Chronicle 12 18 2015

BILLS PASSED FRIDAY DECEMBER 18, 2015

No. 104405

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

…House clears AML, Local Gov’t, Financial Data bills

3

P.

Taking gov’t to the people

9

P.

President David Granger and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, interacting with some of the persons who attended the public outreach at the Square of the Revolution on Thursday (Samuel Maughn photo)

Qualfon workers decry poor conditions 8

P.

Sattaur Bandit sent nabbed home 7

P.

2

P.

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 18, 2015

GRA’s Sattaur sent home COMMISSIONER-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Khurshid Sattaur, has been sent on 200 days’ leave to facilitate a full-fledged audit of the GRA. Acting Deputy Commissioner-General Ms. Ingrid Griffith will act in the position during the period Sattaur is on leave.

According to a statement issued by the GRA yesterday, the governing board of directors yesterday took a unanimous decision to send Sattaur on vacation leave with immediate effect to facilitate an upcoming comprehensive forensic audit of the agency by a reputable international firm.

Sattaur, who has been Commissioner-General for the past 12 years, has accumulated vacation leave of more than 200 days, and has been ordered to proceed immediately on leave while the authorities arrange the audit of the GHRA.

Back in July, Minister of State Joseph Harmon had told the media that government could not say if Sattaur’s services would be retained, but that the results of a forensic audit done on the GRA would determine that.

Pointedly asked whether the administration had confidence in Sattaur, and whether it would retain his services, Harmon had, back then, responded: “This administration will not preempt what is likely to come out in the audit. If, at the end of it, the audit points us in a certain direction, then certainly that is the direction which we will go. But I will not pre-empt any finding,” the minister had said.

He’d also said, “We have to be very careful how we are dealing with certain things.” As he had explained, given that the GRA is the major revenue-earning agency in this country, the government cannot “treat

Khurshid Sattaur

lightly with the structure or administration of such an entity, until you are very sure about what you want to do.”

“I will not disclose a preference for anyone or any particular officer, but what I can say to you is that, once we are satisfied that there is a lack of competence; that the integrity is gone; that there is corruption; and that there is no confidence, then I think (that) putting all of it together, we will make a decision on these matters.

But I am not going to say to you that we have no confidence in Sattaur… at the appropriate time, when that decision needs to be made, it will be; and we will make it known to the public,” the minister said.

BILLS PASSED

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 18, 2015

…House clears AML, Local Govt, Financial Data bills

By Tajeram Mohabir The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of the Terrorism (Amendment) Bill and the Municipal and Local District Councils and Local Authorities (Elections)

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

(Amendment) Bill were yesterday passed in the National Assembly with the Opposition PPP refusing to participate in the debates on these two legislations.

The PPP has earlier indicated that the bills were “rushed in the House”, and as such, it was not given adequate time to make its contributions.

The government on Thursday was also criticised by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), which also accused it of moving in haste and not consulting with stakeholders.

Yesterday, the government heeded the appeal of both entities and did not

proceed with the Anti-Terrorism and Terrorist Related Activities Bill 2015, informing the House that it will be consulting more widely on the legislation.

But it went ahead and also pass the Financial Institutions (Amendment) Bill,

not an imposition as the PPP claimed.

The Municipal and Local District Councils and Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the Municipal and District Council Act, Chapter 28:01, to provide clarity

the Proportional Representation List was amended from 50 to 60 to 100 to 110.

Mr Bulkan said there is nothing untoward about the bill, pointing out that the amendments therein were tabled by the PPP when they

Laundering and Countering the Financing of the Terrorism (Amendment) Bill.

Unfazed by the Opposition action, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams told the august body that the bill provides for several government provisions, and importantly, Guyana has made laudable

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan

PPP Member of Parliament Anil Nandlall

PPP Member of Parliament Irfaan Ali

regarding its application with respect to the new local government system.

It also seeks to amend the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Chapter 28: 03 to ensure consistency in its application as obtains in the Municipal and District Council Act. The PPP had charged that the legislation makes it onerous for small parties and individuals to contest the March 18 Local Government Elections, but Mr Bulkan contended that this is not so.

The 15 to 20 nominees required for individuals contesting Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and 20 to 30 required for groups and political parties have not changed.

But the requirement for

were in government.

The minister also put to rest the claim of non-consultation, noting that the amendments in the bill are practically the work of the now Opposition.

According to Minister of Infrastructure David Patterson, the PPP is trying to frustrate the holding of Local Government Elections, but the government will not delay placing power into the hands of the people.

Thought the PPP chose to boycott the debate on the bill, Mr Bulkan in concluding the debate on the legislation availed himself to the PPP for any clarification they may need.

The PPP also boycotted the debate Anti-Money

strives in being internationally compliant in tackling money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

The bill among other things seeks to strengthen customs and due diligence, ensure targeted action, identifying, listing and freezing

with Finance Minister Winston Jordan contending that the apprehension created by the PPP regarding the safeguard of citizens personal data is driven by misinformation.

The debate on the bills started with some drama with the PPP walked out of the chambers just after Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan began his presentation on the Municipal and Local District Councils and Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill.

Mr Bulkan, somewhat bemused at the happenings on the other side of the House, continued his presentation, making it clear from the onset that the bill is

of assets and also the unfreezing of assets.

Minister of Public Security in a terse presentation commended the bill which enjoyed an uninterrupted passage.

Before the debate on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of the Terrorism (Amendment) Bill ended, the PPP re-entered the House to share its views on the Financial Institutions (Amendment) Bill.

This bill, which attracted much criticism from the PPP and the PSC, permits disclosure of customer information by a financial institution to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), where a law so requires or where the GRA makes a lawful request or demand for information.

PPP Members of Parliament Anil Nandlall, Irfaan Ali and Joseph Hamilton in essence supported the bill, but express reservation on the safety and privacy of data on citizens.

They alluded to a few cases of malicious leaking of citizens’ private information by persons in GRA with personal agenda.

But Minister Jordan maintained that the legislation does safeguard against the malicious leaking of data.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 18, 2015

IMF boss to stand trial for negligence

IMF chief, Christine Lagarde is to stand trial in France for alleged negligence over a €404M ($438M; £294M) payment to a businessman in 2008.

She was finance minister in President Nicolas Sarkozy’s government at the time of the compensation award to Bernard Tapie for the sale of a firm.

Mr Tapie supported Mr Sarkozy in the 2007 presidential election.

Ms Lagarde’s lawyer described the court’s decision as “incomprehensible”, and said the IMF boss would appeal.

In a statement, she said she had “always acted in this affair in the interest of the State, and in respect of the law,” according to AP. Mr Tapie was once a majority shareholder in Adidas, the sports goods company, but sold it in 1993 in order to become a cabinet minister in Francois Mitterrand’s Socialist government.

He sued the Credit Lyonnais bank over its handling of the sale, alleging that the partly State-owned bank had defrauded him by deliberately undervaluing the company.

His case was later re-

ferred by Ms Lagarde to a three-member arbitration panel, which awarded the compensation, causing a public outcry.

Investigators suspect he was granted a deal in return for his support of Mr Sarkozy.

Earlier this month, a French court ruled that Mr Tapie was not entitled to any compensation for that sale, and should pay back the €404M, with interest.

FIVE-DAY DEADLINE France’s Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR) decided that Ms Lagarde, 59, should be tried on the charge

Christine Lagarde

of “negligence by a person in position of public authority” over the compensation case, iTele TV channel and the Mediapart website reported yesterday. A court spokesman later confirmed the decision.

If convicted, she could be sentenced to one year in prison.

French media said the CJR investigation magistrates declined to follow the recommendation of another court, which last year decided not to pursue the case.

“It’s incomprehensible,” Ms Lagarde’s lawyer, Yves

Repiquet told iTele. “I will recommend Ms Lagarde appeal against this decision.”

A spokesman for France’s attorney-general said Ms Lagarde would have five days to appeal, once the court decision is made public tomorrow or Monday.

Meanwhile, IMF spokesman, Gerry Rice said the organisation, which represents 188 member nations, “continues to express its confidence in the managing director’s ability to effectively carry out her duties.”

(BBC)

Pentagon to transfer 17 ‘Gitmo’ prisoners THE Pentagon plans to transfer 17 Guantanamo Bay detainees in the coming weeks, a move that would cut the US prison’s population to 90, reports say.

US media quote officials as saying Defence Secre-

tary Ashton Carter has already told Congress about the move.

It would reportedly be the largest number of detainee transfers in a single month since 2007.

President Barack Obama

wants to close the controversial jail in Cuba, set up during the “war on terror” in 2002.

It is being used to detain what Washington calls “enemy combatants”, following the September 11, 2001 attacks in the US.

DATE: 16/12/2015 M 18 08 28 19 24 23 09

17/12/2015

7

8

9

The first 20 detainees were transferred to the facility on January 11, 2002, and a total of 780 men have been held since then, the vast majority without charge or criminal trial.

14

21

17/12/2015

8

RESTRICTIONS TIGHTENED Mr Carter recently notified Congress about the planned transfer of 17 lower-level detainees, officials familiar with internal deliberations were quoted as saying by the New York Times newspaper.

Separately, a senior US defence official told the AFP news agency, “We found homes for the 17 [detainees],” adding that several countries had agreed to take them in.

All the officials spoke on condition of anonymity.

The New York-based Human Rights First organisation

3

1

17/12/2015

has welcomed the reported move.

“It is encouraging to see President Obama take decisive action towards transferring these detainees -- who have been cleared for transfer by all relevant national security agencies -- out of the detention facility,” said Human Rights First’s Daphne Eviatar.

“But the simple fact remains that the president needs to continue making this a priority, if he intends to follow through on his promise to shutter Guantanamo before he leaves office,” she added.

