Issuu

GPSU rejects 10% …wants gov't to return to bargaining table No. 104663

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

Swift justice

Dead: Osmond Griffith

…US unveils $198M project to boost justice delivery P.9

Rice export earnings top $29.9B

…over 310 tonnes exported for first half of 2016 P.18 Ex GWI Debt Manager:

Freddie Kissoon faeces-throwing trial

Key witness killed

…speeding driver claims was hired by two gunmen 3

'I was fired for going after big companies' 13 P.

SOCU should remain a police unit ‒ Ramjattan 5 P.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 3, 2016

'QQ' gunned down in 'South' ‒ was previously charged with illegal possession of gun, ammo By Michel Outridge MARK Anthony, called “QQ”, a 22-year-old of Lot 1238 Canje Pheasant Lane, South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown, was gunned down on Thursday night while liming with friends at the shortcut at Layou Street, North Ruimveldt. The incident reportedly occurred at about 22:00h, when a tinted vehicle pulled up at the location and two men exited and opened fire at Anthony. He was shot in the abdomen, chest and back, and succumbed while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital. WE ARE AFRAID When the Guyana Chronicle visited the crime scene on Friday morning, residents expressed fear and concern at the spate of armed robberies in the area and the frequent gunplay that accompany such incidents. Persons in Layou Street said it is normal for that particular group of young men to be sitting at that spot every night; and they saw when a man walked up to the young men, took out a gun, and started to discharge rounds at Anthony. A shop owner said she was about to close up for the evening when she heard rapid gunfire and observed three men who were liming at the street corner scaling the front

As to his other runs-in with the law, Wilson said she is certain her loved one had been innocent of those fabricated gun and ammunition charges. CHEQUERED PAST Police had, on December 5, 2015, reported that at about 10:30hrs, ranks had stopped a vehicle with “obscure number plates” at Regent Street and Avenue of

Mark Anthony’s residence

fence in a bid to escape from the gunmen. The trio entered her yard but escaped through an open back gate and hid in the alley. The frightened woman disclosed that after the gunfire ended, her relatives came out to the verandah and saw Anthony crawling at the side of the yard. He begged them to call a car for him; they complied, and thus he was placed in a Green Ice taxi by his friends and residents and taken to the hospital. A GOOD PERSON A pall of gloom permeated the atmosphere at Anthony’s residence as his sister, Malika Wilson, cried while recalling that her brother was

at home all day and until the afternoon on Thursday, when he left home. She said Anthony was unemployed, and would leave home to lime with friends in Layou Street, North Ruimveldt only in the afternoon. Wilson said she was told that two men came up and opened fire at her sibling; who tried to escape, but the men ran after him and continued shooting in his direction. Unaware of the motive for Anthony’s execution-style killing, the griev-

The shortcut at Layou Street, North Ruimveldt where Anthony was shot

ing Wilson disclosed that a few months ago the police had been picked up her brother for a robbery, but he was released after the victims had failed to point him out during an identification parade.

the Republic, Georgetown. Four occupants had allegedly been in that vehicle. A search had been conducted on the vehicle, and guns and ammunition were unearthed. That interception was made as

Dead: Mark Anthony, known as “QQ”

part of the then Joint Services operation dubbed “Operation Dragnet”, geared towards enhancing national security. That stop-and-search had spawned the allegation that Lance Corporal Aaron Eastman, 27; Mark Anthony, 22; Andrew Davis-Escott, 25; and Brian Escott, 27, were carrying an unlicensed sawn-off pump action shotgun with matching rounds, and an unlicensed .32 revolver with matching rounds on December 5, 2015 at Robb Street. They were charged with having both the weapons and ammunition without being holders of firearm licences. That charge against Anthony was later dismissed.

Job loss at Barama tied to dwindling market share THE Ministry of Natural Resources on Friday refuted statements attributed to trade unionist Lincoln Lewis that approximately 70 workers of Barama Company Limited (Barama), a logging company, have been “sent home” as a result of the non-renewal of their contracts. Stabroek Business in its Friday, September 2, 2016 edition said that with the impending expiration of Barama’s five-year contract in October this year, and no indication of renewal of same, hundreds of local workers of the company are likely to be laid off. “Lewis, who visited the Barama Land of Canaan offices on Tuesday where he

engaged both management and workers, disclosed to this newspaper that with effect from yesterday, approximately 70 Guyanese employees were retrenched,” Stabroek Business reported. Lewis reportedly told that newspaper that based on his exchange with officials of the company, government had not provided recent information on renewal of the company’s contract. But the Ministry of Natural Resources maintains that the information published by the Stabroek News amounts to misinformation. In a statement to the media, the ministry said, “The facts are that the Barama Co Ltd has been continuously informing the Ministry of

the Natural Resources and the Guyana Forestry Commission about its loss of market share in Asia which is affecting its profitability, and challenges experienced by bad weather conditions. The Ministry of Natural Resources rejects any assertion that the loss of jobs is tied to the renewal of Barama’s contract and calls on the company to set the record straight.” Additionally, the Ministry of Natural Resources said that at the request of Barama for its contract to be renewed with the government last year, Cabinet gave its ‘no objection’ to continuing the relationship with the logging company, but called for the establishment of a task force to examine the request. “This task force was deemed necessary given the rapacious activities of some foreign companies operating in the forests of Guyana, and some not-so- positive observations that had been expressed about Barama in

particular.” The task force comprised representatives of the Ministries of Business, Natural Resources, Public Infrastructure and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Guyana Forestry Commission and a Legal Consultant. The task force met on several occasions and visited the Barama operations at Buckhall, Essequibo. Subsequent to those meetings, the legal consultant began reviewing the existing contract, forest concessions, and tax incentives previously enjoyed by the company, while other members of the team examined critical issues such as workers’ rights, value-added operations and environmental management practices, to name a few. The Task Force’s final report is to be submitted to Cabinet for review and approval before September 30.

GPSU rejects 10% GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 3, 2016

…wants gov't to return to bargaining table THE country’s main union representing public servants, the Guyana Public Service Union, has rejected the salary increases proposed by Government, and has called on the Government of Guyana “to observe the rules of the legally binding agreement between the Government and the Union for the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes and return to the bargaining table.” Government’s proposed increases are designed to afford the lowest paid public servants a 10% increase on their salaries; and the Friday decision of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) could be deemed inconsequential as President David Granger has already declared that the increases Govern-

ment has offered would be paid because the Finance Ministry is looking to wrap up the budget estimates for presentation to the National Assembly on December 5, 2016. By virtue of a resolution, the GPSU’s General Council has said Government’s offer, which would see the highest paid public servants receiving salary increases representing one percent of their earnings, was unacceptable. That resolution has also mandated further engagement between the negotiating team of the Union and the APNU+AFC coalition Government, which last Wednesday announced its final offer, saying it was based on what could be afforded at this time. What Government has

proposed as its final offer is 10 per cent increase for persons earning $99,000 or less; six percent for persons who earn between $100,000 and $299,000; five percent for those earning between $300,000 and $799,000; two percent for those earning between $800,000 and $999,000; and one per cent for those earning above $1M. President Granger said on Thursday that while the payout would be made, Government is still committed to continuing talks with the GPSU. The President said Government’s final offer has resulted from the overwhelming amount of indebtedness that exits. “I am not saying that the public servants do not deserve more, but we did everything that is possible…we

entered into negotiations in good faith…we haven’t discontinued negotiations, but that is the final offer we put on the table because we have to prepare next year’s budget and we have to tidy up this business before the next quarter,” President Granger told reporters. GPSU President, Patrick Yarde, in his opening address to the General Council, called for an examination of the country’s mid-year report; namely, Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s statement that less than half of the budgetary allocations has been spent, and that the subsidy allocated to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) as passed in the national budget has been paid over in full. He has said that Government has failed

President of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Patrick Yarde

to provide the Union with requested information. According to Yarde, GPSU’s negotiators have been informed that an additional $3B are to be provided to GuySuCo, thus he asked members whether the extent of the Government’s pay offer is consistent with its own stated commitment to

offering public servants a “living wage.” He also asked the Council to consider whether the offer from Government was consistent with the Union’s concern that public servants be removed from the ranks of the employed poor; and he questioned whether the Government’s “final offer” was reflective of the spirit of fair and honourable discourse. “Critically, we must ask ourselves this question: Where does all this leave us as Public Servants, as individuals, as members of families, and as Guyanese?” The GPSU had proposed differentiated increases for all of the salary bands spanning three years. It had requested that the offer should begin with a flat increase of $7,500 monthly added to the salaries of public servants as at December 31, 2015.

Freddie Kissoon faeces-throwing trial

Key witness killed By Michel Outridge FORTY–year–old Osmond Griffith of Durban Backlands, Georgetown was struck down by a speeding car while urinating on the Goedverwagting Railway Embankment early on Friday morning. ‘C’ Division Police Commander Paul Williams confirmed to the Guyana Chronicle that Griffith had been a key witness in the ongoing ‘Freddie Kissoon faeces-throwing’ trial being heard in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, and had been slated to testify before Magistrate Judy Latchman. The Commander explained that Griffith and his friend, driver of motor car PJJ 8028, had left the usual “Thursday night Line Top Lime” at Plaisance at about 1:00hr, and as the vehicle was nearing the Goedverwagting Road, Griffith had asked that the car be stopped so he could urinate. While relieving himself at the side of the road, a speeding and seemingly out-of-control hire car, HC 4399, reportedly struck down Griffith, who early Friday morning succumbed to the severe injuries

he had sustained. The car in which Griffith was travelling was reportedly proceeding west along the Plaisance Railway Embankment, and the taxi was heading in the same direction, according to Commander Williams. A breathalyser test done on the taxi driver revealed that his alcohol consumption was above the prescribed limit, and he remains in police custody following the incident. This newspaper understands that the taxi driver reportedly told the police that he was also liming at the “Line Top”, and was hired by two persons, one of whom he claimed placed a gun to his head. The taxi driver reportedly stated that when he turned to look at the gunman, he lost control of the car and struck down Griffith. Given that Griffith was a key witness in the trial, the Commander said, the police will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident in order to clarify if there was foul play. Kwame McCoy, Jason Abdulla and Shawn Hinds have been charged in relation

to the 2010 assault on newspaper columnist Freddie Kissoon. MCcoy is a former Liaison Officer under the PPP government, Hinds is a self-confessed death squad member, and Abdulla is a PPP member. The men are currently each on $100,000 bail for allegedly assaulting Kissoon on May 24, 2010 at Georgetown. McCoy, Abdulla and Hinds allegedly walked up to Kissoon and threw faeces in his face after he had emerged

from the Nigel Supermarket at Robb Street, Georgetown. Kissoon managed to drive behind the perpetrator, who ran north along Light Street, then

…speeding driver claims was hired by two gunmen west into North Road, before jumping into a waiting white AT 192 Toyota Carina motorcar and escaping. A soiled Kissoon tried to intercept the

car, but backed off to avoid a collision. Abdulla and Hinds have reportedly confessed to the crime while in custody.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 3, 2016

After huge Venezuela protest march, government says foils coup

(REUTERS) VENEZUELA’S socialist government said on Friday it thwarted a coup plot this week as opponents planned to build on their biggest protest in more than a decade with further street action demanding a referendum to remove the president. Buoyed by rallies in Caracas on Thursday that drew hundreds of thousands, the opposition coalition is planning more marches on Sept. 7 to demand a plebiscite against President Nicolas Maduro this year. But with the election

board dragging out the process and Maduro vowing there will be no such vote in 2016, it is hard to see how the opposition can force it. “It was the day they wanted: massive, peaceful and inspirational. But that success leaves a key question in the air: ‘What next?’” wrote pollster Luis Vicente Leon in the aftermath of Thursday’s opposition-dubbed ‘Takeover of Caracas’. As the Democratic Unity coalition detailed its timetable for future actions, the government convened

foreign diplomats on Friday to show how the arrest of several activists and capture of weapons evidenced plans to topple Maduro by force. “We have frustrated the intended coup d’etat,” Interior Minister Nestor Reverol told the diplomatic corps. Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez added: “Yesterday, we stopped a massacre.” Like his predecessor Hugo Chavez, Maduro frequently denounces coup and assassination plans, bringing ridicule from foes who say he is inventing them to justify repression and distract Venezuelans from their economic crisis. Reverol said this week’s detention of opposition activists Carlos Melo

