Guyana Chronicle E-paper 01-08-2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

TUESDAY

1

8th JANUARY, 2019

No.1055011

‘I’ve only been Guyanese’ …New MP Pilgrim slams Guyana Times fake article

PAGE

15

OAI suspends issuance of protocol passes 13 PAGE

AG wants court determine absolute majority in no-confidence vote

PAGE

10

Campbell pulls out

Businessman Terence Campbell

SEE STORY ON PAGE 12

…says new party has members with dual citizenship

…cites political polarisation, poisoned environment

Police destroy ganja farms POLICE in ‘E’ Division (Linden-Kwakwani) acting on a tip-off recently swooped down on Millie’s Hideout) on the Upper Demerara River where they discovered a flourishing marijuana farm on about two acres of land The Police said that about 500 kgs along with a nursery with about 200 plants were only just recently destroyed. Reports indicate that law enforcement destroyed two make-shift camps with four hammocks, two mattresses and a quantity of kitchen utensils.

They also said that about two miles away another three-acre marijuana field was discovered with bout 3500 plants measuring two to six feet in height and estimated weight about 775 kgs along with a nursery with about 500 plants.

Police said that there were two makeshift camps with five hammocks, three mattresses, kitchen utensils, clothing, groceries and one red mountain bike, one water can and six cellular phones.

No one was found on either farm.

Last year law enforcement authorities carried out nine eradication operations of illicit cultivation in which nine fields were targeted representing 17.5 acres of land.

One of the camps that were destroyed in the police raid

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Minister Jordan corrects misleading KN article THE Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan on Monday responded to an article that was published in the Kaieteur News, to address particular misinformation it contained.

The article titled “Natural Resource Fund Bill Riddled with Loopholes for risky Investment”, made reference to the passage of the Natural Resource Fund Bill in the National Assembly, on Thursday, January 03, 2019.

In particular, it was stated that the Bill was passed with no changes made to the flaws highlighted by international and local transparency advocates. Contrary to this piece of misinformation, minister said, the Bill, which was laid in the National Assembly on 19 November, 2018 underwent substantial revision to incorporate many comments received from local and international individuals and organisations, including the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI).

“Had you taken the time to review the Bill that was passed in the National Assembly, prior to rushing to the press, you would have

realised that many of the relevant comments made by the NRGI on the Green Paper were actually addressed in the Bill,” Jordan said in release.

Explaining that the Bill clearly limits investments to certain assets, as is articulated in Section 31, where there is a detailed list and criteria for eligible asset classes to which investments of the Natural Resource Fund are limited. The fund will also be invested according to the principle of passive investment management (Section 35), which means that investments shall be made to track certain indices.

Additionally he said, Schedule Two of the Bill sets ceilings and floors for investments in various asset classes, which limits the riskiness of investments. The Investment Mandate, which would include instructions on investments, would include directions relating to the management of market and other financial risks, as stated in Section 36 of the Bill.

“The newspaper article also erroneously stated that the Bill does not require re-

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan

porting on all assets financed by the NRF. In the annual report of the fund, the Bill mandates that the report include the market value for each individual eligible bank deposit, eligible Treasury bill, eligible sovereign bond, eligible corporate bond, eligible equity, eligible commodity and eligible derivative held by the fund. This is included in Section 41 of the Bill, and Section 42 requires that this report be published on the ministry’s website,” Jordan

lamented.

The minister also advised that while the Ministry of Finance will continue its engagement with the public on the legislation, the media are asked to play their roles as educators and purveyors of truth and accuracy. Encouraging all interested persons to download and read the Natural Resource Fund Legislation, which can be found at www.finance.gov.gy.

Shuman to launch party Saturday

A political party headed by former Toshao of St Cuthbert’s Mission, Lenox Shuman will be launched on Saturday, at the Umana Yana under the theme.

“Shaping Guyana’s future”.

Shuman , who is the movement’s founder and presidential candidate, has said on Facebook that the name of the party is the Liberty and Justice Party.

Recently, complaints were made against the former Vice-Chair of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) by residents of St Cuthbert’s

Lenox Shuman

Mission as well as persons who had encounters with the former village leader at the village.

The government, through the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs hascriticised the trend of public posturing by the NTC with Shuman at its helm The ministry noted last April that positions taken on matters by the executive of the NTC body at the time were “not reflective of the thinking of the wider Indigenous body and the general population of Indigenous Guyanese citizens.”

With Shuman in its leadership, the ministry said the body displayed a confrontational, demanding and dis-

respectful tone towards the Office of the President of Guyana in writing to President David Granger on certain matters.

“Simultaneous with calls for meetings with His Excellency President David Granger, Lenox Shuman and vice-chairman of the NTC issued a call for mass public protest against the Government of Guyana by our Indigenous citizenry.

The Ministry will allow the Guyanese public to judge Shuman’s intentions,” the ministry said.

Bandits grab cash, valuables during NA robbery MOMENTS before New Amsterdam vendor Wilma Alexander left her home at Lot 1312 Glasgow New Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice, five masked armed bandits entered her home, robbing her in excess of $60,000, a laptop computer, an electronic tablet and her wedding band.

The 36-year-old Alexander recalled lying awake in anticipation of preparing to travel at 02:30hrs to Port Mourant Market where she would purchase fruits and vegetables for resale at New Amsterdam.

It was at 01:43hrs on Monday that she heard a movement in the living room, and had initially assumed that the elder of her three daughters was about to iron her sisters’ clothing in preparation for school. Moments later, she heard the wooden bar being removed from behind the front door before the door was opened. But, as she remained still on the bed, she was confronted with a masked gunman who demanded gold and money.

Thereafter, three entered bearing weapons, and they too demanded, ‘gold and money’.

Another gunman acted as a ‘watch out’. “I had my purse and they pulled it, before saying to one another at least we get more than ten thousand a man, before running out.

Within seconds they returned and asked that I raise up the mattress and finding nothing more of value, they decided to divide the money in the

Robbery victim Wilma Alexander

house,” the woman related.

However, during the ordeal Alexander said one of the five men forcefully removed her wedding band and another ring from her fingers. She knew she could have successfully fought with them, but opted not to do so, after seeing the weapons. That aside, the woman observed how the intruders were watching at her daughters, and ,not wanting them to be assaulted in any manner, opted to cooperate.

It was after the men left that she noticed that an individual had removed three louvre panes, through which they had gained entry into her home. Thereafter, she observed that the Acer laptop, an electronic tablet, a mobile phone with two sims, her husband’s bird and cage and the other items were missing, while two cutlasses and a knife were found on the ground outside the very window the thieves had gained entry into the house. Police are investigating the matter.

The flat concrete house which was robbed by bandits at Glasgow New Housing Scheme

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Only court can pronounce on House membership—McKay LEAD attorney in the application against the opposition-won no-confidence motion, Senior Counsel Rex McKay is adamant that the Supreme Court is the only institution authorised to pronounce on membership in the National Assembly.

The senior attorney is heading a team of lawyers who are asking the High Court to declare former Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament Charandass Persaud, not qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly, since he, by his own action, has pledged allegiance to a foreign government in contravention of Article 155 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana.

The senior counsel pointed out that despite arguments against the involvement of the Supreme Court in the matter; it is the Constitution that dictates the involvement of the court to determine the validity of a Member of Parliament. He told the Guyana Chronicle in an interview on Monday that the move to challenge the validity of the expelled AFC MP is clearly supported in Article 64 of the Constitution which says that, “All questions as to membership of the National Assembly shall be determined by the High Court in accordance with the provisions of article 163.” Article 163 of the Constitution dictates also that “…the High Court shall

have exclusive jurisdiction to determine any question ––(a) regarding the qualification of any person to be elected as a member of the National Assembly…” The Article goes on to highlight eventualities that may affect the validity of Parliamentary membership.

McKay (SC) told the newspaper that the application to the Court illustrates that while Persaud was nominated as a candidate for the regional constituency of Region Six for the election to the National Assembly on the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) List of Candidates; for General Elections, he was not qualified for election to the National Assembly required by Article 155 of the Constitution. That article dictates that no person can qualify to sit in the National Assembly if, “by virtue of his own act and acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience and adherence to a foreign power or state.” The following article also states that a MP will also vacate his seat if he or she, “…ceases to be a citizen of Guyana.”

The application before the court has noted a declaration that the former AFC MP is a citizen of Canada and the holder of a valid Canadian passport number which was declared. The said passport was said to have been issued to Persaud on October 25, 2017 and will expire on Oc-

Senior Counsel Rex McKay

tober 25, 2022.

The claim against Charandass is however being touted as “weak” by the opposition who is also calling for the resignation of the government. It has been charged that several members, both on the government and opposition sides are holders of foreign passports. An opposition statement had also argued that to invalidate Charandass as a MP would also invalidate everything done by the government in the last three years. McKay noted however that in relation to other MPs pledging allegiance to foreign states, “when the time comes, they will have to defend themselves.” McKay and his team want the court to set aside the order declaring

that the no-confidence motion was passed, and a stay against the enforcement of the resolution granted.

CLEAN UP THE HOUSE Meanwhile, only recently retired judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Duke Pollard called for a “clean up” of the National Assembly of Members of Parliament sitting there with dual citizenship.

Professor Pollard, who is an expert jurist in international law, made the comment during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle as he weighed in on the debate following the results of the no-confidence motion against the government. Professor Pollard said in resolving the

issues facing the Parliament, one’s legitimacy to sit in the National Assembly must also be addressed, but not in isolation. It is alleged that 26 sitting members of the National Assembly have dual citizenship, which represents a breach of the Constitution.

Article 155 of the Constitution states: “(1) No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who – (a) is, by virtue of his or her own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state.”

The Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, in outlining government’s case that the motion is null, void and of no effect, had argued that Persaud was in violation of Article 155 when he voted on the motion. Williams said evidence shows that Persaud held a passport and possessed the rights and obligations as a citizen of Canada which is a foreign power from nomination day of the last General and Regional Elections in 2015, including and up to the time of voting upon the motion of no-confidence.

Like the attorney general, Professor Pollard also referenced Article 155. According to him, there should be a thorough sweep of the National Assembly to rid the Parliament of all MPs with dual citizenship. “Clean up

the place man, clean up the place man. All who have dual citizenship are not entitled to sit in the National Assembly, and the Constitution is very clear on this,” Professor Pollard said. Professor Pollard said the issue should not be dealt with in isolation. “Once you have dual citizenship, you have no rights being in the National Assembly, and if what is alleged is true, that the opposition has 14 members and the government 12 with dual citizenship, get them out of there. Clean up the place and let us begin from scratch,” the retired CCJ judge said.

He said the High Court should be approached for a declaration to address who is eligible to sit in the National Assembly. “If you have a dual citizenship, you are not entitled, get them out!” Professor Pollard emphasised that the Constitution must be respected by all. “This is not any kind of partisan approach; it is an approach by anyone who is committed to transparency and good governance. Get them out! Get them out!

Government and opposition, all of them, clean up the place!” he urged.

AG denounces as ‘malicious and scandalous’ –– Nandlall’s abuse of State resources claims

ATTORNEY-General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, S.C., has debunked claims made byPeople’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Anil Nandlall that he abuses State resources to fund the dual citizenship case which was initiated by a private citizen.

Nandlall, a former Attorney-General, made the allegations in an article in the January 7, 2019 Edition of the Guyana Times headlined “AG abusing legal process, unlawfully using State resources – Nandlall.”

In a statement issued

hours after the article was published, Williams said it was blatantly malicious, scandalous, misleading and without merit.

“This is clearly calculated to be mischievous. In fact this act is seen as another desperate attempt by Mr. Nandlall to mislead the Guyanese populace by creating unnecessary mischief,” the Attorney General said.

In the article, Nandlall contended that staff of the Attorney-General’s Chambers were involved in the preparation of the dual citizenship case which was filed by prominent attorney Rex

McKay, SC and others on behalf of one Mr Compton Herbert Reid, a private citizen.

Excerpts from the article quoted Nandlall as saying: “Presumably, again, he will use public funds, public resources and Public Officers to fund and prepare a case, which will be filed by his political party or its coalition partner or by a private citizen against himself! One will note that it is clear that the Attorney-General is blissfully unaware of the several transgressions to which he has confessed, including the most vulgar misuse of public funds, public resources and

Public Officers. He recognises no distinction between political party and Government. He ignores, completely, the abuse to which he is subjecting the legal process,” Nandlall posited.

However, the Attorney General noted that it is common practice throughout the Commonwealth Caribbean that Government would outsource legal work to members of the private bar.

“It’s imperative to note that this practice is not new or proscribed. The record will clearly reflect that my predecessor, the Former Attorney-General, Mr. Anil

Nandlalll has indeed utilised this practice, much to the detriment of the State but in particular financial coffers of the Government,” he stated.

He pointed out that it was Nandlall who, under his stewardhip as Attorney General, had outsourced two enormous cases. namely Toolsie Persaud Limited v Attorney General FDA 2099 and Dipcon Engineering Services Limited v Attorney General No. 88 CD of 2009 to attorneys at law Ashton Chase, SC and Mr. Roysdale Forde.

“On assumption of office in May 2015 up until the time

the decisions were handed down and reported in various sections of the newspapers in these matters the Attorney General and his legal team were completely oblivious of their existence. Judgments were handed down in the hefty sum of one billion, seven hundred million dollars and four hundred million dollars respectively,” he recalled.

Adding that “this non-disclosure can be seen as nothing less than another unsuccessful devious plot

by Mr. Nandlall and his cohorts to stymie the progress of this Government.”

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Counterfeit tablets on local market - citizens asked to be on the lookout THE Government Analyst –Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) said it has been made aware of the circulation of a fake/ counterfeit brand of ‘Da-

flon’ (micronized purified flavonoid fraction) on the local market, and the public is hereby being notified.

Inspectors of the GAFDD have to date since

seized approximately twenty four boxes of the counterfeited/fake from several wholesaler bonds and retail pharmacies in Georgetown and in Region Three.

This product is used to treat patients suffering from chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) – varicose vein and venous circulation disorders (swollen legs, pain, early morning restless legs) and symptoms associated with acute haemorrhage.

Photo showing the difference between the authentic and the counterfeit Daflon tablets

The original product is sold in a white box with blue

Tuesday, January 8, 2019 05:00hrs. - 06:30hrs.

Saturday 5, January, 2019

04 15 16 17 21 25 06

C

09, 14, 26, 04, 20

9, 9, 9

8, 2, 0

borders and contains sixty (60) 500mg tablets that are further divided on four silver blister packs, each containing fifteen (15) tablets. The counterfeited/fake product is sold in a white box with no border and contains sixty (60) 500mg tablets that are further divided into six silver and blue blister packs each containing ten tablets.

The manufacturer’s address of the original product is listed as France while that of the counterfeit/fake product manufacturer is listed as Turkey/Ukraine.

The official distributors of the original product are Massy Distributors Inc. and Ansa McAl Trading Ltd. and criminal proceeding will be instituted against the importers of the counterfeited Daflon drug.

Counterfeited Daflon will be unable to achieve

therapeutic effect for intended use because flavonoid are poorly micronized, resulting in a particle size greater than 2 µ micro meters, which results in poor stomach absorption.

