Guyana Chronicle 3-22-2019

FRIDAY 22nd March, 2019

Desist from disorderly behaviour No.105584

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–– gov't urges citizens, maintains there is no ‘constitutional crisis’

The Guyana National Stadium was transformed into a rainbow of colours at the annual Phagwah Mela hosted by Inspired Inc on Thursday (Samuel Maughn photo)

Police Commissioner warns law breakers 11 PAGE

Commissioner of Police

Clothes 21 Carter Center urges Parliament vendor shot execution-style meets today 15 PAGE

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Carter Center Board of Trustees Chairman Ja-

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

Gov't cracks down on illegal medicine

By Svetlana Marshall

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that one in 10 medical products circulating in lowand middle-income countries is either substandard or falsified.

And according to Director of the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department, Marlon Cole, it is more than likely that Guyana has a higher rate of substandard and falsified medical products on its market.

Cole explained that several distributors of pharmaceuticals and other medical supplies have not acquired Marketing Authorisation as required by Law, and as such, are engaging in the sale and distribution of pharmaceuticals that are not approved by the Food and Drug Department.

According to him, there is “a lot of push back” from

distributors.

On the sideline of a capacity-building forum held by the Food and Drug Department and AstraZeneca Pharmaceutical Company, Cole said that since 2014, the department has increasingly enforced the legislation mandating distributors to acquire Marketing Authorisation and Drug Registration, but many have managed to avoid the system.

“A lot of companies locally do not want to be compliant with the registration regime… In the past, drugs got unto our market without being registered and it is only now we are trying to clean things up and ensure safe and efficacious drugs are out there,” he said.

In an effort to acquire the necessary approval, a distributor is required to prepare a dossier with the critical information on the product, including registration in-

formation with supporting evidence that the product is certified to be sold in Europe and North America.

Apart from that, Cole explained that products are also allowed legal entry into Guyana once pre-approved by the WHO or the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). In the case of CARPHA, drugs registered in countries such as Mexico, Cuba, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Columbia are approved through the Caribbean Regulatory System.

The CARPHA/CRS is a regional regulatory mechanism through which market access to safe and effective essential medicines of high quality is accelerated. If a distributor’s submission receives the nod of CARPHA/ CRS following review, a recommendation and assessment report is disseminated to all CARICOM governments via government-appointed focal

points, and the recommended products are published on a publicly accessible webpage.

Governments are then asked to make a Marketing Authorisation based on the CARPHA/CRS recommendation.

BETTER EQUIPPED Noting that the Food and Drug Department is better equipped with technical support from organisations such as CARPHA and AstraZeneca, a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company, Cole said the department will be clamping down on distributors.

He warned that once detected, unapproved or certified drugs will be seized upon entry to Guyana or if found within the market. Cole recently returned from Jamaica where he participated in a Regional Stakeholders’ Meet-

Participants at the Food and Drug Department and AstraZeneca Pharmaceutical Company capacity-building forum (Samuel Maughn photo)

Director of the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department, Marlon Cole (Samuel Maughn photo) ing Post Market Surveillance for Medicines, organised by CARPHA. During that forum, it was noted that poor quality and falsified medicines, if left unchecked, can reverse progress the region has made in its fight against diseases.

Guyana is currently participating in a pilot project with CARPHA Medicines Quality Control and Surveillance Department (MQCSD) in Jamaica to test drugs in circulation. Eastern Caribbean countries are also a part of the pilot project.

CARPHA MQCSD is the only accredited medicines quality control laboratory in the English-speaking Caribbean and will provide countries like Guyana with test results to confirm the quality of medicines being sold on the market.

Cole said the capacity-building workshop was a timely one.

“This occasion is timely and opportune relative to the threat that we in the developing world, particularly those countries that

are low and middle income as it relates to the quality and safety of drugs and medical supplies that have been released for sale on our market,” he said.

He said with 50,000 staff across 19 countries and 30 locations, there is much the Food and Drug Department can learn from AstraZeneca in identifying fake and substandard products.

AstraZeneca Global Security Director, Jeremy Jobson, on behalf of Pharmaceutical Security Institute, painted a vivid picture of the illegal trade in medicine via his skype presentation.

Jobson told the small group present that counterfeit drugs, illegal diversion and theft of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies remain a major problem globally.

Among a selected number of countries including the USA, Russia and Germany, 3,509 cases of fake and substandard products were reported. It was noted that the majority of the fake and or substandard products are for oral use.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

Acting President and Minister of Foreign affairs, Carl Greenidge

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge has called on all Guyanese to use the values of the Hindu festival of Phagwah to create a stronger and united Guyana.

Speaking at the annual Phagwah celebration organised by the Indian High Commission, at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), Greenidge said Phagwah allows Guyanese to transcend ethnic differences.

“While uniquely a Hindu festival, it is celebrated without regards for one’s skin colour, hair texture, stations in life, age, sex or political persuasion,” he said.

At the SVCC, this was particularly evident as persons of varying backgrounds converged to indulge in the colourful festival. Children particularly were seen

Create a united Guyana

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–– Greenidge urges Phagwah celebrants

adorning each other with the colours, without care or concern for anything else.

Greenidge said by ‘playing’ with each other and indulging in the culture, Phagwah breaks the barriers erected by mistrust, suspicion and fear.

“Phagwah has become a vehicle for promoting trust and understanding,” he said, adding: “When examined more closely and deeply, many of the differences which afflict our society can be mended through greater understanding, trust and cooperation.”

Since the festival promotes these values, he advanced that it can be a bridge to help Guyanese overcome their differences.

“I am confident that, inspired by the values of this festival, Guyana will be able

A section of the gathering at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre

The Amardeep Chowtal group from Campbellville (Samuel Maughn photo)

Children playing merrily at the Indian Cultural Centre (Samuel Maughn photo)

Dancers from the National School of Dance delighting the crowd (Samuel Maughn photo) to overcome its differences and emerge stronger and more united,” he said.

He added: “Let us celebrate our rich heritage of multiculturalism, a heritage of which we should be proud, one which has given us festivals of vigour and vitality such as Phagwah.”

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam, said Holi coincides with the advent of the spring season. According to him, this season of blossoming of beautiful colours shows that the festival of colours is in harmony with nature.

He also shared that it is a festival that celebrates love, and like any other Hindu festival, it emphasises the triumph of good over evil.

This is the high commissioner’s last

Holi celebration in Guyana and he urged his successor to continue the tradition of hosting the event as it has become very popular.

Minister Greenidge also acknowledged the growth of the event and hailed the “excellent relations” between Guyana and India.

“Needless to say the Government of Guyana anticipates that we will continue to forge new bonds, to further deepen the Guyana/India relations, particularly through reciprocal cultural exchanges including film, dance, music and art,” he shared and added that cricket is another area of deep, mutual interest.

Former Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, also spoke at the celebrations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday March 22, 2019

EU offers Brexit delay until May 22 BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union (EU) will agree to hand Britain a Brexit delay until May 22 (today) if its parliament approves the divorce agreement next week, according to draft conclusions consid-

ered by the other 27 national leaders on Thursday.

“The European Union commits to agreeing, before March 29 2019, to an extension until May 22, provided the Withdrawal Agreement is approved by the House of

Commons next week,” said the draft, seen by Reuters.

“Given that the United Kingdom does not intend to hold elections to the European Parliament, no extension is possible beyond that date.”

Just eight days before

Britain is scheduled to leave the EU, British Prime Minister Theresa May appealed to her fellow EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Thursday to hand her a postponement until June 30.

“The European Council

reiterates that there can be no opening of the Withdrawal Agreement ... Any unilateral commitment, statement or other act should be compatible with the letter and the spirit of the Withdrawal Agreement,” it said.

The EU, in a text that was still being discussed by the leaders without May and could change, stressed that there should be continued preparations for a no-deal Brexit.

Ferry capsize, nearly 80 killed

MOSUL (Reuters) - At least 79 people died when an overloaded ferry carrying families on an outing sank in the Tigris river in Mosul in north-

ern Iraq, medical sources told Reuters on Thursday.

Most of the casualties on the ferry were women and children who could not swim, said

the head of Mosul’s Civil Defence Authority Husam Khalil.

He said the ferry had been loaded to several times its capacity. “It can normally carry 50 people. There were 250 on board before the incident,”

he said.

Five ferry workers were arrested late on Thursday, security sources said. Rescue workers were still looking for missing passengers.

The boat was ferrying peo-

Friday, March 22, 2019 - 05:00hrs –– 6:30hrs

ple to a man-made island used as a recreational area by families, according to one witness.

“I was standing near the river back when suddenly the ferry started to tilt left and right, and passengers began screaming before it capsized,” said Mohamed Masoud, a local civil servant.

“I saw women and children waving with their hands begging for help but no one was there to rescue them. I don’t know how to swim. I couldn’t help. I feel guilty. I watched people drown.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi ordered an inquiry into the accident and said on Twitter that those responsible would be held accountable.

Mobile phone footage showed the ferry sinking into the muddy water and people shouting for help. Among the dead were some 19 children and at least 52 women, medical

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sources said.

Reconstruction of Mosul, much of which was destroyed in a military campaign to recapture the city from Islamic State militants in 2017, has barely begun and is haphazard.

Residents say they feel abandoned by the central government, but have returned and started to rebuild their own homes. The city’s infrastructure remains largely damaged.

The rescue team was retrieving survivors and had rescued 12 people so far, Khalil said.

Police and medical sources said earlier at least 40 people had drowned. A source in a nearby hospital and another in a morgue said the toll had risen to 79.

The accident took place to the north of the city, near a recreational area popular with families.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

Rainbow of colours transforms National Stadium

THE Guyana National Stadium was transformed into a mixture of colours as Inspired Inc. hosted its annual Phagwah Mela, where Guyanese from all walks of life gathered to celebrate the event.

The National Stadium was packed as many experienced the powders and water blend as they were entertained by several local and international artistes.

Guyana’s Baboo, Terry Gajraj, accompanied by Randy Ramdhin and Marissa out of the USA, reigning Chutney Monarch, Steven Ramphal, AW Lyrical Williams and the Ishara Dance Group thoroughly entertained the gathering.

There were also skits and other cultural pieces, in addition to performances by the Shakti Strings Orchestra.

Lovers of seven-curry and sweetmeats also indulged themselves.

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CEO of Inspire Inc. Yog Mahadeo, described the event as “a true display of cultural care in a festival like Phagwah.”

“Over the years, the event has grown to a phenomenal proportion and its goodwill has spread across the world. It is the only family-oriented, alcohol-free event of its size in the Caribbean. Its uniqueness is its representation of the festival in the diverse population of Guyana. Phagwah is known as the festival of colours in which a blend of all of the colours of nature comes together in celebration. It exemplifies and celebrates the Guyanese motto of one people, one nation, with one destiny,” Mahadeo said.

The event this year was sponsored by Caribbean Airlines, the Social Cohesion Ministry, INDI spices, Star Party Rentals, Big Pops Trucks and Spares, and Puran Brothers Disposal Services.

Members of the Ishara Dance Troupe perform at the Guyana National Stadium (Samuel Maughn photo)

While there were performances on stage, some in the crowd put up their own performance, much to the amusement of others (Samuel Maughn photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday March 22, 2019

Children must be protected from rape ON Wednesday, March 13, Clinton Anthony Doris was found guilty of raping a seven-year-old girl five years ago, (in March 2014). The sentencing of the convict has been delayed though, as his attorney requested a probation report following the conviction. It has been reported that in March 2014, at Essequibo, Clinton Doris, called ‘Masquerade Man’ or ‘Lally,’ lured the child into his house as she was passing by on the way to her own home.

