Guyana Chronicle E-paper 08-01-2018

WEDNESday 1ST AUGUST, 2018

New Wismar bridge soon 105353

‌ CDB approves US$4.4M to also fund upgrade of Lethem aerodrome, Parika stelling

PAGE

11

No clearance for E-Networks

PAGE

22

to land subsea cable . .Telecoms ministry says applications for licences will be considered

Marcus Bisram

must wait

his turn

Young dancers entertain the audience at a Cultural Evening organised by the Beterverwagting/Triumph 8th of May Movement to mark the 180th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery. His Excellency, President David Granger attended the event and delivered the feature remarks. See more photos and a full story on the event in our Thursday edition (Samuel Maughn photo)

Five held for guns, drugs in Canje Creek raid

‌Court of Appeal rejects motion forP A G E early hearing 24

PAGE

03

Two of the shotguns and pistol that were seized during the raid

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

3

guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, August 1, 2018

CCJ dismisses appeal against closure of sugar estates … says meaningful consultations were done

THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Tuesday dismissed an appeal by the unions representing sugar workers regarding the closure of the Rose Hall and East Demerara sugar estates in 2017, citing in its judgment that minimum requirements for meaningful consultations were met.

The case was taken to the CCJ by the trustee of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) , Sattie Basdeo and Roxanne St Hill , Trustee of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) after their decision to challenge the

dismissal of sugar workers with the closure of the estates was thrown out by the High Court and the Court of Appeal here.

In May 2017, the government signaled its intentions to scale down operations at the two sugar estates of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuco).

This move was made for economic reasons, the government stated at the time.

Later in 2017, GAWU resorted to the CCJ after the local Supreme Court adjourned an appeal filed by the union and NAACIE against a ruling of Chief Justice (ag), Roxanne George-Wiltshire, to deny its application to stop the decision to close the Rose Hall and East Demerara

Estates.

According to the facts of the case, the unions through their representatives initiated action in the High Court which sought to quash the decision of the GuySuco and the Ministry of Agriculture to sever the employment of approximately 4400 sugar workers at, and to close the operations of, Rose Hall and the Enmore /La Bonne Intention estates (also known as East Demerara estates).

The case was dismissed by the High Court and the arguments made by the sugar union’s legal representatives also did not find favour with the Court of Appeal which on February 8, 2018, dismissed

their appeal and affirmed the judgment of the High Court.

The CCJ in its ruling on Tuesday stated that the sugar industry “has undoubtedly” played a large part in the socio-economic development of Guyana.

As such, it stated that the future of the industry was an issue of national importance and required vigorous discussion with all stakeholders before an informed decision could be made.

In that regard, the regional court noted that both parties could have engaged each other on a deeper level. It pointed particularly, to the response by the authorities to GAWU’s proposal and generally ensuring that the

unions were appraised on plans for alternative employment. Nevertheless, the court ruled that the minimum requirements for meaningful consultation were met.

The CCJ stated too that there was no need to consider the allegation that the constitutional right to work was infringed on as it arose from the contention that the consultations were inadequate. “Given these findings, we cannot grant any of the relief sought,” the CCJ said in its ruling.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams along with Joycelin Kim Kyte-Thomas, Beverley Bishop Cheddie and Judy

Stuart-Adonis appeared on behalf of GuySuco and the state while Attorney Devindra Kissoon appeared on behalf of the sugar unions.

Three estates, Albion, Uitvlugt and Skeldon , are functioning at the moment as GuySuco is working to turn the fortunes of the industry around.

The government was forced to close the others due to significant losses despite ploughing over G$38B into the sugar industry since taking office a mere three years ago.

With diversification and forward-thinking approaches, it is envisaged that the industry will return to profitability in the near future.

Five held for guns, drugs in Canje Creek raid Five males inclusive of a juvenile are in custody following a “Joint Service Operation “at Ekura Creek, Canje River on Tuesday.

During the operation five shotguns, a pistol and three live rounds

were found along with 12 kilogrammes of dried cannabis and a five-acre plot of cannabis cultivation.

The almost 16 hours operation commenced at 03:00h and involved a total of 14 ranks inclusive of two senior

officers- one from the Guyana Police Force and the other from the Guyana Defence Force.

Police said that the team first went to a location at Ekura where two camps with several occupants were seen but on seeing the ranks the

Three shotguns seized during a raid in Canje Creek

men fled into the thick vegetation and escaped, leaving behind three single barrel shotguns.

Several miles further up the creek at Wakie, Ekura, the ranks descended on two more camps with six males, one being a 15-year-

old; one escaped. A search of their camps revealed a 9mm pistol with three live rounds ,two single barrel shotguns , and the processed cannabis also the aforementioned cannabis cultivation with plants ranging

from one inch to three inches in height, was found several meters from the camps. The cultivation and camps were photographed and destroyed by fire; the other exhibits lodged.

An Investigation is in progress.

Two of the shotguns and pistol that were seized during the raid

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018

CCJ dismisses appeal against closure of sugar estates … says meaningful consultations were done

THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Tuesday dismissed an appeal by the unions representing sugar workers regarding the closure of the Rose Hall and East Demerara sugar estates in 2017, citing in its judgment that minimum requirements for meaningful consultations were met.

The case was taken to the CCJ by the trustee of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) , Sattie Basdeo and Roxanne St Hill , Trustee of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) after their decision to challenge the

dismissal of sugar workers with the closure of the estates was thrown out by the High Court and the Court of Appeal here.

In May 2017, the government signaled its intentions to scale down operations at the two sugar estates of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuco).

This move was made for economic reasons, the government stated at the time.

Later in 2017, GAWU resorted to the CCJ after the local Supreme Court adjourned an appeal filed by the union and NAACIE against a ruling of Chief Justice (ag), Roxanne George-Wiltshire, to deny its application to stop the decision to close the Rose Hall and East Demerara

Estates.

According to the facts of the case, the unions through their representatives initiated action in the High Court which sought to quash the decision of the GuySuco and the Ministry of Agriculture to sever the employment of approximately 4400 sugar workers at, and to close the operations of, Rose Hall and the Enmore /La Bonne Intention estates (also known as East Demerara estates).

The case was dismissed by the High Court and the arguments made by the sugar union’s legal representatives also did not find favour with the Court of Appeal which on February 8, 2018, dismissed

their appeal and affirmed the judgment of the High Court.

The CCJ in its ruling on Tuesday stated that the sugar industry “has undoubtedly” played a large part in the socio-economic development of Guyana.

As such, it stated that the future of the industry was an issue of national importance and required vigorous discussion with all stakeholders before an informed decision could be made.

In that regard, the regional court noted that both parties could have engaged each other on a deeper level. It pointed particularly, to the response by the authorities to GAWU’s proposal and generally ensuring that the

unions were appraised on plans for alternative employment. Nevertheless, the court ruled that the minimum requirements for meaningful consultation were met.

The CCJ stated too that there was no need to consider the allegation that the constitutional right to work was infringed on as it arose from the contention that the consultations were inadequate. “Given these findings, we cannot grant any of the relief sought,” the CCJ said in its ruling.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams along with Joycelin Kim Kyte-Thomas, Beverley Bishop Cheddie and Judy

Stuart-Adonis appeared on behalf of GuySuco and the state while Attorney Devindra Kissoon appeared on behalf of the sugar unions.

Three estates, Albion, Uitvlugt and Skeldon , are functioning at the moment as GuySuco is working to turn the fortunes of the industry around.

The government was forced to close the others due to significant losses despite ploughing over G$38B into the sugar industry since taking office a mere three years ago.

With diversification and forward-thinking approaches, it is envisaged that the industry will return to profitability in the near future.

Five held for guns, drugs in Canje Creek raid FIVE males inclusive of a juvenile are in custody following a “Joint Service Operation “at Ekura Creek, Canje River on Tuesday.

During the operation five shotguns, a pistol and three live rounds

were found along with twelve kilograms of dried cannabis and a five-acre plot of cannabis cultivation.

The almost sixteen hours operation commenced at 03:00h and involved a total of fourteen ranks inclusive of

two senior officers- one from the Guyana Police Force and the other from the Guyana Defence Force.

Police said that the team first went to a location at Ekura where two camps with several occupants were seen but

Three shotguns seized during a raid in Canje Creek

on seeing the ranks the men fled into the thick vegetation and escaped, leaving behind three single barrel shotguns.

Several miles further up the creek at Wakie, Ekura, the ranks descended on two more camps with six males,

one being a fifteen yearold; one escaped. A search of their camps revealed a 9mm pistol with three live rounds ,two single barrel shotguns , and the processed cannabis also the aforementioned cannabis cultivation with plants

ranging from one inch to three inches in height, was found several meters from the camps. The cultivation and camps were photographed and destroyed by fire; the other exhibits lodged.

An Investigation is in progress.

Two of the shotguns and pistol that were seized during the raid

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

Emancipation and its significance

By Tota Mangar

THIS month of August, 2018 marks the 184TH anniversary of Emancipation.

It was on August 1, 1834, that the despicable system of slavery was abolished in all British colonies including Guyana, formerly named British Guiana.

Such a development emerged as a consequence of intense and persistent struggle, sacrifice and resistance by the victims themselves along with the valiant efforts of energetic supporters such as religious leaders, humanitarians, politicians and enlightened individuals of the day.

Our history tells us that our Afro-Guyanese forefathers were first brought here to provide enslaved labour during the early decades of the 17th century by the Dutch in their quest for settlement and colonisation. This was part of a wider and forced movement of people from the continent of Africa to the West Indian islands and the Americas which was initiated more than a century earlier by European colonisers.

Slavery in the New World was institutionalised by the Europeans on the grounds of economic necessity through the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. The end-result was that millions of Africans were uprooted from their homeland through trickery, kidnapping, raids, bribery and other forms of deception and taken against their will to parts of the world where they found themselves in the monstrous system of plantation slavery.

In order to justify their actions, Europeans quite simplistically and arrogantly argued that slavery was in existence in Africa even before they made contact with that continent. But, let me hasten to say that the slavery which existed in Africa before the advent of New World slavery was a completely different system.

It was more or less a social institution. Africans saw it as an honour and obligation to give service to their rulers in the army, in agriculture, in construction works and other

areas of development. It was a relatively humane system which permitted upward social mobility and enhanced dignity and pride. Under this system the slave was always considered as a valuable person in society.

On the contrary, the slavery that emerged in the West Indies and the Americas due to European imposition was characterised by greed, injustice, cruelty and gross exploitation. There was nothing humane about the system and the victims were reduced to the status of ‘properties or things’ of their masters. It is little wonder that prominent African scholar, Dr. Ajayi, aptly states that it is absurd to use the same word ‘slavery’ to describe the two systems, the humane social institution in existence in Africa as against the very oppressive economic institution which unfolded in the New World as a consequence of European imposition.

The Trans-Atlantic slave trade and plantation slavery were degrading, demoralising and dehumanising to the victims in every sense of the word. From the very outset, it required supreme sacrifice and valiant struggle to survive this obviously harsh and oppressive system. It was not surprising therefore, that resistance quickly became an integral part of the system.

Our fore parents resisted capture on the African continent itself, they adopted innovative methods of resistance on board the overcrowded slave ships while crossing the Middle or Atlantic Passage and on the plantations they justifiably intensified their resistance to the system of enslaved labour.

PASSIVE RESISTANCE Those varied forms of passive and active resistance clearly demonstrated their determination as a people and their non-compliance with the evils of bondage and oppression.

Malingering, feigning illness or ignorance, hunger strike, deliberately doing poor work, self-inflicted actions, damage to master’s property, maroonage, and slave rebellions were

all part of the strategy to undermine the economic, social, political and cultural dominance the master class enjoyed at the expense of the victims.

The 1763 Berbice Revolt and the heroic efforts of Cuffy , Atta, Accabre and others must certainly have been an inspiration to many in the cause of Emancipation.

The same could be said of other slave rebellions including the 1823 East Coast Insurrection which vividly illustrated the slaves’ desire for freedom. These very actions of the enslaved Africans undoubtedly instilled fear and uncertainty in the minds of the plantocracy. Above all, they contributed significantly in complementing the efforts of those within the Anti - Slavery Movement to sensitise and mould public opinion in the furtherance of Emancipation.

In the final analysis, the ongoing struggle, sacrifice and resistance bore fruit as the British Emancipation Act was passed in 1833 and came into force on the 1st August, 1834, bringing to an end the atrocious system of slavery which for centuries had brought so much pain, suffering and bitterness. As a matter of fact, at midnight of July 31, 1834, an estimated ¾ of a million men, women and children ceased to be slaves. In the case of Guyana it meant that approximately 85,000 enslaved Africans became ‘partially freed’ in 1834. It was considered ‘partially freed’ because in reality it was not ‘full freedom’ in the initial stage. The Emancipation Act catered for a period of transition called the apprenticeship system under which the ex-slaves were apprenticed to their former masters. This apprenticeship system lasted for four years, 1834-1838, before ‘full freedom’ was achieved.

During this period the apprentices had to provide compulsory unpaid labour to the extent of three-quarters the working week for their former masters, while the remaining quarter working

week they were expected to earn wages.

APPRENTICESHIP By opting for the apprenticeship period the British Government intended to have a smooth transition from slavery to full freedom. It also wanted to ensure a continuous labour supply to plantation owners thereby ensuring the survival of the dominant sugar industry. Indeed, the piece of legislation which ended slavery hinted at momentous, far-reaching changes in the society. It transformed the legal status of more than 80 per cent of the population by abolishing the legal oddity of property in person and by substituting equality for all before the law.

It altered the labour base of the society by substituting a wage labour system for unpaid slave labour. It outlined the basis for the existence of a greatly enlarged body of free persons by removing the legal authority which had over the years enabled a small elite group (the planters) to exercise unlimited arbitrary power over the activities and lives of the overwhelming majority (enslaved Africans).

In reality, Emancipation and Apprenticeship created numerous problems. The ex-slaves quite rightly could not understand why they had to be apprenticed to their former masters and at the same time being told that they were free. Planters made life more difficult for them by adopting an increasingly hostile attitude.

They wanted to extract as much labour out of the apprentices before the period was over. They arbitrarily deducted wage rates and even withdrew basic supplies. They indulged in unjust provocation and apprentices had to fend for themselves. They brazenly practiced many features of slavery.

This state of affairs led to the heroic passive resistance

by Damon and his followers on the Essequibo Coast in 1834, and by labourers elsewhere. It was not surprising,

therefore, that the system of Apprenticeship came to a premature end in 1838, and full freedom was eventually achieved. Undoubtedly, the ex-slaves had high hopes, aspirations and expectations with the coming of Emancipation. Their mass exodus from the plantations during the critical period of “crisis, experimentation and change” is testimony to this. Several decades of cruelty and injustice under the slavery system had resulted in the plantation being seen as the symbol of dehumanisation, degradation and demoralisation as far as the victims were concerned.

They quite naturally wanted to rid themselves of planter class social, cultural and political domination and at the same time they were very keen to assert their economic independence largely through agricultural activities. They wanted to start life afresh and with dignity and pride.

DETERMINATION In spite of the tremendous difficulties these freed men faced it was with great determination and enthusiasm that they embarked on the village movement commencing with the admirable communal purchase of Northbrook (now Victoria) and other abandoned estates countrywide.

Through their laudable efforts many communal and even proprietary villages emerged. Within a few years after emancipation the African village population had by far outnumbered that of the estates.

Associated with this was their cash crop cultivation which resulted in a vibrant and rapidly expansive peasantry.

In the face of planter class antagonism, inadequate finance for capital investment and infrastructural development, periodic flooding and destruction of crops, exorbitant land prices and high rentals, virtually non-existent transportation and marketing facilities, restrictive ordinances and some unsympathetic administrators, the exslaves and their descendants persisted in the 19th century.

It was the free village life which initiated development in many rural communities such as the establishment of churches, schools, roads, bridges, sea defence structures, drainage and irrigation canals and of added significance, village management. The latter was local democracy in its infancy stage. Emancipation Month is certainly an occasion for rejoicing and at the same time one for sober reflection. Our Afro-Guyanese fore-fathers who endured slavery with all its viciousness have paid the supreme sacrifice through their toils, perils and lives to help lay the foundation for our country’s development. Their descendants have over the years given, and continue to give, invaluable contribution to every sphere of activity including the social, economic, cultural and political fields. Some of our very prominent politicians, religious leaders, trade unionists, professionals, agriculturalists, miners, sports personalities, businessmen, artistes, industrialists and the like, are descendants of those Africans who dedicated their lives for betterment.

