Guyana Chronicle E-paper 01012019

TUESDAY 1st January, 2019

To all Guyanese

Safe and secure 03 Guyana PAGE

… President assures Guyanese of stable economy, democratic society

More Lindeners walk out on PPP PAGE

14

…corroborate story of Edghill’s racist comments

‘The vote is of no effect’ No.105505

Next Edition January, 3, 2019

…Gov't tells Western diplomats 15 PAGE

… assures respect and upholding of constitution

Bush Lot brothers killed by bandits 05 PAGE

In the photo, (from left) Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, EU Ambassador to Guyana, Jernej Videtic, Deputy Chief of Mission,U.S. Embassy Terry Steers Gonzalez, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and a representative of the Canadian High Commission

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 1, 2019

Safe and secure Guyana

3

…President assures Guyanese of stable economy, democratic society

PRESIDENT David Granger, in his New Year’s address to the nation, said his government in 2019 will continue to promote a safe and secure Guyana with a stable economy and a strong parliamentary democracy.

“All citizens could expect improvements in their personal well-being and quality of life. Your government, through prudent management, has ensured the amelioration of citizens’ lives over the past three and a half years,” the Head of State said.

Reflecting on 2018, the President took note of the fact that workers’ incomes increased, access to the delivery of public services—such as public education, public health and public utilities and public infrastructure—improved. These were complemented by the creation of new towns and the generation of new jobs.

President Granger said the country witnessed the irreversible institutionalisation of local democracy through the establishment of four capital towns and the renewal of the local government system with Local Government Elections held twice since 2016 in accordance with the Constitution.

“Local government elections consolidated democracy at the grass-roots level, empowered citizens and facilitated their free and unfettered involvement in decision-making in their municipalities and communities,” President Granger sated.

Additionally, public confidence in the local economy was renewed as a result of the implementation of programmes of diversification.

This move has resulted in the increased investments and exports of traditional and non-traditional commodities.

It also fostered a conducive environment for small and medium-size enterprises and laid the foundation for the strategic development of the emergent energy sector.

“Improvements in citizens’ well-being have generated hope in our future. The impending implementation of the ‘Green State Development Strategy’ will realise Guyana’s undeniable potential as a land of promise and prosperity. Everyone will be able to enjoy a good life while protecting the environment for future generations,” the President said.

Optimistic about the prospects of 2019, he said his government will continue to consolidate measures aimed at ameliorating citizens’ quality of life.

He pointed out that budget 2019 has proposed policies aimed at sustaining the economy, strengthening local democracy, stimulating social cohesion and creating new jobs.

“Everyone will benefit: children in schools will benefit from expanded opportunities to develop the skills and talents that will be unlocked by the allocation of G$52.2 billion for the education sector.”

“They will enjoy extended and better equipped schools and classrooms and improved teaching and curricula reform tailored to meet the challenges of modern education. The Public Education Transport Service assures free daily attendance at school for thousands of children,” he pointed out.

The Head of State also assured that citizens will continue to enjoy improvements in several critical areas including citizenship and immigration, public information, public communications, public in-

President David Granger

frastructure, public security, public telecommunications, public utilities, sport, solid waste management and pure water supply.

He assured too that pensioners will gain further increases in social security benefits. Increased support will also be given to disabled, disadvantaged and destitute persons.

“Workers will gain increases in the minimum basic salary of public servants and the raising of the income-tax threshold. Families will have easier access to housing and more reliable water and electricity supply.

Youth will be able to employ their creativity and ingenuity and their entrepreneurship will be stimulated by the infusion of seed capital, training and other support for their efforts,” the Head of State added.

State sponsored agencies ? Hinterland Employment Youth Service; Linden En-

terprise Network; Micro and Small Enterprises Development; Sustainable Livelihoods and Entrepreneurial Development and Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training programmes ? have proven their worth by helping mainly young people to establish their own business enterprises, he boasted.

In moving forward, he assured that farmers will continue to benefit through improved drainage and irrigation and tax exemptions on materials used in the agricultural sector.

He said already hinterland residents have started to see the advantages of the establishment of four new towns— at Bartica, Mabaruma, Mahdia and Lethem.

“The advantages of capital towns in these huge hinterland regions include the efficient delivery of public services, enhanced economic opportunities, improved infrastructure and heightened frontier secu-

rity. Citizens now enjoy access to national news through the establishment of Regional Public Broadcasting Service stations at Aishalton, Bartica, Lethem, Mabaruma, Mahdia and Orealla,” he explained.

In 2018, the government through the Public Health Ministry provided improved health care, and this trend, according to the President, will continue as the country advances towards universal health coverage in 2019.

“We will consolidate improvements in maternal health and in the reduction of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Public health institutions will be better equipped and provided with adequate medicines and medical personnel,” he assured.

President Granger noted too that frontier security was strengthened in the face of a flood of migrants fleeing distress in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. “Your government over the last three and a half years has worked tirelessly to secure our national borders. The UN Secretary General’s decision in January 2018 to refer the Venezuelan territorial claim to the International Court of Justice is most welcome and Guyana anticipates a favourable outcome to this controversy,” he said.

Government, he said, remains thankful for the support of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and other friendly states for Guyana’s territorial sovereignty, noting that it has reassured citizens and foreign investors of the safety and security of our country.

The Guyana Defence Force has consolidated the Guyana People’s Militia on a regional basis. Reforms in the security-sector are being implemented to ensure safer

communities in 2019. The Guyana Police Force will be expected to expedite security sector reform with the aim of guaranteeing human safety and public order and suppressing transnational crime, he posited.

As stated last week in wake of the vote of no-confidence motion against his government on December 21, 2018, the President assured that the constitution will be upheld.

“The National Assembly and the Judiciary are the bedrock of our democracy.

Your government remains committed to upholding the Constitution, preserving the rule of law and guaranteeing a safe, stable, orderly and peaceful country.”

“We respect the courts which protect our institutions and system of democracy,” he said.

According to President Granger, the recent developments in the National Assembly have created opportunities for enhanced political cooperation. Meetings between the government and opposition will take place in the new year to discuss and determine the way forward.

“Your government is prepared to work with the opposition to ensure that our national objectives are achieved and that 2019 can be a satisfactory year for all,” he assured.

He is confident that life for all Guyanese will continue to improve in 2019.

“Guyanese can expect, by the end of the new year, to live in a state with more secure borders; communities that are safer; an economy that is more resilient; a society that is more cohesive and public services that are more easily accessible,” he said.

GWI now equipped to test for metals in water supply

THE Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) has managed to procure and install an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) to test for heavy metals in water and also upgraded treatment plant operators and established three additional regional mini-labs in Regions Two, Three and 10.

In highlighting some of GWI’s accomplish-

ments, Managing Director of GWI, Dr. Richard VanWest Charles told a press conference on Monday that they have re-engineered the Tucville Collection Station into a wastewater treatment system and wastewater system in the hinterland (Khan Hill, Region One).

He stated that GWI has completed works on 24 sewage stations and systems and

they have constructed wells, PV systems, storage tanks and distribution line and stand pipes at Kaibarupai and Karisparu, Region Nine.

Dr. Van-West Charles also noted that GWI has completed works on the Kwakwani sewage system which started some time ago.

He added too, that they have installed 20,000 plus smart meters and have em-

barked on the drilling of new wells and also installed transmission mains in Georgetown.

The GWI senior official told reporters that they have extended the distribution network at South Amelia’s Ward and rehabilitated its Shelterbelt water treatment plant and conducted condition assessment on the Georgetown gravity system/network.

TRAINING He stated that over 35 personnel were trained overseas in well drilling and maintenance, filtration and distribution systems, water quality analysis, wastewater treatment and management among other areas of interest to the company.

Dr. Van-West Charles pointed out that management employees attended a confer-

ence in Barbados, and contributed to the final draft of the regional Strategic Action Plan on Governance and Water.

In addition, over eight professional staff attended and presented research papers at the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association 2018 held in Jamaica.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

GDF officer stabbed to death during fight

By Nafaeeza Yahya

A LIEUTENANT in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was stabbed to death at a village shop on the Corenyne Coast early on Monday morning, the military has confirmed.

Dead is Mark Bagot 26, of Lot 26 Philippi Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

In a statement the GDF said that Bagot was stabbed at around 01:20 hours on Monday during an alleged altercation with a male individual at a shop at Philippi Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

He was initially rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital but was subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where he succumbed to his injury. Reports indicate that the alleged perpetrator is still to be apprehended.

“The Chief of Staff and the Officers and Ranks of the Guyana Defence Force, express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the late Lieutenant Mark Bagot,” the GDF statement read.

The police, meanwhile, are currently hunting for a suspect identified as “Son”

of Black Bush Polder, for the fatal stabbing of the GDF officer. Bagot reportedly was sharing a drink with a friend at Chunku’s Grocery and Beer Garden, in his hometown, when the incident occurred.

According to the proprietor Daneshwar Gabbar, at around 21:00 hrs Bagot and a friend identified as “Sherman” were hanging out when “Son”, a friend of Sherman, joined them and he was asked to purchase three Guinness. Gabbar added that Bagot left to go by a neighbour for a few minutes, and upon his return ordered another three Guinness which he indicated he will pay for.

“Son say he ain’t want, that he gonna pay for his own drink, so that’s when they started to argue and it got bad cause like ‘Son’ tell he something he didn’t like…

Dead: Mark Bagot

After words start exchanging them start fuh scramble, but Sherman went between and told Son to back off, that the man is an army officer and he should have some respect, but them continue to argue and Sherman tried to hold down soldier boy.”

Continuing, he said that Bagot eventually managed to break free from Sherman and

Tuesday, January 01, 2019 01:00hrs. - 14:30hrs.

Saturday 29, December, 2018

02 03 08 09 14 25 05

A

09, 17, 19, 20, 26

6, 0, 5

4, 9, 5

approached ‘Son’ who by that time was brandishing a knife, and each time they clashed Sherman pushed them away.

“After Sherman keep backing them away, soldier boy walk out the shop and then pick up a stool to come back in the shop, then when he walking in he start to sway, then I see blood and he too then realise he get stab.”

Bagot who lives a few houses away from the beer garden was rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital and was later transferred to New Amsterdam Hospital where he succumbed several hours later to his injuries. The assailant fled the scene immediately after realising that Bagot was injured.

Meanwhile as news of the demise spread many flocked to the Bagot’s home to offer their condolences and confirm whether what they had heard was true, as his death came as a shock to the closely-knit community. Speaking to the media, Mark Bagot Snr, said they were at a wake in a neighbouring village when they heard that his son was involved in an incident and was taken to the hospital.

At the hospital he joined the ambulance as his son was being transferred to New

Amsterdam, and recalled his son’s inability to speak and that he was slipping in and out of consciousness. “When we reach New Amsterdam them doctors told me he was bleeding a lot and lost a lot of blood and that his lungs was punctured from the stab…a little while later them came out and said he passed away” the senior Bagot tearfully related. The elder Bagot said his son came home sometime last week, for the holidays, and was due to return to duty later on Monday. He said that his son had made him and his family proud of his achievements over the years.

The young Bagot had enrolled at the University of Guyana but got a scholarship to attend the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) and graduated with a diploma.

He, subsequently, joined the GDF Cadet course which he successfully completed. The young GDF officer leaves to mourn his sister and parents and an entire community whose residents described him as a role model for the youths.

Meanwhile, the Police are continuing the hunt for the suspect who is said to be a frequent visitor of the community.

08, 12, 14, 15, 16 28, December, 2018

01 03 04 14 18

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Five conferred with ‘Silk’ President David Granger has conferred the honour of Senior Counsel on five legal practitioners who have displayed a high quality of service in the legal profession and in their knowledge of the law, with effect from January 1, 2019.

The long-serving legal practitioners are Mrs. Shalimar Ali-Hack, Mr. Stephen Fraser, Mrs. Carole James-Boston, Mr. Robert Ramcharran and Mr. Rajendra Poonai.

The five legal practitioners will be presented with their instruments of commission, elevating them to Senior Counsel at a ceremony to be announced later.

Senior Counsel Rajendra Poonai

Senior Counsel Stephen Fraser

Senior Counsel Robert Ramcharran

Senior Counsel Shalimar Ali-Hack

Bush Lot brothers killed by bandits heard what appeared to be firecrackers coming from the back of the yard. “Tully” then went to investigate and came face to face with the bandits and he was shot.

“He did sit down and eat food in the kitchen when we hear something like bomb coming from the backyard, so Tully went to see what happen and tell me to go bring the torchlight and he walk go. Me hear he holler run and hide and then one gunshot” the distraught woman related.

Her older son, Harichand Samaroo, also went to investigate and was badly beaten by the bandits. He suffered injuries about his body. The men then demanded cash and proceeded to broadside Munilall Roberts Kumar, 72, who only came into the country the day prior.

They were given a bag

Police at the scene speaking with family members

By Nafeeza Yahya Two brothers were killed Monday night - one shot dead at point blank range to the head by one of four robbers - at Bush Lot Village, East Berbice, Corentyne.

The attack occurred between 20:00- 21:00 hrs.

The dead men have been identified as Premchand Samaroo called ‘Tully,” a labourer and a father of two

and Harichand Samaroo, an older brother who was initially hospitalised at the Port Mourant Hospital. Relatives said the killers are men from the area.

Premchand Samaroo was at his mother’s home, having just returned from an outing with his two children in Rose Hall earlier in the day and preparing to share a drink with his brother and a family friend, when four

masked men armed with guns stormed the home, firing shots indiscriminately and demanding cash.

According to the men’s mother, Iris Samaroo, 67, they were sitting under the house and eating when they

containing USD $350 and $20,000 GYD along with some jewellery but the men said that was not enough and proceeded to beat the males about their bodies before leaving. When this newspaper arrived on the scene, the police had just arrived and were conducting their investigations. The body of Premchand was still lying face down next to the house with blood oozing from his mouth; some of his teeth were scattered on the ground.

Kumar told investigators he saw three men, two of whom had guns-- one long and one short. He described the men as “skinny” and they appeared to be between the ages of 16 and 25. He was beaten with a machete and asked to hand over the US currency.

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Entering the New Year

AS we enter 2019 we look backward over the year which has just passed and also to the dawn of 2019 with renewed hope.

Over the year, the Government strove very diligently to usher in the “Good Life” for all individuals and communities and did succeed in achieving this goal in some measure. One of the characteristics of this era of the “Good Life” which the Government ushered in was the sense of peace and relaxation which subsumed the society, exorcising from it the tensions which had enveloped it over the last four or five decades.

