Guyana chronicle e paper 06 27 2018

WEDNESDAY 27th JUNE, 2018

No 3rd Term

No.105318

PAGES

04&05

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

Big blow to racism

… AG says CCJ decision upholds intentions of the Guyanese people 03 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Queen presents award to Guyanese

HER Majesty The Queen of Englasnd, Queen Elizabeth on Tuesday presented Marva Langevine from Guyana with a Queen’s Young Leaders Award at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace, London, in honour of the work she is doing to transform lives in her community.

The Queen was joined at the Award ceremony by Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex in recognising their success.

The Queen’s Young Leaders Awards programme, now in its fourth and final year, celebrates the achievements

of some of the most exciting young change-makers from across the Commonwealth.

This year, cohorts from 38 Commonwealth countries are finding solutions to global issues such as climate change, food scarcity, gender-based violence, mental health, and access to education.

Guests including David Beckham OBE, Sir Lenny Henry CBE, Nicola Adams OBE, Neelam Gill, Caspar Lee, Tina Daheley, Ore Oduba and Chairman of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, Sir John Major, joined Award winners

at Buckingham Palace to congratulate them on their remarkable achievements.

Speaking at the Awards ceremony, His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex, who was recently named a Commonwealth Youth Ambassador said: “In this rapidly changing world, it is heartening to meet so many inspiring young people gathered here today, who have already stepped up as leaders and improved the lives of so many people across the Commonwealth. You are the hope and optimism the world needs and we will all do whatever we can to

who continue to dedicate their time and energy to helping other people live a better life. Hearing their stories and the sacrifices they’ve made is a real honour and I feel very privileged to celebrate with them today.”

Marva received a Queen’s Young Leaders Award for the work she is doing to transform the lives of bereaved, sick and underprivileged children and families in Guyana. As a Queen’s Young Leader, Marva has gained access to bespoke mentoring and training through the Univer-

most pressing issues.

The Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH, Chairman of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust said: “I extend my warmest congratulations to all the 2018 Queen’s Young Leaders. Together with our Award Winners from the last three years, they complete a unique, 240-strong cohort of Young Leaders from all across the Commonwealth. This is such an invaluable resource for the Commonwealth that The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust will be launching a legacy fund, to ensure that our support and encour-

doubt will play an important role in shaping our future world. It has been an absolute privilege and delight to get to know them.”

The now complete Queen’s Young Leaders network forms a unique, dedicated and powerful group of young people from 53 Commonwealth countries who will connect, collaborate and change lives together for years to come. To further support them in their future endeavours, a £200,000 Legacy Fund has been created.

It will be open to all 240 Queen’s Young Leaders and 282 highly commend-

Queen Elizabeth and other members of the Royal family pose with young leaders at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace, London, in honour of the work they are doing to transform lives in their communities support you in it.”

David Beckham OBE said: “I’m so proud to be here with the Queen’s Young Leaders tonight. It’s really inspiring to meet these hardworking young people,

sity of Cambridge’s Institute of Continuing Education, designed to develop their leadership skills further and ensure they are best placed to lead the way in the future to tackle some of the world’s

agement to our Young Leaders will continue beyond the lifetime of the Trust.

Each and every one of our 240 Young Leaders is a remarkable and exceptional young person, who I have no

ed runners-up to apply for grants that will help elevate their work and enable them to work together to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing the Commonwealth.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Big blow to racism … AG says CCJ decision upholds intentions of the Guyanese people

By Ariana Gordon

ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, SC, has described as a “great victory” for Guyanese and also a big blow to racism here, the Caribbean Court of Justice’s (CCJ) ruling on Tuesday upholding the constitutional restriction of a presidential two-term limit.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle while enroute to Paris, France, for a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Plenary meeting, Williams said that the 6-1 majority decision handed down by the full bench of the court could be used to ensure that future elections in Guyana are based on issues and not the colour of people’s skin or the texture of their hair. “I believe this is a serious blow to racism in Guyana.”

On Tuesday, the CCJ by a majority ruled that the amendment to the presidential term limit is constitutional, thereby overturning the decisions of the High Court and Court of Appeal earlier on the matter. The majority decision comprised separate judgments of CCJ President Sir Dennis Byron, Justice Adrian Saunders and Justice Jacob Wit, while a detailed dissent was delivered by Justice Winston Anderson.

Cedric Richardson just before the May 2015 elections had challenged the state on

Attorney General, Basil Williams the constitutionality of an amendment to Article 90 of the constitution which added the further qualifications that a candidate for President of the Republic must be a Guyanese by birth or parentage, residing in Guyana on the date of nomination for election, continuously resident in the country for a period of seven years before nomination date and must not have served as President for two terms. Richardson, who was represented by Trinidadian attorney Douglas Mendes, in his arguments said that his right to choose whomsoever he wanted to be President, impliedly conferred by Articles 1 and 9, had been diluted by the alterations to

Members of the legal team, excluding Attorney General, Basil Williams members of the media (Delano Williams photo) Article 90 as it disqualified former President amendments by the Parliament. The Bharrat Jagdeo who had previously served doctrine applies only to constitutional amendments. two terms as President.

As such, he applied for orders that would CONFIDENCE IN CCJ invalidate the amendment to the constitution The AG said he has always placed conon the ground that the manner and form for altering Articles 1 and 9 had not been fol- fidence in Guyana’s final court of appeal lowed. To amend these articles, the amend- as it is equipped with eminent judges.

“That decision [CCJ decision] of course ment had to be supported by a majority of was a decision which upheld the intentions voters in a referendum.

Then High Court Judge, Ian Chang of the Guyanese people which would have (Ag), ruled in favour of Richardson and his been reflected in that amendment to introjudgment was affirmed by a majority of the duce term limits in the interest of the GuyCourt of Appeal. Both courts held that the anese people,” said Williams. The attorney amendment, by excluding many persons as general who had presented arguments before contenders for the presidency, diluted the the Trinidad and Tobago-based court in right of the people to elect a President of March, told this publication that since the their choice inherent in Articles 1 and 9 and introduction of the presidential term limits, as such a referendum was needed to make there have been four national elections and one local government election, none of such an amendment.

Williams in appealing the Court of which saw post-election violence.

“That says a lot and in addition, we have Appeal decision had told the full bench of the CCJ that two former top judicial offi- had novel changes in governance a majority cers here had erred in applying the Basic parliament with a minority government and Structure Doctrine in the ‘third term case,’ now a one-seat difference. These changes even as he asserted that the term-limit act is have occurred. It is a victory for the Guyavalid. He had argued that amendments made nese people,” said Williams.

Moreover, the AG believes that the to Article 90 are not unconstitutional. The attorney general told the CCJ that the High decision justifies Guyana’s clamour in the Court and Court of Appeal of Guyana had past to have a final court of appeal that was applied the Basic Structure Doctrine in the other than the court of appeal of Guyana. case. He pointed out that the doctrine does “We welcome the CCJ and so we have to try not apply to Guyana and any other CAR- to support the CCJ, give it sustenance,” he ICOM country that has a constitution that told the Guyana Chronicle. The CCJ’s ruling is also seen as a reprimand to the decisions mirrors the Westminster model.

The Basic Structure Doctrine is an of the High Court and Court of Appeal Indian judicial principle that the con- here that had upheld that amendment to the stitution has certain basic features that constitution with respect to the term limit cannot be altered or destroyed through infringes on the electorate’s right to freely

who is on travel duty addressing choose a candidate to be elected president.

“I think it is a justification because you had two decisions one at the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal and the ability to pursue justice and go to the final court and be successful speaks volumes. Every Guyanese should feel that justice was done for them,” Williams stated.

FED UP OF RACISM The AG said citizens are fed up of racism and racial elections in Guyana, while accusing the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) headed by former President Bharrat Jagdeo of trying to divide the country along racial lines.

“They have practised the politics of division. Jagdeo is doing the same thing because he felt he would be able to get back into power with the race card, notwithstanding what happened in 2011 and 2015 and so everything he was seeing race in and claiming race,” declared Williams. He reminded too that it was Jagdeo who had signed into law the presidential term limits legislation.

“It is a good victory for the Guyanese people and we could use this victory and ensure that future elections in Guyana are based on issues and not the colour of people’s skin or the texture of their hair. I believe this is a serious blow to racism in Guyana.”

COURT NOT TO ENQUIRE During the court hearing, Williams had argued that “where legislation is passed in accordance with prescription-- in terms of manner and form-the court ought not to enquire as to the See page 8

NO 3rd Term 4

…CCJ rules upholds law that bars presidents serving more than two terms

… says restriction was a valid amendment to the Constitution

By Ariana Gordon BY a 6-1 majority, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Tuesday struck down the High Court and Court of Appeal ruling in the presidential term limit here and declared that Section 2 of the Constitution (Amendment) (No 4) Act of 2000 was a constitutional amendment to Article 90 of the Constitution of Guyana.

Outgoing President of the CCJ, Sir Dennis Bryon and Justices: Adrian Saunders, Jacob Wit, David Hayton, Maureen Rajnauth-Lee and Denys Barrow all ruled that the two-term presidential limit here is constitutional and does not infringe on the rights of any citizen to so choose a president of his or her choice.

Justice Winston Anderson was the dissenting voice.

“With all things considered, we are satisfied that the case is not made out to disturb the will of the people expressed through the Act, considering as we do that it did not dilute democracy in, nor undermine the sovereign-

ty of the people of Guyana,” the CCJ held.

Just before the May 2015 General and Regional Elections, Georgetown resident, Cedric Richardson approached the High Court of Guyana requesting orders that sought to invalidate the amendments made to the constitution with respect to the presidential term limit.

Richardson claimed that his right to choose whom he desired to be president, by virtue of Articles 1 and 9 of the Constitution of Guyana was diluted when Article 90 of the Constitution was altered to disqualify a person who had already served two terms as president.

QUALIFICATIONS The amendment to Article 90 of the Constitution outlined further qualifications that a candidate for President must be a Guyanese by birth or parentage, residing in Guyana on the date of nomination for election, continuously resident in the country for a period of seven years before nom-

ination date and must not have served as President for two terms. Richardson argued that the alterations to Article 90 disqualified former President Bharrat Jagdeo who had previously served two terms as President.

He argued too that the amendment had to be supported by a majority of voters via a referendum.

At the level of the High Court, Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang at the time found favour of Richardson’s arguments prompting the state to appeal. At the level of the Court of Appeal, the said judgment was affirmed by virtue of a two-one majority.

The dissenting voice, at the Court of Appeal was Chief Justice (ag) at the time, Yonette Cummings-Edwards. In her decision, she found that the Constitution bestowed upon Parliament the power to expand the categories of persons disqualified from running for President in Article 90 and that there was no need for a referendum in order for Parliament to do this.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018 It is by way of the dissenting judgment of Justice-Cummings-Edwards that Guyana’s Attorney General relied in his application to the CCJ. Two issues were put before the country’s final appellate court, whether Articles 1 and 9 could be altered by implication and if so, did the additional disqualifications change or dilute the rights of the electorate in the sovereign democratic state of Guyana as prescribed by those Articles?

The appeal was heard by the full bench of the CCJ of which there was one dissenting judgment. The majority decision was embodied in the separate judgments of Sir Dennis Byron, Justice

he said pointing to Article 164 of the Constitution which regulates the method of altering the constitution.

Article 164 (1) of the Constitution states that “A Bill for an Act of Parliament to alter this Constitution shall not be passed by the National Assembly unless it is supported at the final voting in the Assembly by votes of a majority of all the elected members of the Assembly.”

He told the court that there are three levels of entrenchment of provisions in the local Constitution. The shallowest level he said allows for the alteration of certain provisions by an absolute majority of the National Assembly. The intermediate

Outgoing CCJ President, the Rt. Hon. Sir Dennis Byron, (right) alongside incoming President, Justice Adrian Saunders She opined that Richardson had failed to displace the presumption of constitutionality of the amendments by establishing that when Parliament purported to amend Article 90 it was acting either in bad faith or had misinterpreted the provisions of the Constitution.

Saunders and Justice Wit while Justice Anderson’s delivered a detailed dissent. In his judgment, Justice Byron noted that it is permissible to alter the Constitution of Guyana, which is the supreme law of the land adding that the method of altering it is regulated to ensure that it is more difficult to do so than pass ordinary legislation.

“The Constitution cannot be immutable; there must be sufficient flexibility for change to meet evolving needs of Guyanese citizens,”

level allows for the alteration of provisions including Article 90 with at least a two-thirds majority vote of all members of the National Assembly while the deepest level requires a referendum to alter provisions such as Articles 1 and 9.

Only 10 Articles and four Schedules are subject to the deepest level of entrenchment, making it applicable only in exceptional circumstances which go to the fundamentals of the State, he stated.

He posited that the constitution could not have made the articles which dealt with the qualifications to be elected as President subject to the Article 164 (2) (a) level of entrenchment. “By providing different levels of entrenchment for Articles 1 and 9 on the one hand and Article 90 on the other, Article 164 of the Constitution placed different values on them.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018

NO 3rd ...

From page 4

The failure to give them the same level of entrenchment is an indication of the intentions of the framers of the constitution,” said Sir Byron.

He noted too that if the intention of the framers was to have the alterations to Article 90 enacted the same way as alterations to Articles 1 and 9 they would have given it the same level of entrenchment. “The inescapable conclusion is that the framers of the Constitution did not envisage that altering the qualifications to be President would necessarily impact on democracy or the sovereignty of the people in Guyana for which provision was made in Articles 1 and 9,” said the CCJ President.

Justice Byron noted too that the state challenges the power of the court to conclude that Articles 1 and 9 had been amended by implication because the court had a limited role and could not enquire into the propriety of the amending legislation nor place any limitation on the parliamentary power to amend Article 90. Attorney General Williams had made similar arguments.

