Guyana Chronicle E-paper 02-09-2019

SATURDAY 9th February, 2019

No.105543

Niece of a PPP leader arrested for bomb threats … police looking into terrorism charge

… file being prepared for legal advice 02 Sheliza Jafferally, called “Shelly” 9 months for houseto-house 03 registration PAGE

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…Voters’ List expires in April

Hike in tendering thresholds legit 25 PAGE

… NPTAB official clears air on issue

WITH a vibrant dance performance by students of St Stanislaus College, the Ministry of Education (MoE) on Friday morning launched its Mash band under the theme “Stepping into the future with education and technology in mind”, at its Brickdam headquarters. In photo are some of the dancers and Education Minister, Nicolette Henry (Adrian Narine photo)

Bodies of friends recovered after boat mishap 09 PAGE

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

Niece of PPP leader arrested for bomb threats …police looking into terrorism charge …file being prepared for legal advice

THE niece of a leader of the People’s Progressive Party has been arrested by police for allegedly making threats about the bombing of the University of Guyana.

The University of Guyana student, Sheliza Jafferally, called “Shelly,” is currently in police custody assisting with investigations in relation to the bomb threats made to the UG Turkeyen Campus earlier this week. The Guyana Chronicle was informed that the woman was arrested since Wednesday and has been kept in custody as the police continue their investigations. The woman is the niece of a former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Region Six Member of Parliament (MP) and current Region Five (Maha-

ica-Berbice) campaign manager, Faizal Jafferally. In statement after speaking with his niece about the allegations, Jafferally said the young lady has denied all the allegations made against her. He said he has every reason to believe her.”

He further stated, ”the police are presently conducting an investigation and if the investigation proves otherwise, then the law should take its course. I am a proud member of the People’s Progressive Party and our party never condones or encourages those type of actions,” the former PPP MP said. According to a source, based on investigations conducted by the police, the telephone number belonging to the student is linked to the number that allegedly made the

bomb threats to the university.

Meanwhile, in an invited comment, Deputy Commissioner and Crime Chief Lyndon Alves said a file is currently being prepared and will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice. He however, declined to comment further as it relates to the investigation as it is still very active.

He did confirm the arrest of the young woman.

Section 3 A of the AntiTerrorism and Terrorist, of 2015 defines ‘terrorist act’ to mean an act whether committed in and outside of Guyana which causes or is likely to cause prejudice to national security or disruption of public safety, including description in the provision of emergency services or to any

computer or electronic system or to the provision of services directly related to banking, communication, infrastructure, financial services, public utilities, transportation or other

PPP Region Five Manager, Faizal Jafferally

essential infrastructure and is intended to: (a) Compel a government or international organisation to do or refrain from doing any act ; or (b) intimidate the public or section of the public, for the purpose of advancing a political, ideological or religious cause or; (c) Any act which constitutes an offence within the scope of, and as defined in any of the conventions.

The act further speaks to penalties under item (b) above to a fine between $500,000 to $3,000,000 and imprisonment time of minimum sentence of 15 years with a maximum of twenty years if convicted.

JAGDEO’s RHETORIC The Guyana Chronicle had reported earlier this week that there were concerns about the rhetoric of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, expressing that there would be no business as usual as well as threatening to “ratchet up” the pressure on the government and the Guyana Elections Commission over the holding of early elec-

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

tions. On the same day Jagdeo made the threats there was a bomb threat at the University of Guyana. Asked to respond to this on Thursday at his news conference, Jagdeo brushed aside concerns saying that the “PPP was taking the high moral ground”. He said that his party was not preaching violence or polarisation, “That is where we will always stand.”

Jagdeo further urged support for racial harmony, calling on all to support the Ethnic Relations Commission’s (ERC) website which purports to support the aforementioned issue.

Jagdeo’s threats on Tuesday were similar to the one he had made when President David Granger found his nominees for the post of chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission ‘not fit and proper.’ On that occasion he declared back in 2018: “If they think they can rig the elections and have the kind of peace that we have now… they are wrong…they are very, very wrong.” He further added, “I hope they are not thinking that in their calculations and it is not coded language.” The former president has been criticised over the years for being intemperate. He had used similar language in March 2015 at a Babu Jaan rally when he told his successor, Donald Ramotar: “The past three years must have been a nightmare to Ramotar…

Sometimes we need to administer something else, some kicks up the asses,” the former president had said. In the aftermath of the no-confidence vote, civil society and the diplomatic community have been urging all parties to remain calm and not to disturb the peace.

MISCHIEVOUS Police had reported that the two bomb threats were mischievous and called on the perpetrators to desist from disrupting the calm in society. On

Tuesday and Wednesday, threats were made to UG, forcing the cancellation of classes. “... from our investigations, there is no significant threat [and] our investigations have revealed so far that students, either by themselves or with other persons, decided to be mischievous and endeavoured to disrupt the existing peace and calm in society and specifically in the education sectors,” a police release said.

The police force, through its commissioner, deputy crime chief and a team of officers, met with members of the UG administration to assess the situation and keep the administration abreast of the investigations. “[Members of UG’s administration] were advised that the situation arose from mischievous students, either by themselves or other persons, therefore, there is no need for panic or any undue concern,” the release stated.

UNIVERSITY CLOSED After the second threat, the university closed the campus until Monday, when classes and full operations will resume. “The closure of the campus will enable the administration, staff and student leaders to review the situation and enhance preventative and responsive measures for such threats,” a notice from UG said. The threats against the university had followed a string of online threats directed at several city schools. These threats were initially made against the School of the Nations and the school’s director was shot shortly after. Parents from “Nations” have since called on the police to make available to the public, the information they have gathered from their investigations thus far. They have also offered a $1M reward for the location and arrest of the perpetrator(s).

On Thursday, the education ministry said a group of persons have been visiting homes under the guise of investigators looking into the recent threats against city schools. “The group of con men are moving around in a white minibus and are pretending to be ranks attached to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Guyana Police Force,” the ministry said in a statement. It added: “The public is hereby asked to operate with extreme caution if ever faced with such a situation. You are advised to make immediate contact with the nearest police station and do not allow these persons into your yard or property at any time.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

9 months for house-to-house … voters’ list expires in April registration

By Svetlana Marshall AMID the political furore over the integrity of the voters’ list, the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) on Friday announced that it would take them some nine months to conduct a fresh round of house-to-house registration.

The A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition has been demanding that houseto-house registration be conducted before general and regional elections are held; but while the commission had budgeted for national registration this year, its plans were shifted following the vote of no-confidence against the government in the National Assembly, last December; such a motion gave rise to early elections.

Government has since challenged the validity of the vote.

Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers, said the ‘nine months’ was based on the advice of the technical personnel within the elections secretariat. Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, said that should the current Official List of Electors (OLE) expire on April 30, 2019, without elections being held, there would be a need for a new Official List of Electors.

Lowenfield said that, given the current circumstances, the secretariat had advised the commission that a new list could be generated through a mechanism of a ‘Claims-and-Objections’ exercise.

“The duration of that exercise will be determined by the commission, so should the list expire, the commission will advise that the claims and objections be done where the old list will be used as the preliminary list as we move towards a new Official List of Electors,” Lowenfield explained, while fielding questions from reporters.

GECOM Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield He said while house-to-house registration could be conducted for the purpose of the pending elections, the secretariat had recommended that the claims-andobjection exercise be done in the interim. “The secretariat recommended to the commission that we do a claims and objection for the duration of 28 days, that is, registration for a 28-day period with a seven-day objection period,” he explained.

The APNU+AFC coalition has been contending that the list, as it is, is bloated with dead persons, while eligible young people may be disenfranchised. It was noted, however, that the claims-and-objections period would result in the striking off of dead persons from the list.

The chief elections officer explained that if the current OLE is used, persons included on the National Register of Registrants (NRR), who were not 18 by November 1, 2018, would not be listed to vote. However, he noted that if a new list

is generated, it would see the inclusion of persons who recently turned 18 or turned 18 during compilation of the list.

Lowenfield made it clear, however, that it is the commission who will decide whether house-to-house registration is conducted, or whether the claims-andobjections exercise will be conducted to generate a new list.

Public Security Minister and Chairman of the Alliance For Change, Khemraj Ramjattan, who joined picketers on Thursday, said he believes that national registration is a necessary process that guarantees all eligible Guyanese their right to vote. According to Ramjattan, if the old List of Electors is used for the upcoming elections, thousands of young people, who have not registered but are eligible to vote, will be disenfranchised.

He said too that thousands of Guyanese have relocated to various sections of the country, but have not registered in the areas that they now live. “A lot of people have shifted, say from Port Mourant to Parfaite Harmonie, and they must be allowed to vote at Parfaite Harmonie instead of Port Mourant,” he posited.

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan said that the old List of Electors was unacceptable. “We cannot have an acceptable list for the conduct and the holding of general and regional elections in the absence of house-to-house registration,” Minister Bulkan said. National registration was last conducted in 2008 –- some 10 years ago.

“The current Official List of Electors, [according to] my understanding, is, in the vicinity of about 600,000 names in a population of approximately 750,000. The list is bloated!

We cannot have an acceptable election with the current list being used as the basis,” Minister Bulkan said while maintaining that house- to-house registration is a prerequisite.

Asked what makes the current list invalid when it was months ago used

Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) Roxanne Myers for the holding of Local Government Elections, Minister Bulkan, in response, said the two elections are significantly different.

“Local Government Elections and General Elections are two different animals. The lists used for Local Government Elections are individual lists for each of the Local Democratic Organs.

What we are heading towards is a general election to determine who will be the next president of Guyana. We can’t go with this list, this list is way too bloated,” he contended, while holding strong to the coalition’s position.

Minister Bulkan is of the opinion that facilitation of “Claims and Objections” alone would not be sufficient to cleanse the list of dead people.

However, he, like Ramjattan, accepted that the final decision on the conduct of national registration lies with the elections body.

Cuban nabbed in nightclub raid fined, deported for overstaying

FOLLOWING a raid at the Diamond Hotel and nightclub, at George Street, Werk-en-Rust, a Cuban was on Friday, February 8, 2019, arraigned before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for overstaying in Guyana.

Dailyn Garcia made her appearance before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, and with the aid of an interpreter, admitted that on February 5, 2019, at Georgetown,

she failed to comply with conditions that permitted her to stay in Guyana from December 28, 2018, to January 1, 2018. Garcia was fined $30,000 and deported to her homeland.

The Guyana Chronicle had earlier reported that Garcia, along with 14 others, believed to be strippers, were, on Tuesday, February 05, 2019, detained by ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), following a raid at the Diamond Hotel and

nightclub.

The raid was prompted following a video circulating on social media, which showed Garcia jumping over a locked gate to get into the Diamond Hotel and nightclub compound.

The woman was being assisted by four of her ‘friends’ who were on the other side of the fence. They were holding up the security barb wire so that the woman could have gained entry.

Hours after the video

‘hit’ social media, police raided the compound and detained the 15 women, whom the investigators suspected to be victims of ‘trafficking in persons’ (TIP).

Meanwhile, the proprietor of the night club and hotel, Freeman Fordyce, was recently handed a fouryear suspended sentence by Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty, after being found guilty of gun and ammunition charges.

Fordyce is currently on

trial for assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.

He was charged after a video footage showed him (Fordyce) resisting being searched and then punching Inspector Narine in the face.

The police subsequently removed a number of women, including Venezuelans, from the premises. The ranks reportedly searched Fordyce’s club while conducting a TIP investigation.