According to the disturbing reports, Doris called out to the seven-year-old girl and invited her inside his house for some ‘sweetie.’ However, after the child entered the house, Doris raped her.

Sadly, such worrying occur-

rences are not unique, or even uncommon. The National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) postulates that a majority of child-rapes are never reported owing to such factors as fear of stigmatisation, the fact that many of the perpetrators are related to the victims, and many victims -- being children -- are intimidated by threats of reprisals if they ever spoke out.

The NCVC says, though, that at least 1 out of every 5 girls is raped or otherwise sexually assaulted, as is 1 in 20 boys. Citing another impediment to the successful prosecution of offenders, The NCVC said, “In the vast majority of cases where there is credible evidence that a child has been penetrated, only between 5 and 15 per

cent of those children will have genital injuries consistent with sexual abuse.” This physical reality may make it more difficult to obtain a conviction in a court. Other factors may also contribute to that difficulty.

Guyanese are well aware of many of those issues.

In January of this year, a jury found Bishnauth Mohamed not guilty of the alleged rape of a five-year-old girl. The accused was acquitted of the charge which stated that on September 30, 2010, he engaged in sexual penetration of a child under the age of 16. While this publication will, of course, not comment or speculate on the reasonings or findings of courts in criminal matters, it has been extensively reported

that Guyanese are generally disappointed with the way that some individual cases are handled. On February 5, a court granted bail to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Seecharran Singh, who was recently charged with the rape of a 13-yearold girl. According to court documents, it is alleged that ASP Singh, between June 17, 2018, and June 18, at Providence, East Bank Demerara, engaged in sexual penetration of a child under the age of 16.

It is understood that legal judgements and other decisions are determined by the content of the law, while, on the other hand, the opinions of the average person are most often guided or influenced by such factors as emotion,

religious belief, moral positions, and other abstract considerations; one must recognise that such opinions are valid by virtue of their mere existence.

As such, decision-makers, particularly legislators and judicial personnel, should be aware of the impact of some cases on the national psyche. Additionally, the consequences of sexual attack have been extensively studied over many years, and are, therefore, quite well understood. Experts say that a child who is the victim of prolonged sexual abuse usually develops low self-esteem, a feeling of worthlessness and an abnormal or distorted view of sex. The child may become withdrawn and mistrustful

of adults and can become suicidal. Obviously, these are problems of significant importance, that may have profound community, social, and health implications. While officials are known to be aware of all of the facts, including the effects of rape or other sexual attacks on children, such crimes remain far too common. Unfortunately, unfairly, it may be easiest to blame ‘the government,’ but, clearly, family members, community leaders, religious figures, and indeed, all members of society have their part to play in reducing the prevalence of sexual abuse of children, with the objective of eliminating it.

The fabric of Guyana...woven together in time Dear Editor, A FEW days ago I shared a story of a 30-year-old man who had been abandoned by his relatives at a hospital in Berbice.

An accident,10 years ago, left him paralyzed and abandoned at the age of 20 in a hospital that he now calls home.

In the Tracy Khan story, the man recounted his life before the accident, his reality now and his zeal to get better and walk again.

What followed in the timeline were comments of support and prayers for him to be better and for him to do better.

Those prayers and

well-wishes and thoughts came from a wide cross-section of Guyanese.

In that moment, his race did not matter, his religion did not matter, his background did not matter.

What mattered was our humanity to reach out to a fellow human who is hurting, someone we don't even know, and to be his shoulder and his strength and his will to be better.

A few weeks ago, a speeding car plunged overboard into a trench. The injured were pulled out and among them was a young girl who appeared lifeless.

A man rushed forward and began CPR. He pumped on her chest, breathe into

her mouth and continued the procedure over and over and over until there was a cough and movement in her young frail body.

You could see he was raw with emotions and many around him was teary-eyed. It was as if they were all staring at a miracle. Life had just been blown into this young girl and it happened before their eyes.

In that moment and in that time, her race and his race did not matter. In that time, her religion or his did not matter.

What mattered is that there was a person in need and there was someone there who, without a second thought, threw himself

forward and never budged until he was sure there was life again.

My fellow Guyanese, all we truly have is each other.

We might agree at times and disagree many times, but we must never, never allow our differences and our disagreements to tear away at our humanity and to damage the fabric of who we are, the fabric of being Guyanese, the fabric of being Guyana.

My 20 years in the media have taken me across this dear land of ours. I have seen the rivers and plains, I have turned my face and smiled at the sunshine and I have also enjoyed the cover that became lush by the rains.

I have witnessed the best

of Guyana and I have also had some glimpses of a tired nation at its worst.

But in all of this, I have seen the fabric of Guyana, woven majestically by different people, with different beliefs and different cultures, but all holding on to the one humanity.

I have turned my hands curlingly to beats of the Indian tassa and I have closed my eyes and moved my shoulders to the beating of African drums.

I have enjoyed the metagee and kanki of Victoria and the curry and dhal of Mahaica.

We take these for granted at times, but when blended together, they become knitted

into an even stronger fabric of Guyana.

Many days I wake up tired and wounded and deep in thoughts about this nation of ours. Honestly, I worry about whether we are praying enough for her, building her up, breathing new life into her and doing our best to take good care of her.

I worry that we have not been doing enough.

But as the sun goes down on every day, it rises over a new one. And that gives us the opportunity to do better, to be better, to grow up and to take better care.

I have no doubt that this nation's best days are ahead.

I have TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday March 22, 2019

The new Guyanese recruited in oil and gas Dear Editor, IT was certainly gratifying to hear that twenty-four Guyanese have been hired to join ExxonMobil’s operations team and that these men and women will receive training at a Canadian University for 18 months.

I am proud of my fellow Guyanese for getting these

positions and having an opportunity to expand their opportunities.

In my opinion, the extensive training is important, as it signals an opportunity for growth beyond their current position. After their training, the hardworking two dozen Guyanese will be assigned to the Liza Destiny ship to begin work, joining over a thou-

sand other Guyanese reported to also be working on Liza Phase-1 operations.

Like many, I hope that this hiring spree represents the start of a continuous trend.

It feels like there has been a noticeable increase in reports of hiring and certifications in recent weeks, but we have still not seen a physical increase in activity onshore.

The fabric of Guyana...

FROM PAGE 6

no doubt that we will stand together and smile together, and walk and talk and laugh and gaff together and we see a wounded and tired nation get better.

But as we await those best days that are ahead, we are living in the now.

As we live in the now and as we face each new day, let us remember that we

are woven into a beautiful fabric that sits on our shoulders, a beautiful fabric that has made us free, a beautiful fabric we must care for, A beautiful fabric we call

As the twenty-four recently-hired Guyanese perform well in their new roles, as I’m sure they will, they can help start to establish local Guyanese as a legitimate pool of potential employees for ExxonMobil and other operators looking for support. It’s important that we Guyanese capture these jobs, because they mean more money and

more chances for training and development.

I am optimistic when I think of what’s coming up and the opportunities ahead.

We are expecting more drillships in our waters, which will require support as well. Then, in 2020, 50 more technicians are set to be hired as we get closer to production. Why not employ more Guyanese to

support these operations? Our workforce is smart, capable and ready to do the work – all we need are opportunities to showcase this.

Hopefully, these hires are just the beginning of what’s to come.

Guyana.

Don't allow anyone to tear that fabric apart.

The colours of that fabric are always better together than they will ever

be apart.

Yours truly, Gordon Moseley

Yours Respectfully, Selwyn Paul

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

Homeless and needy get help

By Lisa Hamilton

VOLUNTEER organisations have once again targeted the homeless and needy in Georgetown, this time providing baths, clothing, haircuts, food and medical care to some 200 persons on Thursday.

Teaming up were the Raising and Extending

Arms to Care and Help (REACH) Foundation and Potluck, along with the support of medical practitioners, volunteers and donors.

They set up tents and tables along the pavement just outside the Bourda Market opposite the Guyana Post office on Regent Street, Georgetown.

Street dwellers receive baths and clothing (Samuel Maughn photo)

Several men in need receive haircuts with the help of the Raising and Extending Arms to Care and Help (REACH) and Potluck foundations (Samuel Maughn photo)

A number of men and women were seen trying on new items of clothing; others were being assisted in taking a bath while several men were seen receiving fresh haircuts.

Nicholas Chesney is heading the REACH Foundation which was officially launched in December 2017, while he was a student at the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA).

Last year, the team of persons reached out to over 100 persons after

merging their efforts to raise $100,000 in funds to help the ‘society’s forgotten citizens’.

While the groups did not intentionally plan for the event to be held on Phagwah day, the celebration of good over evil, Chesney said the event served as an opportunity for persons to show love in an active way.

“Last year, we catered for 100 persons and we realised that more than 100 persons came, so this year we increased it to 200 persons and we have a lot more than 200 clothing items so I think we’ll pass 200… because once a person comes we’ll give them,” Chesney said.

He added: “We planned this day without focusing on the fact that it’s actually Phagwah, but we’re glad that it happened on this day because for the Hindu society, Phagwah is a colourful day and so I see it as giving love to the community.”

President of the REACH Foundation Nicholas Chesney Meanwhile, the Potluck Non-Government Organisation (NGO) assisted persons medically through blood pressure and blood sugar testing, and the provision of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals.

The only setback with this year’s initiative Chesney said, was due to the last-minute planning which did not attract support from some donors.

However, he encouraged citizens to do their best through their own initiatives to give to the less fortunate from their surplus.

“I’m sure we have clothes in our closet that we don’t wear and my pastor, Pastor Patrick Findlay, says that if you don’t wear something in a year you’re not going to wear it so give to somebody in need,” he urged.

The foundations are now planning another event which will seek to impact persons living in Sophia.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

Desist from disorderly behaviour –– gov’t urges citizens, maintains there is no ‘constitutional crisis’

AFFIRMING that no “constitutional crisis” is looming, the government has called on citizens to desist from disorderly behavior and let good sense prevail despite the opposition leader’s attempt to escalate political tension.

Subsequent to receiving correspondence from Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chair (ret’d) Justice James Patterson, regarding the commission’s preparedness to hold elections by November 2019, the same was formally relayed to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo.

In a letter on behalf of President David Granger on March 20, 2019, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, wrote: “In the circumstances, I am instructed to inform you that His Excellency, the President, intends to shortly name a date for General and Regional Elections in Guyana within the framework provided by the chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission.”

However, on Thursday, Jagdeo responded to Harmon

during the protest activity.

Initially, Jagdeo had pushed for elections by March 21 but has now revised this to April 30, 2019 when the current voter’s list expires.

His push continues even as the commission has made known its inability to achieve such, and that the need for eligible youths to be included on a new list through house-to-house registration is fundamental.

Constitutionally, elections were due next year, but following the passage of a no- confidence motion against the government last year December, early elections are likely.

The government has since challenged the validity of the motion before the Court of Appeal with a determination on this matter and two others expected today.

Even as these matters play out, President David Granger had indicated his wiliness to name an election date based on the advice of the commission.

He also committed to providing the necessary funding through appropriation from the National Assembly, which the commission since stated that the complete exercise will cost G$3.5B.

NO CRISIS

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo by way of letter stating that beginning today, he would consider that the “Government becomes illegal”.

He referred to the GECOM chairman’s statement regarding the commission’s inability to hold credible elections before late November 2019 as “totally unacceptable”.

