Guyana chronicle e paper 02 23 2018

Gov’t will not renege on 05 ExxonMobil Contract – Harmon PAGE

No. 105194

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2018

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

Our efforts not in vain … President says Guyana will pursue case at ICJ with determination

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Scenes from the flag-raising ceremony at D'Urban Park Thursday night (Adrian Narine photo)

Ethnic Relations, Teaching and Integrity Commissions activated

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

ERC, TSC commissioners sworn in THE commissioners identified to serve on the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) and the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) were sworn in by President David Granger on Thursday.

After taking the Oath of Office, the commissioners were presented with their instruments of appointment at the State House ceremony. The ERC will soon be activated after approximately seven years, now that its commissioners have been sworn-in. Taking the Oath of Office on Thursday were Dr. John Smith, Sister Rajkumarie Singh, Roshan Khan, Norris Witter, Major-General (Retd) Norman McLean, Deodat Persaud, Ruth Howard, Barrington Braithwaite, Neaz Subhan and Ashton Simon.

The constitutional organ had become defunct in 2011. However, the National Assembly in January approved the names of the 10 persons to sit on the ERC after more than four years of consultations and reviews.

In delivering brief remarks, President Granger said the Constitution provides for the

President David Granger flanked by the newly appointed members of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC). establishment of the ERC and is guarded against influence and interference by the Executive. He stated that the work of the ERC is critical to ensuring ethnic harmony and social cohesion in Guyana. “The Ethnic Relations Commission is intended to support, inter alia, to promote good relations, harmony, peace, tolerance and understanding between our peoples,” he posited while adding that the Commission is also expected to ensure that equal opportunities between persons of different

ethnic groups are provided and ethnic discrimination is proscribed.

The ERC is constitutionally required to provide 24 functions. “These functions entail a broad range of actions and interventions including education, investigation, monitoring, reviewing, recommending and research and study,” the President explained.

Turning his attention to the Teaching Service Commission, President Granger said, the TSC, like the ERC, is a constitutional organ. He

President David Granger and the newly appointed members of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) (Photos by MOTP)

noted that the TSC was established to ensure that teachers’ appointments are undertaken by an independent body, and are based on merit.

“The Teaching Service Commission is vested by the Constitution with the “power to appoint persons as teachers in the public service and to remove and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in such offices,” the President explained.

According to him, the work of the commission will contribute to ensuring that a core of qualified, trained and highly motivated teachers are within the public education system.

The new members of the Teacher Service Commission are: Elizabeth Ramlall, Barbara Patricia Thomas-Holder, Deborah Thomas, Amjad Shaw, Allan Ewart Munroe, Avril Crawford and Marcel Hutson as an ex-officio member.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Minister of State Joseph Harmon; Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry; and Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton; among other government officials.

Our efforts are not in vain

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

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... President says Guyana will pursue case at ICJ with determination

PRESIDENT David Granger has assured that this country’s efforts to protect its sovereignty have not been in vain, pointing to the United Nations decision to send the decades-old border controversy with Venezuela to the International Court of Justice for a final ruling.

In his message marking the 48th Republic Anniversary, President Granger said the independent state of Guyana assumed the title ‘Cooperative Republic’ on this day, 48 years ago, noting that the Republic severed vestigial constitutional bonds with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Guyana became fully sovereign, and no longer subject to external authority.

“The Republic vested sovereignty in our people.

It charged Guyanese with exercising this sovereignty by assuming responsibility for defending their motherland and developing the economy.

We, Guyanese, celebrate our 48th Republic Anniversary, happy that our efforts to de-

fend our homeland have not been in vain. We have lived under the shadow of threats to our territory since Independence in 1966,” President Granger said.

He said Guyana moved closer towards a juridical settlement of the territorial controversy this year, when the United Nations Secretary General in January indicated his choice of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as the means to resolve the controversy. “We, Guyanese, intend to pursue our case before the ICJ in [the] coming months with the same determination as we rejected the unwarranted claim to our territory in past years. We are confident that our cause is just and our case is sound. We are committed to defending our motherland, “the Guyanese leader said.

Guyana’s Constitution stipulates that: “The State’s defence and security policy shall be to defend national independence, preserve the country’s sovereignty and integrity and guarantee the

normal functioning of institutions and the security of citizens against any armed aggression.”

SAFETY OF CITIZENS Meanwhile, turning his attention to citizens’ safety, President Granger said this is a paramount objective of the State.

“Our people must be safe in their homes, villages and places of work. Their property must be protected against crime. Guyana’s Government is enhancing the delivery of services to its most distant communities, both on the coastland and in the hinterland, in good times and bad.”

Only last week while addressing the Police Officers’ Conference, the Guyanese leader said human safety is necessary to ensure our country’s stability. “Our country must be secured against trafficking in drugs, guns, and people. Public security will signal to investors that this country is a safe destination for their investments,” the President said.

He said that communities should be free from criminal activities and children must be nurtured in a safe environment. “Our young people must be protected from the dangers of drug use. Citizens must be able to move around their communities free from the fear of crime. Citizens must be safeguarded from attacks on their persons and property. They must be safe at home, at work, on the street and at play.”

Additionally, President Granger said in his Republic address that his government is augmenting its resources to render assistance to regional administrations and villages in times of flood, drought, threats to public order and other emergencies. “Guyana looks forward to the intensification of cooperation with friendly, foreign states, especially in building capacity for the Defence Force’s technical corps to improve the national infrastructure in every part of the country, to defend our territorial integrity, to protect our citizens and to respond to

emergencies.”

At the international level he said international cooperation is essential to preserving this continent as a zone of peace; to preventing and interdicting transnational threats such as drug-, gunand human-trafficking, the spread of contagious diseases, terrorism and to mitigating the adverse effects of climate change and natural hazards.

According to the President, Guyana’s green grandeur must be protected.

Its grasslands, highlands, islands, wetlands, lakes, coastal mudflats, rainforests, rivers and waterfalls are wonderful–not a mere figment of its citizens’ imagination. “We, Guyanese, are proud of our country. Our national anthem sings of a “…land of rivers and plains, made rich by the sunshine and lush by the rains, set gem-like and fair between mountains and seas…” “We, Guyanese, in the exercise of our sovereignty, are defending the

President David Granger Republic. We are protecting our patrimony.

We are ensuring that future generations will be able to inherit this beautiful country, to live in peace and to enjoy the good life and prosperity which this bountiful country has to offer. Guyanese! I extend greetings to you on the occasion of the 48th Anniversary of the Republic,” the President said.

Doraisami heads Integrity Commission

By Svetlana Marshall

CHAIRMAN of the Integrity Commission, Kumar Doraisami and two other members have been swornin by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after being appointed by President David Granger.

Pandit Rabindranauth Persaud and Rosemary Ben-

jamin-Noble are the two other members who took the oath of office at the Ministry of the Presidency on Thursday. They were presented with their instrument of appointment by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

In delivering brief remarks, the Minister of State noted that the Integrity Commission consists of the chair-

man and three members.

He said while one of the members will be sworn in at a later date, the work of the Integrity Commission will go on.

Minister Harmon further pointed out that the Integrity Commission Act provides for the establishment of an Integrity Commission to make provision for the purpose

From left: Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Chairman of the Integrity Commission, Kumar Doraisami; Commissioner Rosemary Benjamin-Noble; Commissioner Rahindranauth Persaud and Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan (Adrian Narine photo)

of securing the integrity of persons in public life.

Speaking directly to the newly appointed commissioners, Harmon said the task ahead is not an easy one.

“I wish to remind the new commissioners that your assignment will be especially challenging as you seek to accomplish the aims and requirements of the act and the expectations of our citizens to demand the integrity

of persons in public office,” he said.

The appointment was made in accordance with section 3 (4) of the Integrity Commission Act Cap. 19:12 after Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo offered his no objection to the nominees.

Under the Integrity Commission Act, the President is to appoint a chairperson and other commissioners after consultation with the Oppo-

sition Leader.

In an interview with reporters shortly after his appointment, the chairman of the Integrity Commission said it will take several months before the commission is fully operationalised.

“I have to get acquainted with them (staff) and I will have to put a programme together so they See page 5

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

Brainchild of anti-investment Use the occasion of Mashramani to ad apologises to Government reflect on our nation’s journey -PPP

By Svetlana Marshall

THE businessman, who was the brainchild behind the anti-investment ad which was placed in two local newspapers, has issued an apology to President David Granger and the Government and people of Guyana.

On Thursday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon disclosed that a letter of apology in relation to the newspaper ad, which had urged potential investors in Guyana to go elsewhere, was addressed to President David Granger.

That letter, which was signed by Siri Persaud – General Manager of Eco Potenza Industries – was circulated at Cabinet when it met on Tuesday, February 20, according to the Minister of State.

In a letter of apology, Persaud reportedly expressed regret for placing the advertisement in the newspapers.

It appeared in the Stabroek and Kaieteur Newspapers on Wednesday, February 7 – the same day that hundreds of international, regional and local investors had converged at the Marriott Hotel for the opening of the Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit (GIPEX 2018) – a first for the country.

“The intent of the ad was to bring public attention to what I believe to be GO-Invest failure to fairly and equally represent me as an investor in Guyana, and its genesis arose out of my sheer frustration in dealing with that agency,” a section of the letter states.

According to Persaud, it

was never his intention to discredit Guyana as a place for investment but rather to stir up discussions on GO-Invest.

“It was never meant to dissuade any investor local or foreign from investing in Guyana but rather to highlight shortcomings and encourage public discussions concerning improvements to that important investment agency. I apologise for the content of the advertisement and its corresponding effects, including any embarrassment it may have caused my country and the Government,’’ Persaud was quoted as writing.

Ministers of Government had slammed the mastermind of the ad, saying that the move was unpatriotic.

Just days ago, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce

and Industry (GCCI) condemned the intellectual author of the paid advertisement.

In a press release, the GCCI said that it viewed the mischievous statement as anti-national and anti-developmental and believed that such a position should not be condoned by any Guyanese.

“The Chamber wishes to reiterate its support for investment in Guyana, which can accelerate economic growth and augment the welfare of the people,” GCCI said in a release.

The GCCI said that it welcomed investors to Guyana and remains supportive of policies and acts which would promote private sector development and by extension, economic development.

Guyana up 17 places on TI’s 2017 Corruption Index

OUT of 180 countries whose perceived levels of corruption in the public sector were analysed by Transparency International (TI) in 2017, Guyana was ranked 91st with a score of 38 out of 100.

The index, which ranked 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, according to experts and businesspeople, uses a scale of 0 to 100, where 0 is highly corrupt and 100 is very clean.

According to TI, this year, the index found that more than two-thirds of countries scored below 50, with an average score of 43. “Unfortunately, compared to recent years, this poor performance is nothing new” the international watchdog agency noted in its report.

Guyana, which shared the 91st spot with four other coun-

tries, including Sri Lanka, moved up 17 places from 2016.

That year the country’s score was 34. Guyana has never been above that midpoint mark. In 2015, it placed 119th out of 168 countries, and in 2014 it was ranked 124th out of 175 countries.

In the region, five countries outperformed Guyana: Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname at 77th place with a score of 41; Jamaica at 68th with a score of 44; Bahamas at 28th with a score of 65; and Barbados which had the highest rank at 25th with a score of 68. Haiti performed the poorest with a score of 22 at 157th place. TI highlighted that this year’s Index highlights that the majority of countries are making little or no progress in ending corruption; while further analysis shows journalists and activists

in corrupt countries risking their lives every day in an effort to speak out.

Since assuming office in 2015, the APNU+AFC government has repeatedly committed to putting a dent on corruption in the public sector. This has led to the establishment of the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU), the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission, and forensic audits of more than 40 state agencies, among other things.

The revelations in the forensic audits were startling with one into the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) project revealing that over 1900 laptops, totalling in excess of $115M were unaccounted for; while defective laptops had taken the total losses to over M$300.

Another into the National Drainage and Irrigation Au-

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thority (NDIA) revealed that contracts issued by the Authority under the PPP Government were mismanaged, while over $9M was spent on fuel for vehicles that were “not working.”

Just recently, President David Granger expressed his disappointment with the level of corruption in the police force, at the annual police officers’ conference.

The Head-of-State said that when one sees corruption at the bottom, it is because it is encouraged from the top.

He was speaking directly of senior officers who support corruption by junior ranks.

Despite its efforts, however, the government has been repeatedly criticized by citizens for not bringing charges against those who are accused of, or were found to be involved in corrupt practices.

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THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has expressed best wishes to all Guyanese here in the homeland and those in the Diaspora on the occasion of the country’s 48th Anniversary as a Republic.

In a statement, the PPP said this auspicious occasion is one that evokes pride among all of our people as our country celebrates its final transition to self-rule. On becoming a Republic, Guyanese were empowered on various fronts, including its right to choose its own Head of State; a further demonstration of its sovereignty.

“The jubilant celebrations through vibrant music and a multitude of colours reflect not just revelling after hard-work as the name of our national holiday, Mashramani, connotes, but our rich diversity that define us as a nation. Our nation’s journey to becoming a Republic was fraught with many challenges. However, its attainment is testimony to the patriotism, fortitude and resilience of all of our people who remained steadfast to their commitment to nationhood. “ The PPP said it is cognisant of and recognises the dedication and efforts of all involved in the various activities held across the country, including the national costume parade. “These allow Guyanese and visitors to experience the splendour of our cultural diversity. It is the party’s fervent hope that all will take the opportunity to reflect on Guyana’s journey as a nation and be imbued with a profound sense of pride, as the occasion of Mashramani 2018 is being observed and celebrated.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

Gov’t will not renege on ExxonMobil Contract – Harmon

By Svetlana Marshall

GOVERNMENT will not renege on the 2016 Petroleum Sharing Agreement (PSA) it signed with Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited – a subsidiary of U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said.

Since the release of the ExxonMobil Contract late December last year, Government has received fierce criticisms from both civil society and the political opposition over several aspects of the agreement – from the percentage of royalty to the signature bonus and on issues such as local-content provisions.

On Thursday while responding to reporters at the Ministry of the Presidency, the Minister of State said the Government will uphold its commitment under the contract with ExxonMobil and will not back pedal.

“The President has said that we have dealt with the ExxonMobil contract and that we are not going back on it. We are not back on it. It was dealt with at Cabinet and the President has pronounced on the matter and that is the final pronouncement as far as we are concerned,” Minister Harmon told reporters.

Reminding reporters that Government and the country by extension have commitments under the contract, he said “we will work with what we have”.

Under the present contract, which was reviewed by the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Administration, Guyana will receive 50 per cent of the profits as an equal partner, in addition to a two per cent Royalty.

Additionally, Guyanese are expected to benefit from “preferential treatment” in the provision of goods, materials and sub-contractual arrangements with ExxonMobil’s petroleum operations here, in keeping with Article 18 of the Agreement.

According to a section of the agreement, within a 60-day period prior to the commencement of a calendar year, Esso and its partners CNOOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana and Hess Exploration Guyana Limited which hold interests in the Stabroek Block , and the subject minister shall provide a yearly plan for the utilisation of qualified Guyanese personnel for the upcoming year. Both parties shall then meet to discuss the plan’s effectiveness.

Additionally, the oil company is required under the agreement to provide the subject minister, within a month after the end of each half-year, reports outlining the company’s achievements in utilising the services of qualified Guyanese personnel.

