Guyana Chronicle E-paper 02-16-2019

SATURDAY 16th February, 2019

No.105550

& US$4B int’l airport for Lethem

1.5MW solar farm 13 PAGE

… Min Patterson discloses, as gov’t unveils development package for Rupununi

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Scenes from Friday's various meetings between visiting government ministers and Rupununi residents in St Ignatius and at the Amerindian Hostel in Central Lethem

Harmon warns of possible consequences

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–– if Jagdeo continues to threaten public servants

Timelines settled Con artist 05 remanded for for hearing of 13 impersonating PAGE

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confidence-vote appeal

Min. Lawrence

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 16, 2019

Rupununi residents upbeat about engagement with ministers Story and photos by Lisa Hamilton

RESIDENTS of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and ministers of government expressed high expectations of fruitful interactions as the ministerial outreach to the region kicked off on a high note on Friday.

Some 19 ministers are

expected to be spread across 28 villages within a three-day period for what will mark the government’s first major outreach for 2019. The ministers touched down at the Lethem Airstrip around 16:00hrs and were warmly greeted by scores of residents of the town.

Several ministers were in preparation mode to speak at the communities of St.

Ignatius, Lethem and Moco Moco that evening, but were first serenaded with a musical welcome from a group of youngsters.

They met the ministers upon arrival singing welcome to the ‘Rupununi: a great, great land’.

Present were Minister of State Joseph Harmon; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge; Minister

of Communities, Ronald Bulkan; Minister of Public Affairs, Dawn Hastings-Williams; Ministers of Social Protection Amna Ally and Keith Scott; Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry; Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes; Junior Minister of Finance, Jaipaul See page 11

Ministers of State, Foreign Affairs and Public Telecommunications, Joseph Harmon; Carl Greenidge and Cathy Hughes respectively at the Lethem Airstrip

Junior Minister of Finance Jaipaul Sharma interacts with persons after his arrival

President saddened at passing of businessman Inderjeet Beharry HIS Excellency David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, said he is saddened at the passing of prominent businessman Mr. Inderjeet Beharry, popularly known as Indi Beharry, who died earlier on Friday at the age of 78.

Mr. Beharry is the son of Guyanese business magnate, the late Mr. Edward Beharry of the Edward B. Beharry Group of Companies. In 2016, President Granger conferred Mr. Beharry with the insignia of the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH), the country’s third highest national award.

President Granger expressed sympathy to Beharry’s wife, Mrs. Shazeeda Beharry, his children Suresh, Anil and Praharshanie and his other relatives, colleagues and friends.

& US$4B int’l airport for Lethem

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 16, 2019

1.5MW solar farm

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… Min Patterson discloses, as gov’t unveils development package for Rupununi

By Vanessa Braithwaite GOVERNMENT on Friday unveiled a package of developmental projects for the township of Lethem and the entire Rupununi, which includes the construction of a US$4B international airport and major upgrades to the existing Linden-Lethem road before a paved highway is constructed.

These and other matters were ventilated when government ministers met with residents of Lethem as part of a ministerial outreach to the area. Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, addressed the main concerns of residents at a meeting which he shared with Minister of Education Nicolette Henry.

Minister Henry spoke of improvements in the education sector, both nationally and in Region Nine. Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, highlighted progress made in the security sector.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, was also present at the meeting. These ministers are part of a larger delegation who is on a massive ministerial outreach in the Rupununi district.

INFRASTRUCTURAL UPGRADE The residents were updated about interim plans to have the Linden to Lethem road repaired, while the long-term prospect of a paved road comes to fruition.

He related that contracts are out to repair three sections of the road which are from Linden to Mabura, Kurupukari to Annai and Annai to Lethem. While the section between Kurupukari to Annai falls under the Demerara Timbers concession, since it was a private road, the interest of the people is paramount and the government will be repairing that section. He also noted that another alternative old trail will be repaired as well, which will significantly decrease travelling time. This, he said, should be completed by the end of May. As is already in the public’s domain, the Linden to Lethem asphalting will be completed in three phases; financing for

the first phase, which is from Linden to Mabura, is already guaranteed through a $150M loan. Patterson related to the audience that a consultancy is currently undergoing and the contract was awarded last November for the designing, which includes modification of the bridges and drains along the way. “So we have made progress…don’t let the naysayers say that we have done nothing; in three years, we have done more to move this project from a dream that has been done in all the years since independence. We have actually secured the money, we have actually started the project,” he said.

In addition, the 2019 budget has made provision for $200M to upgrade the road from Linden to Rockstone.

INTERNAL ROADS As regards the internal roads in Lethem, residents were given equally good news that two contracts have been awarded for internal roads to be paved, as well as the commissioning of the Manari bypass which will be commissioned next month.

AIRPORT Slated for massive upgrade is the Lethem airport, which Patterson said will be transformed into an international airport. The consultancy for this project has already been awarded and will be funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to the tune of US$4 Billion. In the interim, the existing airstrip will be recapped, as the tender is already out for this project.

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY Minister Patterson highlighted that the provision of diesel to run the Lethem Power Company to provide electricity to a growing town, has become very costly.

Therefore, a geo-technical study has commenced to resuscitate the Moco-Moco hydro- power plant, which was destroyed by a mudslide. Coupled with this, Lethem will see a spanking new 1.5 megawatt solar farm, which will be funded by the Inter-American

Development Bank. He said that lands have been already secured for same and tenders will be going out soon.

These two forms of renewable energy will provide more reliable and cheaper electricity for Lethem residents. “Everything that we have promised that we wanted to do, we have diligently sought money…you stand by me and I will continue standing with you and we will make Lethem a shining example of what it should be,” Patterson said to loud applause.

Regional Executive Officer, Carl Parker, described the infrastructural improvements as quite inspiring and is far more than what the residents bargained for.

“With what we have heard here this afternoon, Lethem is getting closer to Georgetown by virtue of travelling time; what we are hearing here today is very much inspiring,” he said, after alluding to broken promises by the former administration.

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guyana CHRONICLE saturday, february 16, 2019

‘Give the coalition your support’ …gov’t ministers urge Indigenous population

By Svetlana Marshall THE A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government should be given an opportunity to complete the good work it has started, Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally said as she interacted with residents of St. Ignatius, Quarrie and Nappi on Friday, when the government rolled out a massive Ministerial Outreach in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

does not believe in holding onto power, it believes in providing services to the people regardless of their geographical location within the country. The Social Protection Minister, who is no stranger to St. Ignatius, said that it is the intention of the coalition government to provide that “good life” to all Guyanese in keeping with the vision of President David Granger.

In pointing to the developments in the education sector in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo)

investment in education is an investment in the development of the country, and government will continue to focus on human resource development. “ We b e l i e v e i n o u r young people, we want to educate them, we want to have more doctors and nurses and people in high offices; so one of our focus is to advance our work in education,” the Social Protection Minister told residents.

She said while the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration had handed out $10,000 cash grants, but it finished within days and before parents knew it, their children were faced with the same issues they had prior to the grant. According to her, the solutions being provided to children and their parents in the area of education and social services, are long term.

Turning her attention to women and youth empowerment, Minister Ally said the Ministry of Social Protection has been implementing the Sustainable Livelihoods and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) Programme. Ally said this year, Region Nine would see an intensification of the SLED initiative with a number of young, promising men and women in the line-up to benefit.

According to her, the Social Protection Ministry has already received business proposals to the tune of millions of dollars.

The economic ventures, she noted, will see persons being financially empowered. In Moco Moco and Aranaputa, entrepreneurs who have already gotten their projects approved, are operating block-making machines to meet the demands of the growing construction industry.

“If you are empowered

Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally

As she addressed more than 200 residents under the St. Ignatius benab, Minister Ally said in under four years, the APNU+AFC government has made significant strides in the areas of education, infrastructural development, health, agriculture, information and Communication Technology (ICT) and women and youth employment, among other critical areas.

“I want to ask you, St. Ignatius, to give this government a chance to continue along the track of development. We need to complete what we started,” Ally told the residents to a loud round of applause. She said while the coalition government

district, the minister said it was not so long ago that the APNU+AFC government commissioned a 30-seater bus in Lethem to transport children to school. Fifty children were also presented with bicycles. While these gestures may seem insignificant in the eyes of some, it is significant for the children of Lethem and neighbouring communities such as St. Ignatius and Nappi, who in the past had to trek miles, sometimes during hard weather conditions, to reach their schools. Additionally, schools have been built in some villages, while others have been repaired and upgraded to include modern technologies. Ally said an

and you can make money then you will have that good life, a better life,” Ally assured the residents.

The SLED programme is just one of the many programmes and projects in place that are empowering the young people of the country.

of ICT as in the case of other parts of the country in keeping with the vision of President Granger.

Under the stewardship of President Granger, laptops were given to teachers under the One Laptop Per Teacher Programme to aid in the execution of their

Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes

“With Guyana less than a year away from first-oil, the opposition has become even more power drunk and has as its mantra, greed, but it is the intention of government to transform the lives of the people,” Ally said.

“Give this government a chance to continue along the track of development,” she implored the residents.

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes, who ever so often frequents the Rupununi, told residents that the region has experienced explosive developments in the area

studies and duties. But the Granger administration did not stop there, Hughes said, noting that the government took a decision to provide internet access to all the government buildings and within schools.

“So we have connected almost 350 primary schools and secondary schools, and also we connected the teachers’ training college, the school of agriculture, and all these different places.

Then we recognised in many places, citizens don’t have the opportunity to have internet at their homes, and so

we decided to establish ICT hubs,” Minister Hughes detailed. Last week, the Telecommunications Ministry opened the 172nd ICT hub.

When the PPP administration exited Office in May 2015, it left the people of Guyana with a failed $1.3B fibre-optic cable project.

Minister Hughes said the project was intended to provide citizens with more telephone and internet services, but it never materialised despite a hefty investment.

Today, in the case of Lethem and neighbouring communities, both the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) and Digicel Guyana have towers in place. To complement the services being provided by those telephone giants, the APNU+AFC government has moved to rehabilitate a tower which was left languishing with all its batteries and solar panels since 2012.

Within weeks, the National Data Management Authority will launch the tower to provide additional internet service.

“I am happy to say the guys finally got that tower up and working and we got new batteries, which means over the next couple of weeks more places right here in Lethem and the outskirts, will be able to have better internet access,” Hughes said to loud rounds of applause.

Minister Dawn Hastings-Williams and Region Three Regional Executive Officer (REO) Jennifer Ferreira-Dougall, Toshao of St. Ignatius, Denis Benedick and Deputy Toshao of St. Ignatius Muacir Baretto, were among the officials present. Minister Ally and team presented the residents with farming equipment, sports gear and in the case of Baretto, a motocycle to enable him to carry out his duties.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 16, 2019

Con-artist remanded for impersonating Min. Lawrence

A THIRTY-two-year-old con-artist was, on Friday, February 15, 2019, arraigned before Magistrate Leron Daly, for impersonating the Minster of Health, Volda Lawrence, and obtaining $2.1M worth in phone credit from a city businessman.

Mohammed Ali, also called ‘Gobin’, who is currently serving an eight-year sentence at the Camp Street Prison, made his ‘yearly’ appearance before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, charged with fraud.

Particulars of the charge alleged that, between October 5, 2018, and October 10, 2018, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, Ali obtained from Julius Belgrave $2.1M worth in phone credit, by falsely pretending that he was Minister Lawrence.

“I’m incarcerated, I’m a high-profile prisoner at the Camp Street prison and I’m on lockdown,” Ali told the court as he denied the charge.

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh told the court that Ali, while imprisoned, called Belgrave pretending to be Minster Lawrence and asked the businessman to supply the Ministry of Health with phone credit.

Belgrave, after supplying the credit, went to the Ministry of Health to uplift his payment only to discover that no such agreement existed.

The matter was reported to the police and the number was traced to Ali, at the Camp Street Prison.

Magistrate Daly remanded Ali to prison until Febru-

Mohammed Ali, also called ‘Gobin’ ary 21, 2019.

In 2018, Ali was sentenced to a total of six months’ imprisonment for impersonating First Lady Sandra Granger, and conning three women.

In 2017, Mohammed Ali was charged with three counts of obtaining money by false pretense by pretending to be First Lady Sandra Granger, and that he was in a position to grant three women scholarships, knowing same to be false.