President Obama is trying to shut the Guantanamo detention facility before he leaves the White House in 2017.

It is believed that 20 prisoners have been transferred so far in 2015.

The Republican-dominated Congress has tightened restrictions on transfers from the prison, requiring the Pentagon to report that security standards have been met at least 30 days before any such move.

18

01 06 17

15 12

10

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 18, 2015

Juicy cocaine from T&T

TRINIDAD and Tobago was once again the focus of an international drug bust involving cocaine in juice containers.

According to reports out of Canada Wednesday, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrested two Greater Toronto Area men for importing approximately 44 litres of liquid cocaine, which could be converted to approximately 24 kilogrammes of powdered cocaine.

The liquid cocaine was concealed in over 40 cartons of orange juice found in a container full of food products destined for Toronto from this country, the RCMP

said in a statement Wednesday.

The statement said investigations began on November 16 last, when Canada Border Services Agency officers at the Port of Halifax inspected a sea container containing different food products that originated from Trinidad and Tobago.

The officers seized the cocaine, and contacted the RCMP, triggering further investigation in the Toronto area.

Norris Williams, 46, of Whitby, and 46-year-old Lincoln Strachan, of Mississauga, were subsequently arrested, and each face charges of possession for the purpose of

trafficking, importing drugs into Canada, and conspiracy.

The men appeared in court on November 30, and were released. They will reappear in a Brampton court on January 22.

Several photos of juice products prepared and packaged by the local Nestle outfit were posted on major social media websites, including Facebook, Wednesday as the story gained traction Online.

However, an official from Nestle’s communications department denied any of its products were involved in the bust in Canada, emphasising that Trinidad Nestle does not export products to Toronto, or to any area in Canada for

Gifts before murder

GABRIELLE SOHAN loved her family dearly, especially her younger siblings, Armando, four; 10-year-old Leon and 13-year-old Josh Lalchan. She recently shopped for them, purchasing gifts of toys which she planned to wrap with gift paper and present to them on Christmas Day. The gifts, bought with love, will never be presented to the boys by their big sister, after two bodies — one of which is believed to be that of Sohan — were found in the back seat of a Honda Civic car which was found ablaze in Woodford Lodge, Chaguanas on Monday night. The other body is believed to be that of Sohan’s friend, Christopher Ramsawak, 27.

While police sources said Wednesday it will take several weeks to make a positive, formal identity on the bodies, which were burnt beyond recognition, they are fairly certain the bodies are those of the 18-year-old Sohan and Ramsawak.

While no cause of death can yet be ascertained, as no autopsy has been done, police are treating the death of the two as murder.

The teenager, Newsday was told, had been in hiding following an abusive relationship, yet she still shopped and purchased gifts for her siblings, which she dropped off at the family’s Santa Clara, Preysal home last week Tuesday. She expressed hope, relatives said, of presenting the gifts to the three on Christmas Day. However, last week Tuesday was the last time the boys saw their sister alive. The car (PBB 9364) was found completely engulfed in flames

on Monday at 10pm. After firemen doused the flames, they came across the charred remains in the back seat.

On Wednesday, relatives of both Sohan and Ramsawak were asked to give DNA samples, via saliva and blood, to investigators which would be used to formally identify the bodies. Speaking at the family’s Preysal home, Sohan’s stepfather, Latchman Lalchan, 33, said the teenager came to the house last week Tuesday with a bag containing toys she purchased for her brothers.

“She told her brothers that she was going to get them some early Christmas presents, and the rest to be opened on Christmas Day. “They were so happy; the boys were so excited to see her that day, they ran towards her and hugged and kissed her,” Lalchan related.

He said Sohan was very close to her siblings, and shared a special bond with the boys. “She was like their second mother, and they looked up to her. They called her ‘Gabby’; they adored her. The boys are missing their sister, and are old enough to know what happened to her, so we can’t hide it from them; they are seeing it everywhere in the news, and they are asking a lot of questions which we cannot provide answers to,” Lalchan said as he struggled to hold back the tears.

He said that Leon, on seeing the bag of toys, said he did not want to break the seal on the packaged toys, saying he wanted to have it wrapped and wait for Christmas Day, when Sohan was expected to return home and present it to him and the other two boys.

“On Christmas Day, the

plan was to have a family gathering, and ‘Gabby’ was expected to be here to hand out gifts. How can we enjoy our Christmas now that our ‘Gabby’ is gone? There is no Christmas again for any of us; I do not know what manner of person could burn two people alive in a car. I still cannot believe it; this is what this country has come to?” Lalchan asked in disbelief. Sohan’s mother, Chelsea, was painting when she received the tragic news of her daughter’s death.

“As a mother, this is not the type of news you want to hear.

“My ‘Gabby’ is gone, and I am speaking, but I don’t know how I will continue to cope without her.

“At times we disagreed, but she was my world. She was looking forward to spending Christmas with her brothers and me,” cried the mother of four. She said her daughter was recently forced to leave the family home and go into hiding when she ended an abusive relationship.

“I have no doubt in my head that this man (name called) killed my daughter and her friend. He was possessive and obsessed; he beat my child many times until she ended the relationship,” the weeping mother said, adding that her daughter had made numerous reports to the Couva Police Station of threats being made to her life. “The man threatened to burn down the house with everyone inside, and ‘Gabby’ was fearful he would make good on this threat, so she left; she went into hiding.

“She did not want anything to happen to us, especially her brothers,” she said.

(Trinidad Newsday)

that matter.

This is not the first time that a major amount of cocaine has been found in North America that originated from this country. In 2014, the biggest ever drug bust in the history of the Norfolk Port in Virginia, United States was made when US Customs Border Protection officers seized 332 kilos of cocaine which originated from Trinidad and Tobago, and which carries an estimated street value of US$100M or TT$640M. The cocaine was stored inside tins of Trinidad Juice Company juices, which were part of a consignment of goods that arrived at the Norfolk Port after being shipped

from Trinidad. The cocaine, believed to have originated from South America, was hidden inside 700 juice tins bearing the markings of the Cooperative Citrus Growers Association (CCGA), which is located off the Eastern Main Road in Laventille.

The cocaine was found on December 20, 2014 at the Port of Norfolk inside a shipping container bound for New York. Officers used advanced technology to perform an initial inspection of the 20-foot container which arrived from Trinidad and Tobago. After anomalies were discovered, officials did a more extensive search, which led to the discov-

ery. Officials discovered the drugs by “cold hit”, meaning officials received no significant intelligence about its presence. Rather, a Customs and Border Protection officer targeted the shipment for inspection several weeks before the drugs were seized, using port knowledge, automatic targeting tools and information about recent smuggling trade.

“As a result of this partnership and hard work of all involved, 332 kilogrammes of cocaine has not made it into the streets of the United States,” said Norfolk area port director Mark Laria. (Trinidad Newsday)

UN predicts slow growth for Caribbean in 2016 BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin American and the Caribbean (ECLAC) says countries in the Caribbean and Latin America will face “a bleak and complex economic situation in 2016 as they take a marked step back this year.”

In its annual report, “Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2015”, ECLAC said the economies will have contracted -0.4 per cent on average in 2015, and will grow just 0.2 per cent next year, affected by a complex external scenario.

However, the report said 2015 was especially productive for the Dominican Republic, which grew 6.6 per cent, followed by Panama and Bolivia with 5.9 per cent growth, and Cuba and Nicaragua with 4 per cent.

ECLAC’s Alicia Barcena The commission’s Execu- these commodity countries tive Secretary, Alicia Barcena have been affected by low oil also said that Cuba has done prices since the end of 2014.

The adversities also stem good work, but highlighted the need to lift the US block- from external factors, with ade, which, according to global growth forecast to the Mexican diplomat, has remain slow, and reach only diminished the economic 2.9 per cent in 2016.

ECLAC says Latin development of the island.

Overall, the forecast for America is directly affected the entire region is grim, by this issue, because China, especially for countries like which is one of the region’s Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, main trading partners, will continue decelerating to 6.4 and Colombia.

The report stated that per cent next year.

Blackouts hit Port-of-Spain, environs POWER outages were reported in sections of Portof-Spain and environs, which began shortly about 18:45hrs Wednesday and continued up to press time Wednesday night.

Several businessmen and residents contacted Newsday to complain about

the protracted blackouts in their areas.

Among the areas affected were Westmoori n g s , Wo o d b r o o k , S t .

J a m e s , L o n g C i r c u l a r, Maraval, and Belmont to Morvant.

At press time, spokesperson for Trinidad and

Tobago Electricity Commission, Annabelle Brasnell, told Newsday that TTEC was not sure of the source of the problem, but engineers were on the job trying to find it, and to have the problem rectified as early as possible. (Trinidad Newsday)

6

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams

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

Editorial

Working together THOUGH drawn from different backgrounds, cultures and diversities of people, members of a team constitute a family. Every one works towards achieving the team’s specific goal, and each person has to play a specific role if the team is to function cohesively. A team cannot function disparately; everyone has to be accountable for their part. When this happens, it creates an environment conducive to personal and group/team success.

Teamwork gives an imbued sense of confidence and accomplishment, and has no substitute when it comes to achievement.

Using athletics as an analogy, an individual runner, though having a coach or mentor, has no esprit de corps or even a way to recognise leadership, since he/she is singly involved. Being a member of a team teaches the individual how to work in a united environment for a cause/common good. Another advantage of team membership is that it teaches one to identify or recognise potential leaders and the role they can play in developing themselves and their community. And where there is a team-oriented leader, s/he leads through competition rather than suppression, which allows for the generation of ideas and unleashing of potential. A team environment teaches resourcefulness, and training also takes place in preparing individuals for unforeseen events that could potentially prevent accomplishment of the mission.

