Guyana Chronicle E-paper 02-13-2019

WEDNESDAY 13th February, 2019

Sanitise the voters’ list No.105547

…PSC chairman tells Carter Center reps, civil society

…calls on citizens to act maturely, discourage 11 unlawful behaviour

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The renovated National Trust building on Carmichael Street has now been renamed Valerie Rodway House after the late renowned Guyanese composer (Samuel Maughn photo)

GECOM 02 seeks clarity on funding for polls PAGE

… commissioners still sticking to need for new registration

Guyana secures IDB loan to boost Energy Dep't 31 UG administration, unions head 27 to conciliation PAGE

Valerie Rodway hailed as ‘national treasure’

… as National Trust building renamed 03 in her honour PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

GECOM seeks clarity on funding for polls …commissioners still sticking to need for new registration

AMID the political and legal fall-out following the court ruling on the no-confidence vote, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has sought clarification from the Ministry of Finance on how funds will be appropriated for the holding of early General and Regional Elections.

Following a meeting of the commission on Tuesday, Commissioner Vincent Alexander said that there is still some level of uncertainty on how the commission should proceed in the present circumstances to fund elections,

since almost $3 billion was allocated for house-to-house registration and the remainder of GECOM’s budget is for routine operations.

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan during presentation of the 2019 Budget in the National Assembly, announced that $5.4 billion was allocated to GECOM. Alexander said the commission is still in its exploratory stages and one area of exploration is what scope the commission has in terms of the fact that there is no money appropriated for elections, but registration instead. “We have sent

for clarity from the Ministry of Finance and hopefully we can clear this up before the week is done,” said Alexander in an invited comment following a meeting of the GECOM commissioners on Tuesday. Another Commissioner, Charles Corbin, believes that there needs to be a new appropriation because of the conditions. Elections were initially scheduled for 2020.

Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire in upholding the Speaker’s decision that the no- confidence motion was validly passed, said

that Cabinet is separate from government and should resign. Her ruling has rendered it almost impossible for the GECOM to receive funding for the holding of new elections. Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Basil Williams during the television programme ‘Facing the Nation’ last Friday, said: “The opposition has been saying that the government should only have a caretaker role, which would really be to pass legislation for funding of the elections; but I don’t know if they realise that if there’s no Cabinet

GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander then no financial bills can be taken to the Parliament.”

He referenced Article 171 (2) (ii) of the constitution which states: “Except on the recommendation or with the consent of the Cabinet signified by a minister, the Assembly shall not –– (a) proceed upon any Bill (including any amendment to a Bill) which, in the opinion of the person presiding, makes provision for any of the following purposes –– … for imposing any charge upon the Consolidated Fund or any other public fund of Guyana, or for altering any such charge otherwise than by reducing it…”

In preparation for the 2020 General and Regional Elections and ahead of the no-confidence vote, GECOM was allocated $3B through the 2019 budget for fresh house-to-house registration.

The aim was to ensure that the current list would be in order for the 2020 elections by clearing it of dead persons, persons no longer residing in the country or a community and ensuring that

those now eligible to vote are added to the list.

Since the CJ’s ruling, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has argued that the $3B registration sum could be used to facilitate the new election. At a previous press conference, he told media operatives that “parliament could legitimately convene”—and the opposition would attend-- on the basis of passing new laws or supplementary provisions for GECOM. However, Minister Williams pointed out the error in this deduction as such changes would require the involvement of Cabinet, the committee of senior ministers responsible for controlling government policy.

“Of course, if there’s no Cabinet, then no financial bills can go to the Parliament for passage and therefore no funding could be sought for GECOM and for the holding of elections,” Williams added.

“That’s a serious consequence of [the] ruling that Cabinet doesn’t exist.” Prior to the CJ’s ruling, Williams had submitted to the court that the government cannot operate without a Cabinet and that would be a “recipe for anarchy.”

WAY FORWARD Meanwhile, in addition to funding, the commission is yet to decide on the way forward but, GECOM commissioners are scheduled to meet again today to continue discussions.

“Tomorrow [today] we will continue what we have See page 9

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Valerie Rodway hailed as ‘national treasure’ … building renamed in her honour

TO honour the life and work of one of Guyana’s most renowned composers, the National Trust of Guyana building, on Carmichael Street, Cummingsburg, Georgetown, has been renamed the Valerie Rodway House.

The renaming comes as

CCH, LRSM, with a roster of activities to mark her birth centenary.

Rodway is responsible for the composition of some of the country’s most recognised patriotic and cultural songs such as ‘Hymn for Guyana’s Children’, ‘O Beautiful Guyana’ and ‘Guy-

Granger; First Lady, Mrs Sandra Granger; ministers and members of parliament; relatives of Rodway and special invitees, met to celebrate her life.

In delivering the feature remarks, Professor in the School of Media Arts Studies at Ohio University, Dr.

Guyana’s landscape, soundscape, Amerindian heritage and social cohesiveness.

“Valerie Rodway left behind a substantial body of work that represents several styles. Her music also reflects national pride and a commitment to quality. That body of work is a national treasure,”

President David Granger speaks at the commemoration ceremony in celebration of the birth centenary of Valerie Muriel Rodway, CCH, LRSM

Frist Lady Sandra Granger (first left) along with several Ministers of Government; Mayor of Georgetown Ubraj Narine and other specially invited guests attended the event the Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP) will be celebrating the life and work of Valerie Muriel Rodway,

ana the Free’.

On Tuesday, on Carmichael Street, next to State House, President David

Professor in the School of Media Arts Studies at the Ohio University, Dr. Vibert Cambridge

Vibert Cambridge, described Rodway as a ‘national treasure’, and expressed his delight to be able to celebrate her creativity and legacy, with others.

Cambridge told the gathering, that the building, prior to hosting the National Trust and the Public Information Press Service, was home to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, post-independence.

Its renaming to the Valerie Rodway House, he said, adds to the rich history of the building while it signifies the expansion of the role of the National Trust to incorporate purposeful, national-conscious music.

As he reviewed the musical works of Rodway, Dr. Cambridge assessed that Rodway found her inspiration in nature, the human struggle and Guyanese poetry. He added that Rodway’s compositions connected with

he said.

Dr. Cambridge commended President Granger for his persistent and consistent calls for the national songs to be played in schools, and encouraged in homes and public institutions. However, he made the call for greater preservation of the country’s audio and visual records; for an increase in access to education and training in creative arts for young people; for the participation of Guyana’s broadcasting sector and for an inter-agency approach to addressing these needs.

“What we have in Guyana, at the moment, in my interpretation, is mediocre and it is in no way adequate to prepare the current and next generation for effective participation in the creative industry,” he said.

“Your Excellency, this act today signals another example of the corrective your

administration had started to bring to our Dear Land of Guyana.”

Prior to declaring the Valerie Rodway House open, President Granger had delivered brief remarks on the value of Rodway’s contributions and the importance of the country’s cultural movement.

“Valerie Rodway’s talent is that she moved beyond ethnicity; she moved beyond religion; she moved beyond the prejudices of being urban or rural and she helped us to discover our Guyanese-ness.

When you read what she See page 9

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Let aid in, Venezuelan opposition tells Maduro in street rallies Venezuela’s opposition supporters returned to the streets nationwide today to keep the heat on embattled President Nicolas Maduro and demand he allow humanitarian aid into the country where food and medicine shortages are rife.

The rallies occurred nearly three weeks to the day that opposition leader Juan Guaido invoked a constitutional provision to assume the presidency, arguing that Maduro’s re-election last year was a sham.

Most Western counties including the United States have recognized Guaido as Venezuela’s president, but Maduro retains the backing of Russia and China as well as control of state institutions including the military. The sides are at loggerheads over

the humanitarian aid. The opposition says the U.S.backed aid including food and medicine is needed due to Maduro’s mishandling of the once-buoyant OPEC nation’s economy, and they are working to get it delivered.

Maduro has blocked the aid and denounced it as a U.S.-orchestrated show to overthrow his government.

He has demanded instead that Washington lift economic sanctions. “They have to let the aid in because people are dying from lack of medicine,” said 72-year-old Armida Quintana, who stood on a plastic stool to see above crowds of thousands, many wearing Venezuelan flags as capes.

“Little by little we have convinced everyone that Maduro is an impostor and

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

a tyrant.”

U.S. supplies were among the first delivered to a collection point established in the Colombian border town of Cucuta. “The Ku Klux Klan governing the White House today wants to take possession of Venezuela,” Maduro said in an interview with the BBC. “Venezuela is not a country of famine. In the west, Venezuela’s situation is distorted to justify any sort of intervention.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will discuss Venezuela by phone today.

BORDER PROTEST On Venezuela’s border with Colombia, smaller opposition protests formed. In the town of Urena, across from

Cucuta, several hundred people dressed in white danced in the streets, waving flags and chanting profanities against top government officials.

“We want a prosperous Venezuela, as it was before,” said Mery Marin, a 25-yearold electrician. She said most young people from Urena had emigrated to escape the crisis.

Guaido, who galvanized the opposition after several years of in-fighting, has vowed it will keep protesting to pressure Maduro to step down so new presidential elections can be held. There will be an all-night vigil on Tuesday in a Caracas square to demand that Maduro let aid in.

Maduro’s critics had staged two major rounds of protests, the last in 2017, against what they call his dic-

tatorship, but they subsided in the wake of a government crackdown. The current wave kicked off on Jan. 23, with a massive protest in Caracas during which Guaido was sworn in as president in front of thousands of supporters.

The ruling Socialists, who have been in power for two decades, rallied in Caracas on Tuesday to “demand respect of the fatherland’s sovereignty.” A few thousand people gathered, including many state employees, holding “Defend the Country” banners.

“We are here supporting the revolution. We’re against the invasion the gringos want to launch here,” said Marcos Velasquez, a 32-year-old Food Ministry employee.

Guaido on Monday announced the first delivery of humanitarian aid, including

vitamin and nutritional supplements for children and pregnant women, to a network of health centers. He did not explain how it had gotten into the country.

He said it was a smallscale donation, given that the government has so far blocked deliveries from Cucuta. Guaido has appealed to the military to disobey orders and let aid in, though there were not yet any clear signs of that happening. He has also promised amnesty.

Maduro’s adversaries say he has run roughshod over democratic institutions and ravaged the nation’s economy through nationalizations and a corruption-riddled exchange control system.

Maduro counters that he is victim of an “economic war.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

CARICOM reiterates call for peaceful solution to Venezuela crisis UNITED NATIONS, Feb 12, CMC – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries Monday reiterated the need for a peaceful solution to the ongoing crisis in Venezuela even as they said they continue to follow closely “the unsatisfactory and increasingly volatile situation” in the South American country, reiterating their position of a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of Caracas..

“It is with grave concern that we also follow the highly polarised and polarising circumstances surrounding Venezuela,” Barbados Ambassador to the United Nations, Liz Thompson, said as she addressed a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) In the Trusteeship Council on Tuesday.

Speaking on behalf of the 15-member CARICOM grouping, the Barbados dip-

lomat said the regional countries are also fully aware of “words of bitterness and blame coming from both sides. “The thoughts and sabre rattling by the internal and external contenders in this deteriorating situation.

In all of this we are most concerned for and motivated by the plight of the people of Venezuela, who have been rendered powerless pawns… while others play a form of geo-political chess and brinksmanship,”she told the meeting.

Last week, St. Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris, led a CARICOM delegation to Uruguay for talks aimed at ending the political crisis in the South American country where Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó, backed by the United States and several other western countries, has declared himself the interim leader of Venezuela.

But Russia, China and Cuba

are among countries that are supporting President Nicolas Maduro, who was sworn into office last month for a second consecutive term as head of state. The governments of Mexico and Uruguay had called for the conference with representatives from the main countries and international organisations that hold a neutral position towards Venezuela.

Harris said the Montevideo Mechanism adopted at the conference presents “the only objective mechanism” to address the complex political situation in Venezuela. The Montevideo Mechanism is regarded as the initiative in response to the call by the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, to find a pathway to a peaceful resolution through dialogue and from a position of respect for International Law and Human Rights.

“We urge all parties in-

side and outside of Venezuela in the interest of the wellbeing of the people of that country to give the Montevideo Mechanism the time and space it needs to work.

These United Nations know the painful experience of history both ancient and recent, the high and awful price of military intervention and the scourge of war,” Thompson said, adding that the CARICOM countries do not choose “one side or the other.

“We choose principle, the principle which led to the founding of this United Nations and the inclusion in its charter of Article 24, which calls for member states to refrain from the threat or the use of force. “The principle which birthed Article 21 of the Charter of the Organisation of American States which recognises territorial inviolability. The principles of human rights, international law of the rule of law, the

sanctity of national sovereignty, and the pivotal principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes, the pursuit of peace, of dialogue and compromise to ensure the preservation of the dignity and worth of the human person”.

Thompson told the conference that these principles are at the root of multilateralism. “Indeed they are the very foundation on which this house in which we sit was built. Today we re-affirm our adherence to these principles.

Critical for us too is the maintenance of the Caribbean and its wider region as a zone of peace. “We remain steadfast in our view that economic strangulation and military intervention are not only counter to these principles, but will only exacerbate the already great suffering of the people of Venezuela”.

The Barbadian diplomat said that it is the contention of the Caribbean that ‘there must be a political solution that is crafted and owned by the Venezuelan people themselves and by their leaders.

“We support and call for a pathway to peace, forged not by threats but by dialogue.

Not by escalating the tensions but by cooling them down.

Not by marksmanship but by mediation. Not by the suffocation of sanctions but by the tools of diplomacy”.

She said those who wished for a peaceful solution and the prosperity of Venezuelans must actively encourage dialogue “where both sides seat, both sides talk and both sides listen, so that the common ground on which they can move forward may be found”. Thompson said that it is in pursuit of this broad objective that CARICOM has offered itself to facilitate dialogue among all parties with a view to creating a peaceful resolution to the crisis in the South American country.

“We know too from the lesson of history …that peace and prosperity are indivisible. The people of Venezuela have already suffered enough. They deserve to live in peace. They deserve a future that offers prosperity. We urge all sides, difficult and complex though it may be, to enter into a constructive dialogue and to work together to build the pathway to peace for the Bolivarian republic of Venezuela,” Thompson added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Literacy and education begin at home

IT is easy to understand the rationale of any undertaking of the APNU+AFC administration; all policy initiatives are determined, conceived, and implemented with the ultimate goal of facilitating a better life for all Guyanese.

Government’s emphasis and approach to improved education are easily understandable in that context. President David Granger’s evidence-based approach to education in particular, has been proven internationally and vindicated locally. Guyanese may be reassured that the future of Guyana will be in the hands of educated, informed, competent citizens who are presently being groomed to take the baton of leadership.

Researchers and other experts have concluded that an educated populace is key to development. It is accepted too, that education -- of every kind – begins with literacy, and taking the line of reasoning one step further, experts say that literacy begins in the home.

Literacy is traditionally regarded as the ability to read and write. More recently, particularly as technology advances, the interpretation of the word has widened to mean ‘competence in particular areas;’ people may, for example, say that a person is ‘computer literate.’ Presently, the use of the term has further expanded to include competence in all means of communication including language, numbers, images, and the devices that facilitate such communication.

Literacy is the result of progressive development of a series of skills, including understanding spoken and written words, the ability to grasp nuances and subtext,

perhaps, even the ability to interpret body-language within the context of a particular cultural construct. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proposes that literacy be defined as the “ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute, using printed and written materials associated with varying contexts.”

UNESCO notes that, “Literacy involves a continuum of learning in enabling individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in their community and wider society.” Considering all of the foregoing, it immediately becomes obvious that: (1) Development of any kind is dependent on literacy, and; (2) The foundations of literacy precede a child’s enrolment in school. In other words, literacy (and education) necessarily begins at home.

