Guyana Chronicle 4-17-2019

WEDNESDAY 17th April, 2019

‘Campaign of Lies’ No.105610

…GNBA, Police, PNCR all debunk Jagdeo’s 03 arrest claims PAGE

… warn him against inflammatory remarks

Berbicians capitalise Lobby firm hired by 23 PPP under federal probe on gov’t outreach 16 PAGE

PAGE

… allegations grew out of investigations into Russia’s meddling in US elections

Money 12 changer shot dead PAGE

… many had land, water, other issues resolved Scores gathered at the Central Housing and Planning Authority booth

Searching questions over PPP corruption force 15 abrupt end to NY meeting PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

‘Campaign of Lies’

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

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…GNBA, Police, PNCR all debunk Jagdeo’s arrest claims

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…warn him against inflammatory remarks

H E P e o p l e ’s N a tional Congress Reform (PNCR) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have condemned the misinformation of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) which claimed the lawmen were instructed by Congress Place and the Office of the President to arrest and charge Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

In a release on Monday, the reason given by the PPP was in relation to Jagdeo’s inflammatory remarks at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, East Berbice-Corentyne on March 11, 2019, where he called on residents to “chase” the President, Prime Minister and other ministers from the community when they visit.

The Opposition Leader had been condemned for the comments and a formal complaint has been lodged

against him at the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC).

On Tuesday the GPF stated: “The Guyana Police Force wishes to clearly refute such statement and to inform all and sundry that the Ministry of the Presidency, the People’s National CongressReform or A Partnership for National Unity have not given any such instruction or advice.”

The correspondence added that the GPF remains a professional organisation and any action previously or currently being taken is “pursuant to legal advice obtained and or to engage in investigations”.

Meanwhile, on the same day, a release from the PNCR condemned the PPP’s release as “gross misinformation” stating that it issued no such directive to the GPF. “While the PNCR condemned the in-

flammatory statements by the Leader of the Opposition… it is not part of the culture of the PNCR, in or out of government, to issue directives to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) or interfere in the day-to-day operation and administration of the GPF.” The PNCR added that such misinformation is a continuation of the “campaign of lies” of the Jagdeo-led PPP. The PNCR however cautioned that remarks like the ones made by Jagdeo at Babu Jaan are attempts to create racial division in Guyana and to encourage citizens to engage in behaviour that can result in a breach of the law.

This, the PNCR emphasised, is “worthy of condemnation”.

However, the PPP has refused to admit that the remarks are inflammatory and, in its release it also accused

the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) for allegedly issuing warning notices to television stations from broadcasting such content.

“We maintain that the Leader of the Opposition has done nothing other than exercise his democratic, constitutional and political right to be critical of a Government that has flagrantly violated the constitution and would have been occupying governmental office unconstitutionally, tyrannically and undemocratically,” the release said.

NO SUCH NOTICE Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday, GNBA Chairman, Leslie Sobers, debunked Jagdeo’s claims that the agency had been involved in the hindrance of “free speech”.

He stated that while a person can make certain remarks openly in the public, the GNBA continues to encourage broadcasters to steer clear of airing content which is in violation of the Broadcasting Act. Sobers said that, as far as he was aware, notices issued recently to television agencies were not in relation to the remarks made by Jagdeo. However, he reminded that broadcasters have the responsibility to ensure that they manage the content they air and the GNBA was reminding, and will continue to remind’, broadcasters about their responsibility.

“The GNBA doesn’t view anything that Mr. Jagdeo says as being in violation of any term in the Broadcast Act. What we view as a violation is any broadcaster who decides to carry anything

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo that Mr. Jagdeo says which amounts to a violation,” he said.

Sobers said that there are a lot of remarks made

by Jagdeo at press conferences which were of “really bad taste” such as derogatory remarks of the Prime Minister. However, he reiterated that it is the responsibility of broadcasters to manage their content as they are ones the GNBA will penalise.

Gov’t to PPP: Stop Airport security, service spreading untruths charge fees increased THE Ministry of the Presidency has rejected, out- of- hand, the malicious statements attributed to the executive members and supporters of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) that the Government of Guyana, through the Office of the President, has issued instructions to the Guyana Police Force to arrest the Leader of the Opposition.

“The Ministry is making it pellucid that no such instruction was issued by the Head of State, any Minister of Government or any Government official,” a release by the Ministry of the Presidency stated.

Government said it is of the view that the Constitution, to which every Guyanese is subjected, is supreme and if a violation has occurred, then, by all means, the law must take its course. “The Guyana Police Force must carry out its functions, without fear or favour. “ “The Ministry of the Presidency therefore, calls on the Opposition and its members who are making these spurious claims without providing any actual evidence or proof, to cease its campaign of spreading untruths and its paltry attempts to create division within the society,” the statement ended.

PASSENGERS travelling via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) will have to pay an increase in airport security fees, as well as the introduction of an airport passengers’ service charge.

Caribbean Airlines, in a statement on Tuesday, said that these new fees/charges for a round trip amounts to US$35 or an equivalent of GUY$7,315. While the management of the CJIA has not issued a statement on the issue, Caribbean Airlines noted that all carriers have been apprised by the airport of the new fees which took effect on April 1, 2019.

The airline said for departing passengers, they will be required to pay US$17,

while arriving passengers will pay US$15 payable in Guyana dollars at the prevailing foreign exchange rate.

Caribbean Airlines stated that to minimise the effect to its valued customers, from April 15, 2019, the airlines would facilitate collection of the new fees at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

The fees will be collected at the checkin-counters for departing passengers and for arriving passengers, it will be collected in the arrival hall.

The airline noted that for tickets purchased after July 1, 2019, the fees will be automatically included in the cost of the ticket at the time of purchase.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday April 17, 2019

First shipment of Red Cross humanitarian aid arrives in Venezuela

CARACAS (Reuters) - The first shipment of humanitarian aid from the Red Cross intended to alleviate a dire economic crisis in Venezuela arrived in the once-prosperous, oil-rich country on Tuesday, a representative of the organization and a lawmaker said.

The delivery came after an about-face by President Nicolas Maduro, who last week said his socialist government had reached an agreement with the Red Cross to bring aid. Maduro had blocked

previous efforts to deliver assistance and has denied the existence of a humanitarian crisis.

There was little hope that the shipment - intended to help hospitals cope with shortages of equipment and frequent power outages - would be anything more than a palliative measure for Venezuela, where over three million people have fled the chaos of hyperinflation and chronic shortages of food and medicine.

But opposition lawmaker

Miguel Pizarro said the lack of “interference” by Maduro’s government with the entry of aid was a positive step and that more shipments would arrive in the days ahead. “The same people who had previously denied the arrival (of aid), who had previously brought this country to the verge of confrontation, are today complying with humanitarian principles,” Pizarro told reporters at the Congress, adding that the Red Cross would handle the logistics of distribution.

A worker directs trucks with logo of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) carrying humanitarian aid, at a warehouse where the aid will be stored, in Caracas, Venezuela, April 16, 2019. REUTERS/Manaure Quintero

Venezuela was plunged into a political deadlock in January, when Juan Guaido, the leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly invoked the country’s constitution to assume

an interim presidency, arguing Maduro’s 2018 re-election was illegitimate. Guaido has since been recognized as Venezuela’s rightful leader by most Western nations.

Several countries, including

the United States and neighboring Colombia, contributed to a February effort to deliver aid across Venezuela’s land borders, in the hopes soldiers would disavow Maduro’s orders to block it.

While that effort failed, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said in late March it was prepared to start an aid operation.

Tuesday’s shipment, which arrived via airplane from Panama, included 14 power generators, 5,000 liters of distilled water, and three surgery equipment kits capable of serving 10,000 patients each, according to the Red Cross. Mario Villarroel, the Red Cross’ president in Venezuela, said on Twitter that the materials would be distributed to hospitals around the country. The United Nations estimates that a quarter of Venezuelans are in need of humanitarian assistance, with 1.9 million suffering from malnutrition and some 300,000 whose lives are at risk due to lack of medicine.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday April 17, 2019

EU uncorks Euro114.8 million aid package for CARICOM

CARICOM Secretary General, Irwin LaRocque (left) signing agreements with EU’s Commissioner in charge of International Cooperation and Development in the European Commission, Neven Mimica. (JIS Photo)

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Apr 16, CMC – The European Union is providing Euro114.8 million (One Euro =US$1.29 cents) to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for various projects including the strengthening of the regional integration movement.

CARICOM Secretary General, Irwin laRocque signed the six financing agreements with the EU’s Commissioner in charge of International Cooperation and Development in the European Commission, Neven Mimica. CARICOM Secretary General, Irwin LaRocque (left) signing agreements with EU’s Commissioner in charge of International Cooperation and Development in the European Commission, Neven Mimica. (JIS Photo) Under the agreements, the EU will provide Euro13.5 million towards strengthening the framework for CARICOM integration, Euro 21 million to support Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) states in furthering the Implementation of their Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) commitments as well as Euro 50 million towards the Caribbean Investment Facility.

In addition, the Coconut Industry Development Expansion and Enhanced Support for the Caribbean will benefit from six million Euros, while Euro14 million will support the Effectiveness of Criminal Justice Systems in the Caribbean. Director General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Dr. Didicus Jules, signed an agreement for

Euro10.3 million that will be used for promoting regional integration in the sub-region.

Mimica told the signing ceremony that the agreements are a testimony to the commitment of both the EU and CARICOM/CARIFORUM to the importance of regional cooperation and integration as a means to address the enormous challenges faced by this region.

He said the projects seek to create economic efficiencies, liberalise certain areas, promote sustainable development and ultimately foster job creation and improvement in the lives of people in the region. “This is the case for our support to the Caribbean Coconut Industry, which focuses on promoting

a sustainable agriculture that is adapted to the realities of climate change,” he said, adding that the EU’s support to the implementation of the EPA, will help the region’s efforts towards a deeper integration, both within the region and with the wider global economy.

“The Caribbean Investment Facility (CIF) has proven to be an extremely useful tool in the region since 2012.

With this new €50-million contribution, we will assure the financing of a new set of projects during 2019,” he said.

LaRocque said the EU remains the single largest source of grant financing to the Caribbean region, adding that the value of the package

of development cooperation, in the form of grants, made available to CARIFORUM under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) exceeds one billion Euros.

Regarding the Caribbean Investment Facility, he said that this will provide financing for private-sector development, renewable energy, transport infrastructure, climate change financing, water and sanitation, protection of the environment, and social infrastructure.

“This will be achieved through direct investment grants, interest rate subsidies, guarantees, risk capital operations and other risk sharing mechanisms,” he said, noting that the funding for the criminal will help to modernise and strengthen court systems, processes and services; train and equip judicial officers and court staff and support judicial reform.

It will also assist in clearing the backlog of cases in the judicial systems in the region. “I look forward to timely commencement of implementation, so that the benefits to be derived can be felt in the short to medium term,” LaRocque said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday April 17, 2019

Reducing traffic accidents HARDLY a day goes by without a news report of at least one traffic accident. In a country with a population of far fewer than a million persons, Guyana simply cannot afford to have so many traffic collisions and other types of incidents.

According to statistics published by the Pan American Health Organisation and the World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), deaths from traffic crashes constitute one of the top ten causes of fatalities in Guyana. It is the number one cause of death among persons between the ages of five and 14 and the number two cause of death among persons aged 15 to 24. PAHO/WHO reports too, that within the Americas, traffic collisions are the leading cause of death of persons between the ages of five and 14 years old, and the number two cause of unnatural death of those between 15 and 44 years. This constitutes 80 per cent of all deaths of males.

And, the problem is not unique to Guyana, as, in the Americas, there are about 140,000 fatalities due to traffic accidents every year, some 70,000 of which are children under five, and over 5 million people suffer inju-

ries. Interestingly, it was found that low-income countries have increasing death rates due to traffic collisions. Here in Guyana, the GPF records some 15.88 deaths per year per 100,000 persons.

Traffic incidents -- as much of the developed world prefers to call them, since “accident” implies that no-one is to be blamed -- occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other immobile obstruction or object, such as a tree, pole or building.

An incident may also occur if the operator of a vehicle, for any reason, loses control and departs from the roadway, and, probably ends up in a trench, for example.

The GPF says that in this country, the leading causes of traffic mishaps are speeding and driving while under the influence of alcohol. Other major causes are driving while distracted by use of a cellphone, pedestrian inattentiveness, and failure to heed traffic signs and warnings. The APNU+AFC administration is acutely aware of the issue; President David Granger has said that road safety is a very important priority for him.

His Excellency has noted that over the last 15 years, more than 2,000 Guyanese have been killed on the roadways. The president has characterised the problem as a serious epidemic. He observed that no government should ignore the deaths of so many of its citizens in such a short period of time. “We have a road fatality rate that is four times that of Barbados. Guyana occupies the fifth place in the Western Hemisphere for road fatalities,” the president lamented. His Excellency mentioned that we have to make our roads safer, and explore means, measures and methods to reduce injuries, risks, and the deaths of persons on our roadways.

His Excellency alluded to the prevalence of builders’ waste, vendors, stray animals, poor architecture of roads, poorly-lit roadways and other issues. Those factors, the president said, contribute to making our roads hazardous. He stated that the government continues to take a holistic look at the road safety problems in Guyana. Fortunately, as government works to address the problem, Guyana’s international partners are more than

willing to assist us. For example, PAHO/ WHO continues to play a significant role in supporting local initiatives, including facilitating road safety consultations among stakeholders, collaborating with government in the preparation of policy documents, among other forms of backing. Another case in point is the grant last year of US$1.4M to procure some 70,000 LED streetlights for Guyana’s roads. As government does its part, citizens must also do theirs. Drivers have an obligation to make a commitment to desist from operating vehicles after consuming alcohol or other drugs that may impair judgement, and to abstain from using their cellphones whilst driving. Occupants of vehicles have a duty to obey the law by using seatbelts. Motorcyclists should wear helmets, and pedestrians should remain vigilant and be careful while on the road, especially when vehicular traffic is heavy.

In other words, all Guyanese have a part to play in reducing the number of traffic incidents, and we need to take that duty seriously.

