructure sector $53Million was awarded for the upgrading of roads at Achiwuib/ Bashaidrun, Yakarinta and Maruranau to Shea; construction of culverts at Makodo Creek, Parishara, Kaicumbay and Kabanawau/Aishalton. Other infrastructural projects include the upgrading of the electrical system at Annai Secondary School Complex and the installation of a trestle, solar pumps and accessories at Aishalton, Shea, Maurinawau, Bashaidrun, Achiwuib and Potarinau at a cost of $11Million and $35Million respectively. (DPI)

“I think everyone in Moruca had so much respect for him. He gave selflessly to all of his students wherever we went, he also spent long hours planning and putting systems in place for greater efficiencies wherever he worked and I think that is something I took from him.” Ferreira was more than just a Moruca teacher. In 2011, he received the National Medal of Service Award for his long, dedicated and outstanding service to Guyana. The dedicated Catholic leaves to mourn his six reminding children, one of whom became a teacher, his wife, several grandchildren and generations of former students who passed through his hands.

overseas travel in two years ...Actual amount: $1,108,123,000 WHAT PPP SPENT ON OVERSEAS TRAVEL 2012 - $343,431,000 2013 - $412,071,000 2014 - $352,621,000 T O T A L : $1,108,123,000 In the three years of the Coalition Government some $300MILLION LESS was spent on overseas travel. And note that this was a time when we were facing heightened aggression from Venezuela and overseas visits

became necessary as a result to represent Guyana’s interest at the UN etc. WHAT COALITION SPENT ON OVERSEAS TRAVEL 2015 - $263,567,000 2016 - $232,726,000 2017 - $294,305,000 TOTAL: $790,598,000 This represents a reduction of $317,525,000 in the three years of Coalition Government over the last three years of the PPP Government. #factsmatter

Over $6M Guyana Stockfeeds shares placed on local stock market The National Industrial & Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) on Tuesday announced that it placed its $6,099,927 equity shares in Guyana Stock Feeds Incorporated on the local stock market. The placement of the shares on the stock market comes after previous attempts to dispose of the shares failed. The current majority shareholder, Robert Badal, was the only person to make an offer for the shares held by NICIL when they were advertised for sale. The placement on the local stock exchange also signals a shift in strategy by NICIL, and an effort to widen shareholding by providing more opportunities for the Guyanese public to participate in investments in public companies. NICIL believes that the placement of these shares on the local market will greatly contribute to the depth, diversification and enrichment of the local stock market coupled with the copious potential investments gains to the general public which is

likely to ensue. Acting CEO of NICIL, Colvin Heath-London, said that “NICIL is enthusiastic about public participation in the local stock market and intends to give every Guyanese an opportunity to grow their money, maximise their returns and have a legitimate chance to acquire state assets that are being diversified,” a release from the entity quoted him as saying. There are many families which have owned shares in companies like Demerara Distillers Limited and Banks DIH for generations after parent or grandparents bought shares decades ago. However, for many decades new opportunities were not provided for the same type of stock ownership and transfer of wealth from one generation to the other. As many developed societies are beginning to teach entrepreneurship to children, this is an opportunity as well for parents to set up stock accounts with their children, just like they set up bank accounts, so that children learn to develop

a diverse portfolio of savings, stock and other investment instruments as they grow. Heath-London added that “we at NICIL would also like to invigorate the local stock market by given it depth and robustness that will be attractive to global companies. One of the benefits of the boom in oil and gas should be that global companies that come here to operate see a vibrant market for stocks and get listed on our exchange. Such cross-listing with our local exchange would open up opportunities for Guyanese to invest in these companies and benefit from their profitability.” Since the NICIL shares in Guyana Stockfeeds Limited surfaced in the public domain recently there has been vigorous discussion of the value of the shares versus the value of the offer made by the majority shareholder. NICIL is of the view that ultimately, now that the shares have been placed on the stock exchange, the market will eventually determine the true value of the shares.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 13, 2018

Government to re-launch EoI for New Demerara River Crossing GOVERNMENT will soon re-launch a new Expression of Interest (EoI) for the New Demerara River Crossing. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure has budgeted $100 million for consultancy services for the new Demerara River Crossing. Government’s provision in the budget was questioned by Opposition Member of Parliament Juan Edghill, who queried if the consultancy services included a new feasibility study. Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, however, clarified that the sum does not provide for a new feasibility study but it includes the hiring of technical experts who will review previous proposals and give advice. “We will be re-launching the EoI based on these requirements, a high-level bridge with a minimum of

four lanes and navigational clearance among others,” said the minister, adding that the allocation covers the procurement of services for technical expertise in the fields of engineering, finance and the environment. He said the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) will also serve as a consultant and advise the government on public procurement process. Last November, 11 companies submitted bids, with Chinese companies dominating the bidding. Following the evaluation of the tenders, the Public Infrastructure Ministry had said that three companies will be shortlisted to bid for the project soon after. According to a Stabroek News report, in February of this year, project manager Rawlston Adams said the evaluation of tenders had proven more complex than planned and it was for that

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson

reason the deadline for the completion of the process had been extended. Minister Patterson, however, indicated that the 11 companies which originally bid for the project will be

included in the new bidding process along with any other company. Government anticipated that the project will be started this year and be completed by 2020.

GPOC to give free mailboxes ––to randomly selected citizens THREE lucky citizens of Georgetown will receive the first of 100 free mailboxes to be mounted on their premises as the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC)’s mailbox sensitisation campaign moves into high gear. The three citizens reside in District ‘A’, which includes the city, and they were randomly selected. The corporation’s country operations are divided into six districts, namely Areas ‘A’ to ‘F’, and the managers in all districts will randomly select recipients in the coming weeks to receive free mailboxes. The objective is to encourage every resident to install a mailbox on his/her premises, so that their mails cand be delivered safely. The GPOC’s mailbox initiative was launched last February in response to the increasing number of returned mail to post offices all over the country. The main reason is the absence of mailboxes and sometimes the residents themselves whenever the postal workers visit to deliver registered and regular mail.

According to Postmaster General, Karen Brown, very often, even after five or six passes, the postal staff are still unable to deliver. This inability to deliver, she said, creates a financial burden on the postal service, since the mail must be put back into the system, re-sorted and/or stored, and the addressees notified. In order to ensure that citizens receive their letters, cheques, notices and bills from the NIS and other public sector agencies, the GPOC embarked on a countrywide mailbox campaign. It involves some collaboration with our technical/vocational institutes in East and West Demerara, East and West Berbice and the Essequibo Coast; and it is still expected to encourage our youths and artisans to construct low-cost but functional mailboxes with any durable material such as PVC and metal sheeting. The presentation of the first three free mailboxes will take place at the Kitty Post Office on Alexander Street, Kitty, at 10:00hrs next Wednesday.

Gov’t ups funding for Court to decide early next year –– as cocaine-in-lumber trial draws to a close national sporting events –– inaugural education expo on cards for 2019

Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry

FOR years there’s always been talk about government not doing enough for sports, particularly where the hosting of national school championships are concerned. Well, one can safely that that’s all in the past now, as there’s a new wind a-blowing over at the Ministry of Education, where some $50M has been set aside for the hosting of national school championships and other events in the year ahead. The announcement was

made on Wednesday by subject minister, Nicolette Henry when the Consideration of the Estimates of the 2019 National Budget continued before the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly. The events at reference, according to Minister Henry, are those usually undertaken by the Ministry of Education such as the hosting of Education Month and Mashramani. And, taking up her predecessor Priya Manickchand on her remark that this year’s

Education Month celebrations were low-key, Minister Henry said that on the contrary, they were not only “fitting”, but the budgetary allocations were enough to offset the requisite expenses. What’s more, a new feature in next year’s budget, the minister said, is the allocation of monies for the hosting of the country’s first ever Education Expo. Harking back to the opening of the 58th National Schools Swimming, Cycling and Athletics Championship at the national track and field facility at Leonora, West Coast of Demerara late last month, an event she described as “the pinnacle of the schools’ sporting calendar,” Minister Henry said: “This championship is a sports scout’s paradise, because it showcases our top athletes who I know will go on to represent our country both regionally and internationally.” The event was eventually won by District 10, Upper Demerara Kwakwani.