Consumers are asked to return the counterfeited product to wholesalers and retailers and be refunded, and to report to the GA-FDD on telephone number 2228859, any proprietor who refuses to cooperate with this mandatory recall exercise.

In addition, the department is calling on importers and distributors to with immediate effect, surrender all the fake/counterfeited Daflon associated with this mandatory recall to be destroyed. Failure to do same will leave the department with no alternative but to initiate legal proceedings against defaulters. The department will continue to robustly monitor our local market for fake, substandard and counterfeited products in the interest of consumer protection and safety.

01, 06, 10, 12, 17 4, January, 2019

01 08 10 12 19

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Commuters have to help police minibus operators – traffic chief

TRAFFIC Chief Linden Isles is calling on commuters to play their part and report errant minibus operators, even as the department looks to put in place sustainable measures to continually tackle minibuses that break the law.

Isles admitted that there have been difficulties in the past for the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to address the issue because measures put in place are never sustained.

“We need to sustain the enforcement exercises because without sustainability you would find that we do things to day, and then tomorrow it gone back so it’s all about our exercises and sustainability,” Isles said in a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

“There’s a new team.

I’ve been appointed since in September, and my strategy which I will put forward to deal with some of these issues is to review what was done last year, so I will have systems in place to ensure that some of the things that are occurring we will address them.”

Isles said that the force will also be looking into allegations of police officers owning minibuses that are given preferential treatment.

But he says, in order for these buses to be identified, the public has to make the reports. “That needs to be brought to the attention of senior persons in the organisation. The law is the law and as policemen we are only representatives of the law, we are not the law, we are representing the law. If we have policemen [who are]

Traffic Chief, Linden Isles

owners of minibuses they can bring that information to the attention of the relevant authorities and measures will be taken,” Isles said.

Police ranks had been ordered some years ago to desist from becoming involved in the minibus or hire car business without consent from the Commissioner of Police. Some drivers highlighted minibuses being owned by police ranks as an issue they face, as the promotion of a minibus operator “Code of Conduct” is bringing several issues related to the public transportation system to the fore.

It is hoped that with a collaboration between the Ministry of Business and United Minibus Union in the rolling out of the minibus “Code of Conduct”, the government will get a better handle on public transportation.

Despite several already existing laws addressing the operation of minibus and

their operators, the laws have been flouted for years, and the police are being taken to task for not enforcing the laws more stringently.

Carrying more passengers than the vehicle was made to carry is a breach of minibus’ insurance, while the playing of any music on public transportation, including minibus and hire cars, has been against the law since 2008, with the passage of a Bill which inserted Section 174B in the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act. However, it is almost impossible to identify a minibus operator who does not cause passengers to be uncomfortable because of the music played.

Given the fact that minibus operators already openly disregard the law, some commuters are skeptical that the “Code of Conduct” will make a difference. Isles, however, is giving the assurance that the Code is not a waste and will play a part

Migrant support centre to be established in Region Two The National Multi-Sectoral Coordinating Committee on Monday convened its first meeting for 2019 during which it was announced that a two-storey building has been identified by the Regional Administration of Pomeroon-Supenaam Region (Region Two) that will serve as a support centre for Venezuelan migrants in that area.

Once set up, migrants will have access to a wide range of support services, inclusive of documentation and immunisation assistance, at one convenient location.

Some minor rehabilitation works are slated to be carried out on the building with funding from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

Minister of Citizenship, Mr. Winston Felix, who heads the fortnightly forum, informed that his Department and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will be conducting a joint operation at Eteringbang and surrounding communities in the CuyuniMazaruni (Region Seven), to address a number of issues that have been brought to his attention, including the immunisation and documen-

tation of migrants.

Meanwhile, the Minister has tasked the GPF with the responsibility of ensuring that all boats ferrying passengers to Region Two from Venezuela report to immigration authorities, who will be located at a central point along the Pomeroon River, so that the migrants can be properly screened and processed before they disembark at various landings. To date, the number of documented Venezuelan migrants in Guyana stands at 3,868.

(Ministry of the Presidency)

in effecting change in the way minibus operations in Guyana is done.

“Some of the things coming out of the Code of Conduct these are already in the laws, but it [still] makes a lot of sense because if you look to the Code of Conduct it will bring certain things to the fore. We will continue enforce the law and it will be sustained. It would be better for them [minibus operators] to put themselves in order or face the consequence of being prosecuted,” he noted.

With the renewed attention on the issue, the police will seek to capitalise on the momentum to better educate commuters on their rights, and to be better empowered to speak up.

“If you stay silent you are condoning. We will be doing some more educational programmes so persons can know their rights. I think that’s the way to go, to say this is my right. If they go to the police station and they’re not getting satisfaction, they need to up the level to someone senior and insist that they can get redress,” Isles noted.

Guyana prepares to host CRIC17

THE Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC) says it is ready for the hosting of the 17th Session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC) at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre later this month.

The first of its kind in Guyana and the Caribbean, the CRIC conference will examine the United Nation’s global desertification issues. As a signatory to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Guyana has been working with other countries, formulating strategies to deal with land degradation, drought and soil issues among others.

GLSC’s commissioner Trevor Benn told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the “final touches” are being put on the preparations for the January 28-31 conference which will see close to 600 persons from 196 countries participating.

“We at the GLSC, as the host organisation, have been working with the support of a number of government departments and agencies to ensure that all of the systems are in place… We believe that we are set for the holding of the conference.”

Established in 1994, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. The convention addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can be found.

The new UNCCD 2018-2030 Strategic Framework is the most comprehensive global commitment to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) in order to restore the productivity of vast expanses of degraded land, improve the livelihoods of more than 1.3 billion people, and reduce the impacts of drought on vulnerable populations. As the dynamics of land, climate and biodiversity are intimately connected, the UNCCD collaborates closely with the other two Rio Conventions; the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to meet these complex challenges with an integrated approach and the best possible use of natural resources. The last CRIC conference was held two years ago in Nairobi, Kenya. (DPI)

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Small businesses as vehicles for development INCOME-GENERATION or business is an integral part of our day-to-day lives and is a serious matter when it comes to government’s management of the economy.

How well an economy performs heavily depends on the level of investment it attracts and how well it is managed. The current administration on assuming power saw the importance of business in their fresh start to a good life.

Businesses, including small enterprises, play a vital role in empowering citizens, reducing unemployment while promoting and sustaining development. So, it was no surprise when a Ministry of

Business was created. Under the previous administration, this component was subsumed in the Industries and Commerce portfolios of the Ministry of Tourism.

Now with a dedicated ministry, it shows that the government means business when it comes to serious business -- wooing investors and creating a conducive, business environment -- in Guyana. Of course, it has Go-Invest whose task is to promote Guyana as a good place to invest, actively promote Guyanese exports to foreign countries and facilitate investments both domestic and foreign, through the granting of permits, con-

cessions and other incentives once all requirements are met.

The minister, in the scheme of things, has a broad oversight role and has thus far demonstrated maturity in the execution of this function. Attracting investors to Guyana is one thing; promoting local business is another, but both are vital for a stable economy and a sound investment climate. The importance of small businesses to Guyana cannot be underestimated. Small businesses here, account for about 40 per cent of total employment and remain a key driver in tackling poverty and unem-

ployment.

The new partnership model that has been adopted for the business expo will no doubt aid in the expansion of small businesses, which in the short and medium term, will create job opportunities and opportunities for poverty alleviation. But the focus should not only be on expanding small businesses, but creating new ones, especially in poor rural areas.

It would not be surprising to find out that many young people who are unemployed and vigilant for opportunities to earn, are creative but they lack the capital and collateral to engage in self-employment.

And there are others who see themselves as employees at some firm or business.

With these situations in mind, it is imperative for the government to look at existing programmes and see what modifications can be made to give guidance and support, especially to persons who depend on getting a job, rather than putting their creativity legally in motion, to earn a livelihood. Guyana’s poverty rate is below 35 per cent, but generally speaking, in a resource-rich nation such as Guyana, with an abundance of arable land and water, no one really should be poor.

It would be surprising to know that a large percent-

age of the persons who are still in poverty today, are in it because of the poverty of ignorance and inaction.

Getting these persons to improve their station in life will require the creation of a new culture, one that is focused on discipline and utilising the opportunities that do not contravene the law at their disposal.

The promotion and creation of sustainable small businesses can be of some help in the climb out of poverty, but investment in innovation is the viable solution for a more prosperous Guyana in the long run .

Emerging from the troubles Dear Editor, THE ‘Troubles’ is the name given by President David Granger to security-related events that occurred during the decade, approximately between 2000 and 2010, that saw the most intense and sustained wave of criminal violence since Guyana gained its independence.

During the ‘Troubles’, more persons were violently killed than at any other time in Guyana’s history. The government during that time was formed by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

During the ‘Troubles’, government lost or surrendered control of Guyana’s security apparatus, and allegedly recruited a notorious drug lord, Roger Khan, (a known criminal) to eliminate criminals by extra-judicial killings. That situation, in itself, relegated Guyana to the status of a

failed state.

Even though the scars left by the ‘Troubles’ are still visible and painful, Guyanese have made clear that they want to remember and pay tribute to the victims–monuments have been erected in Bartica, Buxton, Kingston, and other locations–citizens, still carrying the emotional wounds of the events of those dark days will tell anyone who will listen that it must never happen again. We must never again allow our country to be controlled by criminals of any kind.

If a date can be put to the beginning of the most intense period of the ‘Troubles’, it would be February 23, 2002.

On that day, five prisoners shot and stabbed their way out of the Georgetown jail, setting in train a sequence of events whose denouement still had not come from the PPP government of the

day at the end of that year.

The names of the escapees were Andrew Douglas, Dale Moore, Shawn Browne, Mark Fraser and Troy Dick.

What followed was a wave of criminal violence.

The escapees killed and robbed indiscriminately to facilitate their own survival, while other existing “minor” criminal gangs took advantage of the lawless atmosphere to expand, consolidate, and escalate their activities. Of course, new gangs formed and added to the chaos. The PPP government, having no plan for Guyana’s development, including the country’s security, allegedly recruited and placed the security of Guyanese into the hands of Guyana’ s biggest drug lord, Roger Khan.

Records, including testimony under oath, indicate that between 2003 and 2006, Roger Khan recruited, built,

and maintained a criminal network which initially included five policemen, numerous ex-policemen, and other persons with specialised skills and knowledge; more members were recruited

by Khan as time progressed.

As Roger Khan had the okay of the PPP government, he was not afraid of consequences; his killing squad murdered both enemies of the PPP government as well as his own rivals in the drug business.

The `Troubles’ was a time of fear, uncertainty, and lawlessness.

President David Granger said, “It was a time of arbitrary arrests; of disappearances and of torture of young men; of the surge in armed robberies, narco-trafficking and gun-running. During that first, deadly decade, there were 1,317 murders and 7, 865 armed robberies.

“It was a time of the un-investigated assassination of a minister (Satyadeow Sawh); of the non-investigation into the alleged implication of another minister (Ronald Gajraj) in the direction of a ‘death squad’; of the alleged implication of yet another minister (Dr. Leslie Ramsammy) in the acquisition of a computer to track the telephone communication and location of adversaries targeted for assassination.

“Jagdeo was President of Guyana from August 11, 1999 to December 3, 2011 during which there were three massacres: Lusignan where 11 people were killed-Bartica where another 12 were killed and Lindo Creek where seven miners were slaughtered.

Besides, there were countless extra-judicial killings-with some activists estimating that around 400 Afro-Guyanese males were gunned down.”

Speaking of the PPP government’s rejection of international assistance, President David Granger said, “It was a time of deception and the cynical rejection [by the PPP government] of £4.9 million UK Security Sector Reform Action Plan, for which a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in August 2007; of the rejection of recommendations of numerous security reform reports and total disregard for the implementation of the National Drug Strategy Master Plan.”

Alluding to the consequences, His Excellency said, “The evidence of the impact of the man-made criminal crisis is still visible. The damage is most manifest in the demoralisation of the public and security services, the erosion of public TURN TO PAGE

9

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

The flip flop of a reconditioned politician …will the real Ralph Ramkarran please stand up

Dear Editor, ATTORNEY and former PPP Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, dominated PPP politics for decades. He is a PPP political dinosaur. In precise coordination with the December 21, 2018 PPP no-confidence vote in Parliament, Mr. Ramkarran announced a new political party.

Fully clad in his ancient PPP induction robe, he made another predictable Charrandass-like public act of deceit.

He tried to say that his party is independent from the PPP. Guyanese know that the PPP has transformed itself into a Trumpian organisation characterised by breathtaking deception. It is, therefore, no wonder our youth clamour for a clean break form our deceptive politics.

In a November 28, 2018 Stabroek News article titled “Tied vote on budget bill would see gov’t fall,” Mr. Ramkarran wrote unequivocally that for the opposition PPP no- confidence motion to pass, “The PPP needs two votes.” He proffered without solicitation that the motion required 34 votes to pass. The debate and vote took place on December 21, 2018. The final vote was 33 Yes and 32 No. Government Member of Parliament Charrandass Persaud, violated the constitution and voted with the PPP after allegedly receiving a multimil-

lion dollar bribe. He is now under police investigation for public corruption.

On December 23, prominent Attorney Nigel Hughes strongly argued that the constitution requires half of 65 – all the members of the House, plus one (34 votes), to constitute a majority for passage of the motion. Mr. Hughes’ interpretation of the law supported Mr. Ramkarran’s November 28, 2018 written position. Mr. Hughes’ doctrine decimated the validity of the vote and created pandemonium in the PPP. In response, it began to float nonsensical theories to prop up its short-lived victory.

Stunningly, Mr. Ramkarran repudiated the opinion by Mr. Hughes. He reversed himself in a December 28, 2018 Stabroek News article titled “Ramkarran rebuffs 34 votes argument for confidence motion.”

Therein, he claimed that the 34 votes argument cannot “stand up to scrutiny.” The Ralph Ramkarran of November 28, 2018 disappeared and a new one appeared on December 28, doing incredibly flexible somersaults for political expediency. Obviously he flip-flopped to adopt an amoral position, because the 34 vote requirement he proffered on November 28, 2018, invalidated the vote.

This painfully, treacherous expedient conversion contributes to the widespread belief among our youth that

politicians are dishonest flip-floppers who cannot be trusted. Hence they demand a clean break from our old, deceptive politics.

Worst, Mr. Ramkarran's contradictions continued. In a January 6, 2019 Stabroek News article headlined “President, Cabinet unlawfully holding on to office by not resigning,” he opined that “By not resigning, President David Granger and his Cabinet are unlawfully holding on to office.” He further posited that “if the courts allow even a temporary respite [stay] from compliance with the constitutional provisions triggered after the passage of a no-confidence motion on December 21 in the National Assembly, it would be sanctioning an “illegality.”

This crass and contemptuous attack on the court demonstrates the effrontery of the PPP operatives who conspired to overthrow the government. It is repugnant to the rule of law and must be resisted with ferocity. This dangerous view is being espoused by other PPP conspirators. It derives from their congenital belief that a certain segment of the population must not govern. Guyana, however, belongs to all of us. Therefore any group of us who democratically secures the confidence of a majority of the electorate will govern.

