Guyana Chronicle E-paper 02-15-2019

FRIDAY 15th February, 2019

Gov't rolls into Rupununi No.105549

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… to cover 28 villages in massive PAGE ministerial outreach

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… local leaders give APNU+AFC Gov't thumbs up

Guyana off 05 EU blacklist PAGE

Guyanese man killed in Cayenne 13 PAGE

Violence must not pass as 02 entertainment PAGE

Students of the Tapacuma Primary School performing a traditional Indigenous dance while enacting the defeat of the dreaded Kanaima at the finals of the Children’s Mashramani Competition which opened on Thursday at the National Cultural Centre (Samuel Maughn photo) see story on page 26

––Dr O’Toole urges parents to take sharp look at violent video games

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

Violence must not pass as entertainment SCHOOL of the Nations Principals, Dr Brian O’Toole is warning parents against the exposure of their children to violent online videos games which oftentimes pass as entertainment.

He made the appeal even as he expressed unease that one youth or a small group of them can hold a sizable percentage of Guyana at ransom in fear and apprehension.

Dr O’Toole, who is in

New York and is scheduled for surgery to regain use of his left hand after he was shot 18 days ago at his home, described the situation as a very sad one. He suggested to the Guyana Chronicle that persons have useful information of the shooting but are silent.

“Surely, many persons have information but are fearful to say anything. They too end up being victims, with silence on their consciences. Parents too may

have a terrible divided loyalty between the natural desire to protect their child and to do the right thing.”

“When I was shot, the attempted murderer did a bizarre dance – when relating this to some students I am close to, they referred me to the dark video game, Fortnite. The dance on that evening looked as if it had been rehearsed from the very same video,” he told this publication.

–– Dr O’Toole urges parents to take sharp look at violent video games Warnings have appeared in leading newspapers in the UK, such as The Telegraph, about the game in question.

The game has been found to be addictive and creates aggression and extreme violence in its participants, the newspaper reported.

The report went on to say that schools in the UK are warning parents that Fortnite is making children “aggressive and violent” and fuelling bullying.

A number of primary schools in Gloucestershire have sent out letters to parents and one has held events talking about the effects the game is having on pupils as young as age six, the report said.

ALL CONSUMING The report noted that Widden Primary School, in Gloucester, last year held daily sessions for a week, informing parents that the game was becoming “all consuming” for young children and they are at risk of becoming “addicted”.

“Younger children find it difficult to distinguish between the game and real life.

They are exposed to the ag-

gression and violence.”

“We have had a number children for whom their behaviour has deteriorated as a result of what seems to be playing Fortnite. It leads to aggressive behaviour and language which they have heard online,” The Telegraph reported Debbie Innes, deputy head at the school as saying.

Fortnite is a ‘battle royale’ styled game in which up to 100 people compete at a single time in online matches to the death.

Hannah Beale, a Year Four teacher at Foxmoor Primary, Stroud, who had also sent letters to parents, said children were now being bullied about their Fortnite characters.

According to Dr O’Toole, a British-trained psychologist, the key issue here is that in such games, children and youth tend to lose track of reality, a problem parents must nip in the bud.

“As parents we can simply check to see if our children are part of this dangerous cyber world. As a school, we can do our best to educate children about the terrible power of this neth-

Nations Principal, Dr Brian O’Toole er world, but only parents can police their children’s phones, computers and other devices.

“The challenge is for us all but the urgency is very, very clear.

We are creating a cyber world that youths have never had to face in the past,” he said, pointing out that a lesson learnt in the shooting and threats is that parents need to take a sharper look at violent video games which pass as entertainment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

Gov’t rolls into Rupununi … to cover 28 villages in massive ministerial outreach … local leaders give APNU+AFC Gov’t thumbs up

By Svetlana Marshall

TODAY, the government will roll out a massive ministerial outreach in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) with some 19 ministers expected to be spread across 28 villages within a threeday period.

In those villages, government has pumped close to one billion dollars into the Health, Education, Infrastructure, Agriculture, Housing, Information, Communication and Technology and Transportation Sectors over the past three

challenges facing villages with the intention of providing the necessary solutions.

“Since we are going into all these far-reaching communities, we are also going to provide health services in some of these communities, so that the people in those areas can be exposed fully to dentistry, ophthalmology,” Minister Ally added. She noted that for many of the villagers in the Rupununi, it is either difficult for them to access some of the services or too expensive for them to travel to the capital city – George-

the submissions from the various communities for these projects,” Minister Ally posited. A magistrate’s court was also constructed in Lethem to accelerate the rate at which criminal matters are heard in the region. Overall, she said, government has achieved much since it took office in May 2015, and it intends to intensify services to the region this year.

Region Nine Regional Executive Officer (REO), Carl Parker, told the Guyana Chronicle that from 2015 to 2018, the APNU+AFC Administration

President David Granger greets a resident of St. Ignatius upon his arrival at the village for the Rupununi Heritage celebrations in 2018 years.

On Thursday, Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, who is spearheading the outreach, told the Guyana Chronicle that all plans were in place for the government’s first major outreach for 2019.

St. Ignatius, Lethem, Moco Moco, Parishara, Nappie, Quarrie, Kaicumbay, Yupukari, Kwatamang, Rupertee, Annai, Aranaputa, Surama, Wowetta, Massara, Toka, Rewa, Katoonarib, Sarariwau, Aishalton, Auchiwib, Maururanau, Kraudar, Karasabai, Tiger Pond, Shulinab, Sand Creek and Hiowa, are the villages that will be visited by the ministers of government and their teams from today, Friday February 15 to Sunday February 17.

CHALLENGES Once on the ground, the ministers will examine

town, when the need arises, as such, the government will be taking the services to the people.

Government, Ally said, has placed major emphasis on infrastructural development in Rupununi. In the Education Sector, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) has invested heavily in the establishment of ‘smart classrooms’ as it pushes ahead with its plan to bridge the educational and technological divide between the coastland and the hinterland. Also, in the area of human resource development, women and youth have been given the opportunity to build on their ideas and businesses through the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) programme.

“As minister responsible for social protection, I am going to examine many of

injected $950,176,582 or approximately $950.1M into the development of the villages that will be visited.

Based on a progress report provided, those villages that fall within North, Central and South Rupununi received incremental increases to foster growth in education, agriculture, transportation and health, among others. In 2015, approximately $103.3M was injected into eight of the villages; in 2016 $242.9M was pumped into 19 villages within the Rupununi; in 2017, the figure jumped to $303.2M with 18 villages benefitting; and last year, approximately 16 villages benefited from $300.7M. Toka is one of the villages that continue to benefit from developmental works in the region. Region Nine’s first Chief of Chiefs and Deputy Toshao of Toka, Eugene Isaac, testified of the progress recorded from

President David Granger receives a warm welcome from residents of Shulinab Village, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo in 2018 upon his arrival in the village 2015 to date. According to him, Toka now boasts of having one of the best sports ground in Region Nine. Its nursery school, which was in a deplorable state, was also rehabilitated.

But most importantly to the more than 300 people living in Toka, was access to potable water. It is expected that this year the government, with technical support from the Brazilian Army, will drill an artesian well in the village.

“We have never had a well. We have had experiments with wells in our community and all failed, and now there is a Brazilian team that is coming in and they are showing us that they are going to give us an artesian flow,” Isaac told this newspaper. He said the planned development will be a “big plus” for Toka.

Once villagers are able to have easy and frequent access to water, Isaac anticipates that the village’s agriculture sector will “boom.”

“There was one time we were planting about 70100 acres, and we kind of fall back with that but with water now, agriculture will boom,” he told this newspaper.

Already, wells have been drilled in other neighbouring villages. In November 2018, the government commissioned eight wells located in Aishalton, Chukrikednau, Karaudarnau, Achiwuib, Awaruwaunau, Marunranau, Shea and Baisahidrum. The project was executed through

a joint venture between the Engineering Corps of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the 6th Construction Battalion of the Brazilian Armed Forces, with support from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Hydrometeorological Office and the Ministries of Communities and Public Infrastructure.

In the area of infrastructure, the deputy toshao applauded the government for its continuous push to upgrade the Linden to Lethem Road, which is heavily relied upon by villagers throughout the Rupununi.

He said once the road is upgraded and bridges repaired, cost of living in Region Nine will stabilise and the price of fuel will be reduced. Overall, he said the developments can be seen throughout the region.

“I went to South Rupununi, there are several new bridges that have been built over

the last two years, the roads have been upgraded…there is real development and you are feeling it now,” he posited.

Former Mayor of Lethem Carlton Beckles, in reflecting on the region’s development, said the district now has two new radio stations – one in Aishalton and the other in Lethem, representing a major boost for the information sector. Those radio stations now complement Radio Paiwomak in Annai, North Rupununi. Beckles, like Isaacs, applauded government on its move to drill wells within villages that suffer tremendously during the dry season.

Zooming in on Lethem, the former mayor said that prior to Local Government Elections in 2016; the town had no street lights.

However, today, a number of street lights have been installed. “In Lethem, we have a fourlane road that is being developed, 2.4 km with See page 4

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

Guyanese teen stabbed to death in New York

THE New York Police Department (NYPD) has identified a 17-year-old boy who was stabbed to death Wednesday night during an argument in his Bronx neighbourhood.

Police said Pernell “Blizzy” Pompey had gotten into an argument with a trio of attackers in the vicinity of East 193rd Street and Decatur Avenue shortly after 19:00hrs, just blocks away from his home.

Pompey, who is Guyanese and formerly of Two Friends, Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, was stabbed, after which he stumbled down the sidewalk to a nearby deli.

He was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital where he was pronounced dead. His attackers ran away and have not yet been caught.

A cousin of the now dead teen told Guyana Chronicle that the young man had left

home to spend some time with his friends and was expected to return later that evening.

The cousin also said relatives are unaware of the cause of the stabbing. Guyana Chronicle was told that the mother of the now dead teen, who lives in the US, was on the phone with her niece when the doorbell rang.

When a check was made, it was a policeman who enquired about the whereabouts

UG unions displeased with conciliation meeting THE University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) and the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) have indicated their displeasure with the conciliation meeting convened by the Department of Labour.

The unions, alongside representatives of the UG administration, met with Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, who had convened a conciliation meeting with the bodies in light of the impasse over negotiations of wages and salaries for 2018.

This meeting was held on February 12.

According to a release from the unions, the presidents of the university unions, Bruce Haynes (UGWU) and Dr Jewel Thomas (UGSSA), attended the meeting at the Department of Labour, within Ministry of Social Protection.

At the meeting, the University of Guyana’s administration indicated that they wished to initiate the conciliation process.

“This meeting proved to be a most unfortunate experience for the unions. The officials of the Department of Labour did not appear to be the impartial arbiters they should have been in such a situation,” the release noted.

The release recounted that the union representatives were told that strike action “is not a right” and that “strike action in their situation was impossible”.

The strike action referenced had begun on Monday outside the old vice-chancellor’s building at UG during the lunch period.

There, 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.

The unions further indicated that they could face disciplinary consequences for their role in leading industrial action.

“The unions wish to state that the behaviour manifested in this meeting was a grave disappointment. We expect that officials of the Department of Labour will behave in a manner that is beyond reproach when intervening in disputes. Their conduct should be so unbiased that accusations of acting in favour of a particular political group would never arise,” the release said.

It added: “Such threats will not cause us to deviate from our determined course. What is at stake is the wellbeing and interests of over 1,000 full-time and part-time staff, and also the wellbeing and interests of the over 7,000 students of the university.”

Dr Thomas had recently shared with the Guyana Chronicle that the unions do not trust the authenticity of the financial documents that will be taken into the conciliation proceedings.

In November 2018, UG Finance and General Purposes Committee 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 UG’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith.

The documents she spoke of were the university’s financial documents which showed that the university has no money to pay for further increases.

According to the release, “As employees, as taxpayers and as citizens, we need to know that the national resources being given to the university are being spent in a way that brings the greatest good to staff and students.”

The call for a forensic audit that will be used to determine the true financial situation of the university was also reiterated.

of Yvette Pompey, the dead teen’s mother.

When the teen’s mother went to the door, the policeman reportedly identified himself and told her that her son was involved in a serious incident, and was rushed to hospital but did not survive.

Pernell Pompey is survived by three older siblings and other relatives and friends, locally and abroad.

On Thursday morning, police still had the intersection wrapped in crime scene tape as they investigated the killing and looked for surveillance

footage of the attack. So far, it does not appear to be gang-related.

However, the killing may be related to one of the two slashings he was believed to be involved in on December 1, both in the Bronx.

Pompey was charged with slashing a 19-year-old man on the right side of the cheek in front of 237 East 149th Street, causing a laceration that took 50 stitches to repair.

Additionally, Pompey was accused of slashing a 28-year-old man on the right wrist and left hand, requiring

10 stitches, inside of 2675 Valentine Avenue.

Pompey was arrested at Briggs and East 194th Street on December 5 in connection with those two slashings. Police say he was in possession of a knife, marijuana and crack cocaine.

He was charged again in January with criminal possession of a controlled substance, and he faced a weapons-possession charge from back in August 2018.

The police investigation is ongoing. (This report contains information taken from Eyewitness News)

Gov’t rolls ...

From page 3 pavement and underground drainage system. That is work in progress right now,” he pointed out.

He said the construction and operationalisation of the magistrate’s court in Lethem was another one of the major achievements. “You used to have to wait three months before you could have cases being heard. Now you have cases being heard on a daily basis or three times per week,” he explained. Beckles said he looks forward to the government’s engagement with the

people of Region Nine but more so, the increased development that would follow.

The ministers participating in the outreach include: Amna Ally, Dawn Hastings-Williams, Catherine Hughes, Raphael Trotman, Khemraj Ramjattan, Nicolette Henry, David Patterson, Dr. Karen Cummings, Basil Williams, Ronald Bulkan, Winston Felix, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, Keith Scott, Annette Ferguson, Sydney Allicock, Joseph Harmon, Jaipaul Sharma, Carl Greenidge and George Norton.

The Team of Guyanese and Brazilians at the sixth successfully drilled well in Awaruwaunau in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (CDC image)

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Guyana off EU blacklist

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

… AG says aggressive anti-corruption campaign bearing fruit

By Svetlana Marshall GUYANA has been officially removed from the European Commission’s Money-Laundering Blacklist, while countries like Saudi Arabia, Panama and Nigeria have been added.

Since May, 2017, the European Commission had proposed that Guyana be removed from the money-laundering blacklist but for a second time that year, the European Parliament rejected the list. Guyana had openly objected.

On Wednesday, the European Commission adopted a new list of 23 countries with strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing frameworks, and Guyana was not included. Other countries like Bosnia, Loa, Uganda and Vanuatu have also been removed.

Guyana’s Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, said this new development augurs well for the people of Guyana, particularly at a time when it prepares for first oil in 2020. He said it is also testimony of President David Granger’s determination to fight corruption in whatever form. “From the onset, President Granger had given a high-level commitment to the Financial Action Task Force regarding Guyana’s position on combating money laundering and he has followed-up with ensuring that his government works towards that,” Williams said.

He added: “As a government

policy, we have been pursuing the combating of money laundering and financing of terrorism and also combatting weapons of mass destruction. So our policies are bearing fruit,” Minister Williams told the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday.

He said the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government has been consistently cleaning the economy of “dirty money” through the implementation of anti-corruption measures.

Williams said it is clear that the international community has taken note of the efforts of the government.

The Legal Affairs Ministry has been raising awareness among the people, through regional interaction, on the dangers of money laundering. They are being taught how to safeguard the economy.

“It is important in the context of being on the cusp of transforming into an oil economy, that we ensure that we have good money, that we make preparations for the good money that will flow from legitimate endeavors.

