Guyana Chronicle E-paper 2-28-2019

THURSDAY 28th February, 2019

No.105562

Police 'bust' ecstasy ring

–– ring leader 'busted' at Parika short-time hotel

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3,000 miles across the Atlantic

–– teacher, students from several top schools involved

RUSAL workers block Berbice River

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Stalker kills mother of five

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Former Royal Marines Commando of the British Army, Richard Allen ignites two flares to celebrate his successful 3,000-mile journey to raise awareness of the Commonwealth. Allen, who started his journey from Sierra Leone, West Africa, arrived in Georgetown on Wednesday (Samuel Maughn photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 28, 2019

RUSAL workers block Berbice River

–– gov’t maintains company must reinstate sacked workers

By Vanessa Braithwaite RUSAL workers whose services have been terminated, have joined forces and blocked the Berbice River in the vicinity of the Kwakwani Waterfront, in an effort to stymie movements of barges and water vessels transporting shipment of bauxite from the mines to the plant and for further transhipment purposes.

Approximately 60 workers assembled at the Waterfront area, where they tied ropes with drums and other items together and created a barrier across the river.

The peaceful protest action was well-organised as the workers divided themselves into shifts and recruited the services of safety officials who are guiding other domestic river users, so as to prevent accidents.

“We have reflectors and so, we have personnel working in the day and the night, just to put safety measures in place; we don’t want to affect anyone else, just the

MP Jermaine Figueria

barges and so, because we are aware that RUSAL is loading and shipping bauxite as per normal, so we want to slow up that operation, so they can quickly come to an agreement with the union and the government,” one worker said.

On Tuesday, RUSAL officials met with Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally and junior minister Keith Scott along with other labour officials. One of the conditions laid out for reinstating workers by the RUSAL managers, is for them re-apply in the company’s current rehir-

Region 10 Chairman Renis Morian

ing process. The workers say that they will not re-apply for any new position, as it would mean their years of services would go down the drain.

“Some people working for 10 years, all the years and all the benefits will go down the drain,” one concerned worker said. He also related that some of the terminated workers are being called in by office personnel in RUSAL to work, but many of those would have refused because all of the sacrifices made over the last 11 days, would go down the drain.

Workers blocked the Berbice River in the vicinity of the Kwakwani Waterfront on Wednesday

“We will not be going back to work under the same conditions, until RUSAL meets with the government and the union and put pen on paper, then we will resume to work,” he said.

REGIONAL CATASTROPHE Meanwhile, Region 10 officials have expressed their concern for the welfare of the workers, calling the mass dismissal, a regional catastrophe. About 90 workers on

Monday were issued with termination letters that were penned on the 18th and 20th of February. The correspondence dated the 18th February, addressed workers who participated in strike action on February 16. That letter states that because of their decision to withdraw their services on the said day, the company was left with no other alternative but to terminate their services. The letters, penned on February 20, were addressed to additional workers, who did not take part in the strike, informing them that that company is closing sections of its operations, hence the reason for their termination.

Both letters were signed by Company Manager Mikhail Krupenin. While the majority of workers received same by mail, others were issued letters directly from the office on Monday in Aroaima. The latter letters were penned just one day before RUSAL’s manager TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 28, 2019

Police 'bust' ecstasy ring

–– ring leader 'busted' at Parika short-time hotel –– teacher, students from several top schools involved COPS at Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) may have uncovered an organised ring whose players are engaged in trafficking of the date-rape drug, ecstasy, by utilising school-aged girls in the trade.

Reports are that the lawmen uncovered the ring on Sunday as they searched for a Stewartville Secondary School student, aged 14, who was reported missing by her parents on Friday.

‘D’ Division Police Commander, Edmond Cooper, confirmed to the Guyana Chronicle that a suspect is in custody in connection with the incident regarding the 14-year-old girl. He said too that investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Reports are that two young men, one who goes by the alias “Scooby Dew” and who is said to be the ring leader, and another by the alias “Alex” and who is said to be the boyfriend of a Mae's Secondary schoolgirl who committed suicide recently, have been fingered in the case. A female teacher who teaches at a Tuschen, EBE private school was identified as being a part of the gang.

Reports are that the entire scenario played out when the lawmen and the parents of the missing secondary schoolgirl searched for her over the weekend.

This publication was told by a source that when the teenage girl did not return home from school on Friday, her parents became worried and reported her missing.

The child's parents scoured the East Bank Essequibo area after receiving information about the persons with whom she was in contact, including Scooby Dew. The parents of the child later found out that she operated a Facebook account under a fake name and they started to scour her social media account. The girl’s parents managed to engage Scooby Dew, who is listed as a mutual friend of the young lady on her Facebook account.

While he was unaware initially that he was chatting with the teen’s mother, he was asked if he knew about the missing girl and he later told the child's mother that he knew nothing about her daughter's whereabouts. He later changed his story and according to messages seen by this newspaper, the man provided vague details about the teen’s whereabouts. In one message, he told the woman that her daughter is ok and that she has “herself handled.”

In a subsequent message, he told the woman that the child would be home around 20:00hrs on Sunday.

In a desperate move to find her daughter, on Sunday, the mother travelled to the village of Barnwell, EBE, where she was told where the young man lives. In the company of the police, she enquired from his parents about his whereabouts. His parents provided the lawmen with incorrect information on two occasions. This in-

cluded two wild goose trips to a boat building location at Parika and another section of the business community.

The suspect’s mother subsequently called and informed him that she was going with the ranks to the police station Later on Sunday, the police encountered Scooby Dew walking out from a ‘short time’ hideout hotel and took him to the Parika Police Station.

While there, he was grilled about the missing schoolgirl's whereabouts but remained tight-lipped.

The girl's parents told this newspaper that they overheard the man's relatives attempting to bribe the policemen and this infuriated the missing girl's mother who, in a fit of rage, grabbed the suspect. During the melee, his phone fell out of his pocket.

DRAMATIC TURN Reports are the police ran through the man's phone and it was here that the investigation took a dramatic turn.

A series of chats were observed in which a host of messages and conversations

about the ring's activities were noticed. Since the suspect was uncooperative, a message was sent to a recipient in the group as bait.

The message included a request for food for Scooby Dew. Luck was on the side of the police, since another gang member questioned if the young man was still at the hotel with the missing girl. This piece of information provided a valuable clue and police raced to the “short time" hideout at Parika.

During this time, the suspect and his relatives had managed to inform the missing teenager that the police were on their way and reports are that when the ranks and girl’s father arrived at the hotel, they found the girl stepping out dazed and swaying.

She was reportedly drugged repeatedly by the teen and other gang members. On seeing the police and her father, she ran back into the hotel.

The police then raided the room where she was kept and found food, empty fastfood boxes with chicken and empty beverage bottles. Ac-

cording to reports, the gang booked the room with the intention of raping the girl and luring other girls.

While the lawmen investigated the chat messages in the suspect’s phone, information led them to the home of ‘Alex’ at Tuschen, EBE. A police source reported that the ecstasy pills were found at the man’s home; but according to relatives of the missing girl, while at the police station at Parika, the man was attempting to bribe the police to clear his name.

On Thursday, in the presence of her mother, the 14-year-old girl detailed the activities of the gang, including who are its leaders, who supplies the drugs to the gang and the names of several top secondary schools, including the Tuschen private school, which one of the gang members attended and where a teacher who visited her while she was kept at the hotel, teaches.

She also detailed the methods used by the gang to package the drug at the pharmacy at Tuschen, EBE. This included precise packaging of various quantities of the date-rape drug in capsules for resale to known customers.

TOP SCHOOLS She also related that Scooby Dew would take her to an Alberttown, Georgetown address where a man supplies the gang with the drug. The drugs are then distributed to persons at several secondary schools in the city to sell, including top private schools which have been making the news recently and one of the country’s leading senior top secondary schools.

The young lady expressed fear for her life, and according to her mother, the gang members threatened to kill her if she disclosed their activities. Her parents noted too that a medical report indicated that the girl was sexually assaulted.

Investigators at the Leonora Police Station have taken over the case from their colleagues at Parika. Reports are that investigators are awaiting legal advice while the prime suspect remains behind bars.

The parents of the girl were subsequently contacted by the parents of the late Vanica Schultz, the Mae's Secondary student who committed suicide late in January.

Schultz also lived at Tuschen and her parents told the parents of the 14-year-old girl that they were more than familiar with Alex. He was said to be Schultz boyfriend prior to her death on January 25, 2019. He was later arrested in connection with her demise but was released on $20,000 station bail several days after she died.

Schultz activities at school were uncovered after a list of names of persons at school who owed her sums of monies for the ecstasy pill was found in her school bag and was reported to the school’s teachers.

Reports are that the illegal hallucination drug LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide) which alters an individuals’ awareness to his/ her surroundings, is also traded by the ecstasy gang and the trade also involves a post office on the EBE.

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Stalker kills mother of five NADINA Kalamadeen, 34, of North Sophia was on Wednesday evening killed by a man who exhibited signs of obsession with her.

The mother of five was reportedly stabbed multiple times about the body by her attacker.

That incident, which occurred at North Sophia, was witnessed by her two young children.

Guyana Chronicle was told that the man had been trying to

get the woman’s attention for some time now but on each occasion, he received the ‘cold shoulder’.

On Wednesday, he showed up at Kalamadeen’s home, calling for her but she was sleeping, and a relative refused to wake her up.

The man subsequently returned to her home and managed to get the woman out of the house and they were seen

Thursday, February 28, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 28, 2019

George Talbot accredited Ambassador to Argentina

walking on the road together.

Kalamadeen was walking in front while the man, whose call name was given as “Goodie man” was walking at the back. He was seen inflicting stab wounds to the woman’s back as she walked.

The woman is survived by her five children and other relatives and friends. The Guyana Chronicle was told that the suspect, after committing the act, attempted to flee the scene but was captured by a resident on a pedal cycle.

He was handed over to the police and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital for medical attention. Kalamadeen, who was rushed to the same hospital, was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police have launched an investigation into the matter.

13:00 hrs

His Excellency George Talbot and Argentine President Mauricio Macri

GUYANA’s Ambassador to the Federative Republic of Brazil, His Excellency George Talbot, has been accredited Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Argentine Republic.

He presented letters of credence to Argentine President Mauri-

cio Macri. Ambassador Talbot also met with Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie and discussed matters of bilateral and regional concern.

T h e o ff i c i a l p r o ceedings included the laying of a wreath at a monument in tribute to Argentine hero General José de San Martín at the Plaza San Martín.

Guyana and Argentina established diplomatic relations on October 6, 1972.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 28, 2019

APA to host 10th General Assembly

- advancement of Indigenous rights primary focus THE Amerindian People’s Association (APA) will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and 10th General Assembly (GA) next week, and will place major emphasis on the advancement of Indigenous rights in Guyana.

The General Assembly will be held from March 4th to 6th at Camp Kayuka on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

In a press statement on Wednesday, APA said 2019 marks 28 years since its establishment and the milestone coincides with

the United Nations declared “International Year of Indigenous Languages.”

“We see this year’s focus on indigenous languages as an opportune time to examine how far we have come and how we would like to move forward in the years ahead and have integrated the United Nations theme into that of our Assembly, “Our Land, Our Languages, Our way of Life!,” APA said.

APA’s General Assembly is the largest decision-making forum of the organisation. It is where members from the various APA units

Chief Elections Officer suffers high blood pressure

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, has not suffered from a heart attack as publicised in some sections of the media, but has been checked into the hospital with high blood pressure.

On Tuesday evening, it was reported in the media that Lowenfield had suffered a “suspected heart attack” which many linked in one way or the other to the current election debate in Guyana.