At his recent press conferences, the opposition leader has threatened on several occasions to escalate pressure against the government as he projects that a “constitutional crisis” is approaching.

To ensure that the day’s proceedings coincide with their mantra, the PPP has planned several protest activities today.

In a bid to rally supporters, the PPP took to its Facebook page yesterday calling on party loyalists to “set their profile photo and cover to all black” and to go live on social media

Both President Granger and other members of Parliament have long debunked the message of the opposition that Guyana is near a “constitutional crisis”.

“There here is no crisis.

There are issues which have to be resolved and most of those issues will depend on what I hear from GECOM when I consult them,” the President had said.

Attorney General Basil Williams rubbished the “constitutional crisis” arguments, stating that Article 106 (7) of the Constitution clearly states that the President and his government will remain in office until a new president is sworn in.

Others have noted that at no time can the country be without a President or government.

Meanwhile, Minister Harmon also spoke with the Guyanese diaspora in New York during a recent visit.

“Guyanese people are smart and they know the type of political leadership they have had. So try to get the facts and analyse it for yourself. Don’t believe the fake news. Guyana is not in a crisis. Guyana has a strong stable government, which respects the Constitution, respects the rule of law and will never damage that.”

During their visit to

President David Granger GECOM on Wednesday, even representatives of the Carter Center put forward suggestions for an election time period which saw August 2019 as a possible month for election.

This is far from the April 30 deadline being lobbied for by the opposition which would see elections taking place in 39 days or less.

The Constitution allows for there to be an extension of the three-month time period with a vote of two-thirds of the National Assembly but the opposition leader, thus far, remains obstinate against granting such.

Jagdeo continues along the path even as elections in Guyana have been delayed several times without a crisis and at least two times under the presidency of Jagdeo.

In 2001, General and Regional Elections were due on January 17 in accordance with the Herdmanston Accord; however, the then President (Bharrat Jagdeo) had cause to delay the elections based on the advice of GECOM. Again in 2006 under Jagdeo’s presidency, elections were delayed whereby the constitutional deadline was August 4, 2006, but GECOM was unable to meet it.

In a statement on Tuesday, May 2, 2006, Jagdeo dissolved Parliament and elections were later held on August 28 that year.

Even as the opposition leader has planned protests and urged his supporters to “chase” government supporters when they visit their communities, the government has condemned these remarks as a threat to social cohesion.

It continues to encourage the general public to exercise good sense and to desist from disorderly behaviour as law enforcement agencies will treat condignly, any disorderly conduct.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

Crane family struggles as mother abandons children

A CRANE, West Coast Demerara family is struggling to make ends meet after a mother abandoned her four young children.

The children’s ordeal began a few weeks ago when their mother took one of them, the six-year-old one, to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to access treatment for a fever he had and just left him there.

He was later reunited with the rest of his family, due to the assistance of public-spirited persons. However, reports indicate that soon after the boy got back with his family, his mother abandoned him and his siblings (aged seven, five and eight months). The children are now in the care of their grandparents.

“The mother lil wayward and does leave the children nuff,” aunt of the children, Sona (only name given) told the Guyana Chronicle.

In fact, she explained that the mother habitually leaves the children for long periods without indicating where she is going.

According to the mother of the children, her husband used to help provide for his family but a year ago, he was jailed for escaping lawful custody.

In his absence, the family has been going through a lot of struggle, she said.

Nine persons are living in the grand-

parent’s humble abode at 266 Crane Housing Scheme -- four children and five adults.

“Sometime we does get a one day, two day domestic work and try to use that to help out the family,” Sona said, adding: “You can’t give them next to nothing to go to school, so that does be lil hard, but they growing and it getting better.”

Since it was made known on social platform Facebook that the young boy was abandoned at the hospital, several persons have been reaching out to provide some assistance to the family.

“If the children go to school, [our neighbours] does assist to bring them home and if they got anything to give or so -- they does give,” she explained, while affirming that members of the community have been supportive throughout the past year. “Everybody just living good,” she said.

Sona also indicated that representatives of the Social Protection Ministry visited the family and has been ‘keeping tabs’ on them. The ministry has also promised to provide some assistance to the family.

The children’s grandmother, Radhika Nandalall said it is her duty to care for the children and has been doing extra work to make ends meet

Radhika Nandlall and her four grandchildren “Me does mek sure me send them to school and baby does go clinic,” Nandlall said.

“Me does wuk two time a week and my husband does wuk but that is not no kinda wuk to mine four children,” she explained, and said, “But if me don’t wuk, they nah gon get enough money to go to school and so.”

Like the aunt, Nandalall does domestic work to makes ends. She also takes on the responsibly to care the children and ensure they attend school.

“Me thankful for anything me get,” the grandmother said.

Persons desirous of assisting the family can make contact with them on telephone number 254 1529

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

Police Commissioner warns law breakers

COMMISSIONER of Police, Leslie James, has advised that, as Guyana awaits the decision of the Court of Appeal regarding the no-confidence motion, anyone found in breach of the law, by disturbing the current calm in society, will be dealt with accordingly.

The announcement came on Thursday as the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on social media called on its supporters to stage protests today [Friday] in efforts to paint the government as “unconstitutional”.

James’ message also comes days after Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, at a memorial held for the late former President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, at the Babu Jaan community, urged supporters to “chase” government members from their communities after March 21, 2019.

“When the ministers or Granger or Nagamootoo come here after the 21st of March, walk behind them and chase them out; they’re gonna be illegal,” he said.

Several in society, both in public and Government, have weighed the words of the Opposition Leader as a risk to the much-needed co-

hesiveness in Guyana’s multi-cultural society.

Responding to the intentions witnessed by the police force, the Commissioner stated: “As Commissioner of Police, I wish to take this opportunity to implore that the current calm, peace and tranquility should remain throughout the Nation as the decision of the Court of Appeal is pending. The leadership and members of the Guyana Police Force have noted on social media, notions of a seeming intention to disrupt the current calm in our society.

“May I warn that anyone found in breach of the law will be dealt with in a condign manner.

The Force’s membership throughout the ten (10) Administrative Regions is on high alert and endeavours to prevent and respond to any eventuality.”

Back in February the PPP had staged a protest action against the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) guided by Jagdeo who then pushed for elections by March 21, 2019.

At the protest action, PPP Member of Parliament (MP), Harry Gill, was pulled away from the law enforcement barricades by Jagdeo after

the MP saw it necessary to verbally confront the high-ranking police officials about their restriction to the Commission.

That day, Jagdeo ended his address to the gath-

ering of party loyalists at Red House by promising to “ratchet up the pressure” against the government.

In contrast, the government has been urging

citizens, despite their political affiliation, to remain civil-minded and to ensure that the government’s efforts towards social cohesion are not undone.

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Commissioner of Police Leslie James

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

Give the government a chance –– Minister Garrido-Lowe urges

By Lisa Hamilton JUNIOR Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, said the current government, which has begun massive developmental works in Guyana in just a few years, has every intention of continuing such with the support of citizens.

She made the remarks on Wednesday at the Tucville playground following a walkabout in Constituency 12, where residents received information about the present political situation and the government’s future plans.

Minister Garrido-Lowe said while many government ministers are disappointed with the events that led to the current situation, they are

all still proud to be serving the nation as a part of the coalition.

“We were really, really shocked and disappointed.

And, because of that; because of our trust in our friend, this is what got us here,” Garrido-Lowe said, adding confidently: “But we won’t stay here.”

Former Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament (MP), Charrandas Persaud, on December 21, 2018, voted with the opposition to bring down the David Granger Administration.

Garrido-Lowe pointed to the works of the government in all areas, including infrastructure, education, housing and health, whereby Guyanese have begun to benefit

more than ever before and should be granted the opportunity to continue benefitting.

“There is so much we have done within three and a half years and we have more to do together,” she said.

The minister reminded that the country’s “purse” of tax money is about to expand even further and citizens must begin to think critically about how they would like to see the revenues being spent.

She added that while citizens in the past were not permitted to be open with the government, the current government is interested in, and will be guided by their views.

“This country’s purse is so much but next year, 2020, when the first proceeds of oil will add to the country’s

purse through the Consolidated Fund, we will be able to do more for our people,” she said.

“There are needs everywhere in this country…

I am not hearing from our men, women and youths as yet as to how they would like to see our oil money benefiting them. That is a conversation we need to have; that is a conversation you need to have. We are a democratic government; we involve the people.”

THE BEST LEADER Garrido-Lowe said the while the opposition has accused the government of being a “bully”, President Granger remains one of the best leaders the country can have.

“We know what the PPP says, the PNC, they are bullies, they’re this, they’re that but do you see us bullying?’

Are we threatening anybody so far in this situation? We had a traitor; did you see us do him anything? Who is doing the threatening and the bullying now? It is on the other shoe so do not

take them on. You have a President that you should be proud of,” she affirmed.

The minister added: “We are not perfect but you are there to tell us when we’re not perfect. To tell us where we should be corrected because you know what came with us in 2015: freedom of speech. You can tell us anything now and nobody isn’t threatening you.”

Minister Garrido-Lowe, who renders most of her service to the hinterland regions with responsibility for women and children, youth and sport, and welfare matters, also informed the gathering about opportunities available to them in these areas.

She spoke to the entrepreneur opportunities available for women and the importance the President places on the empowerment of young people through education and the provision of scholarships.

At the same time, she urged parents to take their duty of raising well-educated children seriously as they will replace the country’s current leaders in a short

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe (DPI photo) while.

She said that the government is willing to provide parenting classes to parents who indicate the need, and as well as self-employment so that women can better contribute to their household funds.

“I see a great future ahead for our women; for our men; for our youths and I’d like you to give that a chance; I’d like you to take it seriously,” she encouraged, adding: “We are counting on you to understand the process or the actions or the thinking we must adapt for a peaceful and a successful way forward.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

Help for young, small contractors

By Wendella Davison

YOUNG contractors in Region Three are receiving much help in filling out contract documents to bid for works in the region; an initiative which has seen more of them benefitting from the national pie.

The decision stems from a suggestion from Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, for young contractors to be given assistance with contracts, Regional Executive Officer (REO), Jennifer Ferreira Dougall said.

“I found a lot of young people didn’t want to come forward to buy contracts because they didn’t know how to fill out the bid documents, so I had two employees help out with that aspect of the contract documents,” she told the Guyana Chronicle in an exclusive interview.

This year, Region Three has 242 projects to be executed to the value of

$758M. “We are now closing for the first quarter which comes to an end this month-end, all of the tenders for works for this period are already out, including the tenders for the roads bridges and schools under projects that are classified as capital projects,” the REO said.

She explained that capital projects for which the big contractors mostly submit bids are evaluated by the National Procurement Tender Board, even though they are given out by the region.

The contracts for weeding and the rehabilitation of bridges, sanitary blocks and school guard huts gain the attention of the small or pre-qualified contractors The REO said, as the officer with responsibility to ensure that projects are done and the monies spent are within the boundaries, as per activity, “I am really happy with what has been happening out there.”

According to her, work projects such

as bridges, schools and roads that are classified as capital projects as they are evaluated by the National Tender and Procurement Board (NTPB), are on stream, as she explained that there are works for which pre-qualified or the small contractors can bid so that they too “can get into the scoop and not have to tangle with the big contractors”.

She said that for the first set of contracts, some 717 persons bought bids, including some smaller players.

“We had a lot of young contractors and I think those young people in the region are happy, they are doing their best in terms of some of the contracts that were awarded to them,” she said.