Bryon made it clear that it is an accepted principle that courts should be generous in their interpretation of constitutions. “The court should not be overly literalistic and restrictive but should give effect to the meaning of the constitution,” he stated. He said it is the court’s role to determine whether the correct procedure was followed in the passage of the law, given the level of entrenchment of the provision that was altered.

He said there are two mechanisms which diminish the risk of alteration by implication; the first being Article 164 itself and the second is the purpose for the proposed alteration.

“The alteration of the qualifications for the President by Article 90 does not imply that the specified procedure or mechanism for altering Articles 1 and 9 should apply, because the alteration of the qualifications does not alter the constitutional provisions relating to the democracy and sovereignty of the people.”

Limitation of electorate On the issue of the alleged limitations on the electorate’s right to choose a president, Justice Byron considered arguments for Richardson put forward by Douglas Mendes, SC. Mendes submitted that a core feature of a sovereign democratic state is that the people should be free to choose who should represent them in a government without constraints.

“The reality in this appeal is that the respondent has not been able to show that the right to an unlimited choice of a head of state was

enshrined or even existed anywhere…the premise that there is an unlimited right to choose the head of state implied in Articles 1 and 9 is not accurate. These articles do not depend on the qualifications of electors and persons who can be elected,” said the CCJ President.

He made it clear that the concept of qualifications for office was not open ended and would include matters of age, citizenship, residence and term limits. In fact, only these issues, excluding age, were addressed by the amendments in Guyana.

The judge said had there been attempts to introduce unusual considerations to mask as qualifications then different principles for adjudication would arise.

POLITICAL UNREST Meanwhile, in addressing the evolution of democracy here, the CCJ President outlined the periods of political unrests here and pointed to Constitutional reform following the 1997 elections where there was a month of civil unrest. This led to the intervention of CARICOM and the signing of the Herdmanston Accord of 1998 between the Peoples National Congress and the People’s Progressive Party.

The government at the time had agreed to complete constitutional reform and the commission was established the following year and extensive consultations done.

As such, he said the Constitution Amendment Act of 2000 was a comprehensive Act which altered 11 Articles of the Constitution addressing the qualifications and powers of the President.

The amendment of all of these provisions was regulated by Article 164(2) (b), the second level of entrenchment.

The Act was passed with not just a two-thirds majority, but in fact a unanimous vote of all members of the Assembly.

Section 2 of the Act altered Article 90 having regard to the Commission’s recommendations. “This amendment reflected compliance with a widespread community demand. It could be argued that it is not obvious that the referendum necessarily imposes a higher degree of difficulty than getting a two thirds majority of Parliament.

The referendum only requires a simple majority in Parliament and a simple majority of those who vote,” said Byron.

Therefore, the court held that where the legislation was passed unanimously in a multi-party parliament, it must be concluded that there was national consensus. “The Respondent has not shown justification for frustrating that consensus.

It is clear, moreover, the Act did not emerge from the desire of any political

party to manipulate the candidacy for the Presidency according to its agenda,” the CCJ president stated noting the irony that the reform process was undertaken by the PPP during the presidency of Bharrat Jagdeo but it “is now a PNC government that wishes to uphold these constitutional amendments.”

SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEOPLE Similarly, Justice Saunders said that the suggestion that sovereignty meant that the people must be able freely to choose whomsoever they wish to govern them, and that prior to the amendment that was the case, was unsupported in constitutional theory and practice. He posited that Richardson’s arguments “lacks merit”.

Justice Saunders said that the “Principles and Bases of the Political, Economic and Social System” laid out in Part 1 of the Constitution (of which Article 9 is a part), and their inclusion in the Guyana Constitution, were for the most part a constitutional feature borrowed from or at least similar to what is found in the Indian Constitution.

“Mr Richardson has contrived to premise his case on the following progression.

Firstly, he extrapolates from Articles 1 and 9 an individual fundamental right similar to the enforceable Rights and Freedoms contained in Part 2 Title 1 of the Constitution; secondly, he takes it upon himself to define this “right” as his opportunity “freely” to elect a President of his choice; and thirdly, he seeks redress for what he asserts is a fetter that has been placed on this new found “right”.

Each of these premises is wrong,” said Saunders whose judgment mirrored Justice Byron.

He said to interpret the constitution in such a manner defeats its structure and intent and moreover, contradicts the text of the instrument.

Justice Saunders noted too that another flaw of Richardson’s argument lays in the submission that Articles 1 and 9 are breached whenever an additional disqualification is added. “It cannot be the case that any and every new qualification or disqualification the National Assembly imposes on candidacy for public office automatically abridges democracy. Nor does the removal of an existing qualification inevitably expand democracy.

It would be quite remarkable if democracy or sovereignty could be measured in such a manner.

The status of Guyana as a sovereign and democratic state may be but is not necessarily implicated by an alteration of the qualifications established for election to the Presidency.”

MOST STATES HAVE LIMITS Describing the case as

“remarkable” Justice Wit noted that the two-term presidential term limit in and of itself is not. “Most states with a presidential or semi presidential system have these limits,” he said.

Justice Wit focused his judgment on objective, international standards of what a democratic state entails.

He considered the relevant international treaty provisions, jurisprudence of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and a very persuasive report on presidential term limits by the European Commission for Democracy Through Law (the “Venice Commission”).

He concluded that limits on re-election also pursued the aim of preserving democracy and protected the human right to political participation.

Term limits contributed to guaranteeing that periodic elections were “genuine” and to ensuring that representatives are freely chosen and accountable, and as such the introduction of term limits did therefore not dilute or water down the democratic status of Guyana.

DISSENTING VOICE Meanwhile, in his dissenting judgment, Justice Anderson said that the crucial issue for decision was whether Articles 1 and 9 guaranteed to the people of Guyana the right to freely choose their President. He said that these provisions were akin to human rights provisions and are therefore to be given a generous, liberal and purposeful construction. He pointed to Article 154A of the Constitution which confers upon the citizens of Guyana the human rights enshrined in the international treaties to which Guyana has acceded.

Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which affirms the right and opportunity of every citizen (a) to take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives; and (b) to vote and be elected at genuine periodic elections guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors. Similar expressions are to be found in Article 20 of the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man 194810 and Article 23 of the American Convention on Human Rights 1969.

Having regard to the aforementioned treaty provisions and other authorities Justice Anderson posited that the recognition in Articles 1 and 9 that sovereignty belongs to the people who exercise it through their representatives necessarily entails the corollary that the people are free to choose who their representatives will be, free that is, from any constraints not imposed by the people themselves. This was consistent with a generous and liberal interpretation of the Articles.

In the sovereign democratic state of Guyana in which sovereignty belongs to the people, the people have supreme power or authority to govern themselves. This implies the right to self-determination, or as the Preamble to the Constitution states, it affirms the sovereignty and independence of the people.

These pre-existing rights may be enlarged but cannot be constricted by the executive, legislative or judicial organs of the state; organs which derive their legitimacy from the sovereignty of the people as expressed in their Constitution, he stated.

“It is to be emphasized that it is not for the ex-

ecutive, the legislature or the judiciary to decide the universe of candidates from which the people can choose their President.

That would usurp sovereignty from the people and relocate it to subservient organs of the state. Any temptation presented to these organs of state to refashion the democratic sovereignty of the people in a way that whittles away that sovereignty, ought to be resisted. It may well be true that certain modern notions are thought to be more conducive to democracy than older notions. And that may well be so. However, unless these notions have attained the status of jus cogens they cannot be determinative,” said the dissenting judge.

He opined that the amendment was unconstitutional because it disqualified five categories of persons from standing for the post of President who were not previously so disqualified without the approval of the people in a referendum in accordance with Article 164.

Justice Anderson noted that the question was not whether Guyana remained a democratic sovereign state; rather, it was whether the amendments diminished or watered down the rights vested in the people as recognized in Articles 1 and 9. He was convinced it did.

Appearances on behalf of the Attorney General of Guyana were made by Attorney General Basil Williams, S.C., Hal Gollop, Q.C., Ralph Thorne, Q.C., Solicitor-General, Kim Kyte-Thomas, Judy Stuart –Adonis and Utieka John while Douglas Mendes, S.C., Devesh Maharaj and Kandace Bharath for Richardson.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday June 27, 2018

The football World Cup WE are still in the early rounds of the Football World Cup, but those watching will note that the tournament so far is being hotly contested. It began with Russia’s 5-0 opening win, despite that team not boasting the best international record and has continued with unrelenting intensity as less accomplished teams seem unwilling to yield without a close fight.

In fact, it’s hard to tell the underdogs from the favourites in many matches, so closely have these early contests been fought out in Russia. As a result, we have seen most recent winners Germany defeated by Mexico and a string of exciting games, even though some

ended in stalemate. Portugal and Spain, Argentina and Iceland, Japan and Senegal -- all matches that demonstrate a clear pattern of determination.

Why this determination? A Serbian official, in his passion, has gone so far as to allege bias against his team by the referees! This all speaks to the World Cup’s illustrious history, and in particular, the way that teams act as brand ambassadors for their countries.

In most games, even the most casual of observers must find it quite obvious that no one wants to be seen as lying down and letting the hopes of their nation die damply.

Even further, what a credit to Mexico it is to see their side fight so tenaciously that they

have overcome the mighty, world-beating German team.

In the context of the fierce and painful debate over Mexican immigration in the United States, this serves as a timely rebuttal to those who look down on that nation, while favouring Northern and Western European nations.

This national symbolism- national branding represents an element of sporting achievement Guyana is still to truly make use of. One can point to numerous examples of the way national branding in sport can cast a message that helps the entire world appreciate the character and culture of a society. Chloe Kim, the recent U.S. gold medal snowboarder of Kore-

an descent is championed as an example of the seemingly endless opportunities afforded youth in the U.S., which might not have been the case in her family’s country of origin.

Closer to home, Jamaica is arguably the most recognisable Caribbean country, due to a history of phenomenal performances, apparently against all odds, in track events. Guyana has a few national heroes in that regard to be sure, but none known so well, nor so prolific as Usain Bolt. Despite the vast resources of nations such as the U.S. and the United Kingdom, Jamaica and Bolt have led the way. As a result, Jamaica has branded itself so effectively that it is foremost

in the minds of many people in the U.S. when they imagine the Caribbean.

As Guyana reshapes its identity in the face of the oil economy, this shift will likely be felt in sports as much as in any other area. Our athletes will increasingly have the resources to excel and likely will do so, but the question perhaps is what messaging we want them to portray. This means that we must look inward and identify the national brand that best represents us.

Diversity will surely be at the head of the list of what defines Guyana but my sense is that these changes to our economic prospects are so new that it’s hard to articulate that brand.

And so as we look on at the courage and tenacity characterising both an exciting football world cup and individual teams, let us keep Guyana’s branding at the back of our minds. The world is slowly getting to know us -- just last week a story about Guyana’s oil prospects was on the front page of the prestigious Wall Street Journal -- so this moment in our development presents an opportunity to finally stamp our name large on the international stage. Hopefully, it will be a testament to local determination, much the same as Mexico battling the mighty German team to the last tense second.

The best test of the constitution Cheers Bar & Grill is a noise nuisance is the court of law Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

IT was the right of those who felt the need to challenge the Constitution of Guyana and exercise their will in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to seek to have former president Bharrat Jagdeo serve a third term in office outside of the constitutional framework. It is not the right to test what is wrong, but the issue that was brought before the court failed the test of law.

This issue of a third term as President of the Co-operative Republic has occupied tremendous time and much energy of people on both sides of the political divide, given what it was felt to mean or hoping to achieve. And this atmosphere has not been without rancour, boast and trepidation of what it could mean, if the ruling goes one way or the other.

That having been said, the ruling on Tuesday of the CCJ to uphold the Constitution of Guyana sends a signal to all countries of the Caribbean, all peoples of the Caribbean, that their respective constitution will be upheld by this highest decision-making fo-

rum of justice in the Region.

For Guyanese, it brings hope and a sense of validation that the constitution sets no one above the law, and everyone can be held similarly accountable to this instrument.

Even as we consider the CCJ’s ruling, we must also pay cognisance to Article 90 Clause 2(a) that a person elected as president after the year 2000 “is eligible for re-election only once” and at Clause (3), that a person who acceded to the presidency after the year 2000 and served therein on a single occasion for not less than such period as may be determined by the National Assembly, “is eligible for election as president only once.” In so far as National/General Elections apply to the entire List of Representatives which is considered being elected, it means that anyone not satisfying the aforesaid and other presidential requirements would be ineligible.

The CCJ’s decision also brings attention to the importance of giving our constitution the rightful respect it deserves. What this decision also reinforces is the importance of pursuing public education and awareness that

would bring about compliance and enforcement. The two-term limit broadens the spectrum for more Guyanese participating at this level of decision-making and said office. It is hoped that members of the respective political parties and people of Guyana will see this as a positive sign for our fledgling democracy and be encouraged to further activities to deepen and strengthen our various rules and laws to give more meaning to our constitution. All Guyanese are encouraged to be vigilant in protecting and defending these values. The best test of the constitution is the court of law. Many of those who have advocated constitutional change/reform or disregard have not put it to the test, and the few times it has been tested, the constitution has proven its worth.

The constitution rules without fear or favour. Persons may not like the decision, particularly when it goes against them. No decision of the court has ever pleased 100 percent of the people, but the Rule of Law must prevail.

Regards Lincoln Lewis

KINDLY permit me to express myself while also assisting other residents in Montrose, East Coast Demerara, about a most dreadful noise nuisance that emanates on a daily basis from the “Cheers Bar & Grill”, which is located at Lot 8, Montrose Railway Embankment.

I would also like to publicly call on Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and Commissioner of Police (ag) David Ramnarine to address the matter with urgency.