GAWU/PPP conflict-of-interest relationship Dear Editor,

THE Guyana Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) continues to encourage sugar workers to protest against the Guyana Sugar Corporation. In their latest exercise, they have encouraged Uitvlugt canecutters to protest against the sugar company to increase the number of days they work.

Editor, at this point, following the resizing of the sugar industry that was clearly suffocating and sucking much-needed finances from the country’s coffers, it is very disturbing to know that GAWU continues to pretend that it has the interest of sugar workers at heart. GAWU was formed in 1946 by former President, Cheddi Jagan under its former name, the Guiana Industrial Workers Union (GIWU). The organisation was the PPP’s trade union arm during a time when

Guyana was establishing representation for herself against foreign powers under one political party. This organisation was created, and pursued its agenda along PPP lines as a product of the party.

In 2019, it bewilders me as to why the government has not yet called out this union for the incestuous and unhealthy relationship it has with the PPP. Guyana has since attained Independence and now has more than one political party. We, in fact, have two main political parties dividing the two largest ethnic groups. How, then, can we have one of those political parties controlling a union that represents over 22,000 citizens (sugar workers) who are paid by the State?

This organisation can no longer be seen as a genuine representative of sugar workers, but in fact, an arm; a tool of the PPP. The GAWU has always been led by a PPP official. To date, its current President,

Komal Chand, is not only an executive PPP member, but a Member of Parliament for that side of the House. For more than a decade, the PPP was in government, and over that period, the industry has severely dwindled, despite that party “championing” the rights of sugar workers and having direct control of their representation. Yet, today, GAWU and the PPP have the nerve to blame the government for the sugar workers’ issues.

I wonder whether the sugar workers have not figured out that it was the PPP who stole their money for the state-of-the-art Skeldon factory that never worked, and GAWU who did nothing to represent the workers, since they would have faced the most difficulty as a result of that transaction. It is GAWU who made billions from union dues over the years, but cannot render any assistance to workers. A quick look at GAWU’s website would show that it is nothing more than a

pro-PPP news site, with reports of how badly the government is treating sugar workers, and why the PPP should be returned to power.

It is sad that while the current government is trying to reconfigure the ailing sugar industry, the opposition PPP is strategically using it to cause problems for the government. It is sad that GAWU’s relationship with the PPP is a clear-as-day conflict of interest that no one is talking about. It is sad that the Private Sector Commission and so many other civil society organisations created or infiltrated by the PPP is sailing on like water as GAWU, but the government has done nothing about it, and then wonder why they are being hit unfairly from all sides.

Regards Peter Joseph

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday April 17, 2019

Dear Editor,

Still awaiting proof of Irfaan Ali’s academic qualifications

WE live in times that require good, quality leadership in Guyana to take us to that high plateau of development and goodness; a condition that we and our children deserve.

This condition can be easily achieved with our bountiful resources.

This glory can be easily realised if our political, religious, business, civic and youth leaders display maturity, and make the welfare of Guyana the principal objective, casting aside all personal preferences and avoiding all forms of tribalism. Beyond this, we must learn to respect human life. Our present crop of leaders can do well if they only learn from history.

This week marks the 100th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, also known as the Amritsar Massacre, in India, where, on April 13, 1919, British soldiers shot and killed many of our Indian brothers and sisters in India. The reason: Arrogance, intolerance and iconoclast in high places. Perhaps it was a kind of response to the Black Hole of Calcutta, which occurred on June 17, 1756, where, after the fall of Fort William, the Nawab of Calcutta, Siraj ud- Daulah, who had a problem with the British, saw 143 captured British soldiers stuffed into a dungeon designed to accommodate three or four persons.

After two days, only a few survived. The others died of suffocation and lack of water. We have witnessed atrocities of varying degrees of horror everywhere in every continent. Not to mention the millions of lives lost in wars, political and religious conflicts. In every case, the architects who were respon-

sible for the horrors were iconoclasts who rejected traditional values and tolerance.

Today, we can view the Guyana situation, and unhappily observe the emergence of a small cabal of iconoclasts deceiving and threatening.

Last weekend, I got word of a meeting held in New York hosted by the leadership of the PPP. The rhetoric seems similar to what we heard at Babu Jaan and elsewhere.

The audience in the ‘Big Apple’ was clearly upset with the inappropriate and one-sided representation presented to them, resulting in the meeting ending in disorder. As one who was involved during the horrors of the early 60s, I appeal for sanity and measured language so that we avoid that part of our history from repeating itself. It was a time when intolerance disturbed and dislocated several of our communities. I appeal to our leaders to clothe themselves with a sense of responsibility, and let their armour be the truth, and to remember that those who seek the highest office in our land must be persons of quality, rectitude, honesty and dignity.

Furthermore, accepting the weakness and shortcomings of all of us, when we make a mistake or commit an indiscretion, we should have the courage and strength to say we made a mistake, and seek forgiveness and move on. A worrisome feature today is that there is a gentleman -- and, perhaps, this may be a generous term, but I wish to be kind -- who seeks to occupy the highest post in our land, but has been highly deceptive about his purported academic credentials.

We are yet to be presented with clear evidence to justify Irfaan Ali’s academic qualifications, and as if that

is not enough, members of an inner circle such as Sase Narine Singh, is writing for public consumption extolling the virtues of this individual and referring to his success as Minister of Housing.

This is ludicrous, if not laughable. Starting schemes that could not be completed; building houses that were leaking, the steps going into different directions to the house; porous septic tanks; walls that a child could walk through; houses that were leaning! When, as Chairman of CH&PA, I asked the Engineer how was it they could build houses on abandoned sugarcane lands without even doing a basic soil test, he told me, and I have witnesses, that he’d received ministerial instructions to proceed, nevertheless. After spending substantial sums to repair one of the units, the effort to make it habitable had to be aborted.

Then there are reports about certain contractors and friends who were paid off in full before the houses were completed and properly handed over. I take it that since Mr. Sase Narine Singh’s letter refers specifically to Housing, that Hon. Minister Bulkan and CH&PA will respond with full details to this bizarre statement.

Happily, over the past few months, in spite of personal challenges, we have seen the calm and statesmanship of President David Arthur Granger. It will be helpful if others who seek and hold high office take a leaf out of his book, and I make no exception. I include persons on both sides of the political divide. As we climb the political ladder, we must learn to practise restraint, honesty and be like Caesar’s wife, beyond reproach. In particular, our young people should be

GRA probing allegation of harassment

by Customs Officer at CJIA Dear Editor, THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) takes note of the letter by Mr. Delon White, published in the Kaieteur News on Thursday, April 11, 2019.

The allegation of verbal abuse by a Customs Officer is currently being investigated and steps are being taken to

address any shortcomings, thereby minimising such recurrences in the future.

Upon completion of the investigation, the results will be fully ventilated by a further release.

Regards Public Relations Unit

influenced and guided by a sort of renaissance to take us out of darkness.

Honourable Editor, my plea for rectitude, balance and truth include the media.

Our newspapers, radio, television, Facebook and teaching institutions must recognise the important role they play in shaping the character of the upcoming generation.

They say seeing and hearing is believing.We must not let them down.

Regards, Hamilton Green

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday April 17, 2019

GWI addresses rumour that improvements in Reg. 9 proving costly for residents Dear Editor, GUYANA Water Incorporated (GWI) wishes to dispel the rumour that the

company’s recent interventions to improve on the quality and access of water to Region 9 (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo)

is costing residents. The company wishes to make it clear that no immediate plans are in place to attach a cost to the services

being provided, and, therefore customers were never informed of impending charges.

These recent interven-

tions in communities in North, South and Central Rupununi are in keeping with President David Granger’s call for equity on the coastland and hinterland.

GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van WestCharles and other senior company officials have thus far visited some 33 communities in Region 9 where inconsistences in the quality and access to potable water were observed.

These observations included the lack of productivity of hand-dug wells, compromised water quality, faulty infrastructure, design flaws in water systems, and the need for additional water sources and storage tanks, well maintenance, construction of trestles, leaks to be fixed and repair works to be done on solar panels.

As such, upon noticing these conditions and engaging Toshaos, Senior Councillors and residents to ascertain their current water situation, GWI saw the need to inter-

vene and improve the lives of its brothers and sisters in the region.

Among the works already completed are the drilling of wells in Aishalton, Sand Creek, Kanuku, St. Ignatius and Karasabi. Other ongoing interventions include the installation of photovoltaic systems to pump water to the community, improving productivity and increasing the storage capacity of wells, water quality testing. and the construction of trestles.

Dr. Van West-Charles has, on numerous occasions, noted that as a physician, he sees as priority, the need for access to water at facilities such as health posts and schools. At the same time, he has stressed the importance of access to water at facilities such as bakeries and cassava factories, hot-meal hubs, and farms to promote economic activities.

Regards, Guyana Water Inc

“We saved 10,000 jobs” - Min. Bulkan tells Crabwood Creek residents

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan handing over a brush cutter to Deputy Head Mistress of Crabwood Creek Primary, Aileene Davidson and Teacher Waheeda Hussain

TURN TO PAGE 9

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday April 17, 2019

CARIFORUM-EU launch negotiations towards new ACP-EU agreement

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Apr 16, CMC – The Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) has formally launched negotiations with the European union for a CARIFORUM/EU Regional Protocol which will form an integral part of an African Caribbean and pacific (ACP)-EU Post-Cotonou Agreement.

“We are looking forward to negotiating a modern, relevant and meaningful arrangement as part of our future relations between CARIFORUM and the EU, always mindful that the regional protocols will be implementation instruments of the Foundation Agreement,” said CARIFORUM Secretary General, Irwin LaRocque.

“The success of these negotiations will be measured by its ability to improve the lives of the people for whose benefit we are conducting them,” he told the launch that was attended by Neven Mimica, the Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development and Chief Negotiator European Commission.”

The Cotonou Agreement is a treaty between the EU and the ACP that was signed in June 2000 in Cotonou, Benin’s largest city. It entered into force in 2003 and was subsequently revised in 2005 and 2010. It is regarded as the most comprehensive partnership agreement between developing countries and the EU and in 2010, ACPEU cooperation has been adapted to new challenges

such as climate change, food security, regional integration, state fragility and aid effectiveness.

The fundamental principles of the Cotonou Agreement include equality of partners, global participation, dialogue and regionalisation.

The agreement is re-examined every five years. The first round of negotiations on a successor accord to the Cotonou Agreement began late last year. LaRocque told the audience that included the ACP Secretary General Dr. P.I, Gomes and the ACP chief negotiator, Professor Robert Dussey, on Monday evening, that in addition to the long-standing historical ties, CARIFORUM states share common principles and values with the European Union.

He said these include respect for the Rule of Law, Human Rights and Principles of Good Governance.

“These principles and values are the foundation upon which the CARIFORUM/EU relationship and indeed the ACP/EU relationship, have been built, maintained and nurtured since 1975, on the occasion of the First Lomé Convention. These are the ties that bind us.“ LaRocque, who is also the Secretary General of the 15-member regional integration grouping, CARICOM, said that the EU is one of the region’s most valued partners, adding “it is with appreciation for the quality of this historical relationship which we already share, that we

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith in discussions with CARIFORUM Secretary General , Irwin LaRocque (JIS Photo)

approach these negotiations.

“We are embarking on an ambitious programme which involves two sets of simultaneous negotiations.

While it is important that we progress equally on both fronts, it is equally important to note that the Regional Protocol cannot be finalised before completion of the Foundation Agreement. This is to ensure consistency and policy coherence.”

LaRocque said that the negotiations present an opportunity to forge an agreement to reflect changing times, new challenges and current developments. “In so doing we must take into account global realities and developments. These include the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. “We must also take into account the increasing economic, social,

FROM PAGE 8

“We saved 10,000 jobs”...

Crabwood Creek residents were reminded that the Coalition Government has saved 10,000 jobs despite the closure of sugar estates in Region 6.

The issue was raised at a fan out exercise to the community. Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, who was at Crabwood Creek, was part of a larger government delegation that travelled to the region for the weekly Cabinet meeting and a Ministerial outreach at the University of Guyana, Tain Campus.

The loss of jobs and the difficulty to find same following the sugar estates closure was one of the topical issues raised by the

Crabwood Creek residents.

However, Minister Bulkan pointed out that it would have been irresponsible for the administration to keep open estates that were operating at a deficit. He said the government provided over $36Billion in subsidies for the sugar industry and it could not afford to continue to pumping money into a failing industry. Nevertheless, the minister said that in the process of closing the estates, 10,000 jobs were saved.

He reminded that the government has invested heavily in drainage and irrigation to assist Region 6 famers who are now able to utilise the lands for job

creation and provide for their families. Additionally, he said that the production of oil and gas, in the near future, will allow the government to do a lot more for its people and will also create thousands of jobs for Guyanese. At the end of the community meeting, Minister Bulkan distributed several kites to the children of the community and presented a number of sport gear which included cricket bats and balls, pads, and footballs among others. Two brush cutters, several bins and garbage bags were also given to the Crabwood Creek Community Ground and Primary School. (DPI)

climatic and environmental vulnerabilities of CARIFORUM states; their high level of per capita debt; the difficulties they continue to experience in financing their own development; and their desire to build resilience to those vulnerabilities.”

LaRocque said that the negotiations will be centred on a number of strategic priority areas including regional integration and co-operation which is a fundamental element of the development policies. “While the event today is a launch and not a negotiating session, it is my understanding that the issue of taxation may be proposed for inclusion under the heading of good governance. I wish to sound a word of caution, since this is currently a

contentious issue that could strain an otherwise solid relationship.”

The Dominican-born top regional public servant said that the recent experience of the blacklisting of a number of CARICOM countries by Europe “has caused reputational damage. “We are open to dialogue on any issue but the unilateral actions of blacklisting has not been subject to the kind of dialogue that has informed our relationship over the years. For us taxation is not a good governance issue but an economic one. The determination of our tax rate, once it is transparent and devoid of corruption is a matter of fiscal policy which is our sovereign right.”

LaRocque said there are agreed and accepted global standards for tax good governance, driven by a globally recognized international standard setter, the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), adding “this where that discussion belongs. CARIFORUM includes the 15-member CARICOM states and the Dominican Republic. In her remarks, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith, said the Cotonou Agreement, which has defined “the political, economic, and development parameters of the partnership between our group of states, must now also be modernised

to the benefit of both the (ACP and EU)”.