However, GECOM Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Warde, who spoke with the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday, quelled the speculation.

“He is going through some routine medical tests. He visited the doctor on Friday and his blood pressure was high and he was given some leave,” she explained.

Ward further stated that the CEO was admitted to the Caribbean Heart Institute at the Georgetown Public Hospital and the leave allotted was for about seven days.

Michael Cohen: Ex-lawyer tells Congress Trump directed lies

(BBC) US President Donald Trump’s ex-lawyer Michael Cohen has claimed Mr Trump wanted him to lie about a property deal in Moscow amid his election campaign.

In congressional testimony, Cohen said Mr Trump directed covert plans for the skyscraper, even while he denied having any business in Russia.

He also said Mr Trump knew about a leak of hacked Democratic emails, and called him a “racist”, “conman” and “cheat”.

Mr Trump hit back: “He is lying in order to reduce his prison time.”

The US president took time out from preparing to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Wednesday to lash out in a tweet at his former fixer.

Cohen, 52, will start a three-year prison term in May for the campaign finance violation of paying hush money to one of Mr Trump’s alleged mistresses, tax evasion and lying to Congress.

What did Cohen say about the Moscow project?

In his public testimony to the House of Representatives Oversight Committee on Wednesday, he said Mr Trump “knew of and directed” plans for a Trump Tower Moscow, while stating publicly that he had no dealings in Russia.

“At the same time I was actively negotiating in Russia for him,” Cohen testified, “he would look me in the eye and tell me there’s no business in Russia and then go out and lie to the American people by saying the same thing. In his way, he was telling me to lie.”

“He wanted me to lie,” the witness added.

However, Cohen has been convicted of lying to Congress when he testified in 2017 that attempts to build a Trump skyscraper in Moscow had stopped by January 2016.

He has since acknowledged negotiations actually continued until June 2016 in the midst of the election campaign, though the real estate project ultimately did not go ahead.

Cohen apologised on Wednesday for his earlier false statements to Congress, which he claimed were “reviewed and edited” by Mr Trump’s lawyers.

Jay Sekulow, counsel to President Trump, said in a statement after the hearing: “Today’s testimony by Michael Cohen that attorneys for the president edited or changed his statement to Congress to alter the duration of the Trump Tower Moscow negotiations is completely false.”

Cohen also suggested federal prosecutors in New York are investigating some unspecified crime involving Trump.

located across the country come together to agree on the future plans of the organisation, and to discuss and address key issues affecting Indigenous peoples in Guyana, the association explained.

Good governance, the revision of the Amerindian Act 2006, the reinforcement of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) and land titling and demarcation of Indigenous communities are among issues that the organisation will continue to focus on during this Assembly.

According to the APA, these

subject areas remain critical for the advancement of Indigenous peoples across Guyana.

The organisation will also be conducting elections for office bearers of its executive committee. These persons will come from the membership of the Association drawn predominantly from Region One- Barima/Waini, Region Two Pomeroon/Supenaam, Region 7-Cuyuni/ Mazaruni, Region 8- Potaro/ Siparuni and Region 9- Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo.

APA’s membership comes from APA Units throughout

Guyana.

The APA was formed in 1991 at a conference for Indigenous leaders in Georgetown. “These leaders had met to discuss various problems affecting their communities and felt that there was the need for an independent organisation to represent their issues especially as they were not being addressed by the government. Such issues included natural resources exploitation on traditional Indigenous lands by large mining and logging companies and various forms of human rights abuse, including police

brutality,” APA explained.

The APA was therefore formed to actively support community initiatives to address human rights violations and to work towards improving the general conditions of the Indigenous peoples of Guyana.

The APA was first led by a Steering Committee, which later became the Executive Committee. The organisation held its first General Assembly in Georgetown in 1992 and has since held nine others, the last at St. Cuthbert’s Mission (Pakuri), Region Four.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 28, 2019

Putting country first W

E are in the presence of yet another political firestorm which has consequences for our country’s immediate future. Therefore, we are forced to once again contend with both our frailties as a nation and our desire to march on despite those frailties.

It seems as if we can never find what it takes to muster that spirit that is needed to prevent political disagreements from becoming political liabilities. It is natural to have different approaches to national development—after all, we are a diverse society—but it is not natural to succeed in constantly becoming trapped by those differences.

Guyana, like the rest of the Caribbean, is a very complex space. Its politics is fuelled by a complex convergence of social class, ethnicity, race, gender and political tribalism. Ours is a post-plantation society which still bears the raw scars of the plantation, but it’s a society that often allows itself to pretend that the plantation has receded into the distant past. Truth be told, most of our Guyanese and Caribbean history has been a story of bondage. And that must mean and teach something to its victims.

From the splits of our fledgeling nationalist movement in the 1950s to the present, we have searched for that magic touch of national harmony. While there have been moments of hope and optimism, these have often given way to disharmony. And our moments of disharmony have stood in the way of our national development, our independence imperative and our constant struggle for survival in a world that is perpetually hostile to newly independent societies.

Fifty years after our final blow to formal colonisation launched us on the road to unfettered nationhood, we are still fighting the same internal political battles that threatened to tear us apart before we achieved full statehood. No doubt, we congratulate ourselves on the fact that we have stayed together as a nation, but how many times have we not been to the edge of ruin? While the legacy of colonisation is still very much present in our institutions and political culture, we have got to own the consequences—the colonials are no longer physically here.

In the end, we remain trapped in bondage, even if without the chains of the plantation. The mystery of our underdevelopment in the face of our potential riches lies in this national malady. Every now and then, together and separately, our factions have embraced reason, but these have been fleeting—we have allowed ourselves to be too wedded to the politics of unreason which has over time become normative.

How can the descendants of the colonised so often find ways to undermine national solidarity? Is it that the spirit which generated the quest for joint freedom no longer resides in our national consciousness? We refuse to believe that Guyanese have given up on becoming the model nation of co-equals. So, there must be a way out of this vicious cycle of aggression and victimhood.

Many have correctly put the onus on our political leaderships to show the way towards something healthier and hopeful. But maybe that’s where we have gone wrong.

For all the visionary leaders that have passed our way, we

still yearn for that zone of satisfaction where we can look the rest of the world in the eye and say ‘we are worthy of emulation’. Most of our leaderships have flattered to deceive. It is as if the lure of power proves to be so seductive that they have not been able to help themselves.

Or, is it that they have long surrendered to the emptiness of jargons, cuss-outs, false promises and the carnival of political spite?

But leaderships arise out of followerships and in turn cultivate those followers. As our national poet, Martin Carter, cautions: “All are involved/All are consumed.” We feel that it is time to move beyond the leader-led model and reach for something much more inclusive and responsible.

We cannot survive as a nation if we continue to allow leaders to dictate our collective notion of socio-political reality.

We must again become accustomed to questioning our leaders—not just the government, but our leaders in and out of government. It is the essence of civic engagement which unfortunately has been in short supply recently.

We, therefore, renew our call for a widening dialogue away from the political competition. Governments come and go, but the nation must live on. In a matter of months, we will become an “oil- producing” nation which would fundamentally change our country’s sense of itself and the world’s sense of who we are. We already know that such a development requires a shift from what we have been in terms of our attitude to nationhood.

So, this is not the time to be torn apart by the politics of expediency—it’s still nation time!

Is Stabroek News in bed with PPP against the attorney general?

Dear Editor,

money laundering.

Williams’ anti-corruption measures also sensitised GuyaREFER to a letter authored by Clement Rohee, cap- nese about chronic stealing of state assets, bribery and how to tioned, “Judge exercised enormous amount of patience strike a blow against corrupt government officials. with Mr. Williams” and an article with the headline His efforts again led to Guyana being rated by Transparen“Jagdeo laments sloth in hearing of no-confidence appeals,” cy International (TI) as one of the countries making progress both appearing in the Monday, February 25, 2019 edition in this area. of Stabroek News and an article of this ilk in Tuesday, Despite the foregoing, Stabroek News refuses to report February 26, 2019 edition of Stabroek News, headed, favourable news of Williams, publishes lies and insinuations “Hearing of the AG’s confidence ruling stay applications about him, while holding up proven bandits as icons. set for Thursday.”

Rohee’s letter and Jagdeo’s fulminations again illustrate For some time now the casual observer would have wit- this unholy alliance between them in yet another attack against nessed attacks, some nuanced, some overt, against a man Williams. who President Granger enlisted to carry the fight against Insinuating disrespect by Williams for the Learned Judge of Anti Money Laundering, Countering Terrorist Financing and the Court of Appeal, Rishi Persaud, and dubious behaviour in Countering the financing of Weapons of Mass Destruction the court is reminiscent of his cohort Nandlall’s fake allegation (AMLCFT/CWMD), the Honourable Basil Williams S.C.M.P that Williams had threatened Justice Holder.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs.

Like Oscar Ramjeet and Nandlall, Rohee will also fall by Williams removed Guyana from blacklisting by both the wayside for bearing false witness against Williams, in the the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Caribbean practice of his profession as a lawyer, and office of Minister Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) within a year in office. and Attorney-General.

He even took up the helm of Chairman of the CFATF, lifting Stabroek News in turn is doing a great disservice to the Guyana’s profile regionally and internationally. memory of the late David De Caires, its founder.

Williams’ efforts severely undermined the dirty money In the Court of Appeal there was no discourtesy towards dealers nurtured under the PPP’s time in office and the Eu- Justice Persaud. Williams did as most experienced lawyers ropean Union (EU) only recently removed Guyana from its would-- argued until stopped by the court. blacklist in recognition of the government ‘s effort to combat In addition, there were healthy exchanges on the law

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between him and Messrs Rafiq Khan and Neil Boston; and it was to those two he said he had disagreed with, not the Judge.

Williams in the result won the argument because Justice Persaud confirmed that the procedure followed by the state solicitor, the filing of the second notice of appeal without leave to amend was lawful; it was in consonance with Order II Rule 6 (1) (b) which provides:“Without such leave, by, supplementary notice served, before the date on which the appeal appears in the cause list published in accordance with order 1, rule 5 upon each of the parties upon whom the notice to be amended was served.”

Stabroek News contention of glaring errors was fake news.

Justice Persaud simply asked Williams to update the application for a stay of the effect of the Judgment, and a Conservatory Order preserving the status quo ante as it was overtaken by the second or supplementary Notice of Appeal.

What was even more mind boggling was the astonishing, malicious attack by Stabroek News against Williams and the recently appointed solicitor general, a total fabrication. They even lacked the class to make a proper apology to the solicitor general. Of course, they must face the full force of the law.

Stabroek News is now the garbage disposal bin for the PPP. Hence, Rohee’s incoherent attempt to misrepresent the proceedings in court that day.

Regards, Ministry of Legal Affairs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 28, 2019

Hungry for power through the eyes of racism Dear Editor,

Yes, our country has a government that is faced with a no-conS Guyana sits and awaits fidence motion (NCM or no conthe way forward in the final fidence vote (NVC) on the motion ruling of the no-confidence and we all know it. And yes, the motion, the country is in tense no-confidence motion is taking its moments that are taking a racial toll or impact on our nation and that twist and several threats are being is because of the move by one man made, as some want to gain power that is said to betray an entire nation. at all means.

We as citizens must also underIt is very sad to see some of our stand and recognise that the matter politicians still have buried in their of the NCM or NCV was challenged minds, racism, as a way forward in and is before the courts be it the having their way as to gain political high court (which already made a power. We all know and I can clear- decision), the appeal court (which is ly say that the youths of today do yet to rule) or the CCJ (which govnot want any involvement in racism ernment said they intended to go). whatsoever.