But the Private Sector Commission (PSC) back in January had expressed the view that much more should have been done to incorporate local content and greater benefits for businesses here in the petroleum agreement between the Government and ExxonMobil’s subsidiary.

Pointing out that the cost of energy is presently the primary limitation to the expansion of business and growth in Guyana, the PSC said there is nothing in the agreement to indicate that

Guyana owning such large oil reserves would translate into reduction of the costs of energy to Guyanese.

Minister Harmon, on Thursday, said Government is cognisant of the issues which have arisen.

GUIDED BY EXPERTS “There are issues which have arisen and we will be guided by international experts.

We will be guided by what is best practice going forward,” he posited.

“We are looking at the benefits to be accrued from this contract and from all future contracts,” he added while making reference to the decision to release all contracts.

The minister of state also used the opportunity to warn against misleading the nation as he took a shot at a local newspaper which, in recent days, has been reporting on a Petroleum Agreement Ghana has signed with ExxonMobil.

“Sometimes we hear and we read some things that are happening in other countries and countries whose economic conditions are different from ours, but if we import these things as if it is Guyana, one gets the impression that all of these things are happening in Guyana…. We understand

$15B not only for reopening of estates THE Ministry of Finance wishes to clarify that the proposed sum of $15B to be borrowed for use by the Special Purpose Unit (SPU), as reported in Thursday’s Stabroek News, Guyana Times and Guyana Chronicle, is not solely for the reopening of the Skeldon and Enmore Sugar Estates.

It also includes the financing of critical current and capital programmes, if GuySuCo is to achieve the revised target for this year and the projection for 2019.

what best practices are, we understand also that there are implications of decisions which are made but when we seek to make it appear as if these things are happening in Guyana by putting it on the front page of a newspaper, I believe that that is a little bit disingenuous and I think that it is having an impact on people who read the newspaper,” Minister Harmon posited.

Meanwhile, over at the Opposition Leader’s Church Street Office on Thursday, former President, now Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo said some persons have been using the contract signed between Ramotar and Canadian oil and gas exploration company, CGX, to attribute Minister Raphael Trotman’s “inspiration” for the recent contract signed with ExxonMobil.

“That contract that Donald Ramotar signed with CGX was signed in a period when we were exploring for oil. They didn’t have any find, we did not know whether we were going to find oil,” Jagdeo posited.

He said when Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman renegotiated the contract, he knew that there were $3.2B barrels of recoverable oil, that they were finding more oil and that other countries had greater interest in Guyana.

“A lot of those provisions that found their way into the CGX contract were not in the Janet Jagan contract, so if Trotman argued that he renegotiated a better deal; he had to negotiate a better deal on the Janet Jagan’s agreement because that was what was up for re-negotiation,” he opined.

Doraisami heads ...

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could work; so it will take a couple months I guess before we can do anything.”

But Doraisami said having conducted his research on the Commission after he was approached by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, believes that he is the man for the job, given his wealth of experience. A former magistrate, Doraisami now engages in private practice.

He said though there is need for the Integrity Commission Act to be further amended, the commission can still enforce the Act. In June 2017, the Integrity Commission (Amendment of the Code of Conduct) Order 2017 was gazette by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

In keeping with the 10 Principles of Public Life – accountability, dignity, diligence, duty, honour, integrity, loyalty, objectivity, responsibility and transparency – the order addressed issues of bribes, discrimination, gifts, conflict of interest, use of official influence, handling of classified information, use of public property, sexual misconduct and entertainment.

The expansion of the existing Code of Conduct, the Prime Minister had explained, will bring the Act in line with the legislation governing the State Asset Recovery Unit and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), which states that employees of these state agencies must declare their assets in accordance with the Schedule II of the State Asset Recovery Act. The Integrity Commission Act was assented to on September 24, 1997. The Act provides for the appointment of a chairman to head the Commission, not less than two and not more than four other members of the Commission, a secretary to oversee the day-to-day work of the Commission, and other officers for the proper functioning of the Commission.

According to the Act, the chairman is required to be a person who is or was qualified to be a Puisne Judge of the High Court, or any other fit and proper person; and the other members should appear to the President as having experience and showing capacity in law, public administration, social service, finance or accountancy or any other discipline.

Public officers and positions listed under Schedule 1 of the Commission’s Act should disclose their financial assets and liabilities on or before June 30 each year. When a public officer ceases to be a person in public life, he or she should disclose his or her assets and liabilities to the Commission within 30 days from the date that individual cease to be a person in public life, the legislation states.

In the past, the functioning of the Integrity Commission has been a controversial issue, though the previous administration had sworn in members in 1999. That Commission’s Chairman, Bishop Randolph George, resigned in 2006, and has not been replaced to date.

Editorial

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

The dream of the Republic is alive WHEN Guyana became a Republic on February 23, 1970, it marked the final stride in the long journey to formal independence. It was a journey that began with emancipation in 1838 when our foreparents overthrew the most inhuman system in the history of humanity.

Emancipation was then undermined by the imposition of colonialism, which in many regards was slavery by another name. Undaunted, the colonized peoples continued their search for freedom, which eventually came with independence in 1966. But that independence, liberating though it was, required some finishing touches. We were still saddled with qualifications to our right to self-determination.

The Queen of England was still our Head-of-State and the Privy Council was still our Court of Last Resort.

In other words, in some respects, we were still tied to the former mother-country in formal ways. This condition was deemed to be an affront to our sovereignty.

In an era of progressive politics in the so-called Third World, the debate over the meaning of independence raged. In the wider Caribbean, this issue was taken up by our artists, intellectuals and politicians, who in varying degrees favoured a radical transformation of the society in ways that would distinguish it from colonialism.

In Guyana, where the major political parties and Civil Society organisations were left-of-center on the ideological spectrum, the debate was more advanced than in many of our sister countries.

In other words, there was a high degree of consensus that we should deepen our independence to include real self-determination.

It was against that background that Guyana moved to republican status in 1970.

But we went one step forward. We indigenised our republic by grounding it in one of our local institutions—the cooperatives. So, we were signaling that the transition from a monarchy to a system of “rule by the people” was not isolated from the country’s political economy. The spirit of the cooperative, replete with its culture of collectivism and steeped in the creative energies of our country, was the driving influence of the new republic. Republicanism, then, was meant to be more than just a slogan.

That the Republic was born in the month of February was another element of indigenization. February was the month of the1763 Berbice Rebellion which continues to be a most important signpost of resistance

and liberation for Guyanese.

In many respects, that rebellion really marked the formal birth of our republican instinct. Here were men and women refusing to be bonded and declaring to the world the collective desire to be truly free humans. If ever our Republic needed an awesome inspiration, it found and still finds it right there in the Berbice Rebellion.

Since February 1970, our country has had both its moments of glory and tragedy. We have tried with our limited resources to improve the social conditions of the majority of our people. The institutions of State, despite challenges, have survived.

We have withstood challenges to the very sovereignty of the country from external forces. We have led the way in regional strides towards joint-CARICOM republicanism.

Now, almost 50 years

later, it is time to renew the Republic. The world has changed and so have we as a country. We must learn both the sweet and bitter lessons of half a century as a republic. Guyana is on the verge of becoming a wealthier nation from a macro-economic standpoint. The new challenge of the republic is how to translate that potential wealth to the wider citizenry—how to use the cooperative spirit to distribute the country’s common blessings.

Those who enslaved and colonised us thought we could not govern ourselves; that we could not exist in a state of freedom. But here we are, imperfect in some ways, but totally commit-

ted to the republican ideals.

From Burnham, Jagan and Kwayana who breathed early ideological life into the republic to those who kept the faith along the way to those who are now tasked with moving the country into the new era, we give thanks.

But above all, the republic survives because the dream lives and burns brightly in the minds of the masses of people who have believed in Guyana and what it stands for and who refuse to give up on the freedom quest. Celebrate we must and should in our Mashramani bands—we have earned the right to do so. The dream of the Republic is still alive.

Happy Republic!

corruption at City Hall should Refreshing change happening Fighting not be a one-day or one-time affair in Guyana in recent times Dear Editor,

Dear Editor, THE Guyana Acton Party is happy to note that there is a refreshing change happening in recent times. The APNU/ AFC Government has begun to liberalise the flow of information and as such, caused improved communication and a positive fostering of democracy.

We now have new radio stations in remote communities of Guyana, established in a relatively short period of time. These include Aishalton, Bartica, and Lethem.

Soon, Orealla will be added to the grid. These radio stations serve the surrounding communities and thus have a positive domino effect.

The National Communications Network (NCN) has begun to transmit in Lethem.

It was a wonder to see on Lethem TV, His Excellency the President--Brigadier David Granger--commissioning the Aishalton Radio Station.

Soon, we will be able to produce local programmes. Now we can get some leisure after

a day of hard work, such as witnessing the Adult Calypso Competition, and watching a movie.

Already our Regional Democratic Council’s offices, secondary schools, and regional hospitals are connected by the internet to the world. Plans are in motion to improve these internet signals to service the health posts and surrounding houses in villages such as Karasabai and Shulinab. A tower will be renovated to beam the internet signal to the North Rupununi villages.

Now, we who live in these hinterland areas can fulfill our desire of knowing what is happening all over Guyana and the world at large. Importantly, we can highlight our successes, our problems, and our visions.

We can also promote and strengthen our cultures and know and appreciate the cultures of others, thus promoting social cohesion. No longer are we being told that we cannot broadcast on the radio using our Wapishana

or Macushi languages.

The benefits in the field of education are endless.

Our children who sit the grade 6 examination and other examinations will now have [greater]opportunities to do well. We can improve our production in the field of agriculture and advertise our products. We can listen to our parliamentarians and other representatives. Already, we are getting valuable knowledge for better health.

These developments can be described as one coming out of a dark hole into light. Under the former administration we were deliberately kept in darkness. We must thank the APNU / AFC Government and the Hon. Moses Nagamootoo for the vision that has become a reality and the respect given to us who live in the hinterland.

Suddenly, we can flaunt our pride of being Guyanese.

Regards VINCENT HENRY

WELL finally it seems as though there will be some sort of audit carried out at City Hall in Georgetown. I guess many persons there must be shaking in their boots, some running helter skelter whilst others must be diving for cover wherever they can, in anticipation of the Big Exposé. As they say in Guyana, ‘Moon ah run till daylight ketch am’.

Of course this audit will be a very small focused one that will be concentrated on the millions of dollars in funds provided by Central Government to the Georgetown Municipality since 2015.

But hopefully the findings of this forensic audit will raise the awareness for and trigger the effecting of a much more comprehensive audit of the workings of the Georgetown Municipality. The kind of audit needed at the Georgetown Municipality, because of the protracted period since one was held, because of the enormous sums of money and assets involved, and because of the amount of scandals that have

surfaced over time at City Hall, will need to be forensic in nature and will require gargantuan resources.

The claim made two years ago by the Mayor that she was open to facilitate any forensic audit, and that the Office of the Auditor General was welcome at any time, was nothing more than spouting hot air. The Audit Office of Guyana has clearly indicated that all attempts to conduct an audit at City Hall were frustrated and were stymied by documents not being provided. It is time for this charade to be put to an end.

To further throw dust in the eyes of the citizenry, the City Council had set up a fully staffed Internal Audit Department. This turned out to be a complete waste of time and revenue earned from ratepayers, as these persons just sat and idled all day long whilst receiving fat salaries for doing little or nothing. They were neither trained, qualified nor competent to carry out their responsibilities, nor were they inclined to do so, as they were all kith and kin.

Auditing City Hall will require the engagement of

several experienced and capable accounting and auditing firms, as the load would be just simply too much for the Audit Office of Guyana. Over the last two decades many things have been hidden, destroyed and misplaced.

Crooked contracts will have to be examined, equipment that has gone missing will have to be traced, persons illegally given interest waivers will have to be pursued and made to pay their correct dues, equipment that has been sent to do private jobs, including work at officers’ residences will have to be paid for, municipal equipment that was sold dirt cheap will need to be properly assessed and the proper prices paid for them, municipal property sold or leased that should not have been, needs to be retrieved. Oh the task will be titanic but must be done. Corruption is a true enemy to development, and fighting it at City Hall should not be a one-day or one-time affair.

Regards DEODARIE PUTULALL

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

Duncan in sinister scheme to undermine my administration Dear Editor,

CITY Councillor Sherod Avery Duncan has arrogated to himself the right of the Town Clerk to interpret for himself (subject of course to any contrary authoritative ruling by a court of Law) the Municipal and District Councils Act Chapter 28:01 by which the Town Clerk has been vested with the general administration of the Georgetown City Council.

Nothing can be more commonsensical, and established in jurisprudence, than the proposition that: he who has the statutory duty of administration, has by necessary implication the right and duty to firstly interpret the relevant enabling statutes as to the scope, nature or limits of the rights, duties, powers vested in him for the purposes of such administration.

It is no right or business of any Councillor to undertake such interpretation; and I certainly have never requested of Sherod Avery Duncan, nor do I desire his assistance or advice, in the discharge of my duty to interpret and apply the statute.

So Mr. Sherod Avery Duncan can put whatever interpretation he perceives to be convenient in his sinister scheme to undermine my administration of the Georgetown City Council;

it is simply not binding on me.

And in any event, I dispute, entirely, the correctness and credibility of his misguided and incompetent misinterpretation (“Ignorance of the Law excuses no one” ? Guyana Chronicle, Tuesday, February 20, 2018 in response to my letter under caption “Royston King responds to Sherod Duncan” Guyana Chronicle Saturday, February, 17, 2018).

Mr. Editor, I have been advised by a very knowledgeable Attorney-at-law that Sherod Avery Duncan’s interpretation as to my standing (locus standi) at Town Clerk in court matters or litigation under section 6 of Chapter 28:01, has absolutely no credence in either statute law or case law. It is palpably misconceived and wrong. If the right, and or duty, to sue (as the case may be), is exclusively that of the Town Clerk, then inherent in such exclusivity, is that the decision whether to sue in any particular matter (subject of course to the availability of finances to retain Counsel to undertake such suit) must be that of the Town Clerk that is the statutory intendment.

As Town Clerk I have been entrusted by parliament, and is expected to make decisions and act only in the Georgetown City Council’s best interest.

That statutory trust cannot be

a matter of mere representative capacity only. (In passing, section 315 which is differently worded that section 6, and under which prosecutors engage in litigation in the MAGISTRATE’S COURT to enforce the By-laws has absolutely no relevance in this context but the difference in wording is instructive). I am no mere “… object of legal proceedings…”

(Whatever Sherod Avery Duncan means by that phrase) as he writes in his letter. If the Town Clerk is not the party sued, or suing (as the case may be) the lawyer has advised me that the action would be improperly constituted and the Judge would strike it out on that preliminary point. I was informed of an important 1961 reported appellate Court case precedent (Insanally v Georgetown Town Clerk) which demonstrates how technical and fatal this locus standi issue can be, that Sherod Avery Duncan is seeking to trivialize.

Turning to the matter of I not calling a meeting to elect a councillor to perform the duties of Mayor in her’s and the Deputy Mayor’s coincidental absence; and Sherod Avery Duncan criticism when he writes I “deliberately waited for the regular statutory meeting to occur..” to have that election happen, I do not dispute or challenge at all Minister

Bulkan’s resort to “common sense” in these type of matters.