In January, Fiona Hopkinson, an employee of the

nightclub, was charged for trafficking four Venezuelan women and forcing them to work as strippers at the entity.

She was also charged for withholding the women’s travel documents.

In 2018, Hopkinson and Rodwell Dempster, another employee of the entity, were jointly charged for trafficking five Venezuelans for sexual exploitation at the same nightclub and hotel.

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

Three Chinese sought by Two Lindeners found guilty of Interpol booked for illegal entry trafficking ganja THREE Chinese men who are currently wanted by the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) for murders in two countries, were yesterday (Friday, February 8, 2019) arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, for entering Guyana illegally.

Zhou Ou, Yix Zheng, and Dagvvi Wong, made their appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and were each sentenced to two months imprisonment after pleading guilty to the charge, with the aid of an interpreter. The men, after serving their sentences, will be deported.

Senior Magistrate, Fabayo Azore, on Friday, February 8, 2019 found two Linden residents guilty of trafficking over 11 kilograms of cannabis. The duo was ordered to pay a fine of $6.3M and serve time in prison.

Reva Bovell, 19, of Obama Drive, Linden, and 41-year-old taxi driver, Michael Bascom of Phase One, Linden Housing Scheme, were on trial for trafficking 11.832 kilograms of cannabis on May 9, 2018, at the Linden/Soesdyke Highway.

According to reports, on the day in question, the car which was driven by Bascom was intercepted on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway with Bovell, who was seated in the passenger seat.

The report detailed that the car was being tracked by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) officers, who received a tip-off that the duo was transporting the drugs to a buyer in the city.

Evidence in the matter was led by CANU Prosecutor, Kunyo Sandiford.

Magistrate Azore, at the end of the trial, found Bovell and Bascom guilty and fined them $6.3M each. Bovell was sentenced to three years imprisonment while Bascom was sentenced to four years.

Outcome of probe into children’s death expected soon - Min Cummings says, affirms public health sector improving JUNIOR Minister of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings has said the outcome of the probe conducted into the recent deaths of three children, who were being treated for leukaemia, at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is expected “soon”.

Six-year-old Sharezer Mendonca

Saturday, February 09, 2019

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Particulars of the charge alleged that between December 1, 2018, and December 31, 2018, at Lethem, the men entered Guyana illegally by crossing a land frontier and failed to present themselves to an immigration officer. The three men were arrested on a bus which came from Brazil.

Police Prosecutor, Gordon Mansfield, told the court that the three nationals were arrested by police in Lethem on February 5, 2019.

As part of protocol, Interpol was contacted and it was revealed that the three men are wanted in China and Brazil for murder.

Seven-year-old Curwayne Edwards succumbed on January 14; Roshani Seegobin, three, died on January 18 and Sharezer Mendonca, six, passed away on January

5:30 hrs

24. The trio succumbed after an alleged adverse reaction to medication, which was administered to them as part of the treatment for leukaemia-- a cancer of the body’s blood-forming tissues.

Following the first two deaths, the GPHC had confirmed that an investigation has been launched.

After the death of Mendonca, Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, explained that an “all-round” probe was being conducted.

The investigation at GPHC was being spearheaded by the hospital’s Director of Medical and Professional Services, Dr. Fawcett Jeffrey, while the investigation team also comprises support personnel from PAHO, members from the paediatrics department of the hospital and the GPHC’s Deputy CEO, Elizabeth Gonsalves.

Within the Public Health Ministry, Minister Lawrence had indicated that a team would be looking at the drugs administered

during the period the patients were in the care of the GPHC. Speaking with the Guyana

Junior Minister of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings Chronicle on Friday, the junior minister highlighted that the ministry has engaged with the Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr Karen Boyle, who was tasked to be in charge of the ministry’s

taskforce set up to conduct investigations into the matter.

“Right now they are completing their investigations, so in another few days we should be able to know the final outcome of that incident,” Minister Cummings said.

The minister however noted that the incidents were very unfortunate and acknowledged that the GPHC is a referral hospital, and is the country’s highest level of public health care.

Though these deaths have placed the spotlight on potential mismanagement at the hospital, Dr. Cummings urged that persons continue to access the services provided.

“I think we have very good nurses [and] we have very good doctors here; they are working beyond the clock and I would encourage persons to utilise the facilities,” the junior minister said. “We’re getting better and better all the time.”

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

Venezuela crisis: Aid lorries stuck in Colombia border city

(BBC) The first lorries with US humanitarian aid for Venezuela have arrived in the Colombian border city of Cúcuta.

The vehicles are currently parked near the Tienditas bridge, which remains blocked by Venezuelan troops.

President Nicolás Maduro, who has the support of the army, has rejected letting it into the country.

Opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who has declared himself interim president, has warned many Venezuelans are in danger of dying without international aid.

Mr Guaidó is head of Venezuela’s National Assembly and says the constitution allows him to assume power temporarily when the president is deemed illegitimate.

He has secured the backing of over 40 countries, including the US and most Latin American and European nations. Mr Maduro still has the support of China and Russia.

In other developments: The US announced new sanctions on members of the Maduro administration, saying visas for members of

the government-controlled Constituent Assembly would be revoked European and Latin American members of the so-called International Contact Group said it was crucial to restore full democracy in Venezuela, saying they would push for new elections as soon as possible

ries with food and medicine arrived at a collection centre in Cúcuta.

The vehicles were escorted by Colombian police motorcycles.

It was not immediately clear how the humanitarian aid would be delivered across the border.

The Venezuelan military

zuela.

Mr Maduro has refused foreign aid supplies, saying they would open the way for US military intervention to oust him.

He said that “no-one will enter, not one invading soldier”.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

Several lorries with food and medicine are now at a collection centre in Cúcuta, Colombia

What’s the latest on the US humanitarian aid?

On Thursday, several lor-

had earlier placed cargo containers and a tanker lorry across the Tienditas bridge, which connects Cúcuta and the city of Ureña in Vene-

is demanding that Venezuela re-open the bridge, saying “the Maduro regime must let the aid reach the starving people”.

The ‘colectivo’ groups supporting Maduro A number of Venezuelan leaders have also appealed to the military to allow the aid lorries to cross into the country.

How could the aid scheme work?

Mr Guaidó does not control any territory in Venezuela so, instead, he is planning to set up collection centres in neighbouring countries to which Venezuelans have fled.

He said he wanted to set up an international coalition to gather aid at three points, and press Venezuela’s army to let it into the country.

In a tweet last Sunday, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said plans were being advanced.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said in an interview the use of military force remained “an option”.

In his Tuesday State of the Union speech, he reiterated his support for Mr Guaidó, saying: “We stand with the Venezuelan people in their noble quest for freedom.”

What’s the background to the crisis?

Venezuela has suffered

economic turmoil for years, with hyperinflation and shortages of essentials such as food and medicine. Millions have fled.

In January, Mr Maduro was sworn in for a second term following disputed elections which many opposition leaders did not contest because they were in jail or boycotting them.

Mr Guaidó, who is head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, declared himself president on 23 January.

He says the constitution allows him to assume power temporarily when the president is deemed illegitimate. On Saturday he said protests would continue until his supporters had achieved “freedom”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

MOST CANCERS CURABLE IN the first week of the month, on 4th February, World Cancer Day was commemorated worldwide.

The Guyana Cancer Foundation, which is the premier Non-governmental organisation (NGO) involved in cancer education and in helping cancer patients, was in the forefront of the commemoration activities.

In Guyana in past generations, little or nothing was heard of cancer and it was very rare to meet a cancer sufferer or patient. Today cancer is a well-known disease and both the medical profession and the public are concerned with it.

Some may consider cancer to be a Western disease since its greatest incidence is in Western countries, with Australia leading. Africa has the lowest incidence in the world. Some have therefore reasoned that the more Guyana has become Western in its diet and lifestyle, the greater has become the cancer risk. More likely, in the past, there was little knowledge about the disease among the public or even the medical profession and this created the illusion that cancer was a rarity.

Until recently, cancer was regarded as a dreaded disease which was inevitably terminal and that there were no adequate treatments for it. Today, these myths of hopelessness about the disease are fast disappearing. Most of the public are aware that cancer is a disease that can be successfully treated and two types of cancer, cervical and breast, have been successfully treated in Guyana. Suc-

cessful campaigns have been carried out to diagnose these two types of cancers in their early stages when cures could be more quickly effectuated.

The basic cause of cancer is attributed to uncontrolled cell proliferation. Cells are the basic building blocks of the body and among their main use is to fight off attacks by various harmful bacteria and diseases. Cells produce new cells by splitting up in an orderly and controlled way, but sometimes the normal working of the cell goes wrong and produces an abnormal cell which keeps rapidly replicating itself and it is these abnormal cells which cause cancer. These cancer cells form a lump or tumour and these divide into further tumours. The spread of these tumours gradually destroys the body and its organs. Since detailed medical or scientific explanations of the cause of the disease are esoteric and can’t be readily understood by the public, we considered it more appropriate to use the simplistic explanation.

The symptoms of the disease are many, often reflecting the type of cancer with which the sufferer is infected.

Among the symptoms are unusual swellings or lumps, weight loss, fatigue, urinary complications, loss of appetite, urinary complications and unusual breast change among others. The diagnosis of the disease is usually done by three procedures: biopsy -- where a small sample of the cells of the body is removed and microscopically examined. Blood tests

are another method. The third most common type of diagnosis is the use of scans and x-rays which are able to check the changes inside the body. Doctors then decide what type of cancer is affecting the patient and would then apply appropriate treatment.

The main treatments are: surgery, whereby the cancer is removed; radiotheraphy, where high-energy x-rays are used to destroy the cancer cells; chemotheraphy is one of most known treatments. By this treatment, a number of anti-cancer drugs are used to destroy the cancer cells; hormonol therapies, whereby there are changes in the hormones of the body which can slow or stop the cancer from growing; biological theraphies are the other treatment used which interferes with the way cancer cells grow. The general causes of the disease fall into three areas: heredity, from which most scientists have moved away; toxicity, that is the amount of toxins one takes into one’s body such as tobacco smoking; and diet, the kinds of foods which should be consumed or not consumed. The supporters of the diet theory are generally agreed that a vegetable-oriented diet is preferable to one where meat predominates.

In the Caribbean, Guyana has the highest incidence of cancer-related deaths but the Ministry of Public Health is working very hard to change this. It offers free treatment and free vaccines and also engages in some educational

work. The ministry’s activities are greatly assisted by the Guyana Cancer Foundation led by Ms Bibi Hassan. The foundation’s main goals are: “To provide help and inspire hope to those affected by cancer through early detection, education, awareness and free medical screening with a focus on the medically underserved, low-income and uninsured population and to make a difference in their lives. To reintegrate cancer survivors into society. And to widen the community’s support systems to make strides against cancer for fighters and survivors.” The Cancer Foundation has seriously been carrying out its objectives and is certainly a source of hope to cancer patients and their families.

As pointed out above, there are several types of cancer, each of which has its own symptoms and treatments. The most common and known cancers in Guyana are Breast; Cervix uteri ovary and corpus uteri: Prostate; Non-Hodgkin lymphoma; Lung; Stomach; Pancreas; and Liver. More than half of the total cancer cases consist of Breast, Cervix uteri and Prostate and the Ministry of Public Health and the Cancer Foundation have concentrated a good deal of their effort on them with good results. The Cancer Institute at the Georgetown Public Hospital has been very helpful in its efforts and plans are afoot to upgrade it.