We must also understand that We are living as one people whenever a legal battle does not in one nation with one destiny, but go our way, we have the right to that doesn’t seem to worry some. appeal such matter, same goes to the I can say also that racism should government and opposition party in be the thing of the past, but today Guyana or elsewhere. people who want to have control of But something seems amiss our great country will use it to once in Guyana, because the way the again in start the process of dividing opposition party is behaving is like our people. the government does not have the I use the terms above that is our rights to take the matter any further, motto to describe how we are today. but must step aside and allow the I can clearly state that within my PPP to take office.

NDC -Bath/Woodley Park on the If you are to listen to the stateWest Coast of Berbice, it used to be ments of the opposition leader, he dominated since its existence by an seems to be dictating what he wants Indian population which was about and if it does not go his way, then 95 per cent. it can’t go no other way. When you Today, because of Guyana’s listen to this man you can see in his rich diversity and unity, that percent- face how hungry he is for power age has dropped dramatically and and I use the term “he” because we is around 60%. We have people of all know that the PPP presidential all races, religions, cultures, status, candidate is a rubber stamp (he etc living together within this NDC. acknowledge such also of himself I know and many will agree that and party being such). same is happening throughout the The opposition party and its other villages. leader seem to be bending on makPeople are united and free in ing Guyana ungovernable through many ways that bring unity, but racism and threats. I am surprised at some politicians are deemed to en- the number of lawyers who is in the sure that they divide our nation and PPP and it seems as if none of them people at all cost no matter what it knows that the government or Guytakes they will do it. anese have the right to appeal a legal

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matter that does not go their way.

In fact, what the lawyers in the opposition know is the thirdterm case as if only the PPP and its supporters have the right to appeal.

Let’s remember the third-term case and after the appeal what happens to it at the CCJ. At every single presser that the PPP hosted, including its leader, is full of racial statements. Every single public and bottom house meetings that the opposition has so far is full of racial and discriminatory slangs.

Let’s recall that the leader of the opposition told the people of Berbice at the PPP rally that “we must take back our country.” Whose country is the leader referring to?.

This is our country, our land not him and the PPP supporters alone.

It belongs to all of us no matter race, religion, political affiliation, etc.

But this man seems to believe and behaves as if he owns Guyana and only he can lead Guyana. If we can recall it was alleged that this same party and it’s leader a few years ago at Babu Jahaan in Region Six was saying that the “PPP is a Coolie man party”, that was carried by the media and on social media.

I am surprised to see the amount of hatred and disrespect being shown to the President and people of Guyana by the opposition leader by using all types of statements, slangs and name calling; even that can cause Guyana to derail from looking at the bigger picture.

We must also understand that this is the very man in one of his press conferences, that told this nation that things won’t be easy or taken lightly if this government is to remain in office. And we must all recall the threats that occurred

after that on one of our highest educational institutions and I never heard him said a word on it.

This is the very man who said he wants the international community to sanction Guyana. This is the same man that shows disrespect to the international community when he was the President and send one of his ministers to cuss out the US Ambassador.

The opposition party and its leaders are trying to portray to this nation that only once race can run this country and one party. We all know which race he is inclined to as the only race that can govern this country and he does that because he is dictating that very party that is dominated by the said race.

I call on the Ethnic Relations Commission to do its work and monitor every single PPP program on the digital and print media. I call on the ERC to hired agents that will record every single meeting being hosted by this party.

And I call on the ERC to listen to the political commentators, especially those in the PPP that is based in Berbice that are using racism as a way to get to the people that they claim are their own.

I call on all to denounce race-baiting politics and let’s continue to work for unity and progress under this APNU+AFC Government.

Regards, Abel Seetaram

Irfaan Ali bearing false witness against the coalition Dear Editor,

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HE recently elected or selected People’s Progressive Party presidential candidate Mr. Irfaan Ali, soon after that process was completed and the result made public, visited the Essequibo Coast and had discussions with mainly rice farmers, and as expected, falsely led them to believe that the coalition government APNC+AFC do not have their interest at heart.

There is evidence in abundance that it was under the PPP’s 23 years in government that the rapid decline in the rice industry begin, where small-scale farmers rented and sold their lands to the millers and large-scale farmers and millers were owing farmers for lengthy periods and the dissatisfaction with the grading and weight system begin to become a major area of concern, the price for a bag of paddy was frustrating and still is.

All of this happened under four consecutive PPP Presidents, namely Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Janet Jagan, Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar, whose tenure may have been the worst of all, not forgetting may be about seven senior and junior Ministers of Agriculture during those 23 years. It is therefore ridiculous and grossly unfair for the opposition led by Jagdeo, who had 10 years as president, and who is widely believed to have been calling the shots during the Ramotar presidency, to blame the APNU+AFC coalition for the unhealthy situation in the rice industry. They could not have done the job in 23 years, but now criticise the coalition for not doing it in three.

It is amazing how conveniently people can forget that it was the People’s National Congress government under the late President Desmond Hoyte that the price for paddy raise from below $3,000 per bag to more than $4,500 per bag.

Yours faithfully, Archie W. Cordis.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 28, 2019

Guyana improves ‘adherence to law’ ranking

GUYANA has moved two places up in adherence to the rule of law, according to the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2019.

Guyana is now placed at 75th of 126 countries worldwide and is ranked 19 out of 30 countries in the Latin American and Caribbean Region and 24 out of 38 among upper-middle-income countries.

The WJP Rule of Law Index measures countries’ rule-of-law performance across eight factors. These are Constraints on Government Powers, Absence of Corruption, Open Government, Fundamental Rights, Order and Security, Regulatory Enforcement, Civil Justice and Criminal Justice.

This year’s report shows that Guyana’s best performance was in ‘Constraints on Government Powers’, ranking at 55 out of 126.

Constraints on government’s powers measure the extent to which those who govern are bound by law and comprises both the con-

stitutional and institutional means by which the powers of the government and its officials and agents are limited and held accountable under the law.

This factor is followed

by Civil Justice, Fundamental Rights and Absence of Corruption which all rank 65 out of 126.

There is more work to do in the area of Criminal Justice, which ranks at 78 out of 126; Open Government with 84 out of 126; Regulatory Enforcement at 86 out of 126 and Order and Security at 105 out of 126.

The change in ranking was calculated by comparing the positions of the world’s countries measured in the 2017-2018 edition of the index, with the rankings of the same countries in 2019, exclusive of 13 new countries indexed in 2019.

According to a report, globally, the new WJP Rule of Law Index scores show that more countries declined than improved in overall rule-of-law performance for a second year in a row,

continuing a negative slide towards weaker rule of law around the world.

The ‘Constraints on Government Powers’ factor declined in more countries than any other factor worldwide over the last year, which saw 61 countries declining, 23 staying the same and 29 improving.

“This slide in rule of law in general and checks on government powers in particular is deeply concerning,” said Executive Director of the World Justice

Project, Elizabeth Andersen.

Meanwhile, WJP founder and CEO William H. Neukom reminded: “Effective rule of law is the foundation for communities of justice, opportunity, and peace…no country has achieved a perfect realisation of the rule of law. The WJP Rule of Law Index is intended to be a first step in setting benchmarks, informing reforms, stimulating programmes, and deepening appreciation and understanding for the foundational importance of

the rule of law.”

The top three overall performers in the WJP Rule of Law Index 2019 were Denmark (1), Norway (2), and Finland (3) while the bottom three were the Democratic Republic of the Congo (124), Cambodia (125) and, Guyana’s western neighbour, Venezuela (126).

Regionally, Latin America and the Caribbean’s top performer in the Index is Uruguay at 23, out of 126, followed by Costa Rica and Chile.

The three countries with the lowest scores in the region were Honduras, Bolivia, and Venezuela.

The evaluation of the rule of law adherence worldwide is based on more than 120,000 household and 3,800 expert surveys in 126 countries.

The WJP Rule of Law Index is the world’s leading source for original data on the rule of law.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 28, 2019

Incredible journey

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–– former British commander rows 3,000 miles across the Atlantic

Former Royal Marines Commando of the British Army, Richard Allen rows for the final minutes into the Georgetown Ferry Stelling near Stabroek Market

By Lisa Hamilton FORMER Royal Marines Commando of the British Army, Richard Allen, arrived safely in Guyana on Wednesday after rowing his way across the Atlantic Ocean on a 3,000-mile solo journey from Sierra Leone in West Africa.

Allen docked at the Georgetown Ferry Stelling near Stabroek Market at around 18:00hrs in the boat named "Tamu'kke" which in the Patamona language of Guyana’s Indigenous people translates to "together” or “united".

In the mission called the ‘Commonwealth Row’, the former Royal Marines Commando sought to row the Atlantic Ocean without leaving the Commonwealth.

The aim of the feat was to raise awareness about the Commonwealth amongst its some 2.4 billion citizens.

It is also geared toward raising much-needed money for charities and foundations operating within the Commonwealth which are assist-

ing through health, education, enterprise and generally helping people.

“It was really hard because of the heat,” he told the media after speaking with immigration and health officials.

“Basically, I was trying hard to prevent a heat stroke half of the time. The rest was a bit boring, I’ve got to admit.

But the last section coming around South America was quite dangerous. [I was worried] about the boat getting smashed up [and] one point I lost three or four oars but I had some spare ones. At one point I was down to one oar and I had to anchor, I didn’t go ashore; I tried to make one new oar out of two separate bits.”

Allen also said that at one point the boat capsized and he was separated from the boat by about 1,500 meters.

Allen was expected to arrive on the shores of Guyana near the Marriott Hotel on Wednesday, but strong winds saw him diverting to the Ferry Stelling.

“The project wasn’t about me rowing a boat. It’s all

Allen meets with founder of the Guyana Foundation, Supriya Singh-Bodden (second left) and other supporters

Allen ignites two flares in celebration of his successful 3,000-mile journey

about trying to raise awareness and change common misconceptions about the Commonwealth,” he said.

He added: “The Commonwealth isn’t about politics or politicians or anything like that; it’s all about people; it’s about all of us, 2.4 billion of us, we should really be coming together to help each other.”

Allen said his hope is to spark interest, especially amongst kids to get them interested in knowing more about the Commonwealth.

During his time here, he will be giving assistance to charities where possible while

getting first-hand experience of their work and where the donations are going.

“As soon as he gets his ‘land-legs’ we’ll be taking him up to Mashabo, to different parts of Region Two where we have active projects going on,” said Supriya Singh-Bodden, founder of the Guyana Foundation.

Allen speaks with a medical practitioner upon arrival

Singh-Bodden met Allen when he placed a phone call to her, stating his interest in supporting the foundation which saw them meeting up in London to further develop the partnership in November 2018.

“I was more worried about what he was going to eat and how he was going to drink and he didn’t seem concerned in the slightest. He said my days will be spent eating dried food, adding water to it and I’ll sleep at night, then I’ll wake up the next day and I’ll row again,” she said.

“The Guyana Foundation is really very grateful for the support that he has given us so far because it has brought a lot of attention to the mental health awareness work [and] the community projects we’re doing.”

Allen has served in some of the most extreme, hostile, and remote places on earth,

including jungles, deserts and the Arctic, and travelled further during his own adventures.

In the past, he has tested the possibility of how far one person with a small bag could travel the world without a plane, making his way through countries such as France, Morocco, Malta, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, Trinidad & Tobago and many others.

He was assisted on his journey by members of the British Sailing Team and forecaster for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, Simon Rowell, who assisted as a meteorologist.

Today at 11:00hrs, Allen will be meeting with children from schools across Georgetown with his boat just outside the Marriott Hotel near the road on the Western side of the Pegasus Hotel.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 28, 2019

Linden sawmill owner loses properties to fire Vanessa Braithwaite KISSOON Dial, owner of the popular Kakaralli Sawmill in Amelia’s Ward, Linden, suffered millions in losses after his home, store room and tool shed were destroyed on Wednesday morning.