For a team to develop, it has to assume its own identity, and this is influenced by the personality or characteristics of its leader(s). It is the strength of the leadership that influences the cohesion of various/ diverse parts/individuals to complement the strength of the team. These factors/characteristics are critical for a functioning or practical unit, because the team becomes more goal-oriented and ultimately realises its successes.

Teamwork is about accomplishment. The participants want to get things done, and behind this backdrop, there is a likelihood of having progress, given that they are in an arena where they compete for a collective good. In sports, the best leader is not necessarily those who are the best athletes, but the ones who bring out the best in their teammates and create an environment for success.

Extrapolate this concept to a country which can be considered a team or family. It takes leadership of someone that has a sense of teamwork and family cohesiveness to develop the society, given that in such an environment it is not about self, but the importance of everyone working together in order to succeed.

History has shown that society cannot function effectively and efficiently when everyone is fighting for self, or representing self. In such an environment, chaos is created due to the absence of a collective vision/ goal/mission and accountability, which are necessary

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 18, 2015

GTUC explains position on $50,000 bonus Dear Editor, IN THE interest of ensuring clarity to the Guyana Trades Union Congress’s (GTUC) position -- that the year-end bonus to public servants, while welcomed, the process failed to adhere to Article 147 of the Guyana Constitution and Section 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act -- further attention is required.

Article 147 enshrines the freedom to join a trade union and the right to collective bargaining. Section 23 (1) expressly states: “Where there exists trade union recognition, the employer is obligated to treat with the union in good faith”. Were there any doubt entertained about the role of the trade union in the nation’s body politic, Article 149 (C) of the constitution expressly grants this institution’s involvement “in the management and decision-making processes of the State.”

The government’s reaction to the GTUC’s position, via Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman, ought to be revisited. It ought to be noted that, where there is a collective bargaining agreement between employer and trade union, any change in working conditions, inclusive of pay -- be it bonus, salary/wage, or overtime rate -- forms part of the benefit package of the employees, and requires the

consent of the parties (trade union and employer, and in this instance the government).

Under Guyana’s law, collective labour agreements are legally binding.

Fundamental rights and freedoms (human rights) operate in the here and now, are non-negotiable, and ought not to be treated with contempt. Articles 147 and 149 (C) are so considered; and where there is doubt, the section under which these articles are ensconced is titled “Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual.”

It is unfortunate that, before the minister attempted a defence of the indefensible, he had not sought counsel from jurists in the community who have distinguished themselves at home and aboard on matters pertaining to human rights and labour. The minister would have been advised accordingly.

The government’s position that “maybe it is not a matter of law but of principle [which it is] committed [to] but the system is of such that it will take time” is acceptance that time was not taken to study and understand the system.

The system of industrial relations has served this nation well since 1905, and when adhered to, ensures harmonious industrial environment. Industrial relations is guided by a body of

for loyalty, respect and mutual understanding. Seeing ourselves as one, regardless of our diversity, gives us a common identity and creates opportunities for creation of common principles and realisation of goals that would move citizens and country forward.

Even though there may not be all the accolades or individual recognition, together each one achieves more. And this can be achieved through accountability, where each is helping another to be better and to do more, which in turn will create an environment for progress.

A team also creates the environment wherein someone can be comfortable attaining their full or true potential in an atmosphere where it is done for the better of all, not one. As one increases his/her abilities and/or skills, everyone on the team moves forward. This eliminates or decreases sluggish performance, because the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and the parts cannot succeed without the whole.

The spirit and intent underpinning our motto -– One People, One Nation, One Destiny -- is to weld the diverse peoples

principles, rules and laws, and these pillars stand collectively, not independent of each other.

Where it is expressed that the government did not want to engage in any protracted negotiations, fearing the possibility that the bonus may not have been paid until December 2016, it ought to be said that there is no collective labour agreement stipulating timeframe as to direct engagement between the parties. Apart from the statement being callous, it points to concern that if the government held reservation about time constraint, it failed to draw on precedence where the trade union worked with government/ employer to hammer out agreement under tight time constrains in order to avert industrial conflict. As such, the attempted justification can be viewed as contempt for the trade unions in the public service, and cavalier treatment of the law.

Contrary to the minister’s view, government could not have operated in the workers’ best interest, since government did not see engagement/involvement as necessary and just.

To correctly acknowledge that we live in a society that has been broken for decades, yet at the same time engage in action that widens that breach, constitutes double-standards or support for the inherited pervasive lawlessness.

There seems to be disconnect, or attempt to act out of concert with the President, who, only recently, in reaction to the anti-crime programme, called for the upholding of the law. Where cabinet members, who are advisers to the president, are acting out of sync with the President’s clear and unam bi guous posi t i on on matters that border on time-honoured principles, rule of law and rights, such acts contribute to endless problems in the society.

This is a grave matter, and ought to be treated with deserving seriousness.

There is nothing wrong in accepting error in judgement or decision-making.

Our politics must mature to the level wherein when a mistake is made and attention is drawn, it is acknowledged, corrected, and people learn from the experience as we move forward.

This government is reminded that citizens and organisations are committed to working with them in bringing about good governance, inclusive of their being held to account. Further, it ought to pay heed and be mindful of growing concerns by supporters and well-wishers that members of the administration are stone deaf.

Yours sincerely, LINCOLN LEWIS General Secretary, GTUC

and cultures as a united unit/country, pursuing a common destiny. Our motto means that we are each accountable to the other, and ought to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper.

We are a team. We are a unit.

One People, One Nation, One Destiny means that we should be here for each other’s well-being, betterment, and development. But what has been absent, over a number of years, is the defining of a common message that can rally the society around a common purpose and common achievement.

It needs to be said that if one Guyanese fails, Guyana, as a country, fails. In the environment of teamwork, none is allowed to fail, because our mission will not be accomplished. This is the only way any society develops – through common identity, something to strive for, to fight for, and to represent; something which creates lasting identity and unity. In addition to unity keeping us together as a group, it also gives us a reason, not just to fight for the mission and country, but for each other.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 18, 2015

Knife-wielding bandit nabbed after Queenstown robbery

By Leroy Smith

A YOUNG man was arrested yesterday morning by police shortly after robbing a woman in Queenstown, Georgetown when he slashed her hands and made off with her bag.

The incident took place just after 08:00 hrs as the woman exited the office of a mining company.

According to information, the woman had just left the building when the young man who was on a bicycle approached her, slashed her hands and made off with the bag while she raised an alarm.

Three security guards from the company exited the premises and chased after the man who raced through an alleyway where some contract workers were clearing a drain.

As the man ran past the workers the guards opened fire but missed hitting the bandit.

However, the man sensing that he was in danger of being shot, halted and surrendered as the guards raced through the alleyway and grabbed him before taking him back to the alleyway entrance.

According to reports, the guards then gave him a sound beating and one of them even took a spade from the sanitation workers and struck the man to the head, much to the annoyance of the sanitation workers who were already enraged at the gunfire while workers were in the alleyway.

The security team then retreated to their workplace leaving the bandit in the hands of the sanitation workers who allowed him to escape before the police arrived, contending that he had suffered enough at the hands of the guards.

However, shortly after the man made it through the alleyway again, the police arrived and he was forced to seek refuge in a resi-

dent’s yard while the police searched in vain for him.

Subsequently, one person who had seen where the man went, informed the police ,who surrounded the yard and arrested him without any use of force. He was then taken to the police station.

Later yesterday afternoon police sources confirmed that the bag with the items the man had snatched was recovered and he was also positively identified by the woman who had been robbed and injured.

Meanwhile, just last week the police came in for high praise from members of the public in South Ruimveldt after responding promptly to a robbery report. Two bandits were killed in a shootout with the police in that incident.

Last week President David Granger called on the police to seek to bring in criminals alive so that additional information can be gleaned with regard to criminal enterprises.

Police ranks responded promptly to arrest the suspect in Queenstown.

Arresting misconceptions in regard to this dinner Dear Editor,

Members of the public assisted police in arresting the suspect yesterday

The painter and the pregnant neighbour CITY Magistrate Annette Singh yesterday placed a 45-year-old painter on $10,000 bail on a charge of threatening to chop his pregnant neighbour.

Amin Cumberbatch of Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge that

said on October 6, 2015 at Silverbali Street, Meadow Brook, he made use of threatening language to Fareena Forde.

The trial began yesterday, and police Prosecutor Adunni Innis called Forde as her first witness. Cumberbatch, who was unrep-

resented, declined to ask Forde any questions.

The court was adjourned until January 7, for continuation of trial. The prosecution will be calling their second witness, Forde’s landlord, to testify in the matter.

7

THE Inspectors’ and Sergeants’ Mess Committee is responding to an article published in the Kaieteur News issue of Thursday, December 17, 2015, under the caption “Disturbing accusations against this police commander”.

In that article, it is stated that sergeants and inspectors of the Guyana Police Force were forced to fork out $9,000 to contribute to a party at the Marriott Hotel, even if they do not attend.

The Inspectors’ and Sergeants’ Mess Committee wishes to emphatically state that this letter appears not to have been written by a serving member of the Guyana Police Force, as was stated, but was apparently written by someone whose intention is to mislead the public and discredit the Inspectors’ and Sergeants’ Mess Committee.

The issue referred to is in relation to the Inspectors’ and Sergeants’ Mess Dinner, which was held at the Marriott Hotel recently.

Inspectors and sergeants of the Police Force make voluntary financial contributions

towards their Annual Mess Dinner, which is usually held during the Christmas season.

Some years ago, following discussions among ranks, it was agreed that the monetary contribution towards this event would be $9,000 per couple, and this has since remained unchanged. It is not a case where police inspectors and sergeants are being “forced” to contribute to the Mess Dinner.