Many were the achievements over the last year but we will not look at them with the eye of an accountant and meticulously record them. Rather, we would cast our eyes over the broad landscape and mention at random whatever may have caught our attention: Government always showed its empathy for peo-

ple of the villages and interior.

Amerindian communities, as the indigenous people of Guyana, were accorded new privileges and facilities in terms of land rights and social development. One of the most important of these developments was the work done for the preservation of the Amerindian languages: Government notices were published for the first time in the Amerindian languages and these languages will begin to be used in the schools. Officials working in predominantly Amerindian districts were encouraged to learn the Amerindian languages.

A great deal of infrastructural development was done in the villages and villagers were encouraged to recapture the spirit of creative entrepreneurship of the post Emancipation “Village Movement”.

With regards to the workers who had to be laid off when the Sugar Industry had to be re-organised, every effort was

made to retrain them to enter other occupations. Government was aware of the multifarious problems of the City of Georgetown and on several occasions gave added subventions to the City Council, especially to pay for rubbish removal. It appointed a Commission of Inquiry chaired by a very distinguished former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Kennard. The findings of the Commission provided a prescription for the Council to renew itself and the city.

The country’s economy was well managed and grew by nearly 4 per cent with predications that it will grow to a respectable 5.5% in 2019.

The Minister of Finance’s End of Year Budget was another success and gave many social benefits such as the increase of the Old Age Pension to $20,500. per month. New facilities were offered to the business community and increased assistance was voted for the development of young

entrepreneurs and for the startup of small businesses.

Labour relations were generally friendly. The salaries of public servants and teachers were increased as far as the finances of the country would permit. Though such increases were less than what the workers were demanding, they understood that they were given as much as could be afforded.

At the end of the day, there was no rancor or hostility to government. The Education System of the country continued to improve. Guyana’s CXC results continued to be among the most outstanding in the Caribbean and primary education also improved with new school buildings and the refurbishing of others.

For tertiary education, the Teachers Training College performed better than last year and the University continued to improve by the introduction of new disciplines in the curriculum and by establishing contact with past students and

academic staff.

The Government has always had a deep concern for the Diaspora and there were some positive re-migration facilities instituted. The President and government officials met the Diaspora groups both in Guyana and abroad.

Many persons from these groups promised to relocate to Guyana or to invest in the country. The government defended Guyana’s sovereignty with vigour and success and has furthered the process of having the World Court involved in the matter. In these efforts, they have succeeded in securing the Parliamentary Opposition’s full and absolute support.

The commitment to good governance and democracy continued to be an integral part of the Government’s policies. Local Government elections were held and both foreign observers and even the Parliamentary Opposition admitted that they were

fair and well conducted. In the last days of the year, the Opposition succeeded in its no-confidence Motion against the government, an outcome which was quite unexpected.

The government again manifested its commitment to democracy by immediately accepting the results of the motion and discussions between the Government and the Opposition will soon take place. National elections have now been brought forward by just over a year and Government has committed itself to have fair elections held so as to strengthen democracy in the country.

We approach the advent of the New Year 2019 in the spirit of Auld Lang Syne and from all indications the politicians and political parties are doing the same.

With the political parties being less adversarial and more amicable, Guyanese can look forward to a Happy New Year.

Bribery allegations against Charrandas must not be swept under the rug Dear Editor, In the wake of former government MP, Mr. Charandass Persaud’s action in the National Assembly recently, please allow me some space to discuss this issue, one of national importance.

First of all, Mr. Persaud when he voted against the government in the no-confidence motion brought by the opposition Peoples Progressive Party, did same although he was an MP of the ruling administration.

Editor, you cannot escape the reality that despite whatever dissatisfaction one might have with the APNU+AFC government, what Mr. Persaud did was cold, calculated, deliberate and nauseating.

After fleeing the very next morning to Canada, where he is a citizen, the disgraced MP is now chatting away at any opportunity he gets like a parrot.

In one of his commentaries, Mr. Persaud

said something that struck me. “I took so much from the government, it drive me crazy”. Now the next logical question is, how an unstable individual can make a rational decision if he cannot think straight.

Editor, this is not a new position I am putting forward but I am repeating what this man said. I am not sure what his endgame is but every time this man speaks he puts his foot in his mouth. Additionally, the loquacious gentleman in responding to allegations that his vote was paid for, rhetorically asked ‘so what if I get pay?’ Now you don’t have to be a scholar to realise that there is more to Mr. Charrandas Persaud and this story than meets the eyes. Now if this, ‘noble’ gentleman wanted to help the sugar workers and his ‘fellow Guyanese brothers and sisters’ like he said, why he ran away the very next day. It clearly demonstrates that Mr. Charrandas Persaud is lying about many things.

The Peoples National Congress (PNC)

member Aubrey Norton is alleging that his party has evidence that Mr. Persaud met with members of the opposition and a Trinidadian businessman and was handsomely paid off for voting against the coalition government on Friday, December 21st, 2018. Editor, notwithstanding what the constitution prescribes in the event of a successful no-confidence motion, such allegations cannot be swept under the rug. This is a serious allegation that MUST be investigated, and hopefully, the evidence can be passed onto the relevant authorities for the appropriate action.

The government has signaled its intention to take the matter to court if need be and rightfully so. Such a serious matter should be executed lawfully and transparently and Mr. Persaud’s action clearly indicates that such was not the case. Editor, if this man is serious about helping his country he should return and do it from his place of birth.

The media needs to grill him properly

and they will find that this disingenuous man’s story has many holes and he has an agenda. It is just a matter of time before the naked truth about him and his suspected collusion with the PPP, to surreptitiously unseat a democratically elected government is exposed I hope there are lasting consequences for such unpatriotic actions.

Editor, from the pockets of discussions raging on since that dramatic night in Parliament, I have noticed that many Guyanese are now wide awake and have indicated that they are ready to vote like never before, to keep the APNU+AFC government in office. They have also said that despite some dissatisfaction with the government, voting the PPP back into office is not an option since that party’s record in office speaks for itself, DISMAL. Regards, Nigel Matthews

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

An Open letter to President David Granger Dear Editor Grace and Peace, for you have arrived at the precipice of the unfathomable challenge of balancing opportunity and opposition to the integrity and honor of your governance of Guyana’s Democracy.

Never has there been in the history of this nation a leader who amassed such incomparable social and political capital versus economic wealth for his excellence in Public Service. For the well done public service you have given this nation so far, Civil Society would like you to accept the assurance of our highest consideration, and there shall be no doubt about the overwhelming support we give to you in taking the hard right over the easy wrong at this juncture of our nation History.

As the chairman of the Guyana National Civil Society Council (GNCSC), together with our sixty-five (65) plus council members who were duly and constitutionally elected at our first Summit, held on November 13-14, 2015, to represent the members of over four hundred Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), by this the authority vested unto us by such said CSOs and NGOs, we herewith beseech you into the execution of service for which you were duly elected in representation of the one National Constituency which Guyana possesses. In this regards, Hon. David A. Granger, as the President of the National Assembly, with the existing exposure of the shocking, iniquitous and scandalous mismanagement of the “Public Trust” in the National Assembly, in particular the most recent representable act and occurrence that took place on Friday December 21, 2018, Civil Society petitions you to act decisively, and swiftly without fear, favour or reservation to correct these malfeasances and restore honour and integrity to this bastion and cradle of the bulwark of Guyana’s Democracy.

Personally, I am encouraged by the support of my colleagues together with these recent impetuous events, to impress upon you the importance of taking action and moreover hint at the events, which are still under investigation, that lead to my abstention from pursuing openly and conducting my Public Service and Advocacy on behalf of Civil Society. I I can say for now that some of the events were the slanderous and liable publication of my character and person in the media, the use of erroneously obtained Court Orders and the Police to invade GNCSC and GNCPP offices to confiscate our computers, files and furniture and terrorize our staff; the unending death threats against my person and members of my legal team with specific emphasis that if I do not cease and desist from pursuing any and all of the legal actions I filed in the High Court, I will get the same faith as Courtney Crum-Ewing; the burglary of my residence where amongst several millions of dollars in various items, including several computers and files pertaining and relating to Legal Matters filed in the High Court were stolen; and the pretext to assignation and public humiliation by bribing high ranking Guyana Police Force Officers to issue “Wanted Bulletins” for my arrest. Several of the Intellectual Authors of these Malfeasances and other wide ranging nefarious and contrite collusive actions are Members of the National Assembly.

It is our understanding that the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Sherlock E. Isaacs has certified a Motion of Non-Confidence which was acted upon by the Members of the National Assembly on Friday December 21, 2018, against the present duly constitutionally elected Government, thus making it a Referendum. Mr. Isaacs stated unequivocally that he has not nor “it isn’t his duty to confirm the validity or invalidity of the passage of the non-confidence motion.”

This constitutional legisla-

tive act of confirming the validity and invalidity of the said non-confidence motion, rest solely within the remit of the President of the National Assembly, Hon. David A. Granger.

Thereafter, and based on the findings of validity or invalidity that must be certified with substantive and well documented reasoning by the Chief Justice who is the Head of the Constitutional Court of the High Court; the next step is for Mr. President to issue a Proclamation setting aside the non-confidence motion as invalid or issuing a Proclamation Proroguing the Parliament and confirming the non-confidence motion as valid thus triggering the commencement of the constitutional requisite ninety day election process cycle.

Accordingly, it is the demand of Civil Society that you must ‘cease and desist’ from rushing to issue any such Proclamation of Prorogation until you have exercise your Constitutional and Legal Fiduciary Duties and Obligations, reposed unto you by the one National Constituency which Guyana possesses, of investigating and inquiring into the modus operandi and constitutional validity or invalidity of the Friday December 21, 2018 Motion of Non-Confidence proceedings to verify that every action taken by the Speaker, the Clerk and the Members of the National Assembly were not shrouded in mismanagement, intra vires, lacking fraud, extortion, coercion, credible and valid.

Excellency, it is the unanimous view of Civil Society that the Speaker and Clerk of the National Assembly tried their level best to be non-partisan and evenhanded in the exercise of their duties. However, forensic examinations of their supercilious, coward and apprehensive actions will show that their conduct was nothing short of committing gross mismanagement and derelictions of duties and responsibility contrary to Constitution and Parliamentary Rules and Regulations of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in the National Assembly.

Nevertheless, since the Speaker and Clerk of the National Assembly were nominated from Civil Society and not from amongst the Political Parties List and Members of the National Assembly, this presents a good opportunity for you to call upon them to cooperate fully and be impartially involved in the forensic investigation and inquiry into their actions and inactions taken during the their tenure in managing the affairs of the National Assembly.

We proffer herewith as follows, a partial summary of our evidence based determination and direct your attention to the Constitution and Parliamentary Rules and Regulation. This evidence based determination informs that the Friday December 21, 2018 Non-Confidence Motion and Vote was unconstitutional ‘Ab Initio’ and therefore invalid based on facts that at least four persons extracted from a Political Party List of Candidates to stand as supporters and representative Members of the a Political Party in the National Assembly do not pass the constitutional test and have standing to be Members of the National Assembly.

Moreover, the Speaker and the Clerk of the National Assembly maladroit acts, omissions and violation of

several policies delineated and affirmed in the Constitution and Parliamentary Rules and Regulations are unacceptably ubiquitous and replete with ultra-virus errors and omissions. This laundry list of errors and omissions include, but not limited to, 1. Breach of Privilege; 2. Contempt of Parliament; 3. Created an environment that facilitated the Breach of Cabinet Solidarity; 4. Promoted the blatant violation of the Recall Provisions; 5. Conflated the issues of Censure and Non-Confidence outside the Confidence Convention, 6.

Prohibiting Closure, 7. Imputing and promoting Conflict of Interest, 8. Failed to declare null and void or in the alterative allow for a Dilatory Motion as a correction, 8. Overlooked the fact that several Members of the House are under a cloud of having Committed High Crimes and Misdemeanors against the State and should therefore be ineligible to stand as Members of the National Assembly, 9. Failed to exclude those Members who are subjects of and citizens of other sovereign states, 10. Failure to or allow for an investigation into the extent to which a Member of the National Assembly who is a Citizen of another Country was subject to the

principle of Molestation, coercion, bribery, under duress, undue influence and how said Member life and liberty was compromised in exchange for a “Yes Vote,” thus violating the principle of Recall Provisions.

Excellency, David A. Granger, may we suggest that a prima facie examination of the basis for moving this Non-Confidence Motion is to orchestrate an ‘offer in compromise’ which can be used as part of a wider scheme to castrate and curtail the Government from prosecuting high crimes and Misdemeanor against the State.

It is advised that you must not allow your actions to be seen as collusion or weak. These are very serious issues which must be addressed post haste with fierce, deliberate and decisive strategy. Failing your efforts, the GNCSC and the GNCPP stand ready willing and able to exercise their Constitutional and Parliamentary Privilege by Petition as a ‘Nuclear Option’.

Your Excellency, once again please accept the assurances of our highest consideration.

Regards, Phillip H. Mozart Thomas, BSBA, BPS, MBA, JD, PHD, CSSD. Chairman

8

OP-ED

By Rawle Lucas, ON Friday December 21, before the night could fully mature, many Guyanese got the news that the “no-confidence” motion brought by the Opposition against the Government was successful.

This piece of news was accompanied quickly by word of the person who had disappointed his p arty and shattered the confidences of his colleagues in the National Assembly.

It was not the Ides of March, but it must have felt eerily like that to the government when one man, not three as in the case of Julius Caesar, stabbed it in the back with the purpose of ending the life of the government. Despite the lag of six days, occurring in December and with a similar purpose of ending the rule of a leader, the biography of Mr. Charrandas Persaud could sufficiently refer to the event as taking place on the “Ides of December”.

Ever since the action, some have hurriedly joined in condoning the dissenter’s action. Others have condemned it. There are those who are still wondering about the unequivocal bias in favour of a group that showed little or no mercy to most Guyanese when it wielded power for 23 years.

Some effort must be made to comprehend the decision of Mr. Charrandas Persaud and the meaning and purpose of his vote. Mr. Persaud has sought to help this effort by giving context and rationale for his decision, even at one point portraying it as heroic and patriotic. His strenuous efforts were clad in a few strands of personal, political and economic reasons for bringing down the government that he was a part of.

I do not intend to discuss Mr. Persaud and his vote in this article but wish merely to provide information that readers could use to make their own evaluation of his decision and motives.

OBSERVATION One could start by observing that Mr. Persaud said many things that he claimed disturbed him. While he fussed about what others did or did not do, he gave no concrete evidence of his attempt to fix the many issues of his

vexation before deciding to match the fate of his own government with that of Julius Caesar.