So we have to continue this struggle,” the attorney general told this newspaper.

Under the EU’s Anti-Money Laundering Directive, the commission is responsible for producing an inventory of countries thought to be at risk of money laundering, tax evasion and terrorism financing. The list is intended to protect the EU financial system by better preventing money

laundering and terrorist financing risks.

The new list now includes: Afghanistan, American Samoa, the Bahamas, Botswana, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guam, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Puerto Rico, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, US Virgin Islands, and Yemen.

“As a result of the listing, banks and other entities covered by EU anti-money laundering rules will be required to apply increased checks (due diligence) on financial operations involving customers and financial institutions from these high-risk countries, to better identify any suspicious money flows,” the European Commission explained.

On the basis of a new methodology, which reflects the stricter criteria of the fifth anti-money laundering directive in force since July 2018, the list has been established following an in-depth analysis.

V?ra Jourová, Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, said with the new methodology in place, the criteria are stricter.

“We have established the strongest anti-money laundering standards in the world, but we have to make sure that dirty money from other countries does not find its way to our financial system. Dirty money is the lifeblood of organised crime and terrorism.

I invite the countries listed to remedy their deficiencies

swiftly. The commission stands ready to work closely with them to address these issues in our mutual interest,” Jourová said.

The list was compiled on the basis of an analysis of 54 priority jurisdictions, which was prepared by the commission in consultation with the Member States, and made public on 13th Novem-

ber 2018.

People and legal entities from blacklisted countries face tougher than usual checks when doing business in the EU. In compiling these lists, the commission depends heavily on the international body, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Attorney General, Basil Williams

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Radio:

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N February 13, 2019, Guyana observed World Radio Day. As Guyana joined the international community to celebrate one of humanity’s great accomplishments – the introduction and subsequent widespread accessibility of information via radio, our country has reason to be proud, particularly since the APNU+AFC coalition was elected to office and the availability of radio service became a reality for many Guyanese who, for too long had been neglected; their very existence virtually forgotten.

Few would have predicted that the discovery of the possibility of wireless transmission of information would have resulted in a technological leap that would catapult civilisation into the information age, as no other single development has done. The series of discoveries and developments that began in the 1880s and culminated in the first broadcast on Christmas Eve 1906, came to be known as Radio.

British Guiana’s use of the new wireless technology began in the 1920s. In 1938, owing to the local demand for cricket commentary, The British Guiana United Broadcasting Company was established by the merger of two smaller stations, which had been operating since 1935. That short wave station began broadcasting in the medium wave range in 1947. The station became Radio Demerara in 1947, which moved to the famous High Street location in 1955.

In 1958, the British Guiana Broadcasting Service (BGBS) started transmitting from that location as well. While Radio Demerara focussed primarily on rebroadcasting BBC programmes, BGBS covered local events, news, and the ever-popular sports and games.

After independence, between October 1968 and July 1980, the two stations, in a step-by-step series of acquisitions and reorganisations, finally became the Guyana

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

celebrating progress Broadcasting Corporation, Channels 1 and 2, eventually being renamed Radio Roraima and the Voice of Guyana.

While, in those days, local radio broadcasts were available only to the coastal residents, Guyanese in hinterland communities were left out. Development which expectedly accompanies the ready availability of information was sadly lacking in Guyana’s interior communities. This historical reality may be one of the primary contributors to the unfortunate reality of the developmental gap between Guyana’s coastal and hinterland peoples. Disappointingly, the progress which may have been made by the widespread dissemination of information came to a virtual standstill in the following decade as other local and international matters engaged the attention of authorities.

Guyana’s history of radio took a turn for the worse when, under the People Progressive Party’s (PPP) dictatorial reign, Radio was made into a political weapon. Radio licences were given away to friends of the PPP regime, including Bharrat Jagdeo’s personal relatives, even as established media houses and independent entrepreneurs were denied access to the airwaves. Incredibly, the PPP government even gave itself a licence. The PPP’s Freedom Radio was licensed to broadcast from Freedom House on five (5) frequencies. In October 2016, when he was asked for an explanation, Bharrat Jagdeo was arrogantly unapologetic.

He said The PPP party’s radio station . . . “would be openly sympathetic to us . . . and would tend to carry our views more . . .” Jagdeo contemptuously added, “Of course the PPP got a licence . . . I am a politician, so they can accuse me of that one.”

Fortunately, all of that changed on May 16, 2015, when Brigadier David Granger became president. His Excellency said that “Government knows the importance of radio, and

wants to make sure that national radio gets to all communities.” The president also revealed that the APNU+AFC government plans to activate more radio transmitters and stations so that all citizens [throughout Guyana] may have equal access to the media.

Under the governance of the coalition administration, in May 2016, Radio Lethem went on the air in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo followed by Radio Mabaruma in June in Barima-Waini. Radio Aishalton in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo began broadcasting in February 2017, and Radio Mahdia in Potaro-Siparuni, and Radio Bartica in CuyuniMazaruni started operating in October and November respectively. In April 2018, Radio Orealla switched on, and Radio Essequibo, the seventh hinterland station, is due to go on the air shortly; the transmitter is already installed at the station-building in Cotton-Field. Prior to those recent developments, the more than 113,000 Guyanese residing in Guyana’s interior had neither ready access to news and information, nor any easy way to market their products or share information within and among their communities; many hinterland residents said that they felt as though they were not even a part of Guyana. Happily, that saddening state of affairs is now being corrected.

At the launch of Radio Aishalton, the President said, “You have a right to receive information.” The President noted, too, that radio is an essential outlet for culture, language, education, and entertainment. His Excellency pointed out that, “Radio has played a key role in Guyana’s developmental history.” Evidently, the President is committed to the continuation of that development, and he is determined that Guyana will not be left behind as progress, through the availability of information, is obviously a major part of his government’s policy agenda.

A timely and necessary interaction Dear Editor,

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OMESTIC violence continues to attract undivided attention from the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government because of its fixture on the national list of social ills.

Of course, there have been numerous engagements with citizens across the nation as exemplified by seminars, workshops, hosted by both the present and past administrations, non-organisations, religious organisations, cultural groups and other entities in an effort to bring more awareness to the perpetrators and victims.

However, in the absence of data, it is yet to be determined the impact which these public efforts have been making, except that it is sincerely hoped that those who would have heard its message of admonition, would have been heeding its solemn advice.

The recent two-day workshop held by the West Demerara-Essequibo Islands, Region Three Department of Education, under the auspices of its Guidance and Counselling Unit, is another in the ongoing state-sponsored efforts to combat what has become a national scourge. Held under the theme “Breaking the silence through Empowerment and Education’’, this latest effort brought together a gathering of both educators and students for a two-day seminar Anti-Domestic Violence Workshop, aimed at educating and sensitizing this very key professional collective “about domestic violence and its adverse effects”.

It is as well that this particular key collective that forms the fulcrum of any state educational system, given their continuous daily interaction within the classroom, not least Guyana’s, get together for a conversation of an issue that is a daily presence in many of their individual life experiences, as well as occurring in the general societal norm. It is

even more instructive, given that it has been traditionally a custom, to be precise, where children of all ages, whether at school or not, are deemed to be abstract, and non-affected by inter-personal incidents, which take place within the confines of their homes. In fact, there is the well-known belief that they are generally unaffected by the stresses and impact that originate from such incidents.

But it is within the classroom that the frightening and degrading home circumstances, which are vividly witnessed and personally experienced by the young, are often exhibited in the form of behaviour, either viewed as unacceptable to the code of behavioral conduct for students and outside the norm of what is acceptable.

However, given modern methodologies of socio-scientific research by so many psycho-social experts, in which observatory methods have proven to be very informative in understanding and finding answers to the behaviour of children in distress, the opposite has been proven – that children of all ages are indeed greatly affected by the violence/abuse of all types within their homes, which primarily make their young lives confused, a daily nightmare, and an outright living hell.

Of course, teachers, many of them, are themselves not immune to the incidence of domestic violence, since, from media reports, many have fallen to its murderous blows, while others are surviving as helpless and cowed victims of the brutal physical and psychological environment which has become their prison. It is because of this mutual experience that such an interaction, even as separate groups, would have been necessary, for what one is certain would have been an open discussion, especially from students, on what they do witness in the intimacy of their homes, and the mental damage done to their young psyche.

The reality is that both these groups share a common

milieu of a problem which affects their daily lives, without perhaps realising the great misunderstanding of each other, in a situation of daily distress, and what it eventually does in the dynamics of the classroom relationship. They both bring to the classroom a common problem that needs to be addressed, not in isolation but in a manner which brings an understanding of especially students, identifying their distress and guiding them to the necessary focal point where assistance can be accessed. Even for the affected teachers, they too can be assisted to combat such a challenge for a problem that will continue to affect their classroom performance, especially with regards their academic relationship with their student charges, if not remedied.

Noting that ‘’The objectives of the workshop are to foster and maintain self-confidence and self-worth, to learn coping mechanisms, to learn how to keep one self-protected and safe…”, among the many pointers. Further, according to senior Guidance and Counselling Officer, Priscilla Gonsalves, it was an imperative of the Guidance and Counselling Unit to take a “strong stance against domestic violence…, because we believe that a life free of domestic violence is everyone’s right...venture was introduced to restore and build lives, families, communities and our country at large one step at a time”. Such a position is commendable, as it is about a monster that continues to dwell.

Therefore, it is an initiative such as this that gives hope to the eventual reduction of this beastly act which continues to threaten the existence of our female segment of society, but, also its younger set, who are held in a captive situation because of their dependency status. It [is] hoped that this programme will be replicated in other regions throughout Guyana.

Earl Hamilton

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

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Guyana is better under President Granger Dear Editor,

AS one who traverse this dear land of Guyana, grounding with my brethren, my sisteren and, generally, Guyanese people of all walks of life, many questions are asked, especially from our young people regarding Guyana’s impending oil and Gas industry and its only fitting that same is addressed publicly to clear up any misconceptions about the industry that have been peddled by the doom and gloom preachers, such as former President Jagdeo, Christopher Ram, young Charles Ramson, and some clearly biased sections of the media.

In this letter, I wish to address a few major issues so that our youth can get the necessary clarity. Firstly, it is imperative to reiterate that the original contract between the government of Guyana and Esso Exploration, ExxonMobile’s affiliate company, was signed by Mrs. Janet Jagan, former President of Guyana and [then] Leader of the PPP in 1999.

At the time of signing, Mrs. Janet Jagan consented to giving ExxonMobil 600 Oil Blocks instead of the 60 which was stipulated by law. She contended that her reason for doing such was to occupy the area as a safeguard from Venezuelan aggression and claim to Guyana’s oil-rich territory. Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman stated that he did not change this because he was in agreement with Mrs. Jagan’s reasoning and he also pointed out the fact that in Article 13 of the Oil and Gas legislation, it states that the minister can give more than 60 Oil Blocks based on application by the exploration company and by his discretion.

The oil contract was reviewed in 2016 where a few minor changes were made and it was released in 2017. It is interestingly important to note that the PPP demanded the David Granger-led government to release the oil contract/ production sharing agreement with ExxonMobile that they hid from the Guyanese people for over sixteen years. It was when the David Granger-led Administration came into power and the contract had to [be] reviewed, it was released to the Guyanese people.

Our Guyanese citizens must understand that although the oil contract was reviewed and some “fiscal changes” were made, the contract could not be renegotiated.

The contract, which was inherited by the PPP, could not be renegotiated because the Guyana government was obligated to honour the conditions of the contract as it was signed by the Government of Guyana, and it did not matter whether that government was APNU/AFC or PPP. When asked

by Stabroek News why Jagdeo did not review the Oil Contract when he discovered that Mrs. Jagan had given 600 Oil Blocks to ExonMobile instead of 60, to this breach of the law which was committed by the PPPC, Jagdeo simply stated, “I do not have any explanation because I was not in Janet’s mind to know whether this was a recommendation from a technical staff that dealt with

it….I actually found [out] about the size later”. One might ask if this is the same Jagdeo that criticised the Oil Contract which was exposed to the Guyanese people and the world in 2017?

In an attempt to spread falsehoods, April 04, 2018, PPP’s MP, Ms. Gail Teixeira, denied that the previous government signed the original Oil Contract with Esso Exploration. Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, immediately corrected her by stating that it was her government that had, in fact, signed a production sharing agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil and partners in 1999. Minister Gaskin also stated, “We were bound by the agreement signed by your government. If you look, if you had read the agreement, you’ll see the term of that agreement [says] it expires not when you find oil, it expires after you have finished producing oil,” Minister Gaskin said.

It is important to remember that even though the Granger-led administration reviewed the contract from a standpoint of strength, since the oil belongs to the Guyanese people, it must also be emphasised that the Guyana government did not, during Janet Jagan’s tenure and the present government’s tenure, possess the capital, expertise, experience, apparatus or machinery to consider oil exploration; all of the aforementioned belongs to ExxonMobile, therefore, the APNU/ AFC government could not hold the Esso Exploration at ransom as some would have desired.

The contract is a hybrid contract, meaning that it involves royalties and a profit-sharing arrangement. The word “royalty” comes from the Middle Ages, when kings (royals) had rights because they owned land on which there were minerals. The person who wanted the minerals would pay for the right to take these minerals out of the land. A licence is right to use something that is owned by someone else, while royalties are the payments for that use. At its simplest, you have a licence to drive a car or a licence to own a business. The payments you make to the state agency are in effect like royalties.

Guyana will enjoy a 2% royalty and 50% of all of Exxon’s profits. Firstly, royalty is never anything huge. In most cases, they don’t usually go beyond 5 %. Mischief makers and self- proclaimed Oil and Gas experts peddled the 2% royalty to the masses without fully explaining that most Royalties are usually 5 % or below. In this case, the 2% royalty cannot, and I repeat cannot, be viewed in isolation. It simply means that Guyana gets 2% of the gross oil revenues and 50% of the net oil revenues. In other cases where the royalty is higher, for example Ghana whose royalty is 10%, one must consider that their oil is onshore unlike ours which is hundreds of kilometers offshore, therefore our production costs would be higher.

Former American Ambassador Perry Holloway has declared Guyana’s Oil deal to be a good one as Guyana will get money from day one of oil production.

I must ask the question, where

were all of the critics such as Raymond Gaskin and Christopher Ram in 1999? Or was the contract so secretive that they were unaware of its existence?

If one reads the letters and was present at the opinion-sharing sessions by the commentators, Gaskin and Ram, one would have gotten the impression that ExxonMobil could have been bullied or coerced into meeting all of the demands of the Guyana government or any other government. Charles Ramson Jr. who holds a masters degree in Oil and Gas management but who has absolutely no experience in the field, has been a sharp critic of the Oil contract. [He] expressed these criticisms via Kaieteur news article Oct 02, 2018, [and] is fully aware that the PPP signed the first Oil contract with Exxon in 1999. Yet, in hypocrisy, he chose to criticize the APNU/ AFC government over a contract that we are all bound by that was signed by his party.

Instead, Ramson should have turned his attention to his own party and Bharat Jagdeo who give Bai shanlin 960,000 hectares of forested land to complete logging; 20 km of river gold mining concessions and 400 acres of land for real estate. It is likely he, like most of Guyana, would be ignorant to this like many other unconscionable things the PPP did to the people of this country.

The party who weakened controls and caused Guyana to lose revenue on 15000 ounces of gold on a weekly basis, by allowing private individuals to buy gold instead of as previously done only through the gold board. Through these weakened controls 15000 ounces of gold are smuggled out of the country on a weekly basis and the gold board gets no revenue. It was this government that worked assiduously with several agencies to correct this tremendous loss of our patrimony. We heard nothing from Ramson when his party’s Youth Arm (PYO) head was found with $20 billion in his bank account and we also heard nothing from Jagdeo when Roger Luncheon gave the Ajeenkya Patil group Inc 64,488 hectares of land in Canje for $292.00 per hectare, per year for 99 years.