This year has been no exception, and sergeants and inspectors of the Force were requested to each contribute $9,000 for themselves and spouses to be able to attend the Mess Dinner, which is normally preceded by a cocktail reception that is hosted by the Commissioner of Police.

These monies are deducted from the ranks’ salaries in three equal parts. There has always been flexibility and consideration shown by the Inspectors’ and Sergeants’ Mess Committee in cases where ranks have justifiable reasons for not being able to attend the function; and in such instances, once they inform the Inspectors’ and Sergeants’ Mess Committee in writing of the circumstances,

they are then exempted from contributing to the activity.

If the Inspectors and Sergeants Mess Committee is informed in adequate time, no deduction is made from the rank’s salary. If, however, the Committee is informed after the deduction is made but the rank has justifiable reasons for not attending the function, then the monies are refunded.

However, if a rank has valid reasons for being unable to attend the Mess Dinner but fails to inform the Mess Committee, most likely the deduction will be made.

Divisional and branch commanders are not involved in contributing to the Inspectors and Sergeants Mess Dinner. This is the sole responsibility of the Inspectors and Sergeants Mess Committee, in conjunction with the Police Finance Office, with approval of the Force Administration.

Yours sincerely, Inspector MOHAN KHAN President Inspectors’ and Sergeants’ Mess Committee

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 18, 2015

Qualfon workers decry poor conditions

By Ariana Gordon POOR wages and salaries, abuse, and deplorable toilet facilities were chief among the complaints made by workers of Qualfon call centre, located at Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Thursday when Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Simona Broomes, and a team from the Department of Labour made an impromptu visit to the location.

Many of the workers -who wished to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation at the hands of their superiors; or, worst-case scenario, losing their jobs -- said they were tired of the treatment meted out to them by their supervisors, and even the person managing the canteen at the Goedverwagting location.

“If you have a 100 per cent on your score card you’d get like thirty-something thousand a fortnight, if you don’t get 100 per cent, you’d get like $22,000, something around that,” an employee of the call centre, who has been employed there for six years, said.

That employee noted many persons are afraid to speak out for fear of losing their jobs. “People are afraid to speak, Minister. People have families and they need to be paid. When you speak out, a few days after, the managers pick on you,” one employee said as Minister Broomes requested a private meeting with the junior staff of the company.

“We have to work all holidays, and we are paid time and a half on Sundays,” one very frustrated employee blurted out.

The employee said it is mandatory for all employees to work on Christmas Day; something they (employees) feel is unreasonable. “They haven’t even given us the option…they say we have to work… we have families, Minister. I am sure they don’t need all of us to work… something has to be done.”

“We have issues with the canteen, the washrooms; you would have checked the washrooms and seen…it is ridiculous. We only get 25 minutes’ lunch (break) but you need to get back to your system within 22 minutes, or you’d be disciplined,” another employee complained.

It was also noted that trainee employees are paid $16,000 a fortnight, but after tax, that amount is reduced to a mere $12,000. “Minister, you really have to look into this. The amount of money they paying trainees is too low,” a worker said.

Food at the canteen is unacceptable for consumption, the employees said, noting that many times they are forced to return the food and purchase food from outside of the premises. “You can’t buy lunch from the canteen, eat and come back to your system in 22 minutes. The man at the canteen sells spoilt food; the food is not fresh.”

Another issue affecting the workers is the “high” amount of tax deducted from their already meagre sala-

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Simona Broomes and team make their way into the Qualfon Call Centre in the company of a company official (Left)

ries. “The salary is low… we work over time to get it up a bit, but by the time you get paid, all of the overtime money is deducted as tax… we are working overtime to have an increase in salary,” an employee added.

Another opined that the situation at Qualfon is appalling; that there is a routine time for workers to go to the washroom. “They have a particular time for us to go to the washroom,” the woman said, noting that many women have contracted yeast infections because of the deplorable conditions of the washrooms.

“Every two mornings the washrooms are down…there are 1200 employees here, people needed to be able to use the washroom regularly,” she said.

Additionally, the workers

complained of the spreading of chicken pox at the location. According to the workers, management of the Call Centre did not fumigate the location and press for the isolation of those with the infection.

“Chicken pox, minister, spreading in here; the virus is here! I had chicken pox and (the authorities) are not doing anything (about it). I am not the only one,” an employee said.

“My health is important,” another one chimed in, noting that more needs to be done to protect the work force at Qualfon.

Minister Broomes explained that the Occupational and Safety Health Department of her ministry should have been notified of the spreading of the infectious disease, despite representa-

tives of the company stating that the Ministry of Health was notified.

Almost all of the workers who met with Minister Broomes complained that they were not in receipt of copies of their contracts with the company. According to the employees of the call centre, they were “rushed” into signing the contracts.

“None of the copies were returned to us…they gave us two contracts to sign and they rush you…you don’t even get a chance to read it properly. They promise that we’d get the copy back, but we (didn’t).”

Some of the terms written in the contracts, as indicated to Minister Broomes, were in contravention of the laws of Guyana.

It was observed by the Minister’s team of officials that there were limited documents relevant to the persons employed and working at the Goedverwagting location, something that Minister Broomes disapproved of.

“You must have the document for the persons who are stationed here…it must be here! Are you telling me that I have to go to Providence to get the information for this location?” she asked senior personnel of the company.

Meanwhile, after meeting with the various tiers of staff present at the Goedverwagting location, Minister Broomes explained that several breaches of the labour laws were discovered, and she will meet with the top brass management of the company to ensure that their

policies are changed to comply with the Laws of Guyana.

“We have countrywide inspections that we have been conducting. We have been receiving complaints, and because of what we were told, I said today I would come and pay them a visit,” Minister Broomes said, explaining why she and her team visited Qualfon.

The Minister noted that more companies would be visited and inspections carried out. “We will come to sit and see if the complaints or allegations made against the company are true; and if so, we have to make changes.”

“We did have a lot of anonymous complaints: persons called, persons sent letters, and I did mention that they write me and don’t sign names because of [their fear of] victimisation. They complained about salaries, health,” Minister Broomes told the media.

Asked what the Ministry’s next step after inspection was, Minister Broomes said, “We have to ensure compliance. Once we get compliance we would have better worker relationships, and that is what we hope to achieve.”

Minister Broomes said the workers have nothing to fear. “The workers should not be scared of being victimised. I don’t see the need for workers to be victimised.

I don’t expect workers to be victimised,” she added.

The Mexico-headquartered call centre provides services to many businesses worldwide.

Forensic audits cost millions

By Ariana Gordon

A TOTAL of $133,045,900 has been spent on some 45 forensic audits funded by the APNU-AFC-led administration since it took office in May. An additional five audits are being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Former Junior Finance Minister under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Juan Edghill, had asked Finance Minister Winston Jordan to disclose the amount of money spent on the forensic audits, among other queries he had.

According to documents presented to the National Assembly yesterday, 17 firms have been recruited by the government to conduct the audits. Those firms -- Nigel Hinds Financial Service; Ram and McRae; HBL Seebarran and Company; Harry Par-

mesar; John Henry Barnes; Donna Ellis; Dr. Anand Goolsarran; Thomas Nestor; Azzarudeen Haniff; Drubahadur and Company; Lester Bowen; Nizam Ali and Company; Goorwattie Kaladeen; Maurice Solomon; P.K.F Barcellos Narine and Company; TSD Lall and Company; Saykar Boodhoo; and Charles Sugrim -- have all been contracted by the government to conduct audits on several state entities.

Nigel Hinds Financial Services, HLB R. Seebarran and Company, and Azzarudeen Haniff are also conducting audits that are funded by the IDB. “The audits are being done in accordance with Section 4 (4) of the Audit Act 2004, Act No. 5 of 2004, which states: ‘Notwithstanding anything in this Act or any other law, government’s right to conduct or cause to be conducted internal audits remains unimpaired’,”

said the Finance Minister in response to a question of cost posed by Edghill.

He also said that Cabinet, via a decision dated June 2, has approved the forensic audit of selected entities, projects and funds.

The answers to the questions were laid in the House yesterday.

Accounting firms Ram and McRae, Nigel Hinds Financial Service, and Dr Anand Goolsarran received a significant portion of the contracts.

Ram and Mc Rae Chartered Accounting firm received over $37M in contracts; while Nigel Hinds Financial Services received $25M, and former Auditor-General Dr Anand Goolsarran received almost $7M.

SINGLE-SOURCE Jordan assured the House that the procedure followed in awarding the contracts was

single-source, in accordance with Section 28 (b) of the Procurement Act 2003, Act No.8 of 2003.

“Qualified and available individuals/accounting firms,” he said, “were identified to conduct the internal forensic audits. These individuals and firms were allowed to study entities and submit cost proposals.”

The Finance Minister noted that factors that informed the proposals included the level and number of staff to be assigned to conduct the audit.

“Negotiated costs,” he said, “were consistent with (in some cases, even lower than) what are generally paid by the Audit Office of Guyana for the services of technical experts and chartered accountants to audit the accounts of an entity on behalf of the Auditor General.”

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Finance disclosed

that 23 of the audits were completed by auditors, while the remainder was near completion. Audits were conducted into the following government companies: NICIL/ Privatisation Unit, Guyana Oil Company Limited, National Communications Network Inc. (NCN), Property Holdings Inc., Guyana National Printers Limited, Guyana National Shipping Limited, Guyana National Newspaper Limited, Atlantic Hotels Inc. (Marriott), GNCB/GCFS-PHI, Guyana Power & Light Inc. (GPL), Special Investigation into Financial Irregularities at GPL, Lethem Power Company Inc., and Guyana World Cup Inc. Several statutory bodies were also subject to the audits, namely: The Central Housing & Planning Authority (CHPA), Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority, Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA), Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), Guyana Geology & Mines Commission (GGMC), Guyana Gold Board (GGB), Guyana Information News Agency (GINA), Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), and the Guyana Rice Development Board.