I say resort, because I note, and pay particular attention to the fact that the Act (ie Chapter 28:01) does NOT prescribe any TIME LIMIT for an election (contrast section 12) this absence of a time limit I interpret to mean that the Act has left this matter to the judgment call of the Town Clerk based on the particular facts and circumstances of each absence (which would be known to the Town Clerk) and the application of common sense. It is for this reason that based on the facts and circumstances (including but not limited to the relatively short duration of Her Worship the Mayor’s absence) of which, obviously, Sherod Avery Duncan was no privy, that I adjudged that common sense would be better served by me leaving that particular election to the then impending regular statutory meeting. After all, for reasons that seems beyond the apprehension of Mr. Sherod Avery Duncan, the cases is arguable that since Councillors are not full time employees of the Council, readily available to meet all exigencies, and there was no situation of exceptional circumstances requiring a special meeting as Mr. Sherod Avery Duncan is suggesting; that an election PRIOR to that regular statutory meeting was not of the essence; and more relevantly, such a meeting would in all probability have been most inconvenient and inexpedient to all other councilliors except, perhaps Mr. Sherod Avery Duncan, there

was no obligation to call a meeting prior to the regular statutory meeting. That was my discretionary judgment call “shall” can mean may; and “may” can mean shall.

I ask this question. What if the Mayor’s absence is projected to last ONE or TWO days? Is a meeting to have an election in those circumstances obligatory? Plainly not.

What dysfunctionality in the operations of the City Council would be occasioned by such non election? That is the test of the imperativeness, or not, of a meeting. It is Mr. Sherod Avery Duncan constitutional right to express his opinion (however, misconceived) as to my capacity and qualification for and performance in, the office of Town Clerk. But he is mischievously seeking, by innuendo and insinuation; [to] create a most false impression that the Honourable subject Minister (with all good intentions towards the Georgetown City Council) shares his views.

And as to Mr. Sherod Avery Duncan closing reference to the Keith Burrowes’ COI

recommendation ? I would only say this: if it was the intent of Parliament that a Town Clerk must be a qualified lawyer, nothing would have been easier than for parliament in Chapter 28:01 to have so expressly provided.

Parliament did not. And by the way, a legal matter is not even the predominant feature of a Town Clerk’s statutory duties and responsibilities; administration is. And for such administration, even Mr. Sherod Avery Duncan would have to admit that, I am both experiencially, and technically sufficiently qualified. I have a Masters from a recognized University in the United Kingdom, Post-Graduate and other Degrees from the University of Guyana. As to his other arguments, they have no merit; they do not warrant any rebuttal from me. This is my final letter on this matter.

Regards ROYSTON KING Town Clerk, City of Georgetown

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

Lindo Creek CoI commences in-camera hearings

DECLARING that there is “no shortage of witnesses” for the Lindo Creek Commission of Inquiry (CoI), Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Thursday disclosed that in-camera hearings are being conducted.

Public hearings into the June 2008, Lindo Creek Massacre had gotten off to a rough start when Chairman of the Commission, Justice (Retired) Donald Trotman was left with no other choice but to postpone the first series of public hearings due to the absence of internal prerequisite arrangements, including transportation for witnesses or persons of interest.

While responding to questions during his post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday at the Ministry of the Presidency, Minister Harmon shot down any suspicion that there may be a lack of witnesses to testify before the Commission.

“There is no shortage of witnesses,” he told reporters. While the public hearings have not commenced, the State Minister said in-camera hearings are being conducted.

“I can say to you that they have already started hearings which are in-camera hearings, so there is already a body of evidence there before the Commission,” he said.

Acknowledging that the issues relating to transportation were among the factors that prevented the commencement of public hearings last Thursday, Minister Harmon assured that all systems will be put in place to transport witnesses and persons of interest to the CoI Secretariat where the hearings are being held.

“Certainly we will assist those persons with their transportation expenses to get to the Commission, that is something that is contemplated and, in fact it is part of the laws in Guyana where witnesses have to be brought from various parts of the country to appear before a court, so we will in fact embrace that practice and ensure we get the persons to give the evidence before the Commission of Inquiry,” he said.

Public hearings were scheduled for Thursday February 15, Monday February 19 and Thursday February 22, but were postponed until further notice.

On Tuesday, the Commission’s Public Relations Officer, Melanie Morris told the Guyana Chronicle that the prerequisite issues critical to the work of the CoI, which were referred to by Commissioner Trotman, are being addressed and public hearings are expected to reconvene shortly.

“All other matters relevant and criti-

cal to the resumption of public hearings are also being addressed [including] logistical matters relating to witnesses etc,” Morris told this newspaper.

She noted that a number of interviews have been conducted with ‘Persons of Interest,’ adding that the Commission has been working closely with family members of the deceased, who have come forward.

“In keeping with its Terms of Reference (ToR), the Commission has also been examining available documents, interviewing persons and holding incamera sessions,” Morris added.

The CoI is investigating the circumstances surrounding the killing of Cecil Arokium, Dax Arokium, Horace Drakes, Bonny Harry, Lancelot Lee, Compton Speirs, Nigel Torres and Clifton Berry Wong, on or about June 21, 2008 at Lindo Creek in the Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice Region.

Leonard Arokium, the owner of the mining camp in which the eight miners were found dead, had long alleged that the killings were committed by members of the Joint Services, but the police on the other hand had said that the men were murdered by the-then Rondell Rawlins, alias ‘Fine Man’ gang. Arokium’s son, Dax, 29, and his brother,

Cecil called “Brother” were among those killed. Arokium was not among those who were scheduled to speak last Thursday, the Guyana Chronicle has confirmed.

One of the key witnesses, Courtney Wong, in an interview with this newspaper earlier this month, had said that the “truth is out there.”

Courtney Wong – the brother of Clifton Wong, who was among the eight miners brutally killed– said news surrounding the massacre had been smeared with lies by political leaders and the security forces, but the CoI will give the world a chance to know the truth – “the full truth” about the incident.

Close to 10 years later, Wong, who had worked along with Arokium at the mining camp as a mechanic, expressed the belief that the men had been killed by the Joint Services. He had said that when the time comes, he will testify at the CoI to ensure that justice is served. Wong was among those who had journeyed with the police to Lindo Creek after the discovery was made by Arokium on June 21, 2008.

Upon the completion of its work, the Commission will submit a report of its findings and recommendations to President David Granger.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

Flying Doctors to undertake mission here

THE Public Health Ministry will intensify collaboration with its global partners this year to help meet critical sector needs, said Dr Karen Cummings, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health on Wednesday.

Cummings made the disclosure during talks with Dr John Arledge, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Flying Doctors of America at her Lot 1 Brickdam office.

Flying Doctors of America is currently here to undertake an upcoming medical mission to Region Nine (Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo) to provide services at the various health centres and health posts in Annai, Surama, Iwokarama, and Fairview from February 23 to March 02.

The 13-member team comprises rheumatologist, emergency room doctors, family physician, paediatrician, dermatologist, orthodontist, paediatric dentist and adult dentist and will provide medical check-ups and free medications to treat specific ailments.

During Wednesday’s meeting, Dr Cummings articulated the importance of close collaboration with international agencies in order to meet the health needs of Guyanese, especially those in the outlying areas where specialist care might not be readily available.

“We want to work with you as much as you want to work with us as well, so it’s a real partnership. We want our needs to be met. We need to clarify logistics so both parties can gain,” the minister said in the presence of her team which included Dr Karen Boyle, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO); Dr Ineka McKenzie, Deputy Director, Regional Health Services (RHS) and Denroy Tudor, Coordinator, International Desk.

Dr Cummings wants earlier engagements between international agencies and

the RHS to determine the priority areas where specialist services and care are more needed.

“We will want to make use of all the good best practices that can be shared because Guyana is a developing country and different skill sets are needed,” she said.

The need for capacity-building in the health sector is high on the ministry’s agenda, Cummings said, emphasising the current need for foreign specialists, especially in the country’s sprawling interior.

Arledge said he is anticipating “a successful mission” and assured Dr Cummings that his team will return in 2019 to offer similar services based on the ministry’s recommendations.

He said although his other mission for 2018 includes Panama Mission, St Vincent/ Caribbean Mission, Peru Mission, Jordon Mission (Syria Refugee Camps), he is optimistic that Guyana’s mission will not post a challenge as the others, especially since it is an Englishspeaking country, which will make it easier for the doctors to communicate with patients.

Meanwhile, Dr Boyle thanked the Flying Doctors of America for choosing Guyana and making it a part of its 2018 medical missions.

The visiting dermatologist is expected to visit the Skin Clinic at the Palms Geriatric Institution, Brickdam, Georgetown, to assess the institutional needs and create links for future partnerships.

Flying Doctors of America was developed some 28 years ago by Allan Gathercoal with the stated goal to bringing together physicians, dentists, nurses, chiropractors, and other health professionals and non-medical support volunteers to offer care for people who otherwise would never receive professional medical care.

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From left: Dr Ineka McKenzie, Deputy Director-Regional Health Services; Dr John Arledge, Chief Medical Officer of the Flying Doctors of America; Dr. Karen Cummings, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health; Dr Karen Boyle, Deputy Chief Medical Officer; and Denroy Tudor, Coordinator--International Desk

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Labaria puts guard out of action ETWAROO Dass, 44, a security guard attached to the New Opportunity Corps, Onderneeming, Region Two, is battling for his life at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after he was bitten by a labaria snake on Tuesday evening.

The incident reportedly occurred around 15:30 hours at the Riverstown backdam.

According to relatives, Dass was cutting grass for his cow when the snake bit him on his left leg, causing him to collapse in shock and pain.

His grandson who was with him immediately ran home and alerted relatives who rushed him to the Suddie Public Hospital.

He was subsequently transferred to the GPHC after doctors at the Suddie Hospital told relatives that they did not have the treatment to administer to him.

Dass’ family is praying that he makes a full recovery.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

Embracing the Arts touted at Republic Anniversary lecture

THERE is much more than meets the eye in the creative arts, and according to Dr. Natalie Hopkinson, Guyana can benefit significantly if investors pump capital into the industry.

Dr. Hopkinson, a Howard University and University of Maryland graduate, was the guest speaker at this year’s Republic Anniversary Distinguished Lecture held Thursday at the Umana Yana.

“It doesn’t cost anything to be creative, but you do need some help outside,” she told the gathering. “They have been pulling out all of the riches out of Guyana for-

your values.”

Dr. Hopkinson delved extensively into Guyana’s pluralistic cultural society and the richness of its diversity.

“Art is about radical imagination, it is about imagining a future we cannot now see. It is not just about the poets and the painters; it is also for the women and men on the street. We are in trying times and we really need all hands on deck, no voice and no vision should be left behind,” she emphasised.

Cultural Policy Advisor at the Ministry of Education, Ruel Johnson explained that the Republic Anniversary

Dr. Natalie Hopkinson

A section of the audience at the lecture ever. So, it is a matter where you have to agitate and make it go to places that reflect

has both a celebratory and reflective aspect. This year’s reflective aspect took the

form of the public lecture, he related.

Johnson said he wanted to explore the nexus between the creative arts, culture and the concept of citizenship within the Republic.

Addressing the point raised by Dr. Hopkinson, Johnson said he is inter-

ested in using oil revenue investment directly with the expectation that the “orange economy” is going to be a viable component of whatever future economic diversification will come.

Quoting the renowned Poet, AJ Seymour, Dr. Hopkinson said for the artist of Guyana, the revelation of a national identity is the most revolutionary possibility that exists.

“The Guyana man has to recreate himself in his own image as an indispensable basis on which to realise the image of a national identity,” she said.

The lecture was part of a series of activities organised by the Ministry of Education leading up to the 48thAnniversary of Guyana’s Republic.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

Guyana up 17 places on TI’s 2017 Corruption Index

OUT of 180 countries whose perceived levels of corruption in the public sector were analysed by Transparency International (TI) in 2017, Guyana was ranked 91st with a score of 38 out of 100.

The index, which ranked 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, according to experts and businesspeople, uses a scale of 0 to 100, where 0 is highly corrupt and 100 is very clean.

According to TI, this year, the index found that

more than two-thirds of countries scored below 50, with an average score of 43.

“Unfortunately, compared to recent years, this poor performance is nothing new” the international watchdog agency noted in its report.

Guyana, which shared the 91st spot with four other countries, including Sri Lanka, moved up 17 places from 2016. That year the country’s score was 34. Guyana has never been above that midpoint mark. In 2015, it placed 119th out of 168 countries, and in 2014 it was ranked 124th out of 175

countries.

In the region, five countries outperformed Guyana: Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname at 77th place with a score of 41; Jamaica at 68th with a score of 44; Bahamas at 28th with a score of 65; and Barbados which had the highest rank at 25th with a score of 68. Haiti performed the poorest with a score of 22 at 157th place. TI highlighted that this year’s Index highlights that the majority of countries are making little or no progress in ending corruption; while further analysis shows journalists and

activists in corrupt countries risking their lives every day in an effort to speak out.

Since assuming office in 2015, the APNU+AFC government has repeatedly committed to putting a dent on corruption in the public sector. This has led to the establishment of the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU), the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission, and forensic audits of more than 40 state agencies, among other things.

The revelations in the forensic audits were startling

with one into the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) project revealing that over 1900 laptops, totalling in excess of $115M were unaccounted for; while defective laptops had taken the total losses to over M$300.

Another into the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) revealed that contracts issued by the Authority under the PPP Government were mismanaged, while over $9M was spent on fuel for vehicles that were “not working.”

Just recently, President David Granger expressed

his disappointment with the level of corruption in the police force, at the annual police officers’ conference.

The Head-of-State said that when one sees corruption at the bottom, it is because it is encouraged from the top.

He was speaking directly of senior officers who support corruption by junior ranks.

Despite its efforts, however, the government has been repeatedly criticized by citizens for not bringing charges against those who are accused of, or were found to be involved in corrupt practices.

Chisholm acquitted of Lawson’s murder FORMER security guard, Kelvin Chisholm who has a physical disability, was on Thursday freed of the 2014 murder of handyman Nigel Lawson on Quamina Street after the 12-member jury found him not guilty of murder and the lesser count of manslaughter.

The jurors took about two hours before they arrived at the unanimous verdict after which the trial judge, Navindra Singh told the accused that he was free to go.

Chisholm was advised by Justice Singh who cautioned him, since he lost four years of his life awaiting trial in jail for the alleged murder.

Chisholm, in response after he was un-cuffed, thanked the judge and the members of the jury for their not guilty verdict.

The accused was represented by defence attorneys Compton Richardson and Hewley Griffith, while the state’s case was presented by Tiffini Lyken, Abigail Gibbs and Narissa Leander.

The accused Kelvin Chisholm pleaded not guilty to the offence for which he stood indicted which stated that on May 1, 2014, he allegedly murdered Nigel Lawson during a confrontation.

The state called 11 witnesses to testify in the trail

In her opening address, state prosecutor Tiffini Lyken told the court that on the evening in question about 08:30hrs, the motionless body of Nigel Lawson was found on Quamina Street with a wound to the body.

Acquitted: Kelvin Chisholm which lasted a few days.

She related that he was taken to the GPHC where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Lyken added that a post mortem on May 7, 2014 revealed that Lawson died as a result of perforation of the

heart and lungs due to stab wounds.

She added that the police conducted an investigation and the accused, Kelvin Chisholm was arrested and charged for the offence.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

Queen recognises Guyanese road safety campaigner … with Commonwealth Points of Light award

HER MAJESTY Queen Elizabeth II has recognised road safety advocate, Denise Dias, as the 17th Commonwealth Point of Light in honour of her exceptional voluntary work campaigning for better road safety regulations following the tragic death of her daughter, Alicea.