The US$18 Million signing bonus did not escape any of the Oil Contract critics radar but they failed to highlight that the information was released regarding same when Production Sharing Agreement was made public. The failed to mention that the signing bonus was in an interest-bearing account right in the Bank of Guyana. The signing bonus saga was just another attempt by the opposition and the selective critics of the government to create sensationalism. Guyana’s Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, declared what was and what is that “none of the US$18M—received as a signing bonus from US oil major ExxonMobil—has been spent.”

Upon her exit and completion of duties in Guyana Ms. Kimberly Brassington, ExonMobile’s former Senior Director of Government and Public Affairs, has stated that the PPP Adminis-

tration was given money to complete capacity-building training.

We all know where the signing bonus is but we are still waiting for Mr. Jagdeo and the PPP to advise what was done with those monies.

Guyana, under the David Granger-Led Coalition Government, is better equipped to continue serving this nation for the benefit of all Guyanese.

We must never allow ourselves to forget that most evil, wicked

and corrupt PPP administration.

Forward ever, backward never.

Jermaine Figueira Member of Parliament Region Ten

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

Min Harmon calls for sustainable financing for HFLD countries

MINISTER of State, Joseph French Guiana, Suriname and of timber legality; increase long term national goals and Harmon on Thursday issued Venezuela. The Guiana Shield value-added activities in the from effectively responding a call to the international represents 18 per cent of the forestry sector so as to aug- to and meeting our internacommunity for High Forest world’s tropical forest carbon ment carbon storage in long- tional targets like the Paris Cover, Low Deforestation and 20 per cent of the world’s use wood products; intensify Agreement on climate change (HFLD) countries to be rec- fresh water which allows it the sustainable management of and the 2030 Sustainable Deognised as a special, priority to capture large quantities of Indigenous communities which velopment Goals. Guyana group for sustainable and carbon dioxide. It is one of the own 14 per cent of our national is on an unequivocal path to predictable financial flows largest contiguous and relative- territory; add an additional becoming a ‘green’ state by the to facilitate the urgent un- ly intact, forested eco-regions two million hectares of land year 2040 through our Green dertaking of mitigation and in the world and undoubtedly and waterways to the national State Development Strategy: adaptation efforts to climate change.

Minister Harmon was at the time addressing the HFLD Climate Finance Mobilisation Conference, which had in its attendance, President of Suriname, Mr. Desi Delano Bouterse, representatives of the United Nations, Caribbean Community (CARICOM), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and climate funding agencies such as the Global Environment Fund Heads of Delegations from High Forest Cover Low Deforestation countries with (GEF).

President of Suriname, H. E. Desi Delano Bouterse. Minister of State, Mr. Joseph The Minister of State, who Harmon is positioned immediately behind President Bouterse has oversight of the Department of Environment and the Office of Climate Change in an area of both regional and protected areas system, bring- Vision 2040. We are eager to Guyana, said that the nation global significance in the fight ing the total protected areas to demonstrate that low-carbon, considers itself fortunate to against climate change. As an approximately 20% and facil- low-deforestation, climate-rebe numbered amongst the few HFLD country, Guyana takes itate greater certification of silient development is possible countries in the world that its responsibilities to ‘Mother forest products and increasing for HFLD countries. I thereare defined as HFLD coun- Earth’ very seriously and is access to markets so that this fore call on the international tries, with over 87 per cent of proud to stand as an exemplar commitment can be realised. community to recognise HFLD forested lands at its dispos- and reliable global partner in However, the absence countries as a special, priority al. “Guyana serendipitous- tackling climate change,” he of adequate international fi- group for sustainable and prely stands within the Guiana said. nance, technology transfer and dictable financial flows to faShield – one of the world’s Minister Harmon noted capacity building to enable cilitate the urgent undertaking last remaining spheres of vir- that Guyana is committed HFLD countries to transition of mitigation and adaptation gin tropical rainforest. The to ensuring sustainability in towards climate resilient and efforts to climate change,” he Guiana Shield spans an area of the forestry sector and would low emissions development is said.

2.7 million km², and is shared welcome measures that would a bane and a blight on develThese sentiments were by five other South American improve timber monitoring opment efforts, he posited. “It echoed by majority of the countries – Brazil, Colombia, and maintaining a high level retards us from meeting our countries present, as they noted

that while they are prepared to protect and conserve their forests, it is an effort that must be supported in tangible ways.

Meanwhile, President Bouterse, in his remarks, said it is imperative that financial mechanisms be put in place to ensure that countries which emit carbon dioxide in the atmosphere duly compensate countries which absorb the carbon through their forests. “We are aware that our forests provide significant benefits to the world by storing large amounts of carbon. Long before global warming and climate change were acknowledged, HFLD countries were preserving their eco systems. Unfortunately, contributions to especially HFLD countries to combat the climate change challenge is not reflected in the available finance. Cooperation among countries is therefore imperative. When I see the world participation in this Conference, I am confident that we are on the right track,” he said.

At the close of the session today, the participating countries adopted the Krutu of Paramaribo Joint Declaration on HFLD Climate Finance Mobilisation. Points 12 and 13 of the Declaration state, “We noted that HFLD developing countries are receiving a considerably small portion of the benefits from international mechanisms on climate finance, despite our utmost efforts for centuries in protecting and conserving our forests by contributing consistently and

significantly to storing carbon and mitigating the impacts of climate change at all levels for current and future generations.

We underscore that many HFLD developing countries are in dire need of adequate international climate finance, technology, transfer and capacity building to support the transition towards climate resilient and low emissions development and to achieve the goals set forth in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement.”

Further, Points 15 and 16 state, “We call upon the international community to explore practical ways to simplify and better align the financial frameworks and mechanisms including those designed to implement the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks) with the urgent and specific needs of HFLD developing countries in terms of mitigating and adapting to climate change.

We invited relevant financial institutions, developed country donors, the private sector, philanthropy and other countries in a position to do so, to increase financing for sustainable forest management, including conservation and to give special consideration to HFLD countries.” (Ministry of the Presidency)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

Prima facie case made out against Rick Sewcharran

A PRIMA facie case was on Thursday made out against a 22-year-old Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara resident, who is accused of killing his girlfriend, Sasia Adams.

The ruling was made by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court during the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the matter.

Rick Sewcharran was charged with manslaughter and is currently out on $500,000 bail for the crime.

Particulars of the charge alleged that, on June 10, 2018, at Lamaha Street, Georgetown, Sewcharran killed Adams, his

Rick Sewcharran

19-year-old girlfriend.

Sewcharran had opted to call a witness on his behalf.

Such action caused the matter to be adjourned until February 18, 2019. The matter

is being prosecuted by Inspector, Neville Jeffers, while Sewcharran is represented by Attorney-at-law Sanjeev J. Datadin.

On June 10, 2018, Adams was rushed to a private city hospital by her boyfriend, Sewcharran, who claimed that she had jumped out of the car as he was driving.

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

The police found the developments to be strange, as both had given conflicting reports and the 22-year-old boyfriend was taken into custody.

Taxi driver remanded for narco possession

A THIRTY-SIX-year-old taxi driver, who was busted

by Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) ranks with a large quantity of cannabis in his motor car, was on Thursday arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer to the charge.

Sherwin Clarke of Canjie Berbice made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the drug trafficking charge when it was read to him.

Particulars of the charge alleged that, on February 11, 2019, at the Fireside Grill, Garnett Street, Kitty, Clarke had 3.86 kilograms of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Sherwin Clarke Clarke’s attorney, Adrian Thompson, told the court that his client’s wife was five months pregnant and the defendant was also the sole breadwinner for his family.

Thompson, while arguing

for bail, said that his client was parked outside of the Fireside Grill, since he had taken passengers to the location.

However, CANU prosecutor, Narissa Leander, objected to Clarke being released on bail since he was the only person in the car when CANU ranks intercepted the vehicle.

Leander also disclosed that Clarke allegedly gave an oral confession to CANU ranks, admitting ownership of the narcotics.

The chief magistrate, after considering the arguments from both sides of the table, ruled in favour of the prosecution and remanded Clarke to prison.

The matter was adjourned until March 1, 2019.

Cuban doctor, wife get 12 months for forgery

A CUBAN doctor and his wife were on Thursday sentenced to 12 months imprisonment by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, for uttering forged Peru passports to a local immigration officer at Moleson Creek, Berbice.

It is alleged that, Alexi Vasquez, 38, a doctor, and his wife Juliette Sanchez, 35, on February 13, 2019 at Moleson Creek, Corentyne, Berbice, with intent to defraud, uttered their forged Republic of Cuba passports to Immigration officer, Constable Skeet Wright, in favour of themselves, purporting to show that the passports were issued by the Peru Immigration Services.

The couple, with the aid of an interpreter, pleaded guilty to the charge.

According to Police Prosecutor, Gordon Mansfield, the couple came to

Alexi Vasquez Guyana on February 11, 2019, via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and was nabbed two days later at Moleson Creek, while attempting to go over to Suriname with the forged passports.

The couple, when arrested, told the police that they had wanted to travel

Juliette Sanchez the world and paid a lawyer US$5,000 for the Peru passports while back in Cuba.

The chief magistrate sentenced the couple to 12 months in jail after considering their early guilty plea.

The duo will be deported after serving their time behind bars.

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Albouystown man remanded on murder charge

A TWENTY-FIVE-yearold Albouystown resident was, on Thursday, February 14, 2019, arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, for the murder of 34-year-old Kelvin Walters, who was shot and killed on January 22, 2019, during an alleged execution at Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

Devon Allen made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court with a fractured left leg, a condition which caused the matter to be heard in the Children’s Courtroom.

Allen was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that, on January 22, 2019, at Eccles Public Road, he murdered Walters.

The defendant was represented by attorney-at-law, Dexter Todd, who told the court that his client suffered from a fractured left leg along with serious head injuries.

Police Prosecutor, Neville Jeffers, informed the court that another accused, Rodrick Thomas, called “Roger”, was charged and

Devon Allen remanded to prison the previous week for Walters’ murder.

The chief magistrate remanded Allen to prison until February 15, 2019. Allen and Thomas will be charged jointly for the indictment.

Both defendants had suffered from broken legs and were nabbed by the police while they were receiving treatment at a private city hospital. However, Allen’s injuries were said to be more serious.

According to reports, on the day in question, Walters was travelling in his motor car along the East Bank De-

DEAD : Kelvin Walters merara road, heading south, when two men on a motorcycle rode up alongside his car.

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

Walters, according to information, drove his vehicle into the motorcycle, but the two men took evasive action.

The car rolled over the motorcycle, but the pillion rider got up and opened fire on Walters. He was shot to the mouth, according to eye-

Rodrick Thomas witnesses.

As a result, Walters lost control of the vehicle which then slammed into the median. Henry also suffered injuries.

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

According to reports, Walters might have been a key witness in an on-going matter pertaining to a grenade attack on the Kaieteur News in 2016. In that incident, the grenade failed to explode.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

High Court trial for Better Hope murder accused A NINETEEN-year-old Better Hope, East Coast Demerara resident was on Thursday committed by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly to stand trial at the High Court for attempted murder.

Orwin Smith, after undergoing a preliminary inquiry (PI) at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, was committed to stand trial before a judge and jury at the next practical sitting of the Demerara Criminal Assizes.

The matter was prosecuted by Corporal Richard Harris. Smith was released on $200,000 bail, pending his hearing at the High Court.

It is alleged that Smith, on July 30, 2018, at Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown, caused grievous bodily harm to James Abrams, with intent to commit murder.

According to reports, on the day in question, Smith asked his friend for $100 to go home; however, the friend told him to ask the bus driver to drop him at Plai-

Orwin Smith sance, East Coast Demerara.

The bus driver refused to give Smith the drop which caused the men to end up in an argument. Smith then pulled out a pair of scissors and stabbed Abrams to his neck.

The injured bus driver was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and Smith was arrested.

Logger remanded for cultivating cannabis A 50-year-old Kwakwani Hill-Foot, Upper Berbice River logger was on Thursday remanded to prison for cultivating cannabis.

Don Taylor, Called “Dajit”, made an appearance before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Wismar Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that, on February 11, 2019, he cultivated the prohibited plant at Hururu Mission, Upper Berbice River.

Taylor was remanded to prison until March 1, 2019.

The matter was transferred to the Kwakwani Magistrate’s Court for report and fixture.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

Guyana, New Zealand sign air services agreement

GUYANA has entered an air services agreement with New Zealand, which grants both states the right to conduct international air transport within a common framework.

The agreement was signed by Vice-President and Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge, and newly-accredited High Commissioner Designate of New Zealand to Guyana, Anton Ojala.

The signing of the agreement stems from a joint desire to broaden international air transport opportunities and outlines the related parameters that will enhance competitive air transport services, and trade and economic growth.

Guyana and New Zealand established diplomatic relations on September 1, 1974, and continue to enjoy strong relations.

NAREI supports youth agri project THE National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is helping a group of young people in Linden to set up a demonstration plot with the aim of promoting agriculture among youths.

The group, ‘Linden quality production cooperative society limited,’ was formed in September 2018. It has seven members,

The CEO promised to donate seedlings once their shade house is completed.

“These are the kinds of initiatives we are looking for among young people and we are happy to support you because you are teaching young people to be self-sufficient,” the CEO said.

Dr. Homenauth encouraged the group to visit farms in other areas to get ideas and

Dr. Homenauth receiving the certificate of appreciation from one of the group members three of whom are females.

The group is currently setting up a shade house which is intended to be launched officially in less than two months. Once fully operationalised, its members will provide training to young people in the community.

On Tuesday, NAREI’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Oudho Homenauth met and interacted with two of the group’s members.

To aid the youths, he donated a number of farming tools and seeds.

then incorporate those ideas to their farm.

“There are so many things you can do here. Eventually you can do vermicomposting and generate your own fertiliser.”

Thanking NAREI for its contribution, group’s Chairman, Stephen Francis, presented a certificate of appreciation to Dr Homenauth. Francis said when the farm first started, several See page 20

A shade house currently being constructed by the group

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Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and High Commissioner Designate of New Zealand to Guyana Anton Ojala, sign the air services agreement

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GDF receives DNA machine

THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) medical laboratory received a boost in the provision of healthcare to its ranks with a timely donation of a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine on Wednesday.

Polymerase chain reaction is a common laboratory

technique used to make many copies of a particular region of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). This DNA region can be anything the experimenter is interested in.

The donation was made by members of the Guyanese diaspora in Canada through collaboration and friendship.

Acting Chief of Staff, Colonel Trevor Bowman, received the equipment from Alan Zaakir, a member of the diaspora.

Colonel Bowman, in welcoming the donation, stated that it is important the force maintain healthy and physically ready troops who can

be deployed at any time.

He noted the role of the Medical Corps in this regard, adding that the new piece of equipment serves to bring the lab on par with its counterparts.

He assured the donor that the equipment will be used to the benefit of the force.

Colonel Bowman also praised the collaboration that birthed the donation, which will ultimately improve the quality of healthcare offered to serving men and women of the GDF. Alan Zaakir, in brief remarks, noted that the equipment was sourced from CO Diagnostics Incorporated, Utah, USA. He singled out the equipment’s capabilities which include testing 50 persons at any one time for four different infections.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

Acting Chief of Staff, Colonel Trevor Bowman received the equipment from Alan Zaakir, a member of the diaspora Additionally, a team The equipment can also from the company where work in the fields.

As part of the donation, the equipment was sourced Zaakir revealed that a sci- will have direct contact entist will travel to Guyana with GDF personnel for to train staff to operate the any consultations on the equipment’s use. equipment.