In the case of public entities, projects and funds, the MMA/ADA, National Frequency management Unit (NFMU), National Drainage & Irrigation Authority, National Sports Commission, Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Control Board, and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) are being audited.

In the case of statutory corporations, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Post Office Corporation, New Guyana Marketing Corporation, Demerara HarTurn to page 10 ►

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 18, 2015

Taking gov’t to the people

…President, minister hold outreach at Revolution Square IN an attempt to create a society where citizens do not feel disconnected from those governing them, several ministers yesterday met with members of the public at Square of the Revolution to address individual concerns which directly impact their lives.

And this move, according to President David Granger, who addressed the gathering, is one geared towards integrating people into the economic and social sphere of the country, where they feel accommodated by public officials.

“We’re bringing Government to the people by finding out what your needs are and helping you to solve those problems.

So this is one of a series of exercises that will be taking place. It will be done in other parts of the country and other times of the year as we go through the next five years” President Granger said.

He explained that the goal of this initiative is to help Guyanese feel a sense of identity and to foster a government which cares about the citizens.

“It is here for you the citizens of Guyana and if we don’t deal with you, who will deal with you?

If we don’t look after you,

who will look after you?

So we will continue these exercises and try to solve problems” the Head of State told the large gathering yesterday.

Present at the outreach too, was Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who revealed that the day’s activity provided an opportunity for members of the public to raise concerns they have, related to the Ministry of the Presidency.

With several departments falling under the Ministry of the Presidency, including Public Service and Citizenship, Harmon noted that officers from those various departments were present to listen to concerns and make decisions and recommendations on the issues raised.

“Since we assumed office, we have had a lot of work to do and so when the public comes to visit us sometimes, we can’t a c c o m m o d a t e t h e m b ecause of the way they are dressed. So today the dress code is relaxed so they are allowed to interface with us. Because of the size of the Ministry, it is not possible for us to address the concerns of citizens at the various offices. So we are taking this initiative to more public places” the Minister said.

A Peoples’ President. Head of State, David Granger receives a hug from a happy citizen yesterday (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

And according to him, the response from the public had been an encouraging one. In fact, he revealed that persons had availed themselves, one hour before the scheduled start.

While some of the concerns raised include the allocation of house lots, medical issues, and difficulties clearing imported goods at the wharf, Minister Harmon related that

issues which are to be addressed by other ministries were also ventilated.

However, he noted that those persons were not turned away, but that the concerns were documented, and the Ministry of the Presidency has committed to making arrangements with the various subject ministers to facilitate meetings with those persons.

GAWU wants $50,000 bonus too THE Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has written to Finance Minister Winston Jordan requesting that the $50,000 Christmas bonus awarded to public sector employees be awarded also to the sugar workers, who are also employees of a state-owned enterprise.

GAWU’s written statement, seen yesterday, said: “After all, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the Government must know that sugar workers have families, including children too. The GAWU awaits the Minister’s response.”

Further, GAWU disclosed that sugar workers were not surrendering their rights to a wage increase and an Annual Production Incentive (API) award, thus they were engaging in picketing exercises outside GuySuCo’s administrative and pay offices across the industry.

Picketing exercises took place at Wales, Enmore,

Albion and Blairmont estates on Monday; at Rose Hall and Uitvlugt estates on Wednesday; and at Blairmont Estate yesterday.

GuySuCo recently declared that its 2015 production target has been surpassed by over 300 tonnes, and three estates are still grinding.

Those estates are Albion and Rose Hall in Berbice, and Enmore on the East Coast. They are expected to continue operating until December 21.

According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), the second-crop target was set at 146,300 tonnes, but 146,583 tonnes were produced as at Monday last. This year’s annual production target was set at 227,443 tonnes, but 227,727 tonnes have, to date, been produced.

It’s a feat Chief Executive Officer Mr. Errol Hanoman attributes to the dedication and hard work of both workforce and man-

Workers picketing the Enmore Estate on Monday

agement. “The team of management and workers (has) done a superb job, and I’m extremely pleased,” GINA quoted Hanoman on Monday as saying.

He is hoping that this sort of record-breaking performance has heralded the beginning of the “improving trend of the corporation”, but was quick to point out “it can only be maintained if the union, the workers and management work together.”

GuySuCo has faced two recent strike actions, one in October and the other in November, over the award of the Annual Production Incentive (API). The company has offered 2.7 days’ API, to be paid by March 2016. This has been rejected by GAWU, which has resorted to strike action.

After the union called off the strike, talks resumed but ended in deadlock, hence the move to conciliation.

9

Home for the holidays - and beyond

THERE’s no place like home for the holidays, and it looks like the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) boss, Kurshid Sattaur, will be revelling in that joy this Christmas season, after being sent on immediate leave to facilitate a comprehensive audit of the agency.

Thing is, he’ll be home for Christmas; and then some, as he has been made to utilise his accumulated vacation time of an astonishing 200 days. Talk about a hardworking man.

That’s exactly what the public had to say after hearing the news; well, kind of. What kept him so committed to the job? Perhaps the money was too sweet for him to ever take a break. Either way, such a move never bodes well for what usually follows -- lots of uncovered secrets. The biggest question on the public’s brain is: Will Kurshid be made to pay for what is sure to be revealed, or will he be placed on another long list of powerhouses yet to be held culpable? Let’s wait and see.

Until then, you’ve got 200 paid vacation days to enjoy, boss man.

LET THE “GYAFF” BEGIN Days ago, Woman of the People, Priya Manickchand, called for the government to go out and “have a gyaff” with the man on the street, to get an idea of their struggles and concerns. Not sure if they heard her call, or if the Meet the Public programme carried out by the Ministry of the Presidency was an initiative of the government’s own accord. Regardless, the move was a welcomed one among Guyanese who attended the first meeting in their numbers.

Of course, many persons from out of town took to social media to express anxieties about whether such meetings would come their way, but reports have suggested that the outreach will be held nationally, at least once a month, with rotating ministers. Should this be considered a silver lining on the cloud of seeming unrest among the masses?

Let’s see if this will help.

WHO WILL AUDIT THE AUDITORS? It’s all about questions that need to be answered these days as the government continues to be held under scrutiny to account for all the awe-inducing decisions (favourable or otherwise) being made since taking office in May. The government responded to opposition member Juan Edghill’s request to reveal how much was spent on audits of various state agencies and other bodies.

Heads turned in amazement at the revelation that the sum of a whopping $133 million was spent on these exercises. But overall, without any seeming list of “guilty” bodies following all this expenditure, there’s only one question on the public’s mind: Do the auditors need auditing?

10

President serves troops lunch

Soldiers being feted yesterday at a Christmas luncheon at Base Camp Stephenson

PRESIDENT David Granger yesterday wished Guyana Defence Force (GDF) troops a merry Christmas, while partaking in the traditional serving of lunch to soldiers at Base Camp Stephenson.

Speaking before the merriment, the President emphasised the importance of the force.

“This is a day when the whole country would recognise the worth of the Defence Force. Guyana would have been a different place, were it not been for the GDF,” President Grang-

er said.

Referencing Operation Dragnet, the President noted that next year will be a busy year for the GDF, as they remain on guard to ensure the security of Guyana.

The Commander-in-Chief, who was once a Platoon Commander and Base Commander at Camp Stephenson himself, said being there yesterday was nostalgic for him.

He said the base has a rich history, and was the point from which troops departed to put down the rebellion in the Rupununi

Friday, December 18, 2015 - 10:00 hrs Saturday, December 19, 2015 - 11:30 hrs Sunday, December 20, 2015 - 12:30 hrs

in 1969.

Briefing the President on current developments here in terms of national security, Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips said, “The troops at Timehri remain steadfast in our operations towards enhancing defence and security throughout Guyana.

“At present, we are positioned at our frontiers, at different locations in our hinterland and our coastland. We are on Operation Dragnet, an operation that is aimed to enhance security throughout Guyana, and we remain ready for any other operation that you and your Defence Board would direct to us.”

President Granger used the opportunity of being at Camp Stephenson to tour the Civil Defence Commission’s Emergency Operation Centre and Warehouse.

(Ministry of the Presidency)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 18, 2015

Gov’t gives go-ahead to ship 42 containers of scrap metal – still mulling resumption of trade

FORTY-two containers of scrap metal already prepared for export when the trade was banned in June last have been cleared for shipment.

This was disclosed by Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman during a post-Cabinet press briefing

yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency.

“It may be recalled that on June 15, 2015 the (former) Ministry of Housing suspended the scrap metal trade, and halted the operations of the scrap metal unit within that Ministry to facilitate a forensic audit.

“At the time of suspension, 42 containers of scrap metal were on the wharves to be exported, and these containers are still there. Cabinet has, therefore, given, after careful consideration, the approval for the 42 containers for shipment out of Guyana,” he explained.

However, Trotman said that the shipment is a one-off transaction, and in no way signals a resumption of the scrap metal trade. The implications of the resumption of the trade will be examined by a special team to be set up

by Cabinet.

The trade has had a number of interruptions under the former Ministry of Housing and Water following the theft of metal manhole covers from streets in Georgetown. The ban affects all dealers, legal or illegal.

Forensic audit... bour Bridge Corporation and the Guyana Water Inc. were selected for audits.