In the lead-up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London on 19-20 April, Her Majesty The Queen - as Head of the Commonwealth - is thanking inspirational volunteers across the 53 Commonwealth nations for the difference they are making in their communities and beyond. According to a release by the UK High Commission here, by sharing these stories of service the Heads of Government meeting will celebrate inspirational acts of volunteering across the

Commonwealth and help to inspire others to make their own contribution to tackling some of the greatest social challenges of our time.

Dias established the Alicea Foundation in 1997, also known as ‘Mothers in Black’ following the death of her 17-year-old daughter, Alicea, in 1996 in a road accident caused by a drunk driver.

With other grieving mothers and concerned citizens, Denise organised a weekly one-hour vigil outside Parliament buildings. For four years mothers and supporters of Mothers in Black stood silently dressed in black with pictures of their lost loved ones until the eventual road safety legislation was passed.

Amendments to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act in 2002 saw enforcement for the use of helmets, seat belts, breathalysers and radar guns.

Each Commonwealth Point of Light will receive a personalised certificate signed by Her Majesty The Queen as Head of the Commonwealth. The award for Denise Dias will be presented on 14 April, 2018 at Pakuri Village during a Commonwealth big uunch

by H.E Greg Quinn.

Commenting on the award, Dias said: “I am so shocked and so honoured.

Even though I haven’t got Alicea in my life now, she continues to save so many lives across Guyana.” British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn, also commenting on the award said: “Denise has been a tireless campaigner on road safety. I have been humbled by her work, especially given the tragic circumstances surrounding it. She is, without question, a very deserving recipient of a Points of Light

Award and it is an honour for me to have the opportunity to congratulate her on this occasion.”

The Commonwealth is a diverse community of 53 nations that work together to promote prosperity, democracy and peace. The Heads of Government meeting will bring together leaders from all the 53 member countries to reaffirm common values, address shared global challenges and agree how to work to create a better future for all citizens, especially young people. Voluntary service is a vital part of this agenda, which is why Her Majesty The Queen has chosen to recognise outstanding volunteers across the Commonwealth in this special way. In April 2018, the UK will host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where leaders from across the Commonwealth

Ms. Denise Dias receiving a certificate from British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn will gather in London and Windsor.

With the theme of ‘Towards a Common Future’ they will work to create a

more prosperous, secure, sustainable and fair future for the Commonwealth’s 2.4 billion citizens, particularly its young people.

and beautiful dances against a resplendent backdrop of colours. Drama will also be a highlight of the evening.

Hot pholouri, baiganie, samosas, potato balls and curries will be available in abundance for patrons. Face painting and mehendi will also be done and Holi colours will be on sale.

Gates open as early as 16:00 hrs and tickets are available at the gates for $800. Admission is free for children under 10 years.

No alcohol will be allowed.

The event is organised by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha to usher in the Spring Festival of Phagwah slated for March 2.

Dharmic Sabha’s ‘Rang Rasiya’ Saturday night THE Dharmic Kendra in Prashad Nagar, Georgetown, will come alive on Saturday with “Rang Rasiya”, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s annual Phagwah Mela, an annual prelude to Holi, the Festival of Spring.

The event will feature some of Guyana’s finest

Dancers from the Dharmic Nritya Sangh

artistes on stage, including Mona Gowkaran, Ganindra, Shivanad Singh and Vidya Ram of Emerging Voices and Varun Samlall, Celia Samaroo and Avinash Roopchan of the Shakti Strings Band.

The much acclaimed Dharmic Nritya Sangh of the popular show, Naya Zamana, will be performing vibrant

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

Republic Anniversary Messages President Trump congratulates Guyana Redouble efforts to achieve on 48th Republic Day Anniversary greater trust, cooperation –PNCR THE People’s National Congress Reform is pleased to extend greetings and good wishes to all of the people of Guyana, as we celebrate the 48th Anniversary of our Republican status.

The anniversary of the Republic, apart from the national celebration of Mashramani, is an occasion for reflection and assessment of the state of our nation, 48 years after Guyana was declared a Republic. This year Mashramani is being held under the theme, “Lets Cooperate and Celebrate Republic 48”. In this regard, it must be evident to all that we, as Guyanese, need to redouble our efforts to achieve greater trust and cooperation between our communities. We want happy families and households. We want better inter-personal relations. We must strengthen national unity, expand national infrastructure, fortify national institutions, ensure national security and extend public services.

THE following letter was sent to President David Granger on behalf of the people of the United States.

Dear Mr. President, Congratulations to you and the people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana on the occasion of your 48th Republic Day, February 23. The United States of America takes pride in its partnership with the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. We value your ongoing contributions to regional security and look forward to working with you on the development of your natural resources for the benefit of the Guyanese people.

On behalf of the American people, I wish you and your people a beautiful Mashramani festival.

Sincerely, Donald J. Trump

Accordingly, the PNCR wishes all of the people of Guyana, a Happy Republic holiday, and a joyous celebration of Mashramani, as we pray that the spirit of peace, love and unity will dwell among us on the 48th Anniversary of our Republic.

GAWU calls on leaders to forge a united Guyana AS Guyana celebrates its 48th Anniversary as a Republic, our citizens have another opportunity during the time that has elapsed since February, 1970 to assess what and where that Constitutional status has brought us, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) has said.

In its Republic Day message the union observed that Guyana became a Republic but remained within the Commonwealth of Nations – that grouping of former British colonies.

This was a major step, following Independence in 1966, and

one which was intended to be in the furtherance of our independent status and forging of our nationhood. With this step a local President replaced the Queen of England as our Head of State and this, with other constitutional reforms, solidified our independent status.

“The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) salutes our nation on this important anniversary of Republicanism, but takes a sober look at where the Republic stands nearly half a century on.

No doubt we made strides, in various socio-economic aspects during this time, but we con-

tend that the economic transformation whereby the masses of Guyanese could feel and experience and what was expected from this constitutional status is still to be experienced.”

GAWU said “To this day, the economic struggle for a reasonable standard of living continues. Too many of our skilled, qualified citizens have opted for migration in pursuit of a better life. As we have noted before, the “Good Life” here is still out of grasp of the working-people. Also, GAWU recognises that disunity is still among our several vexing realities and, we believe, impacts

our society and contribute to a lack of progress. We urge our leaders, at this time, to recognise their deficit in our society and to consider in a matured responsible way how to forge unity which is generally recognised as desirable.”

“Even as we celebrate our Republican status, we feel constrained to point out that thousands have joined the breadline with no structured programmes to mitigate the massive redundancy that have so callously descended upon them. This is a blemish on our national leadership and is an act that surely will not ease social tensions or

aid, in any way, our economic growth.”

At this time too, “we cannot ignore other realities that have a reduced the quality of life of our fellow citizens generally, viz crime, carnage on the roads, home invasion, corruption and unemployment. None-the-less, GAWU calls on Guyanese not to abandon hope and unite and struggle for genuine change.

As the anniversary’s Mashramani events take centre-stage, let us celebrate but, bear in mind our responsibilities as citizens of our Republic to bring about enduring prosperity and allround progress benefitting every Guyanese. A happy, peaceful Republic Anniversary and Mashramani 2018 to all.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

GNBS stresses need for calibration of weights, measures

A NUMBER of local companies on Thursday were trained and encouraged to have the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) verify and calibrate their measurement devices to ensure accuracy in their field of work.

The GNBS held a metrology training session on the ‘Introduction to the Sci-

ence of Measurements’ at the Exhibition site in Sophia.

There, clients and potential clients were made aware that devices which are calibrated by the primary standards of the GNBS will then become accurate to international standards, enabling companies to widen their reach.

Some of the many in

The 'Temperature Bath' seen in this photo is used to calibrate thermometers (Photo by Adrian Narine)

attendance were the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory (GFSL) According to Public Relations Officer (PRO), Lloyd David, compared to previous years, more organisations are coming on board and Thursday’s training saw even more participants than catered for.

“We’re seeing a significant increase in the amount of devices submitted by industries for calibration by the GNBS. We believe that a lot of companies today are recognising the need to have their devices calibrated in their operation,” he said, adding: “When dealing with sensitive operations like a medical lab where the results are critical, having the right measurement is important.

You can’t take chances because you can inaccurately diagnose a patient. You can even [fail to] store your solutions, medications…at a particular temperature.”

After a period of use, measuring equipment tends to become inaccurate and as such, based on the frequency of use, the GNBS determines how often it should be calibrated. The GNBS also presents a Calibration Certificate which stipulates any necessary adjustments that must be taken into consideration when in use.

Verification and adjust-

Some of the organisations represented at the metrology training session on the ‘Introduction to the Science of Measurements’ hosted by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) (Photo by Adrian Narine) ment, however, deals with modifying the instrument to bring it up to the necessary or previous standard and is conducted by the Legal Metrology Department of the GNBS. With the services the GNBS provides, industries have the opportunity to avoid re-purchasing equipment, the opportunity to prevent wastage and save by having these services provided locally at a minimal cost rather than internationally.

“Industries don’t want to waste because remember there is profit and loss. So they don’t want to have to dump a whole tank of molasses or something because somebody put too much or too little of a particular solution,” he said, adding: “We are trying to understand their needs, especially those who have instruments

that need calibration that we cannot calibrate…we are identifying these gaps and we’re filling those gaps yearly so as to meet those needs.”

Meanwhile, GNBS Laboratory Technician, Vishnu Matbadal, spoke to the participants about the contribution of metrology organisations to assure citizens’ rights, fair trade, health, safety and quality of life.

Speaking to this newspaper, he said that persons should ensure they look for temperature gauges or thermostats in the refrigerators of meat vendors in order to protect themselves and ensure that the temperature is correct for storage.

He also asked the public to be vigilant for vendors who utilise kilogram (kg) scales to measure pound weights, providing customers with an average estimate instead of

the correct weight of goods and saving in the process.

“They have it verified but they’re not using it correctly.

Sometimes the scale is kg and they would normally use pound weights on it… it would also be helpful for people to look out for these things when they go and buy,” he said.

Over the last few weeks, the GNBS has been visiting several companies, interacting with them and determining whether their instruments are in need of calibration or verification.

GNBS is the authoritative body in Guyana responsible for the development of standards through a consultative and transparent process which conforms to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) requirements and the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

GWI to produce unaudited financial statements –– before PUC considers any tariff hike

THE Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has requested that Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) submit its unaudited 2016 financial statements to the commission before the regulatory body considers any tariff increase by the state-owned company.

Consumer representatives Ramon Gaskin and former GWI director and auditor John Seeram, Pat Dial and others shared their perspectives when the com-

mission once again met with the state-owned company on Wednesday.

Gaskin and Seeram hammered home the point that the commission can only work with recent financial figures to determine need for a tariff increase.

GWI Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles has tied the proposed hike in tariffs to insufficient revenue to meet operational costs, pointing out that the

utility still functions under a 2005 tariff regime.

He explained that the 2018 proposed rates seek to harmonise all the existing rates into a compendium of rates that promote equity across distribution zones, simplicity in its understanding and application and a reflection of the costs of supply of this critical service.

However, Gaskin rebutted this view, noting that under the PUC Act 1999, any

GWI Managing Director Dr. Richard Van-West Charles with his team addressing various concerns presented by consumers application for increase must be accompanied by financial statements.

“It’s an absolute requirement and the commission cannot entertain any application for rate increase unless the utility complies with the Act, the utility has not complied with the Act in my opinion and therefore and to

explained that with 180,800 customers, GWI is charged with overseeing 137 well stations and 24 treatment plants, with three more to be constructed while there are more than 900 staffers with 60-plus contractors and 220,000 Km of transmission and distribution mains to maintain.

Consumer representative Ramon Gaskin making a point at Wednesday’s meeting (Samuel Maughn photo) begin with the application should not be undertaken at all,” Gaskin said.

The GWI director pointed out that the utility is still awaiting the finalisation of its audited financial statements for 2016, noting that the process is in the hands of the external auditors, and is expected to be completed by March 2018.

Nevertheless, he said GWI presented management accounts for the period 2013 -2017 to the Public Utilities Commission.

Gaskin said the data and unaudited information can be supplied to the commission.

Noting that he received a partial copy of the 2015 GWI audit, Gaskin said the water company was spending more than it was earning.

He noted that the company is owed billions of dollars and the company is seeking avenues to increase its tariff.

“This company needs a forensic audit, how can you run a company when people owe you $4.8 billion and you come looking for more money?” Gaskin asked the GWI managing director.

Dr. Van-West Charles

“Improvement in the quality of water provided to citizens as well as an increase in supply is dependent on much-needed revenue to finance the upgrade of aged infrastructure, build human resource capacity and purchase the requisite equipment and chemicals to treat the water,” he said.

During his presentation, it was also highlighted that since the last rate change 12 years ago, the cost for purifying water alone has increased by more than 100 per cent, let alone the cost for equipment and manual labour, among other things.

In this regard, Dr. Van West-Charles stated that the utility has since moved to employ and train staff in the necessary areas of expertise such as learning new drilling techniques and water quality improvements.

PUC Chairman Dela Britton said the commission website will be updated to reflect the ongoing public hearings. The next meeting will commence from 10:00hrs on March 14, 2018 at the Cara Lodge Hotel.

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MotP launches ‘Ah we own’ Mash band

THE Ministry of the Presidency (MotP), on Wednesday officially launched its Mashramani 2018 Band under the theme, “Ah we own” at a simple ceremony, which was held at its Shiv Chanderpaul Drive compound, aimed at giving members of staff and special invitees a first-hand look at the costumes.

Delivering remarks, Minister of State Mr Joseph Harmon said that he was pleased with the theme and the complementary costumes, which he believes would play an important role in educating the population about Guyana’s stance on the Venezuela border controversy.

“The theme about defending Guyana, that Guy-

ana is our own, Guyana is ‘we’ own is very important because at [the] Ministry of the Presidency, we have… the responsibility of defence and development and so when we talk about defence, we have to know what it is that we are defending… As we celebrate, we educate at the same time and so by the depiction which will be out there, by the narrative which will go with this depiction, we will educate the people of Guyana about the border… controversy which exists - a controversy about a claim to our land, 216,000 square kilometres… that’s all Guyana and anybody who claims any part of it, one blade of grass of it, we will defend that,” Minister Harmon said.

The costume, which was conceptualised by the MotP and designed by Ms Carol Fraser and her team features individual costumes that display Guyana’s rich and diverse culture. The costumes consist of a map made up of three parts showcasing Guyana’s 216,000 square kilometres. The map also features other symbols such as the Kaieteur Falls, Guyana’s national animal, the Jaguar and our natural resources. Meanwhile, the revellers’ costumes depict the national flower, the Victoria Regia lily and the Harpy Eagle, which will be worn by the men and women, respectively. The lily, the ministry said, represents Guyanese purity, beauty and passion, while the Harpy

Minister of State Joseph Harmon (fourth from right) and Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport Dr George Norton (sixth from right) along with the models displaying the revellers’ costumes for the Ministry of the Presidency’s Mash band.

These models showcase the revellers' costumes for the Ministry of the Presidency’s Mashramani 2018 band.

Eagle represents the strength and willingness to fight for all that Guyana possesses.