Ali defrauded the three women over $200,000 worth in GTT and Digicel phone cards.

In 2015, Ali was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of fleecing several unsuspecting females, including an elderly woman and two school girls, of hundreds of thousand dollars’ worth of jewelry and electronic gadgets.

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guyana CHRONICLE saturday, february 16, 2019

‘MASH’ REMAINS OURS

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ASHRAMANI will be celebrated next week.

Marching around the corner just after the December festivities, ‘Mash’ brings with it a certain excitement that gets the Guyanese in high spirits. Indeed, Mashramani serves as Guyana’s very own carnival, and is mixed with Guyanese elements that make it unique to our home. The steel pan, mixed with masquerade, mixed with vibrant colours and Guyanese music all culminate to create an event that Guyanese can certainly call “we own.”

Part of the flair of the ‘Mash’ season comes from the Calypso Competition, and though calypso has its origins in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana has adopted this art form and made it her own as local calypsonians fuse social commentary and satire, unique to our homeland with the Guyanese accent, to create a one-of-a-kind finished product. The annual Adult Calypso Competition has also seen its share of legends over the years. This list includes the late Malcolm ‘Lord Canary’ Corrica, Geoffrey ‘Mighty Rebel’ Phillips and Camille ‘Lady Tempest’ Goliah. It is this competition that has given life to many memorable tunes by these and other local legends, which still enjoy airplay to date. And while calypso is seen as a dying art, the annual hosting of this event sees its continued share of ardent supporters.

Moreover, with the renewed sense of nationalism witnessed by Guyanese in the last two years, there has also been a revamped appreciation for its local artistes’ music and this

dying art.

Next on the list is the Steel Pan Competition, which continues to be kept alive through the annual hosting of Republic Bank’s Panorama during the Mashramani season. In recent years, Panorama has grown in popularity and the level of competition has been increasingly sharp with emerging talents such as the GBTI Buxton Pride Steel Orchestra, Jovanka Williams and the Pan Wave Academy. Most impressively, this is a competition dominated by the youth, whose skill and talent speak volumes and continue to wow its increasing number of spectators every year.

Our children have been the stars of Mashramani for years and the Children’s ‘Mash’ Competition has made sure of that.

Ranging from dramatic poetry, to masquerade, to a costume competition, school- children are encouraged to take part in this annual extravaganza. It is here we also see the talent of our children as they are thrown into the creative world and made to bring out their best performances.

Needless to say, it is the continued engagement of our children at a young age which persons believe helps to preserve our culture, increase their interest in the arts and keep the spirit of Mashramani alive altogether. Yet, it would be remiss to speak of this season without mention of the local artistes. In a music industry where artistes believe that not enough attention is given to their music, it is this time more than any other when local music is given much airplay.

This year, Guyanese music was given prominence on local radio stations, with many of the songs reaching international standard.

Most recently, Mashramani has also attracted some interesting features. For the party-goers, the Trinidadian custom of J’ouvert has gained popularity on local shores and now adds to the Guyana ‘Mash’ fever. These events all lead up to the big day, which begins with the annual flag-raising ceremony at midnight of February 22, followed by the float parade where designers shine in their creativity and people come out in their numbers to either join the revelling or watch on.

There have been criticisms over the years about the size and lack of creativity of the floats and costumes, but Guyanese designers continue to bring out their best, while showcasing key themes and symbols of Guyana’s patrimony through art. But regardless of criticisms, regardless of route, or need for improvement, these are the vital elements of our Mashramani, and it is the continued promotion of our culture at this time of the year that helps us to reflect and celebrate all at the same time. More importantly, it is embracing these elements and helping to keep them alive that will see continued innovation that will induce new springs of creativity. We may not have Trinidad’s Carnival status or flair, but what we have is Mashramani, and regardless of comparison or critique, ‘Mash’ remains ours.

City Hall PRO takes umbrage at councillor’s upbraiding Dear Sir,

T

HE senior officers and general administrative staff of the Mayor and City Council express utter disgust with the emotionally charged statements of Councillor Ayodele Roache, at the statutory meeting of Monday, February 12, 2019, in which she referred to the work of council’s Public Relations Division as “trash.” The councillor was cautioned and subsequently withdrew the comments from the records of the council. However, the fact remains that the spoken words are ephemeral and can never be recalled. Therefore, it is imperative that this matter be addressed publicly at this juncture, so that greater caution would be exercised in the future.

It has been observed that it is the practice of this councillor to make hasty remarks about the work of council of which she is a part. At a previous meeting, the councillors had boldly declared that the Georgetown City Council does not have a social media presence; at that meeting she was corrected by officers of the council.

The councillors are policy-makers and they have the duty to bring to the horseshoe table their knowledge, expertise and skill to inform policy decisions. However, sentiments such as these would only harm the image of the council which we are working tirelessly to rebuild. The city administration welcomes

constructive criticism, since constructive criticism would help us to understand where we are and the direction we ought to take.

The work of the Public Relations Division of the City Council is consistent with the organisational goals and objectives, in addition to the use of public relations tools such as regular press conferences, press releases, media tours, the production of pamphlets, flyers, brochures facebook pages and special radio and television programmes. The division collaborates with other departments of council to plan and execute strategic programmmes that cater to the communication and information needs of the various publics. Moreover, the work of the Public Relations Division is guided by its communications strategy 2017 -2019.

The dynamics of this complex organisation with different departments and sections necessitate that the council gauge public opinion and this is done through analysis and research.

Analysis helps us to identify problems and clarify matters which would enhance our services. Further, research is a prerequisite for making decisions pertaining to policies. Research helps to inform policy recommendations and programme-planning. The most recent research conducted by the division in 0ctober 2018, gauged public opinion on the payment of a fee for the collection of waste from households. The research findings were presented to council via the monthly report. Mr. Editor, could Research and Analysis be classified as “trash,” as purported by the learned councillor?.

The Public Relations Division through timely interventions of the officers attached to the complaints desk averted many conflicting situations in local communities. The complaints desk provides citizens opportunities to present their cases to the public relations officer, who contacts the relevant department heads to have the issues resolved. The process involves site visits to problematic areas by the officers, the public relations officer and the complainants. In some instances, the problems are resolved instantly, while in others it necessitates the acquisition of resources and this delays the process. Many citizens have thanked the division both privately and publicly for its timely intervention and amicable resolution of many problems. Is the councillor referring to public relations intervention in this regard as “trash?”

At council, we embrace the Municipal Act, Chapter 28:01, Section 301(10). This section of the act is operationalised through several programmes, including special health and environmental education programmes in city schools.

In 2018, the programme reached approximately 5,000 (five thousand) children at the primary level. This was done in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, The Public Health and Solid Waste Management Departments. Also, because of the success of this programme, the “I believe clubs” were birthed.

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guyana CHRONICLE saturday, february 16, 2019

City PR Department must earn its keep Dear Editor,

H

ATS off to the new Mayor of Georgetown! It is about time that somebody at City Hall called a spade a spade. For far too long persons there have been aware of the ineptness and ineffectiveness of the council, but who opted to downplay the unhappy state of affairs at City Hall, or turn a blind eye for political predispositions or for personal and selfish interests.

Every candid citizen of our capital would support the mayor in declaring the Public Relations Department a complete waste of time. How could they allow one of their officers to be in in the ‘Arms of Morpheus during the hosting of a very important meeting? This is nothing short of complete disrespect.

The question has to be asked, what really does the Public Relations Department of the city do? Do they produce a newspaper or newsletter, or do they host television or radio programmes as is done in other countries? The Mayor’s Report has long ceased to be broadcasted. Do they ensure that

the city has a dynamic and active website, and a constantly updated presence on social media? Their last feeble attempt was an absurd programme called ‘Georgetown on the Move.’

Everyone wanted to know move to where, but that question was answered by the recent Commission of Inquiry, which showed that the council’s assets were on the move unlawfully into the hands of others like the disputed riverfront land which was leased to a shipping company without council’s knowledge.

Georgetown has jaw-dropping architecture, distinctive restaurants, a rich array of cultural offerings, and intriguing shops, but one wonders what the Public Relations Department of the city does to promote Georgetown as a tourism destination to persons wishing to visit this part of the world?

Do they promote Georgetown as an attractive destination for investors and new businesses to call home? Do they promote the culture, friendliness, affordability, happiness and liveability of Georgetown to the rest of the world? Or is their only responsibility to write a few long-winded, wishy-washy and

Why does the Georgetown City Council need a PR Department?

Dear Editor,

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t is no coincidence or should come as no surprise to anyone that the new Mayor of Georgetown has described the Public Relations Department of the Georgetown Municipality as an utter waste of time and waste of the slender financial resources of the Council.

Why does the Georgetown City Council need a Public Relations Department when there are much larger cities around the world doing just fine without one? Why does the Georgetown City Council need a Public Relations Department to do window dressing now that the Garden City has become a ‘Garbage City’, when they do not weed our parapets or fog our yards?

Now that the City Council has closed Day Care Centers,

allowed the Stabroek Market wharf to collapse and the clock has stopped working.

Why does the Georgetown City Council need a Public Relations Department now that the City Hall building, the Municipal Abattoir and the City Police Training School and others are in such a ruinous state, the Kitty Market taking years to build and not yet completed? Is the Council more interested in ‘froth’ and ‘fluff’ than in substance?

I say to the Mayor, close that department, send the staff on their way and save millions of dollars per month in salaries and other operational costs and divert that money to repairing roads and replacing defective street lights in the city. That would be much better PR. Recall a former Mayor who served for an unprecedented twenty one year term

had pleaded with the Ministry of Local Government, had pleaded with the City Council to get rid of the useless Public Relations Department and its head for years but nothing happened.

Recall many persons expressed concern about the indolence of the staff of that department who could be seen idling all day long, taking selfies, manicuring themselves, reading novels and even sleeping. It is time that the Council stops featherbedding and finding jobs for the boys. They need to become a lean, clean and mean working machine, shedding all unnecessary load and return to serving the citizens and advancing the nation.

Regards Kwasi Sanderson

Regards Modi Sankar

The more things change at the City Council, the more they remain the same Dear Editor,

A

S the old saying goes, ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’.

The image displayed on a local television channel and on a news website recently of a member of the Public Relations Department of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown in a deep slumber, drooling and with his mouth hanging open during the course of a Statutory Meeting of that body speaks volumes of the lethargy of the administration.

How is it possible in the midst of a meeting of that august body, presided over by no less a person than His Worship the Mayor, and attended by other City Mothers and Fathers, senior municipal officers and members of civil society, that an officer could

City Hall PRO takes ...

The focus of these clubs is to produce students who would be in the vanguard where environmental matters are concerned.

Further, they would be the ones to influence change among their peers, families and the wider community on good environmental stewardship. While we believe in enforcing the city by-laws, we embrace the need for information and education. We work assiduously within the confines of our limited resources to implement programmes and to achieve our set goals and objectives. Many of our stakeholders are aware that due to our financial constraints our planned projects are curtailed.

vacuous letters to the press?

It is time the Public Relations Department of the council earn its keep.

Is the public relations officer capable of providing strategic counsel on message development for the Mayor and Councillors of the the City of Georgetown? Is she capable of acting as a city ambassador? Not from all appearances.

Public relations should shape our city. Companies use PR to get noticed, to change opinions, and pass on vital information that helps people to make decisions. This does not happen with the PR Department of the council. If the Public Relations Department of the council is to survive, then they need to begin to communicate information to the public to increase awareness of city services, accomplishments if any, and critical issues, as well as improve the city’s image by marketing its quality of life.

In the division, we have reviewed our performance for 2018 and crafted a strategic communication plan which embodies the focus of the organisation for 2019; this includes public health, solid waste management and maintenance of drainage systems. The plan will measure the impact of programmes executed.

It is regrettable that the honourable councillor never sought to engage any one from the city’s administration to have certain things clarified before making a public pronouncement. If the councillor had taken the time

nonchalantly fall asleep and only awaken after a rumpus broke out about the ineptitude of that very department to which he belongs.

Was he that bored, blasé and uninterested in the proceedings that he thought it best to catch up on some sleep?

Or was he sending a subtle message to the councillors that the meeting was just really a complete waste of time.

Why didn’t any of his colleagues awaken him, or is sleeping at these meetings a norm? Will he be hauled over the coals for this indiscretion, or will it just be treated as a point of jester? In some countries, generals and a vice-premier who were caught napping during public functions being addressed by their leaders have faced dire consequences.

