Guyana chronicle e paper 06 23 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

SATURDAY

1

23rd JUNE, 2018

No.105314

‘No room for divisive … Pres Granger says Guyana will remain elements’unequal without greater social cohesion

PAGE

03

Third term ruling for Tuesday 09 PAGE

Jordan pushes ‘buy local’ 02 agenda PAGE

… warns budget agencies heads against wasteful spending

Stiff fines, jail time for misuse of airstrips 20 PAGE

Monday declared National Day of Mourning for 18 piracy victims PAGE

Brazil playmaker Neymar in action during Friday’s crucial Group E World Cup fixture against Costa Rica at Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Jordan pushes ‘buy local’ agenda

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

… warns budget agency heads against wasteful spending

AGENCY heads in the public sector were on Thursday charged to remain steadfast in their efforts to strengthen the financial system and institutional structures to prevent waste. They were also encouraged to pursue more green initiatives in budget 2019 proposals.

The charge was given by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan at the opening of the first Budget Sensitisation Session for 2019 at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre.

The programme is aimed at providing support to Heads of Budget agencies and their technical teams who hold responsibility for preparation/compilation of agency budget submissions.

GREEN STATE Jordan told participants that the Green State Development Strategy offers a unique opportunity for the transformation of the sectors and the country as a whole, along a path of green economy principles.

“I hope the budget submissions from your respective sectors will demonstrate green initiatives within the public sector, as well as support engagements with the private sector to boost the realisation of a green Guyana.”

Jordan alluded to the fact at his ministry increasingly have been issuing e-copies of circulars, invitations and notifications in an effort to reduce the use of paper. “We have changed

Bandits cart off guns, ammo in Bel Air Park hit ROBBERS carted off a large cache of arms and ammunition from a businessman of Bel Air Park, Georgetown in the wee hours of Friday morning.

Reports indicate that the man’s gardener reported for work in the morning and noticed the south eastern back door on the lower flat ajar. He then immediately contacted the businessman who returned home quickly.

When the businessman checked, he discovered that his home was ransacked and a safe in his room was open and all his valuables and arms were missing. It is alleged that the robbers prised open the northern front door within public view and exited by way of the south eastern back door.

The police were summoned and they are investigating.

our lighting fixtures to LED and, this year, the Ministry of Finance will be sending e-Christmas cards. We urge other agencies to jump on this bandwagon, in the process reducing cost and improving our green efforts, conscious of our environmental footprint.”

The minister said this is a very small, low hanging fruit readily available to be picked. “I anticipate that this would be the start of much more that will be done. I would expect, for example, that the Ministry of Business will consider funding start-ups for small businesses to support green initiatives; that our buildings would be incorporating building codes so that support structures that use less energy can be utilised; that we will employ sustainable agro processing practices, and that greater use of management information systems will be made to reduce travel costs and paperwork to name only a few.

“With our national development strategy and local content in focus, we must give effect to buying local, wherever possible, to support our agro-producers and local manufacturers.”

“This will contribute to reduced demand for imports, thereby saving foreign currency; improve local value added and growth; and increase national and household incomes and employment.”

He reiterated that he is alarmed and get visibly upset when he attends events across the country and is served imported water, “when we have at least half a dozen high quality local producers.

Or when I am served a fruit bowl that includes: apples, grapes and imported melons when I would much prefer a juicy Buxton Spice mango, a Pomeroon pear, sapodilla, papaw, orange, cashew and watermelon.”

CUT THE WASTAGE Meanwhile, touching on the issue of wasteful spending, Jordan told participants that President David Granger has repeatedly highlighted the need for cost-efficiency and results-based performance.

He warned that additional revenue resources on the not-so-distant horizon presents a wonderful opportunity for Guyana to transition from potential - of which it has so often heard - to prosperity, of which we have so often dreamed.

“But money alone has never solved a nation’s problems; in fact, in some countries, it has been the source of bigger problems and conflict,” Jordan asserted.

He was referring to the oil industry. Several experts have warned Guyana not to fall prey to the Dutch disease. “We are a country that is still far away from where we would like to be.

Achieving the Good Life and making quantum leaps in improving human development across socio-economic fronts, will take concerted efforts and resources.

Unlike other countries that have squandered their patrimony, the Cooperative Republic of Guyana must be different. We must aim to emerge over the medium term to become a model country that blends the exploitation of petroleum results with the pursuit of a Green State Development Strategy.”

Jordan asserted that gains in revenues must be utilised in a targeted and responsible manner to achieve a diversified and resilient economy.

“Accountability, transparency and good governance must be core principles that drive us to excellence in our work ethic and work output, thus enhancing our capacity to deliver results, services

and works to the people across our ten regions.”

BETTER BUDGET PROPOSALS In addition, he said, our choices for construction and renovations must seek to use more local woods and manufacturers.

“These are just a few examples, and I am urging you to incorporate many local content initiatives in your bidding documents.”

Jordan said far too often, he has found that the budget proposals submitted to the Ministry of Finance lead to more questions than answers, noting that budget proposals should be solutions to resolving challenges faced in order to achieve results.

“Why do we have increasing allocations to the health sector, but continued drug shortages and less hospital inspections than previous years?

Health accounts for 12.5% of the national budget, in 2018. What intervention within the budget proposal will resolve this conundrum of increasing allocations but declining availability?

He also asked why increasing allocations to education but still less than 50 percent of our children are passing Maths and English. Education accounts for 17.2% of the national budget in 2018. Jordan questioned what in the budget proposal will resolve this? “Why do we have increasing allocations for maintenance and infrastructure development, yet our Public Sector Infrastructure Programme is full with requests to rehabilitate existing infrastructure, rather than expanding the capital base of the country through new infrastructure, where none previously existed?

Infrastructure accounts for 13.1% of the national budget in 2018.”

“Are you, as Heads of

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan Budget Agencies, approving performance-based gratuities without measuring performance? Or, worse, are you signing off on poor performance and shying away from your responsibility to take decisions in the best interest of achieving desired results? Are you putting pen to paper when staff do not deliver or simply sit lamenting in your offices?”

He challenged the heads that they must be able to competently critique systems that are not working or not contributing to delivering the results and offer workable solutions. The minister said his teams within the Office of the Budget and the Project Cycle Management Division stand ready to assist. The sessions for Thursday and next Tuesday aim to provide participants with the tools needed to finalise the crafting of their budgets for 2019.

He reminded the heads that Budget 2019, is being prepared on the cusp of first oil in the first quarter of 2020 and that the thinking and brainstorming and strategic direction that must go into the preparation must have started before.

‘No room for divisive elements’

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

… President Granger says Guyana will remain unequal without greater social cohesion

PRESIDENT David Granger on Friday warned that Guyana will remain an unequal society without greater social cohesion even as he stressed the importance of the Ethnic Relations Commission in helping to bring about this change.

President Granger made the comments on Friday when he met with members of the ERC at the Ministry of the Presidency. The commissioners reaffirmed their commitment to working as a collective body to fulfil the mandate of this important constitutional body. During the meeting, the Head of State said that the ERC is perhaps the single most important commission in existence in Guyana at this time; noting that elsewhere in the world, there is a resurgence of xenophobia and disorder based on ethnic differences.

He said that the resuscitation and work of the ERC therefore, is preventative action to ensure that ethnic harmony is maintained.

there is more that unites us than separate us,” he said.

The President also emphasised that while the work of the Commission will never be completed, the commissioners can do enough to hand over to those who will come after them to ensure that future generations live in a society that is harmonious and where groups respect each other. He reminded the Commissioners that a lot will depend on the advice of the ERC and told them that they will be expected to conduct outreaches and work to promote the message and practice of social cohesion.

He also urged the Commissioners to ensure that their service is tailored to meet the needs of the indigenous population. “You cannot ignore the peculiar reality in Guyana, whereby a large part of the population communicates in languages that people in other parts of the country cannot comprehend,” President Granger said.

since been resolved, and claims of ethnic imbalance at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The Chairman also informed that the Commission is currently refining its work plan, looking at its legal framework and recruiting to bring its staff complement to working strength.

Major General (ret’d) Norman Maclean, who is a member of the Commission said that despite the challenges, the Commissioners are committed to working as a team to ensure that social cohesion is truly realised. This, he said, is the main objective of the work programme that is being drafted. Similar sentiments were also expressed by the other Commissioners.

In February, President Granger swore-in the 10-member Commission after a seven-year hiatus. The members are: Bishop John Smith (Chairperson), Mr. Barrington Braithwaite, Ms. Ruth

President David Granger and Chairperson of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), Bishop John Smith at the Ministry of the Presidency

President David Granger and members of the Ethnic Relations Commission “Without a greater sense of social cohesion, this country will remain unequal and anything we try to achieve, politically or economically, will be difficult…Society has the potential for social cohesion, but we must not allow divisive elements to separate us…

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the ERC, Bishop John Smith informed that since its resuscitation, the ERC has been flooded with requests. Some of the main issues that engaged the Commission’s attention were the allegations of discrimination at Mae’s School, which has

Howard, Mr. Roshan Khan, Major General (Ret’d) Norman McLean, Pandit Deodat Persaud, Mr. Ashton Simon, Ms. Rajkumarie Singh, Mr. Neaz Subhan and Mr. Norris Witter.

The ERC is intended, inter alia, to promote

good relations, harmony, peace, tolerance and understanding among our peoples; provide equal opportunity between persons of different ethnic groups; and proscribe ethnic discrimination. (Ministry of the Presidency)

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

Jordan sues Edghill over false charge

…seeking $200M in damages FINANCE Minister Winston Jordan has sued People’s Progressive Party (PPP) parliamentarian Juan Edghill for damages in the sum of $200M for maliciously filing a charge of misconduct in public office against him recently.

The charge was dismissed by the director of public prosecutions. The multimillion-dollar lawsuit comes approximately two months after the DPP dismissed ‘misconduct’ charges brought against the Finance Minister, the Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, and Minister of Public Service, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine over the D’Urban Park Project.

The lawsuit in the form of a ‘Fixed Date Application’ was filed in the High Court on Friday by Attorney-at-Law Roysdale Forde on behalf of Minister Jordan.

In filing the application, Minister Jordan explained that

on April 23, 2018, the PPP Member of Parliament instituted criminal proceedings against him in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for the offence of ‘Misconduct in Public Office.’

It was noted that the director of public prosecutions pursuant to Article 187 (1) (c) of the Constitution of Guyana discontinued the charge on April 24, 2018.

The Minsters of Finance, Public Infrastructure and Public Service were accused of “wilfully misconducting themselves in a way which amounted to an abuse of public trust without reasonable excuse or justification,” when they paid or authorised to be paid the sum of $906,000,000 to Homestretch Development Incorporated and contractors engaged by the said company for works done at Durban Jubilee Park without any procurement process.

In providing information upon oath, Edghill had

alleged that Jordan, while performing the duties of Minister of Finance between December, 2016 and March 31, 2017, had committed the act with respect to the Durban Jubilee Park project.

However, Jordan in making his case, said that the sum of $906M was approved by the National Assembly and was subsequently made available to the Public Infrastructure Ministry from the Consolidated Fund.

It was noted that the National Assembly after deliberating on Financial Paper No. 1 of 2016, Section “B” Capital Estimates had approved $406.758M for completion of the Durban Park Development Project.

The National Assembly had also approved $500M as part of the Estimates of the Public Sector, Current and Capital Revenue of Expenditure for 2017 for outstanding payments of Durban Park.

“The Respondent [Edghill] as a Member of Parliament was aware that the National Assembly approved the sum of $$906,000,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Six Million Dollars) to be made available to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and as such, could not honestly believe that the Applicant acted without reasonable excuse or justification in respect of issuing a warrant to effect disbursements and allocation to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure in respect of the sum of $906,000,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Six

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

Million Dollars),” the Finance Minister argued in his application.

Minister Jordan argued too that Edghill at all material times was aware and ought to have been aware that he as Minister of Finance did not pay or authorise the payment of the sum of $906M to Homestretch Development Inc. “Notwithstanding that the Respondent was at all material times a Member

PPP Member of Parliament Bishop Juan Edghil

of Parliament, and a former Minister of Finance within the Ministry of Finance of the Government of Guyana, even an ordinary, prudent and cautious citizen placed as a complainant in the said Criminal Proceedings of Misconduct in Public Office against the Applicant could not have reasonably concluded that the Applicant was guilty of the offence or even draw an inference that the Applicant was guilty of the

Offence of Misconduct in Public Office, as alleged by the Respondent,” Minister Jordan argued.

It is Jordan’s strong belief that the charge was filed against him to “embarrass, humiliate and cause him to suffer public odium and contempt. He noted that the matter of him being charged was widely reported in the print and electronic media, resulting in him being inundated with telephone calls from family, friends and even officials employed at international financial organisations.

According to the Finance Minister, he has suffered significant harm to his reputation and integrity as a direct result of the institution of the criminal proceedings against him by the PPP Member of Parliament.

The matter will come up in the High Court on July 13 before Justice Franklin Holder.

Zeelugt duo charged with robbery under arms TWO men, who have been accused of raping and robbing a couple at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo earlier this week, were arraigned before Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court, Public Road, Leonora, West Coast Demerara, jointly charged with robbery under arms.

The men, Nandlall Mohan and Kevin Kissoon both of Zeelugt New Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), were placed on $125,000 bail each as police continue investigations. The case has been

adjourned until August 13.

The men were charged in relation to robbing a Zeelugt, EBE family last Tuesday, but the female victim also alleged she was raped. The suspects were picked out during an identification parade.

It is alleged that last Tuesday around 02:30hrs, the husband was awakened by a lash to his forehead and was ordered to hand over all his money. He reportedly handed over $12,000 and his wedding ring to three perpetrators.