From left: Sherwayne De Abreu, Stephen Vieira, Nazim Gafoor and Tazim Gafoor

COME early next year, motorcycle racer Stephen Vieira and three other men, including a former customs official, will know their fate, as Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool is expected to make her ruling in the $550M cocaine trafficking charge. The men, Former Customs Officer, Sherwayne DeAbreu of Street Eight, Section ‘A’ Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown; Vieira of Middle Street, South Cummingburg, Georgetown; and businessman Tazim Gafoor and his son, Nazim Gafoor, a motorcar racer, both of Menzies Street, Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara are all on trial at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court for aiding Hakim Mohamed in trafficking 84.986 kilogrammes of cocaine between March 1 and May 2, 2017. The defendants have all led their defence in the matter, and opted to give unsworn state-

ments in court. Evidence was led in the case by Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor, Konyo Sandiford. Magistrate Liverpool has tentatively set January 24, 2019 as the date she will hand down her ruling in the case. According to reports, the bust was made after CANU officials received a tip-off on May 12 last year. When the ranks acted, they found that dressed lumber boards were being packed onto a truck. The truck driver and porters were arrested, but were subsequently released, after it was discovered that the vehicle and its workers were hired to transport the timber. The drug agency, in a release, said that ranks conducted a search on the parapet in front of Mohamed’s premises and searched a truck laden with several pallets of 1×6 dressed lumber boards prepared for

export. Several pieces of boards were drilled randomly by the ranks, and a whitish substance, believed to be cocaine, was revealed. The lumber, which belonged to Narine Lall, was packed at a sawmill at Lookout, East Bank Essequibo, to be transported to a wharf in Georgetown before being shipped to the US, CANU said. According to reports, Vieira is listed on the shipping documents as a representative of the shipper, Lall, for whom, according to CANU, an arrest warrant has been issued. Tazim was placed before the court, charged for his role in another cocaine matter. The 43-year-old was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice last year September, following the discovery of over nine kilograms of cocaine.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 13, 2018

Don’t be afraid to speak your mind –– Cdr. Langevine tells Berbicians at interactive multi-stakeholder meet

By Nafeeza Yahya ‘B’ Division Commander, Paul Langevine and team last Wednesday evening held a multi-stakeholder meeting at the Whim Police Station to address the many

concerns affecting the people on the Corentyne. They also used the occasion to apprise residents of the various communities of plans they have in store in terms of security and traffic for the Christmas holiday season. Widely regarded as one of the largest public meetings ever held on the Corentyne en in recent times, the event, which also happened to be Langevine’s first engagement since taking over the reigns from Commander Clifton Hicken, saw in attendance members of the business community, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), religious leaders and educators among other stakeholders. Lasting some three hours, the meeting besides being informative was very interactive as well, as Lan-

gevine and his team heard and pronounced on a wide variety of issues, among them substance abuse, crime prevention, traffic congestion, noise nuisance, fuel trafficking, cattle rustling, capacity building of junior ranks, and

ple are uncomfortable with going to the police stations,” Commander Langevine said. “I don’t think that’s the way it should be; I stated clearly my open-door policy. A lot of complaints are about

“We shared all the numbers of senior officers, and I hope people make use of that. We want to work with you members of the public; we are being paid to do our job, and we want to ensure we do our job as it should be done.

and if you are dissatisfied at that level, move up and don’t be afraid of what would happen if you complain about someone. “I need the complaints, because that’s the only way we can get it right; I want

Additionally, residents will notice an increase in patrols, including mobile, bicycle and motorcycle on a 24-hour basis, while foot patrols will be conducted between 07:00 and 19:00hrs

Stakeholders at the meeting

Commander Langevine (third left) and his deputies at the Whim meeting

heightened security for the holidays. Among team members were Deputy Commander, Wayne DeHearte; Divisional Traffic Officer, Timothy Williams; Officer in Charge of Number Two Sub-Division, Boodnarine Persaud; and officers in charge of the various stations within the district. There was also an outpouring of complaints about the unprofessional behaviour of some junior ranks amidst calls for better vetting of recruits in the future.

people to be comfortable in airing their views, and seeing what is bothering them because the police have a job to do.” While addressing the various concerns, the commander and team called for increased collaboration with relevant stakeholders to help identify and fix issues. The team made it clear that without the help of the public, they cannot effectively do their jobs, while the commander promised to fix a date where he can meet oneon-one with members of the public.

FEAR OF REPRISAL Stakeholders also complained about their fear of being victimised if they speak out, whereupon the new commander made it crystal clear that his is an open-door policy, so he wants to hear the complaints, as that is the only way they can be addressed. “I have been hearing peo-

‘B’ Division Commander, Paul Langevine handing over a plaque to philanthropist Mustapha Ali

dealing with the constables at the lower level, and I find that if persons are dissatisfied with what they are getting at the lower level, they should try to see someone more senior.

“I don’t want people to be dissatisfied; persons going to the station and not being treated fairly. I don’t want those things to be happening in my division, so I am urging if you go to the station,

HEIGHTENED SECURITY For the holiday season, there will be an increase in security personnel in residential and busy shopping areas. The police also disclosed heightened special operations by CID and intelligence ranks around commercial banks and other business entities.

between December 22 and 24 and 29 to 31. The commander explained that improved police visibility serves as a primary deterrent of the perpetration of a crime. He, however, cautioned members of the public to be vigilant at all times and avoid moving large sums of cash or valuables without proper security systems in place. Meanwhile, philanthropist and religious leader Mustapha Ali of Tain was honoured by Officer in Charge of Number 2 Sub-division, Boodnarine Persaud for his stellar contributions made over the years to the Whim Police Station and Guyana Police Force. Ali received a plaque and a certificate of appreciation from the Guyana Police Force, thanking him for his service over the years and continued partnership.

Contraband found in Timehri Prison Passenger from Guyana nabbed with smuggled birds at JFK

A SEARCH was carried out at the Timehri Prison on Wednesday when over 50 police and prison ranks searched the prison and seized contraband. Items found included one cellular phone, smoking utensils, phone chargers, phone cables, phone air pieces, juckers, cigarettes, cigarette lighters, razor blades, nails and phone batteries.

The items found in the prison raid

JAMAICA, Queens (WABC)-A passenger was arrested last weekend at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens after he attempted to smuggle live birds concealed within hair rollers, authotities said. U. S. Customs and Border Protection agents stopped the passenger who came on a flight from Georgetown, Guyana.

During the course of the inspection, the agents discovered 70 live finches in hair rollers inside a black duffel bag. “CBP Agriculture Specialists are the first line of defence to prevent the introduction of animal diseases that have the potential to cause significant damage to the nation’s agricultural economy,” said Troy Miller, director of field operations, New York Field Office.

A U.S. outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, commonly known as bird flu, resulted in the culling of 50 million commercial turkeys and chickens and $850 million in damages in 2015. The finches were detained under quarantine and turned over to the United States Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services.

Multi-sectoral approach needed to tackle hinterland health challenges –– deputy chief medical officer DEPUTY Chief Medical Officer Dr Karen Campbell said efforts are being made to address the challenges in the provision of healthcare in the hinterland region as Guyana forges ahead to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Dr Campbell gave the assurance on Wednesday at a Guyana Nurse’s Association forum to celebrate Universal Health Coverage Day. “For Guyana to improve the quality of health services and to fulfil its commitment to provide services… we must have wider stakeholder involvement through formalised partnerships. The Ministry of Public Health is prepared to support the improved, coordinated strategic planning which must be in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Communities,” Campbell highlighted. The forum was held at the Regency Hotel and saw the participation of several nurses from various health facilities. The forum saw interactive sessions on the challenges faced in delivering universal coverage across the country, particularly those challenges encountered in remote areas. The challenges include those pertaining to accountability and maintenance of assets, record-keeping and transportation. “For the quality of health services in the hinterland to improve, we will have to boost the structural facilities. It is not acceptable that a midwife has to do a delivery at a community hospital in the hinterland using a flashlight because the wiring for the electricity has been incomplete for over two years,” Campbell declared.

“More consideration needs to be given to those medical professionals being transferred into the remote regions, and some of their concerns addressed, including necessary provisions for their family in the area of availability of academic infrastructure for their children. The regions must plan and make provisions for the accommodation of more health professionals and these provisions ought to respect the dignity of their positions.” Even while focusing on allaying the difficulties faced by medical professionals being transferred into the remote regions, more also needs to go into ensuring those residents native to the areas are given the chance to acquire the necessary skills needed to fill positions and reduce the need to import human resources. RESPONSIBILITY “Regions must take more responsibility to ensure interested persons are identified and trained at all levels of the spectrum of health. I was in Region Nine at a career fair organised by our partners, Peace Corps, and was intrigued by the number of fifth formers who wanted careers in health but didn’t seem to have information or access to application forms, etcetera to realise their dreams,” Dr Campbell related. She was able to put measures in place to facilitate those students accessing the applications. Notwithstanding the challenges, measures are continuously being put in place to slowly but surely tackle the challenges. “The Ministry of Public Health is lobbying for differentiated allowances, especially for health personnel who are

required to be relocated to the hinterland, far away from their family and social support networks,” Dr Campbell shared. “The recent piloting of electronic medical records, intensified training of community health workers, medex and specialists in surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology and paediatrics for deployment into the hinterland locations are but some of the measures being taken to address our human resource shortages across every region.” Chief Nursing Officer Linda Johnson-McIntyre also made remarks at the forum. She emphasised the need for more consideration to be given to the challenges faced by nurses, particularly in the area of mental health. “At WISH 2018 held in Doha, Qatar in November, there was a strong call for promotion of mental health in the workplace. Over the past week, I visited two health facilities and I was able to confirm that there are more conflicts at the service delivery level. And in both cases, persons broke down in tears. There is urgent need for selfcare and the need for routine counselling is evident,” Johnson-McIntyre noted. The forum included a session on “Inter-sectoral Collaborations for addressing mental health issues” presented by MoPH Senior Psychologist, Dr Balogun Osunbiyi.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 13, 2018