But then again, this is City Hall and you have about 10

senior functionaries who were fingered for grave acts of misconduct by a Commission of Inquiry, but who continue on their merry way as though nothing has happened. Indeed, they continue to make a mess of things at the council and are ostensibly given a pat on the back. I would like to suggest that for their future statutory meetings the chairs be removed and as is done in some municipalities in the Far East, that the councillors and the officers be made to stand for the duration of the meetings. This would result in shorter meetings, in everyone remaining awake and having less idle talk.

The more things change at the City Council, the more they remain the same.

Regards Roseanne Rodgers

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FROM PAGE 6 to interact with someone from the division, she would not have openly made such a colossal error, stating that council has only a facebook profile. The council has both a page and a profile. Council’s facebook page is Georgetown Mayor and City. Mr. Editor, the word “trash” has taken on a whole new meaning for us at council.

Debra Lewis Public Relations Officer

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Craig takes patrons on odyssey in metal

guyana CHRONICLE saturday, february 16, 2019

--as ‘Mash’ National Art Exhibition opens at Castellani House SOME 22 stunning metal and mixed-media sculptures

by Guyanese sculptor and University of Guyana (UG) Lecturer Winslow Craig, define this year’s Mashramani National Art Exhibition that was unveiled on Thursday at the National Gallery of Art, Castellani House.

The exhibition, called ‘A Journey and Exploration of Forms in Metal,’ contains several pieces repatriated from New Zealand, where Craig pursued graduate studies in the early 1990s as part of a Commonwealth Arts and Craft Award.

Craig donated the repatriated pieces, along with several others on display, to the National Gallery.

Curator of the Gallery, Ohene Koama, commended the pieces, noting that while

metal is not often an easy material to work with, Craig has proven what beauty could be derived once the craft is mastered.

“When he was in New Zealand, he did some pieces there, but when he came back he couldn’t afford to bring them back, so we undertook the cost to bring them back, and we displayed them here along with other pieces,” Koama said, adding: “These sculptures, they explore a wide variety of subject matter. We don’t really have much sculpture. The last show we had in sculpture was by Winslow Craig in 2007, so we always welcome sculptures. And the thing is, in Guyana, the dominant material for sculpture is wood, because when it comes to metal now you have to be particular. “Winslow has been

A piece called “Retribution 2” by the sculptor

experimenting with a wide array of materials and experimenting with subject matter which is amazing. He has never limitted himself.”

Craig explained that he decided to begin work with metal as a way of pushing his skill and challenging himself.

“I can bend and twist wood to my will, but I am the kind of artist who ever so often gets bored doing the same thing. So when the opportunity came around and I was able to take up the fellowship, I thought I would explore some other medium.

It so happened that New Zealand provided that. Metal was a very unfamiliar medium, and I took a few weeks to study the medium and understand it’s characteristics. And, as an artist, I took advantage of that,” the distinguished Guyanese artist said.

Delivering the feature address at the exhibition’s opening ceremony was Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, who commended Craig’s creative capabilities.

“Craig is one of Guyana’s most talented and well-decorated, self-taught sculptors, known for the intricacies of his work. As we all know, the art of sculpting requires a certain skill set that includes patience, discipline and a creative vision and a sprinkle of ingenuity. It is no doubt that Mr. Craig has these qualities, which has enabled him to captivate all audiences,” Dr Norton said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 16, 2019

Hundreds benefit from Lions Club vision care project

THE Lions Club of Bartica and Kemptville Lions Club collaborated and hosted a vision care project, in several villages in Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven.

The project saw nearly 700 residents from Phillipai, Wax Creek, Chinowe-

ing, facilitated by doctors, opticians and Lions members, and supported by the doctors and staff of the Kamarang Hospital. They also received pertinent advice, in terms of caring for their eyes. Residents who required spectacles received same.

people of the villages had no access to vision care, because of their geographic location, and the unavailability of an optic centre close to them.

“The project came as good idea to us, to take it to Mazaruni, because of the difficulty of persons access-

The vision care project Team ing, Paruima, Imbaimadai, Jawala, Quebanang, Kako, Waramadong, Kamarang and others, who were transported to and from their respective locations, on different days, to attend the eye clinic which was held at the Kamarang Hospital.

The services offered were free eye testing and screen-

One of the founder members of the Bartica Lions Club, Gordon Bradford, told the Guyana Chronicle that the activity was the third project of its kind, embarked upon by the clubs.

Bradford added that the idea of taking the project to the Upper Mazaruni this year was due to the fact that the

Some of the residents of Upper Mazaruni waiting to receive the services from the vision care project conducted by the Lions

ing eye care there. Due to the cost factor of travelling to receive eye care and paying for glasses, 90 per cent of the population there is lacking vision care,” Bradford said.

And he (Bradford), who is also the Regional Chairman of the said region, said that he saw the obligation of the regional administration to support the initiative, since it was also within its capacity to have services, such as eye care, provided for the people.

Bradford further pointed out that the region had employed an optician who was stationed at the Bartica Hospital. This new resource personnel, Bradford said, will frequently visit the previously ‘underserved areas’.

Deeming the project a ‘grand success’, Bradford said that it was a great team effort, and the people of the Upper Mazaruni villages were very happy, as was reflected in the number of persons who came out.

“The region supplied the fuel, the village council of various villages provided the boats and engines, and Vision Care of Canada prepared the spectacles that were given to the people. It was a great and successful collaborative effort, and we hope to stretch it out to another region, probably Region Eight, which is our sister region,” he disclosed.

Giving special thanks to all who rendered their support in making the project

a success, Bradford gave credit to Alvern Mackenzie, Regional Health Officer; regional executive officer, regional education officer, assistant regional executive officer, the doctors and staff of the Kamarang Hospital, just to mention a few.

Residents from Upper Mazaruni receiving eye services from the Lions

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 16, 2019

Banks DIH, KFC, Ansa McAl on board with 'Mash'

THE Mashramani Central Committee of the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport has welcomed on board three main sponsors, KFC, Banks DIH and Ansa McAl. The companies made their presentations of sponsorship to the Mashramani Central Committee at a press conference on Friday.

Mashramani Coordinator Andrew Tyndall received the donations at the office of the Department of Culture on Main Street and thanked the sponsors for coming on board.

Representing Banks DIH Limited, Communications Manager Mr. Troy Peters said

this year is significant in that the Banks DIH slogan “The winning theme” shows a connection with the 'mash' them, “Celebrating 49 with victory in mind.” He noted that the company has been with mash activities over the years and was instrumental in resuscitating the calypso competition to the point where it has now swollen beyond the Demerara Park venue and has to be held at the National Park this year. The company, he said, has pumped millions into most of the Mash activities.

Training Manager of Beharry Restaurant Holdings Inc. (KFC Guyana) Ms. Charissa Rampersaud, speaking on behalf of KFC, said the company has given $3.5M dollars in

Mashramani coordinators and representatives of KFC sponsorship towards the Children’s costume and float parade.

She said the company is proud to be partnering with the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport for the 49th Republic Anniversary and is excited about the Children’s Costume and Float Parade. “Being the family-oriented brand that we are, we remain committed to investing in the development of our nations’ youth,” she said.

She further noted that the company’s contribution towards the success of Mash 2019 is an initiative the company took, given that Mash has always been and continues to be a national family-oriented event.

“We are thankful for our customers’ continued support so that we can contribute back to society. Remember we are one people one nation, one destiny with 5 KFC’s”, she said.

Meanwhile, Brand Manager of ANSA

McAL, Errol Nelson, pointed out his company’s contribution to the Carib Soca Monarch Competition. He went on to say that in 2018 the company collaborated with the Government of Guyana for the first time to ensure the successful hosting of the Soca Monarch Competition. This move, he said, is very important in supporting the creative and performing arts, while honouring the company’s corporate social responsibility. Mr. Tyndall in response said that the ministry was happy to give sponsors the opportunity to speak about their sponsorship and why they are going to be collaborating with the central planning committee for the hosting of Mash 2019.

The children’s parade will be held on Saturday, February 16 and begins on Middle Street, moving left into Camp Street along the western carriageway, right into Lamaha Street, left into Albert Street right into Thomas Lands and into the National Park.

Banks DIH has committed to sponsoring Mashramani activities

'Mash' vending spots still availiable DEPUTY Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Mentore, has assured vendors who are planning to vend along the route for Mashramani this year that those spots are still available.

He was at the time responding to questions posed by media operatives with regard to the allocation and availability of spots for vendors on Mash Day. Mentore noted that whilst there have been some changes made to the allocation of stalls along the Mashramani route, allocations have been going quite smoothly in preparation for February 23.

The deputy mayor indicated that persons seeking to sell on the big day, “can come into City Hall and make their payments and receive their stall allocations.”

Meanwhile, the city official gave an update on the Memorandum of Understanding

signed recently between the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown. He explained that this MoU will pave the way for a joint collaboration between the City Council and the GCCI to have hand-inglove arrangements in several areas.

Deputy Mayor Mentore also gave an update on the arrangements to accommodate the Stabroek Wharf area vendors who were relocated to an area obliquely opposite the route Number 42 bus park.

The M&CC, he indicated, is working assiduously to repair the wharf and restore its structure, so as to enable vendors to return, to ply their trades, as quickly as possible.

He added that financial assistance, from government bodies, inclusive of the Ministry of Communities, is being sought to aid reconstruction of the wharf.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 16, 2019

Striking BCGI workers threatened with dismissal – union

WORKERS at the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) downed tools on Friday morning protesting the Russian management’s imposition of a one per cent wages increase.

“This is an embarrassment to all Guyanese. The workers’ protest was responded to by management at a meeting held where they were brutally told that they will be fired if they

do not return to work within the day, that they can seek redress wherever they want, and to hell with the government,” the workers representative, the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GB&GWU), said in a release.

The operations at the mines and maintenance departments have come to a halt. According to the GB&GWU, Article 147(2) of the Constitution of Guyana protects the right to strike. “And whereas in the Collective Bargaining process strike is considered an

industrial weapon to be used whenever the circumstances become necessary, all are reminded that since December 2009, under the noses of successive governments, BCGI has been engaged in a series of violations of the law and transgressing of the workers’ rights. The management continues to refuse to treat with the recognised union of the workers’ choice, the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GB&GWU).”

GB&GWU said it has since informed Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, of the industrial action taken by

the aggrieved and deprived workers. “The union stands in solidarity with these workers in the exercise of their basic rights and for the upholding of their attendant rights. GB&GWU calls on all Guyanese to understand the struggles faced by these workers, to empathise with them, and to lend them your support. GB&GWU calls on the international community for its solidarity. The continued violation of BCGI workers threatens multiple family units and the entire communities within which they reside. The threat to

one is a threat to all; and injustice here is an injustice everywhere.”

According to the union, workers of the BCGI have been suffering since under the previous government and continue to suffer under the current. “How many more have to suffer, how many families and children have to suffer? As Guyanese, citizens of the world, one and all will have to face the reality now. The best defence for the unaffected lies in the protection of the rights of those around them. GB&GWU calls on the government

and opposition to intervene immediately and stop this violating of the Guyana constitution and the Rule of Law and the transgressing of the workers’ rights by a foreign sovereign power.” The union said the matter is no longer a simple labour issue.

“There seems to be a hidden agenda with potentially dangerous consequences that both the government and opposition should take immediate action on.

This is about a nation’s sovereignty and national interest, the respect for worldwide comity.”

Rupununi residents upbeat ...

From page 3

Sharma and Junior Minister of Health, Karen Cummings.

Several other ministers including Attorney General Basil Williams arrived earlier in the day. “I’m glad to be back in the Rupununi, it’s always nice to get away from the coastland as the beauty of Guyana is in the hinterland,” Minister Bulkan told this

newspaper.

“I’m looking forward to once again visiting the communities in the North Rupununi, particularly Tiger Pond, Kwatamang and Rupertee. Of course, we’ll be visiting other villages such as Annai and Wowetta, but those three places are the villages that I plan to have engagements with the resi-

Minister of Education Nicolette Henry shares information about the government’s progress and projects to residents

dents,” he added.