A substantive reason he advanced for his vote was a remark made by the Chairperson of the PNCR, Mrs. Volda Lawrence, who expressed deep support for her party’s members when, in this paraphrased version, she said that she would give jobs to them because she knows them. This subjective expression of Mrs. Lawrence occurred not too long before the no -confidence vote and was enough to overshadow three years of joint effort by the APNU and AFC, to bring Guyana to the point of respectability again. Mr. Persaud took a diminished view of this remark and appeared only capable of assessing it in a very narrow racial context while conveniently ignoring the reality that the PNCR was a multi-ethnic party. This seemingly discoloured perspective about Mrs. Lawrence’s remarks was given greater weight

by Mr. Charrandas Persaud, than the well-publicised fact that the Leader of the Opposition described his party, the PPP/C, as a “Coolie” people party with the same attendant purpose ascribed to Mrs. Lawrence’s remarks. Despite the incongruence between the two remarks, Mr. Persaud was quite comfortable joining the Opposition to bring down his own government.

Presumably, the contradiction was self-satisfying enough for him to vote ‘yes’ with one who showed such open racial bias instead of abstaining-a more even-handed way of showing his displeasure.

FACTS ON SUGAR The economic reasoning that Mr. Persaud gave does not hold water either and leaves one more flabbergasted than ever. In the video presentation, he made much play of the condition of the sugar industry. Every Guyanese knew that the sugar industry had collapsed under the weight of 23 years of mismanagement and reckless spending of the PPP/C administration. Every Guyanese knew also that the PPP/C administration closed sugar estates and let workers go. In other cases, production was scaled down drastically affecting all sugar workers. With sugar pro-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

The No-Confidence Vote and the “Ides” of December

duction costs in Guyana way above world prices, Guyanese taxpayers, who were bailing out the sugar industry, were also helplessly subsidising sugar consumption by the rest of the world through the export of the product. These were facts known to every Guyanese, including those sitting in the National Assembly. To rest his vote on sugar knowing that his government could ill-afford to subsidize the rest of the world puts paid to any claims of patriotism.

It was common knowledge too that, by the time the APNU-AFC Coalition came to power, sugar was on its knees faint and bleeding and could be laid level at any time by the burden of its high and unbearable costs. It did not appear enough for Mr. Persaud that the Coalition chose not to close down the entire industry but decided to restructure it instead. By its actions of not closing the industry, the Coalition saved about 12,000 jobs while having to let go of 6,000 workers. This is information that everyone in the National Assembly had on the night of December 21. Without offering an alternative position, it appears that Mr. Persaud preferred an all-or-nothing approach to the sugar industry and have everyone go down with it, including the economy of Guyana.

This writer has to believe that responsible conduct in the National Assembly would include having most if not all the facts about the economic performance of the economy if one wanted to use it as justification to abandon one’s colleagues. Mr. Persaud acted like “Chicken Little” by claiming that the sky (the economy) was falling and leading Guyanese to believe that they were facing a fate of doom. In his video, he never shared with his intended audience that every economy has a goods and a services sector and that the services sector is often used to support the goods sector. The prominent goods industries are in agriculture, manufacturing and mining. Anyone in the National Assembly that night with a determination to see his or her government succeed would have taken the time to acquaint himself or herself with the trends in the key industries of the country.

The story about sugar has already been presented. And

so, one could ask what about rice?

Rice took a hit when the PetroCaribe programme with Venezuela came to an end.

But the rice industry was on the rebound and its performance in 2017 alone was better than any year between 2007 and 2014. Moreover, even a cursory look at the performance of the industry would have shown that output was 25 per cent better in the four years of 2015 to 2018 when compared to the years 2011 to 2014 under the PPP/C. “OTHER’ CROPS The dissenting member of the government took a swipe at the Minister of Agriculture and while doing so might have missed another sign of good economic measure in the wider agricultural sector. An important objective of the government was to expand the diversification of the agricultural sector.

This effort is reflected often in the “Other” crops section of the economy. Rice and sugar are standalone crops while “Other” crops is a combination of several types of produce. It includes fruits of various types, ground provision of various types, cash crops and so forth. Rice and sugar have had years of colonial and external support and robust government intervention unlike “Other” crops which has relied largely on the indigenous and ingenious efforts of Guyanese.

The investment by ordinary Guyanese in “Other” crops is a true reflection of their private entrepreneurial spirit and the continued assertion of their independence. The seminal value of rice and sugar to the economy cannot be ignored, but every Guyanese can take satisfaction in the knowledge, and ought to be proud, that the self-made industry of “Other” crops continually outperform both sugar and rice in the fields and contribute to this country being a net exporter of food.

The table below shows the comparative physical output of the three industries in their raw state.

In every year, the output of the “Other” crops industry was larger than sugar and rice. It continued its growth all the way through 2017 and is forecasted to maintain this progress in 2018. Further, average output was nine per

cent higher from 2015 to 2017 than it was from 2012 to 2014 under the PPP/C. One must further ask the question, what is it that would lead one to doubt the economic efforts of your own government when plantain production exceeded previous years by over 2,200 per cent under your own government’s management?

What is it that would lead one to question his or her own government when pineapple production exceeded previous years by over 800 per cent under your own government’s management?

What is it that would lead one to lose confidence when citrus production exceeded previous years by over 418 per cent under your own government’s management?

What is it that would lead one to go against his or her own party when bora and hot pepper production exceeded previous years by over 400 per cent under your own government? Additionally, egg production, tomatoes, bananas, eschallot and other ground provisions, all exceeded previous years by over 200 per cent, each under the APNU-AFC coalition. In addition to rice and sugar, the Berbice region, an area represented by Mr. Persaud, is a major commercial producer of high-performing crops like eschallot, tomatoes, bora and boulanger.

Readers must wonder why heads turned in the National Assembly and people felt a sense of shock when the performance of the “Other” manufacturing sector, the construction sector and the gold industry are factored into the decision of the onetime government supporter.

The “Other” manufacturing sector has shown steady growth over time. Surely with annual manufacturing output larger by an average of 11 percent from 2015 to 2017 compared to the period 2012 to 2014 under the PPP/C, one must be surprised with the decision of Mr. Persaud. The construction sector too could not cause disappointment to anyone on the government’s side. It was an average of 15 per cent larger from 2015 to 2017 over the period 2012 to 2014 under the PPP/C. For all the talk about disaffection in the gold industry, no sector or industry came close to what it delivered for the country,

Rawle Lucas

growing its output 39 per cent from 2015 to 2017 over the period 2012 to 2014.

In the services sector of the economy, transportation and storage play a big role in supporting production. It was 24 per cent larger than it was in the period 2012 to 2014. That the transport and storage industries grew consistently is a reflection of the meaningful progress of the goods industry and the active nature of the economy.

M r. P e r s a u d h a d a choice to make and he made it. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt but after revisiting the evidence, it is proving difficult to do so. In light of the information presented herein, at best, one could have understood an abstention, not a yes vote against his government. Charrandas’s choice contradicts reality for the sky was not falling. Were there some intangibles that the government might have missed that were more important to Mr. Persaud than the evidence presented above?

Maybe. He knows best.

For sure, he clearly did not think that recalibrating the economy and putting it on a footing with which it could sustain its development was worth his time and energy.

Returning to the lawless conduct and practice that characterised the PPP/C rule seems more acceptable to him. And so, the people of Guyana sit with the reality of the Ides of December, but still with a chance when elections are called to avoid ending up in the fox’s den and suffering the consequences of the naïve characters in the Chicken Little story.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Hunting of wild birds prohibited for five months from January 1, 2019 THE period January 1, 2019 to May 31, 2019 has been declared a “closed season” for the hunting of wild birds.

This is according to a notice published by the Guyana Wildlife and Conservation Management Commission. During the period, there will be no trapping, hunting, wounding, killing or sale of wild birds.

The commission also noted on its Facebook account that during the period May 1, 2018 to July 31, 2018 the hunting of wild

mammals will be prohibited.

In 2016, the passage of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Bill in the National Assembly resulted in the creation of the commission. Its mandate include the granting, amending and cancelling licences, permits and certificates in respect of activities related to species of wildlife; monitoring and enforcing licences, permits and certificate compliance; determining the annual ‘closed season’ timeframe for the hunting, trapping and trade of species

of wild fauna.

It also includes the facilitating, promoting and supporting mechanisms whereby local indigenous villages may participate in the effective protection, conservation, management and sustainable use of wildlife on their lands. The body is also tasked with establishing policies and procedures for

the protection, conservation, management and sustainable use of wildlife by and for the benefit of all citizens of Guyana and in particular the communities and villages living in proximity to wildlife.

The commission also has in its mandate, the establishment of facilities for the quarantining

of imported species of fauna and flora, including those species imported for the purpose of re-exportation.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Minister warns against racial intolerance MINISTER of Public Telecommunication Cathy Hughes is urging Guyanese to rid themselves of the “racial intolerance” and “undertones” that have erupted primarily on social media since the issue of the

no-confidence motion.

On the National Communications Network (NCN) radio programme, ‘Let’s Gaff’ on Monday, the minister opened up about her take on this “period of uncertainty” which ensued on December

21, 2018.

“One of the things I would urge Guyanese [to do] is to be patient. I am most distressed at the racial undertones that we are seeing especially on Facebook, on social media, where we are

attacking people—personal attacks—and that I find is totally unacceptable.

“The racial slurs, the agenda that says ‘black people can’t run a government and they got to get out’; the similarly negative terms ‘coolie people behaving like that’, that’s not what we are as people. I feel very strongly about that,” Hughes said.

She added that the roots of her family, being one that is grounded in every race in Guyana, further compels her to speak up against such acts of “racial intolerance” which will forever be unbeneficial for the country. “My urge and my plea is: Guyana, we are bigger than that and we must not let any political organisation take us down that route of racial intolerance. It will only lead to destruction,” Hughes began.

“As individual Guyanese we have to stand tall and say ‘we must not, we will not go down that road. We have too much to offer this world and to offer ourselves’.”

Asked to speak on the government’s position moving forward, Hughes said that she believes that Guyana needs to have a “legal position” regarding how no-confidence motions are dealt with since it is presently open to more than one interpretation. “We have submitted an interpretation to the Speaker of the House, the Speaker will look at it, he will, I suppose rule on it. He has said that we come back on the third [of January] for him to

Minister of Public Telecommunication Cathy Hughes

discuss the ‘consequences’ of that vote on the 21st [of December],” she said.

Hughes stated that any Guyanese has the right to go to the courts for an interpretation on the motion and although some are referring to this option as “undemocratic”, the court, nonetheless, remains the highest decision making body.

Speaking further she stated that the opposition has made full use of the courts in the past to contest certain aspects of constitution such as the third term matter which is why the coalition’s efforts now should not stupefy the opposition. “The government should have the right to take it to the courts; the local courts and then to any other courts including the

Caribbean Court of Justice if they wanted to do that. That actually is the fundamental of democracy,” Hughes affirmed.

Meanwhile, she added that by the next convening of the National House of Assembly, Guyanese will know who will take up the position of former Alliance for Change (AFC) parliamentarian Charrandas Persaud.

She stated: “Charrandas has already been expelled and as the law requires we will replace him with another member of parliament. I think the person has been identified but I’m not in a position to say publically but I would say that by the 3rd [of January] the public will definitely know.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

11

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 1, 2019

CARICOM SG congratulates Haiti on 215th Independence Anniversary CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque has extended the Caribbean Community’s congratulations to Haiti on its Two Hundred and Fifteenth Anniversary of Independence, 1 January 2019, noting the continued significance of the occasion as a symbol of triumph over

adversity.

Ambassador LaRocque, in his congratulatory message to Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise, also said the resilience, courage and determination of Haitians continue to be an inspiration to all.

The Secretary-General applauded Haiti’s leadership role as it represented

the Caribbean Community at recent meetings of the G7 and Quartet of the Community for Latin American and Caribbean Countries (CELAC), articulating the Community’s interests and concerns to the most influential global actors. The Community, he said, is looking forward to Haiti’s

continued efforts to participate fully in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), through which it can help create the environment to enhance the welfare and advancement of all it citizens.

Haiti's President Jovenel Moise (l) and CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque in recent discussions in Haiti

City vendors flayed for leaving streets messy …told to leave as holiday season is over

THE mayor and councillors of the City of Georgetown has expressed grave dissatisfaction regarding the manner in which the streets of Georgetown were left following the holiday season and has called on vendors to dismantle their makeshift stalls by Sunday as the holiday season is over.

In a statement City Hall said it would have opened the streets of Georgetown for the festive season. It said both vendors and promoters of public activities must ensure that after business at the area they operate is left in a state of good environmental prac-

tice. “The employees of the council were saddled with additional work to ensure that the area were in a cleansed state. The mayor and councillors of the City of Georgetown wishes to inform all vendors that the time for seasonal vending will expire on Sunday and as such all structures that were erected during the festive season should be demolished.”

The council said it will employ a special crew that will remove all unauthorised structures and encumbrances remaining on the parapets along; TURN TO PAGE

13

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 1, 2019

Ramsaroop in the running …as top PPP official tries to sell him to party diehards

EVEN as the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is yet to name its presidential candidate, top sources say that a senior party official is attempting to sell businessman, Peter Ramsaroop as a potential candidate.

The Guyana Chronicle made several efforts to contact Ramsaroop, but was unsuccessful. Opposition, Leader Bharrat Jagdeo did not entertain questions on the party’s efforts to select a presidential candidate during his news conference on Monday. The Guyana Chronicle was told that Ramsaroop— a known political hop-scotcher has been a hard sell to the PPP grassroot supporters and also some of the stalwarts of the party.

It is known that Anil Nandlall, Irfaan Ali, Dr. Frank Anthony, Gail Teixeira and Charles Ramson jr. are all interested in becoming the party’s presidential candidate. Ramsaroop— a political ‘hop-scotcher’, has been in the spotlight lately as he was seen escorting former Alliance For Change (ACF) member Charrandas Persaud out of the Parliament buildings after voting in support of a no-confidence motion against the government on December 21, 2018.

Photos surfaced of the PPP surrogate and a well-known business man joining the same vehicle that spirited away Charrandas that night. Moments earlier, Ramsaroop, who has been a member of several political parties in Guyana, sat directly behind Charrandas throughout the debate and was seen pumping his first in the air in when Persaud delivered the shocking ‘yes’ vote on the motion.

Prior to his alliance with the PPP, Ramsaroop had served as the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the AFC and member of Peo-

ple’s National Congress Reform (PNCR). In 2010 he was involved in a controversy regarding hidden cameras that were found in an apartment he leased to a female tenant as well as allegations of phone tapping at the same location.