However, a quick response from the Linden fire service enabled them to contain the blaze from spreading to other parts of the sawmill.

Dial was already tending to customers when he was alerted by his housekeeper, that his one-storey wooden house was on fire. Despite his efforts to start a bucket brigade, the entire house went up in flames before spreading to the nearby tool shed and storage room.

Housekeeper Verona Boyle was in the kitchen washing dishes when she felt a sudden heat, shortly before 10:00hrs and decided to investigate. “I was just finish

making breakfast. I was in the kitchen washing dishes, so I feel a heat whilst washing these dishes so I know the gas stove is right behind me. When I turn around, me ain’t see no fire.

Something tell me come outside. When I come out now, when I look that way at the bedroom, I saw fire in the bedroom and I started screaming.

Dial’s son, Avmid Dial, said that he saw smoke in the house and by the time they

decided to throw water on it, everything was engulfed in flames. He then drove away after becoming confused.

He described his father’s losses in the millions and related that the most losses

came from the tool shed, where every tool used at the sawmill was destroyed.

“Every little fine, fine thing he had, motors, to the things to test the motors, every, everything gone,” he lamented.

Whilst the fire fighters have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, it is suspected to be electrical in origin. Dial lived on the property for over two decades.

Four nabbed in Berbice police raid

The items found by the police

FOUR persons were on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, arrested by ranks of the Guyana Police Force Narcotics Branch (Berbice Division) during a fourhour long operation in several locations of New Amsterdam and East Canje, Berbice.

They were nabbed with narcotics and items suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained as well

as suspected faked business stamps and documents. The operations were spearheaded by a Senior Superintendent and twenty other police officers.

According to a police release, at Sheet Anchor Village, East Canje, a businessman was arrested with 313 grammes of cannabis A search of a house at St. John’s Street, New Amsterdam, led to the arrest of three

males who were busted with 377 grammes of cannabis and 15 grammes of cocaine.

Meanwhile, a male resident of Howard’s Alley, New Amsterdam, was arrested after a search of his premises revealed a quantity of suspected stolen items and several suspected fake business stamps and a passport. He is assisting with the investigation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 28, 2019

400% increase in internet traffic

–– Because of Blaze network, GTT CEO says CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of GTT, Justin Nedd, said that the telecommunications company had recorded a 400 per cent increase in internet traffic, owing to the faster speeds provided by the company’s Blaze network.

“In the last 12 months, we built our [Blaze] network at a kinetic pace... so much so we have tens of thousands of people connected to the fibre

optic cable,” Nedd shared at a Press Conference on Tuesday, February 26, 2019.

Blaze was launched in 2017, as an internet connectivity alternative to the Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), which transmits digital data over telephone lines. It uses the multi-million dollar fibre optic cable that GTT had laid in Guyana, years ago, to provide faster internet speeds.

And since its launch in

2017, the CEO related that more than 60,000 households and businesses were capable of accessing this service, with the demand for it being “overwhelming”.

“From January 2018 to January 2019, because of that success, we’ve seen more than 400 per cent increase in internet traffic, largely attributed to the deployment of the high-speed fibre optic network,” Nedd highlighted.

The internet traffic, he highlighted, stemmed from persons’ ability to use internet services much faster; this includes faster streaming of video content.

Cognisant of this, Nedd underscored, “Without a doubt, there is the demand for faster connections and we are actively prioritising areas for development and I expect us to continue to build the required network in the

years to come.”

In addition to improving the connectivity framework and fostering avenues for connection, particularly in areas that are unserved or underserved, Nedd shared that the company had begun the process of acquiring the ISO 9001 certification.

The goal is to be ISO 9001 compliant by the end of 2019, according to Nedd, who shared that he was confident that GTT will “hit that mark”.

ISO 9001 is defined as

the international standard that specifies requirements for a quality management system (QMS). Organisations use the standard to demonstrate the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements.

“ISO compliance is necessary. The country is changing and the country is demanding higher standards,” he stressed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 28, 2019

Georgetown Mayor, Indian High Commissioner explore areas for partnership THE High Commissioner of India, Venkatachalam Mahalingam, told the media on Wednesday that the possibility of twinning Georgetown with a city in India is being explored.

This announcement was made following a courtesy call with the Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine.

The visit, the high commissioner said, was to formulate an agenda on how the Government of India, High Commissioner of India and the mayor can work together to build better relations between India and Guyana.

Coming out of the engagement was the possible signing of a twinning arrange-

ment between Georgetown and Kolkata (a city in India).

A twinning arrangement is a form of legal or social agreement between towns, cities, counties, provinces, regions, states, and even countries in geographically and politically distinct areas, to promote cultural and commercial ties.

He also highlighted that

High Commissioner of India, Venkatachalam Mahalingam greets Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine on Wednesday

amongst their list of plans, they are looking towards rehabilitating the Gandhi statue in the Promenade Gardens.

“We have discussed many things, including capacity

building… So our agenda is not limited to these things mentioned”, High Commissioner Mahalingam noted.

Mayor Narine expressed gratitude to the high com-

missioner for taking time off from his busy schedule to visit the City Council.

“As I said time and time again, we are here to build, not walls, but bridges. And we can see that it is happening, and a lot more will be coming soon,” he said. The mayor also mentioned that a scholarship programme for Guyanese students to study in India was discussed. Everything else, he added, will be unveiled to the public in due time.

“We will work continuously towards developing Georgetown into a better place, and the country by extension”, the mayor emphasised.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 28, 2019

Government examining options with RUSAL –– unions to start protest today

GTUC General Secretary Lincoln Lewis

MINISTER of Social Protection Amna Ally on Wednesday morning met with several trade union representatives and reassured that government is intensely deliberating its options as it relates to the termination of some 90 workers by the Bauxite Company of Guyana (BCGI), a subsidiary of Russian company, RUSAL. The Department of Labour (DoL) will write the company requesting copies of their contracts with the employees, while the umbrella trade union bodies, the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) and Federation of Independent Trade Union Guyana (FITUG), are scheduled to begin protests from 10:00 hrs today outside of the RUSAL-BCGI’s Forshaw Street office.

The minister met with officials of the trade union bodies at her Lamaha and East Streets office on Wednesday to update them on the situation following a meeting with RUSAL executives on Tuesday afternoon.

“We will explore the options; government has already begun to examine options,” Ally assured the group which included GTUC General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis and FITUG executive, Komal Chand.

“I trust that from here we will have something positive from this matter, but be reassured that we are going to work to the best of our ability to ensure that this matter is resolved. We are taking our time because we want an amicable solution. We are not in war mode, but we have to respect each other. We listened to what is their side of the story”, Minister Ally said.

The government is maintaining its demand that all fired workers must be reinstated with full benefits since they were illegally fired. It is also calling for the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU) to be recognized as the workers’ bargaining agent. GBGWU is calling for the minister to call for the situation to go to compulsory arbitration, as provided for in the law.

FITUG Executive Komal Chand

BCGI was last week expected to reinstate some 60 workers who had their services terminated on February 18, because the workers had begun strike action on February 15. Instead, things took a turn for the worst when another 30 workers received notices on Monday, February 25, that they were being laid off.

Notwithstanding the fact that Guyana’s constitution provides employees the freedom to strike, BCGI had deemed the strike by the employees as an “illegal action”, believing that the company was within its legal right to fire the workers.

The company’s representatives said the workers’ contracts did not provide for them to be absent from work, not even in the event of a strike. However, they have since been clearly instructed that Guyana’s laws are to be respected.

Oddly, however, is that even as the company is refusing to reinstate workers on the claim that it is closing down sections of its operations, it is also looking to hire new people. RUSAL executives on Tuesday said they are expected to begin a hiring-exercise from this Friday, and dismissed employees will have to reapply and rejoin the company as new employees if they want to work again.

Minister Ally was firm in her warning to the company that, “that would not work at all.”

“I was not happy with their response because all that happens is that they’re putting on the table conditionality with no intent to reinstate these workers. They had an 11 point plan, some of which tells us they are dismantling things. They are going to re-hire from Friday. I made it very clear to them that is unacceptable, unthinkable and unreasonable. I do not believe that we can accept those proposals because the workers should be reinstated and thereafter we can have discussions with how we can move on” Minister Ally explained to the Union officials.

The minister also needs further clarification on the company’s contention that it

pays each worker $259,000.

“They’re saying the $259,000 is for all levels of workers. So if you’re a driver or a mechanic, everybody getting the same thing; so I would like to get from them the official record because maybe that is also something we would have to delve into.

As is now, there is no firm decision from RUSAL as to the future but I must say government will not accept what is presently existing. I did indicate to them that we will go to the full length”, she reiterated.

Lewis informed that the Unions themselves also plan to be very proactive on the issue. Aside from the protest today, they will be doing their own investigations into the company’s operations, even as they push for the situation to go to arbitration.

The veteran trade unionist is maintaining his belief that the company is possibly involved in transfer pricing, and that is why BCGI officials are contending that in the 14 years of the company’s operations, they have not really made any profits.

“The union has already taken a decision to have an examination of [BCGI’s] financial records and so forth.

We have approached the deeds registry to have the accounts over the last five years, because we are convinced that they are price transferring. All the bauxite that they produce goes to their plants.

We need to go after these guys, this is our resource.

These are people who say every month to the workers we have made our target, so how are you making your target and not making profit?” Lewis questioned.

Lewis added that the Union is also examining the company’s mining licence and will be approaching the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) as well as the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Chand said that the government must treat with this situation with utmost seriousness because it could set the precedence for how other international companies may treat Guyanese workers in

future.

“This matter ought to be settled speedily… it is emboldening these companies that come here to do business. Over the years the trade union movement has fought and achieved a lot of rights and benefits in legislation, and we don’t want to go have to go back on the ground and fight back for these things to be respected. The important issue here is the union’s recognition... and re-en-

Social Protection Minister Amna Ally (right) told RUSAL executives, Vladimir Permyakov and BCGI Personnel Manager, Mikhail Krupenin (left) that government wants nothing less than the reinstatement of fired workers (Delano Williams photo)

gagement of the workers.

People have a right to with-

draw their labour for their rights”, Chand established.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 28, 2019

‘Blondie’ is a free man AFTER spending eight years behind bars, Quaison Jones, called Blondie, will now be ‘reinstated’ into society.

The 54-year old man was sentenced to 57 years’ imprisonment by Justice Navindra Singh in 2014, after a 12-member jury found him guilty of murdering his co-worker, Marlon Greene.

Jones, who maintained that he was innocent of the crime, appealed his sentence, on grounds that the

sentence was too harsh, and that the learned trial judge did not properly put his case of self-defence to the jury, in accordance with the law.

The Appellate Court later granted a retrial.

The retrial finished on Wednesday (February 27, 2019) when a 12-member jury returned a unanimous not-guilty verdict in the courtroom of Justice James Bovell-Drakes.

According to reports, Greene had been a fish

cleaner attached to the Meadow Bank Wharf and his killing on Monday, January 17, 2011, allegedly followed an argument relating to an old story with the accused.

On the day in question, at about 09:00 hours, five other fish cleaners were attracted by a ‘hollering.’

They said they ran to the scene and saw “Blondie over Marlon cuffing away at him.”

According to them, when

they got close enough, they noticed that ‘Blondie’ had a knife in his hand, and what appeared to be blood stains were visible on the blade.

The witnesses observed that Marlon was bleeding from a wound in the neck, and they all concluded that Blondie had been stabbing away, instead of cuffing away, at Marlon, as they had first thought.

However, defence attorney Ronald Birch-Smith fought a good case, as he

convinced the jury that the witnesses made up their story to frame the accused.