One of the bandits subsequently placed a knife to

his neck and ordered that he lay on the floor. During the ordeal, it is alleged that the woman was raped. The assailants also threatened to kill the couple’s son who was screaming and crying throughout the robbery.

The men then forced the family into their own car and attempted to take them to a canal in the district.

However, the vehicle broke down and the men abandoned their mission. The victims were taken to the hospital where they were treated and discharged.

DATE: DATE: 26/11/2016 20/06/2018 26/11/2016 22/06/2018

6 13 17 7 12 14 19 18 19 23 24 26 02 N D 11

06 4

13 8

14 5

21 13

24 7

26/11/2016 22/06/2018

04 4

07 3

03 4

26/11/2016 22/06/2018

05 7

04 1

01 1

26/11/2016 22/06/2018 02 5 15 09 710 2 11 1 4 13 21 14

18

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 23, 2018

Earthquake rocks Dominican Republic SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, CMC – An earthquake with a magnitude quake of 5.2 sections of the Dominican Republic late Wednesday.

The Santo Domingo State University (UASD) Seismology Institute said

the tremor occurred at 18.88 degrees latitude, 69.9 longitude, at a depth of 72 kilometers.

The US Geodetic Survey placed the quake’s epicenter at five kilometers from Sabana Grande de Boyá, Monte Plata province.

It’s the second moder-

ate quake registered in the Monte Plata area this month, after a 4.9 tremor, hit on June 3, with a depth of 47 kilometers.

That tremor was also felt in Greater Santo Domingo.There have been no reports of injury or damage.

Confusion reigns –over fate of migrant children A REPUBLICAN effort to pass an immigration law is in disarray amid a political battle over migrant children separated from their parents.

A compromise bill drafted by moderate and conservative Republicans lacks any votes from Democratic lawmakers and even some Republicans.

A vote on the bill, which would fund a border wall while reducing legal migration, was delayed to Friday.

The House rejected a more

hardline conservative measure on Thursday.

Republicans joined Democrats to vote by 193-231 to scupper the more hawkish bill.

President Donald Trump earlier in the day blamed Democrats for the ongoing impasse.

At a White House cabinet meeting, he pledged to sign an immigration reform bill if Congress can pass it.

“The lawmakers have to sit down, and they have to do something because our country cannot continue to run like

this,” Mr Trump said.

The congressional deadlock comes a day after the Republican president moved to roll back his policy of migrant family separations amid outcry over the “zero tolerance” policy.

He issued an executive order calling for the children to be kept with their parents, who are being detained on charges of crossing the border illegally.

But the fate of hundreds of children already separated by the policy is unclear. (BBC)

Couple to challenge gay marriage ban in ‘Cayman’ GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, CMC – A Caymanian attorney and her partner, a nurse from the United Kingdom, are challenging the government’s decision to refuse their application to mary.

In the writ, filed Wednesday, lawyers representing the couple, Chantelle Day and Vickie Bodden Bush, argued that the section of territory’s marriage law, which defined marraige as between “one man and one woman”, is incompatible with various rights guaranteed under the consisution.

They argue that the Marriage Law has to be modified and re-interpreted in light of the Cayman Islands Bill of Rights, which guarantees the right to private and family life, the right to freedom of conscience and the right to non-discrimination.

The two women are seeking a declaration from the

court that the decision to refuse their marriage application was unlawful and that they are entitled to be married in the Cayman Islands.

According to court documents, Ms. Day and Ms. Bodden-Bush are in a committed relationship and have an adopted child together.

They chose to live in London because of the lack of protection for same-sex couples in the Cayman Islands, but now wish to return to the territory to live, work and be married.

Day wrote to Premier Alden McLaughlin in September 2017, stating the couple’s intent to marry and urging him to “end discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and avoid litigation.”

In April 2018, in the absence of any response, the couple flew to the Cayman Islands and applied to the Government General Registry for a license to marry, however, the application was refused.

Now they are asking a judge to review and reverse that decision on the grounds that it violated fundamental rights guaranteed through the Constitution.

Law firm McGrath Tonner, which represents the women, indicates in the court filing that the legal definition of marriage as between people of the opposite sex only is unsustainable in light of the couple’s right to protection from discrimination.

The writ argues that it is self evident that the couple is being discriminated against on the grounds of sexual orientation.

The writ also indicates that the right of same-sex couples to a legally recognized civil union is guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights, of which the Cayman Islands is a signatory through its territorial relationship with the United Kingdom.

Nicki Minaj adds voice to debate –says ‘I was an illegal immigrant from Trinidad’ AS debate rages over the President Donald Trump administration’s zero-tolerance policy toward immigrants and their children coming to the U.S.-Mexico border, Trinidad-–born rapper Nicki Minaj has spoken up on how she arrived in the US. On her Instagram, Minaj, 35, posted: “I came to this country as an illegal immigrant @ 5 years old. I can’t imagine the horror of being in a strange place & having my parents stripped away from me at the age of 5. This is so scary to me.

Please stop this. Can you try to imagine the terror & panic these kids feel right now?

Not knowing if their parents are dead or alive, if they’ll ever see them again...”

Minaj was born Onika Anya Maraj in St James, Port of Spain and still has relatives in Trinidad whom she visits. She moved to Queens, New York in the 1980s.

On Wednesday, President Trump signed an executive order promising to “keep families together” in migrant detentions.

It reversed his own pol-

Nicki Minaj

icy amid international fury over the separation of undocumented parents and children.

He said he had been swayed by images of children who have been taken from parents while they are jailed and prosecuted for illegal border-crossing. But the order does not address families already separated by the policy.

US immigration officials say 2,342 children were sep-

arated from 2,206 parents between 5 May and 9 June.

“It’s about keeping families together,” Mr Trump said at the signing ceremony on Wednesday.

“I did not like the sight of families being separated,” he said, but added the administration would continue its “zero tolerance policy” of criminally prosecuting anyone who crosses the border illegally.

Venezuela deploys soldiers –to help control market prices V E N E Z U E L A h a s d eployed soldiers to almost 100 food markets in efforts to counter an “economic war” it says is being waged against it.

President Nicolás Maduro ordered the measure, arguing that sellers were charging over the odds for price-controlled items.

Venezuela has the highest inflation in the world, and there are severe shortages of basic food items.

Many Venezuelans report going hungry as they struggle to feed themselves.

President Maduro blames international sanctions and “greedy businesspeople” for the shortages. His critics say it is his government’s policies and those of his predecessor, Hugo Chávez,

which ruined the oil-rich country’s economy.

President Maduro says that “the take-over of the municipal markets has been a huge success”. Members of the army and of the National Guard patrolled food stalls across the country.

“A great number of mafiosi, wholesalers, thieves and capitalists have been arrested,” he said of the markets,” he said. “We found everything there; even prostitution.”

The minister for industry and production, Tarek El Aissami, said they had found “[price] speculation, hoarding and fraudulent price manipulation” at the markets.

Mr Aissami was recently named to the newly created

post, which is part of President Maduro’s plan for a “rebirth” of the Venezuelan economy.

The new minister was placed under US sanctions last year after being declared a “Specially Designated Narcotics Trafficker” by the US Treasury. He dismissed the allegations as an “imperialist aggression”.

President Maduro also announced a tripling of the minimum wage from 1M bolivares a month to 3M ($1.07 at the black market rate).

He also said that workers would receive 2.2M bolivares in meal tickets, It is the fourth increase in the minimum wage this year and critics say the measure will drive up inflation even further. (BBC)

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 23 , 2018

The Opposition Leader BHARRAT Jagdeo, since May 2015, has long been recognised to have a problem accepting the reality that he is no longer President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and as a result, he no longer has the residual power of that executive office.

It is accepted that as leader of the parliamentary opposition, his is an important constitutional mandate–offering constructive criticism on matters pertaining to the common good of the republic. Of course, in this, his current office as with every other leader of the opposition is traditionally always seen as an alternative to the government.

However, in portraying himself as such, he has been grossly dishonest in ways that are unparalleled with every other past leader of the opposition in this country. Since it is well documented as to the many numerous, famous examples of this type of political conduct, they will not be repeated except to say that he has been insulting the citizens of this land, including

his very own constituents.

This is a leader whose party and personal reign oversaw a criminal state, during which every conceivable political-socio-economic crime took place in this country. So now, he desperately tries to re-invent himself, using the old reverse psychology trick.

His known mindset, whenever confronted by questions concerning very serious incidents/matters relevant to his party’s government tenure in office, is either to become angry and sullen, or attempt to trivialise. Here is a politician who has a track record for refusing to take responsibility for issues that occurred during his stewardship, while attempting to shift the blame.

It is a given that every political leader, inclusive of Jagdeo as a former head of state, is accountable for his past/present stewardship.

This means for every policy decision taken and for every relevant incident that pertains to governance that occurred during the particular watch. We see this as not

the understanding of Jagdeo, a former head of state/ government. His outrageous claims and defence as to his former administration’s responsibility for the demise of GuySuCo, and what it has subsequently caused to the lives of the thousands of sugar workers, illustrates a dishonesty that has not in any way contributed to government’s efforts at resuscitating a once national key economic earner. As usual, he resorted to the dangerous ethnic game, his favourite trump card, exploiting fears and insecurity among the workers.

But this is Jagdeo, who has become better-known to the nation in his current constitutional capacity; as again, he recently seeks to evade media questions as to sums of money that oil companies had paid to the state for oil-exploration activities, prior to 2015 in Kaieteur News dated June 20, 2018, captioned, “Jagdeo skirts questions on money Guyana collected during PPP/C tenure”.

It is instructive that the public is now being informed that such sums as

paid from 1999 to 2015, from a reported five companies, inclusive of EXXON, were for the building of capacity in the local oil and gas sector, for equipping Guyanese with the relevant skills.

Now, this is the same Jagdeo who is on record as criticising the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), for not possessing the accounting skills and capacity to track and audit Exxon Mobil’s expenditure relating to their investment in oil and gas activities in Guyana. This latest revelation further reveals the selfishness and anti-national outlook of this politician, who definitely had not been forward-looking, and who did not care about his country. After all, 16 years are a very lengthy period to have been able to develop a corps of Guyanese endowed with some of the necessary skills relevant to an emerging oil industry, as is now imminent.

It has to be emphasised that laying the groundwork for an oil and gas industry is a gargantuan effort that challenges any government

in its commencement phase, and even long after extraction has commenced.

It is a national endeavour of untold proportions, for the amount of mental energies required in putting together legislation and highly skilled persons that will guide its functions and operations, in addition to the many state agencies for managing such a massive socio-economic game-changer.

Every available talent becomes necessary as inputs for building capacity. Thus, without fear of contradiction, such trained personnel as those now-revealed funds would have facilitated, would have been a more than good advance

in government’s current efforts to prepare for first-oil.

How can Jagdeo still refer to the $18MU.S. signing bonus, as among his “bigger concerns’’ when this government has already accounted for such sum? In typical Jagdeo evasive style, he deprecates the sums paid to his former administration, inferring that they are small sums in comparison.

Again, Jagdeo should be reminded that accountability is about every sum, of any amount, that is paid into the state’s coffers, and that includes the sums paid to the PPP/C under his stewardship, by those oil and gas companies as reported.

The word ‘humiliated’ is unsuitable Dear Editor

ONE of the headlines in the sports section of Guyana Chronicle, “The Nation’s Paper” dated June 21, 2018, claimed “Guyana humiliated 24-112 by Dominican Republic”. The Cambridge English Dictionary defines humiliation as: “To make someone feel ashamed or lose respect for himself or herself.”

Our young women certainly were not ashamed of their performance, nor did they lose respect for themselves at the June 2018 Caribbean Basketball Confederation Women Championships hosted by Suriname; instead, the Guyanese girls

showed the fighting spirit that defines Guyanese; by giving their best effort and playing with a never-quit attitude. The Dominican Republic has medalled 13 of the 22 times they participated in the much higher level Centrobasket, where national teams from Central America and the Caribbean have competed since 1965.

The Dominican Republic won the championships three times 1977, 2004 and 2012, after first contesting in 1969. Guyana has competed twice at Centrobasket: 1971 and 1973. Toney’s use of the word humiliation is unsuitable and thoughtless to describe the loss by our young women - to one of

the most dominant teams in Central American and Caribbean basketball. If Guyana ever gets an opportunity to play Brazil’s national football team and lose 10-1, Guyanese will celebrate the one goal scored by Guyana.

We must look for the positive at all times, and especially in challenging times.

Of the 12 players listed on the Guyana team in their contest against The Dominican Republic, seven are high schoolers, re: President’s College – four; Marian Academy – one; McKenzie High School 1; and Bishops’ High School – 1.

The experience these young ladies gained from withstanding the battle charge

of The Dominican Republic, by rising again and again to the challenge, augurs well for their academic development and their contribution to the development of Guyana.

The Guyanese young women in their game against Suriname were leading by one point at halftime and had stunned and impressed all in attendance.

The Guyanese women overcame many obstacles to participate in the June 2018 FIBA Caribbean Basketball Confederation Women Championships hosted by Suriname, and the character-strengthening experience, reflected Guyana in a positive way, as the young

women showed admirable self-esteem, courage and perseverance. History will show that Guyana participated and competed in the championships and the experience and benefits gained can never be taken away. To credit and paraphrase Robert A. Heinlein, it is worth repeating “Victory in defeat, there is none higher. Our young women represent all the unsung heroes who couldn’t make it, but never quit.”

Toney is the same journalist who failed to write an article on the fact that our government did not provide needed funds to support Guyana’s participation in the June 2018 FIBA Carib-

bean Basketball Confederation Championships hosted

by Suriname. Thus, in my opinion, Rawle Toney lacks the courage to challenge spoon-feeding authority. A fundamental principle of journalism is to serve as an independent monitor of power. Toney needs to embrace this principle. I close with a few extracts from the epic poem “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou: “You may shoot me with your words…

But still, like air, I’ll rise.