Since being elected to office, the coalition administration has made impressive strides towards the improvement of the education system. President Granger explained that, “One of the reasons there is so much poverty is because there is so much inequality. Once the child of a rich man and the child of a poor man have the same education, they have the chance to be equal and then they have a better opportunity at employment and making sure that you have a good life.”

The administration has introduced the 5Bs initiative – the distribution or provision of boats, buses, bicycles, breakfast and books to children and schools in hinterland communities. The Guyana Education Sector

Improvement Project (GESIP) continues to deliver positive results; and at least six (6) additional national projects have been launched since David Granger was elected to office. Evidently, government is doing everything possible to ensure that Guyanese children get the best education. However, knowing that education is built on a foundation of literacy, and fostering literacy must begin before a child begins to attend school, it is obvious that parents have a part to play.

Developmental experts agree that reading – an essential literacy skill – should begin as early as possible. According to a study of 1,171 Norwegian children and their parents, children whose parents read to them in early childhood were better prepared to learn to read in school. Also, children whose parents read to them before age two, had double the vocabulary of those whose parents waited until age four to begin reading with them.

The study concluded that young children benefit from listening to adults reading, because listening allowed them to learn linguistic concepts at the age when their brains were most receptive to the acquisition of language. Other experts have explained why this is so.

According to Dr. Reid Lyon, Chief of the Child Development and Behaviour Branch at the National Institutes of Health (USA), reading consists of five skills: phonemic awareness – the ability to identify individual sounds, phonics; the ability to connect written letters with spoken sounds; vocabulary – the knowledge of the meanings of words; comprehension – understanding what is read; and fluency – the

capacity to read accurately and quickly.

Those five abilities must all be acquired by the child in an integrated way, in order for him or her to read properly.

Considering that the learning of almost all subjects begins with the ability to read, what can parents do to increase the chances that their children will acquire not only the ability to read, but a love for reading, and, by extension, learning? Again, the experts are in agreement: parents should begin to vocalise and read to their children from infancy. And, as the child grows, so should the level of interaction between the parent and the child.

Dr. Lyon emphasises that parents must bear in mind that not all children learn at the same rate. Therefore, there is no magic graph that shows what an individual child must know at any particular age. Instead, the psychologist urges that parents constantly interact with their children, and positive results will follow.

The educational development of children is dependent on many variables, just as national progress depends on the skills of future generations. Whether or not that child grows up to be a productive member of society involves even more dynamics, the majority of which no parent can control, or even influence.

However, all things considered, every parent wants their child to be successful, and every patriotic citizen wants Guyana to develop. Since much of that success and development is founded on literacy, parents should do whatever they can to give their child that foundation, as government also does its part.

Finance Ministry raps Guyana Times for false story Dear Editor, THE Ministry of Finance noted with astonishment the article “Large-scale joblessness undermines NIS/tax collection - Finance Secretary,” which appeared in the Sunday Times on February 10, 2019, and in particular this extract: “Three years after the coalition government took office, it has been unable to effectively address the current high rate

and according to the Finance Secretary Michael Joseph, the firing of 7000 sugar workers along with others has put a burden on the National Insurance Scheme.

Speaking at the opening of night of the University of Guyana Turkeyen and Tain talks on Thursday at the Pegasus hotel, Joseph said, “What [sic] has happened since is that this government has fired 7000 sugar workers, many others. Let’s say maybe 20,000 more have lost their jobs. Take of

the 20,000 more have lost their jobs, just take another 8000 who were paying NIS, so those are people who are not contributing to NIS,” he explained.”

Bizarrely, these quotes, though attributed to the finance secretary appear nowhere in his speech nor in the video recording of the event!

We spoke with the Deputy General Manager of Guyana Times, Mrs. Malisa Nokta, who advised us that the quotes

belong to Mr. Jagdeo, but that by some mistake they were attributed to the finance secretary. Further, she said that an apology and retraction will be issued.

While we hope that the apology and retraction will be given the same prominence as the article, Guyana Times has been deathly slow to carry retractions.

Regards Ministry of Finance

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Minister Cummings sets record straight on NA Hospital CEO Dear Editor, IT is with great concern for the professional practice of journalism by a few media outlets in Guyana that I am writing this letter to address very glaring misinformation that was carried in some sections of the press on Friday, February 8, 2019. Some print media houses, along with a few online news outfits and some television newscasts (on the evening of Thursday February 7, 2019), carried stories that suggested that the chief executive officer (CEO) of the New Amsterdam Hospital, Dr. Samantha Kennedy, was relieved of her position.

The headlines were as follows: “New Amsterdam Hospital CEO fired” – Guyana Times; “N/A hospital CEO removed from “temporary” position” – Kaieteur News; “New Amsterdam CEO fired” - https://www.inewsguyana. com/new-amsterdam-hospital-ceo-fired/; “New Amsterdam CEO fired” - https:// newsroom.gy/2019/02/07/ na-hospital-ceo-fired/. On Monday February 11, 2019, Guyana Times carried another story entitled: “NA Hospital CEO remains on job – Minister Cummings intervenes.”

Editor, I would like to categorically state that to the best of my knowledge, the CEO of the New Amsterdam Hospital was never dismissed by the Ministry of Public Health. That all these media outlets can carry a story without ascertaining the veracity of the information they may

have received demonstrates grossly irresponsible journalism that is most dangerous to the well-being of society at large. We are living in an era where fake news is disseminated to deliberately mislead persons through the spread of misinformation. We must resolutely guard against such blatant spread of fake news in our society.

The Guyana Times article I stated earlier published on Monday, February 11, 2019, states: “Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the New Amsterdam Hospital Dr. Samantha Kennedy remains on the job after junior Health Minister Karen Cummings reportedly intervened in the matter.” I would like to categorically state that I have not had any cause to intervene in this matter, as I am not aware that the Ministry of Public Health had dismissed the CEO of the New Amsterdam Hospital.

The article also went on to state the following: “Guyana Times understands that following the embarrassing reports in the media and the RDC announcement that Dr. Kennedy was fired, the junior health minister, who is Dr. Kennedy’s godmother, reportedly sought a less harsh decision.” Again, I will state categorically that I made no such intervention on the matter of the New Amsterdam Hospital CEO, neither am I her Godmother.

Within the same article, it states that: “Dr. Kennedy went to the hospital on November 5 last year and has been the centre of much

MoPI apologises to residents of Blygezight Dear Editor, THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure wishes to respond to an article published in the Stabroek News edition on Friday, February 8, 2019, under the headline, “Road Expansion works causes Blygezight flooding.” The Ministry of Public Infrastructure

would like to thank you for the highlights in your article; however, our consultant along with the contractor and a team from the ministry visited the affected community and also the area highlighted in the article to determine the causes of the flooding in the area.

TURN TO PAGE 8

controversy, as several allegations were levelled against her. The first being that she took six weeks’ leave two days after taking up the appointment.” Dr. Kennedy did not take six weeks leave after being sent to the hospital.

What really transpired was that Dr. Kennedy, along with Dr. Carlos Martin from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), travelled to Israel to read for Post-Graduate Diplomas in Health Systems Management at the Galilee International Management Institute. Dr. Kennedy travelled on Sunday, November 11, 2018 and returned on Friday, November 30, 2018. Dr. Kennedy has not taken any vacation leave for 2018. At no time was Dr.

Kennedy ever on vacation leave, much less six weeks’ vacation leave.

These convoluted ideas that are dreamed up and published by some media houses are ludicrous and puerile. If this is what is being passed for journalism, it is a frightening reality in which we live.

We at the Ministry of Public Health are working tirelessly to offer the best quality health care possible to the people living in Guyana. This quality delivery is being done amidst myriad challenges, even as we shape policies and guide actions to establish a health system that is efficient, effective and responsive.

New Amsterdam Hospital has made great strides within the last three years and will

continue to transition itself into a modern state-of-theart facility geared towards providing the best patient outcomes within Region Six. The health of the Guyanese people is a national priority of this APNU+AFC government. Therefore, we are not desirous of playing politics and using the health of an entire community as a means to a political end. We have a public health mandate to deliver the best quality of healthcare possible and we intend to do so. There is never a good time to play political games in a health care system. Oftentimes the people who use the public health care system have no other alternative. Therefore, it is imperative that we as a

government and as a ministry do not fail them. In this regard, we are constantly reviewing our systems and policies to ensure that we are better able to serve the people of Region Six. Spreading false rumours and trying to create panic in society is very irresponsible. I ask that the purveyors of such misinformation desist from such actions. I also call on the Guyana Press Association to join me in condemning the false reporting that has been done by the media houses identified.

Regards Dr. Karen Cummings Minister within the Ministry of Public Health

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

‘Guyanese Critic’ under fire

Dear Editor

THE Migrant Support Network of Guyana (MSN-GY) notes with concern a live video published on social networking site Facebook on Saturday, February 9, 2019, by social media account holder, ‘Guyanese Critic’, with the title, “DRUNKEN FOREIGNERS ATTACK ‘GUYANESE CRITIC,’ IS THERE A GROWING P R O B L E M I N G U YANA?” MSN laments that both the live video as well as its complementary comment section carries problematic, xenophobic, intolerant language. If someone in their personal capacity does not want to have a cellular phone camera on them, then that person’s wish should be respected.

The first sign of objection to the recording by the person who was being recorded was three minutes and seven seconds into the video that lasted approximately seven minutes. Further objection to the video was expressed at three minutes 50 seconds.

It is unfortunate that instead of respecting the wish of the person objecting to being videotaped, ‘Guyanese

Critic’ questioned, “Whah really wrong with ya bai!

Ya know wheh ya deh?” He continued, “Is whah really wrong with all these people whah talkin’ a whole different language in dis country.

Like everybody going mad in dis country or wah?”

It must be noted that to continue to hold a recording camera in someone’s face, whether national or non-national, despite their protest, is an act of provocation. MSN is also concerned about the questions asked by ‘Guyanese Critic’ as these questions border on xenophobic, intolerant language. It is even more apparent that ‘Guyanese Critic’ was under the impression that he has a right to conduct surveillance on non-nationals based on his status as a national of Guyana.

MSN is further mindful that in any engagement between a national and a non-national, the power dynamic swings in favour of that person who is a national of Guyana, as they are perceived as having more rights within the sovereign space. Being mindful of this, it is our responsibility to ensure that non-nationals are afforded respect and dignity owed to them as

human beings. As such, it is irresponsible for ‘Guyanese Critic’ to provoke another person and subsequently claim to be a victim. MSN calls on all to be respectful to non-nationals, and further ask that we not engage in the very practice that we, as Guyanese, have suffered in some parts of the Caribbean and North America over the years, and which we indeed continue to suffer.

The Government of Guyana has signed on to the Global Compact for Safe, Regular and Orderly Migration, which calls on signatories to work collectively to eliminate all forms of discrimination and intolerance on the grounds of nationality. We, the undersigned, also call on all Guyanese to condemn and counter any expression, act and manifestation of xenophobia and related intolerance which go against International Human Rights Law. Regards Derwayne Wills Vishani Ragobeer Lakhram Bhagirat Lyn Morales Ocrospoma Dreylan Johnson Arlene Andries Veena Ramdat For The Migrant Support Network of Guyana FROM PAGE 7

MoPI apologises to residents...

The contractor, Sinohydro Corporation Ltd, is presently executing preparatory works for the construction of a roundabout at the junction of Railway Embankment and Sheriff Street, which is part of the existing contract for the Sheriff Street/ Mandela Avenue Road Expansion Project. This aspect of the project entails the placing of drainage pipes in the existing canals to allow for effective drainage of the surrounding areas, as the works were being undertaken. The drainage works resulted in water backing up in the drainage system and was compounded by the high rain intensity during the mentioned period.

The ministry has in-

structed the contractor through the consultant, Egis International in association with SRKN’gineering, to ensure that pumps are always placed at strategic locations to aid in draining the area.

This was another immediate action. This operation was put in place and the water within the surrounding areas has receded. The consultant and the ministry’s Environmental and National Task Force Commission team will continue to monitor this situation to ensure that there is no such re-occurrence.

The ministry is taking necessary steps to ensure that all specifications and conditions in the contract are adhered to by the contractor.

The ministry apologises for any inconvenience or discomfort this has caused the residents. We would like to express our thanks to the residents for their support during our site visit and we look forward to your continuous support throughout this project.

We wish to indicate to Stabroek News and any public stakeholder, that for public enquiries or emergencies, please contact our Construction Hotline (6231430) and / or Email: sheriffmandela@gmail.com Regards Krest Cummings Public Relations Officer Ministry of Public Infrastructure

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Valerie Rodway hailed ...

From page 3

wrote and listen to what was played, there’s no trace of prejudice.

This is all about Guyana; all about us,” he said.

President Granger added that Rodway’s work was more than an edifice and

way's family for sharing her with the world and for participating in the important ceremony.

At the event, the booklet, ‘Valerie Muriel Rodway’, written by Dr. Cambridge and published by the Press

that the booklet will be distributed to schools and libraries all across Guyana, so that children and citizens can learn about the life and work of Rodway.

Meanwhile, a commemorative stamp was present-

Pianist Marilyn Dewar presents the original manuscript of ‘O Beautiful Guyana’ written by Valerie Rodway to Ovid Fraser, the sole surviving sibling of Rodway.

(Samuel Maughn photos) serves as education for Guyanese. He encouraged cultural associations to pay special attention to her work.

He also thanked Rod-

Service of the Ministry of the Presidency, was presented to everyone attending the ceremony.

It was also announced

ed by Postmaster General of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC), Karen Brown. It marked the first release in the GPOC’s 2019

GECOM seeks clarity ...

From page 2

been discussing… We still have not dealt with the question of specific options in terms of when elections will be held… on the table right now is the question of claims and objections or house-to-house registration,” said Alexander.

He maintained that he would like the timetable for house-to-house registration to be reviewed, because the original timetable had provided for a shorter house-tohouse period.

According to Alexander, the houseto-house exercise as programmed would have concluded around October.

He believes that there will still be a claims-and-objections period, but they need house-to-house registration to sanitise the list. His belief was supported

by Commissioner Corbin, who said that claims and objections alone are not a sanitisation of the list.

The legislation provides for two procedures to update the list which ends with the claims and objections; and Corbin believes that death has not been captured by a routine submission of the General Register Office (GRO). He signalled the need for the deficiencies to be addressed.

He said house-to-house registration is the only method by which the voters’ list could be cleansed of the dead and migrants.

“The only procedure at the moment that we assure you standing up on solid ground for sanitisation is house-to-house. If there is another procedure, those proposals must come and I would say that once you come up with a procedure that is acceptable, we must have it anchored in legislation,” said Corbin.

PROGRESS For their part, Commissioners Sase Gunraj and Bibi Shadick believe that they have been making progress, but there will still be discussions on the timeline, staffing and so forth. The GECOM secretariat had said it 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.

According to Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, the commission had 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.

commemorative stamp programme. Added to this, and as a surprise to many, local legendary pianist, Marilyn Dewar, presented to the sole surviving sibling of Rodway, Ovid Fraser, the original manuscript, written by hand of ‘O Beautiful Guyana’.

The manuscript was presented to the National Archives and was received by Archivist, Nadia Gamel-Carter, who would, from henceforth, ensure its

safe keeping and preservation at the archives.

Musical renditions of Rodway's compositions were played throughout the ceremony, by the Guyana Police Force Band.

Up next in the roster of activities to mark Rodway’s birth centenary, is a symposium on Valerie Rodway’s music- ‘A National treasure’.

The event will be held today at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus,

in the Education Lecture Theatre from 17:00hrs to 19:00hrs.

Rodway (1919-1970) was born in New Amsterdam, East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six), and is best known for her composition of other national songs including ‘Kanaïma’ and ‘Arise, Guyana’.

She also put to music, the famed Guyanese Independence poem by Martin Carter, ‘Let Freedom Awaken’.