This is clearly a time for us to take inspiration as we strenuously strive for full national unity so necessary for our country’s continued progress and the well-being of all Guyanese.

We should be heartened by the active roles of our local and regional Reparatory Committees in the furtherance of reparatory justice and within the framework of development cooperation during the last months. In 2014 CARICOM Reparations Commission Chairman and Vice- Chancellor, University of the West Indies , Professor Sir Hillary Beckles, in addressing the House of Commons in the British Parliament ,forcibly and convincingly argued that Great Britain has a moral obligation to compensate Caribbean nations for the evils associated with slavery. I salute our African brothers and sisters and indeed all Guyanese on the occasion of our 184TH Anniversary of Emancipation.

DATE: DATE: 26/11/2016 31/07/2018 26/11/2016 31/07/2018

5 7 14 4 12 8 12 18 19 14 24 26 02 N E 11

06 2

13 12

14 13

21 22

24 25

26/11/2016 31/07/2018

04 1

07 6

03 7

26/11/2016 31/07/2018

05 0

04 7

01 8

26/11/2016 31/07/2018 02 1 909 1110 1411 15 13 19 14 2118

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

Team work makes the dream work

– youth of the Buxton/Friendship community happy to serve

By Margaret Burke YOUTHS within the Buxton/Friendship community benefitted from a youth empowerment project which lasted for seven weeks; closing with a grand ceremony on Sunday, July 22 at the Friendship Methodist Church auditorium.

The project was carried out by the ‘Women of Purpose’ group, who are fourth year Social Work students of the University of Guyana.

These included Ms. Vonetta LeBlack – team leader, Ms. Kewana Carrington, Ms. Joveta Joseph, Ms. Caslyn Nicholson, Ms. Akeshia Haynes and Ms. Brandy Liverpool.

The Social Work group took on the task of developing the Buxton/Friendship community by educating the youths on topics such as

entrepreneur skills, health education, communication, suicide, building self-esteem, common courtesy for young adults, public speaking and dining etiquette. These interactive sessions were all conducted at the Friendship Methodist church.

RECOGNISING THE NEEDS Because of the familiarity of one of the members of the group to the needs of the youths within this community the Women of Purpose group felt that it would be a privilege impart their knowledge and skills towards aiding in the education and development of this Buxton/ Friendship community.

Part from educating the youth on the topics mentioned, the Women of Purpose group conducted a clean-up campaign with-

in community and carried out health walk, where they shared out leaflets on health issues and how to prevent many them.

INTERACTIVE AND ENLIGHTENING

Additionally, community members were encouraged to know about their health status in a general manner by visiting the Health Centre clinics regularly. The response to this venture was overwhelming.

“The villagers were very responsive; they really worked with us and we can say that they cooperated at a very high level, with contraceptives, drug abuse issues and the like,” the team told the Guyana Chronicle.

The team reported that they could not expect a better response from many of the young members of the com-

munity. “They showed that readiness to listen and responded positively to the discussions we had,” stating that many of them said that they were eager to stop smoking and would be following-up with the flyers, which were showing them where they could go to get help.

OTHER ACTIVITIES The Women of Purpose team, recognising that some further needs within the community such as giving the community a face lift, got involved in the repainting of the pedestrian crossing in front of the Friendship primary school, as well as other clean-up activities within the community.

Cookout and game days also formed part of project intervention undertaken by the youth of the Buxton/Friendship community

‘Payo’ changes murder plea to manslaughter – gets 23 years for killing neighbour

By Jeune VanKeric JAINARINE Balgobin, alias "Payo," had initially pleaded guilty to murdering his neighbour, 53-year-old Bhumattie Delall.

But on his second appearance on Tuesday, something inside him apparently snapped as he changed his plea and confessed to the lesser count of manslaughter.

It would soon become apparent that his change of heart had to do with new evidence which was brought to the attention of Presiding Judge, Jo Ann Barlow.

And it paid off, as he was consequently sentenced to 23 years imprisonment, after two years were deducted for time spent, and an additional five for not wasting the court’s time.

The court also ordered that whilst a guest of the state, "Payo" must be subject to anger-management counselling.

Whilst addressing the convict earlier before handing down sentence, Justice Barlow had asked "Payo" whether he was under the influence of alcohol, as she’d learnt via the media that prisoners had access to it.

His having replied in the negative, she pressed him further into saying whether he would act the same way as he did on the morning of November 4, 2016, when he reportedly chopped Delall to death.

Again "Payo" replied in the negative, saying that try as he might, he could not

recall the incident, despite having had sleepless nights ever since.

Seemingly contrite, "Payo" told the judge from the dock: “Meh sorry whuh happen; meh was not in meh right senses; meh was drinking rum early.”

In her report, Probation Officer Ms Dionne Douglas told the court that the 42-yearold convict had had a troubled past since a child, but that things got progressively worse when his wife committed suicide after the death of two of their four children.

Consumed with grief, Douglas said Payo found comfort in alcohol, and that many times whilst under its influence, he would exhibit a decidedly split personality.

This split personality of his, the probation officer said, would often lead to alterca-

tions with his mother, and cause the now deceased Delall who lived nearby to have to intervene and act as peacemaker.

Neighbours are of the opinion that it was because of the woman’s constant interference in the affairs of the mother and son that may have caused her demise.

State-assigned defence lawyer Sasha Roberts, in her plea of mitigation, reminded the judge that her client had thrown himself at her mercy, and asked that justice be tempered with mercy.

But State Prosecutrix Tuanna Hardy countered that the convict was seen with the cutlass leaving the dead woman's home, as he was almost caught red-handed.

On November 4, 2016, Balgobin, armed with a cutlass, had gone over to

his neighbour, 53-year-old Bhumattie Delall’s house and dealt her five fatal incised wounds about the body before being arrested by the police.

and the Women of Purpose group.

According to the Women of Purpose group, it was a great pleasure interacting with the youth and the residents of the Buxton/ Friendship community and it was also a great experience applying what was taught to in theory – putting it into practice with the wonderful people of the community.

“We would like to thank Pastor Nailes from the Friendship Methodist church for providing accommodation for us to conduct our project; the youth and members of the community who were punctual for each activity, the Vigilance Police Station, Ministry of Public Health, Ms. Mignon Bowen-Phillip from the CARICOM Secretariat and also the Food for the Poor (Guyana) Inc.

5

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

Let us reflect on where we are

EMANCIPATION, which is being celebrated today, is of course one of the most important events on our national calendar. As a country, we can trace our national roots to the moment and process of Emancipation.

When the enslaved finally overthrew the slave system in 1838, they not only guaranteed their own freedom from bondage, but they ushered in a new society free from the inhumanity of slavery.

Although other groups came to Guyana as indentured labourers and that system maintained some of the social relations of slavery, the fact that slavery was formally abolished was a significant factor in how the society

functioned.

The immediate post-emancipation era witnessed the evolution of the Village Movement, which sowed the seeds of the modern Guyanese political economy. Just out of centuries of forced bondage, African- Guyanese bought lands and set up villages.

This was a courageous and heroic act, for they did so against the wishes of the plantocracy, which wanted to continue the exploitation of their labour. The villages reflected both a symbolic and substantive break with slavery and the slave plantation. This was the essence of Emancipation—the act of self-activity and self-determination.

The villages represented the affirmation of African-Guyanese humanity and identity and served as the early building block for Guyanese humanity and nationalism. The erection of churches and schools and the birth of the village economy along with the village councils, reflected a sophisticated vison of the present and the future.

The villages were an investment in the future of Guyana.

What was beautiful about that vision is that it was entirely native—drawing on the collective imagination and the sense of cooperativism. They bought the lands, not with loans from banks, but with the “cash money” they saved from meagre earnings during the period of Apprenticeship.

So, as we observe Emancipation 2018, there is much to celebrate and to be proud of. The challenges since 1838 have been many and most persistent, but in the end, the Emancipation spirit of overcoming has prevailed. We often, amid gloom, forget our accomplishments–often against the odds. That we can, in our various communities, take to the open space and beat our drums and dance to ancient and contemporary rhythms without chains around our feet speaks volumes of the distance we have travelled away from the plantation.

But even as we celebrate, we must also reflect on where we are. The Afri-

can-Guyanese community, in particular, must take a hard and sobering look at itself and ponder its state.

Times have changed since 1838, but some of the challenges of that time have persisted to this day. Many African-Guyanese activists have complained of the group’s marginalisation by successive political administrations. Others have pointed to structural problems in the community, while some have called on African-Guyanese to take responsibility for the perceived and real decline in the community.

In the final analysis, the challenges of any of our cultural communities have consequences for the country as a whole. So, if the

Emancipation spirit must mean anything substantive, it must move all of us regardless of ethnic origins to confront our setbacks and shortcomings.

But for now, let our African-Guyanese brothers and sisters revel in their glorious past and contemplate how to ensure that, that journey continues into the future. In the spirt of self-activity, which was at the centre of the Emancipation creed, they are best placed to show the way to a future in which their group maintains its dignified place as an integral part of our multi-cultural and multi-ethnic Guyana.

Happy Emancipation!

Free yourself from the prison of racism Dear Editor, MOST citizens would agree that Guyana is disproportionately underdeveloped, given our vast and diverse resources. Many may also agree that a major factor in the failure to optimally use our assets is – in large part – the result of our society’s divisions based on “race;” divisions which coincide with, and are reinforced by political fault-lines. The socio-political result of this is the elevation of persons with flawed characters and motivations to positions of power, because leaders are often chosen by citizens based on their race, instead of on merit.

If that is correct, then, it is not logical to assume that utilisation of oil revenues would translate to development if the pre-existing fractures are not adequately addressed in a timely manner.

Editor, I have deliberately used quotation marks in ref-

erence to “race” to emphasise that the construct is an artificial one; the concept of race has absolutely no basis in fact, and no objective existence outside of the minds of persons imprisoned by racism.

Editor, the prison of racism imposes an artificial, self-created limitation on one’s ability to make informed decisions. Racism or racial prejudice is defined as, ‘the [irrational] belief that each race possesses specific characteristics, abilities, or qualities that distinguish it as inferior or superior to another one (Encyclopaedia Britannica).’ And antagonism or action based on that belief is racial discrimination.

The concept of race (in the English Language) was first concretised in the mid19th century with the objective of dehumanising Africans, Indians, and other persons, in order to rationalise and legitimise the practices

of slavery, indentureship, colonisation, and exploitation

by European masters.

As it relates to Guyana – both historically and perhaps currently – Guyana’s Indigenous peoples, East Indians, Africans, Chinese and other populations were all considered inferior to Europeans during that hellish, dark era. We were all victims of racism. Is it not interesting, ironic, and hypocritically illogical, for us now to commit the same sin by discriminating against each other, thereby depriving ourselves of the unity necessary for our own progress and development? And make no mistake, without national unity we the people will be too weak and fragmented to hold our elected representatives accountable.

Fortunately, the truth was revealed. By the early 20th century, intellectuals and scientists such as anthropologist Franz Boaz concluded – based on stud-

ies of human blood types among others – that such a thing as race has no objective reality; it has no basis in biology. Instead, it is a fictional form of identity, a fabrication, a made-up thing that some in the political and intellectual classes pulled out of thin air in an evil attempt to justify their own selfish, greedy, self-serving, barbaric interests. Simply put: race is not real; it does not exist. We now know this to be true, based on recent studies of the human genome.

Editor, we must never forget that the evil fiction of different races was invented as a cover for the exploitation of man by man. And we must never forget that, that evil lie has resulted in wars, unimaginable suffering, and genocide. The Holocaust comes to mind, among other uncountable crimes against humanity.

In summary, those who make decisions – including

choosing leaders – based on the false idea of race, are practising racial discrimination. Those decisions are necessarily flawed, because they are based on a lie. In other words, persons who are self-imprisoned by racial prejudice are incapable of choosing leaders who will work in the interest of the people, the communities, the regions, and the country, because racial-prisoners cannot see beyond the colour of a candidate’s skin or the texture of an office-seeker’s hair. Racial-prisoners cannot hear the message because of the irrational dislike or fear of the messenger. Prisoners of prejudice will ignore evidence of a candidate’s corrupt dealings, history of domestic abuse, tendency to commit violent acts, lack of basic communication skills, record of greed, or propensity to lie and steal, just because the candidate has a certain type of hair. Editor, it would be funny if it were not so ter-

ribly and horribly true.

Editor, if we accept that development is dependent on citizens making decisions based on facts, logic, and rational thought; if we believe that unity is a prerequisite to progress, then, we must conclude that unless citizens choose to abandon the practice of racially influenced decision-making, and free themselves from the prison of prejudice, no amount of pristine forests, beautiful flora and fauna, majestic waterfalls, bauxite, gold, silver, manganese, rice, sugar, or oil can save us from impoverishment, underdevelopment, and international contempt. And no amount of money will be sufficient to save us from our own foolishness.

Regards Mark DaCosta

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

7

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018

THE International Children’s Heart Foundation (ICHF) has performed another 23 surgeries on infants and adults as part of its latest visit to Guyana.

The ICHF, locally referred to as the Baby Heart Foundation (BHF), has to date performed 100 procedures during eleven trips over the past three years. During the month of July, a team of cardiac specialists both from the ICHF and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) performed life-saving heart surgeries on both babies and adults over a period of two weeks.

This is ICHF’s first trip in Guyana for 2018 and speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Chief Executive Officer

with a heart defect that is life-threatening and would require immediate surgical interventions. When asked about the complex cases seen by doctors, he added that, “we have a large number of patients with what we call single ventricle, normally the heart has two ventricles, the right and the left working together and some patients are born with only one of them and we would have to do some palliative procedures in order for this patient to be able to survive, become adults and actually be useful to society.”

In most cases, children with single ventricle heart defects require intensive medical intervention soon after birth. Symptoms vary depending on the severity and type of defect. They include

Life-saving heart surgery for 23 patients (CEO) of ICHF, Dr. Rodrigo Soto detailed the work done in Guyana during this first trip. Dr. Soto, who is also a paediatric cardiac surgeon said, “we were able to perform 12 surgeries; of those 12 surgeries, eight or you can say over fifty percent were complex cases that we were able to deal with. Also, we did another eleven procedures with the Cath lab [Catheterisation Laboratory] so in total it was 23 patients in these two weeks having been served by GPHC and Baby Heart.”

The mission of ICHF is to bring the skills, technology and knowledge to cure and care for children with congenital heart disease in developing nations. That aspect is in the pipeline as ICHF and the GPHC continue to

Bibi Shareema Haleem, mother of one of the babies who underwent heart surgery, tends to her baby boy as he responds to recovery treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital engage the Ministry of Pub- independently. lic Health in expanding the According to Dr. Soto, service and equipping Guy- approximately 1 in every anese to perform the service 100 children will be born

blue or purple tint to lips, skin and nails (cyanosis), difficulty breathing, difficulty feeding, lethargy (sleepy or unresponsive).

Dr. Soto indicated that on this trip there were six such cases, however, there is now a difference after surgery.

They remain under medical supervision until clearance is given by doctors for them to be discharged. The ICHF is expected to return from October 6 to 20, 2018.

Parents with babies with congenital heart diseases and suspected heart complications are encouraged to visit the GPHC’s Echocardiogram laboratory for screening and to be placed on a waiting list for ICHF’s next trip.

(DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018

This might be our last chance

PLEASE do not affix any oil-and-gas consultant or oiland-gas academic titles to my name after the publication of this column.

The only thing I know about oil from a technical standpoint is that Wesson Oil is far lighter than some cheaper brands of oil in Bourda Market. However, I do believe it is the duty of all those who discuss ideas in the Guyanese public sphere, to do some research and become au fait with this resource and its implications. In my humble opinion, every Guyanese columnist should be researching and writing on this topic.

I have completed some research which I believe ought to be in the public space.

GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION Despite the Krauss-esque negative prognostications of Guyana’s imminent sojourn into the oil-and-gas industry, there are positives in our governance structure that bode well for us.

We are not a banana republic. We have decades of strong governance structures and a vibrant parliamentary system.

In this post-2015 Guyana, we have a government that does not stifle dissent, critics are not being placed in jail on trumped-up treason charges; and reporters are not being targeted because of criticisms against government. We have an opposition that execute their duties without fear of being targeted by the state. Our civil society is alive and well. This allows for the free space to debate and discuss.

Good governance is vibrant and in such an environment, the best solutions are found. Added to this, on May 11th 2015, the people of Guyana elected a government of national unity which is led by two incorruptible leaders.

Imagine if we were still strangled by the pre-2015 pillaging in an emerging oil-and- gas industry context, this would have been disastrous. There are some good signs which suggest the glass is half-filled, there are those who prefer to say the glass is half empty.

Further, the APNU+AFC government has already committed to ensuring that the Sovereign Wealth Fund legislation is in place by 2020. A Green Paper on the Sovereign Wealth Fund has been submitted. This paper incorporates the ‘Santiago Principles’ which are a collection of safeguards for oil revenues guided by best practices based on global lessons learnt.

The Government of Guyana has consistently reached out to its development partners for the best advice on how to approach this new paradigm. To date, the Government of Guyana has moved swiftly to put the following safeguards in place: the national upstream oil and gas policy is being put in place and national local content policy will soon be taken for the second round of consultation. This is designed to ensure that local businesses are given a chance to access oil revenues. By the end of August, the government will set up a Department of Energy.

The Petroleum Exploration & Production Act is being revised and the Petroleum Commission of Guyana Bill to be returned to the National Assembly before August. If we have to move slowly to get it right, then so be it. Due diligence is key, this is our last chance. We are literally moving from 0-60, according to Mark Blomerth, Head of Latin American Upstream Research for Wood MacKenzie, a consultancy firm.

The Resource Curse The oil curse or the resource curse, also referred to as the par-

adox of plenty, is the idea that countries that are endowed with natural resources are more likely to experience less economic growth. Sarah Chayes, Senior Fellow Democracy, Conflict and Governance Programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, noted, “of the world’s nearly 60 oil-producing countries, a mere half dozen have escaped the oil curse.” History has shown that you can make all of the above-mentioned interventions and still succumb to the black gold curse. History also shows that nations that diversify their economies, respect and enhance their traditional revenue earners and avoid national gravitation to oil as the only source of fiscal survival, have managed to avoid

the trappings of oil. Guyana has the luxury of examining the long list of negative examples to see what we must not follow or repeat. Speaking on Al Jazeera’s ‘The Stream’, Lisa Sachs, Director, Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment, opined that pitfalls such as the ‘Dutch Disease’ can be avoided. She noted the case of East Timor.

The careful moves by the Government of Guyana suggest we are being diligent and that should put us in a good position to escape disaster.

LAST CHANCE Having considered all of the above, you have to believe that this might be our last chance to emerge from the unrelenting shadows of under-

For Your

9

By Ronald Austin Jr.

Attention! development.

This is the time to erase and banish for good, all the ignominious phrases associated with this great nation: ‘Poorest country in South America’, ‘Third poorest country in the Western Hemisphere’ and all the other ignoble epithets that seem like permanent conditions

of existence.

For decades, we have had to bow our collective heads in shame, whether in conversations with foreigners or sitting on insular immigrations benches. This has to be the end, or we will go down as just another land with plenty, deep in poverty.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Emancipate yourself from mental slavery

PRESIDENT of the University of Guyana’s Law Society, Delonté D. De Clou has disclosed that, “We are not at all emancipated entirely from slavery systems.

Take a look at Guyana, elucidated through our tribalism when it comes to politics. That is the oppressor’s playbook of divide and conquer.”

The word emancipation means the fact or process of being set free from legal, social or political restrictions; liberation. Slavery was abolished in Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean on this day, exactly one hundred and eighty (180) years ago. August 1st is known as Emancipation Day, synonymously, others may call it Freedom

Day. The irony in the latter phrase pinched nerves of mine, I never thought I had; Are we really free?

Slavery depicted an imagery of Africans shaking hands with the word inferior.

We are no different from our ancestors who wore chains and were held captive. Our minds still carry savage prisons. Subsequent to physical

enslavement in the early 1500s to mid-1800s, mental enslavement has been inherited by many generations. Mental enslavement

umbrellas a wide scope of issues we still face. It fostered the way for colourism (prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group), approval and acceptance, beauty standards, economic instability and much more.

Today is focused on gratitude towards those who were here before us, those who have fought for our physical freedom and sovereignty. We can repay their efforts by focusing on ourselves and our mental liberation. Mental enslavement actively encourages loyalty towards the slave master. It is evident in the way we view the lack of Western help or involvement as hopelessness, in the way our Guyanese-Creolese seem inferior to standardised English, the way in which we trade in our Dashikis for a suit and tie and, even the way in which some of their laws are still governing our ‘Independent’ country.

Marcus Garvey could not have vocalised it any better, ‘The man who is not able to develop and use his mind is bound to be the slave of another man who uses his mind.’ An ideal example of mental enslavement in Guyana follows that of our beauty standards. Why is there still a need for many of us to use skin-lightening beauty products? Or why is there a dominant, standardised beauty preference for the lighter skinned? Notably, it is the same mentality slave masters used on our African ancestors.

The lighter in complexion you are, the more beautiful you are. Many racist extremists even used their God as a reference. ‘The lighter you are, the closer you are to God.’ Ray Marcus Persaud, another fellow Guyanese youth expressed his thoughts on this topic, “I feel as if we’re not mentally eman-

cipated from the system, even though slavery was abolished quite some time ago. It seems like it’s a scar imprinted on us. More like, post-traumatic stress disorder, where something horrific happens and then it’s stuck forever. It repeats itself again and again; every single time someone is discriminated. Discrimination was originated from slavery, and up until today, it is still growing. I believe it’s mutualism. Today, slavery is ‘dead’, yet discrimination still lives. Discrimination adapted and survives without slavery. It is an independent tree. Yes, we might have tried using many axes to cut down that tree, but it’s too slow and certainly too tiring. Even if we did manage to bring down the tree, there still are the roots in the ground, and those won’t ever go away.’’

Slavery robbed Africans of their identity; leaving them without a name, title, status and most importantly their humanitarian rights.

For me, I think the definition of Emancipation should include all aspects of a free reality. The enslavement of Africans, paved the way for European superiority in wealth, education, social status, culture and many more. This stifled the growth of African generations to present day.

However, today is a day worth celebrating, after many years of barbaric oppression. We should do so with a side note of who you are, where you came from and where you would like to be in the future. Let us not allow the blood, tears and sweat of our forefathers fade into the wind. It is about time we reflect on ourselves.

Harriet Tubman said, ‘I freed a thousand slaves.

I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.’ It begins with oneself.

Happy Emancipation Day.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018

New Wismar bridge soon … CDB approves US$4.4M to also fund upgrade of Lethem aerodrome, Parika stelling

THE Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved funding in the amount of USD4.4 million to help Guyana enhance its transportation sector, and support the development of interior communities.

The funds will be used to finance feasibility studies and designs for the upgrade of the Lethem aerodrome, and the construction of a new bridge at Wismar and a new riverine transport terminal at Parika, the CDB said in a release.

“An effective transportation sector is essential for sustainable growth and development, as it connects people to the supply and distribution

of goods. The proposed enhancements to the transportation sector in Guyana will cover road, air and river transport, providing opportunities for business development and enhanced employment,” said O’Reilly Lewis, Division Chief, Economic Infrastructure Division, CDB. The selected sites are all considered to be priority areas for improvements by the Government of Guyana. The Mackenzie-Wismar bridge was constructed 51 years ago and includes just one lane. On average, approximately 3,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily, which results in traffic congestion. It is a major connection point between Georgetown and De-

merara, as well as to several interior locations and Brazil.

Upgrading the Lethem aerodrome is expected to capitalise on current and future demands for travel between Northern Brazil, the Caribbean, Latin/South America and North America. It is also expected to facilitate the development and expansion of businesses and other economic activities in the Region Nine area. The Parika riverine transport terminal is the main hub for riverine transportation services between Parika and the neighbouring communities separated by the Essequibo River.

It has deteriorated over time and is becoming a

threat to public safety.

The project, to be implemented through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure in Guyana, will complement other CDB interventions, including ongoing work to improve sections of the road link from Linden to Lethem.

The project is consistent with the CDB’s strategic objective of supporting inclusive and sustainable growth and development within its Borrowing Member Countries, as well as its corporate priorities of strengthening and modernising social and economic infrastructure and promoting environmental sustainability.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018

PM sees big opportunities for Guyana under ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo says that with China approaching the status of “a highly developed, prosperous state,” there are several opportunities for Guyana to benefit from bilateral relations shared with that country.

Just last week, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Cui Jianchun signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two governments for cooperation within the framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative.

Guyana is the 74th country to sign onto the “Belt and Road Initiative,” which aims to connect countries through a network of trade routes in Central Asia, Europe and Indo-Pacific littoral countries. Under the project, some $50 billion in development grant and aid projects can be accessed by countries such as Guyana.

In his weekly Sunday column, ‘My Turn’, Mr Nagamootoo agreed with the remarks of the Chinese Ambassador at the signing ceremony who said that the new agreement marks a “historic turning point” for Guyana. With the recently instigated ‘US-China trade war’ which resulted in tense trade relations between the two countries, the prime minister said that situation now presents an opportunity for Guyana to trade with China.

In July 2018, the US had moved to impose tariffs on Beijing with a 25 per cent border tax on $34 billion worth of US imported Chinese goods, which prompted China to strike back with $34 billion worth of tariffs on US imports.

“With the unilateral declaration by the United States of a so-called “tariff war” against China, there would be more than enough room on

the shelves of Chinese shops for Guyana’s rice, wood, fish, shrimp, sugar and assorted fruits and vegetables (whole or as value-added products).

With some 1.4 billion people, there is no doubt that China could gobble down all of our rum and, of course, all of our gold,” he proposed.

He said further that with Guyana being on the cusp of first-oil, much of the world watches as the country’s new wealth presents “enviable prospects for exponential development.”

Nagamootoo said that even as the government works to develop a Sovereign Wealth Fund for the management of it oil revenue, future projects in collaboration with China can help to push the “green” economy agenda and other much-needed infrastructural projects.

He stated: “These would include a modern airport and multiple-lane highways on the coast (now being completed), financing support in private-public partnership arrangements for bridges across the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers, Lethem-Linden-Georgetown highway and a fast train; deep-water Demerara/Berbice harbours; housing schemes and industrial parks that are self-sufficient with clean, renewable solar energy, and high-speed ICT connectivity.”

However, although friendly relations have long existed between the two nations, the prime minister said that there were also times when innocent collaborations were made to appear sinister by the previous government.

He recalled the day when his efforts to bring Guyana and China closer were falsely distorted to claims that he was taking bribes from a particular Chinese company then involved in expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Airport.

But Nagamootoo said in response: “I had worked mostly pro bono for those and other Chinese investors whom I had welcomed to my home as friends. I know that one day my family and I could look forward to visiting China, where we have also proverbially built, as the old saying goes, ‘a home in every town’.”

Despite these encounters, pride is what the prime minister says feels in the small role he played, even as the country looks back at the visionary leadership of past Presidents Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham who ensured that Guyana maintained a “one China” policy during the hostile “cold war.”

“I am confident that this friendship would be consolidated under the coalition government of President Granger,” he said, adding: “The Chinese Association and the Guyana-China Friendship Society have also worked silently over the years to build cultural relations that not only maintain the bonds between Guyanese Chinese and their ancestral homeland, but promoted trade and business that have become a dominant feature of commerce and cuisines in Guyana.”

Through the signing of the “Belt and Road Initiative,” the agreement will foster enhanced cooperation in policy coordination, financial integration, facilities connectivity, trade and investment and people-to-people interaction. Guyana is the first South American country and the first English-speaking country in the Caribbean to sign such a treaty with China.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Teen killed in collision with minibus

THE police are investigating a fatal accident which occurred around 21:15hrs on Monday night on the Good Faith Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD) , involving minibus and a pedal cyclist.

The minibus, BTT 5273, was being driven by a 59-year-old La Raisonable, ECD, resident while the pedal cyclist was identified as Ricardo James, 17, a labourer, of Lot 12 Recess Village, Mahaicony.

According to the police, enquiries disclosed that the minibus was proceeding west along the southern carriageway and the cyclist was also travelling east along the said southern side of the road as the bus. It is alleged by the bus driver that the cyclist

suddenly swerved north into his path and collided with the front left side of his vehicle.

As a result of the impact, the front wheel of the bicycle was dislodged and the cyclist fell onto the roadway. He was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver, who passed a breathalyser test performed by the police, remains in custody and is assisting with the investigation.

The minibus involved in the fatal accident

The dislodged wheel of the bicycle

The damaged bicycle following the accident

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Security firm wins case against state –– as Appeal Court overturns 2014 ruling

By Svetlana Marshall

THE Bid Protest Committee was criticised as the Court of Appeal overturned a 2014 High Court decision in a case brought against the state by security firm, Strategic Action Security Limited.

The decision was handed down on Tuesday by Justices Dawn Gregory, Rishi Persaud and Rafiq Khan.

On October 30, 2013, ‘Strategic Action’, by way of a motion,had sought an order or Rule Nisi of Certiorari to quash the decision of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development to terminate its contract for the provision of security services for the coastland regional administrations of Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo

Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

They did so on the basis that it was arbitrarily unreasonable, and unlawfully and unfairly in breach of the rules of natural justice.

The security firm had also sought an order to quash the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board’s decision to award the contract instead to Homesafe Security and Domestic Services Inc., on the grounds that the decision was in flagrant breach of the provisions of the Standard Bidding Document produced by the Ministry in August 2013.

The then Chief Justice (ag), Ian Chang had discharged the

orders in May 2014.

In summarising the chief justice’s decision, Justice Persaud said: “In essence, His Honour found that the non-disclosure of pending criminal charges and the exclusion of VAT from the Tendered Bid sum were material breaches of the Procurement Act, 2003 and the requirements of the standard bidding documents thus disentitling the appellant/applicant to a favourable consideration of its bid to provide security services to several regions.”

It was pointed out that during the hearing before Justice Chang, there was much contention in relation to the interpretation of the term “Any litigation” in Section 5.3 of the bidding document.

Questions reportedly arose

as to whether the term meant that criminal proceedings were being contemplated.

“His Honour concluded that the term ‘Any litigation’ attracted the disclosure of pending criminal proceedings, and the appellants’ failure to disclose this amounted to a material breach,” Justice Persaud noted.

MATTER OF INTERPRETATION But the judges at the Appellate Court on Tuesday said that Justice Chang’s interpretation of the term ‘Any litigation’ was skewed, stressing that there was no requirement for disclosure of ongoing criminal proceedings.

“The record also reveals that some 21 charges were laid against the appellant for failing to pay the prescribed minimum wage to its workers,” Justice Persaud said.

“These charges preceded the submission of the appellants’ tender. Again, these charges could not form the ba-

sis for rejecting that bid; they do not fall within the scope and ambit of ‘Any litigation’, thus requiring disclosure,” he added in delivering the decision.

On the issue of the exclusion of VAT, it was noted that the contention that a VAT figure was provided did not accord with the requirement of VAT inclusivity, and as such a single figure was clearly intended.

“To our mind,” Justice Persaid said, “this non-inclusion of VAT in the bid figure amounts to a mere technical breach.

“This court is not in agreement with His Honour’s finding of a material breach in this regard, notwithstanding the inconvenience of performing a simple mathematical calculation.”

On rejection of its bid, the security firm, in keeping with Section 37 of the Standard Bidding Document, invoked the internal complaint procedure and lodged, as required, the $2M registration fee to facilitate the hearing of that complaint.

However, at the time of the filing of the appeal, the Bid Protest Committee was yet to respond, which, according to Justice Persaud, leaves much to be desired.