Just like moons and like suns, with the certainty of tides, just like hopes springing high, still I’ll rise.”

Regards Nigel Hinds

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

Safety and health in the work environment

Dear Editor

EVERY year, led by the UN International Labour Organisation (ILO), on 28 April there are International observances of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Day; and 12th June as World Day against Child Labour. The combined thrust this year was the promotion of safety and health in the work environment with an emphasis on safety of young workers and to end child labour.

It is the legal and moral obligation of employers in the private and public sectors and government agencies to provide and maintain high standards in occupational safety and health in workplaces and the work environment. The aim should also be to sustain a culture of prevention. Together with the relevant state agencies and the representatives of workers and employers, national drives should be supported to promote high standards in OSH at work. In keeping with international standards, the recording and notification of occupational accidents, occupational diseases, dangerous workplace occurrences, and suspected cases

of occupational diseases are essential requirements in the monitoring, evaluation, adopting preventative and corrective measures for a safe and healthy work environment.

It is widely known that work-related statistical information point to the incidence of accidents, injuries, diseases and deaths which are part of the reality of the world of work with severe social, economic and human consequences, not only for workers and their families, but also for the national community.

It impacts on costs relating to production and productivity and on the national and private social security systems.

While it is a responsibility of employers to establish an effective OSH management system for safe workplaces and the work environment, it is also the responsibility of the state and workers and their trade unions to encourage compliance and build a culture of safety that would prevent exposure, risks, and hazards without adequate safety precautions and protective measures, including appropriate safety devices and safety wear.

Together they can formulate, implement and periodically review coherent national

policies and programmes to prevent dangerous occupational exposures, accidents and injuries to employees by minimising hazards and risks, as far as is possible.

Safety Policy In line with Guyana’s labour legislation, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act No. 32 of 1997 and ratified ILO Conventions, which are international treaties, public and private sector employers should be committed to develop and work within a policy framework which includes the principles contained in the following statements • The public and private sector employers regard the promotion of Occupational, Safety and Health and the prevention of occupational hazards within their workplaces and environs as essential responsibilities and mutual objectives of management and all employees of the enterprise.

• The policy is to do all that is reasonably practical to prevent personal injury and damage to property and to protect everyone from foreseeable work hazards and risks, including the public, in so far as they come into contact with the enterprise or its products.

• The public and private sector should be committed to: - provide and maintain safe and healthy working conditions at each of its locations in keeping with the relevant statutory requirements; - provide integrated safety, job training and instructions for all employees and additional safety training where appropriate; - provide all safety devices and protective equipment required by statute and supervise their use; - ensure that articles and substances purchased for use at work have been so designed and constructed as to be safe and without risk to health, and that full information is made available to suppliers where additional precautions are required; and - maintain continuing attention to all aspects of safety and interactions with staff by: - regular internal safety inspections of all work locations and offices by suitably qualified persons, - consulting and

keeping employees informed about safety matters, - ensuring that all entry and exit points are known and visible to all employees, customers and other persons using the premises; - establishing and meeting regularly with the Safety Committees of the enterprise; and - providing and maintaining a workplace that is safe, stress-free and without risks to health and occupational diseases and with adequate facilities for the welfare of all employees.

Obligations of Employees Every employee also has a responsibility to exercise reasonable skill and care for the health and safety of himself/herself and of all other persons at workplaces.

Employees must also co-operate with management in its statutory duties to maintain a high standard of safety and health at work. They must report all accidents that have led to, or may lead to injury, illness and any infection; and to co-operate in the investiga-

tion of accidents and diseases with the view to preventing a recurrence.

There is therefore the need for the national system to provide for strong, well trained and adequately staffed labour inspectorates with the financial and material means to enable them to discharge their advisory, technical, promotional, and investigative work effectively. Indeed, it is the individual and joint responsibility of the governments, and the social partners, represented by employers' and workers' organisations, Churches/ religious organisations and civil society to address the problems relating to occupational safety and health in workplaces, and to end child labour which denies childhood development and education in the national community’s interest.

Regards Samuel J. Goolsarran

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

AG challenges ruling on Judicial Review Act …contends chief justice misdirected self on several points

ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, SC. has filed a Notice of Appeal against the decision of Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire, which ordered him to bring into force the Judicial Review Act last month.

The chief justice last month ruled that Williams’ failure to bring the act into force the is unlawful and in violation of the will of the people.

However, in the Notice of Appeal seen by the Guyana Chronicle, Williams is calling on the Court of Appeal to set aside the entire decision handed down by the chief justice on the ground that she “committed a specific illegality when by her ruling she purported to dictate to the Minister of Legal Affairs her own timelines to bring the Judicial Review Act into force, in contravention of the doctrine of the Separation of Powers.”

According to Williams, the chief justice usurped the discretion vested in him by the legislature to bring legislation into force. The chief justice’s ruling follows an application to the court last year by Former Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, calling for Williams to be mandated to bring into force the Judicial Review Act. Nandlall had acknowledged the said Act was not brought into operation by him when he served as Legal Affairs Minister. He said it was because there were no complementary procedural rules of the court to accompany the said Act, as the Rules of the High Court 1955 made no provisions for judicial review.

Civil procedure rules Nandlall said that at that time, new Civil Procedure Rules were in draft form and these rules laid out the legal procedure in respect of how the court can be approached to access the remedies provided for in the Judicial Review Act. However, he said on February 5, 2017, a Practice Direction dated January 23, 2017 and published on February 4, 2017 in the Official Gazette by the Honourable Chancellor (ag.) Mr. Justice Carl Singh, directed that the Civil Procedure Rules 2016 shall take effect from February 6, 2017; the said Practice

Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire

Direction also provided that the Civil Procedure Rules 2016 shall govern the practice and procedure of all civil proceedings filed in the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature after February 6, 2017.

However, the Minister of Legal Affairs argues that the judge erred when she failed to apply the overriding objective of the new Civil Procedure Rules to deal with cases justly and not to exercise her discretion injudiciously by stepping into the province of the executive Arm of government.

Further, he posits that Justice George-Wiltshire committed a specific illegality when she ruled that he had breached a duty by not bringing the Judicial Review Act into force. “The learned judge committed a specific illegality when she ruled that the Appellant had breached a duty in violation of the letter and spirit of the Act itself, as well as the will of the Parliament,” the Notice of Appeal said.

Additionally, Williams contends that the chief justice erred and misdirected herself in law when she found that he did not have a discretion after the Civil Procedure Rules came into force, as well as that the specific discretion granted to the Minister of Legal Affairs by the legislature had been converted into an obligatory duty to bring the Act into force after/when the Civil Procedure Act came into force.

“The learned trial judge erred and misdirected herself in law when in the exercise of her discretion, she usurped the discretion vested in the Minister of Legal Affairs by the legislature to bring into force a legislation which was clearly within his purview to so do,” Williams said in his grounds for appeal.

The Minister of Legal Affairs contends too that Justice George-Wiltshire erred and misdirected herself in law when she did not make a specific finding that to command the Minister of Legal Affairs to bring the Act into operation by a certain date was a clear usurpation of the function and authority of the minister by the judiciary.

Not within powers of court He argued too that the trial judge erred and misdirected herself in law when she did not find that where the legislature has given a minister the power to decide when to bring a statute into force, it was not within the powers of the court to compel the minister when to bring the Act into force.

Moreover, Williams said too that the issuance of a mandatory order to command him to act within a specified time where he had not refused to carry out a statutory duty amounted to an error and misdirection in law. He contends that the chief justice also erred and misdirected herself in law when she did not find that it was a matter for the legislature to decide what provisions it would make for the commencement of any particular statute or any particular part of it and not the judiciary.

“The decision of the learned trial Judge was unreasonable in law and cannot be supported, having regard to the evidence,” the Minister of Legal Affairs said, while noting that additional grounds of appeal will be filed when Justice George-Wiltshire’s written judgment becomes available.

In December 2017, the PPP/C filed a High Court Action to compel Williams to commence the Judicial Review Act 2010. Five months

later, the High Court ordered, by way of a mandamus, that he must bring the Judicial Review Act 2010 into force.

Separation of powers “The decision of the court raises some important questions regarding governance and the separation of powers between the executive arm of the government and the judiciary,” Williams said in a statement shortly after the ruling. He questioned whether the judiciary can govern and order the government to create law and also questioned whether the judiciary can direct the government to implement an Act that the PPP/C government deliberately failed to implement during its time in office.

Williams also argued that the people of Guyana have vested power in the Cabinet as an expression of the executive arm to govern and manage the affairs of the country. He said the judiciary has an equally important role to play to protect the rights of citizens, but must exercise this responsibility with great care.

Williams further stated that the Parliament vested the power upon the minister as a member of the executive arm of the government to determine the commencement of the Judicial Review Act. “There has been no wilful or malicious failure or refusal by the attorney general to commence the Act as alleged in the case brought before the court. The attorney general is persuaded that an opportunity and consideration ought to be given to the executive to set a reasonable date for the commencement of the Judicial Review Act, given that eight years have passed since the passage of the Act. This would also allow the Cabinet the opportunity to engage in wide consultations with the Guyanese people before the Act is brought into law. This would ensure that improvements and amendments be made to cure existing lacunas in the current Judicial Review Act and to bring it in line with established regional and international best practices. Regrettably, the decision of the court is premature, as there has been no opportunity for consultation on the commencement of the Act,” the attorney general said.

European Commission says ready for negotiations on Cotonou replacement THE European Commission on Friday received authorisation from the European Council to open negotiations for a new partnership agreement with countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP).

In a statement, the European Commission said it welcomes the Council’s decision allowing it to launch negotiations with the ACP group of states in the coming weeks. The existing framework, known as the Cotonou agreement, is due to expire in February 2020. On this occasion, Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, said, “We are ready to embark upon a modern and dynamic partnership with our partners in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. This new partnership will be a powerful tool to jointly tackle global challenges – from fighting poverty and inequality to peace and security, from climate change to sustainable growth for all."

The key objectives of the negotiations are: to secure a new, legally binding framework adapted to today's realities based on a modern and forward-looking agenda; to explore new ways to

achieve key interests and better address global challenges, such as inclusive growth, investment, job creation, sustainable development, peace, security and migration issues, human development, fundamental freedoms, human rights, the rule of law and democratic principles; to build a powerful alliance in international fora, as the EU and ACP countries represent more than half of the UN membership; to develop a more tailored approach to Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific and to draw lessons from 43 years of EU-ACP collaboration, in order to nurture the sustainable development roadmaps in place (UN2030 SGDs Agenda, Paris Climate Change Agreement, European Consensus on Development, Africa Agenda 2063, etc).

The EU-ACP partnership is one of the oldest and most comprehensive, legally binding frameworks of cooperation the EU has with third countries. Uniting more than 100 countries and over 1.5 billion people, the Cotonou Agreement is set to expire in February 2020. Its provisions foresee the opening of negotiations on a future partnership by August 2018, at the latest.

Child’s hand burnt with iron, caretaker charged THE caretaker of a sixyear-old boy on Friday appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly to answer the charge of unlawful wounding after allegedly burning the child’s hand with an iron.

Nichole Rosemary, 43, of Bent Street, Werk-enRust, Georgetown, denied the charge when it was read to her and was subsequently released on $100,000 bail.

The court heard that between June 1 and June 14, 2018 at Bent Street, Werken-Rust, Rosemary unlawfully and maliciously wounded the boy to cause him grievous bodily harm.

The police prosecutor during his objection to bail told the court that the child was left in the care of Rosemary. It is alleged that on the date in question, the woman turned on the iron and burnt the child’s hand.

However, when the child went to school his teacher noticed the severe burns on his hands and reported the matter to the Child Care & Protection Agency where the six-year-old is currently in care.

Nichole Rosemary

Rosemary’s attorney Everton Lammy-Singh debunked the police claims and told the court during an application for bail that his client had caught the child playing with the irons and while attempting to get the iron away from the boy, he was burnt.

Lammy-Singh added that his client had treated the burn on the boy’s hand and when the teacher saw the injury, it was already in the process of healing.

The magistrate ordered Rosemary to stay away from the boy and adjourned the matter until July 20.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

Third term ruling set for Tuesday

THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will next Tuesday hand down its decision on whether Guyana’s presidential term limit is unconstitutional.

According to the CCJ’s website, the judgment will be delivered at 10:00am at the court’s headquarters in Trinidad and Tobago. Tuesday’s judgment will determine whether the Court of Appeal’s decision that an Act passed by the government to amended Article 90 of the Constitution of Guyana by introducing new criteria for eligibility to run for the office of President of the Republic indirectly breached Articles 1 and 9 of the Constitution.

The CCJ’s ruling on the term limit will also determine if former president Bharrat Jagdeo who served two terms, will be allowed to run for a third term of presidency. Jagdeo, before demitting office back in 2011 had said that he would quit politics but has positioned himself to run again as the PPP’s presidential candidate. Many believe also that the constitutional challenge filed by the still unknown Cedric Richardson was engineered by Jagdeo.

The Court of Appeal last year had granted leave to Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, and former Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman to appeal the CCJ in the term limit case.

Trotman has since pulled out of the appeal. Just before the

May 2015 General and Regional Elections, Richardson, a resident of Georgetown challenged the amendments

which in effect prompted the Attorney General and Speaker of the National Assembly, the named parties, to appeal

of Appeal of Guyana applied the Basic Structure Doctrine in the case. He pointed out that the doctrine does not

The full bench of the Caribbean Court of Justice during a recent sitting at the High Court of Antigua and Barbuda to honour retiring President, the Rt Hon Sir Dennis Byron

made to Article 90 of the Constitution that were enacted in 2000 following a bipartisan Constitutional Reform Process.