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez talks with Venezuela’s Interior and Justice Minister Nestor Reverol, during a meeting with the Diplomatic Corps in Caracas, Venezuela September 2, 2016. (REUTERS/Marco Bello) and Yon Goicoechea had led to the capture of arms and explosives in a makeshift camp a few kilometers from the presidential palace. They included a sniper’s rifle, Reverol said, showing photos of the arms. He added that five policemen were injured in skirmishes with stone-throwing youths after Thursday’s opposition rallies. The opposition said the troublemakers, who clashed briefly with police and National Guard troops in several parts of Caracas, were infiltrators. Thursday’s main events passed off peacefully, with the opposition saying more than a million protesters flooded Caracas, wearing

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white and chanting “This government will fall.” They want to activate a referendum on Maduro as allowed by the constitution half-way through his term. But if it drags into 2017, and Maduro loses, it would be a Pyrrhic victory for the opposition as Maduro’s handpicked vice president would take over for the ruling party. Opposition leader Henry Ramos said calling the push for a recall referendum part of a coup plot was “crazy, a psychiatric problem.” “This is a government in its death throes, trying to avoid a popular vote because it knows it’s finished.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 3, 2016

SOCU should remain a police unit ‒ Public Security Minister Ramjattan PUBLIC Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has said he is not in agreement with removing the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) from under the Guyana Police Force, neither does he believe that SOCU would be called upon to investigate cases which are to be dealt with by the security force. However, he is arguing that Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo’s contention that SOCU will now be involved in all police investigations is ludicrous. “That’s not true!” Ramjattan declared on Friday. He told reporters that SOCU is a police unit and every police unit has to be involved in investigations of all kinds. “The emphasis here is on anti-money laundering offences and the anti-terrorist offences, and that which the Anti-money laundering provisions provide for. That is what they have been doing all along; and included in that would be financial crimes, white collar crimes etc.,” Ramjattan stated. The Minister made it clear that SOCU’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were not amended to facilitate new things. “But if there is an anti-terrorist crime which results in murder, are you telling me that this unit will deal with the anti-money laundering [aspect] but when it comes to the mur-

der they send it back to the homicide squad?” Ramjattan asked. SOCU, the Minister said, will proceed with all the requisite investigations, because there are many inter-related components. “I thought it was ludicrous that here…was a person…criticizing what we did by setting up the standard operating procedures and quarrelling with it, when they set up SOCU and never had any SOP…. And now you do something and he is yelling at you in relation to ‘Oh, they are going to catch thieves around the corner.’ That’s not what SOCU is all about,” Minister Ramjattan said. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said on Thursday that SOCU ought to remain within the Guyana Police Force, but that it should fight only financial crimes. In his opinion, should SOCU be separated from the GPF, Opposition figures would be targeted. “You don’t know how they will act, and they will be influenced to take political action against opponents; and so we believe that the unit was set up under the police to support the FIU (Financial Intelligence Unit). The FIU doesn’t need a policing arm,” he said at a press conference held at Freedom House. Jagdeo argued that the separation of the two would allow for mismanagement

by those who fall within the body. He said that while the GPF may have unpredictable behaviours, it is “governed by laws, protocols, regulations and Standard Operating Procedures; so you can, 90 per cent of the time, anticipate how they will act,” as they are mandated to comply with the established rules. Jagdeo’s comments followed those of Attorney General Basil Williams’s who wants SOCU to focus on fighting money laundering. Williams believes that being a unit within the Police Force may prove burdensome for SOCU. He said the Unit can ill afford to lose focus of its primary functions in policing the new Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime. The Attorney General said, too, that his administration does not want to be accused of stymieing the operations of SOCU so as to hamstring progress under the AML/CFT legislation. “So SOCU is a specialised agency and we have to work out… Nothing has come to Cabinet yet…to really determine its scope; but you know, being in the

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

FATF world, the CFATF world, the impression I have (is that) SOCU is really to be a kind of independent body,” Williams told the media at a recent press briefing. He said the Unit, an arm of the GPF, will have to be examined further. Asked whether he was suggesting that the current situation lends itself to interference, Williams said, “Well, it is embedded in the Guyana Police Force and the reporting arrangements; it would appear to be police commissioner and all that. Cabinet hasn’t really dealt with that issue, but it needs to address it. The important thing is that we cannot remove SOCU (from) its core functions, and that is to investigate crimes under

the AML/CFT regime.” Meanwhile, the Minister of Public Security said that while his opinion on the removal differs from that of the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs’, there must be a

collective decision on the way forward. “I would still want it to come under the Police Force because it is a policing authority, and that’s my personal opinion. Of course we have to collectively agree. I think the Attorney General has a different perspective to the issue; and of course, like we do on everything right down to contracts, we will debate and then make a decision,” Ramjattan told reporters. = SOCU, which falls under the Police Commissioner, is responsible for financial crimes along with other crimes, including but not limited to, human, drugs and arms trafficking; murder, piracy, racketeering; counterfeiting as well as environmental crimes.

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Sunday Editor

Neil Marks

Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com

Editorial

The necessity of SOCU and SARU THE Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) are important in the fight against crime and holding to account those responsible for such conduct. SOCU provides reinforcement to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act, in that it aids efforts to ensure that money acquired through illicit activities is not being placed in officialdom. SARU seeks to track assets of the state in efforts to ensure they were/are not being misappropriated. Laws and rules are, in the two stated instances, necessary to avoid the privileged and well-connected from abusing their position and acquiring wealth through illicit means. And at the level of Government, it signals commitment to engage in the practise of good governance. Where these institutions are expected to be given the requisite resources to execute their mandate, it helps the country’s image and bodes well in reducing the perception of corruption on the international transparency index. This society has experienced public officials -- known to be on fixed income -- moving from rags to riches in a very short period. Citizens have also seen disregard for the functioning of the Integrity Commission and Revenue Authority, both of which are legal entities. Stories can be recounted of officials’ abuse of state property. A prevalent instance is the use of state motor vehicles driven by persons employed by the Government transporting children, spouses and party functionaries. These drivers have often been subjected to the indignity of having to wait for extensive hours whilst the assignee engages in non-official activities. This is a form of corruption, given that it is an abuse of state resources. Money laundering and financing of terrorism at the level of officialdom can operate in various forms, such as in construction, real estate and state procurement, where the connected are given access to state land for home construction, or businesses are used to front laundering of money. These constitute corrupt practices Elected officials getting access to state property at dirt cheap prices, building on or renovating same, and selling to characters whose sources of funding are questionable also constitute corrupt practices. The brunt of the law must bear down wherever misconduct occurs, because the assets of the state belong

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 3, 2016

Timely advice from President Granger

Dear Editor,

GUYANA Chronicle, September 1, 2016: ‘LEARN ABOUT THE CUSTOMS OF OTHERS’ refers. I thank H.E. President Granger for the mild but stern advice he gave to Pandit Tillack. I feel very comfortable that the advice to educate himself about other cultures came to the pandit from His Excellency. As former military men, we know that in the army there was no room for such divisive platforms. As buddies in arms, army men ate from the same mess tin, drank from the same cup, protected each other’s backs, learned of each other’s customs and cultures, and respected each other, so that we can give our best services for people like Pandit Tillack. The combined customs did not allow for betrayal. Instead it made us more solidified and respectful of each other. In the past I would have been apologetic to express myself the way I do today; but at some point in time, confrontation is a necessity. Judas betrayed Christ, and Deodat culturally betrayed the Indigenous Peoples. I hope he did his research well; if he has not, I will begin his first sessions at being ‘Culturally Educated’. I extract H.E. President Granger’s comment, GC September 1, 2016: “Recently, I was at Blairmont. I went to a Hindu Mandir. There was a ceremony; I learnt a lot about the ritual surrounding the worship of Lord Hanuman and I think other ethnic groups should do that – learn about the rites and customs of other cultures”. H.E. noted that it is only through education that people can enhance their understanding of each other’s culture, understanding of religion and the ethnic groups. “So there is no place

for ignorance; once there is ignorance there is going to be misunderstanding and conflicts,” the President said, noting also that “the best people to speak about their own culture are the people themselves”. Well said, H.E! Many thanks! Tillack surely does not know that it is an East Indian tradition and custom to engage in ‘child marriage’, and that India is where this practice takes place most in the world. Our Indigenous cultures and practices do not permit pre-arranged and forced marriages. There are places identified in India, such as Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, to name a few, where child marriages are rampant. I am questioning thoroughly what process our Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs employed to select such a brilliant divisive scholar. I am stunned that Tillack was allowed to attempt to derail the rich culture of Guyana’s Indigenous peoples. His presentation was misleading and completely out of context. He should not have been there in the first place. He and cohorts will laugh it off at gatherings fitted only for persons like him. “So what? I have already said what I have to say, let them do what they want”, will be his response. He is not even aware that more than 40% of the world’s child marriages take place in India even though laws do not permit them. In India young girls are threatened, bullied, blackmailed and emotionally exploited. Some are even too young to understand the significance of marriage, and do not understand the gravity of the event they are forced to consent to with their parents’ decision or choice. In Guyana, some East Indian marriages are executed to preserve wealth, so it will not be lost to strangers or

to the people. Elected or appointed officials are privileged to manage these assets on behalf of the people and for the people’s benefit; and they must so do. Thus where SOCU and SARUare necessary to check the tendency to engage in excesses and abuse of the state, they serve the public good. Public conversations on the roles of these institutions and their relevance augur well for better understanding of how the state can be managed. Arguments about their reach can help in defining what needs to be done, and are important in the presence of a view that the present law to deal with infraction cannot hold accountable those who, in the past, may have abused their privilege. This begs the question whether such laws, including making the Integrity Commission more effective, were deliberately not put in place in the past to hold persons to account. Given its unique mandate, the consideration to move SOCU out of the ambit of the Guyana Police Force is an encouraging sign. While the Police Force, as an institution, is tasked with crime management, the special authority granted to SOCU to zero in on a special type of crime -- guided by regional and international specifications -- requires some degree of autonomy and special resources, inclusive of skills,

allowed out of their ethnic or family group. This does not happen within the Indigenous peoples’ culture in Guyana. So, in India Pandit Tillack has to understand that minor girls are abruptly exposed to sex, and they are abused and exploited sexually. When girls aged 10-14, who are not physically and sexually matured as their older counterparts, engage in sex, it causes severe health problems. I am not trying to defend the problem of incest, it is a global and national problem; but I would like to bring the situation at Haryana to Pandit Tillack’s attention. Haryana is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south. The river Yamuna defines its eastern border with Uttar Pradesh. Haryana surrounds the country’s capital, Delhi, on three sides, forming the northern, western and southern borders of Delhi. Talk about incest!!!! Haryana is an East Indian State and it has a shameful social heritage. I am sure that if night should turn to day, Tillack would run away. I stand firmly with my Indigenous brothers and sisters at this time. I would like to see some response to this incident from the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs. Tillack will not apologise, even though that will be the most appropriate thing to do, as he is a full-blown idiot. I implore my other fellow Guyanese to come and join with us and enjoy what we have to offer. Regards, ASHTON SIMON, MBA, MPM Master Project Manager Certification President, National Amerindian Development Foundation (NADF)

to make Guyana compliant with its external counterparts. SARU also needs similar independence. Hopefully, this will be looked at as a matter of necessity for the country’s growth and development; and particularly where this body in housed under the Office of the President, avoiding any president moving to stymie its work. In our polarising and accusatory political landscape, comity in fighting corruption requires needed space away from the political directive. Making SARU and SOCU effective will help in improving and providing the quality of governance the people have been clamouring for and deserve. That these laws are not only for the elected, but for all who operate within the country’s jurisprudence, makes all equal in the eyes of the law; which is fundamental to ensuring equity in the society. Where the nation today is seeing efforts toward putting such in place to serve as deterrence for those who have intention to use the state and its resources to engage in nefarious conduct, the country is moving in a positive direction. At the same time, it ought to be said that laws will be meaningless if those who commit, or have committed, offences are not placed before the courts.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 3, 2016

Regional chairman was loud at RDC meeting

Dear Editor,

I HAVE read, in the Stabroek News of Thursday, September 1, 2016, on page 17, an article bearing the caption “REO, APNU+AFC councillors walked out from Region Three meeting”, and I am deeply disturbed by it. It is my humble opinion that the reporter erroneously carried a story without engaging in investigative journalism. Had he or she done that, then the story would have been written differently; but since the reporter didn’t do that, permit me to offer my rebuttal on what was reported, because I was there from the beginning. To begin with, the first paragraph stated that the REO walked out of the council’s statutory meeting along with nine councillors of the APNU+AFC coalition after the Regional Chairman asked for a report. Editor, the reporter was inaccurate. Present at the meeting were seven councillors of the APNU+AFC, and when the Regional Chairman was under the Agenda Item “Matters Arising”, he turned to the REO, and in a loud tone aggressively asked what is

the update from the minister. The REO, in his attempt to answer, was disrupted and spoken to again by the chairman in an even louder tone of voice. At that point, like any right-minded individual, the REO packed up his books and said boldly that he was excusing himself from the meeting. As he walked out, nine councillors followed him, of which seven were APNU+AFC. I don’t need to say which side the other two are from. Editor, at no time did the REO ever say he had no report to give to anybody. Secondly, it was reported in the fourth paragraph of the article that Faerber told Stabroek News that as Clerk of council, Jaikarran was supposed to produce the report at the meeting. Editor, this particular part of the article I cannot comprehend, since the minister not only wrote, but spoke ad nauseam on the reasons why the plantain chip factory at Wakenaam cannot come into operation, and councillors of the PPP would have acknowledged receipt of the minister’s address on the matter. But as outlined above, the REO was not given a proper chance to answer.