Over the past 12 months, residents of Montrose have been living at the mercy of this bar. The owner/s have no consideration for the people who are living around its immediate environment.

Most nights we cannot have a good night’s sleep, because of the loud music. Due to lack of rest at nights, we cannot concentrate and work the next day, as we always have a drowsy feeling, sometimes headaches, and lack of energy as well.

Please note, some of us have huge bank loans to repay, hence we have to work. Some of us are on

daily “Pressure medication”, and when these tablets are taken and we cannot have our sleep, we feel like we are “running mad”.

Students cannot concentrate on their studies at nights. There are elderly and sick persons in the area who are affected as well. Babies keep “jumping” out of their sleep. Our windows keep vibrating from the bass of the music. They just don’t have no regards for us and the curfew time as set out by the law enforcement, since they would close off sometimes at 4.00 a .m and 5.00 a.m. in the morning.

We have been desperately crying out for “help” since March 18th, 2017 and to date, nothing has changed, even though letters were sent to some public officers.

After 12 continuous months of misery from this bar, and with no help seem to be forthcoming, our question is, are we promoting a “lawless” society, instead of a decent environment for our children?

The vulgar lyrics that come out from that bar are not, what we would like for our young children. At an early age, their little minds have started to grow in a

negative direction, as against to good values in life.

We cannot continue to live with this noise, it is having negative health effects on us. It is driving us to the limit. Yes, it is driving us to the limit. Please honourable minister and commissioner of police , look into this matter with immediate effect. It is not going down well. People need to sleep when the night comes. If you have to CLOSE the business, then do so. Residents in Atlantic Gardens are terribly affected as well.

Just for information purposes, our investigation into the opening of this bar on March 18, 2017, revealed that they were NOT in possession of any permission from the L.B.I. / Better hope NDC to build any building; no approval from the Ministry of Housing ; no approval from the GRA to sell liquor ; no approval from the E.P.A to play music within the limit of the law, and a cut-off time of 11.00 p.m. Yet this building went up, opened its doors and it is business as normal, no one can touch them. What are the regulatory bodies doing?

It will appear, that the law

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday June 27, 2018

Our partnership with China has proven to be fruitful Dear Editor,

I read with much interest in the June 25, 2018 edition of a National Newspaper that the Thirteenth Chinese Medical Brigade had completed its mission and was being commended for its continued service to Guyana. To my knowledge, the medical brigade would have helped tens of thousands of Guyanese over the decades during its operations in Guyana. The Chinese medical brigade would have provided doctors but also medicine and expensive equipment which many Third World nations like Guyana cannot afford.

This was and continues to be a great initiative conducted by one of the most advanced economies in the world, China.

As a patriot and investor in Guyana, I believe our partnership with our Chinese friends has proven to be fruitful. The

countless scholarship opportunities for our young people in areas of agriculture, medicine, architecture, engineering, administration have advanced our educational infrastructure to produce professionals which competently serve our public and private sectors locally.

Periodically, Chinese corporations would even sponsor visits of youths from Guyana and other Third World Nations to China in order to open their understanding of the Chinese civilization. My own son, Dr. Rosh Khan went to one such conference last year and this trip changed his entire perspective on life, technology and the world. The Republic of China has proven to be givers globally, whether it entails providing peacekeepers for missions in the Middle East or funding a crisis relief project, the record is there to validate their contributions to Guyana and the rest of the world.

Several signed agreements

between Governments and foreign Chinese businesses would have resuscitated our dying economy in many instances, re: In 2008, during the global economic crisis was taking place, foreign direct investments, commerce and trade with China helped to keep Guyana afloat along with several other key sectors. Currently in our economy, the Chinese supply affordable building materials, clothing and food at competitive prices which have allowed all classes of our society greater spending power.

The Chinese in retrospect have liberated our local market.

Globally, the Chinese are known to be military strategist, scholars, scientists, philosophers, inventors, doctors, farmers etc. A key hallmark of its civilization has been to protect its land but never invade or harm foreigners or their land.

Their philosophy has remained peace and harmony. Having visited China twice before, it is

Cheers Bar & Grill is ...

Continued from page 6

only applies to those who do not have contacts.

Why the people who are living around that bar have to struggle to get justice, struggle to get a good night’s rest, so that their bodies can recuperate to go on the next day, as against the lawlessness and vulgarity which go on there on almost a daily basis, by a handful of people.

It is indeed regrettable that we have to move to the minister’s level to seek help, so that we can continue to live in our homes with peace when the night comes. Many nights after 2.00 a. m, there seems to be no sign of lowering the music. The DJ with the “mic”, is usually in full flow. We trust that immediate action will be taken against this bar, and we iterate, this bar should be closed, because they will continue to have our lives in misery. It is NOT easy, having to endure this NOISE continuously and we all do look forward to your personal intervention, as your subordinates seem incapable of dealing with this particular matter. Thanking you for your prompt action.

Regards, Concerned Citizen

still not enough to learn of the great history, magnificence and the contribution of their people.

The image of China is becoming like that of a SciFi fantasy, having been to the Shanghai Expo, Guang Hazhou, Hebei and other parts of New and Old Beijing and seeing the contrast between the old and the new. I recall one night I was invited to participate in a Folk Dance and Culture Evening. This inspired me to advise the Guyanese Government to open the Botanical Gardens daily, decorate it with lights and allow musicians and artists to display their decent, creative work.

The plan would be to encourage persons after work, between the hours of six and nine to go out and have clean fun; to celebrate our pluralistic society and that rich culture which encapsulates our identity. Of course, no alcohol and no loose behavior. That night I was marching with them and dancing Indian style as we celebrated their tradition.

I, Roshan Khan, wish to commend the Chinese popu-

lace for the great example they continue to be to the world, historically and even contemporarily. I wish to encourage Guyanese going on holidays to visit the three gorges on the Yang-Tsi River Cruise, to look at the standard of living of these people and even to see the agricultural process of some peasant farmers.

Welcome to Guyana, 14th Chinese Medical Brigade, the Chinese Embassy and the Chinese Government. We should recognise also, that they have one of the largest technological firms, Huawei, and it would be amazing if this company can partner with some youths to take Guyana to the next level. I even wish to add that we should partner with the Chinese in forsaken areas and to make access to medical treatment easier in the interior.

Guyana will soon become a greater tourist attraction and so, investing in resorts and play parks will see great profits, the Chinese industrialists could play a significant role in its design and construction.

The Chinese food which

we all have come to love is not only about delicacy and consumption but when you study the style of their cooking and the art, you will realize that it is much more.

It is also known that their talent in the performing arts is extraordinary as compared to any other country in the entire world.

When their culture groups visit Guyana, maybe once every ten years and they showcase their acrobatic skills, historic dances and songs, it is something that dazzles me. I can hardly wait for another visit by the Chinese people, so much so that when I visited China, I went to a historic theater to witness various performances of which I acquired DVDs to bring home to show people the advancement of the Chinese and why they are such an advanced nation. Their humanity is so deep, and their discipline is amazing.

Thank You China!

Regards Roshan Khan Snr

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Neglected plot of land cause for concern GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018

–– for residents of upmarket GuySuCo Housing Scheme

By Gabriella Chapman

A PORTION of land in upmarket GuySuCo Housing Scheme that has been set aside for the construction of a community playing field is fast becoming an eyesore and habitat for stray animals and other vermin.

As things stand, concerned residents of this lower East Coast neighbourhood are wondering who is responsible for the maintenance of the plot of land at reference, and what has become of the promised playing field.

“Since I moved here last year I asked an older resident what this piece of land is for and his response was, ‘Last thing I heard about that land was that it was being left for a play field to be constructed for the families in here.’

“But since I’m here, I haven’t seen any work to that effect being done,” one resident told this newspaper.

What is even more cause for concern to residents is that the build-up of vegetation will eventually encourage the dumping of garbage, which will in turn result in the creation of a home for stray animals and other pests. Some even fear it may be used by criminal elements as a hideout.

“I am very much concerned about this land, because sometimes my daughter walk in at nights from classes, and having to pass a plot of bush is not safe at all,” said another resident.

Sometime last year, the plot of land was cleared of the undergrowth, but since then, nothing else has been done.

As such, residents are calling on the relevant authorities to address the issue of the bushes and the promised playing field that never materialised.

HISTORY The GuySuCo Housing Scheme is bordered on the west by the CARICOM Secretariat, on the north by the Atlantic Ocean, the south by the Cyril Potter College of Education, and the east by the community of Cummings Lodge.

It has a soiled history, in that since it was originally put forward by UG lecturers as the site where there would be a housing scheme for academics that had served the institution for ten years and more and were still on the staff.

Then it became a prime real estate that was donated by GuySuCo to its senior staff through a Cabinet decision in 1994.

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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 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 Guyanese AG rejected outright the use of the concept of Basic Structure Doctrine, noting that it does not apply to the Guyana constitution and noted that the learned chief justice and chancellor had both overstepped their boundaries. “The Act was validly passed. The only

question is whether it conforms to 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

Attorney General and members of his legal team during a recent court hearing in Guyana (Adrian Narine photo)

The abandoned plot of land in the GuySuCo Housing Scheme 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.

Williams had also told the court that the “legislation came out of post-election trauma and chaos,” noting that it was by virtue of the Herdmanston 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 a result of that intervention that the pact was signed.

The accord was not originally filed by the AG and his team, but leave was granted for the AG to enter into an agreement with Counsel for Richardson, Douglas Mendes, SC, to have that document submitted as it may prove vital to the judges’ understanding of what had occurred in

1997.

WELL-REASONED Back home, attorneys who worked along with Williams in the case hailed the ruling as “well-reasoned and sound.”

Speaking with reporters at the Court of Appeal here, Queen’s Counsel Ralph Thorne who along with his countryman Hal Gollop, Solicitor-General Kim Kyte-Thomas and Uteika John made it clear that comfort should not be taken in the dissenting judgment in favour of Cedric Richardson, the man who questioned the constitutionality of the amendments made to the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2000. “I won’t want the opposition to take any comfort in the dissenting decision, because implied in that dissent is a criticism of an amendment that was done by the opposition when it was in government in the first place. So there is no comfort to be taken there; as I understand it, when that amendment was made Mr Jagdeo was in government and he made the amendment, so that dissenting judgment criticised what he did then,” Thorne said.

He said the ruling is important as a law which was passed by a Parliament unanimously and that was overturned in the lower courts was upheld at the highest court in the land. “It was absolutely important that a law upon which this country was united, a law upon which the assembly was united should not be struck down purely for the purpose of individual ambitions. It is important that the CCJ has dealt with it.

It is the final stage in the appeal and this country will remain at peace,” the Barbadian attorney told reporters.

Similarly, Gollop, QC, noted that the dissenting view by Justice Winston Anderson does not capture the fact that there is already exists a system of proportional representation. Like her colleagues, the solicitor-general said her team has been vindicated.

“We have been very strong in our arguments, in the High Court, Court of Appeal and we are very happy that a well-reasoned and sound decision of the CCJ has basically upheld what we have been saying for all these years.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018

PM sees stripping of Jagdeo clout

9

…“hails CCJ ruling as triumph of the constitution over political obsession

By Ariana Gordon PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Tuesday hailed the CCJ ruling on Guyana’s presidential term limit as “a triumph of the constitution over ambition and political obsession” and says the decision is likely to strip PPP General-Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo of his clout in that party.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle shortly after the ruling was handed down, the prime minister said the decision of Guyana’s final appeal court vindicates the processes of the Guyanese people who recommended a two-term presidential limit, which was followed through in Parliament, hence the amendment to the constitution.

“The CCJ has validated a sound and entrenched guarantee that no one person should exercise a monopoly on presidential office,” said Nagamootoo, who is performing the duties of president. He said the case which was brought by Cedric Richardson, a citizen, clearly demonstrated that former President Bharrat Jagdeo attempted to mask his true intentions with respect to running for a third term. Jagdeo served as President for two terms.

The constitution, he reminded, provides certain qualifications that a candidate must have to run for the presidency. “…all the amendment [to the constitution] did was to add another qualification that says you must not serve before as president for two terms,” Nagamootoo said while noting that it was former President Bharrat Jagdeo who assented to the legislation after its passage in the National Assembly. “I

would say it was hypocritical of Jagdeo to assent to the amendment and at the same time nurtured his ambition to undermine and defy it…and it speaks volumes about his political character.”

He stressed that the

Former Speaker of the National Assembly, now Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman amendment was made to ensure that there exist clear criteria upon which a person could run for office.

SHAME Nagamootoo, who was once a member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and is now an executive member of the Alliance For Change (AFC), said there are many ways in which one can serve one’s country. “It is not always that it should be at the top.

There will be enough room in the grassroots and other sections of society for someone to serve.”

He believes that the underhand move to have such a case filed before the courts has brought “shame to those who in defence of a political obsession chose to accuse the

CCJ, Guyana’s final court of appeal with racism.” The acting president said he is happy the case has been definitively decided upon once and for all and disassociated himself and government from what he deemed to be “calumnies heaped upon the highest judicial officers.”

Asked what the ruling means for the PPP, Nagamootoo said having read the reaction of former president Donald Ramotar, who is a long-standing member of the PPP, “it is clear that the presidential obsession is not shared by senior members of his party.” Ramotar was quoted in one section of the media as saying the ruling by the CCJ is good for Guyana.

Nagamootoo said it is possible that the CCJ’s ruling on the presidential term limit may strip Jagdeo of his “clout in the party, now that he is no longer in the equation to run as president,” while quickly pointing out that that is an internal matter.

He assured however that Jagdeo is not feared, while adding that the APNU+AFC coalition would have defeated the former president twice, once in 2011 and the second time in 2015.