10

PM receives ‘No Smoking signs’

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Monday received a batch of ‘NO SMOKING’ signs which will be mounted at public places.

The signs were presented by Dr William Adu-Krow, PAHO/WHO Guyana Representative, as a contribution towards building awareness against smoking at public places.

Also present were Mrs Karen Roberts from the Non-Communicable Diseases Department of the Ministry of Public Health, and senior officials of the Office of the Prime Minister.

In July 2017, Guyana’s National Assembly approved the Tobacco Control Bill, which paved the way for a commencement

order with effect from December 11, 2017.

One of the signs, to be mounted at Parliament Buildings, reads: “NO SMOKING ALLOWED: We made the Law!”, and the other, for posting at other public places, states: “No Smoking Permitted within five metres of the boundary of these premises”.

Under the law, no person is permitted to smoke in any waiting area or queue in a public place, and at an amusement park, any stadium and outside the boundary of educational and health care facilities.

The law also places a ban on advertising cigarettes, and the promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Dr William Adu-Krow poses with Prime Minister Moses V. Nagamootoo and Mrs Karen Roberts from the Non-Communicable Diseases Department of the Ministry of Public Health

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Sanitise the voters’ list

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

… PSC chairman tells Carter Centre reps, civil society … calls on citizens to act maturely, discourage unlawful behaviour

Carter Center representatives Associate Director Ms. Brett Lacy and Legal and Electoral Advisor, Ms. Anne Marlborough (centre), meet with members of the Civil Society Forum on Tuesday at the Private Sector Commission (PSC) (Adrian Narine photo)

By Lisa Hamilton CHAIRMAN of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Desmond Sears, during a meeting between the Carter Center and the Civil Society Forum, called for the sanitisation of the current voters’ list to remove the names of deceased persons and include all those who are eligible to vote.

On Tuesday, representatives of the Carter Center met with the forum at the PSC’s head office to continue their fact-finding mission in light of the recent election-related controversy in Guyana.

Members of the Forum include The Anglican Church of Guyana ; t h e G u y a n a Human Rights Association ; the Movement Against Parking Meters; the Inter-Religious Organisation; the Guyana Presbyterian Church; the Roman Catholic Church; the Transparency Institute of Guyana Incorporated; the Guyana Rastafarian Community; the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union; the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC);Red Thread; RISE Guyana and the PSC. ofer in favor of no-confidence motion. llowing smond Sears, during a meeting between the Carter Centr adn Providing a recap of his remarks during the closed-door meeting, the PSC chairman said: “My call to both the government and the opposition is to act maturely and to put Guyana first in finding a solution to this pending impasse. On GECOM: to find a solution to ensure that there’s a sanitised list which allows for all citizens attaining the relevant age to vote.”

This has been the call of many citizens and some politicians as concerns are that many youths who now meet the age requirement to vote would be robbed of the opportunity, should elections be held with the current voters’ list. The list expires on April 30, 2019 and, with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) yet to project a specific date for the holding of new elections, the option remains for fresh house-to-house registration

or a claims-and-objections period.

Meanwhile, other groups and individuals of the Civil Society Forum such as representatives from RISE Guyana, have expressed their concern for the holding of elections within the 90-day timeframe. “RISE was particularly concerned with the conduct of GECOM; the fact that the successful passing of the no-confidence motion triggers an election within 90-days should instruct GECOM that at any given time they should be ready to have an election within 90 days, so the lack of readiness is of particular concern to us,” the representative said.

GOV’T CONTINUES TO FUNCTION Meanwhile, in a presentation to the Carter Center, General-Secretary of the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) Lincoln Lewis called for the government and opposition to continue working towards a solution.

He noted Article 106 (7) of the constitution which stipulates that the government should continue to “function” until an election is held and new leaders are elected. Lewis also reminded the gathering that at the most recent press conference of the GECOM secretariat, it stated that it requires at least 148 days to prepare for an election.

“GTUC maintains its concern on Rights and the Rule of Law, and the application of justice for all. The election issue before us today is not about the President or leader of the opposition. It is not about the respective political party’s interest. It is about we the people, the working-class people, who deserve justice in every aspect of Guyana’s governance, for this in effect impacts on our collective well-being and our way forward as a united and productive nation,” Lewis stated.

The GTUC’s view is that the government and opposition should not return to the National Assembly merely to address the issue of elections and government’s See page 12

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Sanitise the voters’...

From page 11

“function,” but to put in place structures to include political and non-political stakeholders.

PSC executive member Captain Gerald Gouveia told this newspaper that altogether, the meeting accomplished what was intended. “It was a very productive meeting.

They’ve been able to get a perspective from a wide

cross-section of society on where we are and we are also pleased with the conversation,” Gouveia said.

This sentiment was shared by fellow executive Kit Nascimento, who stated: “It’s a very good thing indeed. The Carter Center is here, they are taking an interest in the country at a time when we are possibly on the verge of a very serious constitutional crisis.

The Carter Center has played, over the years, an enormously important part in helping us to understand and progress our democracy.”

He added that it was good that they are talking to the government, opposition, the private sector and civil society to get a full report of the concerns at hand.

Speaking with this

newspaper, the Carter Center’s Associate Director Brett Lacy explained further the intention of the interactive meetings. “Unfortunately, we’re not in a position to make any comment about our work here.

We’re a small exploratory team that is really collecting; we’re a fact-finding team; we’re meeting with different stakeholders to hear from them their per-

spective about the current environment here in Guyana,” she said.

Meanwhile, as the situation unfolds, Sears called for citizens to act maturely and to discourage all unlawful behaviour.

He stated: “Guyana is on the brink of sustained prosperity and interruption of this process will not bode well for the future.”

Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Desmond Sears (Adrian Narine photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

13

Guyana participates in HFLD conference …to capitalise on climate, forest financing opportunities

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, with responsibility for the Department of Environment and the Office of Climate Change is currently in Paramaribo, Suriname to attend the High Forest Cover, Low Deforestation (HFLD) Conference on Climate Finance Mobilisation, which opened on Tuesday.

Minister Harmon will address the conference on Thursday.

In an invited comment, the Minister said Guyana’s participation at the conference is important given the climate financing opportunities and ways in which the country can benefit from international funding for its pristine high forest cover.

“Guyana is one of the countries with the lowest levels of deforestation and therefore, high forest coverage. In the last year or so, we have had one of the lowest levels of deforestation in the world and that is something that we are very proud of. It is important for countries that have this particular feature that there is some way of compensating them for the manner in which they allow the world to breathe. We are the lungs of the earth and the problem that countries like ours face is that access to financing for projects in this sector has become a problem.

So this Conference is meant to look at ways in which we can access funds; there are recommendations that have been made by experts and we will discuss these at length,” he said.

Additionally, Minister Harmon said it is his desire to engage some participating countries in bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Conference to determine how best partnerships or opportunities in this area can be formalised. “We believe that some of the financing that are available now, for example, under REDD+ [Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation], that we can look at more creative ways of expanding that. What you will find is that the available sources of funding for forest coverage work is shrinking and therefore, we have to be more creative in [looking] at that and so this is one benefit I expect. Another benefit to be had is the experi-

ence that we will share with countries. We have presentations from the Global Environment Fund, United Nations, Norway, among others. We will also seek bilateral conversations with these countries and agencies to see how best we can leverage opportunities that exist,” the Minister of State said.

Meanwhile, Head of the Office of Climate Change (OCC), Ms. Janelle Christian, also in an invited comment, said this Conference brings into focus, the important role that forests play for climate change mitigation and adaptation and the ecosystem services which they provide in general. “It is about the balance that must be struck to ensure that such services and the many livelihood opportunities are sustained. This is in-line with the tenets of Guyana’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) and more importantly, it is the gathering of countries of similar forest profile (High Forest Low Deforestation, not just forested) and global benefits they provide as stewards of such important ecosystems. As underscored at the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015, forests and trees play a crucial role in determining the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Acting as carbon sinks, they absorb the equivalent of roughly 2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. However, deforestation is the second-leading cause of climate change after [the] burning [of] fossil fuels, and accounts for nearly 20 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions — more than the world’s entire transport sector according to the Global Report on State of the World’s Forest,” she posited.

Ms. Christian noted that Guyana has included in its Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement, Sustainable Forest Management among its mitigation commitment and the GSDS sustainable utilisation of its natural resources which includes forests. She also noted that the Conference provides the ideal platform for knowledge exchange among state and non-state actors on the challenges, opportunities and threats

faced by HFLDs in pursuit of their national development which may involve exploitation of the resource and the expectation to provide a global environment benefit; sharing of country specific experiences; lessons learned and best practices as it relates to policies, strategies, plans; legal and institutional framework, capacity building and technology transfer required for continued sustainable management, and most importantly, an enabling environment required to benefit from existing and emerging global financial mechanisms for forests services.

“There is also the opportunity for international cooperation for greater impact and influence, a stronger, collective voice through multilateral cooperation for advocacy and negotiations at the international level and for mobilisation of support for HFLD countries, especially in areas of finance, technology transfer and capacity building and human capacity development among others,” she said.

According to its website, “The HFLD Conference on Climate Finance Mobilization will bring together leaders of the high-forest/low-deforestation nations (HFLD nations). Their objectives are to: strengthen cooperation, collaboration and exchange of knowledge and experience among the HFLD countries; develop joint strategies and positions to help maintain their intact forests and preserve forest cover; make international communities more aware of the significant global importance of HFLD countries and their productive landscapes in combating climate change; share knowledge about technical and financial mechanisms available or in development with regard to climate finance for the HFLD nations and strengthen the payment structure for ecosystem services that will be used to advance sustainable development whilst mitigating the risk of forest destruction and biodiversity loss.” (Ministry of the Presidency)

Parties in confidence-motion appeal for meeting with chancellor ACTING Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards is scheduled to meet Attorney General (AG) Basil Williams and Attorneys-at-Law representing the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo on Friday, ahead of hearing the appeal on the High Court’s decision on the December 21 vote of no-confidence.

The Speaker is being represented by Senior Counsel Rafiq Khan, and the opposition leader by Anil Nandlall – a former attorney general under the People’s Progressive/ Civic (PPP/C) administration.

Williams, in a brief interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday, confirmed that the parties in the matter have been invited to a meeting at the Court of Appeal on Friday at 09:15hrs. The attorney general has filed a total of four applications at the Court of Appeal, appealing the decision of Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire.

The judge, at the level of the High Court, upheld the ruling by the Speaker of the National Assembly that the no-confidence motion was validly passed following the acquisition of a one-seat majority vote by the opposition. The opposition had garnered the support of Charrandass Persaud, a government Member of Parliament who crossed the floor and had voted in favour of the motion to topple his own government. It is unclear whether the chancellor will do case management during the meeting on Friday.

On Monday, the AG applied to the Appellate Court for an interim stay to halt the decision of the High Court, and to preserve the status quo of the Cabinet. Chief Justice George-Wiltshire on

January 31, 2019, had ruled that the no-confidence motion was validly passed with the opposition securing a majority (33) over the government (32). She had also ruled that Cabinet, including the President, ought to have resigned with immediate effect following the the government’s defeat. She handed down the judgements in the cases– The Attorney General v The Speaker and Leader of the Opposition, and Christopher Ram v The Attorney General and the Opposition Leader.

The AG has filed appeals in both cases, however; in the interim, he is asking the Appellate Court to issue an order for an interim stay of the effect of the judgements and orders of the chief justice, and a conservatory order preserving the status quo ante of the Cabinet. He wants the President, Cabinet and all ministers of the government to remain in office until the hearing and determination of the appeal in the matter.

In the Affidavit in support of the summons in the case of the Attorney General v The Speaker and Leader of the Opposition, State Counsel Raeanna Clarke swore to the affidavit.

Clarke said based on the advice of her lawyers, she believes that the chief justice erred and misdirected herself in law when she ruled that the motion of no-confidence upon a division vote of 33:32 Members of the National Assembly was validly passed as the requisite majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly, pursuant to Article 106 (6) of the constitution.

The state counsel told the court that the chief justice miscalculated the majority of all elected members of the National Assembly as required under Article 106(6) of the constitution for the

government to be defeated on a vote of no-confidence. “In order for the government to be defeated on a vote of noconfidence, 34 or more votes of all the elected members in favour of the motion was required, instead of 33,” she contended. According to her, an absolute majority is calculated as half plus one and where, mathematically, half of all the elected members of the Parliament would result in a fraction, the method of calculation of the absolute majority is that the fraction is rounded to the next whole number and one is added to result in a number greater than half.

Clarke put forward similar arguments in her affidavit in the case of Christopher Ram v the Attorney General and Opposition Leader.

“It is contended that the effect of the ruling of the chief justice that Cabinet ceased with immediate effect on the night of the no-confidence motion on 21st December, 2018, will mean that the government will be unable to introduce any financial bills for passage. This is because, in accordance with Article 171 of the constitution, these bills require the recommendation and/or consent of the Cabinet signified by a minister. In these circumstances, the government will be unable to fund the preparation and holding of elections by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), if the effect of the ruling of the chief justice is not stayed as prayed for herein,” Clarke told the court.

She said it is contended that the status quo ante is that the President, Cabinet and government will continue in their roles and functions until the hearing and determination of the appeal herein. State Counsel said she believes that

the conservatory order is necessary to preserve the status quo ante, as the period for the hearing and

determination of the matter may expire before that time prescribed in Article 106 (7) of the constitution, which

requires that the President and government remain in office and hold elections within three (3) months.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

China peacekeeping exhibition launched at UN headquarters UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition on China’s peacekeeping input was launched Monday evening at the UN headquarters.

With the theme “CPLA (Chinese People’s Liberation Army): A Force for World Peace,” the exhibition displays four sections of pictures, featuring Chinese military’s participation in UN peacekeeping missions, securing maritime passages, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, as well as exchanges and cooperation.

At the ceremony to launch the show, Ma Zhaoxu, China’s permanent representative to the UN, said that China has become the largest contributor of peacekeepers among the five permanent members of the Security Council. China first sent peacekeepers to carry out UN operations in 1990, said Ma, adding that over the past three decades, China has sent over 39,000 peacekeepers to UN missions around the world.

Under-Secretary-General for Field Support Atul Khare hailed China’s role in UN peacekeeping, saying that China is the 10th largest contributor

of uniformed personnel and the second largest financial contributor to peacekeeping budget. Last December, China’s share of the UN peacekeeping budget was raised from 10.24 percent to 15.22 percent, making it the second largest contributor only after the United States.

“China continues to be recognized as an essential partner across the spectrum of UN peacekeeping,” Khare said,

adding that the nation “currently deploys a total of 2,508 uniformed personnel, including 70 women, to eight of the UN’s current peacekeeping missions.”

UN Military Adviser for Peacekeeping Operations Carlos Humberto Loitey told Xinhua that China’s contribution to the UN peacekeeping is worth “highlighting,” with “good quality” of peacekeepers and “outstanding

support in terms of training.” Mao Naiguo, head of the Chinese PLA delegation for international communication, said “China firmly upholds the purposes and principles of the UN charter and its central role in the international affairs.”

On safeguarding maritime passages, data from the exhibition showed since December 2008, the Chinese Navy has regularly deployed 3 to 4 vessels in the Gulf of Aden to carry out escort missions. “As of December 2018, 31 batches of 100 vessels were dispatched to provide safety protection for more than 6600 Chinese and foreign vessels, rescuing, escorting and salvaging more than 70 ships in distress,” according to the exhibition.

In addition, in recent years, the Chinese military has helped in various international disasters such as Haiti earthquake in 2010, Philippine typhoon Haiyan in 2013, and Ebola epidemic in West Africa.

The 12-day exhibition is co-hosted by the Political Work Department of China’s Central Military Commission and Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

China to lift another ten million people out of poverty in 2019 BEIJING, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- China will continue to work vigorously to reduce poverty and lift no less than ten million people out of poverty in 2019, to lay a solid foundation for winning the battle against poverty, the State Council’s executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided on Monday.