The REO however promised that as the chairperson for the regional tender board, she will try her utmost to ensure before year-end, most of the contractors get jobs so they can carry on with their daily lives.

Ferreira-Dougall cautioned, though,

that she is not prepared to award a contract just for the sake of awarding one.

“You have to have submitted a bid for the works, and too, be the lowest responsive bidder.”

So far, she said, only two persons have queried why they did not win a contract, but same was explained to them via letter, that they were not the lowest responsive bidder.

In detailing the difference between the terms “lowest bidder” and “lowest responsive bidder”, the REO pointed out that even though a contractor may have submitted the lowest bid for a contact, that does not mean that the contract would be awarded to him if all of the required documents were not submitted.

In that case, the contract would be awarded to the “lowest responsive bidder”, who in addition to having all of the documents in order, has submitted a low cost for executing the works.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

Carter Center urges Parliament meets today

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–– says political leaders must find solutions to challenges

AS the Court of Appeal prepares to hand down its decision today, the Carter Center is calling on Guyana’s political leaders to arrive at a consensus on a date for election in the event the court upholds the no-confidence motion against the government.

As the clock ticks, it expressed the hope that the National Assembly would be convened no later than today to authorise an extension of the election timeline in an effort to avoid a period of constitutional uncertainty.

The call for political consensus was made on Thursday in the form of a statement.

“The Carter Center reiterates its support for Guyana and urges all sides to find an agreed-upon way forward to establish an early election date,” the statement read.

A Carter Center delegation, led by Jason J. Carter, chairman of the Carter Center’s Board of Trustees, has been engaging key stakeholders on the challenges facing the country with a view to assess whether the centre could assist Guyanese going forward.

Based on its engagements with the government and the opposition, the Guyana Elections Commission and other stakeholders, the Carter Center arrived at several conclusions. It said “President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo have a shared desire to have elections in the shortest possible time, consistent with law and pending judicial decisions.”

President Granger has already written the opposition leader informing him that he is prepared to name a date within the confines of the advice of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), who indicated the commission’s ability to hold elections no earlier than November 2019.

The Carter Center has also concluded that the GECOM commissioners recognise that the current voters list is “bloated.”

“A primary concern is the likely inclusion of significant numbers of Guyanese living overseas,” the center explained, while noting that the commissioners hold different views on whether the conduct of house-to-house registration would address the concern.

“GECOM’s chief electoral officer has prepared various scenarios for election timelines, and in the event that a new house-tohouse registration is not

required, elections could be organised in July or August. Conducting a new house-to-house registration would mean an election would not be possible until late November,” it further explained.

Carter Center said given the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the vote of no-confidence and the constitutional requirement for early elections, there are several steps that could be considered to mitigate concerns about the voters’ list, while scheduling elections as early as possible.

“Using data from the Ministry of Immigration, GECOM could prepare a reference list of Guyanese who are currently overseas (for three months or longer) and also included on the voter registration list. The voters on the reference list would not be removed from the registration list (other than through already existing legal procedures like, for example, the claims and objections process). But the reference list would be made available to party agents and scrutineers to facilitate enhanced review of these names during the electoral process, both during the claims and objections period and on election day, serving as a deterrent to multiple or substitute voting,” the Carter Center proposed.

SAFEGUARD According to the centre, the reference list would supplement safeguards already in place in Guyana’s electoral administration to protect against multiple voting. The Carter Center said based on past elections, Guyana’s existing safeguards are strong and consistent with international standards for democratic elections.

It also recommended that GECOM consider providing resources to expand the number of political party agents and scrutineers who can monitor the electoral process before, during, and after elections day. It said these efforts could be complemented by a strong presence of international observers and domestic citizen observers to enhance transparency.

“The Carter Center is aware of pending decisions from the Court of Appeal and that these decisions may be appealed to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

In the event that final court rulings invalidate the vote of no-confidence, elections would not need to be held this year,” it said.

The centre’s visit this week comes at a critical moment. In making its proposals, the centre urged the

political leaders to be cognisant of the consequences of not cooperating.

“Guyana could move into a time of constitutional uncertainty after March 22, which marks the end of a three-month period following a contested vote of no-confidence and the deadline to hold elections, unless there is a political agreement about the way forward and either a Na-

tional Assembly vote or a court decision to approve an extension of the electoral timeline,” the centre explained.

Because March 21, 2019 is a national holiday, under Guyana’s Interpretation and General Clauses Act, the constitutional threemonth period following the no-confidence vote expires today, March 22, 2019.

Prior to the delegation’s visit, former US President

Jimmy Carter spoke with President Granger and Opposition Leader Jagdeo, both of whom indicated they would welcome a Carter Center team.

The delegation was led

by Jason J. Carter, President Carter’s grandson and the chairman of the Carter Center’s Board of Trustees, and includes David Carroll and Brett Lacy of the centre’s Democracy Programme.

Carter Center Board of Trustees Chairman Jason Carter

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

Workshop seeks to build capacity of vets

By Paul Mc Adam SOME 35 local and overseas veterinarians, administrators, observers and animal health specialists from the Caribbean Animal Health Network (CaribVet Network) and other organisations met on Thursday to strengthen their work.

The meeting was held at the Guyana Livestock and Development Authority’s (GLDA) boardroom, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara and participants

include representatives from the French Agricultural Research and International Cooperation Organisation (CIRAD), the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) and the University of the West Indies (UWI).

Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary, Delma Nedd, in her address to the workshop themed, ‘Building the future of CaribVet’, praised the work of the organisation in the Region.

She also said improvements in capacity-building in critical areas are

important for CaribVet to continuously move forward.

These areas include training in disease recognition; laboratory safety and provision of testing materials; and assisting countries to identify diseases carried by ticks and the assessment of tick’s resistance to acaricides in the Caribbean.

There is also need for creation of an awareness toolkit in several languages for diseases such as avian influenza, leptospirosis and rabies, and more significantly, access to experts regionally

and internationally, Nedd said.

CaribVET Coordinator, Dr. Jennifer Pradel, said the workshop sets the tone for the organisation’s work over the next five to 10 years.

Representatives from the aforementioned organisations hail from Guyana, Barbados, Italy, Cuba, USA, Guadeloupe, Dominican Republic and Montserrat.

The next meeting of the CaribVet strategy/steering committee takes place in Cuba later this year.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

Charrandass Persaud committed ‘Constitutional fraud’ –– Solicitor General Nigel Hawke contends

RECALLED Member of Parliament Charrandass Persaud committed “Constitutional fraud,” and as the guardians of the Constitution the court should not shirk its responsibility, Solicitor General Nigel Hawke argued in the Appellate Court as arguments concluded in the constitutional cases challenging the validity of the no-confidence motion.

Today, the Court of Appeal will decide whether the no-confidence motion ‘passed’ against the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government was valid. The ruling will be handed down by Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud at 15:00hrs.

Recalled Member of Parliament Charrandass Persaud On Wednesday, when oral arguments were heard in the appeal case Compton Reid v Speaker of the National Assembly, Charrandass Persaud, Attorney General, Leader of the Opposition and Joseph Harmon, the solicitor general said Persaud committed fraud on the Constitution

as he echoed the sentiments of Roysdale Forde, the attorney representing Harmon.

In total disregard for the Constitution, which bars Members of Parliament from being Dual Citizens, Persaud accepted membership to House although he is a citizen of both Guyana and Canada. In further breach of the Constitution, Persaud failed to notify the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland or the List Representative that he had intended to vote against the list from which his name was extracted. On these grounds, Hawke, the Attorney General Basil Williams and a battery of lawyers presenting government have argued that Persaud’s vote was null, void and of no effect on the night of December 21, 2018, and as such, the no-confidence motion was not passed by an

that the challenge involving Persaud’s election to the National Assembly ought to have been made by way of an Elections Petition and not a Fixed Date Application.

Solicitor General Nigel Hawke absolute majority as stipulated by the Constitution.

Hawke told the Appellate Court that in the January 31, 2019 decision in the High Court, Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, though establishing that she has jurisdiction to address constitutional issues, fell into error when she ruled

NOT NECESSARY The solicitor general submitted to the court that Persaud breached the Constitution on several grounds, and on that basis, an elections petition was not necessary.

Referencing to the cases of Attorney General of Guyana, Raphael Trotman v Cedric Richardson, and Dumas v the Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago, Hawke told the Appellate Judges that in the two cases, the courts accepted that they had jurisdiction to hear cases of constitutional violation.

In defence of his position, he

also cited the case of Doctors for Life International v Speaker of the National Assembly (South Africa).

“The common thread through those cases is, if the court finds that there is a constitutional violation they will intervene,” Hawke said, while emphasising that the court cannot shirk its responsibilities. According to him, the court is clothed with ample jurisdiction to address Persaud’s breach of the Constitution, and the consequences of his actions should be addressed.

Though the chief justice did not rule on Persaud’s nomination to the National Assembly, in commenting on the issue, she said Article 165 (2) saved the day. That article states that the presence or participation of any See page 18

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Charrandass Persaud committed ...

From page 17

person not entitled to be present at or to participate in the proceedings of the assembly shall not invalidate those

proceedings.

Article 58 (1) provides a penalty. “Any person who sits or votes in the National Assembly, knowing or having reasonable ground for knowing that he

or she is not entitled to do so, shall be liable to a penalty of fifty dollars for each day upon which he or she sits or votes,” the article states.

But the solicitor gener-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019 al argued that the penalty outlined in Article 58 does not and cannot in anyway stultify the court’s jurisdiction. According to him, what Persaud did was “tantamount to a constitutional blasphemy” and the court, as the guardian of the Constitu-

tion, cannot state on one hand that he is not eligible to be a Member of Parliament and on the other validate his vote.

Hawke said the Constitution ought to be interpreted in a broad and purposive manner.

FRAUD Forde also suggested that Persaud’s actions in the National Assembly amounted to “Constitutional Fraud.”

He submitted that Article 106 (6) stipulated that a majority of all 65 members of the National Assembly was needed to defeat the government, and while 65 persons voted, only 64 of them were legitimate members of the House. As such, he said the vote was tied, with 32 voting in favor of the motion and 32 against. Once there is a tie, the motion is not carried.

Persaud’s vote he submitted was invalid.

Sanjeev Datadin, Persaud’s attorney, in defence of his client, argued that the chief justice was correct when she ruled that the challenge should have been brought by way of an elections petition as he alluded to Article 64 and Article 65 of the Constitution. Citing one of the rules that fall within the realm of the articles, Datadin said “except by way of an election petition for redress in conformity with the act there shall be no reference to the court of any question regarding to the qualification of any person to be elected to the National Assembly or whether the result of the election may have or has been affected by any unlawful act or omission…”

According to him, there is a very complete, detailed and close regime for challenges regarding the qualification of a person to be elected as a Member of the National Assembly.

“The first thing that we would respectfully submit to the court is the challenge that has been mounted which relates to the seat and whether it has been validly allocated, respectfully ought to have been brought by an election petition within 28 days of the allocation. Your honours there is good sense as to why you have to do it within that time because if you don’t, we run the risk whereby we could be running around continuously challenging legislation, passage of bills and more importantly as was stated, the budget,” he told the Appellate Judges.

Turning his attention to the issue of dual citizenship in the House, Datadin said Article 58 of the Constitution provides for a penalty while Article 165 (2) validates the proceedings.

He argued that there is no reason for the court to go beyond the boundaries of the clear and expressed words of the Constitution, the Act and the regulations.