She said that in the context of an evolving global environment, the new agreement that is now being negotiated will need to be aligned with the current realities of ACP developing countries and anchored in the implementation of Agenda 2030 and its sustainable development goals. “We should not lose sight of the fact that this regional consultation is the start of the ongoing wider ACP negotiations with the EU. Over the last six months the ACP has completed two rounds of negotiations with the European Union on the foundation of the post Cotonou Agreement,” Johnson Smith said.

“It is our expectation that the eventual agreement will be forward-looking and aspirational in outlook. Forming a new partnership with the EU with the interest of developing countries will be placed squarely at the forefront,” she added. “We continue to advocate for an agreement that maintains a sustainable and predictable financing mechanism, thereby ensuring the continuity of viable projects within member countries of the ACP that are instrumental in sustaining the economic viability of the small states of the region,” she told the ceremony.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday April 17, 2019

‘Gov’t working for you’

…PM tells Port Mourant residents

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo addressing Port Mourant residents during Tuesday’s community meeting

A section of the crowd at the Port Mourant meeting

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Tuesday met with Corentyne residents at a community meet-

ing held at the Port Mourant Community Centre Ground.

The meeting was held following the Public Day event, which took place at the University of Guyana, Tain Campus. The Prime Minister spoke briefly before fielding questions from those in attendance. In his presentation, he reassured the residents of Port Mourant that the Government is working in the interest of the people, hence the outreach. “The idea is to take the government to the people across the country and listen to you and your concerns, so we can know what is affecting you and be able to better serve you,” he said.

He went on to say that despite what the Opposition is trying to portray, there is no crisis in the country, and that the Coalition Government is working in the best interest of the people by seeking to unite the country. That said, the Prime Minister noted that the idea is to identify the areas of opportunities and make the government stronger, since the people of the country, through the leadership of President David Granger now have a stronger, stable, honest and clean government. It’s a development, the prime minister said, that is causing the Opposition to get very uneasy, to the extent that they are trying to create panic and to disrupt the smooth running of the country, in the hope of getting back in power.

He warned residents to be wary of this and be the judge for themselves. He noted that the entire world is keenly looking at Guyana, and want stability, because they want to come to Guyana to invest and be part of the transformation that is expect-

ed to make this nation one of the wealthiest in the world, and that among the things the government is looking towards in the near future is the offering of free University education to all Guyanese.

Minister Nagamootoo, who is also performing the duties of President, went on to advise the residents that the government has already started, through the Port Mourant Training Centre, to invest in training for jobs in the emerging oil-andgas sector, and its spin-off businesses. “This is where the focus should be for our youths; not to get them to cut cane,” the prime minister noted, while also advising the residents to go back to their lands and make agriculture a priority, as the demand for food is always there.

After that little talk, the PM fielded several questions, and had his staff make notes for follow-up with the relevant agencies. Among those who raised concerns was a teacher who’d travelled all the way from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) to have her issue regarding the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and other education-related matters aired.

After listening attentively to what the teacher had to say, the prime minister remarked that the teacher was very courageous and undertook to have someone from the Ministry of Education look into the matter promptly, as he recognised the importance of teachers and the role they play in helping to mould the children of our nation. The meeting lasted approximately one-and-ahalf hours as the PM took time out to listen to each person that had an issue and address their concerns.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Turtle Festival a success

THE eighth Turtle Festival concluded on Sunday at Caiman House in the Yupukari Village, Rupununi, with 150 attendees benefitting from turtle conservation education.

Since 2011, Yupukari and the Caiman House Field Station have been the base for a community-led turtle monitoring project.

The goal of the project is to celebrate, sensitise and promote turtle conservation with community members.

With supporting agencies such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Guianas, Iwokrama International Centre and other conservation agencies, the

them, to help conserve the species. Because sometimes the eggs can be found by other animals and be destroyed before they hatch.

So when they collect the eggs they are kept until they hatch, and at the annual festival, conservation education is given to members of the community, and they would release the little turtles into the water,” Cush- Barnwell expounded.

She also shared that this year, they saw over 120 turtles being conserved and placed into the river. The same conservation efforts are made for caimans in the villages, she said.

WWF Community En-

The attendees of the Turtle Festival flocked the river side to witness the turtles being placed into the river

Some of the villagers in Rupununi carrying the turtles to put into the river project continues to be successful year after year.

Communications Consultant of WWF Guianas (Guyana Office), Dionne Cush- Barnwell explained to Guyana Chronicle that the year round project in the village focuses on two species of river turtles which are prized for their meat and eggs by local people.

The giant river turtle (Podocnemis expansa) and the yellow spotted river turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) are ecologically and culturally important to the Makushi and Wapishana.

“What the Caiman House Field Station would do is incorporate other wildlife clubs and during nesting season for the turtles, they would collect the eggs and place them in a nursery they have built for

gagement Expert, Patricia Fredericks, said, that, as an educator, she looks forward to the interactive sessions with the youths in the community.

Aside from putting the turtles in the river, local youths and wildlife club members from 12 riverine communities were provided with the opportunity to understand the importance of resource management, scientific techniques of turtle research, to affirm the importance of turtles in Indigenous culture, and exchange local traditional knowledge in a fun and interactive manner.

“This festival is a very great initiative and I commend the toshao and others because we have to nurture the minds from young. I hope the children do what they would have learned,

beyond the two days, and practise it daily in their community to achieve conservation. So we will have the turtles and caimans always,” Fredericks said.

Toshao Russian Dorrick said the event is important to the villages.

“As the people that depend on our environment for survival and our livelihood we should lead the conservation,” he said.

Dorrick highlighted that the festival is an event where knowledge is shared, and communities learn together to build their efforts to maintain biodiversity across Guyana.

Bina Hill Institute, K a i c u m b a y, K a r a s a bai, Shea, Sand Creek, Kwamatta, Kuma, Quatata and Shulinab are some of the villages which attended the festival.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Money changer shot on High Street succumbs

By Alva Solomon

POLICE are hunting two men who shot and killed a 57-year-old man on High Street, Georgetown on Tuesday morning.

Dead is Prince Phillip Alleyne, a money changer of Lot 88 Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

Police said the man was shot and robbed by two

armed men dressed in Muslim garb on a motorcycle.

The injured Alleyne was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he succumbed while receiving treatment at around 11:40hrs.

According to police, the man left his home at around 10:00hrs on Tuesday to ply his trade on Water Street.

He parked and secured his motor car on High Street in front of Ashmin’s Mall and immediately after, he was confronted by two males. Police said a scuffle ensued between Alleyne and the suspects and during the process, the victim sustained gunshot injures to the head and was relieved of the cash and firearm.

The suspects reportedly

escaped on a motor cycle.

At the scene, persons noted that the incident occurred within a matter of minutes and an eyewitness recounted that after the man was shot, the bandits sped off in the direction of Hadfield Street.

On a daily basis, Alleyne reportedly parked his car in front of the Ashmin’s store before walking across to America Street where he plied his trade. Eyewitnesses noted that the bandits may have been monitoring his movements.

At the GPHC, the man’s family wept uncontrollably after the hospital staff reported that he had died. Relatives were tightlipped when approached for a comment.

Money changers have

always been easy targets for bandits. In recent years, bandits have targeted businessmen who usually carry large wads of cash as they operate their trade in the busy parts of the city, mainly along America and Water Streets.

Last February, America Street money changer, Shawn Nurse, known as “Fabulous”, was gunned down in Georgetown after he was confronted by a gunman.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that a lone gunman walked up to Nurse and demanded cash but he hesitated in complying and was shot to the head.

After the shooting, the gunman escaped north along Avenue of the Republic.

Then July last, Rock-

Prince Phillips Alleyne ford Richardson called “Bigger Man”, was robbed by two gun-toting men, who rode up to him on motorcycles shortly after midday one Sunday, and relieved him of over $100,000, which he had in his possession.

During the melee, Richardson was shot above his left knee by one of the two bandits. He was rushed to the GPHC and was later admitted for further treatment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Greenidge, Guyanese envoy to lead talks for new negotiations EU/ACP pact VICE-PRESIDENT and Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl B. Greenidge, and Guyana’s Ambassador to the European Union, His Excellency David Hales, were recently appointed to lead the Region in the negotiations for a Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM)/European Union (EU) Regional Protocol at the ministerial and technical levels, respectively.

The appointment was made when ministers of the CARIFORUM/ACP [African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States] met in Jamaica on Sunday, as well as on Monday with a high-level (EU) delegation, to advance the Region’s preparations for the negotiation of the Regional Protocol.

In a release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussions focussed on the Region’s strategic priorities to be addressed

in the new Post-Cotonou ACP/EU Agreement and timelines for conclusion of the negotiations. The two bodies are presently engaged in negotiations for a successor to the Cotonou Agreement that will govern trade and development between them for a twenty-year period commencing 2020.

Strategic priorities for the Region under the new agreement include regional integration and cooperation, inclusive sustainable economic growth and development, environmental sustainability, climate change and sustainable management of natural resources, migration and mobility, human rights and social cohesion, peace and security, and support for Haiti. Vice-President Greenidge addressed migration and mobility and advanced a number of related proposals.

Attending as special-

Erwin Bacchus murder PI adjourned to April 29 THE preliminary inquiry (PI) into the murder of Jason De Florimonte, allegedly by Erwin Bacchus, continued before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Providence Magistrate’s Court, on Tuesday, April 16, 2019.

At Tuesday’s hearing, lead attorney for the defence, Nigel Hughes, did not appear because he is out of the jurisdiction.The PI was therefore adjourned to April 29.

Bacchus, 45, a hotel proprietor of 260 Fifth Avenue, Subryanville,Kitty, was on $1.5M bail after being originally charged with manslaughter. However, the manslaughter charge was upgraded to murder on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions; consequently, Bacchus is now on remand.

According to reports, on August 4, 2018, around 01:00hrs, De Florimonte, who lived in proximity to Bacchus’s hotel, was seen abusing a young woman.

Bacchus’s employee, a handyman, intervened and De Florimonte armed himself with a rolling pin and a knife and attacked the handyman, who ran into the compound of the hotel. Bacchus, a licensed firearm holder, drew his firearm and fired two warning shots, but De Florimonte continued to attack the handyman. It was then that Bacchus fired several shots at De Florimonte, causing him to be mortally wounded.

An autopsy conducted on De Florimonte’s remains revealed that he was shot three times about his body.

ly invited guests were Foreign Minister of the Togolese Republic and Chief ACP Ministerial negotiator, Professor Robert Dussey, and ACP Secretary-General, Dr. Patrick Gomes, who is a Guyanese.

Vice-President and Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl B. Greenidge, and Guyana’s Ambassador to the European Union, His Excellency David Hales

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Cabinet holds meeting in New Amsterdam

THE engagement was held simultaneously with a Government Outreach at the University of Guyana, Tain Campus on the Corentyne.

The ministers discussed plans for the annual Arrival Day observance in the region and the opening of the Indian Arrival Monument at Palmyra.

Following the conclusion of the scheduled Cabinet Meeting, the Ministers travelled to the outreach to interact with members of the public. The exercise at the Tain Campus commenced at 10:00hrs and continued until 17:00hrs. Scores of residents turned out to engage with technical and other officials

from numerous government ministries and agencies on matters of concern, and to seek resolution to problems.

The ministers then engaged in 17 community meetings across the region, some of which have concluded up to press time while others were still in progress. Cabinet is scheduled to host its weekly meetings in other administrative regions in the coming weeks, and government will continue its on-going outreach programme and community meetings in Regions Three, Five and 10.

Tu e s d a y ’s C a b i n e t meeting was the first in Berbice since the Coalition Government took office in 2015. (DPI)

Ministers in a Cabinet meeting at State House in New Amsterdam, Berbice

Guyanese diplomat accredited non-resident Ambassador to France

His Excellency Hamley Case and French President, Emmanuel Macron HIGH Commissioner of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Hamley Case, last Friday presented his credentials to the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron.

They discussed increasing the level of French investments in Guyana, a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Also, while in Paris, the Guyanese non-resident Ambassador to France used the opportunity to meet with

Patrick PouyannĂŠ, the Chief Executive Officer of TOTAL S. A., the French oil and gas giant, to explore possibilities for further developing its relationship with Guyana.

Further, he held discussions with officials at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on the reconstruction of the City Hall in Georgetown. Guyana and France established diplomatic relations on June 22, 1967.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Jagdeo’s New York town hall meeting ends abruptly … after searching questions of corruption under PPP administration

OPPOSITION Leader Bharrat Jagdeo received a rude awakening at a Town Hall meeting in New York last weekend, when he was questioned repeatedly about corruption under his administration while in government, prompting the event to end abruptly.

At the meeting, which was held at Fairfield Pavilion in Queens, New York, Jagdeo levelled accusations of corruption against the current government but he did not cater for the questions which came his way during the question and answer segment.

A member of the audience took to the floor and commented on the election of presidential candidate of the party, Irfaan Ali. The man suggested Ali was selected for the post.

He then raised questions about corrupt practices in the natural resources sector under the PPP regime, and asked what steps the PPP would put in place to ensure same does not recur.

During this time, the moderator tried desperately to grab the microphone from the man.

Former Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) head, Rajendra Singh, who sat at the head table alongside Jagdeo last weekend, also came in for criticism during the question and answer segment.

The sugar corporation was constantly in trouble as the sector suffered from a range of management issues, industrial action and field matters under Singh’s management. The former administration had hired US-based Singh to run GuySuCo, a job he undertook even though he resided in the US. Calls to sack the former GuySuCo CEO from the helm of the sugar industry went unanswered for a number of years under the PPP administration, even as that government continued to transfer billions of dollars in subsidies to keep the industry afloat.

Singh, who was said to have close ties with the PPP, had his services terminated when the APNU+AFC administration assumed office.

‘DESTROYER’ Last weekend, the member of audience who criticised Jagdeo about his party’s corruption record noted that Singh “destroyed” GuySuCo and that the opposition and others are wrongfully casting blame on the APNU+AFC government.