“Such unsavoury conduct, to my mind, amounts to a gross dereliction of duty of those tasked with the responsibility of hearing complaints duly lodged,” he said, adding: “This does little to instill confidence and transparency in the procurement process, which has long been the subject of controversy and stinging criticism in this jurisdiction.

“Such inaction does not bode well for this process, and has the potential of impacting negatively on the perception of our country as a whole.”

The Appeal Court made the Order Nisi, which was made by the security firm on October 30, 2013 with respect to the decision of the ministry, absolute.

Cost in the sum of $150,000, was set to the applicant.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

PNCR: Emancipation celebrates diversity of the Guyanese nation THE People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) joins the Guyanese people in celebrating the 180th Anniversary of the Emancipation of enslaved Africans.

In a message the party said it regards this event as the most significant in the foundation of our nation and the formation of our society.

“It was the first step in our country’s long march towards social equality, economic independence and political freedom,” the PNCR said.

On the first of August 1838, descendants of Africans in Guyana regained their freedom after two centuries of enslavement. Every August, therefore, it is fitting that the entire Guyanese nation should participate in the public celebration to commemorate not only the bloody sacrifices of the Africans who struggled, suffered and were slaughtered for the sake of the freedom we all enjoy today but also the birth of the nation itself which was the consequence of Emancipation.

Emancipation is Guyana’s most important national celebration. It marks the start of the most significant demographic change through the coming of the Portuguese, East Indians, West Africans

and Chinese and the transformation of the coastal landscape through the creation of free villages and the diversification of the economy into the production of food crops, gold-mining and logging. It led, also, to the liberation of society through the popular movements for educational development, labour organisation and political mobilisation.

In celebrating Emancipation, we celebrate the diversity of the Guyanese nation and the rich cultural heritage of all our people. Emancipation was not for few, but for all. It is true that the African foreparents of the Guyanese people fought for freedom 255 years ago in the Berbice Revolt led

by Cuffy; 195 years ago in the Demerara Revolt inspired by Kwamina; 184 years ago in the Essequibo Revolt led by Damon; and in so many other places at many other times.

Today, Guyanese of all races are the beneficiaries and heirs of our nation’s first freedom fighters.

Emancipation, after all, was not a finite event that occurred 180 years ago.

It was the commencement of a continuing process which must aim at providing a "good life to all Guyanese."

PPP: Foundations of Guyana were firmly laid by Africans

THE Peoples’ Progressive Party (PPP) once again takes this opportunity to salute our Afro-Guyanese brothers and sisters across the country and in the Diaspora on the occasion of Emancipation Day. This historic 184thanniversary provides yet another opportune moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by our African ancestors who were brought to these shores in chains in order to provide free labour to the sugar planters.

Stripped of their humanity and dignity and forced to toil long hours, to say that our African ancestors suffered at the hands of the sugar planters would be a gross understatement. During that genocidal process, many were tortured and brutally killed for standing up for their rights. In the long march to freedom, many battles were fought, including the Berbice Slave rebellion led by our National Hero, Cuffy.

In the end, the resilient spirit of resistance, demonstrated by our African ancestors, prevailed and freedom was attained in August 1838. Freed and successful in forging a society, having purchased a number of villages, there were attempts by the sugar planters to sabotage the slaves’ newly won independence. However, their determination for success and peace resulted in their

triumph.

Our African ancestors and their descendants have, and continue to make invaluable contributions to the development of Guyana. The foundations of our society and economy were firmly laid by them through hard work and commitment to their homeland.

As our Party once again recognises the tremendous sacrifices and the selfless contributions our African ancestors made to our modern society, it wishes to reiterate the importance of the principle of racial equality, and a governance mechanism where each and every citizen regardless of race, colour or creed, be given an equal opportunity to contribute to advancement of our society.

The PPP remains proud of the fact that it remains the largest multi-ethnic political party and will continue to welcome all Guyanese into its ranks from all races and ethnicities – who, like our fore parents, share the vision of a society where the good life is enjoyed, not by a privileged few, but by the society as a whole. Once again, happy Emancipation greetings to all Guyanese, in particular our Afro-Guyanese brothers and sisters.

GAWU salutes memory of those who struggled THE final “full freedom” of Emancipation was won after decades of death, suffering, slavery and exploitation from 1763 through 1823 to 1834 and finally 1838.

The spirit of yearning for freedom – that liberty of mind, body and soul from ownership by others never deserted the African slaves and the indentured contracted workers who followed them after full Emancipation in 1838. Numerous were the uprisings, rebellions, protests, riots and strikes. Emancipation never came willingly or cheaply from the colonialists.

Against those sentiments, GAWU salutes the memory of those was struggled and sacrificed for freedom and the descendants of our African forefathers who today have hopefully inherited their spirit of justice and true freedom from those who dared to stand up against the brutal, enslaving colonial system.

It is now popular to repeat that “had

there been no Emancipation there would have been no Arrival.” But it is still a valid observation of our shared history.

Both slaves “apprentices” and indentured labourers were integrally linked to the plantation. Sugar, historically cannot be separated from today’s demography we know as Guyanese society.

It is perhaps a curious but understandable fact of Guyana’s socio-economic history that sugar brought us together, often forged bonds of collective struggle against the plantocracy and for independence.

GAWU feels that this Emancipation 2018 period should reinforce in us all the lessons of the post-1838 history. In unity, strength is most sustained. Today, sugar workers are at a low ebb facing painful trials and tribualations of unemployment as government flounders to fashion a valid structured lasting plan to rescue an historic industry. Closure has affected thousands – both sugar workers and other members

15

of the working-class. As with the forced apprentices in 1838 today’s sugar workers face a bleak, hopeless future unless, economic sense prevails and the workers’ representatives are listened to with serious intent.

The descendants of Emancipation must all share in equal opportunity as our natural and human resources become available to development for all. No group should be favoured or discriminated against because of political expediency. It is such approaches will help preserve and give enduring meaning to achievements like emancipation and independence. GAWU urges reflection at this time. Emancipation, Arrival and today’s Challenges are issues that hold lessons for us and guide us in our pursuit and future endeavours. Let us heed them on Emancipation Day and onwards.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

ERC sees Emancipation as human movement M&CC: Remember their blood, sweat and tears THE Chairman, Commissioners and staff of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) join with the rest of Guyana in the celebration of the 184th Commemoration of the declaration of the abolition of slavery.

A historical landmark that has changed the landscape of our nation forever, initiating the unfolding of modern Guyana, casting off the fetters of over two hundred years of chattel slavery to then commence the even greater struggle of spiritual, mental and economic bondage.

Emancipation heralded the coming of other Guyanese, enriching the landscape and compelling the need for answers from a new depth of clarification and fortitude towards an inevitable collective destiny beyond contentions, fears and

fragmenting dogmas. Emancipation is the stage that challenges Guyana to evolve continuously.

The years of slavery were the eternal twilight that slipped into the darkest night of struggle, sacrifice and consuming hopelessness, to awake from that long night to the promise of a new dawn with Emancipation. Through the eyes of the ERC, Emancipation is our human movement. A process of cultural and mental awakening that must envelope us all, as we contemplate ground covered; acknowledge causes and errors made, and finally, truly emancipate ourselves and commit a most significant positive posterity to the present and future Guyana.

The ERC extends best wishes to all Guyanese on the occasion of Emancipation.

EMANCIPATION is a special period of celebration for the descendants of Africans. It is a time of great historic and ideological significance for the descendants of African slaves, who were transported across the Atlantic in shackles and chains. Slavery can be described as the single most atrocious crime ever committed against humanity.

The lives of slaves were marred with treatments that were grossly inhumane, millions perished during that journey across the Atlantic.

Those who reached the shores, bound and beaten, had their cultural links completed severed, so that the plutocracy could make their fortunes.

The slaves were trapped within an insidious and many sided structure of oppression in which slaveholders disposed of economic and ideological resources, as well as political and military guarantee. The slaves were cut off from their origins and isolated in their new habitat. They were enmeshed within complex systems of territorial control, economic exchange and social mobilisation.

However, in the face of hardship, the African slaves demonstrated tenacity and courage. More so, they were inspired to make sacrifices, defer gratification which paved the way for their descendants to enjoy the divine rights of freedom.

As we celebrate, it is imperative that we remember the sacrifices, the pain, the sweat, blood and tears of those who gave their lives so that we may experience liberty. Let us embrace the values of discipline, faith,

family, and community that they demonstrated.

From August 19- 26, 2018, the Georgetown City Council will be hosting a week of activities to mark Georgetown’s elevation from the status of a Town to a City. It is true, that Georgetown is consistently growing, evolving and changing.

Therefore, each citizen has a fundamental part to play in its development. It is incumbent that we emancipate ourselves from every negative attitude that would impede the growth and development of our City. Let us embrace the fundamental and timeless principles of unity, hard work and dedication to advance the City so that it can be on par with other great cites of the world. So that we can bequeath to the next generation a City of splendor and beauty.

HAPPY EMANCIPATION GUYANA.

GTUC: 1st August 1838 registered a milestone in the long walk for freedom

FREEDOM is not granted freely; it’s a continuous process and struggle. Freedom has to be zealously guarded and protected; its understanding constantly reviewed and advanced.

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) warns against complacency because the continuous quest and struggle for freedom has to be on going. Labour can never rest in peace providing there is an environment where it has to continuously be met with an adversarial relationship with management.

Today as the former British Empire celebrates 180 years of freedom (Emancipation) we’re celebrating freedom from the exploitation of labour called slavery. People had to struggle and there were supporters of labour who fought for humane treatment of labour such as the Quakers, etc. In the 20th century our own, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, led the struggle to organise labour in the British Commonwealth in the pursuit for improvement in humanitarian conditions, including the right to a living wage. His struggle was not only for the African working class but for all workers.

Africans were granted freedom because they were complacent. As Guyanese celebrate freedom from bondage they should not lose sight of the challenges that threaten the environment of labour in the 21stcentury.

Challenges that even suggest their organising to represent themselves is no longer valid and relevant, ignoring the adversarial relationship that

was inherent between labour and the employer, from time immemorial.

In the 21st century labour sits at the table.

International conventions and charters and the modern world has recognised the importance of labour, yet local labour feels compelled to struggle for basic representation-freedom of association, collective bargaining-and all the universal fundamental rights and freedoms. While the industrial revolution and colonialisation may have solidified the presence and need for just treatment of labour, as we commemorate the freedom from the worst system of labour where an entire continent of people had their labour exploited, not for their own good, but rather in a process where they were raped and dehumanised-man woman and child-we cannot afford merriment without reflection.

180 years hence the abolition of the Ministry of Labour (i.e. working class ministry) and the establishment of the Ministry of Business (business class ministry) is a cruel irony, a backward step compounded with the refusal to see the need for the re-establishment of same. Notwithstanding the several gains, abolition of chattel slavery, and the realisation of organised labour, workers are still travelling the road to freedom. Whereas labour may not experience the gravity of slavery, labour continues to experience different forms of unjust treatment and labour’s struggle for freedom must continue.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

17

18

Sengaali Red Ants battles three in Emancipation Cook Up competition

SENGAALI Red Ants will throw down the gauntlet to three other teams when the second annual Penalty Spot Sports Pub Cook-Up competition is held today.

The other participating teams are Selective Cuts and Cuisine, Powerhouse Cooking and

Ultra Graphix.

The competition, which is being held to celebrate Emancipation Day, will see each team being given two hours to prepare and cook the dish. Thereafter a panel of four selected to judge the event will decide on a winner. According to the coordinator of

the event, Mark `Real’ Young, each team has been furnished with rules and is required to use a coal pot.

“Everything will be done right at the corner of Sixth and Albert Streets in Alberttown and each team will have two hours. Match time is 11 am the participating

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018

teams are all required to down tools at 1 pm sharp,” Young said.

The Trophy Stall has donated the first place trophy, Party Plus Party Store the second place trophy, and Khalsan PR Inc. provided the trophy for the team placing third.

Coordinator Mark ‘Real’ Young,receives the first place trophy from a representative of The Trophy Stall.

Two more radio stations to hit the airwaves TWO newly licensed radio stations are expected to go on air by the end of August and December 2018, respectively.

These are Brutal Communications Incorporated of Brutal Track Records and Blackman & Sons Incorporated. During a follow-up visit by the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority’s (GNBA), Chairman Leslie Sobers had stated that the stations were given until the end of July to have their operations fully established.

“We have discovered that that was probably a little bit too short a time for them, and the extended time is now by August month end,” Sobers said, while noting that the purpose of the visits is to ensure that the agencies are working towards a state of readiness and that the frequencies issued are not hoarded.

He noted that the GNBA expects “the frequencies will be properly utilised in accordance with the license.” It was noted, that if it is found that a frequency is not being utilised, the GNBA “may be inclined to revoke the license and with the revocation of the license, the frequency would have to be withdrawn” The GNBA Chairman visited five of the six newly licensed radio stations on Tuesday but was only able to meet with three of the five broadcasters.

It was noted that due to unforeseen circumstances, CNS Incorporated is set to begin broadcasting in December 2018.

Last January, the GNBA granted broadcast licenses to Brutal Communications Incorporated of Brutal Track Records, Blackman & Sons Incorporated, CNS Incorporated, Pinnacle Communications Inc., National Media and Broadcasting Company, and Two Brothers Incorporated. (DPI)

19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Call for dismissal of $600M fraud charge against Westford, Cummings

DEFENCE Attorney, Dexter Todd on Tuesday made a no-case submission calling for the $600M fraud charge against his client, former Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford, and her Personnel Manager Margaret Cummings to be dismissed.

The women are charged with stealing $639,420,000 belonging to the Government of Guyana, which they allegedly received by virtue of employment between the period of October 19, 2011 and April 28, 2015, while being employed with the former Public Service Ministry.

It is also alleged that between 2011 and 2015, Westford signed 24 memorandums amounting to $639,420,000 and sent them to the permanent secretary at the Office of the President to be signed and approved. The money was said to have been requested for activities to be conducted in the 10 administrative regions.

Todd, during his submission noted that the prosecution had failed to establish that a criminal offence was conducted by Dr. Jennifer Westford or Margaret Cummings individually “The prosecution has

failed to establish both mens rea and actus reus in the offence of Larceny by a Public Officer. The prosecution has ignored the lawful meaning of a public officer and proceeded to try a then Minister under an offence which is not established in law,” the attorney noted.

He also stressed that the prosecution failed to prove that the monies were actually stolen and if, that it was stolen by the two defendants.

“The prosecution has brought no evidence in their case which prima-facie establishes the elements of the charge of Larceny by the

Public Officers. It would have been the duty of the State in its case to satisfy beyond reasonable doubt that a crime was committed and that the persons who

committed the crime were in fact the defendants” Todd told the court.

The matter is adjourned until August 9 for state prosecutor Teshana Lake and Na-

tasha Backer to reply to the defence no-case submission.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had assigned State Prosecutors to the case.

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018

MP calls for crackdown on sale of alcohol to minors

OPPOSITION Member of Parliament Dr. Vindhya Persaud has made a plea for legislative action to be taken to address the sale of alcohol to minors.

“There are excellent pieces of legislation when it comes to drinking and driving, but there are missing gaps when it comes to minors in terms of sale to young people at ad hoc events,” Dr. Persaud told the House on Monday.

At the time, she was speaking on the Seventh Periodic Report of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services for the period September 10, 2015 to February 16, 2018.

In the report, which was adopted by the National Assembly on Monday, the committee recommended that shop/bar owners should be given two warnings, failing which their licence should

be revoked for non-compliance.

In July 2017, a delegation of officers from the Guyana Police Force had appeared before the commission. They included the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Marlon Chapman; Senior Superintendent, Wendell Blanhum; and Senior Superintendent, Royston Andries-Junor.

In responding to a series of questions posed

by the committee, Andries-Junor had told the committee that it was the Guyana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) responsibility to clamp down on the illegal sale of alcohol, since it issues the licence, however, the force would conduct raids from time to time.

He had noted too that there was no targeted activity at the time to prosecute adults who send children to purchase alcohol, positing that the police force was focused on combating “serious crimes.”

It was based on the information provided, that the committee called for a tightening up of the system. “It should be mandatory for shop/bar owners to display notices on business premises informing the public that the sale of

alcohol to minors is illegal,” it recommended..