CANNOT CHANGE “It is respectfully submitted that no court has the power to go beyond or behind the hand of Dr. Scotland and say that which he has accepted as being passed is unlawful,” Datadin said while noting that the Speaker, Dr. Barton Scotland and the Clerk of the

National Assembly, Sherlock Isaac, certified the motion as being passed.

Anil Nandlall, the attorney representing the Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, put forward similar arguments to that of Datadin.

But Senior Counsel Neil Boston said Persaud’s breach of the Constitution invalidated his vote in the National Assembly. Boston said not only was Persaud a “usurper” in the House but failed to declare his intention to vote against the list from which his name was extracted, as required by the Constitution.

Boston explained that Persaud contravened Article 156 (3) of the Constitution when he failed to notify the Speaker or the List Representatives that he had intended to vote against the list from which his name was extracted.

Instead of complying with the Constitution, Persaud waited for the “appropriate time” and voted to bring down his own government, the senior counsel said, but noted that the vote was of no effect because it cannot override the constitution – the supreme law of the land.

“It was his intention to participate in the proceeding by a back door method,” Boston told the full bench.

He explained that had Persaud informed the Speaker or the Representative of the List that he was no longer in support of the list from which his name was extracted, he would have ceased to be a member, and therefore would not have been in a position to vote.

According to Senior Counsel Boston, Article 156 (3) is intended to prevent Members of Parliament from voting against the lists from which their names were extracted.

“The intention is very clear.

A Member of the National Assembly cannot vote against a list from which his name was extracted. This requirement must be complied with as a matter of constitutional law,” he argued. He posited that Members of Parliament either support the lists from which their names were extracted or resign, noting that they are not permitted to cross the floor.

Boston noted that Persaud’s name was among four names listed on the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) list for the geographical constituency of Region Six, emphasising that the electors voted for a party and not a candidate in the system of representative democracy.

“Nobody voted for Charrandass, they voted for the list,” the senior counsel posited, while reiterating that Persaud had no authority to vote against the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) list.

Boston submitted that Article 156 (3) safeguards the system of representative democracy, and, on that basis, Persaud’s vote on the night of December 21, 2018 was invalid. Boston is representing the appellant (Reid) in association with Robert Corbin and Senior Counsel Rex McKay.

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Several awarded

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

–– in Peace Corps, Mibicuri Community Developers essay and poster competition

By Marissa V. Foster

ON Friday, 8th February, a Peace Corps volunteer, Korilyn Baudoin collaborated with the Mibicuri Community Developers to host the prize-giving ceremony of an essay and poster competition.

Baudoin is a Peace Corps education volunteer, working to increase literacy rates in Grades 1-4. She loves to make learning fun and easy, and she enjoys taking care of the library at the school where she works. Korilyn is from Mississippi and is a graduate from the State

were judged off of creativity and conveyed messages.

EDUCATE AND INSPIRE The objective of this event was to educate and inspire pupils about the role women play in society, while fostering an awareness of the stereotypes and challenges that women face in Guyana.

It was also to give pupils the opportunity to express their own views and ideas on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and girl’s educational rights through essays and artistic dis-

Peace Corps volunteer, Korilyn Baudoin (right) and teachers with the top students University with a degree in Psychology.

The Mibicuri Community Developers is an NGO headed by Jacklyn Johnson.

It is based in Black Bush Polder and it serves the needs of its people through various projects and initiatives.

Participants of the competition include students from the following schools: Lesbeholden Primary, Yakusari Primary, Mibicuri Primary, Joanna Primary and Black Bush Secondary.

The students had a duration of two weeks to complete the posters and essays. The essay questions are as follows: 1. How do you see women’s empowerment in your home, community and country? 2. What role do women play in society and how does that affect family life?; and 3. Why is education important for girls and women? All of which were answered by the students truthfully, based on their surroundings and experiences in Black Bush Polder.

The posters were creatively designed to convey the topic: “Gender equality is for everybody.”

Sonja Sampson (social worker), Marissa Foster (writer), Julia Kyriakides (Peace Corps volunteer) were the three esteemed judges of this competition.

They based their judging of the essays on grammar, grade level ability and word count while the posters

plays on posters.

At the prize-giving ceremony, there were four main speakers: Fiona Persaud (Peace Corps Education Manager), Denica Henry (Radio hostess), Marissa Foster and Shazeeda Razak (Speaker from GBTI). Three of the speakers educated the audience (students, sponsors and teachers) on International Women’s Day, the importance of gender equality and opportunities while the speaker from GBTI highlighted the loan opportunities the bank provides for women, especially single mothers.

Yugeeta Singh and Sanita Mangru from Lesbeholden Primary placed fifth and fourth; Nervanie Mohabir from Yakusari Primary placed third; Devika Arjune from Mibicuri Primary placed second; and Sarah Babulall from Joanna Primary placed first for the essay competition.

Chandanie Duki from Yakusari Primary placed first in the poster competition; Joshua from Joanna Primary placed second; Arefa Nazir from Yakusari Primary placed third; and Bridglall Amar from Black Bush Secondary and Kirani Raghauth from Yakusari Primary placed fourth and fifth respectively. The audience was also allowed a chance to listen to the fifth and first place essays and to also view the sub-

mitted posters.

Korilyn and the Mibicuri Community Developers thanked the students for having the courage to participate, and the teachers and parents for encouraging the students to tackle the problem.

Korilyn would like to create workshops for parents to get skills necessary

to help their children read and write.

She would like to organise a woman’s group in Mibicuri and possibly host a summer camp that will be focused on building leadership skills.

The Peace Corps ended the ceremony by adding, “Together we can bring balance for a better community, together we are better.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

Castello Housing Scheme caretaker died of tuberculosis AN autopsy performed on the body of 50-year-old Lancelot Grandsoult, who was found dead in a yard at Costello Housing Scheme on Monday, revealed that he succumbed to tuberculosis.

The post-mortem was performed by Dr. Nehaul Singh and it was determined that the deceased succumbed to Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, which had caused a hole to develop in his lung.

This has caused a large quantity of blood to exit through his mouth and nostrils.

Reports indicate that police found him topless and clad in a long blue pants; he was lying motionless on the western side of a yard which houses a two-storey conDead: Lancelot Grandsoult crete building.

Police said there were no marks of violence on his body and only dried blood stains were seen in area of his mouth and nose.

The nurse who cares for him was also at the scene.

Cyclist killed in Rupununi accident A CYCLIST was killed in an accident on the Wowetta Main Road, North Rupununi on Wednesday, police confirmed.

Dead is Jennifer Williams, 40, of Wowetta Village, North Rupununi. Reports indicate that Williams was killed by motor pickup GTT 5401, driven by a Central Rupununi resident.

The driver is in custody assisting with the investigation.

It is alleged that Williams made a sudden movement to cross the road in front the vehicle which was proceeding east along the centre of Wowetta Main Road.

The pickup collided with the rear wheel of the cycle, and as a result, the cyclist fell onto the road surface and received injuries about her body.

She was picked up in a conscious state and taken the Annai Health Centre, treated and referred to the Lethem Regional Hospital where she died while receiving treatment.

Clothes vendor shot execution-style POLICE are investigating the murder of Collis Collison, 26, a clothes vendor of Lot 68 William Street, Kitty, Georgetown, who was shot on Thursday at Bar Street, Albouystown, Georgetown.

Enquiries disclosed that the victim was standing at Bar Street, Albouystown, when the suspect approached with a firearm, shot him and fled the scene.

The victim was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital by public-spirited citizens and died at about 15:26hrs while receiving treatment.

The body is at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Police are hunting for a male suspect as they continue their investigations into the matter.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

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IT’S time for the weekend again people, and it’s time to keep you in the loop with what’s ‘buzzing’ in and around Guyana.

TODAY Head on down to the Pegasus poolside’s Ignite Bar and Grill every Friday and Saturday for fun, food, and entertainment!

On a $1000 budget? Then Tower Suites is the place to be, where $1000 Poolside Happy Hour continues from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, with $1000 specials. Enjoy a Burger and Beer, any margarita or beer specials for only $1000 at the Tower Poolside.

The Vintage Wine Bar, Restaurant and Lounge presents “Latin Night”. Get two Desperados Tequila Beers for $1000.

TOMORROW The Nation League Football competition continues with Guyana vs Belize at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora. Head out and be a part of a historic moment as we roar for the Gold Cup 2019. Admission: $1500.

It’s time to show off your talent. Aracari Resort presents Karaoke and Dance this and every Saturday. Enjoy karaoke, dance and dinner, featuring Reyaz Rafeek and Group.

Aura Sky Lounge presents Seductive Saturdays! Doors open at 8pm!

SUNDAY The Vintage Wine Bar, Restaurant and Lounge presents “Dinner with 70s ad 80s music. Sundays are meant for the 70s & 80s!

704 Sports Bar presents “Pizza + Beer” this and every Sunday. Buy one pitcher of draft beer and a 10” pizza and get one serving of Chicken Tenders at half price, and another pitcher of draft beer free.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

‘Vanilla’ is the new Road March Queen

By Michel Outridge

M

ELISSA Roberts,better known as ‘Vanilla’, is the newest Road March Queen, after her song, “One Voice”, was mostly played on Mashramani Day (February 23, 2019) during the annual float parade.

Roberts told ‘the Buzz Magazine’ that she feels elated and is very pleased with the outcome, having received the prize of $400,000 and a trophy during the prize-giving ceremony at the National

Songbird Melissa Roberts.

Cultural Centre (NCC) recently.

She related that her song, “One Voice”, was birthed when her song writer, Burchmore Simon came up with the lyrics and she voiced it, thus creating the song which was a big hit for Mashramani 2019.

Following the release of that song, a video was then compiled, and it, too, had good reviews, and is much liked by its target audience.

Roberts told the Buzz Magazine that “One Voice” was also played at the Carib Soca Monarch 2019 Competition,and the response

has been rewarding so far.

This budding local artiste disclosed that she will be releasing a new song titled, “Hold It Up”, which is about developing a positive mindset, on the local airwaves, 98.1FM on Phagwah Day (which was yesterday), at 16:00hrs.

She said she is also in the process of making the video for “Hold It Up”, and that it will be released soon.

The spritely songbird is of the view that she will reach the pinnacle of her success with the support of her fans.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

‘BeaRSawse’

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Using ‘the hype’ as an opportunity to be heard

Animation of the budding artiste ‘BeaRSawse’

M

ANY of you may have heard the G u y a n e s e v e rsion of ‘Thotiana’ heaving through the airwaves, push carts on the streets, and several social media platforms.

The young man behind this creative release hails

from Stanleytown Berbice, and has long been waiting for the opportunity to have persons love and support his craft.

‘The Buzz Magazine’ caught up recently with 25-year-old Troy Felix, who calls himself ‘BeaRSawse’,

and decided to use him as our personality of the week.

Felix said that he is overwhelmed by the feedback he has been getting from this remix he released, which he said was unexpected.

“Last Thursday I just posted on my WhatsApp sta-

tus saying, ‘Who wanna hear a GT version to Thotiana?’

“Didn’t really get any feedback. But I said I’m gonna still record the song and drop it that same night. I recorded it; didn’t drop until the Sunday. Then, boom! I’m being hit up by random people with 100% positive feedbacks,” the young man shared.

Being a lover of both music and art, Felix said he aspires to be an artist who is heard.