The fear of inevitable and untimely death from the disease has been fast receding.

Trust but verify – GRA’s response to the GGDMA Dear Editor, THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has taken note of two full page releases by the GGDMA in sections of the press, one on the subject on the new legislative measures, and the other on problems faced by the Mining Community.

The Revenue Authority lauds the GGDMA for its publication on the new legislative measures for the sector, and in particular, the final tax for gold mining.

However, in the release on problems faced, the Association laid blame on the GRA for the decrease in mining by claiming that miners are “harassed in terms of taxes to the extent that they are no longer mining.”

The Revenue Authority wishes to assure the members of the GGDMA and

the general public, that the Authority should in no way, shape, or form harass any taxpayer. Miners, like all taxpayers, are expected to pay their rightful tax, and no more. Further miners, like many investors, are in receipt of certain concessions and it is within the ambit of the Authority to ensure that such concessions are utilised for the purposes given, by reviewing their records.

Since exemptions are granted upfront, the Authority operates under the “trust by verify” concept, so with due notice, (other than for Law Enforcement matters) officers sometimes turn up at the premises of taxpayers requesting to see certain documents and or assets.

That being said, the GRA is quick to admit that the attitude of some of its

officers when dealing with taxpayers leaves much to be desired. The Authority demands that its officers treat the general public with mutual respect, and disciplines those who do not do so when such behavior is drawn to the attention of Management.

The other release from the GGDMA speaks for itself. It stated as follows: 1. The tax assessed on income derived from gold produced from dredges will be treated as final tax as of 2018 once declared and sold to the Guyana Gold Board.

2. The final tax relates to “individual gold miners”, and not persons who trade in gold or persons “who own and rent blocks and receive gold as payment for such rental”.

3. For individuals or persons who

are engaged in all three of these activities, separate records must be kept for each such activity so as to enable the Commissioner General to determine the tax applicable on such activites not subject to the “final tax” regime.

4. The final Tax is not in lieu of keeping records.

If by its own admission, the above are requirements to be subjected to the final tax regime, the Revenue Authority would appreciate being advised by the GGDMA on what basis is the statement being made that miners are “harassed in terms of taxes to the extent that they are no longer mining.”

Regards Guyana Revenue Authority

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

PPP contradictions continue; gov’t, everyone have right to explore all legal options available Dear Editor, I WOULD like to share my views about an article carried in the Guyana Chronicle under the caption, “Hearing of Ali matter adjourned”, dated 7th February 2019, bearing in mind I am no legal expert, nor am I a legal-minded person (lawyer) that interprets the laws of our land, nor am I in the legal profession, but just a simple, ordinary citizen of Guyana.

The article stated that “the magisterial hearing in the matter against former Housing Minister, Irfaan Ali, has been adjourned until April 29, 2019, pending the hearing of a motion in the High Court to stop the matter from proceeding further.”

According to the article, “the matter was called on Wednesday, February 06, 2019, and Ali’s attorney Devindra Kissoon requested that the matter be adjourned,

pending the outcome of the hearing at the High Court.”

As we all know, Ali, who is the presidential candidate for the PPP is before the court facing 19 charges, whereby he was accused of defrauding the state of some $174M in the Pradoville 2 land sales which was sold way below the valuation price per plot.

I assume that Ali and many or may I say all in the PPP are happy that the chief magistrate POSTPONED IRFAAN ALI’s FRAUD CASE pending the hearing and outcome of that motion in the High Court.

I also assume that many of the TOP BRASS PPP members, including its leader, are going to tell the nation that Irfaan Ali followed the legal procedures and options available to him by taking the motion to the High Court for the matter to be thrown out and not be dealt with in any further proceedings by the Magistrates Court. Ali is

within his rights to move to the High Court, given that it may be a legal option available to have the proceedings dropped against him because he feels that the matters are bad in nature and should not be brought against him. He has the right to explore the legal options available to him at all costs in defending himself from being found guilty and being jailed.

But the final decision, whether the case should proceed or not in the Magistrates Court, now lies in the hands of the High Court of Guyana.

The High Court will make its ruling and it will have to be complied with, or maybe either party involved will seek if there are more legal options available in ensuring the matter goes their way.

I do not think that anyone should be stopped or blocked from exploring the legal options available to them when seeking justice in a matter that is before the courts; or

that is being ruled upon and one party does not agree with the decision given, or should I say handed down.

We should all allow those legal options to take their course when they are being used by someone. This now brings me to the challenges to the no-confidence motion in the High Court. The PPP, including Irfaan Ali and Jagdeo, was crying and saying that it is not legal to go to court because the National Assembly has already passed the motion and the Speaker has ruled on it.

Persons feel that passage of the no-confidence motion is illegal and they LEGALLY challenged it in the High Court of Guyana the passage of the no confidence motion, the “YES VOTE” by Charrandass Persaud is illegal and the Speaker’s ruling that the motion was carried.

Those challenges, to my understanding, are based on several grounds that were

provided to the chief justice as the basis of the challenge to the matter before her.

The chief justice made her rulings on the said matters and ruled that the no confidence motion was carried legally, the “YES” vote is legal (by the way she also said that Charrandass is sitting illegally in the National Assembly\Parliament) and that the decision of the Speaker in the national assembly was correct.

Those persons who challenged the legality of the no-confidence motion through their attorneys,have indicated to the court after the ruling was handed down that they will be taking the matter further by appealing the court’s decisions.

This is because they felt that the decision of the CJ is bad and they do don’t agree with her rulings, based on the grounds provided to the court in this legal challenges through their attorneys. We

saw that the appeal of the ruling by the chief justice on those matters is being filed in the Court of Appeal. To my understanding, the Court of Appeal will now have to decide whether the matter is fit to be appealed, based on the grounds provided by the persons involved; in the matters, or if the chief justice’s ruling that was handed down remains as same.

I also believe that if either party in this matter disagrees with the rulings of the Appeal Court, then they will surely see and used the other legal options available to them in ensuring that the matter goes their way.

Brothers and sisters, my opinion is that the same way Irfaan Ali is using the legal options to have the matter on his side, is the same way the parties challenging the legality of the no confidence motion are using See page 8

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

GTT needs to give The PSC has become a a public explanation partisan political entity

Dear Editor,

I AM puzzled by a “handed-down” decision by GT&T and have tried to obtain, in vain, from GT&T, a rational explanation for the following situation.

Over more than five years, I have been paying my GT&T bills by cheques.

The payment includes three components: my Internet service (recently Blaze), my landline service and the “top up” of the credit for my cell/mobile phone.

On seeking to pay my current bill on Thursday, February 7, 2019, I was told that I am not allowed to pay for the “top up” of my cell/mobile phone with my usual cheque.

Instead, I have to pay cash for the “top up.”

There was no question about the credit worthiness of my cheque. So what is the

problem for GT&T? On enquiring why this is so, I was told that only vendors are allowed to purchase credit by cheque. Editor, this defies common sense and the objectives of a “cash less” society.

In the circumstances, I would be grateful if GT&T could provide a rational public explanation for this decision. In addition, GT&T provides customers/subscribers to Blaze with a new 500 telephone number. However, no bill is provided to customers for this service.

On each occasion the customer is asked”what service have you requested?”

Why are customers/ subscribers not “billed” for this service?

Regards E. Lance Carberry.

Dear Editor,

THE Guyana Private Sector Commission (PSC) has transformed itself into a PPP political support group and PPP mouthpiece.

It has endorsed the PPP in the no-confidence vote battle. The positions espoused by the PSC on the no-confidence vote demonstrate its contempt for the government and its right to seek redress and justice through the judicial process.

The PSC has joined with the PPP to undermine our democracy. Its open hostility towards the APNU+AFC coalition government is unprecedented. No country in the world would tolerate a not-for-profit private sector advocacy group being an open political, anti-government activist. In fact,

this is unlawful in Western democracies for not-for-profit entities to engage in partisan politics.

The PSC’s overt, anti-government policies and politics will, and should, ferment boycotts of businesses owned by its decision-makers.

This must hurt their pockets and profitability. Business owners who oppose politicisation of the PSC should speak up and pull out from this political entity. Break it up! Form your own parallel private sector organisation that will be truly independent and devoid of partisan politics.

The PSC is a political party. Treat it as such. BREAK IT UP! Regards Rickford Burke

PPP contradictions continue; gov’t, everyone ...

From page 7

the very legal options available to them to have the matter on their side, meaning the vote is not valid and the motion is not carried and/or the no-confidence vote is not Legal.

So, when Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP open their mouths to cuss out the government and the citizens of this country for using the legal options available, they should do the same to Irfaan Ali and Anil Nandlall ; by the way, who also explore the legal options available in his matter that is before the courts for the law books. So, the PPP needs to stop crying foul and lying to the nation and world at large to say that the government has no rights or legal options available or; lefted available in exploring to challenge the speaker and CJ rulings in the No Confidence matter.

I do believe that the government and the private citizen have all rights to move further in ensuring that all legal options are explored in this matter and that this matter is settled once and for all, so that in the future the decision of the Speaker on a matter of this nature would be easily addressed and have to be accepted by all parties involved.

A matter of this nature is of importance to our nation in moving forward positively into the future, if another no-confidence motion is to be brought against any government elected. It will set the right procedures to be used and bring better understanding amongst all elected members of the National Assembly and make the speaker’s work easier when he has to rule. The challenges to legal matters where decisions are being handed down and do not find favour with one party is not new in Guyana, nor do I don’t think its new in any part of this world.

Therefore, it is like a cricket match where the third umpire gives the final decision when a player or team does not find favour with

the on-ground\ruling umpire’s decisions and so they refer their matter to the third umpire, who will look carefully and then make a ruling, which will have to be abided with by both teams, no matter what.

So, the third umpire will be the last option in this no-confidence motion and whatever the third umpire says\rules will have to be respected and carried by ALL, no matter what. So, the PPP and Mr Jagdeo need to stop beating around the bushes and come clear, because I am sure the lawyers within the PPP had several appeals on various matters that did not go their way. And they should better advise the leader of their party.

Mr. Jagdeo and the PPP legal minds needs to understand that this matter that is before courts and the country at large is very important to be dealt with, for our nation needs to move forward, because the most serious of rulings that will only be respected by all is after the highest court gives it rulings and that will have to be respected by all.

Question for Mr.Jagdeo and all the legal minds within the PPP ; If the government is to call elections as stipulated in the constitution ( bearing in mind the legal challenges at hand) and a few weeks after that elections the court rules that the no-confidence vote is ILLEGAL, what happens then, especially. if the elected government is being removed at those elections?.

I look forward and the nation I think will be waiting on that answer, because we are dealing not with an individual, but we are dealing with an entire nation (country).

So, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

Regards Abel Seetaram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

Best friends’ bodies recovered after boating mishap

FOUR days after one was swept overboard and the other jumped to save him, the bodies of best friends Ozard Russell and Ravie Chutie were recovered in the Essequibo River Friday morning.

Relatives have confirmed that the men were recovered separately and miles from each other due to the movement of the tide.

Reports are that the men were travelling back home to Hogg Island by boat on Monday when Chutie, who was sitting with his feet hanging over the side, tried changing his position, slipped and fell into the river.

His wife Janet Robertson told the Guyana Chronicle that it was she who had cautioned him about how he was sitting, and that the reason

Russell’s relatives at the funeral parlour

Ravi’s grieving daughter and wife

he had fallen overboard was because he had had a little too much to drink at the time.

