Guyana Chronicle E-paper 03-25-2019

MONDAY 25th March, 2019

No.105587

Skilful coordination brought down Roger Khan –– former Suriname justice minister

PAGE

15

‘Joey’ warns

voters

about Jagdeo 03 PAGE

–– says PPP general secretary and his ‘do little’ cabal damaged Guyana

Training begins for house-to-house registration 02 PAGE

Man drowns at Splashmins PAGE

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These youths from Rosemary Lane, South Cummingsburg (Tiger Bay) participate in an art and robotics mini-camp hosted by the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport on Saturday (DPI photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 25, 2019

Training begins for house-to-house registration

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is advancing preparations towards the conduct of house-to-house registration with the training of some 100 core trainers on Saturday, March 23, 2019. “ We h a v e c o m menced our training of trainers session for h o u s e - t o - h o u s e . We started this week training the core trainers that will eventually be selected to conduct training for the Assistant Registration Officers (AROs) as well as enumerators,” G E C O M P u b l i c R elations Officer (PRO) Yolanda Ward said on Sunday.

Since March 3, 2019,

Participants being trained as core trainers to train others to conduct the upcoming house-to-house registration the Elections Commission had placed advertisements in the newspapers requesting persons to apply to fill the temporary positions of AROs and enumerators for house-tohouse registration.

At the interactive, two-day training exercise

being conducted at Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), participants are being taught the management of house-tohouse registration which includes team-work and time management; code of conduct; the role of scrutineers; and organi-

sational structure.

They are also learning the system of house-tohouse registration which details not only with the process but why, how and where persons must register as well as source documents.

Reports and report-

ing, processing transactions and security arrangements were also among the other lessons delivered.

Those who will serve as ARO, clerk to the ARO and clerical assistants were also taught their duties and responsibilities.

The participants underwent a practical evaluation session conducted by the eight facilitators present.

At the end of the training, the participants should be able to understand the organisation structure that will facilitate the efficient conduct of house-to-house registration and be equipped with knowledge and skills to train officials for houseto-house registration.

They must also devel-

op a variety of teaching methods for the delivery of topics and demonstrate competency in the presentation of content materials for house-tohouse registration.

“The evaluation goes in terms of performance and it’s how the selection happens but we’re actually hoping to have teams of three with 25 teams so we’re looking at roughly about 75 persons to [conduct] country-wide training,” Ward said.

Should things progress as planned, Ward estimates that the country-wide training exercise will commence by next week while the actual process of houseto-house is expected to begin as early as June, 2019.

Female firefighter says goodbye after 30 year

By Jeune Vankeric

AFTER seeing her neighbour’s house on fire as a child, Marcia Broomes, early in her life, made the decision to become a member of the Guyana Fire Service, an agency she later served, with distinction, for 30 years, retiring as a divisional officer.

Broomes’ years of service to the Guyana Fire Service were recently celebrated by ranks of the Berbice Divisional Headquarters in New Amsterdam. The outstanding female firefighter was given a march-past and salute from her colleagues.

Among those in attendance were New Amsterdam Mayor, Winifred Haywood, along with representatives from the New Amsterdam Municipal Constabulary, the Prison Services, the Post Office and the COFONA Band.

Born on September 21, 1964, Broomes joined the Guyana Fire Service on April 10, 1989, and was promoted to the rank of leading firewoman in 1993.

A subsequent transfer from the New Amsterdam Station on August 10, 1997, brought much pain and tears, as she was forced to leave her then four-year-old daughter and one-year-old son behind

Marcia Broomes delivering her farewell speech in the care of her extended family.

However, that move, though challenging, became an opportunity for career development which exposed her to an in-depth knowledge of the fire service which later propelled her to Section Leader and Subordinate Officer.

“From that challenge, I learnt to adapt to changes within this organisation and in my life,” she posited.

In October 2005, she was again transferred to Leonora Fire Station, West Demerara to take command there, and three years later, was trans-

ferred to the Operational Section at the Central Fire Station.

A promotion to the rank of station officer in 2008, led her to the Administrative Department, and two years later she was designated accountant within the Finance Department, a position she served in for three years.

In 2013, Broomes returned to the Administration Department as the second officer in command, and subsequently officer-in-charge at Central Fire Station, after she obtained the rank of See page 3

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Joey warns voters about Jagdeo GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 25, 2019

–– says PPP general secretary and his ‘do little’ cabal damaged Guyana

THE son of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Guyana’s former President and founder of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr Joey Jagan (Jr) is warning voters to be aware of People’s Progressive Party (PPP) headed by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

“Joey” as he is fondly called, in a letter to the editor in this newspaper on Sunday said the PPP has strayed from the concepts of its party leader, and, in doing so, it [the party] damaged the country’s economy. The damage, he said, occurred under the leadership of Jagdeo.

Giving his observations, Jagan said with Guyana rapidly approaching oil production in 2020, political stakes are high and citizens are anxious about receiving the opportunities they deserve from Guyana’s new-found wealth.

However, it is during this period, he deducted, that the Jagdeo-led Opposition seeks to condemn

Cheddi ‘Joey’ Jagan (Jr.) Guyana’s arrangements with oil-giant ExxonMobil through which the country must gain its footing towards a developed economy.

“Some of our ‘experts’ decry the financial and technological arrangements which we have with ExxonMobil, finding fault and opposing this great investment. Those malcontents should understand that over

Female firefighter says goodbye ...

From page 2

divisional officer.

In October 2017, the mother of two received instructions from the chief fire officer to proceed to Berbice Division; it was her last posting.

Broomes, in her farewell speech, urged the ranks to prepare their minds to adapt to changes whenever they experience them.

“Be humble and discipline at all times. Wear your uniform with pride. Demonstrate strong leadership and administrate without fear, no matter the circumstances. Always embrace the highest level of professionalism in execution of your duties and apply yourself to practise what you have learnt in such a way that the completion of your task causes you to rise in excellence,” she said.

Ranks were also admonished to perform their duties in a manner that the public will maintain its faith and trust in the Guyana Fire Service.

Broomes, who hails from Number 28 Village, West Coast Berbice, told Guyana Chronicle that she has no regrets joining the fire service.

“I faced many challenges. I was victimised. People spoke against me but I put all in God’s hands. I held on to the Biblical scriptures which said, ‘Fear not, for I am with you. I will go before you. I would be your God and I will fight for you’. Those words kept me. And I am here still standing,” she said.

Broomes has committed the next chapter of her life to her family, who had supported her through the years.

the next two years, ExxonMobil will invest over 35 billion US dollars in worldwide oil exploration without a clear prospect of oil recovery and with the price of oil not yet $60 a barrel, the investments are not always profitable,” Jagan said.

He added: “We in Guyana should be proud and excited that the largest company in the world is investing real money into our economy; this will eventually attract other good foreign investments and trade to our republic in areas such as agro-industry, mineral extraction, our water potential, our fishing potential, our forest potential and other new avenues to make up for lost time and lost opportunity.”

On Saturday, Director of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe, announced that Guyana has raked in over US$75 million in 2018 from local content in the oil and gas sector.

Dr Bynoe said the figure was directly derived from the emerging sector and does not include downstream impacts of the industry such as works in mechanics, electrical work, welding and technical warehousing, among others.

The late President’s son stressed that foreign investment and trade, along with the private sector as the engine of growth, is the only way to turn Guyana around from a poor to a rich nation.

Added to this, he noted investment in education as the key to ensuring young people are granted the opportunity to study at the best universities to return to take up the mantle of

leadership of Guyana.

He said: “Any government we have has to facilitate this notion and keep government committed to filling its ranks with younger professionals dedicated to the modern world and new ideas while decentralising power from the central government to our villages, towns and communities.”

MISMANAGEMENT While Jagan sees this as the obvious and clear path towards turning the country around, he stated that the PPP’s manifesto fails to mirror these needs as Jagdeo’s track record leaves behind a trail of mismanagement of the country’s resources.

“The PPP/C demitted office only three years ago, so it is pretty easy to show that the ‘Gang of 8’ who runs that party are against the very concepts which I put forward above. Under their aegis, there was no real foreign investment and trade and no intention of facilitating the economy so that the private sector could really become ‘the engine of growth’ and more young people left these shores as no real investments in education were ever done,” Jagan said.

Jagdeo served as President from 1999 to 2011after former President Janet Jagan resigned for health reasons.

Meanwhile, the ‘Gang of Eight’ referenced is a political term representing a built-in, simple majority of eight out of the PPP’s 15-member Executive Committee which remain loyal in support of the po-

litical decision of a leader.

Continuing on his assessment of the Jagdeo-administration, Jagan said: “The free computer giveaway under Jagdeo was a farce, the shoddy ‘fixing’ of schools was a joke; no buses to take our children to school; no hot meals for our schoolchildren and on and on, compounded by (as President Cheddi always said) ‘squandermania’, as exhibited by such failures as the Skeldon sugar fiasco, Jagdeo’s brainchild. Our biggest industry, the sugar industry, where the workers support the PPP/C, took plenty of blows when Jagdeo was in power and the sugar workers were treated with contempt, while the industry went broke and became a drag on our economy.”

In recent years, the current government moved to downsize the sugar industry --- which was causing the government billions in debt--- to make the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) more efficient.

Some estates and factories were amalgamated and others were divested with retrenched sugar workers receiving severance payments.

DID LITTLE While the tough decision was a necessary one to make, Jagan said that, in comparison, the Opposition, which currently feeds its political campaign off of the unfortunate situation, did little to aid sugar workers or to prevent the industry from failing.

He pointed out: “Jagdeo never brought innovations,

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo market adjustments and better pay and conditions for our brothers and sisters in the sugar industry and himself and Komal Chand (both members of the Gang of 8) conspired to have the workers’ union(GAWU) leadership be a part of the government which was really the employer– a real betrayal of the rights of the sugar workers who are really taken for granted every time elections are held.”

Jagan’s disapproval comes as Jagdeo, at memorial function intended to recognise the legacy former President, Dr. Jagan, called on residents of the Babu Jaan community to “chase” members of the government when they visit.

“In this period they have the nerve to celebrate the life of President Cheddi while doing the opposite of what he would have longed for.