Meanwhile, Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr George Norton commended the ministry on its choice of costume design. He was particularly pleased that the designers were able to marry style and creativity with modesty, as Mashramani is a family-oriented event. “The costumes that we see here are what we would want our children to enjoy… We don’t have to have too much exposed to demonstrate our quality; and this is an ample demonstration of what we can do. Congratulations to the Ministry of the Presidency and I think they are setting the proper example for other revellers to follow,” he said.

In addition, Principal Assistant Secretary at the MotP, Ms Roxanne Barratt, who co-ordinated the launch, said that the ministry chose the theme with the specific view of educating the public about the border controversy.

“The reason we came with the theme is because as it is right now … Guyanese are not fully aware of what this controversy is all about…

With the ministry’s participation in the 48th Republic anniversary celebration, the thought came to mind and I was looking for something to drive home this message and I decided that this is the best way to go. The Ministry of the Presidency fully supports His Excellency President David Granger’s quest for Guyanese to be aware of what the controversy is all about,” she said.

Ms Fraser, who also designed the MotP’s Mash costume in 2017, said that bringing this year’s theme to life was a learning experience for her. “I encourage everyone to take the opportunity on February 23 to view the Ministry of the Presidency’s float, there is something there for you to learn, it is very informative,” she said. The ministry’s band comprises 50 revellers, including the leader of the band, all of whom are staff members.

Also, in keeping with the theme, the band will feature a performance by local artiste Ms Kishana “Kady-Kish” Ferguson, who will be performing a remix of the popular Dave Martins song, “Not a blade of grass.” (Ministry of the Presidency)

Debate fix GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

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–– Region Five looks to settle on regional flag, vision statement

A MOTION for the adoption of a regional flag for Region Five is one of two motions that will be debated by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) at the next statutory meeting scheduled for March 15.

The other motion is for the adoption of a vision statement for the council for the next three years.

The motions were laid

by APNU Councillor, Dolston Hutson and seconded by AFC Councillor Abel Seetaram during the last RDC meeting.

The meeting was the second monthly meeting for the year, both of which have been successfully held without rancor among the councillors.

However, Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal was notably absent.

His deputy, Rion Peters, who chaired the statutory meeting in his absence, informed the Council that Ramphal had been unable to attend the meeting because he was unwell.

The motion for the adoption of a regional flag is in keeping with a charge

by President David Granger that each region should seek to assert its regional identity.

The President had urged the adoption of flags and emblems which embody the unique resources, economic activities and sources of pride of each Region.

The current adminis-

tration had said that having regional emblems is long overdue, since real democracies already have such symbols of ownership and pride.

It noted that each state in the United States has a flag.

“In fact, individual counties and towns, within many states, also have flags. Does this mean that Americans do not adore the stars and stripes? Of course not,” a recent statement said.

Guyanese, the statement asserted, are well aware that Americans love their flag and they are often moved to tears when their Star Spangled Banner is hoisted.

“Each Province in Canada has a flag. Are Canadians less proud of their National Flag, The Maple Leaf? Closer to home, many cities and even towns in Caribbean territories such as Trinidad and Tobago proudly display their own flags.

“It is time for Guyana to become truly democratic; to be sincerely proud of each part of our beautiful land even though unfortunately, the PPP is stuck in its communist and backward past.”

The PPP knows that North Korea has no regional flags and China has actually banned such flags and emblems. Guyanese are aware that neither China nor North Korea is a multi-party democracy, the statement said.

In line with the administration’s strategic

vision for the administrative regions, President Granger had also called on each Regional Democratic Council to craft a Plan of Action for Regional Development (PARD) and the motion for a three-year vision for Region Five is a follow through of the President’s sentiment.

APNU Councillor Dolston Hutson at the last statutory meeting of the Region Five RDC

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

Mother takes wrap for cocaine trafficking … sentenced to 54 months in jail; fined $7.1M

A 40-year-old mother of four was on Thursday sentenced to 54 months in jail and fined $7.1M after taking the wrap for her 19-year-old daughter in relation to trafficking almost six pounds of cocaine through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Valentine s’ Day. Kavita Persaud and her 19-year-old daughter, Rachael Narine appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan last week and pleaded not guilty to trafficking 2.660 kilogrammes

of cocaine through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on February 14, 2018.

However, when the matter was recalled on Friday, Persaud pleaded guilty to the charge on the ground that the matter be dismissed against her daughter.

Prosecutor of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), Konyo Sandiford told the court that the teenager was an outgoing passenger destined to travel to the USA when she was searched and the illicit

substance discovered in her handbag.

She said the young lady and her mother, who had accompanied her to the airport, were taken into police custody where the mother subsequently confessed to the crime.

Sandiford further explained that the mother told CANU officers of other persons involved and how much her daughter was paid to traffic the drugs.

Persaud broke down in tears as she explained that

she is a single parent and is the mother of four-three boys and a girl.

“I was desperate and I was in need of a shelter for my kids them… I don’t know what I was thinking, I was just desperate,” the woman told the court.

The Chief Magistrate after considering Persaud’s early guilty plea and the position of trust she was in, sentenced her to 54 months in jail along with a fine of $7.1M.

From left: Kavita Persaud and her daughter, Rachael Narine

Teenagers charged for stealing TWO teenagers from Queenstown Village, Essequibo Coast, have been slapped with a simple larceny charge and made their first appearance before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

Both teenagers pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing two tractor batteries from Haimlall Persaud called “Dall” of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast on February 17.

After listening to the teenagers, Magistrate Sam put both of them on a year’s probation to keep the peace.

They were also ordered to report every Thursday to the probation officer for counselling.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

CDB supports crafting of regional water sector plan

WATER specialists from across the Region have been meeting in Barbados to continue work on the development of a regional strategic plan for the water sector.

The plan will propose possible solutions for the challenges facing the industry in the Caribbean, and will be presented at the 8th World Water Forum to be held in Brasilia, Brazil in March.

The development of a strategic plan for the water sector in the Caribbean Region project is being supported by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Caribbean Water and

Wastewater Association (CWWA).

The CDB said in a release that despite several initiatives, many countries in the Region still struggle to provide potable water at an affordable rate, while covering operating costs.

L. O’Reilly Lewis, Division Chief, Economic Infrastructure Department, CDB, said that some of the problems facing the water sector included issues posed by climate change, inadequate governance arrangements, and lack of financing and investment.

“Pipes and water treatment plants alone will not solve our water challenges. The problem is much deeper than failing infrastructure. Excessive

CG bandits rob, shoot electrical contractor TERRY Chand, an electrical contractor of Enmore/ Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was robbed and shot on Wednesday at Foulis, E.C.D. He is currently in a stable condition at a private medical institution in Georgetown.

Investigations revealed that the 38-yearold contractor had cashed a $600,000 cheque at a commercial bank on the East Coast of Demerara, and proceeded to his worksite located at Foulis, on his motorcycle.

Upon arrival at his destination two men rode up on a Honda CG motorcycle without regisInjured electrical tration plates. One drew a firearm and shot the con- contractor: Terry Chand tractor behind his head before grabbing a bag with the money and making their escape. Luckily the bullet grazed the contractor behind his head.

Investigators have retrieved a spent shell at the scene and investigations are continuing.

12 months at NOC for larceny RAVINDRA NAUTH, 16, of Bush Lot Village, Essequibo Coast, was on Wednesday sentenced to 12 months at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC), Onderneeming, also on the Essequibo Coast, after he pleaded guilty to a break and enter and larceny charge.

Nauth made his first appearance before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court, where he admitted to breaking into the stall of Anita Daniels on February 17 and stealing a quantity of energy drinks and sweets.

After listening to his plea, Magistrate Sam handed down the sentence.

water usage, inadequate management of water resources, weak policies and governance systems also contribute to unsustainable water supply service provision in the Caribbean. We, at the CDB, believe that the approach has to be a holistic one and there must be collaboration between the countries and amongst the various organisations” said Lewis.

This project is expected to facilitate regional dialogue on the critical issues facing the water sector, resulting in the development of a clear strategy.

It will also enable CDB to better support its Borrowing Member Countries in implementing policies, projects and programmes in the water sector.

Patricia Aquing, Executive Director, CWWA, said

that the development of the strategic plan is a positive step for the Region. “We have to be able to think ahead, and consider, how do we do this strategically? How do we go from fixing when your pipe goes down, or your sewer system erupts, to thinking ahead to how we manage this resource which we have,” said Aquing.

The Regional coor-

dination meeting for the development of a strategic action plan for water governance and climate resilience was scheduled to end on February 21, 2018, at the Pan-American Health Organisation offices in Barbados. Approximately 20 representatives from water ministries and organisations in the Region attended the session.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

FAO urges modernisation of agriculture –– more focus on developing agriculture in the hinterland

FOOD and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) country representative to Guyana, Reuben Robertson has called on Guyana and its partners to work together to strengthen systems and find new approaches to agriculture and rural development here.

Robertson made the call

Wednesday at a national dialogue on the 35th FAO regional conference of Latin America and the Caribbean and accountability of FAO’s stewardship workshop held at the Regency Suites, Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

The 35th FAO regional conference of Latin America and the Caribbean will be

From left: Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Delma Nedd; FAO Country representative, Reuben Robertson; Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education Vibert Welch; and Trudy Abrahams, FAO’s Communication Consultant during the opening of the national dialogue on the 35th FAO Regional Conference of Latin America and the Caribbean. (Adrian Narine photo) held from March 5 to 8 in Montego Bay, Jamaica and according to the country representative, greater focus needs to be placed on the challenges posed to ending hunger, achieving food and nutrition security and eradicating all forms of malnutrition.

“Let us look at the initiatives and innovations necessary to reduce the impacts of climate change on agriculture and build resilience in the agriculture sector,” said Robertson who noted that efforts must not only be centred on the coast but also the hinterland.

He believes that focus needs to be placed on transitioning agriculture in the hinterland regions.

Reuben Robertson, FAO Country representative, (Adrian Narine photo) “Let us see how together we can make agriculture more responsive, efficient, productive and inclusive through the establishment of more intensive sustainable systems that help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to Guyana becoming the first green state in the region.”

Through dialogue, Robertson said the real challenges facing the agriculture sector can be addressed,

Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder especially in light of 2020 being designated the year oil production is slated to start here.

“With the coming of oil in 2020, the movement of labour from a highly labour intensive agriculture to more lucrative paying jobs, to create shortages of labour for agriculture production in a sector which is already plagued with aging population, low productivity and which requires creativity and incentives to stimulate young people to become involved,” he stated.

The FAO representative said too that without urgent modernisation, through the use of ICT within the sector, serious negative impacts can be seen. He pointed specifically to increases in the food import bill, food insecurity, increase in poverty due to inequality and the exclusion of sections of society as well as increased rural migration.

“We have very little time, less than 20 months to strengthen existing systems and to find new approaches to agriculture and rural development in Guyana if we are to fight inequality, overcome poverty, position the country See page 23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

FAO urges modernisation ...

From page 22 to achieve sustainable development goals and have competitive and sustainable agriculture in a green state,” said Robertson.

Additionally, he said FAO and its sister agencies are committed and ready to contribute to such processes that would aid in the reduction of negative impacts on the agriculture sector. Robertson said too that the FAO recognises that much work is to be done if countries like Guyana are to achieve zero hunger, eliminate food insecurity and poverty, especially in rural communities.

He stressed that to achieve such objectives there must be smart partnerships and joint approaches.

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder told the gathering of stakeholders of the role agriculture plays in the fight against poverty and food and nutrition insecurities, but noted that challenges exist.

He, like Robertson, called for stronger partnerships to ensure positive results in the sector.

INCLUSIVE APPROACH “As such, an inclusive development approach is necessary in realising the potential for agricultural advancement in the hinterland regions, and since taking office in 2015, this administration has placed great focus on exploiting the potential of those regions,” said Holder.

The agriculture minister also referenced his government’s Green State Development Policy which he reminded contributes not only to food and nutrition security, but to the eradication of poverty and employment. He stressed, however, that such systems must be accompanied by the relevant support areas including governance, legislations and policies.

He echoed the call for better policies to address the increasing incidences of hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“The Ministry of Agriculture, with the assistance of FAO, has developed and recently revised the National Food and Nutrition Security Strategy and Action Plan, the guiding policy to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2, Zero Hunger, being a net exporter of food and being recognised globally as being food secure,” the minister stated.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education,

Vibert Welch who represented subject Minister Nicolette Henry, pointed to increased incidences of hunger and the growing number of cases of obesity which he said has now become an epidemic.

Referencing the effects of climate change which threatens agriculture and the livelihood of persons who depend heavily on same, Welch said the challenges for food security in Latin America and the Caribbean must be discussed so that solutions can be found.

“It behooves us to discuss solutions to these challenges with a view of developing an agenda to fight hunger and malnutrition, build a future without rural poverty and transform agriculture to be sustainable and resilient to climate change,” said Welch.

He said for the Ministry of Education’s part, it has been educating the nation’s children about the importance of agriculture and food security and the effects of climate change.

The permanent secretary noted too that his ministry has implemented the school feeding programme which benefits students not only on the coast but also hinterland regions.

Meanwhile, the FAO intends to provide support to Guyana by implementing an agricultural census geared at improving the agricultural statistical system, monitoring and implementing policy plans developed, and benchmarking data on the structural characteristics of Guyana’s agriculture. Additionally, support would be provided through sustainable land development project, fostering efficient, inclusive and sustainable food systems in support of agricultural diversification here; resuscitating domestic milk production here, characterisation of breadfruit germplasm and the establishment of a germplasm bank.

The FAO will also facilitate the making of fish feed from local food stuff, strengthen capacity for the implementation of post state measures agreement and ensure the long-term productivity of lowland tropical forests in the Caribbean.

The 35th FAO Regional Conference, which is being held within the Region for the first time in 20 years, provides a forum for Ministers of Agriculture from 33 member countries and other high-level officials to meet, and de-

liberate on challenges and matters relative to food and agriculture. Over the years, the Ministry of Agriculture has worked with a number of international agencies to target vulnerable groups in its efforts to achieve all of the FAO’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Guyana will be represented by Ministers of Agriculture and Education, Noel Holder and Nicolette Henry, respectively.

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Participants at Wednesday’s national dialogue on the 35th FAO Regional Conference of Latin America and the Caribbean, held at Regency Suites, Hadfield Street, Georgetown (Adrian Narine photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

Onikha Joseph the Calypso Queen First-time Calypsonian knew that she would win

By Michel Outridge NEWCOMER Onikha Joseph who graced the stage at the National Park on February 16 and emerged as the winner of the 2018 Mashramani Calypso Monarch competition said she was not surprised at all by her win.

The private school co-founder and teacher told The Buzz that although she did not underestimate any of her competitors, she had the confidence in herself from the onset.

Joseph said she knew what would have placed in that competition and went on stage and performed at her best and it paid off for her.

She is not new to the stage but it is her first time singing Calypso and she was told it was unusual for a first-timer to win but she is simply elated.

Joseph is a teacher at Academic Advancement Centre located on Carmichael Street and she and co-founder Karim Trotman provide after-school lessons for school children from 15:30hrs to 17:30hrs from Monday to Friday.

The 42-year-old is originally from Hopetown but has resided in the city for the past eight years. She was encouraged to sign up for the competition by Kross Kolor Recording Studio owners Burchmore Simon and Melissa Roberts better known as “Vanilla”.

She related that when she was approached by the duo, she accepted and they motivated her to participate in the 2018 Mashramani Calypso Monarch competition even though she was not into singing calypso.