“Both times he campaigned vigorously as if he were the presidential candidate; Jagdeo has been rejected by the Guyanese people twice in free, fair and open electoral contests and crying foul would not enhance his misfortune,” the prime minister stated.

Meanwhile, former Speaker of the National Assembly now Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, who was party to the case in the initial stages expressed satisfaction that the CCJ has vindicated the arguments made by his attorneys

and those representing the state. In a statement, Trotman, who was represented by attorney Roysdale Forde, said the inclusion of a presidential term limit in the constitution was done “properly, fairly and unanimously, and does not in any way diminish, or interfere with, the free will of the people.”

“Presidential term limits are common in democracies throughout the world and serve to strengthen democratic states. This is the modern direction that Guyana agreed to go in 2001,” he said, noting his respect for the autonomy of the CCJ and its jurists.

“This has been a long and unnecessary ordeal which this nation was put through to satisfy the ego of one man.

All the framers of the 2002 constitution reforms, regardless of which political party or civil society organisation they represented at that time, have won a precious victory today. All of the nation’s leaders need to recapture the spirit of the 2001 constitution reform process and work to achieve a more cohesive, peaceful and productive nation,” said Trotman, an attorney by profession.

He said Guyana must learn from the ruling and “reject authoritarian leadership in all its forms and never allow the advances made to be rolled back by the obsession with power of a single individual.”

Likewise, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) expressed satisfaction with the CCJ’s decision in the case. The party in a statement lauded the decision and sought to remind citizens that the “inclusion of term limits in the Constitution of Guyana was done after extensive consultation and passed unanimously into law by the

National Assembly.”

“The PNCR affirms that term limits provide an important check on the concentration of power; strengthen democracy and ensure longterm stability. Today’s decision was good for democracy and good for Guyana,” the stated added.

Additionally, the Alliance For Change (AFC) in a statement shortly after the ruling was handed down, said it agreed with the ruling by the court, noting that it is consistent with the Constitution of Guyana and its intention.

“Presidential term limit is an essential feature of modern democratic societies to which Guyana has subscribed and we must not be bullied into regression to satisfy the power-hungry ambitions of one man.

This decision by Guyana’s highest court reaffirms the paramountcy of the rule of law and of the sovereignty of the Parliament,as it must never be forgotten that the Parliament of Guyana unanimously approved the raft of constitutional reforms that ushered in an era of inclusive governance where “winner take all” politics was dismantled,” the statement said.

The party believes that Richardson was used as a pawn for former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who now serves as opposition leader to be allowed to run for a third term in office.

“This case is not about the rights of Guyanese, which are protected by the constitution, it was not about freedom of choice, it was a last-ditch attempt by Jagdeo and his acolytes to shamelessly attempt to grab power through the back door. The intent was to engineer a second round of pillaging of the national treasury as he had done for the 12

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo years of his presidency,” the party’s statement said.

The party said if the former President were to contest the upcoming 2020 elections it is confident that the Guyanese people would “once again reject him and that he would be resoundingly defeated at the polls.” “Guyanese no longer wish to be subjected to the oppressive and autocratic rulership of this political despot,” stated the AFC, while noting that confidence had been rekindled by the APNU+AFC coalition government. “Guyana’s economy is being restructured on the basis of sound economic policy and revitalisation of the major sectors is under way. Guyana’s integrity and respect on the international stage has been restored. Once again, Guyanese can be proud of their country and its leadership. This is a time for us to move forward in confidence, not look back in regret and return to the failed leadership of the past.

In the end, this case was won for every Guyanese, particularly the young people, and for our country’s future,” the party concluded.

Region Six RHO refutes contract-splitting allegation REGIONAL Health Officer (RHO) of Region Six, Jevaughn Stephens, has refuted a Kaieteur News report which claimed that he was involved in a $8.3M.contract-slitting scam.

The article published on

June 21 under the caption, “Region 6 REO buckles under evidence of contract splitting… Regional Health Officer to be investigated,” claimed Stephens was involved in the multi-million dollar impropriety in the purchasing of surgical

gloves.

“At no point did we purchase that amount in gloves mentioned in the article,” the Region Six RHO stated.

He added: “The total for the gloves was $5.8 million and the Nation-

al Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) approved the request in its entirety. However, when the invoices came, they came separately as the contractor supplied the items.”

In his defence, the RHO

noted that $8.3M was the total voucher, but $2.5M of that sum was used for the purchase of gauze rolls.

He also verified that the total cost for the gloves was $5.8M, noting that one request was prepared through his office and sent

to the NPTAB. Stephens said the items which consisted of examination and surgical gloves were procured through the International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA) and were approved on tender number 4/2016.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018

'I’m getting down in age' … Jagdeo says he was bored with presidency

IN a twist of events, former President Bharrat Jagdeo is now claiming that he had become bored of being president and that supporters of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had begged for him to be the party’s presidential candidate for the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Declaring that he is getting down in age, Jagdeo at an “emergency” press conference told reporters that what he really wants to do is read books, work three days per week, rest for four days, and avoid time-wasting events such as cocktail receptions.

The opposition leader called the press conference at his Church Street Office hours after the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) by a 6-1 majority upheld the constitutional amendments on term limits for presidential candidates in Guyana – effectively overturning the

decisions of Guyana’s High Court and Court of Appeal.

Just before the 2015 General and Regional Elections, Cedric Richardson, a resident of Georgetown who remains a “mystery,” had challenged the amendments made to Article 90 that were enacted in 2000 following a bipartisan Constitutional Reform Process, and paved the way for a presidential term limit.

But the CCJ, in handing down the ruling, said Richardson was misguided in law. Many have drawn the conclusion that the constitutional challenge filed by Richardson was engineered

by Jagdeo in an effort to secure a third term in office.

On Tuesday, Jagdeo said he respects the decision of the CCJ, but stated that his base supporters are disappointed in the ruling.

“Whilst many in the PPP base would be disappointed, particularly those who have been pushing me, saying

that you have to do it, I want to assure them…We will never put all the PPP eggs in one basket,” he said, while saying that the CCJ ruling comes as no surprise.

According to him, as President he had grown tired of the ceremonial process for the presentation of letters of credence from diplomats, and the many cocktail receptions he was asked to attend.

The opposition leader, who served two terms in office, said at an appropriate time the PPP will elect a presidential candidate that is vibrant, strong and courageous.

Unlike the period under Donald Ramotar’s presidency (2011-2015), Jagdeo gave the assurance that if the PPP administration returns to office, he will assume a formal role.

Pressed for particulars on the “formal position” he hopes to assume, Jagdeo said he is not ready to give specifics, but that it would allow him to influ-

ence change without being trapped in having to work daily.

“I want something where I can work day and night for three days, and then have four days for myself. I am getting to that stage in my life where I want time for myself…I want time for myself because from 13 years old I have been part of the party, then for 20 odd years, I have been part of a Cabinet, and now I am leader of the opposition, and I do want time for myself,” Jagdeo said. According to him, he has piles of unread books that he would love to read.

Jagdeo maintained that when the time is right, he would disclose in detail what the “formal role” in a PPP government will be, but for now, he will settle for the opposition leader and general secretary posts within the party.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Ramotar, who served one term in

office before the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government won the 2015 Regional and General Elections, said there is nothing to be disappointed about, as he alluded to the decision of the CCJ in the presidential term-limit case.

“The court has ruled. I would say that we (the PPP) have accepted the position of the court,” Ramotar told the Guyana Chronicle, while stating that the ruling comes as no surprise to him.

“I am not surprised. I always thought that the case would have gone either ways, because both sides had strong arguments,” he said.

Notwithstanding the ruling, the former President said the PPP remains in a “good position,” noting that the party has a corps of good leaders. Tuesday, when Jagdeo was questioned as to whether he would support Ramotar

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo as the PPP’s presidential candidate, this time around, he declined to give a direct response, but reiterated that the party is looking for a candidate that is strong and courageous.

Ramotar told this newspaper that he has been a loyal member of the PPP, and if the party so decides to appoint him presidential candidate for the 2020 Elections, he would strongly consider the offer.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Public Service Commission to be reconstituted soon

By Svetlana Marshall GUYANA is one step closer to reconstituting the Public Service Commission now that the National Assembly has agreed on the nominees to be appointed to the Commission by President David Granger.

Minutes before midnight on Monday, the National Assembly adopted the Eight Report of the Standing Committee on Appointments paving the way for the nominees - Vincent Bowman and Mortimer Livan – to be recommended to President Granger.

Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibilities for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. George Norton, who heads

the Committee of Appointments, told the House that Bowman and Livan were nominated in accordance with Article 200 (1) (b) of the Constitution, to be appointed Members of the Public Service Commission.

The approval of the nominees comes close to one year after the life of the Public Service Commission came to an end in 2017.

In moving a motion for the adoption of the report, Minister Norton noted that the committee held 29 meetings and it was during the 26th meeting on December 15, 2017 that the Committee agreed that the Chief Labour Officer at the Ministry of Social Protection be asked

to submit a list of the unions that represent classes of public officers in Guyana.

He reported that at the 27th meeting on January 31, 2018, the committee was furnished with a list of unions, and included the Guyana Public Service Union and the National Union of Public Service Employees. Those two unions were invited to submit nominees to sit on the Public Service Commission in accordance with the Constitution. Nominations were submitted in February 2018 with the National Union of Public Service Employees nominating Bowman. The Guyana Public Service Union nominated Livan and Patricia Went.

At the 29th meeting the members of the committee, comprising both Government and Opposition Members of Parliament, unanimously adopted the 8th report. Livan and Bowman were selected based on the nominations for appointment by President David Granger.

Opposition Member of Parliament Gillian Burton said while she would want to embrace both Livan and Bowman, who are veteran trade unionists, she would

have some reservations based on recent information garnered.

According to her, based on information received, Bowman’s union had its membership reduced significantly. On that basis, the PPP MP expressed the view that a third union should have been consulted for greater inclusion.

Raising the issue of “Gender Balance”, Burton noted that there were three nominees, one being a wom-

an, and as such, in an effort to strike a balance, Went should have been nominated for appointment.

Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, in offering her contributions to the debate, also argued that a larger pool of unions should have been consulted with before the nominees were decided upon.

In his rebuttal, Dr. Norton stated that the committee consulted with the unions submitted by the Chief Labour Officer.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday June 27, 2018

Region Two youths benefit from environmental workshop SEVERAL youths from Region Two are eager to utilise the knowledge gained following an environmental management workshop hosted at Mainstay and Whyaka.

The two-day workshop, which was held over the weekend at the Mainstay Multipurpose Hall, was aimed to empower the indigenous youths from Mainstay and Whyaka, Capoey, Lima Sands and Tapakuma to tackle issues of sustainable development and environmental management.

Anasha Hendricks, from Capoey Lake, said she has learnt a lot of practices she

will incorporate in her life.

“There were a lot of things I was unaware of. For instance, I didn’t know that you cannot go into someone’s community and catch parrots and sell them outside of that community.

I’ve learnt a lot of things about the environment and I’m very passionate about the environment. So, this workshop has been very informative.”

Emroy Pearson, from Mainstay Lake, said the exercise has changed his perspective about the environment.

“One of the main concerns looked at was the actual trapping of animals for personal

use. We need to have a licence for some sort of control over the animal.”

The sessions were facilitated by the World Wildlife Fund Guyana (WWF), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission. Facilitator, Leisa Mercurius said the programme was held to kick-start the establishment of environmental clubs within the community.

She added that the sessions focused on addressing confrontations between residents and jaguars in the commu-

nities.

“Our focus is the human-jaguar conflict highlighting mitigation measures they can take, how they can manage and assist the communities. They (communities) had many reports of jaguars taking their pets and coming into the communities.

So, we will take the complaints to the office and officers will come out and assess the situation. We also gave an introduction and overview of the wildlife local and international trade,” Mercurius explained.

According to the facili-

tator, the participants were very receptive and are looking forward to the hosting of similar workshops. The

workshop was funded by WWF in collaboration with the National Toshaos Council (NTC). (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Guyanese creolese should be owned because it is ours to keep

SOMETIME last year, I was sitting in an English class at university.

The lecturer was discussing linguistics. She asked a question: ‘What do we think about our creole language?’

I was first to raise my hand and answered. I said, ‘Creole is a broken language.’ Given all that I experienced growing up in Berbice, I constantly heard this phrase. At that time it was the best answer I had to that question. The lecturer’s response is one that I will never forget. She said, ‘If something is broken then it cannot be used, but we still use creolese, so is it really broken?’

Creolese is a natural language and it is developed from a mixture of different languages. In Guyana, our creolese is mostly English-based, but also includes words from Dutch, Spanish, Amerindian, East Indian and African languages. Guyanese-Creolese varies within Geography, Race and Class.

A Berbician may sound completely different, by using the same creolese compared to someone who lives in Essequibo. East Indians may use different slangs from that of the Africans and even the rich may speak differently from the middle-class. This phenomenon happens in every

a whole lot about a person’s culture just by taking a look at their language and dialect.

Our Guyanese-Creolese tells us a story of who we are and where we came from as a people. It brings life to our history, a history of our ancestors who worked as slaves and indentured labourers. They all spoke different languages and as such, a common speech was formed to help them communicate better with each other and also with their masters.

Language, in this case Guyanese-Creolese, is passed down from generation after generation. If by chance an entire generation refused not to speak/use creolese or as the generations go by, fewer persons speak creolese; it breathes a way for extinction.

I grew up with my parents and the majority of times, their speech consisted of formal English. I adapted to my environment, as we all would do and I must say my creolese is not the best. However, I never turned a blind eye on it. I converse with it; use it and I am proud of it. As I was researching, I came across the term ‘culture cringe’. This term was first introduced in 1950. A.A Phillips wrote an essay on it and he described this phrase as, ‘an internalised inferiority complex that

language.