Nand Persaud receives ISO 22000:2005 certification ONE of the local leaders in the rice industry, Nand Persaud and Company Limited Rice Milling Complex, has improved its status on the local and international market as the company was accredited with the ISO 22000:2005 certification.

According to a press statement from the company, the certificate was issued

by DQS, an accreditation body from Germany.

The company started the implementation process in July of 2015 with guidance from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards.

The company said one of the requirements of the ISO 22000:2005 standard was for the company to establish a food safety management team.

In that regard, the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mohindra Persaud and the Chairman of the company, Ragindra Persaud, appointed Mahendra Prasad to work along with them and a team of highly-skilled individuals.

Prasad and the team spearheaded the entire process and are fully responsible for the operation of the Food Safety Management System (FSMS).

The company began by conducting a gap analysis. The gap analysis was done to determine the company’s current level of compliance towards the ISO 22000:2005 standards.

“From the gap analysis, all the areas that needed improvement were identified.

Some of these included; establishing documents required by the FSMS, upgrading infrastructure, equipment and machinery, and providing training to the staff both internally (in-house) and externally (government agencies),” said the company.

This certificate is evidence that the parboiled and white rice manufactured by Nand Persaud & Company Limited Rice Milling Complex, is produced to the standard which follows all the rules and regulations of the Food Safety Management System (ISO 22000:2005) which assures that the rice being consumed is safe and of the highest quality.

“Nand Persaud & Company Limited would like to extend utmost gratitude to all staff for their continuous support and hard work in achieving its ISO certification.

We would also like to thank our customers for their loyalty towards our products,” the company said.

Anna Regina family robbed

AN Anna Regina family woke up Valentine morning only to discover that their 110 Belle Street, Anna Regina, Region Two home was burglarised.

One of the occupants, Bibi Noojahan, said she woke up at around 05:00hrs and went to check for a clip in her handbag, but the bag was nowhere to be seen.

She raised an alert and her son, Nixon Bharahally, made a detailed check around the house. He then discovered that his laptop and his hard drives were missing.

A total of $400,000 worth of items was

stolen.

According to Bibi, the thieves gained entry to the house from a window after breaking a padlock and removing wooden bars from a window.

Several foot tracks were present in the family’s yard. The bag, which belonging to Bibi, had a total of $15,000 in cash and $20,000 worth in cosmetics.

A report was made to the Anna Regina Police Station.

No one has been arrested as police continue their investigation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

PPP/C MPs with dual citizenship will not return to Parliament – Jagdeo

LEADER of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo has said that PPP parliamentarians who hold dual citizenship will not return to the National Assembly and will be replaced.

Amidst fallout over parliamentarians holding dual citizenship here, Jagdeo

had confirmed that Adrian Anamaya and Party Stalwart, Gail Teixeira have dual citizenship. Other sources have confirmed that Odinga Lumumba also holds dual citizenship.

Although the opposition leader was adamant that his members have no intention

Guyanese man killed in Cayenne A GUYANESE man was reportedly killed by a fellow Guyanese woman and her children, during a fight in neighbouring French Guiana Dead is 34-year-old Orlando Josiah. Reports are that he was killed by the woman and her two children, ages 15 and 10. According to sources close to the family, the man, who was allegedly abusive to his reputed wife, reportedly attacked her with a knife on Monday and upon seeing this, her daughter first rushed to her aid and stabbed the man.

Shortly after, the tenyear-old son of the woman also rushed to the aid of his mother and sister and inflicted stab wounds on Josiah.

Guyana Chronicle was told by a relative that the children confirmed to law enforcement officers that they indeed inflicted wounds on the man because he was abusing their mother. They also told detec-

Orlando Josiah tives that the abuse had been going on for some time now.

The woman and her children have since been taken into custody.

The incident reportedly took place on a reserve settlement in front of a school, according to media reports out of the French-speaking country.

According to reports, Josiah sustained a number of stab wounds to his neck.

Miner killed in Mabura A DRUNKEN argument between two friends caused the death of a young man on Wednesday night at Frenchman Backdam, Mabura, Region 10.

Dead is Alex Daniels, 29, a miner of Swan Village, Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Police arrested the perpetrator who was identified as Imran Daniels, 24, a miner of Hotoquin Village, North West District.

Reports indicate that on Wednesday evening, the two miners were imbibing in the company of their employer at Frenchman Landing. When they were finished, they decided to walk back to their camp.

However, while they were returning to their camp, the suspect threw away Alex Daniels’ slippers which resulted in an argument.

Inquiries revealed that their employer, in a bid to bring peace to the situation, told them to desist arguing over such a minor thing, but

Dead: Alex Daniels the argument continued to their camp.

At the camp, the suspect armed himself with a knife and dealt Daniels two stabs, one to the chest and another above his right hip.

He was promptly arrested by his fellow employees at the camp and handed over to the police at the Mabura Police Station.

Police also retrieved the murder weapon and the body was removed pending an autopsy as investigations continue.

of returning to the National Assembly for now, he said those Members of Parliament (MPs) would be replaced if need be. “We will not return to the National Assembly unless it concerns elections,” said Jagdeo during a press briefing on Thursday.

The contention concerning persons with dual citizenship in the National Assembly surfaced after former government MP, Charrandas Persaud voted in favour of a no-confidence motion which was tabled by the opposition and passed in the National Assembly.

Compton Reid, a New Amsterdam farmer, chal-

lenged the validity of the vote cast by Persaud in the National Assembly on the basis that he breached Article 155 of the constitution which bars Members of Parliament from having dual citizenship.

Although Chief Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire ruled that Persaud’s vote was valid, she said it was unconstitutional for him to have been selected as a candidate and a parliamentarian.

Retired judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Duke Pollard, had said that the National Assembly should be cleared of all MPs with dual citizenship.

Justice Pollard had said

there should be a thorough sweep of the National Assembly to rid the Parliament of all MPs with dual citizenship. Professor Pollard emphasised that the constitution must be respected by all. “This is not any kind of partisan approach; it is an approach by anyone who is committed to transparency and good governance,” he urged.

In addition to the PPP/C, the AFC had said of its 11 MPs: “Ten of the party’s MPs are citizens of Guyana only. The other MP, Mr. Dominic Gaskin, was born in the United Kingdom but is a citizen of Guyana by

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Leader of the Opposition, Bharat Jagdeo descent.”

The issue of renouncing citizenship does not apply to Guyanese who were born in another country,” the AFC said. It is of the opinion that Minister Gaskin, constitutionally, sits as a duly elected MP without any hindrance or issue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

AFC concerned about frequent bomb threats

ALLIANCE For Change (AFC) General Secretary, Marlon Williams, said the party is concerned about the frequent bomb threats being made to educational institutions in the capital city – Georgetown.

In recent times, threats have been issued to School of the Nations, Queen’s College, Bishops High School, Mae’s School and the University of Guyana, resulting in these institutions being forced to close their doors. They have

also implemented heightened security measures to safeguard their students, teachers and other staff members.

“There is a terrorist element in society attempting to threaten a key institution in the development of Guyana. That is, namely the educational institution.

We, in the strictest of terms at the Alliance For Change, would like to condemn all such action,” Williams told reporters at the party’s head office.

He said AFC has noted

that all levels of education seem to be the target, and it looks forward to a speedy investigation and resolution to the issue.

Williams said too that the AFC has also recognised that on social media there are a number of speculations that the threats are politically engineered. “We would like, if this is so, that all persons that are part of this engineering of such action, desist with immediate effect,” he urged.

He said the growth of

the country’s democracy must continue to grow, noting that only by that growth in democracy Guyana will become a viable and successful nation.

AFC’s statement on the issue comes days after niece of a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) official, 25-year-old Sheneza Jafferally, was remanded to prison for allegedly threatening to blow up sections of the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus.

The Cummings Lodge,

East Coast Demerara resident and University of Guyana student, pleaded not guilty to the charge of misuse of a telecommunication device when she appeared in court on Monday.

Particulars of the charge alleged that on February 5 at Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, Jafferally, sent by means of a public telecommunication device system, for the purpose of causing needless anxiety to the staff and students of the UG, a message which she knows to be false.

Jafferally’s cell phone and all other electronic devices in her Cummings Lodge home, was confiscated by the police.

Police Prosecutor, In-

spector Gordon Mansfield, objected to Jafferally being granted her pre-trial liberty since she intended to spread public terror and he further highlighted the seriousness of the charge.

According to a source, based on the investigations conducted by the police, a telephone number belonging to the student was linked to the number from which the bomb threats were allegedly made to the university.

Jafferally, who goes by the nickname ‘Shelly’, is the niece of former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Region Six Member of Parliament (MP) and current Region Five Campaign Manager, Faizal Jafferally.

Local businesses invited to India’s pharmaceutical exhibition LOCAL organisations, businesses and companies have been invited to attend the seventh edition of International Exhibition for Pharma and Healthcare (iPHEX 2019) from 10th – 12th April, 2019, at Helipad Exhibition Ground in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.

According to President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce, Halim Khan, iPHEX 2019 is one of the largest exhibitions of Indian pharmaceutical products and technologies to a global audience.

He explained that the exhibition expects participation from approximately 500 Indian companies.

The identified areas for showcasing, he said, are APIs and Intermediates, Formulations, Excipients and Customs Manufacturing, Bio–Similars, Ayush, Nutraceuticals, Natural Extracts, Diagnostic and Surgicals and Healthcare Services (CROs, Clinical Trials, R&D, Custom Synthesis).

Noting that 700 overseas buyers from focus areas are being invited to participate, Khan noted that iPHEX 2019 will bring together the drugs, pharmaceutical and healthcare industry all under one roof.

“It will offer the industry majors from India and all across the world a great platform to connect and do business. It will provide you with an opportunity to meet

President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce, Halim Khan new and existing customers actively looking for new suppliers, or looking to assess the current progress of existing projects,” Khan said.

The Region Three Chamber President added that the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), the agency set up by India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is to promote the export of pharmaceuticals and health-care products and services from the sub-continent.

He also explained that full airfares and accommodation can be considered for new applicants selected on the basis of the company profile and business prospects.

Pharmexcil can cover partial economy air fare.

He is encouraging prospective overseas business delegates to register online at http://iphex-india.com.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

Min. Cummings pleased with improvements in healthcare at Lethem

LETHEM’S healthcare system has been making leaps and bounds, Minister within the Ministry of Public, Health Dr. Karen Cummings said as she expressed deep satisfaction.

Dr. Cummings, on Thursday, said she is extremely pleased with the quality of services being delivered to residents of Lethem, Region Nine, and neighbouring communities, by the Lethem Regional Hospital.

From the availability of specialists for paediatrics, to orthopaedic surgeries, to robust dental and rehabilitative services, Minister Cummings said the medical institution is moving up in its quality of service.

Dr. Cummings spearheaded a team that visited to the hospital on Thursday and toured the facilities. “I am so happy with what I have seen. We have specialists here from paediatrics, to orthopaedic surgeries, obstetrics, along with a waiting home for women from far-flung communities,” Minister Cummings told

the Department of Public Information (DPI).

She said with Lethem being a relatively new town situated in the hinterland, the expectation would be that all the services are not readily available. However, it is, in fact, the opposite.

“You would think that around these parts there are not many facilities and extra facilities, but we do have all of those here and we do have them here and I am very pleased with the quality of the service being delivered to the residents here and those on the outskirts,” she said.

While at the health institution, the junior health minister engaged the staff there who used the opportunity to raise a few concerns.

Government, the minister assured the staff, will be addressing those issues at the earliest possible time.

“I am very happy with the manner in which our health facility is being managed by the staff here and I know that we will continue to offer quality effective and efficient service to the

Friday, February, 15, 2019 –– 01:30 hrs to 13:00 hrs

people,” she said.

Regional Health Officer (RHO), Region Nine, Dr. Naail Uthman has been acting in the post for the last three months. His work covers Lethem Central, North Region, Annai, Karasabai, Aishalton and Sand Creek.

He said an operating theatre and laboratory were recently completed at Aishalton, along with the reha-

bilitated nurses’ hostel and newly constructed medex quarters. In Annai, a new maternity waiting home was completed. Approval has also been given for a new ambulance and the extension of the maternity ward.

Sand Creek has seen an extension to the waiting area and the male and female wards. In Lethem, a new seven-room apartment

building was recently completed for medical staff that may need the living quarters. Some adjustments will also be made to the current living quarters to accommodate more personnel.

Today, the team accompanying Minister Cummings will commence a medical outreach to a number of villages in the region.

According to the minister,

the full teams of dentists, ophthalmologists, phlebotomists and medical doctors, will be offering full packaged services in the various communities.

The medical outreach forms part of a larger ministerial fan-out exercise in several communities across the Rupununi Region from February 15 to 17.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

M&CC waiting on GCCI to submit MoU draft

THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is currently awaiting the first draft of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) to move forward with discussions on issues of mutual interest between the two bodies.

Following a meeting between the GCCI and the MCC on Monday, February 4, the two sides were expected to meet again last Friday, February 8, to begin work on the setting up of a bilateral committee and drafting of a MoU that would govern the

committee.

The MoU was expected to be prepared by the GCCI. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday, Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine confirmed that the Friday meeting had not gone through, pending submission of the MoU. However, he is hopeful that the document will be submitted soon.

“The chamber of commerce ought to have submitted a MoU to us Friday, but that did not happen. I made contact and they said to me it will happen before the week is out,” Narine explained on Wednesday. He added:

“When the chamber of commerce sends over the MoU, we have to vet it and see what is our necessary input.”

Narine explained that the council has also been in discussion on the selection of their representatives to be on the bilateral committee.

GCCI President Deodat Indar, said he could not speak on the current situation surrounding the partnership.

“I can’t give any comment on this issue right now… it’s a work in progress, I hope you understand that,” Indar remarked on Wednesday.

At the February 4 meet-

ing, a three-week timeline was given for formalising of the MoU. Apart from addressing the issue of the parking meters and the establishing of an institutional working relationship between the MCC and the GCCI, the meeting had originally also been scheduled to discuss the issue of garbage receptacles around the city of Georgetown, and the levying of local authority taxes.

On the issue of the parking meters, Indar affirmed that the GCCI’s position has not changed from its original call for revocation of the

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine, (left) and President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Deodat Indar (Samuel Maughn photo) controversial parking meter contract between the M&CC and Smart City Solutions.

The meeting had opened with the discussion on the parking meters. However, Mayor Narine expressed the view that the establishment of an institutional working relationship between the GCCI and the M&CC took precedence over the other issues, as it would provide guidance on all other future engagements between the two bodies.

The GCCI was somewhat skeptical to put all the focus on the formation of a committee, with Indar pointing out that an initiative in the past to establish a committee with the private sector and the MCC had fallen by the wayside.

In 2016, President David Granger had recommended

the formation of a tripartite committee involving the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the M&CC and central government. However, the PSC complained that, at that time, the MCC continued to miss the meetings and the initiative never took off.

Indar, however, said the GCCI was not altogether unwilling to trust in a committee’s establishment, but needed to see concrete efforts on the part of the M&CC to feel reassured going forward and have evidence that they could take back and report to their over 200 members to show that progress was being made.

To expedite the situation, the Friday, February 8 date for the second meeting and three-week deadline for the MoU was set.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

Road upgrade to picturesque Paradise Beach

THE earthen dam between Belladrum and Paradise Villages on the West Coast of Berbice (WCB) which leads to a picturesque beach on the Atlantic is to be upgraded at a cost of $15M this year.

This will enable easy

develop the beach as a tourism destination. It was agreed that upgrading the roadway to the beach and equipping it with street lights would go a long way to making it a desired destination for visitors.