The voters of our Republic will reject the do-nothings who dominate the PPP today– the Gang of 8,” the late President’s son asserted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday March 25, 2019

AFC gifts home to deserving Linden family

By Vanessa Braithwaite

JUNE Allicock, a guardian of four grandchildren, now has a comfortable place of

abode. She was presented a spanking new home by Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman and Alliance For Change,

Region 10 executives on Sunday.

Allicock of Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, was deemed worthy of receiving the noble gesture after her daughter Shemeika Allicock was murdered in 2017 by her husband, leaving five children behind for her mother to raise. At the time of her murder, she was living with

June Allicock (right), assisting the youngest grandaughter in her care to cut the ceremonial ribbon while Minister Raphael Trotman (left) and other AFC executives look on

Monday, March 25, 2019 05:00hrs. - 06:30hrs.

her mother in an unfinished home.

Initially, the family had to find an alternative place of abode since the children were psychologically affected by being in the same home where their mother was brutally murdered. The situation was brought to the attention of Trotman and the AFC who decided to step in and construct the three-bedroom concrete house.

At the simple ceremony on Sunday, Trotman said he was very happy to be associated with the project and even though it took longer than expected, he was finally happy that the family now has a modest home.

“I am glad that we were able to get it done, but more importantly, you and the children have a home that you can rest comfortably.”

He also thanked the contractor for displaying patience until the completion of the project. Allicock was overjoyed by the kind gesture.

“Well today, I have mixed emotions but I feel good, really good, I have everybody around me and I am feeling really happy,” she said.

Saturday 23, March, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 25, 2019

Contractor spruces up Le Repentir Cemetery

GEORGETOWN Mayor, Pandit Ubraj Narine, has commended the works of local contractor Francis ‘Brother’ Anderson who conducted a voluntary clean-up exercise at Le Repentir Cemetery on Sunday.

Narine, along with Councillor Trichria Richards, visited the cemetery on Sunday where Anderson had commenced the cleaning with the use of this own workers, to set an example of how it ought to be maintained.

“It’s a pilot project and a public-private partnership with one Mr. Anderson who has been a friend of the Council through hard and good times,” Richards said.

“He has been doing some volunteer work in the cemetery to show us what the cemetery should look like, especially the new councillors coming in who won’t have an idea how the cemetery should be.”

Richards said it was the hope that the project would serve as the basis for a document which could be taken to the Council and, through the Finance Committee, be developed into a sustainable project.

“It’s all in the bigger restoration project to bring Georgetown back to its former glory,” she said.

Meanwhile, the mayor commended the work of Anderson while he encouraged other citizens to join efforts in assisting the initiative.

“There is no payment; no contract and no kind of financial support from Council level [influencing this]. I want to give my compliment to him and we are able to see the standard of cleaning which I admire about him and his team,” the mayor acknowledged.

He continued: “Our loved ones are there and we need to take care of them in this manner. I ask that others, relatives, friends and residents of this Georgetown area who want to lend some help to do so. We ask for contractors or so forth [to also come out] who may want to give their input to this voluntary project.

This gentleman may not be able to finish this entire cemetery, maybe just a small part to show his skills, but that is what I admire about him.”

Georgetown Mayor Pandit Ubraj Narine and Councillor Trichria Richards interact with local contractor Francis ‘Brother’ Anderson

Commence house-to-house registration without delay –– ANUG urges GECOM

Workers of Anderson clear the high bushes from the Le Repentir Cemetery on Sunday (Samuel Maughn photo)

THE A New and United Guyana (ANUG) has called on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to commence house-to-house registration immediately.

The call comes as the commission began preparations following a February 19, 2019 decision, by way of vote, which cleared the way for works towards this end.

Some $3B had already been allocated for the activity to take place in 2019.

Government-nominated members on the Commis-

sion had pushed for the registration to ensure a credible list heading into elections.

Last December, the Opposition People’s Progressive Party passed a no-confidence motion against the government; however, last Friday, the Court of Appeal overturned a High Court ruling that the motion was validly passed.

Now that the High Court has ruled on the matter, ANUG is calling on GECOM to immediately commence the house-tohouse registration.

“Sufficient resources

should be given to GECOM to ensure that the exercise is completed in time and enhanced monitoring should be agreed between the parties to be paid for by the Government,” ANUG said.

The party also called for agreed measures by the main political parties for more effective monitoring of voting on Elections Day, with additional training of Election Day staff, observed by all political parties at government’s expense Following the Appeal Court ruling, the Opposition had indicated that it will take the matter to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday March 25, 2019

Establishing small businesses FROM year to year, there has been talk of stimulating and expanding small businesses. The State has often placed substantial resources into this sector such as extending banking facilities and training those who may wish to enter business, including small manufacturers. Many scores, if not hundreds of persons, were helped to make business plans. But these efforts never fructified into the prosperity and economic impact they were expected to achieve.

All these efforts are guided by the old formula that every productive process and business is the result of what economists term the agents of production - Land, Labour, Capital and Entrepreneurship.

The meaning of these terms are well-known and needs no elucidation. The only one which may need some slight elucidation is Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is generally interpreted to mean managerial ability, ability to assess business risks and courage to take them. The managerial ability would include the ability to successfully deal with labour and the raising of capital. Marketing and dealing with the markets, though they have a close relationship to entrepreneur-

ship, is often separated from it since it requires a number of distinct professional skills.

The State and private sector have both, over the years, made efforts to help and stimulate small businesses. For example, the private sector, led by Dr Yesu Persaud, founded IPED in the 1980s as a lending agency for small businesses. IPED’s successes have been quite impressive and it has been responsible for creating thousands of jobs. But it has very rarely helped a small business promoter who had very little more than a brilliant business idea but no capital to start up the business. Over the years, the government has founded such institutions as the Guyana National Co-operative Bank and the Agricultural Bank to try to stimulate small industries, small farms and other businesses and hundreds of millions of dollars were spent in such efforts.

These efforts were never crowned with any notable success.

More recently, the government has established the Small Business Bureau (SBB) under the leadership of Dr Lowell Porter. Dr Porter has been able to establish “help desks” in all the Regions. These help desks, in the words of the SBB’s

Marketing Officer, are to help “persons access information and to garner assistance with completing bureaucratic forms and other documents necessary to access the services of SBB”. Dr Porter, when he spoke with the press in December last year, said that small contractors and other businesses would be given 20% of governmental contracts and that the SBB has been facilitating loans from Republic Bank and Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) and that over the last four years, over $1B has been disbursed to small businesses.

The delinquency rate has been very low, that is less than 1%, but the rejection rate of applicants by the Banks has been approximately 50%. Dr Porter has been asking the Banks to treat small business applicants more favourably.

Despite these and other efforts to stimulate the establishment of small businesses, the level of success has been rather poor. Paradoxically, these efforts could not be faulted. Why, therefore, have these efforts not resulted in the expected success?

These efforts, as pointed out above, operated within the paradigm of ‘Land, Labour, Capital and Entrepreneurship’ and it was assumed that once these requirements were

satisfied, then success must inevitably follow. This was the assumption of promoters of small businesses as well as politicians and even economists.

In our view, the missing element in this traditional formula was a human one. That element could be gleaned from Professor Tawney’s writings on the Industrial Revolution and particularly in his groundbreaking book “Religion and the Rise of Capitalism” which was published over a century ago. In his book, he pointed out that Protestant groups such as the Quakers, who were prominent leaders of the Industrial Revolution, believed in such virtues as abstemious living styles, saving, hard work, investing and often operated as families in their business ventures. Their motto was “Heaven did not want the failures of the Earth.”

Professor Tawney’s thesis tended to be given further credence by the experience of 19th century Guyanese: The Village Movement, as an economic venture, was successful because of the human element. During the latter years of slavery which permitted “Sunday Markets” and the seven years of Apprenticeship following Emancipation, these Afro-Guyanese

freedmen, at great sacrifice, saved their small stipends and when the opportunity came, invested their savings in the purchase of abandoned sugar estates. As landed proprietors, they began to invest in small farms which generated income and created a village economy when they built several thousand houses. In these economic efforts, families and close friends were fully involved in investing their small savings and giving of their labour.

The 19th-century indentured immigrants, the Chinese, Portuguese and Indians, had analogous experiences to the Afro-Guyanese freedmen. They were brought to the colony in semi-slavery conditions and were paid very poor wages. At great sacrifice and privation, they were able to accumulate some savings which they began to invest in small farms, shops and trades like tailoring. In all these small economic ventures, or as they are called today “small businesses,” the entire family was involved and contributed. It was these freedmen and indentured servants who created the non-sugar economy of 19th century Guyana and they did so by personal and unstinted dedication to the small businesses they were starting, risking

all their small savings, and families being fully involved in such ventures. The human element we have described is not encapsulated in today’s “Entrepreneurship”. In other words, though successful 19th century small businesses in Guyana did have the traditional four elements of production, they also did have that specific “human” element which we described.

The various socio-cultural groups in the country could usefully socialize their constituents of the “human element” they have to contribute if they expect to go into small businesses. In other words, the agencies and organizations which are promoting small businesses could help to ensure success by ascertaining that their clients are personally dedicated to personal success, are socialized in saving, that they would be making maximum investment of their personal funds, that they are prepared to work long hours and not an eight-to-four day, and that they have family support and involvement. If this “human element” is there in those embarking upon small businesses with institutional help, the numbers of successes would rise exponentially.

Heal rifts created by no-confidence motion Dear Editor A NEW and United Guyana (ANUG) has viewed with increasing alarm the heightened political and ethnic tension generated by the no-confidence motion (NCM) passed by the National Assembly on December 21. In addition, the evidence suggests that investors have adopted a wait-and-see attitude, so that the economy is suffering and livelihoods are at stake.

The only way this dire situation can be resolved is by agreement between the two main political parties. ANUG suggests as follows: 1. The two political parties should agree to a date for elections based on the clear intention of President Granger, expressed during last week, to fix a date in late November or early December.

2. The house-to-house registration should commence immediately. Sufficient resources

should be given to GECOM to ensure that the exercise is completed in time and enhanced monitoring should be agreed between the parties to be paid for by the government.