The year 2018 saw China launch its three-year actions in fighting the battle against poverty. Premier Li Keqiang vowed to reduce the poor population by ten million each year in all his government work reports over the past five years. He gave specific instructions on ways to push forward this work and to better manage the poverty alleviation funds.

According to the progress update at the Monday meeting, 13.86 million people were lifted out of poverty in 2018, thanks to the dedicated efforts by local authorities and competent departments in implementing the decisions made by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.

Figures from the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development

show that the new approach of poverty relief by developing emerging industries in poor areas such as e-commerce, photovoltaics and country tourism has paid off. Infrastructure development in poor areas

Making poverty history by 2020 is the solemn commitment our Party and government have made to the people. We must fulfill this commitment by ensuring full delivery of all related policies and consolidating the

has been accelerated. Some 208,000 kilometers of rural roads were built or renovated in 2018. New progress was made in upgrading the power grid in poor areas. And 94 percent of the poor villages are now covered by broadband internet services.

“We must strive to meet the poverty alleviation target for this year.

progress we have made,” Li said.

It was decided at the meeting that efforts will be intensified this year to help the deeply poor areas. Increase in the poverty alleviation fund under the central government budget will be mainly channeled to these areas.

Projects under the 13th Five-Year Plan that help enhance the weak links

of poor areas will be prioritized.

The meeting urged to stick to current standard, and the cross-regional pairing arrangements for poverty alleviation will be enhanced. The difficulties poor people face in meeting the five essential needs of food, clothing, compulsory education, basic healthcare and a place to live will be tackled down to every household.

Counties that have emerged from poverty and their populations shall remain eligible for related policy incentives by 2020, the final-stage year in fighting poverty.

Records of those who fall back into poverty and the newly discovered poor will be promptly established to provide them support. The meeting urged to cut the poor population by another ten million this year to lay a solid foundation for winning the final battle against poverty.

“We must strictly enforce the poverty criteria involving the five essential needs of food, clothing, compulsory education, basic healthcare and a place to live,” Li said, “Every penny of the poverty alleviation funds must be used effectively and transparently.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Fire temporarily disrupts GRA operations

THERE was some degree of chaos as the staff of the Camp Street head office of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) were, yesterday (Tuesday 12, 2019) evacuated after a small fire ‘broke out’ on the third floor of the building.

According to the staff, they were carrying out their daily duties when they noticed smoke. There was also the smell of what was described as burning wires.

As such, an alarm was raised and persons

quickly took to the streets. They were initially told that it was a bomb threat, but were later notified that it wasn’t such.

The Guyana Fire Service arrived within minutes and was able to contain the fire. According to reports, there was minimal damage to the building and minor losses. Staffers were also allowed to resume duty.

The Guyana Fire Service is conducting an investigation to determine the origin of the fire.

Staffers outside of GRA following fire outbreak

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Energy Dep't to hire more advisers

By Svetlana Marshall

MORE than six advisers will be contracted by the Department of Energy as it sets the foundation for Guyana’s budding oil and gas sector.

The country is expected to begin oil production in 2020, and the Energy Department is positioning itself to ensure efficient, effective and transparent management of the industry.

At a news conference on Monday, Director of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe said his department will continue to build its human resource capacity through the recruitment of experts in the field.

At the end of the first quarter of 2019, it is expected that the Energy Department will enlist the services of a Development Adviser, a Crude Marketing Adviser, a Gas Adviser, a Commercial Adviser and Legal Advisers.

A number of persons would be hired to act as “shadow” to the advisers.

Additionally, the Energy Department will be recruiting economists, econometricians, and Local Content staff. Currently, the Energy Department has a single adviser in Matthew Wilks, who is the Oil and Gas Adviser.

Zooming in on Associated Gas and Crude Marketing, Dr. Bynoe disclosed that the department is in the process of developing its Crude Marketing Plan, which will include a Terms of Reference (ToR) for the marketing of Guyana’s crude. “Transparent tendering to market Guyana’s crude base on a fee or barrel structure is likely to be applied. This will allow transparency on all cost related to crude sales,” he told reporters.

He noted that the Energy Department has been moving to put in place procedures and processes to manage the oversight of the Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) and the Oil and Gas Contracts.

Overall, the energy director said that his department is building its regulatory capacity. It is the intention of the Energy Department to conduct reviews of a number of field development plans, inclusive of Liza 2.

“The review of the application for Liza 2 Consultancy was carried out using the World Bank, and the National Procurement Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) processes. For the expression of interest,

17 firms applied, four were shortlisted and one was chosen, that is Bayphase,” Dr. Bynoe detailed.

Bayphase, a UK based Oil and Gas Consultancy firm, will assist in the review and approval, with knowledge of the Liza Phase Two field development plan.

Dr. Bynoe noted that the evaluation was conducted by both the Department of Energy and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

“This allowed for the most efficient and effective way of conducting this particular evaluation,” the energy director said, while noting that because the review is being financed by a World Bank loan, no objection had to be sought by the department in every step of the way.

The Liza field, located in the Stabroek Block, is estimated to contain some three billion barrels of oil.

Currently, ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Nexen, are developing Phase 1 for oil production in 2020.

Cost Recovery Audit was among other areas deliberated upon by the energy director. He noted that a joint institution evaluation was conducted by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Audit Office of Guyana.

“Once again it was carried out applying the World Bank and NPTAB tendering processes. For this review, 13 firms had submitted expressions of interest, five firms have been shortlisted, and we are currently awaiting the technical and financial proposals for evaluation, with a possible award of contract expected by the ending of March 2019,” he told reporters.

Last year, the Government had come under crit-

Clarification THE Guyana Chronicle reminds the public that all individuals seeking to be recipients of scholarships offered by the Ministry of the Presidency must be qualified

for such and must submit the required information.

The Ministry has recently committed to providing scholarships to qualified youths in

icism over its perceived failure to do the necessary verification of the pre-contract and development costs for the exploration of the Stabroek Block, and the ongoing development of the Liza Phase 1 project.

“The increase in pre-contract costs, beginning with US$100,000 in 1999, to a cumulative total of US $460 million in 2015, is indicative of the general cost of offshore exploration activity. Though it is a large figure, the US $460 million is not surprising, given that the significant deep-water, oil-exploration efforts such as those that occurred in the late 2000s and mid 2010s are costly. For example, just the drilling of Brazil’s deep-water discovery Tupi well in 2007 is said to have been US $270 million, and the costs leading up to the drilling would be much higher,” an expert had reasoned.

Exxon’s subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited said they spent approximately $140 million for seismic surveys on 20,000 km of ocean floor and more than $65 million to pay geologists, geo-scientists and engineers to identify promising oil formations.

It also cost $230 million just to drill the first exploratory well at the Liza site. Cost recovery allows companies to recoup all of the costs, without profit or mark-up, for exploration and development — mostly in the first few years of production – from the initial oil produced, and before profit oil is shared between the government and the consortium.

That aside, the Energy Department is currently discussing the development of a depletion policy, as the government seeks to ensure that the country optimises extraction of the petroleum resource.

and around the area of Karasabai in Region 8 (Potaro-Siparuni) and looks forward to keeping its commitment to those meeting the criteria. An article in our newspaper on Tuesday might not have been clear as it relates to this subject.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

17

$14M spent on upgrading medical facilities in Region 6

Director of Regional Health Services of Region 6, Jevaughn Andrew Stephen handing over the treadmill to a doctor attached to the physiotherapy department.

Looking on are Regional Executive Officer, Kim Williams-Stephen; Focal Point Coordinator and Adviser to the Minister of Public Health, Alex Foster, and Matron of the New Amsterdam Hospital.

A section of the gathering at the presentation ceremony

SOME $14M in furnishing and equipment were recently distributed to 52 health centres, three regional hospitals and doctors and nurses’ quarters in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The supplies include complete bed sets, couches, sofa sets, refrigerators, washing machines, gas stoves, fans, computers, office desks, a treadmill, irons, trash cans, umbrellas, boots, raincoats and wheelchairs.

During the presentation ceremony at the Regional Health Services compound, Regional Executive Officer (REO), Kim Williams-Stephen, noted that it is the responsibility of the regional administration to provide essential equipment to the health sector of Berbice so that it can better serve the county’s residents.

According to the REO, a total of $35M was allocated to the health sector in Region Six for the purchase of furniture and equipment,

Region 10 chairman concerned about ‘arbitrary’ removal of key Wismar Hospital staff JUST when things started to look up at the Wismar Hospital, something had to happen to throw whatever gains they’ve made out of kilter.

At issue is the arbitrary removal of key staff, the latest being the institution’s only X-ray technician. The matter was only recently brought to light by Chairman of the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Regional Democratic Council (RDC),Renis Morian.

“The challenge that we have is the same as we did when we had Mr Gordon Gumbs as the CEO of the hospital. Every time we put and improve things at the hospital, they move it and carry it somewhere else, he said, adding: “Now we have a matter that we have to bring to the minister, but I bring it to the council, so that the council can voice their disapproval. Now, I think we have three doctors working there.

And now, somebody from Georgetown wants to move the [person] from here and take them to Georgetown.

We are now bringing our services up to par; it hasn’t yet met the par that it was be-

fore, but we are now trying. I will get on to the Minister of Health today, because this is bad for us.

“Every time we put things in place, somebody moves it and carry it somewhere else. That is the lone X-ray technician! What is really happening to us! But we [are] objecting to it; we will object to it!” Morian declared, adding that a letter has already been sent informing the relevant authorities about what is taking place at the hospital.

But what is even more galling, Morian said, is that all they knew about the planned relocation of the doctor, at reference, to Lethem, was when they received a letter from the Regional Health Services Director, Dr. Kay Shako, saying so, a development that does not sit well with either he or Regional Executive Officer (REO), Orrin Gordon. Moving the doctor is not the professional thing to do, since he is being paid by Region 10 and not the Ministry of Public Health, and therefore cannot be moved around just like that.

But according to Morian, all is not yet lost, as the

region has no intention of taking things sitting down.

“We at the Regional Democratic Council of Region 10,” he said, “are against the Ministry of Public Health, through the office of Dr Shako, removing our doctors from the Wismar Hospital. The Regional Democratic Council of Region 10 is working very hard to bring it back to where it was before; and every time we say that we [are] coming to par, somebody pulling our people away. On behalf of the residents of Upper Demerara-Berbice primarily, I want to be quoted as saying that Dr Shako can take doctors from elsewhere to send wherever she wants; we are fed up with this thing occurring over and over.”

Speaking specifically to some of the gains that would have been made at the hospital, Morian said that not only are the maternity and children wards up and running, but significant improvement is being done presently on the male ward, and that the council is particularly proud that there is now a mini dispensary which comes in pretty handy on weekends.

and to be spent on capital expenditure.

Also addressing invitees at the presentation ceremony was Director of the Region Six Regional Health Services, Jevaughn Andrew Stephen, who said that a

similar distribution exercise will be carried out in the region in another few months.

He noted that with the doctors and nurses working in a conducive environment, they will be able to deliver a more

effective service to patients. Having said that, he pledged to continue working to further develop the region’s health sector by purchasing advanced medical equipment for instance. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

CCAC rules against shipping body in price-fixing complaint

THE Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) has ruled against the Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG) in a price-fixing case following a complaint filed against the body by businessman Mahindranauth Jaikarran owner of JD Transport Services.

The complainant provides haulage service for containers from terminals operated by the members of the SAG. Jaikarran, in his 2017 complaint to the CCAC, had

accused the SAG of engaging in anti-competitive behaviour by agreeing to fix rates for the haulage of containers from terminals operated by its membership, with the intention of disrupting the natural market flow to the advantage of the SAG. According to a release by the CCAC, the SAG members who were involved in the issue include: Muneshwers Ltd, Demerara Shipping Ltd, John Fernandes Ltd, Guyana National Industrial Company Inc. and the

Guyana National Shipping Corporation. The matter was heard by the commission, chaired by Mr. Ronald Burch-Smith, Commissioners Ms. Rosalie Roberston, S.C. and Ms. Pradeepa Bholanath.

Evidence was provided by both the SAG and Mr. Jaikarran. Evidence presented showed that the terminal operators imposed handling fees for the private haulers which is not charged by the SAG members, which give them “a price advantage visa-vis the private hauler, to the

extent of the handling fees.”

The commission in its findings stated that, “We are satisfied that the 15th July decision of the Shipping Association and adopted by the five terminal operators was an agreement within the meaning of Section 20 of the Consumer Affairs Act. It distorted a competitive environment among terminals for services provided by them to consumers generally, that is to the shipping lines and agents, importers of goods and any person or entity which had

the option to exercise choice or influence where their goods were shipped. The private haulers had little choice in this matter, but by imposing the agreed rate on private haulers in a concerted manner, distorted competition and gave themselves an unfair and unlawfully implemented advantage.”

The commission also ruled that SAG members with immediate effect terminate the price-fixing agreement which is reflected in the SAG’s memorandum of 15

July, 2017. Each of the five terminal operators has been ordered to pay the sum of $3,843,000 within six weeks of the date of the order. The CCAC said price-fixing is a conspiracy between business competitors to set their prices to buy or sell goods or services at a certain price point.

This benefits all businesses or individuals that are on the same side of the market involved in the conspiracy, as the prices are either set high, stabilised, discounted or fixed.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

ITEC has significantly aided Guyana’s skills development

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-- NDMA general manager

By Vishani Ragobeer MORE than 530 Guyanese have been trained in various fields as the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme continues to offer critical skills to Guyanese, National Data Management Authority (NDMA) General Manager Francis Simmons has said.

project and the general manager underscored that the skills obtained can be used

by Guyanese to enable the nexus between the business and technological realms.

“It is here that participants who have benefitted will come in by bringing their knowledge to bear in an effort to articulate those business processes conducted by government in a way that can

employees trained under the ITEC programme in various disciplines,” Sharma related.

He also shared that over the last two years, nine staff members from the audit office had benefitted from various levels of training in auditing. One of the workers, Rushell Fowler, has even done work dealing with preparedness for oil- spill response, according to Sharma.

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Venkatachalam Mahalingam (left); General Manager of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), Francis Simmons (second left); Auditor General, Deodat Sharma (second right) and Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan [Adrian Narine photos]

Through the ITEC programme, Guyanese have been trained in areas including hydrology, engineering, cyber technology, management, education, agriculture, horticulture, banking and financial services, auditing and environmental protection.

At a luncheon held at the Marriott Hotel on Tuesday by the Indian High Commission to commemorate the programme’s 55th anniversary, Simmons acknowledged that the skills garnered by Guyanese through this programme are necessary to advance Guyana’s technological development.

“I believe it is an important programme, because it enables past participants to network, stay in touch and hopefully collaborate across the various government organisations towards the actualisation of their various goals,” he said.

The NDMA has oversight for the national broadband

be interpreted and consumed

by Information Technology (IT) professionals, who can then develop and identify the necessary software to carry out the various processes online,” Simmons said.

He added: “As a matter of fact, these critical skills are in short supply and will be one of the main challenges that we as a government will encounter on our road to electronic governance.”

He took the opportunity to also request that ITEC add a course in system analysts to the myriad of courses Guyanese are offered. This would augment efforts geared towards strengthening the local technological sector, Simmons said.

Auditor General Deodat Sharma affirmed that the ITEC augments the local skills sector.

“This programme has not only benefitted our country, but has benefited the audit office… We have had 71

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Venkatachalam Mahalingam, said the ITEC programme is just one of the many collaborative initiatives his country has with Guyana.

According to him, the programme is offered in many countries, but it is usually difficult choosing candidates for the programme because proficiency in the English language is a requirement.