Three cameras were found by the police during a search exercise one focusing on a general view of the apartment; another in the bathroom and one in the bedroom.

After the case surfaced, Ramsaroop’s eldest son had alleged that his father has a history of infidelity and further

Peter Ramsaroop and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

sued by the GPP had expelled and revoked his membership from the party. Since then,

However, it was contended by Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs

PPP member Peter Ramsaroop escorting Charrandass Persaud out of the Parliament Buildings (Keno George photo)

accused him of luring young girls into his bed for money.

Later, when he transferred himself to serve as leader of the Guyana's People's Partnership (GPP) Ramsaroop switched then again to side with the PPP in 2011 by way of a public statement where he supported the party’s manifesto.

A subsequent release is-

Ramsaroop has served as the Advisor to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo.

In 2017 he was also involved in another matter where he filed and later withdrew a court matter against the Parliament of Guyana for monies he alleged were owed to him for his property rented to a current minister.

that Ramsaroop had filed the proceedings after refusing to return over $1.5M or two months’ rent and one month security deposit lodged for his property. Ramsaroop had also been part of the People’s National Congress Reform.

Jagdeo last week announced that the executive committee of the People’s Pro-

City vendors flayed for leaving ...

Regent, Main, Water and Robb streets.

The council wishes to advise such persons that the Municipality and District and Council Act 28:01 states that: (1)No person shall leave , place or store , or cause to be left placed or stored , any vehicle cart, dray barrel , box dust-bin , tree trunk ,branch , limb or other thing upon any

gressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will commence discussions on the selection of a presidential candidate. “Because of the recently passed no-confidence motion,” he said, “we have to accelerate our process, but we are not scrambling to do it. We have a big pool and a lot of young people,” he told reporters during a press conference, adding that the position will however be harder for a “newbie”.

Although the opposition leader did not fully rule out the option of choosing an inexperienced person, he said most

street , parapet pavement or foot –path , or in any other way encumber any street , parapet or pavement, with any vehicle , cart ,dray , barrel , box dust-bin or other thing.

(2) The city engineer shall have the power to remove any vehicle , cart , dray , barrel box, dust-bin, , tree trunk, branch , limb or

other thing whatsoever left , placed or stored contrary to paragraph (1), and the cost of removing any such thing maybe recovered by the Town Clerk in a court of competent jurisdiction from any such person.

(3) Anything coming into the possession of the City Engineer by virtue of paragraph (2) and remaining unclaimed

of the people in the pool of potential candidates of which he spoke are used to leadership and have executive experience at the Cabinet level.

According to Jagdeo, the pool includes people who are within the age range of 30-50 years old. “We have a fantastic pool to choose from,” he reiterated. “We will be considering people who expressed their

FROM PAGE

for the period of one month after the date of its removal may be sold or otherwise disposed of by the council.

Provided that where it is reasonably necessary to effect a scale or disposal of such thing by reason of it being in a dangerous state or injurious to the health of human beings, animals or plant or by reason of it being of a

interest, and there are also those who will express interest,” said the opposition leader, noting that their vision is that any candidate would bring the people together.

As the party prepares to discuss its options for presidential candidate, Jagdeo said there has been no discussion as yet as to who will be the prime ministerial candidate, but they intend on settling that matter closer to the elections season, which is expected to be in 2019.

Despite not making a decision on the two candidates, Jagdeo was certain that he will be part of the government, should his party win the elections. “As the general secretary,” he said, “my job is to work hard to get them elected and ensure we deliver…”

“I will have to ensure we deliver on our promises; I have to ensure that it happens… I have no interest in the things people believe, but I have to make sure we deliver, so I will be there as a counsel to deliver.”

He believes that anyone who is appointed as presidential candidate would be labelled his puppet, but it’s a reality he has come to accept.

Jagdeo had said before that the PPP/C would announce their candidate before the end of the year, but the recently concluded Local Government Elections (LGEs) and the budget debates would not permit the party to do so.

“I have been in favour of doing it pretty early,” he said. “The process, so far, is that you have a discussion at the level of the executive, and it goes to the central committee, which is made up of 35 members. “And then at that level, it is agreed by consensus, or then we go to balloting,” said the opposition leader, adding that only the central committee of the party could change the process.

12

dangerous state or injuries to health of human beings plants or by reason or it being perishable nature, the sale or disposal maybe effected to at such time as determined by the council.

(4) The council may deduct for any proceeds obtained pursuant to the exercise of its powers under paragraph (3) any expens-

es properly incurred in effecting the removal and sale or disposal, as the case may be, any sum in excess of such shall be retained by the council for a period of a three years and, if so lawfully claimed, be paid into the Consolidated Fund for the public use’’

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

More Lindeners walk out on PPP …Region 10 organising secretary resigns -corroborates story of Edghill’s ‘Black hard headed’ comments

By Vanessa Braithwaite DAYS after PPP’s Region 10 Deputy Chairman resigned from the party, citing racist comments from Member of Parliament Juan Edghill, another executive member has also resigned and has corroborated allegations that the church leader referred to Lindeners as ‘black and hard headed’.

Kevon Lorrimor who served as the party’s Regional Organising Secretary and has been a member for 11 years, said that it was not the first time, Edghill used derogatory remarks to describe Lindeners, noting that he has been doing so since 2015. In fact he alleged that one time it got so bad that he and Edghill had an exchange of expletives since he was in defence of Lindeners. “Despite any political party, I am a born Lindener, I would always stand up for the best interest of Linden, at the end of the day, I have to survive here, my family has to survive here and to stand for what I believe,” he said.

He said that his decision to resign is not one of ‘jumping ship’, but of finally coming to terms, that the PPP is

contributing the development, they are just about those who are in their clique and their friends,” he claims.

FALSE HOPE Lorrimor, who is a resident of the Indigenous community of Speightland, which is also known to have a lot of PPP supporters, said that while organising the Heritage celebration, he asked the party’s leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, PPP’s Region 10 Organising to support same and was told bluntly, he does not have Secretary, Kevon Lorrimor money and time. However, about cliquism and does not upon contacting the Minister have the best interest of Lin- of Indigenous Peoples’ Afden at heart. It is unfortunate, fairs Sidney Allicock, without he affirmed, that to be a PPP asking twice, he supported supporter in an APNU strong the event. “These are the little hold such as Linden, brings a things you have to look at,” lot of outside discrimination, he reasoned. but the same discrimination He further related to this is befalling PPP members publication, that the parresiding in Linden, from their ty promised the residents own party comrades. “I stood of Speightland chickens to up for the last 3 ½ years and commence rearing, since it faced discrimination because is a farming community and of supporting the PPP in Lin- gave the residents false hope den and you are getting dis- causing them to build the crimination within the party pens, but to date, they are still as well…if you are not part of waiting on the chickens. the clique, you are called foot Lorrimor as well as Blair soldiers. It is unfortunate that said he is also utterly disapthey are fighting the same pointed at Jagdeo’s ‘newpersons down for no reasons, bie’ comment as well as him they do not recognise persons saying that he will play a who are hardworking and major role, if PPP is to regain

Men arrested with illegal firearms in separate incidents

The illegal handgun that was found

POLICE, acting on intelligence gathered, went to a wash bay at West Road, Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara at about 20:00hrs on Sunday and arrested a 21-year-old vendor of the said village.

Police said he was found with an unlicensed handgun with six live rounds. He is being processed for court.

Meanwhile, a 33-year-old resident of Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown

The 9MM pistol that was seized

was arrested on Sunday evening with an unlicensed 9MM pistol without magazine.

According to police, ranks of ‘A’ Division acted on information and went to a drinking bar on Cemetery Road, East La Penitence, Georgetown where they conducted a search on several persons during which the gun was unearthed.

The man was taken into police custody as the police institute charges.

Bishop Juan Edghill has been the leader of the Outreach Ministries International Winners’ Cathedral for the past 21 years

power thus ruling out Charles Ramson Jr. He described Jagdeo as a pure dictator who has served his time and has to leave it for a new breed of people.

Lorrimor added that Jagdeo intentionally used the Berbice Bridge saga to distract Guyanese during LGE period and hence praised the government for standing up and ensuring his tactics were not succeeded. Lorrimor said that he will be working with the Guyana Action Party (GAP), since his main focus is to see the development of hinterland communities.

While Lorrimor will be moving to GAP, Blair will

be joining the A New United Guyana (ANUG). He too listed several reasons why he resigned from the PPP, the main one being Edghill’s derogatory remarks of Lindeners as ‘black and hard headed’. He said that the executive members of the PPP often ignore complaints of Edghill’s arrogant and disrespectful attitude. Blair was also disappointed he was not chosen as the lone municipal councillor even though he raked in more votes that the person chosen and worked the hardest during the campaign period.

Another one of his disappointments came from Jagdeo’s comment of not electing any ‘newbies’ as the presidential candidate, thus ruling out Charles Ramson.

“I believe every person deserves an opportunity, Jagdeo himself was hand-picked and the position was basically given to him, so I believe that if there is a young man who believes he is ready and right and he possesses the credentials, he should be given the fairness and equal opportunity as he would have hold every candidate up for the position,” he reasoned.

BOMBASTIC

In an invited comment, Region 10 MP Jermaine Figueira rejected Edghill’s comment and said that the Bishop is known for being bombastic. “If the allegations do have an iota of truth that would be most unfortunate coming for a man of the faith, a leader in the religious and political arena. Finally the idea of promoting racism, racist rhetoric or behaviour should not be encouraged or entertained by any Guyanese home or in the diaspora, especially if that individual is perceived as a leader or one who has an audience.”

Figueira however affirms that though Blair has joined a new party, he does not see this as a threat to pull votes from the APNU in Linden. “He and his party will be disappointed, we taking all the votes because this election is for the future of children, communities and country. Now is not time to be distracted by these fly by night parties.

We are focused on consolidating our base and engaging the youth of Guyana who we are will to work with on the direction of this country because essentially they are the leaders now and in the future.”

2018 a year of successes for GWI – Dr. Van-West Charles GUYANA Water Inc. (GWI) Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles said GWI has had a successful year as they move forward with confidence with government’s support.

He was at the time addressing an end-ofyear press conference on Monday at GWI’s office at Shelterbelt, Vlissengen Road and Church Street where he gave the company’s five-year strategic plan covering the period 2017-2022.

Dr. Van-West Charles added that it projects improvements in service delivery based on two key assumptions with 95 per cent metering of customers to remove the disparity in revenue collection between metered and unmetered customers and an increase infrastructure capital investment.

He disclosed that the utility company collected more than $4B in revenue as compared to the previous year and customers’ arrears stand at $3.6B from $5.2B. Dr. Van-West Charles added that the PUC has approved harmonised tariff rates implemented and when he took over the company in 2015 they had only contracted vehicles but now they have procured 14 motorcycles, eight canter trucks, a crane and a computerised truck for well maintenance and monitoring.

He stated that GWI has installed 14,000 meters which span 52 per cent coverage and more than 73 per cent customers are presently receiving 24-hour service.The GWI senior official added that for the very first time 10,000 received potable water supply in parts of Regions One, Three, Four, Seven, Eight and Nine. Dr. Van-West Charles told the press conference on Monday that GWI replaced mains and pipelines which had deteriorated.

He said too the company carried out 12,530 tests countrywide to ensure that the water supply is World Health Organisation compliant.

MAJOR CHALLENGES Dr. Van-West Charles said GWI continues to strategically address a number of operational and commercial challenges which it has been facing over the years.

He related that they are trying to replace their inflexible and efficient customer information and billing system and they are asking for access to some customers’ premises to read meters which has been a real challenge.

Dr. Van-West Charles said they continue to grapple with untimely payments of bills and illegal consumption and wastage for which measures will be put in place to address.

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 1, 2019

‘The vote is of no effect’ …Gov’t tells Western diplomats …assures respect and upholding of constitution

A GOVERNMENT delegation led by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo met with members of the diplomatic community on the vote of no-confidence motion brought against the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government, and put forward its position that the vote is of no effect because the opposition had not secured an absolute majority.

The high level meeting took place on Monday with representatives from the American, British, Canadian and European Missions in Guyana. The prime minister was accompanied by Vice-President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan; and Minister of State Joseph Harmon.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo said during the meeting the government explained in full its position on the contentious vote of no-confidence, and assured the diplo-

mats that it respects the constitution and will uphold it.

“We presented the representatives of the ABC and E countries with legal opinions that were given to the government by experts,” he said in a televised recording broadcast by the Department of Public Information.

Those legal opinions in the form of a Legal Memorandum were sent to Speaker to the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland for his consideration in reviewing the vote of the December 21, 2018. At the time, the Speaker had declared that the motion was carried after 33 persons including a Government Member of Parliament Charrandas Persaud voted in favour of the motion and 32 against. However, the government has since asked him to review his ruling on the basis that there was a miscalculation. Government is arguing that an absolute majority in the 65-Member National Assembly equals 34

and not 33.

“There are some advocates that said that you needed 33 votes, some others have said you need 34 votes to make a majority. Well there is a contention here, and we believe that the promise made by the Speaker that he will deal with the consequences of the vote should be allowed to take place in a manner that gives the interpretation as regards the threshold of the constitution,” he posited.

The prime minister said it may become necessary for the courts to interpret the constitutional provision.

Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

It is government’s belief that the constitutional requirement for voting on a motion of no-confidence is

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

distinct from voting on the passage of legislation and ordinary motions in the National Assembly which requires a simple majority.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the current situation presents an opportunity for the courts to give an interpretation on what constitutes a majority.

“In 2011 we had a situation where the government had 32 seats and the Opposition 33. After the 2015 elections we have a situation where the government has 33 seats and the opposition 32.

We want to be able to settle this issue as to what constitutes under the constitution a majority of all the elected members and no amount of lobbying, no amount of politicking and the rhetoric out there that the government should resign will resolve this,” he said.

Amid calls by the opposition – the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) for the government to resign, Prime Minister Nagamootoo made it clear that the government will remain in Office and execute its functions in keeping with the requirements under the Constitution.

“We are not aware of any provision in the constitution for a care taker government.

In fact we have been the government since we have been

elected and we continue to be the government until fresh elections are held and a new government will come into office,” he said.

The prime minister said government will continue to engage members of the diplomatic community and civil society, noting that it will continue to uphold the Constitution and foster a democratic society. “We are committed to maintaining peace, law and order and the stability of our country, to continue the work for which we have been elected,” he said.