NEW PERSPECTIVE Joseph said she grew up singing in church like most of her family members and she never really liked the idea of being on stage, but since winning, her perspective has since changed.

The song which was penned by Kross Kolor Records titled “Woman is boss” was the clear winner after Joseph’s performance.

She told The Buzz that when she first heard the song last October,she liked it and she had enough time to get familiar with the words and to perfect the song.

Joseph said the song made her feel good on stage and she was happy that she proved some people wrong by walking away as the winner.

She was also pleasantly surprised by just how many people supported her on the night of the competition when she took the stage.

“I came from a family of singers, many of whom do not wish to sing on stage and chose to remain in the comfort of their homes but they all have beautiful voices that were meant for the stage,” she said.

In 1997 and 1978 Joseph participated in the national ‘In Search of a Star’ competition where she won both times. She also grew up singing in church in her hometown of Hopetown, West Coast Berbice.

She told the Buzz that her brother Mortley Joseph competed in the Ministry of Education Children’s Competition and he won some years ago as a child.

Joseph, a mother of two added that her mother has a lovely voice as well but she is too shy to perform. Her grandmother and her uncles were also singers- one of her uncles was known as “Wildfire” and a fierce Calypsonian.

She related that his son, Abdalla Benjamin won three times in similar calypso competitions in succession while her uncle’s dad

had some popular songs such as “From whence we came”, “Warning Bells”, “Twolegged Dog” and “Johnny and Joy”.

This humble, family-oriented Joseph told The Buzz that she will defend her crown in 2019 and based on the reactions she has since she won, she is very pleased, adding that the expeOnikha Joseph and rience has co-founder Karim Trotman of Academic Advancement Centre been a "good one".

The sensational Onikha Joseph

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018 One of her recent performances

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‘Singing makes me happy’ – Scarlet Singh

Scarlet Priscilla Sheba Singh

SCARLET Singh is a beautiful and energetic young woman who is full of life and living the dream she has had ever since she was a little girl.

When she was about six years old, she can still remember telling her parents, Rudolph Singh and Esther Bhagwandeen, that she wanted to become a singer. And her mother would not let up in providing every available opportunity for Scarlet to sing.

Scarlet, 22, also known as Priscilla and Sheba, grew up in Meadow Bank, in Georgetown and attended West Ruimveldt Primary School, Bishops High; completed ‘Sixth Form’ at Queen’s College, and now attends the Greenheart Medical University.

“In a realistic sense, it’s not a wise career in Guyana,” she told the Buzz a few days ago.

Hence, Scarlet decided she will do something “a bit more serious” and when she graduates in 2020, she plans on specialising

Young gospel artiste to host worship conference and concert in Berbice A YOUNG gospel recording artiste from Berbice is using his talent to bless and inspire others to be positive examples and contributors to the growth and development of Guyana.

Twenty-nine-year-old Loiden Henry is a prominent worship leader in Berbice who is heading the second "Tehillah worship experience conference and concert" 2018 Berbice edition along with DEWCENTER and Christian Charismatic International Ministry.

The event is set for to- Singers Loiden Henry morrow at Ramphal Street, Samuel Medas Williamsburg Corentyne and will be hosted by Pasthat play too loud or off key and singers/wortor Rajin Dipoo and Henry. The morning shippers that do the same and sometimes they session will commence at 09:00hrs and from choose songs that are bigger than them and 18:00hrs the concert will begin with a line-up then there is lack of practice, lack of prepaof some of those most talented gospel per- ration," he said. "So we want to bring these formers from Regions Four and Six. persons together and give them the practical This conference is aimed at helping demonstration that will empower them to go church worshippers perform smoothly and back to their churches and transform their help others connect with God. ministries."

"We will be breaking down the whole Henry dispelled the notion that living a aspect of worship from the musician, song godly life is boring. choice, the role of the backup singer, body "They say young people are supposed language, and posture when you're wor- to be living up their life and having fun but shiping...so it's basically targeting worship we do, [just] not in a way that it harms our leaders, musicians or anybody that has to do character or our body because our body is the with the composition of these two ministries," temple of God and whatever we do or speak Henry told The Buzz. about should reflect that so it's my choice, I Last year the event was held in collab- choose to live this life," Henry said. oration with international gospel recording Tickets for both events cost $1,000. artiste Samuel Medas. "We have musicians

in something like paediatrics because she says she likes children.

In the meantime, though, she is not singing for the money.

“I like singing. I do it to make me happy, and it’s fun too," she said.

Last year, she joined the Majestics Band and now sings with them every Saturday at the Princess Casino. She has also joined the MAXX Band for which she performs different genres of music like soca, reggae, pop, country and R&B. “My style is based on what I grew up listening to: country music and R&B. Rihanna is my favourite singer so I sing back many of her songs. I would try to be versatile but country music is my thing. I like old country music,” the young singer said.

Scarlet said she has been working on self-training in terms of timing and her voice so that she can improve as a singer.

Commenting on her work with the MAXX Band, she said: “For most of us in the band, we do it because we like it and not for the money. We have unique styles and voices so we all have something different to bring to the table. We all have our own strengths,” she said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

The male dilemma - Part Two …in a world of double standards and indifference

LAST Friday this conversation began about male driven domestic abuse and violence- not a deniable reality, but not the whole truth as cited references demonstrated. The reality is that all humans are flawed- male and female, including the modern different gender references. Humans react based on how we are raised, apart from the doctrines preached.

In Guyana, there are two distinct opposing old world cultures that function within the same space, though they are not discussed-that of matriarchal and patriarchal,and they are innate to our domestic behaviour.

From childhood, males do not complain about being beaten in school. My godfather would ask “Why am I feeding you?” That translates into: go fight the other guy until he decides it’s better to become friends. If you can help bigger boys with their long division they teach you fighting skills... it’s a word and a blow or a ‘jumbie lash’ - that’s the collective philosophy given to men from childhood, as agreed upon by society.

As we become men and choose wives or they choose us, we understand our responsibility to defend and provide.

We expect loyalty, though we learn the hard way that when our aunts and big sisters encourage us to be polygamous

"Because the girls like us", that it has consequences, sometimes long-lasting. There is also the fact that female relatives assume some kind of entitlement and scheme against that certain female that they can’t control who is depriving them of that needed support, thus they proceed to undermine, adding sophisticated subplots to the stage the male assumes he’s in control off. The other dark side is when he is chosen by the ultimate huntress and becomes the token male or trophy husband, but within this article, we must move on.

Despite the facts of male-driven domestic violence and the severity acted out by the courts, other initiatives are required

for a greater understanding. With the mandate enforced by women that a man is not a man if he cannot provide, regardless that charities may be extended to other family members based on his efforts, nowhere is there evidence that hard knock discourses are directed to females on necessary con-

servatism.

That discourse should engage the nature of infidelity and the consequences of the dark edge, where sanity becomes questionable, with fatal results. The latter part is twofold as I can point to more than two men I know who were suspected of being victims of domestic poisoning and were rushed to cremation, one resided in Canada. By the time his mother could acquire her visa and ticket to travel, he was cremated after a funeral was agreed upon. There are no wholly righteous human beings, but with our diverse species, certain patterns are set. Chronicle, Friday, July 7, 2017, again, Sociologist Patricia Sheerattan indicated that young men are under pressure: “Boys will tell you that their girlfriends want brand name things which are very expensive.” October 26, 2011, Stabroek News, F. Skinner wrote an interesting letter titled: “In Guyana men are deprived of their ability to earn and maintain their status as head of household” and a survey by the Ministry of Home Affairs in August 2013 was delivered by Louis Dobson declaring that ‘Jobless 18-25-yearold men are the main perpetrators of city crimes’.

This translates across the nation as we have witnessed and some, unfortunately, have experienced.

I went to school with Lawrence Dougall. I didn’t see him for some 35 years. I saw his younger brother and upon inquiring was told a troubling story,that Lawrence lived with a woman at Enmore on the East Coast but worked as a cane cutter at Diamond on the East Bank. Apparently, he rode his bicycle to work occasionally. He collapsed one morning while riding through Ruimveldt. He was dead before he touched the ground.

The problem of career choices and earning ability with both males and females rests with the lack of economic diversity developed in our nation. Our school system once had a syllabus that developed artisans, seamstresses, artists and encouraged music, drama and sports. It was probably realised that efforts to diversify were not in stream to accommodate the expansion of these programmes, so where do the school and the home environment take our children? The nation celebrates multiple passes at exams, but toward what? Most private sector businesses are family owned and our academic scholars are overqualified anyhow. Public office is driven by a fixed progression to elevation and not by certificates. But here I’m referring to a one per cent of our students, for many others who join the workforce the ‘jobs’ are exciting for the first year then the fear of economic independence emerges, with no exposure to the hobby careers that can redirect interest through secondary economic stimulation through functional development, which can even serve and salvage retired males.

A wider school landscape was initiated by Minister Roopnaraine with the introduction of music before he became ill. Other areas were hinted to with the intention of widening the scope of the narrow restrictive tunnel of options that education retrogressed into during the previous two decades. The diversity of interests referred to, is not knew. There were the cottage industries that flourished before the saturation of money laundering merchandise coupled with visionless political leadership reversed those local economic options and the epidemic of domestic violence was unleashed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

Kylie Jenner Is a ‘Very Hands-on’ Mom and ‘Feels Complete’ With Daughter Stormi

IT’S finally here! Our 48th Republic celebration has arrived and this weekend is going to be exhilarating with lots of exciting events where entertainment will be at its best. So you certainly won’t want to be cooped up at home. Come out in your numbers and enjoy a weekend of fun and excitement!

TODAY It’s Mashramani today so go out with your family, have a picnic, have some drinks and just have a good time!

GTT Pulse Band is heading down the road for Mashramani 2018 - a true Guyanese celebration.

Chase entertainment presents “Soca Fete after Mash Party” at Xclusive Bar & Lounge.

Ladies free until 23:00hrs. Admission $, 000 Stag brings you “Mashrama”. This is an event you don’t want to miss! Featuring style X, Marzville, Jomo, Magnum, DJ Akeelo and Gully Ras. Entertainment is going to be at its best at the GFC Ground. This will be a night to remember.

For all the makeup lovers and the people who want to get that outstanding and sparkling look for Mash, Rhinestones Carnival /Mash makeup with headbands are available today.

Thirty spots are available. Cost is $3500. Sharon’s Mall Second floor Charlotte and King Street TOMORROW Tower Suites brings to you Dexta Daps live in concert: “Bring it to the Owner” This is going to be an enormous event you don’t want to miss this!

Gt-Graphix-Dj Nico-Guinness present SOAK the Second Annual Car Wash & Wet Fete Party @ Fort School Lawns, Berbice.

SUNDAY It’s the after-Mash Washdown!!!

The Misha’s Resturant & Bar will come alive with their “After Mash Washdown” BBQ & Wild meat will be on sale! And it doesn’t get better with artists Jumo Primo, Mr Loli (Chiney Man) and lots more.

Admission will be FREE!!!!! Music by Blackstone, Silver Star and Revelation Sound System.

This event is powered by Banks “Having fun in BANKS Country “Sunday

FROM makeup to motherhood! New mom Kylie Jenner is doing better than ever after welcoming daughter Stormi Webster with beau Travis Scott.

The 20-year-old beauty guru is loving life at home with her newborn, a source reveals in the new issue of Us Weekly. While Jenner employs a full-time nurse for the four-weekold, she has also been leaning on mom Kris Jenner for support.

Jennifer Lawrence, Katy Perry and More Celebs Who Love ‘Keeping Up With the Kardashians’ According to an insider close to the Kardashian clan, the 62-year-old “momager”, who lives in the same neighborhood as the Kylie Cosmetics creator, “stops in sometimes” and has been sharing helpful tips and tricks with Jenner “like how to get the baby to sleep.”

Meanwhile, Kim Kardashian “has been helpful on things that make being a mom easier, such as what tools to use.”

The source also confirms that Jenner is “very involved and hands-on” with her little one.

Scott, 25, has also been fulfilling his parental duties alongside the Lip Kit maven.

“He hasn’t left her side except for work obligations,” the pal said, noting that the “Goosebumps” rapper gifted Jenner with jewelry as a push present. “His family has come and spent time with the baby too.”

The Life of Kylie star is thriving in her new role. “She’s never seemed happier. She’s a really natural mom,” the pal gushed. “You can tell she feels complete now that she has

a baby.”

The E! personality made headlines on February 4 when she finally confirmed her pregnancy and revealed that she had given birth to her first child a few days earlier. “I’m sorry for keeping you in the dark through all the assumptions,” she tweeted at the time.

“My beautiful and healthy baby girl arrived February 1st and I just couldn’t wait to share this blessing. I’ve never felt love and happiness like this I could burst! Thank you for understanding.”

Although Jenner debuted Stormi via Instagram on February 6, she has held back from disclosing details about her.

However, she did tease an update on Twitter on Wednesday, February 21, telling fans that she’s been “staring at [Stormi] all day. she looks just like me when I was a baby.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

YBG nets $1.5M from Beharry Group for 2018

By Rawle Toney

FOR the 10th consecutive year, the Edward B. Beharry & Company Limited will be supporting the National Schools Basketball Festival (NSBF).

H o w e v e r, t h i s t i m e around Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG), the organisers of the country’s largest schools basketball tournament, scored a $1.5M sponsorship from the company.

Chris Bowman, one of the Directors at YBG, referred to Beharry as one of its most consistent sponsors, adding that much of the 13-year-old

tournament’s success is credited to the entity’s continued support in the development of basketball in Guyana, specifically in the schools.

“We’ve always been grateful for the spirit of partnership. Often, you have sponsors come on board but when Beharry is on board, they do it from the heart. We want to express our sincere thanks to the company for their support over the last ten years.

They’ve enabled basketball to be played in Guyana at the youth level and that has impacted all of basketball,” Bowman said.

Bowman, emphasising Beharry’s contribution, opined that in Guyana, athletes and associations, because of the lack of support, have been reduced to ‘beggars’, “so when we have companies, like Edward B. Beharry, who are committed, I think it should be very much highlighted”.

Rayad Boyce, another Director at YBG, in his call for other corporate entities to support their programme, noted that over the years, because of their mantra to truly have a nationwide tournament, teams from as

far as Kwakwani have been included in all the age groups.

According to Reena Williams, Beharry’s Brand Manager for Chico, the company’s established relationship with YBG allows them to demonstrate their corporate/ social responsibility to the general public, adding, “We believe in our youths and we believe in sports. We are very privileged to being here for 10 years and we look forward to many more.”

The 2018 National Schools Basketball Festival will be launched on March 11.

CWI ostracises former players - Windies legend Richards WEST Indies batting legend Sir Viv Richards has accused the current administration of continuing to sideline the sport’s former players as this stifles the ability to make meaningful contributions.

Richards, a former West Indies captain and one of the world’s most recognised batsmen, freely admitted that he has long coveted a position working to help develop the

sport regionally as a part of the regional board. He pointed to the example of other players like Australian great Greg Chappell who is now a full-time national selector and talent manager for Australia.

“Lots of work need to be done to get it to the right prominence and to where folks would believe where we should be. I am not at all involved in West Indian cricket. Most of the

former players have been ostracised. Constructive criticism is not much accepted in the Caribbean,” Richards told Reuters.

Other former players like Joel Garner have, however, found a home within the current dispensation as a team manager and member of the board.

“I would love to take a role like Greg Chappell did for Australia,” the Antiguan

added.