Special bodies such as the Dependents Pension Fund, Ministry of Agriculture (Hydrometeorological Services), Passport & Police Office, Student Loan Revolving Fund, Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund (SILWF), CARIFESTA, Lotto Funds, MCYS Art Development Fund, Ministry of Home Affairs (Water Cannon Purchase), Ministry of Human Services (Old Age Pensions), National Insurance Scheme (NIS), E-Government, PetroCaribe, GPHC - Special investigation into financial operations and functioning of Drug Procurement Operation, Ministry of Hous-

ing Scrap Metal Unit, and the Ministry of Health - Special investigation into financial operations and the functioning of Drug Procurement Operation, all comprise the 50 entities that have been subjected to the audits.

TERMS OF REFERENCE Meanwhile, the terms of reference (TOR) for the forensic audits, along with the qualifications of all auditors, were submitted to the National Assembly for perusal.

According to the TOR, the objectives of the forensic audits are to determine the entity’s adherence to, and fulfillment of, principles of corporate governance; assess and test systems; and detect any instances of corporate malfeasance and inefficiency for remedial and/or judicial interventions and systems realignment; determine the authenticity and validity of significant commercial and financial transactions entered into by the entity with related parties, suppliers and customers; and measure the extent of potential prejudice the entity may have suffered through such dealings, if any; carry out a comprehensive financial systems audit which should look at all systems, decisions and practices which have underpinned the entity’s finances; and test and assess financial discipline at all levels.

Additionally, the auditors may conduct a human resources audit, which should include key issues like manpower policy and needs determination, selection and recruitment regarding philosophy, grading and departmen-

From page 8

talisation, payroll system and management, performance, culture and whole policy on advancement and promotions, labour issues, skills development and deployment.

The planning culture of the entity, entity’s manpower and skills development policies, to equip its key functional areas with strategic competences needed for migration to a digital era and beyond are also to be determined by the auditors, who are also required to gauge the entity’s readiness to do business in an environment characterized by open competition locally, regionally, and globally; as well as the removal of statutory sources of revenue, including subsidies.

REPORTING No later than 14 days after the completion of field work, the auditing firms have to submit a “comprehensive report to the Minister of Finance, highlighting consultant or firm findings’ recommendations on corrective action to be taken, and specific recommendations geared towards greater and better financial management, accountability and corporate governance.”

In the event of the discovery of malfeasance, the consultant or the firm is required to “bring the matter of the illegal or dishonest activities to the immediate attention of the Minister of Finance. In addition, to recommend to the government any action to be taken to institute appropriate disciplinary action which may include prosecution,” the TOR stated.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 18, 2015

Chinese medical specialists on goodwill visit

Public Health Minister Dr. George Norton meeting the five-member Chinese medical specialist team

A FIVE-member team of medical specialists from the Health and Family Planning Commission of the Jiangsu Province of the People’s Republic of China is currently here to further strengthen China-Guyana relations.

Headed by Dr. Shu Yusheng, the team arrived on Monday and is here to assist with training local doctors as well as doctors from the Chinese Medical Brigade at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

During their sojourn here, the team of specialists

will be performing vascular surgeries, surgical operations for Glaucoma, as well as ophthalmology-related operations at the GPHC. The team also consists of a bio-medical engineer who will be performing maintenance and repair works to various medical equipment at the GPHC, including the Orthopedic C-Arm donated by the Government of China in October, 2015.

The delegation members, who will depart Guyana on Sunday, December 20, 2015, indicated that they were expecting the GPHC to have

Cops: Miner had gun in crotch A MINER was remanded to prison on Thursday

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan following his answering a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Dinesh Dharamdeo, 26, of Block 3, Providence, East Bank Demerara pleaded not guilty to a charge which read that on December 16, at Black Water, Cuyuni River, he was found in possession of a 9mm semi-automatic handgun without being the holder of a firearm licence.

The man also pleaded not guilty to a charge which stated that, on the same day, he was found in possession of seven live rounds of corresponding ammunition without being the holder of a firearm licence.

Police Prosecutor Kerry Boswick said that, on the day in question, ranks on mobile patrol saw the defendant approaching on an

ATV. When Dharamdeo saw the police, he began to act in a suspicious manner, which caused the lawmen to stop and conduct a search of his person. The gun was found in Dharamdeo’s crotch with the ammunition in its barrel.

Defence counsel Mr. Peter Hugh, in his application for bail, said his client would have to be on a lengthy remand period if the matter were transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court, because that presiding magistrate is on leave.

The prosecutor objected to bail on grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the offence.

Dharamdeo will be spending Christmas and New Year’s Day behind bars, because the Chief Magistrate denied him bail. The matter has also been transferred before the Bartica Magistrate for January 7.

Laser equipment in April, 2016 to enable performance of various eye surgeries.

They noted that the Peo-

ple’s Republic of China was very willing to help train Guyanese doctors in various specialist/post-graduate ar-

eas, as well as provide them with short-term training.

They stressed that training in the medical field was crucial in order to develop Guyana’s public health-care system, and that the Government of China would continue to extend its offer in this area.

The delegation also said that the Chinese Government would enter into an agreement with the Government of Guyana in 2016 to offer training to Guyanese doctors.

Public Health Minister Dr. George Norton said he welcomed the offer, and looked forward to continued support from the Government and people of China.

The visiting delegation issued a formal invitation to Dr. Norton to visit Jiangsu Province in China next year.

Members noted that the Peo-

ple’s Republic of China was very willing to help train Guyanese doctors in various specialist/post-graduate areas, as well as provide shortterm training to Guyanese medical personnel.

“Training in the medical field is crucial in order to develop Guyana’s public health-care system, and the Government of China will continue to extend its offer in this area,” it was mentioned.

The delegation further stated that the Chinese Government would enter into an agreement with the Government of Guyana in 2016 to offer training to Guyanese doctors.

Public Health Minister, Dr. George Norton said that he welcomes this offer, and looks forward to the continued support from the Government and people of China.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 18, 2015

CLC 40th graduation…

Minister urges graduands to reach for the stars – not just the bare essentials

By Rabindra Rooplall STUDENTS in all fields should make the best of the diverse pathways available to them, and pursue excellence beyond academic and financial achievements.

This was the charge given

by Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, to the 179 students

who on Tuesday evening constituted the 2015 graduating class of the Critchlow Labour College when that institution held its 40th Convocation Ceremony.

Delivering the feature address, Minister Henry said a good education must go beyond duty; it must bring out the best in an individual while nurturing character and

values such as care, integrity, resilience, respect, responsibility and harmony.

Minister Henry also said, “Investments in education and training produce benefits, both to the individual and society as a whole. The return would, of course, be a skilled workforce that will enable global competitiveness and economic growth; while, on the individual level, there will be better opportu-

nities for career pathways, increased earning, and ultimately a better quality of life.”

She told the students that they can all assist in developing the country and, most importantly, grow the economy.

HIGHER EDUCATION “It is my hope that the training you received at the CLC will not only see you seeking jobs, but furthering

Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, during her address to the students

your education as well. I urge you to pursue higher education at all cost, because it enlarges your potential and scope for maximum success,” she advised.

Minister Henry said there are many opportunities for personal advancement in a changing environment, and the successful persons will be those actively looking for those opportunities.

“Since change is the only constant that you can truly rely on, learning to navigate and adapt to change is not

Valedictorian Kedan Stewart

and we will stop learning. By contrast, if we have a love for learning, we will get a lot and learn a lot on the job.

“Today, our education system has many more pathways and bridges. In fact, significantly more than (was available) a generation or two ago,” the minister observed.

NO EASY TASK Meanwhile, valedictorian Kedan Stewart said the path on his journey to success wasn’t an easy one, and he encountered many obstacles along the way, causing him at times to consider whether or

‘Since change is the only constant that you can truly rely on, learning to navigate and adapt to change is not just important for your survival, it is essential for you to thrive in the bigger game of life’ -- Minister Henry just important for your survival, it is essential for you to thrive in the bigger game of life,” she admonished.

The APNU+AFC administration, she said, is committed to helping Guyanese in the journey of lifelong learning, and is investing more in education at all levels, particularly post-secondary education.

She said many more upgrading opportunities will become available to graduates, while learning opportunities should not be along a narrow path, since, in addition to qualifications, what matters at the end of the day would be soft skills, expertise, and excellence on the job.

“If we have the interest and passion in what we are pursuing, we will learn continually, put in our best; but if we regard education as merely pages, we will throw away our books and notepads once we get qualifications,

not to quit the course. However, given the support of classmates, close friends and family members, in addition to God’s grace, he managed to persevere. “Now, a year later,” he said, “the experience gained at this institution opened my eyes to how blessed I have been to have attended Critchlow Labour College.”

He thanked the staff of the college for assisting all the students when they faced weaknesses during the course.

“Your support and pride in us is something we will always treasure,” he confessed.

He concluded his address to his colleagues with this advice: “There is no limit; you have to keep pushing, improving and making the most of every second we have on this beautiful planet we call earth.”

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 18, 2015

UN report finds…

Gender imbalance in Caribbean workplaces impeding progress THE rapid transformation of the new world of work is presenting opportunities for some, but profound challenges for others, says the 2015 Human Development Report, released globally this week.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, a stronger focus on work that is leveraging the talents of women and men alike is needed to contain widening inequalities, the report, named ‘Work for Human Development’, has said.

This report promotes sustainability and equitable and decent work for all by encouraging governments to consider the many kinds of work -- unpaid care, voluntary or creative work -- that are important to human development.

The report stresses that only by taking a broader stance on the concept of work can its benefits be truly harnessed for human development.

According to estimates, of the share of all work -- not just paid --, women perform three out of every four hours of unpaid work worldwide.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, since women shoulder the burden of care, the disparities in unpaid work could increase further as the population ages, compounded in the region by gaps in pension coverage.