Richardson contended that the term limit infringes on Articles 1 and 9 of the Constitution wherein Article 1 states that “Guyana is an indivisible, secular, democratic, sovereign state in the course of transition from capitalism to socialism and shall be known as the Co-operative Republic of Guyana” and Article 9, states that “Sovereignty belongs to the people, who exercise it through their representatives and the democratic organs established by or under this Constitution.”

Former Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang had in July 2015 ruled in favour of Richardson

against the ruling. Justice Chang had said Article No.17 of 2001 is without legal effect because it does not comply with other articles of the constitution dealing with repugnancy, democratic society and sovereignty belonging to the people which require a referendum for any alteration.

Chang had reasoned that Article 1 and 9 underpin the republican commitment to the fundamental concept of popular sovereignty or imperium populi thereby safeguarding against elective despotism by the elected representatives of the people.

The Court of Appeal by a two-one majority in February, 2017 upheld Chang’s ruling that the presidential term limit is unconstitutional and void.

Now retired Chancellor of

GA–FDD issues warning about foreign-labelled, expired goods RECENT confiscation of a number of foreign-labelled and expired goods on the local market has resulted in calls from the Government Analyst –Food and Drug Department (GA –FDD) for citizens to be more alert when purchasing food items.

In a media release from the GA-FDD on Friday, the body revealed that it recently seized 63 tins of ‘Anglo Corn Beef’ labelled in a foreign language and other expired items from the premises of a proprietor.

Criminal charges against the said business owner were filed at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on June 21, 2018, by the department’s prosecutor for “knowingly and deliberately” offering the items for sale.

Added to this, the department refused entry to containers of foreign-labelled ‘Ovaltine’ from Vietnam on May 10, 2018 and ‘Confectionery’ from China on June 6, 2018.

the Judiciary (ag) Carl Singh, and Justice BS Roy upheld the High Court ruling handed down by former Chief Jus-

The release stated: “The department is calling on all consumers to carefully examine all food products before making purchases to ensure that these foods are labelled in English and contain all the required labelling information which includes brand name, common name, net contents, list of ingredients, storage instructions, name and address of manufacturer or person preparing the food and its country of origin, expiry and manufacturer dates.”

GA-FDD also holds importers and proprietors accountable on the matter and reminds that it goes against the Food and Drugs Act (Chapter 34:03) of the Laws of Guyana and the Food and Drugs Regulations No. 10 of 1997.

“Wholesalers and Retailers also have a legal responsibility to ensure that wholesome foods reach the consumers and to ensure that all labels are in English. The

Department is calling on these proprietors to adhere to the Food and Drugs Regulation or face prosecution,” the document stated.

In addition to food items, it is required that drugs, cosmetics and medical devices that are imported for sale or use in Guyana be labelled in English, so that buyers and sellers can understand important information in relation to content, use, quantity, expiration date and other necessary precautions.

Just last week, piles of expired food items were seized from vendors at the Stabroek Market Bazaar by the Meat/ Food and Hygiene Department of the Mayor and City Council.

The GA-FDD serves as a regulatory body, ensuring that consumable goods meet international standards and requirements and are healthy for human consumption.

tice (ag) Ian Chang’s, while then Chief Justice (ag) now Chancellor (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards disagreed.

Meanwhile, in March 2018 attorneys representing the AG, Williams appeared before the full bench of the CCJ to present arguments as to why the Court of Appeal’s ruling in the case of the AG and Raphael Trotman against Cedric Richardson on the presidential term limit should be overturned. Williams was supported by Solicitor-General Kim Kyte-Thomas, State Counsel Uteika John and Barbadian Queens Counsel, Hal Gollop and Ralph Thorne while Richardson was represented by Douglas Mendes of Trinidad.

Williams told the CCJ that the High Court and Court

apply to Guyana and any other CARICOM country that has a constitution that mirrors the Westminster model.

The Basic Structure Doctrine which is an Indian judicial principle that the Constitution has certain basic features that cannot be altered or destroyed through amendments by the Parliament. The doctrine applies only to constitutional amendments.

But Williams argued that “where legislation is passed in accordance with prescription- in terms of manner and form, the court ought not to inquire as to the propriety; the substance of that legislation.”

Citing several authorities, Williams noted too that the Basic Structure Doctrine was applied in both the High Court and Court of Appeal. He said

9

the Learned Chief Justice (as he then was) Ian Chang and Chancellor (as he then was) Carl Singh, erred when they enquired as to whether the restriction of the third term was constitutional. “The Act was validly passed. The only question is whether it confirms with the constrictions on Article 164 (2) (6) of the Constitution. Our submission is that it did,” he posited.

Williams then provided the court with the background to the amendments made to the Constitution in 2000. He explained that the amendments were passed unanimously as both the government at that time and the opposition agreed after consultations with civil society and other stakeholders. “The Act was assented to by the then President Bharrat Jagdeo,” asserted Williams who noted that the amendment to Article 90 of the Constitution only allows a person to be president twice.

“The legislation came out of post-election trauma and chaos,” said Williams who noted that it was by virtue of the Hermanston Accord that there was Constitutional reform resulting in the effected amendment. The Herdmanston Accord originated from CARICOM’s intervention via mediation here to ensure that the country returned to a state of peace and normalcy. It was as a result of that intervention that the pact was signed.

Sex worker remanded for armed robbery The court was told that on the day in question, Harry was walking along King Street when he was confronted by Cox. It is alleged that Cox placed a knife to the victim’s neck and robbed

Godfrey Cox

A 19-year-old male sex worker on Friday found himself back at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court again charged with armed robbery.

Godfrey Cox of Princes Street, Georgetown, appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly and denied that on June 20, 2018 at High Street, while being armed with a knife, robbed David Harry of $65,000.

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh strongly opposed Cox being released on bail on the ground that the defendant was charged before for similar offences.

him. The defendant managed to escape, but was later arrested.

The magistrate remanded Cox to prison until July 20.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

Man flees after attempting to kill ex-wife – then doubles back, burns house down THE Police in 'B' Division are hunting a man who allegedly set fire to his exwife’s house, after attempting to kill her and injuring their teenage daughter.

Omawattie Alvin, called “Ann”, of Ankerville, Port Mourant, is now living in fear of her ex-husband, Lionel Thomas, 62, who not only tried to stab her, but slit her throat as well.

The incident reportedly occurred at Omawattie’s Ankerville home around 19:00hrs on Wednesday, after she refused to give in to his pleas to take him back.

Omawattie, a fish vendor, said the two had been separated three years now, because Thomas was in the habit of smoking illegal drugs and abusing her physically, mentally and verbally.

The woman said that while they were together, she had cause to make several reports at the police station, so much so that at one point she was forced to ask the the court to put him on a bond, just so he would keep his distance from her.

But unfortunately, putting him on a bond did not help, as he broke it as many as three times, the last being on Saturday when he threatened her with a cutlass while she was selling at the Rose Hall Market.

The distraught woman said she reported the matter to the police, and Thomas was arrested two days later and held in custody.

Omawattie Alvin shows the injuries she sustained at the hands of her ex-husband

An old photo of Omawattie and her ex-husband, Lionel Thomas

What’s left of the house in which Omawattie lived

But after the mandatory 72 hours had passed, the police had no choice but to release him on Wednesday, pending his appearance in court the following day.

According to Omawattie, no sooner was he released than he was at her door, pleading with her to take him back. And after realising that his pleas were falling on deaf ears, Thomas resorted to ‘Plan B’, which was to pick up a bottle, break it and try to slit her throat. He also whipped out a knife and

made several attempts to stab her.

The woman said that had it not been for her 17-yearold daughter, who used her body as a shield, he would have hurt her far worse than he did.

When this publication paid the woman a visit, there were visible marks of violence on her throat, chin and abdomen.

And neither was their daughter spared her father’s wrath, as he beat her in the head with the broken bottle

and stabbed her on the hand.

Said Omawattie, “I fight him off as best I could and run out the yard screaming for help. But he run after me, firing the knife to hurt me; but when people start come out, he run in the bush and hide.”

The woman was taken by kind-hearted neighbours to the Whim Police Station where a report was made.

But Thomas was not yet done, because as soon as he thought that the coast was clear, he doubled back and set the house on fire.

Omawattie said she was at the hospital seeking medical attention when she learnt the dreadful news.

She is now alleging that had the police acted promptly, they would have been able to arrest her assailant.

“If they went the same time, I am sure they would have catch he,” Omawattie said, adding: “Now I can’t sleep or do anything, ‘cause all I am thinking is, ‘This man will find me once he is out’.”

She’s also worried about where she’s going to live now, as although she had been living there several years, the house is not hers.

She was unable to save anything in the inferno and is contemplating her next move.

She is seeking the public's assistance in finding a place to stay, and asking anyone desirous of assisting her to contact her on telephone number 6718252.

MNR drafting National Strategy for REDD+ THE Ministry of Natural Resources through its US$3.8 million Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) Project has begun drafting a National Strategy for Guyana to implement Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+).

According to a release from the Ministry, the strategy’s completion is expected in November 2019 and will ultimately help the country to maintain its low rate of deforestation and forest degradation.

In April 2018, the Ministry contracted a group of consultants to prepare the REDD+ Strategy which included Climate Law and Policy, Winrock Internation-

al, Slyvan Acres and Conservation International (CI) Guyana.

Thus far, CI has engaged key stakeholders from government, private sector, civil society and indigenous or forest dependent communities to review the draft assessment of governance.

This engagement also served to gather additional data on the analysis of indirect drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, taking into consideration both past and possible future drivers.

In addition, the Ministry utilized a Social Environmental and Strategic Assessment (SESA) and an Environment and Social Management Framework (ESMF) which are critical to

REDD+ stakeholders making inputs to National REDD+ Strategy development

the REDD+ Strategy.

It will help to address environmental and so-

cial priorities for land use taking into consideration expected local, regional and

M&CC wants to push ahead with City Hall restoration – hoping EU plan will not be shelved like others THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is hoping that the recent initiative taken by the European Union to fund the restoration of the iconic City Hall will not be like past ventures which were eventually shelved.

Last May, the European Union teamed up with the National Trust of Guyana to fund a two-day stakeholder workshop for the Comprehensive Restoration Plan and Sustainable Conservation Management Plan for City Hall.

Since then, Town Clerk Royston King said, the M&CC has not heard anything further about the plan, except that the National Trust and other stakeholders are studying it.

After so much money would have gone into the project, King said the M&CC is hoping that the restoration of the building will move forward this time around.

But the big question is where the City Council will find the more than $400 M needed to actually start the works. King is, however, optimistic that something will work out.

“We’re very anxious to push ahead with it and get something done about this building,” King said, adding that the M&CC is very optimistic that this is not just another case where the project amounts to only talks.

“We’re hoping that we can really push forward with the restoration. The building is really in an advanced state of deterioration and we need to move on with restoring the building,” he said.

Following the completion of the plan and its handing over to City Hall, phase two of the project will be to find funding to get the actual works done.

“Perhaps we will need to approach governmental agencies with this project; craft a plan to see how we can have funding, because the Council cannot fund this.

We are struggling to do even basic things at this point; we

will need everyone to make a contribution as we move forward,” King had expressed at the launching of the plan.

Based on a report obtained from City Engineer Colvern Venture, the most immediate works will include repairs to the roof and windows.

Come July 1, the building will be 129 years old and it has been in occupational use

by Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen since 1994. She expressed how she watched the building deteriorate year after year but was helpless.

“We had so many consultations and promises, and so we became frustrated,” she said.

Chase-Green said they have been trying with the building for more than 20 years now, and spoke about the extent of its deterioration by pointing out how pieces of the building are always falling off and shoe heels often stick in the floors.

She also described City Hall as a fire hazard, and said with even a loose wire, it can go up in flames within a second.

The Guyana Fire Service had advised M&CC officers to move out of the building but the workers were later told that it would have deteriorated faster if everyone left.

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle told the Guyana Chronicle recently that the Service did some inspection on the building back in 2015 and made some recommendations. He noted that urgent steps are needed to rectify the problems there, and that the Service is standing by its recommendations.

The building has obviously gotten worse from 2015 to now, to the point where even from a layman’s view, there are clear signs of structural deficiencies.

Gentle observed that the current state of the building can pose a danger not only to M&CC staff, but to citizens going to transact business at City Hall as well.

global benefits and opportunity costs of conserving forests.

As a part of Guyana’s REDD+ Readiness Process, it must pursue REDD+ related policies, procedures and programmes and strengthen monitoring, reporting and verification systems.

Meanwhile, the FCPF

Project supports key REDD+ Readiness Activities aimed at building Guyana’s capacity to implement REDD+, mainly through creating the organisational structures and fostering an environment which attracts future investment projects for carbon emission reduction.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

Greenidge addresses ACP-EU joint assembly …highlights importance of agriculture, natural resources sectors VICE President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge on Wednesday addressed the 35th Session of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and the European Union (EU) Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) in Brussels, Belgium.

Speaking on behalf of President-In-Office of the ACP Council of Ministers, Foreign Minister Greenidge highlighted the importance of the JPA and noted that as a sounding board for policy and agenda setting entity on North-South cooperation, it was the only structured forum of its kind covering four global geographical spaces.

“The adoption of the Negotiating Mandate has strengthened us in the endeavour to collectively ensure that the ACP-EU Post-Cotonou Agreement lives up to our expectations in achieving UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the achievement of which we have all given an

unambiguous commitment,” Minister Greenidge was quoted in a release as saying.

Noting the importance that the ACP Group placed on the need for people-based development, the minister outlined the steps that it was taking to improve the agricultural sector in a number of production sectors, including bananas, sugar, rum, fisheries and livestock, among others. "The ACP Council in Lomé finalized a framework programme that aims at addressing access to finance, capacity building, trade and investment, and climate related risks," he explained. The agriculture sector accounted for about 90 per cent of exports for ACP Member States, the Minister further said.