Mr. Ramkarran and the PPP have engaged in the reckless, subversive argu-

ment that the government must resign now, although Article 106 (7) of the Constitution states that “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, “and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.” In light of this provision, Mr. Ramkarran and the PPP must stop insulting our intelligence with rubbish.

The constitution expressly mandates that the government must resign only after an election and a new president is sworn in. The APNU+AFC coalition government was democratically elected by the people of Guyana for a five-year term. It will not be bullied out of office by an unlawful act or by criminals. It will not resign.

Subject to the jurisdiction of the court, it will serve its full five-year term.

Additionally, Mr. Ramkarran asserted that “Until the (no-confidence motion) is declared by the court to have been unlawfully passed, it remains valid and binding.” In the same breath, he claimed that the court will be “sanctioning an illegality” if it stays the motion while it engages in judicial review.

This is laughable, moronic hyperbole. There is a constitution motion currently before the court which is likely to prevail. It contends in law and prima facie evidence, that the no-confidence vote was unconstitutional, null, void and of no legal effect, and seeks said relief from the court. Consequently, why must the court allow the deleterious consequence of the vote to take effect while the matter is subjudice?

Moreover, why must the court not grant a temporary injunction to pause the irrevocable and fatal consequences of the vote while it studies the applicable law, evidence and arguments to make a finding of fact and ultimate determination of its constitutionality? Any argument to the contrary is dishonest and disregards the utilisation of this judicial remedy in every jurisprudence. More important, if Mr. Ramkarran truly believes he’s right on the law, and that the court cannot stay the vote while it reviews the matter, then I challenge him as an attorney to stop seeking injunctive relief from the court on matters for which he seeks judicial intervention.

Mr. Ramkarran further made the mother of all fraudulent claims. He said the no-confidence vote has triggered a “caretaker convention,” which prevents the government from making major policy decisions or from passing laws. This crackpot caretaker government theory is an invention of the PPP. It has no basis in law. It was

conjured up to convey the impression that the people’s democratically government is “illegitimate.” This nonsense is a PPP hoax that belongs nowhere else but a crackpot.

Mr. Ramkarran might be a crafty, septuagenarian, PPP politician with decades of experience in PPP politics. But our young people can no longer be fooled.

They know a Charrandass con move when they see it. They know that Ramkarran's new party is a ploy, and that it will merge with the PPP close to the election to call themselves a new coalition. Our youth are tired of the Charrandass-type deceptions. They want a clean break from our deceptive politics. I challenge them to take a stand now and dismantle it. It must be devastating for Ralph Ramkarran to begin his reconditioned political career as a rudderless flip-flopper. Is he a PPP or not? Is he for 34 votes or not? Is a temporary injunction illegal or not? Is there a caretaker provision in the constitution or not? Does the constitution mandate the government to resign after new elections or not? On all of these questions Ralph Ramkarran has either flipflopped, or flipped the law to suit the desired PPP outcome. We really don't know which Ralph Ramkarran will show up on a given day.

So I ask, will the real Ralph Rankarran please stand up?

Regards, Rickford Burke

Odeen had clean hands, a cool head and a warm heart

Dear Editor,

I LEARNT with much grief about the death of retired diplomat Dr. Odeen Ishmael of Britannia/ Chester, West Coast Berbice (WCB). Although I knew that he was ailing for some time, news of his death struck me like a bolt from the blue. I believe that all those who knew Odeen are equally perturbed.

Odeen was my first cousin.

He was my aunt's son. We shared the same grandfather. He was my friend, confidant and mentor. Although over the years distance separated us we maintained a strong relationship. He attended my graduation at the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in the United States of America sever-

al years ago.

At the ceremony, the Chairman did not initially recognise him but halfway through the programme he realised his mistake. He then apologised for not recognising a distinguished son of Guyana, Ambassador Dr. Odeen Ishmael, and asked the Ambassador to stand up and be recognised to a loud round of applause. That was a proud and cherished moment of my life.

Odeen played the big brother and father role for us little boys, living and growing up in the Britannia/ Chester area. He looked out for us. He was strong on self-development and urged us to have a good education. He led by example as he moved quickly from primary to high school, to university and later to the senior diplomatic are-

na. World renowned diplomat Sir Shridath Ramphal, who was our grandfather's friend, took Odeen under his wings and gave him valuable guidance. Odeen served with excellence at the local, Caribbean and international levels, yet he did not lose the common touch. His regular groundings with persons at the grass roots level were appreciated. Veteran and eminent trade unionist Lincoln Lewis can testify to this. His call name for Odeen was Pakistan. I will not state what was the name Odeen called his friend, certainly it was not Lincoln but a more intimate salutation. Despite their political and other differences they remained friends for life.

Odeen was an excellent cricketer. He was an effective medium fast bowler and a power hitter at

the lower order. As a small boy, I witnessed many exciting battles at the Britannia Cricket Club ground between himself and another cousin, former Custom Chief Lambert Marks and others. He was also a cricket historian. In many issues and concerns, particularly as it relates to cricket, he was our Larry Page and Sergey Brin, our Google. Whenever as boys we had serious arguments and unanswered questions about cricket, we would rush to Odeen to settle the issues and for him to supply the correct answers. Always with a smile on his face, he would dive into his Wisden or one of his many scrap books with newspapers clippings for answers. That was the manner of man Odeen was.

He was presidential material.

I can vividly recall several years

ago when he was in his prime, and his country's Ambassador at Washington DC in the United States of America and General and Regional Elections were in the air, some of his party supporters started chanting, " Odeen for President, Odeen for President." Shortly afterwards he became Guyana's Ambassador for Venezuela and was later posted to Kuwait where he retired from the diplomatic service. Odeen had clean hands, a cool head, a warm heart and a passion for his job and Allah.

To his sorrowing family, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends I hasten to express my heart-felt sympathy.

May his soul rest in peace.

Regards, Clinton Conway

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Media voices and slogans to trick, mislead and intimidate you Dear Editor,

RATIONAL observation and thinking have compelled me to re-examine what is done in the media.

There is an imposition by some writers that is intended to trick, mislead, and intimidate you and I, while exciting their own intended constituency with ‘loud’ lies and fabrications.

My long-time colleague Freddie Kissoon seems malleable, the instrument of some political puppeteer that time and time again reshapes him, against what he would know better off. He is, of course a political scientist. Yet in his article on Saturday 5, January 2019, the headline [referred as the slogan] for it is a slogan to persons who only read the ‘headline’ and not the article.

“Exactly 50 years ago the government was illegal; it is now,” this is a baffling state-

ment coming from Freddie Kissoon, why? Because the reference is made to the 1968 elections, this of all elections needed not be rigged, four years before; from 1961 to 1964 the PPP had waged a bloody racial civil war for power against the constituencies of both the United Force and the PNC. The massacre of the Abraham family, Portuguese businesses burned, the Sun Chapman, grenade thrown into a school bus, families machine-gunned, and youth murdered while grazing cows at Mahaicony, and other West Berbice villages. How was anyone from among those populations to vote PPP four years later? Let me clarify the anomaly in our ethnic classification since colonial times. The so-called mixed population, which are mainly Afro-Guyanese of mixed heritage, only Afro-Guyanese

accept the term mixed easily without denying themselves as Afro Guyanese, because of our cultural adherence to ancestral respect, we don’t deny our Indo, Amerindian or European ancestors.

Most of the mixed population is living as Afro-Guyanese, because Afro-Guyanese of mixed heritage is not an official status. 1968 has become stock propaganda of the PPP and it needs to be exposed.

The PPP are experts of crying victim whenever it suits the need, like the appeal of ‘rape, rape!’ that appeals to the bottom-house warning about the ‘villainous other’ outdated propaganda, but still alive in the minds of those parliamentarians.

Then the Charrandass Persaud conspiracy, and to that what makes the APNU-AFC government illegal? How can a vote that violates so many aspects of the constitution

[Dual Citizenship – 34 valid count – stipulations on notice of intention] be valid, and make a government illegal?

Freddie should attempt to clarify history and understand complex situation before pronouncing on them, in the national interest.

Is it pure ignorance or the intention is to tell a lie repeatedly or loudest as ‘legion’ and hope that it will disable all intellect and force the lie into ‘being’? Psychic propaganda is also psychological warfare.

The public must build a file of the fiction and illogical writers on this matter, that they erred, does not remove the fact that they were confident in their media submissions. The Bar Association’s misrepresentation took a page and quarter.

Christopher Ram came in, Ralph Ramkarran S.C was continuously banging us with false legal mantras, and he wants to form a new party -

wow! Even the former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran bravely added his dose of misguidance; leave out Jagdeo, he will say that’s his job.

This leaves only Nigel Hughes, Maxwell Edwards, Duke Pollard and the immortal Rex McKay S.C as the formidable knowledge bearers in the Nation’s interest. I want to contradict letter writer- Clyde Pestano from Canada, Jagdeo’s last gasp ‘scheme’ for power exposed’ Chronicle Dec. 28, 2018. If you are reading this letter, and have access to the internet please Google – ‘Oleg & Me’ by Daniel Hopsicker. It posits an interesting concept of the Russian mafia and its Guyana connection, access this information and evaluate if the PPP is indeed still a Guyanese political party or who has probably colonised it.

And collectively, let us implore GECOM to sani-

tise its voters list and staff, and we must pay attention to the political contentions revolving around external voter tampering in the USA. We are no longer going to be a low income third world nation, in keeping with our coming status we must pay attention to possibilities we once thought belonged to other places and not us, and vote for our future. APNU-AFC must modernise the laws for SARA, in respect to the law commanding explanations for unexplained wealth.

The Copyright Law must be modernised and in place, the procurement laws adjusted, and as Justice Pollard said ‘Fix Parliament’. Happy 2019.

Regards, Barrington Braithwaite

Petty-mindedness, spite, and vindictiveness

Dear Editor,

IT IS quite clear that the contents of Attorney-at-law, Oscar Ramjeet’s letter to the Editor in the January 04, 2019 Kaieteur News edition captioned “Government should not appoint any senior counsel”, is premised on far more than meets the eye.

For, although he commenced his missive with the issue that challenges the government’s manner of functioning after the no-confidence motion vote, with the opinion that such an appointment as carried should be left to an incoming government in the form of a recommendation; it is his tone that lays bare both his motive and intent – personal attacks on the person of the learned Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams.

In his attempts, to justify his vitriol against the attorney general, he went on a scathing attack on the appointments of both judges and senior counsel made in the post-2015 dispensation, which offers the conclusion that both of these categories appointed have not been deserving.

Of course, he alluded to the names of some past distinguished legal minds of this most exalted collective of senior counsel of the bar; it was as if to conclude that the calibre of those appointed within recent times, pales significantly against those of past times.

There is no doubt, those persons mentioned were indeed merited of the recognition and honour bestowed on them. However, to want to suggest that legal excellence and erudition ended with them or their era, is to ignore the fact that there have been succeeding decades of a new generation of attorneys who not only had distinguished themselves at law school, but who in their ensuing years of practice at the bar, have built a very formidable practice of legal success, justifying the academic classroom accolades. As well, many of them are known for their integrity of practice.

Ramjeet should also be reminded that gone are the days when such professions were mainly accessible to those persons of a privileged or class background, and where the destination of study had been England; and that one does not have to be a British-trained barrister for the attainment of legal excellence, as I suspect he may be inferring. He must know that there are now many quality legal products, from working class backgrounds who have not only shown academic excellence at the Caribbean Law schools, but have risen to the pinnacle of their individual Caribbean state judiciary, as judges, chief justices, attorneys general, and Directors of Public Prosecutions.

Guyana is inclusive of this legal excellence since the current judicial principals of those offices are all

Caribbean-trained. Even our current judges particularly, and government lawyers who Ramjeet so disparaging described as not being “up to par with their predecessors of yesteryear’’, are Caribbean – trained. One wonders whether he has a problem with the now formidable presence of female judges, most of whom were appointed by this current administration.

Such vitriol, purported as criticisms about the appointment of senior counsel, and judges since 2015, by the APNU+AFC administration, are meant to call into question the competence and judgement of AG Williams, who is a very formidable member of the local bar; one who has reflected the legal erudition, experience, learning, skill, integrity and honesty, independence, disinterestedness, among the many qualities for being Senior Counsel. This is also extended to his plethora of functions, inclusive of that as Chief Legal Adviser to the President and to the State.

Although Ramjeet acknowledges in his letter that President Granger has re-commenced the conferral of silk after a break of 18 years, yet, he has made the snide comment about a few being named “because of politics, while several were overlooked because they are not favourites with the current administration”.

Here again, one can denote Ramjeet’s remarks of a biased nature that points to senior counsel being named by this government on crite-

rium other than excellence at the bar; but instead, resorting to the well-known worn out cloak of “politics”, as reason for appointment. I would hope that all those well- deserving appointees find it fit to respond to Ramjeet’s unfortunate statement.

It is true that both the Jagdeo and Ramotar PPP/C administrations did not confer such a recognition on any of the nation’s attorneys during their tenure, yet, one does not recall Ramjeet writing about this highly questionable absence, seeking questions, or criticising the former administration for such a continuous slight to those attorneys who were deserving. Even the annual national honours list suffered under the PPP/C - How can Ramjeet be so convenient, even though the latter does not fall within the category of legal honours? It is within the national whole of honoring well-deserving Guyanese for services to the nation.

It was quite clear that the former administration had attached the political tag to such an executive duty; apart from being vindictive to those attorneys who were known to be independent in their views during that period, that this country is slowly expunging from its national mind.

Editor, I stand to be corrected by saying that what Ramjeet is questioning in his more than sarcastic and grudging letter against the AG is, the latter’s advice on the legal appointments

that were made. For him to have written about Williams “issuing laughable openness in connection with the recent no-confidence motion, not to mention that his predecessor made rings around him during the past two years…”, depicts a petty mind still chafing over his not being considered for employment in the AG’s Chambers. Further, it is also childish and petty mindedness, even immature to be spewing about “making rings around him’’.

Such behavior is unworthy of one who is supposed to be a member of any bar.

But since this is Ramjeet’s opinion, he must be reminded that it is quite plain to the public that Nandalall, this supposedly “legal wizard’, had a less than desirable stewardship in terms of matters which were brought against the state. Apart from farming out cases to well-known affiliates of the PPP/C private chambers, which Nandalall appears to have been unable to track after a while – refer to the AG’s media notice seeking information about the location of those matters – the latter inherited others that were already judicially lost, because of incompetent representation prior to the current AG’s tenure; and which also comprised some state counsel not working in the best interests of the state.

This had undoubtedly been a case of sabotage.

All this is in the public domain, yet, here is an attorney seeking cheap political

mileage out of a situation that had been fostered and grown to alarming levels of legal chaos, all because of his friend Nandalall, the “nation’s brightest legal mind’’.

How narrow-minded can some of these people become!

A country’s quality of judges, in my layman’s view, can only evolve and develop depending on a national environment which is democratic, free from fear and intimidation, and underpinned by the Rule of Law; which the executive understands that such a key institution must be allowed to make decisions that are purely in keeping with judicial dictates, and unfettered from any other intrusion and interference political or otherwise. Editor, we are all aware that our judiciary since 2015 has been able to be truly independent in its decision-making process, a fact that had been gradually blunted during the PPP/C’s period of governance. Where was Ramjeet’s voice/letters during those undemocratic times when the judiciary functioned in an environment of state control?