“I think I have a good eye for talent and this is something that we have never taken on board in the Caribbean.”

The West Indies, once the world’s most dominant force, have struggled to impress in recent years, with the exception of the T20 format where they are one of the world’s top teams.

(Sportsmax)

Kohli needs to beat Gayle to catch Sir Viv PROLIFIC India batsman Virat Kohli’s bid to match or surpass the record for most runs in an overseas tour hit a snag Wednesday

when he got out for just one in their second of three T20Is against South Africa.

There is one game to go in the series and Kohli has now scored 871 runs in chase of Sir Vivian Richards’ 1 045 in 1976.

Sir Viv’s tally against England remains the highest individual aggregate in any series and the only one that has surpassed the 1 000-run mark.

For Kohli to get to the mark, he needs to score 129 in his final game, but

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if he is to reign supreme and take Sir Viv’s spot, he needs to, at least equal another West Indies legend’s mark.

Chris Gayle slammed 175 not out for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League back in 2013.

Zimbabwe’s Hamilton Masakadza has come close with 162 not out, while England’s Adam Lynch got out on 161. New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum has been left unbeaten on 158

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on two occasions.

Kohli’s tally has come from the 286 runs he scored in a three-match Test series, and 558 runs in ODIs. His form has dipped a little in the T20Is he’s played since, the 29-year scoring just 26 and one.

With the three-match T20I series tied at 1-1, Kohli will be attempting to break all the records before him in one fell swoop.

The final T20I will be played in Cape Town on February 24. (Sportsmax)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

ICC Cricket World Cup qualifier

Ireland confident of team balance; Windies not taking any team for granted FORMER World champions Windies are considered the most high-profile side in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier with the likes of Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels in their ranks while the William Porterfield-led Ireland are another leading side who go into the tournament with some strong recent performances.

The teams, who are drawn to clash on March 10 in the preliminary league, swear by the balance in their sides and while the Windies captain Jason Holder is cautious not to take any team lightly, Porterfield understands that his side will have to be consistent if they hope to clinch one of the two available spots for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.

Holder says coming off the back of their domestic 50over competition ensures the players are in touch and that the team can hit the ground running.

“Leading up to the first match against the United Arab Emirates, we should be more than ready when that challenge comes. We have two warm-up matches before the first tournament match, so we have been

preparing well. We should not be short of cricket when that first match comes around.

“We have a very good balance, we have guys who can bowl the new ball very well and others who can take wickets in the middle overs and finish off well. In our batting we have power at the top of the order and power at the end. We also have players in the middle who can consolidate and take over when necessary.

Holder says he does not consider his team to be the favourites and that the team, with players like upcoming batsman Shai Hope and experienced pace bowler Kemar Roach among others, must be consistent.

“In a tournament like this we know the opponents will be fearless, they have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

I believe every side in this tournament is dangerous and we must not take any team lightly. We will take every game as a final,” said the all-rounder.

For Porterfield, a 2-1 series win over Afghanistan in December and the presence of all-rounders Paul Stirling and Kevin O’Brien, batsman

Ed Joyce, pace bowler Tim Murtagh and left-arm spinner George Dockrell give him confidence.

Jason Holder

“As a group of players we’re very confident going into the Qualifier, and that confidence comes from a lot of hard work, and performances over the past 10 or 12 ODIs. The work we’ve put in has built us up nicely to the start of the tournament,” said Porterfield, not worried about the groupings, which place his team in Group A along with the Windies, the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea and the United Arab Emirates.

“I think whichever group we went into would be a tough group. I think we’re going to be confident going into the

FACC to stage COURTS Mashramani Cycle road race today in Berbice THE Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) of Berbice will today stage its annual COURTS 30mile cycle road race in Berbice beginning at 07:30hrs from in front the COURTS Furniture Store on Main Street.

Defending champion Hamzah Eastman, who returned one hour one minute 50 seconds in winning the event last year, will be hard-pressed to make a successful defence of his title despite his great start to the 2018 cycle season by winning back-to-back R&R International races over a week

ago, both in the National Park and the West Demerara.

Eastman can expect keen competition from his Team Coco’s team mate Jamal John, who closed off last year’s cycling season on a high, as well as from Team Evolution’s Paul DeNobrega, Team United We Stand’s Andrew Hicks and Team Trojan’s Romello Crawford.

After being sent on their way from Main Street, the junior and senior cyclists will proceed to Adventure, Corentyne, Berbice, before returning to finish at the place of origin.

The mountain bikers and BMX boys 12-14 years will move off from the Rose Hall Town Arch and finish on Main Street, New Amsterdam.

The top six overall finishers as well as the top three juniors will receive cash prizes and trophies.

The top three BMX finishers will also receive prizes for their efforts.

Eight prime prizes will be on offer during the course of the event which is being coordinated by FACC’s Randolph Roberts.

Floodlights clash with Bush Lot today AIMING to garner as much financial support for the Bush Lot Mandir, Floodlights will travel to West Coast Berbice today for a feature hardball match against Bush Lot Sports Club.

The match will be a 20 overs-a-side affair and will start at 11:30hrs.

Admission to the venue is $200, and apart from the cricket match, there will be some side attractions including male

and female track and field events, tug-o-war, buns-eating competition, needle-and-thread race and catch the greasy pig.

At stake will be trophies compliments of Trophy Stall and 4R Bearings.

The Floodlights full squad reads; Stephen Naraine (captain), Anil Beharry (vice-captain), Aaron Beharry, Ajay Gainda, Ricky Deonarain, Robin Bacchus, Alex Algoo, Ramo Malone,

group regardless of whom we’re playing against. The Dutch - whom we’re up against first - are a strong team. They

Surendra Nauth, Khalid Baksh, Vicky Ramsaywack, Steve Massiah, Lloyd Rooplall, Navin Samlall.

Floodlights will then take on Albion Sports Club on Saturday night from 19:00hrs at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground.

They have added Rakesh Arjune, Ariel Persaud, Reyaz Husein and Romeo Deonarain to their squad.

William Poterfield

can be a very dangerous side, with a few match-winners in the team, and like any game in the

group we’re going to be at the top of our game to beat them.

Porterfield is confident about the balance of the side though; he is cautious that being acknowledged as one of the better sides may mean that other sides will be looking to beat them.

“We’re a pretty balanced side, which gives us great confidence going into the tournament. Regardless of who we come up against, I believe we can match anything and perform in all aspects of the game. Whether it’s our seam attack, our batting or the spin department, we have the bases fairly well covered and we’re just looking forward to cracking on now and getting into the tournament,” said the team’s

leading batsman.

SQUADS: Ireland: William Porterfield (captain), Andrew Balbirnie, Peter Chase, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Boyd Rankin, James Shannon, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling and Gary Wilson Windies: Jason Holder (captain), Devendra Bishoo, Carlos Brathwaite, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Nikita Miller, Jason Mohammed, Ashley Nurse, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels and Kesrick Williams. Stuart Law (coach).

36

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

International 6 cart off Jeet brothers three-way aggregate dominoes

DESPITE going down by a slim margin in the final round of the Jeet brothers (USA)-sponsored three-way aggregate dominoes tournament, International 6 prevailed to emerge champions when the competition climaxed at Cold Fusion, Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, last Sunday.

The eventual winners tallied 231 games, five more than second-placed Cold Fusion on 225 and Canal 6, who were edged out on 224. The winning margin marked the exact difference between International 6 and Cold Fusion after both teams had entered the final round tied on 156 and Canal 6 trailing on 151.

The first round, played at Nicky’s Restaurant & Bar, Canal Number One, saw Cold Fusion taking an early lead

with 78 games with International 6 three games behind on 75 and the home team lagging on 71.

Doodnauth led the way for the winners with 16 games while there were 13 each for Patram Seenarine, Tavindra Mangra and Ramjeet. The top players for International 6 were skipper Manniram Shew and Ron Callender with 16 and 15 games respectively while captain Ramroop Sukhai and Chibar Seopaul made 15 each for Canal 6.

Ronald Beharry of International 6 was the lone lovebird (first sitting) but returned to make two sixes in the second and third sittings.

In another close encounter, played at Everest Cricket Club, International 6 took the top spot with 81 games with Cold

Fusion occupying second place on 81 and Canal 6 again in the cellar on 73.

For International 6, Mark Welch played through and marked an impressive 31 games while Sonia Goodluck (16) and Shew (14) also played well for the winners. Cold Fusion were led by Parmanand Jairam (16), Mangra (13) and Ramjeet (13).

Canal 6 skipper Sukhai played through and tallied 30 games while Chibar Seopaul and Kedar Seopaul made 13 each.

In Sunday’s final round, Canal 6 avoided the ignominy of losing all three games, coming out on top with 80 games with International 6 trailing on 75 and Cold Fusion failing to get hot, ending on a disappointing 69 games.

Oudit Prittipaul was the star for Canal 6, marking the maxi-

Cold Fusion skipper and Superintendent of Police, Boodnarine Persaud, at right, hands over the winning trophy to International 6 captain Manniram Shew on behalf of the sponsors, Jeet brothers of USA.

mum 18 games while there were consistent scores of 14 each for Kedar Seopaul and Basdeo Persaud and 13 each from Sukhai and Avinash Persaud. Hilbert Ali topped for International 6 with 17 with 13 each coming from Shew, Andrew Hope and Goodluck.

Cold Fusion’s top player was Jairam with the maximum 18 games while Ramjeet had 13. The lone lovebird was Ron Callender of International 6.

Both the winning and second-placed teams were awarded trophies. There were also prizes (caps) for

the three top players in the winning team - Shew, Welch and Goodluck - while Shew also collected a clock for the overall best player.

Cold Fusion’s Patram and Canal 6’s Prittipaul also received clocks for their sterling performances.

Rescheduled Sanjay’s Jewellery 5th Annual Golf tourney on tomorrow

THE 5th Annual Sanjay’s -sponsored golf tournament which was originally scheduled for last weekend will now be played tomorrow at the Lusignan Golf Course, East Coast Demerara.

Originally planned as a pre-Valentine event, the medal play tournament will tee-off at 07:30hrs and, according to a release, Sanjay said that he wanted this spot on the Club’s calendar since Valentine’s Day is a special day for the business in light of the fact that Sanjay’s Jewellery offers elegant and exquisite designs of clothing and jewellery at

affordable prices.

Members of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) have encouraged all their clients, friends and families to support this sponsor who has always been there for the club in the past years.

Sanjay’s Jewellery Classic will offer prizes to the top four golfers, nearest to pin, long drive and for the first time ever, anyone who makes a hole-in-one will win $100 000 for a charity.

Sanjay’s Jewellery has been a long-time sponsor of the club and indicated the desire to continue to support the

LGC for many years to come.

Sanjay said that he is happy about the direction that the club is going and urges everyone to visit the club tomorrow to witness the changes for themselves and he is especially excited about the Wine Tasting and Tea Party being held on Sunday on the lawns of the club.

For more information on the LGC’s 2018 calendar of events and activities, and how you can become a member of the club, visit their Facebook page or call 220-5660 or simply stop by for a tour of the facilities.

Australia prove a point with Tri-series dominance, says Warner

DAVID Warner believes Australia have proved a point to their detractors by finishing a dominant Twenty20 tri-series with a convincing victory over New Zealand in Wednesday’s final.

Ashton Agar returned 3-27 in a starring role with the ball to restrict the Black Caps to 150-9, before D’Arcy Short posted a quick-fire 50 in Australia’s reply, which was halted by rain but resulted in a 19-run win via the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Warner, who has skippered the side in the absence of the rested Steve Smith, consequently led his team to a 100 per cent record in the series, which also involved England, and he hailed the strength in numbers in Australia’s ranks.

“I’m over the moon; from

the start we played superb cricket and tried to execute everything with energy,” he said at the post-match presentation.

“We look back at the last 18 to 24 months; people talk about us not taking T20s se-

David Warner

riously, but this bunch have come out of the BBL with superb form and I couldn’t be prouder of the guys.

“It proves the great depth in Australia cricket.”

New Zealand had a decent start through Martin Guptill (21) and Colin Munro (29), but Agar’s dazzling spell quickly halted the momentum and, had it not been for Ross Taylor’s resilient 43 the Black Caps would have been facing a much bigger defeat.

Skipper Kane Williamson conceded that his side fell well short.

“Through the middle we didn’t assess as well as we could have,” he said.

“There was a bit of scarring, and we probably thought we needed more.

The rain probably didn’t affect the result, that’s just the way it goes.

“With the bat they were ultra-positive; we were looking to take wickets but weren’t able to do so.”

37

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

Father-son bonding, the Chanderpaul way IMAGINE you were a professional cricketer. Now imagine you had to share your dressing room with ... your father.

And, on top of that, your dad is a legend of your sport. A lot to handle?

It doesn’t quite seem to be the case with Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who shares the Guyana dressing-room with his father Shivnarine.

Chanderpaul junior, 21, jokes that Shiv, 43, “knows how I am, so he’s kind of free up

with that”.

Tagenarine says he knows enough to make good use of the vast experience of his father - the most capped player for West Indies in Test cricket - but does not let his record put unreasonable pressure on himself. “I just try and be myself.

I can’t be him, you know,” Tagenarine said, according to the Jamaica Gleaner. “(But) most of the training, I use him to get some help. He gives me a few pointers.”

Shivnarine, not unexpectedly, had plenty of advice for his son: “He’s been around (the domestic circuit) for a while.

He had a good season in the (first-class) Regional Four-Day tournament. It’s the first time he had a full season, but that’s just the beginning.

“He needs to keep going.

He’s young and he needs to learn as quickly as possible and take it a distance because, whenever you get an opportunity, you have to grab it

sometimes.”

That said, the equation was not all work and no play between father and son. “We still have our fun and have our jokes,” Shivnarine said. “In any team sport, you need to have fun. That’s the only way to keep going.

“When I went into the Windies team, we had people who used to give us a lot of jokes - guys like Kenneth Benjamin, Amby (Curtly Ambrose).

Those are the guys who

Shivnarine Chanderpaul with his son Tagenarine at the Guyana nets. (WICB Media/Ashley Allen photo)

keep you going on tour. I know how important that is.

You need people like them around to keep you going.

So yeah, there’s a time when you make your jokes and a time to get serious and down to business.”(ESPN Cricinfo)

Power failure hampers Milo Schools Football CONTINUED power outages curtailed action in the Milo Schools Football tournament on Wednesday.

The outages came midway the second game of the afternoon between Chase Academic Foundation and Annandale Secondary.

At the time, the defending

champions Chase had netted three goals through Jeremy Garrett (7th), Stephon Reynolds (22nd) and a penalty through Nicholas McArthur (33rd).

However, according to co-Director of the Petra Organisation Troy Mendonca, while the power failure is unfortu-

nate, there are plans in place to have a replay.

“We are looking to have that match replayed next Saturday due to the power failure.

It was beyond our control and there was not much that we could have done,” he said.

In the one game that was completed, the Business

Brathwaite century sends Pride into Super50 final

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite celebrates his hundred against Kent Spitfires on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

A CENTURY from Kraigg Brathwaite ended Kent’s hopes in the West Indies Super50 Cup, as Barbados Pride progressed to tomorrow’s final with a 13-run DLS win in a rain-reduced contest in Antigua.

Kent, who had qualified second in their group behind Guyana, were always up against it after losing the toss against a talented Barbados line-up.