NY-based group presses gov’t to probe Jagdeo-era killings

Convicted drug trafficker Shaheed “Roger” Khan

THE New York-based Caribbean-Guyana Institute for Democracy (C-GID) has called on the APNU+AFC coalition government to take action to investigate hundreds of extrajudicial killings and political assassinations, which took place in Guyana between 2001 and 2015. The organisation is calling on CARICOM Heads of government, the United Nations and U.S. lawmakers to intervene to ensure that a mechanism is established to investigate this dark period of Guyana’s history. The killings, the C-GID said, occurred under the Presidency of Bharrat Jagdeo, who is now the country’s opposition leader. Transparency International had ranked Jagdeo’s administration as one of the most corrupt in the world. It is alleged that during Jagdeo’s regime, over 400 mainly Afro-Guyanese men were systematically shot and killed by an alleged PPP-affiliated gang known as the “Phantom” death squad. “The Phantom” was a murder-for-hire gang. C-GID has insisted that these killings constitute “genocide” under international law. No one was ever held accountable. Noting that the APNU+AFC coalition had made extrajudicial killings a central part of its general election campaign platform and had promised an investigation and justice, the group said although the government has been in office for three years, an investigation has not materialised. In a letter to CARICOM Chairman Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness, and other regional leaders, C-GID President Rickford Burke criticised the administration’s inaction. The missive was also dispatched to UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Members of the United States Congressional Black Caucus. The “Phantom” gang was allegedly headed by U.S. convicted drug kingpin, Roger Khan. An alleged financier

of the PPP, Khan allegedly reported to then PPP Minister of Home Affairs, Ronald Gajraj. Leaked telephone records revealed that Khan’s mobile telephone number was in constant communication with Gajraj’s telephone numbers, particularly before and after most killings. Khan was arrested in 2006 by U.S. federal agents in Paramaribo, Suriname and brought to the U.S., where he was prosecuted in a New York federal court for exporting and distributing narcotics in the U.S. He was convicted in 2009 and is currently serving the tail-end of a 14-year sentence in a Florida federal prison. Gajraj was forced to resign after the United State government, under President George W. Bush, condemned his involvement in criminal activities. Jagdeo’s government granted Khan permission to import military surveillance equipment with triangulation capability. The “Phantom” gang allegedly used the equipment to locate and kill targets by tracking their mobile telephones. In 2002, officers conducting a joint military/police sting operation arrested Khan in a vehicle with the equipment, which they confiscated. Subsequently, the Jagdeo administration, allegedly through then head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon, ordered law enforcement officials to release Khan and return the equipment. Publicly released U.S. government cables show that then U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Ronald Bullen, had advised Washington that Khan enjoyed the protection of the PPP government through Gajraj and Luncheon. The ambassador had also notified Washington of meetings with Gajraj’s successor, Minister of Home Affairs Gail Teixeira, from which he concluded that the PPP government was comfortable with Khan because “he was on their side.” A 2006 UN fact-finding mission, headed by international human rights lawyer Gay McDougall, had also concluded that Jagdeo’s PPP regime was complicit in the murders. High-profile assassinations included then Minister of Agriculture Sash Sawh, who had become estranged from the PPP; journalist Ronald Waddell and APNU political activist, Courtney Crum-Ewing; Crum-Ewing was gunned down a few nights before the 2015 general and regional elections. Witnesses have identified the perpetrator as a known security guard with affiliation to a former high-ranking PPP government official. C-GID informed CAR-

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

ICOM leaders that during Roger Khan’s trial in a Federal District Court in the Eastern District of New York, FBI informant Selwyn Vaughn, had testified that after journalist Ronald Waddell was gunned down outside his home, Khan, in his presence, telephoned then PPP Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy and informed him that Waddell had been shot and is being taken to the Georgetown Hospital for which Ramsammy had ministerial responsibility. Vaughn testified that Khan instructed Ramsammy to let Waddell die; Waddell was subsequently pronounced dead. In a July 13, 2009, cable, then Charge d’Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown, Karen Williams, advised the U.S. State Department that Ramsammy had strong links to Khan and as a consequence, the embassy was reviewing its relationship with the Ministry of Health. The C-GID letter said that “In unequivocal terms, there is conclusive evidence implicating or connecting at least five former PPP government officials to the “Phantom” death squad, which murdered hundreds of Guyanese citizens. Nonetheless, there has been no investigation. “These individuals, two of whom are current opposition Members of Parliament, still live in luxury while the victims’ families still mourn and await justice.” The institute posited that this state of affairs is abominable and unacceptable. “The lives of these Guyanese citizens matter. We will wage a relentlessly [sic] fight for justice. We will begin to confront coalition government officials in Guyana and abroad, and urge all Guyanese at home and abroad to do the same. We will not rest until there is justice. If needs be, C-GID is prepared to take this fight all the way to the 2020 general election,” the C-GID statement added.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 13, 2018

CARICOM SG holds talks with Aruba on Associate Membership

CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and Aruba's Prime Minister Hon Evelyn Wever-Croes

Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque met on Wednesday with Prime Minister of Aruba Hon Evelyn Wever-Croes on Associate Membership in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for the Dutch Territory. The Secretary-General will also go on to visit Curacao and St. Maarten this week. CARICOM Heads of Government earlier this year mandated the Secretary-General to begin the process of negotiations with the Dutch Territories in order to better determine their expectations of Associate Membership, and what benefits the relationship could yield for the Community. In a release the Caricom Secretariat said the Heads have also agreed to

continue to examine the issue of an Enlargement Policy for CARICOM which currently has fifteen Full Members and five Associate Members. The Secretary-General was accompanied at his Meeting with Prime Minister Wever-Croes by Assistant Secretary-General for Foreign and Community relations Ambassador Colin Granderson, General Counsel Dr. Corlita Babb-Schaefer, and Adviser Mr. Neville Bissember. The Prime Minister was joined by Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs Mr Edwin Abath. The Secretary-General also paid a courtesy call on Aruba’s Governor H.E. Juan Alfonso Boekhoudt.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 13, 2018

Stop procrastinating …CCJ President urges Caribbean countries to join regional court

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Dec 11, CMC – The President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Adrian Saunders, says while some regional countries that do not need a referendum to join the Trinidad-based court procrastinate, the people of Barbados, Guyana, Belize and Dominica enjoy greater access to justice at the highest level than for example, Jamaicans currently do. Delivering a lecture on the topic “The Role of the Caribbean Court of Justice as an Instrument of Peace and Justice – Seeing from Near, Judging from Far”, here on Monday night, Justice Saunders said that the CCJ which was established in 2001 to replace the London-based Privy Council as the region’s final court, has had a significant impact on the populations of those countries that are full members. While most of the Caribbean countries are members of the Court’s Original Jurisdiction, only Belize, Barbados, Dominica and Guyana are signatories to its Appellate Jurisdiction. The Court also functions as an international tribunal interpreting the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the 15-member regional integration movement. Justice Saunders, the third Caribbean national to head the CCJ, said that he disagrees with the notion that “we need a final court that is geographically remote because distance produces objectivity. “In my view it is imperative that we have a final court that can simultaneously see from near and judge from far,” he said. “What do I mean by saying that we must see from near? To be most effec-

tive, a judge should be at the front and centre of the contest or dispute. And you will notice that judges of all stripes always have the best seat in the house. “But seeing from near involves more than just where you sit. Seeing from near implies a cultural nearness. Ideally, the judge should have knowledge of and be immersed in the culture that gave rise to the dispute. The judge must, so to speak, be on the same page with the people and the issues being judged.” Justice Saunders said this is particularly important in the adjudication of constitutional rights; in those instances where you have to assess and balance the rights of the individual against the rights of the public. “How can you effectively carry out this balancing exercise if you have little awareness of the values, goals and aspirations of the public?” he asked. “So this is what I mean by saying that a judge must be able to see from near. But it is also true that a judge must simultaneously judge from far. This is a mental construct. It means that a judge must be dispassionate, unbiased, impartial, detached. “ In his lecture, Justice Saunders said while it is true that distance, physical separation from the site of the dispute, lends itself to objectivity and that is what some people say they like about the Privy Council, “the truth is, however, that objectivity is a mind-set that any judge worth her salt easily demonstrates. “You don’t need to be physically distant in order to be impartial. Every good judge can be physically near and be objective. But it is not possible to be physically remote and