The fact that rulings are now being made against the State, which had been totally absent prior to 2015, says as much for a judiciary that has rebirthed. In fact, Ramjeet must also know that the current chancellor has a record of being successful in all of her rulings that have been further TURN TO PAGE

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

ExxonMobil begins drilling at Haimara-1

US oil company ExxonMobil on Monday announced that it has begun drilling one of the two wells planned for January, known as the Haimara-1.

In a release on Business Wire, the oil giant confirmed it has begun drilling the offshore well. The well is being drilled by the Stena Carron drillship and is located 19 miles (31 kilometres) east of the Pluma-1 discovery in the

southeast Stabroek Block.

In the online release, President of ExxonMobil, Steve Greenlee, said of the company: “we continue to prioritise high-potential prospects in close proximity to previous discoveries in order to establish opportunities for material and efficient development.”

He added, like the Liza and Payara areas, “the Turbot area is on its way to offer-

ing significant development options that will maximise value for Guyana and our partners.”

Meanwhile, the Noble Tom Madden drillship is also expected to drill the second well, Tilapia-1, located about three miles west of the Longtail-1 discovery. The Tilapia-1 well is located in the growing Turbot area. The oil giant has also been making significant progress in the

Liza Phase 1 development, which has moved into its peak execution phase ahead of an expected startup in early 2020. It was noted that the Noble Bob Douglas drillship is continuing the drilling of development wells in the Liza field. Subsea equipment is also being prepared for installation while topside facilities modules are being installed on the Liza Destiny floating, production, storage

and offloading (FPSO) vessel in Singapore.

The Liza Destiny FPSO is expected to sail from Singapore to arrive offshore Guyana in the third quarter of 2019. In addition to the progress being made by ExxonMobil, Guyana’s Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) issued a notice to all mariners informing them that Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd.

9

(EEPGL) commenced drilling at the Liza Field on January 5, 2019, and will continue until June 30, 2019.

“The drill site is approximately 104 nautical miles from the coast of Guyana and covers an area of 16 square kilometres,” the notice stated. Mariners were requested to “steer clear” and to “navigate with caution when in the vicinity.”

‘Brave’ to stand trial New Amsterdammer gets off lightly –– for lleged rape of teen schoolgirl MINIBUS driver Sherwayne Brandt called 'Brave' was on Monday committed to the High Court for allegedly raping a 14-year-old schoolgirl in 2015.

Brandt, 42, was undergoing hearing before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates Court Five.

Magistrate McGusty on Monday ruled that a prima facie case was made out against Brandt for the offence, which alleged that on October 7, 2015, at Plum Park, Sophia, he engaged in sexual penetration with a child under the age of 16.

Brandt will remain out on $300,000 bail pending his hearing at the High Court

–– after pleading ‘absolutely guilty’ to break and entry

Sherwayne Brandt

before a Judge and jury.

On November 26, minibus conductor Ashel Williams was committed for the same allegation by Magistrate Judy Latchman.

According to reports, the teen was a lone passenger on

the Route 40 minibus, which was driven by Brandt and conducted by Williams.

It is alleged that the duo took turns in raping the teenager, who subsequently confided in her parents.

Emerging from the ...

FROM PAGE

trust and the lowering of the ‘quality of life.’ ” It is unthinkable that any Guyanese would want to risk a repeat of the ‘Troubles’.

A PPP government ruled Guyana during the ‘Troubles’ – Guyana’s darkest hour. Most recently, the PPP tabled and manipulated the passage of a no-confidence

vote against the coalition APNU+AFC government, obviously with the hope of regaining political power.

Importantly, the same individuals who occupied political office at that time are the same individuals who will be in power if the PPP wins another election.

Guyanese must ask

Petty-mindedness, ... contested at the level of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). If that is not judicial excellence, then what is?

Ramjeet should understand that not every attorney will be conferred with such a signal honour, as it is not one that is customarily given overnight, or willy nilly. To the best of my knowledge about such an honour, it is about years of proven excellence, as stated above that is a qualifier for such recognition. And given President Granger’s well-known trade mark for excellence,

he would have been guided by such a benchmark. The fact that President Granger has resumed such an important recognition of legal excellence is because he understands the need for a legal system of the highest standard, which can give quality of service to those who need advice/assistance/ justice. Therefore, without any doubt, the honour of senior counsel is to incentivise efforts towards such high quality of legal performance.

It is to encourage the raising of legal standards among

6

themselves, do you want your sons to be gunned down in the street? Do you want drug lords in charge of national security? Do you want chaos and lawlessness? Can you take that risk?

Regards, Mark DaCosta

FROM PAGE

8

practising attorneys.

Finally, personal grudges, vindictiveness, spite, and petty-mindedness are unbecoming of any officer of the court. These have been the well-known, characteristics which became, and still are, the masthead of the PPPC administrations.

Unfortunately, Ramjeet, an attorney-atlaw, is another product of its unenlightened culture.

Regards, Earl Hamilton

There’s an old saying that ‘Alcohol is the root of all evil’ and 50-year-old Richie Persaud is finding that out the hard way following his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for breaking into a shop at Dakari Landing, on the Mazaruni River Belonging to one Marlon Ambrose and stealing six cartons of cigarettes and a bottle of tequila valued $100,000.

Persaud of New Amsterdam, Berbice appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and told the court: “I’m absolutely guilty!

I was under the influence of alcohol.”

According to the facts presented in court by Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers, the shop’s owner was away for the Christmas holidays visiting with relatives in Bar-

Richie Persaud

tica and had closed his shop, when on January 3, 2019, he received a call from his neighbour saying that Persaud had broken in.

He duly reported the matter to the Bartica Police Station and Persaud was arrested.

Jeffers told the court that Persaud had confessed to the

crime under caution and taken the police to where he hd hidden the stolen items.

The Chief Magistrate after considering Persaud early guilty plea ordered him to pay a fine of $15,000 or serve a three-week term in prison

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

AG wants court to determine absolute majority in no-confidence vote ATTORNEY General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams has filed a Fixed Date Application challenging the passage of the no-confidence motion against the government on the basis that the opposition did not secure a majority as required by the Constitution.

He is therefore calling on the court to set aside or nullify the Speaker of the National Assembly’s ruling that the motion was carried. The application, by way of Case stated pursuant to Rule 61:03 of the Civil Procedures Rules, was filed in the High Court on Monday with Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, the mover of the motion, named as the respondents.

By way of his application, the attorney general is asking the court to determine whether the Speaker’s declaration that the no-confidence motion was carried by a majority in the National Assembly is unlawful, null and void on the basis that its contradicts Article 106 (6) of the Constitution of Guyana.

Article 106 (6) reads: “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.”

On December 21, 2018, the Speaker had declared that the opposition-sponsored motion was passed after 33 Members of Parliament voted in its favour and 32 against; however, some legal luminaries have since argued that the 33 votes did not constitute an absolute majority as required by the Constitution. As such, the attorney general is asking the court to determine if the motion of no-confidence was validly passed or whether the requisite majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly ought properly to be 34 votes.

REMAIN IN OFFICE He is also seeking an order to allow for the President and all ministers of the government to remain in office on the basis that a majority vote was not duly carried in accordance with Article 106 (6) of the Constitution.

The government, through the attorney general, is therefore seeking an order setting aside or nullifying the Speaker’s ruling that the motion was carried, and another, staying the enforcement of Resolution 101.

A conservatory order preserving the status quo ante that the President and all ministers of the government remain in

National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams (Photo by Adrian Narine)

office until the hearing and determination of the questions is also being sought.

“The Conservatory order is necessary to preserve the status quo ante as Article 106 (7) of the constitution requires that the President and all Ministers of the Government remain in office and hold elections within three (3) months. However, the period for the hearing and determination of the matter may expire before that time,” he explained while justifying the need for the order.

It was further explained that if the court grants the conservatory order it will preserve the status quo ante particularly in the relation to the time of three (3) months that was set in motion for the process of National Elections

and the resignation of the President and other ministers of government.

“The stay of the enforcement of the resolution is necessary in order avoid the process being rendered nugatory and in all the circumstances the applicant is satisfied that there exist an arguable case on the questions in controversy with a realistic prospect of success on the part of the government,” he noted.

Article 106 (7) of the Constitution provides that “notwithstanding its defeat, the government shall remain in office and shall hold elections in three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the

34 VOTES REQUIRED In laying his grounds for the case, the attorney general alluded to the fact that the National Assembly has 65 members while arguing that mathematically, half of all the elected members of the current National Assembly would result in a fraction of 32.5.

“In the instant case as half of 65 results in the fraction of 32.5, that figure should then be rounded to the next whole number being 33 which would now represent half of the elected members, the majority thereby being a number greater than half means that ‘1’ ought to have been added to the whole number ‘33’ to calculate an absolute majority of 34,” he continued.

He maintained that with the total elected members of the National Assembly being 65 members, the majority half plus one or a vote of 34 or more members.

On December 21, 2018 when the motion was put to a vote, the attorney general contended that it was not validly passed by 34 or more of all the elected members of the House.

“In the circumstances the

motion of no confidence is void and has no legal effect to defeat the government on a vote of no confidence in accordance with Article 106 (6) of the Constitution,” he stated.

He noted that the Speaker’s ruling on January 3, 2019 reinforced the necessity for the Court to intervene by giving guidance to the National Assembly in the matter.

“It is in the interest of justice that the Court deals with this Application expeditiously having regard to the imminent consequences which flow from Article 106 (6) and (7) of the Constitution,” the attorney general stated while urging that the matter be dealt with expeditiously.

The matter will be heard on Tuesday January 15, 2019 before Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire in the High Court. Also on Tuesday, the chief justice will hear another Fixed Date Application which is challenging the validity of the vote cast by Charrandass Persaud in the National Assembly on the basis that he breached the Constitution by having dual citizenship.

That application was filed

by Compton Herbert Reid, a farmer, through his attorney Rex McKay, S.C.

Missing Sandvilleman’s skeletal remains found aback Kuru Kururu

Trevor Chung

THE skeletal remains of a man was on Sunday discovered around 11:30hrs on a pathway aback Kuru Kururu on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and relatives of 45-year-old Sandville farmer Trevor Chung, who went missing sometime around

mid-December 018 believe it’s his.

According to the police, a pair of multi-coloured trousers.a green teeshirt and a dark-coloured toque and a pair of brown-and-cream slippers and a cutlass were found next to the remains.

Chung’s brother has since positively identified the items of clothing which were found next to the remains as Trevor’s. Police investigations are in progress.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Be serious about the job –– RHO urges new regional employees

THE Regional Health Department of the Regional Democratic Council of Region Four, on Monday January 7, 2019, welcomed thirty three (33) new employees.

The Regional Health Officer, (RHO) Dr Quincy Jones, had stern words of advice for the new employees.

“Take your jobs seriously as this isn’t just another job but rather it’s something that you can make a career as we all know that jobs are difficult to find. The opportunity that has presented itself to you would be eagerly welcomed and cherished by others, so recognise that it’s your responsibility to keep your job,” the RHO said.

The new employees were attending an orientation exercise in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Triumph, East Coast Demerara. A number of senior regional officials, among others, were in attendance.

Dr Jones called on all staff within the Health Department to explore ways and avenues in further improving their education.

He was at the time addressing the new employees who are joining the department in various capacities to further boost and advance the health-service delivery to

residents within Region Four.

Dr Jones said that many persons have misconceptions about advancing their education when they have secured employment.

He said that many are very comfortable and believe that education is finished as there is not a need to further their education, a myth he dismissed, stressing that, with the growing age of technology and competition; no one should be satisfied with oneself at being comfortable, thus not seeing a need to further enhance one’s education.

He noted that becoming complacent is the major challenge being encountered in the Public Service. This, he said has resulted in mediocrity being offered by many.

Dr Jones disclosed that the new employees will further boost his department’s ability to enhance and improve the delivery of health- care service within the region.

He pointed out that new employees are filling several positions as handymen and porters at the various health centres throughout the region.

He noted that, with the presence of the new employees, difficulties and challenges that the department was experiencing would certainly be something of the past.

The regional health officer

extended thanks and appreciation to the Regional Executive Officer (REO) for what he described as her timely intervention in ensuring that the various positions were filled.

“REO Lucas is certainly doing a great job as she ensured that these positions were advertised and properly filled and we at the health department are continually grateful and thankful for her assistance,” he said.

Dr Jones urged the new employees to recognise that their seeking or venturing in avenues of enhancing their knowledge and skills has to be done in a systematic manner.

He issued a passionate appeal, especially for young people joining the department, to recognise that education is critically important, as competition today is much more intense than in years gone by.

“Today I am talking to all of you to not settle at the level that you are entering at but rather seek avenues and opportunities so that you can grow within the system, thus being a further asset to the department and region. Remember you can achieve whatever you want, or reach wherever you want, as I would always say that where you start is not where you have to end, as it is a stepping stone. Unfortunately, many people do

Two arrested with gun, ‘ammo, ganja’ in Cuyuni River POLICE ranks on duty Sunday at Waiamu Landing in the Cuyuni River arrested two males, Found to have been acting strangely at a shop there.

Reports are that one of the men, an 18-year old Venezuelan national was observed handing over a multi-coloured bag to a 27-year-old operator.

When confronted, The police say, a search of the bag uncovered a .45 Taurus Pistol, the serial number of which is unknown, five matching rounds of ammunition as well as a quantity of seeds, leaves and stems of what appeared to be marijuana.

Both men are in police custody assisting with investigations.

The items the police seized from the men.

Several of the young men who have been employed as handy men and porters at various health centres within Region Four pose for a photo with (L-R front row) - Senior Personnel Officer Kay Watson, RHO Dr Quincy Jones and Coordinator of Health Standard, Dr Anisah Yearwood

not use it as a stepping stone but rather as a resting stone as they become comfortable immediately after joining the system,” he noted.

He added, “You can become stars for the health sector. Remember you must and should have goals and be prepared to diligently work towards those goals. Your story should show that you started at one level but moved up, ultimately achieving greatness. There should be persons here who want to, someday, head a department or even be one of the most senior

officials within the region.

Dreaming and setting goals should not be something of the past but rather a regular feature of yours. When you have goals, you will have to be disciplined if you are going to achieve them.”

The RHO declared 2019 as the year of achievement, stressing that he foresees his department achieving all its set goals and targets. He noted that with the innovative and excellent leadership being provided by the Regional Executive Officer (REO) his department will continue to

build on the successes of 2018. He said that there is a determination to ensure that the right persons are employed as he intends to have every vacant position filled.

“We are determined in ensuring that we get every vacancy filled as we recognise that there are persons out there with the right skills and knowledge to fill the various positions and we intend to ensure that we achieve this in 2019 so as to further boost out work programme as human resource is critically important,” he declared.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Campbell pulls out of new party …cites political polarisation, dual citizenship of members

By Lisa Hamilton POPULAR business man Terrence Campbell has withdrawn his support from the newly-formed political party ‘A New and United Guyana’ (ANUG) due to his concern with Guyana’s state of political “polarisation”.