Greeting residents nearby was Minister Hastings-Williams who will be visiting villages such as St. Ignatius; Hiowa and Yupukari. “It’s very good to be in the Rupununi today, along with more than 14 ministers,” Minister Hastings-Williams said. “I’m very much pleased by the welcome we’ve received this afternoon, especially the welcome song done by the children. It’s very much appreciated and I feel at home in the Rupununi.”

Meanwhile, Minister Greenidge said: “I’m happy to come and see things and how they are going. I’m not a stranger to the region, so I’m looking forward to hearing from the folks what sort of things they’re interested in; to talk to them about government’s plans and to see how the roads and other developmental activities are likely to affect them.”

Friday afternoon, before the meetings began, the Guyana Chronicle met up with residents who were punctual to the meeting places at the benab in St. Ignatius and at the Amerindian Hostel in Central Lethem.

They were willing to tell

A cultural group of youngsters from the Rupununi welcome the ministers in song near the Lethem Airstrip

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, interacting with residents on his arrival at Lethem of some of the challenges in their villages and of how the government can help in years to come. “The roads in Lethem are very dusty. The dust gets into your houses; your clothes would be brown; you have to sweep every minute and that sort of thing,” 78year- old farmer, Francis James, said.

Apart from improvement to the roads, he called for more visits from agriculture officers to the region and to his village of Hiowa, where he plants cassava, banana, plantain and cane.

ROAD DUST Meanwhile, librarians of the National Library branch in Region Nine, Desire Boston and Andrea Charles, also opened up about their concerns and interests.

“The road to Lethem and the internal roads have a lot of dust and some of us have asthma, so it affects us,” Charles said. “I see them

working on the road, so I’m waiting to hear what more will happen, because it’s good that they’re working on the road because it will be better for us.”

Regarding the work of the library, Boston added: “Things are going very good.

We normally get books every year. This year they’re coming again to bring books and they’re improving our branch, so that we can open everyday like they normally do in Georgetown. A lot of children come and read the books and so on, adults as well. We even get persons coming from Brazil to do research. It’s very important to the region.”

She told the Guyana Chronicle that, that same afternoon, Minister Hughes visited the library and informed the staff and management about the forthcoming plans for ICT in the region.

“She was in there this afternoon and she was telling us about the plans for the internet along with computers

for us. Internet would be very good for us,” Boston said, adding that persons would need to be trained.

Over at the St. Ignatius benab, village Toshao Dennis Benedict and councillors --including those from the neighbouring satellite villages of Kumu and Quarrie--said that they were happy to have the large number of ministers in the region. They are hoping to spur engagement on the issues of teenage pregnancy; drug use; police bribery; access to land extensions and access to sport grounds in the region.

The other areas which will be visited over the weekend include: 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.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 16, 2019

Wind resource measuring station at Onverwagt WCB vandalised – police investigation in progress

The WRMS at Onverwagt which was vandalised

POLICE are investigating the theft of solar and control panels, and damage to other equipment on the Wind Resource Measuring Station (WRMS), which was installed by the Hinterland Electrification Company Inc. (HECI) of the Ministry of Public Works at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica/ Berbice) last December.

The 200-metre tall WRMS, which was installed to determine the potential of wind along the coast for generation of sustainable renewable energy, has been rendered inoperable as a result of the attack by an unknown person or persons, a re-

liable source close to the project disclosed.

“It was not a clean removal. The wires were hacked probably by a cutlass,” the source said. The WRMS at Onverwagt is located in a relatively isolated area of the foreshore.

The removal of the panels and damage to other equipment on the WRMS was discovered on Thursday last by staffers, who visited the location on the Atlantic foreshore at Onverwagt, but may have been done before Thurs-

day. While awaiting the results of an investigation by the police, the officials of the HECI of the MPI were said to be mulling their next move in relation to the future of the WRMS at Onverwagt.

The WRMS at Onverwagt was part of a project by the HECI of MPI for the installation of four wind measurement stations along the Atlantic Coast. The stations are to be installed along the coast in Region Five at Onverwagt and at

Port Mourant, Number 63 Village and Crabwood Creek in Region Six (East Berbice/Courentyne) respectively. The project is being funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and is being managed by the Inter American Bank.

The WRMS were supposed to be providing data for over a twelve-month period for analysis and determination of the potential for powering energy generated by wind turbines.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 16, 2019

Lawyers meet at Appeal Court to settle records on no-confidence cases

CLAIMANTS and appellants in relation to cases arising from the December 21, 2018 passage of the no-confidence motion, met with the Registrar of Chancellor (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards, on Friday at the Appeal Court to settle records in the case, to avoid issues during the appeal.

The government, through Attorney General Basil Williams, moved to the Court of Appeal seeking an interim stay of the judgments and orders made by Chief Justice (CJ) Roxane George-Wiltshire, arising from the no-confidence motion.

Senior Counsel Neil Boston said that a sixweek period was at the appellant’s disposal to prepare records and files and, thereafter, the court would set a date for the hearing.

“We will come on the date to develop it if the court wants to hear oral presentations,” he said.

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, said that ordinarily, six weeks was permitted under the rules of court for the preparation and filing

Attorney-at-law Robert Corbin

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Senior Counsel Neil Boston

of records, but, in this instance, all sides had indicated an intention not to use six weeks.

“In fact, those that filed the appeal indicated that they would be ready in seven days, so once that record of appeal is completely circulated, then a date will have to be fixed urgently for the appeal to be heard,” Nandlall said.

Noting that, with a smooth flow, a date can be fixed in two weeks, Nandlall added that there were no new arguments to be

advanced and, within two days, the hearing could be concluded.

“I am pushing for it to be concluded in the earliest possible time. This is a matter that involves public importance; it involves the democratic foundation of this country,” he said.

Attorney-at-law Robert Corbin said the lawyers met with Registrar of Chancellor (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards to settle the records which was a routine operation that was exhibited by the

appellant to avoid unnecessary problems during the appeal.

“This is done so that all the documents which are tendered and filed in the proceedings prior to the appeal are all there for the appellate court judges. This is setting the record straight, so when the appeals come up, trivial matters would not cause problems,” Corbin said.

Attorney-at-Law Roysdale Forde said the parties had seven days to submit all the relevant records for

the appeals, after which the Court of Appeal will set a date for hearing.

“I don’t believe it’s taking too long, having regard to the timelines and the regular practice.

It’s being expedited by the Court of Appeal,” Forde added.

The government is further asking for a Conservatory Order preserving the previously existing state of affairs that the President, Cabinet and all ministers of the government remain in office, until the hearing and determination of the appeal filed in regard to the judgments which were handed down on January 31, at the High Court in Georgetown.

In the court filings, Dr. Barton Scotland, Speaker of the National Assembly of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, leader of the opposition and Christopher Ram, attorney-at-law, have been listed as respondents.

In a Notice of Appeal filed, the government said that the CJ erred and misdirected herself in law, when she ruled that the National Assembly of Guyana properly, validly and lawfully passed a

motion on a vote of confidence provided for by Article 106 (6) of the constitution by 33 votes and that the government was defeated.

The attorney general further contends that the CJ erred and misdirected herself in law, when she ruled that passage of the motion of no-confidence provided for by Article 106 (6) of the constitution by the National Assembly on 21st December, 2018, requires the immediate resignation of the President and Cabinet.

“The Honourable Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire erred in law and fact and her decision was unreasonable and cannot be supported, having regard to the evidence,” Williams maintains.

The government has filed a summons with the Court of Appeal supported by an affidavit sworn to by State Counsel Raeanna Clarke, in which it is requesting the stay and Conservatory Order.

The Court of Appeal is yet to fix a date for the hearing.

Gov’t donates US$10,000 to assist Palestinian refugees

THE Government of Guyana has donated US$10,000 to the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

Minister of State Joseph Harmon, made the announcement during a post-Ministerial Plenary press briefing which was held at the Ministry of the Presidency on Friday.

“We prioritise human development and support worldwide endeavours for the promotion and protection of human rights,” said the minister.

The aim of the donation is to assist and meet the needs of people who are af-

fected by the situation in the Gaza strip.

According to the UNRWA website, the organisation provides assistance and protection for some five million Palestinian refugees.

UNRWA protection activities aim to respond to the protection needs of Palestinian refugees amidst increasing conflict and displacement in the region.

The organisation said the Syrian conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees, including tens of thousands to Jordan and Lebanon, while Gaza has seen three rounds of hostilities in eight years. The more

than 50 years of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory, including the more than 10 years of the Gaza blockade, has serious and on-going consequences for the enjoyment of the rights of Palestine refugees.

For a wide range of reasons, Palestine refugees do not fully enjoy basic human rights, and the vulnerability of women and children to violence and abuse is also increasing in some fields of operation. In recent years, UNRWA has significantly strengthened its capacity to provide protection to Palestine refugees through various initiatives,

including protection training for staff, dedicated protection activities to ensure focus on the most vulnerable, and the introduction of protection staff both at headquarters and in all field offices.

The agency adopted a protection policy in 2012 and has developed tools and standards for service delivery.

Progress is measured through internal protection audits carried out every two years. UNRWA has an extensive programme on the prevention and response to gender-based violence (GBV) and has developed a Child Protection Framework.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 16, 2019

Gov’t resorts to plenary meetings – Harmon maintains to discuss national issues administration legal, functional

AS opposed to the traditional Cabinet meetings, the government has resorted to a Ministerial Plenary to discuss national issues in light of the no-confidence vote.

The plenary is not new to the government, since it was convened six times last year to deal with matters of national importance. “The

plenary includes all ministers, even those who are not part of the Cabinet…the plenary is usually held once a month, while cabinet is held every week,” said Minister of State Joseph Harmon during a press briefing on Friday.

The plenary was convened following the ruling of Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, who up-

held the Speaker’s decision that the no- confidence motion was validly passed and Cabinet is separate from government and should resign.

“Since the judgment of the court with respect to Cabinet was appealed and application for a stay of judgment passed by the chief justice, we have not held Cabinet meetings but, the

Cabinet plenaries are chaired by the President and ministers,” said Harmon. He added that government is legal and functional, because there is a President and government which were elected by the people to run the nation’s affairs for the next five years.

He contended that the government did not usurp power, but was elected and would therefore respect and utilise all remedies in the laws and constitution.

Minister Harmon said the plenary is protected under the constitution, in the sense that all ministers are appointed by the President to assist him in the execution of his duties by performing functions within the various ministries. He

believes that a minister who is sitting in the plenary has the full authority of the government.

“The President will remain president until there is an election…you need to accept that article 106 (7) says there is a specific time within which it could be called and there are provisions for an extension,” he posited. He added that the matter is in court and it would be premature for the President to call an election while the matter is still engaging the court.

The plenary has given the go-ahead for the award of several multi-million dollar contracts, noting that the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB)

determines the most suitable contractor, and this was sent to Cabinet for its no-objection.

Among the projects noted by the plenary were the $18.1 million contract which was awarded to Linkup for construction of Smart Stops in nine municipalities- smart stops are bus sheds with wifi which is solar powered; $64.1 million for the rehabilitation of pump stations in Rose Hall; US$104,500 for individual consultancies for local content in oil and gas; and $114 million for the construction of practical instruction departments at the North West Secondary and the Bartica Practical Institution.

Businessman, pregnant teen girlfriend remanded for fraud A 57-year-old businessman and his seven months pregnant teenage mistress were, on Friday, February 15, 2019, remanded to prison by City Magistrate Leron Daly for a series of fraud-related charges, in relation to house lot scams.

Rajeshwar Persaud, called Raj Persaud and Renika Rajbance, 19, were separately arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Persaud was slapped with three counts of fraud and was remanded to prison until March 13, 2019, after he denied the charges.

The first charge alleged that, on May 29, 2018, at Charlotte Street, Persaud, with intent to defraud, induced Rajbance to affix her signature to an agreement of sale for a property at Lot 189 Prospect, East Bank Demerara, valued $1.7M, in favor of Rodwell and Doreen Fortune, in order that it may be, afterward, converted to a valuable security property of Renika Rajbance.

The second charge alleged that, on July 31, 2018, at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, Persaud, with intent to defraud, induced Rajbance, to affix her signature to an agreement of sale for a property at Plantation Friendship for $1M in favor of Amanda Sooklall, in order that it may be, afterward, converted to a valuable security property of

Rajeshwar Persaud called Raj Persaud

Renika Rajbance

Renika Rajbance.