Brathwaite who hit an uneaten 105, , added 93 for the first wicket with Omar Phillips, who made 62, and a further 144 in 21 overs with Roston Chase, whose 81 from 74 balls lifted Bar-

bados to 263 for 3 in their 50 overs.

Kent spinners were able to keep Barbados’ intentions in check through the middle overs, with Imran Qayyum (1 for 40) and Adam Riley (1 for 34) both returning economical figures. But Chase led the way in plundering 60 runs between overs 41 and 45 to leave the visitors with a stiff chase.

With poor weather twice forcing the teams from the field in the opening overs, that challenge was made even tougher, and Kent lost both openers, Daniel Bell-Drummond and Zak Crawley, to the

left-arm seam of Dominic Drakes - the son of former West Indies quick, Vasbert Drakes.

Brathwaite then bowled Alex Blake for 6, and though Sean Dickson and Adam Rouse added 64 for the fourth wicket, Kent were already slipping behind the asking rate when Dickson miscued a return catch off the leg-spin of Hayden Walsh for 51.

After the players had to leave the field for a fourth time, Kent’s requirement became an unlikely 37 off 15 balls, and despite the efforts of Grant Stewart and Calum Haggett, they finished well short.

School were able to get by Charlestown Secondary 2-1.

Jermaine Padmore’s 27th minute goal was the game opener and gave the even-

tual winners the lead before Raymond Boodie levelled the score in the 64th minute.

An anti-climactic end to a good game however, came

when Charlestown scored on themselves to gift the Business School the win.

Matches continue on Sunday. (Stephan Sookram)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

Demerara U-17 Inter-association tournament

Boele, Dindyal star in EBD 61-run win over WBD … EBD declared overall winners

By Rajiv Bisnauth EAST Bank Demerara (EBD) recorded an easy 61-run win over West Bank Demerara (WBD) in the final round of the Demerara Under-17 Inter-association 50 overs tournament yesterday at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground.

They were then declared the winners of the tournament, based on a better net run rate.

They collected +0.52 over Georgetown, who secured a net run rate of -0.36.

The victory was engineered by batsman Movindra Dindyal and spinner Marlon Boele. Earlier Dindyal stroke a composed half-century and shared in a decisive 56-run fifth-wicket stand with Rahul Singh, as EBD compiled 181-7 in 50 overs.

EBD won the toss and batted on a flat, dry-looking pitch, but they lost opener Yudister Persaud in the first over when he was trapped leg-before-wicket to medium pacer Joshua Reddy (1-23), without scoring.

Marlon Boele

Movindra Dindyal

However, Singh joined forces with Navindra Persaud and the duo had an extremely edgy start to their innings, but then recovered to shred the West Demerara attack in a second-wicket stand of 80 runs - a stand which was dominated by

the right-handed Persaud.

But just when they appeared to have taken full control of proceedings, Singh, the former national Under-15 player, was stumped attempting a wild heave over midwicket off Rajesh Budhram

(1-24), for 17.

A mid-pitch collision between Persaud, Shemar Yearwood and wicketkeeper Nicholas Rajpot saw the dismissal of Persaud, run-out for 38.

Persaud was hit in the ribcage area during the collision, and was left motionless on the ground for several minutes, since there were no medical personnel on hand to assess the batsman’s injury.

Daniel Williams will be aiming for gold in the Boys’ U-20 200m and 400m events at the CARIFTA Games in the Bahamas next month.

Two-week rest for CARIFTA Games-bound athletes - Hutson

By Michelangelo Jacobus AFTER two consecutive weekends of participation by various athletes at the Athletics Association of Guyana’s (AAG) CARIFTA Games trial meets, the young track and field athletes have now been granted a two-week resting period and in some cases additional time to make the qualifying standards in their respective events.

Speaking to the Chronicle Sport, AAG president Aubrey Hutson pointed out that since the athletes have been at it for back-to-back Sundays, the administration of the AAG decided that it would be a good idea for them to take two weeks of rest.

However, as a result of this two-week break, it now

means that the AAG will have a shortened time to purchase tickets for the final contingent to Nassau in the Bahamas for the CARIFTA Games.

This is a sacrifice, Hutson noted, that the AAG is willing to make in order to ensure that the athletes are given enough time to produce their best performances.

Meanwhile, with Daniel Williams having already qualified for his Boys’ U-20 400m and 200m events in comfortable fashion, his coach, Johnny Gravesande was full of praise for his charge.

Gravesande revealed that he was extremely pleased with Williams’ times. “It is still early in the season and compared to last year at this same time, he’s actually running at a faster time.”

In qualifying for the 200m Williams ran 21 seconds flat while he recorded 48.35 seconds in the 400m event.

“Daniel is someone who doesn’t run well without competition and for him to be running this fast this early and without competition, it is very good,” Gravesande noted.

The CARIFTA Games will be held from March 21 to April 2; at the Games, Daniel and his coach are looking for gold medals and times that will make the World Junior Championship Qualifying standards.

“Daniel indicated to me that since at the last CARIFTA Games where he won a medal but then had it taken from him, it is his desire to win gold in both of his events this time around.

“This year is going to be a big year for him; we are hoping for the best, we are hoping that there is good competition at CARIFTA so that Daniel can push himself. We want to run 20 seconds in the 200m and 45 seconds in the 400m this year.”

Gravesande’s other athlete, jumper Chantoba Bright has already qualified for the long jump but will be gunning for the triple jump qualification mark when the final CARIFTA Trial meet is held on March 4.

At last Sunday’s meet she was just six inches shy of the mark, Gravesande is confident that she will make the mark pointing out that she was jumping from behind the springboard.

Thereafter, EBD lost Yearwood (5), leg-before-wicket to off-spinner Andre Seepersaud (2-19), at 96-4, but Dindyal and Singh then took the score to 152 in a measured partnership in which Dindyal progressed to his fifty and during that period.

The stand ended soon after when Seepersaud had Dindyal caught and bowled for 51. The right-hander hit the boundary on five

occasions. Singh (15) and Marlon Rawle (0) were the other batsmen to have been dismissed.

In need of a big partnership to make some ground in the run chase, the WBD openers Ushardeva Balgobin and Nicholas Rajpot provided that platform, adding 34 for the first wicket before Balgobin (13) was removed by Sourav Singh.

With the pitch starting to show some variable bounce, scoring became a little difficult, but Rajpot and Seepersaud managed to put together 42 for the second wicket before Rajpot was caught and bowled off left-arm spinner Zakary Jodah for 22.

Thereafter, Boele engineered the batting collapse, with WBD losing their last eight wickets for just 46 runs.

Boele finished with 4-27 while Mohamed Jameer and Jodah supported him with 3-15 and 2-19 respectively.

The presentation will be done on Sunday at the conclusion of the GCB/Dave West Indian Imports Under-15 Inter-county final.

Pollard cameo hands Multans winning PSL start DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, (CMC) – West Indies star Kieron Pollard produced a cameo as Multan Sultans raised the curtain on the latest edition of the Pakistan Super League(PSL) with a seven-wicket victory over Darren Sammy’s Peshawar Zalmi here Thursday.

Chasing 152 for victory at the Dubai International Stadium, Sultans reached their target with five balls remaining with Sri Lankan star Kumar Sangakkara top-scoring with 57 at the top of the order.

Pakistan stroke-maker Shoaib Malik chimed in with an unbeaten 42 while Pollard blasted 21 not out from 13 balls.

Ahmed Shehzad fell in the second over without scoring with seven runs on the board but the left-handed Sangakkara put on 47 for the second

wicket with Sohaib Maqsood (21) and a further 52 for the third wicket with Shoaib, to put Multans in command.

Sangakkara faced 51 balls and struck three fours and a six while Shoaib notched a pair of fours and sixes in a 30-ball knock.

Pollard arrived in the 15th over to lash four boundaries in a match-winning, unbroken 46-run fifth wicket stand with Shoaib.

Earlier, Mohammed Hafeez slammed 59 from 52 balls as Zalmi marched to 151 for six off their 20 overs, after they were sent in.

Sammy struck a whirlwind 29 from 11 deliveries, with two fours and three sixes, while former Barbados and West Indies batsman Dwayne Smith got 24 from 23 balls.Kieron Pollard … took Multans to victory with an unbeaten 21.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday February 23, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 10 teams (2) CCC Marooners, Hampshire, Kent, USA Today’s Quiz: (1) Which four teams made it to the CWI Regional Super50 2018 semi-finals?

(2) What were the pairings?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 23, 2018

BCB, Sarwan collaborate to launch two cricket tournaments

THE newly-elected Executive of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has already started to make inroads on the game in the county with the launching of two cricket tournaments for the 2018 season.

The launch took place less than 48 hours after the executives were elected and represents the first major cricket sponsorship to Berbice Cricket over the last 18 months.

The tournaments are an U-17 Inter-club and a 40-Overs Cricket League for teams in the Upper Corentyne area.

Both of the tournaments are being sponsored by former West Indies ccptain Ramnaresh Sarwan and friends.

The Fitness 53 Gym Under-17 tournament will be for players born on or af-

ter September 1, 2001, and would be open to any club in the Ancient County.

The main objectives are to identify players for the BCB Coaching Programmes; to assist players to successfully transit to the Under-19 level and to inspire players to stay involved in the game.

The top two teams of the U-17 tournament will receive financial prizes while top players would receive educational materials in an effort to assist their development in school.

The 40-Over League is open to teams in the Upper Corentyne area and would be administered by the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association under the leadership of Dennis De Andrade.

BCB president Hilbert Foster expressed delight that

cricket will once again be played between clubs. Over the last two years, cricket was played only by junior cricketers at the Inter-zone levels.

Teams will be divided into at least eight groups with the winner advancing to the quarter-finals. Interested teams are urged to register with the BCB as early as possible and to make sure that they start preparations to play at the Under-15, Under-19, Under-21, Female, Intermediate, Second Division and First Division levels.

The newly-elected president stated that his Board would be working beyond the call of duty to ensure that every cricketer in Berbice fulfils his/her true potentials.

Foster hailed the support of Ramnaresh Sarwan, who he stated is a positive role model

and friend of Berbice cricket. The former West Indies batting icon benefitted a lot from playing cricket and is committed to giving back.

Foster also issued an appeal to former Berbice, Guyana and West Indies players to assist the Berbice Cricket Board to return Berbice Cricket to its rightful place by offering their skills and experience.

He assured Sarwan and friends that both tournaments will be well organised and expressed confidence that the relationship would be strengthened in the future.

Sarwan, who was absent from the launch, in an invited comment stated that he was pleased to assist Berbice Cricket as he had full confidence in its newly-elected management. He pledged

BCB president Hilbert Foster accepts the sponsorship cheque from Mr Kishan Sarwan, father of Ramnaresh Sarwan.

his support in the future and disclosed that he would be seeking the support of others as the BCB seeks to fulfil its mandate.

Ramnaresh Sarwan was without doubt one of Guyana’s finest batsmen and played 87 Test matches for

the West Indies, scoring 5 842 runs with 15 centuries at an average of 40.01. At the One-Day International level, Sarwan scored 5 804 runs in 181 matches with five centuries. Overall he scored 13 405 first class runs with 33 centuries.

Victoria Kings hope to maintain rich form in GFF Elite League … Coach credits winning start to players’ support

By Rawle Toney AFTER three matches in the third installation of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Elite League, Victoria Kings remain the only team to grab full points from their games - something head coach Winston Pompey said is credited to the ‘morethan-focussed’ players.

“It’s just that we’re having full support from the players because I told them that we need to finish better than we did last season,” Pompey told Chronicle Sport yesterday.

Victoria Kings finished behind winners Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Fruta Conquerors in their return to top-level football

in Guyana last season, after dominating play in the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA).

In their first game, Victoria Kings defeated Milerock 2-1, followed by a 4-1 drubbing of Cougars, while picking up a 2-0 win recently over East Coast rivals Buxton United.

Veteran forward Aubrey Gibson’s five goals is the most in the league so far, and Pompey said the player has been working hard this season to not only prove that he’s one of the best in Guyana, but also show that he’s ready to carry the scoring for the team.

Western Tigers’ Andrew Murray, with four goals, is

behind the 41-year-old Victoria Kings player in the race for the league’s highest goalscorer title.

“He’s (Gibson) been working very hard this year and he does that on his own.

He’s committed in training and does all the right things.

We came through together, so I know what he has to offer; so once he keeps playing this way, he will do great things,” Pompey pointed out.

Pompey’s men will return to action against Fruta Conquerors who are fifth place on the table with six points (two wins, one loss).

“Looking ahead, I think we can play much better. We have run a little bit more; better field management by the players and we will be fine. One game at a time,

that’s how we’re going to take things,” said the former National player Pompey.

League champions GDF are second behind Victoria

Kings on the point standings with seven points (two wins, one draw), followed by Western Tigers with seven points (two wins, one draw) but

Elite League’s leading goalscorer Aubrey Gibson (left) and head coach Winston Pompey

‘Army’ hold the goal-difference advantage (+3).

Den Amstel (+5) is ahead of Fruta Conquerors (+3) only by a superior goal-difference since the two share six points from three games, picking up two wins and a loss each.

Buxton United and Ann’s Grove United are sixth and seventh respectively with each side securing a win, while Linden’s Milerock and the sides from the Ancient County (New Amsterdam United and Cougars FC) are yet to pick up a win.

The GFF Elite League will resume tomorrow at the #5 Ground, West Coast Berbice from 18:00hrs, with Milerock playing Cougars and New Amsterdam United tackling Den Amstel in the second match.

BCB, Sarwan collaborate to launch two cricket tournaments See page 39

National Schools Basketball Festival

YBG nets $1.5M from Beharry Group for 2018

THANK YOU! (L-R) YBG’s Rayad Boyce, Reena Williams (Brand Manager for Chico), YBG’s Chris Bowman and Monique Tiwari (INDI Spice Brand Manager). (Rawle Toney photo)

CWI ostracises former players - Windies legend Richards

See page 34

Tower Suites official sponsor of Patrick Ford Memorial Open boxing

Volcanoes beat Jaguars by 52 runs (DLS) to reach Super50 final

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Windward Islands Volcanoes defeated Guyana Jaguars by 52 runs under Duckworth/Lewis, in the second day/night semi-final of the Regional Super50 at Coolidge Cricket Ground here Thursday.

The target was revised to 284 off 47 overs following a series of rain interruptions.

Scores: VOLCANOES 286 for seven off 50 overs (Tyrone Theophile 107, Kavem Hodge 57, Devon Smith 25; Ramaal Lewis 3-54) JAGUARS 231 off 44.2 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 49, Veerasammy Permaul 37, Shiv Chanderpaul 34, Anthony Bramble 27, Chris Barnwell 25; Kavem Hodge 3-49, Larry Edward 2-37) 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

YESTERDAY, Tower Suites became the official sponsor of the Patrick Ford Memorial Open boxing competition.

The 14-fight event, organised by the Guyana Boxing Association in conjunction with McDonald's Promotion, will be held on Sunday at the National Gymnasium and is scheduled to have participants from Guyana, Suriname, St Lucia and Trinidad &Tobago.

Caribbean light welterweight champion Colin `Superman' Lewis will clash with St Lucian `Furious' Nathan Ferrari in the feature matchup of the card.

Here, Tower Suites Events, Food and Beverage Manager Neilson McKenzie (second from left) hands over the sponsorship cheque to head of McDonald Promotions Alford McDonald.

Looking on are Tower Suites Operations Manager Shivani Sawh and GBA president Steve Ninvalle.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2018