Meanwhile, Minister Greenidge pointed to the Group's development of a framework of action for the mineral sector, which aimed at fostering the development of resources in support of

Taxi driver shot after dousing businessman with gasolene A 42-year-old businessman is in police custody after shooting a taxi driver who threw gasolene on him and was about to set him alight, Friday morning, on Regent Street, between Albert and Light Streets in Georgetown.

Reports state that the businessman who is a licensed firearm holder was on Regent Street when the 50-year-old taxi driver of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara confronted him over a rented property.

The taxi driver, who

was carrying a white bottle, suspected to contain gasoline, threw the liquid on the businessman threatening to set him alight.

When the businessman saw the taxi driver’s hands heading for his lighter, he reached for his firearm and discharged several rounds hitting the taxi driver in his left hand and left foot.

As a result, the taxi driver was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital by the police and admitted.

The police have since launched an investigation.

Four years in jail to rue his mistake A 39-YEAR-OLD man of Linden will now spend the next four years in prison after he was found guilty of the possession of narcotics.

Sheldon Joseph of Sunflower Street, Wismar, Linden appeared in the Linden Magistrate’s Court on Thursday with the hope of being found not guilty.

The facts read that on January 8, 2018 at 47 Miles, Mabura, Joseph had in his possession 350 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

The prosecution stated that a search was carried out on a minibus at 47 miles, Mabura when po-

lice officers found leaves, seeds and stems which were identified as cannabis in the defendant’s haversack.

He was told of the offence and arrested.

The taxi driver’s attorney, Yondessa Welcome, asked the court to consider the fact that he was a first time offender and stated that the defendant was very sorry. Welcome also requested that the court exercise leniency.

Considering the facts stated, Joseph was fined $525,000 and sentenced to four years in prison by Magistrate Clive Nurse.

sustainable development of ACP countries and would contribute to poverty alleviation and social development in the mining sector.

"The post-2020 framework will focus on scaling up industrial opportunities, notably through the creation of linkages and value-added activities in various sectors, including extractive industries and through support to manufacturing industries," he stated.

With the Cotonou

His Excellency Dr. Patrick I. Gomes, ACP Secretary-General, the Honourable Ekaterina Spasova Gecheva-Zakharieva, Deputy Prime Minister for Judicial Reform and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Honourable Carl B. Greenidge, Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and His Excellency David Hales, Ambassador of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to the Kingdom of Belgium. (Source: acp.int)

Agreement set to expire in 2020, both the ACP Group and the EU are engaged in discussions to develop a le-

gally-binding arrangement that builds on the present agreement. On May 30, 2018, the ACP Group ad-

opted its negotiating mandate for a post-Cotonou Partnership Agreement with the European Union.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

Stabroek wharf vendors exempted from paying rent TOWN Clerk Royston King has ordered the clerk of markets not to collect any rent from vendors plying their trade in the vicinity of the Stabroek Market wharf, due to the deplorable conditions which exist there.

He made the decision to no longer collect the rent since last week, King told the Guyana Chronicle in an invited comment at City

Hall earlier this week.

“The area is very unsafe and unhealthy, and I have instructed the clerk of markets not to collect any rent from the people operating there because it is not a situation we are proud of. And they are really not doing any business there,” King said.

He said the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is also working on a plan to relocate the vendors even

before the Public Health and Markets Committee pronounces on the matter.

The said committee has been tasked, for more than two years now, with coming up with a policy that would not only guide the relocation of Stabroek Market vendors, but also address any vendor-related issues the municipality may have.

Even as some 500 ven-

dors are to be affected by the rehabilitation of the Stabroek Market wharf, the M&CC has not yet released any concrete information about where they will be relocated.

A number of areas have been identified by the town clerk and the Public Health and Markets Committee, but it is not clear which one will be able to accommodate the 500 vendors who were iden-

tified during a walk-through by city officials.

“There is no concrete solution; no clear understanding of how the project will go forward,” a source told the Guyana Chronicle recently. In fact, the source said that while the committee was tasked with finding suitable relocation spots, the town clerk has also found one on his own.

King had indicated in the past that the vendors would be relocated to the area west of the Public Buildings, but Mayor Patricia Chase-Green had subsequently said that not all of the vendors can be accommodated there. She said that other places are still being looked at, and that the municipality has not yet decided where the rest of the vendors will be placed.

The mayor had, at one point, lamented on the Markets Public Health Committee’s ‘lack-lustre’ approach to the relocation of the vendors. Chairman of the said committee, former Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikarran, has since resigned from that position, but no one has yet been named to succeed him.

The mayor had feared that should no action be taken about relocating the vendors, the money the government has set aside for it

could be redirected. “We have to be very vigilant and very alert, and ensure that that market rehabilitation is not prolonged, because of the lackadaisical way in which we approach the relocation of vendors,” she said.

Approximately $400M is reportedly to be spent on rehabilitating the dilapidated wharf, King had said. He’s also noted that the unsightly structure is soon to be torn down and replaced with a mall-like facility, complete with a boardwalk and entertainment area.

“Vendors ought not to worry, as they will be given first preference to return, once the project has been completed,” he had said, adding: “However, due to the modernisation, the vendors will be asked to pay a little more rent.”

The portion of the stelling which faces the Demerara River has, for years, been an eyesore for the thousands who use the speedboat service every day. The collapse of a portion of the roof some years ago, however, did not deter vendors from conducting business there.

“The facility is not only an eyesore; it is ruinous and dangerous to the health and lives of persons who use it,” King said.

Saturday, June 23, 2018 - 13:30 & 1:00 hrs

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

Businesswoman accused of demanding $$$ by menace

A 45-year-old businesswoman who is charged with demanding mon ey from a 72-year-old man by menace on Friday appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly and was released on $60,000 bail.

Natasha Singh of Crane, West Coast Demerara, denied that on June 18 at Georgetown, she demanded with menace the sum of $200,000 from Mohammed Yusuf with intent to steal.

The mother of four

was represented by attorney-at-law Everton Lammy-Singh. The lawyer requested that his client be released on self-bail on the grounds that she was the sole breadwinner for her family.

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh did not disclose the facts surrounding the case, neither did he object to bail.

The businesswoman was granted $60,000 bail and will make her next court appearance on July 20.

The Guyana Chroni-

Natasha Singh

cle understands that both parties are known to each other. According to reports, Singh had threatened to arrest the elderly man after harassing him on several occasions and identified herself as a police officer.

On the day in question, it is alleged that the woman went to Yusuf’s home and demanded money. After the man told her that he did not have any money, he was placed in a car and taken away by the woman.

The woman then con-

fiscated the elderly man’s cell phone and personal documents and told him if he handed over $200,000, he would get his freedom.

Singh then used Yusuf’s phone and called his son.

The son was told that he would have to pay the money for his father’s release.

However, the son called the Criminal Investigations Department and the woman was arrested by ranks. Her alleged kidnapping plot was therefore foiled.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

15

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

17

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 23, 2018

President David Granger’s message on the occasion of St. John’s Day 2018 St John is the patron saint of the St. John Association – the international organisation known for its charitable, humanitarian and civic work. I am happy, as Patron, to extend greetings to all Guyanese on the occasion of the observance of St. John’s Day – the Christian celebration of the nativity of St. John

the Baptist.

The St. John Association of Guyana has served the people of this country selflessly for eighty-five years. The Association’s sustained work in providing ambulatory, disaster response, emergency, firstaid medical care and public health education, training and services has been commendable.

President David Granger

Guyana is a nation of ten administrative and development regions. It is the Association’s mission to ensure that every region in our country – both on the coastland and hinterland – has the capacity to provide emergency health care services. The St. John Association aims at establishing such a capability everywhere in the country.

I call on all citizens, communities, corporations and local democratic organs to support the Association’s invaluable work. Every household, business place, community and neighborhood should have persons trained in emergency medical care so as to ensure a timely and effective response to health emergencies.

The St. John Association needs the support of all Guyanese to realise its aims and objectives.

I thank the officers and members of the St John Association of Guyana for their service to the nation. I wish them continued success in their efforts to expand and extend the services they provide.

for us because it will help those who would have invested before, to be informed about the other investments opportunities that will be taking place. It will also help in identifying to those who are considering Guyana’s market of various opportunities.”

Attending the launch, Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin said, “It is important that we promote Guyana, we all have that responsibility. This magazine serves the purpose of promoting Guyana as an investment destination.” He noted that the government has no say

in the contents of the magazine. “We don’t get to edit the magazine or ensure that it satisfies the government agenda.”

Meanwhile, Managing Director for Advertising and Marketing Services, Lokesh Singh said “the magazine’s content has grown; we started doing 75 pages and this time around its 112 pages. One of the major things we have been able to do in this magazine which has brought it to life is using the annual national budget as the focal point of the magazine.”

‘iNvest Guyana’ magazine launched THE Guyana Office for Investment (GO-invest) in collaboration with Advertising and Marketing Services on Wednesday launched its 2018/2019 iNvest Guyana Magazine edition.

The new edition, of 30,000 copies to be distributed locally and overseas, was unveiled at the Roraima Duke Lodge Hotel and aims to highlight market and investment opportunities in Guyana, to local and foreign investors.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GO-Invest, Owen

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GO-Invest, Owen Verwey [second from left] presents a copy of the magazine to Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin [right]. [Also, in photo] Managing Director for Advertising and Marketing Services, Lokesh Singh [centre] and Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Edward Boyer [extreme left].

Verwey said with the growing interest in investment

opportunities in Guyana, the agency was pressed to print

an additional 5,000 copies.

“The magazine is important

Monday declared National Day of Mourning for piracy victims

PRESIDENT David Granger has declared Monday a National Day of Mourning in memory of the victims of the deadly piracy attacks between April 27, 2018 and May 3, 2018 in Suriname.

In making the proclamation, President Granger called on all authorities, commissions, boards, ministries, public agencies, corporations and citizens to fly the national flag at half-staff to demonstrate solidarity with the families of those killed in those grisly and gruesome acts and accord due homage, respect and reverence to the memory of the victims.

During April-May this year, two separate attacks took place against five Suriname-registered fishing vessels, both with some 25 crew members, mostly Guyanese.

Nine fishermen survived the grisly, gruesome blood-bath; 12 are still missing, and are presumably dead.

The alleged mastermind, 43-year-old Primnauth Persaud, called “Sinbad” of Cromarty Village, and his co-accused Nakool Manohar, popularly known as “Fyah” of Number 43 Village, were last week charged with two counts of murder for allegedly killing fishermen Mahesh Sarjoo and Tillacknauth Mohabir during a piracy attack in Suriname last month. The men appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Springlands Magistrates’ Court, where they were not required to plead to the indictable charge. The charge stated that between April 26 and May 3 at sea, they allegedly murdered Tillack-

nauth and Sarjoo during the course or furtherance of a robbery. A week before the duo appeared in court, 19-year-old Alexander DenHart, called “Shame Face,” appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus and was not required to answer to the charge. Particulars of the charge allege that between April 26 and May 3, 2018, while in Guyana’s territorial waters, DenHart murdered Tillacknauth Mahabir, called “Caiman”, who was on a vessel that was robbed.

President David Granger days after the attacks, had described it as a massacre and announced then that a day of mourning would be formally observed for the men. “We are deeply grieved by the tragedy; clearly some Guyanese have

been victims, and we are in touch with [the] Surinamese government and also the Surinamese police authorities and our police in the ‘B’ Division, which is the East Berbice- Corentyne Division, are in touch with the families and we plan to observe formal mourning.

It is a massacre, it is a great tragedy,” President Granger said.

He told reporters that his administration has been very successful over the last three years in curbing piracy, “so this has come as a great setback and we extend sympathy to the families.”

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, had referred to the incident as a “brutal crime.” The current law provides stiff penalties for acts of piracy or hijacking of fishing boats

off Guyana’s sea-coasts and in its rivers, including life in jail and execution by hanging.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in his weekly newspaper column, “My Turn,” last week reminded all fisherfolk and their hired hands that offences at sea carry serious penalties.

These include life imprisonment for hijacking, that is, taking away or attempting to take away another boat; life imprisonment for piracy, that is, illegally detaining a boat in a river or on the sea; or participating in the operation of a pirate vessel; 10 years imprisonment for covering up a piracy attack, where death resulted; and death by hanging, for murder on board a vessel during an armed robbery, hijacking

or piracy.

He cautioned that fishing crew who sign on to work on a “pirate boat”, whether in Guyana, Suriname or elsewhere, cannot claim that they do not know the law; or plead that “is dem, not me!”

Nagamootoo was at the time commenting on the multiple counts of murder with which three Guyanese fishermen have been charged, arising from the piracy-related massacre of mostly Guyanese fishermen off the coast of Suriname. He noted that the alleged mastermind and his co-accused, as well as a third murder accused, are all from the Upper Corentyne. Nagamootoo said upon conviction, they face the penalty of death by hanging.

19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 23, 2018

GRA steps up monitoring of ozone-depleting substances …sees reduction as a result of customs enforcement

THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), as a monitoring agency, continues to play its part in the protection of the ozone layer.

On Tuesday, June 19, 2018 the GRA and the Ministry of Agriculture hosted a train-the-trainers workshop to sensitize Customs Officers, representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Guyana Wildlife Conservation Management

on substances that deplete the ozone layer.

The officers, the GRA said in a release were guided on the use of the customs code, the clearance of ozone depleting substances and reporting mechanisms to ensure Guyana’s obligations in the long-run.

According to Mr. Vishnu Toolsie, Training Consultant for the Montreal Protocol, when the Protocol was estab-

lished in 1985 it was predicted that Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) would be phased-out in 2015 and Hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) by 2040.