PPP/C had also met with members of the diplomatic community on the issue. It is anticipated that the Speaker will pronounce on issues surrounding the vote of no-confidence when the National Assembly convenes on Thursday January 3, 2018.

Charrandas in deal to buy US$1M in gold THE Guyana Police Force has launched an investigation into a report that expelled Alliance for Change (AFC) Member of Parliament Charrandas Persaud had initiated a plan to purchase approximately US$1M worth in gold.

Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan declined to comment on the matter, however, a senior government official has confirmed that there is an active investigation into the report filed.

According to News Source, an online news outfit, Persaud, in early December, while the National Assembly was debating the 2019 National Budget, had made contact with a friend of his, who has strong ties in the Gold Mining Industry, to have the gold supplied.

Screenshots with a number belonging to the embattled politician, who before his expulsion defected from government and voted in support of the opposition-sponsored no confidence motion, have

surfaced, and are being used as evidence in the case.

“I need some REAL casreep…not the diluted one… let me know,” one of the messages stated according to News Room. The messages between Persaud and his friend concerning the purchase of the gold took place between December 6 and 13, days before the no-confidence motion was debated and moved against government.

On Sunday, the Public Security Minister, during a televised programme on the National Communications Network (NCN, said that the police are investigating and closing in on the case of bribery of former government MP. “We are now learning that there is absolutely a connection with bribery, of some big sum of money… money which I understand he had wanted to transfer overseas and all of that,” Ramjattan said.

He said based on intelligence received, Persaud, who

had to know you had somebody in the bag,” Ramjattan said.

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) last week said Persaud was reportedly bribed by the op-

paid?’ In his own words, he has admitted his embrace to the treacherous PPP culture of getting rich through corruption and lawlessness. The Guyanese people have seen through this plot and there is

Expelled Government MP Charrandas Persaud

has since travelled to Canada where he a citizen, was compromised. It is believed that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/Civic) was involved.

“It is clearly a case where he is compromised and obviously those who moved the motion, or at least one person who moved the motion, knew about this. They knew that they had Charrandas in the bag. Now that is not the kind of democratic process we want for this country. You

One of the screenshots provided to the police (News Source Photo)

position to vote with them on a no-confidence motion.

“It should be noted that Charrandas Persaud himself acknowledges the bribe by asking ‘what is wrong if I get

no doubt that in any elections the PPP will be defeated by APNU+AFC,” PNC/R Executive Member Norton told a news conference.

According to the PNC/R

the Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo allegedly colluded with forces in Trinidad and mobilised resources to bribe a sitting member of Parliament.

Weighing in on the matter Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo on Friday said that Speaker of the National Assembly Dr. Barton Scotland will have to review allegations and the vote by former MP. “If a vote in the National Assembly was procured by unlawful means to overthrow a constitutionally elected government that will have serious implications and the Speaker will have to address that issue.

If you had a member of parliament who knew that he had lost confidence in his party or his slate, he should have indicated to the house that he no longer wanted to support his slate and he wanted to endorse another slate so that the house would know how to deal with that situation,” the prime minister said.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 1, 2019

Legal challenge to no-confidence motion to go all the way …AG confident gov’t has strong case THE Speaker of the National Assembly will likely pronounce on the outcome of the no-confidence motion when the National Assembly meets on Thursday, now that the government has approached him to review his ruling.

The motion filed by the Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo was declared passed by the Speaker during 111th Sitting of the National Assembly on December 21, 2018. However, since then there have been many arguments put forward on wheth-

er the opposition had secured an absolute majority for the motion to be legitimately passed.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams said regardless of the Speaker’s final ruling on the passage of the motion, it is highly likely that the matter would be placed before the courts by either the government or the opposition, reaching as far as the Caribbean Court of Justice— the country’s final court of appeal. The CCJ’s decision will determine when General

and Regional Elections will be held.

Williams, during a press conference at his Carmichael Street Office on Monday, disclosed that the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government submitted a brief to the Speaker on Sunday evening, and requested that he revises his decision.

In that Legal Memorandum, government puts forward a position that the was a miscalculation of the majority of all elected members as required under Article 106(6) Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams

of the Constitution for the government to be defeated on a vote of no confidence.

Defining majority as 50 per cent plus one, the attorney general, who was instrumental in compiling the Legal Memorandum, said for the motion to be effectively passed, the opposition needed an absolute majority and not a simple majority.

“This government was not defeated by a majority as required under Article 106(6) of the Constitution.

In order for the government to be defeated on a vote of confidence, 34 or more votes of all the elected members in favour of the motion were required instead of 33. This assertion is grounded in established Parliamentary precedent and practice and case law in the Commonwealth,” he stated.

He explained that with the National Assembly comprising 65 members, mathematically half of all the elected members would result in a fraction of 32.5.

“There are judicial authorities to show that where a number results in a fraction it is rounded up. In the instant case as half of 65 results in the fraction of 32.5, this figure should then be rounded to the next whole number being 33 which would now represent

half of the elected members. In accordance with the practical application of the meaning of majority ‘1’ must now be added to ‘33’ to derive at a majority of 34 votes,” the attorney general further explained.

He said the Speaker is duty bound to observe the Constitution as the supreme law of Guyana, therefore, if there is a ruling of the Speaker which is unconstitutional that error can be revisited and corrected by him.

If Dr. Scotland rules that 33 constitute a majority, and as such the motion was carried as announced on December 21, 2018, the attorney general the government will move to the court.

“The Judiciary which is one of the three arms of the State will intervene where the Constitution, the supreme law of the land, is abridged. Therefore, the Court can nullify the Speaker’s decision if it is found to be unconstitutional,” he told reporters.

The attorney general said government is prepared to defend its case.

The case of Kilman Kilman v Speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Vanuatu [2011] VUCA 15; Civil Appeal 09 of 2011 (13 May 2011) is among cases government is using to vali-

date its position.

The case determined the validity of the Speaker’s ruling upon a motion of no-confidence where the votes were closely divided. In ruling on the matter, the Court said: “The present case illustrates the context of a dispute when the votes are close to evenly divided numbers. Parliament consists of 52 members which is an even number of members.

If 26 members voted for the motion of no confidence, and 26 others voted against the motion, the motion is not passed by a majority of the Members of Parliament within the meaning of Article 43(2) of the Constitution.

If the motion receives at least one half plus one, it receives a majority of the members of Parliament. Again this is what the constitutional framers intended in the interest of stable governments.”

The case of UK Prime Minister Theresa May has also been cited by legal luminaries. The UK prime minister won the confidence vote regarding her leadership after it was challenged by a number of Conservative Members of Parliament.

However, prior to the vote, international news agencies widely reported that May needed “at least 159 out of 315 Conservative MPs” to win by a simple majority.

When the UK’s 315 total is divided, it arrives at 157.5 members. This figure was rounded off to158 as what represents half of the total number of members while an extra vote [159] would represent a majority.

The Opposition—People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has rebutted this line of argument and maintains that 33 represents a majority in the House and the motion was carried. If the Speaker on Thursday rules in favor of the government, it is likely that the opposition will also move to the court.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Vibert De Souza remembered for contribution to indigenous peoples’ development THE contributions of the late former Minister of Amerindian Affairs Francis Vibert De Souza must be recognised since he was an active participant in ensur-

ing the rights, customs and traditions of the indigenous peoples were upheld.

This is according to Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Af-

The late Former Minister of Amerindian Affairs Francis Vibert De Souza and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock.

fairs Sydney Allicock. De Souza passed away on Saturday night after complaining of feeling unwell. He was 73 years old.

According to a statement released by the ministry, Minister Allicock noted that De Souza “has made great contributions to our society in the many hats he wore in his professional careers. We are grateful to have had the

influences of Mr. De Souza, a brother of the soil and we share our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones during this difficult time”.

Reminiscing on his life as an indigenous son of the soil, Allicock said he was afforded the opportunity of representing the Indigenous Peoples in India alongside De Souza. He said that the particular assignment proved live-changing

when the aircraft they were in, started descending rapidly. He said this experience seemed to be exceptionally long when it reality it lasted for about a minute. The minister said “he was always so joyful, forward thinking and forward planning’.

De Souza hailed from Moruca, North West District and served as Minister of Amerindian Affairs

17

from 1992-2001 and he was also an avid musician. He also served as a member of Progressive Youth Organisation, Vice-President of the Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous Peoples, a member of the Agricultural & General Workers Union, entrepreneur, and Minister of Public Works, Community and Regional Development.

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 1, 2019

Auditor General joins NY party to celebrate Charrandas AUDITOR General, Deodat Sharma was among several US-based Guyanese who joined in celebrating former Alliance For Change, MP, Charrandas Persaud, for “betraying� his party and voted to topple the government two weeks ago.

Persaud has been making several guest appearances in Canada and New York, where he has been hailed by mainly PPP supporters for his vote. Deodat Sharma holds a constitutional office.

Auditor General Deodat Sharma (second from left), stands next to Charrandas Persaud and other individuals

19

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 1, 2019

Robert Gates wanted for fraud FORMER fraud accused Allan Robert Gates who goes by many aliases and was released from prison in 2014 is now again wanted by the police in connection with an alleged fraud committed on Waheeda Ramcharran on February 2, 2018.

Police on Old Year’s Day released the wanted bulletin stating that one of his aliases is Clive De Nobrega. His last known addresses were lot

440 Pineapple Street, East Ruimveldt, Lot 8, St Ann Street, New Amsterdam and Sand hill Berbice River.

In 2008 Alan Robert Gates was placed on $425,000 bail when he appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court after he allegedly obtained $4.1 million by pretending to be the director of a company.

Gates, of East Ruimveldt pleaded not guilty to five

charges of obtaining money by false pretense. It is alleged that on the following dates at New Amsterdam, Berbice the accused obtained the amounts of monies stated below from Wajeden Bacchus by purporting to be the director of an import and export business: May 7, 2006 – $300,000; May 11 and 13, and October 5 of last year – $1M, $1M and $1.2M, respectively; and June 5 of this year – $600,000

Police said anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Allan Gates is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 226-1389, 227-2128, 2267065, 226-2603, 225-9271, 227-1611, 227-1149, 2271270, 225-6940-9, 333-3876, 333-2485, 333-5564, 3332151-3, 911 or the nearest police station.

Wanted: Allan Robert Gates

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 1, 2019

Police Commissioner urges ranks to strive for success

COMMISSIONER of Police Leslie James and his deputies have urged ranks to be more professional and dedicated towards their work as they continue to strive for success.

This charge was made recently when the commissioner made a visit to the Special Constabulary at the Constabulary’s Headquarters, located at Princes Street, Wortmanville Georgetown.

The Top Cop reminded ranks that the Special Constabulary is an equally important part of the force” and highlighted the need for the focus and motivation of ranks.

The Police Chief informed the ranks that “the same oath that you took, is the same oath which the regular ranks of the Force take when being admitted into the Force.”

James highlighted the misconception of some that the Special Constabulary ranks are of some lesser value to the Guyana Police Force. He further said that a void would be created if the role played by the Special Constabulary was taken away.

The Top Cop promoted 15 ranks on the spot, most of whom were recommended for promotion, while others were outstanding on parade.

Promoted to Sergeant were woman Corporals 8482 Benjamin, 9335 Bidder, 10598 Bruce and 13096 Benn. To the rank of Corporal were Special Lance Corporal 11640 Thom, Woman Special Constables 9459 Tappin, 10960 Charles, 10871 Thompson and 12175 Loncke.

To the rank of Lance Corporal were: Woman Special Constables 11975 Jack, 15258 Benjamin, 14721 Andrews, 12041 Glasgow, 14981 Green and 14848 Alleyne.

Subsequently, the com-

Seated (fourth from left) Commissioner of Police Leslie James and senior officers of the Force along with ranks of the Mackenzie Police Station

Commissioner of Police Leslie James (Center) flanked by Special Constabulary ranks at Constabulary’s Headquarters

missioner and his team traveled to the Mining Town of Linden where the final inspection was held at Divisional Headquarters, Mackenzie Police Station. After

commending Commander of ‘E’ Division Superintendent Linden Lord for the ranks’ impressive turnout on parade, the commissioner reminded the gathering of the need for

ranks to remain studious and highlighted the importance of continuous training of ranks.

The call for motivation was resounded in Linden as the commissioner highlighted

the adverse effects of ranks being “eligible in their own right for promotion” but are not promoted.

He added that it is a policy of the Force’s administra-

tion that persons eligible for promotion will be promoted.

“Don’t forget that this is a discipline organisation, therefore, when a breach of discipline occurs, it is expected to be met with the requisite sanctions; there ought not to be any compromise,” James said.

The commissioner also indicated that ranks should be au fait with Standing Order number 12, “as we embrace discipline and respect for our citizens”.

In Linden, 32 ranks were also elevated, they are as follows: To Sergeant: Woman Corporals 14832 Quimbie , 19995 Williams Garraway, 18845 De Souza, 17862 Laundry, 39791 Barkoye, 13681 Yaw and 19233 Jackson.

To Corporal: 18307 Bourne, 23235 Wilson, 2749 Elias, 21922 Wilson, 23123 Grant, 21608 McPhoy, 22139 Petrie, 23132 Hinds, 21904 Quimbie, 21736 Williams, 24360 Codogan, 22465 White- Dharlington, 21500 Thomas as well as Woman Rural Constable Greene and Special Constable 14675 La Rose.

To Lance Corporal: Constables 23174 Narine, 22756 Baksh, 23602 Cort, 21762 Halley and 18566 Tucker, 23129 Hercules-Griffith, 24209 Whittington, 22133 McBean, 24171 Mingo and Rural Constable McKenzie.

The Mackenzie Police Station, which is a state-ofthe-art facility, was recently commissioned and handed over to the Guyana Police Force.

Commissioner James congratulated the Commander and his ranks for their outstanding performances throughout the year.

Hairdresser to usher in new year behind bars

A HAIRDRESSER will be spending the new year behind bars after she was on Monday remanded to prison by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly for

trafficking cannabis.

Odessa Dublin pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on December 29, 2018 at Lot 123 Regent Street, Georgetown

she had 520 grams of cannabis in her possession for the purpose of trafficking.

According to the facts presented in court by Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh, on

the day in question at about 14:30hrs, police ranks went to Dublin’s Lot 123 Regent Street, Georgetown home and conducted a search in her presence. In her bed-

room a black plastic bag containing leaves, seeds and stems were found.

The police prosecutor opposed to the mother of five being released on bail,

citing the seriousness of the offence. Magistrate Daly ruled in favour of the prosecution and remanded Dublin to prison until January 21, 2019.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

2019 New Year Messages

PNCR urges all hands on deck to transform Guyana ACKNOWLEDGING that 2018 had proven to be a challenging year for Guyana, political parties and civil groups have expressed optimism that 2019 will see many barriers being home.