“You continue to walk with a dangerous reptile,” the member of the audience boldly told Jagdeo.

The man told Jagdeo that persons are being “brainwashed” by the Opposition PPP, and that they are not bold enough to stand-up and criticise the party.

As reported earlier, Jagdeo received criticism at the meeting for comments he made regarding Indigenous Venezuelan migrants. He said the influx of Indigenous migrants into Guyana from Venezuela is “atrocious.”

At the time, he was addressing U.S-based Guyanese during a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Town Hall Meeting.

Jagdeo, while addressing those present on the state of affairs in Guyana, said he visited the North West District and was appalled by the large number of Venezuelans crossing the border into Guyana.

“I’ve been to Mabaruma, I went to Matarkai area, Port Kaituma, and I took a boat and drove up to Mabaruma. I saw what’s happening in those areas with people flowing back from Venezuela, the Warraus coming across and stuff like that, atrocious, atrocious,” the opposition leader told those present.

Some 5,800 Venezuelan migrants have fled to Guyana as a direct result of the growing socioeconomic and political crisis in their country. Overall, more than three million Venezuelans have fled their country since 2015,

according to the United Nations.

In Guyana, the government, through the Ministry of the Presiden-

cy, Department of Citizenship, has been working closely with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the

International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and other international and local organisations to ensure that the Vene-

zuelan migrants, whose country is in ruin, have the best possible care with special emphasis placed on health and education.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Berbicians capitalise on gov’t outreach …many resolve land, water other issues

MUCH to the delight of residents in the East Berbice Corentyne Region, the Government of Guyana, on Tuesday, took several

ministries to the people in another round of public day activities.

Residents from across Region Six, and even some

from Region Five, came out in their numbers to access the services provided by over 22 ministries and government departments. The public day

event was held at the University of Guyana Tain Campus.

The outreach was held under the theme “Government comes to you”. The exercise officially began at 10:00hs and later, government ministers joined their various ministries and agencies following a special Cabinet meeting held at State House, New Amsterdam Berbice.

TURN TO PAGE 17

Sixty-three-year-old Oditnarine Seemangal says he was able to get a decades-old land matter resolved

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo interacting with residents of Berbice

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan and Regional Executive Officer of Region Six, Kim Stephen-Williams address concerns of two residents

A young mother presents her documents to minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for housing, Valerie Adams-Yearwood

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Former Linden town clerk wants outstanding monies

By Vanessa Braithwaite

FORMER Town Clerk of the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LMTC), Jonellor Bowen, has requested the Local Government Commission (LGC) to intervene on her behalf as she seeks payment for wages owed to her, covering the period of time she was wrongfully dismissed

by Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the LGC sent a correspondence to the LMTC, ordering the

council to pay Bowen wages amounting to over $3M. In March 2017, Bowen’s appointment was revoked

by Bulkan with immediate effect, based on his deliberate judgement, that she was disrespectful to former Mayor, Carwyn Holland, and councilors, and that she continued to display a disruptive attitude. This was done only three weeks after Bowen returned from five months of administrative leave.

Bowen; however, took the matter to court, and in May 2018, Chief Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire,

FROM PAGE 16

Berbicians capitalise...

Most persons who attended expressed satisfaction with their interactions at the various booths. This is the third outreach for this year. The first was held in February in Region Nine, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo and the second, in Georgetown at the Square of The Revolution.

Residents of all walks of life used the opportunity to raise concerns about land, security, road, streets and agriculture issues, while some came out just to meet the ministers and have a photo taken and let them know that they are doing a good job.

The Ministry of Communities, Central Housing and Planning Authority booth attracted scores of persons who waited to enquire on the status of their applications for house lots or how and when they can acquire a plot of land to start building their homes.

Persons gathered well before the 10:00 am start-up and the process was smooth for the entire day with a fast-flowing traffic of people coming in and going out as soon as they were attended to.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, many were elated and expressed gratitude to the government for making the opportunity possible. One such person was a 63-year-old pensioner from Albion who was all smiles as he said he was trying for over five years to have a land issue rectified, but took only a few moments and he got the help he needed. “I had an issue with a house lot and as soon as I go in to the booth and explain and present my documents they were able to help me out. I have to follow up with them tomorrow (today Wednesday) and I will be set. I am very happy that I had this opportunity and I believe they should look to do this more often because is a good thing and a lot of people getting their problems solved today,” Oditnarine Seemangal said.

Meanwhile the Opposition PPP staged a picketing exercise opposite the venue, but this did little to deter people from meeting the government. Speaking in anonymity to the Guyana Chronicle, a businessman said he was initially afraid to meet the ministers to have an issue addressed because he was threatened by a few persons from the group of protestors who saw him. He, however, said he was happy that he had an opportunity to meet the minister of public security who addressed his issue regarding a firearm licence. “They can’t help me and them want stop people from going and meet the people who can help. You nah see is bare foolishness them telling the people. Berbicians need to wise up and realise is the government running things not the PPP, so let them follow them and see how them gun get help,” the businessman said.

The businessman continued that he also met with the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo briefly and had “a nice chat.” He even expressed surprise that the PM recognised him from a previous meeting where he dealt with another issue he had. The booths closed off at 17:00hrs with the ministers dispersing to different communities across the region for public meetings.

ruled that she was unlawfully dismissed by Bulkan. At the time of the dismissal, the LGC was not in operation.

The litigation was brought against the minister by Attorneys-at-Law, Charles Ramson Jr. and Mark Conway. They submitted that the decision was unlawful, ultra vires, arbitrary, contrary to and breaches the principles of natural justice.

LGC Chairman, Mortimor Mingo, said Bowen brought the matter to the commission and sought intervention that she be paid for wrongful dismissal and

other damages meted out to her during that period. He said that at no time did the commission order her reinstatement. This publication understands that because the High Court ruled that the dismissal was wrongfully done, after Bowen is paid, the LGC will then officially terminate her services. She is still then the substantive Town Clerk.

Prior to Bowen being dismissed, two no-confidence motions were passed against her; the last one resulting in her being sent on administrative leave for five

Jonellor Bowen

months. During that time, an investigative committee was established to determine the factors resulting in the council’s loss of confidence in Bowen.

Minister Bulkan related that he had reinstated Bowen, against the recommendations of the investigative committee, and instead of redeeming herself, she con-

tinued to be disruptive.

Bowen was appointed on June 28, 2012 by former Minister within the Ministry of Local Government, Norman Whittaker.

Her employment became effective on July 3, 2012.

Since her dismissal, Deputy Town Clerk, Orleena Ombermulla, has been Acting Town Clerk for Linden.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

External shocks contribute to revised economic growth figures for LAC

THE Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) says a combination of economic shocks could lower growth in Latin America and the Caribbean by an annual average of up to 1.7 per cent in 2019-2021 of gross domestic product (GDP).

In its Macroeconomic

Report released here, the IDB said that the new projections bring the baseline growth rate from 2.5 to just 0.8 per cent. The report, titled “Building Opportunities for Growth in a Challenging World,” calculates the impacts of slower growth in the United States and Chinese economies, plus a rise in US

interest rates.

It also calculates potential impacts on Latin America and the Caribbean caused by a disorderly Brexit -the UK exiting the European Union without an agreement in place -, which could trim an additional half a percentage point from the region’s growth projections.

“The potential impacts are of concern because Latin America and the Caribbean is already one of the regions with the slowest annual growth rates in the world,” said IDB Chief Economist Eric Parrado.

“We are hopeful that some of worst-case scenarios may be averted, and the

report charts a course for the region to obtain a big growth boost by investing in much-needed transport, telecommunications and other infrastructure.”

The IDB calculations are based on a statistical model and the report includes a section on how countries can close the infrastructure gap. The external shocks are calculated on China’s GDP growing 0.9 per cent slower than expected per year, and the US growing 0.4 per cent slower than the baseline scenario for 2019 and 2020, plus a resulting financial shock from falling equity prices in the United States, the United Kingdom and the Euro area. In addition, a one per cent slowdown in the UK due to Brexit would trim half a point from the region’s three-year baseline scenario, underscoring the interconnectedness of the global economy.

On the positive side, the report notes that the region’s larger economies could help counter the global economic headwinds. It said a positive shock of just 0.3 per cent of GDP growth above baseline in the five largest economies would translate into about 0.5 per cent higher growth for Latin America and the Caribbean for each of three years, on top of the baseline 2.5 per cent growth – or a total increase of about 1.5 per cent of regional GDP. The report also analyzes country and corporate debt exposures and fiscal space for adjustments. Fiscal defi-

cits remain high in many countries and further adjustment will be required to eventually stabilize debtto-GDP ratios. The IDB document identifies ways in which countries can enhance growth in the current context. More and better-targeted infrastructure investments can enhance growth prospects. Public investment is constrained by tight budgets, but the window of opportunity to pursue greater private financing is open in the context of low worldwide interest rates, the report says.

For the region on average, the estimates are that if countries can increase investment levels in infrastructure sectors enough to close the gaps with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries for example, then the economy-wide productivity growth could increase by 75 percent with respect to the historical average.

Using detailed models for a set of representative Latin American and Caribbean countries, it is found that relatively small efficiency gains in infrastructure-related sectors can yield significant growth benefits to the region.

“On average, a five per cent increase in efficiency indicators could increase growth rates by 3.6 percentage points over a 10-year horizon,” the IDB added.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

RUSAL workers aiming for 7% pay hike AS the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GB&GWU) prepares to submit its proposal for the new collective labour agreement with the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI), reinstated employees are hoping for a seven per cent increase in salaries.

For years, the workers were not receiving more than a two per cent increase on their wages and this was the main reason for the recent protracted strike. One worker told the Guyana Chronicle, that they [the workers] are looking to receive nothing less than a seven per cent increase to their wages, and are hoping this is decided upon very soon.

“The decision is that we are not looking at nothing less than seven per cent. We think that is reasonable and anything less would be disappointing,” he said.

RUSAL employee, Ephraim Velloza, who is the workers’ representative at the GB&GWU, said he believes that the best thing is not to focus on a cash-out, but on every aspect that will make their work experience and conditions better. While crafting this may take a longer time, the benefits will supersede just a mere increase in salary. “It doesn’t make sense going for cash and there is a binding agreement we are working on, which is to get back what was taken from us and that is our benefits,” he said. The collective bargaining agreement, he said, is a reflection of the labour laws of Guyana as well as labour principles of the union. This include demands for double rates on Sundays and holidays, appropriate leave and vacations packages, out-of-town allowances and other compensation packages and better working conditions in general.

In addition, RUSAL workers are calling for the company to pay more attention to the workers’ quarters at Maple Town, since most of the houses are in a deplorable state, since they are no longer maintained by RUSAL. Recently, the roof on one of the houses was blown off as a result of heavy winds.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

China’s largest trade fair opens with strong Belt and Road presence

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UANGZHOU, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The 125th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened Monday in Guangzhou, capital of south China’s Guangdong Province, with over half of companies attending its import fair hailing from Belt and Road countries and regions.

The spring session of the biannual fair holds import exhibitions in its first and third phases, with 1,000 booths booked by 650 enterprises from 38 countries and regions.

These include 383 companies from 21 countries and regions taking part in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), including Russia, Poland, the Philippines and Israel, said Xu Bing, spokesperson for the fair.

Large buyers such as Vip shop, a Chinese online discount retailer, and global retail giants Carrefour and WalMart will attend the import exhibition.

The fair, which will be held from April 15 to May 5, is widely seen as a barometer of China’s foreign trade.

The fair covers 1.18 million square meters, with 60,651 booths booked by 25,496 domestic and foreign enterprises.

Its export section has 59,651 booths booked by 24,846 domestic enterprises.

The fair features three phases. The first, falling on April 15-19, will mainly showcase home appliances, electronic products, mechanical equipment, hardware, and building materials. The second, from April 23 to 27, will showcase consumer goods, decorations and gifts. The third, from May 1 to 5, will display textiles and clothing, food and medical products.

The fair has signed partnership agreements with industrial and commercial institutions from 33 countries and regions taking part in the BRI. It plans to establish cooperative partnership with all BRI countries and regions within two or three years.

Beijing horticultural expo site conducts trial run

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EIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Beijing on Saturday held a trial opening of the site for the upcoming 2019 Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition to test the reception capacity of the event.

About 30,000 people, mainly local residents in Yanqing District in Beijing’s northern suburb, which hosts the event, became the first group of visitors to the 503-hectare expo site at the foot of a section of the Great Wall.

Slated to kick off on April 29, the 162-day expo is poised to impress an es-

timated 16 million visitors from home and abroad with a huge collection of plants, flowers and eye-catching pavilions as well as ideas for green development.

More than 110 countries and international organizations, as well as over 120 non-official exhibitors, have confirmed participation, which will make it the highest attendance in the expo’s history.

According to the organizer, the exhibition’s service group had 4,000 staff on duty Saturday to provide operation management, reception, and tourist and security services.

All 78 entrances to the exhibition were opened with 30 electric vehicles shuttling guests to and from the parking lot. Visitors enjoyed food and beverages and shopping of small commodities in the park.

Tim Briercliffe, secretary general of the International Association of Horticultural Producers, was among the visitors.

He was briefed on the city’s preparations for the expo. Briercliffe believed the event’s preparation work has gone well and that Beijing will do a remarkable job in presenting this expo to the world.

Nine years on, people in Yushu embrace new life after quake

Y

USHU, Qinghai Province (Xinhua) -- Nine years after a catastrophic earthquake battered Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, which killed thousands of people, new schools, hospitals and squares have mushroomed out of debris, and the locals are rebuilding their new life.

Lodru Gyatso, 16, lost his father in the magnitude-7.1 quake, which hit Yushu in northwest China’s Qinghai province on April 14, 2010 and left around 3,000 people dead or missing.

“I was reading books in school when the quake struck,” he said. “When I got back home, my brother told me our dad had been buried under the toppled house.”

Lodru Gyatso’s mother passed away when he was young. He was admitted to a local orphan school after

the quake. The school is now home to more than 460 students, many of whom lost their parents in the disaster.