Thirdly, in the fifth paragraph, SN reported that Faerber is contending that Jaikaran’s behaviour cannot be accepted, and he has to apologise before he returns to the next meeting. This I consider extremely unscrupulous, since the REO is the Head of the Regional Administration, and excluding him is excluding all programme heads, and even the minute taker. Given what has been reported, and considering what I would have observed, it is the Regional Chairman who wants to create mayhem in Region 3, and this should not be allowed. Notwithstanding the above, I firmly do not believe the REO has to apologise for anything. It was grossly unethical, unprofessional, and by far uncouth of the Regional Chairman to believe that he can speak to the Regional Executive Officer the way he did; and further, if at any time an apology should be offered, it should come from the Regional Chairman. Lastly, I would have recognised that in the said article a councillor reported that the REO said no money is available to clean the school compounds. Editor, the best way to dispel public

NAACIE protests sidelining of bauxite union Dear Editor, THE National Association of Agricultural, Commercial & Industrial Employees (NAACIE) is alarmed that local Bauxite workers’ interests and welfare are now increasingly dependent on the priorities of expatriate ownership and management. NAACIE also notes, with trepidation, the sidelining of the legal and constitutional representation of one union in the bauxite sector -- the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GB&GWU) -- seemingly in preference to a company, (RUSAL)/Government’s relationship. This is wholly reprehensible, as it undermines trade union democracy, whereby bauxite workers are now shrewdly being denied representation by the GB&GWU,

the union of their choice. Trade union representation is a constitutional guarantee for citizens and workers of Guyana, according to Article 147 of the Guyana Constitution. This Article is a legitimate right which must be embraced by employers, employees and the entire Labour Movement. For whilst a Ministry or Department of Labour is there to conciliate on technical matters relevant to non-agreement, or statements between employers and unions, never should any Government seek to usurp the status and role of a union elected by workers. As one of the unions in the bauxite Industry, representative of workers employed by BOSAI Guyana, NAACIE views the infringements by the RUSAL employers with mighty concern. What is to happen

in Guyana’s new oil and gas sector, which will obviously be managed by other expatriates? NAACIE views with disquiet the ongoing saga -whereby RUSAL is refusing to recognize GB&GWU, in keeping with the laws of Guyana. It seems to suggest that trade union representation in the burgeoning oil and gas sector will be a non-starter. This is not what the coalition Government promised. NAACIE supports union recognition for RUSAL workers, in keeping with the laws of the GB&GWU, and offers its unstinted solidarity to this union. All workers of Guyana: respect the right to be unionised. Regards, KENNETH JOSEPH, General-Secretary, NAACIE

misperception is to deal with it directly. The Education Committee informed council on that very day that school compounds would be clean before school reopens. At the time of writing this missive, 95 percent of schools are clean, and the NDCs and the REO were instrumental in getting the schools up and ready. Editor, in closing, let me, like others, say that the REO is a noble gentleman who is seen as a god in this region. He is a disciplined and courteous young man who has an open door policy of which the poorest of individuals can meet. Denis Jaikaran is working for the development of this region; and if the Regional Chairman does not recognise that the tide has changed and that he needs to respect and operate within the confines of the law, he and the REO will always be at loggerheads. The REO is a law-abiding citizen; Julius Faerber should get on board. Yours faithfully, PARMESHWAR RAMDIOL, Citizen of Region 3 La Jalousie

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 3, 2016

FITUG calls 10% pay hike offer measly …but never condemned PPP’s 5% impositions THE Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) said it is disgusted over the “virtually insulting salary-increase “final” offer proffered to public servants by government. In a statement, the breakaway umbrella trade union body said that betraying its rosy manifesto offer of “substantial increases,” the government’s miserly offer to its own employees is being made even as “the good life for all” seems to be now limited to those ministers who benefited from the steep remuneration increases not too long after their swearing-in. “Such increases are now salt in the wounds of the nation’s government employees.” Notably, for close to two decades the People’s Progressive Party/Civic had ignored collective bargaining

and imposed salary increases on public servants of not more than 5%, but FITUG never issued a statement condemning this action or spoke out against it. In its missive, the PPPaligned union body said that “delaying tactics were numerous before this “offer” described by several citizens as “obscene”, “insulting” and such like. According to FITUG, public servants, initially, were made to await the Report of the Public Service Commission of Inquiry for instance. After the delay, came the blow. “The mean 10 per cent to 1 per cent offer is not being embraced by the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) which describes it as falling woefully short of its just demands. FITUG notes the responses of the GPSU (and indeed the nation’s Teachers Union)

and offers its whole-hearted solidarity on this matter,” the union said. “FITUG, therefore, embraces the GPSU’s contention that no full-time worker, whether public or private sector, should be forced to go hungry without reasonable shelter, basic clothing, adequate leisure, and wages which doom a worker to poverty. Poverty robs the worker and his or her family of their self-esteem, their dignity and a decent life. FITUG is mindful of the struggles for a living wage carried out for years and which has helped to protect the workers at the lowest level of the socio-economic structure. Our situation calls not for a nominal wage, but a ‘real wage’ which can adequately cover the mounting cost of living.” Meanwhile, FITUG said it welcomes the recent an-

nouncement by the Government that bauxite workers’ overtime pay would be tax-free. “In expressing our pleasure over this development and benefit to the identified workers, we also urge that similar consideration be given to workers in the private and public sectors as well. The workers of Guyana, in sugar and in other economic entities, have more financial burdens piled upon their shoulders. The coalition Government has a duty to implement a wage policy that would effectively address this reality in the interest of all our members.” President David Granger said on Thursday that his administration will proceed with the package, even as he committed to continued engagement with the union for the rest of the year. Speaking on his weekly programme, The Public Interest, President Granger said the 10% is as much as the government can

do as of September 1, 2016. He said the administration was in the process of preparing its budget for an early reading in December and as such, they need to wrap up this aspect of their expenditures. President Granger said too that the final wages and salaries increase offer should not be viewed as unjust, but as what the government can afford at this time. Asked by a reporter how he will respond to reactions by some that the wage offer is unjust, Granger said: “It is not unjust; it is what is affordable at present.” President Granger justified the government’s final offer of 10 per cent for the lowest level of public servants and one per cent for the highest paid by stating that his administration did not anticipate the “volume of indebtedness” that exists. “I am not saying that the public servants do not deserve more, but we did everything that is possible …we entered into

negotiations in good faith… we haven’t discontinued negotiations, but that is the final offer we put on the table, because we have to prepare next year’s budget and we have to tidy up this business before the next quarter,” he added. President Granger made it clear that talks have not been discontinued, but its offer to pay a 10 per cent increase to persons earning $99,000 or less, six per cent to persons who earn between $100,000 and $299,000, five per cent to public servants earning between $300,000 and $799,000, two per cent for those earning between $800,000 and $999,000 and one per cent for those earning above $1M still stands. “We want to continue to speak with the union for the rest of this , so that we have an outcome in 2017 that is satisfactory to both sides,” the President declared.

Wakenaam residents call for improved roads, ferry service By Ravin Singh RESIDENTS of the farming island of Wakenaam are bemoaning the deplorable state of roads on the island and the poor ferry service which they say continue to

hinder development. Gordon Corlette, who resides at Maria Johanna, explained that there are virtually no roads in the area, instead, there is a trail which becomes almost impassable during the rainy season.

“I wouldn’t say that it is a road, because even during the dry season it’s in a terrible state. It’s more like a track or a trail,” he said. Corlette, who is a driver, said that the “trail” has been in that state for over 25 years and it has posed difficulties for persons living in Maria Johanna and neighbouring villages. He referenced the fact that during the rainy season, it takes more than 30 minutes to travel from Arthurville to Maria’s Pleasure – a journey which usually takes about five minutes. “We have medics, teachers, students and farmers who have to travel every day and it is extremely challenging for them to have to use those roads.”

The MV Sabanto which takes passengers and agricultural produce from Wakenaam to Parika. [ Ravin Singh photos]

Corlette was not the lone voice in this call though. Nadir Mustakeen, who is a large-scale coconut dealer on the island, explained how difficult it was to do business because of poor infrastructure. He noted that it was not just one or two villages which are affected by poor roads, but the

entire island. “Poor roads on the island contribute significantly to the reduction in production [of coconuts]. Farmers do not have the motivation to continue working in a place like this because of how difficult it is due to poor infrastructure. It is hard having to travel on roads like these on a daily basis,” Mustakeen said. Wakenaam’s coconut production has dropped from 120,000 nuts per week to just over 40,000 per week in the last 10 to 15 years. Equally disturbing to farmers is the “reliable” ferry service which has also contributed to the overall reduction in agricultural produce. Boyo, a small-scale farmer explained that there is no

fixed schedule for the ferry and more often than not, farmers lose out by not getting their produce off the island on time. “We lose out a lot. Sometimes we have to wait on the ferry because we don’t know when it will arrive, or when it is here, we don’t know when it will leave. So we have to wait on that, and by the time we get to Parika to sell our produce, other farmers are already there or there is no market,” he lamented. This, he explained, has also resulted in reduced employment opportunities which has contributed to a steady decline in the island’s population. Wakenaam’s population has dipped from over 20,000 twenty years ago, to just over 3,000 presently. With these issues affecting development of the 17.5 square-mile island, farmers are calling on the authorities to assist them in helping to develop Wakenaam. They also committed to ensuring that once the much-needed infrastructure is put in place, they will be maintained, as it will ultimately lead to development of the island.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 3, 2016

U.S. unveils $198M project to boost justice delivery

U.S. Ambassador Perry Holloway (left) makes a point to Project Manager, Justice Education Society, Evelyn Neaman (right) on Friday at the U.S. Embassy, as Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan (centre), looks on