“I was doing this for years,” he said, adding: “I have more music for the people; I have a whole mixtape I dropped in January, and so I think I’ll promote that, now that I got people to give me their ears. So they should be on the lookout for more music, and the clothing line which I hope to drop very soon. I’m happy that people actually love the vibe. So, while I’m buzzing, I will use the opportunity to showcase all my other work. My passion is music, but I also like designing. So my own clothing line, which is called ‘WEIRd’, this will be out as soon as the funds are there to make that happen. In the meanwhile, I will work to continue making my name relevant,” Felix said.

Giving a brief history on the start of his music, Felix said he was inspired to take up music by three artistes: 50 Cent, Lil Wayne and Kanye West.

“I first realised I like writing music when I saw that I

Troy ‘BeaRSawse’ Felix

could change the lyrics of 50 Cent’s songs. I used to write his lyrics down so I can learn them, and found that after a while, I used to change the lyrics to the songs and give it my own twist. It was not until I read the lyrics back then I would realise that I did that.

I just started writing my own lyrics from then. I would never do things like sing in front the class and stuff like that, because I was just straight-up scared. And it wasn’t until I was out of high school that I

Combating racism through music

R

ACE has long been an issue among the six ethnicities in our beautiful Guyana. Several attempts are being made, however, to combat this plague that has been disrupting our peace and hampering our progress.

In an interview with ‘The Buzz Magazine’, 21-yearold Azharuddin Lalljee, also called ‘L.A’, shared an experience he had which caused him to write, record and release a song called, ‘One blood’.

Lalljee said that one night while going home from the studio, he had his first brush with discrimination because of his ethnicity.

“It was about 10:30pm in the night, and the ‘park’ was crowded. We all were trying to get a bus, but no bus was coming. After a half-hour wait, a bus came, and everyone

Azharuddin Lalljee, called L.A.

rushed to the bus. And I was the only one that was left out.

So the conductor said, ‘Come in; take a squeeze; I can’t leave you alone out here.’ So I squeezed in next to a lady, and she started cussing and told the conductor, ‘You ain’t getting pay; I ain’t tell you to put no coolie bhai next to me’,” L.A recalled, adding: “I was shocked, because all of us were standing there so long, waiting for a bus; all of us trying to reach home safe. Why we creating the division? Why are we jumping to the colour of the skin? So, by the time I got out of the bus, I had ‘One Blood’ structured in my head.”

got a chance to record,” the talented youngster explained.

With regards to his love for art and designing, Felix said that he was inspired by Kanye West. “I draw a little bit and I would always draw on clothes; damage them and stuff like that. And seeing Kanye West’s designs, that just gave me a push,” he said.

His advice to anyone who cares to listen is to keep pushing for what you love, and be patient, for everything in life takes time.

– ‘L.A’

While the song speaks about the differences in skin colour, it emphasises the fact that everyone has the same colour of blood, and we should all live in love and unity.

“We create a division among ourselves as humans, not only here, but everywhere around the world. I know everyone has their own struggles and their own hustle,” L.A. said, adding: “Everyone wants to be somebody, and is trying to make a living, so I can’t compel you to go help someone when you are going through your own things. But what I can ask for, though, is kindness and love. If we live with kindness and love, the place would be peaceful, and so much easier for everyone to live. Even though the struggles are real, it would be easier, knowing there’s unity.

That’s what ‘One Blood’ is about.”

The young artiste has been recording music since 2016 after he prticipated in the Princess Star Karaoke competition and was signed by local record label, Vizion Sounds.

He’s currently working on an album which will soon be released, and he intends to continue using his music to spread positivity.

The young artiste is most at home with R&B, Pop, Hip Hop and Soul, and is inspired by all the people around him who believe in him and motivate him to keep working.

“I just want to be a musician and put music out there with messages that people can relate to, and even help them get through the hard times of life; messages that would unite us as one people to make this world a better place,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

Rise!

O

- Linden designer Crystal Lam launches new fashion line

Crystal Lam, designer, in some of the trendy work attire which are part of her line, ‘RISE’.

UT of the dust of Linden has sprouted a young beautiful, strong-willed, passionate young woman who is on the verge of becoming the next big thing in fashion locally and internationally.

At just 26, Crystal Lam has already made her name in the local fashion industry with her concoction of wickedness, sass and glamour.

Lam has launched several creative and unique clothing lines such as ‘Eye Candy’, ‘Debonair’, ‘Flame’ and ‘Epiphany’. These lines are a mixture of beautifully-designed evening gowns, bridal wear and bathing suits, as well as fashionable, casual and formal clothing for men, women and children.

Her latest line, which is already turning necks on social media is ‘RISE’. It constitutes of trendy business attire.

As the 21st Century fashionista explains, “RISE has been inspired by the challenges I’ve faced as a young entrepreneur and my resolution to rise in spite of them all. Oftentimes, we have to leave our individuality at home when we leave for work, and it ought not to be. Fashion is a way of expressing who we are, and the office space shouldn’t be an exception.”

The young designer describes herself as a dream chaser; a believer in doing what sets her soul on fire in becoming all she was created to become, and inspiring others to do the same. “I believe we were all created with something to impact the world positively, and it is our duty to find out what it is; nurture it and leave our footprints in the sand of life,” At the tender age of 12, Lam realised that her purpose in life was fashion, and she overturned every table, kicked down every

stumbling block and swam across every rough water to be where she is today, though it is not where she wants to be in the next five years.

Though she originated in Linden, Lam has spread her wings and is on the verge of opening a second boutique. What this means, in essence, is that Crystal Lam Designs will not only be located on Wismar Street in Linden but in the capital, Georgetown, as well.

“In an effort to raise funds for the launching of CLD in Georgetown, I have collaborated with Queen’s Young leader, Ms Marva Langevine and her charity, Guyana Golden Lives to host a fundraising fashion show on March 31 at the Herdmanston Lodge,” Crystal related.

This is just another stride on her journey to becoming the owner of a garment factory in the future.

Pine Street Nursery rolls out the red carpet --for annual celebrity gala WHO said red carpets are only for celebrities?

Well, the little princes and princesses of the Pine Street Nursery in Linden have proven that they are definitely celebrity material as they donned their ‘Sunday best’, more like trendy millennial designer garb fit for kings and queens to step on the red carpet last Friday.

The Level Two pupils modelled and eloquently posed to the flashing of cameras as they entered their ‘red carpet gala’ which was held at the Egbert Benjamin Conference Centre.

The boys and girls looked more than dapper, and hd lost of heads

turning as they arrived in celebrity rides to participate in the auspicious occasion, which has been held annually for the last ten years.

They then graciously entered a well decorated hall with welladorned and formally-laid tables and chairs. They dined in fine style, their sumptuous meals, fit for a king, with knives and forks.

Guests were astonished by their formal dining skills and they did not disappoint their teachers who ensured they were etiquette-trained days prior.

The event not only serves as a farewell dining activity for the pupils, but is part of the school’s extra-curricular programme, where

children are taught good table manners and etiquette skills at a tender age, so they can carry those skills with them to primary school.

Pine Street Nursery ensures that their pupils are well-rounded, as academics must be bolstered with extra-curricular activities which will enable the child to function in all aspects of growth and development.

At the event, the children also enjoyed gracious music, and showcased other skills in speech and poetry.

The event was made possible by the Parent Teachers Association of the school and the corporate community of Linden.

Scenes of Pine Street Nursery Red Carpet Gala

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

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11 days of culture, fete and fun

--as Linden Town Week returns!

T

HE town of Linden will be transformed into a veritble party mecca from April 20 to May 1 as the countdown has begun for Linden Town Week (LTW) 2019, an event hosted annually by the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LMTC), which this year will be celebrated under the theme, “Rekindling our Culture”.

As everyone living in Guyana will have known by now, Lindeners are famously the hardest party freaks in the country. So much so that they have managed to conveniently transform what should have been a seven-day week into an 11-day one, just so they could party.

In fact, Linden Town Week actually began as Linden Town Day, then expanded to a weekend,but that was not enough feting for Lindeners, who, by rights, have a plethora of reasons to celebrate. After all, they are a resilient people; a people who have overcome many challenges.

And while the calendar of events for LTW 2019 does not reflect anything really new, there is still so much to look forward to. For instance, on Saturday April 20, the highlight will be a boat cruise, coupled with the annual All-White Party, while for the teenagers, it will be the secondary school pageant. Customarily, on the first Sunday of the week-long activity, which is the official start of the week, a church service will usher in events and lead the way for the official opening and cultural extravaganza.

Then on Monday April 22, the activities that are not too much on the party scene will kick in, with a Women in Business seminar. Christians can enjoy a gospel fest on Monday evening, featuring international gospel artistes.

Other highlights for the rest of LTW 2019 are folklore and stories and poetry and art on Tuesday; the Golden Taste Glow Party and On-the-Spot-Art on Wednesday, April 24; Big Man Gah Luck Party on Thursday, April 25; Rasville Breakfast on the Sand, and the colour-themed party on Friday, April 26; the Linden All-Black Party, Caribbean Food Festival and Children’s Fest on Saturday, April 27; the Main Big Lime on Sunday April 29; and the Green-and-Yellow Wash Down on Wednesday May 1.

In addition to the foregoing events, the week will be filled with sporting activities such as the Guinness-in-the Street cricket, basketball and circle tennis competitions as well as athletics. Children will also be involved in spelling bee, debating and essay competitions, while there will be exhibitions such as the Agricultural Exhibition, the Caribbe-

an Food Festival and Restaurant Day throughout the week.

This year, Linden will be celebrating 49 years as a town.

The activities cater for all types of people, including youths, sports fanatics, the elderly, women, children and, most importantly, party goers.

With the thousands of visitors set to swarm the town during this time, the economy of Linden is expected to boom, as the hair, nail and make up salons will be bursting at their seams, boutiques will be busy, restaurants and hotels will be booked out, bars will be overflowing with people, and designers will be busy taking in scores of orders.

Soca Queen ‘Big Red’ Still in the game

Guyana’s Soca Queen, Michelle ‘Big Red’ King

AFTER over 20 years of contribution to the music industry in Guyana, Michelle ‘Big Red’ King is still at the top of her game.

The soca veteran recently released a sensational single titled, ‘Take that’, which has been rippling through the airwaves, and she is preparing to launch the video.

She told ‘The Buzz Magazine’ that this new hit was produced after she and her management team felt the need to try something new and different. That’s when they decided to try ‘Take that’, which was written for her by another Guyanese artiste, Malo Webster.

“Myself and management decided to try songs from another writer so we could come up with something fresh; something different. We also wanted to use a track from the late Spiderman to honour him, because around ‘Mash’ time is when he was the most wanted man. So the track was one that Spider built before he died, and the song was written by Malo. It was mixed by Akeem Yaw and produced in Vizion Sounds Studio,” Big Red said.

The first scene of the video, which is expected to be one of the best she’s ever produced, was shot on Sunday at the Hills Bar on Charlotte Street.

“I’m excited for the completion of this video. I have three more scenes to shoot, and that should be completed in the next two weeks or so. So Guyana can look out for the release of this hot compilation,” ‘Big Red’ said.

The soca artiste was dubbed Guyana’s Soca Queen back in 2006, after the release of the very tantalising ‘Guyanese whine’, which took her straight to the top of the charts in the soca fraternity.

She has participated in several Carib Soca Monarch competitions, placed 3rd in 2005, and was crowned Queen in 2006.