She said that Russell, who was operating the boat, on seeing his friend fall overboard, jumped into the water to try to save him but could not, as he, too, was intoxicated. What complicated matters even more, she

said, was the roughness of the water.

They both died, she said, begging for help, leaving her at the mercy of the river and the changing tide, as she did not know how to operate the vessel. Luckily, she said, she had a cellphone on her, and that was how she was able to contact

the owner, and get to safety.

The Guyana Chronicle caught up with both men’s relatives at the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, where their badly decomposed remains are being stored until the post-mortem, which is scheduled for Monday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

GECOM needs 148 days to prepare for elections … secretariat received no approval to start operations

By Svetlana Marshall

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) secretariat would need 148 days to put all necessary systems in place for the holding of General and Regional Elections, and though the clock is ticking, the commission has not given the secretariat the approval to go into operations mode.

Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield made the pronouncements

while addressing the press alongside Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson; GECOM Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers; and GECOM Public Relations Officer (PRO) Yolanda Ward at the commission’s High and Cowan streets Office on Friday.

Lowenfield said though a detailed work plan was submitted to the commission on January 22, the secretariat has not been issued with a commencement order. Without the approval of the commission, the secre-

L-R: GECOM’s PRO Yolanda Ward, Chairman Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson, CEO Keith Lowenfield and Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers. (Photo by Adrian Narine) tariat cannot initiate plans for the holding of General and Regional Elections.

“So there is no delay tactic on the part of the CEO,” Lowenfield declared, while emphasising that the secretariat is guided by the decision of the commission.

The chief elections officer explained that on January 22, 2019, he presented the commission with options pertaining to the December 21, 2018 decision of the National Assembly, which triggered the need for early elections. The commission, which is chaired

by Justice (Ret’d) Patterson and comprises six Commissioners--three appointed by the government and three by the opposition-- in response, asked the secretariat to review the options taking into consideration five subsets.

According to Lowenfield, the commission asked the secretariat to determine (1) whether elections could be held within 90 days from December 21 as prescribed by the constitution; (2) whether the Claims-and-Objections period can be incorporated within the 90 days; (3) whether elections could be conducted before the Official List of Electors expires on April 30 and (4) to state the earliest possible time an election could be held if it cannot be facilitated within 90 days. Additionally, the secretariat was asked to explore the possibility of house-to house-registration.

The secretariat submitted its response on January 23, 2019 ahead of the commission’s January 24, 2019 meeting. More than 15 days after those options were submitted, the commission is still deliberating on them.

However, it was noted that at this stage it is not possible for GECOM to facilitate General and Regional Elections by March 21 – the final day of the 90- day period.

In the plan of action presented to the commission, training of polling day staff accounts for 105 of the 148 days.

“At the moment, if elections were to be held, we will have an estimated amount of 2,300 polling stations or there about. Those polling stations would have to be manned by staff, and even if I utilise 20 training teams, their utilisation on the weekend at schools across Guyana will see us taking a minimum of seven to nine weeks to ensure we train in all these regions,” he explained.

Citing Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) as an example, Lowenfield said an entire weekend would be needed to train the 1,035 polling day staff who would be needed to operate the 327 polling stations spread across the district.

Over in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), 2,165 polling day staff would also require training. The secretariat, he stressed, would be required to train thousands of polling day staff in all other regions.

“So for anyone to suggest that the secretariat is moving away, that is the reality.

I cannot run an election in part of Guyana.

The election is pan-Guyana, Guyana election and these staff members have to be trained,” Lowenfield said.

A polling station without the required staff could result in calls to put the elections on hold over unpreparedness. He said it is important for the secretariat to be fully prepared and equipped for the elections.

The chief elections officer said it is important to note that the training arrangements of the secretariat needs to be in place on or before the 21st day before elections.

According to the Laws of Guyana, Notices of Poll must be placed at each polling station 21 days before an election is held.

Outside of the nationwide training, Lowenfield said there are statutory requirements before an election is held.

According to the Laws of Guyana, Nomination Day must be held not less than 32 days before elections. Setting of Nomination Day and the sourcing of ballots would be done concurrently with the training exercise.

“Once the training requirement is satisfied, satisfied to run a General and Regional Election across Guyana, there is no other shorter way we could use,” he emphasised.

APPROVAL NEEDED Lowenfield said had the commission granted the secretariat approval to go into operation mode, training could have commenced.

He said it would have also seen the acquisition of sensitive materials required for elections, such as the seals and electoral ink.

Weighing in on the matter, the PRO said based on the timelines presented, if the secretariat had commenced operations on February 4, July 1 could have been a possible elections day. Both Ward and Lowenfield have noted that the clock continues to tick.

“With that not happening, and there is a delay and the days keep going, then it means that the timeline is shifting further down the line, but the number of days remain the same,” Ward explained.

The politically appointed commissioners sitting on the Elections Commission have not been divided on the issues placed before them. Justice (Ret’d) Patterson could not indicate when the commission will arrive at a decision.

“That is not my ball to call. I am chairman of a commission I can’t initiate and have implemented policy,” he said, while fielding questions from reporters. Patterson said while he may offer a position on a particular matter, the commissioners may or may not agree with it.

“There are people out there who feel that the commissioner has a special power to direct things – what I do is guide,” Justice Patterson said. He declined to address what the stumbling block is preventing the commission from granting the secretariat the approval it needs to operationalise.

Maintaining that he only guides the commission, the chairman said all questions concerning the hold up in approval need to be put to the commissioners, he said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

MoE launches Mash band

WITH a vibrant dance performance by students of St Stanislaus College, the Ministry of Education (MoE) on Friday morning launched its Mash band under the theme, “Stepping into the future with education and technology in mind” at its Brickdam head office.

The yellow with black trimmings costumes were designed by young, local designer Nelsion Nurse, who last year worked with the Ministry of Natural Resources. The band will include a queen, and individual male costumes.

The ministry will be entering in the small-band category at this year’s Mashramani Costume and Float Pa-

rade, which caters for up to 50 revellers as part of the band.

Delivering the feature address and declaring the band officially launched, Minister of Education Nicolette Henry noted that the concept of the ministry’s Mash band this year is part of their promotion of its Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programme.

“This is part of a larger drive in the area of STEM. I want to encourage you to step out on Mash Day, and that we take time to have fun after hard work. I’m particularly impressed with the broader theme.

We’re looking to celebrate Mashramani in style,” Henry declared.

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Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, did some flag-waving at Friday’s launch of the ministry’s Mash band (Adrian Narine photo)

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A section of the gathering at the Kumaka waterfront, voicing their concerns to the local and central authorities.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

Kumaka residents concerned about Venezuelan immigrants in their hometown WITH the aim of encouraging a democratic society, the Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, appeared at the first consultation for 2019 in the Kumaka village, Barima -Waini (Region One), to listen to the needs of the people and restore

hope.

The session, which was held at the Kumaka waterfront, was well attended by residents of the small village, who came out to have their distresses heard and addressed by the local democratic authorities, and the visiting minister.

One of the major concerns of the people was the issue of Venezuelan immigrants ‘pouring’ into their hometown. In certain areas, the people were afraid of the illegal influx of the Venezuelans, and were pleading for more security and the presence of more immigration officers to monitor the inflow of settlers.

One resident voiced that many of the immigrants were illegal, and they were perpetrating all sorts of criminal activities, such as stealing, drug dealing, prostitution, all of which had caused the Guyanese to feel threatened.

The Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley, pointed to the issue of early closure of businesses in the community, due to the fact that the business owners were not feeling safe with the presence of the immigrants.

That, he said, would eventually take a toll on the overall economy in the community and disrupt the livelihoods of citizens.

However, Ashley admonished that the local authorities were in the process of finding ways to reassure business owners that they could run their businesses as normal and things would be okay in the community.

He told the people that the authorities were hearing their concerns, and were working towards ensuring that they were all safe and that the immigrants would not pose a threat to citizens.

In this regard, the attorney general told the residents that it was a serious situation, and had to be treated and addressed with urgency. He told the people of Kumaka that Guyana’s borders were very porous because of their length.

“We do not have the manpower to patrol our borders. We cannot police our borders adequately, and this is causing all sorts of things to cross over freely.

But we are soon to receive the funding to address that issue. However, in the interim, we have to continue to be vigilant, to protect our country and our people,” Williams said.

He also highlighted that it was important for the

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, addressing the people of Kumaka, Mabaruma,Barima-Waini (Region One) people to observe the rule of law, since it was that which guided civilisation.

“If you do not have the rule of law, you will have anarchy, you will have no security. And the question of crime would always persist,” the AG said, reminding them that Guyana had signed on to the international treaty, which did not allow ill-treatment of immigrants. However, at the same time, he said that “not everybody coming across is a pope or a priest, so we have to be guarded.

We have international obligations, but not to house criminals and bandits, so we have to look into this immediately.”

Regarding the legal immigrants, AG said that “We have to build shelters for them. We have already identified, in the Barima-Waini region, a place for them to be, where they will also get access to land to practise agriculture, away from the established communities, and we will be able to monitor them in that area. They are human beings, and with our obligation, we have to coexist.”

Despite their despair, the AG urged the people to go forward positively, reminding them of the many developments experienced over the past three years.

He highlighted, also, the many plans and the vision the APNU+AFC coalition government had for the region.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

Public Health Ministry reaches out to citizens –– Min Cummings urges persons to capitalise on primary-care systems

THE Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) provided a myriad of health and health-related assistance to citizens through a Public Day held at its Brickdam complex on Friday.

Several persons turned up to the ministry to air their concerns, seek medical assistance and complain about issues within the sector. The ministry strategically divided the team of professionals into various sections to deal with specific issues.

Regional Health Officer (RHO) for Region Four, Dr. Quincy Jones, was part of the team that dealt with providing general medical advice to persons.

After about one hour following commencement of the Public Day, he had

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, said.

One woman, Ephah McKenzie, was at the Public Day with her fivemonth-old baby. The woman related to the team of professionals that her child has a heart condition which prevents her from breathing normally.

Due to the severity of the ailment, she was given a note to take to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Brigadier (ret’d) George Lewis, so that she could receive urgent attention.

Meanwhile, an elderly woman, Donna (only name given) visited the open day to complain to the team

finally, the GPHC. “We want to follow those tiers because what people do is bypass where they are and go straight to the GPHC; and we really want to clamp down on the number of persons who are going there and bypassing where they

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings [Vishani Ragobeer photo]

The Ministry of Public Health also donated some medical supplies to persons in need at the Public Day. Here, an elderly woman receives a mobility chair already engaged with two elderly patients who had Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and was able to refer them to a medical institution that would best care for them.

“It’s like a standard medical consultation, they come here and they give us their primary concerns and then we investigate this through a series of questions to actually ascertain what might be the underlying cause,” Dr. Jones explained.

“We are open to persons from all walks of life, because they are saying we are not very closely connected and so we are here and we have an open day, so persons with any diseases or any matters -- be it health or otherwise -- we are here at your disposal to see how we can best assist you,”

from the ministry and the ministers themselves, about the “slothful” processes at the GPHC. Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, she complained that it took her nearly three months to get an x-ray done; and during that time, she was even told by medical professionals within the GPHC to “get it done” at a private hospital.

However, she highlighted that she had previously complained to the public health ministry about this incident and was able to get the x-ray done much sooner at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre on the East Bank of Demerara.

“That’s far though, and it’s not fair for people to leave Georgetown and go till up there. It got people up there who would want to benefit from that hospital,” the elderly woman said.