Campbell, who also resigned from the upstart pro-constitutional reform lobby group RISE Guyana, last Thursday, made the announcement by way of a letter to the party on Monday and, later, through a post on his Facebook page.

ANUG emerged in the spotlight as a new political party following the December 21, 2018 vote of no-confidence against the government. Headed by former Speaker of the National Assembly, People’s Progres-

sive Party (PPP) member and Senior Counsel, Ralph Ramkarran, ANUG also includes former PPP Minister and political analyst, Dr. Henry Jeffrey and former President of the Guyana Bar Association and Attorney-at-Law Timothy Jonas.

Campbell, in his message, stated that, although he has supported political parties with millions of dollars in the past, the state of the country post no-confidence vote is “a deterrent for any aspiring politician”.

“As a businessman I donate over G$1M per month to charitable causes. After a sordid incident between an Afro-Guyanese businessman and boys at a Georgetown school, I took over a feeding programme there almost a decade ago. I have also, for years, supported the Step

By Step School for autistic

children with monthly contributions. I have never publicised this as the God, the

polarisation in Guyana made me realise that now isn't the time for the kind of heal-

Businessman Terrence Campbell

powerful God that I serve, knows this,” he stated.

“My entry into politics was purely to deny the PPP a majority and to push for constitutional reform. However, over the last week, the

ing, centrist politics I envisaged.” Campbell is the Managing-Director of Camex Restaurants, the franchise holder of Church’s Chicken, Mario’s Pizza, Dairy Queen and Pollo Tropical. He went on to attribute the “polarisation” experienced to the no-confidence vote [referred to as ‘NCV’] which he said has brought out the worst in the country’s political climate.

POISONED SOIL “The vote of Charrandass Persaud in the NCV has polarised Guyana. On the one hand, supporters of the coalition believe the government has been felled by a corrupt bloodless coup totally in sync with their view of the PPP under its current leadership. On the other hand, PPP supporters see the coalition's refusal to resign as a reminder of the vote-rigging unlawful nature of the PNC. Then there are independent observers who believe the coalition should resign based on convention but fail to recognise that there is no precedent for a similar vote by an Assembly made up of 40 per cent disqualified members,” he stated, adding: “The NCV has poisoned our soil.”

Campbell also touched on the topic of the dual citizenship of Members of Parliament (MPs) which became topical following the

no-confidence vote against the government by former Alliance For Change (AFC)

Henry Jeffrey

MP Charrandass Persaud.

A court case was filed in the High Court on Friday by a New Amsterdam farmer, challenging the validity of the vote cast, following the recommendation of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, that the matter should be settled in the courts.

In light of this, Campbell noted: “It has also been suggested by one observer that ANUG’s steering committee probably has three dual citizens. In fact, this issue was raised with an ANUG sympathiser yesterday. It is no secret that this is a matter of significant importance to me. I view the dual citizens in the assembly as a flagrant violation of our Constitution. All of the above has caused me considerable angst and I fail to see how I would be able to add value to the efforts of ANUG in the days ahead. A good reading of the climate suggests that this is neither the time nor the place for me to sow my seeds.”

PARTY WILL GO ON When the Guyana Chronicle contacted Dr Jeffrey on the matter he said that although Campbell has opted to leave, this will not hinder the party’s plans or progression. “He has decided to leave but that wouldn’t stop us from trying to go forward,” Dr Jeffery stat-

ed. “The society has been polarised for ever so long.

The Charrandass activity may have heightened it but I don’t know that it’s to the degree that it would have allowed me to make the kind of statement he has made. But, he is new to this and I suppose he feels that way and people should be able to feel the way they do.”

He stated fur ther that the fact that Guyana’s society is polarised is a main part of ANUG’s push for local political parties to come together for the betterment of the country.

“What the no-confidence motion has shown is that no one party can rule this country,” Dr Jeffrey said. “Rather than having tensions and attempts to overthrow one party or one group in one way or another, it’s better for the country, for people to sit down and work out a system which can be beneficial to everybody.”

DUAL CITIZENSHIP On the matter of dual citizenship, Jeffrey said he finds no issue with such but neither he nor Ramkarran possesses dual citizenship and he believes neither does Campbell. This leaves only Jonas which Jeffrey explained has dual citizenship due to his mother being British.

“It’s only one member among us that has any dual citizenship,” he said, adding: “I don’t have a problem with dual citizenship. What should happen is that things should be properly legalised and made certain and people should uphold whatever the law is,” he said. Although Campbell would have been a financial support to ANUG, Jeffrey said he doesn’t believe that his absence will cause financial issues, as others are also supporting the party.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

OAI suspends issuance of protocol passes THE Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has ordered the Ogle Airport Inc. to suspend the issuance of protocol passes after People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) supporter, Peter Ramsaroop, a civilian, was issued one to bid farewell to embattled politician, Charrandass Persaud.

GGAA conducted a security assessment at the airport after it was revealed that a civilian, in the person of Ramsaroop, was issued a protocol pass without the required clearance. The authority has since directed the airport to suspend the issuance of protocol passes until the system is further reviewed.

Guyana Chronicle understands that there was a breach in security protocol on the morning of December 22, 2018 at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport but Ogle Airport Inc. (OAI) has since refuted the claim.

OAI explained that Persaud arrived at the airport accompanied by Richard Beliveau, Mission Security Officer of the High Commission of Canada, together with

Peter Ramsaroop. Persaud was a passenger on LIAT flight #LI 392 which departed the Eugene F. Correia International Airport at 06:17hrs on December 22, 2018.

Prior to Persaud’s departure, OAI explained that “Beliveau presented himself and his Ministry of Foreign Affairs ID Card to the airport duty officer and requested a pass to accompany a passenger to the aircraft. Mr. Peter Ramsaroop also requested a pass saying he was part of Mr. Beliveau’s party.

“The airport duty officer, in accordance with an established courtesy practice as is requested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended to diplomatic personnel, granted a protocol pass to both persons,” OAI explained.

This newspaper, however, understands that diplomats do not have the authority to request protocol passes for civilians. Beliveau, when contacted by the Guyana Chronicle, cleared himself of ever requesting a protocol pass for Ramsaroop. “As far as I know, I requested a pass just for myself,” he said.

Asked whether he requested a protocol pass for Ramsaroop, the Canadian diplomat said “no, not at all.”

He added: “I got my own pass based on status as a consul, and I got the pass myself.” Beliveau had denied creating the impression that Ramsaroop was with him, which caused him to receive a protocol pass.

Maintaining, however, that there was no breach in security protocol, OAI noted that the passes were duly returned in exchange for Beliveau’s and Ramsaroop’s respective ID documents on their departure from the airport.

“Ogle Airport Inc., in the administration of the airport, is instructed and guided by its Airport Operations Manual approved by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority.”

“OAI is, in fact, in accordance with its Airport Operations Manual, responsible for the control of entry into the restricted areas and the prohibited areas of the airport,” OAI stated.

According to the airport authority, Beliveau, Ramsa-

roop and Persaud were all subjected to full and complete screening before entering the departure lounge, in accordance with the requirements of the Aviation Security Programme approved by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority.

Persaud, shortly after he voted in favor of the no-confidence motion against the government on December 21, 2018, was facilitated and escorted out of the Parliament chambers by the PPP/C. Based on photographic evidence, Ramsaroop escorted Persaud out of the Public Buildings and also entered a vehicle with him that was parked outside of the Parliament gate.

Ramsaroop was also seen pumping his first in the Parliament chambers when Persaud delivered the shocking ‘yes’ vote on the motion. Ramsaroop, a known political ‘hop-scotcher’, had remained behind Persaud throughout the debate of the motion.

Black Bush Polder man charged with murder of GDF officer TWENTY-six-year-old Komal Matthews called “Son”, of Mibicuri South, Black Bush Polder, was on Monday charged with the murder of Guyana Defence Force Lieutenant, Mark Bagot.

Matthews was not required to plead to the indictable charge which was read to him by Magistrate Renita Singh at the Whim Magistrate’s Court.

On Sunday 30th, December, at approximately 20:30hrs, the lieutenant was allegedly stabbed following an argument at Chunku’s Grocery and Beer Garden located at Philippi Village.

On the day in question, Bagot reportedly was sharing a drink with a friend at the Beer Garden when an argument ensued between himself and Matthews over the purchasing of “Guinness”.

Following the incident,

Komal Matthews

the lieutenant was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital where he was treated and transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

A few days later, Matthews turned himself over to the police at the Whim Police Station, accompanied by his lawyer, Chandra Sohan.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

PNCR, AFC strengthen ties in Linden …on mission to widen gap between PPP

APNU+AFC members of the Region 10 Chapter at the meeting

THE Region 10 chap ters of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) have agreed to forge greater ties so as to maximise its support base, as a coalition.

The members declared that as political partners, they both have one com-

mon goal and that is to see the development of Linden and deny the “corrupt PPP” from regaining government.

On Saturday evening, the partners held a meeting which saw participating, executive members of both parties. These include PNCR Region 10 Chairman Jermaine Figueira and Vice-Chairman Bernita Pri-

mo, AFC Chairman Devin Sears and Parliamentarian Audwin Rutherford. Several matters of mutual concern and of importance to the development of Linden were discussed.

Figueira said that he thought it most fitting that this meeting be done, since President David Granger has made it very pellucid

that the parties are going to the polls as a coalition and as such the players believed, an early discussion was needed. “All in Guyana are aware of how important this region is to the coalition at the polls and every collaborative effort will be needed to bring out far more votes compared to 2011 and 2019/2020,” he said, add-

ing, “We are ready, we are energised and we saw the need to come together to put our election plans in place.”

Prior to the meeting, PNCR’s General Secretary Amna Ally visited Linden and held a meeting with the members encouraging them to put in their lot in consolidating and encouraged all to come together and put in the work so as to maintain our seats in government.

“We were urged to continue what we would have started under the leadership of our President in providing a Guyana that is safe, peaceful, a Guyana where we see each other as Guyanese brothers and sisters who will benefit from a good life right here in the country of their birth.”

Speaking on behalf of the AFC, Chairman Devin Sears also shared similar sentiments that is was a much-needed meeting and appreciated how candid, precise and straight forward it was while focusing on

unification. "We know coming out of the LGE, some persons might have thought that would have damaged the relationship between the APNU and AFC, but I believed it made it even stronger, especially in light of the recent no-confidence motion which was attempted to pass. The APNU+AFC reaffirms that it is committed towards fighting for equal opportunity for the people of Linden,” he noted.

Some of the areas discussed were education, recreation and job creation. He affirms that the coalition has the people’s interest at heart and while the date for the next election is still being debated, he said that the players are in full campaign mode.

He noted that there will be continuous meetings and dialogue between the two parties.

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Jaikaran handing-over ceremony for Friday

FORMER Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Rupert Hopkinson is expected to officially handover to the region’s new REO, Denis Jaikaran on Friday January 11, 2019.

This was confirmed to the newspaper by Jaikaran on Monday, January 7, 2019. He informed that there was presently no contention between the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and Hopkinson on the matter.

Although another newspaper agency recently reported Hopkinson as refusing to

vacate the seat as REO, both Jaikaran and Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, revealed that there was more to the matter.

“Mr. Hopkinson sought to do the handing over in Region Two on January 2, 2019 but apparently he was not in a position then to do the entire handing over and Mr. Jaikaran informed him that he didn’t want to partake in a partial handover. He wanted a complete handover and that prevented it from taking place on January 2,” Minister Bulkan explained.

Jaikaran, subsequently,

corroborated the minister’s explanation and further stated that: “We convened a meeting [on Monday] myself; Mr. Hopkinson; I had three councillors present and the regional chairman and we agreed that by Friday afternoon the handing over will take place. So that is the most recent position that we have agreed upon.”

Jaikaran stated that the media reports which drew a picture of great contention between the RDC and Hopkinson took things “overboard” as the present delay caters for “a number of other things”

‘I’ve only been Guyanese’ …New MP Pilgrim slams Guyana Times fake article

NEWLY-sworn-in People’s National Congress/ Reform (PNCR) Member of Parliament (MP) Barbara Pilgrim has called on the Guyana Times to issue a retraction and apology for its false statement that she possesses dual citizenship.

In its Sunday, January 6, 2019 edition titled ‘Charrandas citizenship controversy: New MP also has dual citizenship - sources’, the newspaper based its report on “well-placed sources” which they said confirmed that the parliamentarian is a United States (US) citizen.

However, in a letter on Monday, January 7, 2019, Pilgrim labeled the article as “misleading” and as an early attempt to discredit her in light of her new appointment.

“Let me categorically state that I am a born Guyanese citizen holding a Guyana passport, that I have never been the citizen of any other country and that I have never held a passport issued by any other country,” she stated.

Pilgrim was sworn in last Thursday in the National Assembly replacing former MP Charrandass Persaud who almost three weeks ago, broke ranks to join the opposition in a no-confidence motion against the administration.

The issue of dual citizenship was brought to the forefront following Charrandass’ vote when it was highlighted

Newly-sworn-in People’s National Congress/Reform (PNCR) Member of Parliament (MP) Barbara Pilgrim

that he was also a citizen of Canada.

Several have since contended that article155 of the Constitution states that: “No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who is, by virtue of his or her own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state.”

In light of this, a New Amsterdam farmer, through his attorney, Rex McKay, S.C, filed an ‘Urgent FixedDate Application’ in the High Court on Friday, January 4, 2019, challenging the validity of the vote cast by Persaud.

Pilgrim did not approve of being thrown into the mix

with the false article and called for the newspaper, in addition to its retraction, to offer an apology for the damage done.

“I have referred this matter to my lawyers for advice but now call upon you to make an immediate retraction of your story and offer me an unqualified apology, which should be publicised in the same manner as your news item,” she stated, adding: “I do not know who is, or who was, your ‘wellplaced sources’ but no one from your newspaper contacted me or made any attempt to do so.”

JAIKARAN: Newly appointed Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Denis Jaikaran

that must first be put in place.

Jaikaran was reassigned

from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara)

to Region Two effective January 1, 2019 while the then sitting Deputy REO of Region Two, Jennifer Ferreira-Dougall, was promoted to REO. Meanwhile, Bulkan confirmed that Hopkinson has received a new appointment as Advisor on Regional Agriculture Development at his Ministry.

“That’s an appointment within the Ministry of Communities to have overall responsibilities for the agriculture programme,” Bulkan said. “This is a new position that has been created because of the need to push an agricultural programme in our hinterland region.”

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Region 9 RDC cannot Black Bush Polder man charged vote out Parker with murder of GDF officer -Minister Bulkan MINISTER of Communities Ronald Bulkan has made it clear that no member of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) can vote out the Regional Executive Officer (REO) Carl Parker.

In 2017 Parker was charged with the allegations that during the month of June 2016 at Yupukari, Central Rupununi he sexually assaulted a 19-year-old woman. However, in March 2018 he was freed of the charge due to insufficient evidence even as the trial was made sluggish with delays after the victim failed to show up to be cross-examined.

Parker’s attorney, at the time of his first court appearance, had stressed that the accusations against his client were politically-motivated and aimed at removing him from the office. “The allegation came as a shock and surprise…the Lethem area is in total shock that Parker is being accused of something

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan

like this,” Attorney Jerome Khan had told reporters.