In Guyana; however, this problem does not exist and there is greater leeway for more persons to benefit; and many of the local ITEC alumni have rose to prominent positions in Guyanese society, according to Mahalingam.

One of the beneficiaries, Sherry Kissoon, said with technology rapidly developing, IT audits have become increasingly important. The training has been instrumental in her

work at the CARICOM Secretariat.

National Data Management Authority (NDMA) General Manager Francis Simmons

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Lawrence flays RDCs over failure to prioritise healthcare in regions

PUBLIC Health Minister Volda Lawrence did not mince words when she called out the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), over their handling of the health sector in the 10 Administrative Regions.

On Monday, the Public Health Minister expressed disappointment that the Ministry of Communities was not represented at the Maternal and Child Health, Expanded Programme on Immunisation (MCH-EPI) Quarterly Review Meeting at the Pegasus Hotel.

“I am very disappointed, very disappointed that the Ministry of Communities, which has the budget for

Public Health in the regions, is not here today,” Minister Lawrence told regional health officials present. She told the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) officers, that she is aware of the many challenges they face in acquiring the necessary resources to execute their duties.

“I know over the days, you are going to speak of all the hindrances, personal hindrances, people fighting over boat, people fighting over engine. I am so tired of it,” she said.

Minister Lawrence said that all stakeholders must come to the realisation that health is critical to the development and sustainability of

At the head table, from left, PAHO-WHO Country Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow; Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence and CMO Dr. Shamdeo Persaud any society. “You can build all the roads, and you can build all the schools, but if you don’t have a healthy population who is going to use it,” she reasoned.

According to the public health minister, in many instances the Ministry of Communities’ officials operating out of the RDCs, hinder the health workers from going to the far reaches of the country.

“They (Ministry of Communities) should have been here to hear from our workers, that they are not being reimbursed as they ought to be reimbursed when they go into the fields, and they cannot go into the fields if they don’t have transportation,” Minister Lawrence said, as she expressed her frustration.

“Some of them (villages) are not accessible by ATVs, so we are calling on the Ministry of Communities to do more in terms of providing the transportation to take us out to those communities, so we can reach those women,” Minister Lawrence said.

According to her, the Ministry of Communities needs to determine whether it will address the issues affecting the delivery of health services in the regions or, hand over the financial resources to the Public Health Ministry.

“It is either they do what they are supposed to do or, give us our monies and let us spend it so we can get on with our work,” she posited.

That aside, she said that the Health Ministry is working with the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry to promote healthy lifestyles, among indigenous populations. Emphasis, she said, is focused on Maternal and Child Health.

“Our issue basically has to do with geography, has to do with culture because if you notice most of our deaths are coming from the regions where our indigenous populations are very high, and so we are seeking to work with the Ministry of Indigenous

Peoples’ Affairs to see how we could collaborate,” Minister Lawrence explained.

She noted that an initial meeting with Vice President Sydney Allicock has been held. The Public Health Ministry is hoping to utilise the services and skills of some of the officers from the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs to work within the health centres, particularly those that can speak the dialect. Such a system, she said, would allow for better communication between the doctors and patients in those indigenous communities.

Minister Lawrence said too that there are social determinants of health that pose a number of challenges. “Some women don’t want to come out to the clinics, so we want to take the clinic to them,” she noted, while underscoring the importance of having community leaders like the toshaos to work with pregnant women, to ensure that they are able to access health services in a timely manner. It was noted that some pregnant mothers visit the clinic during the early stages of their pregnancy and then return until they are ready to deliver. This trend, Minister Lawrence said, is unacceptable.

Notwithstanding the challenges, Minister Lawrence used the platform to congratulate the “hard working” team from Maternal and Child Health (MCH) department.

The Public Health Minister also lauded the efforts of the international partners such as, the Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) for offering the much-needed support to the Public Health Ministry.

Among the officials present at the meeting were PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr. Williams Adu-Krow; Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shamdeo Persaud and MCH Officer (ag) Dr. Oneka Scott.

Thousands of teenage boys to receive HPV vaccines GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

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… as Public Health Ministry rolls out 34-day campaign

THOUSANDS of boys, ages 9-16, over the next 30 days will be administered the HPV vaccine to help ward off the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

This is the first time the Public Health Ministry is administering the vaccine to boys in Guyana through a nationwide programme. Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence made the announcement on Monday during a health forum at the Pegasus Hotel. In a public notice in the local newspapers on Tuesday, the Public Health Ministry said it was pleased to collaborate with the Education Ministry to administer the vaccine for HPV to both boys and girls in schools.

Originally, the ministry’s programme targeted girls nine-13; however, the age group was expanded to girls 9-14, and then 9-16 with the focus on girls.

It was noted that the 34-day nationwide campaign will be from the 11th February, 2019 to 13th March, 2019.

“This vaccine can be obtained at the schools from the health care worker, health centres, private hospitals and the Vaccination Centre of the Ministry of Public Health, Brickdam,” a section of the notice read.

The HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states, explaining that the virus has the potential to develop genital warts and cancer, in particular cervical cancer, among women.

In 71 countries across the world, health authorities are fighting back, utilising one of the most effective ways, that is, through the immunisation of young girls and boys with the

Guyana Chronicle that

see page 22

MCH Officer (ag) Oneka Scott (Photo by Samuel Maughn) HPV vaccine.

On the sideline of the opening ceremony for the Maternal and Child Health, Expanded Programme on Immunisation MCH-EPI Quarterly Review Meeting on Monday at the Pegasus Hotel, MCH Officer (ag) Oneka Scott said the Public Health Ministry took a decision to include boys in this round of the vaccination programme; this is in keeping with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) programme, and the demands by parents, who have read about the effects of HPV and the importance of immunisation.

According to WHO, HPV, which is transmitted through sexual contact, causes cervical cancer which is the fourth most common cancer in women, with an estimated 266,000 deaths and 528,000 new cases in 2012. A large majority (around 85%) of the global burden occurs in the less developed regions, where it accounts for almost 12% of all female cancers.

WHO noted too that the virus also causes other types of anogenital cancer such as head and neck cancers, and genital warts in both men and women.

Dr. Scott told the

Gardasil is the preferred vaccine used by the Public Health Ministry (Mobieg Photo)

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Thousands of teenage boys ...

From page 21

the virus is also known for causing throat cancer among the adolescent population.

According to the MCH officer, the Public Health Ministry is targeting 2,500 children in each of the 10 administrative regions. At the end of the 34-day

campaign, the ministry is hoping to have administered the vaccine to approximately 25, 000 boys and girls.

In October 2017, when the ministry re-introduced its Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination campaign, approximately 36,000

girls were targeted.

While many parents are now endorsing the vaccination programme, Dr. Scott said there is still a push back from some. “There is a lot about HPV that is still sadly misdirected, and that is because Guyana has not caught up, we

have not caught up with the other countries who are reaping the benefits, the other countries like Australia and Belize,” she posited.

Dr. Scott noted that while some countries are experiencing challenges procuring the vaccine (Gardasil) due to the

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019 hefty cost attached to it, Guyana has a financial structure in place which sees the campaign being heavily funded by the Guyana Government with assistance from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) and PAHO/ WHO. “We have a financial structure that supports the purchase of vaccines.

We don’t only have partner support through the World Health Organi-

saiton and GAVI, but our own Ministry of Finance has invested a lot, because we have seen the benefits, because we understand the challenges out there and we understand that it is more expensive to treat any type of disease related to HPV,” Dr. Scott explained.

The HPV vaccine was first introduced to the country between 2012 and 2014, with a donation of 21,600 doses.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

CDB wants widening of LIA … says burden rests on backs of four countries

By Lisa Hamilton THE Caribbean Development Bank (CBD) is pushing for the widening of shareholding in LIAT as CDB President Dr. William Warren Smith noted that the burden of the airline’s regional aviation sits on the backs of four countries.

Smith, on the sideline of the bank’s 2019 Annual News Conference in Barbados on Thursday, highlighted these countries as Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines,, Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda. His call coincides with the recommendations of a recent study financed by the CDB which is now before shareholders of the airline.

Speaking of the four aforementioned countries, he said: “When new money has to be injected into the airline, those are the ones who do it…that is not right. There are some countries in this Region that get a tremendous amount of LIAT flights and traffic and they are not paying their fair share, so that has to be addressed.”

LIAT is majority-owned by 11 Caribbean governments which, apart from the four, include Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.

Other shareholders include various banks, unions, associations and corporations. This need for restructuring of the

regional airline is further underscored with a number of other challenges the study identified regarding passenger traffic and the travel route of the airline.

Smith said that one of the most startling findings of the study is that at some point in time, LIAT was able to transport some 1.2 million passengers per year, but now transports a little over 700,000 passengers.

“That’s a massive drop,” the CDB President said. “I don’t think we need to be airline people to appreciate the impact that has on revenues.”

One aspect believed to be affecting the rate of traffic is the high cost of travelling with the airline, which Smith said is made up of almost 50 per cent taxes. One of the study’s recommendations was for a dramatic reduction in the level of taxation.

“I must confess that I am disappointed that those recommendations have not been taken on board in the way in which we had anticipated they would have. One could argue that it is

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

AT’s shareholding taking place in the context of a number of our countries facing financial difficulties and therefore they had to put their fiscal situation first. But, I think sometimes we’re not sufficiently farsighted in the way in which we approach these reforms and we don’t recognise that many of our countries benefit quite a bit from aviation,” he said.

Two of the countries Smith listed as the biggest beneficiaries from aviation in the Region are Barbados and Antigua.

“It is for them, in collaboration with the management of LIAT, to make the appropriate changes that would put the airline on a different footing,” Smith said.

Meanwhile, there are other concerns regarding LIAT and the way passengers transit from one aircraft to another within the Caribbean island chain. “At the present time there is a significant amount of stopping and starting of the island chain and one of the recommendations was that LIAT should look now towards moving a hub-and-spoke type of arrangement. What

this hub-and-spoke arrangement does is it would facilitate the travel. Business people, for example, would be able to move from Trinidad and Tobago in the morning and get to St. Maarten in the afternoon, or even in the morning also, so that they can do business there and come back home in the same day,” Smith explained, adding: “That would be a major change.”

Should these inefficiencies be corrected, the CDB President said that it would lead to improvements in the overall performance of the airline and positively impact its financial performance. However, should they be ignored, they will stymie the potential growth of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and others dependent on the airline in the Region.

In July, 2018, LIAT had introduced daily, low-fare flights between Guyana and Trinidad and Antigua to encourage further travel between the two islands and Guyana.

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Caribbean Development Bank (CBD) President, Dr. William Warren Smith

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

UG tightens security on campus

By Vishani Ragobeer

THE University of Guyana (UG) will move to beef up

security on the Turkeyen campus beginning from today following two recent bomb threats made

recently.

On Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, UG received two threats stating

that a bomb was planted on the campus. On Tuesday, the threat was made around midday and classes were

UG Vice-Chancellor, Dr Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith cancelled for the rest of the day, as members of the police force and fire department searched the campus for explosives. No explosives were found and as such, the university resumed classes on Wednesday.

However, on Wednesday, the university received yet another threat and subsequently closed the campus again, this time, for the rest of the week to allow the administration to assess the situation and craft countermeasures.

“As a result of last week’s experience, my leadership team decided that we did not have the luxury of ignoring any threat,” UG Vice-Chancellor, Dr Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, told a press conference on Monday.

“We took seriously the threat on Tuesday, which led to evacuation; we took seriously the threat on Wednesday, and mindful of the experiences of Tuesday and Wednesday, we recognise that we were not in an adequate preparation mode,” Griffith related.

To remedy the situation, the vice-chancellor highlighted that the university now has to beef up security on campus.

A few measures will be implemented from today that will focus heavily on enforcing the need for proper identification on campus, since this was very “lacklustre”, Professor Griffith said.

“Beginning Wednesday, everyone will have to display an [identification card].

If you don’t have your staff or student ID, you’ll have to have some other form of identification to gain access to the campus,” he said.

He also noted that only persons in possession of UG ID cards will be allowed ac-

cess to the campus through the smaller, south gate.

A “stronger approach” will also be taken toward vehicles that do not have the UG sticker on them.

These measures will be monitored for two weeks and will subsequently be evaluated and modified, if necessary.

TASK FORCE In addition to the measures being implemented, UG has put together a task force which will look into more long-term measures to bolster security. According to Professor Griffith, the task force is headed by Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr Barbara Reynolds.

There is a possibility that the university might search all visitors on campus, if recommended by the task force. But that would require trained security personnel and more manpower, according to the VC, who added that this could not be immediately achieved.

The campus currently has 51 buildings and the use of an electronic access system had been previously considered.

“There are a number of things we have to do [but] we do not have the luxury [of time] until that plan is done and approved,” the vice-chancellor said.

All of the security measures will require students always being in possession of some form of identification. Professor Griffith urged students and staff to understand the situation and be vigilant while on campus.

“We are doing it not because we want to harass people, but we are doing it because we want to ensure safety and security,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

UG administration, unions head to conciliation

By Vishani Ragobeer

CHIEF Labour Officer (CLO) Charles Ogle on Tuesday convened conciliation proceedings between the administration of the University of Guyana (UG) and the workers’ unions of the university.

“The issue being addressed is an impasse which was recently developed in respect of the 2018 wages and salaries negotiations involving the parties,” a release from the Ministry of Social Protection, Department of Labour, said.

In November, 2018, the Finance and General Purposes Committee of UG unanimously approved a last-minute request by the administration and imposed a three per cent salary increase for UA (academic) staff, and a four per cent increase for UB (support) staff, retroactive to January 1, 2018. The increase was approved by the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith.

The University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) and University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) have been meeting with the UG administration to negotiate further increases, which have been denied on the grounds that the university has no money.

According to the release, the CLO initiated the conciliation process after the unions, by way of a correspondence dated February 9, notified the university of its intention to engage in various forms of industrial action during the week, beginning February 11.

On Monday, the unions indeed staged a protest outside the old vice-chancellor’s building at UG during the lunch period. Here, members of the teaching staff called for a financial audit to be done at the institution, since they claim that funds are being misappropriated instead of being used to develop the teaching space. This misappropriation of funds, they claim, is the reason the university is unable to pay further increases to staff.

“Since it was possible that the industrial action was likely to be intensified, the CLO decided to intervene in keeping with provisions of the Labour Act, Chapter 98:01, and in the interest of industrial stability,” the release said.

During the conciliation meeting on Tuesday, it was noted that the university administration indicated its willingness to cooperate with the Labour Department and facilitate the conciliation process.

“It is worthy to note that the CLO pointed out that in keeping with standard industrial relations practice, the threats of various industrial actions must be withdrawn as a prerequisite for cordial discussion and negotiations in good faith,” the release further stated.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith had told the Guyana Chronicle that he could not make the promise of further salary increases when the university just could not afford it.

However, he also highlighted that both the UG administration and the bodies agreed that if an agreement could not be had on salary increases, the matter will go to conciliation.

While the unions did not give a commitment to withdraw the threat,

they promised to consult with their members later on Tuesday, after which the Ministry of Social Protection would be advised in writing today on the way forward.

“In response to that commitment, the university administration has indicated that it was prepared to await an invitation from the Ministry of Social Protection after the unions would have written to the ministry,” the release said.

The ministry has informed the unions of the pitfalls of staging industrial action without first satisfying the requirements of established grievance procedures.

“The ministry is hopeful that satisfactory conduct and good behaviour by the parties would prevail,” the release said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

‘Smallie’ and ‘Catty’ to know fate on Monday in ‘Mango Man’ trial

CLOSING submissions from both the defence and State are expected to be made on Monday (February 18, 2019) before Justice James Bovell-Drakes, in the Demerara High Court.

In this trial, all the witnesses have testified and the judge is expected to sum-up the case, after which it will be handed over to the jury to deliberate for a verdict.