Additionally, it made a call for the police force to collaborate with GRA to establish a notice to sensitise shop owners and the general public that it is illegal/unlawful to sell alcohol beverages to minors.

“This notice should be given to shop owners/ businesses upon uplifting their licence from the GRA and should be prerequisite, like the licence, for them to publicly display on their premises,” the sectoral committee urged.

“Monitoring activities should be undertaken/ conducted by the relevant authorities, especially at activities to celebrate the last day for school and other events such as school sports/fairs/parties,

social activities at creeks and on public holiday celebrations, such as Mashramani where the sale of and use of alcohol by minors are more prevalent,” the committee added.

It also underscored the importance of public awareness campaigns and education programmes to reduce and eradicate the sale of alcohol to minors.

The members of the committee include from the government side – Simona Broomes, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, Dr. Karen Cummings, Valerie Patterson and John Adams and from the opposition – Dr. Persaud; Indranie Chandarpal, Alistair Charlie and Dr. Vishwa Mahdeo. Adams presented the report to the House on Monday for adoption.

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Food safety is serious business –– and must be given maximum attention, says senior health officer

SUPERIOR culinary hygiene demands food safety throughout the supply chain from production, distribution, storage and preparation to consumption. Seven years ago, the Port Health Unit of the Ministry of Public Health adopted a robust campaign to ensure all meals offered at the main port of entry, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), meet high global standards.

Globally, 80 per cent of deaths are blamed on unsafe food and food-borne diseases. While these remain significant public health problems, they also impede socio-economic growth and development by putting a severe straining on health-care systems harming national economies, tourism and trade along the way.

According to PAHO/ WHO statistics, diarrhoea remains the most common disease linked to food in the Region of the Americas, but Noro-virus, Campylobacter, E. coli and non-typhoid salmonella are the most important food-safety concerns in the area.

Guyana has so far avoided the curse through the Ministry of Public Health’s free, annual, compulsory training and certification of food handlers vending at the popular CJIA. Health officers stationed at Ports of Entry (PoEs) act as the country’s strongest line of defence against food-borne diseases, said Bonita Mc Donald, Port Health Officer (PHO) at the CJIA. “We perform a vitally important service to the consuming public, but the results of safety lie with the food handlers and suppliers,” Mc Donald explained, during a recent interview at the Food Handlers Workshop at the CJIA. According to Mc Donald, food safety consciousness is linked to personal hygiene. She said the human body and clothing can be major carriers of micro-organisms, thus food handlers must at all-time maintain good hygiene and wear freshly-laundered outfit.

“If we don’t do basic things like brushing our teeth, showering and be tidy we will contaminate the food, then the customer will have a contaminated product. We want you to be selling a safe product for the customers, in this case to our departing and arriving travellers,” she said.

Gloves can be worn for a maximum of two hours while completing a specific task uninterrupted.

According to the WHO, foods are safe when they do not contain dangerous microbes (bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi), chemicals (allergens, waste from veterinary drugs, agrochemicals, or toxins), or

CJIA Port Health Officer Bonita Mc Donald She reminded participants that food handlers must be free from all contagious disease.

“You should be free from any rash, boils or infected cuts and free from any unusual discharge from the ear, eye or nose,” the PHO said.

While the wearing of hair restrain, hats or aprons are vital when preparing and serving food, Mc Donald also cautioned against the age-old practice of leaving the food-preparation site while still wearing the apron.

“Sometimes food handlers leave the preparation area to go empty the bin with their apron still tied to their waist. This practice can result in contamination of food at its preparation stage,” she cautioned.

She said, too, the wearing jewellery while handling food “is strictly prohibited” under the United States, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and that of the International Health Regulations (IHR).

REMOVE UNSECURED OBJECTS According to the FDA, food handlers must remove all unsecured jewellery and other objects that might fall into foods.

They must also remove hand jewellery that cannot be adequately sanitised during periods in which food is being manipulated by hand.

“Jewellery is a carrier of germs. That is why the law forbids food handlers from wearing any form, especially, wedding bands,” Mc Donald explained.

Under international rules too, food safety guidelines also require handlers to avoid handling money while handling food. Chewing gum; smoking in the food-preparation area; eat-

ing and spitting in restricted areas; coughing or sneezing over food is also forbidden while operating in a food establishment.

Appropriate hand hygiene is also important for food preparers. Regular cleaning and trimming of their fingernails, because these can hide dirt and germs and contribute to the spread of some infections, such as pinworms.

“Our finger nails are major carrier for germs (and) we ought to keep these short and clean at all times,” Mc Donald counselled.

Keeping hands clean through improved hand hygiene is one of the most important steps food handlers can take to avoid contamination of food.

“Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds then you rinse and you pat dry then turn off the tap with paper towel,” Mc Donald said, while outlining the washing technique.

Food handlers are reminded to wash their hands after using the washroom, touching parts of their bodies, sneezing, coughing or using a tissue, smoking, chewing tobacco or gum.

They are also required to wash their hands thoroughly after taking out the garbage, handling dirty dishes and after handling raw foods.

Food safety guidelines also require that food handlers wash their hands before handling ‘ready-to-eat foods’, before and after caring for someone who is sick and similarly for treating a cut or wound.

foreign bodies (soil, hair, insects, etc.) that are a danger to our human health.

Processed foods can also be contaminated if handlers do not follow correct procedures.

“Chemical contamination in food can result in death.

Chemical must be stored away from food, both raw and cooked,” Mc Donald noted.

Job satisfaction at the CJIA is immense for Mc Donald who enjoys great support from food providers.

“I have never had to initiate enforcement actions because the food handlers have been compliant on the first or second warning,” she said. (Ministry of Public Health)

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Guyana on verge of third emancipation–ACDA

THE African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) says Emancipation 2018 commemorates 180 years of freedom from “slavery-- the greatest crime ever committed against humanity,” but it has found Guyana on the verge of a third emancipation.

The first Emancipation occurred in 1838 and centred on “Freedom” from chattel slavery. The second Emancipation was called

Independence in 1966. This too was “Freedom,” but freedom from colonisation and economic slavery.

Emancipation and Freedom are not the same. It was Bob Marley who said “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; none but ourselves can free our minds”. Freedom and independence are also not the same. It was Rabindranath Tagore who once said “Emancipation from the soil is no freedom for the

tree.” Without economic, political, cultural and social equity, there is no Freedom, there is no Emancipation.

Freedom is a basic human right and above all, economic freedom, economic independence are basic human rights. Let Emancipation 2018 be a catalyst for all Guyanese to work in the Spirt of Umoja or Unity.

Let Emancipation 2018 help us to move beyond Emancipation and independence to economic freedom,

social justice, racial respect and harmony. Let Emancipation 2018 witness the beginning of us truly living our motto of “One People, One Nation, One destiny.”

To do this, we must honour the sacrifices of all of our ancestors. We must honour the 473,000 Africans who died to build Guyana during 200 years of enslavement. Honour them by providing reparations to their descendants. We must honour our Indian

indentured servants whom together with freed Africans in the villages they bought, sacrificed to sustain Guyana after Emancipation.

Let us honour our trade unionists who pioneered social justice. Let us honour our independence heroes who gave us our second Emancipation in 1966. The third Emancipation is for us to embrace.

Guyana will soon become an oil-producing nation. Our political, cultural and economic environments will drastically change.

This third Emancipation should be about equity, equal rights, equal access and equal opportunity for all Guyanese, regardless of race, creed, culture, religion or political affiliation.

As we read the daily media, there are many racial and political entrepreneurs who are spreading doom and gloom. For them, the cup is half empty. For us, the cup is half full. Sadly, as we focus on whether the cup is half full or half empty, others from distant lands who see the massive opportunities in the Green Economy and our oil sector will sell the cup right before our eyes. Emancipation 2018 should not be about doom and gloom or sorrow, or blame or confusion.

Emancipation 2018, our third Emancipation, is a time for unity, hope, peace, grace and redemp-

tion. Guyana needs to become a moral, multi-racial, multi-cultural, multi-religious and just Guyana.

Guyana is a blessed nation. We have been blessed with an overabundance of “Jewels.” We are a land of many waters, including the majestic Kaieteur Falls.

We have breath-taking flora and fauna beyond our wildest imagination. We are a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 800 species of birds. We have the mighty jaguar, the noble eagle and the resplendent plumage of the macaw. We have 18 million hectares of pristine forests, an integral part of the “Lungs of the Earth.”

We are the “Land of many waters.” Guyana is the second richest country in the world with fresh water.

Guyana has been called the “Kingdom of Nature and the Land of Enchantment.”

Yet, our greatest wealth lies in our people and our diverse cultures: Amerindian, African, Chinese, Indian, Portuguese, Mixed and European. Within this canopy of wealth, the greatest jewels are our youth. Let us celebrate Emancipation 2018 by embracing our individual and by forging a common culture based on shared values, shared expectations, a shared vision and shared benefits.

Let our third Emancipation be mission-driven

by Unity, Justice and Economic Equity.

No clearance for E-Networks to land subsea cable ...Telecoms ministry says applications for licences will be considered THE Ministry of Public Telecommunications said it has noted the publication of a ‘Notice to Mariners’ Number 15 (2018) by the Maritime Administration Department (MARD), indicating that maritime surveys shall be conducted by two vessels “on behalf of E-Networks Inc. as preparatory works for subsea cable laying … within the Guyana Maritime Zone”.

But, the ministry advised that while the interest of investors in the sector in general is welcome, no licence for the laying and landing of a subsea cable system has been granted to E-Networks Inc. “The Ministry of Public Telecommunications wishes to advise further, that applications for licences to lay and land subsea cable systems and/or other major telecommunications operations by any entity that does not currently hold a telecommunications licence, will be considered in accordance with the provisions of the Telecommunications Act, 2016.”

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

Students to learn about reparation movement

By Lisa Hamilton SCORES of teachers from across Guyana have benefited from lectures on slavery and reparatory justice, information they will now take back to their classrooms to be inculcated within their new history syllabus.

The event allowing for this was, an inaugural oneday luncheon and workshop organised by the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly of Guyana (IDPADA-G), in collaboration with the Guyana Teachers Association (GTA) and the National Library.

With the help of the GTU, primary and secondary school teachers from Region Two, (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Santa Mission in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); West Bank Berbice, and several other known places, such as Linden and Georgetown attended the workshop.

They were lectured by Verene Shepherd, a Jamaican academic and professor of Social History at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Jamaica. Shepherd was a part of the team that put together the new Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) history syllabus, which has a theme on reparations.

During her presentation, the facilitator detailed the rational for the movement for reparations, how it evolved and how the Caribbean Reparations Commission and other governments of the region are working to take the matter forward.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle after her presentation, Shepherd said: “Teachers from across the region, and in our country, have been calling for workshops and more detailed content on reparations, so my task today was to try to help teachers with content building on the issue of reparatory justice.”

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IDPADA-G Olive Sampson, also spoke extensively to the newspaper on the organisation and the importance of the event.

She said IDPADA-G is a mechanism created to

respond to the United Nation’s (UN) resolution calling for a decade to address challenges faced by people of African descent across the globe. It aims towards the recognition, justice and development of people of African descent.

President David Granger, in his feature address at the Cuffy 250 Committee’s Fifth Annual State of the African Guyanese Forum in 2017, has called on the organisation to recommit to fulfilling its objectives.

These come in the form of a plan of action which focuses on the areas of employment, education, economics/ entrepreneurship, equity and expiation.

“He called all African Guyanese organisations to come together and to create a mechanism to respond to the United Nations and out of that the organisations came together and created a secretariat which is a mechanism to respond. So what we’re doing today is addressing one of the five key areas he identified...education because it is fundamental to everything,” Sampson said.

This education, she said, entails history often left out of teachings in the classroom which details the hard labour of African-Guyanese to build their post-Emancipation nation.

“Some of us African-Guyanese are hurt by that history that has never really addressed the fact that we were so cruelly treated… teachers already know that education is empowerment, but education about one’s true history is even greater empowerment,” she said.

She added: “When we teach children about their history, it empowers them, it gives them a sense of pride, they look around and they see the works of their ancestors and they are empowered to do more.”

During the session, the teachers broke off into small groups where they developed lesson plans based on the information they garnered to take back to their students.

The National Library took the opportunity to set up a display of all the books and resources that both teachers and students can use to access additional information.

Several local teachers listen to the presentation of Jamaican academic and professor of Social History at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Verene Shepherd (Samuel Maughn photo)

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IDPADA-G, Olive Sampson

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

Bisram must wait his turn

…Court of Appeal rejects motion for early hearing

By Svetlana Marshall MURDER accused Marcus Bisram’s case is far from unique, the Court of Appeal said as it refused a motion which sought an order directing that an appeal filed against the decision of Justice Navindra Singh be heard urgently.

The decision was handed down on Tuesday by Justice Rishi Persaud, Justice Arif Bulkan and Justice Rafiq Khan. Bisram, who is incarcerated in the U.S., is wanted in Guyana for the murder of Berbice carpenter Faiyaz Narinedatt, whose lifeless body was found on the Number 70 Public Road on November

1, 2016. Bisram is expected to be extradited; however, there have been attempts to block the move. Through a Fixed Date Application in November, 2017, two orders were sought against the director of public prosecutions (DPP)–one order, prohibiting the DPP from further proceeding with the decision to prosecute Bisram for the murder of Narinedatt, and the second, an order compelling the DPP to wholly withdraw and discontinue the charge against the accused; but Justice Navindra Singh on November 24, 2017 in the High Court, refused the orders sought and dismissed the application. An appeal

was subsequently filed at the Appellate Court.

URGENT APPEAL On February 6, 2018, Shermella Inderjali, by way of a motion, sought an order directing that an appeal filed against the decision of Justice Singh be heard urgently.

Justice Bulkan, in delivering the ruling on Tuesday in the Court of Appeal, pointed out that during the hearing of the application, Bisram’s attorney Siand Dhurjon, in justifying why his client should be entitled to ‘jump the queue’ of pending cases, said in addition to him being incarcerated, the prosecution’s case is weak. Justice

Bulkan noted that under the current system of administration, appeals are generally heard in the order in which they are filed, and as such, if an application of such nature is approved, it would

Solicitor-General Kim Kyte

result in ongoing cases being delayed.

“Depending on the conditions at any given time the disparity could be stark.

While a lucky few would be heard within weeks or months, those subject to the normal course would have to wait years. This court cannot automatically or reflexively accede to any application that seeks an expedited hearing, for that would indirectly privilege litigants with the resources to bring them.

Rather, this court must be concerned with treating all appeals even-handedly,” Justice Bulkan reasoned.

The Court of Appeal, he said, is cognizant of the right by all to trial within a reasonable time, as enshrined in Article 144 of the constitution, but alluded to the fact that it does not contain a standard limitation clause by which all of the rights therein are subject to the general public interests of health, safety and morality.

“A consistent feature of the cases decided under Article 144 (1) and its equivalent in constitutions across the Caribbean is that the right to be tried within a reasonable time is not absolute, but must be balanced against the public interest in the attainment of justice,” Justice Bulkan further pointed out.

But he made it clear that a rational and effective system of justice cannot be inflexible, and as such there ought to be provision for deviating from standard procedures in order to accommodate exceptional cases. “Any exceptions must be for good reason, justifiable on its face and transparently applied,” he emphasised.

Such was the case in the Application by Basdeo and St. Hill in the Court of Appeal in late 2017.

“It involved representatives of two prominent

unions who were acting on behalf of sugar workers facing retrenchment. This was clearly a matter of national significance having immediate and material consequences for a large section of the population,” Justice Bulkan justified.

In the case of Bisram,

testimony in another inquiry.

There can be no guarantee that the witness in question, who is alleged to have deviated from his statement in one PI, will not testify according to the statement initially given to the police, and to assume that it is to

Murder accused Marcus Bisram

Attorney Siand Dhurjon

Justice Bulkan said there is nothing unique about his matter.

“Marcus Bisram is one of hundreds whose alleged involvements in murder are currently at some stage in the criminal justice system.

There are multiple stages in the process of prosecution for any criminal offence before a person actually serves his or her sentence of imprisonment: investigation, arrest, charge, preliminary inquiry, committa, trial, conviction, appeal, consideration of mercy, and commutation if applicable,” the Justice of Appeal (ag) stated.