By Ariana Gordon THE United States (U.S.) Government on Friday unveiled a US$946, 000 (G$198M) three-year programme geared at strengthening the criminal justice system in Guyana. Speaking at a simple ceremony held at the U.S. Embassy, Georgetown, U.S. Ambassador Perry Holloway said the programme aims to increase the effectiveness of criminal investigations in Guyana. This he said will ultimately lead to strong prosecutions and trials as the technical capacity of the police, prosecutors, and magistrates will be enhanced. All of the links he said will be interconnected to work with criminal evidence in a supportive environment. The programme is part of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative and is titled “Strengthening the Criminal Justice in Guyana” programme. “We are very proud to facilitate this programme through the Justice Education Society of British Columbia. I am confident this programme will strengthen the integrity and responsiveness of Guyana’s justice system.” Ambassador Holloway noted that the U.S. Embassy has been working alongside the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Director of Public Prosecutions office to strengthen Guyana’s justice system over the years. It was recognised that each component agency

has independent and constitutional roles and functions. “We also recognise that outcomes are enhanced when each agency understands the work of the other and has confidence that best practices are being utilised when carrying out those responsibilities,” said the U.S. Ambassador. Between 2012 and early 2014 agencies of the U.S. government including the INL completed a series of assessment reports which identified challenges which exist in the justice system here; those challenges ranged from police investigative procedures through the criminal prosecuting process. “In January 2015, the embassy and the diplomatic community combined efforts to identify and address issues within the justice sector. A series of meetings and seminars with representatives of the Guyanese policing, prosecuting and judicial authorities were conducted to ascertain the expertise and methodology to develop a structured justice reform programme for Guyana.” It was as a result of those meetings that the U.S. government was able to develop the programme with experts aimed at addressing issues facing Guyana in the criminal justice system. Ambassador Holloway said the U.S. will continue to assist Guyana’s criminal justice entities to improve their knowledge, skills, abilities and collaboration. “Increased knowledge, skills, abilities and collaboration means increased capacity to get better results. That is something we all want and

will continue to [strive] for…I would like to pledge my government’s continued support for the programmes and projects that will ultimately lead to enhancing the criminal justice system in Guyana,” the U.S. Ambassador noted as he reminded that the U.S. is building on a project that was started by the Canadian government. He stressed that the justice sector belongs to Guyana and in the end, it is the country that is required to do the right thing and invest. “Our hope is that we’d be a catalyst, set the stage …and then the government will put in the rest,” he added. Meanwhile, Vice-President and manager of the Justice Education Society, Evelyn Neaman, said the must- have ingredients for an ideal justice reform project are a small population where both urban and rural communities can be reached, supportive and respectful collaboration with partners, the availability of the latest technology and training as well as long-term funding to ensure sustainability. With those ingredients, the foundation on which the programme was built, Neaman said a safe and secure society would become evident. She stressed that forensic evidence is the foundation of a strong justice system, while noting that the project will develop capacity in crime-scene management and investigation surveillance evidence, also known as forensic video evidence, one of the fastest-growing areas of forensic evidence globally. “…from convenience stores to banks,

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali- Hack speaks with U.S. Ambassador Perry Holloway and Leon Carr of the U.S. Embassy on Friday after announcement of the grant to strengthen the country’s criminal justice programme

to traffic intersections, CCTV cameras are virtually everywhere – this project will continue to increase the capacity of specialised forensic video analysis units in both the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the National Forensic Science Laboratory ---these units will be able to analyse this evidence--- Guyana will be the leader in the Caribbean

for forensic video analysis and this project will further enhance its predominance in the region,” Neaman declared. Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, while expressing gratitude to the U.S. government, acknowledged that the local justice sector has “a number of deficiencies and defects and deficits.” He said the Justice

Education Society will aid in the restoration of the rule of law which is of utmost importance to Caribbean territories. “This is advancing those reforms we have undertaken and started some time ago. The rule of law in the Caribbean area is very important and the priority is to do away with what we call the ineffi-

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 3, 2016

Canadian company capitalises on Guyana’s oil discovery KAIZEN Environmental Services (Guyana) Incorporated (KESGI) officially launched its Environmental Laboratory Thursday on High Street, Kingston, and disclosed that the company is seeking to develop a “world class” Waste Treatment Facility in Guyana. KESGI is an extension of Kaizen Environmental Services, a Canadian company, which specialises in environmental management services

and also has a branch in Trinidad and Tobago. Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of KESGI Mr Douglas DeFreitas noted that for the 25 years the company has been in existence, it has been able to provide efficient environmental services. As a result of their stature, the company has eyed expanding globally and for the past two years, the CEO noted that they have developed an interest in Guyana and sought to invest here even before the

discovery of oil. Additionally, Chief Technical Officer of KESGI Anja Seejoor said that Guyana’s geographical location and the fact that it is the only English-speaking country in South America were also contributing factors. He noted that in Trinidad and Tobago, the company was initially contracted to “clean up” the Natural Gas Company and in Guyana, they will be hoping to achieve this same feat while

Minister of State Joseph Harmon toured the laboratory and was given demonstrations by lab technicians as to the functions of the lab. The minister was accompanied by Chief Executive Officer of KESGI, Mr. Douglas De Freitas (right) and Principal of the Critchlow Labour College, Mr Ivor English

establishing the world-class facility. Meanwhile, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said that government is committed to ensuring that policies and legislation are in place to effectively manage the environment in keeping with its mandate of sustainable development. He pointed out that the Green Development Strategy is one such initiative that has been spearheaded by the Government and involves a collaborative approach from all stakeholders. Minister Harmon lauded the company for its foresight

in setting up office here, and stated that its intention to work with the government, members of the local business community and other stakeholders to contribute to effective environmental management in Guyana is one which is well aligned with the government’s plan for the sustainable management of the environment. “The environment underpins our very existence through the provision of an appropriate set of conditions to sustain life…. But we are constantly reminded that due to the current global realities of climate change, food loss

and economic crises, that the environment is always in flux,” he said. As part of its launch, KESGI also presented bursary awards to two top performing Chemistry students and announced that later this month, it will commence classes for a Certificate Programme in Environmental Management, which will be offered through the Critchlow Labour College. The company intends to include Diploma and Associate Degree programmes in the same field, in the near future.

U.S. unveils $198M... cient and corrupt investigative system and even justice systems, so that we do not see a disruption of our democracy, we do not see disruption of security, [or] disorder coming here,” the Minister of Public Security stated. He reminded those gathered that the lack of good policing mechanisms and efficient prosecuting would result in the country’s image being damaged, while noting that trade and investment would also be affected. The minister said he is impressed by the Criminal Justice Programme and noted that participants will also be trained in the area of civil rights.

“The civil rights training… we have come across what has happened in certain incidents, allegations of police taking some rather uncouth steps towards getting certain evidence and, of course, appreciation of the civil rights during the course of interrogation and investigation is so important,” remarked Ramjattan. He said the three-year programme will see efforts being made to standardise law enforcement by public agencies and to enhance the skills and knowledge of prosecutors relative to investigations, statement taking and making, examination in

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chief and re-examination to name a few. “We know that indeed there are a number of deficiencies and defects and deficits, but we are so happy that the American Embassy and of course…other countries in the ABC doing this great lot in ensuring that we do have this greater construction of the rule of law,” said Minister Ramjattan. Also present at the simple ceremony were Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh, Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack, along with the heads of missions of the United Kingdom, Canada and Europe.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 3, 2016

Toshaos' head unaware of TIP in indigenous villages ‒ stronger system of governance needed to address issue By Ravin Singh DESPITE numerous reports about Trafficking in Persons (TIP) emerging from Indigenous communities across Guyana, Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Joel Fredericks has said he is unaware of such practices in these areas. The chairman’s disclosure was made on Friday during a press conference held at the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Quamina Street. During the National Toshao Council (NTC) annual conference last week, Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, revealed that the number of reported cases of TIP and incest in indigenous communities is climbing. Similar sentiments were expressed by Tenisha Williams, of the Ministry’s TIP Unit, who said that this issue is of growing concern to the ministry. “We have a lot of young women and men who are leaving their villages to venture to other areas in search of jobs…this is a very big issue because most of the time, they are being exploited; they end up in situations where they are taken as slaves or sexual servants, etc,” Williams told indigenous leaders from all across Guyana. However, when asked

what the ministry and the NTC are doing to address this issue, the NTC chairman said that he was unaware that this was happening in indigenous communities. “I want to say that to my understanding, I never knew that this is happening in indigenous communities. Trafficking in Persons is when an underage person is being taken by someone by false information. That is trafficking in person; underage,” he said. But the “Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act 2005” does not limit the age of TIP victims to just those under the age of 18. In fact, the Act states that, “Trafficking in persons means the recruitment, transportation,

transfer, harbouring or receipt of a person by means of the threat or use of force or other means of coercion, or by abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability, or by the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purposes of exploitation.” Fredericks believes though, that when an adult opts to “go into the mines and do business,” it is not considered trafficking. “TIP is when you take an underage from a home and do business with them. But if an adult wants to go in the mines and do business, that is their own decision, and that

is where the law must come in to address those things.” He admitted however that even this practice by adults is of concern to the NTC, and that there is a greater need for the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), which is responsible for regulating mining activities, to apply the laws and regulate what is happening in those areas. On the part of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs however, they are aware of the concerns regarding these incidents and have been working assiduously to curb this practice, Minister Sydney Allicock said. He keenly pointed out that collaboration between his ministry and the Minis-

tries of Social Protection, Public Health and Natural Resources is ongoing and that the situation has reached a point where “the right seems wrong.” The minister explained that the ministry has been making visits to communities such as Baramita – which has been reported as having a high TIP rate - and that the school in that village is up and running. “We have been able to extend more support to the village councils for transport, education and it continues. It’s, expensive but we have been working.” He also underscored the need for a greater presence of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), noting that there needs to be training for the police on how to deal with sensitive issues such as TIP.

(L-R) Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, Chairman of the NTC, Joel Fredericks, and Vice-Chairman of the NTC, Lennox Shuman at Friday’s press conference

“There needs to be more education into schools and at the level of the village councils. Sometimes there are things which could be easily done, but if you don’t know to do it, then you wouldn’t know how easy it is to do,” he said. Vice-Chairman of the NTC, Lennox Shuman, also weighed in on the issue, offering that TIP must be addressed holistically. He touched too on the issue of good governance, which he said, is critical to the development of any community in Guyana. “There needs to be good governance and good governance requires the involvement of the ministry, the NTC, the village councils and other stakeholders. We are hopeful that we would have an opportunity to promote good governance.” Earlier this year, Guyana was able to move from the Tier 2 Watch List to just Tier 2 in the United States’ latest TIP report. The country had stayed on the Tier 2 Watch List for the last three consecutive years due to its inability to fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. The 2016 Report also pointed out that the Government of Guyana does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but that it is making significant efforts to do so.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 3, 2016

Former PS frets over non-renewal of contract FORMER Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Indira Anandjit, is decrying the manner in which her contract was not renewed and has sought to blame the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams for all of this. In a letter to the editor of the Guyana Chronicle, Anandjit said she was informed of the non-renewal of her contract by virtue of a newspaper article carried by the Stabroek News on August 31. “I find it obscene that after my contract ended a month ago, July 22, 2016 over a month ago, now the minister has chosen to

go public to make this announcement.” The former permanent secretary was sent on 52 days administrative leave by Williams to facilitate an investigation by the Auditor General into the disappearance of approximately $2.5M worth of Commonwealth law books and computer parts costing almost the same amount from the ministry. It is believed that the law books went missing between 2013 and 2015. But Anandjit maintained that the books have not disappeared and moreover, the Minister of Legal Affairs is more than aware of where the

books were located. “What is disturbing is that Minister Williams feigned ignorance of these books when at a meeting he was told about them. It was even followed up with other discussions on procurement of books for the ministry. It is grossly unfair for Minister Williams to publicly attack me saying that I could not account for the books, when he knew who had them,” said the former permanent secretary. She noted too that while she had approved payment for the books, they were used by former Attorney General Anil Nandlall and were kept in the chambers. Minister Williams did

tell the media in December 2015 that the permanent secretary had authorised “the purchases and the books cannot be found in the ministry or the spares and so, the investigations are ongoing.” “This outburst can only be deemed as mischievous and a deliberate attempt to discredit me,” she said, adding that the Ministry of Legal Affairs does not “store or stock computer parts,” but purchases them on a needs basis on the advice of the head of the Information Technology Department. Anandjit said too that her role in managing stocks, whether books, equipment or any other item, is ensuring