still be able to see from near. “So, a British judge sitting in London when the dispute is here in the Caribbean cannot be as effective as a Caribbean judge sitting in Port of Spain or in Kingston. This is a truth that the judges of the JCPC not only recognise but they continually express in their judgments, and extra judicially as well.” He told the audience he would like to think of the law as a tapestry of rules and regulations and court judgments all falling under the umbrella of the Constitution. “This tapestry governs every facet of our lives; constraining our choices, shaping our actions, ensuring order and stability, and driving economic and social progress. And it has many creases and corners and crevices that are obscure. The only way some of these obscurities will come to light and be unravelled is when a dispute emerges that touches on them. If access to justice is impeded, these corners and crevices could remain uncertain.” He argued that the apex Court is there to shine a spotlight on the most significant obscurities and that with the CCJ, many more of them can now come before the court for suitable decisions to be made. The CCJ president said that a comparison of the volume of cases heard from Belize before and after that country joined the appellate jurisdiction of the CCJ in 2010 shows a dramatic increase. “The comparable figures for Barbados are even more astonishing. For this year alone, we have heard seven times as many cases as were dealt with in one year by that country’s final court before the CCJ was inaugurated. And

what’s more the demographics of this access today is markedly different. Most of the cases we hear at the CCJ are brought be people who previously would not have been able to have their appeals heard.” Justice Saunders said that even though Jamaica has 10 times the population of Barbados, the Privy Council has given only two judgements from the island as compared with seven from the CCJ for Barbados. “While some states who do not need a referendum procrastinate, the stark reality is that the people of Barbados, Guyana, Belize and Dominica enjoy greater access to justice at the highest level than Jamaicans currently do. By far! “Failure to accede to the CCJ in its appellate jurisdiction frustrates litigants. It denies to poor people justice at the highest level. And retards the development of the rule of law. But, I don’t want anyone to take my word for it. I naturally have a bias. I invite all to examine the statistics for themselves and to think about it,” Justice Saunders added. He said the recent referendum results in Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda, though disappointing, will naturally not deter the CCJ from being an instrument of peace and justice for the people of Barbados, Guyana, Belize and Dominica. “And in our Original Jurisdiction,…we will continue to provide justice for those who, like Shanique Myrie, see it fit to prosecute instances of breaches of the CARICOM treaty,” he added.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 13, 2018

Murder accused appeals conviction, sentence –– on grounds of no real supporting evidence LLOYD Rampersaud, who was sentenced to 70 years imprisonment in 2013 for the murder of Munilall Mangru, whose body was found under a bridge at Triumph, has filed an appeal on both his conviction and his sentence. The hearing took place on Tuesday morning at the Guyana Court of Appeal before Acting Chancellor Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justices of Appeal Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory. Rampersaud’s attorney, George Thomas, said that there were discrepancies in the evidence presented in court during the trial and that there was the absence of any real evidence to support that his client injured or killed the deceased. Rampersaud had been

jointly charged for murder along with his brother, Roy Rampersaud, and on March 8, 2013. The jury returned with a guilty verdict for only Lloyd, as such, his sibling was freed. The body of Munilall Mangru, 42, a grass cutter who earned extra income by doing miscellaneous jobs, was discovered under the bridge that joins Mon Repos to Triumph, East Coast Demerara. Due to Mangru’s battered face and the positioning of the body beneath the bridge, many persons suspect there may have been foul play involved in his death. A fisherman made the discovery while he was casting his net in the trench, and summoned the police.

Hit-and-run driver remanded to prison

FIFTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD Gavin Saunders was remanded to prison after Senior Magistrate Alex Moore refused bail for five traffic charges, which stemmed from an accident involving Pastor Cecil Agard, of the Berbice-based Faith Deliverance Tabernacle Ministries. Saunders, who was unrepresented by counsel, appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to charges of failing to stop, failure to render assistance, being unlicensed driver, uninsured driver, and driving under the influence. He is expected to return to court on December 21. The police instituted the charges following an accident on Monday, December 10, just off the East Canje intersection roadway. The accident involved 76-year-old Pastor Cecil B. Agard, of Nurseville, New Amsterdam. He remains in a critical condition at the New Amsterdam Hospital. Police Prosecutor Inspector Timothy Browne told the court that Agard, who was riding a motorcycle when he was struck, remains in a critical state at the New Amsterdam Hospital. Further, he said investigations are ongoing and additional charges will

be laid shortly. Meanwhile, after performing a marriage ceremony at a home in Sheet Anchor Village, East Canje, at about 20:00hrs, Agard was heading west along the roadway when motor car PPP 2518, in an attempt to overtake collided with the right side of the septuagenarian’s motorbike. Eyewitnesses said the driver immediately turned off his car lights, before speeding away from the scene, leaving the injured man lying on the roadway. However, public-spirited citizens took the pastor to the nearby hospital where he was admitted. Relatives said he underwent an emergency surgery and results showed that he sustained four fractures to the right lower limb. As word spread about the accident, family and church members launched a search for the suspect who was later found hanging out at the Intersection Bar at Winkle Road in New Amsterdam. After a heated exchange, the police were summoned and following a search of Motor vehicle PPP2518, a large bottle of Whisky, a cutlass and several grams of narcotics were unearthed.

Bandits escape after police chase

BANDITS escaped after crashing a black Toyota Allion with registration plates, PSS 3701, during a highspeed chase on the La Parfaite Harmonie Public Road, West Bank Demerara, Tuesday evening. Police said that the vehicle is currently lodged at the Leonora Police Station as investigation continues. Reports indicate that a building contractor who Tuesday night secured his vehicle in front of his Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo home, woke up early Wednesday morning after a resident of the community told him that thieves broke into his vehicle and later escaped in a

The items stolen from another vehicle that was recovered

motorcar. Upon checking, the victim confirmed that an amplifier, a pioneer tape deck and a crossover were stolen. The matter

The car that was left abandoned after the high-speed chase

was reported and based on the description obtained, the vehicle was the same that was seized by the police after a highspeed chase on the La Parfaite Harmo-

nie Public Road, WBD. The vehicle was retrieved from a drain after it crashed and the occupants abandoned the vehicle and fled.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 13, 2018

$75M administrative building for M&CC GOVERNMENT has allocated $75M for an administrative building within the compound of City Hall to allow for the urgent renovations of the entire structure. This was stated by Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan on Thursday during his ministry's 2019 budgetary allocation in the Committee of Supply. “The necessary repairs for the historic building cannot take place simultaneously whilst it is being used, as such relocation of staff is being catered for in the sum of $75M,” he said. He said that the European Union had funded a detailed architectural drawing that was submitted to City Hall. The cost, he said, was US$3M (GYD $600M) that was expended on the architectural design; this sum was obtained through a grant by the European Union. Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira asked the minister what would be the cost to restore the entire building, to which Minister Bulkan replied that it was the responsibility of the National Trust. Bulkan explained that

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

the principle responsibility for addressing the state of City Hall’s building falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Cohesion, since it’s a heritage building. “There has been offers from external sources and I am not referring to the EU at this stage, but by countries in the Middle East that will allow for restoration of that building, so the central government is not only looking towards its own resources, but it is looking for multilateral assistance to save the historical and iconic building,” Minister Bulkan said. In July last, City Hall,

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan during his address

along with the engineer’s and mayor’s buildings, received a digital copy of the architectural design for the restoration of the 19th-century building. The assessment was conducted by overseas-based specialist conservation architects, Francis Maude and Ed Morton. Key findings indicated that the building can be restored in single or multiple phases, and that income can be generated for commercial purposes such as a gallery or museum. Its use, as the seat of the city council, should be retained and a maintenance and repair programme must

be implemented and adhered to. Ambassador of the European Union delegation, Jernej Videtic, had noted the importance of preserving cultural heritage: “Through cherishing our cultural heritage we can discover our diversity and start an intercultural conservation about what we have in common; as it is applicable to the EU, so it is for Guyana.”

The Engineer’s design of part of the plan.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 13, 2018

Mayor denies son is private garbage contractor

MAYOR of Georgetown Patricia Chase-Green has denied allegations that her son is one of the private garbage collectors contracted by the Mayor and City Council, urging those who have been spreading such a rumour to desist and even threatened legal action. The Guyana Chronicle was told that Chase-Green’s son is allegedly the owner of one of the garbage companies registered in Georgetown, but under the name of a close friend of her son. “I wanted

to make a big issue of this thing, but when I checked the registration, I realised it is in the name of her son’s close friend,” the source informed the Chronicle. Another source who prefers anonymity told this publication that this is not the first time he is hearing of this allegation; and that this has been a rumour for quite some time now. However, when asked about the issue, Chase-Green responded that her son at reference does not have a

business and that she does not know the smaller contractors who were hired, other than when she saw them around the horse-shoe table. In the same interview however, Chase-Green confessed that she was “friends” with those smaller contractors. “I am friends with everybody. I have friends all over the place. Cevons is my friend; Puran’s is my friend; all the other small contractors are my friends. So what happened if I talk to someone? And whosoever is giving

you the information should read 28:01 (The Municipal Councils and District Act). And they gotta stop it, or I will carry Chronicle to court, y’all trust me.” Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle and Stabroek News reporters following last Monday’s statutory meeting, Chase-Green said about the allegation: “Let them bring the evidence, I’m fed up of them. I don’t know about that; I’m not aware of that. And if Chronicle got that information, let them deal with it. I am not aware; it is not true. My son’s business? My son don’t have any business. And even if he had a business, the law provided for that. He doesn’t have a business. And whoever is spreading that should say what business they have and what interest they have in it. I don’t know the small contractors, other than when they sat around this horse-shoe table. If anyone of

them is a friend of my son, am I to blame for that? What nonsense!” The M&CC recently opted to hire five smaller contractors to continue garbage collection in Georgetown after the main contractors withdrew their services. Acting Town Clerk Sharon Harry had told the media that the contractors have expressed a willingness to work, notwithstanding the financial constraints plaguing the municipality. Harry had said that the new contractors hired are Granderson, C&S, Trash Tech, Tri Star and Garbage Eaters. Councillor Andrea Marks questioned why the same money being used to pay new contractors could not be used to pay the two main contractors. “It’s very unfair,” she said. “I have a serious problem with taking money to pay fresh contractors, when you can use the same money to pay the old contractors.”