Last month, Stabroek News reported that while A Partnership for National Unity /Alliance for Change (APNU /AFC) council members are willing to give Parker a second chance, the greater number People’s

Progressive Party (PPP) members voted against him.

When this newspaper contacted Minister Bulkan on Monday he said the PPP members have no authority to do such. “They can’t bar him. I have noted their concerns and their opposition but the appointment is done by the central government,” Minister Bulkan stated.

Although Parker was removed from the position during the court case and then transferred to Region Eight subsequently, Minister Bulkan has reinstated him to Region Nine effective January 1, 2019.

Bulkan also told the newspaper that efforts by the opposition to discourage Parker’s appointment will be made futile as he already made his decision.

“I am still the minister despite what the leader of the opposition and other accomplices of his are saying,” Bulkan said. “I am not squatting at the Ministry of Communities, my appointment is lawful and I am valid.”

T W E N T Y- s i x - y e a r- o l d Komal Matthews called “Son”, of Mibicuri South, Black Bush Polder, was on Monday charged with the murder of Guyana Defence Force Lieutenant, Mark Bagot.

Matthews was not required to plead to the indictable charge which was read to him by Magistrate Renita Singh at the Whim Magistrate’s Court.

On Sunday 30th December at approximately 20:30hrs the lieutenant was allegedly stabbed following an argument at Chunku’s Grocery and Beer Garden located at Philippi Village.

On the day in question, Bagot reportedly was sharing a drink with a friend at the Beer Garden when an argument ensued between Bagot and the Matthews over the purchasing

of “Guinness”.

Following the incident, the lieutenant was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital where he was treated and transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. A few days later, Matthews turned himself over to the police at the Whim Police Station accompanied by his lawyer Chandra Sohan.

Proscution closes case in Sasia Adams matter Police Prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers on Monday closed his case against Rick Sewcharran, who is accused of unlawfully killing his 19-year-old girlfriend Sasia Adams when she was pushed out of a moving motorcar.

Sewcharran, 21 of Section ‘A’ Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD) is charged with manslaughter and is currently out on $500,000 bail.

Particulars of the charge allege that on June 10, 2018 at Lamaha Street, Georgetown, Sewcharran unlawfully killed Adams, his 19-year-old girlfriend. The preliminary inquiry is being presided over by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and the final witness was called on Monday.

Prosecutor Jeffers is expected to lay over his closing submission tomorrow.

On June 10, 2018 Adams was rushed to a private city

hospital by her boyfriend, Sewcharran, who claimed that she had jumped out of the car as he was driving.

Adams, who reportedly arrived at the hospital in a conscious state, was said to have told health workers there that she fell at home.

The police found the developments to be strange, as both had given conflicting reports and her 21-year-old boyfriend was taken into custody.

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

GNBA Chairman hands over 5 years of Annual Report

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo receives a copy of the GNBA Annual Report from Chairman, Leslie Sobers

CHAIRMAN of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA), Mr Leslie Sobers on Monday handed over the entity’s annual reports to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

The reports cover five

consecutive years from 2013 to 2017. During the meeting which was held at the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Sobers updated prime minister on the annual reports that were submitted, highlighting also that the GNBA is ful-

ly audited and is presently awaiting the final audit reports. He noted that the auditors would have indicated minor discrepancies which were immediately dealt with.

With the GNBA being more financially stable, the author-

ity is able to deliver better services to their broadcasters as well as being able to conduct internal training of staff.

Chairman also explained that the GNBA is now a member of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) and is in constant contact with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Mr Sobers indicated to prime minister that before the first quarter of 2019 ends, the GNBA is making efforts to employ a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO. He explained some of the plans and projections the authority has for 2019, “we are gearing towards the improvement of the broadcasting sector.”

GNBA’s Chairman stressed that this year there will be a new strategy for the incentivising of timely payment of fees by broadcasters and in like fashion “we would penalise persons for late payments.” Prime minister thanked Mr Sobers for his timely deliverance of GNBA’s annual reports. (DPI)

Cops seek duo for Bush Lot double murder …several others arrested, being questioned

THE Guyana Police Force on Monday issued wanted bulletins for two suspects who hail from the Corentyne in connection with the December 31st 2018 murder of two brothers at Bush Lot, East Berbice Corentyne.

The wanted men are identified as: 28-year-old Yougendra Jeenarine called “Romie” of Lot 439 Bush Lot and Kelvin Shivgobin called “Keli” 32, of Belvedere, both in East Berbice Corentyne. According to the police, the men are wanted for questioning in connection with the murder of brothers Harricharran and Premcharran Samaroo who both died during a robbery.

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that Yougendra was imbibing with the brothers on the night the men were attacked. He allegedly left to purchase beers moments before. His elder brother commonly known as “Chrisso Boy” is in police custody assisting with investigations.

Between 20-21:00hrs, three masked armed bandits stormed the home of the mother of the dead men

Wanted: Yougendra Jeenarine

Wanted: Kelvin Shivgobin called ‘Keli’

Irene Samaroo. The men had gathered and were preparing for an Old Year’s night drink’ with Munilall Roberts Kumar, an overseas-based cousin who was visiting for the holidays. The family was gathered under the wooden home when they heard what appeared to be fireworks coming from the backyard.

Premchand Samaroo called “Tully”, a labourer and a father of two, went to investigate with his older sibling Harichand Samaroo in tow. It is reported that “Tully” came face to face with the bandits and was shot at point blank rank range. He died on the spot. Harrichand was caught

by pellets from the blast and was also brutalised. He later succumbed at the hospital.

The bandits turned their attention to Kumar and dealt him several blows about the body forcing him to hand over about $5000 Guyana currency and US$350 he had in his possession. Still not satisfied the men took 67-year-old Irene Samaroo to the upper flat where she handed over a bag containing $70,000 before making good their escape. The Samaroo brothers who both worked as labourers had earlier left their respective families to spend the night at their mother along with their two other

siblings. Investigations are ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force in a release stated extended condolences to the family and relatives of the Samaroo’s and assures the victims’ relatives, and citizens of Berbice that all efforts will be made in ensuring there is a safe and secure environment for all. Additionally, the Guyana Police Force has noted several recent incidents of serious crimes in Berbice. On Monday, Police Commissioner Mr Leslie James, DSS, DSM and Deputy Commissioners Lyndon Alves, Maxine Graham, DSM and Nigel Hoppie, DSM met with Commander ‘B’ Division, Assistant Commissioner Paul Langevine and his administrative team, and where given a firsthand view of what is happening in Berbice. The force’s top brass was very much satisfied with the brief; and several initiatives and strategies which include increased patrols (mobile and Aberdeen) and intelligence-led operations would be implemented immediately.

Irfaan Ali matter postponed until Friday

Former Housing Minister Irfaan Ali

THE magisterial hearing into the matter against former Housing Minister Irfaan Ali who is accused of defrauding the State of some $174M for his role in the notorious Pradoville land-sale scandal has been adjourned pending the hearing of a motion in the High Court to stop the proceeding of the matter, which is currently being heard by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Ali, 38, of Sea-spray, Leonora, West Coast Demerara was slapped with 19 counts of fraud last November and the charges are laid indictable.

The charges read that between 2010 and 2015, Ali conspired with persons unknown to defraud the Government of Guyana when he acted recklessly in presenting the value of 19 plots of state land situated at Plantation Sparendaam and Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara and sold the said lands at a grossly undervalued price without first obtaining a valuation to determine their true value.

When the matter was called on Monday, Ali's attorney David Kissoon told the court that an application was filed at the High Court for a stay of the matter on the grounds that the charges were bad in law and Ali acted lawfully.

The application was filed on January 2, 2019 by Senior Counsel Neil Boston, Anil Nandlall and Devindra Kissoon at the High Court, where it is fixed to be heard before Justice Franklin Holder on January 11, 2019.

The Chief Magistrate adjourned the matter until February 6, 2019 pending the hearing at High Court.

Ali is accused of defrauding the state of over $174M after selling the land at an undervalued price. The former minister of housing is accused of selling the lands to former President Bharrat Jagdeo; former Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon; and former ministers Priya Manickchand, Dr. Jennifer Westford, Robert Persaud and Clement Rohee; Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack, and former army head Gary Best and Fortune Developers Inc., Guyana.

He also sold lands at the locations to former General Manager of the Guyana

Gold Board and daughter of former President Donald Ramotar, Lisa Ramotar; former President of the Private Sector Commission, Ramesh Dookhoo; the son of former Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul, Dr Ghansham Singh; former Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Chief Executive Officer Rajendra Singh; former president of the Caribbean Development Bank, Compton Bourne; Andrew Bishop, former Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission; former Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) Shaik Baksh, Safraaz Khan and George Hallaq.

The controversial Pradoville Two issue came to the fore when the coalition government commenced several investigations into suspicious financial transactions of state officials that bordered or amounted to corrupt practices and/or abuse of office.

It was found that several persons close to the last government had received prime seafront lands belonging to the state at extraordinarily low cost.

It was reported that the “Pradoville” recipients, the majority of whom held very high positions within private or state organisations, received and later built posh or luxury homes on the properties after paying as little as $114 per square foot; citizens, on the other hand, were being made to pay as much as $500 a square foot for ordinary land.

The “Pradoville” arrangement was made during PPP’s term of office, 2010-2015.

Jagdeo’s property is easily the largest plot of land with the biggest mansion, equipped with a pool and other amenities. The “Pradoville” Two matter became even more controversial when it was related that taxpayers’ money was used to develop the land and remove a transmitter belonging to the National Communications Network at a cost of around $100M to develop the scheme for the prominent persons going to live there.

There was even more controversy surrounding the seafront properties, since there was no advertising of the state lands and it appeared that all the recipients who got property were handpicked by the then government.

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Climate-smart architecture needed –– Climate adviser

Deputy Director and Science Advisr at the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, Dr Ulric Trotz

DEPUTY Director and Science Adviser at the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, Dr Ulric Trotz has said that climate-smart architecture is needed to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Climate is described as the average weather over a period of time. Climate change refers to the significant change in the measures of climate-—whether in temperature, rainfall or otherwise— over an extended period of time.

According to Dr Trotz, as per the climate change patterns the earth is presently experiencing, the Caribbean will become a much “warmer” and “dryer” place. Further, he said that through the weather cycle, water in the region will become a greater issue.

Specifically in Guyana’s context, he said: “It's going to be a critical issue with sea-level rise at the seawall and heavy downpour in the interior [savannahs].”

As such, he contended that mitigation efforts— such as ensuring there is climate-smart infrastructure— will be critical in grappling with the ensuing phenomena.

“What has to be done is that you have you design your drainage system to prevent the flood but [you also need] to have a system to retain the water when you don't get your regular rain season in,” he opined. “Adaptation measures are important.”

And as the effects of climate change unfold every day, Dr Trotz highlighted that using patterns garnered from past would no longer suffice. Instead he stressed that engineers need to look at future climate projections to guide their building efforts.

“A lot of times in our region, a lot of decisions are made [based] on conjecture and we need to move away from that and focus on science-based decision-making,” he related.

This decision-making rests heavily on governments, but Dr Trotz stressed that there needs to be action taken from civil society as well.

Moreover, he highlighted: “You need to be aware that we are living in a scenario that the climate is going to be an important factor in our lives… we need to build more resilience across communities.” Building resilience across communities can be done through a variety of ways, according to the director. This includes policing and safeguarding the environment.

Indiscriminate logging and mining, he noted, are sensitive issues because while they add to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), such activities also contribute to the deterioration of the environment which in turn facilitates climate change. However, there are ways in which these activities can be done sustainably and communities need to become guardians of the environment, he stressed.

Local environmental filmmaker, Alex Arjoon highlighted that perhaps communities need to be shown how caring for their environment and safeguarding against adverse effects of climate change is necessary in their daily lives. Additionally, Arjoon highlighted the work being done on the East Coast of Demerara through the Mangrove Restoration Project.

At the Golden Grove/ Belfield Mangrove Reserve, residents actually benefit from the Mangrove Reserve centre created to spread the mangrove preservation message, while also helping to provide income for village residents in the area through working as guides or attendants.

Dr Trotz said this was a great example of communities working to build resilience.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

19

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

21

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

RACING TIPS American Racing Tips Mahoning Valley Race 1 What’s On Tap Race 2 D’Platinum Race 3 Calboyzeke Race 4 Another Source Race 5 Fifth Thief Race 6 Caleb Can Dab Race 7 Drama Princess Race 8 Lady Driven South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:40 hrs Palace Chapel 09:15 hrs Pale Lilac 09:50 hrs Silver Thursday 10:25 hrs Bull Sade 11:00 hrs Blue Diamond Road 11:35 hrs Lock Him Up English Racing Tips Ayr 08:55 hrs Valkenburg 09:25 hrs Queens Cave 10:00 hrs Las Tunas 10:35 hrs Imada 11;10 hrs Spirit Of Kayf 11:45 hrs Ribble Valley Bangor 09:10 hrs Urbanist 09:40 hrs Steps And Stairs 10:15 hrs Collooney 10:50 hrs Treasure Dillon 11:25 hrs Two For Gold 11:55 hrs Frenchy Du Large Newcastle 11:40 hrs Loud And Clear 12:10 hrs Paparazzi 12:45 hrs Mardle 13:15 hrs Outrage 13:45 hrs Set Piece 14:15 hrs Novabridge 14:45 hrs Lorna Cole 15:15 hrs Wiff Waff

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Jaguars humble Pride...

FROM PAGE 27

In fact ironically, it was Barbadian Reifer who settled the issue, when he cleared the ropes at wide mid-wicket with left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican for his second six.

Test batsmen Roston Chase and Shane Dowrich had earlier raised hopes of a draw when they put on 107 for the fifth wicket, to frustrate Jaguars.

They came together in the first over after lunch when Pride slumped to 97 for four, and carried the hosts through the remainder of the session, before the rot set in early in the final session.

Chase top-scored with 68, an innings that lasted 151 deliveries, just over

3-¼ hours and included nine fours while Dowrich crunched 12 boundaries in 65 off 86 balls in two hours at the crease, to register his second half-century of the match.

Pride were perched on 202 for four at tea but it was Dowrich’s downfall, caught at the wicket cutting at leftarm spinner Veersammy Permaul, which triggered the collapse that saw the last six wickets tumble for 28 runs.

West Indies captain Jason Holder perished for one in similar fashion to Permaul and Chase was eventually ninth out, dragging on an expansive shot at wide ball from Permaul.

Pride had been forced

to follow on by 188 runs at the start of the day but soon lost out-of-sorts Test opener Kraigg Brathwaite in the morning’s second over for four, caught at the wicket off left-arm seamer Reifer with five on the board.

Left-handed opener Shayne Moseley, with 32, and captain Shamarh Brooks, 26, put on 64 for the second wicket to steady the innings but two wickets in 21 balls left Pride on 93 for three at lunch.

When Brooks played across one from fast bowler Romario Shepherd and was lbw to the third ball after the interval with just four added to his personal score, the hosts were rattled yet again.