“The report confirms that women in Latin America and the Caribbean face the

triple-challenge of working outside the home, caring for their own children, and increasingly for the older generation, further increasing unpaid work,” said Jessica Faieta, Assistant Administrator and Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean.

“In order to meet the new Sustainable Development Goals,” Faieta says, “the region needs to address the care burden, an important step to leave no-one behind.”

Women perform only one hour of paid work for every two performed by men, while earning 24 per cent less globally. In Latin America and the Caribbean, women earn 19 per cent less than men, and are often excluded from senior management positions.

According to the report, more than half of all businesses in the region have no women in senior management positions. On average, female top managers in the region earn only about half of male top managers’ salaries, according to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The region also has the highest proportion of domestic workers, mostly women, 37 per cent of the world’s total. Domestic work is an occupation wherein working conditions frequently need improvement. The Latin America and Caribbean region also has the second highest rate of female do-

mestic workers as a percentage of total female employment, following the Middle East.

In all regions, the Human Development Index (HDI) value —UNDP’s composite measure of income, longevity and education — is lower for women than for men.

Women, however, fare better

than men in 14 countries, two of which -- Barbados and Uruguay -- are in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The region is laying foundations upon which to build progress in gender equality. When it comes to education among the adult population, the region has the smallest gender disparity in mean years of schooling of adults (0.1 years). Moreover, the region’s share of female parliamentary seats (27 per

cent) is higher than the global average (21.8 per cent).

The average figures, however, mask grave disparities, with the percentage of women in parliament reaching less than 10 per cent in Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, Paraguay, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. Progress has contributed to Latin America and the Caribbean having the narrowest gap between women and men’s HDI among developing re-

gions -- 2.4 per cent, compared to 7.6 percent globally.

The report urges that efforts be made to improve women’s lives by ensuring equal pay, providing decent parental leave, tackling the harassment and the social norms that exclude so many women from paid work. Only then can the burden of unpaid care work be shared to help women to enter the labour force, the report states.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 18, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 18, 2015

15

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 18, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 18, 2015

17

18

Yesterday’s Results

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 18, 2015

Crossword

Sudoku

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 18, 2015

19

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 18, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 18, 2015

21

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 18, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 18, 2015

23

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 18, 2015

President Granger to be inducted as Honorary RHTY&SC Patron HIS Excellency President David Granger has accepted an invitation from Guyana’s leading youth and sport organisation to become its fifth Honorary Patron from January 2016.

The Club’s current Patron Beverly Harper’s tenure officially ends on December 31, after serving a full five years term.

President Granger would be following in the footsteps of his predecessors, the late Hugh Desmond Hoyte, Peter Ramsaroop and June Mendes and would serve until December 2020.

As Patron, President Granger would serve as its honorary head; serve as a role model to members, serve as an inspiration to members in their pursuit of a successful career in education and sports and be the public image of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC).

The President would also be expected to provide Patron’s remarks for all RHTY&SC’s magazine and publications and be the main guest at important club events like its annual awards ceremony.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that Management and Members of the RHTY&SC were delighted at the President’s

President David Granger acceptance to become the Patron.

The RHTY&SC, Foster stated was privileged in the past of having hardworking patrons, who worked beyond the call of duty to assist the club to fulfil its mandate to serve humanity and he ex-

pressed confidence that President Granger would follow in their footsteps.

The RHTY&SC, apart from being one of Guyana’s leading cricket team, undertakes a record 200300 programmes/activities under the sub-heading of sports, culture, education, charity, anti-drugs, anti-suicide, awards, youth development and community development among others.

The RHTY&SC in 2016 would be placing special emphasis on its internal cricket development programme, assistance to single parent households, expansion of its highly successful ‘Say No to Drugs, Suicide and Crime and Say Yes to Education and Sports’ and would also undertake major restoration work on its head office in an effort to improve its services to the general public.

President Granger would be sworn into the Patron’s position early in the New Year when a large delegation from the Club, led by the Club’s Secretary/ CEO, visits him in Georgetown.

Sports Commission hosts incisive forum with Associations THE National Sports Commission (NSC) last weekend met with the representatives from national sport associations/ federations at the National Resource Centre at Woolford Avenue as part of continued efforts to strengthen the administration of sport in Guyana.

With guidance from the 1993 NSC Act, commissioners sought to inform national associations of the role of the NSC in developing sport in Guyana and to identify some of the core issues that are currently affecting the proper administration of associations.

The commissioners on the new NSC include: Ivan Persaud (chairman), Nigel Hinds (vice-chairman), Edison Jefford, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Seon Erskine, Lavern Fraser, Inga Henry, Aliann Pompey and ex-officio member, Christopher Jones.

The forum recorded an impressive turnout from associations, federations and boards. This is unique to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and Guyana Hockey Board, with the NSC in-

viting president, general secretary, and treasurer of each of the 30 plus listed national associations.

The GCB, Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Hockey Board, Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Guyana Amateur Power-lifting Federation, Weightlifting Association, Swimming, Judo, Karate, Table Tennis, Cycling and many other associations were present.

Notably in attendance was the Guyana Olympic Association head, K. Juman-Yassin.

Director of Sport Christopher Jones opened the forum with remarks.

The associations all agreed that the allocation of funds is critical to their success; the prerequisite for associations/federations/boards to receive funding from the Commission. According to the Act they must have an elected Executive, a Bank Account and they must keep proper accounts and records.

Several of the associations have submitted their projected plan for 2016 to the Commission.

The Commission is also mandated to provide

assistance to any sport organisation in the audit of its accounts or in relation to any other matter where assistance may be required. To this end, the Olympic Association is in receipt of a NSC request to assist with ‘training’ for the administrative strengthening of associations available under the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Solidarity Programme.

The NSC is also tasked among its critical functions to establish Regional Sports Committees or Advisory Units and Offices in the three counties of Guyana. The members of Regional Sports Committees shall consist of not more than five members and must come from the representative county.

The Commission will be moving in this direction.

The associations posed a number of critical questions dealing with issues, progression of their various sports, some of which included the development of facilities for the training, competition and encampment of athletes as well as anti-doping legislation.

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 18, 2015

Chelsea sacks Mourinho

JOSE Mourinho was sacked as manager of Premier League champions Chelsea yesterday after a calamitous run of results left the west London club one point above the relegation zone.

A club statement said Chelsea and the 52-year-old Portuguese had parted company by “mutual consent” seven months after he led them to the title by an eightpoint margin.

It concludes a spectacular fall from grace for Mourinho, rated as one of the world’s best coaches, who declared himself the “happy one” when he returned for a second stint in charge of Chelsea in 2013 after spells at Inter Milan and Real Madrid.

Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at surprise league leaders Leicester City on Monday, their ninth loss in 16 league games since the start of a season that has gone spectacularly wrong, proved to be the final straw for Russian owner Roman Abramovich.

After that latest setback Mourinho accused some of his players of “betraying my work” -- a verbal attack that appeared to be his last throw of the dice in halting the slide.

“All at Chelsea thank Jose for his immense contribution since he returned as manager in the summer of 2013,” a statement on the club’s website (www,chelseafc.com) said.

“His three league titles, FA Cup, Community Shield and three League Cup wins over two spells make him the most successful manager in our 110-year history.

“But both Jose and the board agreed results have not been good enough this season and believe it is in the best interests of both parties to go our separate ways.

“The club wishes to make clear Jose leaves us on good terms and will always remain a much-loved, respected and significant figure at Chelsea.”

Chelsea said they would not be making any further comment until a new appointment was made.

INTERIM MANAGER Dutchman Guus Hiddink is the bookmakers’ favourite to take over as interim manager, having done so successfully in 2009 when Chelsea fired Brazil-

ian Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Few could have foreseen Chelsea’s decline this season, especially as Mourinho was rewarded for the title with a new four-year contract in August.

The squad is virtually identical to the one that dominated last season’s Premier League and won the League Cup. Yet the defeats have piled up, key players Diego Costa and Eden Hazard have looked distracted, Mourinho has twice fallen foul of the FA and there has been talk of dressing room unrest.

JOSE MOURINHO Ahead of this weekend’s home clash with Sunderland, Chelsea have managed only 15 points during their worst start to a season since they were relegated from the top flight in 1978-79.

Opposing fans have taunted Mourinho with chants of “You’re not special anymore” -- a cheeky reference to his opening statement when he first joined the club from Porto in 2004.

“Please do not call me arrogant because what I say is true. I’m European champion, I’m not one out of the bottle, I think I’m a special one,” he said at the time.

When Chelsea beat Porto last week to reach the last 16 of the Champions League it seemed he had bought himself time, but defeat by Leicester put the club’s demise into sharp focus.

After 16 games last season Chelsea had lost once and had 39 points while Leicester were bottom on 10.

HOPES EXTINGUISHED A year on and Chelsea are 20 points behind the

east Midlands outfit and their title hopes, if not their top-four ambitions, have been extinguished before Christmas.

“I’ve never known a capitulation like it from a football club,” former England striker and now BBC pundit Alan Shearer said as news of Mourinho’s sacking spread.

“I have never known players to perform like they did last season and then be so bad now. It’s unprecedented.”

Mourinho’s special relationship with Chelsea began when, fresh from Champions League success at Porto, he won backto-back Premier League titles plus the League Cup and FA Cup, before falling out with Abramovich and leaving in 2007.

He was welcomed back as a returning hero in 2013 after spells at Inter Milan, where he again won the Champions League, and Real Madrid and delivered a third Premier League title, but this season has been the worst of his career.

Chelsea have lost the same number of league games this term as they did in the three seasons from 2004 to 2007.

While thrashings by Manchester City and Liverpool were chastening, it was defeats by less glamorous clubs like Leicester, Southampton, West Ham United, Stoke City and modest Bournemouth that led to a sense of crisis.