According to the State’s case, it is alleged that, on August 30, 2007, the two accused: Sherwin Nero called “Catty” and Mark Royden Williams called “Smallie”, murdered Kumar Singh called

‘Mango Man’.

According to the indictment, the duo were among four gunmen who, in 2007, invaded Kumar Singh’s Cove and John, East Coast Demerara home, during which Singh

was shot and killed.

Both accused have retained the services of defence attorney Nigel Hughes, while the State is represented by Tameika Clarke and Tiffini Lyken.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

2016 Sophia murder trial commences

ON Tuesday (February 12, 2019), a 12-member jury was empanelled in the Demerara High Court before Justice Navindra Singh, to hear the evidence in the murder trial of Kumey Conrad Bourne, also known as Kwamee Bourne.

According to the indictment, on May 23, 2016, it was alleged that the accused, Kumey Conrad Bourne, murdered Rickford Bourne, in the county of Demerara.

Upon presentation of the charge, the accused pleaded not guilty and, as such, the trial started and several witnesses were called to testify.

The State is represented by prosecutors Tuanna Hardy, Abigail Gibbs and Teriq Mohamed, while the defence attorney is Maxwell McKay. In her opening statement, Tuanna Hardy told the court that, on the day in question, it was alleged that the accused, who was seated in the box, inflicted injuries to the head of his father, Rickford Bourne. The latter later died.

The first witness, Aisha Bourne, sister of the accused and daughter of the deceased, told

the court that on the day in question, she was at her home, which is approximately a street away from her father’s place, when a neighbour came and told her “something”.

Bourne added that she picked up her son and went over to her father’s house, where she saw her elderly father, on the bed, covered in blood. There was a wound on his right hand and wounds to his head. She took him to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was admitted. He died three days later.

Bourne recalled that when she went to her father’s house, her brother, the accused, was there and had no injuries.

The reputed wife of the deceased, Cythia Ferguson, took the stand and said she knew both the accused and deceased for about 28 years and was at work, in another county, when her daughter called to tell her what had happened.

Police witness, Corporal Godwin Thomas, testified that in 2016, he was stationed at the Sparendaam Police Station. On May 24, 2016, he was on duty when he accompanied a

party of ranks to the Vigilance Police Station.

From that location, he escorted the accused to the Turkeyen Police Station and placed him in custody.

He identified the accused in the courtroom as the same person he placed in the lockups.

Lance Corporal Jason Beresford told the court that in 2016, he was stationed at the Turkeyen Police Station and was on duty on May 23, 2016.

It was about 18:15hrs when he (Beresford) was approached by two women who told him ‘something’ and he went to Sophia, to the house of Rickford Bourne, the deceased.

Beresford told the court that when he entered the house, he saw the accused sitting inside the premises and he put the allegation to him but he (the accused) said nothing.

He however, made checks in and around the house and found the suspected murder weapon, an iron bar, which he lodged.

Beresford said he arrested the accused and took him to the Turkeyen Police Station and placed him in custody.

The police witness said that on February

12, 2017, he went to the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court where he tendered the exhibit, as evidence in the trial.

Beresford, yesterday, (Tuesday, February 12, 2019) produced same (the iron bar), which was marked and admitted as evidence in the trial.

Meanwhile, under cross examination by defence attorney, Maxwell McKay, the witness could not say whether the ‘iron bar’ was checked for fingerprints.

Taking the stand next was Sergeant Patrick Benjamin. He told the court that in 2016, he was stationed at the Police Headquarters, when he received a report from Turkeyen Police Station and visited the crime scene.

He took 10 photographs in total and lodged them. The photographs were produced by the police witness on Tuesday and Benjamin identified same as those he took on the day in question.

The photographs were tendered, marked and admitted as evidence in the trial.

More witnesses are expected to testify today (Wednesday, February 13, 2019).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

A Tribute To Valerie Rodway (1919-2019)

By Edgar Henry HAPPY BIRTHDAY VALERIE RODWAY If music be the food of love, Your contribution, like a dove, Created heights among all Guyanese, Paramount, yet peaceful above the soughing coconut trees A century has passed, however your works live on Pundits of the art-form claim you won Your birth date of February 12th. nineteen nineteen Rebounds in 2019, like a canon supreme Your ability, inspiration and vision to toil A true daughter of New Amsterdam soil

To every man, woman, girl and boy You brought melodic fruits of lasting joy We will always remember your musical slate Yes! We pause to hail and celebrate Your masterpieces, the renowned “O Beautiful Guyana” “Arise Guyana” and your famed “Kanaima.”

Extreme melodic creations and originality Captured the heart of your niece Cicely; and Oh! So many As crotchets and quavers brought syncopation Demonstrating patriotism and calm to our nation Your opus soothing like a breath of fresh air Your renditions, still nurtures our atmosphere Your great brilliance and nimbleness of mind Punctuated melodious patterns, one of a kind Accomplishments dedication with a unique chart

Charmed by the spirit of your noble heart Both harmonic and melodic cravings to dance Left indelible imprints of scholarly prance Licentiate of the Royal College of Music in 78’ Versatility in Jazz, patriotic and classical music was great Heartfelt motivation, rendition after rendition Brought us solace, composition after composition Composer, extraordinaire and grand maestro Names associated for the genius, virtuoso Your African traditions of imaginative proficiency Were inherited and launched by your Kemetic musical aristocracy Difficult as poetic lyrics seem to appear Your grace and unique style did never wear Few musicians would compose music to poetry, a surreal art With splendor you enchanted the words of Daly, Carter, Seymour, and Wishart.

Rhythms placed to iambic, trochee and blank verse with finesse Free style creativity, your stamp of profoundness Hard work, embodied with some acute pain Left us a legacy of national acclaim You respected and profess chords of unity From Indigenous peoples to the six races for solidarity Large choirs belching their innate valves Through tutelage of students at music festivals Hoping that your angelic company with spreading wings Is being enjoyed with your contemporary Lynette Dolphin Additionally, Walter Mac A. Lawrence, Harper Smith, Ramcharitar-Lalla and Chinapen Nostalgic reconciliations of comfort in heaven Your work as majestic as the Great Kaeiteur We crave, desire and yearn for more As educator, composer and patriot You did accomplish and produce quite a lot Kudos and thanks to your trainers, teachers and mentor Winifred McDavid, Edna Jordan, Eleanor Kerry and Ruby McGregor “Hymn for Guyana’s Children” and “Guyana the Free” to name a few Captured the cultural essence of simply those two Bells from Brickdam and St. Georges’ houses of worship Reverberate and echo resonance of kinship Your centenary blessings are astute Your GCA 2002 NY McAndrew Award, we salute You portray Guyana as great and free A lovely native land of glory, hope, love and unity You recognized our hinterland, the land of many waters and the Pakarimas Your music displayed our flora, the fauna and the Mighty Rorima As we assemble your musical archival compositions We etch your name alongside the greats, in our museums Majesty, glory and honor will reign Ensuring your work will not be in vain As we commemorate, celebrate and remember We revitalize and sustain your living endeavor Gone with the angels but not forgotten Voices and instruments reverb verbatim Your efforts and masterful gift and art Undoubtedly captivated many a Guyanese heart We honor your passion and glorious humility Coupled with enormous love, generosity and dignity The insightful and unselfish talent of Valerie Rodway Caused excellence and ecstasy that lives on today.

If music be the food of love Right On…. Valerie….Write On….

Ends

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Pesticide board encourages use of organic fertilisers

ORGANIC fertilisers could be a possible substitute to the toxic chemicals which are used by farmers locally, said Registrar of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB), Trecia David.

In keeping with government’s push to develop a green state, the board intends on exploring the option of promoting the use of organic fertilisers and lesser toxic pesticides.

Organic fertilisers are defined as those which are derived from animal matter, animal excreta (manure), human excreta, and vegetable matter (compost and crop residues).

Naturally, occurring organic fertilisers include animal wastes from meat processing, peat, manure, slurry, and guano.

“In keeping with the Sus-

tainable Development Goals (SDGs), we are encouraging registration of organics and lesser toxic pesticides,” said David, during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

She said persons have already joined the effort to introduce the products, but there is still a need to sensitise the farmers who have been using the more toxic chemicals over the years.

“We have been working to ensure we have sensitisation and we are preparing to do that in that regard,” said David, adding “we have gone beyond agricultural communities since it is crucial for the board to invest in training and awareness.”

The board intends on targeting areas like Mahdia and other hinterland communities which are moving towards agriculture. “We need

Guyana secures IDB loan to boost Energy Dep’t

Finance Minister Winston Jordan and IDB President Mr. Luis Alberto Moreno signing the loan agreement

MINISTER of Finance Winston Jordan on Monday signed two loans with the Inter - American Development Bank (IDB) to the value of US$31, 110,000.

One of the loans deals with the Energy Matrix Diversification and Strengthening of the Department of Energy.

The project will realise investments in newer and more sustainable energy solutions for hinterland communities, improve the reliability and stability of the Demerara/Berbice Interconnected System and help the Department of Energy to develop a regulatory framework and improve its capacity and governance of the oil and gas sector.

In a release, the Ministry of Finance said the loans were signed on the sideline of the 8th Annual Caribbean Governors’ Meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) which concluded on Tuesday. The meeting took place under the theme, ‘Exponential for Resilience.’ Finance and planning ministers from the Caribbean explored

avenues through which the Region can use innovative methods to enhance revenue administration and harness the skills necessary to create the Caribbean workforce of the future.

The second loan will go towards the establishment of an Electronic Single Window for Trade and the Energy Matrix Diversification and Institutional Strengthening of the Department of Energy. This project will be executed by the Ministry of Business. Exporters, importers, agencies and businesses involved in the importation and exportation of goods can look forward to significant improvement of doing business with the establishment of an Electronic Single Window.

Benefits to be derived include reduced transaction costs, data requirements and documents and simplified trade processes, through enhanced inter-agency collaboration which together will align Guyana with international best practices.

to inform them to protect themselves and we have recognised the drive for Guyana to go green,” David added.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), pesticides are potentially toxic to humans and can have both acute and chronic health effects, depending on the quantity and ways in which a person is exposed.

The WHO explained that the toxicity of a pesticide

depends on its function and other factors. For example, insecticides tend to be more toxic to humans than herbicides. The same chemical can have different effects at different doses (how much of the chemical a person is exposed to). It can also depend on the route by which the exposure occurs (such as swallowing, inhaling, or direct contact with the skin).

None of the pesticides

that are authorised for use on food in international trade today are genotoxic (damaging to DNA, which can cause mutations or cancer).

The WHO, however, explained that adverse effects such as cancer from those pesticides occur only above a certain safe level of exposure.

There are more than 1000 pesticides used around the world to ensure food is not damaged or destroyed

TCCB Registrar Trecia David

by pests. Each pesticide has different properties and toxicological effects.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

GTA targets diaspora in tourism drive

THE Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the United Guyanese Diaspora Global Network Corp (UGDGN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to engage the Guyanese diaspora in various forms of tourism.

The collaboration is the first of its kind between the GTA and a diaspora organisation, and promises attractive travel packages for the diaspora community and information regarding travel opportunities.

According to a press statement, UGDGN Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Wayne Ford said the MoU will give the UGDGN a focused vision on how both organisations can infuse fresh energies and aspirations for the greater good of Guyana.

“The ingredients to ignite the prosperity engines of Guyana will take a united effort from all of our affinity groups signing up as evangelists for our homeland and coming together using technologies to crystalise a

shared vision, coupled with an execution game plan along with an innovative edge,” he said.

Forde further detailed UGDGN’s next steps which include upgrading their web presence (www.ugdgn.org) to transform it into a central opportunity and information hub for happenings within the diaspora and the homeland.

The database consists of 400+ Guyanese diaspora organisations in New York, Atlanta, Toronto, London and

beyond, thereby giving them a critical tool to consolidate the virtual community and grow it into an engaged powerhouse.

According to GTA Director Brian Mullis, such partnerships are vital to the success of Guyana’s overall tourism strategy.

He stated that the alliance with the UGDNC will ensure that the GTA is positioned to more effectively and efficiently reach the Guyanese diaspora, raise awareness of the growing variety of tour-

ism attractions and experiences and strengthen diaspora engagement and visitation to Guyana in the process.

North America and the United Kingdom are Guyana’s core markets with a growing number of diaspora and leisure travellers seeking out authentic and meaningful cultural heritage, nature and adventure experiences in unspoiled destinations.

GTA is focused on Guyana becoming recognised locally and internationally as a premier destination for protecting its natural and cultural heritage, providing authentic experiences, and maximising

local economic benefits.

The United Guyanese Diaspora Global Network Corp is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organisation established for charitable purposes. It is committed to promoting and encouraging active diaspora engagement for social and economic development in Guyana, by utilising the collective strengths and potential of a united Guyanese diaspora.

UGDGN seeks to foster transformational change, innovation, and to create a prosperous and harmonious Guyana for all Guyanese.

Marijuana legalisation a ‘ticklish’ matter – senior policeman

A senior police officer, who requested anonymity, has contended that legalising marijuana would have both positive and negative effects on society.

The officer, who is attached to one of the law enforcement agencies, and is familiar with the use and sale of marijuana, told the Guyana Chronicle that seven in every 10 Guyanese are believed to be involved in the sale and use of the herb.

Should Guyana decriminalise the use of certain quantities of marijuana or decriminalise it altogether, there are several good which would be associated with this move, the officer said.

According to the senior policeman, decriminalisation of the herb will see more persons being less dependent on those who cultivate it on a large scale, and that would reduce the amount of marijuana in some sections of the country.

It will mean that those who are given the approval, to have at least one or two plants in their yards, will no longer have the need to depend on those who culti-

vate the herb for commercial purposes, thus reducing the demand.

The officer also noted that, it would now mean that those who hide and smoke will now have the freedom to do so openly. While some will see this as good, others are likely to view it as bad.

However, he said, decriminalising the herb would see more persons smoking the herb and this could have a negative impact on the workforce.

According to the senior policeman, it can also result in schoolchildren using and vending the illegal substance openly.

If Guyana legalises the herb, it might want to look at the creation of drug treatment clinics and centres, he said. At present, the country has only two drug rehabilitation facilities, one privately-owned and the other controlled by the State.

Members of the Alliance For Change (AFC) have called for the legalisation of marijuana, but for persons to have in their possession only prescribed amounts.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Issues surrounding crime chief retirement settled

Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan

MINISTER of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan on Tuesday added his voice to the controversy surrounding the date of birth of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Lyndon Alves.

From all indications, there seems to have been some confusion about the date Alves joined the force as against the date of his birth.

Contacted on the issue, Ramjattan stated that he was indeed concerned when he first received information that there was speculation surrounding the retirement

of the crime chief who was still on the job, although he had reportedly reached the age of retirement. Ramjattan said that he asked the permanent secretary of the ministry to investigate the claims that were being made and it was found that there was nothing to be alarmed about as it relates to Alves. This newspaper was told by the minister that checks were done with the post office which holds records of births and deaths and it was found that Alves was indeed born in 1965, and that he had not yet attained the age of retirement, which means that he will remain on the job until next year.

According to Ramjattan, no one should be alarmed about the time someone joins the force, but rather when they attain the age of retirement. “When they join the job is not what is important, when they are supposed to retire based on their age is what is important; and if there is a need for recommendation for an extension that has to go to the President but in this case, there is none, because the gentleman has not yet attained the age

Hamley Case accredited Guyana’s ambassador to Estonia

High Commissioner Hamley Case hands over his Letters of Credence to Estonia President Kersti Kaljulaid

GUYANA’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Frederick Hamley Case was recently accredited Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of Estonia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said.

The high commissioner has handed over his Letters of Credence to President Kersti Kaljulaid. Case is concurrently accredited High Commissioner to the United Kingdom as well as Ambassador to the Republic of Iceland and the Russian Federation.