Dr. Cummings stressed that there are over 300 health facilities spread out across communities and persons ought to utilise these.

“We are big on primary care [because] that’s the first stop shop for our patients who are not well,” she said, and added that these facilities are equipped to provide some recourse to persons.

The junior minister further explained that it is the intention of the ministry to provide easier access to health services and it is for this reason that these centres are present across the country.

However, she also explained that there are different tiers of providing medical recourse. There are the primary care centres, the cottage hospitals, the district health centres, the regional health centres and

are living,” the minister said.

The GPHC, she explained, is a referral hospital and it is the country’s highest level of care Further, she explained that the Public Day aimed to also educate persons about this.

“It’s a way of reorienting [people] to make sure that you are using the facilities nearby, so when you come here, we guide you to that facility and there [if] is any immediate need we address that,” she said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

Guyana among Caribbean's fastest growing economies

By Lisa Hamilton

GUYANA has been ranked among the Caribbean’s fastest growing economies for 2018 recording a 3.4 per cent growth, according to the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

The announcement was made by CDB President, Dr. William Warren Smith at the Bank’s Annual News Conference on Thursday at its headquarters in Barbados. The two other countries singled out were Grenada with 5.2 per cent growth and Antigua and Barbuda with 3.5 percent.

“In the case of Grenada, its strong performance continues to be a five-year positive trend that averages around five per cent. For Antigua and Barbuda and some of the other borrowing members that were affected by the 2017 hurricane season, reconstruction efforts contributed in large part to their upturn,” he began.

“Growth in Guyana was linked mainly to robust

… growth rate pegged to robust construction activity construction activity in advance of the first commercial production of oil in 2020.” These and other factors have led the bank to forecast a positive economic outlook for its Borrowing Member Countries (BMC) in 2019.

“Despite projections of deceleration in global economic activity, the 2019 economic outlook for our borrowing members is, in our judgement, a positive one,” Dr Smith said. “CDB’s projecting that real GDP growth will be around two per cent as construction, tourism and the extractive industries such as gold and oil are expected to expand.”

However, in order to achieve this, Dr. Smith stated that BMCs will need to make improvements in the areas of climate change; wide fiscal deficits and high public debt and high unemployment. In his presentation, the CDB president re-

ported that one in every four youths in the Caribbean are unable to find work according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

However, unemployment fell to an all-time low in Jamaica at 8.4 per cent in July 2018 as a result of improvements in the busi-

ness environment and in macro-economic stability.

Meanwhile, programmes like the US$75M Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) Plan helped to restore economic stability and achieve sustained growth in the country. Dr Smith stat-

ed: “All CDB’s efforts to build climate resilience; to strengthen energy security and to address high debt, put people first. How do we achieve this? We do so by targeting our funding and projects that are designed specifically to address the critical social issues associ-

Seated [from left] at the Caribbean Development Bank’s Annual News Conference on Thursday in Barbados are Director of Economics, Dr Justin Ram; Director of Projects, Mr Daniel Best and CDB President, Dr William Warren Smith

ated with high unemployment; income inequality and citizen insecurity.”

However, the CDB noted that the year did not pass without its challenges, as it saw several setbacks caused by natural disasters and the harsh reality of low public project implementation rates in the Region, as much as 20 per cent. Working to address the latter, the CDB has investigated regional and global best practices to achieving better results while country-specific solutions will be pursued in 2019.

Meanwhile, other projects the CBD has assisted Guyana with over the years include Guyana’s West Coast Demerara Road Improvement project; the Sea and River Defence Project and the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) Programme among others.

For 2018 alone, the bank approved projects totalling US$352M, while disbursements totalled US$280M, representing a 20 per cent increase in funding compared to 2017.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

Second man charged with execution-style murder at Eccles

WITH a broken left leg and police assistance, the second suspect, in the murder of 34-year-old Kelvin Walters, who was shot and killed during an alleged execution at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, was on Friday arraigned before the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.

Rodrick Thomas, called ‘Roger’, a 28-year-old security officer, made his appearance before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleged that on January 22, 2019, at Eccles Public Road, East Bank Demerara, he murdered Kelvin Walters.

Thomas, of Williams Street, Kitty, was jointly charged with the main suspect, Devon Allen, 25, of Alboystown, for the capital offence.

Police Prosecutor, In-

Rodrick Thomas called ‘Roger’ being assisted by police officers during his court arraignment (Photo

by Vishani Ragobeer) spector Neville Jeffers, told the court that both men suffered from a broken leg during the alleged commis-

sion of the crime.

However, Thomas was discharged from the hospital on Thursday, February

7, 2019, while Allen was still receiving treatment and would be charged upon his release.

Thomas was represented by attorneys-at-law, James Bond and Siand Dhurjon.

Bond told the court that his client sustained his injuries during a mining mishap and begged the court for his client to receive treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), or at the infirmary at the Lusignan Prison.

The chief magistrate remanded Thomas to prison where he would receive treatment for his injuries.

The matter was adjourned until February 15, 2019.

According to reports, on the day in question, Walters was traveling in his motor car along the East Bank Demerara, heading south, when two men on a motorcycle rode up alongside him.

There was some form of exchange and the men then rode up in front of the car and blocked its path. At the time of the incident, Walters’ reputed wife, Roxanne Henry, and a five-year-old, were in the vehicle.

Walters, according to information, drove his vehicle into the motorcycle, but the two men took evasive action. The car rolled over the motorcycle, but the pillion rider got up and opened fire on Walters. He was shot to the mouth, according to eyewitnesses.

As a result, Walters lost control of the vehicle which slammed into the median.

Henry also suffered injuries.

Police sources said that the men then fled the scene on foot into a nearby village, leaving behind a 9MM pistol and 14 matching live rounds of ammunition.

The two alleged attack-

DEAD: Kelvin Walters ers were later arrested at a private hospital while they were receiving medical attention.

According to reports, Walters might have been key to an on-going matter pertaining to a grenade attack on the Kaieteur News some two years ago. In that incident, the grenade failed to explode.

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GPL experiences computer disruption THE Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) reported that it had experienced a disruption in its computerised systems and PBX (telephone system) last Wednesday, but has not refuted rumours that the electricity company experienced a hacking of its system.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, the utility company noted that prepaid

customers have not been affected by this disruption.

The disruption affected the company’s Customer Call Centre and Customer Service Centre.

“Our Customer Call Centre service has since been restored to normalcy. The company is working assiduously to restore normalcy to its operations. GPL sincerely

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

apologises for any inconvenience that this disruption may have caused,” the company’s statement read.

At least one online media entity has purported that the company’s computer system was hacked and that millions was lost in the process.

The company was expected to send out another press release late Friday to address the issue however up to press time none had been disseminated. Late Friday evening the company issued a statement on its Facebook page reminding that the prepaid system was still operational; however it said nothing about its postpaid service.

“The Guyana Power and Light wishes to assure the general public that its prepaid system has been and remains fully opera-

tional. Prepaid customers are encouraged to purchase their prepaid tokens and credit from authorised vendors,” the FB post said.

The disruption comes at a time when many GPL customers have been complaining about increases in their bills since late last year. GPL Metering Manager of the Loss Reduction Department, Wayne Watson, had explained that the increases are due to several consumers having had their meters replaced last year as part of the Power Utility Upgrading Programme (PUUP).

He said the old meters had become defective and were not giving accurate readings on the consumers’ consumption.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

Natural Resources Ministry strengthens relationship with NTC

IT is government’s moral and constitutional responsibility to assist the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana in whatever way it can.

This sentiment was shared by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, on Wednesday, February 6, 2019, during a meeting with councillors of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) at Herdmanston Lodge, Georgetown.

The meeting was held as part of a series of ongoing engagements between the ministry and the NTC, which are meant to deepen the understanding between the two entities and to facilitate better collaboration.

On the agenda for discussion were the signing of the approved memorandum of understanding and several other issues raised

by Chairman of the NTC, Nicholas Fredericks.

One of priority included assurance of the ministry’s support towards the council

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman in discussion with NTC Chairman Nicholas Fredericks and toshaos post-2019.

This request comes as the ministry’s agency, which provides support to the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) Project – is set to end in 2019.

In response, Minister Trotman gave the commitment of the ministry, and by extension, the Government of Guyana, that the

support to the Indigenous Peoples in general, and the NTC in particular, was an everlasting one.

Minister Trotman went on to express the view that it was the government’s moral and constitutional responsibility to assist the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana in whatever way it could.

Another matter raised by the chairman was that of training members of the council and the availability of scholarships for young minds in the various hinterland communities.

From this, the minister reminded of the Hinterland Scholarship Programme that was ongoing and gave his ministry’s commitment

to having discussions with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs to see how best his ministry could assist in giving more hinterland youth access to educational opportunities.

Along with the aforementioned, Fredericks then posited the NTC’s vision of having the NTC’s Secretariat established.

President David Granger had made available land for the NTC to have the secretariat built.

Minister Trotman, while supporting the vision of the NTC, assured the councillors that, as the minister, he commits to do all in his power to ensure the NTC has a secretariat building by 2020.

To further demonstrate the ministry’s and government’s value of Indigenous Peoples, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the ministry and the NTC, just after the meeting.

The MoU now allows the ministry to formally collaborate with the NTC to assist the organisation in fulfilling its mandate in the areas of good governance and the preparation of strategies for the protection, conservation and sustainable management of indigenous community lands and natural resources.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

Significant increase in cases heard at CCJ

THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), headquartered in Trinidad, on Friday released its 2018 annual report, which noted a significant increase in the number of appeals heard at the court.

CCJ’s President, Justice

Adrian Saunders, said, in his introduction to the report, “over the last year, the court maintained its solid track record of outstanding judicial work. The appellate caseload of the CCJ steadily expanded. But, even more signifi-

cant than the increase in the number of appeals heard and judgments delivered, was the impressive variety and significance of the cases themselves.”

The theme of the court’s annual report, ‘building’,

reflects on the solid foundation that the CCJ now has and how it will be used to fuel growth in the future. The report covers the CCJ’s previous judicial year, which began in August 2017 and ended in July 2018,

and contains summaries of the 34 judgments issued in the appellate jurisdiction and one judgment from the court’s original jurisdiction. The court’s financial performance, including its audited financial statements for 2017, is also included in the publication. In addition, the publication also includes reports from each of the court’s departments, committees and related organisations.

The report also paid tribute to the Right Honourable Sir Dennis Byron, who demitted office as CCJ President, during the period under review. CCJ’s Registrar and Marshal, Ms. Jacqueline Graham, who heads the administrative function of the organisation commented,

Justice Adrian Saunders “the dynamism inherent in the leadership transition fostered an atmosphere that propelled the court in the direction of exploring and taking advantage of opportunities to strengthen an already sturdy foundation”. Ms. Graham pointed to the fact that the CCJ’s 2019–2024 Strategic Plan, which was developed after seeking input from external and internal stakeholders, will direct the future of the organisation.

The CCJ will celebrate its 14th anniversary on April 16, 2019.

PPP commissioners claim approval was given for GECOM to prepare for elections LATE on the afternoon of February 8, the People’s Progressive Party GECOM commissioners Sase Gunraj and Robeson Benn refuted Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield’s earlier statement that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) needed 148 days to run off general and regional elections.

At a jointly hosted press conference, the two (of three) PPP-nominated commissioners stressed that permission was indeed given since January 22 at the first meeting of the body to start operationalising for general elections. Commissioner and Attorney-at-Law Gunraj explained that after the initial go-ahead was given on January 22, the commissioners met again last Tuesday and the same instruction was passed. He expressed shock and disappointment at the CEO’s announcement which was contrary.