The school, humble with one-storey temporary houses, now has a classroom building, dormitory building, can-

“After the earthquake, we have received many donations, which help to improve our infrastructure,” said Nyima Rigzin, headmaster of the school.

teen and library.

Lodru Gyatso likes to make robots in the classroom equipped with a 3D-printer.

For 23-year-old Dawa Tsedin, takeout delivery is

a bit boring. But it allows him to enjoy the beauty of Yushu’s new cityscape, which has sprung up from a remote, backward town to a modern city over the past nine years.

Dawa Tsedin chose to be a take-away food delivery man in Yushu after graduating from a vocational school in Xi’an, capital of neighboring Shaanxi Province.

He said he returned because he had seen great potential in takeout delivery in the city.

“In the past, I couldn’t believe that takeout delivery was available in Yushu,” he said. “Now as I pass by the landmarks such as the Gesar Square, I really feel that Yushu looks like a big city.”

New buildings with Tibetan characteristics, new business quarters and broad avenues have sprung up in the city, in sharp contrast to the scenes before the quake.

Cai Chengyong, the city’s Party chief, said Yushu has also been improving urban management and building a smart city with advanced technologies.

To date, the city has invested over six million yuan (about 895,000 U.S. dollars) to build an intelligent urban management network covering all streets and communities.

During reconstruction, Beijing has lent a hand, investing heavily in infrastructure construction and bringing talent of education, medicine, city planning and urban management.

Pei Zhifei, a veteran gynecologist from a hospital in Beijing, has been working in the Yushu Prefectural People’s Hospital since 2017, tutoring local doctors in complex surgeries.

“Now many critically ill patients get treated in Yushu,”

said Pei. “And many patients from Sichuan and Tibet have come to our hospital seeking medical help.”

Official data show 163 experts from Beijing, including teachers and doctors, have worked in Yushu to assist the reconstruction.

In recent years, Yushu has received a growing number of tourists from home and abroad as it has listed tourism as a pillar industry.

Ashak Yumpon, director of Yushu prefecture tourism bureau, said the prefecture, home to the Hol Xil Nature Reserve and the headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang (Mekong) rivers, boasts abundant tourism resources.

“We will promote sustainable development of the tourism industry and build ourselves into an international tourism destination,” he said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday April 17, 2019

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CCJ celebrates 14 years of operation

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

… launches 2019 Rules of Court for original, appellate jurisdictions THE Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Tuesday celebrated 14 years of operation and marked the

occasion with the launch of its 2019 Rules of Court for the Original and Appellate Jurisdictions.

In a release CCJ said it

was marking the occasion with activities throughout the week. The Rules of the Court are reviewed every two years and the revisions Registrar and Chief Marshal of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Ms. Jacqueline Graham watches as the Hon. Mme. Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee affixes her signature to the revised Rules of Court in the Original and the Appellate Jurisdictions

help to further reduce delay, ensure greater clarity and support advances in court administration. The judges and the staff of the CCJ held a small ceremony to celebrate the anniversary and to witness the signing of the Rules.

Additionally, a brochure containing information about the Court was inserted in one of the daily newspapers in Trinidad and Tobago to allow people an opportunity to learn about the Court. It is hoped that there will be similar initiatives with other newspapers throughout the region.

President of the CCJ, Justice Adrian Saunders, stated, “The CCJ has much to be proud of in its 14 years. In 2018, we delivered our highest number of judgments in a year in the Appellate Jurisdiction, 34 in total, and we tried seven cases filed in the Original Jurisdiction, where we generally had two each year. The increased use of the CCJ seems to reflect growing confidence in the Court and a recognition that we play an important role in the Caribbean,” Justice Saunders said.

He noted that the Court also launched its Strategic Plan which will direct activities over the next five years. “One of the strategic issues identified, when we were gathering data to inform the plan, was the need for increased communication. With CCJ Week, we are beginning to provide our stakeholders with increased information while we continue to produce excellent work in our judicial area,” the CCJ President added.

The CCJ will also reveal a new design for its website which can be found at www.

ccj.org, during the week.

The new design will reflect a modern aesthetic and features will also include an enhanced search for judgments and a new Court calendar on the homepage.

The Court will welcome the public to its headquarters in Port of Spain on Wednesday, April 17. Guided tours will commence at 09:00 hours and conclude at 15:00 hours. Information about the Court will be shared, with an interactive tour of the courtroom and a demonstration of the technology that underpins the Court.

Elements of the tour will be shared online for those who cannot be in Port of Spain.

Throughout the week, the CCJ will share information about the Court on its social media platforms on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. The celebratory activities will close on April 18 when the CCJ will answer questions from the public on various platforms. There will be a particular focus to sharing information on the CCJ’s social media platforms, on Thursday, April 18, when the CCJ’s social media platform will provide answers to questions submitted on social media and through an email address, info@ccj.org. Members of the public are invited to pose questions directly to representatives from the CCJ. The week of activities to mark the anniversary began with a Media Open Day on April 13.

Representatives from the media were invited to meet with, and hear from, the CCJ’s President and Judges, as well as invited presenters, where they learned about the Court and posed questions to the panel.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Lobby firm hired by PPP under federal probe … allegations grew out of investigations into Russia’s meddling in US elections

US FEDERAL prosecutors in recent weeks have been interviewing witnesses about the flow of foreign money to three powerful law and lobbying firms – one of them recently hired by the People’s Progressive Party to run its elections campaign.

The firm – Mercury Public Affairs, was one of the groups that were recruited by Paul Manafort seven years ago, to help improve the image of the Russia-aligned president of Ukraine, the New York

pay the firm US$ 150,000; US$100,000 of which had to be paid at the time of the signing of the contract and the remainder on May 1, 2019. The PPP also agreed to pay and reimburse the firm for all business expenses in providing the services for it. The party also has to pay the lobby firm for all filing fees, costs and expenses paid or incurred related to compliance requirements in any jurisdiction.

According to a Reuters report on Monday, in a sign that evidence

PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo saunters outside of Capitol Hill, Washington, DC for the promised meeting by the lobby firm with US Congressmen Times reported recently. The PPP on March 5, 2019, signed a contract with Mercury Public Affairs. According to the contract, which was seen by this newspaper, the firm will provide strategic consulting and management services specific to issues facing the party in areas of government relations and issues management. The services, according to contract, shall include but is not limited to, representing the party before and arranging meetings with the Executive Branch and the Congress of the United States, the Organisation of American States and think-tanks in connection with issues relating to the anticipated general and regional elections. Additionally, according to the contract, the PPP agreed to

from Robert Mueller’s 22-month investigation into alleged Russian interference in US elections may yet ensnare more prominent Washington figures, federal prosecutors in Washington cited a former U.S. congressman “working for the government of Ukraine” in charges filed on Thursday against former Obama administration official Greg Craig. Craig pleaded not guilty on Friday to lobbying violations and making false statements. The former congressman is not named in Craig’s indictment, but other filings by his former law firm cite identical work done for the firm by Vin Weber, a lobbyist with Mercury Public Affairs, who was a U.S. representative from Minnesota from 1981 to 1993.

Weber disclosed his work for a Ukrainian think-tank, but he did not register as a foreign agent for the government of Ukraine under the 1938 Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which would have required him to disclose his activities in

detail, according to a Reuters review of lobbying records.

The Department of Justice is stepping up FARA enforcement after decades of inactivity. Mueller’s investigation has not led to criminal conspiracy charges against Trump or

his former associates, but it has exposed previously-hidden foreign lobbying activity by some of Washington’s most prominent lobbyists and prompted a flurry of new registrations since 2017, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, New York

Times reported that prosecutors have focused on the role of Skadden Arps’s lead partner on the account, the former Obama White House c o u n s e l , G re g o r y B .

Craig, in arranging See page 24

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Lobby firm hired by PPP under ...

From page 23

financing and media coverage for his firms’ work, the people familiar with the questioning said.

And the prosecutors, they said, have also been asking about the extent to which the lead partners on the accounts for Mercury and Podesta — Vin Weber, a former Republican member of Congress, and the Democratic fund-raiser Tony Podesta — were

involved in orchestrating their firms’ day-to-day lobbying and public relations on the account.

The case has drawn intense interest in Washington, in part because of the prominence of the three main figures, each of whom has played high-profile roles in politics and lobbying. But it has also sent shock waves through the influence in-

dustry by underscoring a newly-aggressive legal crackdown on lobbyists and lawyers who do lucrative work representing foreign governments without registering as foreign agents.

The focus, by prosecutors, on precisely how the firms were paid for their work, highlights the ripple effects of the investigation by the special

counsel, Robert S. Mueller III. His team’s inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election spawned the investigation into unregistered foreign lobbying by the firms, which was referred to federal prosecutors in New York, the Times reported.

In recent weeks, persons who worked with the firms on the Ukraine efforts have been summoned

to Manhattan for day-long interviews with prosecutors and investigators, according to several persons familiar with the questioning. The individuals spoke under anonymity because of the sensitivity of the on-going investigation.

The interviews were run by prosecutors from the office of the United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York, with assistance from the F.B.I. and the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

Prosecutors from the Southern District are playing central roles in a number of investigations that have spun out of the special counsel’s work, including the escalating inquiry into President Trump’s inaugural committee. Questions have centered on what the firms’ officials knew about who was funding and directing their work, which occurred in 2012 and 2013, whether they intentionally misrepresented the source of the money and, if so, why.

The work was initially advertised as being directed by a Brussels-based nonprofit group, in the cases of Mercury and Podesta, and the Ukrainian Justice Ministry, in the case of Skadden Arps. But later, it was revealed that the direction for the nonprofit came from Ukraine’s ruling party and the funding for Skadden Arps’s work came from a Ukrainian oligarch.

Specifically, prosecutors have asked whether Mr. Weber may have had political motives to avoid registering as a foreign lobbyist. At the time of the lobbying, Mr. Weber was working as a top foreign policy adviser to the 2012 Republican presidential campaign of Mitt Romney. Mr. Romney’s sharply adversarial stance toward Russia was anathema to that of the Russia-aligned politician, Viktor F. Yanukovych, a longtime client of Mr. Manafort who was then president of Ukraine.

Mr. Manafort, who served as Mr. Trump’s campaign chairman, was convicted of some charges

brought by Mr. Mueller’s team and pleaded guilty to others related to his lucrative work on behalf of Mr. Yanukovych. As part of his plea deal, Mr. Manafort agreed to cooperate with federal investigations, as did his former deputy, Rick Gates, who also pleaded guilty to crimes related to their Ukrainian work. While Mr. Mueller’s team has accused Mr. Manafort of violating his deal, the New York prosecutors handling the inquiries into the work of Mercury, Podesta and Skadden Arps presented new information in recent weeks to witnesses, some of whom had been interviewed months earlier on the matter, according to sources familiar with the questioning.

Mr. Manafort had recruited Skadden Arps to write a report that he intended to use to allay Western human rights concerns about the Ukrainian government’s prosecution and jailing of a political rival of Mr. Yanukovych.

Mr. Manafort arranged for the firm to receive $4M funneled from an oligarch through a Cypriot account controlled by Mr. Manafort, according to government filings.

Initially, Mr. Yanukovych’s government claimed that it funded the report with a payment of about $12,000 in public funds, but the arrangement was deemed “highly suspicious” by the Kyiv Post, an influential English-language Ukrainian newspaper. In an op-ed, it cited “speculation that Skadden is being paid by someone on the side,” and urged the firm to come clean.

Mr. Manafort told Mr. Craig that the oligarch wanted his involvement to remain anonymous, according to emails cited in a settlement released last month between the firm and the Justice Department.

It showed that Skadden Arps declined to reveal the oligarch’s identity under questioning from the department soon after the report was published.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

PPP in move to stymie preparations for polls

A PPP-backed private citizen and pensioner by the name of Bibi Zeenatoun from Georgetown, has filed legal proceedings against the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to halt plans towards the conduct of house-to-house registration.

The proceedings were filed in High Court and will be represented by A. Nandlall & Associates, the law firm of Opposition Member of Parliament Anil Nandlall, as indicated in a release on Tuesday.

The actions come following the completion of a seven-day deadline set by Nandlall on behalf of GECOM Commissioner Robeson Benn for the Commission to cease preparations for houseto-house registration or face litigation. This letter was written to Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield and Carbon Copied to the GECOM Chairman Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson on April 2, 2019.

Meanwhile, in the legal papers, Zeenatoun stated that prior to her retirement in 2014 she worked in the United Kingdom (UK) as a teacher; acquired property there and now receives health benefits from the UK. She said that she frequents Guyana to help care for her grandchildren but will be absent from Guyana for a period of five months commencing at the end of May 2019 which means that she will miss the conduct of house-tohouse registration.

Zeenatoun says she

fears that she will be excluded from the proposed exercise and wants houseto-house registration; the creation of a new Official List of Electors and the exclusion of existing qualified registrants to be deemed “illegal, null, void”.

Advised by her lawyers, she also says that the Commission ought to engage in continuous registration even as she stated that no laws require proof of residency in Guyana as being an element of qualification for registration.

The pensioner also asked the court to grant a writ of prohibition; an injunction and a Conservatory Order to prevent GECOM and its affiliates from conducting the exercise.

However, government nominated Commissioners have long stated Nandlall’s legal threat, the most recent case brought against the Commission, is “causing tremendous waste of resources”.

On March 15, 2019, private criminal charges filed against Governmentnominated Commissioners by one Marcel Gaskin were dismissed at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court by Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan who deemed the charges as having no legal basis or merit.

Commissioner Vincent Alexander has stated that the new legal proceedings are no different as house-tohouse registration has not only occurred for years in Guyana but has previously been funded by the PPP Government.

“We can see that people are operating basi-

cally from the standpoint that there is no principle informing people’s behaviour now. It’s a matter of convenience and we’re making a joke of the constitution,” he had said.

Meanwhile, he indicated that the system of Claims and Objections provides the opportunity for anyone absent at the conduct of house-to-house registration but present in time for elections, to make

a claim to be placed on the list.