Marks was very upset that around 200 youths who were hired by Cevons Waste Management had to be laid off, especially at this time of year, because the company cannot afford to continue paying them. The two main contractors – Puran Brothers Disposal Services and Cevons Waste Management Inc. – have said it is not a case where they wanted to stop working, but that they simply did not have the money to buy fuel and take care of other costs associated with continuing to work. The contractors had in the past agreed to move the credit facility in the contracts from 21 days to 90 days to allow the City Council more time to pay. However, City Hall has not paid a cent to the contractors since last June, and now wants to move ahead with the smaller contractors only.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 13, 2018

57 locals trained in aquaculture technology By Gabriella Chapman Fifty-seven Guyanese over the past 10 days benefited from a training course on aquaculture technology for Guyana. The training held at the Regency Suite Hotel, was jointly funded and organised by the Fujian Institute of Oceanography (FJIO), Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Department of Cooperative Republic of Guyana. It saw participants from Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Nine and among those present were Fisheries staff, fish farmers, teachers, University of Guyana (Turkeyen and Tain Campus) and Guyana School of Agriculture students and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officers. Speaking with the Chronicle, Fisheries Officer Nakita Dookie said the training course marks round two of the collaborative efforts between the two countries to strengthen capacity building in the local aquaculture technology. “In September 2017, the first training course was conducted with 30 participants. The feedback provided from the first round, raised the need to address more specific areas such as feed formulation, expansion of aquaculture species available for culture and the potential for mariculture in Guyana. The training requests expressed, lead to the need for round two, which is what happened over the past 10 days,” Dookie said. This year’s participants, she said, has a wider range of cross-cutting backgrounds and are all interested in learning sustainable and economically viable aquatic farming techniques. These participants were exposed to practical sessions at the Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Station and a field trip to a shrimp farm in Region Six. “Participants were afforded the opportunity to be part of classroom and practical sessions which were conducted by very experienced and patient lecturers. The sessions were filled with overwhelming amounts of information which was digested and regurgitated through intense questions and answers segments and competitive group presentations. There was a growth in greater interest and appreciation as the time progressed. The participants were able to identify gaps and brainstorm solutions to the way forward. The general feedback by participants

indicated the training course was well received and has implored the need for continuation,” she further noted. OPPORTUNE TIME Dookie said the training session comes at an opportune time for the further development of Guyana’s aquaculture sector through the dissemination of information from the world leaders in aquaculture production, China. Guyana through this programme has equipped its stakeholders with the most recent and efficient technology through the exposure to very experienced and qualified lecturers from Fujian Institute of Oceanography. “China’s rapid development in aquaculture has contributed to food security and generated employment and income for over 4.3 million rural workers in China. Guyana hopes to strengthen its contribution in these regard for its economy through this collaboration.” INFORMATIVE Fisheries Officer Terrence Browne attached to the Ministry of Agriculture, Guyana, who was a participant of the programme, said it was a very informative exercise. “China being a well-developed and diverse country showcased their aquaculture systems and technologies. The People’s Republic of China and the Fujian Institute of Oceanography would have also offered a broad spectrum training activities and their personal development in the aquaculture industry,” Browne said. He stated that the knowledge acquired (both practical and theoretical) will be put into practice. “As a fisheries officer, I will work along with the Aquaculture Unit of the Fisheries Department and engage farmers on having good pond construction. We then have to extend our reach across the country and get farmers into aquaculture farming. However, the most important task ahead of us is feed formulation. We will have to work assiduously in formulating feeds that will be adequate for fish growth,” he shared. He added: “The team from China would have also lamented that our country has very good conditions for vast aquaculture development. So the Fisheries Department will now embark heavily on making Guyana one of the leading countries in the Caribbean in aquaculture production.”

The team from the Fijian Institute of Oceanography with participants of the training course on aquaculture technology for Guyana

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 13, 2018

JCI celebrates Citizen Day with clothing drive By Gabriella Chapman The Junior Chamber In-

ternational (JCI) (Guyana) chapter on Tuesday celebrated their Active Citizen

Day (ACD) with a clothing drive at the Guyana Red Cross Society.

President of JCI (Guyana), Kevin Cornette told this newspaper that the 11th

Junior Chambers (JCI) (Guyana) President Kevin Cornette and other members of JCI (Guyana) make a contribution to a representative of the Guyana Red Cross Society

of December is a very important date on the calendar of JCI members across the globe. “It is a day when we, active citizens, get together to recognise and celebrate the impact of our present actions as we look towards another year of impact and achievements,” Cornette said. He explained that Active Citizen Day was initiated on December 11, 1944 when 30 young active citizens from eight countries met in Mexico City to sign a declaration that led to the establishment of Junior Chamber International. This declaration has stood as a symbol of hope for young people working toward the creation of a more peaceful world. Through active citizenship, he said, JCI encourages young people to take responsibility for local challenges and find targeted, sustainable solutions that benefit their communities and the world. On Active Citizens Day, JCI National and local organisations as well as partner organisations are encouraged to plan and participate in events that inspire active citizenship and create sustainable impact. “As globally-minded young people, we all have rights, responsibilities and

shared goals. We find targeted solutions to local issues benefitting our communities, our world and our future. Embracing new ideas, collaboration and diversity, we have the passion and courage to address the critical challenges of our time,” Cornette expressed. This year, JCI (Guyana) joined the other chapters around the world to commemorate the well anticipated day, and they commemorated it by reaching out to those who are in need. Cornette said that in keeping with the whole idea of the citizen day, their activities indulged in on this day had to be one of impact and one that brings about some sort of change in the lives of others, which will also contribute to the changing of the world. As such, the Guyana chapter chose to bring relief in the form of handing out clothing to those who are in need. “JCI is a global movement that challenges the status quo. Their goal is to inspire young people to recognise their responsibility to create a better world and empower them to drive change,” Cornette said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 13, 2018

Man United lose 2-1 at Valencia and blow chance of top spot

The Red Devils produced a poor display in Spain

VALENCIA (Reuters) - Manchester United endured an undignified end to their topsy-turvy Champions League group stage campaign by losing 2-1 at already-eliminated Valencia on Wednesday and missing their chance of topping Group H. United were already guaranteed a last-16 berth but needed to win and to see Juventus lose to group minnows Young Boys if they were to take the top spot. One-half of the unlikely scenario materialised as the Swiss side beat the Italian giants 2-1 but United blew their chance with a defeat that consigned them to second place. Carlos Soler put the La Liga side ahead in the 17th minute with a powerful finish before United defender Phil Jones scored an embarrassing own goal at the start of the second half to double Valencia’s lead. Substitute Marcus Rashford gave them brief hope of a comeback by heading home in the 87th minute after a rare bright passage of play from the visitors, but Valencia comfortably saw out the victory. Juventus finished top of the group on 12 points, with United on 10. Valencia, who were already assured of third place and qualification for the knockout stages of the Europa League, finished with eight while Young Boys earned four. With one eye on Sunday’s trip to Premier League leaders and historic rivals Liverpool, Jose Mourinho rotated his side, making eight changes from Saturday’s 4-1 win over Fulham, including bring-

ing record signing Paul Pogba back into the fold. Pogba had United’s best opportunity to cancel out Soler’s impressive opening strike following a Marouane Fellaini knockdown but somehow missed the target from close range with the goal gaping. United’s task in turning the game around became significantly harder thanks to a clumsy moment from Jones, who failed to communicate properly with team mate Sergio Romero and slid the ball into his own net. “I think we were too passive in the first half. We were quite comfortable with the ball but not in intensity and ambition,” Mourinho told reporters. “In the second half, I was pretty sure that after speaking at halftime, things could be different but we started with an own goal that gave Valencia a better position to control the game.” Valencia have had a poor campaign in both Europe and La Liga, where they lie 15th in the standings with only three victories, but coach Marcelino said the win had lifted the mood in the dressing room. “I’m happy for the players because they have competed well in many games this season but things haven’t worked out for us. Today, we played with freshness and bravery, and I’m delighted for them because they have suffered,” he said. “There are many tremendous teams in this competition, some real powerhouses. But the thing that counts is winning and, unfortunately, we haven’t picked up enough points.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 13, 2018

India quicks getting the thoroughbred treatment MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - India are treating their pace bowlers like prize-winning thoroughbreds after the series-opening win over Australia in Adelaide, while cautioning them against straining too hard at the reins when the second match gets underway in Perth. Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah took 14 of 20 wickets at Adelaide Oval in a fine debut as a pace trio on Australian soil that helped fire the tourists to a 31-run win on Monday. Former England captain Michael Vaughan wrote on Twitter that India skipper Virat Kohli and actress wife Anushka Sharma had given up their business class seats to two of the quicks for the 3.5 hour flight from Adelaide to Perth on Tuesday. India coach Ravi Shastri said all three were being spared net duties on Tuesday in a bid to freshen up before day one of the second Test starting at Perth Stadium tomorrow. “I think fast bowlers are a precious commodity and

they need to be taken care of like what you do with a racehorse,” India bowling coach Bharat Arun told reporters in Perth yesterday. “And that’s exactly what’s happening.”