He also dismissed claims about the voters’ list needing to be cleansed, noting that it is legally valid and was recently used to effect the local government elections, without complaints from any stakeholders, “You didn’t hear a coo!”. He said the voters’ list, in its current form, is valid until April 30; hence, claims about the need for additional registration were a non-issue.

The extension of the proposed training time for elections day staffers of 105 days indicted, dilatory tactics were at hand, he added. The proposal that Nomination Day must be 55 days was also disputed by Gunraj. He cited the 34 days previously utilised during the previous general election. This say, April 7 being declared as Nomination Day some 34 days prior to the May 11 Elections’ Date.

GECOM must be ready within the 90-day timeframe as stipulated constitutionally, Gunraj further emphasised, adding that the body should always be ready to fulfil this task as mandated.

The reported challenges about the procurement of See page 24

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

Guyana to participate in first-ever int'l food safety confab

AS Guyana continues to implement and enforce measures to address food safety, Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, on Friday (February 8, 2019) departed Guyana to participate in the first ever International Food Safety Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The conference, which will be held on the 12th to the 13th of February, is being held under the theme ‘The future of food safety: Transforming knowledge into action for people, economies and the environment’, and will see strategic actions being defined through ministerial panels involving health, trade and agriculture officials and experts in thematic sessions.

The conference, co-organised by United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), World Health Organisation (WHO), World Trade Organisation (WTO) and African Union (AU) Com-

mission International Conference on Food Safety, will bring together ministers and representatives of national governments, senior policy makers as well as representatives of non-state actor groups from all regions of the world to engage in an urgent reflection on food safety challenges.

Some of the challenges include identifying key actions and strategies to address current and future challenges to food safety globally, strengthening commitments at the highest political level, and to scaleup food safety in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

With an estimated 600 million cases of foodborne illnesses annually, unsafe food is seen as a threat to human health and economies globally. Additionally, ongoing changes in climate, global food production and supply systems, are affecting consumers, industries and the planet itself. More-

over, the burden of unsafe food disproportionally affects vulnerable and marginalised people and poses sustainability and development challenges.

Despite the growing recognition of the fundamental role food safety plays in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number two (Zero Hunger), and the main objectives of the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition, efforts to strengthen food safety systems remain fragmented and the gains, particularly in many developing countries, have been well below expectations.

With that in mind, the two-day conference will seek to address and craft solutions to these areas of concern. Some of the areas identified for discussion include issues of the burden of foodborne diseases and the benefits of investing in safe food, safe and sustainable food systems in an era of accelerated climate

Gov’t pledges help for small businesses

GOVERNMENT stands ready to assist in the development of small businesses all across Guyana.

This was the assurance given by Minister of Finance Winston Jordan, during a site visit to FLOOR IT, a wood establishment, and Barama Company Ltd. Minister Jordan noted that lumber could be explored in all its facets regarding the exportation of local wood from Guyana.

Jordan made the point that more and more Guyanese should use local wood to construct their homes and avoid importation for the construction of buildings in the country.

The finance minister alluded to the fact that the government intends to bring back confidence to the local housing market, through the availability of local wood for the purpose of building

homes and other wood projects.

The finance minister commended FLOOR IT for the exportation of its wood, the quality being produced at the establishment and the investment being made in the production of wood.

Minister Jordan assured all present that the government will definitely support all local business establishments.

Reacting to a question, Minister Jordan informed those present that there was need for new procurement legislation to replace the existing one which was outdated. He added that, with the emergence of new and modern legislation on procurement, the entire procurement legislation will be re-drafted.

Government, Minister Jordan noted, will get firm with ‘shady’ contractual procurement measures and restricted tendering.

change, science, innovation and digital transformation at the service of food safety, empowering consumers to make healthy choices, and support sustainable food systems.

It is expected that the

discussions will result in the alignment of food safety strategies and approaches across sectors and borders, reinforcing efforts to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and supporting the UN Decade

of Action on Nutrition.

The conference will result in a high-level political statement advocating for increased and better coordinated collaboration and support to improve food safety globally.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

PAC to benefit from €4.8M projects

THE German Development Bank (GDB) is funding a €4.8M project, titled ‘Guyana Protected Area System’, for the Protected Areas Commission (PAC).

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, met yesterday (Friday, February 8, 2019) with GDB’s visiting team.

Commissioner of the PAC, Denise Fraser, explained that the team will be travelling to the protected areas to have a first-hand look at what was taking place.

She noted that the project will cater primarily to infra-

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, gestures as he makes a point during the meeting with representatives from the German Development Bank

structural needs and will see new ranger stations, office space and even the construction of a guest house.

“There will be focus on the infrastructure needed for the management of three protected areas: - Shell Beach, the Kaieteur National Park and the Kanuku Mountains. That infrastructure will include ranger stations, administrative buildings and offices, and there will be some equipment for the management of the protected areas. In addition to ranger stations at Kaieteur, there will be a guest house which will make it more economical to fly there. The project also has two other components. One is resource management, which is linked to livelihood, and this is for the communities that surround the protected areas and the other component is for capacity building,” she said.

Minister Harmon expressed the government’s gratitude to the entity, noting that the project will significantly aid Guyana’s vision for a ‘green State’. He said that it further cements the commitment of the government to the preservation of the environment for this generation and generations to come.

“You have the gratitude of the Government of Guyana for what you’ve been doing for us and the work you’ve done here in the protected areas. We are committed to this and I believe that this commitment on the part

of the government has been demonstrated over and over again, especially with the promise from President David Granger to put a further two million hectares into protected areas. We have embarked on an unmistakable path of conservation. That is the thrust of our development going forward,” the minister of state said.

Head of the Department of Environment, Ms. Ndibi Schwiers, echoed the sentiments shared by Minister Harmon, noting that the project forms a major part of the ‘green’ vision, and was critical to the achievement of a ‘green State’.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mackensen said his team was pleased with the commitment demonstrated by the Government of Guyana towards the protection of the environment, as that was the most important part of the Project.

He noted that with the commitment demonstrated, there was no doubt that the project would be successful.

The team led by Dr. Jens Mackensen, Head of Division, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Latin America and the Caribbean, included Mr. Samuel Ebert, Chief Technical Adviser, Guyana Protected Area System; Mr. Tilman Jaeger, Consultant, and Ms. Ingrid Hahn, Project Manager, Agriculture and Natural Resources Management, Latin America and the Caribbean.

PPP commissioners claim approval ...

From page 22 materials such as ink, he opined, were a nonstarter since it was easy to source these and funding could be had from the Consolidated Fund to make up any shortfalls.

According to Commissioner Benn, claims about the time to train teachers, for example, could be resolved with extra time off given the importance of the task at hand since, “we do not have the option to extend the due date.” Benn added that GECOM’s tactics, “raises the idea of a greater scheme afoot, to delay elections.”

He posited that GECOM’s players could be deliberately or vicariously or are being threatened not to do more.

Contacted for a response to these claims about operationalising permission, government-appointed Commissioner Vincent Alexander stated that, “the Commission as a collective never did that.”

According to Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, the secretariat has not commenced any work because it needs to be given the go-ahead by the Elections Commission, which is made up of the Chairman, three Commissioners from the governing coalition and three Commissioners from the Opposition PPP.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

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Hike in tendering thresholds legit … NPTAB official clears air on issue

…Cabinet memo shows PPP doing same thing when Parliament was prorogued THE Deputy Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, (NPTAB) Mark Bender, shared his opinion on the recent issues raised by the opposition about the legality of the move to increase thresholds for the “Restricted tendering and Request for Quotation Methods of Procurement.”

Via a letter to Finance Minister Winston Jordan, the official cited Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo who had quoted several sections of the Procurement Act to support his claim that the increases are illegal.

Bender stated, “I submit that those sections are irrelevant to this issue at hand.” He reminded Minister Jordan that the thresholds for methods of procurement are contained in the regulations to the Procurement Act. Section 61 of the Act states as follows: “The minister shall, with the advice of the National Board or the Procurement Commission, make any regulation that may be necessary for the administration of this Act”. He added in closing, “I, submit therefore that the increase in the thresholds is legal.”

He further recalled that the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), by way of letter, had proposed that Finance Minister Jordan take action for new thresholds to be recommended.

Bender also reminded, via a forwarded Cabinet memo and regulations related to an increase in thresholds for the Community Participation method of procurement from $1,500,000 to $5,000,000, as executed under the previous Ramotar-led PPP ad-

ministration. This document was signed by then Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr. Roger Luncheon.

Bender noted the Cabinet meeting was held on 11 th November, 2014, but Parliament was prorogued on November 10, 2014. He noted that whilst there was not a no-confidence vote, Parliament was prorogued to avoid a no-confidence vote. It meant that elections had to be held within six months Bender explained, “Section 29 in the Act on Community Participation states that “ in circumstances where procurement is conducted in poor remote communities, where the competitive procedures described in this Act are not feasible, goods, works or services, the value of which does not exceed such an amount as may be prescribed in the regulations, may be procured either(a) in accordance with procedures that promote efficiency through participation of community organisations: (b) through single source procurement from direct contracting suppliers or contractors located near the community”.

One could also question the timing and intent of this increase, according to Bender.

At his weekly presser, Jagdeo called on public officials not to honour the circular’s instructions issued Monday, February 4, 2019, by Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, which listed higher thresholds for tenders.

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Johnson, Singh fifties propel Jaguars after poor start

By Rajiv Bisnauth

SKIPPER Leon Johnson and deputy Vishaul Singh played pivotal roles to lift the Guyana Jaguars from a double blow against the Jamaican Scorpions.

After early wickets, the duo stood tall to end at 203 for three on day two of the seventh round Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Four-day encounter at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Johnson’s workmanlike 58, coupled with a composed 61 from 30-year-old Singh, helped the defending champions not only to overcome the cheap dismissals of Chandrapaul Hemraj (4) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (10), but also to put the hosts in a position where they can look to get close to Scorpions’ first-innings total of 358.

The left-handed pair of Johnson and Singh stitched a 101-run for the fourth-wicket after they were reduced to 62-3 at one stage of the innings.

However, after the visitors dismissed Johnson and Singh, Christopher Barnwell (22 not out) and Raymon Reifer (five not out), closed the day with Jaguars trailing by 155 runs.

Singh was his usual confident self, mostly chanceless and enjoyed the company of Johnson, who showed enough signs of getting back to his best.

Johnson managed to

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somewhat turnaround his fortunes after failing to impress so far. His talent was never in doubt, but a string of low scores had begun to raise some concerns.

The 31-year-old played a chanceless knock and, barring a few edges here and there, he looked in complete control of his batting during his stay at the crease. He was, however, trapped lbw after he completely missed a short ball that kept low from spinner Jermaine Blackwood. Johnson batted for just over two hours and hit seven fours and a six from 184 balls.

Singh, who played three Tests for the Caribbean side battled for 206 minutes at the crease, facing 171 balls, counting eight boundaries before he edged spinner Dennis Bulli to first slip.

Earlier the tourists, resuming their first innings at 320 for eight, lasted only half-an-hour into the day’s play.

Derval Green (80-ball 86) and Bulli (33) ended up sharing 108 runs for the ninth-wicket. Bulli, was the first to be dismissed, off left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul who finished with 3-76.