In 2008, she won the Mashramani Road March with the hit song, “On de Road Again”, and in November that same year, she rose above other nominees and captured the Accolade Award for the ‘Best Female Groovy Soca Single’ at the Accolade Music Awards of Guyana. She was First Runner-up in the 2011 Groovy Soca Monarch.

Over the years, ‘Big Red’ has performed with several bands, including Code Red, Mischievous Guys, and now Heatwave. She’s also well travelled, having gone to several countries promoting her talent, including Canada, different states in the US, Barbados, and even as far as China.

Year after year, she continues to make her mark and keep her name and songs alive.

Her last release was since last year, one of the most popular songs from the Guyana Carnival mix produced by Drew Thoven, titled ‘Talk to me’.

‘Big Red’ said she took a while to release new music because the bookings were overwhelming in the last couple of months.

“I was busy working and performing for the past couple months, especially during the ‘Mash’ Season, thanks to Ministry of Cohesion Department of Culture, and Nigel Worrell. I went to most of the regions to perform, and also on Stag Stage. ‘Mash’ was a big success, and I had a blast.

Now all that is over, I’m back in the studio making new music to release for my fans,” the queen said.

She continuously thanked her management team at Vizion Sounds and everyone who has been supporting her over the years to stay committed to her craft, despite all her trials.

Recent photoshoot with ‘Big Red’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

Phagwah Celebrations Phagwah in Guyana!

The mammoth crowd at the National Stadium [Samuel Maughn

P

HAGWAH, since time immemorial, has been the Hindu festival which ushers in the season of spring. As the flowers blossom into their beautiful colours, so too would persons colour each other brightly. And in Guyana, this is always taken to another level.

This year, the Festival of Colours was observed on March 21, a day that Guyanese were led to believe that time would stand still, as no shops would have been open and even the breeze itself would have stopped blowing. But it turned out to be quite the opposite.

For most, Phagwah started in the privacy of their homes; wak-

Part of the ‘scene’ in Albouystown [Samuel Maughn photo]

ing up to powder (or water, if you’re lucky) being thrown on their face. You know, just the usual things. And if that didn’t happen, it wouldn’t be too long before they did; and there were many hotspots in Guyana to be yourself coloured.

Over in Albouystown, you couldn’t distinguish whether it was Phagwah or a J’Ouvert – maybe it was both – but the main thing was, people were happy and colourful, and soaked. The same was for the (in)famous ‘Station Street’-- that narrow place in Kitty, where you wouldn’t believe the hundreds of persons that pass through in just one day.

Other persons went to the National Stadium, which was touted to have the biggest Phagwah event and they enjoyed the sounds of Terry Gajraj or the flavour on scene, Stephen Ramphal.

And some? Revelled in the more traditional celebrations offered by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha at the Softball Ground on Carifesta Avenue.

Phagwah is also a festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil, and it is used to unite people. Guyana might have a multicultural society, but at the end of this day, Guyanese were certainly a multi-coloured people.

Children playing Phagwah [Samuel Maughn photo]

Children ready to soak any passerby in Albouystown [Samuel Maughn photo]

Terry Gajraj and company exciting the crowd at the Stadium [Samuel Maughn photo]

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

Scotland lose to 117th-ranked Kazakhstan (BBC) - HAPLESS Scotland suffered one of the most abject defeats in their history, in their opening Euro 2020 qualifier against world-ranked 117th Kazakhstan.

Yuriy Pertsukh and Yan Vorogovskiy to score.

The Kazakhs had only won one of their last 20 qualifiers, but the feeble Scots were unable to trouble them and Baktiyor

denied by a stunning Dmytro Nepohodov save, but it would have barely even counted as consolation, so ignominious was the performance.

This - a second defeat

year’s finals, even before Sunday’s second game of the campaign in San Marino.

McLeish’s side had previously secured a place in the playoffs for a tournament

Ian Vorogovskiy ghosted in behind Graeme Shinnie to nudge Kazakhstan into a 2-0 lead.

Alex McLeish’s callow side were two down inside 10 minutes in Astana after dreadful defending allowed

Zainutdinov’s header just after the break completed the rout.

Stuart Armstrong was

in 11 competitive matches - is a grievous blow to Scotland’s hopes of automatic qualification for next

which they will part-host by winning their Nations League section.

The match looked to be

settling down after a fairly quiet opening five minutes, but there was to be a very rude awakening for the untried Scotland defence.

Alexander Merkel was allowed far too long to pick a simple ball over the top, and, with David Bates and Scott McKenna caught napping, midfielder Pertsukh had yards of space and ample time to pick his spot high into the net beyond Scott Bain.

One would have thought that alone would have given the Scotland players a shake, but after more slackness, the hosts scored their second four minutes later. Kazakh captain Islambek Kuat strode forward and played an inch-perfect pass between Aberdeen defenders McKenna and Graeme Shinnie, and Vorogovskiy slid the ball home with Bain helpless.

As the home crowd roared at every pass, the Tartan Army watched on in stunned silence fearing their dreams of automatically qualifying for next year’s Euros were shot just 10 minutes into the campaign.

Ronaldo fined by UEFA for celebration (BBC) - JUVENTUS forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been fined 20 000 euros (£17 700) by UEFA for a goal celebration in the win over Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League.

The 34-year-old appeared to mimic Atletico boss Diego Simeone, who turned to fans and

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grabbed his crotch during his side’s 2-0 first-leg victory.

Ronaldo made the gesture when completing his hat-trick in the return leg as Juventus won 3-0.

Simeone was fined £17 000 for the act.

Juventus have been drawn to play Dutch side Ajax in the quarRonaldo has scored 124 goals in the Champions League. ter-finals.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

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We’re

ready!

Guyana, Belize ready for showdown

By Rawle Toney WITH just one day to go before their historic clash in the CONCACAF Nations League Qualifier, Guyana and Belize are both overflowing with confidence.

The two countries will face each other for only the second time in their respective foot-balling history, on March 23, at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, West Coast Demerara With a spot at the Gold Cup on the line, the game is one of the most important clashes in the two countries’ history, since a win for Golden Jaguars will see them reach the confederation’s topmost tournament for the first time, while the visitors are hoping to make a return to the competition for the first time since 2013 when they made their inaugural appearance.

The two teams’ captains yesterday at a press conference held at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown, told reporters that after a lengthy preparation period,

they’re anxious to take the pitch.

However, there could only be one winner, since obviously, a draw is not an option for Sam Cox, Guyana’s captain, and his Belizean equal in Woodrow West.

The 33-year-old West, who competes with Honduran side Juticalpa FC in the country’s first division league, said while his team is ignorant of the make-up of the Michael Johnson unit, they’re optimistic of a positive outcome tomorrow.

Cox, on the other hand, spoke profoundly of his side’s composition and their new imports and stated that Guyanese should wear their yellow jerseys and overflow the National Track and Field Centre as the ‘Golden Jaguars’ create history.

Guyana’s first and only outing against Belize was in 2002 in an international friendly in Belize City, where the Golden Jaguars went down 1-3.

The Guyanese men are positioned at 8th behind Curacao

(1), Haiti (2), Cuba (3), Canada (4), Jamaica (5) and Martinique (6) who rounded off the top-six teams in the tournament, having picked up full points from their three matches. Bermuda (7th) St Kitts and Nevis (9th) and the Dominican Republic are the other teams in the top ten.

Belize, Guyana’s next opponents, are in 13th position with six points (two wins and a loss).

Only the top ten teams from the 34-team CONCACAF Nations League will advance to the Gold Cup in the USA from June 15 to July 7.

GOLDEN JAGUARS SQUAD: Goalkeepers – Alex Murray, Sese Norville and Akel Clarke.

Defenders – Sam Cox, Elliot Bonds, Terence Vancooten, Reiss Greenidge, Ronayne MarshB r o w n , Wa l t e r M o o r e a n d Kevin Layne. Midfield – Neil Danns, Clive Nobrega, Stephen Duke-McKenna, Anthony Jeffrey, Kadell Daniel, Warren Creavalle and Trayon Bobb. For-

South American Beach Games

Guyana lose 7-2 to Colombia; 9-0 to Argentina

Guyana attired in green (at left) and their opponents Colombia (yellow and white) pose before the match.

GUYANA’S male beach football team, competing for the first time at the South American Games, in Argentina, were given a rude welcome.

The team lost their first two group matches yesterday, and, with one game in hand, will not advance from the group stages of the championship.

Playing under what manager Dwalon Farrell has described as cold conditions, even as the sun is shining, Guyana went down first to Columbia 7-2 on Wednesday.

They also capitulated yesterday morning to host nation Argentina, 9-0, at the Rosario Beach Football venue.

The Guyanese got their

first goals at this level off the boots of Jamal Haynes and Kennard Simon.

They were expected to play their final group match against Peru last evening.

This year’s South American Beach Football competition has attracted some 14 countries and is held biennially. (Joe Chapman)

Latapy hired as new Barbados head coach (CMC) - BARBADOS has hired legendary Trinidad and Tobago midfielder, Russell Latapy, as head coach of the senior men’s national team on a two-year contract.

The 50-year-old Latapy, a previous T&T head coach who has also had spells as assistant coach at Boavista in Portugal and Inverness Caledonian in Scotland, will oversee his first match in charge when Barbados hosts Nicaragua in a crucial CONCACAF Nations League qualifier here Sunday.

“Mr Latapy and I have been talking for the past two years about the possibility of his working in Barbados,” Barbados Football Association president, Randy Harris, told a media conference.

“It is not just a situation of Russell looking for a job; he has been very interested in our team and its development. He is happy with the talent that we have in Barbados, and he believes that he can take it to the next level.

“I think that he has convinced me early o’clock that he would play a significant role in the successes of Barbados team now and in the future.”

Latapy was a member of the famous Strike Squad who narrowly missed out on qualification for the 1990 World Cup, but was part of the historic side who qualified for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Following his retirement, he was appointed T&T head coach in 2009, succeeding Colombian Francisco Maturana.

Latapy also boasts a glittering club career, winning league titles with top Portugese side FC Porto before also turning out for Boavista.

In Scotland, he played for top sides Rangers and Hibernian, along with Dundee and Falkirk, before winding down his club career.

Latapy was looking forward to imparting his extensive knowledge to the Barbadian players.

“I have spoken to the technical director and watching the game they played a few weeks ago, and I am happy to say that we have a bunch of players who are talented and not only talented, but are also prepared to work very hard,” Latapy said.

wards – Sheldon Holder, Gregory Richardson, Pernel Schultz, Marcel Barrington, Emery Welshman and Keanu Marsh-Brown.

Belize squad: Goalkeepers: Shane Orio (Bandits Sporting Club) and Woodrow West (Juticalpa FC) (Honduras) Defenders: Elroy Smith

(Verdes FC), Evral Trapp (Verdes FC), Ian Gaynair (Bandits Sporting Club), Dalton Eiley Jr (Bandits Sporting Club), Trevor Lennen (Bandits Sporting Club) and Michael Atkinson (Oxford City FC) Midfielders: Daniel Jimenez (Bandits Sporting Club), San Mendez (Verdes FC), Elroy Kuylen Jr. (Verdes FC), Nahjib Guer-

ra (Verdes FC), Krisean Lopez (Verdes FC), Andres Makin (Police United FC) and Nana Mensah (Balya Belediyespor FC).

Forwards: Harrison Roches (Police United FC) Michael Salazar Jr (Rio Grande Valley FC), Deon McCaulay (Atlanta Revolutionary FC) and Randy Padilla (Chimal FC).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

Cricket stakeholders ask President to ‘rescind’ Lewis’ appointment H I S E x c e l l e n c y, P r e s ident David Granger has been asked to “rescind” the appointment of Attorney-at-Law Stephen Lewis, as the Cricket Ombudsman, by the group ‘Majority Cricket Stakeholders’, as a matter of decency to cricket locally.