The third charge alleged that, on November 1, 2018, at Charlotte Street, Persaud, with intent to defraud, induced Rajbance to affix her signature to an agreement of sale for a property at Lot 186 Prospect, East Bank Demerara, valued $3M, in favor of Waleima Singh in order that it may be, afterward, converted to a valuable security property of Renika Rajbance.

Police Prosecutor, Richard Harris, told the court that Persaud was a witness in the murder of Godfrey Scipio, known as “Saga”, and had been on the run from the police.

Harris pointed out that Persaud had similar matters before the court and also had 10 on-going police investigations against him.

Meanwhile, Renika Rajbance was slapped with two similar charges and was remanded to prison until February 28, 2019, after she denied the charges.

The first charge alleged that, on November 1, 2018, at Charlotte Street, Rajbance obtained from Waleima Singh $3M, by falsely pretending that she was in a position to sell a property at Lot 186 Prospect, East Bank Demerara, knowing same to be false.

The second charge alleged that, on July 31, 2018, at Eccles, with intent to defraud, Rajbance obtained a sum of $1M from Amanda Sooklall for the property at Plantation Friendship, pretending that she was in a position to sell the property, knowing same to be false.

Harmon warns of possible consequences

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 16, 2019

–– if Jagdeo continues to threaten public servants

EVER since the political fallout began in the wake of the contentious passage of the no-confidence motion he successfully brought against the government, Leader of the Opposition,Bharrat Jagdeo, has been subtly threatening those public servants who continue to dutifully report for duty and carry out their daily functions as is expected of them.

Jagdeo has on several occasions warned that either public servants desist from doing their jobs altogether, or that they do so judiciously.

Needless to say, his actions have not gone unnoticed where it matters most, and were roundly condemned on Friday by Minister of State Joseph Harmon during his weekly post- Cabinet media briefing, now officially referred to as post-ministerial plenaries.

“Jagdeo needs to under-

Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo

stand that he is not the President and that the government will not sit on its hands while employees are being threatened,” Minister Harmon said, adding that when Jagdeo calls on public servants not to act in accordance with their contracts and terms of services, he is basically calling for people to rebel against the state.

“His statements are bordering other legalities,” he said, adding: “I do hope he will be able to deal with any consequence that comes out of his statements “once he crosses the border.” Minister Harmon also made the point that public servants are employed by the state and not

by Jagdeo.

Despite widespread claims in some quarters that the government is unconstitutional and should resign, Minister Harmon assured media operatives that the government is still legal, because the validity of the no-confidence motion is being challenged in the courts.

ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD At the level of the High Court, Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, in upholding the Speaker’s decision that the no-confidence motion was validly passed, said that Cabinet is separate from government and should resign.

The chief justice, in her ruling, said that 33 persons are the majority of the elected Members of Parliament.

On the issue of dual citizenship, the chief justice also

Minister of State Joseph Harmon ruled that the vote of former APNU+AFC MP Charrandass Persaud was valid, even though he was occupying a seat in the National Assembly illegally or against constitutional provisions of the state.

Attorney General Basil Williams subsequently applied for a stay of the judgment passed by the chief justice, as well as a conservatory order for the government to remain in office until the appeals are heard.

The attorney general had told reporters that government “is going all the way,” as he noted that the case will be appealed all the way to the CCJ. “There is nothing to panic about or nothing to worry about. We haven’t lost an election, we will go through the court system,” he said.

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guyana CHRONICLE saturday, february 16, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 16, 2019

Cyber-attack on GPL Information Systems THE Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) said that, on Wednesday (February 6, 2019) at about 04:21hrs, the company experienced a cyber-attack on its computerised systems.

However, upon identification of the cyber-attack, the power company took immediate action to isolate and prevent further spread of the malware (virus).

GPL added that permanent corrective measures were taken. Such included, but was not limited to, initiating Information system quarantine.

During this period, while the company worked assiduously to restore normalcy, there were service interruptions for customers who visited the offices, attempting to submit queries and new service applications, as the Customer Information System was taken offline.

The power company stated that service was incrementally restored at its commercial offices and customer call centres between Friday, February 8, and Sunday, February 10.

However, GPL’s prepaid customers were able to purchase tokens during the ‘troubled period’, as per norm, and their electricity supply was not affected by the incident.

“The perpetrators of this act requested a ransom of bitcoins (digital money) to remove all encryptions from within the network. However, it should be noted that GPL Inc. has not heeded to, and will not heed to, any such ransom,” GPL said.

The company has commenced the process of strengthening its cyber-attack mitigation measures and disaster recovery planning strategies in alignment with industry’s best practices.

It is therefore fitting to advise and encourage all local companies with computerised systems to review their existing cyber security systems and disaster recovery plans as well.

GPL extended gratitude to public and private entities that offered support and assistance during the period of disruption.

Leo's blood drive, health fair on today THE Leo Club of Bel Air, in collaboration with the Queen’s College Interact Club, will be hosting its second annual Blood Drive and Health Fair at the Queen’s College Auditorium, on February 16, 2019, from 10:00 hrs to 14:00 hrs.

The event will see a number of services being provided including:- HIV/AIDS testing, blood pressure and blood sugar testing, breast cancer screening (palpation), eye screening and testing (15 per cent – 20 per cent Unicomer discount coupons (Courts Guyana), food and nutrition education, diabetes education, sexual and reproductive health education.

The Leo Club encourages all to support the event in which the work of the club will also be highlighted.

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City bandits nabbed at roadblock SWIFT action by ranks in Berbice on Thursday led to the apprehension of two male suspects who were fingered in an armed robbery of a Chinese businessman in Springlands, Corentyne a short time before.

The men, who are said to be from Lodge and Werk-en-Rust respectively in Georgetown, were nabbed at a roadblock in front of the #51 Police Station.

According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle, the men pounced on

the Chinese businessman who owns and operates a window and glass business. It is unclear if the perpetrators were able to secure any booty from the businessman, however, he was assaulted and hit to the head with a hammer.

Specific details were given to the police and they sprang into action setting up the roadblock with the intent of trapping the men. The Guyana Chronicle understands that the police were on high alert after intelligence was received

about a planned robbery by person/s outside of Berbice.

At the roadblock, a white Toyota Preimo car bearing registration number PSS 8991 was detained with a suspect matching the description provided by the businessman.

A further search revealed that the other suspect was walking along the roadway in the vicinity of the roadblock and he too was nabbed and taken into custody.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 16, 2019

Guyana celebrates 40 years in radio broadcasting

By Moses Nagamootoo (Prime Minister and First Vice-President of Guyana) RADIO is one of the oldest mass media in the world, yet continues to be one of the most popular medium even in today’s internet world. Indeed, radio has migrated to the internet as well, with thousands of stations available in a single search on Google.

Radio remains for many,

especially in the developing world, the most loved and valued medium over all others.

It is no wonder that in 2013, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a Resolution proclaiming 13 February, the day United Nations Radio was established in 1946, as World Radio Day. The theme for this year’s World Radio Day is “Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace”, all of which radio is

well suited to promote and preserve.

World Radio Day 2019 finds Guyana in a unique position, not only to mark the revival of radio as an instrument for Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace, but to celebrate a historic development in our Dear Land of Guyana. Since 2016, one year after the coalition government came to power, we have established six regional radio stations (with a seventh

to be commissioned shortly in Essequibo) in the hinterland regions of this country.

Using the NCN’s Voice of Guyana as their flagship, Radio Lethem and Radio Mabaruma were launched in 2016. In 2017, two additional regional stations, Radio Mahdia and Radio Bartica, were launched; and in 2018 two more interior radio stations, Radio Aishalton and Radio Orealla were commissioned by the coalition government. These stations were received with tremendous excitement by the many hinterland commu-

nities that started to receive local radio broadcasts for the first time in the history of Guyana. The technical outlay of these regional radio stations are comparable to the most modern anywhere in the world, and they bring up-to-date news, current affairs, cultural, education, and entertainment programmes to our First Peoples and other hinterland residents. They also showcase the ways of life of the communities that receive the radio broadcasts.

These regional radio stations and others that will be

added by this government in the coming months, have the potential to inform, engage, transform and unite communities in various parts of Guyana, for the development of their regions and the country as a whole. Good radio is not only a great tool for development, it is an interactive social platform that can lift our pride in ourselves, our villages and communities, and the rich and multifaceted landscape we call our home.

In 2019, we have much to celebrate on this World Radio Day!

Bus operators, GEB guard to face charges for abusing cops THE police have instituted charges against three men who, in sparate incidents, assaulted and verbally abused police ranks during the course of this week.

In a statement, police said following a video of the policeman being assaulted on Wednesday, prompt action by ranks resulted in the apprehension of the driver and conductor of Minibus BTT 9225 (Route 44 Zone), later the said day.

The suspects: Carlos Bacchus, 29, and Troy Peters 34 years old of Victoria, East Coast Demerara, are expected to be arraigned before a magistrate to answer to a number of charges which include breach of conditions of road service licence, failure to produce a driver’s licence, failure to

comply with direction, and resisting and assaulting a peace officer.

Also following another video circulating on social media of a driver of a private security service, who can be heard being very abusive and insulting towards a policeman who was conducting traffic duties on Broad St, Charlestown; he too has been detained and is assisting with the investigation.

“The Guyana Police wishes to inform citizens to report all incidents of misconduct of its ranks to the relevant authorities in efforts to maintain peace and good order in society, rather than being confrontational since such behaviour will not be condoned,” the statement added.

Verdict looms for ‘Blondie’ in 2011 Meadowbank Wharf fish cleaner’s killing QUAISON Jones, called “Blondie”, will know his fate on Thursday (February 21, 2019) in the Demerara High Court. Justice James Bovell-Drakes will present a summation of the case.

Thereafter, he will hand over the case to the 12-member jury to deliberate for a verdict in the fish cleaner’s murder.

Both the defence and State on Friday morning (February 15, 2019) made closing addresses.

According to the indictment, it is alleged that Quaison Jones, called “Blondie”, murdered Marlon Greene, on January 17, 2011, in the county of Demerara.

Evidence presented

so far in court stated that on the day in question, at about 09:00 hrs, five other fish cleaners were alerted to a ‘hollering.’ They said they ran to the scene and saw “Blondie” over Marlon ‘cuffing away’ at him.

According to the fish cleaners, when they got close enough, they noticed that “Blondie” had a knife in his hand, and what appeared to be blood stains were visible on the blade.

The witnesses observed that Marlon Greene, the deceased, was bleeding from a wound in the neck, and they all concluded that “Blondie” had been ‘stabbing away’ instead of ‘cuffing away’ at the deceased, as they had first thought.

Government pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, who performed the post-mortem, opined that the cause of death was shock and haemorrhage due to a severed windpipe and jugular.

The state prosecutors are Tiffini Lyken and Tameika Clarke, while the defence attorney is Ronald Burchmore.

On June 17, 2014, the accused, Quaison Jones called ‘Blondie’, was sentenced to 57 years’ imprisonment by Justice Navindra Singh after a 12-member jury found him guilty of the 2011 killing of Marlon Greene.

His sentence was however appealed and a new trial was ordered by the Court of Appeal.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 16, 2019

Parliament continues to function –– Harmon says committees meeting but are boycotted by opposition members

MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon has confirmed that Parliament is functioning as per normal but there is not enough government business to call a sitting of the National Assembly.

“Once there is government business to be conducted in the National Assembly, it will be called and we will meet… we have business, but not enough to call a sitting,” said Harmon during a post-ministerial plenary press briefing on Friday.

There have been contentions that there should not be sittings of the National Assembly following the no-confidence vote which is being challenged in the Appeal Court. At

the level of the High Court, Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire in upholding the Speaker’s decision that the no- confidence motion was validly passed, said that Cabinet is separate from government and should resign. Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, however, applied for a stay of the judgment passed by the chief justice, as well as a conservatory order for the government to remain in office until the appeals are heard.

Harmon said the Parliament is functioning and the business of the government will determine when there will be a sitting. As an example, the minister said there is a Food Safety

Bill which was finalised and will eventually reach the floor of the National Assembly at an appropriate time, when there are enough items on the agenda to call the sitting.

“We started passing bills at the beginning of the year…there are other bills that are being dealt with and will go to the National Assembly as part of government’s legislative agenda,” said Harmon, adding that if the Parliament does not meet, the agenda will be affected.