Former President of the Region 5 Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Imran Saccoor, speaking at the launch in 2015. access to the foreshore which has been touted as an excellent tourism destination and recreational area.

The upgrade follows a pledge made by Prime

Monday last, the Regional Executive Officer of Region 5, Ovid Morrison revealed the upgrade works would begin this year. He stated, “This road is catered

A section of the beach at Paradise, WCB Minister Moses Nagamootoo during the opening of the Regional Agricultural and Commercial Exhibition (RACE) for Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) at Paradise, WCB, last September.

PM Nagamootoo made the pledge in response to a call from the then President of Region 5’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Imran Saccoor. The Business Chamber launched the beach as a tourism destination in 2015.

Saccoor held discussions with Councillors of the Profit/Foulis Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) on the best way they could

for in the 2019 budget of the Regional Administration. The upgrade will be from a deplorable DBST surface to the asphaltic concrete surface which is the same surface as on the country’s highways.

This will enable all year round access to visitors and tourists.”

The official added, “As the Region 5 Chamber of Industry and Commerce pointed out, that beach is a gem and boosting tourism by making it easier for all and sundry to visit is a main intention behind the upgrade.”

Tenders are soon to be invited and a contract awarded for construction

of the road to the beach.

The Guyana Chronicle was informed that

once the upgrade is completed and street lights are added, there

are some businessmen who might be inclined to investing in such a

facility as a beach front guest house in the area for starters.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

Mabaruma residents experiencing ‘the good life’

HUNDREDS of Mabaruma residents have expressed their appreciation to Attorney General Basil Williams for the developments in the town over the past three years.

T h e m i n i s t e r, w h o

hosted an Anti-Corruption Sensitisation Seminar in the town, took the opportunity to visit the six constituencies to meet, greet and interact with the residents.

Mabaruma is the cap-

The road under construction in Barabina Village, Barima-Waini. This area was once inaccessible

ital town of Region one (Barima-Waini).

Speaking with the attorney general, residents of the sparsely populated town noted their happiness with the rate of progress in the township.

One resident, who identified himself as “Trevor”, told Guyana Chronicle that little to no attention was paid to Mabaruma under the previous administration.

He said since the APNU/AFC coalition assumed office, there was an immediate change.

“We have lights, we have water, and we have roads to walk and drive on. We have better health services, ambulance, all kinda thing. School bus

Attorney General Basil Williams with students and teachers of Barabina Primary School to carry we children to school for free, we never had all these things before.

And that’s just some of the things I remember off the top of my head, but a lot of other developments we had in Mabaruma,” the man said.

Williams told the residents that the government’s plans are nowhere near conclusion as there are many more projects in store for the town to realise the “good life” for all its residents.

The green space built in Hosororo Hill, Region One

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019 Williams also visited the North West Secondary School and encouraged students there to study hard to do well in their examinations.

From North West Secondary School, the attorney general visited Barabina Primary and promised to provide sports gear for football and cricket.

He also made an appearance at the Mabaruma Radio station and gave an update on the status of the no-confidence motion and

what is happening within Central Government.

Following his visit, the minister told Guyana Chronicle that the trip was long overdue and he was happy with the welcoming, upbeat and positive response from the residents. He said similar visits are scheduled for other communities to preserve the confidence in the people and ensure they are sensitised on legislations.

Mabaruma is located

close to the Aruka River (the Venezuelan border) on a narrow plateau above the surrounding rainforest at an elevation of 13 metres.

It replaced Morawhanna as the regional capital after the former was deemed a flood-risk.

Mainly Amerindians live in this area. Some of the tribes include Arawaks, C a r i b s a n d Wa r a o .

Their main economic activities are fishing and farming.

Attorney General Basil Williams with students and teachers of the North West Secondary School

Beharry Automotive Limited launches new model Toyota Rush vehicles BEHARRY Automotive launched the 2019 model Toyota Rush at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMRSC), on Thursday February 14.

The versatile seven-seater sports utility vehicle (SUV) is designed for functionality and space, as well as an upgraded lifestyle and affordability. Customers looking for a great deal can purchase from BAL for a price of $5.6M duty free or $8.6M cash. Sales representative, Dannyram Mohabir, assured that anyone who would like to purchase this

VEHICLE ON DISPLAY vehicle can approach BAL’s the new vehicle has several automotive department and safety features. The vehia package can be arranged to cle’s collision safety system includes a sturdy body strucsuit their needs.

Mohabir explained that ture, SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) driver and front passenger air bags, SRS side air bags and SRS curtain shield bags. The vehicle also has stability control and hill start assist control systems, which are provided as standard features.

This new Rush also has dual air condition units, located at the front and rear of the vehicle, for the comfort of all passengers onboard, as well as a 45-gallon fuel tank.

It is economical enough to facilitate approximately five miles of driving with one litre of fuel.

An employer displaying the new Toyota Rush

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

Security expert donates books to GPF NAREI supports youth agri ...

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Valentine’s Day received a special donation of prized books from internationally-renowned Guyanese security expert, Yeon Adams.

Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, expressed warm and welcoming words as he spoke of Dr Adams whom he, as well as Deputy Commissioner Maxine

ment, criminal justice, policing and research.

Adams expressed gratitude and appreciation to the force which served as an initial training ground, pro-

his dissertation: “ A Phenomenological Study of Caribbean Police Collaborative efforts” – Capella University, MN, USA, and has made numerous presen-

Dr Yeon Adams formally hands over the books on display to Top Cop Leslie James in the presence of senior officers of the Guyana Police Force Adams served the Guyana Police Force from 1986 to 1988. He migrated to the US and served a period of 19 years as an international civil servant across five United Nations’ departments, including the Department of Safety and Security (DSS) and Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO).

Graham and Woman Superintendent A. Moore, trained with.

But beyond reminiscence, the top cop expressed appreciation to Adams for the kind gesture.

The books were taken from Adams’ personal library and span several genres encompassing, but not limited to, law enforce-

pelling him to reach higher heights in life.

Adams holds a PhD in Public Safety Leadership, a Master of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Science Degree in International Criminal Justice and Computer Information Systems, among others.

He has written numerous research articles including

tations for institutions such as the United Nations Enterprise Resource Programme (ERP) and the Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to name a few.

The new books will be added to the Guyana Police Force’s library and will be available for use by members of the force.

From page 11

persons were approached for contributions and NAREI was the first to respond.

As it relates to the training that will be offered, Francis said, “One of the criteria to be part of the training is that you must have a piece of land and you must create two 10 feet bed, so what we would do is train you at our demonstration plot and then we would give you planting materials to take to your farm,” Francis said.

He further explained the potential farmers would then be able to transfer their knowledge from the training to their individual farms. Additionally, after the training, the youths will have the opportunity to sell their crops to the group.

Francis and his members intend to establish the first fresh cut commercial industry where they will be able to package and sell crops to supermarkets and restaurants. They will purchase their produce from the youths who would have received training.

The group is also planning on offering training in agriculture to students. They have already approached the McKenzie High School. All the group members are students of the McKenzie High School.

Francis explained that during SBA times, it is always a struggle when students have to remember everything about farming in a day.

However, they will now be offered the opportunity to observe and be involved in actual farming for a longer period of time.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

THE TEMPERAMENT OF SCHOOLS HAVE MORPHED & we have never really addressed it I have known Brian O’Toole and his wife for several years before ‘School of the Nations’ was born. I illustrated several projects for Brian, and found them to be decent folk. I am disturbed by what has occurred that Brian was shot possibly by a student. I do hope he recovers fully and somehow can come to terms and view this tragic incident as a national wakeup call for a school sub-culture that have been brooding for over a decade. As a parent we all want the best for our children with my second child I did not like the common entrance results or the secondary school he was sent to. There were certain subject teachers that were not in place, since this was a period of a teacher brain drain, (not only in Guyana) because Guyanese were being recruited by other countries. The teacher that was responsible for my eldest passing common entrance at St Pious was gone, and so were many others. The only alternative were the newly rising private schools.

I decided to send my second child for one such school [not Brian’s School] we had to make serious cuts at home to meet those fees. My son was changing and we attributed it to adolescence, because he never complained about his school life, his maths teacher painted a picture for me, but that was only part of it. Then came the time when the very teacher told me that the school couldn’t meet the full complement of students

for form two, but he thought that my son was competent enough to transfer to form three. That was ridiculous and I had no intention to pay for an experiment. I took him down to the Ministry of Education where he wrote a test and he was admitted to Saint Stanislaus College, he ended his school life there, where vanishing subject teachers were still an issue. School life during that era of our nation seemed to be enveloped in conflict, conflict that could not be harnessed by weak administrators, in many cases with private and public schools strong administrators made a difference, these are not created, they are born that way. I must make reference to Ms. Gail Primo and Ms. Simon at Saint Joseph where my last child attended, those ladies embodied the strength I’m referring to.

School life have always had bullies, snitches, tough and weak children, but the system accommodated them in its diversity. There were teacher guided sports, Arts, Home Economics and Industrial arts all hinged to the priority of Academic excellence. We the parents erred in not recognising that our world had disappeared from the reality of our children. During the school age of most parents attire was standard, ‘Bush Clarkes, Bull dogs, the girls wore yachting’s that required a white cleaning which upon stamping their feet omitted gushes of clouds ’. The objective of students was narrowed

to passing within the top five to go over into the next form.

School conflicts were solved on Friday afterschool fights usually, those who copied from the exercise books of others were looked down upon, and there was always the option to approach some teachers during recess for subject clarifications. From the 90’s emerged the nouveau riche. These were new money citizens who had emerged into wealth through trading in Drugs, Backtrack, smuggling or where the support recipients of those activities who looked the other way and with one very media vocal Lawyer/accountant helped launder finances from that world, he was actually accused of this by a senior politician. There was never an egalitarian relationship between the have and have-nots in this country, but a coexistent understanding persisted.

With the nouveau riche of the nineties onward was accompanied by a violent machismo that defied school excellence and propelled student culture in parallel with what was transpiring in society, Phantom, Taliban, extrajudicial killings were plastered in graphic pictures on the front page of one Newspaper while others carried the events in bold text, with previous photographs. Children from especially Afro Guyanese were awakened during the night by security forces breaking into their homes, looking for hypothetical suspects, some even witnessed executions.

Victor Bourne Jr. was in bed with his infant son when the ‘Black clothes’ entered the home, into the bedroom and shot him in cold blood, then dragged his body in full view of his neighbours including children some distance before throwing his body into the vehicle. Our youth across Guyana were not insulated from these events that spilled over into school culture. No honest teacher including Brian can say that the subject of ‘guns’ brought by students in school whether in their school or not is unknown to them, for the first time in schools mind altering substances had become prevalent, marijua-

na, pills etc. school children have committed murders against school mates. Bullying took on a different atmosphere; children were assaulted because their families were working class who couldn’t afford them designer clothing, or couldn’t afford them excess monies to bring to school, or lived in two bedroom homes, or their school clothes exhibited obvious wear and tear, some were even afraid to open their lunch, least it would be deemed inadequate, then there was the disrespect for females, that require a study on its own. This was a cultural retrogression in many

high end paid schools and some top secondary schools.

It was brought to my attention that a student I knew never recovered his self esteem, and his school mates were sure that his experiences led to his suicide shortly after school.

I had developed in the 90’s a comic book to deal with some of these issues that students, a few teachers and supported by what was happening around that time, considering that to publicly dramatise an issue could make a dialogue difference, the UNICEF Rep wanted to do it, but the Government liaison back then was adamant –NO!

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

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‘Destination Badda Dan’ Clash set for March 30 ...Winner to represent Guyana in Switzerland

NOTORIOUS International, Afrikan Vybz, Platinum Sound, Trinity Sound and Thunderbolt Sound will battle it out on March 30 at the Sports Hall Tarmac, for a chance to represent Guyana at the ‘123 Badda Dan Clash’ in Switzerland.

The ‘clash’ dubbed ‘Destination Badda Dan Clash’ will fall under the Empire Media Inc. umbrella; the company popularly known for revitalising the ‘Sound Clash’ industry in Guyana, with their hosting of Armageddon and Art of War. The ` Badda Dan Clash’ is the biggest sound clash in Switzerland, and one of the biggest sound clashes in Europe where sounds from various countries compete to be crowned the `Badda Dan Clash Champion.’

Popular sound systems, such as `Luv Injection’ out of the United Kingdom, and `King Addies’ from New York, have dominated this event.

“This is a major accomplishment for Empire Media Inc. and for Guyana as a whole, since Guyana is now being recognised regionally and internationally in the sound clash industry,” the company said in a release, following their Valentine’s

CLASH READY! DJ’s from Notorious International, Afrikan Vybz, Platinum Sound, Trinity Sound and Thunderbolt Sound are all set and ready to meet for a chance to represent Guyana in Switzerland.

Day (February 14) launch.

Founded in 2016, Empire Media Inc. hosted its first-ever Art of War DJ Competition, one which has consequently been of utmost success in the sound clash industry. Art of War has-ever since been known as the foundation for EMI and its events.

The company then saw avenues for expansions and introduced its first Armageddon Sound Clash in 2017.

With the invaluable support from fans and `clash’ lovers over the past years, EMI having listened to its supporters and paid attention critiques, has continued to sit on the pinnacle of the Guyana’s sound clash arena.

Empire Media Inc. has continued to promote incident-free and fair sound clashes in the entertainment industry, which seeks to generally endorse and showcase the capacities of various sound systems across Guyana.

‘Destination Badda Dan’ Sound Clash 2019- When the smoke clears’ commences at 22:00 hours on March 30, at the Sports Hall Tarmac and doors will be open from 20:00 hours. Ticket information will be produced at a subsequent date, the company has advised.

Making party life colourful with Prescod e in a m r e J – tantalising and exotic drinks

By Vanessa Braithwaite TO see the faces of his customers light up after taking one sip of his well-concocted, colourful and creative cocktails or alcohol mixed drinks, is what makes Jermaine Prescod, one of Guyana’s leading mixologist more passionate about his job.

To him, he plays a pivotal role in the lives of his customers, as they must get their monies worth, at the end of the night, whether they are just hanging at the bar enjoying soulful music or partying hard.

Reminiscing on how far he came, Prescod said he became a mixologist in 2008, after working as a bar- back, which is the person responsible for tidying a bar in Barbados.

Fortunately, luck struck for him one night when the bartenders downed tools. He was then was able to utilise the hidden skills he had been was garnering all along, unknowingly to anyone.

“When I was finish washing my glasses and so, I would stand at the side of the bar and watch them mix their drinks, and I would ask questions, sometimes they would give me samples.

I use to watch everything they did, and I had a cheap Blackberry phone that I use to take notes with, and I would go home and go on YouTube and check out different ways to mix drinks,” Prescod said.

On the night of the strike, the manager asked him to assist in serving regular drinks, but when the demand for mixed drinks was upped, especially for cocktails from females, Prescod said he put his skills to work, much to his manager’s surprise. That was the night he became a bartender, he related.

That, however, was just the beginning of the start of his career as a mixologist. “Since then, I haven’t looked back, I just started enhancing myself and following a few good bartenders from Barbados,” he related.

Prescod has since travelled to several Caribbean countries, where he practised his skill as a bartender. He also attended a bartending convention in Panama. He has participated in regional bartending competitions and these exposures made him confident that he is one of the best mixologist in Guyana.

“For me, it think I’m different because I am a very good mixer, I don’t go by what is trending, I can go into any bar, select any alcohol and know what I can mix it with, to bring out the taste. I love what I do. When I am finished mixing a drink and garnishing it, to look at the satisfaction in customers’ faces, when you see them smiling and taking pictures, that makes it special for me, it is just the look from the first sip that makes you know whether you did a good job or not,” Prescod related.