Similarly, GECOM Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Ward has stated that measures are in place to ensure that persons, though out of the country at the time of the registration exercise, are granted the opportunity to be placed on the list of registrants. “This houseto-house registration is generating a new national

register of registrants. So, once you are in place at the time of registration, you will be registered at your house but that doesn’t mean that because you’re not registered during this exercise that it doesn’t present any other opportunity for you to be registered. Our continuous claims and objections and registration exercises will continue but it’s just that the Commission has

made a decision to develop a whole new national register of registrants, which is the database, for a number of reasons which they’ve identified,” she said.

Ward had added that the commission’s current actions are in accordance with the majority decision the Commission made in February 2019 to continue with its 2019 work programme.

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Alleged arsonist to stand trial for Sophia murders

JUSTICE Navindra Singh is expected to commence the High Court trial into the murders of two ‘C’ Field, Sophia residents, who were killed when an arsonist set fire to their home in 2015.

Gavin Graham, 52, is currently on remand for the indictment, which alleged that on January 2, 2015, at Lot 6036 ‘C’ Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, he mur-

dered Towobola Abrams, 38, and her stepfather Clifford Sampson, 68, by setting their home afire.

Come April 24, 2019, a 12-member jury will be empanelled for the trial.

According to reports, Graham is the ex-lover of Towobola Abrams. On the day in question, it is alleged that Graham set Abrams’s Sophia home on fire and

made good his escape.

Sampson was trapped in the home and was burnt alive, while Abrams died at the Georgetown Public Hospital while receiving treatment for burns.

Graham, who was reportedly seen by neighbours at the scene, was later arrested with minor burns about his arms and other parts of his body.

Gavin Graham

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Miner remanded for ganja possession

GREGORY Nickels, a 32-year-old miner, was on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, remanded to prison by Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for having marijuana in his possession.

Nickels, who resides at Lot 5 Durban Street, Wortmanville, denied the allegation which stated that on April 13, 2019, at the said location, he had approximately 182 grammes of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

His lawyer Damion DaSilva told the court that the alleged narcotic was not found on his client, but in a place Nickels, as he made that five other occupants were also sharing. his appearance at court During his plea with the magistrate for reasonable bail to be granted, he emphasised the fact that his client is not a flight risk and is willing to abide by any conditions the court sees fit to impose.

However, Prosecutor Dinero Jones objected to bail being granted since his information indicates that Nickels was the sole occupant of the house. The prosecution is contending that on the day in question, ranks acted upon information and went to the said location where they conducted a search in the presence of the accused.

It was during this search that a plastic bag was found in the toilet of the house with the suspected cannabis.

The defendant was told of the offence and taken into custody; he was later charged.

After listening to the prosecutor and defence counsel, the magistrate remanded Gregory to prison until his next court appearance on April 26, 2019.

Mother of four remanded for wounding policewoman A MOTHER of four was on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, remanded to prison by Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus for allegedly wounding a policewoman with a broken bottle.

Natasha Henry, 23, of Long Hill, Baramita, North West District (NWD), was arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was not required to plead to the charge.

Particulars of the charge state that on April 11, 2019, at Baramita, NWD, Henry unlawfully and maliciously wounded policewoman Princess Bentinck.

Police Prosecutor Adduni Inniss objected Natasha Henry to Henry being bailed and informed the court that the victim’s injuries might be life-threatening.

The prosecutor is contending that on the day in question, Henry went to a bar at Baramita and confronted Bentinck, who was off-duty, demanding to know the whereabouts of a man.

Inniss told the court that Henry became annoyed when the victim ignored her and pushed all the beer bottles off from the table at which Bentinck was sitting.

Henry then reportedly armed herself with a broken bottle and confronted Bentick, who got up and was about to leave; she was then again confronted by Henry, who by then had armed herself with another bottle.

According to the prosecutor, Henry allegedly stabbed Bentick several times to her leg, resulting in the victim receiving 24 stitches.

Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded Henry to prison.

The matter has been transferred to the Mathews Ridge Magistrate’s Court for May 7, 2019.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Masquerade to become part of tourism product

MEMBERS of various masquerade bands across Guyana on Tuesday participated in a consultation session hosted by the Ministry of Tourism aimed at incorporating the art form into this country’s cultural tourism product.

The session, spearheaded by the ministry’s Department of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) was hosted at the Moray Trust House.

It also saw representation from various creative arts experts such as Barrington Braithwaite and Margaret Lawrence who, along with others present, expressed their concerns and desires on the topic.

Tourism Department Director-General, Donald Sinclair, explained that the initiative was birthed following the request of Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, for greater emphasis to be placed on masquerade as a form of tourism.

Some of the topics covered at the event included masquerade practices worldwide; what the masquerade tradition has lost or evolved into over the years; and what needs to be done to reinvent the tradition.

The attendees also lengthily discussed the possibility of masquerade as a tourism product. Sinclair said while it is understandable that all traditions change, the GTA wants masqueraders and other stakeholders to speak up about the negative changes causing the tradition to be either unrecognisable or of little value.

As the discussions kicked off, director of the National School of Dance, Linda Griffith, stated that she believed that some masqueraders in Guyana have lost their technique and art of masquerade music.

She suggested that youngsters in the practice must be better taught how to perform the nine masquerade steps; how to dress; and how to play masquerade music.

“Those are areas that we really need to look at and work on and if we do we can really take it to a higher level,” she stressed.

Musicians Andrea Mentore and Derry Etkins also expressed concerns with the masquerade music being played today.

Etkins suggested that those who play the instruments must be taught to refine the art of playing

Today, the masquerade “street phenomenon” is widely practised in the Caribbean, Africa and other parts of the world.

Masqueraders are often dressed in colourful outfits and come in different ages from the very young to the very old.

The practice originated in West Africa with derivations from the Egungun of the Yoruba masquerades and the Kalabari tradition from the rivers states of Nigeria.

Tourism Department Director General, Donald Sinclair masquerade music and know the unique grooves involved.

INVESTMENT Meanwhile, Mentore wants to see investment in masquerade music which will enable the genre to be recorded and preserved for future generations.

She also spoke against the use of synthetic drums in the place of traditional skin drums, the latter which provide a unique sound.

Meanwhile, Wilfred Gomes from the village of Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, spoke to the need of a revival of masquerade chants as Guyanese Africans did in the past.

Speaking on the art of flouncing, the tourism director-general stated that some of the concerns gathered include flouncing has become a begging ritual; is generally viewed an inconvenience; minimal dance steps; costumes and musical instruments are being used; and traditional figures are absent.

Sinclair explained that following the consultations, government agencies involved will propose the most viable solutions which will aid in the sustainability of the masquerade culture.

“Arising from this consultation we hope to have a series of recommendations as to how we can make the masquerade a part of the cultural tourism product.

Those recommendations will be discussed at the level of the tourism authorities,” he said, adding that both the Ministry of Business and Social Cohesion will be involved.

Sinclair said the recommendations will be used to plan the government’s next steps such as placing new items within the next budget or into the work plan of the ministries in question.

Members of various masquerade bands across Guyana and other stateholders attend the masquerade consultation at the Moray Trust House on Tuesday (Delano Williams photo)

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Improper garbage disposal, littering high in the city business districts

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

… City mayor, PSC execs find in Regent St walkabout Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine and Town Clerk (ag) Sharon Harry (fourth and fifth from left) examine the brazen act of improper garbage disposal on the roadside of the Regent and Alexander Street intersection. (Samuel Maughn photo) A large contingent from the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and the Private Sector Commission (PSC), on Tuesday, paid random visits to businesses in Georgetown to ascertain whether they were adhering to proper garbage disposal measures.

The visit, led by Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine; Town Clerk (ag) Sharon Harry; PSC Chairman Desmond Sears and PSC Executive, Captain Gerry Gouveia, took place along Regent Street and its intersecting streets.

The team of officials showed up impromptu at serval businesses which gave explanations regarding their garbage disposal habits while the team also noted garbage pile up in drains and alleyways.

Stopping near a large pile of garbage on the roadside of the Regent and Alexander Street intersection, the contingent received the explanation from the adjacent business owner that the items were not all his.

He said that it was a compilation of others who sought to place their garbage on the roadside and is also a result of his bins which had begun to overflow due to inconsistent garbage collection methods.

The point was raised that while the Council seeks to rectify financial and logistic issues, businesses must take up greater responsibility.

It was stated that, in unfortunate situations, rather than choosing littering and roadside discarding of garbage, businesses can pay a small fee to private companies to have their garbage disposed of.

However, it was acknowledged that the corrective measures ought not to be placed solely only on shoulders of the M&CC. “Citizens have to help; the private sec-

tor has to help; the businesses on Regent Street and all across the city have to help,” he stated.

“We, as the Private Sector, we need to reach out to our members and plead with them to help [the M&CC].”

Gouveia pointed out that some of the remarks received from businesses related to the inconsistency of the garbage collection system of the M&CC. In response, Town Clerk (ag) Sharon Harry stated that the challenges were partly related to the Council’s financial situation, but it will be working to ensure that it played its role, consistently, for a clean city in return.

“We do have financial challenges at the Council and we do have some amount of logistics [challenges]. That is why we would have reached out to the Private Sector Commission so that we can work collaboratively to have some methodology in place to have the garbage picked up and to ensure we maintain a clean city,” she explained.

Meanwhile, the PSC Chairman agreed that collaboration is necessary to rectify the situation but he also spoke to the need for a re-valuation of properties in the area as some businesses have increased the floor levels of their buildings but are still paying the initial taxes.

Just recently, the M&CC had announced that over 140 business proprietors in Georgetown owed taxes and that was causing a strain on the City Council to finance services such as garbage collection.

Brainstorming along the walkabout, the team agreed that an arrangement can be developed for businesses to periodically produce a “garbage strategy” which would outline See page 29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

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Improper garbage disposal, littering high ...

From page 28

The inspection of one of many drains along the way (Samuel Maughn photo) Private Sector Commission (PSC) Executive, Captain Gerry Gouveia and Solid Waste Management Director, Walter Narine interact with a Chinese business owner on Wellington Street, Georgetown (Samuel Maughn photo) how they intend to manage their waste.

Agreeing that such a strategy is needed was Deputy Mayor, Alfred Mentore who stated that a policy should be created which would bar businesses from receiving their license if such a “garbage strategy” was non-compliant with the Council’s standards.

The stakeholders also agreed that the language barrier for Chinese businesses was still a challenge which will see the team reaching out to the Chinese Ambassador for assistance.

“We will present the challenge to him,” Gouveia said.

“We have a lot of Chinese in the city doing business that don’t even speak English and so when we try to talk to them about garbage disposal and collection we’re having a difficulty communicating with them.”

STRATEGISING Meanwhile, the Mayor committed that members of the Council will be meeting with businesses in the area “block by block” to strategise a way forward.

“We don’t want to send pressure on the business sector or the businesses, but we will see if we can work block by block so that they can come together and give us something [financial] for the pickup up of garbage,” he said.

He added that the Pri-

vate Sector Commission has given its full commitment to working along with the Council to keep businesses in line which he believes represents the active leadership which is needed.

“I will not sit down in the Mayor’s chair and shield my Administration. The Engineer Department needs to come out more and be able to give reports on these things and we must get the place clean. I will be on their shoulders and I know Madam Town Clerk, as well, will not pressure but will send little memos so that things can happen very fast in the city. We do not need to sit in office and be there in a chair, we need to come out and listen to the people and work for the people of the city,” Narine said.

Wrapping up the engagement, Gouveia indicated the need for other bodies like the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) to come on board as many businesses, visited on Tuesday, are members of the GCCI. He suggested that through widened collaboration, a town hall meeting can be hosted with businesses to inform them of their legal duties.

Gouveia said that it must be noted that some of the businesses visited demonstrated good garbage disposal strategies and are examples for other businesses in err to take note of.

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Guyana’s 21-strong CARIFTA Games contingent off to Cayman Islands

A 21-MEMBER squad has departed Guyana’s shores for the Cayman Islands where the athletes will compete at the CARIFTA Games from Saturday to Monday (April 20-22) for top honours and medals.

The athletes, who are accompanied by three coaches, left Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at approximately 05:45hrs today, with a stopover in Miami before heading to the Cayman Islands.

Just a few days ago, there were two changes to the original list as 100m sprinter Osrick Pellew picked up an injury in training and was replaced

by Wesley Tyndall while middle distance athlete Sheama Tyrell made the final list as well.

Meanwhile, AAG president Aubrey Hutson is optimistic of the team’s chances; “We are looking for many medals, I am hoping that one of these athletes can set

a new record. We have an athlete in the javelin throw, Anisha Gibbons, and we are hoping that she can set a new CARIFTA record. I wish them a safe journey and hope they do their best.”

The coaches who accompanied the contingent were Julian Edmonds and Raymond Daw while coach Moses Pantlitz has funded his own trip to accompany his athletes.

The locally based athletes qualified for the games after three separate weekends of high-quality competition, while an additional three overseas-based athletes also secured qualification standards for the Games.

Among the locally based female athletes who have qualified for the Games is young sprinter Deshana Skeete who qualified in the 200m event while jumper Princess Browne (triple jump) and middle distance star Shaquka Tyrell (800m, 1500m) also met AAG’s qualifying standards.

The Cayman Islands will host the 48th edition of the premier Regional track and field event. This will be the third time, after doing so for the first time in 1995 then more recently in 2010. The Games will run from April 20 to April 22.

BELOW IS THE FULL LIST OF GUYANESE ATHLETES: Locally based athletes Females Sheama Tyrell - Christianburg/Wismar SS (middle distance) Brianna Charles – Running Brave (100m) Deshana Skeete – Christianburg/Wismar SS (200m) Keliza Smith – Running Brave (400m) Adriel Austin – Running Brave (800m) Shaquka Tyrell – Christianburg/Wismar SS (800m, 1500m) Princess Browne – Running Brave (triple jump)

Jahaziah Copeland – Upper Dem (shot put) Anisha Gibbons – Ruralites (javelin) Males Wesley Tyndall – Ruralite (100m) Loneil Marks – Hopetown Flames (100, 200m) Osa Blair – Police (100m) Daniel Williams – Upper Demerara (200m) Cordell Charles – Super Upcoming Runners (1500m) Daniel Melville – Police (800m) Matthew Gordon – Hopetown Flames (3000m) Melon Lowenfield – GDF (high jump) Tremaine Browne – Christianburg/Wismar SS (long jump) Overseas-based athletes Claudrice McKoy (800m, 1500m) Chantoba Bright (long jump, triple jump) Joanna Archer (800m, 3000m).