Former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Legal Affairs, Indira Anandjit

that the criteria are met for purchasing. “It should be noted that while I have oversight of the Stores, the Head of the Accounting Department has the responsibility to ensure all assets and equipment are recorded, issued and managed efficiently. This head of department has the day-to-day responsibility of managing the Stores. This Head of Department remains on the job while I was sent off,” she declared. The former Legal Affairs Permanent Secretary said she had meetings with both Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of State Joseph Harmon on the matter, but they did not intervene. She is convinced that the Minister of Legal Affairs has an agenda against her and other persons perceived to be supporters of the opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). “It is my firm belief, that this was all a smokescreen to remove me from the ministry. When Minister Williams met with me just after taking office, he said he has to ‘change the face’ of the ministry to reflect [that] there has been a change in Government.” Anandjit accused the Minister of Legal Affairs of vindictiveness, while noting that she had applied for a renewal of her contract which expired in July. Thus far, she is yet to receive a response from the said ministry. “I applied for renewal of my contract and two days prior to expiration date of my contract I was in receipt of a mail from Minister Harmon’s office saying the final decision to renew rested with Minister Basil Williams.” The former permanent secretary added that Williams was not in a position to assess her properly, as he had worked with her for only a few months and chided him for not paying “at-

tention to the previous Audit and Public Accounts Committee reports.” She added that she finds it strange that the renewal of her contract was not dealt with at the Ministry of the Presidency, as it was the former Office of the President that was responsible for all matters relating to permanent secretaries. “All letters instructing me to continue on annual and administrative leave were signed by the Senior Personnel Officer of the Ministry of Legal Affairs without being copied to the Minister of State. No doubt, she was instructed by the Minister of Legal Affairs to write to me,” Anandjit believes. She is of the opinion that her hard work, integrity and transparency have all fallen on deaf ears at the behest of the Minister of Legal Affairs. “…the careless action of the Minister of Legal Affairs has caused immense embarrassment and damage to my credibility,” she remarked, noting that she is saddened and disappointed over the manner in which she was “tossed out” of her job. Anandjit believes that at a time when women globally are fighting for respect, equity and equal treatment, it is a digression for her to be treated in such a manner, given that she has done no wrong and is qualified for the post. “I feel offended at the way this matter was handled by the minister. As a professional, do I not deserve the courtesy of being informed officially? It is no secret that there are agencies where questionable activities have taken place and that were highlighted in the media. Yet no action was taken. Why the double standards?” she asked. “I was subsequently informed that the report was completed and sent to the Ministry of Legal Affairs at the end of January. I was also informed that the report had cleared me of all suspicion of wrongdoing as the books and parts could have been accounted for. Yet I remained on administrative leave until the end of my contract in July,” she said. Melissa Tucker, the Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator, has been acting as the permanent secretary.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 3, 2016

‘I was fired for going after big companies’ ... GWI ex-Debt Recovery Manager ONE day after the Board of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) decided to terminate his services as Debt Recovery Manager, Lear Goring has broken his silence, noting that he was not surprised at the decision. During an interview with online media, News Source, Goring said he believes the decision was “preordained,” and he was fired because he was going after “big companies” for billions owed to GWI. “I was expecting that decision,” Goring said. A statement from GWI on Wednesday confirmed that Goring was sent on administrative leave pending investigations into reports that he was not qualified for the position of Debt Recovery Manager. “The decision comes following a review of Mr. Goring’s credentials, which do not satisfy the requirements outlined for the position. It should also be noted that the decision taken was based solely on a review of his qualification for the job,”

Lear Goring

the GWI statement revealed. Goring however stated that his termination was not due to a review of his credentials as the GWI statement said, but rather because of the manner in which he carried out his job as an agent of debt recovery for the company. When recovering debts, he noted he was instructed to “not go after certain companies” and he complied with these orders that came via email from his superiors,

because these matters were above his “pay grade.” Mr. Goring also noted that he had received “anonymous phone calls” from persons demanding why debts were slated to be collected from them. He said due to this he “expected some kind of pressure.” The main issue challenging GWI was debt, Goring noted and said he was recommended to the Managing Director as the man best suited for the job. He attributed his previous success in taking a company that “everybody has given up on” and “turned it around” can be linked to this recommendation. He added that for a job of this manner, you would need “someone you can trust, a person uninvolved in skullduggery and political affairs and someone who isn’t easily tempted.” He stated that when he applied for the position, his qualifications were substantial and he brought with him a wealth of experience working in similar positions

High Court trial for man charged with murder of ‘Rasta Man’ THE MAN accused of killing Owen Browne, known as ‘Rasta Man’ has been committed to stand trial in the High Court for the capital offence of murder. Christopher Stanley, 20, of Tiger Bay, is charged with the murder of Browne, which occurred on August 29, 2015 at Rosemary Lane, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown, He appeared before city

magistrate Judy Latchman and was committed to face a judge and jury, following the conclusion of the Preliminary Inquiry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Friday. Stanley was informed that a prima facie case had been made out against him for the indictable offence. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Vishnu Hunt,

while Greaves was unrepresented. According to reports, Owen received 21 stab wounds about his body after he was reportedly attacked by Stanley, who is said to be of unsound mind. Owen was reportedly attacked while sleeping. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was pronounced dead.

in many countries in Africa. This, he attested, led to him being hired for the job. According to Goring, GWI had about $5 Billion in debt when he assumed his role in the company and through his 10-month tenure, he had been able to recover about $1.8 billion in debt. “There were some politi-

cal elements within the process,” he said, when questioned about who he felt had an input in his termination. Meanwhile, GWI in a statement on Friday disputed its own figures, claiming that it did not rake in $1.8B in debt for the period October 2015 to July 2016. During a press confer-

ence on August 10, 2016, the company had reported that it collected $1.8 Billion in arrears for the period ending July 2016, but the statement yesterday noted that after checks and verifications, it was found that the arrears collection figure up to July 2016 is $921,814,791.00.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 3, 2016

GEORGETOWN Mayor Patricia Chase-Green has said that the Markets Public Health Committee of the City Council has to be more proactive in formulating a policy that will cater for the relocation of vendors at the Parliament View Mall to a more suitable location. To date, vendors have no clue where they will be relocated, and officials, too, although having brainstormed some ideas, have nothing solid to work with. Town Clerk Royston King had tasked the said committee with coming up with a plan, but so far, nothing has been forthcoming from it. A further extension was granted recently for the vendors to remain on the plot of land south of the Public Buildings until December. “We have until December to relocate the vendors. We cannot wait for a once-amonth meeting to deal with it. We have already completed three months and we

der to shoulder with the great cities of the world,” he said. The Town Clerk said he is hoping at the expiration of this extension not to have to seek any further extensions, and that a policy from the Public Health and Markets Committee would be made available. “There are several options on the table. We are looking at a double-decker in Bourda Green, and we’re looking at the extension of the Stabroek Market, among others.” The mayor had said she hopes there would be no need to apply for a further extension of the life of the Parliament View Mall, because of the trauma and stress the City Hall team had endured to secure this extension. “The owner has his own development (plans) for that area, and we would not want to stop development in Georgetown based on our own inadequacy of not providing proper vending

M&CC has no plans for relocated vendors would have done nothing in the three months. We have to be more proactive in doing what we have to do and if you can’t do it, I will have to call the administration on board to get it done,” ChaseGreen told city councillors. “We have to have something on board,” she continued, adding, “But you’re elected and you proposed that you have a policy document to deal with vending and therefore you have to come up with one…at least some ideas of what you want in the policy. We have to go to the government, or to the banks, or somewhere to deal with how we move forward. We have to start somewhere, because vending in front of the Stabroek Market is a no no.” The Markets Public Health Committee is made up of Chairman Lionel Hanoman-Jaikarran; Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan; Councillors Bishram Kuppen, Trichria Richards, Malcolm

Mayor of Georgetown, Patricia Chase-Green

Ferreira, Andrea Marks, and Yvonne Ferguson. Meanwhile, the Town Clerk had disclosed that the City Council explored the ideas of installing a double-deck on the ‘Bourda Green’ and extending the Stabroek Market in order to accommodate the ultimate relocation of the said vendors. “We have received an extension at Parliament View

Mall that will go until December. Again, I wish to publicly announce my gratitude to the owner for his support and understanding of our efforts at the M&CC,” King had said. “We are not in any way attempting to take bread from anyone, but we’re trying to organise the city in a way that will make it (comparable to) modern cities and that would allow it to stand shoul-

areas for vendors,” the mayor observed. She said it was disappointing that when a meeting was called on the issue, all the members of the Markets and Public Health Committee did not turn up. “Maybe they had other commitments, but we have to be proactive in this; we cannot sit down. We sat down for the three months, and were not able at the end of the three months to come up with one suggestion. If we were forced to remove those vendors at the end of August, where would we put them? “The Markets Public Health Committee said they wanted to do a policy so (that) at the end of the three months, we would have been able to do something. The end of the three months is here, and we have done nothing! We are lucky that we were able to have an extension,” she said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 3, 2016

Good Hope, ECD family seeks end to long-running land dispute Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Basil Williams, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of State Joseph Harmon on the issue. The younger Mohamed showed this newspaper documents which he claimed show the family has used the land

Photo shows a house constructed on land that the Mohameds claim has been used by their family since 1944

A GOOD Hope, East Coast Demerara family wants the relevant authorities to intervene and end a long-standing dispute over a plot of land they have planted on for years. Jameer Mohammed and his son Roy Mohamed, say the dispute arose after a prominent auto dealer claimed the land, fenced it and built a house on the plot. The Mohameds claimed they are the rightful owners of the land, which was last owned by a Mohamed Hamid. The land being disputed is the northern strip of land running parallel with the Railway Road and extending eastward for approximately 1,272 feet from the Good Hope Sideline trench. The Mohameds allege that the auto-dealer “broke down

the fence and destroy the crops” and proceeded to construct the house, an act they described as “rich people taking advantage of the poor people.” Complaints were made to the Central Housing and Planning Authority and an official there, the Mohameds allege, told them to demolish the house set up by the auto-dealer; they decided against this course of action. The Mohameds claim too that another company took possession of another part of the land in question, during the time of the previous administration and though several complaints were made to that administration, the matter was not resolved. In a letter to President Granger dated 5th April, 2016, the older Mohammed noted that he has had prior meetings with

for agricultural purposes since 1944. He also provided this newspaper with receipts showing that the family has been paying rates for the land, which was part of a scheme that was scrapped. He also showed a letter from a senior official of the

Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission to the former Legal Affairs Minister, which proffered a “considered opinion” that the “heirs of Mohamed” be given the land. The family is requesting that the relevant authorities heed their pleas and help them resolve the matter.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 3, 2016

Balancing demands of ––with a thriving extractive industries sector

WITH announcement of the discovery of significant oil deposits in Guyana’s waters, Guyana can anticipate a coming boom in this sector; but focus must be placed on the effective management of this non-renewable resource, while balancing that with Government’s push towards a green economy. In the May 19 edition of The Public Interest, President David Granger referred to this balance as “walking on two legs” when he explained that the country can manage both oil exploration and sustainable development. “We need the investment in the petroleum industry to produce natural gas. It will provide employment, and will help us to produce a commodity which can be sold in the international market. At the same time, we will be generating more sustainable energy, and that will

make us less dependent on fossil fuel and less dependent on petroleum. So it won’t happen overnight; the two can exist side by side, they won’t be in conflict. It is a win-win situation for Guyana,” the President had said. With oil production projected to begin in 2020 at a rate of 100,000 barrels per day, President Granger has also indicated that not only is his administration’s policy focused on managing the need to exploit non-renewable resources, but Government intends to properly manage oil revenues for the good of all Guyanese. In his message on the occasion of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary, the Head of State had said, “Guyana’s economy will be enriched by the discovery of petroleum. We look forward to preparing our people and the economy for the exploitation of this rich resource.