3. The date agreed between the political parties should prevail, whatever decision is made by the CCJ. 4. If the CCJ upholds an appeal and rules that the lawful majority is 33, Opposition Leader Mr. Jagdeo agrees to support a resolution in the National Assembly to extend its

life until the date for elections.

5. Agreed measures for more effective and secure monitoring of voting on elections day, with additional training of election day staff, observed by all political parties, should be implemented at government’s expense.

Regards, A NEW AND UNITED GUYANA (ANUG)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday March 25, 2019

CGID welcomes appeal court nullification of no-confidence vote Dear Editor, THE Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) welcomes the judgement of the Guyana Court of Appeal, which, yesterday March 23, 2019, nullified the December 21, 2018 no confidence vote (NCV) brought in Guyana’s National Assembly by opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

This judgment overturned the January 31, 2019 ruling of Chief Justice Roxanne George upheld the no confidence vote. This judgement vindicates CGID, which on the instance of the vote resolutely and vehemently declared it to be unconstitutional. The ruling of the Court of Appeal also vindicates Guyana’s Attorney General, Basil Williams, SC, M.P., and his team, who were unjustly criticized in sections of the society.

The genesis of this historic case is in the December 21, 2018 vote on a no confidence motion introduced in the National Assembly by former president and opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo. The vote was 33 to 32 against the APNU+AFC

coalition government. Then government member of Parliament, Charrandas Persaud, allegedly accepted a multi-million US dollar bribe from the PPP and voted with the opposition against his own government. Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, on January 3, 2019 ruled that the motion was validly passed, and the Chief Justice validated the vote. However the Court of Appeal by majority decision ruled that the Chief Justice erred as the motion required 34 votes to meet the constitutional entrenchment of an absolutely majority. Consequently, the motion was not validly passed and was unconstitutional. The court comprised Chancellor of the Judiciary Hon. Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Justice Dawn Gegroy and Justice Rishi Persaud. Justice Persaud dissented.

Opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo immediately attacked Chancellor of the Judiciary, Hon. Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justice Dawn Gregory, who comprised the majority of the court, as political elements. CGID strongly condemns Mr. Jagdeo’s contempt for the court and

repugnant incivility. Such lawlessness and disrespect of our court have no place in our society. The rule of law is supreme. It is an aberration to impugn motives to judicial officers when they perform their constitutional duties.

Mr. Jagdeo has continuously disgraced the nation as well as the high constitutional offices of opposition leader and Member of Parliament. He used the NCV to incite racial division and violence. He spewed vile, racist propaganda daily and called for violence against the President and Prime Minister of Guyana in violation of the seditions act.

Mr. Jagdeo’s fermentation of racial insecurities and tensions was reminiscent of the dark period of the 1964 race wars in Guyana. Our nation must never go there again.

Most Guyanese believe that Bharrat Jagdeo is a bigot and unrepentant racist who is determined to destroy the fabric of Guyana if he does not regain power.

As president of Guyana from 1999 to 2011, Bharrat Jagdeo presided over a government which acted like a criminal cartel. His government became ensconced

with criminals, drug barons, phantom death squads and murder- for-hire gangs, which carried out a pogrom.

Together they killed over 400 mostly Afro-Guyanese young men, according to the United Nations 2009 McDougall report.

The World Bank estimated that over US $5 billion was siphoned off from the Guyana treasury during Jagdeo’s ethnocratic dictatorship. Currently, Bharrat Jagdeo is being investigated by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) of the Guyana Police Force for public corruption. He is also under investigation by the Inter-American Human

Rights Commission for allegedly ordering crimes against humanity. Mr. Jagdeo is the most odious and disgraced politician in the Caribbean. He has been banned from ever again being President of Guyana by the Caribbean Court of Justice.

In consideration of all of the above, CGID therefore calls for Mr. Jagdeo to resign as opposition leader.

We also wrote the leader of Government business in the National Assembly, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, as well as government Chief Whip, Amna Ally, calling for a motion to be introduced in Parliament

to censure Mr. Jagdeo for inciting violence against the Head of State and Prime Minister of Guyana.

The miasma of Mr. Jagdeo’s odious politics, racism and corruption dangles over the PPP like the Sword of Damocles that is inflicting irreparable harm to race relations and national cohesion in Guyana. Mr. Jagdeo is the epitome of PPP leadership which the Guyanese electorate continues to despise.

Rickford Burke, President Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday March 25, 2019

GTUC makes proposal to Jagdeo

Dear Editor,

LEADER of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo’s interview with Stan Gouveia on 94.1FM, as reported in Kaieteur News (24/3/2019), deserves national attention and concomitant actions. It is noted that a promise has been given that a PPP/C government will work towards the betterment of the oil-and-gas sector, and Mr. Jagdeo will play a role in such government in “helping to bring people together and craft a future for Guyana that includes all, including the People’s

National Congress Reform (PNC/R).”

For years, society, more particularly the ordinary man and woman, have clamoured for a system of governance that excludes no one.

Countless demonstrations on the streets, in the National Assembly, boardrooms and media, have realised a ground-breaking change to our “political system,” where the “principal objective” became one of “inclusionary democracy,” which is enshrined in Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution. This article was assented to in 2001 by then President Jag-

deo. Outside of its placement in the constitution, nothing has been done in a structured way-- through legislation-- to give it meaning.

Today, Mr. Jagdeo holds the second premier constitutional political office. The Office of the Leader of the Opposition (Article 110) falls under the executive (Chapter X). The executive has day-to-day responsibility for management of the nation’s business. Further, the leader of the opposition has parliamentary authority.

Most likely, given the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice against a presiden-

tial third term, respect for same will not see Mr. Jagdeo returning as president or as prime minister, who has to be eligible to be president. Thus, his role in a future PPP/C government will not have the consequential authority as that of President or leader of the opposition. The welcomed acceptance for a new dispensation in governance, which is more in line with Article 13, can be initiated and a system realised for its execution by Mr. Jagdeo in the office he presently holds.

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has been a tireless crusader to give meaning to the extant article. We see this article as pivotal to creating a society where equality, justice and good governance form the cornerstone for the workers/citizens’ development.

GTUC in its call for implementation respects the ‘Protection of the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual’ (Title 1). This Title includes the right to freedom of association with a trade union or political party of choice and protection from being discriminated against for such association (Article 147 and 149 respectively).

It is our belief that society’s ethnic tension and

division are exacerbated or exploited as the result of groups and individuals feeling or being excluded from the state’s protection and patrimony. The GTUC on 5th March, 2019, approached the opposition leader and President, via letter, outlining a 19-point proposal to start the conversation in an effort to give meaning to inclusionary democracy. Mr. Jagdeo was gracious to acknowledge our letter and has indicated a desire to have discussions on the issues. Thus, it is deemed necessary to join his public conversation on this matter.

GTUC notes Mr. Jagdeo’s proposal to bring accountability to the oil-andgas sector and to ensure that it benefits all Guyanese. In our 19-point proposal this issue was raised, with specific attention to having the Local Content Policy come under review by stakeholders and thereafter passed into law, with primacy given to protecting the well-being of local businesses and labour.

Mr. Jagdeo’s claim to institutional knowledge in avoiding the resource curse/ Dutch disease, having travelled as president to oil-rich societies that are so plagued, is also noted. Guyana can benefit now from such

knowledge. In principle, the GTUC will not find it difficult to support the opposition leader’s position for a law “that says the minister of finance and the secretary to the treasury must publish, in the Official Gazette, any receipt of oil money.” Accountability is an important element in good governance.

While as President Mr. Jagdeo did not practise the principle of inclusionary governance, GTUC nonetheless welcomes his recognition of the importance for same. Consequently, it is being proposed that Mr. Jagdeo not await the election of a PPP/C president, but use the party and his political status, as parliamentarian and leader of the opposition, to have engagement with social partners and government, and introduce to the National Assembly bills and/or motions to advance inclusionary democracy. The parliamentary acts would be consistent with Article 171 and signal a commitment to fulfilling the clamour of the ordinary man and woman, society’s working class.

Lincoln Lewis General-Secretary GTUC.

PPP boycotts Parliament while confidence motion before CCJ THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, said the party will not be attending sittings of the National Assembly while the appeal of the no-confidence motion is pending at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Jagdeo, who is also Opposition Leader, made the announcement in a facebook post on Sunday.

The Court of Appeal on

Friday ruled that the no-confidence motion was not validly passed in the National Assembly, thereby overturning the High Court’s decision of Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire.

Before a packed courtroom, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory ruled that the Opposition needed 34 votes to defeat the

Government and not 33.

Justice Rishi Persaud, however, had a dissenting opinion. The decision was arrived at in the appeal cases of ‘The Attorney General v Christopher Ram and others,’ and ‘The Attorney General v The Speaker of the National Assembly and others’ brought by the government through the Attorney General, Basil Williams.

Man drowns at Splashmins A 25-year-old man met an untimely death on Sunday afternoon after he reportedly drowned at the Splashmins resort on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Dead is Dinesh Ramdass of Coglan Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara.

The young man went to the area with friends on Sunday, his aunt told Guyana Chronicle.

Relatives, up to press time, were searching, with the hope of recovering his body. Last July, Ronaldo Gomes, 18, drowned at Splashmins. Relatives

contended that the young man was hit by a boat as he swam.

A number of deaths have been recorded at the popular water park over the years and Sunday’s incident renewed calls for improved life guard services at the location.

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Death Registration Form upgraded MEDICAL practitioners in Guyana are being trained to utilise the country’s new Death Registration Form which is set to improve the collection of data to better combat the leading causes of death locally.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Gordon-Campbell, told Guyana Chronicle on Sunday that the form now includes sections critical for statistical data on chronic diseases and pregnancy-related deaths.

She stated that the new form is reflective of what is used in developed countries and will help push the Ministry of Public Health ahead in guiding citizens towards longer, healthier lives.

To eliminate duplications, the form requests the deceased’s National Insurance Scheme (NIS) number, National Identification (ID) number and name.

A part from the previous information such as cause of death and other related information, the new form includes a section to determine the deceased’s tobacco, alcohol or any other sub-

stance use.

“We’re trying to associate any death that’s related to tobacco use and alcohol use and other substances.