Ishant Sharma

Tomorrow’s Test will be the first played at the new Perth Stadium, which has a drop-in pitch and succeeded the WACA as the city’s premier venue for internationals. Perth Stadium curator Brett Sipthorpe is keen to produce a fast, bouncy wicket that would not be out of place at the WACA. Arun said India’s bowlers would welcome that

prospect, following the relatively unhelpful track served up at Adelaide. “Definitely with a little help from the wicket, obviously the bowlers would love that sort of a wicket,” he said.

Jasprit Bumra

“Again, whatever is in the offing, we are happy with it.” However, he said he would urge his bowlers to stick to the same recipe that brought success in Adelaide - consistency and sustained pressure. “You can be carried away with the extra pace and bounce but again you need to understand that on any responsive track, what is

really going to be successful is your consistency,” he said. “And that’s exactly what we’re going to work with the bowlers.” While the quicks were akin to racehorses, Arun lik-

Mohammed Shami

ened spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who took six wickets and bowled a huge load at Adelaide, to a fine wine. “Spinners mature a lot with age, maybe they’re like wine,” he said. “He helped us gain control. He gave us the control, bowling close to 90 overs for 147 runs and six wickets, you can’t ask for better.”

Australia need more Lyon-hearted performances By Ian Ransom

MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - In a once-dominant team, humbled by a cheating scandal and still racked with doubts about its identity, spinner Nathan Lyon has been a reassuring throwback to an age of hard-bitten Australian cricketers who talked the talk and walked the walk. After India completed a 31-run victory in the series-opener on Monday, few of captain Tim Paine’s players will report for duty at the Perth second Test with enhanced reputations. Lyon, however, is not one of them as he burnished his stature at Adelaide Oval by anchoring a gritty tail-end push for a final day victory after he had taken eight wickets with the ball. Australia may have failed in their bid to pull off an unlikely victory, but Lyon ended the match unbeaten on 38 as he ran out of partners at a venue where he wore overalls as a grounds-man eight years ago. A cult hero in Australia, the 31-year-old has been nicknamed the ‘GOAT’ “Greatest of all time” - for

good reason. His 326 Test wickets is a record for an Australian off-spinner, more than double the 141 taken by Hugh Trumble more than a century ago. But the man known as ‘Gazza’ to his team mates has become much more than a sum of his statistics, and seems to add a new string to his bow every season.

14 England team that were whitewashed 5-0 and spoke of “ending careers” in Joe Root’s side on their subsequent tour Down Under in a rant that was denounced widely in British newspapers. He backed up his words with 21 wickets as Australia thrashed England 4-0 to regain the urn they had relinquished in 2015. Lyon also marked himself

Australia’s Nathan Lyon shows the ball as he leaves the field following his 6-wicket haul on day four of the first Test match against India at the Adelaide Oval in Australia, December 9, 2018. (AAP/Dave Hunt/via REUTERS)

Last year under captain Steve Smith, who is currently serving a suspension for ball-tampering, Lyon became the team’s unofficial sledgerin-chief in the lead-up to the Ashes. He first tore into the 2013-

as an elite fielder in the series, with a stunning, one-handed caught-and-bowled effort to dismiss Moeen Ali at Adelaide Oval emerging as the highlight of several brilliant plays. A year later, Lyon ap-

pears to have enhanced his overall repertoire with an improved batting technique. Against India, Australia were staring down the barrel at 104 for four at stumps on day four, still 219 runs short of their victory target, when Lyon issued a rallying cry. “We’ve got a massive sniff here, I believe anyway, in this Test match,” he told reporters, after taking 6-122 to limit India to 307 in their second innings. He called on his team mates to be “heroes” but nearly became one himself in a mature 47-ball knock that was at odds with the usual tail-end slog-fest. It was a result of a winter batting sessions with his brother Brendan Lyon, who runs a coaching school for juniors, state radio reported. Australia head into tomorrow’s Test plagued with doubts about their batting and the wayward form of pace spearhead Mitchell Starc. But with Lyon in the side, they at least have a model for inspiration and grit, qualities sorely needed to turn the four-match series around and deny India a first-ever victorious tour Down Under.

Smalta, Icool boost KFC Goodwill Cup SMALTA and Icool are the latest entities to boost the historic four-team KFC Goodwill Schools Football Cup, which kicks off this Saturday at the Ministry of Education (MoE) ground. Ansa McAl, the parent company of the two brands, has not wasted the opportunity to support this inaugural tournament, which will see local teams and one from Trinidad & Tobago match skills in a round-robin format. Petra Organisation’s co-director, Troy Mendonca, thanked Ansa McAl for its continued support, “Not only on the behalf of our company but also on behalf of the entire football fraternity, we (Petra) want to acknowledge Ansa McAl and we know that this partnership will go a very far way for the development of football.” Mendonca further noted that this tournament is keeping with Petra Organisation’s vision of developing football at the school level and “we hope this tournament will serve as a motivation for children going forward in their career.” The three local teams, Annandale Secondary, Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) of Linden, Annai Secondary of Region Nine, will be joined by T&T’s 2016 School

League champions, Shiva’s Hindu College in three day of scintillating action. “We at Ansa McAl over the years have been very pleased with Petra in its quest to promote and develop football”, explained the sponsor’s Business Development Manager, Errol Nelson. Nelson further noted that “there are many tournaments throughout the year, but few at the grassroots or development level and we know that this tournament will be a success.” The fixtures of the tournament have been released and each day (15th, 18th and 22nd of December) will feature a double-header with games at 17:00hrs and 19:00hrs. Saturday’s games will see CWSS playing Annandale first before Annai clash with Shiva’s Hindu College in the feature match. On the 18th, CWSS will play Annai first, followed by feature play between Annandale and Shiva’s Hindu College. And, the final match day will pit Annandale against Annai at 17:00hrs while the final match of the tournament will be an anticipated clash between Linden’s CWSS and the fearsome youngsters from T&T at 19:00hrs.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 13, 2018

River’s View FC well prepared for GFF/STAG Super 16 Tournament

More support for RHTYSC cricket teams Christmas Village

Priya Rampersaud of Sentinel Security hands over cheque to Hilbert Foster.

River’s View FC captain Godfrey Norton Jr By Michelangelo Jacobus

BARTICA’S top football club, River’s View FC, will be looking to make their mark in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/ STAG ‘Super 16’ year-end tournament, which begins tomorrow (December 14) at the GFC ground. This time around, team captain Godfrey ‘Dingar’ Norton thinks his players are prepared enough to go all the way, having participated in last year’s tournament with disappointing results; In 2017, River’s View FC won their opening game but were defeated in their second match and had to exit the competition as it was a knock-out format. However, Norton explained that there have been

The River’s View FC team

some changes in personnel with at least five new players; “Last year we had a weaker team so we got knocked out in the second round. This time around, we have a major shakeup in the team; the majority of the players who remain from last year are from Goshen (a small Amerindian community opposite Bartica). We have just about five new players”. He also revealed, “It’s been about six weeks since we’ve been training as a unit. We train every day except Sundays. The guys are looking fit; you can tell that the training is paying off. We had a warm-up just last month (November) in Lethem. We won that game 2-1 and our chemistry was where it is supposed to be.” River’s View FC boasts

two former national players in Andel Norton (attacking midfielder) and Aloysius Edwards (right midfield). The midfield is complemented by two inform strikers, Shaquille Hopkinson and Omario Lakes. Norton noted that he, along with that quartet and Anzel Edwards will be expected to play crucial roles for their team to make a mark in the ‘Super 16’. “We play as a team, we are confident of reaching further than last time, the preparation is just half of the victory.” The ‘Super 16’ which kicks off tomorrow at GFC, will see $4M in prize money up for grabs, compliments of Ansa McAl. The tournament will be contested by eight of the ten Elite League clubs (Fruta Conquerors, Milerock,

GDF, Western Tigers, Victoria Kings, Buxton United, Ann’s Grove and Den Amstel FC), along with River’s View FC, Eagles, Police FC, Buxton Stars, Soesdyke Falcons, Santos, Buxton Stars, a combined Berbice team, as well as a combined team from the Essequibo/Pomeroon Association. River’s View have been drawn in Group ‘B’ with GDF, Buxton United FC and the combined team from the Essequibo/Pomeroon Association in Group B. Their first game pits them against Buxton United FC. They will need to win if they are to progress in the tournament. The winners will pocket $1M, second place $1M, third place $500 000 and the fourth-place team will receive a trophy.