Lewis, a former president of the Everest Cricket Club (ECC), was appointed by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) back in May, 2018 at an Extraordinary Meeting but after months of legal advice sought

by Dr Norton, Lewis’ appointment was recently confirmed and this has now put the administration of the game in further dismay.

During a press confer-

ence on Wednesday at the Malteenoes Sports Club, the Stakeholders called for the President’s intervention.

documented issues in the sport.

In fact, a few Court injunctions were served against GCB in recent times.

It’s no secret that the Stakeholders had over the last couple of years been feuding with the current GCB administration over their publicly

Only recently Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), had challenged the legality of Lewis’ appointment. Subsequently, the court had halted the ap-

Linden Foundation, Mackenzie High register wins A SINGLE strike from the boot of Shedrack Mackenzie helped Linden Foundation Secondary to a second straight win, a 1-0 victory over Wisburg Secondary in the 11th Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Under-18 Football Championship.

Meanwhile, Mackenzie High scored a 2-0 win against Harmony Secondary when play continued at the Wisburg Secondary School

the stakeholders here to try to resolve the issue. I just hope that the upcoming CWI elections could pave the way

Representatives of the various stakeholders at yesterday’s press conference

11th Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Schools Football Championship

By Joe Chapman

pointment of Lewis and an interim injunction was granted.

At the head table during the press briefing were

ground on Wednesday afternoon.

Mackenzie, who scored his second goal of the tournament, helped the Linden Foundation side through.

It was also Mackenzie who netted the lone goal for Linden Foundation in game one against New Silvercity Secondary when the tournament began on Monday.

In the other game, Mackenzie High, through goals from Lebron Deflorimonte in the 23rd minute and Zedaine McIntyre in

the 51st minute, ensured them of a 2-0 victory over Harmony Secondary.

The competition continues this afternoon with another two group-stage matches. At 14.45hrs Mackenzie High will oppose Linden Technical Institute and from 16.00hrs Wisburg will face New Silvercity Secondary at the Wisburg Secondary School ground.

The defending champ i o n s a re C h r i s t i a n burg/Wismar Secondary School.

representatives from the East Coast Cricket Board, Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA), BCB and Upper Demerara Cricket Association.

Roger Harper, president of the GCA, expressed his disappointment and displeasure at the act.

“What we need is strong leadership to resolve our issue but that is not the case.

Mr Cameron (president of Cricket West Indies), was never willing to meet with

for some decency in our game both regionally and locally,” Harper said.

President of the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB), Bissoondyal Singh in his remarks said cricket is a business where it provides a livelihood for many people, adding that the Minister’s decision to confirm Lewis is a mockery to the law.

Meanwhile, secretary of BCB, Rabindranauth Saywack, believes Lewis failed to uphold the injunction, and is making a mockery of his

appointment.

The GCB has not had a properly constituted, or what many observers have labelled, “free and fair” elections for the past ten years.

Staging of GCB elections was faced with a major setback with the resignation of Guyana’s first-ever Cricket Ombudsman Dr Winston McGowan.

Dr McGowan was appointed in 2005 by the-then Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony and his appointment was subsequently approved by the-then Cabinet.

He was previously charged with overseeing the elections of the various county boards and the GCB, in accordance with the Cricket Administration Act which was successfully passed in the National Assembly by the previous government in May 2014, and assented to by then President Donald Ramotar in August of that year.

The GCB has not held elections since 2009 owing to the numerous court injunctions.

GFF, United Minibus Union partner for CONCACAF match tomorrow THE Guyana Football Federation and the United Minibus Union have teamed up to provide extensive, convenient and affordable transport options for football fans to travel to and from tomorrow’s crucial CONCACAF Gold Cup/Nations League qualifier against Belize at the Leonora National Stadium.

GFF competitions director Ian Alves and UMU president Eon Andrews agreed a timetable for fans, designed to ensure a capacity crowd for the most important match in the history of the men’s senior national team.

“We are grateful to our partners in the minibus sector for understanding the importance of this match for the entire nation.

We have agreed an impressive timetable that gives safe and reliable transport options so that fans can

travel to and from Leonora in large numbers,” GFF president Wayne Forde said.

“We expect a capacity crowd on Saturday as the entire nation gets behind the Golden Jaguars on their way to the Gold Cup. Remember to wear your yellow!”

A win against Belize should guarantee that the Golden Jaguars participate in the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the first time. The Gold Cup is the premier international tournament for the Caribbean and North and Central America. The Lady Jags competed at the 2010 equivalent regional tournament.

Buses will be available across locations in Georgetown, East Bank Demerara and East Coast Demerara, with return fares ranging from G$1200-$1500. (Please see the attached timetable for

full details.)

Tickets for the match are being sold at G$1 500 at the following locations: Andrew’s Supermarket, Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt; The Guinness Bar, D’Urban Street, GT; West Indian Sports Complex, Robb Street; Nice Restaurant, below Space Gym, Croal Street, GT; Pegasus Hotel Guyana; KFC Outlets – Regent Street and Mandela Avenue; Dad’s Fish Shop, Den Amstel; Patsy Food Court And Bar, Soesdyke/Linden Junction; The Fashion Box, Vendors Arcade, Bartica and Giftland Mall.

Fan jerseys are also available at the GFF Secretariat in Campbellville, Pegasus Hotel and Giftland Mall with options for men, women and children ranging from G$2 500 to $5 000. Match-time is 18:30hrs.

The United Minibus Union meeting with the GFF

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 22, 2019

Barbados captain Hayley Matthews acknowledges her teammates and the crowd after reaching her century at the GCC ground, Bourda.

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Matthew’s brilliant century hands Barbados eight-wicket win over Jamaica

By Michelangelo Jacobus Defending champions Barbados took on Jamaica in a top-of-the-table clash as the Colonial Medical Insurance Women’s Super50 continued at the GCC ground, Bourda.

Jamaica won the toss and elected to bat, but were stifled by the Barbados bowling attack and could only muster 214-6 which Barbados chased down in 35.3 overs .

Haley Matthews led with a brilliant century while Kycia Knight once again played a supporting role with an unbeaten half-century to hand Barbados victory by eight wickets.

The win means Barbados have now cemented their status as favourites to retain the trophy.

Jamaica took first strike and found scoring tough as Barbados tightened the screws with some quality bowling. However, Jamaica’s in-form skipper, Stafanie Taylor, once again led from the front. Fresh off a match-winning century against host nation Guyana in their last match, she once again showed her quality, composing a patient 80 (117 deliveries) which included four boundaries, to lead her side to a par total of 214-6.

At one point, the Jamaicans looked set for a big score at 120-2 with Taylor and her deputy, Chedean Nation, at the crease, but the Bajan bowlers were tight in their line and

GMR&SC Drag race championships

Hand-in-Hand in it for the long run

LOCAL insurance company Hand-in-Hand says that its investment in motorsport is for the long run.

The company, through Marketing Coordinator Shafeena Juman, contended that they are interested in the development of motorsport.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Management and Staff of Hand-in-Hand we would like to say that we are happy with everything that GMR&SC has been doing and we are proud of the initiative that they have been taking,” she said.

She added, “We are extremely excited to see what is going to go down with the new strip and the new

Nissan GTR.” Meanwhile the club had a briefing last evening for all drivers, specifying that all competitors for both cars and bikes must be registered with medicals.

Cars were seen testing on the venue yesterday ahead of Sunday’s meet and the unofficial feedback is one of satisfaction.

The interest by international competitors in Drag racing locally is now renewed with the installation of the pad.

That, along with the fact that the strip is being extended from 1 000ft to 1,320ft or a quarter-mile, is also something that the local dragsters

are keen on trying.

Competition is also expected from Suriname.

Ticket prices for fans desirous of witnessing the action are $1 000 for adults and $500 for children.

Other sponsors are Mohamed’s Enterprise, BM Soat Auto Sales, Motor Trend Service Cent re , D e l c o I c e F a c t o ry, Trans-Pacific Motor Spares, Supreme Ventures, Air Services Limited, PowerLine Auto, Cyril’s Taxi, Omega Brokers, E-Networks, Prem’s Electrical, Miracle Optical, Choke Gas Station and Super Bet, R. Kissoon Contracting Services and Top Brandz Distributors.

length with Hayley Matthews turning in a good spell to eventually restrict the Jamaicans to just 214.

Three of Barbados’ bowlers shared the wickets evenly with Hayley Matthews taking 2-36 from her 10 overs while Shenika Bruce and Shamilia Connell had figures of 2-32 (6 overs) and 2-34 (9 overs respectively).

Chasing 215 for victory, Matthews began the innings by slapping the first ball through the offside for four before adding another with a crunching drive.

She was especially severe on Karla Cohen, carrying her for a six and two fours in the third over as Barbados raced away.

Barbados brought up their 50 in the eighth over and by then the game looked to have gotten away from Jamaica.

Matthews offered a chance when she was on 68, chipping Stafanie Taylor to mid-off who was unable to hold on to a brilliant effort.

Meanwhile Kycia Knight was her able supporter with a solid half century and by the time Matthews fell, bowled

by Nation for a well played 108 (101 balls, 14x4s, 2x6s), victory was well in sight.

Enter Deandra Dottin who knocked off the remaining runs to end the innings unbeaten on 23 off 13 deliveries with two fours and two sixes.

Barbados will next face Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday.

Colonial Medical Insurance Women’s Super50 Cup…

Guyana beat Leeward Islands by 131 runs

One of the many Leeward Islands wickets to fall

Marketing Coordinator Shafeena Juman

Drag racing action returns to the South Dakota Circuit this weekend (GTRidez Photo)

GUYANA registered their first win in the Colonial Medical Insurance Women’s Super50 Cup, when they defeated the Leeward Islands yesterday in round three at Enmore.

The Guyanese, after suffering two consecutive defeats, rebounded nicely to win by 131 runs.

Watched by a handful of spectators, the Guyanese, batting first, made a competitive 240, a total which they defended easily.

Shebika Gajnabi hit a top-score of 78, an innings which held the Guyanese batting together. She received support from Sheneta Grimmond (37) and Mnady Mangru (35), as the duo added 72 for the first wicket.

Tremayne Smartt contributed 21. Sanelo Willett (330), was the best bowler for the visitors.

In reply, the home team bowlers produced a discipline effort in restricting the visitors to 109 in 34.5 overs.

Mangru returned with the ball to dismantle the visitors with figures of 4-22.

After the win, Coach Bharat Mangru expressed that the team played to the game plan, adding that the win is a welcome one for the Guyanese.

The fourth round is billed for tomorrow with Guyana playing the defending champions, Barbados, at the National Stadium, Providence, while the Windward Islands clash with Leeward Islands at Enmore and Jamaica oppose Trinidad and Tobago at Everest.

His Excellency, President David Granger

Cricket stakeholders ask President to ‘rescind’ Lewis’ appointment Page

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Colonial Medical Insurance Women’s Super50 Cup…

Guyana beat Leeward Islands by 131 runs Page

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The Guyana team celebrates (Adrian Narine Photos)

We’re ready!

Page

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Guyana, Belize ready for showdown

Golden Jaguars captain Sam Cox and Belize’s Woodrow West at a Press Conference at the Pegasus Hotel.

(Carl Croker photo)

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FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019