The People’s National Congress/Reform (PNCR), a partner in the coalition government, while extending New Year’s greetings to Guyanese at home and in the diaspora, said though faced with many stumbling blocks it is optimistic about the future.

“The PNCR and its coalition partners in government, last year, faced many challenges. Thankfully, we are better together than asunder. This year we will work even more closely together to eliminate armed robberies, contraband smuggling, money-laundering, narcotics trafficking and other crimes; to staunch the dropout rates and unemployment of our youth; and more importantly to defeat the Peoples’ Progressive Party (PPP) once again, whenever elections are held,” it said in a statement on the eve of the New Year.

The PNCR said it is convinced that Guyanese remain confident in the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government to manage the affairs of the nation. It also used the opportunity to urge Guyanese to aid in the sustainable development of the country’s natural resources.

“As the New Year dawns, the PNCR calls on all Guyanese, regardless of race, ethnicity, political affiliation or religion, to participate in bringing about the transformation of our country so that Guyana’s vast resources may, at last, be made to serve the imperative for development and social advancement of all the people of Guyana.

“On this, the first day of the New Year, it is our hope that all of us will realize a measure of prosperity in our personal lives and that each of us, wherever we may be, will endeavour to make some contribution, however small, to the development of our country,” it said. The PNCR, in playing its part, says it will continue to push for peaceful development in Guyana.

IAC urges calm in New Year THE Indian Action Committee (IAC) said it is cognisant of the tensions in the country following the ‘passage’ of the no-confidence motion against the APNU+AFC Coalition Government on December 21, 2018.

As such, it is calling on all citizens to exercise calm judgement in the current political situation and do nothing to cause mischief that will disturb the peace.

“The IAC is also cognisant of the serious threat to the stability of the country caused by opportunis-

IT IS customary that at the beginning of the New Year that many people would have made their New Year’s resolution, for change, growth, positive development and advancement in different aspects of their lives and that of their families.

The truth is at Council we had trying times during 2018, and we commence this year with some of the old challenges. However, without the resultant determination and willpower to actually effect the necessary changes, change would be a figment of our imagination or wishful thinking.

The New Year’s Resolution of this Council is to continue our renewed efforts to restore aesthetics of our local communities, provide more efficient services in critical areas, to mobilise community resources to realise the municipal goals and objectives, to execute a stringent maintenance regime to help sustain community work programmes. It is factual that the success of many community projects was due

to meaningful cooperation, synergies of all resources and effective partnership.

We are fully cognisant that change is not easily embraced by all, especially when persons have to alter their old habits and activities that they have inculcated and which has become a way of life. For us to have that clean green pristine city it is important that we significantly alter our attitude toward the environment The restoration programme we observed would have to include every facet of society; the Council, the private sector and civil society. The Georgetown City Council is on a mission to make restore the beauty of Georgetown. It is a time that the dignity and pride return to the capital city.

This would only be possible with the cooperation of all.

Also, there is a need to foster cooperation and good governance. This would constitute effective communication and meaningful interaction between all sectors. This would foster optimum use of resource both human and

PPP: This is a time that hope must not be lost

THE Parliamentary Opposition, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) joined other political leaders in extending best wishes for a peaceful, prosperous and productive 2019 to Guyanese home and afar.

“The advent of a New Year is generally met with excitement by some who, among other reasons, may seek a new beginning or to continue to build upon the success achieved. For others, it is met with a sense of trepidation as uncertainty over what it may bring, prevails. No doubt, many would have good reasons to label 2018 as a challenging year with expectations that 2019 becomes much easier. Unfortunately, with each New Year, new challenges may be forthcoming,” the PPP/C said on Monday in a statement. It said it has been

M&CC promises to provide more efficient services natural.

As the New Year commences we need to confront the challenges with optimism, wisdom, cooperation, strength and a determination to work together for greater good. It is important that we put aside partisan politics and work together to restore order, beauty and majesty of Georgetown.

So, as you make your New Year’s resolutions, keep the Council in mind, as we seek to restore the city that was neglected. Fellow citizens, at this juncture as we work to rebuild the pristine beauty of Georgetown, I can only recall works of Nehemiah chapter 6 verses: 3 which states “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down”. Therefore, we must stay focus, committed, and determined to continue the work we have started to ensure Georgetown is restored to its former glory. May the peace of divine architect of the universe keep you in this year.

May you and your families have a bright, prosperous and green 2019.

tic Venezuelan aggression in which a Venezuelan warship violated Guyana’s sovereign territory and forced a vessel contracted by ExxonMobil and its partners to flee an area where the ship was carrying out lawful seismic geophysical activities on behalf of the private companies and the State of Guyana,” it said.

It is therefore calling on President Granger and the leadership of the political parties represented in the National Assembly to act quickly to prevent both internal and external turmoil.

proven that resoluteness is finding ways to mitigate and confront adversities.

The political party also took note of the fact that as the New Year dawns the country is facing an unprecedented moment in its history causing some to harbour a feeling of uncertainty.

“As we traverse this period, our party remains confident in the steadfastness of all Guyanese and in our collectively efforts which will strengthen us to address whatever challenges may lie ahead. This is a time that hope must not be lost and spirits not allowed to be broken as together we endeavor to work in the best interest of our country to unlock its potential for its advancement and that of all of its people,” it said.

Universal Peace Federation stresses peace in New Year message THE Universal Peace Federation Guyana Chapter extends New Year’s greetings to its sister organisations, ambassadors for peace and all supporters of peace and humanity in Guyana and around the world.

In 2019, we will remain committed to supporting the work of the United Nations by continuing to fully endorse the effort to achieve the SDGs. UPF has a distinguished track record of programmes that are fully consistent with the SDG agenda. In particular, UPF Guyana has carried out a wide range of programmes aimed at strengthening families as a contributing factor to building a stable, healthy society and to promoting literacy and quality education for women, boys and girls. UPF’s peacebuilding initiatives—aimed at both conflict prevention and post-conflict peacebuilding—serve to help build stable, inclusive societies globally. Here in Guyana, we are on track.

International problems such as climate change, pover-

ty, hunger, lack of clean water and sanitation, and inequality are widespread, bringing suffering to far too many members of our human family. We must do all we can as Guyanese to alleviate this suffering and contribute to helping all our neighbours and friends affected.

At this juncture in our country’s history, we make a clarion call for peace to reign across the length and breadth of our dear land. It has become incessantly important for all of us to work harmoniously towards building a nation our children and our children’s children can be proud to call home.

To our national leaders, we appeal for cautious execution of speeches, writings and actions. The national pulse must remain beating for the sake of love and unity, peace and harmony. The commitment of the Government, Opposition and other political leaders is essential to this task. Strong partnerships are needed among the Private Sector, Non-Govern-

mental Organisations (NGO’s) and faith-based organisations.

Our federation understands the limitations governments may face, so we call on all sections of society to work together for peace.

The UPF Guyana Chapter humbly urges the President and Leader of the Opposition to have ‘peace’ on the agenda when they meet in a matter of days. The discussion will likely surround the no-confidence motion and other political matters, but we know that peace talks are vital for our nation’s religious, economic, political and social stability.

In 2019, the UPF Guyana will continue its work to promoting peace and pledging our support for “One Human Family Under God.” On behalf of the Universal Peace Federation Guyana Chapter, National Chairman, Hajjii Roshan Khan and Secretary General, Rev. Ronald Mc Garrell wishes all of Guyana a HAPPY NEW YEAR! CONTINUE ON PAGE 23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

103 homes constructed by FFTP in Berbice for 2018

23

– Plans in train to construct 500 in 2019

THE dawn of a new year is usually a time for reflection, aspirations and renewed hope for a better year than the past.

Many set resolutions that centre on their wants and needs; some may want a new car, expand their home, lose some weight or save more money while others need shelter, food or clothing.

Whatever those wants and need are everyone still has something to be thankful for, be it life, family, friends or some achievement.

For 103 families in Region Six, they are full of praises to Food for the Poor Guyana Inc. (FFTP) and St. Francis Community Developers (SFCD) for granting their wish of having a place to call their own in 2018.

FFTP through collaboration with the SFCD has built and furnished 103 houses in the year 2018 for 103 families in East Berbice that have been through untold hardship and could not, in any way, be able to build or furnish a house for themselves due to their circumstances.

For Seeranie Rupert, 38, a widow of seven years and a mother of six who works night shift as a security guard to make ends meet, being able to move into her spanking new home at Block 5 Ankerville, Port Mourant,

Seeranie Rupert and her children shares a moment

East Berbice Corentyne before the new year means she can now strike one thing off her list and focus on the others.

She told the Guyana Chronicle she has moved from over 16 different places that she was allowed to stay and take care of until she walked into the doors of SFCD and explained her situation to the staff there.

“Since my husband died we move all over, people let us stay and take care of the place but it is always something to worry about because is not you place and

like me fed up to move and you got to change school for them children and suh. So me went in an explain my situation to Mr. Foster them and them help we out because me can’t afford wan home like this and take care of me family. Me so happy me nah know how fuh thank them,” she said.

The other 102 families have similar heart wrenching stories, be it a fire or some other calamity that claimed the life of the breadwinner or changed their circumstances these families are forever

grateful and have now approached life with renewed faith in humanity and are eager to lend a helping hand to others.

Among the beneficiaries are re-migrants and their families from Venezuela who could not bear the hardship anymore. Samuel and Heamwattie Gomez are eagerly counting down the days before they move into their home in Friendship village, East Berbice, Corentyne with her two grandchildren and four of their six children.

Heamwaattie had migrat-

2019 promises to be a year full of action AS the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) enters this New Year 2019, it is with a renewed vigour and determination to maintain the momentum with which we ended 2018, incoming Chairman, Timothy Harris, Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis said.

In his New Year’s Day message, Harris said “This is the final year of our first five-year Strategic Plan and preparations have already begun for the second plan, which will build on the accomplishments of its predecessor. There is no doubt that the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) is the linchpin of our efforts at sustainable

growth and development, and in the coming year we will be looking to further advance its implementation from what has been achieved in 2018.”

He noted that when CARICOM leaders gather in St Kitts and Nevis in February for the Thirtieth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference “we will conduct a special session on Air and Maritime Transportation, to focus on this critical aspect of integration as a whole and the CSME in particular. An efficient and affordable transportation system would be a tremendous stimulus to trade and intra-regional tourism thereby strengthening two critical

aspects of integration.”

He said at the core of C A R I C O M ’s t h r u s t f o r growth and development is a well-educated and healthy workforce. “Our Community’s commitment to battle against the ravages caused by chronic non-communicable diseases is unrelenting. Our ministers of health have agreed on a programme called ‘Caribbean Moves’ which seeks to create a culture of regular physical activity and healthy eating through exciting, fun and supportive programmes where people live, work, study and play. It is a whole society approach that we must embrace to tackle this continuing threat to our

ed to Venezuela twenty years ago in the hope of a better life which turned ugly and she was forced to re-migrate to her homeland.

“About two years ago things got bad and I lose my business and then everything start to collapse, we stayed and try to bear up hoping things would get better but the country keep getting worse, food start becoming scarce and the prices go up.

Imaging you working whole day and you pay can’t even buy one meal” she told this publication.

She said they managed to survive by limiting the number of meals daily to one or a maximum of two. Breakfast was removed completely and lunch was pushed back as late as possible. This was done to ensure the children still could attend school to get an education. “When things did not change we had to move out because it hard to watch everyone especially your children lose weight in front your eyes because of starvation.”

Their home is currently under construction and is expected to be completed around the 1st week in 2019.

In addition to receiving a house the 103 recipients received household appliances including stove, beds, solar panels for electricity supply

and some groceries.

At a recent handing over ceremony President of SFCD, Alex Foster said the goal with FFP by the end of 2019 is to complete 500 houses. He noted that apart from the houses and items given to the recipients they are being coached on how to make their lives better one step at a time. SFCD follows up with the families throughout the year and provide assistance as needed to each family to help them take the next step. Most persons after six months seek to expand the houses to accommodate their families.

Each family is interviewed and investigated by SFCD before their house is built and after the handing over FFTP would visit at various times to ensure care is being taken and to meet whatever needs the family may have.

Special emphasis is placed on the children to make sure they are attending school and any that are differently-abled are given special attention to receive equal access to education.

Further families with special skills are given the tools to help start a business of their own so that they can earn and take care of their families independently.

FROM PAGE 22

-New CARICOM chair

greatest resource – our people,” Harris noted.

At a high-level meeting at the United Nations “we once again brought to the attention of the international community, the threat that chronic NCDs is posing to our sustainable development. Let us make 2019, the year that made the difference in combatting chronic non-communicable diseases in our Community.”

“We will also be making strides in implementing our Human Resource Development Strategy 2030 as we move to draft the new school curriculum with particular emphasis on Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STEAM). It

is imperative that the young CARICOM citizens are adequately prepared both for the global environment and for playing their part in helping the region’s thrust towards sustainable development.”

Harris said 2019 promises to be a year full of action for CARICOM. “It is a year in which I look forward to us all being part of the celebration at CARIFESTA XIV, which will be held during the period 16-25 August 2019, in Trinidad and Tobago, under the theme “The Tangible and Intangible – Connect, Share, Invest”. It is a celebration and promotion of our culture. It will bring together, song, dance, visual arts and other

cultural expressions. It is always an event to cherish, and I have no doubt that the festival will once again live up to its billing as the premier cultural exposition in the region. As I assume the chair of the Community for the next six months, I would like to acknowledge the sterling leadership of my predecessor in the position, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica. He has set a standard which, with the help of my colleague Heads of Government, the Secretariat and the regional institutions I will strive to match.

May we all have a Happy, Healthy and Productive New Year.”

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 1, 2019

CDC hands over Damage and Needs Assessment gear to RDCs –– to boost disaster response management countrywide

THE Civil Defence Commission (CDC) handed over a quantity of gears to the Regional Democratic Councils (RDC) of Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four) and Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five) as it continues its efforts to boost disaster response management nationwide.

Director General (ag) of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig said the CDC had trained several persons from both Regions Four and Five, earlier this year, in the area of Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA).

According to a release from the CDC the gear and tools would equip the trainees to be in a better position to execute that which they were taught.

“The whole aim is to have them respond to any incident and gather information, which helps the commission to make informed decisions. So today, we want to hand over the tools and equipment that are necessary to carry out these functions.