There are approximately 7,000 different languages. It is estimated that by the year 2100, more than 2,500+ of those languages will become extinct. Every two weeks, a language dies in the world.

When a language dies, a culture dies along with it. This is so because we can gather

causes people in a country to dismiss their own culture as inferior to the culture of other countries.’ Could this be the reason why so many of us choose to discard our creolese? No culture should be superior or even comparative to another. Each culture is unique and the same goes for language as well. I can’t

deny the fact that speaking the English Language helps us on a global platform. As we migrate, engage in business transactions, etc., many persons may not be able to understand us when we speak creolese. However, I ponder on the thought that if we

could learn English Language so that others can understand us, why not teach them our way of speech so that they can understand us as well?

It always seems one-sided if you would ask me.

If I am now to answer the question my lecturer asked,

‘What do you think about our creole language?’ I would say, Guyanese creolese is something we should own, because it is ours to keep. It reminds us of the past, present and future of our culture.

Through good and bad times, it is an innate brand we have

as Guyanese, whether if we still live in the country or have migrated.

I do not need to hold up the Golden Arrowhead in a foreign country for the citizens to acknowledge me as a Guyanese. I can just simply start talking!

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By Ronald Austin Jr IT is an opportune time to reflect on the famous moral anecdote, ‘The Sword of Damocles’, brought to our attention by the ancient Greek historian, Timaeus

of Tauromenium.

Once upon a time, way back in the 4th century, there was the character Damocles who served in the court of the tyrant Dionysius 2nd of Syracuse, Sicily. Every day he worked for the king with pas-

sionate envy and a heart filled with a wish that he could one day sit on the throne of the dictator he served. He was of the opinion that this was the key to his happiness. Every day he pandered to Dionysius, reminding him that he

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Be Careful What You Wish For

was a great man of power and authority, surrounded by magnificence. Dionysius decided that he had enough of this constant pleading by his servant who wants to be in his shoes. He agreed to switch places with Damocles

for one day but under the condition that a big sword hangs over his head while he sits on the throne, held at the pommel by a single hair from a horse’s tail. Damocles was told that if he manifested any sign of unhappiness or fear, this will prompt the sword to fall on his head. Damocles quickly accepted this opportunity which he desired his entire life. After a few hours on the throne, he begged to quickly depart, realising that with great power, comes along great danger and fear.

The moral of story is, with great perks and responsibility, there is much fear and danger, be careful what you wish for.

There are those who live their sometimes simple, unbeknownst, happy lives with a sense of grudge or disdain for those who hold power, especially in the realm of government. Some are of the view that this is the life of ease and would often opine that the likes of Ministers ‘got it good’. It is only those who sit in the seat can tell you of the stresses of exercising power. It is only those who are within the halls of administration can testify to the worthy battle of trying to deliver a life worth living to the people. This is no attempt to denude the lives of those who have it rough, it is simply an attempt to show that having more than some does not automatically mean instant happiness. Fighting to see the development of a country that has faced decades of underdevelopment with a difficult geographic terrain can be no facile task.

Of course, if you are corrupt or irresponsible with power, this analysis has nothing to do with you.

Let us say I am the Minister responsible for the police force, I come to office filled with a desire to double the salaries of my policemen.

I know for a fact that this will lift their morale and will lead to the better delivery of public service. It seems like a straight forward solution. I travel for hours both locally and internationally to consult about my plan. I come up with the perfect plan, I

crunch the numbers and I see that it is fiscally possible. I raise the hopes of my security services, they have high expectations. I finally present my plan to the decision making council, everybody thinks it is good idea. As the debates about my plan ensues, the Minister of Finance cautions about the ‘Domino effect’ and reminds me that international organisations do not lend money to pay salaries and this would have to be funded by raising taxes.

The other Ministers demand a raise in the pay for nurses, soldiers, public servants and more. My plan is I dead. I cannot reveal this information to the public because it came from an internal meeting. The people on the outside have no knowledge of this inside information.

I have to face the scrutiny of my service men and the public. I am vilified as heartless and not caring about the people I lead. Ridicule and caricature appear in print and electronic media and my face becomes a subject of memes (distorted pictures on the internet). The sleepless nights start, my family members observe the stresses and ask numerous questions.

Disillusionment kicks in and it begins to affect my health.

I finally confront the reality of the sage words of William Shakespeare: ‘Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown’.

The captain of the ship cannot enjoy the frolic because he/she has to worry if something goes wrong; the coach of the football team has to account for any poor performance and cannot blame anyone, the captain of the cricket team stays in the field with his mind preoccupied with the headlines if the team fails. In some cases, the perks that come along with power and authority do not match the impact on your sanity and health.

This is the burden of leadership and if you do not possess the mettle to have your life constantly disrupted and under constant scrutiny or being blamed for rain, careful what you wish for.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday June 27, 2018

‘Skull City’ killers get 40 years each

FOLLOWING a unanimous guilty verdict by a 12-member mixed jury on June 15 in the Georgetown High Court before Justice Sandil Kissoon, the two convicts of the 2014 “Skull City” murder was sentenced to 40 years imprisonment each following a probation report on Tuesday.

In handing down his sentence, the judge said he started at a base of 50 years of which he made a total of 10 years deductions.

Justice Sandil Kissoon told the court that he deducted four years for time served; three years for the plea of mitigation by defence attorney and three years for remorse expressed.

The judge stated that the two accused participated in a cruel and callous attack on a defenceless man where one or both of them were armed and inflicted the fatal wound which took the life of Sunil Ramsundar.

caine and cannabis sativa, of which the #1 accused sold in the community, the Probation officer said.

Cameron-Lubin stated that the #1 accused behaved disorderly and was abusive physically and verbally to at least one of her spouses. She had two prior relationships and had stabbed one of her partners who abandoned the union.

Cameron-Lubin told the court that based on her investigation at the community level, she learnt that on the day in question, the Numbers One and Two Accused were drinking when the latter pushed one of the deceased’s daughters, causing her to fall. And when the child started to cry, her dad asked her what had caused her to cry.

Relatives of the deceased said they are still in grief at the loss of their loved one who left behind children, all because of a simple misunderstanding.

In reading the probation

Vaswantie Ragnauth accused #1

Nyron Thakurdyal accused #2

After their sentencing and as they were led away to jail, The Number One Accused, Vishwanie Ragnauth, started to cry as she was placed to sit in the Police Outpost at the Georgetown High Court on Tuesday.

Her partner, the Number Two Accused, Nyron Thakurdyal, donned sunglasses and calmly exited the court.

A handful of relatives of both convicts gasped when Justice Kissoon handed down the sentence of 40 years imprisonment each.

In reading the probation report in open court on Tuesday, Senior Probation Officer, Zola Cameron-Lubin said that Ragnauth, called “Shelly”, was 38 and a mother of three, who lived with her extended family at 405 “Skull City”, Patentia.

She added that she was the product of a broken home and had three siblings. She only benefited from a primary education and started to work at age 17 as a sales clerk, and in 2013, she met the #2 accused Nyron Thakurdyal.

The duo shared a visiting relationship and would often imbibe heavily and also abuse illegal substances such as co-

report of the #2 accused Nyron Thakurdyal called “One Eye”, Senior Probation Officer Zola Cameron-Lubin said he was 31 years old and used to reside at lot 59 Industry, East Coast Demerara and at ‘Skull City,” Patentia.

He was self-employed selling hygienic products and was the father of six children.

Thakurdyal grew up at Albion, Berbice with parents. His mother was a sweets vendor and his dad was a teacher but when they separated he exited the school system.

In 1985 he migrated with his family to the US and was deported for narcotics in 2003, and later worked as a construction worker in Bahamas.

The probation officer added that the #2 accused lacked remorse and maintained that he was innocent of the crime but regret that a life was lost.

In his plea of mitigation defence attorney, Nigel Hughes said that the duo were not involved in the festivities and were not imbibing when the #1 accused was pinned by a fence by her uncle during a heated row.

When she screamed the #2 accused responded as the

peacemaker and it was most unfortunate and regrettable that a life was loss and there was no evidence of a plan between the two.

In her address to the court, Vishwanie Ragnauth said: “I am so sorry for what happened. I lost my uncle and I have three kids at home that need me.”

She then asked for leniency in her sentencing.

In his address to the court, Nyron Thakurdyal expressed remorse and sym-

pathy to the relatives of the deceased.

He asked for a lenient sentence since he wanted to return to society and to his six children to be a constructive father.

In response, state prosecutor Lisa Cave told the court that the circumstances of the incident should be considered since it was an unprovoked and senseless attack on the deceased.

A 12-member mixed jury on June 5 after deliberating

for several hours found both accused guilty of the 2014 “Skull City” Patentia murder.

Their verdict was unanimous and was announced by the foreman in the Georgetown High Court before Justice Sandil Kissoon.

The #1 accused Vaswantie Ragnauth and the # 2 accused Nyron Thakurdyal both pleaded not guilty to the charge they are indicted which states that on December 26, 2014 they allegedly murdered Sunil Ramsundar.

The state was led by prosecutor Lisa Cave in association with Orinthia Schmidt, while the defence attorney was Nigel Hughes.

Dr. Vivekanand Brijmohan testified that the deceased Sunil Ramsundar died of a single wound to the neck.

He opined that the murder weapon could likely be the kitchen knife in question and the deceased had a defensive wound on his hand.

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Brothers killed in Den Amstel accident

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday June 27, 2018

Police Commander of ‘D’ Division, Senior Superintendent R. Das along with other ranks, including Pastor Miggins of the Cops and Faith Community Network visited relatives of the deceased and offered their condolences

TWO brothers were on Tuesday morning killed along the Den Amstel Public Road, West Coast Demerara, after they were thrown from their bicycle onto the road surface following a collision with a minibus.

Dead are Shemon West, 28, a labourer and Shalum Allen, 19 years, unemployed, both of lots 8-9 Fellowship, West Coast Demerara.

According to a police report, about 11:20hrs on June 26, Sherman was riding his bicycle while towing his brother, Allen.

The report said that minibus BVV 8882 which was proceeding east along the northern side of the road, stopped to put off passengers while the brothers were proceeding in the said direction, but behind the bus.”

The police report said: “West was in the process of passing the bus when the vehicle suddenly drove off and its right side collided with the left handle bar of the bicycle. As a result of the impact, the brothers fell onto the southern carriageway of

DEAD: Shalum Allen

DEAD: Shemon West

the road and were struck by oncoming mini-bus BVV 7042, which was proceeding in the opposite direction.”

The brothers were rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital in an unconscious state, but were pronounced dead on arrival.

The two mini-bus drivers are in police custody and breathalysers recorded no alcohol on their breath.

Police Commander of ‘D’ Division, Senior Superintendent R. Das and his traffic inspector along with Pastor Miggins of the Cops and Faith Community Network, visited the relatives of the deceased and offered condolences.

One of the mini-buses, BVV 7042, which was involved in the accident.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Ferocious dog guarded coke in bed frame

A FEROCIOUS dog tied to a bed frame in which cocaine was concealed, did not prevent law enforcement officers from arresting Abiola White and instituting a charge of trafficking in narcotics, to which she pleaded guilty

before Senior Magistrate, Alex Moore at the New Amsterdam Court.

White, aged 52 years of Asylum Street, New Amsterdam was sentenced to one year imprisonment coupled with a fine of $200,000.

Police Corporal Winston

Poliah, prosecuting, said on June 18 last, ranks from the anti-crime patrol of Central Police Station, headed by Superintendent Wayne De Harte, conducted a cordonand-search exercise at St. John Street, where it was observed that there were sev-

Unidentified body found in GRA parking lot

THE body of an unidentified male was found in the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) parking lot at Camp and Lamaha Streets, Georgetown on Tuesday.

According to the Guyana Police Force, the body was discovered by domestic worker, Winston Nagaloo at 08:00hrs.

“The male of East Indian ethnicity was found lying on his right side, facing the north, head to the western direction and feet to the eastern direction. The body was found clad in a green jersey, crème long pants and a pair of black long

boots,” said the police.

The scene was visited by Assistant Superintendent Caesar and other officers who conducted an investigation.

No marks of violence were seen on the body which was taken to the Lyken Funeral Parlour where a post-mortem examination will be done.

Investigators have so far retrieved CCTV footage from cameras close to the scene. Investigations are ongoing and the body is yet to be identified.

eral males and a lone female who claimed to be assisting the occupant at the lower flat of the building .

But, as White accompanied the police ranks into the house, the policemen were confronted by a ferocious dog, which was tied to an old iron frame, on which was a condemned fridge door on top of it.

White subdued the dog before ranks discovered a small cubic container in the bed frame, in which there

were several pieces of whitish rock-like substances suspected to be cocaine.

The middle-aged woman was taken to the Central Police Station where she was charged.

Meanwhile, police also arrested Gordon Bruce, the occupant of the lower flat. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of trafficking in narcotics and was granted $50,000 bail. He is expected to return to the New Am-

sterdam Court on August 10 for a report.

Meanwhile Tyrone Griffith, Amzad Kubir, Leon Woolford, Emil Clarke and Clement Spooner, were charged with being at a place where persons congregate for the purpose of smoking.

They were granted $10,000 bail each and the matter was sent to the Chief Magistrate for reassignment, as Magistrate Moore recused himself, due to his relationship with Spooner.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre hosts blood drive

IN observance of ‘Rehab Week 2018’ the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre hosted a blood drive at their Carmichael Street head office with the aim of giving back to those in need.

The centre liaised with the National Blood Transfusion Service to host the event, which saw several persons visiting the organisation to be donors for a good cause.

Speaking of the reason behind the initiative, the centre’s Occupational Therapist Calvin Lawrie said, “We thought that a blood drive would be very fitting because it brings everybody together.