He said while there are others who may, as in the case of Bisram, feel that they have been wrongly charged or prosecuted, they would only secure freedom at the appropriate time, when their case is heard in due course.

Bisram, he stressed, has “advanced absolutely no reason as to why his case should take precedence over all the others that are in the system before his, including those which may well have merit. Other than a subjective assertion of innocence, he has not even attempted to say what makes his situation exceptional.”

Bisram’s mother and next friend, in her affidavit accompanying the motion, stated that unless an urgent hearing is granted, the appeal could be rendered trivial by the extradition of the accused murderer to Guyana from the United States. That, however, is not a special reason, the judge said. In considering the ‘appeal’s prospect of success,’ the Appellate Court took note of the issue of prematurity.

“The preliminary inquiry into Bisram’s charge has not yet begun, yet the court is being asked to speculate as to its outcome on the basis of

speculate,” Justice Bulkan stated.

He added that the situation is further complicated by the fact that multiple applications have been brought on behalf of Marcus Bisram.

There are at least three applications filed seeking to direct the DPP in the exercise of her discretion–which is a clear breach of the process.

“This repeated litigation is undeniably an abuse of the court’s process, and for that reason alone ought to disentitle the applicant from the relief sought in this motion.

But the repeated litigation possibly demonstrates the lack of merit of the substantive appeal. At each development in the matter the applicant seems to file another application, so that the picture before the court has been unfolding in piecemeal fashion,” Justice Bulkan explained. It was also noted that there was a misrepresentation of Justice Singh’s ruling when the motion was filed.

The state was represented

by Solicitor-General Kim Kyte and Attorney-at-law, Stacy Goodings.

In making her submission, the solicitor-general had alluded to the issue of abuse of procedure. “In summary, the court is being asked to exercise its discretion from evidence in a Preliminary Inquiry which touches and concerns the co-accused persons involved in the commission of the murder committed on Faiyaz Narinedatt, while Marcus Bisram, though charged has not appeared to answer same and as such, his Preliminary Inquiry has not commenced facing a charge for as well,” she had argued, noting that the court is being asked to usurp the functions of the magistrate.

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018 Special EMANCIPATION Supplement - Produced by the Department of Public Information, Guyana

Connect with us online | www.dpi.gov.gy

“Today (Emancipation Day) is like New Year’s Day for Guyana. It’s a day of deliverance, it’s a day of departure from the plantations but it’s also a day for determination when our fore parents decided to build better lives for their families, for themselves and for future generations. Today, really, I call the birthday of Guyana because it was because of the 1st August 1838 that the East Indians came as indentured labourers, it was because of Emancipation that the Portuguese came and because of Emancipation that the Chinese came.

So, we all celebrate the 1st August as the day when people from four continents came together - people from Europe, people from Africa, people from Asia and people from the Americas came together, so it’s a good thing that all of us should celebrate Emancipation Day.

IT IS TRULY NATIONAL HOLIDAY”.

Remarks by His Excellency Brigadier David Granger at the Emancipation Day Cultural Reception held at the Gibraltar-Courtland Primary School, East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) August 1, 2017

26 Connect with us online | www.dpi.gov.gy

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018 Special EMANCIPATION Supplement - Produced by the Department of Public Information, Guyana

The History of Slavery in British Guiana • 1616 • 1621

Villages in Guyana that were established

by Africans after Emancipation: 1.

Victoria

23.

Dingwall (No.40 village)

2.

Buxton

24.

Joppa (No.43. village)

3.

Golden Grove, ECD

25.

Phillipi (Corentyne coast 37 KM

4.

Golden Grove, WCB

5.

Plaisance

26.

Seafield (No.42 village)

6.

Belladrum

27.

Kingelly, WCB

7.

Litchfield

28.

Lovely Lass, WCB

8.

Nabaclis

29.

No.41 village

9.

Den Amstel

30.

Bagotville

10.

Agricola

31.

Dartmouth Village

11.

Hopetown

32.

Eversham Village

12.

Friendship

33.

Airy Hall Village

13.

Sandvoort

34.

Calcutta Village

14.

Gibraltar/Fryish Courtland

35.

Recess Village

15.

Beterverwagting

36.

Weldaad Village

16.

Baracara

37.

Anns Grove Village

17.

No. 53 Union

38.

Bachelors Adventure

18.

Kildonan

39.

Good Intent

19.

Liverpool

40.

Preseverance

20.

Sisters

41.

Woodlands and Friends Retreat

21.

Ithaca

22.

Prospect

from New Amsterdam)

(No.10 village)

- The Dutch became the first to establish colonies in Guiana with Essequibo.

- The Dutch West Indian Company is founded. This company will eventually take an estimated 900,000 slaves to Guiana.

• 1627 - The Dutch established a colony in Berbice • 1630 - Sugar - cane started taking the place of tobacco as the main crop grown in Guiana • 1642 - The Dutch captured most of the Portuguese Trading Station on the West African coast. The slave trade became a very important part of the Dutch West India Company’s activities.

• 1656 - The Dutch were driven out of Brazil by the Portuguese. This action caused them to concentrate their efforts on Guiana.

• 1656 - The First Dutch settlers from Brazil arrived on the Pomeroon.

• 1658 and 1659 - Four or Five ships loaded with colonists and one with African slave arrived on the Pomeroon. It was first time; African slaves were brought to the Pomeroon in large numbers.

• 1660 - The enslaved population in Guiana numbered about 2,500 • 1663 - An English company is formed, whose main purpose was to supply slaves to the West Indies.

• 1672 - The company became the Royal African Company.

• 1741 - Some slaves who have been detailed to work in mines on the Cuyunni deserted, rebelled and sought refuge on an island, which has since come to be called Creole Island.

• 1762 - A slave rebellion of 36 male and female occurs in Berbice.

• 1762 - The Berbice plantation had a population of 4423, comprising 346 whites, 244 Amerindian and 3833 African slaves.

• 1763 - The Berbice Slave Rebellion • 1769 - Demerara had 206, sugar plantations while Essequibo had 92. Official figures for slave populations also reveal that Demerara had an advantage with 5,967 slaves, as against 3,986 in Essequibo.

• 1781 - A war broke out between the Netherlands and Britain, which resulted in the British occupation of Berbice, Essequibo, and Demerara. Some months later, France seized control of the colonies. The French governed for two years.

• 1784 - The Dutch regained control.

• 1790 - Anti - Slavery movement starts to take root in England.

• 1796 - The London Missionary Society is established with the aim of sending missionary to teach Christianity, initially in Sierra Leone (in West Africa.)

• 1796 to 1802 - Both Berbice and the United Colony of Demerara and Essequibo were under British control but by means of the Treaty of Amiens, both were returned to Dutch control. Peace was short - lived, however as war between Britain and France resumed in less than a year.

• 1803 - The United Colony and Berbice were seized once more by British troops.

• 1807 - The international slave trade was abolished in the British Empire. However, slavery itself continued. When the slave trade was abolished, there were about 100,000 slaves in Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo.

• 1807 - The London Missionary Society began its activities in Guiana closely after the end of the slave trade. It started sending missionary to teach Christianity to the slaves.

• 1823 - The Anti - Slavery Society is formed. Members were the Quakers and important Members of Parliament including William Wilberforce, Thomas Clarkson and Fowell Buxton.

• 1823, April - Buxton presented a motion in the House of Commons calling for a gradual abolition of slavery in all British colonies. The motion was defeated. Instead, measures to ameliorate the condition of slaves were adopted.

• 1823, August - The Demerara Slave Uprising - The Berbice and the United Colony of Demerara and Essequibo are unified as British Guiana.

• 1831 • 1833, August - The House of Commons in England approved the Emancipation Bill • 1834, August 1 - Emancipation of the slaves in all British colonies.

• 1834, August 3 - The Damon Slave Rebellion • 1832 - 1838 - A period of apprenticeship begins.

• 1838 - Approximately 69, 579 slaves gained freedom in British Guyana. An exodus of the ex - slaves off the plantations. A critical shortage of labour.

27 Connect with us online | www.dpi.gov.gy

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 2018 Special EMANCIPATION Supplement - Produced by the1, Department of Public Information, Guyana

FAMOUS GUYANESE OF AFRICAN DESCENT From Cuffy, Damon, Quamina, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow to Forbes Burnham, Eusi Kwayana, Dr. Walter Rodney to Dr. David Hinds, Desmond Hoyte, Clive Lloyd, Eddy Grant to Lincoln Lewis, all worked and continue to work for the education and elevation of Guyanese of African descent and Guyana in its entirety. The list of outstanding Afro-Guyanese who have made notable contributions to this nation is long and extremely impressive. These African Guyanese heroes of past and present must be known and celebrated always.

Forbes Burnham

President David Granger with Eddy Grant

1. Akara, leader of the Berbice slave rebellion at Plantation Lilienburg 2. John Agard, playwright, poet and children's writer 3. Norman Beaton, blazed a trail for black actors on British TV and earned a place in the sitcom pantheon with the beloved Peckham barbershop series Desmond’s.

4. Forbes Burnham, President of Guyana, 1980–1985 5. Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, father of the trade union movement in British Guyana.

6. Colin Croft, former Guyanese and West Indian cricketer 7. Cuffy, leader of the Berbice slave rebellion at Plantation Lilienburg 8. Karen de Souza (born 1958), women and children's activist 9. Roy Fredericks, former Guyanese and West Indian Cricketer. Highest average for Guyana 10. Lance Gibbs, former Guyanese and West Indian cricketer 11. Jack Gladstone, leader of the 1821 Demerara Slave Rebellion 12. David A. Granger, President of Guyana 13. Eddy Grant, popular musician 14. Roger Harper, Guyanese and West Indian Cricketer - former Kenyan cricket coach 15. Ram John Holder, actor and musician 16. Edward Ricardo Braithwaite, novelist, writer, teacher, and diplomat. He is the author of the 1959 autobiographical novel To Sir, With Love.

17. Desmond Hoyte, President of Guyana, 1985-1992 18. Sam Hinds, former President of Guyana, Prime Minister of Guyana 19. Carl Hooper, former West Indian Cricket Captain 20. Beryl Gilroy, writer, novelist of the black diaspora and London's first black head teacher

Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow

Baroness Valerie Amos

21. Eusi Kwayana, former Guyanese cabinet member and veteran politician 22. Clayton Lambert, American, Guyanese and West Indian cricketer.

23. Lincoln Lewis, trade union leader 24. Désirée Bernard, first female High Court Judge of the Supreme Court of Guyana; in 1992, the first female Justice of Appeal; in 1996, the first female Chief Justice of Guyana and in the Commonwealth Caribbean; and the first female Chancellor of the Judiciary of Guyana and in the Commonwealth Caribbean in 2001 25. Clive Lloyd, former Guyanese and West Indian cricketer 26. Quamina, leader of the 1823 Demerara Slave Rebellion.

27. Ptolemy Reid, former Prime Minister of Guyana 28. Walter Rodney, historian and political activist 29. Ivan Gladstone Van Sertima, associate professor of Africana Studies at Rutgers University in the United States.

30. Dorothy Bailey, first female Mayor of Georgetown 31. Natural Black, reggae singer 32. "Vicious" Vivian Harris, professional boxer 33. Aliann Tabitha Omalara Pompey, sprinter who specialized in the 400 metres.

34. Hamilton Green, prime minister of Guyana from 6 August 1985 to 9 October 1992.

35. Baroness Valerie Ann Amos, PC is the eighth and current UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

36. Valerie Rodway (1919-1970) was a teacher and Guyanese composer. She is best known for her national songs, which include, “O Beautiful Guyana,” “Hymn for Guyana’s Children,” “Arise, Guyana,” and “Guyana the Free.

Walter Rodney

Aliann Pompey

Emancipation Celebration is done by way of cultural activities and a display of a repertoire of African dishes. Most of the events are organised by the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) and the Cuffy 250 group with the common goal of promoting African culture Today, thousands will take to the National Park from 10am for a string of events beginning with a Sunrise Service at

5:30am. Events to follow include dance, drumming, dress, shanto singing, rap, poetry and reggae competitions, ACDA educational booth displays, creative float costumes, races and other sports and games, acrobatic performances, skits and eating competitions. Several international and regional artistes will perform such as Richie Spice, and the Trinidadian Drumming Group, along with presentations from a Suri-

namese culture troupe.

Meanwhile in Region Six, the Government of Guyana in collaboration with the Berbice Association of African Groups will host Emancipation Day Celebrations at the Union Cultural and Sport Complex in Number 53/Union Village in Corentyne.

The events start at 10:00am and goes up until 6:00pm. President David Granger will be in attendance. 

The Berbice Slaves’ Uprising

who had lived in the colony remained. However, with the assistance of troops from neighbouring French and British colonies and from Eu- rope the whites regained the colony.

Demerara Rebellion of 1823 In August 1823 more than 10,000 slaves rebelled in the Crown colony of Demerara-Essequibo. The two-day rebellion was led by slaves of the highest status reacting to poor treatment and a desire for

freedom. Fuelling the rebellion too was a widespread, mistaken belief that Parliament had passed a law for emancipation, which was being withheld by the colonial rulers. The largely non-violent rebellion was brutally crushed by Governor John Murray. The death toll neared 250 with another 45 men sentenced to death fol- lowing the insurrection. The executed slaves’ bodies were displayed in public for months afterwards as a deterrent to others.

The Berbice Slave Uprising was the most famous which began in February 1763 on Plantation Magdalenenberg in the Canje River, Berbice. The insurgents of 3,000 slaves protested harsh and inhumane treatment which led to the slaves taking control of the re- gion. Eventually only half of the whites

The Essequibo Slave Rebellion On Sunday, August 3 workers on the Essequibo coast protest- ed the apprenticeship scheme with sporadic stoppages of work. The Minister of the Trin- ity church appealed to slaves to go home, but they refused, say- ing that they were free and did not wish to do forced labour. The situation worsened when he ordered soldiers to open fire on the unarmed crowd, but the cap- tain refused.

Governor Smyth addressed the workers at Planta- tion Richmond, telling them that the apprenticeship period was still in force and they should go back to work. The leaders of the peaceful demonstration. 

28 Connect with us online | www.dpi.gov.gy

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1,Guyana 2018 Special EMANCIPATION Supplement - Produced by the Department of Public Information,

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Sandy PI: Psychiatrist testimony continues

THE preliminary inquiry (PI) against former Guyana Defence Force captain, Orwain Sandy, who is charged with the murder of his reputed wife, continued on Tuesday with the testimony of Government Psychiatrist Dr. Bhiro Harry.

The PI is being conducted by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman with evidence being led by Police

Prosecutor Corporal Shawn Gonsalves. Sandy is represented by attorney James Bond.

Psychiatrist Dr. Harry had deemed Sandy fit to stand trial back in May after Magistrate Latchman had requested that the accused be subjected to a psychiatric evaluation. The matter is adjourned until August 7.

Sandy, who served as Special Assistant to the

Misunderstanding leads to attempted murder charge CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday released a 45-year-old Linden resident on $75,000 bail for an attempted murder charge.

Collis Isaacs was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on July 25, at Kumung-Kumung Backdam, Puruni, he wounded his cousin, Troy Semple with the intent of committing Collis Isaacs murder.

According to the facts read in court by Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, on the day in question there was a misunderstanding between the cousins and Semple armed himself with a cutlass and advanced on Isaacs.

Isaacs managed to overpower his attacker and used the said cutlass to chop Semple to the face.

Mansfield made no objection to bail and as Isaacs was released on $75,000 bail and the matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for August 16.

Taxi driver remanded on robbery charge A TAXI DRIVER was on Tuesday remanded to prison after he appeared before a city magistrate on a robbery charge.

It is alleged that on July 25, 2018 at Penny Lane Avenue, South Ruimveldt, Kareem McKenzie robbed Andrew Robertson of one cellphone valued $15,000 and $15,000 in cash. At the same time or immediately after, McKenzie is said to have used personal violence against the virtual complainant (VC).

McKenzie, whose address was given as Kingston, denied the charge when it was read out to him in court by the Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

The police prosecutor objected to bail being granted to the defendant based on the serious nature of the offence and the penalty it attracts.