We never used to before but [because] now we’re talking about lifestyle changes [as included in] the Tobacco Law which we introduced last year, now we’re trying to identify deaths that are related to tobacco smoking,” Dr Gordon-Campbell said.

A section in the new form also seeks to identify deaths related to pregnancy.

Those filling out the form can check either of the boxes: not pregnant within past year; pregnant at time of death; not pregnant but pregnant within 42 days of death; not pregnant but pregnant within 43 days to one year before death or unknown if pregnant within the past year.

“This death registration form is the instrument we’re using to collect data and it’s now going to be more sensitive to picking up deaths that are related to lifestyles such as tobacco and alcohol use or pregnancy,” she said.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Gordon-Campbell

Crucial to ensuring that the form achieves its objectives is the training of medical practitioners.

Several training sessions, involving various regions, have already been conducted for the year whereby doctors and medics were taught the importance of filling out the document completely.

“We have too many cases where the diagnosis is not

properly filled. If we don’t fill the diagnosis properly it means when it goes to the staff department and we bring all the data together we can’t determine the top 10 causes of death,” she explained, adding: “If we don’t know properly what are our top 10 causes of death then it’s difficult for us to plan and to allocate limited resources to where it’s most needed.”

Another important detail Gordon-Campbell mentioned is that while the previous death registration form was filled out in triplicate, the new form is now required to be filled out in quadruplicate.

This means that a form must be filled out by the General Register Office (GRO); the patient; the Ministry of Public Health and the clinic/medical facility where the individual was pronounced dead.

“We’re really trying to improve the quality of our data; the completeness of the data; and the timeliness of the data,” the DCMO explained

A section of the new Death Registration Form

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Enhancing early childhood development ARE you a new parent?

And even if you are not so new, Congratulations!

Being a parent has its challenges and rewards, but it is undoubtedly one of the best experiences in the world. Motherhood and fatherhood are as old as time immemorial; and even if you don’t have a clue about how to care for a young baby, whatever comes naturally usually works.

However, it is a fact that

the more you know about your new born, the more you will be able to help your baby to develop in the best way possible. Most parents want the best for their baby, so today we are going to share some tips that can help to enhance your baby’s development in the first three months.

Babies are pretty much a clean slate awaiting guidance and supervision from their parents/caregivers.

During the first three months

they begin to feel comfortable, safe and secure in the world, as caregivers respond to their signals and build a loving, caring bond with them. In turn, babies learn to trust their caregivers and depend on them exclusively.

It may seem to an onlooker that all new-born babies do, is sleep, feed, poop and cry, but there is far more going on in the brain of a new born than the average person can begin to imagine. For this reason, it

is imperative that parents understand the importance of giving their child the best start in life by preparing a solid foundation.

From birth to the age of three (years old), a child’s brain develops rapidly; so even though a baby communicates initially through crying, each day the brain is taking in additional information that is enabling the child to learn more about the world around him/her.

Parents should take this opportunity to help stimulate their child’s brain through various activities such as talking, singing and reading to their babies; this helps to build a good foundation. They can begin reading (appropriate) books to baby as soon as he/she is born. Babies learn from the tone, rhythm and sound of their parent’s voice. As they grow they will get used to repetitive words or sounds in the various stories or rhymes. Most of all, they will develop an interest in books, while enhancing their literacy skills for the future.

Introducing different textures and colours through toys and other playthings, like mobiles, also stimulates brain activity.

Parents should work with their baby to create a routine that will suit them

all. Allowing the baby to become too demanding might result in baby dominating the entire household with his/her sporadic feeding and sleeping habits; this, though not intentional, is easily done. But parents must be organised about feeding, sleeping and interactive times with their baby, so that baby’s needs will eventually fall in line with their routine and not the other way around.

Parents should create a calm environment for their baby, where no quarrelling, swearing, loud music or persistent annoying noises can be heard. If the caregiver is upset or angry in any way, he/she should take a break: it is not a good idea to be nursing or caring for the baby while emotionally distraught. Babies are perceptive, they can pick up on whether their caregiver is frustrated, agitated or upset; and this can make the baby feel and behave likewise.

Caregivers should always aim to be calm and peaceful around their child.

Babies communicate through crying, they do not understand why they are crying, but as adults, we know that it is usually related to some form of discomfort that they desperately need their caregiver(s) to

address. Babies like to be soothed with songs, soft words and music, while being held in comforting, loving arms. They like to lie and fall asleep on their mother’s or father’s chest, where they feel comforted and secured.

For the first three months of a baby’s life, it is the responsibility of parents/ caregivers to make the baby feel secure, loved and protected in order for the baby to continue to flourish holistically. Babies respond and subsequently relate to all the information they are given from the people around them and their environment; therefore, it is important to keep their lives as simple, as positive and as consistent as possible.

Last, but not least, caregivers should find time for themselves: time to unwind and offload ocassionally.

New babies can be a handful, so if there are trusted family members nearby, let them assist for a few hours per week.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child you can ring the CPA hotline 227 0979 or email chilcaregy@gmail.com A Message from the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ministry of Social Protection

Doctor stationed at Wakapoa

RESIDENTS of the Arawak community of Wakapoa, Lower Pomeroon River, Region Two, no longer have to traverse the Pomeroon River to see a doctor at the Charity Oscar Joseph Hospital.

They now have one stationed at their community health centre.

This announcement was made by Regional Executive Officer, Denis Jaikarran, during the recent commissioning of a multimillion-dollar

bridge in that community.

He said government is doing everything possible to provide essential services to various communities, especially in the rural areas. Solar panels will be installed at the health centre and doctor’s quarter in Wakapoa.

Meanwhile, the Region Two administration intends to extend the Wakapoa Secondary School, build a new sanitary block and do repairs to the primary school.

Toshao of the community, Howard Cornelius, said there has been improvement of health services in the remote community.

Previously, resident from Mayrie had to travel a long distance to access basic health services. Toshao Cornelius was happy that a doctor has been placed in the community to attend to residents and thanked the Regional Administration for making it possible.

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Rockstone on mission to solidify economy to expand his business, so that he can purchase his own engine and even more boats; he is also eyeing the possibility of employing other youths within the community. “I would like to purchase some hammocks, tents and even make some cabins for them to sleep, because right now they stay at the village guest house and not everyone wants to stay indoors when they are in a community like this,” he reasoned. Peters sold his community as a very beautiful place, filled with picturesque scenes and solitude -- perfect for a weekend getaway, with lots of outdoor activities to enjoy. He too has consulted the Linden Enter-

Tourism entrepreneurs Ray Peters and his fiancée, Ulandy Mark

By Vanessa Braithwaite THE Region10 community of Rockstone, primarily known for logging and fishing and for hosting the annual Rockstone Fish Festival, is on a mission to strengthen its economy.

It has been over seven years since Toolsie Persaud Limited ended operations in large-scale logging at Anarika, which is a satellite village to Rockstone. Scores of residents of both communities were employed and the village economy was booming.

Toshao of Rockstone, Flagon Carter, noted that closure of the company has affected the communities adversely, as the communities’ economies were fully dependent on the company.

Residents started migrating in droves to seek employment elsewhere. “Many people went into the bush, the school at Anarika closed down; money was not generating; shop-owners were crying out,” Carter listed as some of the effects of the closure of the company THE NEED TO DIVERSIFY Rather than sit and wait on handouts, residents of Rockstone have become ingenious and enterprising and while their cups may not be overflowing, as with the presence of a multi-million dollar company, it is surely not empty. The mighty Essequibo River borders Rockstone and in it is found a plethora of black water fishes. Hymara, Lukananis, Arawannas, Lou Lous and Hassar, among others. Residents have been in to fishing for decades, but realising that more profits can be garnered from processing

these fish, have caused them to think of creative ways to earn from their very own gold in the water.

One resident, Rajkoomar Balgobin, has been a fisherman for some time. He has dug his very own fish pond in his backyard and has begun to fish farm on a small scale with hassars. He is seeking funding from the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) to expand this aquaculture initiative, so that he can expand the pond and farm larger fishes such as hymaras. These he will process in various means and provide to markets in Linden and other places.

With the serenity and panorama of Rockstone, the community is a major fishing and tourism hot spot. One young man, Ray Peters, realised that this tourism potential should be exploited. He has ingeniously transformed himself into a self-trained tour guide and has been providing tour packages to the many visitors flocking the community on weekends, to earn for himself and family. Peters purchased a boat with the help of financing from his fiancée, who was a participant in the Hinterland Empowerment Youth Service (HEYS). The duo rents the community’s boat engine and provides transportation and tour-guide services to sports fishers and tourists. “I realised I can make money like this, they would hire me to take them to sand beach, river fishing, bird watching such as the Harpy Eagle; they would go out to see the waterdogs and all of these things,” he said. Some daily packages cost between $30,000 -- $40,000 per day.

Having no regrets, Peters is now looking for funding

prise Network for a loan to expand his tourism businesses. He will also commence training through the Department of Tourism, which will enable him to become an official tour guide.

Like Peters and Balgobin, many residents have commenced their own forms of enterprise to ensure that the economy of Rockstone stays alive. Standing as the most prominent two, are farming and fishing. Many of the former workers of the company have formed themselves into logging associations. There are two in the community and logging is still a common means of earning for many. Residents

have also gone into apiculture .

COMMUNAL EFFORTS While many families and individuals have commenced their own entrepreneurial courses, the community at large has embarked on a communal agro-processing initiative; this is enabling farmers, women processors, transportation providers, packagers, amongst others, to earn. The Rockstone Cassava Processing Project is funded by the Amerindian Development Fund and has made strides since its commencement. Carter noted that up to 12 women are in rotation at

the processing plant. There, they process the cassava into sauce, cassava bread, farine and casareep amongst other things. The products are marketed in the community and in Linden. “Right now our major markets are the RDC, and Chanzars in Linden, we must thank the REO, Orrin Gordon, for really supporting this project,” Carter posited.

Last week, the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN), held an outreach in Rockstone, where they urged entrepreneurs and even potential ones to come on board to benefit from their financing and training resources to expand their businesses

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday March 25, 2019

CreditInfo seeks to get businesses into shape CREDITINFO (Guyana) is embarking on a number of training programmes to reinforce its presence and importance in Guyana’s growing business environment.