Once this equipment has been handed over, we expect that if anything happens, your team can go out and do the damage assessments,” Lieutenant Colonel Craig said as he handed the equipment over to Region Four’s Regional Executive Officer (REO), Ms. Pauline Lucas

Director General (ag) of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig handing over gears to officials of the region

and the region’s Vice-Chairman, Mr. Earl Lambert.

The director-general (ag) said too that the commission remains committed to building Guyana’s disaster risk management capabilities through stakeholder engagements and as such, will be working to complete the Regional Risk Assessment Report and Regional Multi-Hazard Preparedness and Response Plan for Region Four by the first quarter

of 2019.

“This is in an effort to build resilience at the regional level so as to reduce disaster risk through enhanced preparedness and response capabilities. The completion of the plan will give the region the independence to manage its own disaster planning and resilience and will help to guide how every unit, every agency that falls within the region would be able to respond to any disaster or

emergency,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Lucas thanked the CDC for the items while assuring that

it will be properly utilised when the need arises.

“We would like to thank the CDC for this kind gesture

and it will be used for the enhancement of efforts in responding to any disaster.

We will use it to ensure that we are ready and equipped to respond to any disaster,” she said.

Mr. Lambert, like Ms. Lucas, expressed gratitude to the CDC and noted that for a country that is below sea level, preparedness and response are key elements in tackling disasters.

“I would like to thank the CDC. We are below sea level and as such, we have to be prepared in times for disaster. We have some areas that we must pay attention to because during the rainy season, we have the CDC from time to time would call on us to find out what’s happening in the various areas and now you are responding in a way to prepare our people so that if there is any disaster, they are prepared to respond,” he said.

Rupununi farmer charged for allegedly killing Brazilian A 37-year-old Moco-Moco Village, Rupununi farmer was on Monday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for the murder of a Brazilian on Christmas Day. Darren Williams, the suspect, was not required to plead to the capital offence which alleged that on December 25, 2018 at Moco-Moco Village, he murdered Elvis Aulicio, a 44-year-old farmer of Bon Fin, Brazil.

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh told the court that Williams and Aulicio were known to each other and on Christmas day they were at a birthday party at Moco-Moco Village consuming alcohol.

It is alleged that an argument ensued between the men due to Williams’ accusing Aulicio of stealing his labba meat from his haversack. The prosecutor explained that after Aulicio left the party, Williams followed him to the Moco-Moco Savannah and stabbed him to the neck with a knife. Sigh explained that Williams left Aulicio there to die and made good of his escape. The body was discovered by persons on Boxing Day and Williams was arrested.

Williams was remanded to prison until January 17, 2019 and will make his next appearance at the Lethem Magistrate's Court.

Darren Williams

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

25

26 26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

27

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

29

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Crandon tipped to be WI new assistant coach

Shiv expected to take up new role in Jaguars’ setup

By Rajiv Bisnauth GUYANA’s most successful first-class head coach, Esaun Crandon, is a top prospect to be named assistant coach of the regional cricket team sometime this month.

Crandon, the Guyana Jaguars four-time Cricket West Indies Regional 4-Day winning coach, who was given the responsibility of coaching the West Indies ‘B’ team at the recently held Canada Cricket Summerfest tournament, is set to be appointed before England tour the Caribbean later this month for a full tour.

England will play the West Indies in three Tests, five ODIs and three T20Is, in five of the region’s top tourist destinations with the tour starting in Barbados and ending in St. Kitts.

While no official announcement has been made by Cricket West Indies, Chronicle Sport was reliably informed that the appointment of Crandon, the 37-year-old, was long in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, Chronicle Sport was also informed that the second most prolific Test cricketer in Windies history, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, is expected to feature prominently as Crandon successor.

Chanderpaul, 43, is respected for having a shrewd cricketing mind and isn’t the type to ignite controversies.

He’s known to manage players exceedingly well, in other words, someone the board can do ‘business’ with.

During a Test career that spanned two decades (1994-2015), Chanderpaul played a record 164 Tests for the Windies, scoring 11,867 runs at an average of 51.37. During that time he scored 30 Test centuries and 66 fifties and was a stabilising force in the Windies middle order.

He was also prolific in ODIs, amassing 8,778 runs at an average of 41.60 in 268 matches during which he scored 11 centuries and 59 half-centuries.

Chanderpaul announced his retirement from international cricket in January 2016.

Roraima Galacticos stop ...

From back page back into the game in the 35th minute when he scored from the penalty spot after Roraima Galacticos picked up their 6th team foul.

Raphael Lopes, in the 40th minute, would put the icing on the cake for Roraima Galacticos as they celebrated their title with fans.

For their valiant effort, Morvant Caledonia United went home with $600,000 and in the thirdplace game, Georgetown All-Stars trashed Team Guyana 13-7, with a hattrick of goals from Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, Jeremy Garrett and Pernell Schultz.

Schultz netted in the sixth, eighth and 17th minutes, and Richardson, who opened the scoring in the game, followed up with goals in the 24th and 29th minutes, alongside a hat-

trick from Jeremy Garrett in the 10th, 24th and 37th minutes, to win the $300,000 prize.

Hubert Pedro scored in the fifth and 13th minute and Ryan Hackett hammered in a double of his own in the 21st and 30th minutes.

Darren Benjamin (15th and 18th), Andrew Murray (3 rd ), Rudy Halley (11 th ), Daniel Wilson (12 th), Jermin Junior (22nd) and Colin

AMERICAN RACING TIPS Aqueduct Race 1 Crimson Frost Race 2 Bourbon Rye Race 3 Big Brown Cat Race 4 Holiday Bonus Race 5 Carrera Cat Race 6 Stone Breaker Race 7 Picco Uno Race 8 Mind Control Race 9 Alright Alright IRISH RACING TIPS Fairyhouse 08:20 hrs Momus 08:55 hrs Western Victory 09:30 hrs Anywayyoulookatit 10:05 hrs Court Adjourned 10:40 hres Roaring Bull 11:15 hrs Major Destination 11:45 hrs Ontheropes ENGLISH RACING TIPS Cheltenham 08:15 hrs I Can’t Explain 08:50 hrs Beware The Bear

Nelson (34th), were the other scorers for the Guyana side.

With the win, Georgetown All-Stars pocketed $300,000 and a trophy, while the loser collected $100,000 and a trophy.

Lopes picked up the Most Valuable Player (MVP) accolade and the Highest Goal Scorer title, while Devon Charles of Georgetown All-Stars was named the Best GoalKeeper of the tournament.

09:25 hrs Defi Du Seuil 10:00 hrs Happy Diva 10:35 hrs Nautical Nitwit 11:10 hrs Wholestone 11:50 hrs Cascova Musselburgh 08:30 hrs Hannon 09:05 hrs Knock House 09:40 hrs Knockgraffon 10:15 hrs Chica Buena 10:50 hrs Kajaki 11:25 hrs Born For War Southwell 08:35 hrs Point Zero 09:10 hrs Global Melody 09:45 hrs Ornate 10:20 hrs The Great Wall 10:55 hrs Tagur 11:30 hrs Bond Angel SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Greyville 08:30 hrs Champenois 09:15 hrs Sigismund 09:55 hrs Amber Furst 10:35 hrs Royal Rustler

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Assured India sniff maiden series win in Sydney

By Ian Ransom

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Overflowing with confidence and buoyed by the blossoming of a rare pace talent, India can sniff a first-ever series win on Australian soil ahead of the fourth and final Test in Sydney.

Led by Jasprit Bumrah’s series-leading 20 wickets, India’s vaunted pace attack have hogged the spotlight this tour but the slow bowlers may get their turn to shine on the traditionally spin-friendly wicket at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Leading the series 2-1 after the 137-run thrashing of Tim Paine’s depleted Australia in Melbourne on Sunday, Virat Kohli’s team are in the box seat to shrug off the nation’s history of underachievement Down Under.

The last Indian team to win two Tests in Australia was back in 1977-78 but the Bob Simpson-captained hosts claimed the fifth and

final contest to break the hearts of Bishan Bedi’s side.

After India outplayed Australia with bat and ball in Melbourne, Kohli is convinced India have the firepower to break new ground.

“We’re not shocked or very surprised by what’s happened,” he said after the MCG triumph.

“We always believed that it’s very possible because of the talent we have in the side and the mindset that we’ve been carrying for the last 12 months, regardless of what’s been said or the mistakes we’ve made.

“It’s a great opportunity from the point of view that we always wanted to win a series away from home.

“The fact that the boys realised we worked so hard to be here now and there is no looking back, it’s the last test of the series and you have to give everything you have to win a series, and that was our goal from day one.”

India’s sole defeat in the series came without a spinner at Perth, when the team

India didn’t hide their emotions after wrapping up their first win at the MCG since 1981 ©Cricket Australia

went with four pace bowlers in a much-criticised selection. Australia spinner Nathan Lyon took a bag of wickets to be named manof-the-match.

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja was selected in Melbourne and supported the quicks with five wickets,

while Ravichandran Ashwin continued his recovery from an abdominal strain.

Ashwin took six wickets and was instrumental in the series-opening win in Adelaide, so India may be keen to unleash a dual spin bowling attack against Australia’s ill-at-ease batsmen.

“It depends on the pitch.

I think Ashwin’s very close to being match fit,” Kohli said. “He’s been bowling a lot of overs and I’m sure these next four days will make him even stronger.

“Regardless, being the last Test match I think he will be willing to push him-

self and start for the team but again it depends on what type of pitch we get for Sydney.”

Plagued by worries over their opening pair after Perth, India solved one half of the equation by blooding Mayank Agarwal, who enjoyed a stellar debut with a 76 in the first innings and three catches in the match.

With 42 in the second innings, Agarwal’s total of 118 runs for the match was a record for an Indian debutant in Australia.

Spin bowling all-rounder Hanuma Vihari, promoted from number six after Perth, was less assured in his debut as an opener, scoring eight and 13. He could make way for fit-again seam-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya should selectors opt for two spinners.

Kohli, however, praised Vihari for soaking up 111 deliveries in the Melbourne Test and may be reluctant to fiddle too much with a winning combination.

Serena wins on return but U.S. BCB 2019 season bowls off on lose Hopman Cup opener (REUTERS) - Serena Williams made a winning return to competitive action at the Hopman Cup on Monday but could not prevent the United States from losing 2-1 to Greece in their opening round-robin match Williams, playing her first competitive match since losing the U.S. Open final to Naomi Osaka, powered past Maria Sakkari 7-6(3) 6-2 to level the Group B contest at 1-1 after Stefanos Tsitsipas had beaten American Frances Tiafoe 6-3 6-7(3) 6-3.

The 37-year-old, who had both ankles strapped and required medical attention in her singles match, then combined with Tiafoe but could not overcome Sakkari and Tsitsipas who won the mixed doubles rubber 4-1 1-4 4-2 to seal the tie.

“It’s great to be back out in match day, and it’s great to be back out here,” said Williams, who will be chasing a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open next month.

Williams made a several unforced errors early on but overpowered her opponent with 13 aces and 29 winners, claiming two breaks en route to a comfortable win.

“It was my first match back, she played unbelievable. Maria is super

Thursday

Serena Williams

young and such a good player. I was making a lot of errors. I was like, ‘It’s OK, it’s your first match and you’ll get better’. I just kept trying to think that.”

Defeat left six-times winners U.S. at the bottom of the group ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with holders Switzerland, who thumped Britain on Sunday.

Roger Federer and Williams, holders of a combined 43 singles Grand Slam titles, will face each other for the first time on Tuesday when they feature in the mixed doubles match alongside partners Belinda Bencic

and Tiafoe.

Local media have described the clash as the most anticipated match involving men and women since 1973’s “Battle of the Sexes” which saw 39-times major winner Billie Jean King beat former men’s world number one Bobby Riggs in an exhibition match.

“It’s exciting for both of us and I hope a lot of tennis fans tune in and watch it,” Federer said on Sunday.

“I admire everything she’s done on and off the court, we’re both fierce competitors and we always want to win.”

THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)2019 cricketing season will bowl off on Thursday with the New York Business Group Under-19 tournament.

The BCB selectors will name a 30-man training squad for the upcoming GCB Under-19 tournament. The squad will be named based on performances during the opening rounds.

Rounds one and two fixtures was released by the BCB. Thursday 3rd January Blairmont vs D Edwards @ D Edwards.

Achievers vs Paradise @ Paradise.

Tucber Park vs Edinburgh @ Edinburgh.

Mt.Sanai vs RH Canje @ Mt Sanai.

Kendall Union Bye. Albion A vs RHT B @ Albion.

PMCC vs RHT A @ PMCC. No 73 vs Albion B @ No73.

Friday 4th January Blairmont vs Paradise @ Paradise.

Achievers vs D Edwards @ Bushlot.

Kendall Union vs Canje @ Canje.

Tucber Park vs Mt Sanai @ Mt Sanai.

RH Canje Bye Albion A vs Albion B @ Albion.

RHT B vs RHT A @ Area H. PMCC vs No73 @ PMCC.

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Titans Table Tennis Club making strides in Guyana

By Michelangelo Jacobus AFTER a little over seven years in existence, the Titans Table Tennis Club has been quietly building its brand and putting quality systems into place with much success and is now the name on the lips of those in the table tennis fraternity and the sports community in Guyana.

However, according to founder and President, Dwain Dick, 2018 has been nothing but phenomenal as the fruits of his and his team’s hard work has finally begun to show.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport, Dick revealed that over the past year, one of the most outstanding accomplishments would have been “Titans partnering with the corporate businesses in Guyana to much success; companies such as Guyana Beverage Company through their Viva Water brand; Banks DIH through their Malta brand; Beacons Cafe, Raj Singh, Maggies and countless others who have really helped to revive junior table tennis in the country.

“Not only have we partnered with the corporate entities, but we have also forged valuable relationships in the education sector with schools such as Westfield Prep, Queen’s College and Marian Academy.

“The fruits of those partnerships have been the young players we attracted to table

tennis, the young talents who are the next generation of national players.”

Dick noted; “We had discoveries such as the Melville sisters (Crystal and Nikki) and of course Jonathan Van Lange, who has been growing from strength to strength. We already have had Jasmine Billingy for a couple of years, but her growth in 2018 was astounding, especially through our junior tournaments”.

CLUB PLAYERS’ DOMINANCE In 2018, the Titans’ players dominated the Junior category at the National level. Dick pointed out that it was especially fulfilling to see the hard work of those players pay dividends.

“We had winners such as Colin Wong who took the Boys U-11 title, Jonathan Van Lange the U-13, while Jasmine Billingy copped the Girls U-9 and U-11 titles respectively. In the U-13 girls’ category, we had Thuraia Thomas copping that title while she also impressed at the U-15 and U-18 levels; Neveah Clarkston won the U-15 and U-18 girls categories to round it off for the Titans players”.