Questioned as to whether discussions surrounding General and Regional Elections could cause a sitting of the National Assembly, Harmon said it would be premature

to discuss elections because the government has challenged the validity of the no-confidence motion in the courts.

Although there are no scheduled sittings, he confirmed that arms of the National Assembly have been meeting, even though those meetings have been boycotted by the opposition.

According to Harmon, the Committees of Management and Appointments have met, but they were boycotted by members of the opposition who claimed that they were “busy.”

Members of the opposition have been reluctant to attend those meetings, but Harmon said officials

on the government side are still open to discussions.

NATIONAL INTEREST Harmon pointed out that President David Granger has always made himself available to meet with Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo on matters of national interest.

“President Granger has never made a statement saying that he will not meet with the opposition leader; in fact, the last meeting was at the request of the leader of the opposition and I asked him to cite the items he wants to address,” said the minister of state, noting that the Presi-

Minister of State Joseph Harmon dent will always be willing to meet with the opposition leader to discuss matters of national Interest.

He believes that Jagdeo has been setting his own limits by saying that he will meet with the President only to discuss certain issues.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 16, 2019

CARICOM to put spotlight on regional strategy for development of statistics

A HIGH-LEVEL advocacy forum on statistics will be held next week as the Region continues to place more emphasis on the production and use of quality statistics.

The forum, the third of its kind in the Region, will be held in St. George’s, Grenada, on February 22, 2018, under the theme, ‘Investing in statistics to build resilience and to achieve sustainable economic growth and development in the Caribbean Community.’

Lead Head of Government with responsibility for Science and Technology, Dr. the Hon Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, will deliver the feature address at the opening of the forum. The event will draw participation from senior government officials, other regional and international officials and international development partners.

The forum will take advantage of the momentum generated with the endorsement of the framework for the Regional Strategy for the Development of Statistics (RSDS).

CARICOM Heads of Government endorsed the framework last year during their 39th regular meeting of the conference. Their endorsement completes Phase One of the RSDS development plan, which was built on the results of the Diagnostic Assessment of the National Statistical Offices (NSOs) of

Caribbean countries done in 2011/2013, and the assessment of the CARICOM Statistical System done in 2016/2017. The RSDS was jointly produced by the Standing Committee of Caribbean Statisticians (SCCS) and with funding support of the Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century (PARIS21).

The RSDS is aimed at strengthening and improving the availability of quality statistics for evidence-based decision-making across the Region. It is considered to be the Region’s gateway to building resilience and achieving sustainable development that is anchored on sound data. The forum will explore member states’ political commitment to the RSDS, and the areas of greatest need for the transformation and modernisation of national statistical systems.

Discussions will also focus on resource-mobilisation support from international development partners for the upgrade of statistics through the CARICOM RSDS. The forum will be preceded by a high-level seminar on the 2020 Round of Population and Housing Census on 21 February, when implementation of the CARICOM RSDS will again be the centre of discussions.

Presentations will cover Census Management and Planning, with the aim of delivering timely, high- quality census

FLASHBACK: Delegates at the first High-Level Advocacy Forum on Statistics held in St. George’s, Grenada, in May 2014. results. There will also be a focus on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its role in census data collection, processing and dissemination, and enabling ICT applications in the rollout of the RSDS.

Participants will also focus on governance arrangements to transform and modernise the CARICOM Statistical System, as well as promoting and sustaining a culture of statistics.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 16, 2019

‘We’re bringing legal aid to the hinterland’

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–– AG tells Lethem court staff

ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams SC., has assured that there will be legal aid for residents of Region Nine, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo.

The AG made this com-

travelling to Georgetown has minimised,” noted Minister Williams.

As it relates to legal aid, the attorney general said that through an internationally-funded programme, the government will now ensure

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams SC., and Principal Magistrate Allan Wilson mitment on Friday during a tour of the Lethem Magistrate’s Court.

Minister Williams is part of government’s ministerial team conducting an outreach in the area for the weekend. As he met with Principal Magistrate, Allan Wilson and staff members of the court, AG Williams expressed satisfaction at the fact the court was not behind on court matters. “With the setting up of this court and a resident magistrate, I am glad

that persons in the hinterland regions can access this government service. “We are bringing legal aid to the hinterland… People need access to justice. Many people come into the court that needs legal aid.

An IDB-funded initiative to reduce the prison population will facilitate this,” he said. Attorney General Williams also lauded the efforts of the police in managing crime in the region. (DPI)

Ministry of Natural Resources launches Mash band IN a colourful display intended to replicate Guyana’s pristine forests, the Ministry of Natural Resources launched its Mashramani 2019 band.

The band was designed with the concept of Guyana’s vast forest resources that cover more than three -quarters of its landmass and 1000 different species of trees.

This year, the band comprises at least 100 revellers drawn from the three sections of the ministry: the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission (GGMC) and the ministry itself.

The band was launched on Friday, at the Square of the Revolution under the theme, “Promoting sustainability and development “and was designed by Nelsion Nurse.

He explained that, “The revellers’ costumes reflect the lushness of our forest symbolising the beauty and wealth of Guyana, thus representing Guyana’s people as custodians of our national patrimony by the sustainable management of our nation’s patrimony.”

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams SC., [centre] flanked by Principal Magistrate Allan Wilson [left of AG], Althea Fitzpatrick Asst. Reg. Exec Officer [fourth from right], and Police Prosecutor Tishon Rodrigues [second from right]

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Bishop stands

by Gabriel (REUTERS) - THE punishment handed Shannon Gabriel for a gay slur directed at Joe Root was a little harsh, says former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop, who at the same time acknowledged the fast bowler erred in his choice of words directed at the England captain.

Gabriel was suspended for the West Indies’ four upcoming one-day internationals by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after his verbal altercation with Root during the third Test in St Lucia on Monday.

The bowler said to Root: “Why are you smiling at me? Do you like boys?”

To which Root replied: “Don’t use that as an insult, there is nothing wrong with being gay.”

Root’s reply has been widely praised, and Gabriel has since apologised.

Bishop has no doubt it was a sincere apology.

“I find the punishment a little on the harsh side,” Bishop said in a telephone interview with Reuters.

“I know Shannon. He is a good, good guy.

“The question he posed, in the current cultural climate, he should not have said it, and down the road he will realise you can’t say something like that because it could be perceived as a bias against a certain group.”

As a player, Bishop took 161 wickets in 43 Tests at an average of 24.27 between 1989 and 1998.

Now a widely respected television commentator in the Caribbean, the Trinidadian acknowledged that players had to be mindful that what not so long ago might have been passed off as a typical piece of on-field sledging was no longer fair game.

Bishop says that instead of suspending Gabriel, greater benefit would have been achieved had officials had a quiet talk to educate and sensitise the player, along the lines of: “Look, we see you may not have meant great harm,

Joe Root of England shakes hands with Shannon Gabriel following England’s victory on Day Four of the Third Test match at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground on February 12, 2019 in Gros Islet, St Lucia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

but many of our players and stakeholders and people make their life choices to live by their own philosophy and that’s their right.

“We feel it’s not what we want to be seen or

heard and prefer more sensitivity towards others.”

Bishop hopes the poorly-chosen remark does not blight Gabriel’s reputation.

“I will stand by his side

and say he is not the demon person some have made him to be,” he said of Gabriel.

“One scenario should not define who he is growing into as a person.”

Watford reach FA quarter-final

Watford have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals without playing a home game in the competition this season.

( B B C ) - WAT F O R D reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for the second time in four seasons after a hard-fought win against battling QPR at Loftus Road.

Etienne Capoue’s finish on the stroke of halftime, after Tom Cleverley’s mishit, proved the difference.

Championship QPR went close through Massimo Luongo, while Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes marked his 38th birthday with a fine save to deny Nahki Wells.

But Watford progressed after scoring from their only shot on target.

With no replays in this season’s fifth-round ties, QPR captain Toni Leistner spurned a

great chance to force extra-time when he missed from point-blank range after Darnell Furlong’s cross in the closing stages.

This was another determined performance from Javi Gracia’s Watford, who had to dig deep on their way to another clean sheet.

The Premier League club have not conceded a goal in three games in this season’s competition but they lived dangerously, particularly in the first half, when QPR carved out several good chances.

At the other end of the pitch, chances were few and far between.

Daryl Janmaat prodded a first-time attempt

over the bar and it looked like Watford would go in at the interval without managing a shot on target when Capoue struck.

It came after Cleverley mishit a cross from a short corner into the path of the French midfielder, who produced a calm first-time finish for his third goal of the campaign.

With no Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in operation, Andre Gray wrongly had a goal ruled out for offside before Leistner’s incredible 87th-minute miss.

Eighth in the Premier League table, they now have six clean sheets in the last eight league and cup games - and have Wembley in their sights in the FA Cup.

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Embuldeniya helps Sri Lankan fightback

(REUTERS) - DEBUTANT spinner Lasith Embuldeniya took five wickets as Sri Lanka produced a strong fightback with the ball on day three of the first Test, but hosts South Africa remained on course for victory at the close at Kingsmead yesterday.

Set a target of 304 to win, Sri Lanka were 83 for three, when bad light brought a premature end to proceedings, with Oshada Fernando (28 not out) and Kusal Perera (12 not out) to resume the victory hunt on the fourth morning.

The impressive Embuldeniya had earlier claimed 5-66 and sparked a South Africa collapse as the hosts were bowled out for 259 in their second innings, leaving Sri Lanka to chase what seems an unlikely victory.

The tourists have not post-

ed over 300 in any of their last 12 Test innings, while the record fourth-innings total to win a game in Durban is 336

by Australia in 1950.

Openers Dimuth Karunaratne (20) and Lahiru Thirimanne (21) had put on 42 for the first wicket of Sri Lanka’s chase, before the latter was caught by Faf du Plessis at second slip off the bowling of Kagiso Rabada.

Vi s i t i n g c a p t a i n Karunaratne was out soon afterwards, trapped leg-before-wicket by Vernon Philander as the tourists wobbled.

They were three down two overs later when Kusal Mendis (0), batting with an injured finger, could only guide a Duanne Olivier delivery to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.

Sri Lanka batted another anxious nine overs before the

cloud cover that had threatened for much of the day forced the players from the field as the umpires deemed the light too gloomy to continue.

The visitors had skittled out South Africa’s lower order 40 minutes before tea, taking the final five wickets for the addition of only eight runs.

The home side were

reasonably comfortable on 251 for five, but lost Philander (18) when he was bowled by a ball that kept low from Embuldeniya.

Home captain du Plessis (90) had looked largely in control, but was out when he left a straight ball from Vishwa Fernando (471) that trapped him lbw, with the seamer going on to collect two more wickets

SCOREBOARD

SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings 235 all out SRI LANKA 1st innings 191 all out SOUTH AFRICA 2nd innings 259 all out SRI LANKA 2nd innings Dimuth Karunaratne lbw Vernon Philander 20 Lahiru Thirimanne c Faf du Plessis b Kagiso Rabada 21 Oshada Fernando not out 28 Kusal Mendis c Quinton de Kock b Duanne Olivier 0 Kusal Perera not out

12 Extras: (lb-2)

2 Total: (three wkts, 28.0 overs)

83 Fall of wickets: 1-42, 2-42, 3-52.

Bowling: Dale Steyn 4-0-19-0, Vernon Philander 8-3-13-1, Keshav Maharaj 4-0-14-0, Kagiso Rabada 7-1-28-1, Duanne Olivier 4-3-3-1, Aiden Markram 1-0-4-0.

Ferrari launches the SF90

Ferrari have named their new car the SF90.

(BBC) - FERRARI have unveiled the car they hope will end a decade-long Formula 1 title drought in 2019.

Ferrari lost out to Mercedes in 2018 despite having a faster car at least as many times as their rivals, after a series of errors by Sebastian Vettel and the team.

New team boss Mattia Binotto said the car was “a development of last year’s, not a revolution”.

The team had tried to “raise the bar, try to be as extreme as we could”.

Vettel is joined in the team by Charles Leclerc, in his second F1 season.

“I am looking forward to this year. The team is on the right path and hopefully we can continue improving,” said Vettel.

“I want to win the championship. That’s my mission and the reason why I am here.”

Leclerc, promoted after an impressive debut season for the Sauber team, said: “I am extremely excited to start this new adventure. It has been a dream since childhood so it is a very emotional day for me.