SCOREBOARD JAGUARS 1st Innings Pride 1st Innings Pride 2nd Innings (following on) K Brathwaite c wkp Bramble b Reifer S Moseley b Pestano *S Brooks lbw b Shepherd J Carter c wkp Bramble b R Shepherd R Chase b Permaul +S Dowrich c wkp Bramble b Permaul J Holder c wkp Bramble b Permaul A Nurse b Reifer K Roach lbw b Reifer J Warrican c Shepherd b Permaul M Cummins not out Extras (b6, lb8, w5, nb2) TOTAL (all out, 74 overs) Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-69, 3-76, 4-97, 5-204, 6-212, 7-217, 8-225, 9-225, 10-232.

Bowling: Pestano 12-2-37-1, Reifer 23-5-53-3, Shepherd 11-3-35-2, Permaul 25-1-73-4, Barnwell 3-0-20-0.

JAGUARS 1st Innings (target: 45 runs) T Chanderpaul c wkp Dowrich b Roach C Hemraj b Roach C Barnwell c Nurse b Cummins S Rutherford c wkp Dowrich b Cummins

GFF Head of Referees...

“There has been a significant amount of institutional learning during this difficult process,” Forde told reporters yesterday at his Federation’s Headquarters where the announcement was made.

“I can assure our football fraternity and the general public that the GFF is now better equipped to handle issues of this nature,” Forde noted.

Forde reiterated the GFF’s unwavering support for all women and girls in

the sport and pointed out that his Executive Committee remains committed to their (women) empowerment and development.

“The Federation will not condone any form of sexual harassment, abuse, inappropriate behaviour or discrimination within the football fraternity, past or present.

We know that this problem has plagued football for many years, but we are taking a formidable stand against it.

In recent times, the

world has become much more aware of the pervasiveness of sexual harassment against women. The extent to which this has impacted on equal participation of women in everyday life may never be fully accounted for,” the GFF boss boldly proclaimed.

Forde further added: “Let me be very clear to our entire fraternity; Sexual harassment, abuse, inappropriate behaviour and discrimination of any kind have no place in football whatsoev-

er. While football cannot fix society’s problems, under my leadership, the GFF will do everything it can to improve the football environment and protect the integrity of the women and girls in the sport.”

Meanwhile, some onlookers had questioned the composition of the BOI, since it featured women who, either in their official or personal capacity, have been publicly vocal on their position as it relates to abuse, rape or sexual har-

assment against women, but, in a recent interview with Chronicle Sport, Forde had supported the women, pointing out that they are professionals who were objective in their evaluation and in their taking of statements and testimony and even called the report that was submitted “good, solid and balance.”

The Executive Committee has accepted the findings and recommendations of the Board of Inquiry, Forde related and explained that the

548 360 4 32 26 6 68 65 1 1 2 0 6 21 232

6 9 6 0 FROM BACK PAGE

GFF’s Third Vice President, Thandi McAllister, will oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the BOI. “We will take steps necessary to support the healing of those affected, and to do what we can to urgently rebuild trust in our fraternity. I encourage members of the media and our other stakeholders to continue to play their part by holding us to account for our progress in this area,” Forde said.

FROM BACK PAGE

India break 71-year drought...

The hosts were duly dismissed for 300 and Kohli did not hesitate to go for the jugular by enforcing the follow-on — the first time in 30 years Australia had suffered such ignominy on home soil.

Ultimately, it was the Sydney weather that saved Australia from a 3-1 humiliation with no play possible after tea on day four, when they had mustered up six runs without loss in their second innings.

“It’s obviously a very proud moment. More so because for the last 12 months we understand what we have gone through as a team,” said Kohli.

“The fact that the reward has come in the most historic series for Indian cricket is the cherry on the top of the cake.

“In the 10 years that I have played, it is the proudest moment that I have experienced and we’re so happy for the whole team.

“It is a young bunch of guys and to have that belief to keep striving for excellence on a daily basis and to get a reward like this we definitely have to be happy.”

BIG MOMENTS For some Australians the series will always carry an asterisk given their two best batsmen, Steve

Smith and David Warner, were unavailable because of bans they received for the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa last year.

Tim Paine’s side were unable to paper over the cracks left by their absence, and even the vaunted pace attack of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins failed to fire, except for spells in the victory in Perth.

“I thought we actually had our chances to win the test match in Adelaide, India just outplayed us in big moments in that test,” Paine said.

“In Perth, I thought we played a very good game of

cricket but when we went to Melbourne and Sydney, we’ve been outplayed in all departments.”

India’s trio of seamers Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, by contrast, were highly disciplined and executed their plans to perfection to exploit the weaknesses in the Australian batting.

“I feel great standing in the slips cordon and watching these guys run in,” said Kohli.

“You can see that hunger and that passion to win for India. We put everything on the line to win for the team.

“They take ownership of their skills. They are dictat-

ing terms now which is the most amazing thing you can ask for from your bowlers.”

With the bat, the tourists managed to score five centuries over the four matches with Player-of-the-Series Pujara recording three of them, aggregating 521 runs from seven innings at an average of 74.42.

There was a century for captain Kohli, of course, and one in Sydney for the younger generation through the irrepressible wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.

India have still never won a series in South Africa but finally breaking through in Australia will do much to burnish the reputation of

Kohli and a team already ranked number one in the world in the longest format of the game.

“This is an Indian team that will jump over a cliff to win a game for their country,” said coach Ravi Shastri.

“That’s the determination and the ruthlessness, the mindset with which this team went out to play in this series.

“This team now has an identity to look at any other Indian team from the past in the eye without being intimidated and say ‘We play proper test match cricket. You did, and we do too’.”

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

World Cup winners Kohli and Shastri rate Australia win higher

By Sidharth Monga in Sydney INDIA’s captain and coach are both World Cup winners but they rate this series win in Australia higher than those triumphs, albeit for different reasons.

Ravi Shastri, the coach, was part of the India squad that won the 1983 World Cup although he didn’t play in the final. Virat Kohli played through the 2011 World Cup that India won.

“I was part of 2011 World Cup team,” Kohli said, “but I didn’t have the emotion of not having been able to win a World Cup before. Playing at home and winning it eventually... a lot of the senior players had that emotion.

Yes, it was a great moment for me but if you ask me which moment is more emotional, I would say this one because this is my third tour here and I have seen how difficult it is to win here. And all the struggles that we have gone through in the past 12 months as well as the team.

“So, from that point of view this one is more emotional for me. It will definitely be more special, purely because of the fact that we really wanted to win a series away from home.

We didn’t want to be a onematch-wonder kind of team.

So, having stuck to our task and executed what we wanted and got the result, we, as a team, feel absolutely complete now that we have done what we set out to do...not to show to any-

one else but to prove ourselves that yes, we could do it and we have done it. From that point of view this one is more special for me.”

For Shastri, this is a win achieved in a purer format.

“I will tell you how satisfying it is for me,” Shastri said. “World Cup ‘83, World Championship ‘85.

This is as big, or even bigger, because it is in the truest format of the game. It’s Test cricket, which is meant to be the toughest.”

There was the usual combative reaction to criticism - Shastri took another potshot at Sunil Gavaskar’s criticism, calling his shots “blanks” that are “blown away like a tracer bullet” by the time they reach the southern hemisphere - but there was a genuine feeling of relief and pride in Kohli.

All the psyching up he had to do, all the effort put in to not let the mind wander ahead of himself, could now be laid to rest. He was asked about his comments before the Test that history doesn’t mean much to him.

“We all play mindgames, don’t we,” Kohli said with a smile. “Look, it’s obviously a very proud moment, more so because we understand what we have gone through as a team for the last 12 months.

We understand the kind of cricket that we have been able to play, and I was just mentioning the fact that after losing tosses, we have been in competition throughout in the games that we have lost.

We understood as a team we were on the right track.

What has come in the

Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri share a light moment before team photos Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

most historic series for Indian cricket is the cherry on the cake and something that, as I said, in the 10 years that I have played, is the proudest moment that I have experienced.

“I am so happy for the whole team because a young bunch of guys, to have that belief and to keep striving for excellence on a daily basis and to get a reward like this, we definitely have to be happy. Although changing history or creating history is still not what I am thinking of, it is pure satisfaction of the hard work of 12 months to understand that what we believed in has been proven right and regardless of the whole world being against you, if you are striving in the right direction with good intent, God’s going to reward you. So that’s what I am more happy about.”

“So history does matter?”

“Of course it does.”

Shastri, though, continued to be caustic. He was asked if he would like to share this success with captains who - from Lala Amarnath to MS Dhoni - tried their best to win in Australia but couldn’t.

“Past is history, future is a mystery,” Shastri said.

“Okay? We have won today after 71 years, I’d like to live in the present. And salute my captain for being the captain of the team that beat Australia for the first time in Australia in a series.”

When talking about the satisfaction of winning this series, Shastri again referenced teams from the past, and also said Kohli shows more passion for Test cricket than any other captain in the world.

“I don’t think anyone plays Test cricket with more passion than he [Kohli] does,” Shastri said.

“At least I don’t see any other international captain coming close to him on the field when it comes to showing that passion needed to play the game. He is very expressive, which is different to others.

Other captains could have different personalities but Virat is someone who is in your face and it rubs off on all the youngsters who are watching the game in India. His team-mates watch him, they want to emulate him. And to believe that they can be someone like him who can go out there and strive for excellence.

“So when an individual puts his neck on the line as captain then the others follow. And you have seen

that transition happening over the last two-three years where guys in the team have become more and more confident, about their own ability and the ability of the team as well and it’s made all the difference.

I said in Melbourne - I think I mentioned people taking pot shots and firing blanks. I wasn’t joking there, because I knew how hard this team had worked.

When you fire from there, by the time it crosses the southern hemisphere, it’s blown away by the wind like a tracer bullet. But lead with something in it can be pretty serious. And that’s what we have fired right through the series against Australia. We were committed, and it jolly well made a bloody difference at the end of it all.

“This is not a team of gods or demigods, seniors or juniors. This is an Indian cricket team that will jump over a cliff to win a match for the country. And that’s the determination, that’s the ruthlessness, that’s the mindset with which this team went to play in this series.

And hats off to them to show that courage. Today I can say I am proud of my boys and I can also tell them one thing which Virat touched in the presentation - that this team now has an identity to look at any other Indian team from the past in the eye and say, ‘We play proper Test match cricket. You did, we did too,’ without being intimidated.”(ESPN Cricinfo)

South Africa captain du Plessis suspended for Johannesburg Test CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has been suspended for one Test and fined 20 percent of his match fee after his side were charged with a slow over rate in the nine-wicket second test victory over Pakistan at Newlands.

Du Plessis will sit out the final match of the series starting in Johannesburg on Friday after match referee David Boon imposed the suspension having found South Africa to be one over short of their required number in the test.

It is the second time in 12 months that

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis

Du Plessis and his side have been found guilty of a slow over rate after a test against India in Johannesburg that ended on Jan. 17. The rest of the side have also been fined 10 percent of their match fee.

“In accordance with Article 2.22.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Players Support Personnel... players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount,” the International Cricket Council said in a statement on Sunday.

Cricket South Africa accepted the de-

cision but said “there could be a bit of flexibility given the four-pronged seam attack, taking 20 wickets within three days and playing a general positive brand of cricket, rather than trying to delay/slow down the match”.

South Africa have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three matches series, but could field a much-changed batting line-up in the third test with the absence of Du Plessis, and injury concerns over opener Aiden Markram and number three Hashim Amla.

A new captain will be named by the selectors in the next days, officials added.

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

GKC hosts successful grading examinations THE Guyana Karate College (GKC) recently hosted its first grading examinations for its Springlands Dojo in Berbice.

The GKC Berbice Dojo is a collaborative undertaking with the Radha Krishna Foundation which has been in existence since 2012, to serve the community by empowering youths, through various classes such as Karate-do, Hindi, Hindi Bhagwad Gita, Sanskrit, and Yoga, among other disciplines.

The adult Berbician students who successfully undertook the examinations were: Amit Kumar Paresar, Krishna Jhaman, and Gavendra Mohabir. Lavesh Mohabir and Charran Singh skipped from 10th Kyu all the way to 6th Kyu. Moving from 10th Kyu to 7th Kyu were Teena Persaud, Padminie Devi Dhup, Inderlal Singh, Kamala Devi Huran, Ashmini Prasa, Leeza Prasad, Priya Davie Tulsie; whilst moving from

The students who have completed the Guyana Karate College (GKC) recently-held grading examinations at the Springlands Dojo in Berbice.

10th Kyu to 8th Kyu was Shaline Deodhan The younger students were: Aryan Singh, Bhojram Paresar, Ramesh Ragnauth, Teemal Singh, Sunita Bishwakishwar, Yogeeta Bishwakishwar, Gavena Paresar, who moved from 10th to 8th Kyu, Monica Singh, Survan Dasrat, Mandy Bishwakishwar, Dhana Bishwakishwar, and Omawattie Tilackram who

moved from 10th Kyu to 9th Kyu. The Radha Krishna Foundation also provides scholarships to students to attend the University of Guyana and executes a monthly medical outreach programme to provide medical services to the general public free of charge.

The Guyana Karate College and the Foundation

commenced karate classes in September of last year with a total of 40 students who undertake weekly training under the instruction and guidance of 7th Dan Shihan Jeffrey Wong and other senior karatekas, including Aliya Wong and Otto Harris.

Wong, who offers top-notch martial arts training to the students in the Berbice area with

an extensive curriculum including traditional karate and self-defense, is a master instructor with more than 45 years of experience in training and practising martial arts. The Dojo focuses on instilling the traditional principles of respect, self-esteem, and self-defense.

The large open facility offers a safe and clean environment in which

students train. The centre welcomes students of all skill levels, beginning at age five. The academy focuses on addressing the root causes of disrespectful and unruly behavior with discipline, structure, and positive reinforcement.

The Foundation has another branch in Leguan where similar training and services are being offered to residents there.

Albion name sub- Regal supports WCC committees for 2019 THE newly-elected executive of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club, under the presidency of Vemen Walter, met recently and have named the club’s various sub-committees, captains and vice-captains of the respective teams, among others for the year 2019.

The club’s Selection Committee will be chaired by Walter and will include former Guyana Under-19 off-spinner Orvin Mangru and Omarnauth Outar, along with the captain of the teams in question.

Vice-President Imtiaz Baccus heads the Disciplinary Committee with Pooran Mangal and David Brijmohan being the other members.

Pawan Baldeo will chair the Cricket Development Committee with Brijmohan and national left-arm-spinner Gudakesh Motie making up the remainder of the committee.

Treasurer Mangal is the chairman of the Fund-Raising Committee which also comprises Bacchus and Brijmokhan. This committee will be allowed to incorporate other members.

West Indies left-arm-spinner Veerasammy Permaul was re-appointed captain of the first division team with fellow West Indies spinner Davendra Bishoo as his deputy. In the event both

Permaul and Bishoo being unavailable, Gudakesh Motie or Anthony Bramble will lead the team.

Joshua Harichand will captain the club’s Second Division team with Devendra Latchman as his deputy. Former Guyana Under-19 batsmen, Adrian Sukhwa, will be the man captaining the club’s Under-21 team with West Indies Under-19 selectee, Kelvin Umroa, being his vice-captain.

Umroa and Rayaad Karim are the captain and vice-captain respectively of the Under-19 team while Karim will captain the Under-17 team with Gouraf Ramesh as the vice-captain.