TOURNAMENTS Dick believes players can be really assessed and show their quality at tournaments and as such, Titans have had a hand in organ-

Titans Table Tennis Club Founder and President, Dwain Dick ising four Junior tournaments in 2018.

He explained; “At our four tournaments, I must say they were resounding successes, all players came out, the competition was of the highest calibre, sponsors even came out and interacted. Looking ahead in 2019 in terms of tournaments, we already have some of the sponsors from the past year; they have already committed to having some of the tournaments as annual events”.

He also revealed; “Our general thrust for 2019 will be focused on attracting more players to the game, to create a bigger pool of talent and to raise the quality of the game throughout the different categories”.

“Not only the organisation of tournaments will help achieve this, but increased

training camps and clinics.

We’re looking to go to different schools, not only in Georgetown but throughout different regions of Guyana where we’ll do introductory courses and outreaches; we’re looking to decentralize the sport” he added.

Dick also explained that Titans is not only a club, but more like an academy; he underscored that one of the main objectives of Titans is to look at how they can expand on the academic side of the members and players.

TITANS FACILITY Although Titans is currently based at the Red Cross Building in Kingston, the club will be having a home of their own in the future.

A long-time vision of Dick’s, the Titans Table Tennis Facility is starting to take shape and he believes that with the right partnerships and assistance, it will be a reality in the very near future.

Dick said it came about through the growth of the club, “We saw a phenomenal rise in members and players this past year; plans are in the pipelines, my mother is my greatest supporter, I was given a piece of land by her as a gift to support the sport as she’s an avid follower of table tennis”.

“We’ve already cleaned up the area in ‘A’ Field Sophia, we’ve done a landfill,

One of the most exciting junior table tennis players is Jonathan Van Lange who is a Titan product. the very first phase has been completed, there is already a concrete fence up around it, so the journey has started.”

He continued; “My vision for the facility is that it’ll be a professional environment where coaches can earn a living through sport, somewhere that students can access education and advance through the sport of tennis”.

“My whole aim and focus is to give the children an opportunity to get scholarships, take up the sport as a profession; however this will have a lot to do with us being complemented by the Guyana Table Tennis Association through collaboration. Hopefully, my vision, which is the development of the sport, is along the same lines with the GTTA. Facilities along with coaching are two of the most important pillars in the development of any sport.

According to Dick, the facility will include a general

playing area, bathrooms and changing rooms, a gym, a classroom and dormitories.

“I’m hoping to create employment for 20-25 persons, they will fill positions of coaches, teachers, a physiotherapist and maybe a psychiatrist on a part-time basis”.

Persons who are willing to assist in any way are welcome to reach out to Dick; he can be contacted on 642-3288, or interested persons can go to the Facebook page: Titans Table Tennis Club.

“I’m especially interested in partnering with corporate persons, there are opportunities for them to get marketing and branding rights especially, something which can be beneficial to both the sport of table tennis and the corporate backers” Dick concluded.

As 2019 beckons, within the first three weeks of January, Titans will be conducting a Players Psychology Workshop with the first tournament slated for early February.

Berbice U15 squad reduced to 30, trial games set for this week THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has trimmed 20 U15 cricketers off its short-listed squad of 50 in preparation for its first trial match, which is set for tomorrow (January 2).

The Ancient County cricketers are preparing for the Guyana Cricket Board U15 Inter-County tournament, which is scheduled for next month.

The original group of youngsters held practice sessions at the Albion Community Centre ground on Sunday and after much deliberation, their coach Leslie Solomon and selectors Collis Butts and Balram Samaroo decided

keram, Civian Arokium, Matthew Pottaya, Tuvraj Shaundeo, Kumar Deopersaud, Bhaskar Dhanai, Isiah Thorne, Niquan Samuel, Duncan Douglas, Christopher Deroop, Shiv Harripersaud, Abdul Munroe, Tyrese Phillips, Romario Ramdehol, Dwayne Williams and Salim Khan.

The 50 players who took part in the first training session on Sunday last. on the most suitable 30 to continue training.

After tomorrow’s practice game at Albion, the players will meet again on Saturday (January 5) at the same venue for another clash.

According to information from the board, the players should be at the venue for 08:00h.

The 30-man squad include: Rampertab Ramnauth, Avishkar Persaud, Veer Farhad, Altaf

Balman, Devon Sobhai, Ryan France, Tameshwar Mahadeo, Sanjay Algoo, Kelvin Samuels, Mark Ramdehol, Reyad Rahaman, Damieon Cecil, Romeo Deonarine, Justin Meghu, Boodram La-

U19 TRIALS Meanwhile the BCB will use the open rounds of the 2019 New York Business Group U19 tournament to short-list a squad of 30 for the upcoming GCB U19 tournament.

Players will be selected

via their performances in the first two rounds (14 games) that are scheduled for this Thursday and Friday.

On Thursday, Blairmont will travel to the D. Edwards ground to challenge the home team. Also hosting will be Edinburg (who will face Tucber Park), Paradise (against Achievers), Mt. Sanai (against RH Canje), Albion A (against Rose Hall Town B), Port Mourant CC (against RHT A team) and No 73 (against Albion B).

Kendall Union drew the bye.

The competition continues on Friday with another seven games.

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Net Rockers and Eagles United battle for $1.2 M in UDFA/GT Beer final tonight

By Joe Chapman NET Rockers from the Wisrock/ One Mile/ Half communities will get another chance to be GT Beer champions when they clash with nemesis Eagles United out of Christianburg / Wismar on New Year’s night (tonight) in the final of the Upper Demerara Football Association’s sixth year-end football tournament to be played at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

At stake will be $1.2M for the winners and $600,000 for the losers; the ‘Rockers’ had to settle for second place when the two sides played to a 0-0 stalemate in the Senior League Championship, this time there must be a winner.

The Net Rockers must be smarting from their 4-1 loss against Botofago when they clashed one year ago in the final and would want to grab this chance and become champion after all. In so doing, the Rockers coach Eon ‘Axeman’ Wills must be aware that coming off their

semi-final 2-1 win against Haynes and Lewis Winners Connection, they must be more organised when they face Eagles United.

However, this Wismar side ‘Rockers’ has been the more dominant in this tournament, barring their semifinal game where they were not as impressive as they have been throughout the year.

Coach Wills no doubt is experienced enough to make the right call this time around. He has the complement of players to do the job and how they execute will decide their right to be called champions. He sees his game tactics around a total team effort even though there may be players who would stand out.

Marshalling the central defender’s position is Omeion Wills with Mark McLean, left wing back Deshawn Young and Devon Caesar, and DeShawn Joseph attacking in the middle with players like Orande Wills and Leonard Wilson, while up front

Denzil Pryce –Net Rockers

Omar Brewley - Eagles United

roaming will be Denzil Pryce, all-purpose Shane Luckie and Clarence Huggins.

The ‘Rockers’ forward line will be having the familiar duo of Denzil Pryce and Clarence Huggins along with lanky Shane Luckie, who have been their best scorers for some time although Huggins has tempered off somewhat.

But Pryce with the lanky Luckie will pose problems for the Eagles United de-

fence. In the middle are Orande Wills and Leonard Wilson while the defence will see central defender Omeion Wills, Mark McLean, left wing back Deshawn Joseph and Devon Caesar with Compton Burnett in between the uprights.

The Eagles United is playing as a team and will fancy their chances this time after that semifinal loss last year against Eagles United.

That game ended 4-1 for Eagles United with Luckie net-

has been impressive so far. Kendolph Lewis and Brewley were exciting players at the school level and has shown great promise at the club level and have been getting goals for their club.

Added to them are the earlier graduates from that school level in Colwyn Drakes, who despite getting goals and Kellon Primo on the forward line still not reaching top form, will be key players should Eagles win tonight. Deron Charter has fitted in well and with Yannick Simon being their custodian, this game should go down to the wire.

To cap a night of exciting football will be the third place playoff game for $300,000 between last year’s winner, Botofago and Winners Connection at 19.00hrs.

That game will be followed by the final and the Most Valuable Player will be riding home with a motorcycle after the final whistle of the deciding game which starts at 21.00hrs.

ting a second-half hat-trick and Huggins the other, all coming in the second half.

Eagles, however, placed third when they defeated Silver Shattas last year and are certain to have their huge Christianburg following.

Coach Rawle ‘Jughead’ Huntley, who is positive about his side’s ability, said “We want to make some changes for the final to make it exciting.”

But it’s more than that because the experienced former national midfielder Clive DeNobrega, their leader, is nursing an injury and this could be a reason that the Eagles United would be making adjustments.

At the same time, former youth standout, Omar Brewley, has been asked to give up his attacking midfield role and is playing in the pivot of the Eagles defence.

This move, Huntley said, has seen a maturing of Brewley’s game and with Brewley there is another young player with extreme talent who

Crandon anticipates competitive game against Pride

By Rajiv Bisnauth

MAINTAINING momentum will be the order of the day when the defending champions Guyana Jaguars clash with Barbados Pride in round three of the Regional Four-Day Championships at the Kensington Oval from Thursday.

The Jaguars, four-time defending champions, are leading on the points table, and will definitely start this round as firm favourites, taking into consideration their huge wins in their first two encounters.

They lead the table with 37points ahead of Pride, who have 22.6. Hurricanes are in third with 22.2 points followed by Windward Volcanoes (21.4), Jamaica Scorpions (5) and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force (4.4).

However, complacency will be the only thing that Leon Johnson and company will have to resist, but the

Jaguars have never given the impression that this is something which imbeds itself in the way they operate.

Speaking with Chronicle Sport yesterday, head coach Esaun Crandon indicated that the Jaguars is anticipating a very competitive game since the Pride will be at full strength.

“Obviously, we expect a full strength Barbados

(Pride) team, so definitely we anticipate a very competitive game,” Crandon revealed.

The ex-first class cricketer added “Over the years, Barbados have played some tough cricket, but once we play to the conditions, play to our full strength, we can come out on top. The important thing for us is to win more sessions, that is what is important”.

Esaun Crandon

Crandon, who is touted to be the next assistant coach of the regional team when England start their tour with a Three-Test series starting on January 23 in Barbados, further mentioned that while the Jaguars unit is good on paper, they need to play consistent cricket throughout the four days.

The squad departs tomorrow for Barbados.

Guyana Jaguars squad for round three: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Leon Johnson (Captain), Vishaul Singh, Christopher Barnwell, Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Veerasammy Permaul, Clinton Pestano, Keon Joseph and Gudakesh Motie.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday January 01, 2019) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to Sunday’s quiz:

The Guyana Jaguars are the defending champions.

(1) Mahela Jayawardene-2921 runs in 27 Tests (Shinalese Sports Club, Colombo)

(2) Brian Lara-1650 runs in 14 Tests (ARG, St. John’s Antigua)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who has taken most Test wickets at a single venue to date?

(2) Who has taken most Test wickets at a single Caribbean venue to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 1, 2019

35

Roraima Galacticos stop T&T to win inaugural GFF/ExxonMobil Futsal title

CHAMPS! The victorious Roraima Galacticos following their 4 – 1 win over Morvant Caledonia United in the finals of the GFF/ExxonMobil International Futsal tournament.

‘Jackie Chan’, Schultz, Garrett net hat-trick for ‘GT’ All-Stars RORAIMA Galacticos and Trinidad and Tobago’s Morvant Caledonia United played an entertaining game in the GFF/ExxonMobil Futsal championship finals, but in the end, it was the team from Brazil who will return home with the inaugural title and the $1.2M first-place prize, following their 4 – 1 win at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Played in the wee hours of the morning of New Year’s Eve, an almost capacity crowd witness what was the best game of the eightteam tournament, as the ‘Trinis’ were guilty of squandering several clear-cut chances in their attempt to do what every other team failed to do – beat the Brazilians.

After playing to a goalless first half, the Brazilian club got the go-ahead goal in the 25th minute in a rather controversial manner, with the Trinidadians furiously protesting that Lucas Martins’ strike did not past Marvin Phillips’ goal line and should not have been counted.

But things would go the Brazilians way five minutes later when Arckson Andreazza converted his effort. A minute later, Maxivon Carvalho made it 3 – 0.

Jomal Williams brought the Trinidadians See page 31

The controversial goal! Lucas Martins’ opening goal of the game that caused an uproar by the Trinidadians since they thought that the ball did not cross the goal line.

Pybus set to become West Indies’ head coach

RICHARD Pybus, West Indies’ high performance director, has agreed to take up the role of head coach full-time, replacing the interim coach Nic Pothas. Pybus’ contract, ESPNcricinfo understands, will effectively run until the 2019 Test series against India, which follows the ODI World Cup in England.

The position of West Indies head coach had been vacant since Stuart Law resigned from the position less than two years into his job.

He left West Indies to take up a four-year contract with the English county team Middlesex. Originally the fielding coach, Pothas was made interim head coach for the recent tour of Bangladesh that followed Law’s exit. West Indies lost Test and ODI series 2-0 and 2-1 respectively, and won the T20Is 2-1.

Pybus took over as high performance director in February, his role requiring him to work alongside selectors and coaches across all levels of the game in the Caribbean. He had previously served as West Indies’ director of cricket from 2013 to the end of 2016, when he chose not to renew his contract.

Pybus’ return to West Indies cricket wasn’t welcomed by everyone. The former West Indies opener Desmond Haynes

Richard Pybus (left) during his spell with Bangladesh( AFP photo). questioned the process of appointing him - “It would be great to ask the [CWI] president [Dave Cameron] about this appointment and when was this position advertised,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

Darren Sammy, who captained West Indies when Pybus was director of cricket, expressed disbelief at his return. “Lies lies lies... Must be fake news,” Sammy tweeted, and a day later, in response to a reply: “Well I’m still hoping that nightmare is not true #fakenews he’s not coming back at CWI.” Pybus’ stint as director of cricket was controversial - he was responsible for the policy that made participation in West Indies’ domestic competitions mandatory for international selection across formats.

This was in part responsible for a number of senior players choosing to focus solely on playing T20 leagues around the world.

Before his stints with West Indies, Pybus coached Pakistan - taking them to the final of the 1999 World Cup - and Bangladesh apart from a number of domestic teams around the world, working extensively in South Africa at the franchise level.

His last stint with an international team, Bangladesh, ended up lasting only five months after a disagreement over the terms of his contract in 2012. Last year, he was also shortlisted and interviewed for the role of India coach. (ESPN Cricinfo).

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2019