According to facts as presented, the defendant and the virtual complainant are known to each other. On the day in question, the victim was walking along the South Ruimveldt road on his way home when the defendant, who was walking in front of him, stopped suddenly and snatched Robertson’s property and escaped. The matter was reported and the defendant was subsequently arrested.

Bail was refused and McKenzie was remanded to prison until August 15, 2018.

Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, is currently on remand for the murder of Reona Payne on March 31, 2018 at First Street, Alexander Village.

According to reports, Sandy, after committing the act, surrendered to police at the Ruimveldt Police Station on Saturday, March 31. A post-mortem report revealed that Payne died from 14 gunshot wounds to her body– 13 to her chest and one to the head.

The police have con-

firmed that Sandy used his service firearm during the shooting. Police sources also related that the soldier had on one occasion lodged his firearm at the police station during a domestic dispute.

One source said the soldier had suspected that Reona was being unfaithful and was conversing with someone from overseas. It was reported that Sandy had planned to drop Payne off at her place of work when she received a phone call allegedly from the same per-

son from overseas.

When the soldier questioned her and asked her to desist from railroading their relationship, an argument ensued and in the vicinity of the masjid in First Street, Alexander Village, Reona grabbed the soldier’s firearm and threw it out of the car.

According to the source, Sandy stopped the vehicle to retrieve the weapon and Payne exited too, and after picking up the gun he fired in her direction, emptying the entire magazine.

Former Guyana Defence Force captain, Orwain Sandy

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018

WPA urges greater equality –– stresses equal opportunities for all in the run-up to first-oil

AS Guyana celebrates Emancipation Day today, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) is calling on citizens and leaders to do away with ethno-racial inequality once and for all.

Challenging all ethnic groups in the country to actively participate in this

cause, the WPA said in a statement Monday: “However uncomfortable it is, the issue of ethno-racial inequality must be addressed if Guyana is to realise its full potential as a viable, diverse society, in which all its citizens enjoy a sense of security.

“It is for that reason that the WPA urges Guyanese to use this Emancipation anniversary as both a moment of remembering and another opportunity to reaffirm our collective commitment to ethnic and racial equality in word and deed.”

The group is also call-

ing for equal access to opportunities, even more so, as the country approaches the beginning of oil production, and for these opportunities to be safeguarded by firm policies. **“We urge the leaders to devise and support policies that would ensure that all ethnic groups share

our common economic benefits. It is particularly important that we begin to think about ways to democratically distribute the potential benefits from the imminent oil- and-gas sector so that increased wealth contributes to national cohesion, rather that exacerbate our already fragile ethnicity.

“Economic development cannot be managed outside of our ethnic realities. WPA, therefore, reiterates its long-held view that economic advance must be hinged on a political solution of which ethno-racial respect and unity is a central plank,” the document said.

Within its message, the WPA also recognised its members who continuously played important roles in the African-Guyanese community, singling out former politician Brother Eusi Kwayana.

They credited him with pioneering the cultural awakening of many African- Guyanese, resulting in black empowerment and pride.

“That we observe Emancipation Day as a public holiday in Guyana is due in large measure to

Brother Eusi’s example, advocacy and leadership.

His dedication to the cause of black dignity and uplift will forever be etched in the consciousness of African-Guyanese and he continues to serve as an inspiration to all who raise the banner of black empowerment and black pride,” the release said.

The WPA celebrates with African-Guyanese on this the 180th anniversary of the end of chattel slavery and states that Emancipation Day must continue to be a moment of rejoicing over the defeat of slavery.

The body related: “The WPA salutes African-Guyanese on this their special moment of memory and celebration.

Memory of the period of enslavement is necessary as a reminder of how the lust for power and accumulation of wealth could lead to institutionalised exploitation…any people who overcame such a brutal system should be proud of themselves.

That Africans continue to survive the dread realities of post-Emancipation is a tribute to their resilience.”

Bail denied, then granted A 38-YEAR-OLD man on Tuesday appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore on a robbery charge which alleged that on July 29, 2018 at Mandela Avenue, he robbed Selena Charles of one gold chain valued $35,000.

The construction worker, Garfield Thompson, who resides at East La Penitence entered a plea of not guilty.

The police prosecutor objected to bail being granted to the defendant on the grounds that he might be flight risk, and also because he had a pending court case.

According to the police prosecutor, on Sunday, July 29, 2018 the virtual complainant (VC) was on Mandela Avenue when the defendant is alleged to have snatched her chain. An alarm was made and the defendant was arrested.

Bail was refused by Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore and the defendant was remanded to prison, but during the afternoon session the matter was recalled and the defendant was granted his pre-trial liberty in the sum of $50,000.

Thompson is to return to court on August 15, 2018.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

31

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

33

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

35

36

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

37

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

39

40

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

41

42

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

43

44

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

45

46

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

47

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Confident Guyana U-19s...

FROM BACK PAGE

… depart today for St Vincent

By Rajiv Bisnauth Speaking with Chronicle Sport yesterday, after the squad assembled at the Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence Hostel at LBI, coach Julian Moore, is optimistic that the team can bank on its preparation for a successful defence of the titles.

He pointed out that despite the lack of turf practice, he remained upbeat of Guyana’s chances. Rain has hampered much of their preparation, but Moore feels his charges are still well-prepared for the tournament.

“I think our chances are pretty good to begin with.

Obviously I’m very confident of the guys we got and their ability to perform on the big stage. Having eight players back from our championship side last year is always a plus. It not only makes us formidable but

adds a lot experience to the squad, which I think would be very beneficial for the guys who will be going for the first time,” Moore said.

He added “We had a oneweek encampment period, where we focused a lot on the physical, mental and practical aspects, but apart from that players were engaged in some meaningful training in their respective counties, so I am optimistic about the stability and high quality of the team”.

Moore feels the allround potential in both departments will make Guyana a tough team to beat.

With the format of the tournament being revamped, allowing for more limited-overs cricket, and only three rounds of matches in the three-day edition, Guyana will not face Windward Islands; neither will they take on traditional rivals

Organisers in overdrive...

FROM BACK PAGE

Wednesday, August 1 will mark 100 days to the official start of the tournament on November 9.

Matches will be played at Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua; Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia; and the National Stadium in Guyana.

“On Thursday July 26, a burst of festive tournament launch activities set all three host countries alight,” Nero continued.

“The Governments and people of Guyana, St Lucia, and Antigua & Barbuda took the opportunity to showcase to the cricket world just how committed and passionate we are about cricket here in the West Indies.

“The launch events were a mix of West Indian action – addresses by government and cricket officials, comments from cricket fans, unveiling of jumbo ‘Watch

This’ cricket bats, flash mob dancers, and the pulsating rhythm of the ‘Watch This’ tournament song performed by Patrice Roberts and Shenseea.

“This is just a small bit of what is to come as we continue the road towards November 9.”

The Women’s T20 World Cup will run until November 24 and feature 10 teams.

West Indies are defending champions, having beaten Australia in the final of the 2016 edition in India when the men’s team also lifted the corresponding title in a clean sweep for the Caribbean.

Group A will feature West Indies, England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh while Group B will comprise Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Ireland.

Jamaica. The team with the most points at the end of the three rounds will emerge champions.

However, the limited-overs competition has been scheduled to go seven rounds, with a Canadian side set to join the six territorial teams for the tournament.

Four grounds will be used during the tournament, when the tournament bowls off on August 3.

On August 3 - 5, 2018, Trinidad and Tobago and the Windward Islands will

clash at the Park Hill Playing Field; defending three-day and one-day champions Guyana and the Leeward Islands will do battle at Arnos Vale Cricket Grounds while Barbados and Jamaica face off at the Sion Hill Playing Field.

The second round of matches in the three-day component of the 2018 championships will be played from August 7 to 9. Guyana and Trinidad &Tobago will meet at Sion Hill Playing Field, Jamaica and the Windward Islands at the Arnos Vale Cricket

Grounds, while Barbados and the Leeward Islands clash at the Park Hill Playing Field.

August 11 – 13 will be the playing of the third and final round of matches in the three-day competition, Jamaica will clash with Trinidad and Tobago at the Arnos Vale Cricket Grounds, Barbados and Guyana will meet at the Park Hill Playing Field, while the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands do battle at the Sion Hill Playing Field.

The One-Day tournament

commences on August 16.

There will be no grand finale this year, as both three-day and one-day components of the championships will be played in a round-robin format.

Guyana squad reads: Bhaskar Yadram (capt.), Alex Algoo, Sachin Singh, Joshua Persaud, Kevin Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Javid Karim, Junior Sinclair, Adrian Hinds, Ashmead Nedd, Kelvin Umroa, Yeudister Persaud, Joshua Jones and Qumar Torrington.

48

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Battle lines drawn for the remaining two Guinness spots … Georgetown to invade East Coast tonight

WITH two of the four semi-finalists already decided, tonight’s second round of action in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ National Playoffs will most definitely fuel heightened interest when play commences at the Haslington Market tarmac.

Defending champions Dave & Celena’s All Stars and fellow Linden Zone champions Silver Bullets are the two teams to have secured their spots in the last four and it is now up to perennial power-

house Sparta Boss - Georgetown Zone champions, West Front Road ‘Gold is Money, Bent Street and the host of East Coast teams to battle for the remaining two berths.

With the country celebrating Emancipation Day and the fact that it is a public holiday, the venue is expected to be jam-packed as the best teams from the East Coast look to defend home turf against the best Georgetown has to offer.

What is most certain is that the East Coast fans are

usually unapologetic for their partisan support so the visitors will have to ensure that their fans are present to rally behind them in their quest to advance.

No quarters will be given and none will be asked as battle lines are drawn for the last two spots in what has undoubtedly developed into the most popular streetstyled tournament in the country.

In the opening encounter, Buxton Diamond tackle Paradise and this clash could Action in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ football championship

provide the perfect start for what is being touted as an exciting night of action-packed encounters.

The next matchup is between Melanie ‘B’ and Bent Street. This game has all the trappings of an explosive encounter.

The most celebrated team in the street format, Sparta Boss, then take centre stage against Berbice champions Trafalgar and because there is

an anticipated battle for bragging rights, this clash could exceed all others in terms of end-to-end action.

The final game of the first round is one that features two champions - Uprising from the East Coast and G/town West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’.

This is a clash of two heavyweights and no one will be blinking as the two combatants go head-to-head.

There will be a short break before the all-important second set of matches start. The two teams with the highest points will advance to the semi-finals and the final is set for August 4, at the National stadium.

The oganisers have agreed to have some amount of seating accommodation at the National stadium, a new development from previous years.

Rashid preferred to Moeen, Buttler named vice-captain ADIL Rashid will make his Test comeback in the first game of the series against India at Edgbaston and Jos Buttler has been appointed as vice-captain.

Rashid was recalled to the Test squad despite

making himself unavailable to play red-ball cricket for Yorkshire and the spinner will feature in the longest format for the first time since December 2016.

The 30-year-old will be the only specialist spinner in Adil Rashid

Sandown 12:45 hrs Rampant Lion 13:20 hrs Li Kui 13:55 hrs Art Du Val 14:30 hrs Ledham 15:05 hrs Solar Echo 15:35 hrs Artarmon South Africa Racing Tips Durbanville 08:25 hrs Ikebana 09:00 hrs Icon King 09:35 hrs Metropolitian 10:10 hrs Suite Francaise 10:45 hrs Tsitsikamma Dance 11:20 hrs First Swallow American Racing Tips Saratoga Race 1 Whitman’s Poetry Race 2 Heaven’s Creation Race 3 Brockmoninoff Race 4 Terrible Day Race 5 Our Circle Of Love Race 6 Jaded Lady Race 7 New Jersey John Race 8 Come Dancing

Race 9 Frisky Magician

Perth 09:00 hrs Ink Master 09:35 hrs Strait Of Magellan 10:45 hrs Workbench 11:20 hrs Ruaraidh Hugh 11:55 hrs Petite Ganache 12:25 hrs Braid Blue English Racing Tips Goodwood 08:50 hrs Imphal 09:25 hrs Making Miracles 10:00 hrs Soldier’s Call 10:35 hrs Without Parole 11:10 hrs Alhakmah 11:45 hrs Savaanah 12:55 hrs Aljady Irish Racing Tips Galway 12:10 hrs Debuchet 12:40 hrs Aydoun 13:10 hrs Ellie Mac 13:45 hrs Diamond Hill 14:20 hrs Calino D’Airy 15:00 hrs El Greco 15:30 hrs Magna Cartor

the England side when the first match of five against Virat Kohli’s men, with Moeen Ali left out.

Sam Curran, who made his debut against Pakistan at Headingley last month, gets the nod over Jamie Porter for England’s 1000th Test.

Buttler has been installed as Joe Root’s deputy ahead of what will be only his third match back in the Test team following an 18-month absence, taking over from James Anderson.

Regular vice-captain Ben Stokes’ affray trial begins on Monday, the day after the first Test is due to end.

England: Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Joe Root (captain), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.(Omnisport)

49

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Kohli does not feel need to prove himself against England INDIA captain Virat Kohli says he does not feel he has to prove himself in his side’s five-Test series against England.

The tourists are the topranked Test side going into the series, which starts at Edgbaston today.

Kohli, second in the Test batsmen rankings, averaged just 13.40 on India’s last tour of England in 2014.

“I want to score runs for the team and take Indian cricket forward, and that’s my only motive,” the 29-year-old said.

“I’m not in a frame of mind to prove myself in any country; I want to perform for the team.”

India have not won a Test series in England since 2007.

They were beaten 3-1 in the five-match series in 2014, and lost their final two matches by an innings.

Kohli was among the batsmen who struggled he scored 134 runs in 10 innings and was dismissed four times by pace bowler James Anderson.

However, since becoming captain at the end of 2014, he has taken India from seventh to first in the world rankings and has scored 14 Test hundreds.

“If you’re an underdog it’s not a given that the pressure will only be on the opposition,” he said.

“If you’re favourites it’s not certain that the underdogs will just come out and be fearless the whole time.

Russian World Cup pitch invaders held on new charges

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Four members of Russia’s Pussy Riot protest group who were jailed for 15 days for staging a pitch invasion during the soccer World Cup final were detained again after their release on Monday and were held overnight, their lawyer said on Tuesday.

The members of the group face new charges of staging a public event without having prior permission, an offense that carries a jail sentence of up to 10 days or a fine of up to 30,000 roubles ($481.21), Russian news agencies reported.

Nikolai Vasilyev, the group’s lawyer, said police had not yet allowed him to see the case materials, and he was unable to confirm what charges his clients faced, or when a court hearing would be held.

The activists briefly interrupted the soccer World Cup final on July 15 when they ran onto the pitch in police uniforms.

Their intrusion onto the pitch in Moscow’s main stadium in front of President Vladimir Putin and other high-ranking officials marked a rare security breach in the weeks-long soccer tournament hosted by Russia.

The group said the stunt, which held up the game only briefly, was meant to promote freedom of speech and condemn policies of FIFA, soccer’s global governing body.

The four pitch invaders were jailed for 15 days for the stunt and were banned from sporting events for three years.

The four members were Veronika Nikulshina, Olga Pakhtusova, Olga Kurachyova and Pyotr Verzilov.

Tournament organisers said the stewards who failed to stop the intrusion would face disciplinary action.

Virat Kohli, right, is second in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test batting rankings, with England’s Joe Root, left, in third place.

“I think it’s a balance that is required and we’ve played

enough cricket at this level to understand that.”

India will not name their XI for the match before this morning, although they are likely to select two spinners.

Regular spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin bowled a combined seven overs during India’s warm-up match against Es-

sex, while left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav was hit for 24 runs from four overs.

“There’s total honesty and total ownership all around the squad,” Kohli added.

“We are very comfortable with where we stand as a team.”(BBC Sport)

Sukhram dominates field in Brooklyn golf competition GUYANA Open Champion Christine Sukhram dominated a field of 28 male players in an 18-hole golf competition last Saturday.

Playing at the Marine Park Golf Club’s tournament in Brooklyn, New York, the 28-year-old shot a seven over par 79 to win the day’s play.

According to the rules of the club tournament, an overall winner depends on the accumulation of points over the Christine Sukhram scored an eagle, course of the calendar year, a birdie and seven pars in her round therefore no trophies were of 79.

awarded.