The company is working assiduously to make Guyanese aware of its role in the local business environment and how its legally set mandate may have positive or negative effects on them when transacting business.

The company said it will be engaging current and potential subscribers in extensive training programmes.

“Our training programmes will comprise full subscriber engagement that include user training and refresher training activities; CEO and senior manage-

ment engagement and presentations; roundtables and seminars to deal with various issues, including data quality; timely dispute management and general queries,” CreditInfo said.

These sessions will also allow for the introduction of new products, as well as receiving very valuable feedback from subscribers.

CreditInfo (Guyana) operates under the Credit Reporting Act 2010 and the Credit Reporting Amendment Act 2016; it embodies the fact that lenders will provide credit information towards the development of credit reports.

This means that each individual who transacts business is likely to have a report based on his/her borrowing

and payback habits. The upside to this is that persons with good credit scores may find it extremely easy to access finance, because of a good credit history which would result in a good credit score.

However, a person may try to access a loan for instance and be denied. It may very well be that the lending agency, a subscriber to CreditInfo, accessed that person’s credit history after receiving their authorisation and noticed their poor payback record. CreditInfo offers therefore advice and solutions in this regard.

Such information makes up for the companies value-added products and services, which cater not only to individuals, but to all compa-

ny sizes as well.

“The challenges to making a greater impact in the market, where our value-added products are concerned, in particular, has been determined to be primarily fuelled by a lack of understanding of the company and its offering, as well as the scope of the credit-reporting industry as a whole.” The company said it will focus therefore on facilitating increased usage of feebased credit reports, reduced incidence of nil reports or no credit data found occurrences, improved quality of data shared and enhanced promotion of value- added products.

Direct engagements with high-level operatives will also allow for insights regarding various strategic issues and challenges for

which solutions can be provided.

Interactions with users have already seen CreditInfo needing to train users of its products. “Our experience in engaging users in a very interactive manner has encouraged unhindered feedback, clarification of issues they may be experiencing, as well as the overall development of their understanding of the correct procedures for accessing credit reports.

Our training and direct engagements with IT Systems operators is also another key contributor as it assists in improving data quality, which is necessary to inspire confidence in the value of our services and support the sale of our value-added products.”

The company pointed

out that, “As a consequence of efforts and direct engagements, subscribers will be able to clarify issues and gain in-depth insights on interpreting the credit data, since a reliance merely on the credit score without a full understanding of the reasons for that particular score was recognised.”

CreditInfo’s business-related data could assist in making major investment decisions. “Our capacity or flexibility to respond to immediate requests for solutions is part of our package. An example relating to capacity would be our ability to respond to a bank’s demand for a mobile banking solution within a required time frame,” the company said.

NGO spearheads major Festival City clean-up -Minister Harmon pledges gov’t support THE Festival City area, which is home to thousands, is undergoing a major clean-up. This initiative was launched by the Festival City Youth and Parent Organisation (FCYPO) and according to the FCYPO’s chairman Richard Taylor, is part of an effort to restore the area’s inherent beauty and boost its sustainability.

Work began on Sunday, March 17, with at least 30 residents lending their voluntary support in various ways to the effort. Taylor said his non-governmental organisation was launched in 2012 and “evolved from a clean-up group.” The organisation, the 50-year-old noted, “then linked with Builders Beyond Borders (BBB) and Habitat for Humanity to construct the $US60,000 Festival City Community Centre. This facility hosts a night school and Saturday classes, assisted by the D’Urban Park Lions for children and early school leavers in the community.

Taylor’s aim for Festival City, is to “bring it back to the status it was known for in the 1970s and 80s.” He added that it is not just about cleaning, “it’s also about making the community more self-sufficient…we are also going to plant it up too.” The intention is to plant certain type of vegetables, and fruits on reserves and parapets, where possible. Work, Taylor explained, will be done every Sunday, from 7am and interested persons or businesses, can contribute to the cause.

The group’s work was lauded on Sunday, March 24, by Minister of State Joseph Harmon during a visit. He was accompanied by consultant and a member of the International of African Descent Organisation, Dr. Simpson DaSilva and Civil Defence Commission Director-General (ag) Lt Col Kester Craig. Minister Harmon promised the coalition government’s support and said, “If we are going to clean up all of Guyana, all of our cities…it means that we have to clean up our communities first.” Lt Col Craig described the initiative as being in keeping with the CDC’s roles and responsibilities.”

Last week, Georgetown Mayor Pandit Ubraj Narine and a high-level delegation visited Festival City and promised City Hall’s support for its restoration.

Festival City was established in 1972 under then Prime Minister Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, as part of the facilities utilised for the inaugural hosting of the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA). After the historic festival, thousands of Guyanese were able to purchase the homes via co-operatives and further developed the community.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday March 25, 2019

Skilful coordination brought – former Surinamese down Roger Khan justice minister FORMER Surinamese Justice Minister, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, has said that coordination among law-enforcement agencies is key to bringing crime under control.

He offered this view while delivering the feature address at a fund-raising dinner hosted by Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI) at the Pegasus Hotel on Saturday evening.

“Some amount of coordination between Guyana and Suriname led to the capture of Roger Khan,” said Santokhi, who noted that the Surinamese Govern-

ment had to find a comprehensive programme to fight crime and it also benefitted Guyana.

Santokhi said there was a “serious and comprehensive” approach to all types of crime and criminals and in 2003-2006, many kingpins were arrested, including Khan.

He also believed that the regional and international justice systems did their job in prosecuting Khan and other criminals.

“That is how the judicial and legal system is working... nationally, regionally and internationally,” the

former justice minister said.

Asked how he had responded to threats against his life then, Santokhi said, international agencies dealt with those threats.

Back in 2003-2006, Khan had set up a criminal network here, including active policemen and a number of former ranks, ostensibly to go after criminals, but at the same time, to also protect his narco-trafficking interests.

He was nabbed in neighbouring Suriname in 2006 while fleeing local police, and was later handed over to U.S. authorities.

Although the PPP government had sought to distance itself from Khan, the drug-trafficker had stated publicly, in an advertisement in local newspapers, that he had been fighting crime on behalf of the Bharrat Jagdeo-led government.

Khan had also implicated former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, in his escapades; documents bearing the then minister’s signature authorising the purchase of a sophisticated wire-tapping device, were produced in U.S. courts during Khan’s trial.

Surinamese politician Chandrikapersad Santokhi

Christianburg Primary School to be rebuilt er option is the compound where the old Magistrate’s Court was located, which was burnt down. The Regional Education Officer, Robindra Singh, will be engaging parents and residents on a scoping exercise to see where the best location is, for the school to be constructed. It will be a

Photo attached of the Christianburg Primary School as it stands today

THE Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 10 will be including the rebuilding of the Christianburg Primary School in its 2019 capital work programme.

Regional Executive Officer (REO) Orrin Gordon explained that the bulk of the $197M that was allocated for education for 2019 was to be used on the construction of Amelia’s Ward Nursery and Primary Schools.

Technical issues are already showing that construction of the primary school may not be possible by the end of the 2019 budget cycle.

“Again, we are seeing that we are going to run into trouble, because to date the consultan-

cy is not sorted out; we don’t have a consultant yet for the primary school and with the dates and all of that, we are looking at not until June, July before we can get an award for a contractor to be given that work,” he explained.

As a result of this, another priority project has to be used as an inclusion, so that the money will be spent and not sent back to the Ministry of Finance. A decision was made that the next priority project will be construction of the Christianburg Primary School. This has been a request by parents in the community, since their children were forced to travel a longer distance to the St Aidan’s Primary School, where they

were temporarily housed.

Currently, the RDC in collaboration with the Department of Education, Region 10, is looking for a practical site where the school can be built. If the current site, where the school stands should be used, a lot of back-filling, and preparatory works will have to be done, since the area is very swampy and the school was suspected to be sinking. Earlier in the year, upon visiting the school ,Minister of Finance Winston Jordan said that the school needs to be evaluated. He promised to have a structural engineer examine the school, as to whether it can be repaired, or completely rebuilt.

Gordon said that anoth-

one-storey building, since it will be catering for approximately only 100 students.

While it is unfortunate that the construction of the new Amelia’s Ward Primary School may be delayed for the second budget cycle, Regional Chairman Renis Morian said that

construction of the Christianburg Primary School is an answer to the cries of parents. Parents have been complaining that their children are being discriminated against at the St Aidan’s Primary, in addition to the extra transportation cost to attend school there.

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Cameron out, Skerritt new CWI President …New president Skerritt surprised at wide margin of victory

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – Former West Indies team manager Ricky Skerritt and Dr Kishore Shallow are the new president and vice-president of Cricket West Indies (CWI).

Both were elected during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston on Sunday, after defeating incumbent Jamaican Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron and his vice-president and running mate, Emmanuel Nanthan 8-4.

The victory will see Skerritt, 62, a former Minister of Sports and Tourism in St Kitts and Nevis and Shallow, the current president of the St Vincent & The Grenadines Cricket Association, taking up office for the next two years.

They denied Cameron and Nathan a four-consecutive term.

Skerritt expressed surprise at the margin of victory, as the election was expected to be a close battle.

Prior to the elections, Skerritt was assured of the backing of Trinidad and Tobago and the Leeward Islands and possibly Jamaica, while Guyana, Barbados and the Windward Islands had thrown their support behind Cameron.

“I am not even sure where the eight votes came from, but I can tell you that everybody has the right to privacy with

their votes. I am indeed grateful that we were able to get eight votes and that gave us more than a one-vote margin,” Skerritt said.

“But in this business, we have learnt that if the message resonates with individuals, even those individuals who may have what you call a mandate, and if they feel strongly enough about an issue they will actually go against the mandate.

“That was the basis on which we started our campaign, knowing that we could build our voting base by being consistent with good ideas, [and] reaching out with a positive campaign to bear on the voters and I think that happened.

I am humbled and deeply honoured to be elected as president and we pledge to work for improvement on and off the field for West Indies cricket,” he added.

His running mate Dr Shallow was also grateful stating that: “My role in this is to support my president 100%, to keep him energised and focus and challenge him. I am grateful and humbled by the support of the members of the territorial board.