The ‘Mixologist’ Jermaine Prescod

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

Linden youths create ‘Express Yourself’ platform

I

By Vanessa Braithwaite

N an effort to showcase the talents possessed by the youths of Linden, three young boys have created a platform on social media called ‘Express Yourself,’ which has proven to be a useful tool in selling what the mining town has to offer, as it relates to the various arts.

On the social media pages, videos of the Linden youths singing, dancing and performing the spoken word, can be enjoyed by a growing viewership.

The brainchild of this initiative are, three young men – Shaquan Alleyne who is a dancer, choreographer and a designer; Winston Bourne - a singer, graphics designer and photographer; and Keon Ford, also a singer.

Realising that there are not too many platforms to showcase their own talents in Linden, they have decided that something must be done, but for others facing the same fate, in mind.

The trio have received tremendous support from the Linden Chamber Youth Entrepreneur Programme, and have since able to shoot and produce various expressions of art by Linden youths, while also conducting interviews with young artistes, peer educators and youth leaders in Linden, all in

an effort to sell Linden.

“What we can say, is that the response has been amazing and inspiring thus far, since we were able to interview figures such as the Commander of ‘ Division, Linden Lord and Director of Youth Melissa Carmichael, among others,” Alleyne said.

The team, in addition to receiving training through the First Lady’s ICT workshop, have also participated in the Director of Youth Challenge Guyana and partnered with the UMAMI Company on Christmas Day to distribute gifts to the less fortunate.

With the initiative widening its base, ‘Express Yourself’ has already been contracted by three local businesses to advertise their services.

The team is thinking very futuristic and through its many fundraising drives, the proceeds will used to purchase equipment for a modern studio, so as to upgrade the quality and quantity of the productions.

On the February 16, the ‘Express Yourself’ team will be hosting a Family Fun Day at the Wisroc Playfield where the members will be doing live performances, as well as other Linden artistes.

“The aim of this event is to promote it as an occasion for the community, with a focus on youth empowerment, more

The ‘Express Yourself’ team

than 25 Linden youths will be able to showcase their individual talent,” Alleyne said.

Proceeds from the event will be used to move ‘Express Yourself’ to the next level, in an effort to better promote Linden youths positively.

Joseph looking to give crowd-pleasing performance tonight

SHE took everyone by surprise last year, when as a first timer at the competition, she won the Banks Calypso Monarch competition with her catchy song “Woman Is Boss”.

This year, school teacher Onikha Joseph, is hoping to defend her title with a number called “Side Chick”, and is confident that when it is all said and done, win or lose, her fans are going to love what they get.

The mother of two will be coming up against 10 other finalists when she steps out on stage tonight, at the National Park. Joseph says she has been spending the past few weeks focusing on her preparation and not so much on the competition.

As for her entry, “Side Chick”, which speaks of a new social trend of women who get into relationships with married men, Joseph said that the song has proven

Onikha Joseph won the 2018 Banks Calypso Monarch (Adrian Narine photo)

“I don’t like to say that I’m going to win anything because it’s not good to underestimate anybody. You never know what the other competitors are coming with.

What I can say, is that I will do my very best and I know it will be crowd pleaser,” Joseph humbly offered, in an exclusive interview with The Buzz earlier this week.

to be even more popular than “Woman is Boss”.

Written by her manager, the famed Burchmore Simon of Kross Kolor Records, Joseph said that the song is one that has been in the works, ever-since her win was realised last year.

“We said we have to get another strong song to enter the competition again,

and that was decided since last year. He, Simon, composed the song, recorded and played it to me, and the first time I heard the song I fell in love with it because I know that that’s a topic that everyone would relate to. What I find is both men and women are gravitating towards the song, a lot of people are reaching out to me,” Joseph said.

Since her win, Joseph has been enjoying her newfound fame, and has been honoured to have a number of requests come in for her to perform her empowering kaiso at several forums, particularly those focused on women.

“It has been a very good year for me. People gravitated towards me because they love the song “Woman is Boss”, and they love how it was delivered. Sometimes I go down the street and people would point me out and say look its “Woman is Boss” lady,” she laughed.

Joseph said it has been a fulfilling journey in an arena that she had only recently realised she had a talent for.

Despite being a local singer since the 1990s, it wasn’t until about two years ago that being a calypso singer snuck up on her.

It was Simon that actually propelled her into the industry, after overhearing Joseph studio performance of another song “Dutty Story”.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

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Give me the crown now!

C

ARIB Soca Monarch defending champion, Brandon Harding, is telegraphing a clear-cut message to the other finalists who will be challenging him tomorrow night at the National Park for his crown: Look out for trouble because he is going to be a problem.

Harding, who won the competition last year, on his first outing, is set to come up against 14 finalists who were successful when the semi-finals were staged last weekend in Linden.

Though quite a few newcomers have made the cut this year, Harding is also coming up against the likes of three-time champion, Jumo `Rubberwaist’ Primo, and other competition regulars like Ernesta ‘Nesta’ Nelson and Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts.

The other finalists include, Lil Colywin, Static, Sexy Berry, True, Ryan T, Real Proof, Passion, Vintage, Natural One, Stephen Ramphal and Sasha Melody.

But Harding says he has no fear, he’s in a lane all his own.

“I am not taking anyone lightly. This is a competition and I thrive on competition.

I know I am up against the likes of Jumo, Vanilla and Nesta, and there are also singers with some really good songs and good talent who are in it to win it. However, the only person who will beat Brandon is Brandon. I am the problem and the problem is me, for Carib Soca Monarch 2019,” Harding established.

The ever-confident 24-year-old, has already had a good chance to size up his competition, having performed himself at the semi-finals last Saturday, and he says from what he’s seen against what he’s bringing, the judges

- Brandon Harding confident of retaining ‘Carib Soca Monarch’ title

FLASHBACK: Brandon Harding performing at the 2018 Carib Soca Monarch competition (Adrian Narine photo)

might as well give him the crown now.

“To be honest if the semifinals was the finals I think I would’ve won. I feel good, I feel confident, this is my time to do what I have to do. and I’m working hard to get stuff together for Saturday. I can’t wait,” Harding stated.

Harding will be attacking his competition with a number called “Alone” that speaks of having a good time feting with or without company. It leaves to be seen on Saturday night, when the gauntlet is thrown down, how the defending champ’s song will size up

against Jumo’s “Tribute” Harding cautioned that some serious energy will be unleashed to back his lyrics.

“Fans can expect the unexpected, I don’t want to let nothing out of the bag, but I’ll be coming hard to defend. A lot of energy, the same Brandon but even more energy,” he boasted.

The recently re-migrated Harding, has since his win last year, been busy performing at several events internationally.

Despite his many years singing in Guyana, it was only last year that Harding decided to enter the local

Soca competition, following back to back successes at the Soca competitions that were held in St Lucia, where he had resided for a while.

The winner of this Saturday’s competition will walk away with a whopping top prize of $1.5 million.

The contestant who gains the judges’ nod for second place will walk away with $750,000, while the third and fourth-placed winners will receive $500,000 and $250,000 respectively. A prize of $100,000 is up for grabs for the “Best Newcomer.”

‘Jumo’ returning for the ‘Carib Soca Monarch’ title

By Michel Outridge

L

OCAL singing sensation Jumo Primo, has, along with 14 others, qualified for the Soca Monarch 2019 finals which is billed for the National Park on Saturday (February 19, 2019).

Primo, better known as “Rubber Waist” said he is optimistic about `holding down’ the top spot, since his song “Tribute” was well-received in Linden at the semi-finals, which afforded him a spot in the finals.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle Buzz, Primo said that with the video for “Tribute” out, he is quite taken-back with the response, adding, that his participation in this year’s Soca Monarch competition is not about the money (the cash prizes) but more-so for his adoring fans.

He related that while he did not compete last year, he had to in 2019, because his fans have encouraged him to take part.

Primo, who won the Soca Monarch title in 2015, deemed his experience as ‘good’ in terms of the competition itself, the crowd response and the interaction.

The first prize for this year’s competition is $1.5M and Primo has emphasised that it is not about the money, but rather raising the bar, so to speak, as he has invested more than 10 years of his life in Soca music.

On this note, “Rubber Waist” Primo is urging all of fans countrywide to come out on Saturday night at the National Park and supporthim.

He is listed as #15 on the list to perform his song “Tribute” and he thinks he has a good chance.

“This song is about paying tribute to loved ones, those alive and even those who have gone beyond, and the song is about inspiration and Soca music, our culture and it pays tribute to those before us and is also about togetherness,” Jumo said.

He told The Buzz that his song will be ‘lit’, since he is bringing the “wow” factor, that is he will put on a stage show performance full of energy, good vibes and fun, come Saturday night at the National Park.

Primo said that he is billed for several international tours, come March, and that his 592 Movement Nightclub/Grill and 592 Studio will soon be opened to the public.

Jumo Primo

Today

Tonight the hottest event around town will no doubt be the Banks Adult Calypso Finals at the National Park from 8pm.

Come and see the 11 finalists compete for the $1 million grand prize. Will reigning champion Onika Joseph retain her title? Will another newcomer take the crown? Or will a veteran return to prominence? Find out tonight.

Banks “Pon De Avenue” continues from 5pm to 12 midnight on the Main Street Avenue. Buy 4 Wave Pale Ale and get an automatic pass to the Wave Pale Ale Mash Day party truck.

Enjoy good food, good music, nice vibes and Guyanese beer.

District Ultra Lounge has your Friday covered with Frenzy Friday featuring live mixes by DJ Country Boy and Mix Master Tony. Buy four tequila shot and get one free. Ladies free before 9pm.

On a $1000 budget? Tower Suites $1000 Poolside Happy Hour continues from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, with $1000 specials. Enjoy a Burger and Beer, any margarita, or beer specials for only $1000 at the Tower Poolside

Tomorrow

It’s the Carib Soca Monarch Finals at the National Park! See the top 14 finalists take on reigning champion Brandon Harding for the crown. Can Brandon do it x2? Head out and see the 15 perform backed by the Fame Band.

Let your wild side out as Pulse Entertainment presents “Jungle Fever” at Palm Court. It’s the official jungle event where you can unleash your inner animal and have a wild time as we countdown to Mashramani! Be entertained by Dj Ryan, Dj Annisa and Dj Shizzle. Admission: $2000 (more at the door) It’s Soca Sensation at District Ultra Lounge with music by resident DJ Country Boy and guest DJ, DJ Blax Bee. Buy four tequila shot and get one free. Ladies free before 9pm.

Chubbz Entertainment presents ‘Aroma’ at Yolanda’s Bar (George and Norton Street). Music by Mix Master Tony.

Bottles and drink specials all night long. Doors open at 8pm.

Admission: $2000 (more at the door) Calling all Hip Hop Dancers! Here’s your chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to World of Dance Trinbago in May 2019. The Hip Hop Dance battles continue at Tower Suites Poolside. Enter and Showcase your talent and win.

Aura Sky Lounge presents Seductive Saturdays! Doors open at 8pm!

Sunday

If you’re in Region Two, head out to the Mashramani Chutney Song Competition Finals and Duck Curry Competition at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground.

Celebrate Mash with the sweet sounds of steel! It’s the Mashramani Steel Pan Competition at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Admission: $500 (Adults), $300 (Children) 96.1 Voice FM presents their first ever “96.1 Mashramani Duck Curry Competition and After Party” on the lawns of their Mandela Avenue office. See who will win the $400, 000 in cash and trophies! Live performances by Kwasi Ace, and comedy by Kunchi TV’s Miss Peppa, Chris Gopaul, Liza “Radica” Singh, Michael Ignatius and much more The Vintage Wine Bar, Restaurant and Lounge presents “Dinner with 70s and 80s music. Sundays were meant for 70’s & 80’s!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

Regions ‘wow’ Cultural Centre as Children’s Mash activities kick-off Photos by Samuel Maughn

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HE finals of the Children’s Mashramani Competitions started off with a bang on Thursday at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) with the dance and masquerade segments.

In each of the age categories, i.e., the 5 to 7, the 8 to 10, the 11 to 13 and the 14 to 17, there were dances from each of the regions. These were the crème de la crème that won in their respective regions, and then travelled to Georgetown for these finals.

Apparently though, Georgetown (dubbed as Region 11) and Region 10 had drawn the most supporters throughout the competition.

Each dance brought their own interpretation of Guyana’s culture, backed by the children’s unique talents, but it seemed that these two regions just had something special.

The finals will continue today, and the highlight of this segment will be on Saturday, February 16, with the staging of the massive Children’s Float parade.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

Windies aiming to become world’s No.1 team, says Holder GROS Islet, Saint Lucia (AFP) - West Indies captain Jason Holder said yesterday that his side’s main goal is to become the world’s number one team after their impressive series victory over England.

England comfortably claimed a consolation win in the third Test, but back-to-back thumping triumphs in Barbados and Antigua had already secured the hosts an unassailable 2-0 series lead.

“We have got to keep improving in the three facets of the game and be clinical and a lot more consistent,” said Holder, who missed the game in St Lucia through suspension for a slow over-rate.

“Our bowlers have done an outstanding job. It is up to our batsmen to contribute more.

“We need to continue to build and not rest on our laurels. Our number one goal is to be the number one team in

the world so there is a lot to improve on.”

The West Indies have been a shadow of the side which totally dominated world cricket for much of the 1970s and 80s, and after years of struggles, sit eighth in the current ICC rankings, ahead of only Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

The Caribbean outfit do not play a Test until after the World Cup, which finishes in July, with a five-match oneday international series against England next on the agenda.

Chasing an improbable 485 to win yesterday, West Indies were bowled out for 252 despite a battling, unbeaten 102 from Roston Chase.

“I had a chat with Roston before his innings,” said Holder.

“He was a little disheartened with his dismissals in this series so it is good to see him buckle down and get some runs, especially in the context of the day. It would have been easy

for us to be rolled over.”

England salvaged some pride and confidence in St Lucia, with Mark Wood’s fiery spell which saw him take a maiden Test five-wicket haul in the first innings a high point.

Joe Root’s players face a potentially career-defining 2019 as England will host both the World Cup and Ashes series.

But questions remain, especially at the top of the order where openers Rory Burns and Keaton Jennings struggled for runs in the first series since Alastair Cook’s retirement.

“I think they’ve all shown what they are capable (of) and the challenge is to do it more regularly,” England coach Trevor Bayliss told Sky Sports.

“The early-season Championship matches will play a big role for those at the top. If they score a lot of runs early season it will go a long way to helping them play in that first Ashes Test.”

Annual Forbes Burnham Memorial Maxwell, Worrall carry cycling road race pedals off on Sunday Melbourne Stars to BBL final

THE annual Forbes Burnham Memorial Cycling road race will see cyclists pedal off with the first stage set for Sunday (February 17) in Berbice while the second and third legs are set for Linden and Georgetown on February 24.

On Sunday the race will begin at 07:00hrs from Corriverton to Main Street, New

Amsterdam for the finish.

On February 24, the second leg begins at 07:00hrs from Linden to Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown while the third leg will see the cyclists ride from Georgetown to Belfield on the East Coast of Demerara and back to finish at the point of origin.

The race is sponsored by The Forbes Burnham Founda-

tion and supervised by the Flying Stars Cycling Club. Prizes and trophies will be up for grabs in the Open, Junior and Veteran categories respectively.

Last year’s winner in the Open category was Paul DeNobrega while Adealie Hodge took top spot in the Junior category and Paul Cho Wee Nam first in the Veterans race.

Magnum Mash Futsal

Gold is Money shocked by Capital Strikers ACTION in the fourth night of the Magnum Mash Futsal championship on Tuesday night saw powerhouse ‘Gold is Money’ suffer a shock defeat at the hands of Capital Strikers at the National Gymnasium.