Guyana to know opponents for National U-19 ladies CONCACAF Olympic Qualifiers today go into action today in GUYANA will know their oppositions for the preliminary rounds of the CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship today, when the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) announces the Schedule for the championships which will be held from July 17 to 21.

While Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is yet to make public its plans for the Olympic Qualifiers, Guyana will be joined by Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and U.S. Virgin Islands in the 16-team tournament.

After round-robin play, the group winners will advance to a final play-in match (1A v 1D and 1B v 1C). The winner in each play-in match will qualify for the CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship.

In Central America, qualifying will be held in three individual home-and-away series, with the three series winners advancing to the CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship.

The matchups - 1 v 6, 2 v 5 and 3 v 4 – will be determined via the FIFA World Ranking of March 31, 2019. The matches will take place the first 3 weeks of July.

The six participating teams in Central America are (in order by ranking): Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, Nicaragua and Guatemala.

The format, host country and dates for the CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifiers will be announced at a later date. Mexico, Canada and the United States are set to participate as the North American representatives.

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Regional tournament

THE National Female Under-19 team which departed Guyana, yesterday, from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport for Trinidad & Tobago, will head into action today in the hope of restoring their former glory as champions of the Female Under-19 Invitational Regional title, which they last won in 2017.

The team comprises a number of talented and promising players and will be managed by Tremayne Smartt and coached by CWI Level 3 coach Bharat Mangru.

The tournament begins today and Guyana will play two T20 matches. Their first match will be played against Canada, commencing at 09:30hrs at the Gilbert Park then at 14:30hrs, they will face hosts Trinidad & Tobago at the NCC ground.

Tomorrow, they will take on the Windward Islands at the Gilbert Park from 09:30hrs then face Barbados in the afternoon, at the same venue.

The teams will benefit from free development sessions by the CWI on Friday 19th at the Metro Hotel.

Action continues on Saturday with the first match of the day being Guyana versus Jamaica from 09:30hrs. The semi-finals will take place during the afternoon, while the final will be played on Sunday.

The GCB wishes the team all the best in the invitational tournament and anticipates the team being rewarded for their dedication and hard work leading up both to and during the tournament.

The team is as follows: Shabika Gajnabi (captain), Mandy Mangru (vice-captain), Cherry Ann Fraser, Sarah Amin, Omadevi Matadin, Afruica Gentle, Shemkia Edwards, Niveena Ramnauth, Bibi Ameera Adram, Lafona Gilgeous, Annalisa D’Aguiar, Lisa Charles, Ashmini Munisar and Casey Charles.

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36

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Warriors lose 31-point lead, Cousins as Clippers rally LANDRY Shamet buried a go-ahead 3-pointer with 16.5 seconds remaining, capping a historic rally from a 31-point deficit Monday night and delivering to Los Angeles Clippers a shocking, 135-131 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series in Oakland, Calif.

With the series tied at 1-1, the best-of-7 heads south to Los Angeles for Game 3 tomorrow night, with Game 4 also set for the Staples Center on Sunday.

The deficit the Clippers overcame was the largest ever in NBA playoff history, surpassing Los Angeles Lakers’ rally from a 29-point hole against the Seattle SuperSonics on May 14, 1989.

In addition to the first defeat in their past eight playoff games, Warriors lost centre DeMarcus Cousins to a potentially serious left quad injury in the first quarter.

The team fears that it’s a torn quad but Cousins, who was playing in just the second playoff game of his career, was scheduled for an MRI exam yesterday.

Riding a late flurry by Stephen Curry in the second quarter and 9-for-9 shooting to open the third period, Golden State ran up a 94-63 lead and appeared well on their way to going up 2-0 after a 121-104 win in the series opener on Saturday.

However, Clippers rallied behind Lou Williams, first using a franchise-record 44 points in the third quarter to get within 10894 then with relentless offensive pressure to put themselves in a position to win in the final seconds.

Williams finished with a game-high 36 points, including a clutch jumper over Klay Thompson with 46 seconds remaining after Curry had put Golden State up 131-128 on a 3-pointer 12.1 seconds earlier.

After Thompson misfired on a 3-point attempt at the other end, Shamet converted a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander assist into what turned out to be the game-winning hoop.

Down by two, Warriors went for the win, but Curry could not connect on a 3-point try, after which Montrezl Harrell calmly dropped in two free throws for the final margin of victory.

Williams’ point total came on 13-for-22 shooting and 8-for-10 from the free-throw line, the latter helping Clippers cut into a 40-25 Warriors advantage in points from the line in the tightly officiated game.

Los Angeles’ Patrick Beverley and Golden State’s Kevin Durant, both ejected from Game 1 after a pair of double-technical fouls, each fouled out.

Harrell backed Williams with 25 points to complement a gamehigh 10 rebounds for Clippers,

Golden State Warriors centre DeMarcus Cousins (0) walks off the court after an injury against LA Clippers during the first quarter in game two of the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. (Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports - Field Level Media)

who shot 56.5 percent from the field.

Danilo Gallinari (24 points), JaMychal Green (13), Shamet (12) and Beverley (10) also scored in double figures for Clippers. Los Angeles likewise dropped Game 1 to the Warriors in the teams’ 2014 first-round playoff meeting before Clippers won Game 2 and ultimately took the series in seven games.

Curry had 29 points for Warriors, including 11 in the final 2:43 of the first half, during which Golden State extended a 13-point lead to 73-50 by halftime.

Durant finished with 21 points, Kevon Looney 19, Thompson 17, Draymond Green 14 and Quinn Cook 11 for the Warriors, who had won 20 of their previous 21 playoff games at home.

The Warriors lost despite shooting 53.3 percent from the field.

Wins for Linden Technical Institute and New Silvercity Secondary

NEW Silvercity Secondary School rebounded from their opening loss to keep their chances alive with a 31-14 victory, while Linden Technical Institute (LTI) began their quest with a 33-28 win when the Linden Town Council’s Schools basketball championship continued on Monday at the Mackenzie High School hard court.

Led by Delroy Belle who top scored with 18 points, New Silvercity Secondary (NSS) took control near the end of the first half at 17-9 before winning easily 31-14.

In the other game, LTI, after leading by a slim 15-14 score at the break ran out winners 33-28 behind Stephon Duncan’s 18 points, while for Linden Foundation Secondary (LFS), Emmanuel Larose was held to five points.

The final group stage matches are to be played next Monday with Wisburg Secondary facing Christianburg Secondary in one game and LTI challenging Mackenzie High to decide the semifinals.

The two-group championship has LTI, LFS and Mackenzie High in one group, while the other group comprises Christianburg/Wismar Secondary, NSS and Wisburg Secondary.

Uncapped Jayed, recalled Mosaddek in Bangladesh World Cup squad

By Ruma Paul DHAKA, Bangladesh (Reuters) - Rookie swing bowler Abu Jayed earned a spot in Bangladesh’s World Cup squad yesterday while batsman Mosaddek Hossain also made the cut for the showpiece tournament in England and Wales.

Right-arm paceman Jayed, who has played five tests but has yet to debut in ODIs, was picked for his ability to swing the ball as he demonstrated in the twoTest series in New Zealand.

“In New Zealand, we saw that he could swing the ball.

His bowling can be effective in English conditions,” chief selector Minhajul Abedin told reporters in Mirpur after naming the 15-member squad led by all-rounder Mashrafe Mortaza.

Jayed’s selection came at the expense of fellow paceman Taskin Ahmed, who missed the Zealand tour with an ankle injury.

“Taskin played his last ODI in October 2017 and it’s been a long break for him,” Minhajul said.

Mosaddek, who last played

for Bangladesh in the Asia Cup in September, returned as a back-up all-round option as Mahmudullah nurses a shoulder injury.

Rookie swing bowler Abu Jayed has earned a spot in Bangladesh’s World Cup squad.

“We have some injury concerns for Mahmudullah.

Most probably he will not be able to bowl. That’s why we have considered Mosaddek as a back-up,” Minhajul said.

“He can bowl off-spin

which can be a great asset for us in an event like World Cup.” Apart from Mahmudullah, the two pacers, Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain, were also named in the squad despite injury concerns.

Mustafizur has not fully recovered from an ankle problem, while Rubel is nursing a side strain.

All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been named Mortaza’s deputy while Mushfiqur Rahim is the wicketkeeper.

Bangladesh begin their campaign against South Africa at the Oval in London on June 2.

New Zealand, Australia and India have already announced their squads and others must follow suit by April 23. Injury replacements can be named until May 23.

Squad: Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan (vice-captain), Mohammad Mithun, Sabbir Rahaman, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Jayed.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

37

RHTY&SC 29th Award Ceremony

Hand-in-Hand, Parliament Office, PPDI, Bissan’s Trading and Len’s Craft on board PLANS for the successful hosting of the 29th annual Award Ceremony of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation continues to be on track despite a forced delay due to matters beyond the effort of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC).

The Club would now be hosting a smaller version of the Award Ceremony on Sunday, May 12, 2019, at its head office, where $2M worth of trophies, medals, framed certificates, prizes and gifts would be shared out instead of the usual $3M. The club recently received a major boost for the ceremony with donations from Harper’s Sports, Len’s Craft, Ronald Williams, Power Producers and Distributors Inc., Hand-in-Hand Insurance Company and Parliament Office.

Club secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, along with Asst secretary Simon Naidu, is spearheading the preparation for the event which would involve the honouring of 80 club members, retired teachers, outstanding

teachers and students, Law Enforcement Officers and medical personnel.

F o r m e r We s t I n d i e s vice-captain Roger Harper donated a pair of batting gloves as a prize while former Cricket Administrator Ronald Williams of Apex Insurance Brokers donated a trophy, a collection of gifts and a large amount of cricket magazines.

Businessman Bissoondyal Singh of Bissan’s Trading handed over 14 cosmetics hampers while CEO of Len’s Craft, Allistair Parris handed over funds for a bicycle. Long-time sponsor Hand-in-Hand Insurance Company contributed six trophies including those for the Most Committed Player and Most Committed Member.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, and the Parliament Office donated the two trophies for the Cricketer-of-the-Year and Runner-up Cricketer-ofthe-Year Awards along with a large number of medals.

The Management of Power Producers and Distribution

Mr Howard Cox of Hand-in-Hand hands over trophies to CEO Hilbert Foster.

Inc. handed over a carton of trophies valued at $75 000.

Foster stated that the main objectives of the Club’s Award Ceremony are to recognise heroes, to inspire better performances on the cricket field, to provide positive role models

SA face tough Amla call for World Cup SOUTH Africa’s selectors will reveal tomorrow whether veteran batsman Hashim Amla will be part of the country’s squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Amla, 36, is one of the game’s all-time great one-day international players but his recent form has been poor, while increasing age has meant that he has slowed down in the field.

He showed signs of promise for the Cobras on Sunday with an innings of 32, his joint-highest score in any form of cricket since a one-day series against Pakistan in January.

In his past 50 international innings across all formats, stretching back to October 2017, Amla has scored just one century.

It’s the first prolonged run-

Veteran Hashim Amla is in danger of being dropped as South Africa selectors prepare to name their squad for the World Cup. Amla scored only 51 runs in four innings in South Africa’s shock Test series loss against Sri Lanka earlier this year and did not play in the first three one-day internationals against the tourists, although Cricket South Africa stressed he had not been dropped.

He was due to play the final two one-day games against Sri Lanka but withdrew because his father was seriously ill.

After more than a month out of cricket, Amla returned for the Cape Cobras franchise in a domestic Twenty20 competition in early April but his first three matches yielded only 28 runs.

drought of Amla’s stellar career, particularly in ODI cricket, where he holds the record as the fastest batsman to every 1 000-run milestone between 2 000 and 7 000 and is on track to be the fastest to 8 000 as well.

For all of Virat Kohli’s dominance of ODI cricket, Amla has made a habit of chasing down the Indian maestro to each 1000-run milestone; Kohli was the fastest to 5 000, 6 000 and 7 000 runs before Amla got there faster than he.

With captain Faf du Plessis, Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller and JP Duminy all seemingly certain of selection, there is probably room

for only two more top-order batsmen in a 15-man squad.

Amla’s rivals for a spot, Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks, have both been in good form recently, with Hendricks named man-of-the-series in the recent Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka after a poor one-day series had seemingly scuttled his chances.

Markram and Hendricks are also outstanding fielders.

The other big debate ahead of the squad announcement is the identity of a back-up fast bowler to the likely trio of Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn and Lungi Ngidi.

Newcomer Anrich Nortje was impressive in the one-day series against Sri Lanka and although he was forced to withdraw from the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a shoulder injury, he is expected to be fit for the World Cup. While he has not played in a one-day international since February last year, Chris Morris has been picked by several experts in their preferred World Cup squads because he can bowl at more than 140 kph and is a hard-hitting lower-order batsman.

Three wickets for the Delhi Capitals against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday took his total to 11 in six matches in this year’s IPL. Andile Phehlukwayo and Dwaine Pretorius are likely to be picked as all-rounders, while Imran Tahir and Tabraiz Shamsi are South Africa’s probable spin bowlers.

It is unlikely that a back-up wicketkeeper to de Kock will be chosen, with Miller seemingly being groomed as an emergency gloveman.

to younger members and to maintain the RHTY&SC as Guyana’s best.

Members like Clinton Pestano, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Kevin Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Jonathan Rampersaud. Matthew Pottaya, Shabiki Gajnabi, Junior Sinclair and Sheneta Grimmond will be among the awardees.

The members of the Rose Hall Town Bakewell Second Division Team will be specially honoured during the ceremony along with four doctors and nine nurses of the Port Mourant Public Hospital.

Additionally, RHTY&SC would also be making donations to several organisations including Berbice Cricket Board, Upper Corentyne Cricket Association and several cricket clubs.

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

East Coast Zone-- Guinness Greatest of the Streets

Uprising dethroned, new champs to be decided on Easter Monday NEW champions will be crowned in the East Coast Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ on Easter Monday after last year’s winners, Uprising, could not find the winning formula and were knocked out at the round-robin stage.