However, due to advanced technology and government funding, CFCs were phasedout in 2010 and HCFCs shifted to 2030. The Protocol is deemed successful at all levels and is now expanding to tackle issues under the Climate Change Convention.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and Methyl Bromide (MeBr) which are ranked very high in their global warming potential are on the prohibited list and once identified, actions in keeping with the Protocol are enforced. These may include mandatory retrofitting at the expense of the importers or re-exportation based on advice of the National Ozone

Action Unit.

These gases have as much global warming potential as they are ozone depleting.

They are not harmful as long as they remain contained in the equipment but when released by venting or spraying, they enter the atmosphere.

In partnership with the Ozone Action Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture the Authority continues to closely monitor imported

equipment that perform refrigerant functions such as solvents, propellants, foam blowing and other man made agents. Training of Customs Officers became a priority, given the need for knowledge and enforcement of control mechanisms such as processing and examinations, inspections and testing of refrigerants and issuance of import licence and permits.

CCTV footage convicts duo in Old Year’s Night robbery

CCTV footage resulted in the conviction of two men who robbed a gold miner on Old Year’s Night 2017 at Mackenzie Market Area Republic Avenue Mackenzie, Linden.

Almost two weeks into 2018, two separate identification parades were held and Timothy Waldron and Shawn Archibald, both of 1832 Unity Place North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, were identified as two of the perpetrators.

On Thursday at the Linden Magistrate’s Court, Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse found former policeman 38year old Timothy Waldron guilty of the offence and jailed him for five years with a fined of $100,000. This is almost two weeks after his accomplice, 29-year old Shawn Archibald, changed his plea to guilty at the Linden Magistrate’s Court and was sentenced to four years imprisonment with a fine of

Timothy Waldron

Jailed: Shawn Archibald

$75,000.

The duo were arrested after robbing 31-year old Travis Campbell of 193 Dacama Circle, Mackenzie, Linden of three gold chains valued $600,000 on December 31, 2017. Reports revealed that the victim was standing on the market pavement amongst his friends when three men walked up to him each pointing a gun at him. One of the male said, “you owe

me from the bush” and pulled off his chain from around his next. In the process one of the men dealt him a gun butt to his head and he ran away. The suspects then calmly walked away still pointing their fingers in his direction. The men entered a waiting silver grey Toyota Allion HC 5801 which drove off east on Pine Street Mackenzie, Linden. The ordeal lasted for about one minute.

Autopsy finds...

Mother of five died of ‘cardiac arrest’

THE post mortem done on the remains of 30 year-old Malika Greene, the mother of five who collapsed and died on the Grove Public Road late Monday has given as the cause of death hyperthermia which led to a cardiac arrest.

The woman was at the time riding a bicycle on her way to Western Union. She was reportedly picked up and rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

On Wednesday, the woman’s

father, Floyd Jackson distanced himself and the family from calls made by her husband to members of the public to help bury her and take care of the children.

Mr. Jackson said that contrary to what his son-in-law is saying, the family is in no need of financial assistance to bury his daughter or take care of her children, and that even if that were the case, the family is big enough to come together and pitch in.

Noting that his late daugh-

ter’s husband made the call without first consulting with her relatives, Mr Jackson told the Guyana Chronicle: “I see it as totally wrong; the children are not with him.

He went to the mother’s house use the children; to put things in such a way as to show they are with him...

“I want the public to understand that he took his son back to Berbice, and Malika’s other four children, who are not his, are now in the care of her

mother.”

Noting that what the man did has embarassed his family immensely, Mr Jackson said: “We don’t have any need to seek public assistance to bury her, neither to take care of the children.

“And the truth is, if by any chance we need any assistance, there are lots of relatives we can turn to; and I have friends in religious ministries who are willing to help us in case of anything.”

Today’s Coca-Cola Ultimate Football Fan

GDF captain to be charged for De Willem fatal accident

CHARGES have been recommended for a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) coast guard captain, who allegedly crashed into a 35-yearold man as he was crossing the De Willem Public Road, West Coast Demerara last Sunday.

Police received legal advice to charge Lieutenant (Coast Guard) Eson Trim with causing death by dangerous driving and driving

under the influence (DUI).

He is expected to make a court appearance Monday at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.

Dead is Roopchand Ramkellawan of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo.

Reports state that the 28-year-old officer of South Ruimveldt Gardens was driving a Nissan X-Trail vehicle PWW 5680 when the acci-

dent occurred.

A breathalyzer test revealed that his alcohol level was above the legal limit.

Investigations revealed that the victim was crossing the road from south to north when he was struck by the X-trail which was proceeding east along the northern carriageway.

Ramkellawan was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital in an unconscious state

and was pronounced dead on arrival. Police said an unlicensed pistol with four live rounds was found on his person.

The body was taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home and a post-mortem was performed on Monday

by Dr Nehaul Singh. The post-mortem gave the cause of death as multiple injuries to the body due to motor vehicle accident.

Winston Fraser

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

Bring back correspondent banking …Ambassador Insanally urges at Washington forum

GUYANA’S ambassador to the United States, Riyad Insanally on Thursday called for the United States (U.S.) banks of correspondent relations (CBRs) to be restored.

Ambassador Insanally was at the time speaking at the 20th Annual Caribbean American Legislative Briefing held at the Institute of Caribbean Studies, Capitol Hill, under the theme, “US-Caribbean Relations: A Multisector Perspective.”

In his address the Guyanese envoy noted that the withdrawal of correspondent banks with the Caribbean as a result of de-risking remains a major challenge which threatens “the mutual benefit of the US-Caribbean relationship.” “It would be remiss of me not to allude to one particular challenge that threatens the mutual benefit of the US-Caribbean relationship, that is, the withdrawal by US banks of correspondent banking relations (CBRs) with Caribbean banks because of ‘de-risking’ in the face of onerous regulations and heavy penalties to counter money laundering and terrorism financing.”

The Ambassador said while the current policy of less regulation in the US is encouraging, he believes that “it would be in the mutual interest of the US and the Caribbean for CBRs by US banks to be restored.” CARICOM has long argued that

the withdrawal of correspondent banking services would exclude the Region from the global finance and trading system with grave consequences for maintenance of financial stability, economic growth, remittance flows and poverty alleviation.

Correspondent banking with global banks allows smaller banks access to the international payments system, facilitating money transfers through transactions such as wire transfers, check clearing, and currency exchange. Without these banking relationships, businesses are cut off from international trade and financing, families are unable to collect remittances from relatives working abroad, and foreign investors may be unwilling to invest, if there is a risk they will be unable to repatriate their profits.

In this vein, Ambassador Insanally believes that there is a role for the Caribbean Diaspora in helping to lobby for that change. Ambassador Insanally noted the collaboration which exists between the Caribbean and the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) and the Caribbean Energy Security Initiative (CESI). In fact, the diplomat posited that both initiatives “are still relevant.” “They are excellent frameworks for closer cooperation between the US and the Caribbean,” he added while noting that “there is a clear understanding of the mutual benefit of a

prosperous Caribbean Basin and there are encouraging signs that the US Administration will engage further with Caribbean partners to promote sustainable economic policies, private sector-led growth and job-creation.”

In this respect, utilising trade preference programmes and mechanisms such as the US-CARICOM Trade and Investment Council will also be of critical importance, said Ambassador Insanally.

“As many of you know, the US has consistently enjoyed significant trade surpluses with CARICOM countries.

The US is the primary trading partner of all CARICOM countries and enjoys a trade surplus with our Community of over $4B. We, therefore, believe that it is essential that the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) and the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA), which govern trade relations between the US and the Caribbean, be continued after 2020.”

The Guyanese envoy notwithstanding the aforementioned, made it clear that there is little likelihood of any movement this year towards enacting the Bill for the extension of CBERA (HR 3849), given the focus on midterm elections. It is his belief that enactment of the legislation is likely to take place next year. “This should not, however, rule out lobbying efforts to build awareness

Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States, Riyad Insanally

of the issue, particularly in electoral districts with a strong Caribbean presence.”

The Ambassador also said that highlighting the importance of extending CBERA beyond 2020 is important. Additionally, he made note of the roles played by the US Congress, Congressman Eliot Engel and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. He described the duo as the architects of United States-Caribbean Strategic Act of 2016 (HR 4939), noting that they have both campaigned for higher levels of funding for the region.

The HR 4939 represened a real boost for the relationship between the US and the Caribbean providing a platform for closer engagement between the US and the Caribbean region, in the

areas of Security, Prosperity, Energy, Education, Health and Diplomacy.

The CBSI, the premier conduit for US security assistance to the Caribbean, will benefit from US$57.7M in the financial year 2019.

This sum, Ambassador Insanally reminded was approved through the Omnibus Spending Bill released by the US Congress on March 21, 2018. “We are grateful for this level of support.” With respect to Energy he said, HR 4939 envisages that the US will seek to increase the use of low cost, reliable sources of energy, including renewables and natural gas, to spur economic development that would, in turn, create new opportunities for exports, investments and public-private partnerships by globally competitive US energy firms. However, it will be up to Congress, Caribbean governments and, the Caribbean-American Diaspora, to help push this approach with the US private sector.

Meanwhile, the Guyanese Ambassador, who spoke on behalf of Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge noted that Thursday’s meeting represented a key component of the celebration of National Caribbean American Heritage Month. At the forum which brought together members of the Caribbean American community, Members of Congress, US Government officials, rep-

resentatives of the private sector, academia and civil society, to address common interests in the context of US-Caribbean relations, Insanally said there has been a number of disruptions and distractions at the level of the U.S. State Department and the CARICOM Caucus.

He said there were a number of consultations which gave rise to several recommendations in priority areas. The State Department he said in collaboration with USAID prepared a multiyear strategy which was presented to Congress on June 19, 2017. “There have, however, been a number of disruptions and distractions, for both the State Department and our Caucus, since then, which have affected follow-up action but which have also served to provide some useful context for what we hope to achieve together,” he stated.

Ambassador Insanally who expressed gratitude to the ICS for inviting him to present at the forum said there is a “scope for closer engagement with the CARICOM Caucus of Ambassadors in ensuring that we are always singing from the same hymn sheet.” He suggested that the CARICOM Caucus of Ambassadors pursue meetings at least once a quarter to develop a coherent, joint strategy of outreach.

Stiff fines, jail time for misuse of airstrips LEGISLATION concerning the misuse of the airstrips will soon be enacted and breaches will attract a fine as well as ‘jail time’.

This is according to Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Colonel (ret'd) Egbert Field in light of recent reports on the poor condition of the Baramita airstrip.

Egbert Field stressed the importance of routine maintenance, the need for a structured approach to maintenance and for effective monitoring of the programme. He also cautioned the residents of Baramita about the impacts of not maintaining and misusing runway.

Field implored the residents to work with the public infrastructure ministry in

maintaining and preserving the runway since they are the owners.

Officials from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the GCAA, along with the project’s contractor, visited the airstrip recently to conduct an assessment.

It was discovered that the film of bitumen that formed the sand seal had detached from the base course at numerous areas creating the appearance of interspersed potholes.

According to a Ministry of Public Infrastructure release, the visit occurred on June 19, 2018 and from it a number of issues were identified, including the absence of routine maintenance of the airstrip and misuse of the runway.

Director-General of GCAA Colonel (ret’d) Egbert Field

A report outlining the condition of the runway and the way forward was also compiled. Meanwhile, the ministry stated that it will undertake inspections of all other airstrips where this

method of sealing was used, to ensure similar issues do not occur. The ministry noted it will also review the performance of maintenance contracts to ensure that projects were executed properly.

If it is discovered that same is unacceptable, immediate action will be taken since the safety of passengers is the top priority.

Furthermore, the ministry will take up the opportunity during the upcoming National Toshaos Council to hold discussions with village leaders on the usage and their responsibilities over airstrips in their villages, with the aim of working closer with the elected councils in the future.

The airstrip had been rehabilitated over the period July to November 2017.

The condition of the runway and the damage caused by ATVs being used on the runway's surface

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

21

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

23

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

25

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

27

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

29

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 23, 2018

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 23, 2018

Chandimal loses appeal (CMC) - SRI Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal has failed in his bid to be reinstated for the third Test against West Indies starting here

Saturday, after his appeal was rejected by judicial commissioner Michael Beloff QC. Chandimal was found guilty of ball tampering

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Wednesday June 23, 2018) 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) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: 1. Jack Noriega-9/95 (vs IUND, 1971) 2. Shannon Gabriel-13/121 (5/59 & 8/62 vs SL, St. Lucia, 2018) Today’s Quiz: 1. Who scored the only century in the recent WI/SL second Test of the current series?

2. Who Shannon Gabriel took eight second innings wickets in the recent WI/SL second Test. Who took the other two?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Sri Lanka coach Chandika Hathurusinghe (centre) and manager Asanka Gurusinha (right) have been charged by the ICC for delaying play

during the second Test in St Lucia last week and slapped with a one-Test suspension but appealed the punishment of two suspension points and a fine of of his entire match fee.