We shall create a sovereign wealth fund to ensure that all generations benefit from the gains that are expected to flow from this discovery”. A green and diversified economy, thriving not only on oil wealth though, is the future President Granger envisions for Guyana. He pointed out that the importance of economic diversification and oil revenue can, no doubt, provide much needed resources for value-added production. “Our national economy must be reshaped to reduce our dependence on the six sisters – bauxite, fish, gold, rice, sugar, and timber. Guyana’s economic policy over the next four years will be determined by the transition to greater value-added production.” There have recently been some encouraging signs, as companies are beginning to enter the sector. Presi-

President Granger at the gold- pouring ceremony at Aurora Gold Mine in September 2015 dent Granger has commended businesses like GAICO Construction and General Services Incorporated for launching its Oil Spill Services facility at its wharf at Nismes, West Bank Demerara. “Foresight and entrepreneurship will allow businesses to benefit from local content. Strategic partnerships with regional and international firms will enhance the capability of local firms through the transfer of knowledge and technology. We are confident that the production of petroleum will create new opportunities, although it will not end our economic challenges,” President Granger said. Kaizen Environmental Services (Guyana) Incorporated (KESGI) also took up the mantle of foresight with the September 1, 2016 launch of an environmental management laboratory in Kingston, Georgetown. KESGI is an extension of Kaizen Environmental Services, a Canadian company which specialises in environmental management services and

also has a branch in Trinidad and Tobago. KESGI will offer laboratory services, air quality testing, noise monitoring services, and will work on the development of a world-class waste treatment facility that is similar to the one established in Trinidad. The Ministry of Natural Resources has a packed agenda in ensuring that these industries are not only manned, but are managed in a manner that will ensure that all Guyanese can benefit from the gains of the emerging oil and gas sector, so as to ensure a higher standard of living and achieve the Government’s mandate of ‘a good life for all Guyanese’. Headed by Minister Raphael Trotman, the Ministry, prior to January 1, 2016, fell under the umbrella of the Ministry of the Presidency. Now, as the country prepares to deal with the unique opportunities and challenges that come with a thriving oil and gas sector, the Ministry’s mandate has, since June of this year, shifted. Prior to June, environmental management through

the Protected Areas Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Guyana Wildlife Management Authority fell within the Ministry’s purview, but these responsibilities have since been separated so as to allow a more streamlined focus of each area. Government is working to prepare Guyana at a policy and legislative level for the management of the oil and gas sector. Minister Trotman said that, over the last several months, much focus has been placed on capacity building in the areas of developing laws and regulations, seeking international help and support, and developing industry training. Consultations are being done for the crafting of legislation that would cover the management of local content; ensuring that Guyanese benefit from the gains of the industry, laws governing the Sovereign Wealth Fund, establishment of a Petroleum Commission, and management of the environment. The Minister has said that efforts to reform the existing Petro-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 3, 2016

f the ‘Green Economy’ leum Act are also underway. The Ministry aims to have this raft of legislation ready for Cabinet by November of this year. While oil production itself is not labour-intensive, the industry promotes employment in the sector as a whole, due to the wide range of support services that will be required to ensure it is properly managed and regulated. In addition, increased revenues will mean more opportunities for job creation. Minister Trotman has noted that the new sector could see an increase in the demand for professions in public relations, engineering, accounting and auditing, legal services, security, and even laundry services. “Almost like a cork floating up, the entire economy will be lifted,” the Minister said. The Ministry is therefore working with entities such as the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association Limited (GMSA) to prepare for these prospects. The Ministry also recently hosted a lecture for students on the importance of education in the development of the oil and gas sector. The idea for the lecture originated from the observation that Guyana’s youth have begun to expand their list of aspirations, given the country’s future in oil. Some have even expressed a direct interest in careers in the oil and gas industry.

Other areas of preparation, Minister Trotman has said, include the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund, a state-owned investment fund made up of revenues gained from Guyana’s extractive industries. The Ministry has also received support from the United States State Department as well as the World Bank, the latter of which will provide assistance for Guyana to achieve compliance with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), an international organisation which assesses the levels of transparency regarding countries’ oil, gas, and mineral resources. “The initiative is to ensure that we become part of a group of like-minded countries that would like to see their resources benefit the people… The people own the resources and governments are the trustees on behalf of the people,” he has said. The extractive industries sector has, as a whole, served as a key buttress for Guyana, having served as one of the major income-earners for the economy. Over the past six months, the economy registered two per cent growth, up from the 2015 recorded 0.9 per cent for the same period. This strong showing in the overall growth is largely due to the successes of the mining and quarrying sector, which grew by 65.7 per cent. At the commissioning and gold-pouring ceremony of the Guyana Gold fields In-

corporated and Aurora Gold Mine Incorporated, in September last year, President Granger said that despite the challenges faced, particularly within the gold mining industry, a surer economic foundation with better administrative controls would enhance the livelihood of miners and residents in the hinterland, where the majority of mining grounds are located. Within the Natural Resources Ministry, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is the entity which holds the primary responsibility for the monitoring of the mining industry. Acting Commissioner of the GGMC, Mr. Newell Dennison, has said that despite a downturn in the mining sector, which started last year, there still remains much potential in the traditional sectors of mining in Guyana. Giving an assessment of the various sectors within the industry, Mr. Dennison said that gold and diamond mining continue to be the strongholds in the industry. With gold declaration at about 350,000 ounces thus far for the year, this places the industry on a good trajectory to reach its 600,000 ounce projection by year end. However, Mr. Dennison said that bauxite and other quarry products continue to struggle, due to a lack of adequate markets; while the non-traditional minerals sector remains underdeveloped. In this regard, the Acting Commissioner said, efforts

The ExxonMobil Deepwater Champion

President David Granger visited the oil and gas exploration drill ship of ExxonMobil, the Deepwater Champion, in May 2015 should be made to highlight the benefits and opportunities that non-traditional minerals hold. “We, as an organization, have to get out there and do an inventory of what is there, and show where the potential is, so that potential miners can proceed and pursue alternative minerals… It is not about forsaking the traditional for the non-traditional, but to give it little more diversity,” he said. To ensure that miners get adequate assistance to overcome the challenges of their operations, the GGMC offers technical support which aids in monitoring the activities of the miners; advises on best practices; and ensures that the mining regulations are adhered to throughout their operations, so as to allow them optimum productivity.

Meanwhile, in other areas regarding the well-being of miners, Coordinator-Administrator of the Guyana Mining School, Mr. John Applewhite-Hercules, stated that the main aim of the school is to provide training to miners so as to ensure they are conversant with the laws and regulations of mining, and that they are taught the safety regulations of the mining sector. Mining safety has been a significant concern over the past year, following a large number of fatalities that have occurred on mining sites over the past year. Following these occurrences, a Commission of Inquiry was ordered last year by the Government so as to address the causes of these incidents. He said that many miners are unaware of materials that

are available that could assist them with their mining operations, while some others do not adhere to guidelines set out by the GGMC that are set to guide their prospecting efforts. “What has happened over the years is a culture of hitand-miss mining, where the miners invest in equipment, take chances by going into the bush, and try their luck; and in many cases they don’t find gold. So this hit-andmiss culture is one of the fundamental reasons that result in a range of unsafe mining practices,” he said. Nevertheless, Mr. Hercules said, there has been a decrease in the number of fatalities for this year in comparison to last year, and that adequate training can be a main contributor to this.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 3, 2016

Rice export earnings top $29.9B …over 310 tonnes exported for first half of 2016 BY Navendra Seoraj DESPITE the challenges facing the rice industry, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has indicated that a total of 310,923 tonnes of rice, valued at $29.9 billion, was exported between Janu-

ary-July, 2016. However, General Manager of the GRDB, Nizam Hassan, during a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle revealed that this is a decrease in the quantity exported when compared to the same period last year. He said this is due to the

fact that Venezuela pulled out of the rice agreement with Guyana, causing stakeholders to lose a premium market and having to sell on an open market. The general manager also noted that the price for rice has been continuously dipping on the world mar-

GRDB’s General Manager, Nizam Hassan

ket over the past few years, which also resulted in the pricing of the products being altered. According to statistics shared with this publication, Jamaica continues to be one of the largest importers of rice from Guyana, importing a total of 29,594 tonnes of rice, valued at $2.5 billion during the period of January-July, 2016. Recently, the Guyana Rice Exporters and Millers Association (GREMA) had expressed displeasure with the signing of a rice deal with Jamaica between Mussons/Jamaica Rice Milling Company Limited (JRMCL) and the GRDB. A Guyana Chronicle report had indicated, “while on the surface, this agreement appears as though it is intended to increase the price and quantity of rice that millers can export to the Jamaican market, that in reality, the reverse is likely to take place,” the exporter and millers’ body said. However, figures show that Jamaica continues to be one of the more lucrative markets for Guyana’s rice industry. Meanwhile, the European Union during the said period imported 169,247 tonnes of rice from Guyana, valued $10.2 billion, while Latin America recorded $6.9 billion, the United States of America, $36 million and West Africa $2

Million. Nevertheless, when compared to last year, the value of exports during the period January-July has been reduced by approximately $6.6 billion, at a total of 4,849 tonnes. During the first crop for this year, an initial target of 91,072 hectares for sowing was set, but due to the El Niño period it was revised to 73,405 hectares of land. This, Hassan said, resulted in the production of 410,033 tonnes of paddy for the firstcrop period, January-July. SECOND CROP Meanwhile, as harvesting for the second crop (autumn crop) begins, the GRDB has set a target of 92,958 hectares to be sown, which was revised due to the rainy weather and set at 86,532 hectares. According to Hassan, the GRDB will aim to achieve 469,743 tonnes of paddy at a yield of 5.4 tonnes of paddy per hectare. Hassan also noted that the GRDB is exploring new markets, with the hope of achieving a premium price for their produce. Hassan also used the opportunity to reiterate the fact that millers who owe huge sums of money to rice farmers in 2016 will not be granted operating licences until a legitimate reason is given, or the farmers are paid.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 3, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 3, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 3, 2016

Nizakat Khan was last man out for Hong Kong after scoring a superb 123. IRELAND remain on course to battle for a place in Test cricket in 2018 after beating Hong Kong by 70 runs in the Intercontinental Cup game at Stormont. After starting the final day on 199-6, Ireland were bowled out for 230 to leave Hong Kong needing 310 to win. Nizakat Khan’s superb 123 held up Ireland as he shared a ninth-wicket stand of 61 with Nadeem Ahmed. However, with the score

on 239, Peter Chase trapped Ahmed and Khan was then dismissed by Tim Murtagh. Middlesex seamer Murtagh was the pick of Ireland’s bowlers on the final day as his closing dismissal, with Ed Joyce taking a simple catch, brought impressive figures of 4-29. George Dockrell and Kevin O’Brien chipped in with two wickets apiece but the Ireland attack laboured for most of the final afternoon

Ireland move closer to Test-playoff with win over Hong Kong as Khan and Ahmed looked comfortable during their 61run partnership. Earlier, a quick victory looked on the cards as Murtagh’s first two wickets and O’Brien’s dismissals left Hong Kong on 114-5 before they slipped 147-7. Ireland were able to add only 31 runs for the loss of their final four wickets at the start of the day as O’Brien finished unbeaten on 16. The victory maintained

Ireland’s winning run in the competition as they moved back to the top of the eightteam table. After four successive wins, Ireland lead Afghanistan by 19 points, with the two sides meeting in the next fixture in India next March. The winners of the eight-nation competition will play the bottom-ranked Test nation in 2018 for the right to earn four years of Test cricket status. (BBC Sport)

Serena Williams eases past Vania King at US Open SERENA Williams cruised past Vania King to maintain her record of having never been eliminated before the third round at the US Open. The world number one, bidding for her 23rd grand slam, eased to a 6-3, 6-3 victory over fellow American King at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday. Williams dropped just one game in her only previous meeting with King – at Flushing Meadows in 2014 – and while that changed, the result was never in doubt. The 34-year-old hit 19 winners in the first set as she dominated with her power, before cruising through the second. The match was complete in just 64 minutes, with Swede Johanna Larsson awaiting Williams in the third round.

SERENA WILLIAMS With her win, Williams tied Martina Navratilova’s professional-era record of 306 grand-slam match victories. Williams has only lost before the fourth round once at the US Open, and that came in her maiden appearance in 1998. A six-time champion in New York, Williams looks set to be hard to beat once more.

Joshua to defend world title in November ANTHONY Joshua has confirmed the second defence of his IBF world heavyweight title will take place at the Manchester Arena on November 26. Joshua claimed the title by beating Charles Martin in April and defended the belt two months later against Dominic Breazeale, but his next opponent has not yet been named. The 26-year-old beat Konstantin Airich in 2014 in Manchester and Joshua said he is looking forward to returning to “the grassroots” after five straight bouts at London’s O2 Arena. “When I first started my professional career I travelled all round the country

Anthony Joshua won Olympic super-heavyweight gold at London 2012. fighting, which I loved,” Joshua said. “This is taking me back to the grassroots. “I can’t wait to get back up north and show the people of Manchester how much I have improved since the last

time I was there. “I have been inspired over the summer by the fighters in the Olympics, it has given me a new perspective and huge hunger to get back in the ring.