Everyone wants to save a life in their own

right and a blood drive is an excellent way for somebody to show love and to show care.

“Persons with disabilities and even a family member of yours or a close friend might need blood and you never know, from the persons who would have donated here today, your blood would have probably helped somebody that’s in need.”

The Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre offers rehabilitation services for children with physical or developmental disabilities, amputees and persons with hearing impairment.

Speaking on the organisation’s role

Three young men in the process of donating blood at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, in observance of Rehabilitation Week 2018. Looking on are members of the centre and the National Blood Transfusion Service. (Adrian Narine photo) in the community, Lawrie said: “This is a non-profit organisation and a non-governmental organisation so we’re basically funded by other organisations and businesses.

“We get donations and that’s what runs everything here for the most part. So this is a nice way of just giving back to

everybody who would have given to us.”

Rehabilitation Week 2018 is being observed in Guyana from June 24 to 30 under the theme ‘Increasing coverage and enhancing quality’ and aims to promote the value and importance of rehabilitation while recognising professionals who provide the service.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Agricultural cooperatives viable the way to go –– if family-run farms to remain

By Clifford Stanley THE general consensus is that by pooling their resources, agricultural cooperatives can be run more efficiently and cost-effectively than individual farmsteads.

That’s according to a wide cross-section of stakeholders in the local agriculture sector, during a workshop on the subject of Family Farming held here last week by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation’s (IICA) local office.

Among the participants at the workshop were representatives of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) local office; the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA); the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC); the National Research and Extension Institute (NAREI); Partners of the Americas (Guyana Chapter); the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA); and the University of Guyana.

Together they examined the findings of a study entitled “Characterisation of Family Farms in the Caribbean: A Study of Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines”, which was done last

year by IICA. According to ICCA, the purpose of the study was to promote a critical analysis of the conditions of family-run farms in the four Caribbean countries; reflect on possible scenarios that allow its strengthening and sustainable development; and debate the design and implementation of public policies that can generate the conditions so that these scenarios become successful and sustainable realities.

The intention is for it to help significantly to improve family farming in the Caribbean region, said IICA local representative Wilmot Garnett.

According to the study, 75 per cent of the farmers here in Guyana can be classified as small-time farmers.

And, one of the objectives of last Thursday’s meeting was to encourage participants and stakeholders in the agricultural sector to put forward viable ideas for strengthening the capacity of family farming to enhance entrepreneurial operations and its contributions to the national agricultural development.

Consensus on the critical importance of

Senior GLDA official, Mr. Selwyn Anthony delivering a group report during the IICA national consultation on Family Farming cooperatives to the development of Family Farms was arrived at following group discussions on the way forward.

Participants at the workshop also agreed that there should be an increase in government policies in terms of providing incentives to small farmers such as easy access to land, provision of supporting infrastructure, protection from praedial larceny and access to markets to make production market-driven rather than unplanned and unfocused.

The study and workshop was held by IICA through its Productivity and Sus-

tainability of Family Agriculture Flagship technical assistance project (PIAF).

The overall aim is to position member countries such as Guyana to promote a new generation of differentiated public policies for family farms, including actions to promote innovation, to strengthen the links between small-scale and family farmers and agricultural chains, as well as the participation of women and youth in agriculture and succession planning for future generations, IICA has disclosed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Minister Lawrence urges pharmacists not to exploit patients for money … at Pharmacists’ Association annual convention

OVER 200 local pharmacists participated in the Guyana Pharmacists’ Association’s (GPAs) 17th Annual Convention on Sunday which addressed gaps in the pharmaceutical industry and strategies for improvement.

The convention hosted at the Pegasus Hotel under the theme ‘Universal Health: The Pharmacist as a key player’, was attended by representatives of the public health sector and international specialists.

Delivering the feature address, Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence reminded the attendees of the role and responsibility of the pharmacist in the provision of medicine and its management.

“Pharmacists, to put your role into perspective, you are tasked with a huge

as to offset consequences of death, paralysis, poison or serious allergic reactions,” she said.

The minister stressed that pharmacists must be cognisant at all times of the ethics of their trade which include a firm value system, transparency, accountability and meticulousness when supplying medication.

She expressed her satisfaction in the fact that topics such as pharmacovigilance, which deals with the awareness of counterfeit drugs and their side effects, would be addressed at the convention.

“Ethically, you are dealing with drugs and people and you have the responsibility to protect your patients at all times, to dispense the medication with the dosage required and not to take advantage of the

Several persons received sample products and advice at the Guyana Pharmacists’ Association’s (GPAs) 17th Annual Convention on Sunday (Samuel Maughn photo) responsibility of ensuring that drugs are available; that our people have access to the highest quality of medication; that medication is utilised in the correct way to produce the desired results, and most importantly to ensure that our patients adhere to prescribed medication and not self-prescribed drugs so

patient financially or otherwise for economic gain,” she said.

Meanwhile, the GPA President Rosana Narine told this newspaper that Guyana still faces challenges with counterfeit drugs due to the country’s porous borders. The body is, however, working along with the

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence and Director of Pharmacies at the Public Health Ministry Oneil Atkins, listen as a pharmacist speaks on the Whizz Aspirin-free medication at one of several booths (Samuel Maughn photo) Government Analyst – Food and Drug DeHowever, the minister remains optimispartment (GAFDD) to address the situation. tic that these challenges will soon be overSpeaking on her hopes for the conven- come as the government works assiduously tion, Narine said: “What I would like is for to meet objectives for the equal provision of pharmacists to remember that we are a key and access to health care for all Guyanese. member of the health care team, and we “We’ve got to start thinking about either should act accordingly and always remem- having a plane or a boat that can go down ber our place. Because sometimes we tend those rivers and provide services to those to be overlooked so it is up to us to cement people,” she said, further adding: our place in the professional arena.”

“I believe that as we work together Even with the accomplishments over as a people we will be able to achieve the years, Minister Lawrence said that a these objectives, not all at one time plethora of challenges still remain which because as we go along we’re going to continue to affect the parity of health ser- pick the low hanging fruits, and we’re vice delivery. going to keep working our way up the “We are short of human resources in ladder until we get to that place where every single capacity that we can think of. we can say that health coverage is We are also short on the upgrade of our available for all in Guyana and there is machines and equipment and so on, so that accessibility.” we can have real results in real time. We’re Several booths displayed an array of short on simple things like transportation. the best recommended health products and “Sometimes we just think about buying medications available in the country, while a four wheel drive but we don’t remember members of the public benefitted from samthat we need a boat and an engine to go up ples and advice on the use of the products. the creeks and the rivers. And many times The GPA which had been dormant we forget that our transportation system for a while was revived in the 1970s by is not of the best, so many people who the late Jaiwantie Bacchus, with the live down the river they cannot get to the aim of improving the quality of health medical facilities as they ought to,” she care and the profession of pharmacists lamented. countrywide.

Farmer who killed ex-wife succumbs

FIVE days after stabbing and slashing the throat of his ex-wife, the man who attempted to take his own life has succumbed.

Imran Lyte, the 30-yearold farmer of Nurney Village, was hospitalised after ingesting a small quantity of a poisonous substance after the incident. He took his last

breath on Sunday evening at the Port Mourant Hospital.

His relatives said he died of complications as a result of the effects of the poison.

At around 08:20 hrs on Wednesday, June 20, Lyte brutally murdered his 28-year-old ex-wife and mother of four, Tovonnie Alexci Simmons, called

“Vanie.”

The man had visited the home of Simmons to reportedly settle a matter involving him and her brother, when the mother of four suddenly jumped from the table and began screaming as Lyte stabbed her several times.

In a bid to escape the attack, she jumped from the

verendah and ran some 200 metres away, but was cornered and had her throat slit

by Lyte.

She was stabbed 12 times about her body. The woman was subsequently picked up and taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

After committing the act,

Lyte ran into the backlands and ingested a poisonous substance. He was found and taken to the Port Mourant Hospital.

Several days before the incident, Lyte had attacked his ex-wife, accusing her of allowing her friends to ridicule his “sweet woman.”

During the incident, Sim-

mons’s brother was stabbed several times by Lyte.

Meanwhile, Jacqueline Collins, the mother of the deceased woman related that several reports were made of the threats to her daughter’s life at the Whim Police Station, but they were not taken seriously by the police there.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday June 27, 2018

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Minister pledges ‘unhindered access’ to disability, rehabilitative services --as MoPH launches ‘Rehab Week’ in Region Five

MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) Dr. Karen Cummings pledged Monday to ensure unhindered access to disability and rehabilitative services.

She also pledged to continuously enhance the quality of those services in communities countrywide.

Dr. Cummings made the pledge while delivering the feature address at the launch of ‘Rehab Week 2018’ under the theme, ‘Increasing coverage & Enhancing Quality’. The launch was held at the Hugo Chavez Centre for Rehabilitation and Reintegration at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice.

Explaining what it means to be in ‘rehab’, Dr Cummings said:

Minister Cummings speaking at the launch of Rehab Week 2018

“Rehab targets and assists those who have experienced a loss in function to regain that maximal function. These services provide relief and mobility to many Guyanese.

“As we put the spotlight on disability and rehabilitative services this week, I want us all to pledge that we will work towards providing unhindered and timely and high- quality rehabilitation interventions consistent with international best practices for all those who need these services.”

As she urged those professionals present: “Let us continue to raise the profile of the Disability and Rehabilitation services available to Guyanese; let us urge persons in need of these services to make full use of them.”

Permanent Secretary in the MoPH, Ms. Collette Adams in her intervention said that she will soon be engaging policy-makers on the possibility of establishing an Orthotics and Prosthetics service at the Hugo Chavez Centre to serve persons in need of it in Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Those who attended the launch

She said that the provision of these services (braces for muscular support and artificial limbs) is in keeping with the policy position of the MoPH, as well as the theme of the week-long celebration.

Other speakers at the launch included Director of the Disability and Rehabilitation Services Department of the MoPH, Ms. Arianne Mangar, who disclosed that the services offered included speech therapy, occupational therapy, audiology for the hearing impaired, orthotics and prosthetics, physiotherapy and vocational therapy.

The proceedings, which were spiced with cultural presentations, were chaired by Director of Dental Services at the Cheddi Jagan Dental School, Dr Kester Sullivan.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018

City Hall defends ‘Industry only’ marking on bus park … United Minibus Union decries ‘interference’ into a well-organised system

ON the recent markings of the University of Guyana (UG)-Industry Park to allow for a frontline exclusive spot for Industry minibus operators only, the Town Clerk says that the council is merely exercising its authority for what it deems a “fair and just” cause.

This announcement comes after serious disagreements arose between the UG-Industry and Industry bus operators, following City Hall’s road marking of ‘Industry only’ at the park some three weeks ago.

However, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Town Clerk Royston King said that the Council’s actions are justified by Chapter 28:01 of the Municipal and District Councils Act, Sections 274 and 276.

“The City Council has both the authority and right to allot portions of its reserves roads and other thoroughfares for the parking of vehicles and other things, for restricting and prohibiting and for imposing a fee or a fine on those vehicles or those motorists that breach the rules and the regulations set out by council,” he said.

Explaining how the Council’s came to mark the park, King said that some weeks ago Industry minibus operators complained to the council about being “pushed out of business” by the UG bus operators and this matter caught the attention of the mayor.

“The matter was first reported to Her Worship, the Mayor of Georgetown and

Town Clerk Royston King she sympathised with the operators of the buses plying the Industry route and asked me to look at the matter.

“When the matter was considered, it was decided that indeed they were being pushed out, that there was no proper area for the Industry buses to park and that there should be given some small space to operate their buses,” he said.

The Town Clerk said further that when comparing the UG-Industry buses which operate both routes and the Industry-only bus operators which are fewer in number, it was observed that that latter faced challenges to their livelihood in the previous “first come-first serve” arrangement.

“The buses are small in number in respect to Industry, when you compare the [number] of buses plying the UG and Industry route. Therefore, we found it a just cause to allow the Industry drivers some

space on Council’s road to ply their trade,” he said, later adding: “You couldn’t have one set of buses being pushed out of operation because they’re not part of a union…you’ve got UG buses plying UG and Industry because they’re in the union but the Industry buses can’t go into the University, so from the beginning they’re limited.”

The council has attached a fee to this exclusivity at the frontline section of the park of $3,500 per month which King says caters not only for occupation of space but for the maintenance of the location.

“Once they are given the space and once they are registered with the council, they will then pay into Council a certain amount every month that will allow the Council the financial elbow-room to keep and sanitise that area where they’re operating,” he explained, adding that this will also help to rectify clogged and smelly drains.

King told the newspaper that there are plans for this service and more to be extended to all other minibus parks under the council’s responsibility so that operators can occupy parks which are clean and healthy.

He said, too, that the notice of these new changes were discussed with the constabulary, the police and awaits the final confirmation of the City Works Committee.

“This matter will be taken forward to the City Works

United Minibus Union (UMU) President Eon Andrews holds up a copy of the Memorandum which stipulates the areas designated to minibuses in Georgetown and the routes they are to take.

Committee for a final decision because, in addition to marking the roads.We’re looking at some other related matters that would allow those who are plying their trade in that particular section of the city to do so and to make a profit in a comfortable and healthy environment.”

On Monday morning, the United Minibus Union (UMU) President Eon Andrews had visited the park where there were still ongoing disagreements among the UG-Industry minibus operators about the Council’s decision.

The Union contends that prior to the City Hall’s interference there was a system of peace, order and uniformity at the park.

He says too that the Industry operators were all once a part of the union’s UG arrangement but were terminated after they were found in breach of the Subcontract Agreement Code of Conduct.

The Code of Conduct includes a number of rules and regulations such as no driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol; uniformity at all times; no loud music; no indecent language; no pas-

senger favouritism and more.