The right-handed, Green, who was unbeaten on 59 overnight, came up with a few attractive shots prior to his dismissal. He was taken at slip off Romario Shepherd (2-69).

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The Scorpions then took the early initiative, leaving the hosts struggling on 20 for two. Both new-ball bowlers Jerome Taylor and Green were right on target and reaped immediate rewards.

Hemraj, who was on Thursday omitted from the Windies ODI squad to face England, was the first to depart, bowled by Green off a probing full-length ball, for four, while Chanderpaul’s vulnerability outside the off-stump was exposed. The left-hander edged a delivery from Taylor to wicketkeeper Oraine Williams in the next over, for ten.

However, the left-handed pair of Johnson and Rutherford soon settled down until lunch with Rutherford displaying even more aggressive intention, hitting five well-timed boundaries on either side of the break.

Immediately after the resumption, medium pacer Rovman Powell broke the promising 42-run stand through a rising delivery which had Rutherford,

playing away from his body, to edge a regulation catch to second slip for 31.

Singh joined Jaguars captain who kick-started the partnership with a six and a couple of fours off spinner Kenroy Williams before Singh elegantly drove Powell to the cover boundary.

The pair continued to bat resolutely and in the process allowed Jaguars to move steadily with few or little alarms. At tea the hosts were 137 for three with Johnson 46 and Singh 34.

Post-tea, Johnson and Singh batted in much the same manner as they did in the previous session. Their pace of scoring was slow, but they battled with assurance. Johnson reached his 50 from 151 balls with his seventh boundary off Taylor just after the break, his second this season, while the pint-sized Singh reached his 15th from 142 balls.

Following the double blow, Barnwell and Reifer approached the few overs with caution.

SCOREBOARD

JAMAICA SCORPIONS 1st innings (o/n 320-8) O. Williams c Johnson b Shepherd 10 C. Walton c Johnson b Permaul 14 B. King b Rutherford 51 J. Blackwood c Barnwell b Rutherford 44 A. Fudadin c Shepherd b Rutherford 23 P. Palmer c Bramble b Motie 29 R. Powell c Rutherford b Permaul 17 K. Williams c Bramble b Motie 33 D. Green c Johnson b Shepherd 86 D. Bulli c Motie b Permaul 33 J. Taylor not out 8 Extras: (b-4, w-2, nb-4) 10 Total: (all out, 97.2 overs overs) 358 Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-48, 3-94, 4-132, 5-144, 6-172, 7-228, 8-230, 9-338.

Bowling: Shepherd 19.2-5-69-2, Reifer 18-5-46-0, Permaul 19-3-76-3, Motie 20-2-70-2, Rutherford 10-2-52-3, Barnwell 8-3-14-0, Johnson 3-0-27-0.

GUYANA JAGUARS 1st innings T. Chanderpaul b Green 4 C. Hemraj c wkp. b Taylor 10 S. Rutherford c Blackwood b Powell 31 L. Johnson lbw b Blackwood 58 V. Singh c Blackwood b Bulli 61 C. Barnwell not out 22 R. Reifer not out 5 Extras: (b-4, lb-4, nb-4) 12 Total: (for five wickets, 83 overs) 203 Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-20, 3-62, 4-163, 5-187.

Bowling: Taylor 12-3-22-1, Green 7-1-24-1, Williams 25-8-56-0, Powell 13-5-24-1, Bulli 17-2-48-1, Blackwood 4-1-9-1, Walton 5-0-12-0.

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

West Indies aiming for rare whitewash (CMC) – A series that began shrouded in uncertainty and contention now stands on the brink of becoming a watershed moment in West Indies cricket, as the reinvigorated home side chase their first whitewash of England in 33 years, when the final Test bowls off here today.

Only a few weeks ago in the lead-up to the opening Test, pundits were harbouring thoughts of just the opposite – another Windies whitewash – as controversy swirled over the appointment of head coach Richard Pybus and Cricket West Indies (CWI) officials bickering in public.

But the underdogs, with heavy defeats in their previous four Tests against India and Bangladesh, hauled themselves off the mat to inflict a crushing 381-run victory inside four days in the opening Test at Kensington Oval – outplaying the English in every department.

And, as if to send a strong signal that the result had not been a fluke, West Indies thrashed the tourists by 10 wickets in the Antigua second Test in less than three days last week, to retake the Wisden Trophy for the first time in a decade.

Now, even more history beckons. Not since Vivian Richards and his aggressive battery of fast bowlers humbled England in all five Tests on the 1986 home tour, have West Indies swept their arch-rivals in a Test series.

And with England demoralised after two embarrassing results, the young Windies side have the ideal chance to inflict the ultimate blow on their opponents.

They will have to do it without their inspirational captain Jason Holder, who paid for his team’s slow over-rate in the Antigua Test with a one-match suspension, and now will have to watch from the sidelines as his side chase history.

Stand-in skipper Kraigg Brathwaite believes a clean sweep would send the right message about the state of West Indies cricket. “(It would say) that West Indies cricket is strong,” the experienced opener told reporters here yesterday.

“For us, it’s just aiming for consistency. We’ve won the series thus far so we’re aiming to win the third (match) but for us it’s being

consistent. That’s one of the main things for us.”

He added: “It looks a good pitch. St Lucia is usually a good pitch for both batters and bowlers so we’ve just got to continue working hard as a team, both as a batting group and bowling group.”

Holder’s absence will be a huge hole to fill. It was his phenomenal unbeaten

would still be relying on his advice even though he is not part of the XI. “Of course (I’ll be leaning on him). He’s the leader of the group and his advice will be crucial for us,” said Brathwaite.

“He’ll still be there. Obviously we’re a family and support each and every one. Obviously I’m captain for this game (but) he’ll be around

All-rounder Keemo Paul gears up for a training session ahead of the final Test against England.

202 which set up his team’s massive win in Bridgetown, and his splendid spell after lunch on the third in Antigua, that helped set the wheels in motion for England’s second-innings demise.

Performance on the field apart, his leadership has come in for praise from local and foreign pundits alike, as he has hardly put a foot wrong.

Brathwaite said they

the same way.”

Speculation is already rife about his replacement.

All-rounder Keemo Paul, with 20 wickets and an average of 35 with the bat in his last three first class matches, seems the natural fit.

However, with England obviously unnerved by the pace of Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach in the series, uncapped Oshane Thomas

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday, Febrary 09, 2019)

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Answers to yesterday’s quiz: Keaton Jennings & Adil Rashid Viv Richards (36), Clive Lloyd (34), Rohan Kanhai (33), Gordon Greenidge (32)

(1)

(2)

Today’s Quiz: Who were the captains involved when the WI & ENG contested a Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium for the first time?

Prior to the commencement of the current series, when was the last time the WI won ‘back to back’ matches in the same series against England?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

has come into the equation, especially with a greenish tinge on the pitch at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium.

Brathwaite said the final XI would be decided later yesterday but endorsed Thomas as genuinely quick.

“Obviously he has good pace and obviously he brings that aggression and he’s bowling consistently, so he’ll bring that as well. He has decent pace so obviously he’ll be an aggressive factor,” he pointed out.

He added: “Obviously they didn’t play the pace as they should, but for us it’s just to do the things we’ve been doing well. We can’t think about what happened before, that’s gone.

“For us as a bowling group we just have to stay disciplined, keep the aggression same way and that will be good for us.”

SQUADS: WEST INDIES – Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), John

Campbell, Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Shane Dowrich, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph, Shannon Gabriel, Shamarh Brooks, Oshane Thomas.

ENGLAND – Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Keaton Jennings, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood.

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

BCB launches Dr Puran Singh incentive scheme BERBICE junior and female cricketers who are selected in the national set-up will benefit, for the second successive year, from a financial stipend, given by the vibrant Berbice Cricket Board (BCB).

The board has recently obtained $200 000 from Barbados-based Guyanese Dr Puran Singh, brother of another BCB sponsor Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh.

BCB president Hilbert Foster disclosed that every Berbice Under-15, Under-17, Under-19 and female cricketer will receive $10 000 from the scheme. In the event that more than 20 Berbicians are

BCB president Hilbert Foster and Dr Puran Singh

National pool tournament to select team for T&T competition

selected, BCB will stand the remaining cost.

The Foster-led administration introduced the scheme last year as part of its ongoing effort to strengthen cricket in the Ancient County. Foster stated that the major objectives of the scheme are to assist the players financially, to encourage them to excel at the national level and to make sure that every Berbician is given the opportunity to fulfil his/her full potential.

Last year, the board was able to obtain funding from Memorex Industries and J.R. Engineering Ltd, for the programme while using over $150 000 of its own funds.

Among the players who benefitted in 2018 were - Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Jeremy Sandia, Nigel Deodat, Seon Glasgow, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Tremayne Smartt, Sheneeta Grimmond, Shabiki Gajnabi and Lafona Gilgeous.

He stated that the board was confident the Ancient County will continue its proud tradition of producing national players of the highest level and that the incentive scheme was just one of numerous developmental programmes to be organised in 2019.

Dr Singh, in brief remarks, was delighted to be associated with Berbice Cricket,

as he was pleased with the progress being made in the county.

He noted that he will continue to support cricket in Berbice once proper leadership is in place. The president and executive committee of the board will like to express gratitude to Dr Singh for his support and look forward to a long-term relationship.

Meanwhile, the board is expected to unveil a $1.2M sponsorship from an overseas-based Guyanese, who has renewed his sponsorship of the board’s countywide coaching programme, cricket academy and monthly coaching clinics.

GFF/Pele Alumni ‘Frank Watson’ Tournament

Essequibo leg to resume this weekend

Essequibo action in the GFF/Pele Alumni ‘Frank Watson’ Tournament

Most of the Club 49 Pool & Snooker members who travelled to a recent Barbados\ competition should be in the mix for a national spot.

THE Guyana Pool Committee (GPC) will rack up qualifying rounds from this evening until March 15 to select the top players.

Those players will battle it out in a two-day championship clash which is scheduled for Jerry’s Bar in Grove from March 16 to 17.

The best player in the country will be crowned national champion while the top two will get their airfare, accommodation, meal and entrance fee paid to represent Guyana in Trinidad against their national team.

One of the organisers told Chronicle Sport that GPC and its Trinidadian counterparts wanted to organise something similar

to the Masconi Cup (which is an annual nine-ball pool tournament contested between teams representing Europe and the United States since 1994).

The rivalry between the two countries will hopefully re-ignite interest in the game and spur on some sporting rivalry.

Although the top two will travel to the Twin Island Republic for free, the top eight players will represent Guyana.

Tw e l v e q u a l i f y i n g rounds will be held with the second set for Suraj Sports Bar (De Willem on Sunday); Shooters Bar (Anna Regina, February 15); Seepaul’s Bar (Kitty, February 16); Tasha Bar (ECD February 17);

Seeta’s Bar (February 22); Bill’s Bar (Goed Fortuin, February 24); the Caribbean Beat (Campbellville, March 1); Coins Restaurant and Bar (Diamond, March 2); Sunil’s Bar (Mahaica, March 9); Mitra’s Bar (Mon Repos, March 10) and Jerry’s Bar (Grove, March 15).

At each qualifier, the top two players will book their spots for the championship rounds before the top 24 battle it out via round-robin for spots on the national team.

Banks Beer is the main sponsor of the event and the winners of the qualifying rounds will receive a case of beer each.

Entrance fee is $3 000 per person.

THE Essequibo leg of the GFF-Pele Alumni ‘Frank Watson’ National U-15 Inter-Association Club Tournament will continue this weekend at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground.