“It is a very proud day for me. I’m not nervous. I think it is more an opportunity for me to be alongside Sebastian, who is such a champion, I can learn a lot. I am pretty sure it will be an amazing season. The key will be to work together but I am sure we will make it.”

Binotto called his line-up “the best dream a team principal can have - they are the best drivers in Formula 1”.

for a total of eight in the match.

It was a swift end to South Africa’s second innings, but a sign of the variable bounce and generous turn on offer to the bowlers will make Sri Lanka’s chase that much harder.

The second and final Test of the series will be played in Port Elizabeth Lasith Embuldeniya celebrates from February 21 to 25. his five-wicket haul. (AFP)

Kaepernick reaches settlement with NFL

Eric Reid (left) was the first player to join then-49ers team-mate Colin Kaepernick in kneeling for the national anthem.

(BBC) - Colin Kaepernick has reached a settlement with the NFL over his ‘collusion’ case against team owners.

The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback believed owners were conspiring not to hire him because of his protests against racial injustice in the USA. Kaepernick started protests by kneeling during the US national anthem.

The 30-year-old has been without a team since opting out of his 49ers contract in March 2017.

Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid, who was the first player to join then-49ers team-mate Kaepernick in kneeling, has also settled his own collusion case.

Yesterday, their lawyers and the league released a joint statement, saying the pair had been “engaged in an ongoing dialogue with representatives of the NFL” over recent months.

“As a result of those discussions, the parties have decided to resolve the pending grievances,” the statement read.

“The resolution of this matter is subject to a confidentiality agreement so there will be no further comment by any party.”

A statement from the NFL Players Association said: “We are not privy to the details of the settlement, but support the decision by the players and their counsel.

“We continuously supported Colin and Eric from the start of their protests, participated with their lawyers throughout their legal proceedings and were prepared to participate in the upcoming trial in pursuit of both truth and justice for what we believe the NFL and its clubs did to them.

“We are glad that Eric has earned a job and a new contract, and we continue to hope that Colin gets his opportunity as well.”

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named new Upgrades for several Bascome Bermuda cricket coach Linden outdoor sporting facilities this year (CMC) – FORMER Bermuda all-rounder Herbie Bascome has been named the island’s new national cricket coach.

Bascome, 54, has agreed an initial one-year contract, starting the part-time post on March 1.

By Vanessa Braithwaite IN a community outreach held in Linden on Tuesday, Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, assured that several sporting facilities will be enhanced in 2019, not only in Linden, but in outlying communities in Region Ten. Jones was at the time holding candid discussions with representatives of the Regional Democratic Council, youth groups, boxing, football and basketball federations, and other stakeholders, who put forth their concerns in the area of sports development in the town.

Communities of Amelia’s Ward, Retrieve, Silver City, Blueberry Hill, Kwakwani, Kimbia and Ituni will benefit from enhanced sporting facilities.

The audience, however, expressed concern that the outdoor sporting facilities and community centres are having managerial issues and are being controlled by individual/individuals who have no interest in sports or youth development.

Jones, reminded them that under the Local Government Act, these facilities either come under the RDC, MTC, NDC or CDC, which means it is the people of the community, who should have equal access, as longs it is done in a dignified and purposeful manner.

Issues of the lack of government sponsorship and support for the Upper Demerara Football League and local games were also raised. Renowned basketball coach Abdulla Hamid advocated for the return of the ‘Teach them young’ programme, which provided employment for scores of Lindeners, who provided training in the various sports disciplines to school students. Hamid also called for more support for sports in Region Ten, since he believes it is being sidelined.

All the coaches present subscribed to the notion that sports is a tool used to keep the youths meaningfully occupied and as it widely known that Region Ten is providing results in this regard. This was reiterated by Mr Jones, who said that in all disciplines, Region Ten has been doing well, hence the placement of the synthetic track, which will commence soon in Linden.

He told the residents that his government cares for youths and for sports and will do all it takes to provide the needed support with resources made available.

“This administration has your interest at heart. It is a young administration. If we are to speak truthfully and look at the development that was done thus far, we will agree that a significant amount has been done, in a short space of time,” Jones noted.

DCB Inter-Association U-15 cricket

Georgetown crowned champions

By Rajiv Bisnauth GEORGETOWN played unbeaten to capture the Demerara Cricket Board (DCC) Inter-Association Under-15 title, winning their third and final game against East Bank Demerara at the Everest Cricket Club (ECC) ground, yesterday.

Walters (3-1) and Krsna Singh (2-10) shared five wickets between them while seamers Avinash Rajkumar and Dillon Ramsaroop claimed 2-20 and 1-31 respectively. Leg-spinner Riyad Latif chipped in with 1-9.

At the start of play, East Bank lost opener Navindra

Off-spinners Shaquan Walters (3-1) and Krsna Singh (2-10) shared five wickets.

The city side whipped West Demerara and East Coast by nine and seven wickets respectively in their two previous rounds before thrashing a spirited East Bank Demerara team by ten wickets.

Winning the toss and deciding to bowl, the city side’s bowlers produced an excellent effort and restricted their opponents to just 78 in 29.4 overs.

West Indies Under-16 batsman, Mavendra Dindyal, struck seven fours and a six in an entertaining 46 but he failed to get support from the other end.

Off-spinners Shaquan

Singh, without scoring, to the fourth ball, bowled by Ramsaroop before they slipped further at 24-3, losing the wickets of Thaddeous Lovell (3) and Zachary Jodah also without scoring.

Both wickets fell to Rajkumar.

By then a rebuilding job was required but the righthander, Dindyal, could not single-handedly manage the pressure, and was dismissed at 54-4. East Bank, who had won their two previous games against East Coast and West Demerara, lost their last six wickets for 24 runs.

Riding high on extraordinary

bowling performance, the city side openers Jaden Campbell and Romeo Deonarine then took further control of the game.

The pair achieved the target, reaching 80 in 22.3 overs.

Campbell was unbeaten on 35

while Deonarine was on 26.

Meanwhile, in the other game, East Coast Demerara beat West Demerara by three wickets. Scores; West Demerara 80-9, ECD in reply reached 81-7.

New Bermuda head coach Herbie Bascome

Three others applied for the job, but Lloyd Smith, president of the cash-strapped Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB), said earlier the board could no longer afford to bring in a foreign coach.

Smith, who made the announcement on Thursday, said the board’s executive had unanimously supported the recommendation of the high-performance committee to appoint Bascome.

“Herbie has devoted his life to our great sport and brings great passion and experience to the role,” Smith said.

Bascome replaces another former Bermuda national team player, Clay Smith, who withdrew his services last October after his three-year contract expired. Smith had taken over

the post from fellow Bermudian Arnold Manders.

Bermuda cricket has been in the doldrums internationally since Trinidadian Gus Logie – who had Bascome as his assistant – led the island to the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean.

It hit a new low last year when the country, along with Vanuatu, were relegated to the ICC’s World Cricket League Division Five after finishing bottom of a Division Four tournament in Malaysia.

Bascome’s initial task is to prepare the Bermuda squad for the ICC Americas Region T20 World Cup qualifying tournament, which Bermuda will host from August 15 to 25.

The double elimination tournament will also involve Canada, the United States and Cayman Islands, with the top two countries advancing to the Global Qualifier in November, ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup in Australia.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity that the board has given me to lead our country’s national cricket team,” Bascome said.

“I have been fortunate to have had outstanding experience as assistant coach to Gus Logie when we were a Division One team.

“I am fully committed to moving our cricket back towards those high-performance levels, starting with a strong showing in August in the T20.

“I encourage players to commit to playing for our country and restoring pride at the national senior level.

GCA name Select XI to face GCC in U-17 clash today THE Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) has named a Select XI to face the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) in a Friends of Cricket U-17 50-over presentation clash today.

The game, which is scheduled for the GCC ground, Bourda, will see the U-17 champs do battle against some outstanding junior players.

The team will be captained by National U-17 cricketer Niron Bissu and includes a mixture of cricketers from several clubs in the city. Among the names are 11-year-old leg-spinner Riyad Latif, who has bowled the Transport Sports Club to two consecutive wins in the GCA Noble House Seafoods U-19 Generation Next competition and his all-rounder teammate, Jeffrey Blair, who struck a century batting at number 10 in his last match.

The Select XI, which will be coached by Kevin Ross and

The GCC team played unbeaten in the Friends of Cricket 100-over title.

managed by Shaun Massiah, also includes Mitra Dhanraj, Alvin Mohabir, Orlando Giddings, Krsna Singh, Jonathan Vanlange, Daveannand khemraj, Dillon Ramsaroop, Gustavas Hutson, Matthew Jupiter, Inderjeet Nanan, DeAndre Linton and Marlon Bole.

Meanwhile the U-19 competition will continue at three different venues across the capital city today.

At Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) ground, the home team will play GNIC, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) will host Queen’s College and Everest Cricket team

will travel to the Malteenoes Sports Club to play the home team.

Tomorrow the competition continues with GNIC battling against Transport Sports Club.

All the U-19 and U-17 clashes are scheduled for a 09:30hts start.

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GSA Bounty Farm Limited Handicap Squash

Night three yields positive results for Antczak ON the third night of the Bounty Farm Ltd Handicap Squash Tournament the top seeds took to the court for some extremely long rallies, as they overcame their negative handicap scores to secure their places in the next round of the competition.

Dynamo Deje Dias (-10) gave a thrilling performance against Jonathan Antczak (6) in a three-game battle.

Antczak was on match ball in the second game, 14-8, when Dias did what he does best in almost impossible positions.

Patience, determination, will and skill kicked in as he pulled out crosscourt drop shots that cleared the tin by millimetres and left Antczak and the spectators speechless.

After claiming the second game, Dias came out dominant in the 3rd and, despite Antczak running down many of the balls, he was only able to pick up 4 points, ending in a 15-10 defeat. Dias was triumphant 11-15, 15-14, 15-10.

Alex Arjoon worked his

way from a hefty -22 handicap against Ian Mekdeci (5) in a skilful match to secure a 15-12, 15-11 win and Regan Pollard (-14) fought the much-improved youngster Samuel Ince-Carvalhal (3) to a 15-14, 15-8 victory.

Ince-Carvalhal played hard, shot for shot in the first game and edged ahead early in the game, but the experienced Pollard powered home with a run of 11 straight points to even out at 13-13.

Despite Ince-Carvalhal holding game ball in his hand at 14-13, Pollard won 1514. Pollard dominated the 2nd game for a well-earned victory.

Steven Xavier (-10) took on David Fernandes (10) in a three-game victory and Ingram Edwards (8) defeated newcomer Wayne Alphonso (11) in two straight games.

Ashley Khalil and Damein DaSilva continued their winning streaks and will go on to compete in the next round tomorrow night.

In Category A, the contenders for the plate stepped up after the previous night’s defeats to make their bid for the consolation title. Notable performances came from Louis DaSilva, Arvin Seelall, Abhinav Singh and Aishani Persaud.

Play for both categories and the Open plate continued last evening at the Georgetown Club from 18:00hrs,

Results: Open Category ♦ Ingram Edwards (8) thrashed Wayne Alphonso (11) 15-9, 15-7. ♦ Alex Arjoon (-22) beat Ian Mekdeci (5) 15-12, 15-11. ♦ Damien Da Silva (-6) defeated Taylor Fernandes (-6) 15-6, 15-13. ♦ Ashley Khalil (-6) bettered Tony Farnum (10) 15-10, 7-15, 15-12. ♦ Deje Dias (-10) overcame Jonathan Antczak (6) 11-15, 15-14,

15-10. ♦ Steven Xavier (-10) got the better of David Fernandes (10) 11-15, 1513, 15-11. ♦ Regan Pollard (-14) beat Samuel Ince-Carvalhal (3) 15-14, 15-8.

Category A ♦ Joshua Verwey (11) trounced Beau Fernades (11) 15-5, 15-5. ♦ Ethan Jonas (-4) defeated Dhiren Persaud (11) 15-13, 15-13. ♦ Aishani Persaud (11) whipped Grant Fernandes (13) 15-12, 15-6. ♦ Mohryan Baksh (-3) beat Lucas Persaud (11) 15-11, 15-11. ♦ Louis Da Silva (7) defeated Kaden Pynaendy (13) 15-10, 15-10 ♦ Teija Edwards (11) got past Matthew Daby (14) 15-11, 15-8 ♦ Arvin Seelall (12) got the better of Abhinav Singh (14) 13-15, 15-4, 15-7

for ... ←

FROM PAGE 39 from 2011 to 2012, also won the International Boxing Federation super flyweight title in 2017. The 29-yearold’s record currently stands at 32 wins from 39 fights.