The game was goalless for the first half as both sides failed to find the back of the net. However, late in the second half Tevin Crawford produced the killing touch with a well-struck goal in the 17th minute to put Strikers one goal up. That strike proved to be enough as the Strikers ran out 1-0 victors.

Meanwhile, the exciting Ol’ Skool Ballers played to a 2-2 deadlock with Island AllStars in a highly entertaining game. The All-Stars took the early lead with Devin Hyman scoring in the fifth minute before Shalomo Hunte equalised almost immediately in the sixth minute before striking yet again in the eighth to hand his team a 2-1 lead.

However, Hyman found

the back of the net in the 14th minute but there would be no more goals as the game played out to a draw.

Broad Street and Showstoppers continued this trend with a 1-1 draw with Joel McGarrell scoring for Broad Street while Amaniki Buntin levelled things for Showstoppers.

Continuing the tone of the evening, Buxton Diamond and Hustlers played out to a 2-2 draw, with Dennis Edwards scoring a brace for Hustlers while Stephon Dolphin and Shemar Scott scored a goal each for Buxton Diamond.

Back Circle trounced Good Life with a resounding 3-0 win. For the victors Dellon Kelly netted in the third minute while Jermaine Beckles and Stephon McLean scored in the fifth and 17th minutes respectively.

Future Stars hit three past Alexander Village who

could manage only a solitary goal in response. Jamal Cozier in the eighth minute, Kevin Cummings in the 16th minute and Ryan Dowding in the 20th minute were the goalscorers for Future Stars while Leon Yaw netted Alexander Village’s only goal in the 13th minute.

Defending champions Bent Street edged Avocado Ballers 2-1, with Pernell Schultz bagging a brace of goals in the fourth and 19th minutes respectively, Dexter Marshall was the lone goalscorer for Avocado, netting his goal in the 9th minute.

Meanwhile in other results, Tiger Bay drew 0-0 with Sophia, Albouystown drew with Leopold Street with a similar scoreline and Gaza Squad gained a walkover from Mocha.

Action resumes tomorrow with the final group stage matches scheduled for that day at the National Gymnasium.

DANIEL Worrall put up an impressive bowling display (4 for 23) while Glenn Maxwell played a crucial hand of 43 not out which helped Melbourne Stars trump Hobart Hurricanes in the first Semi-final at Bellerive Oval on Thursday, thus ending the hosts’ unbeaten run at the same ground. Hobart’s

prodigious movement with the new cherry and struck on his first delivery snuffing out Hurricanes’ skipper and the in-form Matthew Wade for just 2. Four balls later, Caleb Jewell was rattled by a ripping outswinger.

But Short wasn’t intimidated by the fall of two wickets as he took on

George Bailey and Ben McDermott strung together a 75-run partnership for the fourth wicket to lead a recovery for the hosts . Both batsmen knocked ones and twos, looked for the odd boundaries and kept the scorecard ticking to bail their team out of trouble to an extent. In the 15th

Melbourne Stars will face the winner of the second semifinal - between Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers - in the title clash © Getty

batting came a cropper on the big day as they posted a below-par target with only three of their batsmen getting into double figures.

On what seemed like a slowish track, Maxwell got his wish fulfilled inserting the home team into bat after winning the bat-flip, and Hobart were jolted as early as in the second over.

Worrall extracted

Maxwell in the next over carting him for a six and four. Just when it looked like he was settling in, Adam Zampa in his first over came back strongly after conceding a six to nip out the tournament’s leading run-scorer - D’Arcy short - who holed out to long-on for 35. With three wickets down inside the Powerplay, the home team were in disarray.

over, in an attempt to steal an extra run off the overthrow, Bailey got a reprieve when his counterpart Maxwell failed to hit the stumps from cover.

Brief Scores: Hobart Hurricanes 153/7 in 20 overs (Ben McDermott 53; Daniel Worrall 4-23) lost to Melbourne Stars 157/4 in 18.5 overs (Glenn Maxwell 43*; Qais Ahmad 3-33) by 6 wickets.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

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South Africa in control after 13-wicket day

DURBAN, South Africa (Reuters) - Fast bowler Dale Steyn took four wickets as South Africa seized control of the first Test against Sri Lanka on day two and went to the close on 126 for four, an overall second-innings lead of 170 runs at Kingsmead.

collected the wickets of Temba Bavuma (3) and Dean Elgar (35).

Aiden Markram had the home side off to a positive start with a brisk 28 before he edged seamer Kasun Rajitha to second slip, while Hashim Amla was snatched

Dale Steyn (left) picked up four wickets as Sri Lanka folded for 191.

South Africa had earlier bowled the tourists out for 191 in their first innings, with the experienced Steyn leading the charge on a slow but seaming wicket.

Captain Faf du Plessis (25 not out) and Quinton de Kock (15 not out) will seek to push the home side past the 250-run lead on the third day, a daunting target against a visiting side that have not passed 300 in any of their last 12 Test innings.

But debutant left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya (2-36) ensured South Africa stuttered in their second innings as he

in the gully off Vishwa Fernando.

South Africa have a long tail with all-rounder Vernon Philander batting at number seven and quick wickets in the morning could bring Sri Lanka back into the contest.

“We want that lead to get up a little bit more tomorrow,” Steyn told reporters.

“If we bowl anything like we did in the first innings we should be OK. But we do need more runs.

“If you bowl short and aggressive lengths, there is was always a chance of a wicket.”

Whatever target they are

SCOREBOARD

SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings 235 SRI LANKA 1st innings o/n 49-1 Dimuth Karunaratne lbw Vernon Philander 30 Lahiru Thirimanne c Quinton de Kock b Dale Steyn 0 Oshada Fernando lbw Dale Steyn 19 Kusal Mendis c Faf du Plessis b Vernon Philander 12 Kusal Perera c (sub) b Dale Steyn

51 Niroshan Dickwella c Dale Steyn b Duanne Olivier 8 Dhananjaya de Silva c Duanne Olivier b Kagiso Rabada 23 Suranga Lakmal c Aiden Markram b Dale Steyn

4 Lasith Embuldeniya c Dale Steyn b Kagiso Rabada 24 Kasun Rajitha run-out Aiden Markram 12 Vishwa Fernando not out

1 Extras: (b-3, lb-3, w-1)

7 Total: (all out, 59.2 overs)

191 Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-51, 3-53, 4-76, 5-90, 6-133, 7-142, 8-152, 9-184.

Bowling: Dale Steyn 20-7-48-4, Vernon Philander 10-2-32-2, Kagiso Rabada 12.2-2-48- 2, Duanne Olivier 13-2-36-1 (w-1), Keshav Maharaj 3-0-16-0, Dean Elgar 1-0-5-0.

SOUTH AFRICA 2nd innings Dean Elgar c & b Lasith Embuldeniya 35 Aiden Markram c Kusal Mendis b Kasun Rajitha 28 Hashim Amla c Lahiru Thirimanne b Vishwa Fernando 16 Temba Bavuma lbw Lasith Embuldeniya 3 Faf du Plessis not out

25 Quinton de Kock not out

15 Extras: (lb-2, nb-1, w-1)

4 Total: (four wkts, 37.0 overs)

126 Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-70, 3-77, 4-95.

Bowling: Suranga Lakmal 9-1-25-0, Vishwa Fernando 9-1-32-1, (w-1), Kasun Rajitha 7-1-31-1 (nb-1), Lasith Embuldeniya 12-1-36-2.

set, the visitors will have to show more application with bat in hand against a home attack that is expert in their own conditions.

The tourists resumed their first innings on 49 for one on the second morning, but were soon in trouble as Steyn (4-48)

struck the opening blow when he trapped Oshada Fernando (19) leg- before-wicket.

WILY SEAM The wily seam of Philander (2-32) then removed Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne (30) with the

same mode of dismissal.

Top-scorer Kusal Perera (51) and Dhananjaya de Silva (23) added 43 for the sixth wicket with some attacking stroke-play, but their promising partnership ended on the stroke of lunch when the latter was caught by Duanne Olivier

in the deep off Kagiso Rabada.

The procession of wickets continued in the afternoon, with Embuldeniya (23) providing some dogged resistance before he was the last man out, caught by Steyn at mid-off to give Kagiso Rabada a second scalp.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

WCC Regal Sports cricket tournament to conclude on Saturday

Night two of the Guyana Squash Association Bounty Farm Handicap tournament featured intense action.

(Samuel Maughn photo)

THE first matches for the Open category in the Bounty Farm Ltd Handicap Squash Tournament were played Wednesday night alongside the second round of the Category A games.

Ashley Khalil (-6) put returning Lydia Fraser (10) through her paces with powerhouse shots and strategic placement. Fraser fought hard, but could muster only 1 point per game, finishing up 15-11, 15-11.

Dane Pereira (10) followed a shaky start against Adam Alves (5), with a spirited bid in the second game. Alves proved too much and claimed a close second game 15-14, giving him the match 15-7, 15-14.

In Category A, excitement brewed as Gianni Carpenter (-6) faced Demetrius DeAbreu (-4) in an anticipated close battle. Left-handed Carpenter came out strong with some hard drives and good

Positive results for Khalil on night two of Bounty Farm Squash tournament

length cross courts to dominate a 15-10 win. DeAbreu answered with his signature drop shots in the second game and wrong-footed Carpenter to a 15-4 defeat.

Both boys came out determined on the final game, with DeAbreu pulling ahead after long, varied shot rallies. Carpenter seemed to find something extra, to come back from a 13-3 score to win four straight, but DeAbreu took the next two for a 15-7 triumph. Final scores 10-15, 15-4, 15-7.

Another great match for the evening was Zachary Persaud (7) against Mohryan Baksh (-3). Despite Baksh’s much-improved court movement and shot selection, the handicap proved too much against fighter Persaud and the three-game match ended in a victory for Persaud, 1510, 11-15, 15-12.

Kirsten Gomes and Abosaide continued their

winning streak, along with Nicholas Verwey and Lucas Jonas.

Play continued yesterday at 18:00hrs with the higher seeded players in the Open Category.

Scores for the evening: Open Category ● Ian Mekdeci (5) beat Medhi Ramdhani (8) 15-7, 15-7 ● Damien Da Silva (-6) defeated Tian Edwards (13) 15-13, 15-13 ● Adam Alves (5) beat Dane Pereira (10) 15-7, 15-14 ● Jonathan Antczak (6) thrashed Reagan Rodrigues (10) 15-5.

15-6 ● Ashley Khalil (-6) whipped Lydia Fraser (10) 15-11, 15-11 Category A ● Lucas Jonas (-3)

edged Matthew Daby (14) 15-14, 15-14. ● Michael Alphonso (-10) overcame Lucas Persaud (11) 15-11, 15-12. ● Zachary Persaud (7) prevailed over Mohryan Baksh ((-3) 15-10, 11-15, 15-12. ● Kirsten Gomes (-4) beat Beau Fernandes (11) 15-12, 15-11. ● Lucas Jonas (-3) bettered Joshua Verwey (11) 15-13. 15-14. ● Lajuan Munroe (10) beat Dhiren Persaud (11) 15-7, 15-11. ● Abosaide Cadogan (-4) beat Ethan Jonas (-4) 15-12, 15-10. ● Demetrius DeAbreu (-4) got the better of Gianni Carpenter (-6) 10-15, 15-4, 15-7 ● Nicholas Verwey (-8) edged Brenno DaSilva (13) 15-14, 15-14.

Thomas hits 125 in Regal Masters huge win ERIC Thomas struck an attacking century to propel Regal Masters to a huge 179-run win against Success Masters, while Wellman Masters, Fisherman Masters and SVC Grill Masters also registered victories when the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. Regal Stationery and Computer Centre 20-over tournament continued last Sunday.

Thomas struck 125, while Mohendra Arjune made 76 and David Harper 52 as Regal Masters posted 269-3, batting first at GNIC SC. R. Karim claimed 2-42.

Success Masters were re-

stricted to 90-9 in 15.4 overs in reply. Richard Persaud made 15 as Tyrone Sanasie picked up 3-16 and Parsram

Eric Thomas

Persaud 2-14.

Wellman Masters beat HS Masters by 47 runs at the said venue. Wellman Masters took first strike and managed 203-4.

Wayne Jones slammed 90 and Lloyd Ruplall 58. HS Masters were bowled out for 156 in reply. Troy Lewis made 50 and Jai Ram 20; Imtiaz Mohamed captured 3-18 and Latchman Kallicharran 3-20.

At Malteenoes Sports Club, Fisherman Masters overcame President’s XI Masters by 17 runs. Fisherman Masters made 150 all out, taking first knock with Unnis Yusuf, Jagdesh Persaud and Ejaz Mohamed

scoring 36 each. President’s XI Masters were limited to 133-5 in reply. Saheed Gittens scored 36.

In the Open Category, SVC Grill Masters got the better of Regal All Stars by 19 runs. SVC Grill Masters scored 117 all out in 19 overs, batting first. Delbert Hicks made 33 and J. Fernandes 28; Eon Hooper claimed 3-16, while Amir Nizamudeen and Fazal Rafiek had two wickets each.

Regal All Stars mustered 98 all out in 18.2 overs in reply. Delroy Perreira made 21 and Ricky Sargeant 16; David Lukenauth and A. Narine had two wickets apiece.

THE Wakenaam Cricket Committee (WCC)-sponsored Regal Sports Under-19, 40-over cricket tournament will conclude tomorrow at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground in Good Success between G Square Cavaliers and Maria’s Pleasure/Zeelandia.

Meanwhile, Good Success/Sans Souci/Jaguars combined defeated Maria’s Pleasure/Zeelandia by six wickets while G Square Cavaliers overcame Noitgedacht Sports Club by a similar margin when the tournament continued last Saturday.

Maria’s Pleasure/Zeelandia batted first and managed 169-7 off their reduced quota of 20 overs due to rain at Zeelandia. Kevin Hemraj made 36, while Joshua Williams contributed 23, as Mahase Ramnarine claimed 3-24 and Beesham Moses 2-14.

Ramnarine then blasted 98 and got support from Derwin Bacon 24, as Good Success/Sans Souci/Jaguars responded with 170-4 in 12.2 overs. Direndra Sitaram captured 3-37.

At the Wakenaam Community Centre ground, Noitgedacht SC took first strike and scored 103 all out in 18 overs. Romelo Headley made 30, while Fitzroy Retemiah and Emanuel Welcome got 14 and 12 respectively. Mahindra Dindyal grabbed 6-40 from six overs, while Romario Stephen had 2-20 and Toshal Surujpaul 1-10.

G Square Cavaliers responded with 104-4.

Stephen struck 76 not out; Stephon Madramootoo snared 3-25, while Michael Retemiah and Terrance Softleigh had one each.

LSC Ram Slam T20 set for February 24 SEVERAL top players across the county will converge on the Lusignan Community Centre ground on February 24 for the Lusignan Sports Club’s fifth annual Ram Slam T20 tournament.

The day’s activities will feature four East Coast Demerara teams with several top players, a few of whom have represented the country at youth level, including Chanderpaul Ramraj, Romel Datterdeen, Krishna Deosaran, Vishnu Ramjeet, Nicholas Shiopersaud, Somnauth Bharrat, Navin Persaud, Rajindra Naikbarran, Gavin Boodwah, Vickram Doodnauth, Robin Williams and Shamzam Ali. Action is set for a grand bowl-off at 09:00hrs with Good Hope, the 2018 champions, putting their title on the line against the hosts Lusignan and neighbouring villages Annandale and Mon Repos.

By hosting the annual competition, the Lusignan Sports Club (LSC) is aiming to develop cricket in the target communities, as well as to aid in the process of keeping young people away from societal ills.