Guyana and Estonia continue to work closely in the area of E-Governance and, in 2018, a contract was signed between the National Data Management Authority of Guyana (NDMA) and the E-Governance Academy of Estonia for the facilitation of consultative services. Guyana and Estonia established diplomatic relations on April 19, 1997.

of retirement,” the Public Security Minister stated.

Last week, when contacted for a comment, the commissioner of police said that the crime chief was still on the job. Contacted on Tuesday, Alves said that his records are available for

perusal and expressed disappointment that persons were making his birth registration date an issue. He even confirmed that he had caused a journalist to have access to his records to ascertain the true nature of his birth and the registration of his birth.

The retirement age in the Public Service is 55 and public servants are expected to retire when they have attained that age, unless otherwise asked to remain on the job through a process.

Alves, who will be retiring from the force in

2020, is among three other assistant commissioners of police who were appointed deputy commissioners to lend administrative support to Commissioner of Police Leslie James. They were all appointed on August 30, 2018.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

REO urges reopening of Christianburg Primary School REGIONAL Executive Officer of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), Orrin Gordon, believes there is an urgent need for re-opening of the Christianburg Primary School in Linden, as the students and teachers who are temporarily housed at the St. Aidan’s Primary School, are being seen as intruders.

Gordon, speaking at last Thursday’s meeting of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), noted that there has been a culture rift between the teachers and students of the two schools; and before the situation escalates, he urged the Ministry of Education and the RDC councillors to look into the matter.

No funds have been allocated in the 2019 budget for the rebuilding of the Christianburg School, or to even accommodate major repairs. Parents have also expressed their frustration about the matter, even taking it as far as complaining to President David Granger at his latest community and open meeting visit to Linden, last November.

The parents noted that their children are being bullied and intimidated by the students and teachers of the St. Aidan’s Primary and are not given access to the facilities of the school, such as the playground. One parent also highlighted that it is a financial burden to have the children transported to St Aidan’s, which is located in Blue Berry Hill, and while the RDC did provide transportation, it was not adequate for all the children. In addition, the classrooms that they are currently housed in are deemed unsafe, since a snake was found in the classroom by a student last year. Christianburg Primary is one of the oldest schools in Linden and was deemed unsafe for use as it was suspected to be sinking. At the recently held ministerial outreach in Linden, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan visited the school on the request of parents in the area, who also highlighted the above-mentioned issues. According the RDC councillor in the area, Jordan indicated that the school needs to be evaluated as it seems to still be sinking. Jordan promised to have a structural engineer examine the school, as to whether it can be repaired, or completely rebuilt.

Barima man on manslaughter charge

Ronell Henry

A 19-YEAR-OLD resident from Koriabo Village, Barima, North West District (NWD), was on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 remanded to prison for allegedly killing his mother’s friend with an arrow.

Ronell Henry made his appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, and was not required to plead to the manslaughter charge.

Particulars of the charge state that on February 5, 2019, at Koriabo Village, Henry killed Orlando Joseph.

Police Prosecutor Inspector Gordon Mansfield, told the court that on the day in question, Henry was consuming alcohol with his mother and her friend, Joseph.

Henry, it is alleged, had an argument with Joseph, which resulted in a confrontation. The teen, reportedly armed himself with an arrow and bow and shot Joseph in his right abdomen.

The injured Joseph was taken to the Mabaruma Hospital where he subsequently died while receiving treatment.

Henry who was remanded to prison and will make his next court appearance at the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court on February 19, 2019.

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Chase unbeaten century softens heavy defeat for Windies GROS ISLET, St Lucia (CMC) – Roston Chase struck an entertaining fifth Test hundred to take some of the shine off a clinical England performance, as West Indies crashed to a heavy 232-run defeat in the third and final Test here yesterday.

Asked to chase an improbable 485 after England declared their second innings on 361 for five, 25 minutes after the start of the penultimate day at the Darren Sammy National Stadium, West Indies’ batting capitulated for 252, about 20 minutes before the scheduled close.

The right-handed Chase, though, stood tall amidst the carnage, stroking a classical unbeaten 102 - an innings which spared West Indies embarrassment after their innings lay in ruins at 35 for four at lunch.

Alzarri Joseph unleashed a cavalier 34 off just 30 balls near the end while fellow tail-ender Kemar Roach produced a breezy 29 off 43 deliveries, but their innings were of academic interest only, as the result was never really in doubt once veteran seamer Jimmy Anderson (327) wiped out the top order.

Off-spinner Moeen Ali supported with three for 99 while seamer Ben Stokes picked up two for 30.

The defeat, however, did nothing to detract from an outstanding West Indies series performance which saw them crush England by 381 runs in the opening Bridgetown Test and follow that up with a 10-wicket triumph in the second Test in St John’s, clinching the coveted Wisden Trophy for the first time in a decade.

Resuming the day on

325 for four, England added a further 36 runs before declaring when captain Joe Root, unbeaten overnight on 111, clipped a Shannon Gabriel (2-95) full toss to mid-wicket to perish for 122.

Left with a difficult period to negotiate before lunch, West Indies revived memories of now familiar batting woes as they quickly slumped to 10 for three.

Left-hander John Campbell fell to the third ball of the innings when he edged a drive at Anderson and was brilliantly caught by Moeen one-handed at gully, without scoring.

In Anderson’s next over, Kraigg Brathwaite edged a defensive prod to Stokes at second slip for eight and Darren Bravo followed without scoring in the seventh over, caught at first slip by Root.

Three overs before lunch, Shai Hope failed to negotiate a short delivery from speedster Mark Wood and was caught at point by Broad for 14.

Chase, unbeaten at lunch on eight, then combined with Shimron Hetmyer (19) in a 45run, fifth-wicket stand which halted England’s charge, albeit temporarily.

Together, they kept England without success until the stroke of the hour after lunch when Hetmyer was run-out at the striker’s end attempting an ill-advised third run at 76 for five.

Chase then put on a further 34 with wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, who played positively for his 19 off 26 deliveries, including two boundaries straight down the ground off Moeen.

But 20 minutes before tea, Dowrich played back to one from Moeen which drifted,

and edged to slip where Stokes snared the sharp chance.

On 53 at tea, Chase found allies in Roach, with whom he put on 46 for the seventh wicket, and then with Joseph, adding a further 56 for the eighth wicket, to delay the inevitable.

Quickly running out of partners, Chase raced into the 90s with two searing drives down the ground for boundaries off seamer Stuart Broad and reached three figures in the penultimate over of the match when he cut parttime bowler Joe Denly to the ropes.

He faced 191 balls in a shade under 4-½ hours and struck 12 fours and a six.

Roach, on 14 at tea, fell half-hour afterwards, driving Moeen to Wood at cover and Joseph entertained with two fours and three sixes in a cavalier knock, before holing in the deep off also off Moeen.

Keemo Paul, who suffered a torn leg muscle on Monday’s third day while fielding, returned to bat long enough to ensure Chase reached his hundred before he was last out after hitting three fours in 12, caught and bowled by Stokes.

SCOREBOARD

ENGLAND 1st innings 277 WEST INDIES 1st innings 154 ENGLAND 2nd innings (overnight 325 for four) R. Burns c Joseph b Keemo Paul 10 K. Jennings b Joseph 23 J. Denly c wkp. Dowrich b Gabriel 69 J. Root c Hetmyer b Gabriel 122 J. Buttler b Roach 56 B. Stokes not out 48 Extras: (b-13, lb-9, w-8, nb-3) 33 Total: (5 wkts decl. 105.2 overs) 361 Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-73, 3-147, 4-254, 5-361.

Bowling: Roach 18-6-45-1, Gabriel 23.2-1-95-2, Paul 5-1-11-1, Joseph 16-2-72-1, Chase 31-1-92-0, Brathwaite 12-2-24-0.

WEST INDIES 2nd innings (target: 485 runs) K. Brathwaite c Stokes b Anderson 8 J. Campbell c Moeen Ali b Anderson 0 S. Hope c Broad b Wood 14 D. Bravo c Root b Anderson 0 R. Chase not out 102 S. Hetmyer run-out 19 S. Dowrich c Stokes b Moeen Ali 19 K. Roach c Wood b Moeen Ali 29 A. Joseph c Anderson b Moeen Ali 34 S. Gabriel c wkp. Bairstow b Stokes 3 K. Paul c & b Stokes 12 Extras: (b-1, lb-5, w-4, nb-2) 12 Total: (all out, 69.5 overs) 252 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-10, 3-10, 4-31, 5-76, 6-110, 7-156, 8-212, 9-236.

Bowling: Anderson 11-2-27-3, Broad 14-6-22-0, Stokes 8.52-30-2, Wood 12-1-52-1, Moeen Ali 21-1-99-3, Denly 3-0-16-0.

Man-of-the-Match: Mark Wood.

Man-of-the-Series: Kemar Roach.

Everyone has a chance to make the team – coach Johnson

By Rawle Toney GOLDEN Jaguars head coach Michael Johnson has made it clear that there will be no preference in selecting players from his pool, both local and overseas, for Guyana’s highly anticipated CONCACAF Nations League Qualifier clash against Belize on March 23.

Guyana are one win away from qualifying for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and while the former Jamaican International is yet to shortlist his overseas-based players, locally, along with assistant coach Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard, Johnson will choose from a group of 26 players; all of whom he said stand a very good chance of

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making the final selection.

Johnson said it’s unfair to compare the local-based players to their overseas teammates, since the likes of Neil Danns and Emery Welshman who are likely to feature in his final composition, are “paid handsomely to play on a high stage day in and day out. That’s their living, so of course you’ll expect the players overseas to be at a really good place.”

“But, coming into camp, I can already see that the advantages of a surface like this.

Players are anxious to come in, they’re already honing their skills before we even start,” said Johnson.

Johnson, 45, told the gathering of media at GFF’s

National Training Centre at Providence, that he’s looking “at this group of players with a fresh eye; everybody is in contention. This is why the camp is important because we can see which players are out-performing the other players who are trying to get in. It’s open for anyone who is coming in to compete.”

“I can’t rule out anyone who is in contention to make this squad; everybody has a chance to make the team, come March 23. Everyone is hungry to give his best. My job is to ensure everybody is tuned in to give 100%, to give nothing to doubt. My job is to ensure we give 100% of individual and collective performance,” the former Derby

Race 8 Sambacer

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County defender stressed.

The Golden Jaguars drew 2-2 with Barbados, beat Turks & Caicos 8-0 and then lost to French Guiana 2-1, leaving their hopes of Gold Cup qualification in the balance, until CONCACAF ruled Barbados had fielded ineligible players in rounds one and two, and awarded Guyana a 3-0 win.

After three rounds, Guyana currently lie in eighth position in the CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup qualification table with six points. After round four, the top ten teams will qualify for the 16-team Gold Cup, joining the United States, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, Panama, Honduras and Costa Rica.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

England’s World Cup-winning keeper Banks dead at 81

STOKE-ON-TRENT, England (Reuters) - Gordon Banks, the goalkeeper in England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team, has died at the age of 81, his former club Stoke City said yesterday.

Banks won 73 caps for England between 1963 and

1972 and made nearly 200 appearances for Stoke before his playing career was brought to an end in a car crash that cost him his sight in one eye.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers to have played the game, Banks will probably be best

remembered for the diving stop he made to deny Brazil’s Pele at the 1970 World Cup, which later became known as the “save of the century”.

“It is with great sadness that we announce that Gordon passed away peacefully overnight,” Banks’ family said in a statement posted on

Stoke’s official website.

“We are devastated to lose him but we have so many happy memories and could not have been more proud of him.”

Banks played every game in the 1966 World Cup including the 4-2 victory over West Germany in

the final at Wembley - the only time England has won the world title.

Four years later though, in Mexico, he produced one of the most outstanding saves in the history of the tournament in a group game in which Brazil beat England 1-0.

Pele rose to head a cross from the byline by right-winger Jairzinho, thundering the header down towards Banks’ right hand post.

The ball appeared to be past Banks, but his agility and strength saw him get down and palm it high and wide to safety.

Thirty-eight years later, Pele travelled to Stoke to unveil a statue to Banks and recalled the save.

“From the moment I headed it, I was sure it had gone in,” he said.

“After I headed the ball, I had already begun to jump to celebrate the goal.

Then I looked back and I couldn’t believe it hadn’t gone in. I have scored more than a thousand goals in my life, and the thing people always talk to me about is the one I didn’t score,” he said.

Banks recalled the moment modestly as a piece of good fortune.

“As soon as I got my hand to it, I thought it was going in the top corner,” he said.

“But after I’d landed on the hard floor, I looked up and saw the ball bounce behind the net and that’s when I said: Banksy, you lucky prat.”

The Sheffield-born Banks began his career at

Chesterfield in 1958 and moved to Leicester City the following year. He won his first England cap in 1963, four years before he joined Stoke.

Banks retired in 1973 following the car crash, aged only 33, but four years later he returned to play in the North American Soccer League with Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Peter Shilton, the former England goalkeeper who made a record 125 appearances for his country and like Banks played for Leicester and Stoke, tweeted: “I’m devastated - today I’ve lost my hero, our condolences to his family. RIP Gordon”.

Soon after Banks’ death was announced, football fans and others began taking flowers and scarves to the life-size statue of him outside the Stoke City stadium. Some touched the statue in reverence, or wiped away tears.

Around the city, where Banks is a revered figure and was often seen at charity and football events, flags were lowered at public buildings, and local radio talk-shows were inundated with calls remembering him.

For some, it rankled that Banks was never awarded a knighthood.

“Even though they never knighted him, he was always a Sir to us, and he always will be,” said Glen Rushton, 67, leaving a wreath at the statue.

The German Football Association (DFB) paid tribute to Banks, saying on Twitter: “A fierce opponent and a good man. Rest in peace, Gordon Banks”.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

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Kohli above peers, destined for greatness - Sangakkara

India captain Virat Kohli

NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - India captain Virat Kohli is well ahead of his contemporaries and destined for greatness, former Sri Lankan batting stalwart Kumar Sangakkara has said.

Run-machine Kohli capped a memorable 2018 by becoming the first to win the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Cricketer, Test and One-day international (ODI) player-of-the-year awards last

month.

Considered part of the elite group also featuring Kiwi Kane Williamson, Australian Steve Smith and England’s Joe Root, Kohli has surged ahead after a stupendous 2018 and is currently the top-ranked Test as well as one-day batsman.

“Everything about Virat’s game stands out. I think he is head and shoulders above anyone else in world cricket

today,” Sangakkara told India Today news channel.

“And I think going forward, he will be one of the greatest-ever cricketers, if not the greatest-ever,” said the Sri Lankan batting great.

With 39 centuries from 222 one-day matches, Kohli is second only to compatriot Sachin Tendulkar - who scored 49 from 463 - in the 50-over century-makers’ list.

He has also scored 25 hundreds in 77 Tests.

Sangakkara is amazed by Kohli’s ability to succeed across formats without tinkering his basis game.

“He has this incredible knack of scoring runs and has a very, very solid method that he believes in ...” said the former Sri Lanka captain. “... If you see the tempo which he bats with, it hardly

Region Two organises Inter-Agency Day of Sports for Friday A GRAND Inter-Agency Day of Sports is billed for Friday at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground as part of a series of activities planned by Region 2 Mash Committee in celebration of the nation’s 49th Republic Anniversary.

Among the sporting disciplines to be undertaken will be male and female softball cricket, 7-a-side football, dominoes, circle tennis and 100- and 200- metres male and female athletic races.

The competing agencies will include Region Two Administration including staff and RDC councillors, Drainage and Irrigation, Public Hospital Suddie, Anna Regina ‘G’ Division Police Station, Anna Regina Fire Service, Essequibo Technical Institute, Guyana Power and Light, Guyana

Defence Force, Department of Education, Henrietta United Sports Club and National Insurance Scheme.