It was highlighted, at several instances, that the witnesses were all friends of the deceased, and there was a possibility that they could have ‘cooked-up’ their story. Birch-Smith pointed to discrepancies in their statements, which suggested that they planned to set up Jones.

After hours in deliberation, the jury returned with

the unanimous not-guilty verdict, and Quaison Jones walked free.

Flocking the corridor of the court were family and friends of the freed man.

They hugged him; there were tears of joy at the great news.

One family member said, “God is real. Quaison is a good man and God knows it. He didn’t kill that man.”

Region 5 administration denies victimising PPP

By Clifford Stanley

THE regional administration of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) has denied allegations that it is victimising the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) controlled Bath/Woodley Park Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) in the region by deliberately delaying their efforts to activate and access their bank account.

The NDC accused the administration of doing so and pushing the body into “a state of lockdown,” to the extent that its staffers were unable to get their salaries for the past two months.

The NDC said that it had made the request to the Ministry of Communities in a letter dated January 17th last. It cited this situation as another example of victimisation by the regional administration.

Deputy Regional Executive Officer Sherywn Wellington, yesterday, acknowledged the delay but explained that it had occurred in the first instance, because of a typographical error in a letter sent to the bank by the Ministry of Communities (MoC) in which NDC Chairman Krishna Sewlall was advertently referred to as Ms. Krishna Sewlall – a gender mix-up.

The bank rejected this letter from the MoC and the NDC was asked to submit another letter with the correct gender for Mr. Sewlall.

The NDC had complied and the MoC had sent the second letter to the bank with the name Krishna Sewllall, the name which had been sent by the NDC in the first instance.

The bank had however rejected this second letter,

DREO of Region 5 Sherwyn Wellington

stating that even though the gender was correct, the name was yet still incorrect since Mr. Sewllal’s full name was Krishnamurti Sewllall and this was required by the bank to accept him as a signatory to this NDC account.

Wellington said that the NDC then sent a third letter to the MoC and the final correction was made in their third and final letter to the bank.

The account was expected to be activated yesterday as a final resolution to the mix-up.

Wellington stressed that, “the regional administration had at no time whatsoever sought to delay the activation of the account of the NDC, nor victimise the body in this manner or in any other way.”

He pointed out that in 2018, the administration expended $45M in developmental works in the Bath/ Woodley Park NDC and that this expenditure could hardly support a conclusion of victimisation by the regional administration against that NDC.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 28, 2019

GTT looking to expand services - Landline services could be phased out entirely - Vandalism still a costly problem

LOCAL telecommunications company, GTT, will be seeking to expand its services, particularly in favour of more online services over the coming months.

“In 2019, [GTT] is focussed on self-service… People no longer have to come into stores to come in and queue up and pay for services,” GTT Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Justin Nedd, said at a Press Conference on Tuesday.

According to him, the company began focussing on providing greater online services to its customers in 2018. He highlighted that the company recorded an 85 pe rcent satisfaction with its online services in 2018.

The ‘My GTT’ and Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) applications are online solutions that were tapped to promote GTT’s drive to foster these online services, and Nedd

noted that these are “tools to empower persons”.

“We want to build on that,” he affirmed and highlighted that the service provider will be having an improved website and will “push” for more services to be done without the use of paper.

He also shared that the company will be implementing additional online systems to “build stronger bonds” with its customers.

Aside from expanding online services, Nedd shared that the company’s high-speed Internet service, Blaze, was also set for expansion across Guyana.

Blaze, which was launched in 2017, uses fibre-optic cable connections and has been touted as the fastest internet service available in Guyana.

More than 60,000 households and businesses were capable of accessing Blaze.

The CEO highlighted:

RUSAL workers block ...

Vladimir Permyakov and Director of Alumina and Bauxite Department, Sergey Kostyuk met with a delegation of ministers and labour officials in Georgetown. At that meeting, the company did not relate that it would have penned termination letters to more workers and that they will be closing sections of the company’s operations.

INFRINGING ON SOVEREIGNTY Regional Chairman Renis Morian on Monday believes the government is on the right track in instructing RUSAL to rehire the workers, since the workers have a right to strike.

He described RUSAL’s stubborn act, to not reinstate them as an infringement on Guyana’s sovereignty.

“If we don’t deal with RUSAL, it will send a message to the oil sector and other sectors that you can treat Guyanese badly and get away with it, so I support the call by the Honourable Amna Ally and the government, that RUSAL, must forthwith rehire the people… this is not Russia, no Guyanese can go to Russia and do what they want to there; it must not happen and this must be the red line; it must not cross again by no other foreign company in Guyana,” Morian affirmed Region 10 Member of Parliament (MP) Jermaine Figueira said he is anxious and disturbed about the fate of the workers, as he has been in receipt of numerous calls from them.

“Grown men I tell you

and some you can hear the tears and the venom of anger in their voices and it is quite understandable. They have families to feed, a lot of people depend on them to provide including the businesses in the communities they are from,” he related. Figueira reassured the workers of government’s position, which is, all of them must be reinstated and their rights respected.

“The respect and rights of our citizens cannot be undermined by anyone, it should not be encouraged nor accepted and I am very happy with the firm stand of the government,” Figueira said. He said it is not

“We've seen an overwhelming demand for Blaze, [which has] resulted in longer than usual waiting times.”

And using the high-speed fibre-optic cable system, Nedd indicated that there was the ability to offer a myriad of other services through the medium. In addition, GTT, in the coming months, according to Nedd, will introduce another service-- a television system, in partnership with an unnamed third party, that will offer over 100 cable channels.

REDUCED LANDLINE USE While the CEO addressed the company’s offering of enhanced online and connectivity services, he disclosed that the company had seen a reduction in the use of landline services.

The CEO pointed out that more than 99 per cent of the company’s landline services were in good working order and there were less reports in the area of faults.

Despite this, he highlightFROM PAGE

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about chasing investors away, but they respect must respect local laws and people.

Those sentiments were echoed by MP Audwin Rutherford. He said the government has to play hard ball with RUSAL, since the company appears to be stiff-necked.

Rutherford also noted that the first step RUSAL can take to restore good faith is to engage the union. “Start to engage the union, immediately,” he said. While the government had given RUSAL up to Wednesday for the situation to return to normalcy, things seem to be getting worst.

ed: “What might come as a surprise to many of you is that people are actually giving up their landline services.”

GTT is currently Guyana’s sole landline service provider.

But the CEO alluded to the fact that landlines currently used, i.e. the copper-wire connections, could be phased out entirely in favour of the fibre optic connections.

He explained that, with the Blaze fibre-optic connection, a voice service feature was also offered. Over the past year, the CEO estimated that about 20,000 voice services were rolled out.

“We continue to build the fibre-optic network because we ultimately see it as the future and we need to continue to improve and build on the services that we give to our customers,” he said. “It is a matter of progression in time.”

VANDALISM Though the company has been floating the merits of this fibre-optic cable system, Nedd also reminded that vandalism continued to plague the company.

He related that, as recent as on Republic ‘Mash’ Day,

someone vandalised the cable, forcing a technical crew to rush to address repairs. According to information provided, the incident alone caused in excess of USD10,000 for the labour costs for repairs “I'm really, really disappointed that rogue elements think that it's a smart thing to do,” Nedd related, while adding that it was his wish that there would be stronger sanctions against persons who engage in the destructive action. He said that vandalising the cable was actually “tampering with national security”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 28, 2019

CARICOM calls for greater investment in statistical systems GREATER investment in statistics and the infusion of statistics in schools to help demystify the science and attract younger minds, were among the rallying calls at the Third High-Level Advocacy Forum on Statistics.

The forum was held on February 22 at the Grenada Trade Centre in St. George’s, under the theme, ‘Investing in Statistics to Build Resilience and to Achieve Sustainable Economic Growth and Development in the Caribbean Community.’ It followed a one-day high-level seminar on February 21, also at the Grenada Trade Centre.

The implementation of the Regional Strategy for the Development of Statistics (RSDS) to build resilience and generate evidence-based policy decisions was at the core of both events.

The forum and seminar were organised by the CARICOM Secretariat and the Central Statistics Office in Grenada, with support from PARIS21, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the European Development Fund Support Services Unit, Grenada.

Dr. Keith Mitchell,

Prime Minister of Grenada, himself a statistician, led the charge on Friday in his keynote address, pointing out that statistics is a vital tool for governance and improving lives. At the core of building resilience, he said, was timely and high-quality statistics.

He underlined the importance of statistics across sectors, and singled out agriculture, trade, health, tourism and sports. He referenced the current success of the West Indies cricket team as a practical example of data collection and data analysis in action fans are witnessing in the England/West Indies series.

“You’ve heard the commentators over and over speak to how bowlers attack a certain batsman because they do research on how many times that batsman gets out with a specific ball and what type of bowler that he has a certain weakness for; and therefore they tend to attack that person in that particular context. Similarly, batsmen get to understand, through data collection… the strengths and weaknesses of certain bowlers.

“So we’re not talking

about something that is far removed, because historically when we talk about these areas, we think of the intellectual and academic environments and not necessarily the practical. So it is extremely practical for us to invest in the area of statistics,” he said.

LONG WAY TO GO He said that while the Region had made strides in statistics, there was still “a very long way to go.”The Grenada Prime Minister held the view that the development of statistics had not been given the kind of attention that it deserves in the Region.

“We could do a lot more.

I strongly believe that regional economies could have been far more advanced in terms of sustainable development, had we adequately invested in our statistical systems to obtain data required for more effective decision-making,” PM Mitchell said.

In video messages to the opening, representatives of international development partners also weighed in on the matter of investment in statistics.

President of the UN Economic and Social Council,

Rice shipped to Panama could have been switched –– issue resolved, Guyana servicing new contract OVER 30 containers of rice which were rejected

by Panama last year could have been switched, said General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) during a press conference on Tuesday.

Reports had surfaced last year that rice was rejected between the months of August and September 2018. The containers upon inspection by Panamanian authorities found that it had contained parboiled rice instead of white rice, which was requested.

Hassan confirmed that parboiled rice was indeed shipped instead of white rice, noting that an investigation was conducted, but there was no wrongdoing on the part of the GRDB since all procedures were followed.

The rice which belonged to Rice Miller Feyaadul Hakh, of Cane Grove, was inspected by the GRDB prior to loading.

“We saw the rice be-

General Manager of the GRDB, Nizam Hassan (Delano Williams photo)

ing loaded at the facility… it meant that the rice was switched because we saw white rice being packaged and parboiled was shipped,” said Hassan.

Despite the challenges, he said Guyana was able to service the 2018 contract and has started to service the 2019 market. Hassan said there was no injury to the US5.2 million market which Guyana has in Panama.

Hack, who was represented by Attorney-at-law K. A.

Juman Yassin, apologised for the shipment of parboiled rice.

“Hack has exported rice on many occasions without problems…he has accepted responsibility for the mix up of the shipment,” said Yassin; he added that the owner of the mill was concerned that there was some negligence involved, but as the owner he accepted the responsibility.

Hack ensured the Panamanian market that there will be stricter measures in place to ensure that such a mix up does not recur.

Head of the Guyana Rice Millers Association (GRMA), Rajendra Persaud, also agreed that the issue with Panama was cleared and said there could not have been any financial benefit for shipping parboiled rice instead of white rice.

Some 66,206 tonnes of rice was shipped to Panama in 2018, a major increase from the 40,043 tonnes which was shipped in 2016.

Rhonda King, said that more and better financing for data and statistics was needed and called on member states to invest in their national statistics offices to strengthen their capacity to produce timely, high-quality, relevant and dis-aggregated statistical evidence. She pointed to a recent study which called for the doubling of official development assistance for the sector.