Sukhram, arguably Guyana’s best female golfer, opened with a double bogey before settling down. She bogeyed the second hole, parred the third and birdied the fourth before three other bogeys and five consecutive pars. In total, she finished with seven pars.

Her best moment was on the 14th hole, when she scored a memorable eagle.

Her drive from the par five (481 yards), resulted in her

hitting approximately 230 yards before she stuck the green in her second shot.

Despite the good performance, the right-handed golfer still felt that she could have played better.

“I know I could’ve played much better because on the easy holes I threw away strokes, and the hard holes I was able to par. I am still happy because it wasn’t even my clubs that I played with. The other players were very impressed by the way I played.”

McCammon in 100m hurdles final, George misses out in 400m

Jenea McCammon

AFTER finishing fourth in her heat with a new personal-best time of 13.27 seconds Guyana’s

Jenea McCammon, on Monday, made it into the final of the women’s 100m hurdles when the athletics competition of the Central America and the Caribbean Games continued in Colombia.

McCammon’s heat was topped by Haiti’s Vanessa Clerveaux in a time of 13.05 seconds.

The final was scheduled to be run off last night.

Just hours after the final, McCammon will return to the track to compete in the women’s 200m.

McCammon was one of two Guyanese that performed on Monday, with Winston George narrowly missing out a place in the men’s

400m final. Despite finishing second in his heat, George’s time of 46.77 seconds gave him the ninth fastest time in the heats which placed him just outside the qualifying lineup. The last qualifying spot went to Jamaica’s Steven Gayle, who had a time of 46.74 seconds.

Running in heat 2 of four, George finished behind Bahamas Alonzo Russell, who crossed the finish line in 46.49 seconds.

Of the other athletes representing Guyana Emanuel Archibald was expected to be in the men’s long jump last night, while Leslain Baird and Commonwealth gold medallist Troy Doris will be out tomor-

Winston George

row in the men’s javelin and men’s triple jump events, respectively.

50

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018

‘Green Machine’ go into action today at CAC Rugby Championship

By Rawle Toney

GUYANA’S Sevens Rugby team will begin their quest for gold today when they come up against Costa Rica, Mexico and Colombia, in day one of the Central America and Caribbean Games Rugby tournament in Colombia.

Head coach Lawrence Adonis stated that the players are ready to compete and that they’ve made up for the lack of practice in Guyana with additional work in Colombia.

According to Adonis, there are no injuries in the side which is being cap-

Guyana’s National 7s rugby team during one of their training sessions ahead of today’s showdown in the CAC Rugby Championship

tained by Dwayne Schroder and the players are excited to take the pitch today in an attempt to win another gold medal in the sport.

In 2010, when the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organisation (CACSO) added Sevens Rugby to the list of disciplines for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, Guyana won gold following their 31-7 win over Jamaica.

The CAC games rugby event was hosted at the Guyana National Stadium, and the Green Machine’s victory was the only gold medal for

Guyana at the CAC games in 2010. It was the first and still is the only gold medal for Guyana in a team event at the games which started in 1962.

Guyana did not participate in the 2014 Rugby championship, and now, eight years after creating history, the team, with Ryan Gonsalves, Dwayne Schroder, Claudius Butts, Peabo Hamilton, Rondel McArthur, Godfrey Broomes, Osei McKenzie, Ronald Mayers, Patrick King, Richard Staglon, Avery Corbin and Jamal Angus, are on a mission for ‘redemption’.

Guyanese girls delivered exceptional performances against English blind cricket team THE Guyana Blind Cricket Association (GBCA) is proud of the performances exhibited by the five female Guyanese cricketers who recently played on the West Indies (WI) team against the English blind cricket team in Barbados.

The local players, described as the ‘backbone’ of the WI team, performed “exceptionally well and beyond expectation” throughout the series earlier this month, their coach and vice-captain of the Guyana senior team, Ganesh Singh, told this publication.

The blind cricketers played five T-20 matches over a five-day period following three days of intense training guided by the coaches from England and the WI management team. The training sessions were conducted to fa-

cilitate the ‘gelling’ of the WI team and for the English to impart knowledge and skills to the WI females; most of whom were new to the sport of blind cricket.

The five local players were Crystal Aulder, Rosemarie Ramitt, Melieka Crawford, Robecka Edinboro, and Ackila Smith.

Aulder was given the task of captaining the WI team which Singh said she did with distinction since she was the leading run-scorer for the series with 154 runs with a top score of 53.

Aulder also had three notout scores as opening batter for the WI team in all five innings. She was named ‘playerof-the-match’ and received a plaque for her 50.

Edinboro, who was named the best B3 of the

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday August 01, 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) 188 runs (2) 4/0/15/4 Today’s Quiz: (1) When and where did BANG first play a T20 International game?

(2) Which Bangladeshi faced the first ball in a T20 International game?

Answer in tomorrow's issue

series and received a plaque, made a total of 112 runs with a top score of 36. She opened the batting with Aulder. In addition to her batting success, she had two wickets and seven run-outs.

She was also said to be one of the best fielders in the series.

Crawford was the wicketkeeper for the WI team and did a good job behind the stumps although it was her first time keeping wicket, Singh said. She also made some useful contributions with the bat when she was required.

Smith, who did not get an opportunity to bat in any of the games, did an “exceptional” job in the field having a few run-outs and saving a lot of runs for her team.

Ramitt, the only B1 from Guyana, was the main B1 batter for her team and was part of some useful partnerships

Vice-captain of the Guyana senior team Ganesh Singh

with her captain. She also bowled well in the five games, Singh reported.

The WI team won one out of their five games. In the game they won, they batted first and made 148 runs with the top scorer being Aulder. The English team managed 132 runs.

In the four other games, Singh said the WI team performed very well although they did not win.

“The commitment and passion was evident in all the WI players. It must be highlighted that this was a learning experience for the female blind cricketers and would only assist in growing the sport amongst the females with vision disabilities both

The five local players were Crystal Aulder, Rosemarie Ramitt, Melieka Crawford, Robecka Edinboro, and Ackila Smith.

in Guyana and the region,” he noted.

The English female blind cricket team have been playing for a number of years and for most of the WI females, it was their first exposure to blind cricket.

The girls benefited from intense training at the Guyana National Stadium prior to travelling to Barbados, under the supervision of captain and vice-captain of the Guyana senior team Kevin Douglas and Ganesh Singh respectively.

“The GBCA wishes to express its sincerest gratitude and deepest appreciation to the following individuals and entities that made it possible

for the females to travel to Barbados and participate in the series through their kind contributions: His Excellency President David Granger; Mr Christopher Jones and the National Sports Commission; Ms Shelly Bhagwandin and her team at the United Women for Special Children (UWSC); the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB); P&P Insurance Brokers; Mr Komal Singh and his team at Gico Construction Inc.; Noble House Seafoods; Goodwood Racing Service; Mr Anthony Xavier and his team at the National stadium.”

OPM makes donation to RHTY&SC for ‘Green Economy’ cricket tournament THE Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has donated $100 000 to the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) in Region Six for the hosting for the second edition of the Green Economy Trophy and Patron’s Fund in observance of President David

Granger’s 73rd birthday who is also the Patron of the club.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the Sports Club was Secretary of the Club, Hilbert Foster, while Administrative Officer Anisha Ramzan and Chief of Staff Omar Bissoon represented the Office of the

Prime Minister.

It was highlighted that this year, in observance of the president’s birthday, the club hopes to donate $4M in cycles, school uniforms, school bags and sports gear to less fortunate students as well as schools and clubs.

The distribution would

be done in conjunction with the ‘B’ Division of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Ministry of Education.

The two organisations will select the students, schools and clubs who would benefit, based on their economic status, performance level and their locations.

51

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 2018

U-15 female footballers engage in position-specific sessions ahead of CONCACAF tourney AS the countdown begins for Guyana’s inaugural participation in the CONCACAF Under-15 Girls tournament from August 6 to 13 at the IMG Academy, Florida, USA, head coach Akilah Castello feels confident that the squad will represent Guyana well in the tournament.

This was revealed as the coaching staff focus on position-specific preparation to emphasise key unit functions with the players as they continue to imbed the Guyana Football Federation’s national playing philosophy.

While pointing out that the squad had a successful period of encampment from July 8 to 16, with 25 members, Castello said the they focused on both unit-specific phases of play and technical repetition.

“During the camp we focused on developing tactical understanding among units of play with a real focus on position-specific coaching.

We developed and assessed physical literacy as well as psycho-social skills and specific communication.

The girls proved to the coaching staff that they show a real desire to learn and understand the game, but ultimately their drive is to wear the badge and represent their country,” she said.

“The girls are training consistently at their various ATCs so they came into the national camp with a far greater level of ability than any other previous squad and, most importantly, possess key knowledge of the game.

They are exposed to the GFF playing and coaching

Head coach Akilah Castello

philosophy on a weekly basis by the nationwide technical staff. This group has a lot of individual talents with the ability to change a game and it is now our job as coaches to put these pieces together to form an attacking unit built on a rock-solid defensive foundation,” Castello added.

The head coach said preparations will contin-

Priyanna Ramdhani through to CAC badminton singles quarter-final match 2-1 in sets of 21-13, 20-22 and 21-12.

Priyanna Ramdhani will face Mexico’s Sabrina Solis Martinez today in their Women’s quarter-final clash as she seeks a semi-final berth and a chance of securing at least a Bronze medal.

Priyanna Ramdhani.

GUYANA’s Badminton players who are competing at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Barranquilla, Colombia, suffered mixed fortunes when they got into action yesterday.

The males, Narayan Ramdhani and Jonathan Mangra both exited the Men’s Singles completion at the round of 32 stage while the lone female player, Priyanna Ramdhani was victorious and secured a spot in the quarter-final stage of the Female’s Singles competition.

Narayan was the first in action facing Jamaican Gareth Henry, the first set was a blowout with Henry winning easily at 21-8, however in the second set, Ramdhani battled back but in vain as Henry won a close set at 22-20 to take the game 2-0.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Mangra lost his match 2-1 to Esteban Hurtado Rojas, the latter took the first set at

21-12, but Mangra bounced back to take the second 1221, however Hurtado Rojas wrapped up proceedings with a hard fought third set of 25-23.

Priyanna took on Nathalie Fedney Vidal of Panama and secured her quarter-final spot with a sound 2-0 victory, she defeated the Panamanian in sets of 21-13 and 21-11.

In the Male Doubles completion, Narayan teamed up with Mangra against Dominican Republic’s Cesar Brito and Reymi Cabreras but the Guyanese duo were defeated 2-0 in sets of 21-10 and 21-9.

Over in the Mixed Doubles competition, the Ramdhani siblings defeated Barbados’ duo of Damien Howell and Tamisha Williams 2-1 in sets of 20-22, 21-17 and 2119, however they could not get past the Dominican duo of Willian Cabrera and Bermary Polanco in the Round of 16.

The Dominicans won that

ue with the Guyana-based squad until departure, which is scheduled for Saturday, August 4.

“I’m very optimistic about the girls giving a true representation of themselves as a national team even though it’s their first major competition.

The players and staff are continuing with the preparation period emphasising the fine detail in how we play.”

Guyana are scheduled to play their first match in the Under-15 Championship against St Lucia on August 6 at 11:00hrs, followed by Cayman Islands on August 7 at 09:00hrs and The Bahamas on August 9 at 11:00hrs.

The playoff will begin on August 10, following the group qualifiers, with the final set for August 13 at 11:00hrs.

GFA ‘STAG Beer Revival Cup’ to kick off August 12 … $500 000 for winning team

Ansa McAl’s Marketing Representative, Seweon McGarrell, makes a presentation to GFA/IMC Chairman Trevor Williams at the launch of the STAG Beer Revival tournament.

SIXTEEN teams will compete in the first tournament held under the recently-installed Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Interim Management Committee (IMC), which will kick off on Sunday, August 12, at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground.

“It’s important to let football play,” stated president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde; a sentiment that was also expressed by the GFA/IMC Chairman Trevor Williams.

With STAG Beer as the title sponsor and the only

corporate entity to align itself with the tournament, the event will see the inclusion of the U-20 department from the GFF Elite League Clubs; Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Western Tigers, Fruta Conquerors and Buxton United.

Northern Rangers, Pele, Riddim Squad, Beacon, Black Pearl, Guyana Police Force, Camptown, Eastville, Santos, Flamingo, and Order of Disciplines are the other teams in the tournament that will be played in a round-robin, knockout format.

According to Otis James, Chairman of the Competitions Committee of the GFA, 56 games will be played over 16 days, with the top two teams from each group after the round-robin phase moving forward to the knockout stage.

“It’s part of our mandate to see football played again in an organised, and of course sustainable manner in Georgetown, so competitions are going to be high on our agenda,” Williams said.

The GFA IMC Chairman also pointed out that “we wish to thank the GFF also for playing an integral role,

and of course STAG Beer for coming on board with this Revival Cup. The work of the IMC is cut out and at this time I wish to say that we’re very happy to have started this process and have football being played while we continue to work to sort out and stabilise the issues in the GFA.” Meanwhile, the GFF president noted: “We can all agree that football in Georgetown has long been overdue. It is pointless for us to get into the reasons why we are at this stage, but what I think we should do

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup

Organisers in overdrive as 100-day countdown begins

Tournament Director, Jennifer Nero.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Atmosphere is building ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, as the region prepares to mark 100 days before the November 9 start of the tournament later this year.

According to Tournament Director, Jennifer Nero, organisers were on track for a successful hosting of the first global cricket event in the Carib-

bean since 2010.

“We invite all cricket fans to participate in the 100-day countdown to the first ever stand-alone ICC Women’s World T20 event.

The host countries are buzzing with excitement and we believe the momentum has started as we get ready,” Nero said.

CONTINUE ON PAGE 47

Confident Guyana U-19s keen on retaining regional cricket titles … depart today for St Vincent

Guyana Under-19 coach Julian Moore

A CONFIDENT 14-member Guyana team departed this morning en route to St Vincent, where they will be aspiring to retain both their Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Under-19 titles.

The Guyanese captured both titles last year, and judging from the combination of the squad this year, the defending

champions are in perfect order.

The core of the squad remains the same which is the biggest advantage for the Guyanese. With eight out of 14 from the current squad being part of the victorious squad last year, there is a certain sense of familiarity, which will definitely help the team achieve their objective.

CONTINUE ON PAGE 47

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

is concentrate our energies in developing a sustainable programme over the next couple of months, over the next couple of years.”

Forde also highlighted Ansa McAl’s importance as a sponsor of the tournament, stating, “It takes a leap of faith for a sponsor to come into an environment that has been dormant for this long.

Many may question whether there is any commercial value existing any longer in the GFA football set-up. I daresay yes, there is. But it would require the collective effort of all of the stakehold-

ers, more so the clubs, the players and the officials. We have to deliver a product that is worthy of the investment Ansa McAl has committed and the investment the Guyana Football Federation will make.”

The tournament will open with a triple-header at the GFC ground, starting at 15:00hrs, with GDF taking on Northern Rangers, followed by a clash between GFC and Pele, while the Camptown FC versus Police match will pull the curtain down on day one of the competition.

Managers to be shown yellow, red cards for misconduct - FA

(REUTERS) - Managers in English soccer will be shown yellow and red cards for misconduct in the technical area during competitive fixtures in the new season, the Football Association (FA) said on Tuesday.

Cards will be issued in the FA Cup, English Football League, EFL Cup, EFL Trophy and National League. Managers and coaches in the Premier League, however, will not be issued cards, but given verbal warnings instead.

The decision comes after a review of the technical area code of conduct by the stakeholders of the English game.

“Stage one warnings” will be issued to occupants of the technical area for inappropriate language and gestures towards match officials, the FA said.

Other forms of “irresponsible behaviour” that could result in a yellow card or warning include kicking or throwing water bottles, coats or other objects in a show of dissent as well as sarcastic clapping.

An automatic one game suspension will be triggered when an individual reaches four warnings.

Eight warnings carry a two-game ban and 12 warnings will result in a three-game ban.

The FA will hand misconduct charges to individuals accumulating 16 warnings, with a regulatory commission determining subsequent sanctions.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2018