Spearheading Region Two cricket challenge will be National T20 all-rounder Ramesh Narine along with Anthony Persaud, Basil Persaud, Nazir Khan and Jermain Springer while Portia Jacobs, Ashaa Das, Sarah Spellen and Victorine Norton will also exhibit their skills against their female counterparts.

Keen competition is anticipated as the Administration seeks to foster greater social cohesion and interaction through sports, according to Events Coordinator and Assistant Regional Executive Officer (AREO) Yvette Hastings-Tafares.

Special appearances will also be made by the Regional

Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, Regional Vice-Chairman Nandranie Coonjah, Regional Executive Officer Denis Jaikaran (Sr), Member of Parliament Hemraj Rajkumar, Prime Minister’s Representative Karran Chand, Principal Personnel Officer Bibi Rameeza Mullah, Senior Personnel Officer Gaitri Ramnarine, Chief Accountant Shushiela Boodram, Social Cohesion Officer Pansy Garraway and Sports Organisor Debra Daniels among others.

The first activity will commence at 10:30hrs.

Trophies and medals, compliments of the Administration, will be presented to the winners. Admission is free as the public is also invited to witness the funfilled events. (Elroy Stephney)

Kennard’s Phagwah race meet confirmed for March 17 THE Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) has confirmed that its Phagwah Race meet will be run off on March 17, according to Justice Cecil Kennard.

The move was made to avoid clashing with the second leg of the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC) Triple Crown series which will be held at the Rising Sun Turf Club.

Six races are carded for the event which is scheduled to run off at the Bush Lot, Corentyne track from 12:30hrs.

The three-year-old Guyana-bred horses race will see the winner taking home $250 000 and a trophy in

the seven-furlong race.

The J&K Class will carry a race, which is over seven furlongs, and will see the first-place winner bagging $200 000 and a trophy. Over five furlongs, the race classified for L Class open animals will carry a winning purse of $180 000 while in the race for the L Class non-winners the winner will claim $150 000 and a trophy.

This race will be over five furlongs.

There is also a race for L Class non-earners, which is over five furlongs as well, and will see animals race for a top purse of $130 000 and a trophy.

The champion jockey and runner-up jockeys,

trainer and stables will all receive accolades, compliments of Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall and the organisers.

All entries will close on Sunday, March 10, 2019.

No late entry will be accepted.

These races will be conducted under the Rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority, and interested owners/ trainers and handlers can call the following persons for more information: Niketa Ross 662-4668, Justice Kennard 623-7609 or 225-4814, Ivan Dipnarine 331-0316, Fazal Habibulla 657-7010, Dennis Deroop 640-6396 and Compton Sancho 691-1174.

changes. He does read the situation very well.

“He is a very passionate guy; you see that in his expressions on the field ... it’s the overall aspect of both the person and how he has sorted his batting and his attitude.”

Sangakkara’s former

team mate Mahela Jayawardene lauded how Kohli handled the pressure of leading the team of a cricket-mad nation of 1.3 billion.

“It’s not just about the ability Virat has but to understand the way to handle pressure not just on the field

but also off the field and the expectations,” said the former Sri Lanka captain.

“We grew up with Sachin who had to perhaps experience the same thing. And for the next generation, it’s probably on Virat’s shoulders ...” Jayawardene said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Brothers United face uphill task to stop the ‘Big Show’

ICC charge Gabriel after Root incident

Part of the action in this year’s West Demerara/East Bank Demerara Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ competition.

… Massive outpouring anticipated THE community support has always been there and three-time West Side champions Showstoppers have never taken it for granted; so what they did was to hone their skills perfectly to ensure that success, and not disappointment, is the reward for such overwhelming support.

Undoubtedly the most dominant team in the West Demerara/East Bank Demerara Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ competition, Showstoppers will go face-to-face with Brothers United for the coveted trophy

and $500 000 for the winners, this Friday, at the Pouderoyen market tarmac.

Already Showstoppers are a very potent force that no team have been able to dethrone for the past three years. The acquisition of national player Trayon Bobb has added even more firepower to a frontline that possesses the likes of Stephon Jupiter, Marvin Josiah and Dexroy Adams, all prolific goalscorers.

The champs have also shown that they are not afraid of a dogfight even though opposing teams - so afraid of

their goal-scoring might - employ robust defensive strategies in an attempt to send the game into penalty shootouts, Showstoppers still found a way to penetrate their defence.

However, Brothers United with former national player Andrew Murray Jr in their lineup is a team with a difference.

They love to be on the offensive and this open play style could provide fans with an explosive and exciting finale.

Murray Jr has been the bright spark for the team, but there are other players who

could steal the show on the night.

Another massive outpouring of spectators is expected to converge on the venue and the organisers once again will have giveaways for them.

Meanwhile, Up-Top-Bosses and Ballers Empire will meet in the third-place playoff.

Up for grabs is over $1.1 million in total prize moneys, with the winners set to receive $500 000, runner-up $250 000, while third- and fourth-place finishers will take home $200 000 and $100 000 respectively along with trophies.

Defending champs Bent Street under pressure tonight A NUMBER of teams will be aiming for victories to secure their spots in the knockout round when play in this year’s Magnum Mash Cup resumes this evening, with more action in the preliminary phase, at the National Gymnasium.

Ten matches are carded for this evening and among the teams scheduled to appear are defending champions Bent Street, the red hot ‘Gold is Money’, Buxton Diamond, Leopold Street, Showstoppers, Tiger Bay and Albouystown.

The tournament, which has enjoyed tremendous crowd support so far, has provided fans with three nights of exhilarating action and this feature is anticipated to continue as teams battle to reach the business end of the competition.

Among those who have already impressed and are in a good position to make the KO round are Gold is Money, Sophia, North Ruimveldt, Back Circle, and Showstoppers, who have remained unbeaten in their two engagements to date.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday, Febrary 13, 2019)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) (1) (2)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: Moen Ali (ENG) 26 players (12 WI; 14 ENG)

Today’s Quiz: (1) Who were the captains involved when the WI made a ‘clean sweep’ of a five-Test series against England for the first time?

(2) Who were the captains when it happened for the second time?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Reigning champs Bent Street drew their opening fixture and will no doubt be looking to secure a win against Avocado Ballers to stay in contention for a place in the next phase.

Also Leopold Street, Tiger Bay, Broad Street, Future Stars, Island All Stars, Kitty Hustlers and Albouystown will have similar thoughts and ambitions if they are to progress further.

It promises to be a thrilling night of action and fans are being encouraged to once again show up in masses to witness their respective community teams go head-to-head against each other.

On the other hand, the organisers, who are appreciative of the support received so far, will be giving fans two opportunities to win prizes this evening for Valentine’s Day and the February 22 STAG Stage J’ouvert.

One hundred lucky couples will receive tickets for

the J’ouvert, while 12 will be given one bottle of Verdi wine to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a loved one.

Among the other sponsors on board are: Trophy Stall, Nigel Financial Services and Insurance Brokers.

Entrance fee is $500.

Meanwhile, fixtures for tonight are as follows: ● Mocha vs Gaza Squad ● Ol Skool Ballers vs Island All-Stars ● Broad Street vs Showstoppers ● Back Circle vs Good-Life ● Buxton Diamond vs Hustlers ● Gold is Money vs Capital Strikers ● Alexander Village vs Future Stars ● Tiger Bay vs Sophia ● Bent Street vs Avocado Ballers ● Leopold Street vs Albouystown

England captain Joe Root and Windies Shannon Gabriel shake hands at the end of the Third Test. ©Getty Images

WEST Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has been charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) following an incident with England captain Joe Root.

Gabriel was warned by the umpires for the language he used on day three of the third Test in St Lucia.

Sky Sports posted a clip of Root responding to a comment from Gabriel by saying: “Don’t use it as an insult. There’s nothing wrong with being gay.”

Gabriel, 30, has been charged with breaching the ICC’s code of conduct.

The charge is under article 2.13, which relates to the personal abuse of a player, player support personnel, umpire or match referee during an interna-

tional match.

The original comment

by Gabriel was not picked up and Root, 28, refused to explain after play exactly what was said.

In a statement yesterday, the ICC said: “The charge, which was laid by match umpires, will now be dealt with by match referee Jeff Crowe.

“Until the proceedings have concluded, the ICC will not comment further.”

England said they would not comment on the charge and will wait “until the process is concluded by the ICC”.

Gabriel’s exchange with Root on Monday occurred during the England captain’s fine century to put his side in a commanding position. (BBC Sport)

Reigning four-day champs Jaguars increase lead to 112.4 points

… Hurricanes move into second place on 83.2

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Leeward Islands Hurricanes have moved into second spot in the standings while four-time reigning champions, Guyana Jaguars, have stretched their lead at the top, following the seventh round of matches in the Regional Four-Day Championship.

Hurricanes, third at the start of the round, defeated neighbours Windward Islands Volcanoes by 12 runs at Windsor Park in Dominica, in a superb come-from-behind effort.

Set 241 for victory, Volcanoes appeared on course for an easy victory at 222 for five but Hurricanes grabbed the last five wickets for six runs to pull off a sensational victory.

They are now second on 83.2 points, 29.2 points behind Jaguars who halted their two-game losing streak with a seven-wicket win over Jamaica Scorpions in Georgetown.

Jaguars sit comfortably on 112.4 points, further padding their previously diminishing lead with the win.

Volcanoes, meanwhile, slipped to third on 75 points with Barbados Pride clinging to fourth on 73.6 points, after chasing down 324 on the final day to trounce luckless Trinidad and Tobago Red Force by four wickets at Kensington Oval here.

Scorpions’ defeat saw them unmoved in fifth, on 59 points, while Red Force remained rooted to the bottom on 58.8 points after losing their fourth match of the campaign.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 13, 2019

47

Pele pays tribute to goalkeeping magic of ‘blue phantom’ Banks

By Andrew Downie SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters) - Pele and Gordon Banks will forever be connected by the save-of-the-century in Mexico in 1970, and the Brazilian legend explained exactly why yesterday as he paid tribute to a “fine human being” and “a goalkeeper with magic”.

The death of 81-year-old former England keeper was announced by his former club Stoke City yesterday.

Banks leapt across the goalmouth to turn Pele’s header around the post in the first-round clash in Guadalajara in 1970. The miraculous stop was soon dubbed “the save-ofthe-century.”

“For many people, their memory of Gordon Banks is defined by the save he made against me in 1970,” Pele said in a Facebook post. “I understand why.”

“The save was one of the best I have ever seen - in real life and in all the thousands of games I have watched since.”

“When you are a footballer, you know straightaway how well you have hit the ball. I hit that header exactly as I had hoped. Exactly where I wanted it to go. And I was ready to celebrate.”

“But then this man, Banks, appearing in my sight, like a kind of blue phantom, is how I described him. He came from nowhere and he did something I didn’t feel was possible. He pushed my header, somehow, up and over. And I couldn’t believe what I saw. Even now when I watch it l, I can’t believe it. I can’t believe how he moved so far, so fast.”

“I scored so many goals in my life, but many people, when they meet me, always ask me about that save.

While it was indeed phenomenal, my memory of Gordon is not defined by that - it is defined by his friendship. He was a kind and warm man who gave so much to people,” the 78-year-old Pele wrote.

“So I am glad he saved my header - because that act was the start of a friendship between us that I will always treasure. Whenever we met, it was always like we had never been apart.”

“I have great sadness in my heart today and I send condolences to the family he was so proud of.”

“Rest in peace, my friend. Yes, you were a goalkeeper with magic. But you were also so much more. You were a fine human being.”

Gordon Banks and Pele during the press conference, Gordon Banks XI v Pele XI - Charity Match - The Britannia Stadium (Mandatory Credit: Action Images/Carl Recine/File photo)

Hikers, GCC off to winning ways in GHB Leagues THE premier leagues for hockey for both genders got off to an exciting start over the past weekend on St Stanislaus College ground.

Junior men’s national side, Supernova, scored the opening goal of the 2019 Farfan & Mendes men’s first division league through a penalty corner strike from Samuel Woodroffe.

Hikers therefore emerged with an easy 8-1 victory.

In another high-scoring match, Bounty GCC annihilated GCC Vintage by 14-2. The Bounty boys chalked up nine unanswered goals by the half, mainly through young Meshach Sargeant who had 4 to his name.

Vintage managed two goals late in the second half but not before

Mark Sargeant charges through the midfield for GCC.

The defending champions, PEPSI Hikers, however, sprang to life through prolific national striker Aroydy Branford, who scored a hat-trick of goals in the first half, with Andrew Stewart adding another.

The second half was flooded once again with goals by Branford who matched his first-half tally of three goals while teammate and fellow national Jamarj Assanah scored a single. The

Bounty GCC had put the game well beyond their reach to finish on 14-2.

Two second-half goals by Shakeem Fausette in the 36th minute and Hilton Chester in the 56th gave Saints their maiden First Division victory over Old Fort and perhaps the club’s first-ever first division win in its short history.

Old Fort fielded a young side with new developmental players

adding to their remaining seniors but fell short of the mark, succumbing by 2-0 to Saints.

Teams returned on Sunday where Vintage suffered their second huge loss this time to the PEPSI Hikers by 9-1. Bounty GCC smashed Saints by a similar margin while Old Fort showed an improved performance by drawing with Supernova 1-1.

The lone ladies fixture of the weekend pitted favourites GBTI GCC against the Bingo Spartans.

While the Spartans showed some grit and clearly had youthful legs on their side, the GBTI ladies were clearly stronger.

Midfielder Madison Fernandes surprisingly put the Spartans ahead through a crafty reverse shot off a penalty corner in the 9th minute which seemed to make the GBTI ladies buckle down to business as they rattled off 5 unanswered goals in cruising to a 5-1 victory.

Full scores are: Farfan & Mendes Men’s First Division League ♦ PEPSI Hikers defeated Supernova by 8-1 ♦ Bounty GCC defeated GCC Vintage by 14-2 ♦ Saints defeated Old Fort by 2-0 ♦ PEPSI Hikers defeated GCC Vintage by 9-1 ♦ Bounty GCC defeated Saints by 9-1 ♦ Supernova drew with Old Fort 1-1

National Race of Champions billed for March 3

THERE is less than three weeks remaining before the first National Race of Champions 2019 gets underway and racers are priming for action in one of the largest groups.

The Group Two, arguably one of the most subscribed classes on the race-day grid, is sure to be a firecracker.

Evolving over the years, the class has now become a hunting ground for Honda Civics, primarily the hatchback versions, which take up more than 75% of the grid.

The defending champion is Chet Singh but by no means is it a one-horse race.

There are the likes of Shan Seejattan, Rameez Mohamed, Nazrudeen Mohamed, Haniff Mohamed and Shairaz Roshandin and others who are going to try to make an early power-grab for the title.

The battle may come down to who has the right race-day settings, especially given the fact that the cars are almost identical on power.

Winning will come down to driver-ability.

Still, maximum points in round one could mean the ultimate factor in ensuring a solid title hunt and all the competitors in the class must be aware of this.

♦ Woodpecker Ladies First Division League ♦ GBTI GCC defeated Bingo

Spartans by 5-1 ♦ Matches are being held on St Stanislaus College

ground and will take place every Saturday and Sunday until May 20.

Chase unbeaten century softens heavy defeat for Windies day 4 - THIRD Windies, England Test at DARREN SAMMY STADIUM

Roston Chase sealed his fifth Test century shortly before the final wicket fell, to complete England’s 232-run win. (Getty Images)

Despite the loss, Windies came out winners of the series to relclaim the Wisden Trophy. (Cricbuzz photo)

Everyone has a chance to make the team Page

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– coach Johnson

Golden Jaguars head coach Michael Johnson (extreme left) takes the local-based players through their paces at the GFF’s National Training Centre yesterday. (Rawle Toney photo)

Page

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Pele pays tribute to goalkeeping magic of ‘blue phantom’ Banks

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wednesday, februaRY 13, 2019