“This is a very organised park. Nobody is stopping those persons from working.

The only thing they’re not enjoying is to go into UG because of certain serious infringements they created,” Andrews had said, adding: “I’m very disappointed that we have such a well-organised park, well-dressed persons who confirm to a Code of Conduct and then you have City Hall coming and create this thing. This is not good at all for the city, it is not good at all for the organised labour.”

National agricultural census soon

By Clifford Stanley A NATIONAL agricultural census will be conducted during the first half of 2019 after a hiatus of 65 years.

Agriculture Sector Development Unit (ASDU) Director George Jervis said the census will be funded by the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB).

“Under the IDB loan, we have US$4M. We are also pursuing with the IDB an

additional US$1.5M as a technical cooperation grant to help with preparatory work.

“We were also able to obtain a commitment from the Ministry of Finance (MoF) for an additional US$$1.3M for the countrywide exercise,” Jarvis said.

The competent authority for such a census is the Bureau of Statistics, but the ministry has been considering the employment of other players such as the Food and

ASDU Director George Jervis

Agriculture Organisation (FAO) or the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture (IICA) to carry out this exercise.

The census will involve a complete count of Guyanese farms and farmers with even the smallest plots of land with vegetables, fruit and livestock.

Jervis said hopefully, a pilot for the census should be finished by December and enumerators should be in the

field to complete the census by the first half of 2019.

An agri census is a source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial agricultural data in any country and the information gleaned is used to make decisions that will help shape the future of agriculture.

The last agricultural census held in Guyana was done in the then British Guiana in 1953.

The census data will be

used by all those who serve farmers and rural communities such as the national and local governments, agribusinesses, technical support agencies and many others.

Business and cooperatives use the facts and figures to determine the locations of facilities that will serve agricultural producers.

Community planners and local governments use see page 23

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018

National agricultural . . Barefaced robber gets away with laptop, cell phone From page 22

the information to target needed programmes and services to rural residents; legislators use the numbers from the census when shaping farm policies and programmes, while farmers can use the data to help make informed decisions about the future of their own operations.

Stakeholders have commended the decision, noting that it can help them gauge the country’s agricultural capacity, understand actual ongoing front-line production activity, understand the trends which are occurring and all critical data which can point the way forward in enhancing agricultural development.

THE police are currently investigating an armed robbery committed on a Fourth Street, Alberttown resident.

According to a police report, Eckmond Pounder, a 45-year-old porter was robbed Tuesday morning about 09:25hrs at his home by a male wearing a white jersey and a pair of blue jeans.

He was on foot, armed

with a handgun.

Enquires disclosed that the perpetrator entered the home through the front door brandishing a black handgun.

The gunman pointed the weapon at Pounder and demanded that he hand

over his valuables. The victim became fearful for his life and handed over his laptop worth $150,000.

The robber then snatched the victim’s cellular phone worth $28,000 from his hand, then pushed his hands into the pockets

of the victim and stole $1,000 in Guyana currency.

During the process, he assaulted the victim by hitting him in his face with the said firearm, causing the victim to be injured over his left eye.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Shazam admits he had a ‘stash’

SHAZAM Mohammed called ‘Coolie Boy,’ was on Tuesday remanded to

prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magis-

trates’ Court for drug trafficking.

The charge against the

Shazam Mohammed 37-year-old Mohammed alleged that on June 21 at the Port Kaituma toll gate

at Four Mile, he had 396 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The court heard that on the day in question, ranks on patrol at the toll gate saw an approaching motor car with Mohammed in the driver’s seat. It is alleged that when Mohammed saw the ranks, he got out and threw a black plastic bag from the vehicle.

The plastic bag was

retrieved and a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis, were found inside. Under caution Mohammed told the court that a lady wanted weed and he went up the road to his ‘stash.’

He was remanded to prison until August 6 and the matter was transferred to the Matthews Ridge Magistrates’ Court.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Locked up for allegedly dealing with $2M in drugs A 58-year-old domestic worker who was reportedly busted with over $2M worth of cannabis and cocaine at her Old Housing Scheme, Bartica home was on Tuesday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates Court, charged with drug trafficking.

Roxanne Carrington appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied that on June 23 at her home, she had in her possession 2555 grams of cannabis and 1451 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Roxanne Carrington Carrington’s attorney, Latchmi Rahamat, told the court during an application for bail that her client rented her two-bedroom house to

travellers to earn an extra income.

Rahamat said that two persons, Roy Smith and Becky Mohan were staying at the woman’s apartment and the drugs were found in the room in which Smith was staying.

However, police Prosecutor Inspector Gordon Mansfield disclosed during his objection to bail that the drugs were found in Carrington’s room along with several small ziplock packets.

Mansfield added that Carrington under caution told

the police that Roy Smith brought the drugs for her to keep.

The prosecution objected

to bail on the grounds that the defendant failed to provide substantial reasons for bail.

The magistrate remand-

ed the woman to prison and transferred the matter to the Bartica Magistrates’ Court for July 12.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Windies falter as Sri Lanka level series CMC – WEST Indies faltered in their bid to win the three -Test series against Sri Lanka, when they ran out of momentum when it mattered most and went down by four wickets on the penultimate day of the historic day/night Test, here on Tuesday.

Dilruwan Perera, who struck an unbeaten 23, formalised the result for the tourists when he lifted captain Jason Holder to the long-off boundary, just over an hour before the scheduled lunch interval.

It was his crucial unbroken 63-run, seventh wicket stand with Kusal Perera, who made 28 not out, which pulled Sri Lanka over the line and ensured a 1-1 series result.

Captain Jason Holder said while the result was not what he had hoped for, the team deserved praise for the way they had played the series.

“It was a good fight from the boys. All the boys put in a really good effort,” a disappointed Holder

told media following the contest.

“It did not end the way we wanted but credit again to the guys, it was very, very tough. It was a hard fought series. Credit to the Sri Lankans for the way they fought back and hopefully we can put things right in this next series against Bangladesh starting next week.”

Resuming the afternoon at Kensington Oval and requiring a further five wickets to complete a 1-0 series win with Sri Lanka on 81, West Indies managed only the scalp of Kusal Mendis for 25, as they let a glorious opportunity for a series-win slip.

They were frustrated by left-hander Kusal Perera who recovered significantly from a frightening incident while fielding on Monday’s day three, to carry the bulk of the scoring for Sri Lanka.

He crashed into the advertising boards attempting to take a catch at long on, deep into the Windies second innings and had to be rushed to hospital by ambulance.

However, he showed no signs of trauma from the blow, striking two fours in a 44-ball knock, as he combined with Dilruwan Perera to break the Windies

hearts.

Dilruwan, unbeaten on one at the start, counted three fours in a composed 68-ball innings.

When Mendis was trapped lbw by Holder in the afternoon’s first over with no addition to the overnight score, West Indies would have been harbouring thoughts of victory.

But the two Pereras’ survived a couple near misses with catches going near to hand, to safely navigate the session, as Holder lacked support from fellow seamers Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach and Miguel Cummins, who toiled without reward.

Holder ended with five for 41 – his second fivewicket haul in Tests – to post match figures of nine for 60.

West Indies entered the match leading 1-0 in the series, after winning the first Test at Queen’s Park Oval by 226 runs, and drawing the second at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia last week.

West Indies now turn their attention to Bangladesh who they face in first Test of a twomatch series at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua, starting on July 4.

SCORE BOARD WEST INDIES 1st Innings 204 SRI LANKA 1st Innings 154 WEST INDIES 2nd Innings 93 SRI LANKA 2nd Innings (target: 144 runs) D Gunathilaka c Bishoo b Holder M Udawatte lbw b Roach D de Silva b Holder K Mendis lbw b Holder Roshen Silva c Smith b Holder +N Dickwella b Holder D Perera not out K Perera not out Extras (b8, lb15) 23 TOTAL (6 wkts, 40.2 overs) 144 Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-30, 3-48, 4-50, 5-74, 6-81.

Bowling: Roach 10-1-33-1, Gabriel 9-1-26-0, Holder 14.2-4-41-5, Cummins 6-1-17-0, Bishoo 1-0-4-0.

21 0 17 25 1 6 23 28

36

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27 , 2018

Peru record historic win over Australia (BBC) - PERU recorded their first win at a World Cup finals since 1978 as they beat Australia in the last

match of the tournament for both sides.

Australia needed to defeat already-eliminated Peru

and hope that France beat Denmark in order to reach the last 16, but the South Americans went ahead with a

Paolo Guerrero of Peru scores his sides’ second goal past Mathew Ryan of Australia during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group C match between Australia and Peru at Fisht Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

fine, low 15-yard volley from Andre Carrillo.

Excellent defending from Anderson Santamaria denied Mathew Leckie a closerange equaliser as Australia struggled to create clear-cut chances.

Peru captain Paolo Guerrero, only able to play in the tournament after a tribunal overturned a 14-month drug ban, sealed the victory when he spun and shot into the far corner.

Christian Cueva also hit a post for Peru late on as they

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finished third in Group C above Australia, while France qualified as the group winners after their goalless draw with Denmark.

Peru had played eight World Cup finals matches without a win since they beat Iran 4-1 on 11 June, 1978, and this victory was only the fifth in their history.

Peru were playing in their first World Cup tournament since 1982, although their qualification had been fortunate as they had lost 2-0 against Bolivia in qualifying,

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but that result was given as a 3-0 Peru win as the Bolivians fielded Paraguay-born Nelson Cabrera as a late substitute.

Nevertheless, more than 40,000 Peruvians travelled to Russia and they have been determined to enjoy every moment.

Once again their fans made for a terrific atmosphere in Sochi, even though 1-0 defeats to both Denmark and France in their opening two games meant they had no chance of progressing.

It only took 18 minutes for the South Americans to take the lead when Carrillo, who spent the 2017-18 season on loan at Watford from Benfica, connected perfectly with Guerrero’s cross for their first goal of the competition.

Their second came just five minutes after the break when Peru’s record goalscorer Guerrero doubled his side’s lead.

The 34-year-old had been set to miss the World Cup having been given a 14-month ban after testing positive for cocaine, although Guerrero has always maintained his positive test in October 2017 came after drinking contaminated herbal tea.

His ban was overturned just before the start of the tournament after the captains of group rivals Australia, Denmark and France wrote to Fifa asking them to lift the ban.

It was a fully deserved result for Guerrero and his team to give his country’s supporters the win they desired.

37

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Croatia top Group D as Iceland exits (BBC) - ICELAND failed in their attempt to reach the World Cup knockout stages for the first time, as Croatia secured a late win to top Group D on maximum points.

The Nordic nation knew they had to win to stand any chance of reaching the last 16, and their colourful support looked dejected in Rostov-on-Don where their side missed key chances late in the first half.

Alfred Finnbogason and Birkir Bjarnason both went close before the interval but Milan Badelj stylishly slammed home for Croatia

after the break.

That forced Iceland to chase the game and they hit the bar through Sverrir Ingason, before Gylfi Sigurdsson won and converted a penalty to level when Dejan Lovren handballed.

In the dying minutes, with Argentina leading Nigeria 2-1 some 1,100 miles away in St Petersburg, Iceland knew a win would see them jump ahead of the South American nation in second place.

But their attacks became less frequent as Croatia took more control and Ivan Perisic

- one of only two players to retain his place from the win over Argentina - fired across the keeper to win it for Croatia in injury time.

His side will now face Denmark in the last 16 on Sunday, while Argentina will play France on Saturday.

With a population of around 300,000 Iceland’s achievement in becoming the smallest nation to reach the World Cup, understandably saw their fans wear faces of pride and disappointment on the final whistle.

They arrived in southern Russia knowing even a win may not be enough if Nigeria

Ivan Perisic of Croatia scores his team’s second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group D match between Iceland and Croatia at Rostov Arena on June 26, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

had beaten Argentina, but the manner in which they missed chances at key moments against a side sporting nine changes from their last game - will perhaps feel like an opportunity wasted.

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side was the lowest scorers of the European sides who qualified automatically for the tournament, and a lack of end product undoubtedly proved key in their exit.

They had grown into the opening 45 minutes as a Croatian side showing little intent, and ended the period on the back foot despite having 65 per cent possession.

Denmark holds Rojo gives Argentina life in dubious win over Nigeria France to tame draw

Simon Kjaer of Denmark chats with Olivier Giroud of France (left) during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

(BBC) - DENMARK joined France in the last 16 of the World Cup after playing out the first goalless draw of the tournament, which was greeted by boos at the final whistle.

A draw was good enough to see a much-changed French side top Group C, while Denmark knew a point would be enough for them too, even if Australia beat Peru.

That scenario resulted in a game that lacked ambition, chances and any element of danger, not helped by news midway through the first half that Peru were winning in Sochi.

The fans in the Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium were initially enthusiastic enough, especially the red-shirted Danes who packed one end.

But they saw little in the way of goal-mouth excitement, with the first shot on the target arriving in the 39th minute, when France’s Antoine Griezmann turned to fire a tame effort at Kasper Schmeichel from the edge of the area.

Denmark did fashion the best chance of the first half, when

France’s keeper Steve Mandanda just beat Christian Eriksen to Andreas Cornelius’s excellent low cross.

But their only shot on target came after 54 minutes when Mandanda spilled Eriksen’s free-kick. The Marseille keeper recovered before Cornelius could capitalise on the rebound.

Both sides stepped up their safety-first approach as the second half progressed - bringing jeers and whistles from many neutrals in the stadium - to ensure they got the result they desired.

France, who rested the midfield trio of Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi and Corentin Tolisso - all of whom were a booking away from a ban - will play the runners-up in Group D in Kazan on Saturday.

That could be any one of the four teams, while Denmark’s fate is a little clearer after Peru’s 2-0 win over Australia confirmed their qualification in second place.