THE ten cricket teams of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, from December 21 to 24 will be hosting their fourth annual Christmas Village in the compound of the Rose Hall Town Primary School. The teams - King Solomon Logistics Under-12, Poonai Pharmacy Under-13, Farfan & Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and second division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Female, Gizmos & Gadgets Under-21 and first divisions’ teams have been busy over the last two weeks preparing for both the Christmas Village and Charity programme. Long-serving RHTYSC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster and Assistant Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu are spearheading the preparation for the multimillion programmes. The teams over the last

week received assistance from overseas-based Guyanese Brian Ramphal and Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh, along with Mr Colin Elcock of Delmur Shipping, Noreen Gaskin, CEO of Sentinel Security and First Lady Mrs Sandra Granger. Ramphal, Singh, Elcock and Gaskin donated financially towards purchasing of toys and food items. First Lady Sandra Granger, wife of the Club’s Honorary Patron, His Excellency President David Granger donated a large quantity of toys. Foster expressed gratitude to the donors and reassured them that the donations would be used for the intended purpose. The teams are expected to share out $3M worth of food hampers, clothing, educational materials and toys to children and less fortunate families in Berbice.

FIFA suspends Afghanistan football chief after women’s team abuse investigation LONDON, England (Reuters) - Global soccer body FIFA has provisionally banned the president of the Afghan Football Federation (AFF) Keramuddin Keram from all football-related activities due to an ongoing probe into allegations of abuse in the country’s women’s team. Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani ordered an investigation after Britain’s Guardian newspaper reported

last month that senior figures linked to the Afghan women’s team had alleged that some players had been molested by officials from the football federation. Keram and five other officials had already been suspended from their roles in Afghanistan at the weekend, before FIFA’s statement yesterday. “The investigatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has

President of the Afghan Football Federation (AFF) Keramuddin Keram

provisionally banned Mr Keramuddin Keram from all football-related activities at both national and international level,” FIFA said. “This provisional measure expires 90 days after its notification and may be extended pending proceedings on the merits of the case. “This sanction has been imposed in connection with ongoing investigations concerning AFF officials, as reported by local authorities and

published by some media.” FIFA said Keram’s sanction came into force immediately. According to the Guardian, the alleged abuse took place inside the federation’s headquarters in Afghanistan as well as at a training camp in Jordan last February. The AFF has denied the allegations and said it would fully cooperate with any probe.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 13, 2018

Barker, Ali-Mohamed cop MVP awards for GCA second-division cricket MALTEENOES all-rounder Nickosie Barker and West Indies U-19 cricketer Ronaldo Ali-Mohamed finished as the Most Valuable Players of Zone A and B respectively, in the just concluded Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/Noble House Second-Division Cricket tournament. The pair produced allround efforts for their teams: Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC), who made it to the semi-finals and Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) who won the championship title. MSC skipper Barker scored 151 runs and grabbed 16 wickets, with best bowling figures of 7-46 against Sophia in Zone A, while Ali-Mohamed scored 391 runs, which included three centuries, and took 19 wickets with his best being 6-30 against GYO. The youngster was also instrumental in helping home team GCC to first-innings points in the final of the competition over the weekend. Ali-Mohamed was also

Nickosie Barker (right) collects his MVP award.

Ronaldo Ali-Mohamed was also instrumental in the final last weekend.

Rules were broken to replace Kumble with Shastri - Edulji By Nagraj Gollapudi and Siddharth Monga THE controversial chapter in Indian cricket, concerning Anil Kumble’s stepping down last year as the head coach, has been reopened with Diana Edulji, one half of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), revealing the BCCI had “broken rules” while appointing Ravi Shastri as a replacement. Edulji said that Virat Kohli, India captain, constantly sent messages to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri about Kumble, which eventually led to Kumble’s resignation. Kumble stepped down as India head coach a year into the job after he was told by the BCCI that Kohli had “reservations” with his style of coaching

and over him continuing in the role. Kumble’s contract was a year-long one, till the 2017 Champions Trophy. The BCCI had already advertised the job in late May, just as India landed in England for the Champions Trophy. Kumble was one of the six applicants after the BCCI said he would be a “direct entry”. The entire process was overseen by the CoA and the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman. At the behest of the CoA, the CAC met Kohli to patch up the differences amicably, but failed. Nonetheless, the CAC informed the BCCI that Kumble was its preferred choice. Consequently, the BCCI extended the deadline and that is when Shastri applied

and was finalised as the head coach till 2019 World Cup. Edulji has now said that the entire selection process was fraught. Edulji’s revelations come as part of her disagreement with Vinod Rai over the appointment of an ad-hoc committee to pick the India women’s team head coach.

Ravi Shastri

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday November 30, 2018)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) (1) (2)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: Bangladesh won by 5 wickets Mashrafe Mortaza (BANG)

(1) (2)

TODAY’S QUIZ: What was the result of the second ODI of the current WI/Bangladesh series? Who was declared Man of the Match?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Anil Kumble

While senior players like the T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana requested the CoA and BCCI to continue with the interim coach, Ramesh Powar, Rai said players

cannot pick coaching staff through votes. Miffed at that comment, Edulji pointed to the example of Kohli playing the decision-maker during Kumble’s standing down. “Virat did not accede to Kumble continuing in spite of CAC saying so then why not these two players get what they feel is best for the team,” Edulji wrote to Rai in an email sent on Monday. The email, seen by ESPNcricinfo, was also marked to the three BCCI office-bearers, along with several of BCCI top management. “I see nothing wrong in women cricketers writing emails re the coach,” Edulji wrote. “They were truthful in expressing their views unlike Virat who frequently sent sms (messages) to the CEO on which you acted and there was a change in the coach. “There also I had objected and my dissent is recorded when the timelines were extended for someone to apply, as he didn’t apply in time. Mr Kumble, a legend in his own right, was subjected to loss of face and made to look like a villain. He was gracious enough to move on for which I respect him. There also rules were broken and I had raised objections back then.” In his response, Rai admitted Kohli’s hand. “Yes, there were differences between Virat and Kumble. As a consequence of that Kumble stepped back. (ESPN Cricinfo)

rewarded for recording the highest individual score, 177 for Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) in April. Despite their all-round performance, Everest Cricket Club (ECC) left-arm spinner Javed Rasheed and GYO’s Yuedister Persaud grabbed the most wickets and made the most runs in the preliminary round of the competition. Persaud struck 422 runs at an average of 55.25 while Rasheed, who also finished with best bowling figures in the early rounds, 9-51 vs Diplomats, nabbed a total of 26 wickets. P o l i c e S p o r t s C l u b ’s Chemroy Kendall was also rewarded for his outstanding performance in the field. In the final over the weekend, GCC got past Police via first-innings points. Seam bowler Bernard Bailey fired in 6-36 in the first innings to finish with a matchhaul of 10-120, while Police’s Paul Tyndell struck the lone half-century of the game - an unbeaten 73.

CSKA inflict heaviest ever home European defeat on Real Madrid MADRID, Spain (Reuters) - Real Madrid suffered their heaviest ever home defeat in Europe yesterday when the already-qualified Spaniards were thumped 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu by CSKA Moscow in the Champions League. The Russian side’s remarkable victory, however, was still not enough to secure them a spot in the Europa League as they were pipped to third place in Group G by Viktoria Plzen. Feder Chalov put CSKA in front against the group winners and triple Champions League holders with a curling shot in the 37th minute and Georgi Shchennikov doubled the visitors’ advantage two minutes before halftime with a scrappy volley on the rebound. Iceland international Arnor Sigurdsson struck a remarkable third goal for the Russians in the 73rd minute, completing an unlikely second victory for CSKA over Madrid in this Champions League campaign and provoking loud boos and whistles from the unhappy home supporters. CSKA’s only two wins in the competition this season have come against the 13-time winners and they finished bottom of the group on seven points due to their inferior head-to-head record against Plzen, who beat AS Roma 2-1. Real, who were already guaranteed top spot, remained on 12 points while Roma, who had clinched second place in the group, ended on nine. Madrid coach Santiago Solari made seven changes from the side who had scraped a 1-0 vic-

tory over La Liga basement club Huesca on Sunday, including handing winger Vinicius Jr and defender Javi Sanchez their first starts in the Champions League. “It was important to give the young players and those coming back from injury a chance to play but we did not expect this result,” Solari told reporters. “I took risks with the starting lineup we played and I take responsibility for that. We weren’t convincing in our box or the opposing area but they were, and that’s why the game turned out how it did.” CSKA also won 1-0 in the Russian capital in October when Julen Lopetegui was in charge of the Spaniards, a result which sparked the beginning of the end for the Spanish coach’s brief spell in charge of Real. Spain international Marco Asensio came close to giving Real the lead when he struck the post midway the first half but CSKA grew in confidence as the game progressed, particularly after taking the lead. Hoping to spark a second-half revival, Solari threw on Gareth Bale but had a scare when the injury-prone Wales forward appeared to hurt his ankle and required treatment on the pitch, but he was eventually able to continue. Solari, who has won eight and lost two games since succeeding Lopetegui, said he had no complaints with the fans booing his side’s display. “It’s normal for the fans to express themselves if they do not like what they see, but we did not like it either,” he added.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 13, 2018