The first match is scheduled to kick off at 09:00hrs tomorrow with teams in Cluster 3 – Dartmouth Dominators FC (Essequibo-Pomeroon FA), Rising Stars FC (Bartica FA) and Atkinson Brothers from Region 1 – each playing in a round-robin format to

determine the winner of the cluster.

Intense action is expected as the GFF seeks to conduct Talent Identification and expand the player pool from among those participating in the tournament, including the Atkinson Brothers, a team based in Region 1.

The GFF, in its efforts to facilitate football development in the hinterland and incorporate the available talent in the national programme, had established a Steering Committee, which coordinated and executed the

GFF-Pele Alumni “Frank Watson’ tournament in the region.

This weekend’s action follows last weekend’s playoff held at the GFF National Training Centre where teams of Cluster 1 and 2 were engaged, with Santos FC and FC Eagles coming out as winners of the respective clusters.

The winners of the respective Clusters will face off with Tabatinga FC from the Rupununi Football Association in the final, set for February 16 at the GFF National Training Centre.

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

FINALLY!

Hockey to have its own home locally

By Rabindra Rooplall

AFTER almost two decades, the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) will finally have a place to call home with the construction of an artificial surface at D’Urban Park.

The GHB, through its president, Philip Fernandes, yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Fernandes said, “It has been 18 years, trying with the various authorities to get some land, this will be a good opportunity for the young people to play hockey and to have a space for them to learn the game and practise more.”

Expressing his appreciation to the government for making it a priority, Fernandes said the board sees the opportunity as one to move Guyana forward as the country has been very competitive in sports externally.

“I can remember in one year, we won gold medals in the junior Pan-American championships and in the same year we competed against the same teams and came second to last, because the first one was on grass and the next one was on artificial surface; so that explains the difference between

the two,” Fernandes said.

Trinidad, Barbados and Jamaica all have artificial surfaces.

He continued, “This opportunity here now, which we hope to develop into a full international standard artificial surface facility would enable our young people not only to train under the kind of conditions to compete, but also to invite foreign teams for the first time in over 30 years to Guyana, to compete in outdoor hockey.”

The GHB president said that while hockey has people of all walks of life it is difficult for certain communities to get access to the game, but now the base will be broadened with youths in the City.

Funding, he said, will be sought to build the facility with the international bodies (Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) among those already in the wings.

Minister Harmon said many years ago Linden had a very active hockey team that was organised by the Bauxite Company, adding that based on limitations, Guyana had done exceptionally well in tournaments and further afield.

“I believe that this is an important day in the history of the federation and in many years to come we may look back at today; and

Seventh Milo schools football tournament set for today

MILO schools football action commences its seventh edition today at the Ministry of Education ground Carifesta Avenue from noon.

Round Robin Round 1 Day 1 Ministry of Education Ground Match # ♦ 12:00 hrs Annandale Secondary v/s St Joseph High 1 ♦ 13:45 hrs Bishop High School v/s North Riumveldt Secondary 2 ♦ 15:30 hrs Queens College v/s St Stanislaus College 3 ♦ 2/10/2019 Round Robin Round 1 Day 2 Ministry of Education Ground Match # ♦ 12:00 hrs President College v/s Marian Academy 4 ♦ 13:45 hrs South Ruimveldt Secondary v/s Canje Secondary 5 ♦ 15:30 hrs Lodge Secondary School v/s St Mary Secondary 6

when we look back at the facilities on D’Urban Park, I would like to say that it was a job well done,” Harmon said.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon and president of GHB, Philip Fernandes, exchange MoU while Director of Sport Christopher Jones looks on. (Rabindra Rooplall photo)

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

Bacchus Bulls beat All Youths Baird aiming for Pan Am qualification at today’s Sports Club in 20-over fixture AAG Developmental Meet THE Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) will host their fourth development meet of the year today, at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

Today’s meet will be a chance for juniors to qualify for the Carifta Games; their first of three chances while the seniors will also have a chance to qualify for games such as the Pan American Seniors.

With qualification opportunities available the competition is expected to be tough with over 240 athletes likely to participate.

Big names such as Javelin record-holder Leslain Baird in addition to rising stars in Cassie Small, Tonya Rawlins, Davin Fraser, Akeem Stewart, Daniel Melville, Tortique Boyce and Deshanna Skeete are expected to take centre-stage when action starts at 09:00hrs.

Bacchus Bulls claimed a 50-run win at home.

THE Bacchus Bulls defeated the All Youths Sports Club from La Grange, West Bank Demerara in a recent 20-over fixture at their Imam Bacchus Sports Club ground on the Essequibo Coast.

The home team batted first and scored a whopping 191-7 from their allotted overs after former national youth player Yogeshwar Lall exploded for 62.

Parmesh Parsotam added 25, while Rajiv Persaud supported with 19.

The visitors were guilty of 40 extras in the innings.

In the middle, the La Grange team could not keep up with the required run rate (over 9.5 per over), which resulted in loss of seven wickets also.

Sanjay led the attack with 40, but proved the only resistance against off-spinners Rodwin Gordon and Khulraj Persaud.

Gordon grabbed 4-20 while Persaud finished with 2-40 to restrict the visitors to 141-7 from 20 overs.

GFF, MoTP sign MoU for D’Urban Park fields

By Rabindra Rooplall FOOTBALL in the capital city is set for greater improvement with the announcement of the D’Urban Park Football Complex.

Set to carry out construction soon, Guyana Football Federation (GFF), represented by president Wayne Forde, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Minister of State Joseph Harmon yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP).

The project will house an international quality fullsize pitch, two mini-pitches and a new headquarters for the GFF. The mini-pitches will be fully accessible to the general public for community football tournaments and recreational games.

Minister Harmon said the signing was a turning point for youths as they would have access to high-quality public infrastructure which would cater for the development of talents in the sporting

field.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited Guyana in 2017 and met with President David Granger, Minister Harmon said, after which a commitment was made to help Guyana to achieve organisational goals.

He explained that President Granger also committed to ensuring that at the level of government, the necessary partnership for the development of the sport is maintained.

He said that the facilities will boost the physical fitness and health of the population and will be maintained by the football federation as part of its corporate social responsibility.

“These are important steps in our development.

We have had a long history of dong well at cricket, but the infrastructure for hockey and football has been an inhibitor in allowing players to move to the next level,” the Minister of State noted.

Minister Harmon said that the government is ex-

tremely pleased to provide facilities for football and hockey which would be in the centre of Georgetown, adding that he expects rapid development to unfold.

President of the GFF, Wayne Forde, said the signing is a huge milestone for football in Guyana and a defining moment for the game and for the future of every young boy and girl who dreams of playing at the highest level.

“On behalf of the entire football fraternity, I would like to thank the government of Guyana and, in particular, President David Granger for his commitment to the development of Sports across Guyana,” he said.

Noting that the GFF was established in 1902 - this year will mark our 117th anniversary, Forde said. “Despite this long history, we are only now constructing our first home of football under the FIFA Forward programme.”

Thanking the vision of the government, the Federation’s president said: “Foot-

ball is finally making meaningful progress by building two football exclusive facilities over the next four years.

This is truly a proud moment for the entire football family and all of Guyana.”

He explained that the importance of high-quality football pitches is inextricably linked to the quality of players.

“Without the right infrastructure, we cannot develop football. It’s as simple as that.

We cannot improve standards, we cannot compete at the highest level of the sport,” he said.

“This project will help the GFF to increase participation in football, spot talent in its infancy stage, increase the player population, raise the quality of our football programmes, improve the image of the sport, enhance community cohesion and improve the health and well-being of our communities.”

He said the MoU is a giant leap in the Federation’s quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Leslain Baird

National javelin record-holder Leslain Baird is aiming to throw over the 70-metre mark. Baird, who has ruled the roost in male javelin over the past five years, is looking to lift his standard this year by taking competitions in stride.

Baird gave his thoughts for today’s competition, “I am looking forward to seeing a lot of athletes come out and make the qualifying times and marks for the Carifta Games as well as the seniors trying to qualify for the other competitions later down in the year.”

“As for me, my aim is to open my season on rubber (synthetic track) with 70m+ throws, reason being that I have been throwing on grass for the past five months so I have to get acquainted back to the rubber. I am still getting stronger and it’s early in the season, so knowing that Pan Am and World Championships are late, I am taking my time so as not to get burned out too early like what happened to me last year at CAC Games,” Baird noted.

Nevertheless, Baird shared that there is more work to be done and he is remaining focussed with a strong team behind him.

“There is a lot of work to be done so my coaches Robert Chisholm, Rawle Griffith and Julian Edmonds are working on my technique to get me even stronger and more flexible this year,” Baird maintained.

Baird will be throwing the javelin and the discus today when the event kicks off at 09:00hrs.

A small entrance fee of $200 will also be charged for patrons coming to view the action.

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday, February 9, 2019

GLC’s ‘Let’s Bet Sports’ to facilitate virtual and pre-match betting countrywide AFTER almost 23 years of existence in this country, the Guyana Lottery Company (GLC) has ventured into the betting arena with their ‘Let’s Bet Sports’ brand, which will see Guyanese able to put down stakes in prematch betting and virtual games.

At the media launch on Wednesday evening at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), General Manager of the company, Tracey Lewis, explained that with the gaming product portfolio of Lottery & Instant ticket games being extended to Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) under the brand known as BLAST, ‘Let’s Bet Sports’ will now complete the needs of players countrywide.

Let’s Bet Sports Brand Manager Ian De Barros

revealed that 200 of its authorised agents countrywide will sell pre-match tickets for a number of games including basketball, football, baseball,

Brand Ambassador Rawle Toney will be keeping the public informed and up-to-date with the world of sports with teams analysis and information

Winners of the NBA jerseys, Avinash Ramzan (right centre) and Kennard Copeland (left centre) pose with GLC General Manager Tracey Lewis (centre) and the Let’s Bet Sports models. (Adrian Narine photo)

She also highlighted the company’s commitment to Guyana; “We are proud to stand by our motto of ‘Every Ticket You Buy Benefits Our Country’; to date this has totalled over $7B towards social projects as well as youths, sports & culture”.

Meanwhile Brand Manager Ian De Barros

cricket and tennis to name a few. In addition, 50 agents will sell virtual gaming where persons can bet on virtual games.

De Barros also noted that there is an ongoing promotion where with the purchase of every $1000 ticket, patrons can collect a coupon for a chance to win an authentic NBA Jersey.

pertaining to the various disciplines. He noted that every piece of information is vital to placing a successful bet.

At the launch, media operatives were given a chance to win two NBA jerseys. The winners were Avinash Ramzan and Kennard Copeland, both of Newsroom.

FINALLY!

Hockey to have its own home locally Page

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Johnson, Singh fifties propel Jaguars after poor start

Minister of State Joseph Harmon and president of the GFF, Wayne Forde, sign the MoU while Director of Sport Christopher Jones looks on.

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Guyana Jaguars vice-captain Vishaul Singh (batting) was one of two Guyanese to score half-centuries on day two of the seventh round CWI Regional Four-day encounter at Guyana National Stadium, Providence against Jamaica Scorpions.

The other was skipper Leon Johnson. (Adrian Narine photo)

GFF, MoTP sign MoU for D’Urban Park fields

Director of Sport Christopher Jones and president of the GFF, Wayne Forde, turn the sod where the football complex will be built.

West Indies aiming for rare whitewash â–ş 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

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Saturday, februaRY 9, 2019