In a four-hour hearing on Friday, however, where both parties were

American Racing Tips Irish Racing Tips Gulfstream Down Royal Race 1 Katie’s Champ 08:55 hrs Rangefield Express Race 2 Charlie The Greek 09:25 hrs Soffia Race 3 Kroy 10:00 hrs Admirality Race 4 Catherine The Great 10:35 hrs Remmy D Race 5 Lady And Me 11:15 hrs Beach Wedding Race 6 Violent Wave 11:55 hrs Acari Race 7 One Wild Chic 12:30 hrs Elysian Plains Race 8 Chinomado Race 9 Fast Mama South Africa Racing Tips Race10 First Step Scottsville 08:45 hrs Bi Pilot 09:20 hrs It’s My Turn Newmarket 09:55 hrs Leslies Pathofame 09:10 hrs Entitle 10:30 hrs Galaxy Tunes 09:45 hrs Hatsaway 10:20 hrs Mesquite 11:00 hrs Whitlock Ascot 11:40 hrs Green Fortune 09:30 hrs Natalie’s Joy 12:20 hrs Buridan 10:05 hrs Crystal Ocean 12:55 hrs Beachwalk 10:40 hrs Queen Of Bermuda 11:20 hrs Merchant Navy 12:00 hrs Grol 12:35 hrs Thomas Hobson Canadian Racing Tips Woodbine Race 1 Brews Toonie Toss Race 2 Desdemona Race 3 Kitten’s Solution Race 4 Divine Ami Race 5 Firey Gizno Race 6 Subzero Plus Race 7 Lady Rebel Race 8 Shahroze Race 9 Blurricane

English Racing Tips Ayr 08:45 hrs Indian Sounds 09:20 hrs Gangland 09:55 hrs Mordin 10:30 hrs Jay Kay 11:10 hrs Mrs Gallagher 11:50 hrs Northwest Frontier 12:25 hrs Equitant

represented by legal counsel, Beloff sided with the International Cricket Council meaning Chandimal will miss the crucial series decider at Kensington Oval here.

“I express my gratitude to all who, though located in four different places, London, Colombo, Dubai and Barbados, collaborated in enabling me to reach a decision in time for the third Test between the West Indies and Sri Lanka,” Beloff said in a statement.

The ICC said a “written reasoned decision” behind Beloff’s ruling would be provided next Wednesday, the scheduled final day of the Test.

Chandimal was charged following the third day’s play in the second Test after officials viewed television footage from the second day which apparently showed Chandimal taking sweets from his pocket and placing them in his mouth, before applying saliva to the ball in an attempt to change its condition.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charge which led to a hearing at the end of the Test, where he was subsequently found guilty.

Chandimal’s absence is a huge blow for the Sri Lankans who trail 0-1 in the three-Test series, after losing the opener in Trinidad by 226 runs.

The right-hander struck a brilliant hundred in the drawn St Lucia contest.

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 23 , 2018

Xhaka, Shaqiri give Swiss the edge against Serbia (REUTERS) A thunderous strike by Granit Xhaka and a superb last-minute breakaway goal by Xherdan Shaqiri gave Switzerland a dramatic 2-1 win over Serbia in a swashbuckling World Cup Group E match yesterday.

Serbia went ahead with an Aleksandar Mitrovic header, after five minutes, to the delight of their fervent supporters at the Kaliningrad stadium.

Xhaka silenced the Serbian contingent in the 52nd minute, however, when he left fly with a leftfoot shot which flew into the net from 25 metres before Shaqiri broke away to win the game at the death.

The result left Brazil, 2-0 winners over Costa

Rica, top with four points, ahead of Switzerland on goal difference with Serbia on three.

Brazil and Serbia meet in their final game while the Swiss face Costa Rica, already eliminated after losing their first two games.

Serbia made a flying start and Mitrovic forced Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer into an early save with a close-range header.

Sommer was powerless, however, in the fifth minute when Nemanja Matic won the ball and found Dusan Tadic, whose cross was met with a soaring header from Mitrovic.

With Mitrovic proving a handful for the Swiss defence, Serbia threatened to over-run their opponents and missed another chance

Xherdan Shaqiri of Switzerland scores his team’s second goal past Vladimir Stojkovic of Serbia, during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group E match at Kaliningrad Stadium yesterday in Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

when a corner flew across the face of goal and Dusko Tosic just failed to make contact.

Switzerland came right back into the game seven minutes after halftime thanks to Xhaka’s fulminating strike after a rebound fell nicely into his path.

Xhaka was almost upstaged by Shaqiri who clipped the crossbar with a curling, dipping shot from the unlikeliest of angles and the match turned into a pulsating end-to-end affair which was brilliantly settled

by Shaqiri.

Switzerland cleared a Serbia attack and a through pass sent the diminutive forward scuttling away before he slotted the ball neatly into the far corner.

Neymar, Coutinho Nigeria beat save Brazil Iceland 2-0

Neymar of Brazil celebrates scoring the second goal of his team during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group E match against Costa Rica at Saint Petersburg Stadium yesterday. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images) (REUTERS) - LATE strikes

by Philippe Coutinho and Neymar gave Brazil their first win of the World Cup in thrilling fashion against Costa Rica in St Petersburg yesterday and sent the Central Americans crashing out of the tournament.

The clock had ticked past 90 minutes, and the five-time champions looked to be edging to a second disappointing draw, when Marcelo floated the ball in from the left and substitute Roberto Firmino headed across to Gabriel Jesus.

Jesus’ first touch took the

ball away from the defender and into the path of Coutinho who raced in to poke past goalkeeper Keylor Navas from six metres out for his second goal of the tournament.

The result leaves Brazil with four points from two games after they drew 1-1 with Switzerland in their opening match, and they provisionally rise above Serbia to top Group E. Serbia played the Swiss later yesterday, while Costa Rica are out of the tournament with defeats in both games so far.

Neymar added the second goal with practically the last kick of the match, volleying home following a quick counterattack as Costa Rica pushed for an equaliser.

With the game still scoreless 13 minutes from time, Neymar collapsed under a soft challenge in the box and thought he had won a penalty for his misfiring side.

Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers pointed to the spot before heeding the protests of the Costa Rican players and consulting the video assistant referee (VAR). Replays showed there was minimal contact and Kuipers reversed his decision as Brazil’s frustration reached fever pitch.

Time and again they hurled themselves at the Costa Rican goal only to be repelled until their opponent’s resistance finally broke.

Neymar, overcome by emotion on the whistle, covered his face with his hands as tears streamed down his cheeks.

That was an apt reflection of how tense the match had been, with Costa Rica’s flatback five keeping Neymar on the periphery, as Johan Venegas and Cristian Gamboa manmarked him out of the game.

“We had a plan, strategy, idea to control the opponent with and without ball,” Costa Rica coach Oscar Ramirez said.

Ahmed Musa of Nigeria scores his team’s second goal past Sverrir Ingason of Iceland during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group D match against Iceland at Volgograd Arena yesterday in Volgograd, Russia. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

(REUTERS) - NIGERIA beat Iceland 2-0 yesterday to revive their hopes of advancing into the knockout stages of the World Cup in Russia, as striker Ahmed Musa dramatically marked his return to the team with two fine second-half goals.

The result left both sides, and struggling Argentina, still in the hunt to go through from Group D, along with already-qualified Croatia.

But Argentina and World Cup debutants Iceland have to win their respective games against Nigeria and Croatia next week to have a chance of advancing.

In only the second win for an African side in Russia so far, Nigeria broke the deadlock in the 49th minute when Victor Moses, playing as a wing-back, lofted a pass towards Musa who deftly controlled the ball and smashed in the half volley.

Musa, recalled to the starting team by coach Gernot Rohr, made it 2-0 in the 75th minute when he found space on the left, beat Iceland defender Kari Arnason and rounded goalkeeper Hannes Por Halldorsson before slamming the ball into the net.

Iceland, roared on by thousands of fans from the

tiny country, kept pushing and were awarded a penalty in the 80th minute when referee Matt Conger used the Video Assisted Referee (VAR) system to confirm that striker Alfred Finnbogason had been fouled by Tyronne Ebuehi.

But Iceland’s playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson blasted his effort high over the bar.

The win vindicated the decision of Rohr to overhaul his attack after a limp 2-0 defeat to Croatia in Nigeria’s opener, bringing in Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho at the expense of strikers Odion Ighalo and Alex Iwobi.

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 23, 2018

Russell to captain Tallawahs THE Jamaica Tallawahs have announced that this year they will be captained by Andre Russell in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

After recently returning to cricket following a 12-month suspension, Russell will be rejoining the Tallawahs for the 2018 Hero CPL season and he cannot wait to get started in the tournament.

“It’s a good feeling, honestly. I missed out last year due to one-year suspension. I’m looking forward to it, not just looking forward to play but looking forward to being the captain for the Jamaica Tallawahs as well, and looking forward to doing a good job.

“We have a very good, balanced team. We have a

team that is not just about the names, it’s all about what they can do as well and how quickly they can change the game. I truly believe in allrounders in T20 cricket and I think that’s what we have. I think we have guys who can bat and bowl and once you have eight guys in a team that can do that, I think you have a good team on paper.”

This year Russell will be captaining Shahid Afridi, a player with a huge amount of experience in the T20 format, and he is looking forward to having him as a teammate in the Tallawahs.

“It’s going to be interesting. I’ve played against Shahid before: he’s a good guy. Even in Dubai after we played, we went out on a boat together, just enjoyed each other’s

Caribbean Airlines re-signs for HERO CPL 2018 CARIBBEAN Airlines is the Official Airline for the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL T20) 2018 series. As the Official Airline partner, all teams and officials travelling to CPL matches and related activities will travel on Caribbean Airlines to and from the events.

Garvin Medera, Chief Executive Officer, Caribbean Airlines stated: “For the fifth consecutive year, Caribbean Airlines is the Official Airline sponsor for the Hero Caribbean Premier League T20 (CPLT20) Series, which takes place from August 8-September 16.

“It is our pleasure to connect cricket fans and teams throughout the Caribbean and North and South America to enjoy the excitement of this premier cricket league. Caribbean Airlines understands the value of cricket in uniting the region and we look forward to sharing the warmth of the islands with

the enthusiastic fans, teams and other officials.”

Commercial Director, CPL T20, James Stewart noted: “It’s a great pleasure to welcome the ‘Warmth of the Islands’ back as the Official Airline of Hero CPL. With 34 games in 40 days across seven countries, and this year in nine separate legs, the logistical challenges of getting players, officials and TV crews around these beautiful islands are challenging to say the least.

CAL’s professionalism and commitment to helping our players be on the pitch at the right time, rested and ready to go, is greatly appreciated and we look forward to another successful CPL together.”

Caribbean Airlines operates more than 600 weekly flights to 20 destinations in the Caribbean and North and South America and is committed to delivering reliable service to its valued customers.

Andre Russell will captain the Jamaica Tallawahs at the 2018 Hero CPL which takes place between August 8 and September 16.

company. To be around a guy like Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Ahmed Shehzad and all these

guys, it just shows a different type of how they live, and how simple they are away

from the game.

“But, it’s good to have (Afridi) in the CPL this year and not just playing against him, playing with him as well, because I hope I can learn a few things and take it along with me.”

Russell says that the Hero CPL is vital to the growth of cricket in the region, and is keen to see Caribbean cricketers show their passion for the sport at the tournament. “(CPL) is very important.

I think just how passionate the guys in India are, just coming from IPL, and seeing how passionate these guys are about getting to the top four, winning the cup and looking forward to every practice session and everything.

“It means a lot to the local guys and I think that’s what

it’s supposed to mean to us as well, because once you’re in your home town I think that’s where you want to be and it’s just going to make you express yourself a lot more.”

Russell says he has set himself personal targets for the tournament ahead, but he doesn’t want to make those public. He would rather leave those as targets for himself.

“I always set personal goals but I don’t let it out loud because I don’t want to say I want 20 wickets, 30 wickets and I only get 10. It’s always good to have your personal goals but I don’t like to say it out loud. Every player wants to get wickets, take a lot of catches, score runs, but I have my personal goals and I just hope I can achieve them.”

Permaul anxious to work with Botha

By Rajiv Bisnauth FORMER South African captain and all-rounder Johan Botha will face the same mountainous expectation that every other Guyana Amazon Warriors coach has when he takes over as the local franchise head coach, for the sixth edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

In Botha’s case the pressure will be even greater, given that the franchise owner has for the first time announced a foreign coach.

Botha replaced Roger Harper, who has coached the Warriors for four seasons.

Harper, a former West Indies player, coached the Warriors for the first two editions, until he was replaced in 2015 by fellow Guyanese Carl Hooper. In 2016, he was reunited with the team.

The 36-year-old Botha, who will arrive in the country prior to the team’s encampment from August 2, can at least have his workload somewhat relaxed, since he will coach a squad, which is a well balanced unit.

Botha was a part of Islamabad United’s support staff as fielding coach in

Veerasammy Permaul

Johan Botha

the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and as recent as January 2018, he played for the Sydney Sixers in Australia’s Big Bash T20 League, so there is definitely a new thinking that he will bring to the Warriors unit.

While the change can be seen as welcome news for fans, seasoned leftarm spinner Veerasammy Permaul is anxious to see what the new coach will bring to the table.

“I never worked with coach Botha (Johan). I don’t know anything about his coaching style. I only know him as a player by looking at him playing and captaining

South Africa. He plays cricket at the highest level, and I know for sure he has good cricketing knowledge.

I am anxious to see what he brings to the table,” Permaul told Chronicle Sport yesterday.

Meanwhile, Permaul pointed out that as a Warriors player from the inception, he is overjoyed that matches will eventually be staged at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Guyana is set to host five games; St Kitts & Nevis Patriots on August 9, St Lucia Stars on August 11, Barbados Tridents on August 12, Jamaica Tallawahs on

September 8 and Trinbago Knight Riders on September 9.

However, it was also announced that there is a possibility of two playoff matches here, on September 11 and 12.

“It is always a privilege to play at home. I know it is also a big relief for fans.

Home games are always important because every team will know and want to utilise their home advantage.

“Over the years we did well playing at home and this year it is five home games, so we will be looking to win as many as possible. Home support is always a big factor for our team. Seeing the fan come out in large numbers and support us always drives us as players, to go out and give them what they come to see,” Permaul concluded.

Meanwhile, Chronicle Sport was reliably informed that Guyana Jaguars assistant coach/manager Rayon Griffith will replace Esaun Crandon, as assistant coach of the Warriors.

This year’s showpiece will bowl off on August 8 and conclude on September 16. The Amazon Warriors have made it to three finals to date but are yet to lift the title. They finished third on the other three occasions.