This is a victory for West Indies cricket.”

Cameron, who was first elected in 2013, was pleased about his six-year run in office.

He, however, expressed disappointment with the outcome, having confidently stated that he was in no danger of losing the CWI top job.

“I am very surprised, but I just like to say thanks to the region for the opportunity to serve West Indies cricket, it was a tremendous run. When we came into office we found West Indies cricket in a state and I think we now leave it in a better state and we are very proud of those achievements,” Cameron shared.

He continued: “I trusted the process that we are men of integrity and I banked on that, that we are a group on integrity and we stand for something, so that’s where I am very disappointed that men gave me their word and then went a different way.

“But that is election all around, I think we have a lot to be proud of winning back the Wisden trophy after 10 years and seeing us compete the way we did against England just now. I tell you I am very excited for West Indies cricket if we continue on this trajectory.”

The proceedings were done under the watchful eyes of international audit firm, KPMG.

Greenidge) and England (Cox, Callum Harriott, Neil Danns, Keanu Marsh-brown, Ronayne Marsh-Brown, Stephen Duke-McKenna, Anthony Jeffrey, Kadell Daniel, Marcel Barrington, Elliot Bonds, and Terence Vancooten).

“I’ve seen the ups, I’ve seen the downs, I’ve seen things that people don’t even know about, but I’ll tell you what, every single player from behind the scenes worked their socks off and we have made history! It has never been done in this country before,” a passionate Cox told the room full of reporters.

The UK-based player, who has been part of the programme for the past five years, was vociferous in stressing “we are the greatest team to achieve something ever in this country, so we need to appreciate that,

tournament.

Johnson listed players such as Harriott and Keanu Marsh-Brown as ‘pivotal’ to the country’s continued success, telling Chronicle Sport that “these players are playing at the top end of the spectrum in England and you can’t place a value to what they bring to this team.”

Danns was also showered with praises by Johnson who called the Bury FC midfield maestro the ‘backbone’ of the Golden Jaguars.

“Within the training camp, the standard in the training was the best for me since I’ve been here, but not just the standard for the foreign-based players, but also the locally-based players,” Johnson reflected.

Emotionally overjoyed, Johnson said that the team will take a couple of days to soak in their achievement,

One team, one dream; we’re all Guyanese! – Cox

By Rawle Toney

GUYANA booked their first trip to the CONCACAF Gold Cup (men’s tournament) following a 2 – 1 win over Belize on Saturday night at the National Track and Field Centre in Leonora.

Approximately 5,000 football-crazed fans crammed into the ‘West Side’ venue as Neil Danns scored in the 16th minute when he converted from the penalty spot, while Emery Welshman’s goal in the 43rd minute was seen as the ‘game-winner’ since Belize’s

Elroy Kuylen equalized in the 25th minute.

However, despite the team’s historic achievement, some fans took to social media to voice their concerns on the team’s composition of mostly overseas-based players-- a disquiet that didn’t sit well with Captain Samuel Cox-who was emotional in the post-game press conference when voicing his displeasure at the fans’ view.

With the exception of Gregory Richardson, Sese Norville, Alex Murray, Kevin Layne, Trayon Bobb and Pernel Schultz, Johnson’s team is made up of players who compete in the top tier of football in the USA (Warren Creavalle), Canada (Emery Welshman), Trinidad and Tobago (Sheldon Holder), Suriname (Akel Clarke), Finland (Walter Moore), Norway (Reiss

08:20 hrs Euan Me 08:50 hrs Ataturk 09:20 hrs Secret Delight American Racing Tips 09:50 hrs Icarus Flight Mahoning Valley 10:25 hrs Burgundy Rose Race 1 Parade For Me Race 2 Meet Me Half Way 10:55 hrs Aramouse Race 3 Barefoot Gypsy Race 4 Prime Time Justice English Racing Tips Wincanton Race 5 Liberty Valance 10:15 hrs Lady Longshot Race 6 Artavia 10:45 hrs Secret Investort Race 7 Injaazaat 11:15 hrs Nightfly Race 8 Trust In Me 11:45 hrs Findusatgorcombe South Africa Racing Tips 12:15 hrs Miranda 12:45 hrs Storm Arising Flamingo Park

whether it’s foreign-based, local-based, I don’t care, it doesn’t matter because we’re all one – one country, one team – one dream – simple as that!”

The side, according to many pundits, was labelled as one of the best-composed sides ever assembled in Guyana in the last decade with Callum Harriott, who competes in the English Football League Championship with Reading FC, League Two side Newport County’s Keanu Marsh-Brown, former ‘Gunners’ Anthony Jeffrey, and Reiss Greenidge being the debutants.

Meanwhile, upon his arrival last year, Head Coach Michael Johnson stated that his stint as being at the helm of the Golden Jaguars will be a failure if he didn’t help Guyana to advance to the confederation’s premier football

Lingfield 10:30 hrs Maazel 11:00 hrs Call Me Grumpy 11:30 hrs Eden Rose 12:00 hrs Gumball 12:30 hrs Ignatius 13:00 hrs Don’t Do It Wolverhampton 13:15 hrs Clearance 13:45 hrs Atyaaf 14:15 hrs Top Breeze 14:45 hrs Second Collection 15:15 hrs Tavener 13:45 hrs Seaforth

but will head back to the drawing board with the aim of being competitive and giving a good account of themselves at the June 15 – July 7 CONCACAF tournament.

THE GOLDEN JAGU A R S S Q U A D T H AT CREATED HISTORY: Goalkeepers – Alex Murray, Sese Norville and Akel Clarke.

Defenders – Sam Cox, Elliot Bonds, Terence Vancooten, Reiss Greenidge, Ronayne Marsh-Brown, Walter Moore and Kevin Layne.

Midfield – Neil Danns, Stephen Duke-McKenna, Anthony Jeffrey, Kadell Daniel, Warren Creavalle and Trayon Bobb.

Forwards – Sheldon Holder, Gregory Richardson, Pernel Schultz, Callum Harriott, Marcel Barrington, Emery Welshman and Keanu Marsh-Brown.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday, March 25, 2019) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) (1) (2)

ANSWERS TO SATURDAY’S QUIZ: Yusuf Pathan (RR) Shane Watson (CSK)

(1) (2)

TODAY’S QUIZ: Who is the first WI to be voted Man of the Series in the IPL? How many matches were scheduled in IPL 2011?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 25, 2019

Aussies cruise to fifth straight ODI win after Finch’s unbeaten 154 AUSTRALIA’s surging one-day international form has continued after Aaron Finch’s monster century and a dominant partnership with Usman Khawaja propelled them to another comprehensive win over Pakistan in Sharjah.

Finch (153 not out off 143) amassed his second century in as many games and 13th overall, while Khawaja (88 off 107) picked up where he left off in the recent series against India in posting another substantial total from the top of the order.

The eight-wicket win was eerily similar to Friday’s at the same ground when they reeled in 281, with the opening two matches of the series marking two of the three highest run chases at the venue that has hosted more ODIs than any other.

There were a few nervy moments in the dying overs, but the result never truly appeared in doubt as the tourists claimed the same margin of victory as two days earlier, dropping just two wickets en route to their target.

Pakistan’s decision to promote Mohammad Rizwan up from No.8 to No.4 had earlier proved canny, with the wicketkeeper-batsman cracking his maiden ODI century to see Pakistan post a competitive 7-284.

But an exhilarating entrance to international cricket from debutant tearaway Mohammad Hasnain aside, Pakistan barely fired a shot with the ball as Finch and Khawaja both played chanceless innings.

Their 209-run stand was Australia’s fifth-highest ODI opening partnership.

The only negative for the tourists was an injury to Jhye Richardson, whose involvement in the remainder of the five-game series is in question

Aaron Finch’s unbeaten 153 came off 143 balls

after the paceman dislocated his shoulder in a nasty fall.

Rizwan shared in a 127run fifth-wicket partnership with skipper Shoaib Malik after his side had wobbled to 2-35 and then 4-112 nearing the halfway point of their innings.

Rizwan is standing in behind the stumps for regular captain and gloveman Sarfraz Ahmed, but his well-crafted 115 off 126 balls will have done his hopes of making Pakistan’s World Cup squad no harm.

After Malik won the toss and batted for the second time in three days, Richardson’s afternoon began far better than it ended less than an hour later, offering another glimpse of his skills with the new ball.

Australia’s pacemen had failed to make any early inroads on a similar-looking pitch from the first game, but two days later, Richardson had both openers dismissed inside the first six overs.

But the Western Australian was also soon back in the sheds, sporting a blue brace around his right arm to signal the end of his involvement in the game, and possibly the series.

What began as a likely tactic to make up Richardson’s remaining overs turned

out to be a masterstroke from Finch, who brought himself on to send down his part-time left-arm spinners and duly had first ODI century-maker Haris Sohail caught behind for 34.

The introduction of Hasnain, who Pakistan legend Waqar Younis said should have opened the bowling, gave Finch and Khawaja plenty to think about with a series of vicious short balls.

But after a hostile opening spell that saw Finch struck on the helmet, the 18-year-old, who had never played a domestic one-dayer let alone a fully-fledged ODI before Sunday, posed less of a threat as the night wore on and the opening stand grew ever larger.

Pakistan briefly had their tails up after Khawaja was finally out slog sleeping and the promoted Maxwell, after twice smashing Imad Wasim onto the stadium’s roof, ran himself out.

A run-a-ball chase for the final six overs suddenly looked a tricky one, as Pakistan missed a series of run-out opportunities and scoring became tougher on a wearing track with a ball beginning to reverse-swing.

But after bringing up his first-ever ODI 150, Finch hit the winning runs to give the Aussies a 2-0 series lead.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 25, 2019

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Warner hits 85 on IPL return but Sunrisers lose KOLKOTA - Australia’s David Warner smashed 85 from 53 balls on his Indian Premier League(IPL) comeback Sunday but his knock went in vain as Sunrisers Hyderabad lost to Kolkata Knight Riders.

Warner, who along with compatriot Steve Smith returns to the Twenty20 tournament after missing the previous edition due to a ball-tampering controversy, steered Sunrisers to 181 for three after being put into bat.