PARIS21 Manager, Johannes Jutting, called on

governments to “step in and ensure that funding is available for statistical operations”. Investment was also necessary for statistical literacy among the Region’s populace, if data was to be used effectively.

“By understanding the meaning of numbers, statistical concepts, tables and graphs, citizens will be able to make more appropriate use of the information and be more capable of using evidence to make informed

decisions,” he said.

His was a position that resonated with PM Mitchell, who told delegates that investment in training was critical, especially in the context of staffing and resource constraints in his country and in the Region.

This leads to inability to produce enough data to inform the development agenda.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 28, 2019

Kofi’s coconut journey

For those who grate coconut by hand for a living, it must be a labour of love.

KOFI Lambert, popularly known as ‘Coconut Man’, the owner of 5K’S Fresh Grated Coconut, is one of five brothers who saw the need to creatively think of alternatives to upgrade from the traditional method of hand grating coconuts.

The five brothers Kwame, Kofi, Kayode, Kodzo and Kobla, started their journey in 2009. They originally

The coconut-grating machine

earned a daily bread by hand grating coconut.

Over a period of time, this became a very hard task to follow through. Six years later, the idea sparked of building a machine that grates coconut for persons in less than six minutes.

Lambert and his brothers first embarked upon this journey in 2016. They drew up plans and even though the odds were against them, they still pulled through. He related to this newspaper

5K’s store owner, Kofi Lambert

the challenges that he faced throughout the journey.

“It took a while to build this machine and it was very difficult because a special wood was needed to support the machine and could only be found down in the jungle,” he said.

The machine is primarily made up of wood, bolts and nuts, a tin grater, a pump and a meter. An estimated sum of $300,000 was invested in this project.

HOW IT WORKS The customer usually buys the coconut and then it is broken and placed on the top of the machine where the grater rotates at an adequate speed. The grated coconut drops into a bowl located at the bottom of the machine and is then packaged.

This creative invention

has since developed into a living business network; persons no longer have to worry about sitting down long hours to grate coconuts.

Expounding on some of his goals for his business, the vendor revealed that he intends to capitalize on the local market by getting his grated coconuts into the big local supermarkets. In addition, he intends to give his customers the option of frozen or chilled grated coconuts.

The Festival City resident noted that this opportunity has given him the chance to venture into the field of entrepreneurship and bring his business from ‘nothing to something’.

“SUCCESS is not a DESTINATION, it’s a continuous JOURNEY that never ends” he noted.

Robbery accused charged for escaping custody RYAN Gasper, on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for the charge of escaping lawful custody.

The 18-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that on December 11, 2018, while being in custody at the Ruimveldt Police Station pending a robbery-under-arms charge, he unlawfully escaped from police custody. The prosecutor objected to bail being granted on the grounds that he is considered a flight risk.

The court heard that Gasper had a previous matter at the court and, when granted bail, never came for his next appearance.

The magistrate granted bail to the defendant in the sum of $50,000 under the condition that he reports each Monday at the Ruimveldt Police Station until the matter has concluded.

The previous robbery charge was dismissed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 28, 2019

Ramjattan commits to helping Fort Island

By Vishani Ragobeer

MINISTER of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan promised residents of Fort Island that he would look into the issues that the community is facing, in an attempt to improve the tourist hotspot.

On Sunday, February 24, 2019, the Minister visited the island to participate in its maiden Mashramani celebrations. While there, he spoke to some of the residents who shared their concerns briefly and asked that he returns another day to have an in-depth discussion with them.

“One of the issues has already been identified as the stelling,” Minister Ramjattan told the Guyana Chronicle.

“This is an extremely important heritage site… it has the Dutch Court of Policy and so many other aspects of that Dutch history that we have to make sure that the stelling is overhauled and repaired and rehabilitated,” he stressed.

During his visit, he noticed several groups of tourists-- both foreigners and locals-- who visited the island as part of a popular ‘Essequibo River tour’. And

Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan speaking at the "Mash" event on Fort Island

with these tourists frequenting the island, he said, “... it is important that we get all the infrastructural work that will help them.”

One young boat captain, who lives on the island, stressed that the stelling was a sore point for many of the tourists who would go there to enjoy the rich culture found on the island.

Other residents also highlighted that they had no playground or community centre in which they could engage in leisure activities.

They claimed that they had a

Taxi driver on assault, rape and robbery charges remanded SENIOR Magistrate Leron Daly on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, remanded a taxi driver to prison for sexual assault, three counts of rape and two counts of simple larceny.

Lindon Daniels made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where the matter was held in-camera and was not required to plead to the rape charges since they were laid indictably.

It was alleged that on February 18, 2019, at New Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), Daniels engaged in sexual activity with a woman, without her consent.

It was further alleged that on February 13, 2019, at New Providence, EBD, the defendant engaged in sexual activity with a child who was under the age of 16.

The last rape charge read that Daniels, on January 30, 2019, at Kuru-Kuru, Soesdyke, EBD, engaged in sexual activity with a woman without her consent.

It was further alleged that on the same day, he stole the victim’s $37,000 Samsung cell phone. Daniels, howev-

er, denied the charge.

The last allegation against Daniels stated that, on February 11, 2019, at New Providence Public Road, EBD, he assaulted a woman by pulling down her underwear.

He also pleaded not guilty to the charge.

It was also alleged that Daniels stole the woman’s Samsung cell phone valued $45,000; GYD1,000 and USD 60.00. Daniels denied the simple larceny charge.

Magistrate Daly remanded Daniels to prison until March 1, 2019.

The Guyana Chronicle was made to understand that Daniels is a taxi driver and is not known to his victims.

It is alleged that Daniels picked up the victims in his motor car and while taking them to their desired destination, he stopped at an isolated area.

Daniels reportedly raped his victims and took away their cell phone before leaving them in the deserted area.

plot of land that they would use, but that had been taken over by farmers.

“We are going to come again and talk to them,” Minister Ramjattan said.

He also shared that the residents had told him that they had confidence in the government.

“They like what the government have done so far. They like the fact that we are present and the fact that when called upon, we did arrive, and that is important,” he said.

The Fort Island Stelling in need of repair

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 28, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 28, 2019

Marvellous Gayle takes Windies close with 162 but England win by 29 runs

...centuries also for Morgan and Buttler S T G E O R G E ’s G re n a d a (CMC) – Veteran Chris Gayle struck a scintillating 25th OneDay International hundred and passed 10 000 career runs, but the task of completing their highest-ever successful run chase proved too much for West Indies and they slipped to a 29-run defeat to England in an entertaining fourth ODI here yesterday.

Faced with a daunting target of 419 at the Grenada National Stadium after Jos Buttler and captain Eoin Morgan had pummelled high quality hundreds, West Indies appeared poised to spring a massive surprise when left-handed Gayle smashed a breathtaking 162 off 97 deliveries.

But despite Darren Bravo’s 61 from 59 balls and Carlos Brathwaite’s maiden ODI half-century in gathering 50 from 36 deliveries towards the end, the Windies suffered a late collapse to be all out for 389 off 48 overs – their highest-ever ODI total.

The hosts lost wickets in clusters as speedster Mark Wood, with four for 60, triggered a middle order collapse before leg-spinner Adil Rashid polished off the tail with five for 85, in an anticlimactic end to the high-scoring affair.

They were seemingly down and out at 301 for six in the 36th over before Brathwaite and Ashley Nurse (43) dragged

them back into the contest with a sensible 88-run, seventh-wicket partnership.

But with the hosts requiring 32 runs from the last three overs and the balance tilting in the Windies’ favour, Rashid snatched four wickets in the 48th over to dash the hopes of a capacity crowd.

Nurse top-edged a heave and was caught by Liam Plunkett coming around from short fine leg and off the very next ball, Brathwaite sliced to Morgan at cover, effectively ending the home side’s bid.

Devendra Bishoo and Oshane Thomas then fell without scoring to the final two deliveries of the over as West Indies lost their last four wickets without adding a single run.

With the result, England took a crucial 2-1 lead in the five-match series heading into Saturday’s finale in St Lucia.

England had earlier put on an electric exhibition of power-hitting with an ODI record 24 sixes as they raced to 418 for six of their 50 overs, their third-highest ODI total.

Buttler top-scored with 150 to claim Man-of-the-Match honours while Morgan chipped in with 103, the pair posting 204 in a magnificent fourth-wicket partnership which floored the Windies.

Opener Alex Hales, in his

first match of the series, stroked 82 at the top of the order while opening partner Jonny Bairstow slammed 56. The visitors took their cue from Hales and Bairstow who provided a rollicking start when they posted 100 off 83 balls to put West Indies immediately on the back foot.

While Hales struck eight fours and two sixes in a 73-ball knock, Bairstow belted four fours and sixes in his 43-ball stay.

Fast bowler Thomas (2-84) then struck two key blows, removing Bairstow playing on in the 14th over before having Joe Root caught at the wicket for five in the 18th over at 120 for two.

Hales added another 45 runs for the third wicket with Morgan before holing out in the deep off off-spinner Nurse, but his dismissal only paved the way for the Morgan and Buttler show.

Together, they put the Windies bowlers to the sword as England gathered a whopping 154 runs from the last 10 overs.

Buttler slammed 13 fours and a dozen sixes of just 77 deliveries while the left-handed Morgan faced 88 balls and counted eight fours and half-dozen sixes.

The partnership was finally broken in the 48th over when Morgan holed out to his opposite number Jason Holder at long off off left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell.

FROM BACK PAGE the format so fans should expect a hungry and angry side.

Exhibition games will precede the two official engagements.

Winner of the tournament will pocket $600 000, with the second- and third-placers receiving $300 000 and $200 000 respectively. The fourth-place side will collect $100 000.

Meanwhile, the promoters are asking fans to continue to cooperate with security personnel as they have done throughout the tournament.

Other sponsors include Trophy Stall, Insurance Brokers and Nigel Hinds.

Sparta Boss versus ...

Sheldon Shepherd may prove too much for Back Circle.

Selwyn Williams and Jermin Beckles are the other players with some amount of quality and they will have to play out of their skins to stop the rampaging juggernauts, Sparta Boss.

The third-place playoff could also provide the fans with the perfect start for what is being touted as a night of excitement.

Former champs Bent Street no doubt will have added motivation to win this encounter to assure their supporters that a penalty shootout could go

either way and their loss was just unfortunate.

Daniel Wilson, Sheldon Holder, Solomon Austin, Pernel Schultz, Clive Nobrega and Sheldon Profitt will spearhead their pursuit for the win.

On the other hand, how well ‘Gold is Money’ recover from their humiliating loss in the semis will be the talking point of the evening.

Colin Nelson, Hubert Pedro and Randolph Wagner, Phillip Rowley, Cleon Forrester as well as brothers Michael and Jamal Pedro will be looking to reclaim their status as one of the top exponents in Race 7 Siena Magic

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Needing to mount a record effort, West Indies suffered two early setbacks when John Campbell (15) drove Wood to mid-off in the fourth over and Shai Hope (5) tickled a catch behind in the bowler’s next over.

With the Windies stumbling on 44 for two in the sixth over, Gayle took matters into his own hands with his second century in three innings, following his 135 in the opener in Bridgetown last week.

More importantly, he put on an exhilarating 176 for the third wicket with Bravo who punched four fours and sixes in a stylish 59-ball innings, before posting another 69 for the fifth wicket with Holder (29).

For his part, Gayle thumped 11 fours and 14 incredible sixes – two in the seventh over from seamer Chris Woakes which leaked 21 runs and another couple in the 12th over from pacer Ben Stokes which cost 22 runs, as he raised his half-century off 32 balls.