Fernandes retains GMRSC Endurance trophy ADRIAN Fernandes of Team Ramchand Wreckers is the 2018 Endurance Champion of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMRSC). Fernandes, who drives the 211 Toyota Levin, sponsored by Gillette and operating under the Ramchand Wreckers team was his usual timid self after the receipt of the award. Speaking to Chronicle Sport afterwards, he said, “The team did a great job but I have to say that the car stood up (to the pressure) and it performed. I’m just happy to have the trophy.” Fernandes scored a perfect 75 points from three endurance outings. Romeo Singh picked up the unlimited class champion driver with 43 points while there was a threeway tie in the 1601-2000cc class between the teams of Roshan Ali and Shan Seejattan, Mohamed Ali and Rameez Mohamed and Syed Hassan with 25.

Adrian Fernandes (left) and Team Ramchand Wreckers’ owner Anand Ramchand.

Balram Ramdeo won best mechanic for drag and endurance categories.

Bikes were introduced into Endurance racing this year.

Seejattan and Ali were given the trophy however, having done the most laps while the 0-1500cc went to Haniff Mohamed and Raymond Seebarran. Meanwhile in the Drags division, Pankraj Ramdeo with 249 points won the 15-second class, Rayon Brijpal with 179 points won the 14-second class and the 13-second class winner was Narindradutt Mangar with 218 points. Romeo Singh with 184 points snagged the 12-second class with Chet Singh taking the 11-second class with 147 points and Damion Singh taking the 10-second class (310) points. The nine-second class was won by Raj Panday while the unlimited class was picked up by team Mohamed’s Enterprise. Balram Ramdeo won the best mechanic for both Endurance and Drag racing, 249 points ahead of Sean Persaud 1073, and Anil Persaud with 631 points.

Regional Four-Day championship

Jaguars, Hurricanes take centre stage in second round matches ST JOHN’S, Antigua – One of the fiercest rivalries in the regional game will be renewed when early front-runners Leeward Islands Hurricanes and four-time defending champions Guyana Jaguars grab the spotlight in the second round of the West Indies Championship, starting today. The clash between the two first-round winners here at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, just outside the Antigua & Barbuda capital, will be the key contest of a full slate of matches. Jamaica Scorpions and Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, the two sides that were out of action in the first round of matches, due to unavailability of a match venue, will kick off their campaign also today. Scorpions will be on the road and feature in a contest against first-round losers Barbados Pride at the Three Ws Oval, and Red Force will host Windward Islands Volcanoes, another side that lost in the first round, at the Brian Lara

Cricket Academy.

HURRICANES VS JAGUARS IN NORTH SOUND, ANTIGUA Both teams enter the contest with confidence, having won their opening matches of the season. Hurricanes prevailed over Pride to shoot to the top of the standings, an unfamiliar place in recent years, and narrowly ahead of Jaguars, winners over Volcanoes. With batting being the key for Jaguars and bowling the strength for Hurricanes, it looks like the match will be ultimately decided on how well the home team’s batting can cope with the varied bowling attack of the visitors. As one of the two sides that have beaten the Jaguars in the Professional Cricket League era of the Championship – and twice – including a Championship record run chase – Hurricanes will fancy their chances. The hosts will also take comfort that the last time the

two sides played at this venue, they dominated a drawn match.

Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson PRIDE VS SCORPIONS IN CAVE HILL, BARBADOS Pride will be stung by their setback in the first round and will be looking to kick-start their season, but this will be the first match of the season for Scorpions and they will be looking to do a similar thing.

History favours Pride in this contest: They have won four of the eight contests between the two sides in the PCL era – including three on home soil, albeit they were all played at Kensington Oval, a few kilometres south from this venue. The last time Scorpions cracked Pride code however, was four years ago at Kensington Oval, so there is hope for them to break the streak. Paul Palmer has taken over the captaincy of Scorpions once again and will looking for greater stability from his side than the last time he was in charge. Both teams look well-balanced on paper with the return of Windies Test opener Kraigg Brathwaite and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican giving Pride a boost. With the likes of Jermaine Levy, Chadwick Walton and former Pride batting all-rounder Kenroy Williams in Scorpions line-up and very familiar with the conditions

having played competitively in Barbados, the outcome will be decided on the team that harness their talent and hold their collective nerves the best.

RED FORCE VS VOLCANOES IN TAROUBA, TRINIDAD This will be the first game of the season for the Red Force and they too will be looking to get the better of a Volcanoes side that stumbled in the first round. Red Force are under new leadership with long-standing leg-spinner Imran Khan taking over from Denesh Ramdin, but they will again be without a number of notable faces for one reason or the other, which has been their challenge over the last few seasons, losing valuable experience to give them the edge. The home team will relish facing the visitors, considering they have won three of their last four matches against them, including two on home soil, albeit at Queen’s Park Oval in

the Trinidad capital of Port-ofSpain. Both teams are packed with a number of young players and how they cope with the pressure will ultimately decide the outcome.

SQUADS: HURRICANES (from) – Devon Thomas (captain), Sheno Berridge, Nelson Bolan, Keacy Carty, Rajendra Chandrika, Rahkeem Cornwall, Montcin Hodge, Damion Jacobs, Alzarri Joseph, Jeremiah Louis, Orlando Peters, Akeem Saunders, Terance Warde IN–Bolan, Cornwall; OUT–Sheldon Cottrell, Daniel Doram JAGUARS – Leon Johnson (captain), Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Bramble, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Trevon Griffith, Tevin Imlach, Keon Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul, Akshaya Persaud, Clinton Pestano, Romario Shepherd, Vishaul Singh.

German’s Restaurant on board Exxon Futsal Festival

Lakeisha Pearson receives sponsorship cheque from German’s CEO Clinton Urling in the presence of Kashif Mohammad.

“WE operate within the community and, as part of German’s social responsibility, it’s important for us to give back to that same community that supports us throughout the year. This is one of the initiatives that we’re proud to be associated with, that is, the International Futsal Festival,” said Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of German’s Restaurant, Clinton Urling, as he presented a monetary contribution for the upcoming tournament. The presentation was today made at the eatery’s New Market Street headquarters and received by Lakeisha Pearson and Kashif Mohammad on behalf of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF.) Urling, in extending best wishes for a successful tournament, said the reach of the sport and the organisations involved have motivated his sponsorship. “Sports reach a wide cross-section of youths, fans and people overall and at German’s, any opportunity we get, (would support) especially organisations such as GFF and Kashif and Shanghai. “That was the main impetus for us to get involved in this competition and we look forward to both organisations’ hosting of a successful tournament.” The four-day festival is scheduled to kick off on December 27 at 18:00hrs with six matches, each being played on the hour culminating with the final match at 23:00hrs. It will feature eight teams placed in two groups including Morvant Caledonia United from Trinidad and Tobago, ZV All-Stars from Suriname and a Sao Paula selection from Brazil. Other local teams are an East Coast All-Stars, Linden All-Stars, Georgetown All-Stars and West Demerara All-Stars. The winning team will pocket $1.2M, while the losing finalists will receive half that amount. Third- and fourth-placed finishers will collect $300 000 and $100 000 respectively.

Young Boys stun Juventus Smalta, Icool boost KFC Goodwill Cup with Hoarau brace Page

Young Boys’ Guillaume Hoarau scores their first goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Denis Balibouse BERN (Reuters) - Two goals from striker Guillaume Hoarau led Young Boys to a shock 2-1 Champions League win over already-qualified Juventus on Wednesday after Ronaldo missed several chances for the Serie A side and Paulo Dybala had a stoppage-time goal disallowed. Dybala, who had pulled

Juventus back into the game with a goal in the 80th minute, thought he had equalised with a long-range shot, but it was chalked off for offside when Ronaldo leapt at the ball in front of goalkeeper Marco Woelfli but did not make contact. Juventus finished top of Group H despite the defeat after Manchester United also

lost to Valencia. The Swiss side finished bottom despite notching their first-ever win in the Champions League group stage. Hoarau opened the scoring with a penalty on the half hour and struck again in the 68th minute in a match which will long be remembered by the Swiss club.

From left, Errol Nelson, Icool brand coordinator Fharis Mohamed, Petra’s Mark Alleyne and Troy Mendonca during the simple presentation of sponsorship at the MOE ground yesterday.

Fernandes retains GMRSC Endurance trophy »

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2018