“It has taken a bit of time to officially announce the fight. We want this to be a spectacular show, all the way up the card and it takes time to get these things right.” Promoter Eddie Hearn previously named mandatory challenger Joseph Parker as a possible opponent for Joshua, along with Bermane Stiverne and Kubrat Pulev, while Tyson Fury has previously signalled his intention to take on Joshua. “We’ve already got a three-fight plan mapped out, which is November/ December, March at the O2 then July at Wembley, which will either be against (David) Haye, Fury or (Deontay) Wilder,” Hearn said.

WICB chief executive officer to quit in October WEST Indies Cricket Board’s chief executive Michael Muirhead will step down from his position after a four-year stint in the role. Muirhead’s contract was up for renewal on October 14, but he has opted to quit the WICB. Muirhead, who had replaced Ernest Hilaire, the WICB CEO in 2012, said he had helped the board turn its finances around. “I came in at a time when the state of finances at the board were in deficit and in my brief tenure I have managed to turn around and will be leaving with a surplus,” Muirhead told ESPNcricinfo. With a banking and marketing background, Muirhead was focused on the numbers and the money element and worked in close association with WICB WICB chief executive president Dave Cam- officer Michael Muirhead eron. Although Muirhead counts as having contributed to West Indies’ two World T20 wins, his tenure, along with Cameron’s, will be remembered for their run-ins with senior West Indies players over issues like the pay disputes and selection. A dispute related to payment structure between the players, the WICB and the West Indies Players’ Association resulted in the team pulling out of their tour of India in October 2014. The board faced a crisis before this year’s World T20 in India after the players appeared to collectively reject the contracts offered by the WICB due to what they perceived as “huge financial reductions”. Following West Indies’ title win, Darren Sammy and a few other senior players had criticised the WICB, and were reprimanded by the ICC after the tournament. Muirhead agreed the chasm between the board and the players has been always there, but the divide is steadily being breached. He pointed out that when he entered the WICB, there was constant strife between the board and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA). “When I came in it was extremely hostile between us and the players’ association. We were in court regularly,” he said. “There was judgement and arbitration against us. I think I played a more conciliatory role instead of being antagonistic to the point that we have not had petitions against us. Our legal fees have gone down significantly. And we have a good relationship with the union (WIPA).” Before the two-match T20I series against India in Florida, WIPA and the WICB hosted a symposium where players and administrators met in an effort to resolve longstanding disputes. “A lot of players were able to speak quite frankly. The lines of communication are now re-opened,” Muirhead said. (ESPN Cricinfo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 3, 2016

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Nat. U-17 League

Messi makes goal-scoring return MONTEVIDEO - Lionel Messi scored the winning goal on his return from a short-lived international retirement on Thursday as Argentina defeated Uruguay to take control of South America’s 2018 World Cup qualifying race. Messi had stunned the footballing world in June after vowing to never play for Argentina again following an

agonising defeat to Chile in the final of the Copa America Centenario. But that tearful farewell was a distant memory at Mendoza’s Estadio Malvinas on Thursday as the Barcelona player orchestrated a 1-0 victory over the two-time World Cup winners. Messi, showing no sign of the groin injury which

had placed a question mark against his participation, lashed home the winner on 42 minutes, with his low shot taking a wicked deflection to deceive Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera at the near post. Afterwards Messi paid tribute to the rapturous applause he received throughout. In the dying minutes one

Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Uruguay during the 2018 World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay at Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, Argentina, Thursday. (Nicolas Aguilera / EPA) young fan sprinted onto the pitch and nearly flattened the five-time World Footballerof-the-Year with a congratulatory hug. “I am grateful to the people for the treatment, for the love,” Messi said, insisting his retirement announcement in June was genuine as he digested a third defeat in a final with Argentina in as many years. “I wasn’t trying to cheat anyone, I said what I felt. I feel happy,” Messi said. Argentina’s new manager Edgardo Bauza meanwhile saluted Messi’s commitment in returning to play despite his niggling groin problem. He hinted Messi may be rested for Argentina’s next match, against Venezuela on Tuesday. “If he’s not right we won’t risk him,” Bauza said. “I know how painful it is to suffer a groin injury, but Messi’s character meant he was always going to stay on the pitch tonight.” Argentina’s win came after a superb backs-to-thewall defensive effort in the second half when they had been reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of young Juventus striker Paulo Dybala just before halftime. Dybala, 22, was escorted from the pitch in tears after the red card.

Argentina’s win leaves them in first place in South America’s marathon round-robin qualifying campaign with 14 points from seven games. Elsewhere Thursday, there was an impressive win for Brazil over Ecuador in the thin air of Quito, which is situated a dizzying 2,850 metres (9,350 feet) above sea level. Brazil had never won a qualifying game in the Ecuadoran capital before, but two goals from teenage prodigy Gabriel Jesus and a penalty from Neymar handed the five-time world champions a 3-0 victory. Jesus, 19, who signed for English side Manchester City from Palmeiras in August, was outstanding, underscoring his status as the brightest talent in Brazilian football. Jesus won the penalty for the first goal after bursting into the area and drawing a foul from Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez. Neymar duly converted before Jesus doubled Brazil’s lead three minutes from time with a sublime flicked finish from Marcelo’s low cross to make it 2-0. Jesus, who like Neymar had played in Brazil’s gold medal-winning Olympic football campaign, then add-

ed a third in stoppage time with a crisp finish into the top corner. The win left Brazil in fifth place overall in the standings with 12 points from seven games. In other matches on Thursday, Colombia defeated Venezuela 2-0 in their port city stronghold of Barranquilla. Goals from Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez and Macnelly Torres secured the points for Colombia, who would have won by more had it not been for two missed penalties in the final 10 minutes. The win leaves Colombia level with Ecuador and Uruguay on 13 points, just behind leaders Argentina. Paraguay meanwhile are level on 12 points with Brazil after scoring a stormy 2-1 win over South American champions Chile in Asuncion. Oscar Romero and Paulo da Silva fired Paraguay 2-0 up after only nine minutes before Arturo Vidal pulled a goal back just before halftime. A fractious second half ended with Chile defender Gary Medel being sent off in the closing stages as Paraguay held on. In the day’s other game, Bolivia defeated Peru 2-0 in La Paz.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 3, 2016

GTA Storm upstage Enterprise in thriller … cart off Norman Sue Bakery consolation title

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada -- A mere two years after joining the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) and an unforgettable debut season when they failed to make any significant impression in the Conference B, GTA Storm have made quite a turnaround in 2016. Still unbeaten in the regular season (20 overs) after 10 games out of the allotted 12, GTA Storm held off a stiff challenge from Enterprise to capture the Norman Sue Bakery-sponsored 15over Consolation final at

the Ashtonbee number two ground last Saturday. Of much significance was the fact that both teams were unbeaten in the 20-over (Conference B ) c o m p e t i t i o n , G TA Storm with nine wins and Enterprise 10 prior to last Saturday’s final. It was therefore quite fitting that the winners were not decided until the final delivery of the match, with Enterprise needing six to clinch victory in quest of a challenging 123. That feat, however, eluded Enterprise as Seenarine Singh, in attempting to clear the boundary, was brilliantly caught

by Nirad Lall on the deep midwicket boundary for 30, sparking wild celebrations among the GTA players and supporters. The unsung hero in the final was Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) player Winston Forrester. Known more for his batting as an opener for GTA Storm, Forrester was given the task of bowling at 13th and last over of the 15-over affair and responded admirably. After grabbing a wicket in his first over and also limiting the scoring rate, Forrester was asked to defend eight runs in the last

over. Six were needed off the last and the rest is now history. He finished with an impressive two for 14 and duly earned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for his team. The strong Enterprise outfit, competing in their first season, were always in the hunt for the title with MVP Narine and Neil Singh (20) both hitting two sixes respectively - extras contributed a healthy 28 - but they failed to get over the line in the final over. Earlier, GTA Storm, asked to take first strike, reached 122 for nine in their allotted 15 overs with

GTA Most Valuable Player Winston Forrester collects his award from a member of the Norman Sue Bakery family.

The victorious GTA players pose with their winnings along with members of the Norman Sue Bakery family.

Harris to coach Australia bowlers on South Africa tour

(REUTERS) - FORMER paceman Ryan Harris has taken a major step towards achieving his ambition of becoming Australia’s permanent bowling coach after the 36-year-old was handed the role for the team’s limited-overs tour of South Africa. Harris, who retired from all forms of cricket last year, played 27 Tests, 21 oneday internationals and three Twenty20s for Australia. He will join head coach Darren Lehmann and assistant coach David Saker on the tour starting on Sep-

RYAN HARRIS tember 27, where Australia will play a single one-dayer against Ireland and a five-

match series against hosts South Africa. “It’s great experience to learn from David Saker and Darren Lehmann, I’m really just going to sit back and watch and learn,” said Harris, who took 113 wickets in Tests and a further 44 in the 50-over format. “Eventually, I’d like to work my way to the top and become a bowling coach of the Australian team one day. Just like playing, you have to earn your stripes and learn the ropes.” Lehmann welcomed the

appointment of Harris, who is currently the assistant coach of Australia’s national performance squad. “I’m excited to have Ryan on board, a player and person of his calibre will no doubt offer strengths to our national side,” Lehmann said in a statement. “It’s a win-win having two experienced coaches in Ryan and David Saker being able to nurture our young group, particularly the up and coming bowlers joining, and we expect a positive response both on and off the field.”

Nishal Singh 21 (one six and a four) and Loakram Singh 18 (two sixes) being the principal scorers while extras, again in the limelight, totalled 37. Apart from Forrester, two other players from Guyana, Shiv Shiwram (GCC) and Abdul Razack Salim (McGill Superstars) formed part of the GTA Storm squad. Speaking with Chronicle Sport, after the final,

an elated Nirad Lall, who serves as the marketing director of the team, disclosed that he’s confident that GTA Storm will also emerge winners of the 20over tournament and challenged for the Champion of Champions trophy. GTA Storm and Enterprise are scheduled to clash in the final round of the 20-over tournament with both teams already assured of a playoff place.

Sri Lanka’s Mathews out of remaining limited-overs games vs Australia SRI Lanka captain Angelo Mathews has been ruled out of the remainder of the one-day series against Australia due to a calf muscle injury, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said yesterday. Mathews limped off during his knock in the fourth one-day international as Australia secured a six-wicket win in Dambulla on Wednesday, giving the visitors an unassailable 3-1 lead heading into the final game in Kandy on Sunday. The 29-year-old will also miss the two Twenty20 matches against the Australians. “Angelo’s MRI and clinical symptoms are both consistent with a medial calf muscle injury. He is not expected to be available for the remainder of the Australian series,” SLC said in a statement. (Reporting by Ian Rodricks in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 3, 2016

Lusignan Golf Club to see action today

THE Massy United Insurance fourth annual Golf tournament will tee-off today at the Lusignan Golf Course from 13:00hrs. The tournament was initially set for the month of May but was postponed due to heavy rainfall and the poor condition of the course and access road. However, restorations done between Macorp EMR Inc. and club executives ensured the course was tournament-ready. The tournament will play on the Open Medal Play system. In this system prizes will be awarded in the 1st to 4th Best Net, Nearest The

L-R Branch Manager Lindel Harlequin gives sponsorship cheque to Golf Club president Oncar Ramroop, flanked by Vibert Austin, and Club PRO, Guy Griffith.

Pin, Best Gross and Most Honest Golfer categories. Club president Oncar Ramroop, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Lusignan Golf Club stating, “We are highly appreciative of the good, faithful support that we have had from Massy United Insurance in four years of sponsoring tournaments.” Ramroop concluded, “We at Lusignan Golf Club are quite delighted that Massy not only provides such support but also offers great insurance coverage to the club.” The public is invited and the tournament is free of charge and open to all.