Gayle needed only another 23 deliveries to raise three figures, reaching the landmark

SCOREBOARD

ENGLAND innings J. Bairstow b Thomas 56 A. Hales c Hetmyer b Nurse 82 J. Root c wkp. Hope b Thomas 5 E. Morgan c Holder b Cottrell 103 J. Buttler b Brathwaite 150 B. Stokes c Hetmyer b Brathwaite 11 Moeen Ali not out 0 Extras: (b-1, lb-1, w-7, nb-2) 11 Total: (6 wkts, 50 overs) 418 Fall of wickets: 1-100, 2-120, 3-165, 4-369, 5-417, 6-418.

Bowling: Cottrell 9-0-64-1, Holder 7-0-88-0, Nurse 10-0-68-1, Bishoo 4-0-43-0, Brathwaite 10-0-69-2, Thomas 10-0-84-2.

WEST INDIES innings C. Gayle b Stokes 162 J. Campbell c Root b Wood 15 S. Hope c wkp. Buttler b Wood 5 D. Bravo c Stokes b Wood 61 S. Hetmyer c Hales b Wood 6 J. Holder stp. Buttler b Rashid 29 C. Brathwaite c Morgan b Rashid 50 A. Nurse c Plunkett b Rashid 43 D. Bishoo c Hales b Rashid 0 S. Cottrell not out 0 O. Thomas stp. Buttler b Rashid 0 Extras: (lb-5, w-12, nb-1) 18 Total: (all out, 48 overs) 389 Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-44, 3-220, 4-226, 5-295, 6-301, 7-389, 8-389, 9-389.

Bowling: Woakes 10-0-91-0, Wood 10-0-60-4, Plunkett 8-0-40-0, Stokes 8-0-77-1, Rashid 10-0-85-5, Moeen Ali 2-0-31-0.

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: JOS BUTTLER

with a rare sprinted single in the 20th over, before motoring to his next fifty off 30 balls.

He ripped apart Rashid in the 31st over which cost 21 runs but the fireworks ended in the 35th over when he backed away and was bowled missing a tired heave at Stokes.

Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer (6) had earlier perished in the space of three deliveries in the 24th over from Wood but it was the wicket of Gayle which made the difference, with Holder following in the next over stumped off Rashid.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 28, 2019

Maxwell’s brutal unbeaten 113 seals T20 glory for Aussies GLENN Maxwell blasted a remarkable unbeaten 113 from just 55 balls as Australia chased down 191 to defeat India by seven wickets and secure a 2-0 Twenty20 series success.

Having walked to the crease with the tourists stumbling at 22-2 after four overs, Maxwell produced one of the great T20 innings yesterday, hammering seven fours and nine sixes en route to his third century in the shortest format.

Maxwell laid the platform for a successful chase alongside D’Arcy Short (40 off 28) before dominating a fourth-wicket stand worth 99 with Peter Handscomb seeing Australia home with two deliveries remaining.

The brutal hitting of Maxwell, following his 56 in the series-opener, overshadowed the earlier genius of India captain Virat Kohli, who had blasted six maximums in a spectacular 38-ball 72 that

had the Bengaluru crowd on its feet.

He, MS Dhoni (40 off 23) and KL Rahul propelled India to 190-4, but even that daunting total proved within Maxwell’s grasp, as he reached 50 from 28 deliveries and needed only 22 more to bring up his hundred in guiding the visitors over the line almost single-handedly.

Rahul had top-scored for India with 50 in Sunday’s last-ball defeat and he looked in good form again, launching Jhye Richardson for successive sixes in the fifth over before repeating the feat off Pat Cummins in the next.

He perished for a breezy 47 off 26, however, guiding a catch to deep third-man and when Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant fell cheaply - the latter to Richardson’s fine diving catch at long-off - Dhoni walked out to meet Kohli.

Patient to begin with, the pair kicked on in the final six

overs, Kohli sending Nathan Coulter-Nile over the ropes three times in a row in the 16th while Short suffered punishment at the hands of Dhoni, who fell late in the piece before Kohli finished the innings in style by thumping Cummins over long-off for a maximum.

Australia’s chase was in trouble as Marcus Stoinis and Aaron Finch departed for single figures, Maxwell and Short forced to rebuild before the former put his foot down in the last six overs.

Krunal Pandya was hammered over long-off before Yuzvendra Chahal disappeared over the fence twice in succession – the second via a reverse sweep of remarkable power.

Two fours off Jasprit Bumrah in the 17th over and a six into the sightscreen off Siddarth Kaul helped reduce the equation to seven required from four, and Maxwell crashed Kaul back over his head for a maximum and

then to the cover boundary to round off the win in fitting fashion.

Glenn Maxwell’s 55-ball hundred helped Australia romp home with seven wickets to spare.

(Getty Images)

MCC to recognise women’s achievements on honours board at Lord’s … Atherton, Ponting and Muralitharan to now feature on the board WOMEN will now figure on the iconic Lord’s honour board, following the 135-year-old Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC) decision to recognise centuries and five-wicket hauls in ODI cricket too.

Previously, only centuries and five-wicket hauls in Test matches found a mention on the boards at the home and away dressing rooms at Lord’s. The change is a part of MCC’s refurbishment drive at the ‘Home

of Cricket’ ahead of the 2019 season.

The new addition means Sarah Taylor, Claire Taylor and Caroline Atkins will be among the England women to have their names immortalised for scoring ODI centuries at Lord’s, with Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole featuring on the bowlers’ board.

Shrubsole famously picked up 6 for 46 as England pipped India in a thrilling 2017 women’s World Cup

final.

Among those who will now feature on the board after missing out for all these years are Michael Atherton, Ricky Ponting and Muttiah Muralitharan, who all made the grade in ODIs but not in Tests.

But Sachin Tendulkar, who had a highest score of 37 in five Tests and 30 in three ODIs at Lord’s, continued to miss out. Tendulkar’s only century at the venue - 125 for Rest of the World against

MCC - came in an exhibition game played in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales.

“We are delighted to be now able to recognise the same achievements for One-Day In-

Anya Shrubsole’s six-for secures the trophy (Getty Images)

ternationals as we have done for Test Matches for many years,” Guy Lavender, MCC chief executive and secretary, said.

“This is a landmark moment for Lord’s, with women’s cricket now documented in the dressing rooms for the first time.

“The Honours Boards are amongst the most popular attractions for the many visitors to the Home of Cricket. There is a huge amount of prestige for players to see their name inscribed in history, so it is appropriate for a new installation of the boards to take place ahead of what will be such a busy year of cricket at Lord’s.” (ESPN Cricinfo)

Businessmen Ramballi, Bacchus form training and youth club in Affiance BUSINESSMEN Harrischan Ramballi of H. Ramballi General Constructions and Sam Bacchus of Bacchus Group of Companies have combined to form a youth training and sports cricket club in Affiance.

“A lack of coaching by the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) is hampering the progress of young players,” says Ramballi. ‘This is one of the reasons therefore that we have decided to have this club which will benefit all interested young cricketers from the age of 10 to 17’.

Coaching sessions have already begun under the guidance of former national Under019 player Yogeshwar Lall with assistance from senior club player Parmeshwar Persaud.

The sessions, including batting, bowling and fielding drills, are held daily from 15:00hrs to 18:00hrs at the Imam Bacchus ground. The idea was conceptualised after the conclusion of the Ramballi/Mahadeo Inter-Secondary Under-17 competition where a number of promising players were identified.

“It was decided between me and Mr Bacchus for us to continue supporting these youngsters with the necessary technical and financial base so that their future can be a bright one,” acknowledged Ramballi.

Meanwhile Sam Bacchus disclosed that the Imam Bacchus ground is available to anyone willing to hone his skills and has undertaken to have the ground equipped with all the necessary facilities in keeping with the standards of any first class venue.

The businessmen are therefore appealing to stakeholders to support the movement while they are encouraging the players to attend the sessions which will immensely benefit their game and enhance their future of becoming national and international cricketers.

Entrance to the club is free but with the consent of parents and guardians. For further information contact Harrischan Ramballi on 649-2273 or Rohan Budram of Imam Bacchus Group of Companies on 600-1069. (Elroy Stephney)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 28, 2019

Rupununi FA’s Champions League launched, kicks off this weekend

Defending female champions Gladiators FC

THE Rupununi Football Association’s (RFA) Champions League was officially launched last Wednesday (February 20) at the St Ignatius Benab where a short briefing was done by its president Ryan Farias.

Farias thanked all club members for their continued support throughout the year and outlined his vision for the development of football in the Rupununi. Also speaking on behalf of GFF, Farias expressed greetings from the parent body and shared its mission towards developing football in Guyana.

Ken Grant, who was also present, handed over gear to the referees. Other clubs made short presentations.

The opening match of the league will commence on Saturday at a venue to be confirmed. The defending champions Tabatinga FC (Male) and Gladiators FC (Females) will take on Snatchers FC in both categories.

The RFA provides a platform for both males and females from across the Rupununi to showcase their skills and talents.

Teams will be competing for $500 000 (1st prize), $300 000

American legend Carl Lewis stands by comments made about Jamaican sprint king UNITED States track and field legend Carl Lewis has insisted that it would be foolish not to question the records set by recently retired Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt but claims it was never anything personal.

2007. In his youth, Bolt became the first junior sprinter to run the 200m in under 20 seconds.

Lewis’ criticism sparked the ire of fans worldwide, many turning to accuse him of envy. The American’s cynical point of view did not

Olympic legends Usain Bolt (left) and Carl Lewis have not always seen eye to eye.

The 57-year-old Lewis, a nine-time Olympic gold medallist, sparked a firestorm in 2008 when he suggested that the spectacular feats accomplished by Bolt might have been with the aim of performance-enhancing drugs.

Lewis pointed to major reductions in the sprinter’s times over 100m an event he first competed in, in

escape Bolt himself who insisted he had lost all respect for the former sprinter.

In a recent interview on ‘Undeniable with Dan Patrick’, however, Lewis stood by the controversial comments but insists the issue was never personal and spoke to the integrity of the sport.

“My thing was I didn’t accuse anyone of anything

Defending male champions Tabatinga FC

but what I said is that you have to question if someone drops that fast like that. If you don’t then you are crazy or a fool or something, whatever I said,” Lewis said in the interview to be aired on A&T Audience Network.

“My issue with drugs has always been the brand.

Being a sport that people think is on drugs is bad for the brand. I didn’t trust it (Bolt’s times) so I put it out there. People asked me, ‘What are you saying?’, I already said what I said and there is nothing to change. I stand by it,” he added.

The 32-year-old Bolt still holds the world records for both 100m and 200m sprints, blistering marks of 9.58 and 19.19 set in 2009 that have seemed untouchable for the past several years.

“Of course, I questioned that. It doesn’t mean I’m saying he is on it (drugs) but we should question it … they should question anyone that does that kind of drop. I didn’t say anywhere that he was on it. I said we should question it because if you don’t, it’s ridiculous.”

(Sportsmax)

(2nd prize) and $150 000 (3rd prize), plus medals and trophies.

Prizes for the Most Valuable Player and Best Goalkeeper will also be up for grabs.

Following an exciting contest with Paiwomak Warriors Football Club at the Wada’apna Sports Complex back in 2018, Tabatinga FC (Males) and Gladiators FC (Females) emerged champions of the RFA Champions League. Tabatinga FC defeated Paiwomak Warriors 1-0, while Gladiators FC won against Paiwomak Warriors 4-1.

Suarez double downs Madrid, sends Barca into another Cup final

Barcelona’s Luis Suarez scores their third goal from the penalty spot. (REUTERS/Susana Vera)

MADRID, Spain (Reuters) - A clinical Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-0 away in an intense Copa del Rey semi-final, second leg yesterday as a Luis Suarez double helped them secure a 4-1 aggregate victory and a spot in the final for the sixth straight season.