His efforts though were not enough, with Andre Russell hitting an unbeaten 49 off 19 balls as the Knight Riders won by six wickets with two balls to spare at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.

A pause for a floodlight

failure in the 16th over recharged Knight Riders’ chase as Russell put together an

including the winning six.

Russell struck four fours and four sixes

Australian David Warner smashed 85 from 53 balls on his IPL return

unbeaten 65-run stand with Shubman Gill, who hit 18 runs

Earlier Warner stood out during a 118-run opening

stand with England’s Jonny Bairstow, who made 39, to lay the platform for their big total.

“It is good to get out there and contribute. It looked a nice wicket to bat on but it slowed down a bit which made us reassess after six overs,” Warner said after his knock.

The Australian admitted some anxiety before his big return to IPL -- and an unusual solution.

“I was a bit nervous in the dressing room and kept drinking pickle juice,” he said.

Opener Warner survived a reprieve on 38 after Knight Riders captain and wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik dropped him off left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav.

Warner, who captained Sunrisers to their only IPL title in 2016, made the most of the spill and raced to his 37th IPL fifty with a six off Russell to signal his aggressive intent.

Bairstow was bowled by leg-spinner Piyush Chawla but Warner took the attack to the opposition, hitting nine fours and three sixes during his blitz.

Warner, who recently recovered from an elbow injury he picked in the Bangladesh Premier League, finally fell to Russell after driving the ball to cover.

Warner said his elbow “wasn’t all too bad” after doing a lot of work with his trainer back home.

Year-long bans from state

and international cricket for Warner and Smith end on March 28 but the duo are keen to get among the runs in the IPL, ahead of the 50-over World Cup starting in May. The suspension did not include club games but IPL’s governing council decided not to allow the disgraced duo in the 11th edition of the T20 league last year in a bid to avoid controversy.

The pair were banned for cheating in a Cape Town Test in March last year along with teammate Cameron Bancroft, whose nine-month ban has already finished.

Smith is expected to appear for his team Rajasthan Royals in their opening match against Kings XI Punjab in Jaipur today (AFP).

Delhi Capitals powered by Rishabh Pant thump Mumbai Indians at Wankhede DELHI Capitals (DC) have managed to take a lead in the head to head battle against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).

Rishabh Pant hit an unbeaten 78 off 27 balls.

The Capitals have also opened their account with a victory in their opening match of the season. MI, on the other hand, have yet again started with a loss.

They have now not won their first match of the season since

2012.

Coming back to the match, the hosts won the toss and opted to field first at the jampacked Wankhede stadium.

They also started well to send back Prithvi Shaw and Shreyas Iyer early in the innings.

At 29/2, it seemed that the Capitals will post a below-par total. But Colin Ingram arrived and things started to settle in. He, along with Shikhar Dhawan, stitched 83 runs for the third wicket to get the momentum going for the team.

After Ingram was dismissed, it was time for Rishabh Pant to launch an assault on the Mumbai bowlers. He literally 0ripped apart each and every bowler that came his way on his way to a 17-ball half-century. He shifted gears dramatically after that to end unbeaten on 78 off 27 balls which led the Delhi Capitals to a mammoth total of 213 runs for the loss of six wickets after 20 overs.

YUVRAJ FIGHTS BUT TO NO AVAIL Mumbai Indians (MI) needed their skipper Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock to have any chance of gunning down the total. But both of them were sent back to the hut within the powerplay overs.

Yuvraj Singh and Kieron Pollard then added 50 quick runs for the third wicket to keep the team in the hunt. But the latter was bluffed by Keemo Paul with a slower one and Axar Patel snaffled Hardik Pandya in the very next over for a duck to effectively seal the game.

But Yuvi was undone yet. His sublime sent the Mumbai fans into the frenzy and his half-century was the only positive for them in the end. Constant fall of wickets from the other end didn’t help the home team’s cause as they eventually fell short of the target by 37 runs.

Mumbai Indians could only score 176 runs for the loss of nine wickets as Jasprit Bumrah didn’t come out to bat.

India’s cricket World Cup star Gambhir joins Modi’s party before election

By Krishna N. Das

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party on Friday, leaving a panel to decide whether to field him as a candidate in the cricket-crazy country’s upcoming general election.

With 9 million followers on Twitter, Gambhir could give Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) some extra pulling-power in the campaign for an election which will run from April 11 till May 23.

A top-order batsman from New Delhi, Gambhir played match-winning knocks in two cricket World Cup finals and also led his club

team to two victories in the Indian Premier League.

“I am joining this party influenced by our prime minister, his vision,” Gambhir, 37, told reporters after being inducted into the party by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

“I’ve done whatever I could in cricket, and this is a fabulous platform for me to do something really good for this country and take this party forward and make this country a better place to live.”

Jaitley said the party’s election committee would decide if Gambhir will be nominated as a candidate.

Before Gambhir, fellow batsman Navjot Singh Sidhu was a lawmaker for the BJP

until he jumped ship to join the main opposition Congress party in 2017.

The BJP has many other celebrities, mainly actors, in its ranks including cabinet minister Smriti Z. Irani, MP Kirron Kher and Delhi party chief Manoj Tiwari.

Pollsters say the Hindu nationalist BJP’s chances have risen sharply since tension with arch rival Pakistan shot up after a Pakistan-based Islamist militant group claimed a deadly attack on Indian paramilitary police in the disputed region of Kashmir last month.

Since the attack, Gambhir has urged India to forfeit matches against Pakistan in the next World Cup staring end-May.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 25, 2019

Cameron and DCC beat hosts in Malteenoes Nathan gracious Six-over cricket competition in defeat

Dave Cameron (right) and Emmanuel Nathan lost in their bid to return as president and vice-president respectively of Cricket West Indies KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – Defeated Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Dave Cameron and his running mate Emmanuel Nathan are hoping that the new hierarchy will build on what has been left behind.

Cameron, who served the regional body for 17 years – six of those as president – and Nathan who spent 15 years at the West Indies Cricket Board and CWI, made the call shortly after Ricky Skerritt and Dr Kishore Shallow defeated them 8-4 in Sunday’s elections.

In a statement released by CWI, the two thanked those who supported them during their tenure.

“We were glad to be able to serve and proud of our achievements. We are happy that we left 123 players under contract. West Indies Cricket now has a home owned by the board at Coolidge Cricket Grounds. The World Championships and bringing back the Wisden Trophy are also other achievements that we are proud of. More than anything else we have a fit youthful team that is prepared to face the world,” the statement read.

“Under this team, we made significant strides and you trusted us to safeguard the region’s most valuable asset. The tenure was rewarding and full of challenges and we feel proud we have managed to take the cricket to this level.

“We anticipate the sport will move towards its true potential and we ask the new team to build upon the progress and to continue to fight for equity in world cricket,” the statement added.

We were always and will remain grateful for your support.

A short, but deadly blitz from national cricketer, Christopher Barnwell, and smart strokeplay by teammate, Tevin Imlach, propelled the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) to a four-wicket victory over host team Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) in a six-over extravaganza on Saturday at the Thomas Lands venue.

The six-team competition, sponsored and organised by the MSC, attracted some of the big names from the Georgetown Cricket Association, including national skipper Leon Johnson, but in the end, it was a solid team effort that decided the winner.

After DCC had muscled past the Police Sports Club and Malteenoes had gotten the better of the Johnson-led Georgetown Cricket Club in the semi-finals, the two winners locked horns in the championship clash.

Barnwell won the toss and opted to bowl first with the hope of restricting the home team’s batting, but Malteenoes’ second-division captain, Nichosie Barker (eight runs) almost derailed his plan by spanking two early onside boundaries.

A miss-hit by Barker off the bowling of West Indies U-19 left-arm spinner, Ashmead Nedd, however, landed into the lap of Trevon Griffith at long on.

With only seven players per side, the gaps were plenty, but DCC were able to chase down many of their opponent’s shots. Leading the charge were Griffith and Imlach, who pounced on most of the drives.

The first class fielding was

coupled with solid bowling from the likes of Steven Sankar, whose over went for five runs, Griffith (who bowled his over for eight runs) and the skipper himself (11 runs), which helped the visitors curtail the scoring of the hard-hitting duo of opener Shaquille Williams and national cricketer, Steven Jacobs.

balls (3x4s, 2x6s).

Barnwell showed no respect to his opposing number in the middle. He clobbered Jacobs for a maximum over long on, off the very first ball of the innings and then replicated the shot two more times in the same over to send the small crowd into a frenzy.

By the end of the first over,

boundary to spoil his figures (one over for five runs).

Malteenoes saw cracks in DCC’s batting and Barker looked to capitalize; he had Joshua Persaud (06) caught by Jacobs on the boundary via a full toss off his first ball and then spun wicket-to-wicket to finish his over for just three runs.

DCC were flawless in the MSC Six-over competition.

Williams struck the only two sixes of the innings and both were huge, and although he and Jacobs played a few shots, Malteenoes never looked in control with the bat. In the end, the skipper struck backto-back boundaries off the last two balls of the innings, bowled by Imlach, which helped the home team to 67-1.

Jacobs finished with an unbeaten 19 from 12 balls (3x4s); while Williams ended with a match- high 30 not out from 19

Barnwell had scored 27 of his team’s 29 runs. In the second over, against fast bowler Keon Morris, the DCC skipper (29) attempted another big shot, but it flew to third-man and was taken by Marcus Watkins.

Watkins then took the ball for the third over and he instantly bowled the experienced Griffith. He kept things tight, but Imlach, who looked for the gaps, was able to turn the last ball of the over which raced into the deep square leg

DCC then found themselves in a bit of a worry, needing 18 runs from the last two overs, but Imlach continued to play in the gaps and spanked Delon Dalrymple for several shots, including a straight six and a four to finish the game with one over to spare. Imlach finished with 25 unbeaten runs (3x4s, 1x6).

Jacobs Jewellery and Pawn Shop assisted in the sponsorship of the competition.

Ramsawak, Babulall two new faces on OSCL executive committee

By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada – Budesh Ramsawak and Ravin Babulall are the two new faces on the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) executive committee.