Age Hareide’s side will play the Group D winners, either Croatia or Nigeria, in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday.

(BBC) - MARCOS Rojo scored a fine late volley to send Argentina through to the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup with a dramatic victory over Nigeria in St Petersburg.

A lacklustre Argentina were on the verge of an embarrassing exit, before Manchester United defender Rojo surged into the area to place a Gabriel Mercado’s cross into the bottom corner.

Lionel Messi, who had scored a brilliant opener, jumped on Rojo’s back as he sprinted away in delirious celebration, joined by the entire Argentina bench in the corner.

It was a result they scarcely deserved after a poor second half showing, epitomised by the Javier Mascherano error that allowed Victor Moses to equalise with a penalty.

But once their ragged defence had held on to the final whistle, the Argentina players embraced each other in the centre of the pitch, waving to their vociferous fans, a disjointed side united for now.

They will face Group C winners France in the last 16 in Kazan on Saturday, while Group D winners Croatia, who secured top spot by beating Iceland 2-1, play Denmark.

Given Messi will be 35 during the next World

Marcos Rojo of Argentina celebrates with teammate Lionel Messi, after scoring his team’s second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group D match between Nigeria and Argentina at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Cup in Qatar in 2022, victory here has at least staved off a miserable end to what could well be his last chance to win the tournament.

The Barcelona striker, whose hint of a smile during the pre-match anthems was a stark contrast to his pained expression prior to the 3-0 defeat by Croatia, produced a superb first half performance.

His opening goal displayed all his talent and composure. With Ever Banega looking to go over the top from deep, Messi cut sharply right and surged in behind the defence, with the Sevilla midfielder picking him out with a terrific pass.

Messi’s first touch to cushion the ball on his left thigh was sublime, the second off his left boot to draw it away from Kenneth Omeruo exquisite, the finish into the far corner with his right emphatic.

Elsewhere he was

efficient, threatening to create openings with every quick touch, and could have had a second but for Nigeria keeper Francis Uzoho’s tremendous save to tip a free-kick onto the post.

With Argentina’s players reportedly at odds with boss Jorge Sampaoli, it was perhaps telling that

Messi delivered a second team talk to his side in the tunnel just before coming out for the second half.

His words failed to inspire them, with Messi increasingly isolated, but the little master had at least given his teammates the foundation to salvage their World Cup.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Friday June 27, 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. Haniff Mohammed-337 (PAK vs WI, 1958) 2. Lance Gibbs-8/38 (vs IND, 1962 Today’s Quiz: 1. What was the result of the just-concluded ENG/AUST. ODI series?

2. Who was declared Man of the Series in the recent ENG/AUST. ODI engagement?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27 , 2018

Harper disappointed with Warriors coaching snub

By Rajiv Bisnauth THE owner of the Guyana Amazon Warriors has opted for former South African captain and allrounder Johan Botha, as the local franchise head coach for the sixth edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Botha replaced Roger Harper, who told Chronicle Sport that he is disappointed not to be a part of the Warriors unit this year.

“Of course I was looking forward to be a part of the Warriors again, but the owners have the right to choose the personnel that they would like to choose and I wish them all the best,” Harper revealed.

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.

However, his cause apparently has not helped, since the Amazon Warriors have made it to three finals to date but are yet to lift the title. They also finished third on the other three occasions.

Commenting on the squad and the Warriors’ chances this year, Harper said “One of the thing about the Warriors’ teams over the years is that it [was] never teams with a lot of big international stars really... we had couple, but the teams were very capable, teams that were able to work together, work for each other, and the successes of the teams over the years were built on playing smart cricket, so I think they have put together a decent squad this year, and if they play well and play for each other, play smart cricket, then they should be successful too”.

Omar Khan

Roger Harper

This year’s showpiece will bowl off on August 8 and concludes on September 16, but the 36- year-old Botha will arrive in the country prior to the teams’ encampment from August 2.

Botha will definitely face the same mountainous expectation that every other

head coach had, and in his case, the pressure will be even larger given that the franchise owner has for the first time announced a foreign coach.

Botha has had previous coaching experience at the Pakistan Super League with Islamabad United and Multan Sultans. He has also played at the Hero CPL, winning the title with the Trinbago Knight Riders in

2015.

As a player, Botha represented South Africa in Tests, ODIs and T20 Internationals, claiming 126 wickets for his country.

Meanwhile, current Guyana Jaguars and West Indies ‘A’ Team Manager Rayon Griffith has been appointed as Botha’s assistant.

Griffith has represented the Guyana national team and the West Indies `B’ side in regional tournaments, and has had a very successful stint as the current Assistant Coach/Manager of the Guyana Jaguars, contributing to them winning the West Indies Four-Day Professional League for four consecutive years.

Team and Operations Manager of the Guyana Amazon Warriors Omar Khan, has expressed optimism on Botha’s and Griffith’s appointments.

“The management of the franchise puts in continuous effort to do things differently with the aim of winning the title.

After getting so close over the years we are delighted to have Johan and Rayon at the helm of our coaching staff this year. They are both very professional and are very much involved in cricket coaching and development, and are expected to bring new ideas and initiatives to the team set-up.”

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 to be played here, on September 11 and 12.

We just haven’t been 70 young cricketers complete BCB batting clinic finishing well – Emrit THE Guyana Amazon Warriors have come close to winning the Hero Caribbean Premier League, but they have never got over the line, having been the losing finalists in 2013, 2014 and 2016. In 2017 they finished in third place despite a poor start to the tournament.

Rayad Emrit, the man who stepped into the captaincy when Martin Guptill returned home for family reasons, felt that they did well to make the play-offs.

“I thought having to win the last five games to qualify to the knockout stage,I think we came up pretty well.

We didn’t get the start that we wanted, I thought if we had gotten a couple of wins when it came down close in the last over – we had a couple of games coming down to the last over that we needed eight runs and we didn’t go through the line. I think if we had those victories it would have been a different season, but all in all I thought it was a pretty decent coming down to the back end of the tournament.”

Looking forward to the 2018 season, Emrit thinks that the additions that they made to their squad at the draft mean that they can get close this year as well.

“We’re always there and thereabout to win the trophy. I think the hunger is still there to be honest it’s just that we haven’t been finishing well, and coming down to the back end of the tournament where we need to finish well, that’s where we don’t.

“It’s a bit different this year,

we have Shoaib Malik, who has the wealth of experience, with him coming in to the team, especially with the batting, he knows how to win games and hopefully he can do that for us. We have a decent bowling attack, Rashid Khan isn’t there but, Imran Tahir is there as well as Sohail Tanvir, so I think we’re covered pretty ok.”

The Amazon Warriors had three of the top five wicket-takers at the 2017 tournament, with Emrit himself finishing third on the list with 15 victims. The man with the most wickets was Tanvir, who has been retained by the Guyanese team for 2018. Emrit says having Tanvir bowling at the other end makes his job easier.

“Tanvir knows how to swing the new ball, a lot of guys don’t swing the new ball in the Caribbean.On his day, when he starts swinging it he cause a lot of trouble for the opponents. He started to swing the ball later on in the tournament, and that’s where we got our momentum. If he can do that from the start, definitely he’ll be a handful again.

“It’s easy when he does the job, it’s easier for the other guys at the end, even though it’s going to be a lot of pressure on us to maintain the pressure, it’s always easy having a bowler like that at the other end.

He’s been brilliant and as I said, if he can do the job again for us, it’ll make the other bowlers’ job a lot easier.”

Young cricketers and coaches

ANY doubts about the positive drive of Berbice Cricket were removed over the weekend, as 70 youths completed the Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh batting clinic at the Albion Cricket Ground.

Coaches Winston Smith and Andre Percival conducted the training.

Among the promising young batsmen in attendance were Kevin Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Alex Algoo, Javed

Karim, Zeynul Ramsammy, Garfield Benjamin, Seon Glasgow, Steve Deonarine and Vettori Latchman.

The coaching programme will now move to West Berbice and New Amsterdam/Canje.

Upon completion of the programme, the coaches will select 70 players from these sessions to attend the BCB Cricket Academy, scheduled for July 23rd to 28th.

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 27, 2018

DCC summer cricket camp gears at identifying talents

By Rajiv Bisnauth AIMED at identifying the next generation of cricketing talents, the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) yesterday launched a 10-day summer programme at its Queenstown clubhouse, also referred to as the Home of Legends.

Billed from August 1324, the camp is aimed at exposing participants to the fundamentals of the sport, both on and off the field.

Targeting 120 youths, both males and females under the age of 18, the participants would be under the watchful eyes of the camp’s Technical Director/ Coach Mark Harper.

The former Guyana batsman would be supported

by Gavin Nedd, and former

West Indies test players: Travis Dowlin, Reon King and Roger Harper, along with national fast bowler Paul Wintz.

The older Harper (Mark) in an overview of this year programme, stated that apart from the fundamentals of the sport, the camp will include classroom style sessions, as well as master classes, where the older participants will learn more about the art of spin and seam bowling, batting and fielding.

Also making brief remarks was coach Nedd, who pointed out that the camp is aimed at producing and identifying future talents, since over the years a number of players who have passed through the programme went on to represent Guyana and West Indies at different levels.

At yesterday launch of the Demerara Cricket Club 10-day summer programme, from left, Royston Alkins, Mark Harper, Roger Harper, Ullanda Wiltshire and Gavin Nedd

The summer initiative has been running for a decade now and has produced the likes of Ashmead Nedd, Sachin Singh, Raymond Perez, Sherfane Rutherford, Ronaldo Ali Mohamed, Tevin Imlach and Keemo Paul, all of whom have represented the West Indies

at the youth level, while the career of Paul has reached the international stage.

According to Nedd, the club has a proud history of producing some of the most exciting cricketers who’ve gone on to represent Guyana and the West Indies, among them being Clive

Lloyd, Lance Gibbs, Roy Fredericks, Mark and Roger Harper, Andrew Lyght and Lyndon Joseph. With such programme it is the hope that the club can return to those days.

President of the DCC Roger Harper, in his remarks pointed out that

the programme is an annual event, which serves not only as a talent-spotting avenue for the club or Guyana, but it has also helped to build the regional team as well.

“We want to produce international cricketers of note,” Harper said.

Sessions will be held Monday to Friday from 09:00hrs to 15:30hrs daily and participants are asked to attire in track or short pants, white tee or polo shirts, track boots and socks, along with cricket whites.

Registration forms cost $4000 and can be uplifted at the DCC. For further information, interested persons can make contact with Dennis Squires on 665-7400, Mark Harper on 678-9973, Coach Nedd 6179391, Mr. Neblette on 6860333 or DCC on 226-2006.

‘Teach Them Young’ cycling programme rolls off this Saturday

The fifth annual `Teach Them Young’ cycling programme runs off from Saturday.

THIS year will make the fifth successive year that National Cycling Coach Hassan Mohammed will partner with the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), to host its annual Youth Olympic Day cycling event on Saturday.

The meet is being hosted in recognition of Olympic Day which was observed on June 20.

The event will feature five exciting categories, as some of the best young prospects compete for the top honors when they converge at the inner circuit of the National Park from 09:30hrs.

According to Hassan, the categories include BMX

Boys 6-9 years (2 laps); Boys 9-12 years (2 laps); Boys 12-14 years (3 laps); Mountain Bike (5 laps) and 12-14 juniors and juveniles (10 laps).

Last year, Nigel Duguid won the 10-lap feature event in a time of 24 minutes and 36 seconds, with Curtis Dey and Jason Cameron finishing second and third respectively.

Jonathon Ramsuchit won the 12-14 category, while Jeremiah Harrison won the 9-12 BMX Boys and Lumesh Singh 6-9 Boys.

This event which forms part of the celebration of Olympic Day worldwide was included in the Olympic Charter in 1978,

as an encouragement to all National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to organise activities which promote the Olympic Movement.

The national cycling coach also indicated that the event will sprout new talents who would like to get involved in the sport, and can benefit from the 42nd `Teach Them Young’ programme which rides off from July 9 to September 1, in the National Park.

The yearly programme which is featured during the summer vacation, targets school children but is not limited to them, as Mohammed pointed out the event is open to anyone interested in the sport.

To be a part of the action is simple, all you need is protective gear especially a helmet, as well as a bicycle in working order.

Hassan explained that the programme is absolutely free and all that is required is to be registered. Persons desirous of registering can do so at the National Park or at the National Sports Commission.

To date, the programme is on record as having groomed 95 per cent of the cyclists who have represented Guyana, including current Secretary General of the GOA, Hector Edwards, who had participated in the inaugural run of the programme in 1976.

As the years rolled by, the likes of Marcus and Noel Fiedtkou, Byron and Burtram James, Godfrey Pollydore, Dwayne Gibbs, Linden Dowridge, Robin

Persaud, Eric Sankar,Tyrone Hamilton, Troy Humphrey, Alex and Reginald Mendz, Junior Niles, Geron Williams, Warren McKay, Raynauth Jeffrey, Michael

Anthony, Hamza Eastman, Raphael Leung and Jamal John, are all products.

The programme will held Monday to Friday from 09:00hrs to 11:00hrs.

CONCACAF chief hails ...

Windies falter as Sri Lanka level series PAGE

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Kusal Perera and Dilruwan Perera on the fourth day of the Third Test between WINDIES and Sri Lanka on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at Kensington Oval. © CWI Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography

Harper disappointed with Warriors coaching snub

PAGE

Match Fixtures Roger Harper

Omar Khan

38

South Korea vs. Germany

10 a.m. ET

Kazan

Mexico vs. Sweden

10 a.m. ET

Yekaterinburg

Switzerland vs. Costa Rica

2 p.m. ET

Nizhny Novgorod

Serbia vs. Brazil

2 p.m. ET

Saint Petersburg

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018