A dominant yet wasteful Real ravaged their rivals in the first half while spurning a string of clear chances at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Yet Barca went ahead against the run of play in the 50th minute, as Ousmane

Dembele led a counter-attack and Suarez slotted his pass into the net.

Spearheaded by the pace and confidence of Brazilian teenager Vinicius Jr, Madrid continued to fly forward but failed to find the target.

Barca effectively killed off the tie when Raphael Varane bundled the ball into his own net as he tried to prevent Suarez reaching another cross from Dembele.

Suarez then earned a penalty and further humiliated Madrid by converting with

an audacious ‘Panenka’, deceiving goalkeeper Keylor Navas by chipping the ball into the net.

La Liga leaders Barca will visit Real again in the league on Saturday.

The Catalans, who are bidding to win the trophy for a record fifth consecutive year, will play either Real Betis or Valencia in the final on May 25 at Betis’ Benito Villamarin stadium.

Valencia host Betis in their second leg today, having drawn 2-2 in the first leg.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 28, 2019

National Track and Field GBBC mourns death of former National champion Lennox Beckles Centre to host Guyana vs FORMER super lightweight champion of Guyana, Lennox Beckles, has passed away in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) announced yesterday.

In a statement to the media, GBBC said it “deeply mourns the loss of arguably, one of the most gifted fighters who have ever graced our land”.

His career spanned a period from 1960, when he debuted against David Ralph on September 26 at the GFC ground, to his final fight on May 27, 1979 against Brian Muller, an overseas-based Guyanese, fighting out of the U.S. In the 19 years he compiled a total of 45 fights, which included 34 wins and seven knockouts.

Not known for his punching power, Beckles’ ring craft was similar in style to that of ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard, Pernell ‘Sweet Pea’ Whitaker and Floyd

‘Money’ Mayweather and had in common with these famous fighters, blistering hand speed and the best footwork ever seen from a Guyanese fighter.

Lennox Beckles epitomised boxing’s nickname “the sweet science”.

His mastery of the craft attracted hundreds of spectators every time he fought and he was truly “poetry in emotion”. His extraordinary skill was a source of great national pride to Guyanese boxing enthusiasts and his exploits left an indelible legacy which helped to lay the foundation for the champions who followed.

In conclusion, the statement read; “The Board deeply regrets the passing of this extraordinary talent and son of the soil who passed quietly in Trinidad where he was residing. He will be remembered as an honoured and cherished member of the Guyanese boxing fraternity”.

Belize encounter March 23

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) wishes to announce that the CONCACAF Nations League final qualifier match for Guyana against Belize will be held at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora on Saturday March 23 from 18:30hrs.

The match will see Guyana play one of the most critical matches in their football history, which can give the country a chance to qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. In an invited comment, GFF’s Competitions Director, Ian Alves, said efforts were made to utilise the National Stadium, Providence. However “these did not find the kind of favour that the Federation was hoping for and, as a result, we will host at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

Notwithstanding, we are still encouraging the Guyanese public to come to Leonora in support of the Golden Jaguars. Special transportation arrangements will be put in place, the details of which will be shared with the media in the coming days.”

Meanwhile, the Senior Men’s National Team, Golden Jaguars, continued their preparation for the match with a training fixture against a select team from the Upper Demerara Football Association. According to Assistant coach Charles Pollard, it was another successful outing for the team.

That training match was held on Monday, February 25 at the GFF National Training Centre, Providence. The third training match is scheduled against the West Demerara Football Federation at a date to be announced.

Former and late super lightweight champion of Guyana, Lennox Beckles

Videos help hone big-hitting skills, says Afghanistan’s Zazai (REUTERS) - Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai, who gained instant fame after smashing six sixes in an over in the Afghanistan Premier League last year, said his explosive style was self-taught from watching videos early in his career.

Zazai, nicknamed the ‘Afghanistani Gayle’ after West Indies batsman Chris Gayle, became only the sixth player to achieve the feat in a match for club side Kabul Zwanan against Balkh Legends in

Dhaka demolition: Zazai goes big in a BPL game in January. (BCB)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday, Febrary 28, 2019)

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

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: Evin Lewis-176* (vs ENG, The Oval, 2017) 31 ODIs, 25 wickets

(1)

(2)

TODAY’S QUIZ: How many ODIs have been staged at the Kensington Oval, Barbados to date? How many the WI have won?

Who is the first WI to register an ODI century?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

October.

The 20-year-old revealed he did not have formal coaching until he broke into the Under-19 side.

“At the club, we didn’t have any coaches. I just watched TV and videos and learnt and made adjustments,” Zazai told ESPNcricinfo in an interview.

Recalling his six blitz, Zazai said he had no choice but to attack the experienced

left-arm spinner Abdullah Mazari as they chased a daunting total before falling short by 21 runs.

“I usually like to take a look at the bowler, but the target was 245, so I had to go after every ball. He is an experienced bowler but I had to try to hit him,” Zazai said.

Gayle, who hit 80 for the Legends in that match, had some words of advice for the youngster.

“He later told me I should keep batting the same way, and that my game was good,” Zazai added.

Zazai carried his form to the national team, equalling the record for the fastest T20 fifty during an unbeaten 162 off 62 deliveries last Saturday, as Afghanistan reached a record T20 international total of 278-3 to beat Ireland by 84 runs.

His half-century came off 12 balls to match the record shared by Gayle and Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh.

Titans TTC confident of dominating National Junior & Cadets Championships

By Michelangelo Jacobus

THE Guyana Table Tennis Association’s (GTTA) National Junior and Cadet Championships (U-18 & U-15) will take place this weekend and players from the Titans Table Tennis Club (TTTC) are expected to dominate the event.

Jonathan Van Lange

Boasting a plethora of young talents such as Isaiah Layne (U-15 & U-18), Niran Bissu, Jonathan Van Lange, Dhanesh Persaud, Krystian Sahadeo, Colin Wong, Thuraia Thomas, Crystal Melville and Jasmine Billingy, Titans founder and coach Dwain Dick believes it will all come down to who wants ‘IT’ more.

‘IT’ being championship glory, Dick revealed that he believes young Layne will be the sternest test for Bissu (National U-15 champion).

However, Bissu has proved that he is an ominous opponent on any given day; therefore Layne’s preparations will be key.

Meanwhile ‘The Prodigy’ Van Lange is another player who Dick believes can be a threat in both U-15 and U-18 categories despite his tender age at 12 years.

Thuraia Thomas will be the one to beat while newcomer Crystal Melville, who will be attending her first ‘Nationals’, should place in the top three of both U-15 and U-18 categories. There is also a good chance that Melville can make the National U-15 Girls team.

Dick stated, “Overall Titans should have a standout tournament. It’s just a matter of the players applying themselves, conditioning their minds to the atmosphere and responding under pressure.”

“Van Lange and Isaiah have been putting in long hours along with Krystian Sahadeo, and in the end it all boils down to who wants it more”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 28, 2019

Johnson calls on batsmen to step up against Barbados Pride … Trotman wary of Jaguars home advantage

By Rajiv Bisnauth GUYANA Jaguars captain Leon Johnson has urged his batsmen to step up in their penultimate round of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional Four-day championship against Barbados Pride, which starts today at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Stressing the fact that the batsmen need to play longer innings, Johnson, Guyana’s most successful first-class leader, said that his team need to learn from their mistakes in the past few games and bounce back on a winning note.

“Definitely there was not a lot of application shown, especially in the last round so the batters obviously need to go out and apply themselves. The guys are good enough, especially at home here, to put up a good show with the bat,” Johnson said.

it’s important that we come out victorious,” Johnson reckoned.

Meanwhile, the selection panel has made two changes to the squad with injured Clinton Pestano making way for off-spinner Ramall Lewis and Akshaya Persaud. replacing fast bowler Keon Joseph.

Further head coach of Barbados Pride, Emmerson Trotman, pointed out that his side are wary of Jaguars’ home advantage, adding that his team will need to play smart cricket over the next four days.

Leeward Islands Hurricanes, who have played one match less than Jaguars, are closing the gap in second position. They have 93.4 points and are closely followed by Barbados Pride on 90.6, also from seven games.

Windward Islands Volcanoes, after eight matches, have 80 points in fourth position, followed by Jamaica Scorpions on 76.4 and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force

Guyana Jaguars will need to rebound from their last defeat.

Despite enduring a third defeat this season, defending champions are still on top of the points table. Jaguars, who are hunting a fifth straight title, lost to hosts Jamaica Scorpions by eight wickets in their eighth round contest last weekend, but remain on top with 117.2 points.

However, Johnson, the former West Indies batsman, admitted that Jaguars have no margin for error.

“We are still atop of the table but we cannot afford anymore slip up ... we have two games left and teams behind us with more than 20 points have three more games, Barbados (Pride) being one of those teams; so

in the cellar position on 67.4.

Scorpions and Red Force have played seven games each.

In other ninth round action will see Jamaica Scorpions host Leeward Islands Hurricanes and Windward Islands Volcanoes would be at home to Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.

Guyana Jaguars squad: Leon Johnson (captain), Chandrapaul Hemraj, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Vishaul Singh, Sherfane Rutherford, Christopher Barnwell, Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Romario Shepherd, Ramall Lewis, Akshaya Persaud, Gudakesh Motie and Veerasammy Permaul.

Barbados Pride squad: Shamarh Brooks (captain), Rashidi Boucher, Jonathan Carter, Miguel Cummins, Keon Harding, Chaim Hold-

er, Aaron Jones, Nicholas Kirton, Marquino Mindley, Shayne Moseley, Shamar Springer, Tevyn Walcott, Jomel Warrican.

Leon Johnson

Emmerson Trotman

Marvellous Gayle takes Windies close with 162 but England win by 29 runs

Chris Gayle (right) is congratulated by Darren Bravo after reaching his 25th ODI hundred on Wednesday against England.

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27

Skipper Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler both hit centuries for England . (Getty Images)

Sparta Boss versus Back Circle−a colossal matchup … Reputation at stake in third-place playoff

Part of the action in the Magnum Futsal tournament

...centuries also for Morgan and Buttler

ON the heels of a clinical annihilation of pre-tournament favourites ‘Gold is Money’ the question now is whether East Ruimveldt-based Back Circle possess enough firepower to stop the insatiable hunger for success of Sparta Boss.

In a little less than 48 hours, this question will be answered when the two teams meet in the final of this year’s National Sports Commission (NSC)/Magnum Mash Cup, at the National Gymnasium.

The Futsal kings, as all would know, have an imposing record whenever they reach the latter stages of competitions and no doubt will start as clear favourites to claim the ultimate prize against a team that have shown enough resilience to earn respect.

Sparta Boss’s undeniable statement against ‘Gold is Money’ in their semi-final clash demonstrated their seriousness to go all the way, while Back Circle’s come-from-behind victory to eliminate defending champions Bent Street presented a similar declaration.

Sparta Boss have enjoyed far more success than Back Circle, but admirers of the format know that both teams are worthy opponents and display similar attacking styles combined with strong backlines.

It sets up nicely to be one of the most enthralling finals for some time which makes it a must-see encounter.

The leading marksmen, Sparta’s Jermin Junor and Back Circle’s Stephon McLean, performed outstandingly in their respective semi-final appearances and they will be aiming to duplicate those feats.

However, Sparta hold the edge in their supporting cast, that included the recently acquired Ryan Hackett, who slammed in a hat-trick in the semis, while the experience of Gregory Richardson, Eusi Phillips and

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Johnson calls on batsmen to step up against Barbados Pride →31

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019