The two were elected assistant secretary/treasurer and assistant registrar/statistician respectively when the league held its annual general meeting at Number 42 Police Division last Sunday.

Ramsawak replaces Bobby Ramlagan while Babulall takes the place of Ranjan Persaud, both long-standing incumbents who opt not to seek re-election. Ramlagan is, however, a member of the five-member disciplinary committee.

The other post contested on Sunday saw Terry Mathura retained unopposed as vice-president. Positions occupied by president Albert Ramcharran, secretary/Public Relations Officer Frederick Halley, treasurer Kim Sue, coordinator Vish Jadunauth and registrar/statistician Patrick Prashad were not

up for grabs since all executive positions are for a two-year period.

Apart from Ramlagan, other members of the disciplinary committee are Naresh Bodo (retained), Natasha Sue (retained), Nari Khan and Rabindra Diaram. Vice-president Mathura serves as chair-

man.

In his presidential remarks, Ramcharran described 2018 as an eventful year for the league which faced a few challenges along the way.

According to the long-standing president, “top of the list was the dispute between the league and Rems which was

taken to Small Claims Court.

However, I am happy to report that the matter was settled amicably.”

Ramcharran also recalled the failed attempt to introduce the white ball the previous season and its acceptance in all formats for the 2018 season.

OSCL executives: Standing (from left) Patrick Prashad, Budesh Ramsawak, Kim Sue, Ravindra Babulall, Vish Jadunauth and Frederick Halley. Sitting Terry Mathura (left) and Albert Ramcharran.

The president called on players to adhere to the rules of the City of Toronto since the league faces the prospect of having the cancellation of its permits.

“The City of Toronto has a zero tolerance as it relates to the consumption of alcohol on its facilities without prior approval.

The league was again instructed by the authorities that violations of this policy could result in the immediate cancellation of its permits.”

Touching on international games, Ramcharran pointed out that during last year, OSCL participated in the New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) Independence Cup and Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association’s (GFSCA) Guyana Softball Cup but failed to reach the playoffs in both tournaments.

The league also continued its benevolence to needy organisations in Guyana and according to Ramcharran he was happy to report that in 2018, cash donations were made to Prabhu Sharan Orphanage at

Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, Guyana.

Vi c e - p r e s i d e n t Te r r y Mathura and secretary/PRO Frederick Halley, who were in Guyana for the staging of the Prime Minister’s Softball Cup and Guyana Softball Cup did the honours for the league.

Ramcharran also took the opportunity to congratulate the winning and runner-up teams and all the other participating teams across all formats in the league.

The hard-working executives also came in for high praise. “To you, I say a big thank you for your outstanding and sterling efforts.”

“To our several sponsors, Harri Sukhu, Norman Sue Bakery, Paul and Sons, Nirad Lall and newcomer Anil Sarwan among others, we say hearty thanks and look forward to your continued support.”

Meanwhile, the OSCL 2019 season is set to get underway on Saturday, May 25, at various venues across Toronto.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 25, 2019

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Guyana females flawless on opening day of Pan Am Qualifiers -Males book semi-final spot after victory against SVG

GUYANA females started the Pan Am Games Caribbean Qualifiers (table tennis) with victories against St. Kitts and Nevis, and Barbados, while our male team bounced back from an opening defeat to Puerto Rico to beat St. Vincent and the Grenadines yesterday afternoon at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Our female team, captained by Trenace Lowe, has a legitimate chance of qualifying. This morning they will play Jamaica, before meeting the Dominican Republic in the afternoon session. If the females claim victories in both games, they will finish on top.

The males are into the semi-finals. They are set to play the Dominican Republic this morning, while Puerto Rico will meet Barbados. The two winners will then clash in the final, to determine a male Caribbean representative at the Pan Am Games.

GOOD CHANCE The Brooklyn-based Lowe told the Guyana Chronicle that she is optimistic of a victory against Jamaica, but is aware of the strength of the Dominican Republic.

“We have a good chance this year, but we expect a challenge from DR.” The 28-year-old added that the national team is strong and that the players have the experience needed to overcome their challengers.

Joel Alleyne claimed two victories against SVG. He teamed up with Christopher Franklin in the doubles, before claiming a tense 3-2 singles victory to end the battle.

In Guyana’s opening clash yesterday, Caribbean U-21 champion, Chelsea Edghill, and her teammate, Natalie Cummings, brushed aside the St. Kitts duo of Shania Harris and Shaniqua Esdaille 3-0 (11-4, 11-2 and 11-2), while Lowe then eased past Angelisa Freeman 11-4, 11-3 and 115, before Cummings whipped Esdaille 11-1, 11-2 and 11-4.

Victory against Barbados was slightly more challenging. The US-based Edghill and Cummings defeated An-

Pretorius and Phehlukwayo steer South Africa to T20 series sweep JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Dwaine Pretorius starred with the bat and Andile Phehlukwayo shone with the ball as South Africa completed a 3-0 sweep of the Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka with a 45-run victory via the Duckworth–Lewis– Stern method at The Wanderers on Sunday.

Dwaine Pretorius goes for a big hit in his unbeaten 77 ( Getty Images)

Set a revised target of 183 in 17 overs after a Highveld downpour, Sri Lanka could manage only 137 all out in a chase that always looked beyond them to suc-

cumb to an eighth successive limited-overs loss to South Africa, who also claimed the One-Day International series 5-0.

After being asked to bat, South Africa posted 198 for two in their 20 overs, the innings boosted by the elevation of all-rounder Pretorius to number three in the batting line-up as he smashed 77 not out from 42 balls, including three sixes.

Pretorius put on 90 with opener Reeza Hendricks (66) for the second wicket and had an unbeaten stand of 71 with captain JP Duminy (34 not out) to set up a formidable chase for the visitors.

Seamer Phehlukwayo’s guile and change of pace saw him record figures of 4-24 in three overs, including the key wicket of all-rounder Isuru Udana (36 from 23 balls), who was caught on the extra cover boundary by David Miller.

Sri Lanka lost their last four wickets in nine balls without scoring a run as the run-rate pressure forced them to go for broke.

thonette Riley and Kenady King 3-0 (11-6, 11-9 and 11-6) in the doubles, while Lowe got the better of Janae Lewis 3-1 (11-9, 13-11, 1214 and 11-5) and Cummings overpowered King 3-1 (11-3, 12-10, 7-11 and 11-2).

In the other female games, Jamaica defeated Barbados 3-1, who later defeated St. Kitts and Nevis 3-0, while The Dominican Republic powered pass St Kitts and Nevis, and Jamaica via 3-0 scores.

Guyana females (l-R Chelsea Edghill, Jody Ann-Blake, Trenace Lowe and Natalie Cummings) were solid on the opening day.

BOUNCE BACK The Guyana male team had no answer to the dominant Puerto Ricans. Christopher Franklin and Nigel Bryan lost to Daniel Gonzalez and Ricardo Jimenez 7-11, 6-11 and 5-11 in the doubles, while Caribbean U-21 male champion, Shemar Britton fell to Brian Afanador 9-11, 5-11 and 6-11 and Bryan lost to Jimenez 3-11, 7-11 and 4-11 in the singles.

The home team bounced back to dominate the SVG, the other team in Group One, later in the day.

Joel Alleyne, who replaced Bryan, and Franklin, teamed up to defeat Romano Spencer and Damion Dublin 3-1. The home team’s duo had little answers for Spencer’s spin early and fell 4-11, but the Guyanese relaxed in the second clash and played their natural game, which led

to three straight victories 11-6, 11-6 and 11-7.

Britton then showed flawless technique as he powered past Kavir Gaymes 3-0 (11-2, 11-9 and 11-2) before Alleyne closed out the game with a 3-2 (11-5, 11-4, 7-11, 9-11 and 115) win against Dublin.

The 61st Senior Caribbean Table Tennis Championships is scheduled to serve off tomorrow at the same venue.

Goliath remains King!

IN front of a capacity crowd, the Team Mohamed’s enterprise Nissan GTR ‘Goliath’ remained unbeaten on the drag strip, setting a new quarter-mile record yesterday.

With a new benchmark time of 8.5 seconds in a quarter-mile, Goliath stood tall.

The mechanical issue that plagued the Ekanoo/ Magnus Nissan GTR continued into Sunday, and while it did do an exhibition run, it was unable to produce the performance it was known for.

Still, Goliath represented the team name well, most notably against the

S&D performance Mazda Rx7 which was the most anticipated battle of the afternoon.

Goliath was beaten off the line by the S&D Mazda RX-7, but the sheer power of the Team Mohamed’s Machine allowed it to pull alongside three-quarters way down

Team Mohamed GTR Goliath takes on S&D performance Mazda Rx7

the track.

From there on there was no turning back, Goliath crossing the line by just over four-tenths quicker.

There were wins for Mark Menez in the 1000cc and 600cc superbikes.

FULL RESULTS ● 16 second Vickey Persaud ● 15 second Ramesh Persaud ● 14 second -Eric watchmen (Suriname) ● 13 second - Raymond John (Suriname) ● 12 second Avi samaroo ● 11 second Shawn Persaud ● 10 second Peter Davy ● 1000cc Bikes Mark Menez ● 600cc Bikes Mark Menez

Cameron out,

Skerritt new CWI President …New president Skerritt surprised at wide margin of victory Page

19

David Cameron was first elected CWI President in 2013

New CWI President Ricky Skerritt (left) and new Vice-President Dr. Kishore Shallow

One team, one dream; we’re all Guyanese!

‘The winner’ – Emery Welshman (#10) celebrates his goal against Belize, which he scored in the 43rd minute; a goal that turned out to be ‘golden’ and the goal that sealed Guyana’s berth at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

– Cox --Golden Jaguars skipper Page

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rubbishes opinions on team’s composition

Guyana females flawless on opening day of Page Pan Am Qualifiers 23

The Golden Jaguars! (L-R standing) - Terence Vancooten, Emery Welshman, Akel Clarke, Elliot Bonds, Anthony Jeffrey, and Neil Danns. (L-R kneeling) – Callum Harriott, Ronayne Marsh-Brown, Samuel Cox, Kadel Daniel and Keanu Marsh-Brown.

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

MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2019