Pulisic double inspires U.S. 6-0 rout of St Vincent and the Grenadines

(REUTERS) - UNITED States teenage substitute Christian Pulisic scored a second-half double in a 6-0 rout of St Vincent and the Grenadines as they moved to the verge of the final CONCACAF World Cup qualifying round yesterday. Three first-half goals had put the result beyond doubt, though the visitors were exposed several times defensively by the plucky team from the

small Caribbean island nation of barely 100 000 people. German-based Bobby Wood opened the scoring in the 28th minute when he curled a shot into the far corner from just outside the box at the Arnos Vale cricket ground in Kingstown. Matt Besler’s strike and a Jozy Altidore penalty extended the lead before halftime in breezy conditions. St Vincent had the ball in

the net twice early in the second half, but were offside on both occasions. Seventeen-year-old Pulisic then showed his class after coming off the bench. The Borussia Dortmund striker scored his first goal after collecting a pass with a deft touch inside the box and completed the win in stoppage time when he was given too much time just outside the box and placed the ball clinically inside the post.

Sacha Kljestan also scored for the U.S., who are poised to reach the so-called Hexagonal, or final stage, of CONCACAF qualifying. The U.S. have 10 points from five matches, with one game left in the stage. The six teams that qualify for the Hexagonal will play each other home and away, with the top three advancing to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Christian Pulisic (17) celebrates after scoring a goal in the second half at Children’s Mercy Park (Gary Rohman/MLS/ USA TODAY Sports)

Resilient Konta crushes Bencic to reach last-16 (REUTERS) - BRITAIN’S Johanna Konta looked back to full fitness at the U.S. Open yesterday as she swept past Switzerland’s Belinda

Bencic 6-2, 6-1 to reach the last-16 for a second year in a row. A semi-finalist at the 2016 Australian Open, 13th seed Konta never allowed

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday September 03, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Cyril Rutherford Browne (2) Keith Boyce

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who is the first player to captain the WI in a Test match? (2) Who is the first player to captain the WI in an ODI game?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Bencic into the match, hitting eight aces as she matched her best effort in the season’s final grand slam at Flushing Meadows. “I am just overwhelm-

ingly happy,” said Konta, who collapsed on court midway her previous match against Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova before recovering to win 6-2, 5-7,

6-2. “I’m really happy with how I was able to deal with things. Just happy I was able to use whatever energy I had left.”

Konta will next play the unseeded Latvian, Anastasija Sevastova, who beat Ukrainian Kateryna Bondarenko 6-4, 6-1 earlier yesterday.

Paradise Invaders trounce Lichfield Nuggets in NAMILCO 7-goal slugfest DOUBLES off the boots of Nial Reynolds and Terrique Benn laid the platform for a resounding 5-2 win in favour of Paradise Invaders over Lichfield Nuggets on Thursday afternoon when the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra-Association league continued at the Mahaicony ground. Godwin Humphrey it was who notched the open-

ing goal for Paradise from the penalty spot with 10 minutes on the game clock but with the exact amount of time elapsing, Lichfield pulled one back to even the score through Kahdon Archibald. As the exchanges continued back and forth, Paradise restored their one-goal advantage when Reynolds fired in the first of his brace in the 70-minute clash. Reynolds

breached the Lichfield defence and goalkeeper in the 27th minute. And one minute to the half-time whistle, Benn touched in his first goal (34th) to see his side go to the break with a comfortable 2-goal cushion, 3-1. But on resumption, Lichfield were on target again, this time it was Tyrone Pompey who blasted the nets to reduce the lead by

one goal in the 45th minute. Paradise then put the game beyond the reach of their opponents who were getting a bit too close.Benn netted their fourth goal in the 54th minute, a sweetly timed header from just within the six yards box and Reynolds sealed the deal on 60 minutes with goal number five for Paradise and his second of the match. Paradise walked away 5-2 winners.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 3, 2016

Jaguars Franchise League 3-Day Tournament

Upper Corentyne hit back as 16 wickets tumble on day one By Rajiv Bisnauth

EAST Coast Demerara bowled out Upper Corentyne for a paltry 149 but found batting tough themselves on the opening day of the second round of the Jaguars Franchise League Three-day competition yesterday at the Enterprise Busta Sports Club ground. At stumps, the hosts were 129-6 in reply, Test opener Rajendra Chandrika on 31 and Amir Khan on 14, set to resume on the second morning after the Corentyne bowlers battled hard to prevent the hosts from completely dominating day one.

Kamesh Yadram Off-spinner Eon Hooper and leg-spinner Shawn Pereira led the rout for the visitors with 3-20 and 2-15 respectively on a surface that held few terrors for the batsmen. Pacer Clinton Pestano chipped in with one scalp. Earlier the batting conditions were not easy, with the odd ball staying low, and, combined with an outfield the speed of a wet golf green, it made life challenging for the batsmen. Asked to bat under overcast conditions, after play began 30 minutes late due to a slight shower, the visitors went to lunch with four wickets down. Openers Jason Sinclair and discarded Test opener Assad Fudadin did put up some resistance, with a first-wicket stand of 29. But pacer Paul Wintz made the first breakthrough when he moved a delivery away just enough to kiss the outside edge of Sinclair’s bat and Amir Khan completed a simple catch at third slip to dismiss the right-hander for 10. Spin was introduced within the first hour of play, and off-spinner Vivian Albert extracted more than a little bit of turn to remove both Fudadin (18) and Joshua

Ramsammy without scoring. Wintz then completed a stunning period for the hosts, with the wicket of Troy Gonsalves without scoring, with all four wickets falling at 29. Anthony Bramble and Arif Chan reassembled things with a 37-run unbroken stand by lunch. However, the pair failed to capitalise on the promising partnership and pacer Gavin Moriah was soon among the wickets when he removed Bramble for 30. Clinton Pestano was run-out for 23, while Hooper could not provide any sort of resistance, and fell to part-time spinner Chanderpaul Hemraj for one. Things went from bad to worse for the visitors, as Amir Khan then got into the act, with the wickets of Chan (19) and Pereira (0). After Pereira’s exit, Keon Sinclair entertained the small contingent of Berbice fans with a brief cameo – including four fours and two sixes before leg-spinner Steven Sankar claimed the final wicket of Omesh Mathura for seven. Wintz, Albert and Khan finished with two wickets apiece, while Moriah, Sankar and Hemraj were the other successful bowlers. Despite impressing with the ball, the hosts struggled with the bat early on as Gavin Boodwah was taken out by Pestano for a duck in the fourth ball of the innings. Chanderpaul Hemraj, who opened with Boodwah, after regular opener Rajendra Chandrika was given time out during the morning session, did not do much better as he only mustered four runs before falling victim to Hooper, leaving the hosts at 19-2. Kamesh Yadram and his younger sibling Bhaskar Yadram then constructed a 54-run partnership for the third wicket before both batsmen were trapped leg-before to Hooper for 26 and 44 respectively. Pereira then removed both Ramnarine Chatura and Albert without scoring. In the other second-round matches, Lower Corentyne closed on 123-3, replying to Georgetown’s 212 all out; Essequibo, replying to West Berbice first-innings 172, reached 111-8 and East Bank closed on 55-2 in response to West Demerara’s first-innings 253. Scores from other matches played yesterday: At Albion: Georgetown who won the toss and elected to bat first, was dismissed for 212. Christopher Barnwell

top scored with 35, Robin Bacchus 32, Andrew Light Jnr. 27, Dexter Solomon 26 and Ovid Richardson made 25. Veerasammy Permaul had 4/53 and Jonathan Foo 3/11 bowling for Lower Corentyne. In reply, Lower Corentyne is 123/3 at the close with the in-form Jonathan

Foo on 75 not out. Kandasammy Surujnarine made 35. ATt Everest:, West Demerara made 253 all out after being asked to take first strike by East Coast Demerara. Travis Persaud top score with 53 while Tagenarine Chanderpaul scored 47, Mahendra Dhanpaul (43) and

Romario Shephard (36) were also among the runs. Bowling for East Coast Demerara, Sherane Rutherford 2/40, Steven Jacobs had 2/41 and Totaram Bishun 2/47. East Coast Demerara closed the day on 55/2. Romario Shephard has so far taken 2/12 for West Demerara. Over at Cumberland:,

West Berbice was dismissed for 171 in 53.3 overs. Raffael Estraido and Shimron Hetmyer top scored with 34. Bowling for Essequibo, Anthony Adams took 5/60 while Akenie Adams claimed 2/18. Essequibo in reply is on 111/8 at the close with Anthony Adams on 30 not out.

WICB chief executive officer to quitSee story in October on page 27

Ravens claim double titles in GABA Hard Court tourney

DYNA’S Ravens walked away with the winning spoils of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) Hard Court Tournament on Thursday night when both teams secured wins over TGH Pacesetters in the finals. In the U-23 final, Ravens edged Pacesetters with a 45-41 scoreline. Throughout the game, Ravens never relinquished the lead, leading in the first quarter 17-14 on the back of Nduku Horatio and Murtland

Ward. The second quarter saw Ravens put up 12 points to Pacesetters’ 6, to go into halftime 29-20. In the third period both teams struggled to score with Pacesetters cutting the lead to four points as they outscored Ravens 8-6 to finish the quarter trailing 35-28. At the start of the fourth quarter, Pacesetters reduced a five-point Ravens, to reduce the score to 35-28. Pace-

Victorious U-23 side

Triumphant senior side setters then pulled within two points of Ravens at 36-34, following a 6-1 run in the first four minutes of the period. Ravens responded, showing their grit and went on a scoring run to lead 43-34 with under three minutes remaining. The game, was just as close as the scoreline indicated, with Pacesetters having the opportunity to win the encounter with 11 seconds to go. Guard Jaleel Duke had an opportunity to tie the game with two free throws. At this point, Pacesetters were down 2 with the score 43-41 and 11 seconds remained. However, Duke missed both and on the second miss, Ravens forward Anfernee Jervis took it the length of the court and scored the layup to crush the hopes of Pacesetters. For the winners, Nduku Horatio top-scored with nine points while Ward chipped in with eight. On the other side, Nathan Saul recorded a game-high 21 points. Meanwhile, on the Senior side the win margin for Ravens mirrored that of the U-23, with Pacesetters falling 63-57. High scoring at a frenzied pace was the story of

the game, with both teams scoring double figures in each quarter. The first quarter saw Ravens jump out to a two-point lead behind its prolific scorer Ryan Stephney’s shooting. The quarter finished 16-14 with Pacesetters’ Stephan Gillis keeping his team close. The second quarter saw a reverse of the score with Ravens scoring 14 and Pacesetters scoring 16 to finish the half at 30-30. However, Ravens would not be denied and once again Ryan Stephney put in work, assisted by teammate Dominic Vincente, to register the highest quarter-total of the game - 19. Pacesetters turned in 7 less with 12 and the quarter ended 49-42 with 10 minutes to play. Pacesetters fought back into the game in the fourth but Ravens never relinquished the lead, despite being outscored by 1 point in the quarter. Stephney and Vincente saw Ravens home, both finishing with 23 and 11 respectively. Stephan Gillis registered a teamhigh 15 points in the losing effort. With the win, Ravens won two out of three legs in the tournament.

Million applications to watch Bolt and Farah in London MO FARAH

MORE than a million applications have been made for the 700 000 tickets available to see the championships at which Usain Bolt and Mo Farah will make their final track appearances. Both will retire after next year’s World Championships in London. It will be the final competition for Jamaica’s nine-time Olympic champion sprinter Bolt, 30. British Olympic and world 5 000m and 10 000m champion Farah plans to focus on marathon running after London 2017. Organ-

isers said 1 047 000 tickets have been applied for and five of 14 sessions are oversubscribed. They include the 100m final, which would be Bolt’s swansong and which more than 200 000 want to see. The capacity for the championships at the London Stadium in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park - which is also now home to Premier League side West Ham United - will be around 50 000 per session. Performances by British athletes at last month’s Olympic Games in Rio, where Team GB won more

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medals than they did at the London 2012 Games, have also boosted interest. A British Athletics spokesperson said: “The UK public witnessed new athletics heroes emerge at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and applications for London’s championships were boosted by the public wanting to witness these athletes in action next summer.” Bolt, an 11-time world champion, added: “It’s fantastic to see.” The IAAF World Championships take place from August 4 to 13, 2017. (BBC Sport)

USAIN BOLT

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2016