In front of a full house at the Haslington Market Tarmac, Uprising failed to win a single game in the round-robin stage on Saturday night, losing to Belfield Warriors and Paradise A, respectively, to make an unflattering exit from the tournament.

However, the former champions have a shot at redemption

in the Plate Competition which will see teams battling it out for $60,000 plus a trophy.

Belfield Warriors beat

them 1-0 from the penalty spot after both sides failed to find the back of the net in regulation time.

Uprising were then nee-

dled by Paradise A, who are crowd favourites.

Paradise A will now face Liliendaal Hustlers, who beat BV A to seal

their semi-final spot.

Meanwhile, Melanie B will face Victoria Church Yard with a place in the final at stake.

Action in the East Coast Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’.

FULL RESULTS OF THE ROUND-ROBIN STAGE: Round-1 ○ Melanie B vs Liliendaal Hustlers 1-0 ○ BV A vs Buxton Diamond 1-0 ○ Paradise A vs Victoria Church Yard 1-0 ○ Uprising vs Belfield Warriors 0-0 ○ Belfield won 1-0 on penalty kicks Round-2 ○ Buxton Diamond vs Melanie-B 0-0 ○ Melanie B won 1-0 on penalty kicks ○ Liliendaal Hustlers vs BV ‘A’ 3-0 ○ Victoria Church Yard vs Belfield Warriors 1-0 ○ Paradise A vs Uprising 1-0

Archer issues reminder ahead of Majority of clubs in North Essequibo support an England WC squad announcement today MOHALI, India (CMC) – the hosts in a strong position impartial Ombudsman Barbadian fast bowler Jofra on 152 for three at the death.

THE majority of clubs affiliated to the North Essequibo Cricket Committee (NECC) wish to categorically dissociate themselves from the recent public statements made by president of the committee, Mr Prince Holder.

Reference is made to his letter dated 2019-04-13 in the Kaieteur newspaper under the caption ‘Minister Norton is right in appointing the Ombudsman’. It is the firm conviction that Mr. Holder penned his letter expressing his own opinion in relation to the Minister’s appointment of Mr Stephen Lewis as Cricket Ombudsman.

The members, however, have noted this with disapproval, following his claim that the North Essequibo Cricket Committee is in support of the appointment when it fact it is the contrary. It must be clearly known that at no time were the members consulted on this issue neither were statutory meetings kept for the past two years as mandated by the constitution.

In addition, the life of the NECC has expired and therefore Mr Holder should not impose himself as president and make pronouncements on behalf of the committee. Given the current status of the NECC, the majority of clubs were forced to form themselves into a semi-functional body to organise competitions at their own expense, since none existed for the past year - a position that remains unacceptable.

The members are therefore acutely aware of the crises surrounding the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and which have also affected the local area committees. In view of this and the welcome intervention by the Courts to order new elections for the GCB, the majority of clubs fully support the process including the appointment of an impartial Ombudsman who is acceptable and without any affiliation to the current impasse.

The members therefore wish to publicly appeal to Minister Dr George Norton to swiftly rescind the appointment, in the interest of transparency and the public good so as to preserve the credibility of the national sport.

Yours faithfully, Sparwin Sports Club Devonshire Sports Club Walton Hall Sports Club Ravens Sports Club Lima United Sports Club Young Warriors Sports Club Charity Sports Club Sparta Youth and Sports Club

Archer sent one final reminder of his extraordinary talent to selectors ahead of England’s World Cup squad announcement today, but it came in a losing cause as Rajasthan Royals went down by 12 runs to Chris Gayle’s Kings XI Punjab.

Playing at the IS Bindra Stadium here yesterday, 22-year-old Archer bowled superbly to capture three for 15 from his four overs, to help limit Kings XI to 182 for six off their 20 overs.

Opener Lokesh Rahul topscored with 52 and South African David Miller got 40, while veteran Gayle hammered 30 and Mayank Agarwal, 26.

Barbadian fast bowler Jofra Archer

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Gayle smashed two fours and three sixes in his 22-ball knock, dominating an opening stand of 38 with Rahul.

However, the West Indies superstar never really got the measure of Archer and nicked a catch behind off the England hopeful in the sixth over, after being squared up by one that left him.

Kings XI flourished through an 85-run, third-wicket stand between Rahul and Miller, which put

But after Rahul perished in the 18th over, Archer returned to remove West Indies left-hander Nicholas Pooran for five and Mandeep Singh without scoring in the following over, as Kings lost four wickets for 12 runs in quick time.

In reply, opener Rahul Tripathi top-scored with a patient 50 off 45 balls but got no support as Sanju Samson (27), captain Ajinkya Rahane (26) and England’s Jos Buttler (23) all got starts but failed to kick on.

Veteran Stuart Binny arrived late to lash an 11-ball unbeaten 33 but the effort came a little too late to save Royals.

With their fifth win, Kings XI moved into fourth spot on 10 points while Royals’ sixth defeat left them one from bottom on four points.

Archer, a former West Indies Under-19, is widely expected to be named in England’s World Cup squad after qualifying to represent the World number one side through his father who holds a UK passport.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 17, 2019

39

BCA chief Riley lashes out at CWI over Pybus, Browne axing

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Outspoken Cricket West Indies (CWI) director, Conde Riley, has slammed the regional governing body’s decision to axe the entire coaching staff of the men’s senior side ahead of the World Cup, and has warned that the sweeping personnel changes announced last week could “destabilise the whole process” heading into the ICC showpiece next month.

In a controversial radio interview here which revealed fractures within the CWI directorate, Riley said while new CWI president Ricky Skerritt was free to implement changes, he was not in support of making them so close to a major tournament and especially after West Indies’ outstanding results against England in the recent home series.

CWI last week removed interim head coach Richard

Pybus and his support staff of Vasbert Drakes, Toby Radford and Esaun Crandon.

Former West Indies batsman Floyd Reifer was named to replace Pybus, while Roddy Estwick, Corey Collymore and Rayon Griffith will serve as assistant coaches.

“It is not about the termination of Vasbert Drakes so much, but more importantly where the team is at this time, having reclaimed the Wisden Trophy. England are number one in ODI cricket and we tied with them,” Riley told Observer Radio here in a telephone interview.

“My own feelings are that the timing is off. I felt we should have gone off to the World Cup (without changing the coaches). I think the players were in a good space, Mr Pybus’s appointment was interim … we had put a succession planning system

in place where we interviewed nine regional coaches and short-listed five and those were the people that we would look to, to take the team forward.”

Pybus was a controversial appointment last January, with CWI director Enoch Lewis publicly accusing former CWI president Dave Cameron of “hand-picking” the Englishman for the position without consulting the board.

However, Pybus then oversaw West Indies’ shock 2-1 over England in the three-Test series last February and then guided the Caribbean side to a 2-2 draw in the five-match ODI series.

Skerritt, who toppled threeterm incumbent Cameron at CWI elections last month, had warned prior to his assuming the top post that he was not in favour of the manner in which Pybus had been appointed.

New president Skerritt hails ‘vibe’ in Windies training camp BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Ricky Skerritt has hailed the enthusiasm in West Indies training camp, which got underway here Monday at 3W’s Oval.

Skerritt, along with chief executive Johnny Grave and director of cricket, Jimmy Adams, visited the camp at UWI Cave Hill where the one-day squad for the Ireland Tri-Nations Series began their preparation.

After addressing players and members of the coaching staff in a brief talk, Skerritt said he was pleased with the “vibe” resonating throughout the group.

“We are in transit to Jamaica to conduct some

important business, and we felt it was important to come and spend a few hours to connect with the players and wish them well for the remainder of the camp and the tour ahead,” Skerritt said.

“We are impressed with the vibe we got from everyone. There was a bit of a setback with the rain, but they were able to use the indoor facility and it would seem that they have gotten off to a very positive start.”

While the persistent rain restricted players mostly to the indoor nets, new interim head coach Floyd Reifer still managed to oversee three hours of preparatory work in the afternoon.

Key players like batsman Shai Hope, along with

CWI president Ricky Skerritt engages the attention of West Indies fast bowlers Kemar Roach (left) and Shannon Gabriel during Monday’s day one of the training camp at 3W’s Oval. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

seamers Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach, all took part on day one of the camp.

They were named last week in a 14-man squad for the Tri-Nations Series in Dublin which involves Bangladesh, and runs from May 3 to 17.

The series will be the final one for the Caribbean side before they open their campaign in the ICC 50-over World Cup in England from May 30 to July 14.

Reifer, who last week replaced Englishman Richard Pybus in charge of the squad, said the response from players had been excellent.

“It’s been very good. The players worked very hard.

Everyone was very supportive and they gave 120 per cent, so we are looking forward to the remainder of the camp,” said the former Barbados and West Indies batsman.

“We have our strengths and our weaknesses. We will focus more on the fielding and improving the skill-set and mindset of the players.”

During the camp, Reifer said he hoped to get the unit back playing their unique brand of West Indies cricket.

“We don’t want to play like the Australians or the English or South Africans,” he pointed out. “We want to regain our brand of playing cricket. That’s what we want to achieve over the next few days.”

Riley, whose BCA publicly supported Cameron during the recent election campaign and snubbed an offer from Skerritt to address the local governing body, also hinted that Test and ODI captain Jason Holder was not in favour of the coaching changes.

“I got the impression that he (Holder) was not for it,” said Riley, who only recently pledged his support to Skerritt.

“He probably wanted to keep everything in place and you would know … that to change a whole coaching staff, impose a new selection panel and so on, it could destabilise the whole process going into a World Cup. “I have no difficulty with the president going in a new direction but my problem was the timing. I know that the captain was saying ‘leave it as it is and let’s go down to

July after we go to the World Cup and India come to the Caribbean’ but you know how it is.”

Riley added: “To destabilise a team … when many Caribbean people thought we had no chance against England … but this young team defied the odds. My position is and I will stand by my position and my board that this is wrong – the timing is wrong – and if the captain asked to leave the status quo as is, then I think (that’s what should have been done).

“Yes, president Skerritt has the right, he’s the president, but just let it follow the process that we had in place before, where we would have the interim head coach and his staff, selection panel and then after the World Cup and India, we could move on.”

Last January in a heated radio interview in Barbados,

Conde Riley

Riley famously clashed with Lewis over Pybus’s appointment. In defending Cameron then, Riley contended Pybus’s appointment had been ratified by a majority vote of the CWI board while Lewis claimed process had not been followed.

CWI also last week replaced chairman of selectors, Courtney Browne and his panel, appointing Robert Haynes as interim chairman with director of cricket, Jimmy Adams, and Reifer also serving as selectors.

Riley criticised that decision too, arguing Haynes was not in a position to properly execute the role.

“How could Robert Haynes (be named chairman of selectors) – I have nothing against him, I know the man well – but he’s not been watching cricket,” Riley argued.

Barca reach semis with Messi exhibition against United

By Richard Martin BARCELONA, Spain (Reuters) - Lionel Messi produced another masterful Champions League performance to knock out Manchester United and fire Barcelona into the semi-finals for the first time in four years, scoring twice in a 3-0 home win yesterday.

Barca, who toyed with United for the majority of the encounter, sealed a 4-0 aggregate victory and will meet either Porto or Liverpool in the last four.

Philippe Coutinho finished off a therapeutic win for the Catalans, after three quarter-final failures in a row, by curling into the top corner in the second half.

“This was a spectacular performance, this is what we are all about,” Messi told reporters.

“The first five minutes we were a little shy and nervous, perhaps the scoreline gave us a strange feeling, but then we took control of the game.”

United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s greatest night as a player came at the Nou Camp, but after

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal with Philippe Coutinho.

Messi had failed to score in losing the first leg at Old Trafford his last 12 quarter-final appearanc- 1-0, his team needed to become es, but he settled his side’s nerves the first side to win a European after a bright start from United, game there in 31 matches in order collecting a misplaced pass from to progress.

Ashley Young and curling into the They clung to the hope of bottom corner in the 16th minute. another famous European esThe Argentine then pounced cape act after last month’s mion another lapse from United’s raculous 3-1 win at Paris St defence four minutes later to Germain and made a strong win back possession high up start as Marcus Rashford hit the the pitch and fire a shot from crossbar in the opening stages. outside the box, which squirmed They also survived a scare under visiting keeper David when a penalty awarded to Barca de Gea. for an apparent foul by Fred on

Ivan Rakitic was overturned after a VAR review.

Yet their hopes were soon extinguished when Young was caught in possession on the left wing and Messi seized the ball, scurrying across the pitch and holding off more United defenders before bending a superb shot past the outstretched De Gea. DE GEA EMBARRASSED The Spanish goalkeeper was left embarrassed for Messi’s second goal as the Argentine’s tame shot crept under his body.

“We did well to get here but we could see the difference between the two teams. We started well, in the first 15 minutes we thought we could get something here and then they got the two goals,” said Solskjaer.

“You know that at this level you cannot slip up and make mistakes and you have to take your chances when you get them. We didn’t capitalise on our great start, then they have their first two shots on target, they get two goals then it’s game over.”

United looked down and out and Messi nearly dealt them further pain before halftime by sparking another quick break, but this time De Gea thwarted the Catalans, pushing away Sergi Roberto’s shot on the goalline.

De Gea was taunted by Barca fans in the second half, which turned into a procession for the home side and the out-of-form Coutinho turned up the party atmosphere with his sensational strike.

The nearest United came to finding the target after the break was when Barca keeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen turned an Alexis Sanchez header around the post late on.

Daniel Williams will be one of the more prominent Guyanese athletes at the CARIFTA Games.

Chantoba Bright will be hoping to land a gold medal in her favoured long jump event.

Guyana’s 21-strong CARIFTA Games contingent off to Cayman Islands Page

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National U-19 ladies go into action Page today in Regional tournament 35

The Guyana National U-19 female team which will be competing in Trinidad and Tobago at the Regional Invitational tournament.

Guyana to know opponents for 35 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifiers today

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Kelsey Benjamin (left) is one of the key young players who will represent Guyana at the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifiers. (Photo Compliments – CONCACAF)

BCA chief Riley lashes out at CWI over Pybus, Browne axing ►35

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019