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 23 , 2018

ECB is dysfunctional and its GCB donates president should resign – Holder brush cutter to LBI

By Elroy Stephney

FORMER president of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) Prince Holder is demanding the resignation of ECB president Fizul Bacchus.

Holder is also the president of the North Essequibo Cricket Committee (NECC) which is one of eight constituent members of the ECB He cited lack of confidence in his leadership, poor communication between the Board and area committees, non-existent sponsorship for both junior and senior competitions and the general decline of the sport in the region.

Holder posited that very little has been accomplished

by Mr Bacchus since he assumed the leadership of the ECB, adding that a wide cross-section of players have been frustrated by the complete disorganised manner in which the administration has been functioning.

While Holder acknowledged the achievement of the senior

FORMER president of the Essequibo Cricket Board and current president of North Essequibo Cricket Committee (NECC) Prince Holder

Essequibo team who won the three-day franchise tournament last year, he observed “not many local-based players got the opportunity, while the selection of the team was mired in secrecy”.

He further disclosed that none of the sub-committees of the Board is active, especially the cricket development and marketing committees.

“Quite frankly, the ECB is in a dysfunctional state,” said Holder who does not foresee any transformational changes in the near future.

In a wide-ranging interview with Chronicle Sport, Holder was critical about the underdevelopment of the ECB hostel, saying, “The hostel is in a deplorable state and it is being underutilised.”

He added that the practice facility was never completed, stating, “Instead the hostel is being frequently rented for other purposes”.

He further lamented that the female cricketers are being disrespected since there is no system in place for them to play at a competitive level.

“They are being embarrassed whenever called to represent the county given that persons are being randomly selected without any preparation,” Holder said.

The female senior team registered paltry scores of 14 and 23 and lost heavily against their counterparts during the recently-concluded intercounty tournament.

There has been growing discontentment among members from the various area committees who are also dissatisfied with the

performance of the Board.

The consensus is that Bacchus does not command the confidence of the executive and has been very inactive even as chairman of the Pomeroon Cricket Committee.

According to a source associated with the ECB, “The current situation is untenable but there is very little that can be done to reverse the situation at this time.”

The source further claimed that “there is interference at the level of the GCB. It is apparent that they control the functions of the ECB. Therefore members are not independently driven to seek changes”.

Bacchus was reelected unopposed for a second term in late 2017. He is also serving as acting president of the GCB. In a bid to salvage some degree of respectability to the Board and to instil confidence among players; Holder is calling for a noconfidence motion to be instituted against Bacchus or for him to immediately tender his resignation.

Rambarran, Hookumchand biggest losers Fitrex weight loss challenge

Awardees at Fitrex awards ceremony on Thursday evening

FITREX awarded eleven persons on Thursday evening after they participated in the weight

loss challenge.

Those who received awards after losing 10-20lb in one month were: Marica

Ferreira, Robin Allicock, Donna Todd, Fayanne Fredericks, Tanesha Alert, Dawn Gustave, Miera,

Damane Coates and Dashnelle Kingsley.

Robbie Rambarran and Samantha Hookumchand were also rewarded for losing 50lb overall.

Joshua Singh from Fitrex said the whole idea behind the programme was to motivate and encourage individuals who were struggling with weight problems.

He encouraged persons who are having a difficult time to lose weight to try Fitrex.

Community Centre Cricket Club

From left, president of LBI Community Centre Cricket Club, Mr Yeuraj Khemraj and representative of GCB, Alexce Bobb

THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), last Wednesday, donated a Honda brush cutter to the LBI Community Centre Cricket Club.

The brief presentation took place at the GCB office on Regent Road, Bourda in the presence of executives and staff.

President of the club, Mr Yeuraj Khemraj, received the brush cutter on behalf of the club. He was in high spirits as it would come in useful for the maintenance of the said East Coast ground.

Girls’ action commences this weekend THE Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue will have its first taste of female action in the ExxonMobilsponsored Girls and Boys U-14 schools football tournament.

In the first of the female games at 10:00hrs, Tutorial play Tucville while South Ruimveldt

face New Campbellville. North Ruimveldt Multilateral meet Uitvlugt and Vergenoegen take on Charlestown.

Below is the full schedule of matches and times: Girls 10:00hrs - Tutorial vs Tucville 10:00hrs - South Ruimveldt

Secondary vs New Campbellville 10:50hrs - North Ruimveldt Multi vs Uitvlugt Secondary 10:50hrs Vergenoegen Secondary vs Charlestown Secondary Boys 11:30hrs – Ann’s Grove vs

Uitvlugt Secondary 11:30hrs - School of the Nations Secondary vs Vergenoegen Secondary 12:20hrs - South Ruimveldt Secondary vs Annandale Secondary 12:20hrs - Marian Academy vs Charlestown Secondary

The GCB has donated brush cutters to several locations across Guyana including Bayroc and East Bank as well as the University of GuyanaTurkeyen Campus, to assist in the maintenance and upkeep of cricket grounds in these areas.

The GCB hopes that cricketers in the area would benefit and that the club would be able to function effectively and prepare ground to accommodate matches and practice sessions in a timely manner.

ExxonMobil U-14 schools football competition

13:10hrs - Carmel Secondary School vs North Ruimveldt Multi 13:10hrs - Chase Academy vs New Campbellville 14:00hrs - Dolphin Secondary vs Tucville 14:00hrs – Tutorial vs East Ruimveldt

14:50hrs - St George’s High vs Buxton Youth Development 14:50hrs Queenstown Secondary vs Friendship Secondary 15:40hrs - Brickdam Secondary vs St John’s 15:40hrs – Bishops’ High vs Kingstown

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 23, 2018

Sri Lankan trio accept ICC Code breach (ESPNCRICINFO) - SRI Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal, coach Chandika Hathurusingha, and manager Asanka Gurusinha have admitted to breaching the ICC Code that relates to “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game” and could be suspended for two to four Tests, or between four and eight limited-overs internationals.

They were charged with a Level 3 offence by ICC chief executive David Richardson, after Sri Lanka refused to take the field on the third morning of the second Test against West Indies in St Lucia and delayed the start of play by two hours.

Sri Lanka did this after the on-field umpires had informed them ten minutes before the start of play that they were

changing the ball because they suspected its condition had been illegally altered.

“This action was alleged to amount to a serious breach of the Laws of Cricket and to be contrary to the spirit of the game,” the ICC said.

The ICC appointed Michael Beloff QC as the Judicial Commissioner to hear the case against Chandimal, Hathurusingha and Gurusinha to determine the appropriate sanction.

Among the points the Sri Lanka camp is likely to make to Beloff is that the entire twohour delay was not exclusively down to their reluctance to play. It is possible Sri Lanka’s team management believe that roughly midway the scheduled morning session, they felt they had come to an agreement with the match officials,

Chandika Hathurusingha speaks with Dinesh Chandimal during a practice session. (AFP/Getty Images) wherein although Chandimal would still have to face a balltampering charge at the end of the Test, the officials would refrain from imposing the fiverun penalty and changing the ball.

In fact, on the basis that there would be no immediate penalties, the Sri Lanka side

did take the field at 10:50hrs, an hour and 20 minutes past the scheduled start.

However, to Sri Lanka’s surprise, the umpires changed the ball at this stage. It was at this point that the Sri Lanka team dug in their heels again.

They left the field, returning only forty minutes later, to

actually start play.

It must be stressed, however, that there is strong disagreement about this sequence of events. There is another suggestion that no deal was actually struck; such a deal, it is felt, would effectively mean there was no charge to be laid, and that umpires were not following playing conditions.

In this version of events, the false start is blamed on a misunderstanding between the match officials and the Sri Lanka team.

When play did eventually begin on day three, Sri Lanka Cricket issued a release denying wrongdoing and said they were playing “under protest”. The Sri Lanka captain later pleaded not guilty to the charge of ball-tampering, but video footage suggested he

had taken something from his pocket, put it in his mouth, and applied saliva to the ball only a few seconds later.

The ICC match referee Javagal Srinath found Chandimal’s explanation unsatisfactory and gave him two suspension points - meaning he would miss the third Test against West Indies - and fined him 100% of his match fees. Chandimal, however, appealed the balltampering verdict and his case was set to be heard by Beloff yesterday.

The ICC said Beloff would use Chandimal’s appeal hearing to “establish the procedural schedule on the Level 3 charges”. A person guilty of a Level 3 offence could get between four and eight suspension points.

Enthusiasm heightens for Region Six synthetic track

Minster George Norton meets nine-year-old Orlando Carrington.

By Colin Bynoe Jr MAYOR of New Amsterdam, Winifred Haywood, set the tone in her opening remarks at a consultation for stakeholders in the New

Amsterdam/Canje area yesterday, as she publicly declared her feelings of delight as the realisation of a synthetic track facility looms.

Minister of Social Cohesion with Responsibility

for Culture, Youth and Sport Dr George Norton led a team which comprised Assistant Director of Sport Melissa-Dow-Richardson and Attorney-at-Law Leslyn Charles to the region to discuss the possibility of a track there.

The stakeholder consultation was held at the New Amsterdam Town Hall with a gathering which included Regional Executive Officer Region Six, Ms Kim WilliamsStephen, Mayor and Staff of New Amsterdam, teachers, students and members of the public.

The popular Burnham Park Facility situated in New Amsterdam will house this historic initiative.

Assistant Director of Sport Melissa Dow-Richardson gave a clear overview of the project in her informative presentation.

GOA 10K on tomorrow IN observance of Olympic Day 2018, today, the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) will host its annual Run/Jog/ Walk today from 06:00hrs.

The event will start at the YMCA on Thomas Lands and proceed north onto Camp Road, east along CARIFESTA Avenue and

the Rupert Craig Highway then into Access Road, Liliendaal.

The course then continues west via Kitty Public Road, south into Vlissengen Road, then west into Thomas Road to finish at the starting point.

All participants will receive an IOC certificate

and the first 400 will receive a T-shirt.

The winners of the team run will receive $72 000, second-placed $48 000 and third-placed $36 000.

Teams must comprise four (4) male and two (2) female runners.

Other activities being held to commemorate

Dow-Richardson in her update spoke extensively, highlighting that phases one and two of the project have been completed.

It was disclosed that the facility will accommodate a 400-metre track showing eight lanes.

Estimated at $176M, Ms Dow-Richardson mentioned, “Tenders were advertised with twelve bidders from the New Amsterdam area showing interest.”

Areas of demarcation, land clearing and filling, laying of draining pipes, inner and outer track works, and the asphalting phase were also addressed.

This, she projected will take a minimum of four months to be completed after which phase four will commence. This includes the laying of the synthetic surface.

The assistant director of sports gave the

project a December/January 2019 completion period.

Minister George Norton in his remarks spoke of the importance of having suitable facilities for our athletes to perform at their best, and sees this as a big step for Region Six. Minister Norton placed emphasis on young Orlando Carrington the 9-year-old from St Therese Primary who will shortly have his first taste of international exposure when he participates in the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) games in Bermuda.

Orlando will compete in Bermuda in the Boys’ Under-10 100, 200 and 400 metres races.

The minister said, “I was happy to meet Orlando. It pleases me to know that he’s going abroad to represent not only Region Six but also Guyana as a whole.”

Minister Norton addressed the gathering sharing that his ministry has an open-door policy whereby everyone is able to share his/ her views and ask questions.

On a lighter side of things, Minister Norton charged the gathering and Berbicians at large sharing, “I personally feel with a synthetic track in Region Six, the prominence that Region Ten has got over the years will be given a serious challenge.

I’m depending on you Berbicians, to take up the challenge and that the next Daniel Williams should come out of this initiative.”

The famed Burnham Park venue which sits on an estimated 10 acres of land is set for a major take-off.

The Burnham Park facility was named after the first Executive President of Guyana Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.

Olympic Day are: Badminton - Open male, female and mixed doubles tournament at the National Gymnasium on June 22, 19::00hrs-22:00hrs and June 23 (13:00hrs-17:00hrs) Athletics - National Senior Championships at the Leonora Stadium on June 22 (18:30hrs-22:00hrs) Weightlifting Development competition and Fitness Challenge at the Ogle Community Centre on

June 23 (09:00hrs) Rugby 7-a-side matches for senior females, U-18 Boys and U-18 Girls at the National Park June 23 (16:00hrs-18:00hrs.)

Volleyball - 6-a-side Knockout competition in Linden on June 24 (11:00hrs17:00hrs).

Cycling - Youth cycling programme at the National Park Circuit on June 30 (10:00hrs) Swimming - Splash Fun

competition at Dr Haynes Sports Complex, Amelia’s Ward, Linden on July 1 (11:00hrs-17:00hrs) Taekwondo - Taekwondo tournament for Poomse and Gyrugi categories at the Guyana Teachers Union Hall on July 8 (12:00hrs19:00hrs) Table Tennis - Cadet and Juniors Table Tennis Tournament at the National Gymnasium and Cliff Anderson Sports Hall

36

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 23 , 2018

CONCACAF chief hails ...

Enthusiasm heightens for Region Six synthetic track 35 PAGE

Minister George Norton, Attorney-at-Law Leslyn Charles and Assistant Director of Sport Melissa Dow-Richardson at the head table

ExxonMobil U-14 schools football competition

Girls’ action commences this weekend

Permaul anxious to work with Botha

PAGE

PAGE

33

34 Male action in last weekend’s ExxonMobil-sponsored U-14 schools football tournament.

Veerasammy Permaul

F I F A W O R L D C U P 2 0 1 8 Match Fixtures Belgium vs. Tunisia

8 a.m.

Moscow

South Korea vs. Mexico

11 a.m.

Sochi

Germany vs. Sweden

2 p.m.

Rostov

Johan Botha

Chandimal 31 loses appeal

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

PAGE

SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2018