Funds raised from the event will facilitate the club’s participation in competitions run by the respective area boards and the Guyana Cricket Board, at the Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Inter-Association, senior Demerara and National levels.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

33

United may need tactical shift to beat Showstoppers tonight

… Scorching final anticipated THE support that hosts Showstoppers receive from their loyal fans is second to none in the Guinness Street phenomenon and this special bond is expected to be on show tonight when they face Brothers United in defence of their title.

The occasion is the final of this year’s West Demerara/ East Bank Demerara Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ competition which concludes this evening at the Pouderoyen market tarmac.

The three-time champions have been in ominous form since the start of the year and many believe that they will easily retain the title against United who play a similar open style to theirs, but clearly do not possess the firepower of the champs.

To add to the weapons that they have in their arsenal, the partisan fans have overwhelmed all pretenders in the past and because their team have grown in stature and have achieved much success, the support numbers have greatly increased.

With a whopping $500 000 and an impressive trophy up for grabs, the pundits have installed them as clear favourites to go all the way.

The acquisition of national

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

player Trayon Bobb has added even more venom to their attack and containing them in offence could be a real task for first-timers Brothers United’s backline.

As if Bobb’s ability was not enough headache already for United, the combination of Stephon Jupiter, Marvin Josiah and Dexroy Adams makes it extremely difficult to bet against them.

However, Brothers United, with former national player Andrew Murray Jr in their

lineup should prove a perfect matchup for Showstoppers.

It will be interesting to see if Brothers United change their strategy and defend with everyone behind the ball and hope that a penalty shootout can go their way.

On the other hand, their success to date has been their willingness to stand toe-to-toe, but their opponents’ goal-scoring prowess could very well instigate a change in approach.

What is certain is the fact that the two teams are offen-

Sacking Mourinho cost Manchester United £19.6 million

By Shashwat Awasthi (REUTERS) - Sacking Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho cost Manchester United £19.6 million, the English Premier League football club said on Thursday, though it still expects to meet its financial targets for the year.

staff. According to media reports, the former Real Madrid, Chelsea, Inter Milan and FC Porto manager was paid severance of £15 million.

By comparison, the club had paid £8.4 million to Louis van Gaal and his coaching staff when the Dutchman was sacked in May 2016.

United, whose squad fea-

Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho

Mourinho departed in December after a run of dismal results, prompting the appointment of former United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as caretaker manager for the rest of the season.

United said it had paid £19.6 million as compensation to Mourinho and some members of his coaching

tures French World Cup winner Paul Pogba and Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea, have shrugged off their worst start to a season in 28 years.

Since Solskjaer took the reins United have climbed to fourth in the Premier League.

“The appointment of Ole and Mike (Phelan) as caretaker manager and assistant

manager ... has had a positive impact throughout the club,” Executive Vice Chairman Ed Woodward said in a statement.

The recent upturn in United’s fortunes on the pitch has led to calls for Solskjaer’s appointment to be made permanent.

The Norwegian, nicknamed “the baby-faced assassin” in his playing days, is a huge favourite with the club’s fans thanks in no small part to his last-minute goal to clinch the UEFA Champions League title against Bayern Munich in 1999.

Woodward, however, refused on Thursday to be drawn into speculation over the identity of United’s next permanent manager.

Revenue for the three months to Dec. 31 was £208.6 million, against £177.4 million a year earlier, with a new rights agreement for the lucrative Champions League helping to lift broadcasting revenue by 38 percent.

The 20-times English champions said they continue to expect revenue of between £615 million and £630 million for 2018-19 and adjusted core profit of £175 million to £190 million.

sive-minded and fans could witness a scorching encounter for the coveted first prize.

Murray Jr has been the bright spark for the team and to many he holds the key to victory.

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

ESPN and West Side Ballers battle in the Plate Section for $60 000 winner-take-all.

Cash prizes totalling over $1.1 million are up for grabs with the winners set to receive $500 000, runners-up $250 000, while third- and fourthplace finishers will take home $200 000 and $100,000 respectively along with trophies.

Also on board as a major sponsor is Colours Boutique on Robb Street.

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

Aussie quick Hazlewood confident he’ll be fit for World Cup Chase hails dynamic Windies team spirit for series win MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - Strike bowler Josh Hazlewood is confident he’ll have plenty of time to recover from a stress fracture in his back before Australia’s defence of the World Cup in England later this year.

The paceman, who has taken 72 wickets in 44 one-dayers, has been ruled out of the upcoming limited overs tour of India and the ODI series against Pakistan, in the United Arab Emirates that follows.

The 28-year-old quick said he would be having another scan on the damaged back that has kept him sidelined since mid-January in Sydney, today, and was happy there would be plenty of playing opportunities to get match-fit before June.

“I think, working back

Roston Chase drives during his century against England on Tuesday.

GROS ISLET, St Lucia (CMC) – Roston Chase has hailed the dynamic team spirit, which earned West Indies a shock 2-1 series win over highly-rated England in the just concluded three-Test series.

Lowly-ranked West Indies entered the series as rank underdogs but stunned England in the first two Tests to reclaim the coveted Wisden Trophy for the first time in a decade.

Aware they had been written off before England arrived in the Caribbean, Chase said the team formed a strong bond of self-belief which eventually paid dividends.

“At the start of the series no one really gave us a chance. It was just the guys in the dressing room pulling together and within ourselves we knew we could do it,” Chase told reporters after hitting his fifth Test hundred in a losing cause in the third Test on Tuesday.

“So we stuck together and we won the first match and then we said ‘don’t let us get too far ahead of ourselves. We have to do it in the second game as well.’ We didn’t want to leave it to the third game and we came up trumps in Antigua.”

West Indies outplayed England to trounce them by 381 runs inside three days in the Bridgetown opening Test before executing brilliantly in Antigua to win the second by 10 wickets inside four days.

With the series already secured and inspirational captain Jason Holder suspended for the final Test, West Indies dropped their guard and suffered a 232-run loss, with a day left in the contest here.

Chase said the heavy defeat had made the series success “bittersweet”.

“We didn’t have the best game here in St Lucia but we had already won the series,” he noted. “It is a bittersweet feeling now that we’ve lost the game but we still won the series.”

Despite his side’s loss, Chase covered himself in personal glory with an entertaining unbeaten 102.

He arrived at the wicket with the Windies tottering on 10 for three before lunch and took the attack to the tourists in an innings laced with 12 fours and a six.

“It’s nothing new to me. I’ve done it before with wickets falling around (me),” he explained. “I just try to hold my composure and try to build a partnership with whoever is coming next.”

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday, Febrary 15, 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: 2 Tests 169-Len Hutton (1954)

Today’s Quiz: (1) What is the highest Test score by a WI player against

England at Bourda?

(2) Who is the last WI to record two double-centuries

in the same Test series?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Strike bowler Josh Hazlewood

(for) the World Cup mostly,” he told reporters yesterday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where he helped Australia beat New Zealand in the 2015 final.

“That’ll give me plenty of time to get fit for the World Cup and the Ashes.

“There’s quite a long build-up ... there’s still quite a lot of cricket I can get before the World Cup actually starts.

“It’s already been six weeks and, as I say, we’ll know more …, but everything’s feeling pretty good.

We’ll probably start walkthrough bowling in the next couple of weeks if all goes well.”

Australia open their title defence in England w i t h a g ro u p m a t c h against Afghanistan at Bristol’s County Ground on June 1.

‘Was attempting to break through my own tension’ - Gabriel apologises to Root SHANNON Gabriel, the Windies spearhead, has come out with an “unreserved apology” to England skipper Joe Root in relation to the verbal altercation that took place on Day 3 of the St Lucia Test, and which eventually got the fast bowler suspended for four ODIs by the ICC. The pacer, on his part, released a statement to shed more light about the verbal altercation. He noted that the verbal spat happened in the heat of the moment, when he was trying to find a way past the pressures of Test cricket.

“To my team-mates and members of the England team, especially their captain Joe Root, I extend an unreserved apology for a comment which in the context of on-the-field rivalry, I assumed was inoffensive and sporting banter,” Gabriel said. “I know now that it was offensive and for that I am deeply sorry.

“The exchange occurred during a tense moment on the

field. The pressure was on and England’s captain Joe Root

was looking at me intensely as I prepared to bowl, which may

Gabriel copped a suspension of four ODIs from ICC for breaching the code of conduct. (Getty)

have been the unusual psychological strategy with which all Test cricketers are familiar.

“I recognise now that I was attempting to break through my own tension when I said to Joe Root: ‘Why are you smiling at me? Do you like boys?’ His response, which was picked up by the microphone, was: ‘Don’t use it as an insult.

There’s nothing wrong with being gay.’ I then responded: ‘I have no issues with that, but you should stop smiling at me.’”

The pacer from Trinidad was also levied a fine of 75% of his match fee and three demerit points for the Level 2 offence. That constitutes a ban of either two Tests or four ODIs or T20Is, whatever comes first.

The quick bowler, who was expected to earn a recall for the later part of the fivematch ODI series against England, will resultantly miss the first four matches of the forthcoming rubber, scheduled to commence next week in Barbados. (Cricbuzz)

UEFA investigate after Ramos says he got booked on purpose AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - UEFA has launched a disciplinary investigation that could rule Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos out of a potential Champions League quarter-final, first leg after he admitted getting booked on purpose in Wednesday’s 2-1 win at Ajax Amsterdam.

With Madrid 2-1 up in the last-16 first leg, Ramos was shown a yellow card in the 89th minute, his third booking of the European campaign which means he will be suspended from the second leg of the tie in the Spanish capital on March 5.

Should holders Madrid progress to the quarter-finals, Ramos would then have a clean slate for the final stretch of Europe’s elite competition, which his side have monopolised since 2016.

But in an extraordinary post-match interview, Ramos said he intentionally got booked against Ajax, which breaks UEFA’s rules and is punishable with an extra one-match suspension.

“Looking at the result I would be lying if I said it wasn’t intentional,” Ramos told television reporters.

“It’s something I was thinking about, it’s not to underestimate the opponent nor say the tie is over but in football you have to take difficult decisions so I decided to do it.”

European soccer’s governing body UEFA said on Thursday that it had launched a disciplinary investigation “in connection with the

statements made” by Ramos.

The Spain international, who was playing his 600th game for Madrid, later attempted to row back on his comments with two posts on Twitter in which he regretted getting suspended for the second leg.

“In a game there is always a lot of tension and you have to take decisions in seconds. The best thing about tonight was the result, the worst that I will not be in the second leg due to one moment in the game,” Ramos wrote.

“I want to make it clear that this hurts me more than it would hurt anyone, I did not get the yellow card on purpose, just like the last yellow card I got in the competition, and I will be supporting from the stands like any other fan hoping we get into the quarter-finals.”

Ramos’ team mate Dani Carvajal was punished by UEFA last season for intentionally getting booked in a group stage game at APOEL Nicosia.

The full back was charged by UEFA’s disciplinary committee for “receiving a yellow card on purpose” and was suspended for their final group game against Borussia Dortmund and their last-16 first leg against Paris St Germain.

UEFA added that Ajax had been charged over the throwing of objects, setting off of fireworks and display of an “illicit banner” by fans. Real were charged with the setting off of fireworks.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 15, 2019

35

CWI backs ICC policy, Gabriel will learn from incident - Grave PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Cricket West Indies (CWI) chief executive, Johnny Grave, says CWI is in firm agreement with the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) get-tough policy on player abuse, in the wake of the severe punishment dished out to fast bowler Shannon Gabriel.

While conceding Gabriel’s four-match one-day ban was a huge blow for the Windies, Grave said he also expected the 30-year-old to learn from the incident.

Gabriel was suspended for the first four OneDay Internationals against England starting next week, following a verbal exchange with England captain Joe Root on the third day of the final Test on Tuesday which was deemed to be in breach of the ICC’s code of conduct.

“The ICC has put in place a zero tolerance on any abuse on the field by players and we are fully supportive of that,” Grave told the Newsday publication here.

He added: “I think in terms of the way the series has been played, it’s been played in great spirits by two teams that have gone hard at each other over three Tests.

“It is disappointing we are talking about one isolated incident, which I hope does not tarnish what has

otherwise been a fantastic series in terms of the quality of the cricket and also the manner and spirit in which both sides have played.”

The matter came to the fore when stump microphones picked up Root telling Gabriel: “Don’t use it as an insult. There’s nothing wrong with being gay.”

And although Gabriel’s initial comments had not been detected, international media created a firestorm over the matter, alleging that Gabriel had made homophobic remarks.

It was only yesterday that Gabriel, in a statement, revealed he had said to Root in the heat of the moment: “Why are you smiling at me? Do you like boys?”

Gabriel said he considered the comment nothing more than “inoffensive picong and sporting banter” but nonetheless, issued an apology to Root, the England team and his Windies teammates.

“I am sure Shannon will learn from this, and it is disappointing he has to learn the hard way,” Grave noted.

“But he has now accumulated too many demerit points and misses games, which is the ultimate action for any professional cricketer in international cricket.

They want to be playing

Chile joins Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay in World Cup bid BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Chile joined three neighbouring South American countries in a bid to host the 2030 soccer World Cup, according to a joint statement from their governments released on Thursday.

The bid, which previously included only Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, is up against bids from England, and another bid from Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.

The 2030 World Cup will mark the centennial of soccer’s most important championship. The first was held in Uruguay in 1930.

when they are fit … it is a massive loss to us and to him personally.”

Gabriel was not named in the Windies

squad for the first two one-dayers in Barbados but was expected to feature later in the fivematch series.

CWI chief executive Johnny Grave

Allen will be ‘too sharp’ against Webster tonight

By Rawle Toney LENNOX ‘Too Sharp’ Allen’s ‘day of reckoning’ in the sport of boxing is finally here, and the 33-year-old Guyanese is seemingly excited to embrace it.

Allen will step into the ring tonight against American Derrick ‘Take it to the Bank’ Webster at the Grand Casino Hinckley in Minnesota, USA. At stake is the Interim World Boxing Association (WBA) super middleweight title.

Both fighters hold an impressive record, but of the two, Allen is unbeaten while Webster picked up one defeat.

While Allen is ranked #8 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), Webster is one position higher (#7).

In a recent interview with Chronicle Sport, Allen noted that he sees the fight tonight as “the opportunity of a lifetime,” adding “I feel like this is what I’ve been working all these years to achieve and the time is right now. I just have to stay focussed.”

The former Guyanese super middleweight champion picked up his 21st win in the ring after a thirdround TKO victory over American Willis Locket in their light heavyweight contest to remain unbeaten in his professional boxing career.

With the victory, Allen lived up to his alias ‘Too Sharp’, with Willis becoming the 14th victim of Allen’s deadly right hand, while the ‘GT’ fighter’s only blemish was his draw against American Darnell Boone in 2010.

Allen’s opposition holds a ring record of 28 wins; 14 coming by KOs, and his only defeat came against Arif Magomedov, when he lost the vacant World Boxing Organisation NABO middleweight title in 2015 by unanimous decision.

Webster, 36, is the United States Boxing Organisation super middleweight champion, as well as the World Boxing Foundation International super middleweight and American Boxing Federation Continental Americas super middleweight champion.

Derrick ‘Take it to the Bank’ Webster (L) and Lennox ‘Too Sharp’ Allen

Annual 30 Forbes Burnham Memorial cycling road race pedals off on Sunday

Page

Paul DeNobrega

Magnum Mash Futsal

Gold is Money shocked by Capital Strikers Page

30

Action in the Magnum Mash futsal championship on Wednesday night. (Samuel Maughn)

CWI backs ICC policy

Page

Windies aiming to become world’s No.1 team, 30 says Holder Page

Jason Holder of West Indies celebrates winning on day 3 of the 2nd Test between West Indies and England at Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda, on February 2, 2019.

(Photo:AFP)

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friday, February 15, 2019