Tameshwar Mahadeo is the Under-15 captain with Damien Cecil as the vicecaptain while Tameshwar Mangal and Afraz Budhoo is the captain and vicecaptain respectively of the Under-13 team.

The club’s various teams will be managed by Outar, with Brijmohan and Walter providing assistance.

Walter and Bacchus will be representing the club at the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) level with Brijmohan and Outar being the club’s two representatives on the Albion Community Centre Council.

Brijmohan was also appointed as the Public Relations Officer (PRO).

Members of the Wakenaam Under-19 team with members and CEO of Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Mahendra Hardyal (right) displaying the gears.

AS part of their corporate responsibility, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, on Sunday last, made a timely donation to the Wakenaam Community Centre ground.

The presentation was done by members of the Regal open and masters’ teams, including its CEO, Mahendra Hardyal and secretary of the club, Nazeer Mohamed. The club benefited from bats, pads, balls and arm guards.

Prior to the handing-over ceremony, Hardyal said his business entity has been a supporter of sport over the years, adding that he is happy to assist in the development of the game in the Wakenaam area.

The CEO, who is also one of the country’s top softball player, also pointed out that the contribution to the club is a way of giving back to the community. He pledged his continued support towards the

club with the hope that the club can produce more players like Keemo Paul and Ricardo Adams. Mohamed expressed gratitude to Hardyal and the entire Regal family, adding that the club looks forward to their continued support.

Mohamed, who is also the manager of the national Under-17 team, further mentioned that partnership of such nature will certainly go a far way in promoting the game on the island.

26 26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

TTDF edge Supernova in final minute GUYANA’s indoor developmental hockey team, Supernova, lost their semi-final to the Trinidad & Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) in heart-breaking fashion on Sunday morning at the Ventures Indoor.

An even first half saw Shomere Garnett putting Supernova into the lead in the 7th minute before Marcus James tied things up in the 14th minute.

The depth of the Guyanese bench began to show in the second half as the TTDF struggled to keep up with the pace of the game.

Warren Williams scored in the 21st minute to give his side the narrow lead before a diving goal by Shomere Garnett was disallowed.

In the final two minutes, TTDF pulled their goalkeeper and added an extra outfield player. This tactic worked to perfection when Shane Leggerton scored in the final minute and Nicholas Wren converted a penalty corner with no time left on the clock to give the defence men the 3-2 win.

In the third-place match against Paragon, it was Garnett again putting his side up early before T&T National

Meshach Sargeant

Kareem McKenzie

captain Akim Toussaint responded one minute later by converting a penalty corner.

Toussaint would convert two more penalty corners to

take his side into halftime up 3-1.

The Guyanese started the second half strong with Meshach Sargeant scoring a

penalty stroke, but the tournament’s top goal scorer, Toussaint, responded immediately with his 23rd strike of the tournament.

Left-back Kareem McKenzie kept Guyanese hopes alive with a phenomenal overlapping run to finish with a reverse flick from the narrowest of angles, but Kelon Skerrit put the game to bed in the 28th minute with Paragon’s 5th strike In his assessment of the final day, national coach Robert Fernandes said “Although it was disappointing to loose in the fashion that we did in the semifinal, it’s

important to keep things in perspective; eleven of these players are 19 or under, playing against Trinidad’s best senior club sides.

He continued, “The TTDF team is loaded with current and former national players and for these boys to be that competitive against such a strong team is way beyond our pre-tour expectations. I’m really proud of their performance to date, we’re learning with every match and we’ll get to do it all over again in four days’ time when the UWI tournament starts.”

Joseph, Cornwall dismantle Red Force

Man-of-the-Match: Rahkeem Cornwall.

TAROUBA, Trinidad, (CMC) – West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph reiterated his return to full fitness by scything through Trinidad and Tobago Red Force as Leeward Islands Hurricanes claimed an emphatic 245-run

victory in the third round of the Regional Four-Day Championship here Monday.

Resuming Monday’s final day on 26 without loss in pursuit of an improbable 342 for victory, Red Force crumbled meekly for 96 all out, 15 minutes into an extended first session at the Brian Lara Stadium.

Though they lost Kyle Hope and Amir Jangoo early in the day, they recovered somewhat to reach 72 for two before suffering an astonishing collapse that saw seven wickets crash for six runs in the space of 28 deliveries.

In fact at one stage, Red Force lost five wickets without adding a single run as Joseph, who snatched four for 22 and off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall, with four for 29, ruthlessly shredded the innings.

First innings top-scorer, opener Jeremy Solozano, again led Red Force with 42 but was one of only two batsmen in double figures – Hope the other with 17.

Joseph, who was limited to two one-dayers for West Indies

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday January 8, 2018) 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 Tuesday’s quiz: (1) NZ 1, SL 0 (2) Tom Latham (NZ) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who scored most runs for NZ in the recent Test series against Sri Lanka?

(2) Who aggregated most runs for SL in the recent Test series against NZ? Answer in tomorrow's issue

last year as he struggled to recover from a back injury, finished the match with seven wickets and now has 15 in just three matches this season.

Cornwall, meanwhile, pipped opener Montcin Hodge for the Man-of-the-Match award, following his first innings 65 and an eight-wicket match haul – a performance which will continue to press his case for selection against England later this month.

There was no sign of the havoc to follow when Solozano and Hope safely extended their opening stand to 42 inside the first halfhour.

However, fast bowler Sheno Berridge made the key strike when he had Hope caught at gully by Hodge, driving at a wide delivery and followed up when he removed new batsman Amir Jangoo for eight, caught at short mid-wicket off the pull.

Solozano and Jason Mohammed appeared to be rebuilding inside the second hour when things suddenly fell apart for Red Force.

Mohammed charged Cornwall and holed out to mid on running around at 72 for three 425 and with four runs added, cap- HURRICANES 1st Innings Red Force 1st Innings 252 tain Denesh Ramdin played across the second ball he faced Hurricanes 2nd Innings 168-6 decl. and was lbw to Cornwall with- Red Force 2nd Innings (target: 342 runs) (overnight 26 without loss) out scoring.

17 Solozano, unbeaten on 16 K Hope c Hodge b Berridge J Solozano b Joseph 42 at the start, looked accomA Jangoo c Thomas b Berridge 8 plished in facing 100 balls in J Mohammed c Joseph b Cornwall 4 just over 2-¼ hours and strik*D Ramdin lbw b Cornwall 0 ing eight fours, as he carried Y Cariah c Thomas b Cornwall 0 Red Force’s hopes of at least +J Da Silva lbw b Joseph 0 forcing a draw.

I Khan b A Joseph 0 But those hopes were shat- D St Clair c wkp Hamilton b Joseph 0 tered when Joseph brought B Charles not out 0 one back to beat a tentative S Gabriel b Cornwall 14 push from the left-hander, the Extras (b8, lb2, nb1) 11 ball crashing into middle and TOTAL (all out, 39.3 overs) 96 off.

Fall of wickets: 1-42, 2-58, 3-72, 4-76, 5-78, Joseph then wrecked the 6-78, 7-78, 8-78, 9-78, 10-96. innings by taking the next Bowling: Louis 8-2-10-0, Cornwall 9.3-4-29-4, three wickets to fall. He Joseph 12-5-22-4, Warde 2-0-6-0, Berridge 8-3-19-2. trapped Joshua Da Silva plumb in front in the same over in be caught at the wicket. which he dismissed Solozano and Cornwall performed the final in his next over, uprooted Imran rites, dismissing Yannic Cariah Khan’s off-stump and forced Dan- without scoring and bowling last iel St Clair to fend off a snorter, to man Shannon Gabriel for 14.

SCOREBOARD

Linden synthetic track to commence soon – Minister Norton MINISTER of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Sport, Dr George Norton, says that construction of the Linden Synthetic Track will commence very soon as some unwarranted reasons for the delay have been sorted out.

There were some issues with the centre of the identified field where the track will be laid and some adjustments had to be made before the commencement of phase three of the project.

“All of that is done, it caused some delay, but it is now up and running,” he

told Chronicle Sport.

The Linden Synthetic Track will be laid at the Bayroc Community Centre ground in Wismar, Linden, and the contract was awarded to Builders Hardware and General Supplies to the tune of $179M. Phase three includes groundwork, laying of necessary drainage pipes, curb work, asphalting and concreting where necessary.

The track will also have amenities for all field events and the middle will be developed into a world-class football field, similar to the one at the Le-

onora facility.

Phase four includes the laying of the synthetic material of an eight-lane 400 metre track.

Phase three is expected to take three to six months. The development of the pavilion and the additional space surrounding it is a project that will be scheduled for a later time.

Lindeners are expected to benefit from employment during the construction.

No homes in the area will be affected, while additional facilitation will be put in place for roadways and it is expected that the general aesthetics of Wismar-Linden will be improved.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Jaguars humble Pride by six wickets in dramatic finish BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Four-time reigning champions, Guyana Jaguars, held their nerve to beat star-studded Barbados Pride by six wickets on a dramatic final day here Monday, and extend their lead at the top of the Regional Four-Day standings.

Set a meagre 45 for victory at Kensinton Oval following Pride’s sudden collapse in the final session for 232 in their second innings of the third round contest,

Jaguars made a meal of what should have been an uncomplicated run chase as they slumped to 21 for four.

When left-handed opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul nicked seamer Kemar Roach behind for six in the third over, there was little bother for Jaguars but the real drama unfolded when three wickets tumbled with the score stuck on 21.

Chris Barnwell (6), handed a promotion, was smartly held at first slip by Ashley Nurse off speedster

Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul … triggered Barbados Pride’s second innings collapse.

A ‘Zack’ of all trades

Zachary Persaud leads the pack (GTRidez photo)

MIXING schoolwork and a sport is generally a tough cookie but mixing schoolwork and several sports is something that takes skill; a skill that someone like Zachary Persaud is developing at an exponential rate.

“Zack is a part of a lot sports. Everything so far he has excelled at that he is doing. I am happy he is excelling in what he is doing; I’m excited for him and I will support him 100 per cent in what he is doing,” his mother Anya Persaud says.

While Zack plays both Squash and Football, it is his exploits in the karting world that have earned him a spot on team Guyana for the upcoming Caribbean Junior Karting Academy Trophy (CJKAT).

Named as one of six

youngsters, Zack, along with the rest of the team and supporters, are expected to leave Guyana on Wednesday for Barbados where all three rounds of the 2019 championship will be held.

And even with all the activities, Zachary still enjoys the confidence of his mother.

“Because it [karting] is still relatively new, we are now going to see how it goes. He’s only done a few races so far, so now we are going to see how he’s going to balance it all. If he continues with this, then we [parents] have to make sure that he sticks to the books.”

“But he has it [his head] well screwed on and he knows the balance.”

His father Rohan Dev also has the utmost confidence in him finding that balance, telling Chronicle

Sport “We’ve set goals for him in terms of school. Once he maintains his discipline and keeps his grades, he can kart. He has been keeping his end of the bargain.”

Zack has remained truthful to himself when it comes to academics, saying “I take my schoolwork very seriously and if I see myself dropping back in school, I’d cut off all activities to focus on that.”

“But they [my parents] have been really good supporters of me. They always encourage me to do better in everything that I do. They really push me to my limits,” Zach told Chronicle Sport.

His entry into the sport came through a relatively familiar story-- the inheritance fable turned into a success story.

“My uncle used to drive

in the rookie class, so when he went on to the 125, he offered me his kart to use.

This is the 4 stroke kart.

After that, he retired from the 125cc, so I said ‘let me give this a try. I think that it turned out great,” the youngster said.

“It’s a lot quicker than the four-stroke [karts], you can easily tell, but it’s really fun to drive those karts and its good experience in life.”

And from then on, it’s been a family affair, his fa-

ther saying, “So far since he’s started, I’ve enjoyed coming down here and spending time with him and working together-- teamwork. I look at it as a family thing.”

“I have a lot of confidence in him. It’s always a little bit nerve-wracking watching him, but I think that he has proven that he can handle the pressure.”

And that confidence spills over with Zack also exuding confidence when

Miguel Cummins and off the very next ball, Sherfane Rutherford also wasted his promotion when he nicked a catch behind.

When Man-of-the-Match Chandrapaul Hemraj (9) was bowled by one from Roach which kept low, the nerves were creeping into the Jaguars camp but all-rounder Raymon Reifer, with 15 not out, and captain Leon Johnson, 11 not out, dashed any hopes Pride harboured of a come-from-behind win.

SEE PAGE 23 quizzed about the actual event.

“I’m feeling pretty good and I’m confident that I can do pretty well in the series.

I know it’s going to be fun, it’s going to be a good experience; I’m a little bit nervous going against the top racers from the Caribbean.”

The first round of the CJKAT is set for Saturday and Sunday (January 12 and 13) with classroom sessions set for Thursday and Friday.

India break 71year drought with 2-1 series win in Australia

Skipper Virat Kohli handed over the trophy to Mayank Agarwal, India’s latest Test player ©David Gray/AFP/Getty Images

By Nick Mulvenney SYDNEY (Reuters) - India ended a 71-year wait for a test series victory in Australia on Monday, their 2-1 triumph finally confirmed

when the rain-affected fourth and final test ended in a draw at Sydney Cricket Ground early on Monday afternoon.

The finale may have ultimately have turned out

to be a damp squib but Virat Kohli’s tourists utterly dominated what action there was to deservedly become the first side from the Asian sub-continent to take the honours Down Under.

Wins in the first Test in Adelaide and third in Melbourne ensured they could not lose the series and their batsmen, led by a 193 from Cheteshwar Pujara, batted Australia out of the fourth

match with a daunting 6227 declared total in the first inning That all but destroyed home hopes of a face-saving victory and India’s spinners then got to work to drive

home the advantage in the field against an Australia side that failed to muster a single century over the series.

Turn to page 23

GFF Head of Referees Stanley Lancaster dismissed Stanley Lancaster

By Rawle Toney THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) yesterday announced that their Head of Referees, Stanley Lancaster, was dismissed from his post, while Referee Assessor, Roy McArthur was “provisionally suspended

…Referees Assessor Roy McArthur provisionally suspended

pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings,” by the Federation’s Disciplinary Committee.

In March of 2018, the GFF had set up a Board of Inquiry (BOI) following allegations of sexual harassment by female referees against Lancaster and McAr-

thur and it was conducted by a five-member panel led

by Chairman Dr. Karen Pilgrim, Vice President of the Guyana Olympic Association.

Other members of the Board include Dr. Melissa Ifill of the University of Guyana; Karen Joseph, Hu-

man Resources Consultant; Karen De Souza of Red Thread and Joy Nichola Marcus-Reid, also of Red Thread.

The report was submitted by Dr. Pilgrim on November 19, following the completion of what the GFF said was a thorough investi-

gation.

According to the GFF, the Terms of Reference of the BOI was also to develop a policy against sexual harassment for referees in Guyana and to evolve a permanent mechanism for the prevention and redress of sexual harassment cases.

Roy McArthur The GFF Executive Committee met on Saturday, December 1, 2018, when a preliminary review of the report was done, following which another layer of engagement with members of the BOI was done.

Turn to page 23

Jaguars humble Pride by six wickets in dramatic finish 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

See Page 27

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2019