The strain has shown too with Mourinho twice being fined for his behaviour and receiving a one-match stadium ban after he was banished to the stands at West Ham on October 24.

His post-match interviews became increasingly unpredictable. One rambling answer after Chelsea lost to Southampton lasted seven minutes while on other occasions he was mono-syllabic.

Acknowledged as the most successful manager in Chelsea’s history, and claiming they would not find anyone better, he retained the affection of many fans to the end but crucially seemed to have lost some of the dressing room.

Despite the loyalty of the Blues supporters to their Portuguese coach, however, Abramovich had seen enough.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 18, 2015

UDFA ‘GT Beer’ tournament double–header tonight

WINNERS CONNECTION’S RAWLE GITTENS

By Joe Chapman FOOTBALL action returns to Linden this evening with the GT Beer/ Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) knockout football tournament at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground from 18:30hrs.

Eagles United will make their bid for the coveted title by facing recent Petra Organisation champions Milerock in the first game, while Blueberry Hill take on two-time defending champions Feder-

MILEROCK’S CLARENCE HUGGINS al Winners Connection in the second game two hours later Football fans are expected to converge in their numbers on the traditional venue for the mining town’s year-end football where the excitement has always been fantastic Upsets are not ruled out during this time of the year when all teams are primed to perform in front of their endearing fans which makes this championship extra special.

Milerock should prevail as well as

EAGLES’ SEON BARRETT Winners Connection but no one is underrating the underdogs in both Eagles and Blueberry Hill, for they bring a large following which can inspire them.

Milerock, loaded with some of the town’s most talented youths, are also complemented by their strike line led

by Clarence ‘Shark’ Huggins in tandem with Kester Randolph.

Eagles, on the other hand, expect much from their midfield of Kevin Dave and their defence marshalled by Seon Barrett (Jr) to put a brake on the roving

BLUEBERRY HILL’S DEVON CAESAR Milerock side.

In their league game, Winners Connection edged their opponents 1-0 and are hoping that veteran forward Rawle ‘Boney’ Giittens can see them through this opening game as they look to move towards a possible third championship going into the quarter-finals.

However, Blueberry Hill are looking to create the upset and among their emerging talents are striker Levi Fraser and right winger Devon Caesar.

FIFA scandal: Large cash sums frozen by Switzerland FIFTY Swiss bank accounts allegedly linked to world football governing body FIFA have been frozen.

U.S. officials believe “corruption money” may have been moved through the now frozen accounts, the Swiss justice ministry said.

Between 50M and 100M Swiss francs ($50.1M-$100.2M; £34M-£67M) was in them, media reports say.

An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the accounts belonged to FIFA. Meanwhile, suspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been appearing before the organisation’s ethics committee.

Mr Blatter, who is due to depart from FIFA on February 26, strongly pleaded his innocence over corruption allegations, his lawyer said.

The committee, made up of four judges, is expected to make a ruling early next week.

The ethics investigation was launched following the decision by the Swiss attorney general to instigate criminal proceedings against Mr Blatter over a $2M ($1.34M; £1.84M) payment to European soccer chief Michel Platini in 2011. Both

men deny any wrongdoing.

Along with Mr Platini, Mr Blatter was suspended in October from participating in all soccer-related activity for

90 days pending a full inquiry into their conduct.

Some observers have highlighted the irony of Mr Blatter’s appearance before

the committee, given it was he who in 2012 gave it powers to become far tougher and more independent. He now argues that it does not have the power to remove an elected president and has complained of being the victim of an “inquisition”.

The U.S. is reported to have asked Switzerland to freeze about 50 accounts in 10 Swiss banks associated with its extensive inquiry into corruption in the highest echelons of world football, the Tages Anzeiger newspaper reported.

It is said that numerous FIFA members are believed to have accounts in Switzerland, including South American confederation head Nicolas Leoz, who had as many as 12.

Correspondents say that if the committee rules against Mr Blatter, he could be banned from football for years.

Earlier this week, he used his own stationery to write to FIFA’s 209-member state associations to proclaim his innocence.

On Wednesday, lawyers for Mr Platini said they would boycott an ethics committee hearing into allegations of corruption against him today.

Lawyers for the Frenchman said they Blatter was deluged by fake dollar bills by a comedian at a press conference believed the verdict had already “been before his suspension earlier this year. announced.”

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 18, 2015

WDFA teams flawless on first night; Uitvlugt and Beavers advance WEST Demerara Football Association (WDFA) celebrated their debut in the Stag Super XVI knock-out competition in fine style when both their teams, Uitvlugt Warriors and Beavers FC. won their matches on the opening night at the Leonora Track Football Field on Wednesday night.

SEAN BOBB Recently elected Guyana Football Federation president Wayne Forde and vice-president Rawlston Adams both witnessed the opening match that saw Beavers thump East Bank’s Herstelling Raiders 6-2 and Uitvlugt squeeze past East Demerara’s BV Triumph United by the lone goal in a scorching battle.

Forde, in remarks to the teams before performing the traditional kick-off,

congratulated them for being part of the competition that involved 16 teams from West Demerara, East Bank and the East Demerara Football Associations.

The GFF boss committed the federation to assisting and guiding the development of the game on and off the field of play in a structured way that will grow the game for the benefit of all.

The feature game of the double-header between Uitvlugt and BV Triumph United produced end-to-end action from start to finish as the battling players sought to gain the upper hand of the many exciting exchanges.

Chances were created at both ends but the constant bugbear of poor finishing was very evident. Many of the opportunities were too easy to miss but somehow the players missed.

As the minutes ticked away many fans and players too were contemplating the possibility of extra time in order to arrive at a winner but Uitvlugt had other ideas.

The West Demerara No.1 side, through one of their most potent forwards, Sean Bobb, brother of current Golden Jaguar Trayon Bobb, scored a beauty with just two minutes remaining in regulation, much to the delight of his teammates and supporters.

The goal saw BV’s goalkeeper Rayshawn Simon, who had a good evening, not able to deny Bobb and Uitvlugt a Christmas night (Farm ground) date. The winner of the Victoria Kings/Stewartville will clash today at the Victoria ground, East Coast Demerara. It is the second year that BVTU have faltered at the roundof-16 stage.

JUNIOR WITHRITE (L) AND ESAN NELSON Beavers were led to their emphatic 6-2 win over fellow-debutants Herstelling Raiders by Junior Withrite and Esan Nelson who both netted three goals each. Beavers, a more seasoned unit at this level, took some time to get into the scoring act. But even before that, Herstelling had two chances but failed to make them count.

Once the West Bank-based Beavers got going they made sure Herstelling had no chance of coming back despite the East Bank boys scoring two goals.

Withrite opened the scoring in the 31st minute from the penalty spot. He found

the net again in the 42nd and 75th minutes to seal the fate of the opposition. His teammate Nelson while also hammering home three goals became the first player of the tournament to be red-carded as a result of his second bookable offence in the 88th minute.

Nelson scored in the 35th, 39th and 63rd minutes and would have to miss his team’s next match against the winner of today’s first game of a double-header between Ann’s Grove and Eagles at the Victoria ground. That game will be a quarter-final clash on Boxing night also at the Victoria ground.

Sarwan to captain ‘Unity’ match

FORMER West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan has confirmed his participation in the Legacy and 007 Promotions ‘Cricket for Unity’ on January 30 at the Guyana National Stadium. Providence.

The 35-year-old right-hander, who played the last of his 87 Tests against India in Barbados in 2011 and his last of 220 first-class games for Leicestershire against Worcestershire last year, has agreed to RAMNARESH captain one of the teams.

SARWAN This is according to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the event, Sean Devers, who disclosed that Sarwan said, “I will play! The match is not until January 30, so I have some time to get some practice”.

The much-anticipated event is being held in collaboration with corporate sponsors and support from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GSCA) and has been approved by the WICB. provide The event should be a memorable night for the over 15 000 thousand fans who are expected to flock the stadium to get a rare chance of seeing such a collection of top

class cricketers assembled at one venue in Guyana.

Kieron Pollard, Riyad Emrit and Sarwan are the latest T20 attractions to confirm their participation.

The pulsating match-up, involving a galaxy of cricketing stars, will be preceded KIERON by softball cricket from the top softball POLLARD teams in the country in both male and female categories in addition to a fun day for the children. The event starts at 10:00hrs.

Apart from Sarwan, Pollard and Emrit; Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Darren Sammy, Andre Russell, Krismar Santokie and Nick Pooran have all confirmed their participation.

Leon Johnson, Rajendra Chandrika, Chris Barnwell, Jonathon Foo, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Anthony Bramble, Steven Jacobs, Raymon Reifer, Jevon Searles and Shiv Chanderpaul could be featuring in the match. The winning team will collect $1M and the President’s Trophy while the Man-of-the-Match will pocket $100 000.

Tickets will go on sale in early January, 2016.

President Granger to be inducted as Honorary RHTY&SC Patron See story on page 24

WDFA teams flawless on first night; Uitvlugt and Beavers advance See story on page 27

GFF president Wayne Forde performs the ceremonial kick-off, while second vice-president Rawlston Adams looks on.

UDFA ‘GT Beer’ tournament double–header tonight Sarwan See story on page 26

to captain ‘Unity’ match

See story on page 27

WINNERS CONNECTION’S RAWLE GITTENS

MILEROCK’S CLARENCE HUGGINS

BLUEBERRY HILL’S DEVON CAESAR

EAGLES’ SEON BARRETT

Chelsea sacks Mourinho JOSE MOURINHO

See story on page 25

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9

RAMNARESH SARWAN

Sports Commission hosts incisive forum with Associations See story on page 24

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015