WINNING STREAK Dharry (22-5-1) aims to continue his winning streak, which is currently at 20 consecutive fights.

“I feel good, I’ve trained well and I’m confident that I’ll win.”

T h e N e w Yo r k based boxer, who has had a string of titles attached to his name,

including the national bantamweight title, WBC Caribbean bantamweight belt, IBF Intercontinental title and the WBU Americas bantamweight belt, said that his main focus at this stage of his career is a world title and he hopes to use this fight as a stepping-stone.

“I’ve had 4 titles, but right now I’m looking to get the world title.”

Dharry is currently ranked 10th in the World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight division.

CWI looking to cash in on England, Indian tours (CMC) – Cricket West Indies is bracing for a huge financial windfall from the ongoing England tour and the upcoming home series against India, as the cash-strapped organisation hopes to make up for a disastrous 2018 when they lost an estimated US$20 million.

According to chief executive Johnny Grave, CWI is expected to rake in about US$20 million this year, allowing the governing body to at least break even, and more importantly continue to fund its extensive agegroup programmes.

England concluded their three-Test series against West Indies earlier this week and will now turn their attention to the limited overs phase, which comprises five One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20s.

The tour is England’s first full one of the Caribbean in a decade and, with world number one-ranked India scheduled to play two Tests, three ODIs and three T20s between July and August, Grave said 2019 would be “massive” for CWI’s revenues.

“It (England tour) is always important but this year more than ever because of the fact last year

was such a bad year for us financially,” Grave said.

“Playing Sri Lanka at home and Bangladesh at home, the contract that we have with our TV crew … probably 50 per cent of our revenue comes from TV, and Bangladesh and Sri

with England and India coming after the World Cup, will be a record year for West Indies.

“England is always important but certainly after the 2018 season we had where we probably had the lowest revenue we’ve had

In recent years, England have undertaken single format tours of the Caribbean. In 2017, they played only ODIs; in 2015 they travelled for a threeTest series only, while the 2014 tour comprised ODIs and T20s.

cricket for the Caribbean.

“This year is massive.

To have an England tour of this size looking ahead for the next five years is unprecedented,” Grave explained.

“To get them in all three formats … three Tests, five

England fans take in the opening Test at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown last month. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

Lanka are the worst value within that deal. So to have got through last year … was tough.”

He continued: “Last year was financially horrible and therefore this year

for decades, to suddenly be able to jump into this means that we’ll come out the end of this year with a kind of par score which is good from a business point of view.”

The ongoing tour began with a near sold-out opening Test at Kensington Oval here on January 23 and wraps on March 10 with the final T20I in St Kitts, marking six weeks of high profile

One-Day Internationals and three T20s, then to have the World Cup in England where we’ve obviously won twice, then to host India at home and be the first game we’re playing in this new

Test championship … it’s a massive amount of cricket for us.

“It’s a big year of cricket, big year financially and by the end of it we’ll be back on an even keel and looking ahead to the next phase which is a new ODI league, new Test championship and for us a new TV deal.”

But the Englishman also struck a note of caution, warning that CWI also needed to exercise prudence going forward, especially with the commercial structure heavily reliant on high-profile home tours.

“It is important we make massive profits this year because of the losses last year so whilst there is a lot of money flowing from this England tour and lots more to come against India, we’ve got to run a really conservative year to make sure we can repay the debt from last year,” he noted.

“We don’t sit on massive reserves; which from a business planning point of view is not ideal. We do want to grow reserves to help manage the peaks and troughs because we don’t really control England, India and when those tours come, so you want to be able to ride those bumps in revenue.”

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All systems in place for today’s Kings of Studies football tournament

UG ready for battle this weekend in GCA 40-over after lockdown

The pitch is prepared and ready to host the Kings of Studies football tournament.

ALL systems are in place for the Kings of Studies football tournament which kicks off today. It will feature teams comprising University of Guyana students from various faculties a change to learn how events are traditionally organised on campus.

The tournament will be played at the pitch near the Behavioural Science building from 11:00hrs at the Turkeyen Campus, as a total of 10 teams will vie to be crowned Kings of Studies 2019.

Among the prizes to be won is a solid gold ring, which will be awarded to the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

This prize was sponsored by Antonio Fredericks.

The matches will be played in a round-robin format, followed by the knockout stage (two semi-finals and the final).

The games will be played in two five-minute sections for the one-day event. The teams vying for top honours include Goons, Kanaimas, Hot Topic, and Hot Strikers.

Among the sponsors are the Guyana Football Federation, C&L Construction Inc., Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, Signature Moov, the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Sharma Solomon, Robbie Rambarran, Asim Shakur and Antonio Fredericks.

Digicel lends support to Guyana’s Special Olympics Team … More financial support still needed

By Gabriella Chapman AS Guyana prepares to send off a team of young people to the upcoming Special Olympics World Summer Games, Digicel made a significant contribution to ensure Guyana’s participation in the games.

At a press briefing yesterday, Digicel’s Sponsorship Manager, Louanna Abrams, said, the telecommunications company is pleased to be associated with Special Olympics Guyana, and the two have a longstanding relationship.

Abrams said that throughout the Digicel territories across the Caribbean, and Latin America, Olympics and Special Needs are high on the company’s agenda. It

is against that backdrop, the company decided to play a generous role in ensuring that Guyana has representation at the games this year.

“We have no doubt that they will perform well, and we definitely take this opportunity to wish them success as they prepare for the games,” Abrams further stated.

Speaking on Guyana’s preparedness for the trip, Head of Delegation, Wilton Spencer, said that though Digicel’s contribution was noteworthy, a sum of just under G$2M (G$1,924,372) is still needed to offset expenses.

This sum, he said, is needed specifically for the remaining airfare, and to include a chaperone in Guy-

ana’s contingent, since there are female athletes on the team.

Spencer further entreated other companies and/or individuals to come on board and lend their support to help make participation possible. He can be contacted on 6234673.

Calvin Thomas, Faith King, Abdool Braithwaite, and Dacia George are the four athletes who will be representing Guyana at the games in Abu Dhabi.

Spencer said that three of the four athletes will be competing in the 200 metres, 400 mtres, and the 4x4 relay.

Calvin Thomas will be competing in the 3 000 metres, 5 000metres and the relay.

At Guyana’s last participation in the games, Thom-

as received gold and silver medals.

Coach of the team, Mark Scott, said that the team have been training for nine months and they are all enthusiastic about going.

From his assessment, the four young people have proved that they are qualified for the competition ahead of them.

The games this year will see the participation of 174 countries with 7 500 athletes competing in 24 disciplines, from March 8-22, 2019.

The Special Olympics World Games are an international sporting competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities, organised by the IOC-recognised Special Olympics Organisation.

Off-spinner Dennis Heywood is expected to do some of the bowling this weekend.

THE University of Guyana cricket team will return to action today after their Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) NBS Second Division 40-over cricket games were postponed last weekend due to a bomb scare that forced a campus lockdown.

Today, the Campus team will play home team Everest Cricket Club, while tomorrow they will tackle Malteenoes Sports Club at the DCC ground in two of their last three preliminary games.

D e s p i t e t h e l o c kdown, captain Dennis Heywood feels that his side are ready for their matches.

FOCUS ON GETTING THE WIN “The lockdown situation has not affected us much cricket-wise, because we train off campus at GNIC, so our training has been as normal and the guys are just focussed on getting the wins this weekend.”

Heywood said that his players are just focussed on winning both of their games and winning them big in order to get a chance to advance in the tough Zone A. Getting past Everest, who have put together a string of recent wins, led by their in-form skipper Dwayne Adams, will be no easy task; neither will their battle against the strong MSC team.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday, Febrary 16, 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: Clifford Roach-209 (1930) Gordon Greenidge-214* & 223 (vs ENG, 1984)

(1)

(2)

Today’s Quiz: Which two never scored a Test century against England? Gus Logie, Jeff Dujon, Larry Gomes, Carlisle Best, Phil Simmons England’s wicketkeeper, Allan Knott, effected 269 dismissals in Tests. How many were catches? How many were stumpings?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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guyana CHRONICLE saturday, february 16, 2019

Tabatinga U-15 team in action at Frank Watson Memorial tournament today

THE Rupununi Football Association’s (RFA) defending champions Tabatinga FC will be representing the association at the GFF/Pele Alumni/Frank Watson Memorial National Championship today.

Tabatinga FC, having won the RFA leg of the tournament by beating Titans FC, will have the opportunity to square off with the best teams from other associations from

across the country. The GFF had held two previous clusters and the winners from those clusters will square off today In a statement to the media, Tabatinga FC expressed delight at being afforded the opportunity to represent Rupununi at the tournament.

The club also thanked the sponsors for their partnership and support for the team.

Those sponsors include CK Construction and Trans-

portation, Gormain D’Aguiar Construction, Franklin Greaves, Rupununi Football Association.

Games will kick off at GFF National Training Centre at Providence at 09:00hrs today.

Dharry ready for former Mexican world champion tin

Final Squad: 1. Matrim Martin 2. Selwyn Kyte 3. Mark Burnett 4. Romel Bhola 5. Samuel Andre 6. Jaheim Jobe 7. Lincoln James 8. Vito Hendricks 9. Sheldon Cupido 10. Shavid Hernandez 11. Alexander Davidson 12. Alex Charlie 13. Denzel Winter 14. Travis Grimmond 15. Jeramy Angoy 16. Elton Nicholson 17. Shavis Bhola Head coach: Walter Mar-

Action in the Frank Watson/GFF/Pele Alumni U-15 Tournament.

Manager: Wendy Martin Chaperone: Roberta Noble

Milo U-18 Schools Football Tournament

Elton Dharry is ready to make his bout against José Alfredo Rodríguez his 21st consecutive win.

ELTON Dharry is ready to prove himself against former Mexican world champion José Alfredo Rodríguez. The pair will battle in Queens, New York on March 8.

The Guyanese-born boxer said that he has fought numerous skilled fighters in the past and is prepared for the clash.

“I’ve been in the ring with lots of experienced fighters so I’m not worried about anything. I’m a very experienced fighter myself.”

Rodrigues, known as Torito, was a late replacement. Dharry’s camp had initially organised with another boxer, but he dropped out of the fight.

In the bantamweight clash, over eight rounds, the 33-year-old Dharry (5ft 6’) is giving up four years to the Mexican and two inches in height.

Rodriguez, who held the WBA light flyweight title

→

TURN TO PAGE 37

Matches continue this weekend

Last week’s action in the Milo U-18 schools football tournament was captured in this Delano Williams photo.

SIX matches are scheduled for this weekend as the Milo U-18 Schools football competition continues at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue.

In the first set of games today, the Charlestown Secondary will play Tucville from 12:00hrs with St Cuthbert’s Mission taking on Golden Grove Secondary at 13:45hrs.

The last game of the afternoon will see Uitvlugt Secondary and Cummings Lodge clash at 15:10hrs.

Meanwhile tomorrow, three more matches are carded.

Friendship Secondary will battle Ann’s Grove from noon to open the proceedings with Christianburg/Wismar Secondary taking on St John’s College followed by Vergenoegen Secondary versus Tutorial Secondary.

The tournament is sponsored by the Ministry of Public Health under its ‘Stop Gender-based Violence’ campaign.

DCB Inter-Association U-15 cricket

The victorious Georgetown team

Georgetown crowned champions Page

36

Bishop stands

by Gabriel Page

34

Night three yields positive results for Antczak

As a fast bowler, Bishop took 161 wickets in 43 Tests at an average of 24.27 between 1989 and 1998.

Page

37

Digicel lends support to Guyana’s Special Olympics Team See Page 38 Night two of the GSA Bounty Farm Limited Handicap Squash tournament had intense action.

(Samuel Maughn photo)

… More financial support still needed Digicel’s Sponsorship Manager, Louanna Abrams hands over her company’s support to the Head of Delegation for Special Olympics World Summer Games, Wilton Spencer.

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

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